USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 178
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In 1870 the great fire of our history destroyed, with many other buildings, Masonic Temple. Nearly all the furniture of all the Masonic societies was de- stroyed, and the fraternity suffered great disaster. But, Phoenix-like, there arose from the ashes of our former home a far more commodious and beautiful temple. Even while the smoke and flame yet chung to the ruins of the first building the enterprising and energetie brothers who owned the property be- gan to plan for a new temple, and in due time the brethren had the satisfaction of seeing erected the second temple, better than the first; and "so the work shall not cease."
It was formally dedicated December 26, 1870, by the Grand Lodge of the State, assisted by Lafayette and Washington Lodges, the late Brother Jolin R. Holbrook, M. W. Grand Master, conducting the ceremonies. It was a very happy occasion. The craft had watched the building as it grew in com- pleteness and detail, and their interest in its dedica- tion was enhanced by the purposes to which it was to be devoted.
The ceremonies were happy and successful in every particular. Besides the formal exercises usual on such occasions, a very interesting and instructive historical
address-from which much of the matter herein has been taken-was delivered by Brother John P. New- ell, and an able and elaborate oration by Brother Joseph Kidder. More than a thousand people wit- nessed the exercises, and the fraternity entered upon a new era of success. From that time Craft Masonry in Manchester has maintained a high degree of pros- perity. Its influence has been powerful, and its works of charity have been countless. The lodges have taken a front rank among the lodges of the State, and have done a great amount of good work.
Lafayette Lodge now numbers two hundred and ninety-four and Washington two hundred and eighty- one members. There are also residing in the city about two hundred more members of the fraternity, part of whom belong to lodges in other places, and part of them are unaffiliated. The institution of Free-Masonry holds a prominent place in the history of Manchester, and has made its impression upon her people and customs. It has identified itself with many publie buildings by performing the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone, or by dedication services. Its growth and prosperity has been commensurate with that of the city, and its future is even more promising than its past has been successful.
CAPITULAR MASONRY was established in Manches- ter November 15, 1847. A preliminary meeting of nine Royal Arch Masons was held September 1st, at which Daniel Balch was selected for the first officer and appointed to present their petition to the Grand Chapter of the State for a dispensation and charter. This was granted under the name of Mount Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, No. 11, and Daniel Balch was appointed High Priest. This Chapter at once assumed a prominent position among the Chapters of the State. Its members were made officers of the Grand Chapter, and its influence upon the condition of the order was fully recognized.
In 1850 its membership was 34; in 1860, 113; in 1870, 186; in 1885, 280.
In the fire of 1870 the Chapter suffered a financial loss in common with the other Masonic bodies, but it was well prepared to restore its furniture and bear its part of the burden of refitting and occupying the new temple. In all respects, the history of Mount Horeb Chapter is full of honor and satisfaction. Its mem- bers comprise some of the ablest and most respected men of the State,-men who have been an honor to every position where they have been called to act, and whose names will be carried upon the rolls of the fraternity with distinction, and whose examples will rest in the memory of their brethren while life lasts.
CRYPTIC MASONRY .- Adoniram Council of Royal and Select Masters No. 24, was established in Man- chester September 11, 1856, by a dispensation granted to Daniel Balch, Ira Bliss and Moses O. Pearson by the Grand Council of Connecticut to form and open a Council, etc., and on the 27th of the same month a charter was issued.
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APPENDIX.
The Council worked under the authority of Grand Council of Connecticut until the formation of a Grand Council in New Hampshire, June 11, 1862, when a new charter was issued and Adoniram Council became No. 3 in the Councils of this State. It has been ex- ceedingly prosperous in all respects. Its membership now numbers two hundred and thirty, the largest in the State. It suffered, in common with other Masonic bodies in the fire of 1870, a total loss of its property, but soon repaired its misfortune and provided an elaborate and elegant outfit for all the Cryptic work. If we may judge from its success and present condi- tion, this Council has the promise of long and remark- able prosperity.
TRINITY COMMANDERY, No. 1-Trinity Encamp- ment of Knights Templar, the first in the State, was established at Hanover under a charter from M. E. Sir Henry Fowle, Deputy General Grand Master of the General Grand Encampment of the United States, bearing date the 24th day of March, 1824. The peti- tioners for the charter were James Freeman Dana, James Poole, Timothy Kenrick, Amos Bugbee, Ammi B. Young, Alpheus Baker, George W. Culver, Henry Hutchinson and George E. Wales.
The Encampment was consecrated May 8, 1824, by M. E. Sir Henry Fowle, with public ceremonies ac- cording to the following programme :
1. An ode was sung by the Handel Society, of Dartmouth College.
2. l'rayer by the Rev. President Tyler, of Dartmouth College.
3. Consecration of the Encampment by Sir H. Fowle, D. G. G. M.
4. Installation of the officers. Installing prayer by Rev. Professor Shurtleff.
5. Address by Sir H. Fowle, D. G. G. M.
6. Ode by the Handel Society.
7. Prayer by Rev. Professor Hadduck, of Dartmouth College.
8. Benediction by Rev. President Tyler.
The early records contain a history of the proceed- ings of the Encampment from its organization down to May 3, 1830, when the clection of officers for the year took place. This, so far as can be ascertained from the records, was the last meeting of the Encamp- ment ; but we know that it was represented by some of its officers in the Grand Encampment as late as 1837. Sir Charles W. Adams, one of the early mem- bers, in recording a brief history of the Encampment, says : "In 1826 and 1827 there were gloomy forebod- ings for the future, and for Masons a period of dark- ness and gloom. We struggled along through the excitement until April, 1830." He then speaks of the annual meeting of that year, and of what oc- curred, and adds : " This was our last meeting, and we went down with the Masonic establishments of this section of the country."
From this time the Encampment was dormant till the autumn of 1851, when a meeting of the few sur- viving members and of other Sir Knights residing in the city was held at the Masonic Hall in Manchester, to take the necessary measures to petition the General Grand Encampment for the renewal of the charter. Upon the petition then made to Sir Charles W.
Moore, General Grand Generalissimo of the General Grand Encampment, a dispensation was granted, and the Encampment was revived and established at Manchester with Sir Daniel Balch as its Grand Com- mander.
From the time of its reorganization the career of Trinity Commandery has been one of continued suc- cess and prosperity, steadily increasing its members and taking a high rank among the commanderies of the jurisdiction. It is now the largest commandery in the State, containing among its two hundred and seventeen members men of deservedly high rank in every profession, who have ever manifested a zealous interest in all its affairs, and who have always been ready to give their time and bestow their means for the advancement of its interests.
The strength and integrity of character of its members, their attachment to the commandery, their liberality and knightly courtesy at all times, their earnest devotion to the principles of the order, have not only contributed to its success in the past and preserved unsullied the high and honored name which knighthood attained in the community, but also afford satisfactory evidence of future prosperity.
THE A. AND A. S. RITE .- In 1862 a dispensation from the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, having its Grand East in Boston, was granted to John D. Patterson and several others who had received the degrees of the Rite to the thirty-second, inclusive. By virtue of this dispensation, which was for a Lodge of Perfection, many members of the York Rite were elected and received the degrees of this Rite to the thirty-second, which were conferred either in Nashua or Boston at the request of the Manchester brethren. Although it has not been deemed judicious to estab- lish working bodies in Manchester, yet a consider- able number have taken the degrees of the Rite, and ere long it is understood there will be a request for the Supreme Council to charter the usual working bodies to the thirty-second grade. The Rite is in a prosperous condition in this vicinity, and contains many of the most active and influential members of the fraternity.
THE RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE .- A Council of this Illustrious Order of Knighthood was formed in 1873. The charter was granted by the Grand Imperial Council at London, England, at the head of which was the Earl Bective, to Joseph W. Fellows and eleven others, May 14th, in the name of Labarum Council.
This Order of Knighthood is essentially Christian in its doctrines, and is founded upon the legend that Constantine beheld in the sky a cross with the words, " En Touto Nika " (" By this sign ye shall conquer ") on the eve of the battle of Saxa Rubra. The Emperor was inspired with the belief that this was a sign from the True God set in the sky to foretell his success, and he imparted such courage and confidence to his armies that a great victory was gained, The motto
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
has been "Latinized," and is used "In Hoc Signo Vinces " upon the banners of this and other Orders of Knighthood. The name of this Council," Labarum," is of doubtful origin, but was undoubtedly the namegiven by Emperor Constantine to his banner, upon which was inscribed the monogram composed of the first two letters of the Greek work Kristos. This Council has done but little work, and has not yet united with the other Councils in this country, but contemplates taking steps to form other Councils, and a Grand Council of the Order as soon as members sufficient in number are created to warrant the expense and labor necessary to their support.
MASONIC RELIEF ASSOCIATION .- The fraternity formed an organization, April 14, 1874, for the relief of the families of Masons who have deceased. It is intended and practically does afford a system of life insurance for moderate amounts at a very low rate. The plan is that each member shall pay one dollar into the treasury at the decease of any one member, so that the family of the deceased shall receive as many dollars as there are members. A small sum is
paid to provide for expenses; but the management of the association is very inexpensive and careful. There is always kept in the treasury a sum of dollars equal to the number of members, ready to be paid immediately upon the decease of any member. The good faith of the fraternity is the guaranty fund, and it has never failed to respond when called upon to do so. The association now numbers near four hundred, and its popularity increases with every year, and the grateful hearts of many who have been aided in the hours of bereavement testify to the good it performs.
Public Building .- During the last Congress a bill was passed appropriating two hundred thousand dol- lars for a public building in this city.
HANCOCK.
John Whitcomb, Esq., held the office of postmas- ter here for fifty-four years, from the first institution of the office, in 1812, until his death. His grandson, Adolphus D. Tuttle, Esq., has held the same position continuously since his death.
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