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PACIFIC LODGE

Location: Amherst

Chartered By: William Sewall Gardner

Charter Date: 09/11/1861 VI-382

Precedence Date: 08/23/1860

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

Need list of living PMs.

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

• Petition for Dispensation: 1860
• Petition for Charter: 1861

ANNIVERSARIES

• 1901 (Centenary of Pacific (1801))
• 1926 (125th Anniversary)
• 1951 (150th Anniversary)
• 2001 (200th Anniversary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

• 1861 (W. Coolidge; Constitution of Lodge and installation; hall dedication; Special Communication; see below)
• 1882 (Lawrence; Installation; hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1901 (Gallagher; Centennial (of Pacific; hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1911 (Flanders; Hall dedication; Special Communication)
• 1926 (Simpson; 125th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 1951 (Roy; 150th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 2001 (Bauer; 200th Anniversary; Special Communication)
• 2011 (Stewart; 2 visits, including Installation)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1877 1883 1885 1893 1898 1907 1910 1912 1919 1929 1937 1938 1939 1941 1952 1954 1956 1959 1970 1976 1981 1982 1988 1991 1994 2009 2012

HISTORY

• 1926 (125th Anniversary History, 1926-164; see below)
• 1951 (150th Anniversary History, 1951-67)
• 2001 (200th Anniversary History (very brief in Proceedings, 2001-79)

125TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 1926

From Proceedings, Page 1926-164:

By Brother Charles R. Green.

THE FIRST PACIFIC LODGE

Pacific Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons celebrates today the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the granting of its Charter on June 8, 1801 — a comparatively small event at that time but an event of some importance as we look back through the years today.

In the early months of the first year of the last century, thirteen members of Masonic Lodges in this vicinity came together to consider the formation of n new Lodge. We know that those men came from the towns of Sunderland, Leverett, Montague, Northfield, and Amherst, and In some cases we have been able to learn the names of their particular Lodges, Up to the present time the list is as follows: John Prentiss, of Northfield, Caleb and Phineas Hubbard, of Sunderland, William Mather and Elijah Allis, whose home towns we have not been able to locate, were members of Republican Lodge of Greenfield. Roswell Field and Joseph Willard, of Leverett, Edward Buggies and Cornelius Wells, of Montague, and David Stockbridge, of Whately, were members of Harmony Lodge of Northfield. We have not been able to find out the names Lodges to which Friend Smith, of Amherst, and Rufus Field, of Leverett, belonged in those early days, It is on record, however, that the Grand Lodge, in answer to the petition of these thirteen men, granted the Charter to Pacific Lodge of Sunderland at its quarterly meeting in Boston on June 8, 1801. Other Lodges chartered lit the same meeting are as follows:

• Lebanon Mount Lebanon, Boston
• Fore Fathers' Rock, Plymouth
• Fraternal, Barnstable
• Aurora, Leominster
• Eastern, Eastport (Maine)
• Saint John's, Starbrock, Demarara, and
• Rural, Rehoboth.

Without question, the early and successful labors of those men would justify us in giving a detailed study of their life histories, but time will not permit, so I venture to give you just a few gleanings concerning those who were the first Masters of Pacific Lodge.

Phineas Hubbard was the first Master of the Lodge, and it is Interesting to note in this respect that this hall in this Masonic Temple is named after him. He was at that time twenty-six years old, making him one of the youngest Masters the Lodge has ever had. He continued his residence here until 1805, when he moved to Stanstead, Canada, a small town just beyond the Vermont border, and here he resided during the remainder of his life. In 1811. he was a Charter member of another Lodge, named at his suggestion, "Golden Rule Lodge number Nineteen," and
 was installed its first Worshipful Master on the 18th of 
January, 1814. The historian of that Lodge wrote the 
historian of this Lodge a few years ago to this effect:

"Worshipful Brother Hubbard was eminently endowed
 with all the prerequisites for filling the Oriental Chair
 with graceful ease and manly dignity. He seemed ready to participate in all the social, moral, and Masonic virtues;
 presiding with a kind of parental and masterly skill over 
the concerns of the Lodge, vigilantly guarding its inter
ests, enforcing its principles, and performing its rituals
 in that impressive manner that often reminds us of the
wisdom and skill of our First Most Excellent Grand Master."

On the 24th of June of that same year, this newly 
organized Lodge in Canada celebrated St, John the Bap
tist's Day Brother Hubbard delivered the oration.

"In 1818 he was elected Senior Warden of a Mark Mason's Lodge just formed, and we have reason to infer that he was afterwards exalted to the Royal Arch Degree. He was finally summoned, we trust, to the Celestial Lodge above February 2, 1842."

Roswell Field, the second Worshipful Master, was born in Leverett in 1767 and resided there during his entire lifetime. He was a man of integrity and influence, stern and decided in his opinions, of good judgment and excellent executive ability. He held many important positions in town affairs, being elected Selectman, Overseer of the Poor, Assessor, and Member of the School Committee. He was at other times Justice of the Peace, "barrister," and magistrate, as occasion required. He served as Representative to the General Court for twelve consecutive years. He died in 1842, the same year as Phineas Hubbard, his predecessor, at the age of seventy-five years. It should be of additional interest to all of the members of Pacific Lodge, at least, to learn that this Roswell Field, the second Master of Pacific Lodge, was a great-uncle of Eugene Field, noted American poet and journalist. (Eugene Field, by the way, was a cousin of Samuel Minot Jones, the founder and benefactor of The Jones Library of Amherst.)

The third Worshipful Master was Samuel Church, of Amherst, and the Fourth was Caleb Hubbard, of Sunderland. Both of these men served with distinction during the Revolutionary War. Caleb Hubbard, the fourth Master of Pacific Lodge, lived until 1850, when he died at the age of ninety-six years, probably the greatest age reached by any member of the Lodge. The house in which he lived was the first home of Pacific Lodge, and that house is now standing and being used as the home of some of his descendants. I venture to express the hope that one day Pacific Lodge will be able to place on that building a 
suitable marker indicating to all those who may travel that way something about its early Masonic connections.

Although the Charter was granted in 1801 and the Lodge carried on its work regularly from that time, the Lodge was not really Constituted until September 5, 1804. The officers were properly installed on that occasion by Solomon Vose, D. D. G. M., especially deputized for that purpose. The report to the Grand Lodge shows "a sermon by R. W. Brother Pond and a charge by the presiding officer were delivered on ye occasion," and it seems as if the Lodge was in possession at the present time of that sermon. In rummaging around among the miscellaneous possessions of the Lodge a few days ago, I came across this ten-page ancient looking document, a very good sermon in
 form, of considerable age without any doubt, lacking only
 the name and date necessary to make us sure about this 
particular thing. The message contained in this ancient
document is <>r such a goodly character that I am going 
to take the liberty to transcribe it some day with the hope that it will be read to the members of Pacific Lodge at some regular communication.

The early communications of this Lodge were held in 
various places; first in Sunderland, as specified in the original charter; then in Amherst from 1802 to 1807; the next ten years In Leverett, from 1807 to 1817; and back
 to Amherst again from 1817 to 1828. While in Sunder
land the first few months in the history of the Lodge, com
munications were held in Major Caleb Hubbard's tavern
 at Plumtrees, on the main road, and halfway between Am
herst and Sunderlerland. The first meetings in Amherst (1802 to 1807) were held in "Brother Calvin Merrill's Hall." These last four words come down to us in quotation marks, but as yet I have not been able to locate this place with any degree of certainty. It seems as if it must have been somewhere in the East Street neighborhood, because that part of town was really the center of the town in the early years of the last century, certainly before the building of Amherst College in the 20s began to stimulate the development of the center of the town as we now know it.

By permission of the Grand Lodge again, the Lodge moved to Leverett, and meetings were held there, first in the home of Brother Hubbard (just which Hubbard I cannot ascertain), and later at the hotel of Lucius Field. Upon the return to Amherst again in 1817 John Baggs' Tavern in the East Street neighborhood, Rufus Kellogg's Tavern at the "City," North Amherst, and the Boltwood Tavern, located where the Amherst House now stands, were places where meetings were held during the next ten or twelve years.

It is interesting to pause here for a few minutes to consider the reports made to the Grand Lodge by the District Deputies having jurisdiction over Pacific Lodge and other Lodges in Hampshire County. At thai time Hampshire County extended from Springfield on the south to Greenfield on the north.

The first District Deputy's report contains these words: "The members appear with dignity. I think the members of this Lodge are generally quite respectable. They work correctly." In 1805, the District Deputy reported, "This Lodge is in want of the DUE Mode of Work, and it would {should} be methodically extented." The report for 1818 says, "From various reports it appears thai the interests of Masonry in this District are on the decline and that much Darkness has found its way into the several Lodges. It is hoped, however, that Light will again spring up and sheer the desolate places." tn 1817 the representative of the Grand Lodge says, "This Lodge is probably Improving, although none of the members are much acquainted with the present mode of work. Their appearance is, on the whole, respectable." In 1819, when Ebenezer Mattoon, our local hero of Revolutionary fame, was Master of the Lodge, the report says, "Nothing can be said In favor of this Lodge. Members are in general thought of {as} respectable characters, greatly deflcient in zeal." Pacific Lodge owed the Grand Lodge at that time $94.00, and record is made that $17.00 was paid the District Deputy. The 1820 report shows, "This Lodge has been on the decline for a few years past. Members are very deficient in attendance and in their knowledge of theirs returns and work; much disheartened; they will probably return the charter." In 1826, the visiting Deputy reported that he called at Amherst, but found that notice had not been received and consequently the Lodge was not assembled. In 1827 the Lodge was reported square with the Grand Lodge, and one of the last entries made in that time, February 27, 1828, was to the effect that a bill of $20.00 was paid to Carter and Adams, printers and stationers of Amherst. It is good to learn that the Lodge recovered from the slump of a few years previous and was in good financial standing.

Then came the Morgan excitement. Starting in New York State in 1826, and extending its influence through Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New England generally, Pacific Lodge along with a great many others fell victim to the unreasonable public opinion of the time, suspended its work, and gave up its Charter to the Grand Lodge, This incident alone is worth more than passing attention, but it will be sufficient for me to say that it has been estimated that three thousand Lodges ceased working during the next few years, and that in Massachusetts alone no new Lodges were chartered by the Grand Lodge for the next eighteen or twenty years.

THE SECOND PACIFIC LODGE

After a suspension of nearly thirty-three years, or in 1860, Riley Jillson, a miller of Pelham, Dr. Seth Fish, and eight others of Amherst petitioned to the Grand Lodge for a Dispensation empowering them to meet as a regular Lodge. The petition was granted, and good work carried on for a year. Then the Grand Lodge was petitioned again, this time for the old Charter and the right to work under it. The story of the reconstitution and consecration 
of Pacific Lodge is an interesting one, and it so happ
ens that I am able to read from a copy of the Hampshire and
 Franklin Express, published by Henry A. Marsh here in 
Amherst, on Friday, September 27, 1861. On what we 
call the editorial page, along with early news concerning
the first stages of the Civil War, there is a column and a half report about this great event, another milestone in 
the history of Pacific Lodge. The editor was not a mem
ber of the Lodge because he says, "Were it permissible we should like to give our readers a sketch of the impressing 
ceremonies, but being within the precincts of the Lodge 
the veil of secresy must cover them." Grand Master Cool
idge, who signed the petition of the ten Masons (I. F. Conkey, Henry A. Bridgman, B. W. Allen, B. F. Smith, H. P. Kellogg, Daniel Purrington, Riley Jillson, John 
Jones, G. W. Allen, and Seth Fish) for the reconstituting
of Pacific Lodge, and members of his staff were present and
 after the ceremonies of Constitution and consecration, performed in the afternoon in Masonic Hall, the officers of the Lodge were installed at the Baptist Church early that evening. The Most Worshipful Grand Master was in charge of the exercises, "announcing to the audience the object of the convocation and that in obedience to a cus
tom observed in all ages of the world on the assembling of
 the fraternity, the blessing of the Great Architect of the 
Universe would be invoked." He introduced for this pur
pose the Chaplain-elect, the Rev. John Jones, of Pelham. The music at the Baptist Church at that time was furnished by the College Glee Club, (referring of course to Amherst College, the Agricultural College not having then been established) and the club was assisted by a group of young women, with Mr. Sampson presiding at the organ. "It was fine, and added much to the Interest of the occasion," says the writer of this report.

Continuing the newspaper report, we learn that the Brothers then adjourned from the Baptist Church to the Amherst House where "a supper was provided by Mr. Howe which did great credit to his skill as a caterer. The tables fairly groaned beneath the weight of good things." Later on, Worshipful Master Ithamar K. Conkey presided over the speech making which followed.

From 1861 on the communications of the Lodge were held in Cook's Block on Phoenix Row. In fact, the Lodge continued in this building for fifty-odd years, paying rent for fifty years in one landlord who was Mr. ___ Cook, owner of the building during all of that time. The old Lodge rooms here were damaged by fire on two different occasions, and special rededication exercises were held January 4, 1882, following the renovation of the damaged quarters.

Another milestone in the history of Pacific Lodge was the centennial celebration in 1901. This one hundred-year anniversary was planned for September 18th, but as that time drew near, the entire nation was plunged in grief by the sudden death of President McKinley. Postponed until October 8th, Nature joined in all her glory to make it a notable anniversary. Grand Master Charles T. Gallagher and his suite were received at a special communication of the Lodge in the old Lodge-rooms over Adams Drug Store. After a few words of welcome by Worshipful Master Marshall D. Dickinson, the members of Pacific Lodge and their guests were escorted to College Mall by the Northampton Commandery of Knights Templar in full regalia and headed by the Amherst Brass Band. A splendid program followed, including an address by the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Charles T. Gallagher, an historical address by Rev. George E. Fisher, of North Amherst, and an oration by Rev. John C. Breaker, of Northampton. The Grand Master exhibited the lock of George Washington's hair, presented to the Grand Lodge by Mrs. Washington, encased in a golden urn fashioned by Paul Revere and that placed in a velvet lined mahogany casket, also the work of Paul Revere.

At seven o'clock that evening a banquet was served in the Town Hall and nearly four hundred Masons were seated at the tables. The Hon. Brother Richard W. Irwin, of Northampton, was the toastmaster and he introduced as speakers Most Worshipful Grand Master Gallagher, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Nickerson, Right Worshipful David T. Remington, and Brothers Lieutenant Governor Bates, Secretary of the Commonwealth William M. Olin, President of the Senate Rufus A. Soule, Hon. Dana Malone, Guy C. Allen, H. R. Chase, and others. The Weber Quartette, of Boston, sang all the afternoon and evening — and at the close of the festivities the members of Pacific Lodge received the congratulations of their guests on this most successful centennial celebration.

The need for more desirable quarters for the communications of the Lodge came up for consideration from time to time, and about 1910 the interest became so great that a Masonic Building Association was formed. This resulted 
in the purchase of a fine piece of real estate on Main Street the erection of the new Masonic Temple, the building in which we are meeting today. This building was dedi
cated with appropriate ceremonies on June 8, 1911, one hundred and ten years after the granting of the Charter 
by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. The fifteen years since the dedication of the new Temple and since Pacific Lodge moved into its new home have gone swiftly and pleasantly. The Lodge prospered in many ways. At the present time it has 362 members on its active list, but careful search and fairly accurate count shows that approximately 975 members have been on the Lodge records during the one hundred and twenty-five years of its history.

A few minutes should be given to the consideration of some of the more prominent members of the Lodge, especially during its recent years. I wish we could pay tribute and give our consideration at the present time to men like Edmund Boltwood, Walter M. Dickinson, George E. Cooke, Edward Larabee, Fraser A. Stearns, and others who served their country in times of trouble; of men like D. B. N. Fish, F. A. Hosmer, James B. Paige, M. N. Spear, Levi Stockbridge, and others who have served the Lodge and their community so well; and lastly, those of these present days who are active, high minded men, imbued with and practicing the great teachings of Free Masonry, but time prevents.

You will be Interested, I know, to call that the oldest member of Pacific Lodge at this time is Brother Harvey White, who, on June 2d, celebrated his 92nd birthday. He was raised in our own Lodge in 1874. Following him is James W. T. Davis who was raised in October,1877. He is a Past Master of Pacific Lodge and was Postmaster of Amherst from 1917 to 1922. Next comes George J. Gallond who was raised in December 1877: and then, the last of that fine quartette, Edward C. Carpenter, D. D. G. M. and Past Master, and publisher of The Amherst Record, who was raised in January, 1878. It is of special interest to knew that all four of these long time Masons made application for membership in Pacific Lodge and were entered, passed, and raised to the sublime degree here in our own Lodge. Charles H. Sanderson was raised in Hayden (Brookfield) Lodge August 25, 1871, and admitted in Pacific Lodge in 1878, This makes him the oldest Mason as years of Masonic service are concerned.

About ten years ago, our dearly beloved Brother Dr. James B. Paige had occasion to write: "When I started out with the preparation of a paper for this occasion, I had the intention of preparing a short historical sketch of this ancient Institution, hoping to Impress upon the minds of our younger members the dignity of its past together with some of its traditions and accomplishments, that they might be favorably impressed with the sterling character of its members and their achievements in this community and the Fraternity in days gone by, and to stimulate in them an enduring and endearing interest for the Institution in which they should be proud and zealous of their membership." For us this is the lesson of history — to learn its record and build stronger and better as the years go on.

Twenty-odd years ago, Past Master Marshall D. Dickinson read a historical paper before this Lodge and his closing words will be mine today. He said: "We must press forward in the noble work; select the best material, try it by the square, adjust it by the plumb and level, units it with the cement of brotherly love, and then we may trust that Pacific Lodge as a Temple of Masonry will stand as long as the everlasting hills, the very beautiful hills about us, shall endure."

200TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, JUNE 2001

From Proceedings, Page 2001-79:

Two Centuries of Freemasonry in Hampshire Count}'. Massachusetts. 1801 to 2001

The Charter of the Pacific Lodge was issued by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on June 8, 1801 in answer to a petition of thirteen Masons residing in the towns of Sunderland, Leverett. North Hadley and Amherst. In the earliest days, the Lodge held its communications in the part of Sunderland called "Plumtrees" in Major Caleb Hubbard's tavern. Phineas Hubbard was our first Master and Caleb was our fourth in 1801 and 1807 respectively. Most of the Charter members were from Republican Lodge in Greenfield.

In 1802, the Lodge was removed to Amherst and in 1807, it was moved from Amherst to Leverett, and in September 1817, it returned to Amherst where the Lodge met in the Odd Fellow Hall, thanks to the hospitality and cooperation of the Order of Odd Fellows.

Pacific Lodge, now in its own building, 99 Main Street, Amherst, since 1910, has been able to return the favor in housing the Odd Fellows, the Amherst Grange (until recently), the Royal Arch Masons, Eastern Star Unity Chapter No. 66, and the White Shrine Chapter.

The Lodge has numbered from first to last, more than 2000 members who have come from ranks of almost all the honorable professions and occupations of life.

Our rolls stand the names of farmers, mechanics, merchants, physicians, lawyers, judges, teachers, professors, and clergymen. Some of these are eminently well-known in Amherst, such as Hubbard, Field, Crocker, Dickinson, Maltoon, Thayer, Conkey, Allen, Hawley, Lovell, Cowles, Morse, Adams, David, Paige, Taft, Cushman, Boltwood, Stockbridge, Cooke, Jones, Hosmer, Snelling, Baker, Sloan, Holden, Southwick, Spear, Bartlett, Kellogg, Lessey, Haskings, Kentfield, Douglas, Marsh, Bangs, Noyes, Tillison, Dewey, Darling, Crafts, Anderson, Fisher, and Alviani.

Our members have served in all the defenses of our Nation, including the Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam. Members held the ranks from Private to General in all branches of Service.

Pacific Lodge continues to serve the Community in many ways: in the DARE and CHIP Programs, Shriner's Hospital and Burn Centers, and many other Masonic Charities. Our membership grows every year and invites applications from all men of good report and well recommended.

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EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, JULY 1861

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XX, No. 10, August 1861, Page 377:

This Lodge was regularly constituted and its officers publicly installed by the Grand Master, M. W. Wm. D. Coolidge, assisted by the officers of the Grand Lodge, on Tuesday, the 24th ult. The installation services took place in the Methodist Church, and were attended by a large number of ladies and citizens. The address of the Grand Master was, as usual, appropriate and impressive, and was listened to with great attention and satisfaction. The music was also worthy of great praise. At the conclusion of the services at the church, the Brethren partook of a supper together at the Amherst House, where a pleasant, and we hope not unprofitable hour, was spent in an interchange of views and listening to encouraging words.

The Lodge was organized under the Charter of a former Lodge of the same name, and takes rank from 1801. The officers for the year are as follows :—

• I. F. Conkey, W. Master.
• Geo. W. Allen, S. W.
• Benj. W. Allen, J. W.
• D. W. Palmer, Treas.
• Geo. E. Cook, Sec.
• J. L. Lovell, S. D.
• Lemuel E. Coe, J. D.
• Geo. A. Whipple, S. S.
• John C. White, J. S.
• M. N. Spear, M.
• John Jones, Chap.
• Timothy Armstrong, Tyler.

The officers of the Grand Lodge present, are under many obligations to Bro. Conkey and other officers of the new Lodge for the courtesies extended to them.

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GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

• Linwood G. Buczala, District 17 (Holyoke), 1997, 1998; expelled
• Edward W. Carpenter, DDGM, District 13 (Greenfield), 1903, 1904; SN
• Ithamar F. Conkey, DDGM, District 8 (Greenfield), 1867, 1868; Senior Grand Warden 1869
• H. Chapin Harvey, District 17 (Holyoke), 1969, 1970; N
• Ralph N. Hosford, District 17 (Holyoke), 1959, 1960; SN
• Arthur N. Julian, District 17 (Holyoke), 1937, 1938; N
• Thomas Knudson, Jr., DDGM, District 3 (Chelsea), 1956, 1957; N
• Alexander Anderson MacKimmie, District 17 (Holyoke), 1927, 1928; Junior Grand Warden 1934; N
• John A. Mathews, DDGM, District 27, 2013, 2014
• James B. Paige, DDGM, District 17 (Holyoke), 1915, 1916; SN
• Oliver C. Roberts, District 17 (Holyoke), 1945, 1946; N

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DISTRICTS

1860: District 10

1867: District 8 (Greenfield)

1878: District 18 (Palmer)

1883: District 13 (Greenfield)

1911: District 17 (Holyoke)

1927: District 17 (Holyoke)

2003: District 27

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LINKS

Massachusetts Lodges