Putnam

PUTNAM LODGE

Location: East Cambridge

Chartered By: Winslow Lewis

Charter Date: 12/13/1855 V-601

Precedence Date: 12/14/1854

Current Status: merged into Moses Michael Hays Lodge, 07/27/1978.

PAST MASTERS

Ezra Ripley, 1854-1855
John H. Leighton, 1856-1858, 1863, 1865
Jeremiah W. Smallidge, 1859
P. Stearns Davis, 1860-1862
Daniel P. Cummings, 1864
Henry B. Leighton, 1866-1867
Thomas Chaffee, 1868
John W. Whitaker, 1869
Charles Pierce, 1870
Charles R. Atwood, 1871-1872
Benjamin F. Atwood, 1873-1874
George H. Carter, 1875-1876
David Wilcox, 1877
John C. Bullard, 1878-1879
Henry K. Appleton, Jr., 1880
Walter W. Pike, 1881-1882
Edward F. Adams, 1883-1884
Charles Davis, 1885-1886
Silas E. Buck, 1887
George H. Munroe, 1888-1889; Mem
Charles A. Austin, 1890-1891
Charles P. Cummings, 1892
Frank E. Shaw, 1893
Edward B. Dale, 1894-1895
William R. Blackman, 1896-1897
Frank H. Willard, 1898-1899
William H. Gray, 1899-1900
Ambrose E. Saunders, 1901-1902
David Fudge, 1903-1904
Fred H. Smith, 1905-1906
Edward J. Fudge, 1907-1908
Alvah F. Dole, 1909-1910
J. Edwin Fairbain, 1911-1912
Joseph A. Lincoln, 1913-1914
Irving C. Langley, 1915-1916; N
Enoch B. Robertson, 1917-1918
George M. Patterson, 1919-1920
Clarence P. Yeaton, 1921
Hugh E. Allen, 1922-1923
James L. Meehan, 1924-1925
James A. Cartwright, 1926-1927; N
Albert J. Beach, 1928-1929
Frank E. McIntyre, 1930-1931; N
Ernest W. Johnson, 1932-1933
Herbert A. Rice, 1934
Arthur L. Hanscom, 1935
William T. Taylor, 1936
Raymond S. Yeaton, 1937
Henry L. Fowler, 1938
John C. Younglof, 1939
Burton H. Rice, 1940
Leonard A. Stevenson, 1941
Francis W. Lindstrom, 1942
Edward M. Page, 1943
Paul Amos Ringland, 1944
Thomas B. McAnaul, 1945
Lancelot Farmer, 1946
James E. Young, 1947
Walter F. Graves, 1948
Clarence G. Jones, 1949
Chris M. Porter, 1950
Charles M. Kimball, 1951
Lawrence D. Watson, 1952
Herman J. Modest, 1953
Aram H. Boyadjian, 1954
Howard R. Jones, 1955
Paul Albert Ringland, 1956
Frank E. Rudzinsky, 1957, 1978
Ira J. H. Habershian, 1958
Stanley H. Halperin, 1959, 1976
Albert C. Tashian, 1960
Henry D. Egdall, 1961
Gregory H. Adamian, 1962
Peter Amershadian, 1963, 1974
Nathaniel Roossin, 1964
Gilbert A. Kaplan, 1965
Morris H. Sidman, 1966
George C. Clap, 1967
Marshall C. Slater, 1968
Stanley G. Winer, 1969; SN
Meyer Levetin, 1970
Holger J. Sorenson, Jr., 1971
Arnold D. Shafferman, 1972, 1975
Samuel Seeche, 1973
Alan Sidman, 1977

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1855 12/14/1854
Petition for Charter: 1856
Consolidation Petition (with Moses Michael Hays Lodge): 1978

ANNIVERSARIES

1929 (75th Anniversary)
1954 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1856 (Lewis; Constitution of Lodge and installation; Special Communication; Address)
1874 (Nickerson)
1899 (Hutchinson)
1900 (Gallagher)
1911 (Flanders)
1919 (L. Abbott)
1929 (H. Dean; 75th Anniversary, Special Communication)
1953 (Roy)
1954 (W. Johnson; Centenary, Special Communication)
1964 (Osgood; Irving C. Langley Night)
1978 (Melanson; Consolidation; Special Communication)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1881 1882 1887 1910 1912 1929 1931 1947 1949 1958 1963 1973

HISTORY

1929 (75th Anniversary History, 1929-266)
1954 (Centenary History, 1954-257)

CENTENARY HISTORY, DECEMBER 1954

From Proceedings, Page 1954-257:

by Worshipful William T. Taylor.

In attempting to write the history of Putnam Lodge, I thought with the complete records running back to the date of its inception in 1854, that the task would be very simple. Upon examination, however, I found subjects of historical value mentioned very lightly and passed on as just current events. I shall state just a few of the outstanding important events of interest which took place during the first few years of its inception, but even these are not all clearly recorded.

After a few preliminary meetings by a handful of interested Masons, the Lodge was brought out of its embryonic state, and the first meeting took place in Odd Fellows Hall, East Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Tuesday evening, December 19, 1884. Brother Ezra Ripley, one of the leading figures in the movement, was appointed presiding Officer for the time being. By-laws were drawn up, voted and passed upon and signed by forty-three Masons present. It was decided at that time to name the Lodge in honor of Gen. Israel Putnam, the famous Revolutionary hero. It was also decided to hold the stated meeting on the third Thursday of each month, and so it remained until July 15, 1856.

At the regular meeting held May 15, 1855, St. John's Lodge of Boston presented the Lodge with a set of officers' aprons. The presentation was made by Brother Benjamin Dean.

During the first year of its existence, Putnam Lodge held seventeen regular and special meetings. When the Lodge finally settled down, Bro. Ezra Ripley was duly elected to be its first Worshipful Master. He held office for two years. Wor. Ezra Ripley was succeeded by Bro. John H. Leighton, Jr., who was acting Junior Warden, and he was installed in office by Most Worshipful Winslow Lewis, Jr.; and the recorded notations simply state that the Lodge was then duly dedicated. During the following years little of note can be obtained from the records. But I cannot pass by one date of importance as our records later show.

On December 15, 1856, the application of P. Stearns Davis was received, and he was elected on December 19, 1856, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on February 16, 1857, admitted a member by ballot March 16, 1857, and on December 19, 1859, was elected to be Master of the Lodge. His two years as Master seemed to have passed by without any events of particular importance. At the close of his term, however, it was announced at the regular meeting on December 16, 1861, that four of the Brethren were in the Armed Services of our country, namely: Bro. Anson P. Hooker, Surgeon, 26th Regt. Mass. Vol., Bro. Atherton H. Stearns, Jr., Capt. Co. D, 1st Regt. Mass. Cavalry, Bro. Ezra Ripley, 1st Lieut. 29th Mass. Regt. stationed at Newport News, Virginia, and Bro. George Nelson Bennett, Private Co. D. 1st Regt. Mass. Vol. This announcement was made by Wor. C. Stearns Davis, who himself later joined the service of our country and served with great credit both to the country and to the Masonic Fraternity. He served as Colonel to the 39th Mass. Regt. Vol. While in camp in Maryland, he formed a Masonic Club and later petitioned the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for the privilege of organizing an Army Lodge in his regiment. This Lodge was later formed, and Wor. Bro. Stearns became its first Worshipful Master. It was known as Army Lodge No. 8. Col. Davis served his country well for two years, until he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Petersburg and died on July 12, 1864.

The Square and Compasses used for Lodge work by the Army Lodge were, after the death of Wor. Bro. Davis, presented to Putnam Lodge by Bro. Henry B. Leighton.

In April of 1865, when the Union Army was entering Richmond, Virginia, Major A. H. Stearns, one of our members, was appointed Provost Marshal for Gen. Grant's forces. His first thoughts on entering the City and taking over his new duties were for the safety and welfare of the women and children of the fallen City and preserving the interests of the local Masonic Lodges. It was Major Stearns who raised the Stars and Stripes over the State Capitol, the first that was raised since the outbreak of the war. The Masons of Richmond, at a later date, sent a letter to Putnam Lodge, expressing their appreciation of his actions, and termed him an angel from heaven.

During the years of 1863 and 1864, Putnam Lodge lost many of its members to enemy action. Among them was our first Worshipful Master, Ezra Ripley. He passed away on a hospital boat near Vicksburg, Mississippi. He now lies in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at Concord, Massachusetts, and the grave is marked with a stone presented by Putnam Lodge. It has been my privilege to visit his grave several times during the years gone by on Memorial Days and place suitable floral tributes on his resting place.

The great war over, Putnam Lodge again settled down to its regular duties and passed along for the next ten years with no events of particular interest. On the evening of January 18, 1875, Bro. Edward Reader, Jr., proposed a candidate for the degrees by the name of Walter Winward, who was accepted February 15, 1875, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on April 19, 1875. He served faithfully as Tyler of the Lodge up to the time of his death on February 3, 1932. During his fifty-one years of service to the Lodge in that position, Walter was absent from his duties on only two occasions, with the exception of the time he was confined during his last illness. Before becoming a member of Putnam Lodge, he had faithfully served his country in her hour of need. During the course of the conflict it was his privilege to come in contact with .Wor. Ezra Ripley several times, the last time being just two weeks prior to Ezra's death. In the year 1924, Bro. Winward was awarded a Henry Price Medal by the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.

On Wednesday evening, December 14, 1904, a special meeting was called by Wor. David Fudge for the purpose of celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Lodge. Services were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church at the corner of Cambridge and Third Streets, East Cambridge.

I shall now pass on to the third twenty-fifth year period of our Masonic history. The year 1905 started well for the Lodge, and on March 20th of that year a committee reported plans for the establishment of a Charity Fund. These plans were accepted on April 17. September of the same year saw the starting of the Life Membership Fund. This Fund showed a steady and healthy growth from year to year and proved a great asset to the Lodge when the need arrived, especially during the times of the long and painful depression of the thirties. At our regular meeting December 18, 1905, the officers of Putnam Lodge were installed by Right Worshipful Walter C. Wardwell, who was also a Past Mayor of our City. Two months later, our good friend Walter was elected our first Honorary Member. At that meeting he presented the Lodge a gavel of historic value, the head being made from a piece of wood taken from the Washington Elm and the handle taken from the home of Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Regular and special meetings were held, but nothing of value to history took place until June 1908, at which time an invitation was received by Putnam Lodge to share in the purchase of the Woodbridge property located on Massachusetts Avenue, North Cambridge, the site of our present Masonic apartments. This invitation was evidently accepted and carried to a successful conclusion, because, a little over three years later, Putnam Lodge held its first meeting in the new Temple on the evening of September 18, 1911. At that meeting the Lodge was paid a fraternal visit by another one of our members, Right Worshipful George H. Munroe, District Deputy Grand Master for the Boston Second District. He received his appointment from Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders on December 27, 1909.

At the regular meeting held the following month, on October 16, 1911, the Lodge was honored by a fraternal visit from Most Worshipful Dana J. Flanders, who expressed pleasure at seeing the new Temple in complete form, he having laid the corner-stone the previous year.

At a meeting held in May, 1913, the Lodge added a second name to its Honor Roll, it being that of Right Worshipful Frederic L. Putnam, the Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge.

The September meeting of Putnam Lodge in 1914 recorded the visit of Right Worshipful Edward S. Young, accompanied by Worshipful Alvah F. Dole, and so we were again honored by the appointment of a Grand Lodge Officer.

The fateful years of 1917 and 1918 again saw many of the members of Putnam Lodge answering the call to the colors, and many saw service in action overseas and served with distinction and honor.

The years following the first World War were distinguished mostly by an increased interest in the Fraternity as a whole, which was reflected by an influx of new members. Putnam Lodge showed a steady and healthy growth which continued until the world-wide depression slowed down activities to a minimum. The closing years of our third quarter of a century saw one more distinguished Mason added to our list of Honorary Members, being that of Right Worshipful Arthur Earl Fiske, District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Masonic District during the years 1924 and 1925.

During the terms of Right Worshipful George B. Colesworthy, Putnam Lodge was again honored by the appointment of Right Worshipful Irving C. Langley to serve as District Deputy Grand Secretary.

During the term of Right Worshipful Arthur W. Coolidge, we were honored once more by the appointment of Wor. James L. Meehan to service as District Deputy Grand Secretary. Wor. Bro. Meehan served only a few months. He passed away after a short illness and funeral services were held in the Masonic Temple.

On December 27, 1928, Most Worshipful Herbert W. Dean honored the Lodge by appointing Wor. James W. Cartwright to serve as District Deputy Grand Master for the district, this being the second honor of this kind to come to the Lodge since its inception.

This now brings us up to the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Lodge, which was celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion. Two evenings were set aside to honor the event and were attended by many distinguished Masons, among them being the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Herbert W. Dean, accompanied by a full suite.

The fourth quarter century was barely under way when the fateful rumblings of the depression began to rear its ugly head. The stock market crash and all of its attending evils left us more or less bewildered. Uncertainty and apprehension began to grip the country. The failure of the banks and the collapse of business in general added to the confusion.

Freemasonry, however, prepared to meet the situation with courage and fortitude. The foundations of our Fraternity were built to withstand the shock of adversity. Putnam Lodge trimmed its sails and made preparations to weather the storm. Under the direction of capable officers, and with the help of our loyal members, Putnam Lodge carried on and came through.

During the next few years of the depression, nothing much of historical importance took place until, in 1933, Wor. Frank Mclntyre was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Boston Masonic District by Most Worshipful Curtis Chipman, this making the third honor of its kind to come to Putnam Lodge.

The remaining years of the depression during the thirties saw Putnam Lodge struggling through with activities somewhat curtailed but always with an alert attitude and an optimistic eye to the future.

In 1940 our Wor. John Younglof was appointed District Deputy Grand Marshal by Right Worshipful Robert Sanford, adding another honor for the Lodge.

Then came the horror of Pearl Harbor and our entry into the second World War on December 7, 1941.

The events that followed were understandable. Putnam Lodge responded in a manner befitting its traditions. Brethren after Brethren found themselves responding to the call, and many distinguished themselves with honor and glory. The war being over, Putnam Lodge again settled down to its regular routine. Activities were resumed with renewed vigor. New committees were formed consisting of an Entertainment and a Service Committee which gave to the members a service that was both worthy and beneficial.

New members gave the Lodge an impetus to our activities. Membership increased almost to the point of our peak of the mid-twenties. In 1950 the Lodge was honored again by the appointment of Wor. Clarence Jones by Right Worshipful Ralph Cohen to serve as District Deputy Grand Secretary for the Second Boston Masonic District.

During the latter part of 1954 our Lodge received another honor in the appointment of our Secretary, Wor. Irving C. Langley, to be District Deputy Grand Master for the Second Boston Masonic District by Most Worshipful Whitfield W. Johnson, making this the fourth honor thus given.

Right Worshipful Irving C. Langley in turn appointed our Past Master, Wor. Lawrence D. Watson, to serve as his District Deputy Grand Marshal.

As we are just about to celebrate our one hundredth anniversary, we have received the sad news that on September 21, 1954, our beloved Right Worshipful Frank E. Mclntyre passed away. Just twenty-five years ago Worshipful Frank E. Mclntyre was presiding Master at our seventy-fifth anniversary. Also, on October 29, 1954, Bro. Herman Blum passed on. Brother Blum was raised October 16, 1944, and soon after helped organize the Entertainment and Service Committees that performed such remarkable service to the Lodge and its membership under his chairmanship.

This history now brings us up to the occasion which we are now celebrating, and it is with great hopes that Putnam Lodge will renew its endeavors to start out on another period of its work with the goal of one hundred twenty-five years ahead; and on that celebration may we all meet and be of service to the Lodge and to our great Fraternity.