USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Reminiscences of St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover, Mass / delivered by Joseph W. Smith at the celebration of the Lodge's 75th anniversary, December 10, 1897 > Part 1
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Reminiscences of St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover, Mass.
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By Joseph W. Smith.
ndover Room R 82.44 ni
FOR REFERENCE
Do Not Take From This Room
Andover Room R 282.44 Smith, Joseph W. Reminiscences of St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover, Mass.
Memorial Hall Library Andover, Mass. 01810 475-6960
3 1330 00247 4504
Reminiscences of St. Matthew's Lodge, Andover, Mass.
Delivered by JOSEPH W. SMITH at the celebration of the Lodge's 75th An- niversary, December 10, 1897
Memorial Hall Library Andover, MA 01810
Andere Room >82.44 SILLI
When I was asked to search the Archives of " St. Matthew's Lodge " and bring out some of the "Ancient Records" I thought I should have a "dusty" time, as you are aware that old "dates " are usually very "dry," but after considering the matter and finding the files in such good order, the whole thing was shorn of its "rasping" character. I must necessarily, however, try to "moisten " up the matter somehow. I can only take you by the " slow coach " of time, but I may manage to get in a little sprinkling from the reign of the worthy brethren who preceded us. The old-time lines had their watering-places, so with a few halts to "refresh " our reminiscences we may be able to reach our present destination, viz., 1897, just seventy-five years since the original members of St. Matthew's Lodge commenced travelling toward the " East."
ST. MATTHEW'S LODGE, ANDOVER, MASS.,
was chartered December II, 1822. The char- ter members were as follows :
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David Rice,
Benjamin Herrick,
Peter French,
Jacob Shed,
John Brown,
Samuel McCoy,
Simon Flanders,
Jonathan Merrill,
Merrill Pettengill,
Patrick Fleming,
Jonathan Phelps,
Charles O. Kimball,
John Smith,
Moses Bixby,
Daniel Wardwell,
Benjamin Day,
George Wardwell,
Thomas Thaxter,
Thomas Spofford, Jonathan Swan,
James Roberts, John Merrill,
Palfrey W. Downing,
Josiah Greenleaf,
John Marland,
Samuel Jamison.
The first record is as follows :
" The Lodge met for the first time, January 25, 1823, at Widow Mary Parker's, North Andover.
Signed, DANIEL WARDWELL, Secretary."
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The principal officers of the Lodge at the start were
DAVID RICE, Worshipful Master.
JOHN BROWN, Senior Warden.
MERRILL PETTENGILL, Junior Warden. JACOB SHED, Treasurer.
DANIEL WARDWELL, Secretary.
Perhaps at this point it may be interesting to say a word or two in regard to the history of our ancient order.
" Secret organizations of free or enfranchised operative masons were formed in the middle ages, when skilled workmen moved from place to place to assist in building the magnificent sacred structures - cathedrals, abbeys, etc .- which had their origin in those times, and it was essential for them to have some signs by which, on coming to a strange place, they could be recognized as real craftsmen and not impos- tors. There was such a society ; and builders in England in the seventeenth century, and some persons not belonging to the craft, had been accepted as members of it; hence, the
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full name of the present fraternity, "Free and Accepted Masons." Modern Freemasonry dates from the organization in 1717 of the four lodges then existing in London, on a new basis, into a grand lodge, by which other grand lodges were chartered. To mark its departure from the limited scope of the original society, the principles and methods of the order are called speculative masonry, the terms and insignia of operative masonry being retained. Fable, though absolutely without any historical basis, takes the history of the order back to the Roman empire, to the Pharaohs, to the building of Solomon's temple or the tower of Babel, or even to the building of Noah's ark."
In the short time allotted to me I shall endeavor to give you in a somewhat connected manner some of the reminiscences of St. Matthew's Lodge and the worthy men who banded themselves together in secret conclave, and who bore the " burden and heat of the day" in Freemasonry. It would be gratifying to us all no doubt, if a copy of Bro. Pomeroy's address, delivered at the commencement of Masonic work in Andover, could be procured. No trace, save the record, can be found, and that says "A copy was solicited."
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The men who formed St. Matthew's Lodge were nearly all tradesmen and their handiwork can be seen in many places in Andover today.
The first Worshipful Master, Brother David Rice, was a carpenter ; and, from all we can learn, skillfully handled the Plumb, Square, and Level. I had occasion to make some changes a few years ago, in a house he built, and I found the work substantial, and evidently intended for all time. There are some people living who remember this master builder. Moses Clement, late of the firm of Abbott & Clement, was an apprentice in the employ of David Rice in 1833, and afterwards became a Mason and joined St. Matthew's Lodge. There are a number of buildings standing in Andover today which were designed and built by David Rice. He also interested himself in public affairs, and at one time was road master.
Brother David Rice served as Worshipful Master one year, and then John Brown was chosen to fill the chair. During the two years Brother Brown was Master the Lodge con- tinued in a flourishing condition. By the record we notice that the Lodge moved into William Town's hall, near Andover bridge, and on
1823 to 1824
1824 to 1826
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1826 to
1828
December 29, 1824, a committee was appointed to visit Good Samaritan Lodge, Reading, Mass., to get leave to remove the Lodge to South Parish, Andover.
January 2, 1825, voted to attend as a Lodge on the 17th of June at Bunker Hill, to assist in the laying of the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument. In 1826, Brother Merrill Pettengill was elected Worshipful Master and served two years. It was during his administration that a committee was appointed to look into the matter of building a hall, and the committee reported favorably to locate a hall in the South Parish, provided an amendment to the charter could be obtained. Brother Pettengill was a blacksmith and his shop was located at the corner of the street, now Punchard avenue. He was a good workman and a zealous Mason and the Craft thrived under his leadership.
Jonathan Merrill, one of the charter mem- bers, was also a blacksmith and wrought in Abbott Village. He was made a Mason in Merrimack Lodge, Haverhill, in 1815. In 1826 the corner-stone of the West Parish church was laid with Masonic honors by the Lodge. Brother Pettengill was a director in the Andover
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and Wilmington Railroad when the road was built, and was one of the conductors at the opening of the road. His son, Merrill Petten- gill, is still living at the age of eighty-two years, and is in the employ of Shepard, Norwell & Co., Boston.
John Smith was the next Worshipful Master and served one year. He was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge, Lexington, Mass., June, 1819. This Lodge celebrates its centennial on Mon- day, December 13, 1897.
John Smith was a charter member of Monitor Lodge, Waltham, Mass., in 1820, also a charter member of St. Matthew's Lodge. He was well known to many of those present, and no eulogy is necessary from me. He lived a long and useful life and passed away at the age of eighty- nine years, nine months, February 25, 1886, the last of the charter members of St. Mat- thew's Lodge. He was followed by his brother, Peter Smith, who was in the chair three years ; of him we can say, that for fifty years he was connected with Masonry, and during the " dark days" was true and faithful ; and here I remark that during those trying times St. Matthew's Lodge held her charter intact, while
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1828 to 1829
1826 to 1832
some lodges in the State surrendered theirs. Brother Smith died July 6, 1880.
Merrill Pettengill was again elected Wor- shipful Master for three years.
John Smith was Worshipful Master a second time.
Merrill Pettengill for a third time was elected Worshipful Master and held the office for eight years.
Reuben Frye was made a Mason in the early days of the Lodge. Brother Frye was an oper- ative Mason and built the West Parish church, also the bank building so recently demolished to make room for the present modern structure. He built, and for some years lived, in the house now occupied by William C. Donald. The latter part of his life he spent in Lowell, where at the present time there resides a son, Fred- erick Frye, the only remaining representative of a large family. He, too, is an operative mason as well as speculative.
I remember Reuben Frye well, and have occasion to be very thankful for his prompt action. When a little chap, at the time the factory was building at Frye Village, I had fallen from a temporary bridge into the water.
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1832 to 1835 1835 1836 to 1844
He heard my cry and came quickly to the rescue and fished me out when about a " pickerel line's " length from shore.
Brother Nathan Frye, who was made a 1844 Mason in 1831, was installed Worshipful to 1850
Master in 1844, and for six years filled the chair acceptably. He was a good Master ; his gentlemanly bearing gave him prestige in what- ever position in life he was placed.
D. W. Wyman was Worshipful Master one 1850 year.
Brother Nathan Frye was elected for a second 1851 time in 1851, and served as Worshipful Master to
1855 for four years more.
Brother Henry Abbott was elected Worship- 1855 ful Master in 1855 and served one year.
Brother Nathan Frye was elected Worshipful 1856 Master for a third term in 1856 and continued 1859 to in the chair until 1859, making thirteen years in all.
I was made a Mason under Brother Frye in 1857, and I love to think of him as a good man and a devoted Mason. I am sure I speak for all who knew him when I say that his memory is revered.
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It is difficult of course to give a full account of all the earlier or even later incidents of St. Matthew's Lodge, or to make mention of all the doings of the Lodge and personal reminis- cences. That which I have endeavored to place before you has been some of the former pro- ceedings, and these only in a meagre form, as time will not allow extended mention. I must be excused also for not mentioning the names of all who have passed away, some of whom were buried with Masonic orders. 1859 brings us down to the time when I was elected Worshipful Master and served four years.
David Howarth was elected Worshipful Master and served one year.
1864
I was again elected in 1864, and served as Worshipful Master one year. There are some here who were made Masons when I was in the East. Our present Tyler, Brother Charles F. Mayer, who has been in the "harness" for more than thirty years as the guardian of our outer portal, was made a Mason in 1864. The " stitches " of time may show some "traces " of wear, but he still holds up his "end" well, and take him "all in all," whether " threading " his way through life or " splicing" on his
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1859 to 1863 1863
Masonic "reign," he " sticks " like " wax "-so mote it be.
An organization would be incomplete without its humorous side. Isaac Carlton, the hatter, who was Tyler in the early days of St. Mat- thew's Lodge for some years, was like our present Tyler, a " bit " of a wag, and many are the jokes handed down to posterity. He always made his influence "felt " and his jokes were as fine as " silk." One evening a person came over to the old " Bank building" supposing a "puppet " show was going on, as the hall had been let at times for travelling shows, and made the inquiry "What's going on in the hall to- night ?" Brother Carlton put on an extra sober face and drawing out the old sword from behind his back, remarked, "A Masonic meeting, sir !" Upon this the person turned quickly upon his heel, and Carlton always declared that the man did not strike his feet but three times before he was on the sidewalk - instead of going down stairs, he jumped the rail at each flight. It was reported at one time that Carlton had "died" the night before, but he was seen around all right the next morning. "O yes," he said, " it was all true. I dyed some hats."
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1865 to 1868
He was a jolly, jovial man and always kept the Craft amused.
Brother Edward T. Wardwell was elected Worshipful Master in 1865 and served three years. Brother Wardwell was an earnest Mason and made one of the best of Masters. He was prompt, energetic, and well read in all the lectures. He left nothing undone to make the Lodge-room a place of general Masonic instruction. When District Deputy " Bishop" of Lawrence, visited St. Matthew's Lodge, while under the Mastership of Brother Ward- well, he said: "the work in St. Matthew's Lodge is as well done as in any Lodge in my district." Brother Wardwell has left us and joined the " celestial Lodge above," but his memory is sweet, for he left a noble record - manifesting the true spirit of Masonry while a sojourner here below.
Brother Isaac S. Carruth was elected Worship- ful Master in 1875 and served two years. Bro. Carruth had the respect of all the brethren of St. Matthew's Lodge ; was an unassuming man, and the craft was benefitted by his Masonic in- structions. He has passed, on and his memory is revered by all.
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The affairs of the Lodge have been going on in a quiet but steady way since the " Fathers " of Masonry held sway, who were connected with St. Matthew's Lodge. There are not many representatives of the original members living today. Still there are some who take an active part in the work of the Order. The living Past Masters are as follows :
1859 to 1863 1864 to 1865 S JOSEPH W. SMITH.
1868 to 1869-JAMES B. SMITH. 1869 to 1871-JOHN L. SMITH. 1871 to 1873-JOHN H. FLINT. 1873 to 1876-GEORGE S. COLE. 1878 to 1879-GEORGE H. POOR. 1879 to 1880-GEORGE S. COLE. 1880 to 1881-JOHN L. SMITH. 1881 to 1883-JOSEPH R. PARLIN. 1883 to 1886-ALBERT S. MANNING. 1886 to 1887-GEORGE W. CHANDLER. 1887 to 1888-ARTHUR W. WHITE. 1888 to 1889-GEORGE S. COLE.
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1889 to 1890-ALBERT S. MANNING. 1890 to 1891-JOHN H. FLINT. 1891 to 1893-JOHN E. SMITH. 1893 to 1895-JAMES ANDERSON. 1895 to 1897-WALTER H. COLEMAN. 1897 to - - THOMAS DAVID.
Our present Worshipful Master, Thomas David, was the first to be made a Mason, in 1890, in our new Masonic quarters.
The living Masters can all speak for them- selves, if they choose to. A good Mason does not " give anything away," - it is sufficient to say that they all served the Craft with fidelity and zeal during their respective terms of office.
During the past two years, eight of the living Past Masters visited Merrimack Lodge, Haver hill, by invitation of Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Brother E. B. George, on the occasion of his annual visit to that Lodge.
I find the average attendance of St. Mat- thew's Lodge for the first three years to be twenty-three.
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August 31, 1887, the Lodge numbered ninety-two members, and in 1897 one hundred and ten members. The records show a good average attendance.
July 12, 1855, I find this interesting item of information :
"A large attendance of members and visitors. The occasion being the annual visit of District Deputy Grand Master Brother Peter Lawson of Lowell, Mass., with his suite, among them Worshipful Master Brother Samuel K. Hutch- inson, of Ancient York Lodge, Lowell."
Brother Hutchinson was the father of our present Most Worshipful Grand Master, Charles C. Hutchinson, also of Lowell, born in Andover in 1832.
St. John's Lodge of Boston, held its one hundred and sixty-fourth annual election of officers, Monday, December 6, 1897. Brother J. Thomas Baldwin, leader of Baldwin's Musical Band, is a member, and also claims Andover as his birthplace.
From time to time St. Matthew's Lodge has come to the relief of a distressed worthy Brother, thereby carrying out in practice one of the tenets of our Institution ; and when called
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upon, has many times assisted in performing the last sad rites connected with the burial of Brother Masons.
Some twenty Lodges in Massachusetts have celebrated their centennials during 1895, 1896, and 1897.
In December, 1872, St. Matthew's Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with appro- priate ceremonies.
Grecian Lodge, of Lawrence, was instituted in 1825, and the following named charter mem- bers of St. Matthew's Lodge, Charles O. Kim- ball, Benjamin Day, Jonathan Swan, Benjamin Herrick, Patrick Fleming, Thomas Thaxter and John Merrill, became charter members of Grecian Lodge. That Lodge commenced its Masonic life in Methuen, moved to Lawrence in 1847, and still continues to be successful.
Cochichewick Lodge, of North Andover, was organized May 30th, 1874, and worked under dispensation one year. The following named members of St. Matthew's Lodge, Louis Weil, Joseph F. Allen, Charles F. Johnson, Joseph W. Taylor, Horace N. Stevens, and Frederick P. Hunnaford, were charter members of Co- chichewick Lodge, which was formally consti-
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tuted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Massachusetts on the 24th of June, 1875. It was a grand holiday for the town, and Bethany Commandery of Lawrence, Winslow Lewis Commandery of Salem, and St. Matthew's Lodge of Andover, participated in the exercises of the day. Brother George B. Loring, of Salem, gave an elaborate oration, which I am happy to say has been copied into the records of Cochichewick Lodge. The gala-day was brought to a close by an excellent repast. Today finds the Lodge in a healthy condition, doing its share of true Masonic work, and soon will round out its quarter of a century of exist- ence.
A Special Communication of the Most Wor- shipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was held in the town of Andover on Friday, the thirtieth day of May A. L. 5890, A. D. 1890, for the purpose of dedicating the new Masonic apartments of St. Matthew's Lodge. The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form in one of the parlors of the new building at four o'clock P. M. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Samuel Wells, was
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cordially welcomed by the Worshipful Master, Brother Albert S. Manning, who resigned to him the oriental chair, the other Grand officers at the same time assuming their appropriate stations. After the usual preliminaries the Most Worshipful Grand Master proceeded to solemnly dedicate the Hall to Freemasonry, to Virtue, and to Universal Benevolence, in accordance with ancient form and usage, and the ritual of the Grand Lodge, and the Grand Marshal made proclamation accordingly. After a most excellent address by the Grand Master, the company was invited to a bounteous colla- tion.
Bethany Commandery, of Lawrence, and Cochichewick Lodge, of North Andover, par- ticipated in the exercises of the day.
The advantages of Freemasonry are many, as those can testify who have travelled in foreign countries, and even in our own country. In a social way one has the privileges of Masonic Lodges wherever located. I can personally testify to the courtesy of foreign Lodges. In May, 1859, I was made an affiliated member of St. James' Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, located in Brechin, Scotland. The
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purpose was that I might assist in the laying of the foundation stone of the Tenement Schools founded by my worthy father. I acted as Deputy Senior Grand Warden, the laws of the country not permitting me to act as Deputy Grand Master. The affair passed off with great eclat. Later in the day I was entertained at a dinner given to me by the Brechin sub- scribers to the Schools. I had at my right Dr. Thomas Guthrie, D.D., of Edinburgh, Scotland. These interesting facts to me are a matter of record and as the years pass they are intensified. I felt very proud of the honor conferred upon me, and was glad I had taken my degrees in St. Matthew's Lodge before leaving home.
At another time I had the pleasure of visiting one of the Lodges in London. I was a perfect stranger, but succeeded in working my way into the Lodge, and I had extended to me the full courtesy of a Brother. One great beauty of these chance visits is, that one feels perfectly at home. When away from his hearth-stone is it not a great privilege to find friends whose common lot in life is the same as his own ?
St. Matthew's Lodge was instituted before the railroad and telegraph, and when the steam-
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boat was only in its infancy. Although the Greater and Lesser lights in Freemasonry are the same, still great improvements are going on. What wonders have transpired since the tallow-dip and whale-oil of our Fathers. If any of the Brethren of fifty and sixty years ago could wake up, they certainly would be electri- fied with the light of the present day. What our Fathers had, however, they enjoyed, and of minds content we can only hold our measured proportion. So the farmer by the side of his oxen was as contented as the modern tiller of the soil behind his spirited pair or steam plow. The mechanic with his hand tools wrought in his day and generation with as much comfort and ease as the artisan with his improved machinery upon the eve of the Twentieth Century.
Likewise the carpenter and the mason, em- ployed all the known devices of the times, and with them they were content; and so down through all the trades and professions. Long life and health attended the industrious laborer, whether at the head or foot, and the greatest suc- cess, then as now, came to those whose highest aimwas to serve God and Country and to work
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out while here below the true principles of " live and let live." The Social, Political, and Religious elements contain just the same character of differences. All these may be kept in proper accord by brotherly love and emulation of those who can best work and best agree.
I can find no more fitting words with which to close my reminiscences, than those contained in our Masonic manual,-"That as the operative mason uses his " plumb line " to try perpendic- ulars, the square to square his work, and the level to prove horizontals, so may we as specu- lative Masons, be admonished by the "plumb line " to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the square of Virtue, ever remembering that we are travelling upon the level of time to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns."
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MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY Andover, Massachusetts 1 475-6960
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