Quinsigamond

QUINSIGAMOND LODGE

Location: Worcester

Chartered By: William Sewall Gardner

Charter Date: 09/13/1871 1871-150

Precedence Date: 06/08/1870

Current Status: Active

PAST MASTERS

Henry C. Wadsworth, 1870-1875
1876?
David M. Earle, 1877, 1878; SN
Edward W. Ball, 1879, 1880; SN
Horace B. Verry, 1881
Antipas F. Earle, 1882-1884; SN
Edward B. Dolliver, 1887-1889; SN
Edward Moulton, 1890, 1891
Isaac N. Duke, 1892, 1893
Brigham M. Scott, 1894, 1895
Benjamin A. Barber, 1896
Warren H. Willard, 1897, 1898
Thomas T. Booth, 1899-1901; N
Arthur C. Scott, 1902
Joseph Walter Flagg, 1903, 1904
Henry H. Dyke, 1905-1907; Mem
Frederick W. White, 1908; Mem
Otis C. White, 1909-1911; N
James H. Wall, 1912, 1913
John McIntosh, 1914
Edward A. Mason, 1915, 1916
Eugene C. L. Morse, 1917, 1918
Harry W. Marsh, 1919, 1920
Reuben J. Day, 1921, 1922
Lewis W. Everett, 1923
Philip A. Parker, 1924
Roy N. Grout, 1925
Malcom N. Pilsworth, 1926
George S. Barton, 1927, 1928
Robert C. Eames, 1929
Charles W. Johnson, 1930
Philip H. Warren, 1931, 1932
James H. Colton, 1933, 1952
Elbridge R. Holmes, 1934; N
Ralph C. Peterson, 1935
Leon M. Yatter, 1936
Paul S. Smith, 1937
Ezra C. Cutting, 1938
Carlton S. Ayer, 1939
Chester T. Reed, 1940
John H(enry). Orr, Jr., 1941, 1945
Malcolm W. Atkins, 1942
Irving A. Green, 1943
Harry D. Orr, 1944
Robert C. Eames, 1946
Hadley Spear, 1947
Paul W. Savage, 1948
Idof Anderson, Jr., 1949
J. Gordon Mitchell, 1950
Ernest C. Burns, 1951
Philip H. Warren, Jr., 1953; SN
Thomas L. Salter, 1954
John E. Barnett, 1955
Charles B. Campbell, 1956
Rupert H. Robinson, 1957
Alden Boyd, 1958
James Geddes, 1959
Richard W. Smith, 1960
Edward E. E. Erickson, 1961
Norman C. Crockett, 1962
Kenneth B. Hunt, 1963
Frank C. Merrill, 1964
Donald M. Johnson, 1965
Clyde J. Westhaver, 1966
George A. Herosian, 1967
Philip R. Hey, Sr., 1968, 1969, 1987; SN
John A. Bigelow, Jr., 1970
John E. Erickson, 1971
William C. Storey, 1972
Peter Negoshian, 1973
Norman R. Croft, 1974
Donald R. Hey, 1975
Thomas A. Rucho, 1976
Beverly M. Hubbard, 1977
Kelton D. Johnson, 1978
Theodore M. Torosian, 1979
Edward A. Samia, 1980, 1992
Richard W. Grant, 1981
Edward V. Seaver, 1982
Stuart L. Diamond, 1983, 1997
Frank C. Merrill, 1984
Matthew A. Mallard, III, 1985
Kerim G. Asmar, 1986
E(rnest) John Reeks, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2003
Richard Diamond, 1989, 2004
Bernard S. Witkes, 1990
James R. Stanley, 1991, 1998
Alan J. Goldsborough, 1994
Vasken G. Chagaian, 1995
J. Laurence Ciccolo, 1996, 2007-2011
Bernard S. Witkes, 2000, 2001
Edgar A. Swift, 2005, 2006
Dean D. Moss, 2012

REFERENCES IN GRAND LODGE PROCEEDINGS

Petition for Dispensation: 1870
Petition for Charter: 1871

ANNIVERSARIES

1891 (20th Anniversary)
1921 (50th Anniversary)
1945 (75th Anniversary)
1970 (Centenary)

VISITS BY GRAND MASTER

1871 (Gardner; Constitution of Lodge and installation; Special Communication)
1878 (Welch)
1881 (Lawrence)
1889 (Endicott)
1891 (Wells; 20th Anniversary)
1901 (Gallagher)
1913 (Deputy Grand Master Herbert E. Fletcher; Participation in cornerstone laying for Worcester temple)
1916 (M. Johnson)
1921 (Prince; 50th Anniversary; Special Communication)
1945 (Wragg; 75th Anniversary; Special Communication)
1953 (Roy)
1970 (Jaynes; Centenary; Special Communication)
1992 (Darling)
2012 (Stewart)

BY-LAW CHANGES

1872 1878 1880 1900 1902 1912 1924 1927 1949 1951 1952 1953 1955 1964 1976

HISTORY

1945 (75th Anniversary History, 1945-341)
1970 (Centenary History, 1970-266)

75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1945

From Proceedings, Page 1945-341:

By Worshipful Brother James H. Wall.

In April, 1870, twenty Ancient Free and Accepted Master Masons petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge in Worcester. A dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful William Sewall Gardner, Grand Master, on June 8, 1870, and a Lodge was instituted on that date, being named Quinsigamond Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

The Lodge was constituted and consecrated by the Grand Lodge on December 8, 1871. The charter was presented to the Lodge on this date, precedence in the Grand Lodge and elsewhere as of June 8, 1870. Fourteen of the petitioners for this dispensation signed the By-Laws as charter members June 8, 1870.

This evening we are observing the 75th anniversary of the institution of the Lodge, which occurred on June 8, 1870. Henry C. Wadsworth was appointed the first Master under dispensation June 8, 1870. He was elected Master by the members October 28, 1870. Worshipful Brother Wadsworth served as Master for five years, until 1875. Twelve regular communications were held each year, with occasionally a special. At the close of Brother Wadsworth's term, the membership of the Lodge was 36.

Succeeding Worshipful Brother Wadsworth was Brother J. Marcus Rice, and he served as Master for two years, until 1877. The membership during these two years only increased by two, making 38.

During the last of the year 1877, it was suggested that the Lodge surrender its charter. Wise counsel prevailed and it was decided to continue as a Lodge. Brother David M. Earl was persuaded to accept the office of Master and he was elected in October, 1877. Wor. Brother Earl had joined Quinsigamond Lodge by dimit, having been made a Mason in Hayden Lodge of Brookfield, Massachusetts. Worshipful Brother Earl, from the start of his administration, brought new life into the Lodge. All members pledged loyal support to the Master and Wardens. Applications began to come in and at the end of his term, the membership had increased to 57.

Worshipful Brother Earl invited the Grand Lodge to pay a fraternal visit to Quinsigamond Lodge on April 26, 1878, to witness the work of the Master Mason's Degree. The invitation was accepted.

Nothing of great importance happened from 1891 until Brother Brigham M. Scott was Master, from 1894 until 1896.

In 1896 Worcester was building a new City Hall. The Mayor, A. B. R. Sprague, a member of Quinsigamond Lodge, requested Worshipful Brother Scott, as Master of Quinsigamond Lodge, to invite the Grand Lodge to come to Worcester and lay the corner-stone of the City Hall. This invitation was accepted, and on September 12, 1896, Most Worshipful Edwin B. Holmes, with the officers of the Grand Lodge, laid the corner-stone of the Worcester City Hall. Quinsigamond Lodge was host to the Grand Lodge while in Worcester.

Another memorable visit of the Grand Lodge to Quinsigamond Lodge was in March, 1901. Worshipful Thomas T. Book was Master, and he invited the Grand Lodge to visit Quinsigamond Lodge to witness the conferring of the Third Degree. The invitation was accepted. Elaborate preparations were made for the event and the officers of the Lodge had been thoroughly rehearsed. On March 29th, Quinsigamond Lodge exemplified the Master Mason Degree before Most Worshipful Charles T. Gallagher and officers of the Grand Lodge. The candidate at this communication was Harry L. Wadsworth, son of the first Master of the Lodge. After the close of the meeting, Worshipful Brother Peck, Grand Lecturer, said that the degree work was perfect. Not one mistake was made from opening to closing.

On October 25, 1901, the membership had increased to 176. Brother Arthur C. Scott was elected Master of the Lodge October 25, 1901.

January 24, 1902, Right Worshipful Edward B. Dolliver offered a motion that a committee of five be appointed to consider the matter of raising a charity fund. The motion was carried and the committee, consisting of R.W. Brother Edward B. Dolliver, Wor. Brother Brigham M. Scott, Brother A. B. R. Sprague, Brother W. H. Couglin and Brother Frank A. Smith was appointed, and there was added to this committee the Secretary, Brother James H. Wall. After several meetings, the committee decided to send a letter to every member of the Lodge, asking for subscriptions, such donations to be paid yearly for five years, or in one sum, and replies began to come in at once and very generous.

On May 25, 1903, the funds donated and subscribed, amounting to $4,180.00, were presented to the Lodge by a Deed of Trust, signed by one hundred members of Quinsigamond Lodge. By the terms of the Trust, every initiate or affiliate, in addition to the initiation fee, must contribute $25.00 to this Charity Fund, precedent to his membership. The Charity Fund now amounts to approximately $30,000.

Brother Reuben J. Day was Master from 1920 to 1922. During his term, the fiftieth anniversary of the constitution and consecration of the Lodge was observed on December 8, 1921. This was attended by Most Worshipful Arthur D. Prince, Grand Master, and officers of the Grand Lodge. Rev. Brother Joseph Fort Newton of New York City was the speaker of the evening.

Worshipful Irving A. Green was Master from 1942 to 1943. A reunion of members was held May 21, 1943, at which twenty members, for forty years or over, were present. Six of those twenty members have passed away in the last two years.

Worshipful Harry D. Orr was Master from 1943 to 1944, and during his term, the principal event was the contribution ol the members for the Masonic Military Service Activities. The quota for the Lodge was $1600, and the donations amounted to $2000.

Twenty-one members of the Lodge served in the first World War. In the second World War, thirty-two members served, and so far as has been reported, nineteen sons and relatives of members served. Two sons of members made the supreme sacrifice. There were no casualties of members in either war.

Such is a brief history of Quinsigamond Lodge. There she stands! She seeks no praise. Her history is recorded on every page of her records. It is known by the Fraternity throughout the Jurisdiction. It has borne the Masonic light, not only in the Lodge, but it shines outside, in the world in the lives of its devoted and loyal members. The past is secure.

The Lodge has survived the trials and disappointments of its early years. May its light still further shine until time shall be no more!

OTHER

1873 (Jurisdictional dispute, 1873-128)
1896 (Participation in corner stone laying of Worcester city hall, 1896-239)

EVENTS

CONSTITUTION OF LODGE, DECEMBER 1871

From Moore's Freemason's Monthly, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, January 1872, Page 92:

QUINSIGAMOND LODGE. This is the name of a new and promising Lodge, located in the city of Worcester, which, having worked its year under Dispensation, was formally constituted by M. W. Grand Master Gardner, assisted by his Officers, on Friday P. M. the 8th of December last. The installation of its Officers followed the Constituting of the Lodge, and it is hardly necessary to say that both ceremonies were well and acceptably performed. At their conclusion, the Grand Master addressed the Brethren on their duties and responsibilities, wishing them every success in their new enterprise. The Lodge was then closed, and repaired, with their guest, to the Lincoln House and sat down to well spread tables for supper. The time being limited by the cars, but little was left for anything beyond the disposal of the rich viands upon the table. The officers installed are as follows: