USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > History of the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, early known as the Elbow tract : including records of the plantation, district and town 1716-1889 > Part 32
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1768. Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, William Scott, Samuel Shaw, William McClenathan.
1769. Lieut. William Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw, Robert Rogers, Sen., Samuel Shaw, William McClenathan.
1770. Lieut. William Scott, Deacon Seth Shaw, Elder Robert Rogers, Elder William McClenathan, David Spear.
1771. Lieut. William Scott, Phineas Mixter, John McMaster.
1772. Lieut. William Scott, Dea. Seth Shaw, Phineas Mixter, John McMaster, David Spear.
1773. David Spear, Lieut. William Scott, John McMaster, Rob- ert Brown, Robert Ferrell.
1774. Lieut. William Scott, David Spear, John McMaster, Rob- ert Ferrell, Robert Brown.
1775. Lieut. William Scott, Capt. David Spear, Robert Ferrell, Robert Brown, Lieut. Joshua Shaw.
1776. Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, James Smith, Thomas King, Capt. Aaron Graves.
1777. Phineas Mixter, Dea. John McMaster, Dea. John Smith, Robert Ferrell, Lieut. Ebenezer Jones.
1778. Capt. David Spear, Dea. Thomas King, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Capt. David Spear, Aaron Graves, Samuel McClenathan.
1779. Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Capt. Aaron Graves, Robert Hunter, Lieut. Robert McMaster.
1780. Robert Ferrell, Joshua McMaster, Dea. John Smith, John Quinton, Samuel Shaw.
1781. John McMaster, John Quinton, Samuel Shaw, John Rogers, Solomon Cummings.
1782. Capt. David Spear, Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Bracken- ridge, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson.
1783. Capt. David Spear, Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Bracken- ridge, John Thomson, Lieut. John King.
1784. Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Francis Bracken- ridge, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson.
328
HISTORY OF PALMER.
1785. Maj. Aaron Graves, Francis Brackenridge, John Thomson, Lieut. David King, Capt. Patrick Watson.
1786. Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Francis Bracken- ridge, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson.
1787. Capt. David Spear, Urijah Ward, Lieut. John Hamilton, Jesse King, Lieut. Thomas McClenathan.
1788. Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Lieut. Thomas McClenathan, John Thomson, Capt. Patrick Watson.
1789. Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Lieut. Thomas McClenathan, John Thomson, Capt. David Shaw.
1790. Lieut. David King, Maj. Aaron Graves, Capt. David Shaw, Lieut. Thomas McClenathan, Lieut. James Smith.
1791. Aaron Merrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw.
1792. Aaron Merrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Capt. David Shaw.
1793. Aaron Merrick, Lieut. John Hamilton, Col. David Shaw, Capt. Thomas McClenathan, Lieut. John King.
1794. Maj. Aaron Graves, Lieut. David King, Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw, Dea. Samuel McClenathan.
1795. Lieut. David King, Maj. Aaron Graves, Capt. David Spear, Dea. Samuel McClenathan, Dea. Joshua Shaw.
1796. Alpheus Converse, Gordon Sedgwick, Ebenezer Webber, Thomas Hill, Jesse King.
1797. Alpheus Converse, Gordon Sedgwick, Ebenezer Webber, Jesse King, Joseph Smith.
1798. Aaron Merrick, Samuel McClenathan, Timothy Brainard, Clark McMaster, Solomon Shaw.
1799. Aaron Merrick, Gordon Sedgwick, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Lieut. James Smith, Dr. Jonathan Shearer.
1800. Dr. Jonathan Shearer, Lieut. John Hamilton, Theophilus Knight, Isaac Warren, Daniel Shearer.
1801. Dea. Gordon Sedgwick, Lieut. James Smith, Timothy Brainard, Capt. Alpheus Converse, Theophilus Knight.
1802. Aaron Merrick, Capt. Thomas McClenathan, Capt. Jesse King, Lieut. William Spear, Daniel Shearer.
1803. Aaron Merrick, Esq., Capt. Thomas McClenathan, Dea. Gordon Sedgwick, Capt. Jesse King, Daniel Shearer.
1804. Capt. Alpheus Converse, Capt. Jesse King, John A. Smith, Isaac Ferrell, Solomon Shaw.
1805. Capt. Jesse King, Ens. Daniel Shearer, Solomon Shaw, Isaac Ferrell, Jacob Converse, Jun.
1807. Aaron Merrick, Esq., Gordon Sedgwick, Alpheus Converse, Isaac Ferrell, Solomon Shaw.
329
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
1808. Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d.
1809. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d.
1810. Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d.
1811. Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Clark McMaster, Amos Hamilton, John King, 3d.
1812. Capt. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw.
1813. Jesse King, Theophilus Knight, Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw.
1814. Alpheus Converse, Asa Ward, Enos Rider, Samuel Shaw, Isaac Ferrell.
1815. Jesse King, Asa Ward, John McMaster, Benjamin Cum- mings, Philip Lamb.
1816. Col. Amos Hamilton, Solomon Shaw, Wilson Foster, John Smith, John Shaw.
1817. Col. Amos Hamilton, Solomon Shaw, Wilson Foster, John Smith, John Shaw.
1818. James Stebbins, Esq., Asa Ward, Robert Smith, Joseph Lee, Jun., Elijah Hills.
1819. James Stebbins, Asa Ward, Robert Smith, Joseph Lee, Jun., Elijah Hills.
1820. James Stebbins, Wilson Foster, Joseph Lee, Jun.
1821. Col. Amos Hamilton, Asa Ward, Calvin White.
1822. Col. Amos Hamilton, Clark McMaster, Daniel King.
1823. Col. Amos Hamilton, Capt. Daniel King, Capt. Jonathan Moore.
1824. Col. Amos Hamilton, Joseph Lee, Jun., Noah Stimson.
1825. James Stebbins, Esq., Asa Ward, Zadock Cooley, Reuben Shaw, Elias Turner.
1826. John Frink, Lebbeus Chapin, Calvin Ward, Cyrus Knox, John Sedgwick.
1827. John Frink, Calvin Ward, Cyrus Knox, John Sedgwick, John B. Blanchard.
1828. Col. Amos Hamilton, Sylvester Parks, Robert Hitchcock, Jonathan Moore, Jun., Isaac King.
1829. Capt. Sylvester Parks, Robert Hitchcock, Col. Isaac King, Emelius Bond, Truman Smith.
1830. John Frink, Joseph Lee, Jun., Cyrus Knox.
1831. John Sedgwick, Capt. Timothy Ferrell, Truman Smith.
1832. Col. Cyrus Knox, Capt. Truman Smith, Clark McMaster.
330
HISTORY OF PALMER.
1833. Elisha Converse, Jun., Leonard Davis, Alonzo V. Blanchard.
1834. Col. Cyrus Knox, Joseph Brown, 2d, Leonard Davis.
1835. Col. Cyrus Knox, Clark McMaster, John Ward.
1836. John Ward, Abel Calkins, Marble K. Ferrell, Ralph Green, William J. Blanchard.
1837. John Ward, Abel Calkins, Marble K. Ferrell, Ralph Green, William J. Blanchard.
1838. John Ward, William J. Blanchard, David S. Paine, Pliny Cooley, Philetus W. Burnett.
1839. John Ward, Pliny Cooley, Eliphalet Hancock, Royal Buf- fington, A. V. Blanchard.
1840. Sylvester Parks, John Gamwell, Royal Buffington.
1841. John Gamwell, A. V. Blanchard, P. W. Burnett, Gilbert Barker, Merrick Cooley.
1842. A. V. Blanchard, Asa Shumway, Moses Barnes.
1843. Blanchard, Shumway, P. W. Burnett, Abner Allen, Jun., Jedediah A. Paine.
1844. Abel Calkins, Abner Allen, Jun., James Gamwell, Benja- min Davis, John D. Blanchard.
1845. James Gamwell, Marble K. Ferrell, J. D. Blanchard, Gil- bert Barker, Absalom C. Peck.
1846. Gilbert Barker, Jonathan Taylor, Keyes Foster.
1847. Keyes Foster, Isaac King, W. J. Blanchard, Rufus Brown, Sylvester Parks.
1848. Sylvester Parks, Isaac King, K. Foster, Joseph C. Burgess, Horace Hunn.
1849. A. V. Blanchard, M. K. Ferrell, Perry Hastings, Enos Calkins, Cyrus Knox.
1850. Blanchard, Knox, Ferrell, Calkins, Rozel Hastings.
1851. Knox, Blanchard, Ferrell.
1852. Blanchard, Calkins, George Moores.
1853. George Moores, John A. Squires, Enos Calkins.
1854. Gilbert Barker, G. Moores, John A. Squires.
1855. Horace Hunn, Nathan Howard, David Knox.
1856. Howard, Hunn, Knox.
1857. Horace Hunn, George Moores, Solomon R. Lawrence.
1858. Messrs. Hunn, Moores and Lawrence.
1859. Messrs. Lawrence, Moores and James S. Loomis.
1860. Messrs. Moores, Loomis and Gilbert Barker. 1861. Messrs. Moores, Loomis and Abel Webber.
1862. Messrs. Loomis, Webber and Nathan Howard.
1863. Abel Webber, E. B. Gates, Parker W. Webster.
1864. Messrs. Webber, Gates and Webster.
331
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
1865. Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates, George Moores.
1866. Messrs. Calkins, Moores and J. E. Crane.
1867. Same as last year.
1868. W. W. Cross, J. E. Crane, P. W. Webster.
1869. J. S. Loomis, E. G. Murdock, P. W. Webster.
1870. Same as last year.
1871. Same as last year.
1872. Same as last year.
1873. Messrs. Murdock, Webster and T. D. Potter
1874. Ebenezer Brown, O. B. Smith, J. O. Hamilton.
1875. James O. Hamilton, Enos Calkins, E. B. Gates. 1876. Messrs. Hamilton, Calkins and George Moores.
1877. J. O. Hamilton, P. W. Webster, Joseph Kerigan.
1878. O. B. Smith, H. P. Holden, Joseph Kerigan.
1879. Albert H. Willis, F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan.
1880. F. A. Packard, Joseph Kerigan, Charles E. Dewey.
1881. E. G. Murdock, Henry G. Loomis, Henry McMaster. 1882. Same as last year.
1883. H. G. Loomis, Elbridge G. Hastings, Joseph Kerigan 1884. Messrs. Loomis, Kerigan and Davis B. Bishop.
1885. Charles D. Holbrook, Charles L. Holden, Joseph Kerigan. 1886. J. Kerigan, Samuel H. Hellyar, H. E. W. Clark.
1887. H. E. W. Clark, Daniel F. Holden, Joseph Kerigan.
1888. D. F. Holden, William H. Brainard, Joseph Kerigan.
1889. William H. Brainard, Michael J. Dillon, Joseph F. Hol- brook.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
1776. "At a legal meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of Palmer on Thursday May 23, 1776, Capt. David Spear was chosen Representative to serve at the General Assembly to be held May 29.
PHINEAS MIXER, Moderator."
Capt. Spear was admitted a member.
1777. May 19, "At a meeting of freeholders and other inhabi- tants of Palmer held May 19, Lieut. William Scott was chosen Representative to represent this town at the Great & General Court to be held at Boston."
1778. "Article 2d. To see if the town will choose one or more persons to represent them in the Great & General Court of the State the present year, agreeable to a precept sent to them for that purpose, signed by Elisha Porter, sheriff of this county." "At a meeting of freeholders & other inhabitants of Palmer, on Tuesday, July 28, 1778, it was voted not to send."
332
HISTORY OF PALMER.
1779. "At a meeting of freeholders and inhabitants of Palmer, on Monday, May 17, voted, that Capt. David Spear serve as Repre- sentative for the town of Palmer this present year; voted, that Dea. John Smith, Dea. Thomas King, with the selectmen & com- mittee of safety be a committee to give our representative his Instructions."
1780. "At a meeting of freeholders and other inhabitants of Palmer, qualified by law to vote, held May 24. It was put to vote whether this town should send a Representative to the Great & General Court to be held at Boston this present year, and it passed in the negative."
1781. The town voted not to send a representative.
1782. "At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of Palmer, Monday, May 6, Capt. David Spear was chosen Repre- sentative for the town for the present year."
1783. "At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of Palmer legally held on Wednesday, May 7, Capt. David Spear was chosen to represent the town in General Court this present year. And Doctor Benjamin Trask, Maj. Aaron Graves, Robert Hunter, John Thomson & Francis Brakenridge were appointed a committee for to give our Representative particular Instructions."
1784. Capt. David Spear was chosen to serve as Representative for the town of Palmer the present year.
1785. "William Scott was chosen to represent the town of Palmer in General Court this year, and Capt. David Spear, Lieut. Joshua Shaw and Maj. Aaron Graves were appointed a committee to give said Representative his Instructions."
1786. "Voted, that Capt. David Spear serve as Representative for the town of Palmer in the General Court this present year, and that he shall be under the directions of the selectmen for the time being."
1787. May 17. " Voted, that Capt. David Shaw be chosen to rep- resent the town the present year in the General Court to be holden at Boston."
1788. "Voted, that Capt. David Shaw serve as Representative for the town of Palmer at the General Court."
1789. "Voted, that Capt. David Shaw be the man to represent the town in the General Court this present year."
1790. "Capt. David Shaw was chosen by vote to Represent the town of Palmer in the General Court the year ensuing."
1791. "The town did elect Capt. David Shaw to represent them in the General Court by a great majority of votes."
1792. " The legal voters being called upon brought in the votes
333
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
unanimously for Maj. David Shaw to Represent them in the General Court the insuing year."
1793. "The male inhabitants of Palmer, being 21 years old and residents in said town for one year next preceding and having a freehold estate within said town of the annual income of three pounds, or any estate of the value of sixty pounds, did meet on Thursday, May 16th, and elect Col. David Shaw to represent them in the General Court at Boston this present year."
1794. May 8. "The votes being called for, brought in, counted and sorted, Capt. Thomas McClenathan had a majority and was chosen and notified, as the law directs."
1795. May 6. "Voted and made choice of Capt. David Spear as Representative."
1796. " For Representative, Lieut. David King had 27 votes and John A. Smith had 1 vote."
1797. Lieut. James Smith was elected Representative.
1798. Isaac Warren was elected Representative, "he having 23 votes, Lieut. James Smith 9 votes & Aaron Merrick 4 votes."
1799. Aaron Merrick was chosen Representative, "he having 52 votes, Isaac Warren 16 votes, Capt. Alpheus Converse 1 vote."
1800. For Representative, Lieut. James Smith had 39 votes, Daniel Shearer 18 votes, Isaac Warren 11 votes, Alpheus Converse 1 vote.
1801. For Representative, Lieut. James Smith had 23 votes, Isaac Warren 13 votes, Capt. Alpheus Converse 9 votes.
1802. For Representative, Lieut. James Smith had 20 votes, Daniel Shearer had 11 votes.
1803. For Representative, Aaron Merrick had 15 votes, Lieut. James Smith had 10 votes.
1804. For Representative, Aaron Merrick had 25 votes, Lieut. James Smith had 11 votes.
1805. " The whole number of votes given for Representative was 27, all for Aaron Merrick, Esq."
1806. Aaron Merrick. 1816. Col. Amos Hamilton.
1807. Aaron Merrick. 1817. Col. Amos Hamilton.
1808. Aaron Merrick. 1818. James Stebbins, Esq.
1809. Capt. Jesse King. 1819. Voted not to send.
1810. Capt. Jesse King. 1820. James Stebbins, Esq.
1811. Capt. Jesse King.
1821. Clark McMaster.
1812. Capt. Jesse King. 1822. Clark McMaster.
1813. Capt. Alpheus Converse. 1823. Voted not to send.
1814. Capt. Alpheus Converse. 1824. John Frink.
1815. Capt. Jesse King.
1825. Voted not to send.
334
HISTORY OF PALMER.
1826. Asa Ward. 1831. Joseph Lee.
1827. Voted not to send. 1832. Joseph Lee.
1828. Capt. Daniel King. 1833. Capt. Daniel King.
1829. John Sedgwick. 1834. Robert Hitchcock.
1830. Col. Cyrus Knox.
1835. Col. Cyrus Knox.
1836. Emelius Bond and Alonzo V. Blanchard.
1837. Sylvester Parks and John Ward.
1838. Marble K. Ferrell and Abel Calkins.
1839. James Gamwell and William J. Blanchard.
1840. Franklin Morgan and Asa Shumway.
1841. Olney Goff.
1845. Alonzo V. Blanchard.
1842. John Ward.
1846. Lambert Allen.
1843. Abel Calkins.
1847. Alonzo V. Blanchard.
1844. Gilbert Barker.
1848. Calvin Torrey, Esq., who attended the regular session and resigned his seat, when Jacob B. Merrick was chosen for the extra session of that year.
1849. Jacob B. Merrick. 1858. Solomon A. Fay.
1850. John D. Blanchard. 1859. Henry Scism.
1851. Joseph Brown, 2d. 1860. John Clough.
1852. Amos C. Billings. 1861. Solomon R. Lawrence.
1853. Enos Calkins .* 1862. Stephen G. Newton.
1854. Gilbert Barker. 1863. James S. Loomis.
1855. Elijah G. Murdock. 1864. Jacob Stever.
1856. Alonzo N. Dewey. 1865. David Knox.
1857. Sylvanus G. Shaw. 1866. Ephraim B. Gates.
1867. James G. Allen. 1869. Rev. Joseph Vaill, D. D., who died, and Lyman Dimock was chosen to fill the vacancy.
1871. Ebenezer Brown, 1882. Dr. Wm. Holbrook.
1873. James B. Shaw. 1884. Oren B. Smith.
1875. Chas. L. Gardner. 1886. Stephen S. Taft.
1876. Chas. L. Gardner.
1887. Stephen S. Taft.
1878. Timothy D. Potter.
1889. Wm. W. Leach.
1880. Joseph F. Holbrook.
MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE.
Dr. Aaron King, for the years 1849 and 1850.
Calvin Torrey, Esq., for the year 1852. Gordon M. Fisk, for the years 1860 and 1861.
Charles L. Gardner, for the years 1878 and 1879.
* Frederick T. Wallace was chosen Delegate to the Convention for revising the State Con- stitution.
335
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Col. Cyrus Knox, 3 years, 1835-1838.
John Ward, 6 years, 1838-1844.
James S. Loomis, 4 years, 1871-1874.
JUSTICES OF COURT OF SESSIONS.
Amos Hamilton, 1819-1820.
James Stebbins, 1823-1828.
M. C .- One of Palmer's sons has held a seat in the National Legislature. Henry King, a descendant of the original settler, was born in Palmer, July 6, 1790. He studied law for a time in the office of N. H. Brainard, an eminent practitioner of Connecticut ; but went to Wilkesbarre, Pa., for the purpose of completing his legal education, and made that state his home. He entered early into politics ; was elected to both branches of the State Legislature, and subsequently was elected a member of Congress, where he took an honorable position. The statute books of his adopted state bear evidence of his legal knowledge and practical wisdom. His home was in Allentown, the shire town of Lehigh county, where he died July 13, 1861. He came to Palmer for a wife, as the record reads : Married, Nov. 15, 1831, Henry King of Allentown, Pa., and Mary L. Ferrell, daughter of Capt. Timothy Ferrell of Palmer.
LAWYERS.
William Scott., Jun., grad. H. U., 1771 ; by vote of the town he was recommended to the governor for a commission of justice of the peace, which was given him, and he was the magistrate here till his death.
Daniel Shearer, a native of the town, was in practice here, 1800- 1820.
James Stebbins, from Springfield, was admitted to the bar in 1813, when he settled in Palmer ; removed in his old age to his native town, where he died. He grad. at Williams College in 1807. Calvin Torrey was in practice here, 1841-1858.
S. T. Spaulding, A. C., 1839, was here in 1844.
B. B. Whittemore, H. U., 1839, came to Palmer about the same time as Spaulding, and like him, remained but a short time.
Samuel Fleming was here, 1847-1850.
M. Barlow was here, 1852.
Frederick T. Wallace came to Palmer in 1848 and remained till 1854.
336
HISTORY OF PALMER.
James G. Allen settled here in 1853, and was in practice as at- torney, and judge of the District Court till his death in 1879.
Daniel Granger, 1857-1861.
J. H. Blair, 1862.
Charles L. Gardner, 1867 to the present time.
R. P. Harlow, 1870-1.
J. W. Cochran, 1870.
Stephen S. Taft, H. U., 1870. 1872 to the present time.
A. R. Barker, 1879.
H. C. Strong, A. C., 1875. 1879 to the present time.
T. K. Kenefick, H. U., 1877. 1879 to the present time.
W. W. Leach, Tufts C., 1880. 1883 to the present time.
A. R. Fitch, 1888 to the present time.
PHYSICIANS.
In June, 1743, an article was inserted in warrant for a Planta- tion meeting "To see if the Inhabitants will give any Incourage- ment for a Doctor to settle in the place." The record does not show what action, if any, was taken. Probably Dr. John Sherman of Brimfield was called when the skill of a physician could not be dispensed with.
The date after a name indicates when the name of the said per- son first appears on the town records.
Jabez Lamb came to Palmer about 1764, and was in practice here for several years.
Calvin Scott, 1778.
Benjamin Trask, 1779.
Jonathan Shearer, 1794.
Nathan Cummings, 1799.
Anson Moody, 1819.
J. N. Hastings, 1820.
Aaron King, 1824-1861.
Marcus M. Shearer, 1826-1854.
Amasa Davis, 1839.
Reuben Barron, 1843-1858.
J. B. Thomas, 1845.
George W. Burke, 1845-1850.
Andrew J. White, 1846-1850. William Holbrook, 1848 to the present time.
E. E. Wilder, 1853. William Blair, 1854. N. Barnes, 1854-1859. Porter Davis, -.
337
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
A. M. Higgins, 1856.
George N. Nichols, 1857.
G. F. Forbes, 1857.
Samuel Shaw, 1857.
F. W. Calkins, 1860.
J. M. Comins, 1861.
B. R. Johnson, 1862.
E. B. Lyon, 1863.
Isaac Manning, 1863.
Silas Ruggles, 1866-1889.
J. K. Warren, 1870-1882.
W. H. Stowe, 1876 to the present time.
H. A. Smith, 1878 to the present time.
W. E. Holbrook, 1879.
John Rand.
J. B. Hyland.
G. H. Wilkins, 1882 to the present time.
E. Sirois, 1884 to the present time.
M. H. Davis, - to the present time.
J. J. Flynn, 1886 to the present time.
John Wilbur, 1887.
A. O. Squares, 1889.
And many others whose stay was brief.
THOMAS LODGE, F. & A. M .- Thomas Lodge was first chartered on the 13th day of December, A. L. 5796, under seal of the Grand Lodge and the hands of Paul Revere, G. M .; Samuel Dunn, D. G. M .; Isaiah Thomas, G. S. W., and Joseph Laughton, J. W. It was located in Monson. The charter members were Samuel Guthrie, David Young, Peter Walbridge, Hezekiah Fisk, Ephraim Allen, Elisha Woodward, Amasa Stowell, John Moore, David Peck, Zebe- diah Butler, Jesse Converse, Isaiah Blood, Jun.
The name of the lodge was adopted in honor of Isaiah Thomas of Worcester, then G. S. W. of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, who presented the new organization with a full and valuable set of jewels, the same which are now in use by the lodge. In his last will Mr. Thomas made a liberal bequest to the lodge as a token of regard for it and its members.
The lodge flourished for a period of about forty years, and drew together in fraternal bonds many of the most reliable men of Mon- son and Palmer, and gathered upon its records the names of mem- bers worthy of everlasting remembrance. But a time of trial and day of adversity came, which resulted in a suspension of its work.
338
HISTORY OF PALMER.
At a regular communication held in Monson January the 14th, A. L. 5835, it was voted " that this lodge be closed." The regalia was carefully preserved, and a few brethren held occasional meetings for lectures and to " keep up heart and hope."
After twenty years of "rest," though not of "refreshment," Thomas Lodge recommenced " work," as appears from the follow- ing record :
"IN GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, Boston, September 10th, A. L. 5856 .- Ordered, That the charter of the late Thomas Lodge at Monson be and the same is hereby restored to the following petitioners (former mem- bers of said lodge), with permission to remove and hereafter hold the same in the town of Palmer, viz .- Brothers Elias Turner, Joseph L. Reynold, S. F. Newton, Jacob Thompson, J. R. Flynt, Alfred Ely, Jacob Nichols, D. B. Hannum, Otis Bradford and Joel Tucker. And the foregoing petitioners and their associates and successors are hereby invested with the rank and all the powers and privileges originally conferred by the charter of said lodge.
WINSLOW LEWIS, Grand Master. CHARLES W. MOORE, Grand Secretary.
Officers elected under the first organization : Dr. Samuel Guth- rie, W. M .; Dr. David Young, S. W .; Hezekiah Fisk, J. W .; Sam- uel D. Ward, Treas .; Dr. Ede Whitaker, Sec.
Officers elected under the reorganization : Joseph L. Reynolds, W. M .; Elias Turner, S. W .; Jacob Thompson, J. W .; Jacob Nich- ols, Treas .; J. W. Crooks, Sec.
Officers elected in 1888 : S. H. Hellyar, W. M .; Andrew Pin- ney, S. W .; Charles E. Fish, J. W .; J. B. Shaw, Treas .; G. C. Ellis, Sec.
The regular communications of the lodge are held the first Mon- day on or before the full moon in each month. Annual meeting, first Monday in December.
HAMPDEN CHAPTER, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted June 10, 1864, with sixteen charter members ; present number (1889), one hundred and twenty. Stated convocations are held monthly on the Monday following the meeting of the blue lodge. Cost of regalia, $700.
Officers for 1889 : George O. Henry, H. P .; E. G. Hastings, K .; S. H. Hellyar, Scribe; George Robinson, Treas .; C. W. Cross, Sec .; James B. Shaw, C. H .; Andrew Pinney, P. S .; Charles E. Fish, R. A. C .; Frank N. Carpenter, M. 3d V .; Edwin C. Sexton, M. 2d V .; George A. Bills, M. 1st V .; Rev. F. W. Betts, Chaplain ; S. W. Shumway, Tyler.
339
MISCELLANY AND STATISTICS.
Past High Priests : James B. Shaw, Andrew Pinney, George Robinson.
INDEPENDENT ORDER ODD FELLOWS .- Lodge No. 190 was in- stituted in Palmer Sept. 24, 1879, with eighteen charter members ; present number (1889), one hundred and thirty-five. Meetings are held on Friday evening of each week in rooms which have been fur- nished at an expense of $1,400. The funds amount to about $2,000. Past N. G., A. A. Converse, W. E. Brown, L. A. Conant, George Robinson, Rev. O. R. Hunt, A. S. Meserve, Charles Upham, E. W. Walls, J. H. Smith, C. E. Fuller, W. B. Ham, F. A. Rug- gles, F. H. Caryl, E. J. Osburn.
Present (1889) officers : J. B. Shaw, N. G .; R. A. McQuaid, V. G .; F. H. Conant, R. S .; George Robinson, Treas .; O. A. Marcy, P. S .; C. L. Holden, Warden; F. E. Sedgwick, Conductor; R. J. Henry, O. G .; J. C. Haines, I. G .; A. A. Converse, R. S. N. G .; C. E. Shumway, L. S. N. G .; D. E. Robinson, R. S. V. G .; George Magrath, L. S. V. G .; G. S. Butler, R. S. S .; C. B. Patrell, L. S. S .; A. Parsons, Chaplain ; E. J. Osburn, P. G.
DAUGHTERS OF REBECKAH .- Good Cheer Lodge, No. 60, was in- stituted Nov. 22, 1887, with forty charter members. It now num- bers fifty-four. Officers for 1889 : Ellen M. Holden, N. G .; Jose- phine H. Ham, V. G .; Mary E. Robinson, Sec .; Nellie Henry, Treas .; Susie K. Converse, Warden ; Julia H. Henry, Conductor ; W. B. Ham, O. G .; Georgia A. Fuller, I. G .; George Robinson, R. S. N. G .; Clara S. Stone, L. S. N. G .; Elsie A. Caryl, R. S. V. G .; Etta L. Robinson, L. S. V. G .; Sarah J. McQuaid, Chaplain; Effie M. Stone, Organist; Sarah A. Parkhurst, P. G .; Sarah J. McQuaid, E. J. Kenerson, Elsie A. Caryl, Trustees.
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