USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Clinton > History of the origin of the town of Clinton, Massachusetts, 1653-1865 > Part 42
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All analysis and eulogy must be left for the future histo- rian, but the mere record of facts already given shows him to be our best known citizen and the one who has received the highest honors.
CHAPTER XXXII.
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
TRINITY LODGE of Free and Accepted Masons* was or- ganized under a charter dated January 30. 1778 .; This was
* For the facts herein recorded we are indebted to " History of Old Trinity Lodge of Lancaster, Mass.," by Jonathan Smith, and to a chapter on Masonic History, written by the same author for the "History of Worcester County."
+[L. s.] Jos: WEBB G. M.
MOSES DESHON D. G. M.
To all to whom .... JOSEPH WEBB ESQ Grand Master, of . .. Antient Free & Accp .... duly authorized, & Appointed, & in Ample form Installed, together with his Grand Wardens, Sendeth GREETING :
WHEREAS a Petition has been presented to us by Michael Newell, Edmd Heard, James Wilder, Jonas Prescott, & Richard Perkins Bridge, All Antient, Free & Accepted Masons, resident in LANCASTER, in the County of Worcester, in Massachusetts STATE, in New England, Pray- ing, that they, with such others as may think proper to join them, may be erected, and constituted, a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the name, Title & designation, of the TRINITY LODGE, with full power, to enter apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise MASTER MASONS, which Petition, appearing to US as tending to the advancement of Antient MASONRY, and the general good of the CRAFT, have unanimously agreed, the Prayer thereof should be granted.
KNOW YE, therefore, that we, the Grand Master, & Wardens, by virtue of the power and authority aforesaid, & reposing special Trust & Confidence in the prudence, fidelity & Skill in Masonry, of our Beloved Brethren above named; Have constituted, appointed, and by these Presents, Do constitute & appoint them the said Michael Newell, Ed- mund Heard, James Wilder, Jonas Prescott, & Richard Perkins Bridge,
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MASONS.
the fifth charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts.
Michael Newhall, whose name appears first on the char- ter, was doubtless foremost in starting the order in Lancaster.
a regular Lodge, of Free & accepted Masons, under the name, Title & designation of Trinity Lodge :-
Hereby giving and granting, unto them, & their Successors, full power and authority, to meet & convene as Masons, within the Town of Lan- caster, aforesaid; to receive & Enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, & raise Master Masons, upon the payment of such moderate composition for the same, as may hereafter be determined by said LODGE : also to make choice of a Master, Wardens & other Office Bearers annually or otherwise as they shall see Cause ; To receive & collect Funds, for the relief of Poor & decay'd Brethren, their widows or Children, & in general to transact, all matters relating to MASONRY, which may to them appear to be for the benefit of the Craft, According to the Antient Usages & Customs of MASONS; And we do hereby require, the said constituted Brethren, to attend at the GRAND LODGE or Quarterly Communications, by themselves, or their PROXIES (wch are their Master and Wardens for the time being), and also to keep a fair and regular record of all their Proceedings, & to lay the same before the GRAND LODGE when required.
And we do hereby enjoin upon our said Brethren, to behave them- selves respectfully & obediently to their superiors in office and not to desert their said LODGE without the leave of their Master & Wardens ;- And we do declare the Precedence of the said Lodge, in the GRAND LODGE & elsewhere, to commence from the date of these presents, & require all Antient Masons, Especially of those holding of this Grand Lodge, to acknowledge & receive them & their Successors, as Regular Constituted FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS, and treat them accordingly.
GIVEN, under our hands & the seal of the GRAND LODGE affixed, at BOSTON, New England, this Thirtieth day of Jany in the year of our Lord 1778, and of Masonry 5778.
THOMAS URANN G Sd WINTHROP GRAY G. T.
JOHN SYMMES G. S. B.
THOMAS CRAFTS S. G. D. EDWARD PROCTER J. G. D. SAMUEL BARRETT S. G. W. PAUL REVERE J. G. W.
Received Nine pounds for the fees of this Charter.
JOHN LOWELL G. T.
Received one Pd ten shillings for drawing this Charter & record of the same.
JAMES CARTER G. Secy P. T.
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VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Jonas Prescott* is the only one of the charter members who had his home in this community. March 5, 1779, thirty-nine men had become members; in 1783, as many as seventy. At first, the jurisdiction of the Lodge was very extensive, but the formation of new lodges in Worcester, Framingham, Ashby and Groton reduced it nearly to its present territory. It is not known where the meetings were held during the first , year, but by the beginning of the second, a hall had been fitted up in a building which stood where Daniel M. How- ard's residence now stands. From 1796 to 1799, the Lodge probably had its hall in a house on Main Street in North Lancaster. This house is now owned by William Powers. Quarters were afterwards occupied successively in the Mer- rick Rice house, in the Lancaster House, and over John G. Thurston's store. These early halls were furnished much more simply than those of today. Until September, 1787, the meetings were held on the first Monday of each month, from four to eight o'clock P. M. Then, meetings were held on the first Tuesday of alternate months, beginning at six P. M., until February, 1790, then, every month from six to ten until 1792, and then, the hour was again set at four P. M.
Of these meetings, Mr. Jonathan Smith says: "Among Masons it needs no vivid imagination to picture the charac- ter or the delights of those gatherings among men bound together by masonic ties and imbued with the fraternal and social principles of the order. Coming from their scattered and isolated homes, from the hard toil of their farms and shops, they found that satisfaction and pleasure which men craving close and friendly intercourse with each other could easily find within the charmed circle of brethren bound to one another by the fraternal chords of the mystic tie."
There was a special observation of the festival of St. John the Evangelist in December, and also of the feast of St. John the Baptist, June 24th. The latter was public, and an appro-
* See further account of his life by aid of index.
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MASONS.
priate sermon was given by some clergyman. The Masons of these carlier times looked upon Washington with the deepest reverence, and his death was the occasion of an impressive memorial service, February 22, 1800. In addition to Jonas Prescott, there were four other men from this section who were members of the Lodge. These were John Prescott, 5th, Benjamin Gould, John Hunt and Thomas W. Lyon. Elisha Wilder may also have been a resident of the community east of the river at the time of his membership. Levi Greene became a member of this old lodge in the last years of its existence. The masters were as follows: Michael Newhall, 1778; Edmund Heard, 1779-83, 1789-92 and part of '93; Tim- othy Whiting, Jr., 1784, '85, '87, part of '93, '94 and '97; Eph- raim Carter, 1786; Abijah Wyman, 1788; John Maynard, 1795,'96, 1801; Abraham Haskell, 1798; Moses Thomas, 1799; Amos Johnson, 1800; Joel Pratt, Luke Bigelow, John G. Thurston and Calvin Carter subsequently held this office.
No records of the old Trinity Lodge were kept after 1800, and therefore we know little of its history from this time.
The "Morgan" trouble created less excitement in this region than in some other sections of the country, yet it caused the society to become unpopular, and after 1832, 10 more meetings were held. Mr. Smith says: "Though as an organization it had ' come to an end, the principles of masonry which it taught, had not suffered. These never decay nor become obsolete, their meaning never changes, their influence, when practiced, never ceases to impress and enoble the character. Their foundation is truth; they enjoin the cultivation of friendship, brotherly love, morality, and universal benevolence; their result, when incorporated into life and conduct, the perfect man."
At a meeting held at Harris Hall, over C. W. Field's ten- ement, September 8, 1858, the first formal steps were taken for reviving the old lodge or establishing a new one. Henry Bowman, Alfred A. Burditt and George I .. Thurston were leaders in this movement. Since it was found to be the
528
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
opinion of the secretary of the Grand Lodge that old Trinity Lodge could not be revived, it was voted at a meeting held one week later, to ask for a dispensation for a new lodge in Clinton, to be called Trinity Lodge. This dispensation was received and accepted September 29, 1858. E. Dana Ban- croft of Ayer was chosen Worthy Master. The charter was dated September 8, 1859, and received September 2Ist. The charter members were Henry Bowman, Alfred A. Burditt, Daniel Marsh, George L. Thurston, Charles W. Odiorne, Luke Bigelow, Levi Greene, Josiah H. Vose and Henry Eddy. The first list of officers under this charter were as follows: Henry Bowman, W. M .; Alfred A. Burditt, S. W .; George L. Thurston, J. W .; Josiah H. Vose, Treas .; Henry Eddy, Secy .; Samuel T. Bigelow, S. D .; Daniel Marsh, J. D .; John T. Buzzell, S. S .; Amos A. Pevey, J. S .; Gilman M. Palmer, Marshal; Levi Greene, Tyler.
Harris Hall was leased and continued to be the meeting place of the order until April 6, 1869. The masters of the lodge who have come within the scope of our history have been: E. Dana Bancroft, 1858-9, under dispensation; Henry Bowman, 1859-60; Alfred A. Burditt, 1860-61-62, 1863-64, 1873-74; Josiah H. Vose, 1862-63; Levi Greene, 1864-65-66; Daniel Marsh, 1866-67; George W. Burdett, 1867-68; Henry N. Bigelow, 1868-69; Charles W. Ware, 1869-70; Charles F. Greene, 1870-71 (died in office); Daniel B. Ingalls, part of 1871, 1872-73.
The Lancaster Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 29, 1845. The charter members were John B. Atkin- son, John M. Pratt, William A. Tower, Calvin Maynard, Steven H. Turner, Lory F. Bancroft, Elisha Turner, George Fred Chandler, Horatio N. Sweet, J. C. Parsons, A. L. Saw- yer and Daniel Haverty. No one took a deeper interest in the new organization than J. B. Atkinson, our Clintonville tailor. Hon. Charles G. Stevens and Dr. George M. Morse were members of this carly society. The first list of officers
ODD FELLOWS. 529
was as follows: John B. Atkinson, N. G .; John M. Pratt, V. G .; W. A. Tower, Secy .; Calvin Holman, Treas .; Elijah Saw- yer, Warden; G. W. Howe, Conductor; A. L. Sawyer, O. G .; J. C. Parsons, I. G .; S. H. Turner, R. S. N. G .; L. F. Bancroft, L. S. N. G .; G. F. Chandler, R. S. V. G .; Elisha Turner, L. S. V. G .; Horatio N. Sweet, R. S. S .; J. S. Carr, L. S. S.
The first year, the meetings were held in a hall connected with the hotel in North Lancaster. September 2, 1846, Nashua Hall in South Lancaster was dedicated. The Lodge was financially prosperous and prompt in paying its sick and funeral benefits. The spirit of charity which prevailed in the order often found occasion for expression.
On October 15, 1851, the Lodge having abandoned Nashua Hall, held its first meeting in Harris Hall, Clinton. Regular meetings were held here during the next year; but in Octo- ber, 1852, it was found desirable to surrender the charter. The final meeting was held in Nashua Hall, October 16th. The Lancaster Lodge was not reinstituted until October 4, 1871.
In the early years of our community the use of intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage was well nigh universal. It was as customary for the farmers and millwrights to lay in their regular stock of cider, as it was to secure the winter's supply of vegetables and meats. New England or West India rum was as common an article of merchandise as mo- lasses. Intemperance found many victims on account of this indulgence. Even before the Washingtonian Movement began, there were a few earnest temperance men in District No. 10 who recognized the need of reform. In the early thirties, the first recorded temperance society of Factory Village was organized by a body of young men who felt that association would make it easier for them to resist the drink- ing habit. Eben Howard was the president of this society. E. K. Gibbs was next in office. James Pitts and Robert Phelps were among the members. Most of the original sign-
35
530
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
ers of this pledge worked at the comb shop of Asahel Harris. For a time this society held meetings in the school-house of District No. 10, but finally was forced by the "rum men" to seek other quarters, and after a short time regular meetings were given up.
The Clintonville Mechanics' Total Abstinence Society was more permanent in its organization and broader in its purposes. It first came into existence about 1844, but as its records have been lost, and there was no local paper at the time to report its doings, the history of the earlier meetings has not been preserved. In 1846, it was a vigorous society with a large membership and great influence. The following pledge was taken by all who joined the organization: "We, the undersigned, do agree that we will not use distilled spir- its or intoxicating liquors, such as ale, porter, strong beer and cider as a beverage, nor traffic in them; that we will not provide them as an article of entertainment or for persons in our employment, and that in all suitable ways we will dis- countenance their use throughout the community."
At the annual meeting held January 5, 1847, the following list of officers was elected: President, Dr. G. W. Symonds; vice-presidents, Samuel Belyea, E. K. Gibbs; secretary and treasuer, I. H. Marshall; executive committee, Alvan Hall, J. B. Parker, Camden Maynard, Sidney Harris, J. D. Otterson, Charles Ryder, Levi Greene; circulation committee, R. W. Holbrook, W. W. Parker, J. H. Stone, J. N. Johnson, Charles Chace. The meetings were at this time held in the chapel.
At a very enthusiastic meeting, January 25, 1850, the ladies were asked to organize for temperance work, and a commit- tee of ten was appointed "to remove the nuisance at Sandy Pond." Ezra Sawyer, H. N. Bigelow, Samuel Langmaid, J. D. Otterson, Haskell McCollum, J. R. Stewart, J. B. Parker, Camden Maynard, Samuel Belyea and Sidney Harris were the members. Sidney Harris was the leading spirit in this total abstinence society, as well as in the later organizations for the same purpose. In the March town meeting of this
531
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
year, the temperance party re-elected the board of selectmen who sought the overthrow of the liquor traffic in Lancaster. There were occasional meetings throughout the year, with addresses from outside talent.
Although the Courant claimed that the society had kept the community free from the grog-shop during the year, yet only eight out of three hundred and thirty-three members attended the annual meeting in January, 1848. During that year, there was a reaction from the enthusiasm of 1847. In 1849 and 1850, George N. Bigelow was president of the society, and there was greater activity and more effective work. Among others, Gilbert Greene, James Field, William N. Peirce, John Lowe, Jr., A. L. Fuller, J. W. Willard, James Kittredge, Nathan Burdett, Jr., and J. H. Vose were officers of this organization.
The Clinton Division, No. 67, of the Sons of Temperance was instituted May 22, 1850. The preamble to the constitu- tion states that the society is formed "to shield us from the evils of intemperance, afford mutual assistance in case of sickness, and elevate our characters as men." The pledge says: " No brother shall make, buy, sell or use as a beverage any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider." Among the "Worthy Patriarchs" of the order were W. P. Holder, Nelson Whitcomb, L. Bruce, Sanborn Worthen, J. C. Smith, Darius Tucker, W. N. Peirce, C. C. Stone, J. N. Johnson, Charles Ryan, J. R. Stewart, David H. Fanning, A. L. Fuller, E. B. Kittredge, Dr. G. W. Burdett, Sidney Harris, J. H. Wilder, Rev. George Bowler, H. B Howe, G. M. Lowrie, G. H. Fos- ter, G. S. Thomson, Rev. T. W. Lewis, Rev. W. D. Hitchcock, Rev. A. F. Bailey, Ephraim Hunt. Among the other names that appear in the list of members are: Dr. Jeremiah Fiske, Samuel Beaven, C. H. Bridge, William Goodale, Charles Holman, Joseph T. Sawyer, E. K. Gibbs, Nathan Burdett, Nathan Burdett, Jr., H. C. Greeley, O. H. Kendall, F. T. Holder, G. E. Harrington, Jonathan Groby, Amos Stearns and Amos E. Stearns. The last name was entered June 9,
532
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
1856, but this date does not mark the end of the society, for it continued a feeble existence for some months longer. The best work was done previous to 1854. The meetings were held in the hall over C. W. Field's tenement. Sidney Harris is said to have built this hall for the use of this society. There was a division in Sterling at the same time that this was in existence, and many visits were paid between the two.
The children were gathered in a "Band of Hope," and were educated to carry on the temperance work.
The Everett Lodge, No. 31, Independent Order of Good Templars, was not organized until February 13, 1865. There were one hundred and seventy-five initiations the first even- ing. The long-continued work of this society lies after the period covered by this history.
While the Bigelow Library Association and the Courant were the two chief local educational institutions outside of the schools and the pulpit, yet there were many minor insti- tutions whose work tended in the same direction. The Young Men's Rhetorical Society was among the most important of these. In 1855-6, it assumed the task of sustaining a course of lectures after the Library Association had given it up in discouragement. This society gave opportunity for drill in debate and for dramatic culture. Among the prominent members were Henry Bowman, George W. Weeks, Daniel B. Ingalls, John H. Ring and Josiah H. Vose. There were other debating societies, both in earlier and in later years. There were also numerous literary and social clubs.
There were many opportunities for musical culture in the community during the period of development, and musical enthusiasm and ability were never more marked in Clinton than during the fifties. The church choirs, which we have already considered to some extent, were the center of musi- cal education. There were also general singing schools like those of Osgood Collester, David Chase, Alexander Stocking
533
CLINTON BRASS BAND.
and L. B. Tinkham. Those of Collester, held in Clinton Hall, were especially noteworthy. In addition to the con- certs given by these schools our people had many opportuni- ties to attend those given by outside talent. The Hutchin- son Family and Barnabee were very popular.
The Brass Band was another center of musical interest. It was organized under the leadership of David Chase, the photographer, who came hither from Grafton. Among the members were H. T. Goodale, S. S. Welch, G. S. Nicholas, Abel Halliday, Monroe Halliday, C. H. White, A. J. Gibson, T. Thomson (not the present leader of the band ), J. N. John- son, Dr. Jeremiah Fiske and D. A. White. The first public appearance was at the Methodist Levee which preceded the dedication of the new church in December, 1852. They gave a concert in February, 1853, at Clinton Hall. In the numer- ous celebrations of this and the following years, the band took a conspicuous part. Changes in population caused this band to break up after about three years. In 1856, three of its members, David Chase, Abram J. Gibson and Daniel A. White were in the famous Fiske Band of Worcester, led by Arbuckle. About 1858, the Clinton Brass Band started up once more, this time under the leadership of D. A. White. It participated in some of the stirring scenes in the opening year of the Civil War, but disbanded in 1861 on account of the enlistment of some of its members. David Chase and D. A. White were in the band of the Twenty-fifth Massachu- setts, led by Gilmore. In 1865, the Clinton Brass Band was organized once more, under the leadership of D. A. White.
As early as 1851 there was some talk of forming a mili- tary company in Clinton. Companies had been formed in many of the neighboring towns, and the military spirit was abroad in the land. Although our young men were eager that something should be done in this direction, no decided action was taken until the spring of 1853. On May 12th of this year, Colonel Upton of the Ninth Regiment of the State
534
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
Militia, organized a company of fifty men here. This com- pany was known as the Clinton Light Guard. Gilman M. Palmer was made captain, and Andrew L. Fuller, Henry Butterfield, Henry Eddy and A. E. Smith, lieutenants. The Clinton House Hall was used as an armory. William Warren of Lancaster drilled the company three evenings per week. Uniforms were at once procured, and on July 4th, came the first parade. In September, the Light Guard attended its first muster in Springfield, and on the 19th of October, took a leading part in the great Clinton "Cornwallis," which its officers had been chiefly instrumental in preparing. In Jan- uary, 1854, a grand military ball was given. Thus, the com- pany during the first year of its existence was a center around which gathered the spirit of display and the social enthusiasm of the young community.
Gilman M. Palmer having become lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth Regiment in the spring of 1855, Andrew L. Fuller was made captain of the Light Guard and Henry Butterfield, Henry Eddy, Albert A. Jerauld and Christopher C. Stone, lieutenants. During this year, the armory was moved to the basement of the Bigelow Library Association building, which had been fitted up for that special purpose. The services of the company cost the town between four and five hundred dollars annually, besides the rent of the armory, or a total of about six hundred dollars. September 4, 1855, the Ninth Regiment had a drill in Clinton.
The interest in the company began to decline somewhat after the first newness wore away, but it still continued in existence and performed its routine duties. In 1857, Henry Butterfield was promoted to the rank of captain, while Albert A. Jerauld, Christopher C. Stone, Leonard Carter and James N. Johnson were promoted to that of lieutenunts in the order given. In 1858, the officers were as follows: Cap- tain, Christopher C. Stone; lieutenants, James N. Johnson, L. G. Morse, Leonard Carter, J. D. Brigham. C. C. Stone became major of the regiment July 5, 1860. As the time of
535
CORNWALLIS CELEBRATION.
the Civil War approached, there was renewed interest in the Light Guard, and its later history belongs with the records of that struggle.
The celebration of July 4, 1853, was a notable event. There was a morning parade by the Light Guard and a large company of "Continentals." The latter were led by Jerc- miah Barnard. These companies had a dinner with speeches at the Clinton House. There was a grand Sunday School gathering of seven hundred children on the grounds of H. N. Bigelow. A. S. Carleton was marshal. There were fireworks in the evening on Burditt Hill.
This year did not close without still another celebration more notable yet. This celebration, like that of July 4th, may have had its origin in the Light Guard, or rather in the same spirit which caused the organization of that company. On the 19th of October, a Cornwallis was held in Clinton. The Light Guard, marching to the music of the Cornet Band from Worcester, and the Continentals, under Captain Jere- miah Barnard, preceded by the Clinton Brass Band, were on duty from an early hour receiving the visiting companies as they arrived at the station and escorting them to their as- signed positions. Artillery companies came from Groton and Leominster, the Rifles from Marlboro, while Westmin- ster, Berlin, Sterling, Oakdale and West Boylston sent their infantry. Barnard's Continentals were reenforced by com- panies from Lancaster, Harvard, Shirley, Leominster, Bolton, Marlboro, Rockbottom and Westminster. A company of Indians from Berlin was the most unique organization pres- ent. Sewall Richardson of Leominster, in the character of General Washington, commanded the Continentals. Colonel Upton of Fitchburg, as General Cornwallis, led the militia companies which, with the Indians, represented the British army. "There was marching and countermarching with col- ors flying and drums beating," and then both forces had a parade on the open field to the east of the common. There, at noon, all of the fifteen hundred, except their officers and
1
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VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
the members of the bands, who were sent to the Clinton House, had their dinner.
The battlefield where the armies met in the afternoon, was upon Burditt Hill. The spectators looked upon the manœuvering from Union Street. Bynner says: "In the fight, siege and capture of the fort and British army the afternoon was occupied; and such running and marching, am- bushing and skirmishing, firing and charging, Clinton never saw before. Powder enough was burned to satisfy a Chinese army." The British were vanquished and made a formal surrender on the Common. Perhaps ten thousand people witnessed this ceremony. In the evening, there was a grand ball at the Clinton House.
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