USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Littleton > History of Littleton, New Hampshire, Vol. II > Part 58
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Aug. 6. " An address was read to the lodge by Brother Erastus Fairbanks and another by N. F. Morrison."
" Voted that the lodge approve of the ground which Mr. Fairbanks has taken and that something of the kind might be beneficial to the public and the Fraternity."
Nov. 20, 1828. Seven of the brethren were present and filled the offices as follows : - Sam'l M. Cobb, W. M. P. T. ; Dennison Pike, S. W. P. T. ; R. F. Rowell, J. W. P. T. ; James Joslyn, Treas. P. T. ; M. F. Morrison, Secty ? ; Herbert Quimby, S. D. P. T. ; N. Pike, J. D. ; H. Quimby, Tyler.
The annual election of officers was had. (See table.)
" Voted to give Brother Dennison Pike one dollar per evening for every evening his hall is occupied by the Lodge the ensuing year."
"Voted section of the By-laws making it incumbent on the lodge to meet at 1 o'clock P. M. be repealed.
Voted that the hour of meeting for the Lodge in future shall be at 4 o'clock P.M.
There being no further business the Lodge closed in due form.1 The End."
1 Among the candidates who completed the third degree in Morning Dawn and who appear to have been of Littleton, were Daniel Carter and Asa Gould, April 8, 1819; Amasa Wheelock and Merrill Williams, May 6, 1819; Jonathan Rowell, June 3, 1819; Clement Gould and Comfort Day, Feb. 3, 1820; James Williams, Jr., May 25, 1820; Capt. Tilletson . Wheeler, June 29, 1820; Laban Tifft, Oct. 19, 1820; David Webster, Feb. 7, 1821; Wm. Brackett and Wm. Burns, Sept. 26, 1821; Walter Charl-
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The anti-Masonic movement of 1826 rapidly gathered force. In no State was it more violent than in Vermont. A State government was chosen under its impetus. Society and the churches were in accord with the most extreme elements of party zealots. The recreant Mason was regarded with much more public favor than the ordinary citizen who had never been counted among the ritualists. To adhere to the institution of Freemasonry was more than unpopular, it was infamous. To hold to an open profession of fidelity to the craft required an abundance of the stuff of which martyrs are made. To maintain open organizations of such men was more than could be expected of human nature in the aggregate. Such was the atmosphere that surrounded the little lodge at Waterford from 1826 to 1828. And thus was finished the work of Morning Dawn Lodge. Its history had been wrought out in harmony. The best men of the community had been drawn to it. The brethren had cultivated the amenities of good fellowship without encouraging vice or excess. They had sustained their lodge as an educator, as a harmonizer, and as an example of benevolent endeavor.
The Morgan affair, however, had been made a means throughout the country of rallying the discontented elements of the political parties of that day, with the fanatical faction of the people, for a crusade against the institution of Freemasonry. Politicians who were in desperate straits for the lack of contestable issues made much capital out of this material. Men invariably become restless within the lines of political parties of long standing. There was in the Morgan affair, as its foster parents fashioned it, just enough food for fanaticism, just enough of a political issue, just enough of opportunity for demagogues, to nourish an ephemeral move- ment. It served its purpose. The party men who were ripe for sedition were accommodated. In the agitation they cared not so much for the protest against Freemasonry as for the rebuke they were to administer to the management of the old parties. They all became Whigs and Democrats after this diversion. It was the method of transformation from Republicans and Federalists. Some fanatics meantime were made happy and some demagogues were exalted. Thirty years later a similar political emeute occurred, - the native American, in dire peril from the alleged
ton, Oct. 26, 1821 ; Joseph Pingree, Michael Fitzgerald, and Otis Batchelder, Nov. 28, 1821; Sewell Brackett and Aaron Brackett, Dec. 26, 1821; S. Hurlburt, Feb. 20, 1823; Amasa Kellogg, April 24, 1823; Adams Moore, July 17, 1823; Samuel Kelley, Nov. 13, 1823; Simeon B. Johnson, April 8, 1824 ; Asa Robins, Aug. 5, 1824; Hiram B. Smith, Dec. 2, 1824; Stephen Steere and Simeon Remick, June 15, 1826; Enoch B. Simonds, Dec. 14, 1826.
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machinations of the Pope, who was a "good enough Morgan " in 1854 for their purposes. The Know-Nothing movement, so called, uniting the discontented members of old political parties with a lively mixture of demagogy and fanaticism had its run on the political boards and served a political purpose. It gave the rank and file an opportunity to run a dividing line across the old parties. It protected individuals from political persecution on account of desertion from party ; for in such revolt the indi- vidual cannot be successfully dealt with as a political traitor, he is merged in the multitude. "Unsuccessful rebellion is trea- son ; successful is revolution." From the din and smoke raised by this American party a reorganized democracy and a newly organized Republican party appeared forty-eight years ago; not a few political observers believe that a repetition of this history on other lines is impending. It is significant of the hollowness of the professions of that anti-Masonic party, judging these so- called principles by the rule of permanency, that almost the whole people have returned to the forms of secret organization, borrowed from Freemasonry for the advancement of various beneficent undertakings ; and Freemasonry as an institution is the strongest and most respected social organization in the world, more firmly established than at any time previous to the great agitation.
In fact, the American party accomplished its mission of political revolution by a secret organization with many forms similar to those of Freemasonry. Methods which in 1826 appeared to be the bone of the body politic, in 1854 and 1855 had become a sovereign antidote for all its ills.
Whatever may have been the philosophy of anti-Masonry as a moral or political movement, it resulted in a temporary check upon the institution of Freemasonry in a large section of the country. There were but very few of the subordinate bodies that with- stood the storm of abuse, obloquy, and persecution, which pursued both organization and individual.
In Waterford they withdrew patronage from the adhering Masons of the medical profession, and refused to support the Masonic clergy. They razed Dr. Bugbee's fences to the ground, and pelted his cattle with stones and clubs. The highway sepa- rated his lands, and the determination of the public to allow him no underpass for his cattle was one method adopted to punish him for his Freemasonry. In a long agitation and litigation he finally prevailed. This part of the road was long known as the Anti- Masonic Bridge. They demanded of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Read Hall,
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of Concord. Vt., that he withdraw from the order. He withdrew from membership in his lodge. They then demanded that he denounce the order. He refused, because he knew nothing in it to denounce. Incensed at this, they compelled him to leave his church, which had become strong under his pastorate, and to forsake Essex County Grammar School, which had become famous as well as prosperous under his instruction and guidance. It is no inconsiderable part of his fame that to him belonged the honor of founding the first normal school, and of organizing that system of instruction in this country. It was at Concord, Vt., that he organized, in 1823, the first school in the United States for the training of teachers. This department of the Essex County School he continued till 1830.1
The Rev. Thomas Hall, at Waterford, suffered by the same intolerance. His case is one of special historic interest. A partial record of the action of the society and of the church has been preserved. The initiative in the formal proceedings seems to liave been taken by the society. The official report is brief but suggestive, and is given in full.
The members of the Congregational Society in Waterford are hereby, notified and warned to meet at the dwelling house of Lyman Dewey in Waterford on Thursday the ninth instant at two o'clock in the afternoon to act on the following articles, viz.
First. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
Secondly. To see what method the Society will take respecting the present difficulties that exist and to see whether they will keep Mr. Hall or dismiss him.
JONAS CARPENTER, Society Clerk.
WATERFORD, April 1st, 1829.
WATERFORD, April 9th, 1829. The members of the Congregational Society met agreeable to the above warning and the meeting was opened by reading this warning. Then proceeded to business.
And first Choose Harvey Holbrook moderator. Secondly voted to Choose a Committee to Draft a resolution to lay before the Society.
Then Chose Harvey Holbrook Esq. Dea. William Ezekiel Cutter and Joseph Knights, Jr. for said Committee.
The Committee withdrew for a Short time and then made the follow- ing report.
Mr. Hall, Sir, at a meeting of the 1st Congregational Society in Water- ford a Committee of four persons were Chosen (viz.) Harvey Holbrook Esq. Dea. William Holbrook Ezekiel Cutter and Joseph Knight Jr. for the purpose of Seeing what method it was best to take respecting
1 Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography, vol. iii. p. 43.
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the present difficulty that exists respecting Free Masonry and said Committe require that you shall withdraw from the Institution of Free masonry as far as this that you shall not meet with them nor uphold the Institution as long as we shall Continue to retain you as a minister of the gospel.
But we would have it understood that should you leave this Country and go to foreign lands we do not wish to bind your conscience and of course you will have free liberty to act as you please - which report was read and excepted by a unanimous vote except one - Then Chose Dea. Wm. Holbrook to present said resolutions to Mr. Thomas Hall and then Mr. Hall came before the Society and manifested his accept- ance of said resolutions and its requirements.
Then voted to Dissolve said meeting.
JONAH CARPENTER, Society Clerk.1
In 1830 Mr. Hall requested a dismissal for the reason that a minority of the church had become aggrieved on account of his relations with Freemasonry. A council was constituted in May, and the subject fully considered. Rev. Leonard Worcester, Rev. Drury Fairbank, and Rev. S. R. Hall were among the members. The minority of the church made a statement to the effect that they had no grounds of dissatisfaction against the pastor except his connection with the Masonic institution, but that they should be led to withdraw support from him on that account. The majority of the church stated in writing that they did not desire to have their pastor taken from them because he was a Mason. It also appeared that Mr. Hall had withdrawn himself from all Masonic meetings, and that he neither expected nor desired to have anything more to do with the institution. The minority of the church demanded, as a condition of their support, that he should renounce his connection with the institution. The pastor declined to go to that extent, and the council stated that it did not by any means appear but that this was as far as the pastor could conscientiously go in regard to this matter. They declared that for themselves they should not insist upon his going farther, and that in their judgment his brethren ought not to insist upon it. In the course of their statement the council say they " are by no means regardless of the feelings of their beloved brethren of the minority. It is no matter of wonder to them that under exist- ing circumstances their brethren should view the institution of Freemasonry as a great evil. Some of them (the council) have, indeed, in no considerable measure participated in those appre- hensions." The conclusion of the council was that it was not
1 First Book of Record of the Congregational Society in Waterford, p. 76.
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advisable to sever the pastoral relation.1 Mr. Hall continued with the church for a short time after this date, but a considerable part of the church persisted in their refusal to aid in his support. and the issue they had raised against him on his relations to Free- masonry was an irremediable mischief to the church.
Another council was held in November to consider the same subject. The proceedings are not on record, but it appears that the church (by a majority vote presumably ) accepted the report of the council.2 The biography of Mr. Hall shows that the result of the deliberations of the second council was that his dismissal was advised, and his pastoral relation ended that year.
In Littleton the anti-Masonic sentiment did not find a favorable field for its characteristic development. There were no overt acts. A few zealous citizens acted together as a political party, One of their number, Gen. David Rankin, was a candidate for presidential elector in 1832. They succeeded by a coalition in electing a town representative in 1833. But the principal results of the agitation here were exhibited in loud talk and an occasional shower of epithets, intended for the Freemasons and their friends. The opponents of the Federalist party who were members of the order were incensed at the coalition and became stanch Demo- crats of the Jackson order. Among them are such men as William Brackett and Comfort Day. It is possible that the counter-current carried anti-Masonic Democrats into the coalition. There is no reason to suppose that any of these Littleton Freemasons renounced their allegiance to the principles of the institution or their ad- herence to it as an organization. They were not of the character to be driven by intimidation from a belief they considered sound and reasonable. They often met together in an informal way, and by discussion and rehearsal kept their knowledge of the d'octrines and ritual from passing out of mind.
Prominent among these earlier members of the craft here, Ebenezer Eastman should be named. He received his degrees in Vermont, according to the family tradition, but in what lodge has not been ascertained. He was conspicuous in business affairs, and no man did more than he to bring about the advent of our first railway, which was the favorable turning-point in the prospects of the town.
These veterans were foremost in the formation of our lodge, and from one of those stanch old craftsmen it took the name of Burns, thirty years after the curtain fell on the last scene in the lodge at Waterford.
1 MISS. Records of the Church at Waterford, vol. i. pp. 71-81. 2 Id. p. 90.
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History of Littleton.
Amaziah Jacobs, W. M., 1818, 1819, was a merchant engaged in business at the village of Lower Waterford. Little of interest concerning him is at hand. It is not known where he originated or obtained the Masonic degrees. The tradition is that he went West, but that information, indefinite at best, is of less value when the date of emigration is unknown.
Hon. Nathaniel Rix, Jr., W. M., 1820, 1821, was the eldest son of Nathaniel Rix, a soldier of the Revolutionary Army, and Esther (Clark) Rix, and was born in Landaff, November 26, 1777. In 1799 father and son located on Lot 6, Range 12, in Stanstead, P. Q. There they remained until about the time of the War of 1812, when they came to Littleton. Here Nathaniel, Jr., became a prominent citizen. Beginning with 1821, he was representative in the Legislature for seven years in succession, the largest con- tinuous service of any member from Littleton except Hon. Harry Bingham, and the largest number of years except those of Mr. Bingham and Rev. David Goodall. He was prominent as a civil magistrate and in town offices. He married Rebecca Eastman, of Bath, March 3, 1802. He died October 21, 1857. He resided at North Littleton, and was progressive as well as influential in his undertakings. He attempted vine-culture for the production of light wines. Later on he was a prominent worker in the cause of temperance, an advocate of total abstinence, and may probably be regarded as one of the pioneers in the agitation of this re- form in this vicinity. He was doubtless a man of large politi- cal ambition, and aspired to the governorship. Having been elected to the office of Register of Deeds in 1835, he moved to Haverhill, holding this office till 1840. While residing at Haverhill he again served two terms as representative in the General Court.
Haverhill was prolific of incumbents of high office in those days, but Mr. Rix failed there of any considerable advancement of his political fortunes. A large part of his time was occupied in town, county, and State offices, and in the duties of a civil magistrate. As an adviser, his judgment was much sought, and great reliance placed upon it. He was everywhere honored and respected. He was a man of good stature and agreeable presence. He was a valuable citizen, an honest and efficient public officer, and de- servedly one of the most prominent and popular citizens of this town in the first half of its history.
He sleeps in the upper cemetery at North Littleton, and his Masonic brethren have placed his portrait in crayon on the walls of the lodge.
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Samuel Kidder, W. M., 1822, 1823, was a clothier at the Upper Waterford or Flanders Village. He was a native of the townl. He removed to Maine, residing for a time at Lewiston. Subse- quently he made his abode in Pennsylvania, where he died. He is said to have been the best informed man in the lodge in matters Masonic.
Hezekiah Cole, W. M., 1824, was a partner with Samuel Kidder in business at Upper Waterford. He also was a native of Water- ford. He removed to Charlestown, Mass., where he died.
Nathan Pike, W. M., 1825, 1826, was one of the early settlers of Waterford, Vt. He was of a party of young men from Fra- mingham, Mass., who came up to this region through Haverhill and Lisbon to seek their fortune in subduing the wilderness. Pike obtained his allotment of land on that part of the town where the village of Upper Waterford is situated. He was successful in his undertakings, and became one of the principal citizens. He kept a tavern for many years, farmed, and was interested in other profitable industries. Mrs. Miner, of Haverhill, was his hostess on his first journey to the scene of his future enterprises, and he made her daughter his wife. They reared a large family, and their chil- dren made a good record for the family name. Nathan's father, who followed him to Vermont, and his oldest son, were both named Daniel. The latter took the addition 2d, to distinguish him from his grandfather. Prior to the establishment of Morning Dawn Lodge, Nathan Pike and his sons, Daniel and Brigham, had become Masons.
All efforts to ascertain where they obtained the degrees have been fruitless. The family tradition is that they were initiated at Portland, but the records of the lodges there do not verify it. These men were largely instrumental in procuring a charter for the new lodge. At first the communications were at Caswell's Hall, some two miles distant from Pike's Tavern. After a time they were held at Mr. Pike's house, and eventually were removed to the new hall which he built as a part of his hotel establishment. Others of his sons were made Masons in this lodge, and Nathan, Jr. (who became a member of the order March 21, 1825), was the last survivor of its membership. He died at Waterford, January 12, 1887, and was buried with Masonic honors by the officers and brethren of Burns Lodge. The elder Pike was born August 2, 1772, and died August 6, 1829. His funeral was Masonic, and was attended by a deputation of his brethren from the State of Maine.
Daniel Pike, 2d, was born November 21, 1794, and resided at
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Waterford till well advanced in years. He was regarded as ex- ceptionally well informed and skilful in the ritual and work of Freemasonry. His personality added much to the strength and influence of his lodge. In disposition he was genial, and con- tributed his share to vary the humdrum of life among his kindred and fellows.
The quiet humor of his remarks at a political meeting where he is credited withi aiding largely in preventing a wrangle from developing into a general mêlée, is still remembered as the most notable feature of the occasion. It was a joint debate be- tween the Whigs and Democrats in which two prominent men represented each side. Harry Hibbard was one of the Democratic champions, and Henry A. Bellows, then called Harry Bellows, was one of the advocates for the Whigs. The discussion degenerated into personalities, the partisans of the speakers got beyond the control of the moderators, and confusion reigned for a time. At length some slight progress toward pacification was made. One after another made statements tending to fix or shirk responsi- bility for the turbulent results. Mr. Pike, at a favorable moment, got the floor, and so stated the course of the events of the day that hilarity superseded wrath and recrimination. He said he felt competent to speak of the occurrences as a dispassionate observer. Some one interrupted him with the remark that he was not present all the time himself. He retorted that he was except for a short time in which his absence made no detraction from his qualifica- tion as a witness. " When Mr. Bellows was speaking," he said, " I suggested to my neighbor that we might as well go out and get an eye-opener. 'But,' said my friend, 'you will lose a part of Squire Bellows' argument, Mr. Pike.' 'No,' I replied, ' I have heard that speech several times already in this campaign, and I know just where we are. Squire Bellows is now on the " Purse and Sword." We can go out and get our bitters, and certainly get back by the time he gets to the " Cuban Bloodhounds."' We went out and, as we returned to our places, we found that it was as I had predicted. Mr. Bellows was just bringing up the ' Cuban Bloodhounds.' "
Mr. Pike removed to Carmel, Me. Three sons and two daughters were his children. He was successful in affairs and much re- spected. He was instantly killed by an accident from the use of machinery on his farm.
Rev. Thomas Hall, W. M:, 1827, was a native of Cornish, N. H., the son of Moody and Lois (Harrington) Hall. He was prepared for college at the Kimball Union Academy at Plainfield, and
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was graduated from Dartmouth College 1823. Having studied theology with Rev. Asa Burton, D. D., of Thetford, Vt., he was ordained a Congregationalist minister at Waterford, Vt., September 28, 1825. For five years he was the settled pastor at that place, and was dismissed November 4, 1830. In the time of this pastorate the anti-Masonic excitement was rife in that vicinity, and Mr. Hall, being a member of this order, was sub- jected to a multitude of petty persecutions on account of his con- nection with Freemasonry, which, though not concealed nor denied, was unobtrusive. Subsequently he was pastor at Norwich, Vt .; at Waterford again from 1834 till 1844; Guildhall, Vt., 1845-1847 ; Vershire, Vt., 1848-1853 ; Bethlehem and Franconia, December, 1854, to December, 1857. While engaged in this pastorate he prepared an historical sketch of the churches at those places, which appears in the collection known as " Lawrence's Churches." He served the churches at Upper Waterford and Dalton, January, 1858, to February, 1859. At the time of this pastorate he resided at West Littleton, on what is known as Diamond Hill. He died at Guildhall on the 16th of February, 1859. He was twice married : (1) to Marianna, daughter of B. Loomis, of Thet- ford, Vt., and (2) to Sarah Helen, daughter of Levi Richards, of Thetford, "Vt.
He was a devout and amiable man, whose life exemplified the Christian graces. His memory is fragrant with all who knew him in any portion of his long and useful ministry.
Moses Ford Morrison, M. D., W. M., 1828. As his daughter, Mrs. Swain, expressed it, Dr. Morrison was " a waif." His mother died soon after he was born. His father, having a numerous family, gave him to Moses Ford, of Piermont, who in turn gave the boy his own name and an academic education. He studied medicine and practised at Landaff, in this State, then at Water- ford, Vt., and afterwards at Bath, where he continued from July, 1832, till 1852. At this time he moved to Nunda in Western New York, where Mrs. Swain was living. He received his degree of M. D. at Dartmouth in 1823. His parents were David and Hannah (Whittaker) Morrison. Their children arriving at adult age were Jane Z., Albert, Adeline E. P., John, Napoleon B., Helen W., Eugenia A., and Pauline E. A. His wife was Zilpha Smith, daughter of James Smith, a well-to-do farmer of Bath. He was a man of quick perceptions, literary tastes, and his reading covered a wide range of literature. In religious belief he de- parted from the ancestral trend and held to liberal views, perhaps to that extent that he might be properly termed a free thinker.
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