USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Littleton > History of Littleton, New Hampshire, Vol. II > Part 59
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History of Littleton.
He was the last Master of the lodge at Waterford. His death occurred at Decatur, Ohio, in November, 1856.1
The exceptional influences that brought about the downfall of Morning Dawn Lodge, No. 48, at Waterford, in 1828, soon passed away, and by 1850 the passions and dissensions, so strong and deep that they disrupted political parties, divided families, drove pastors from their pulpits, and deprived business and professional men of customers, patients, and clients, were nothing but a memory. In 1852 the surviving members of Morning Dawn Lodge and a few others, residents of the town, discussed the possibility of organ- izing a lodge in this town. William Burns, William Brackett, and Ebenezer Eastman were leaders in the movement. Before their plans had assumed definite form, the death of Mr. Eastman caused a postponement, and when they were resumed with promise of success, the wild flurry of Know-Nothingism aroused a temporary prejudice against all secret societies, and the projectors awaited a more favorable opportunity, which came in 1858.
Those connected with the lodge at Waterford then resident in town were Aaron Brackett, William Brackett, Otis Batchelder, William Burns, Simeon B. Johnson, Hiram B. Smith, Adams Moore, Simeon Remick, and Laban Tift. Nathan Pike, still a resident of Waterford, was a promoter of the movement. Members of the ancient order who had received their degrees in other lodges were Elijah S. Woolson, of Meridian Sun, at Bath ; Nathaniel Bishop, of Unity, Lyndon, Vt., and Marshal Sanders, of No. 45, Pontiac, Mich., while John G. Sinclair, of North Star, at Lancaster, then residing at Bethlehem, within the jurisdiction of the proposed lodge, approved the movement but never became a member. All the foregoing, excepting E. S. Woolson and Simeon Remick, were enrolled in the membership of the lodge when established.
The members of the ancient lodge were advanced in years, and younger men were desired to carry on the work, and concerted action was had whereby Col. Joseph L. Gibb and Horace E. Chamberlin received their degrees at North Star, No. 8, at Lan- caster, in May, 1758, and Philip H. Paddleford, in August, and James J. Barrett, in October of the same year, at Kane Lodge, No. 64, at Lisbon.
Soon after Mr. Barrett was raised to the degree of Master Mason, a petition, signed by P. H. Paddleford, Marshal Sanders, Joseph L. Gibb, H. E. Chamberlin, James J. Barrett, William Brackett, H. B. Smith, William Burns, and S. B. Johnson, was presented to Moses
1 The early history of Freemasonry in this town was prepared by Judge Batchellor. What follows is from other sources.
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Freemasonry.
Paul, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, " pray- ing for letters of dispensation or a warrant of constitution to empower them to assemble a legal lodge to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner according to the original forms of the order." The petitioners recommended the appointment of the following officers : "P. H. Paddleford, to be first Master; H. E. Chamberlin, to be first Senior Warden, and James J. Barrett, to be the first Junior Warden of said lodge." The name of Burns Lodge was also recommended by the peti- tioners. The prayer was granted in each of these particulars, and a dispensation issued, bearing date the ninth day of February, 1859.
The first meeting under the dispensation was held February 19, 1859, at which Colonel Gibb was made Treasurer, and Major A. Brackett Secretary, and it was voted that the regular communica- tions be held monthly, on Thursday of the week in which the moon fulls. The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Secre- tary, and Treasurer were constituted a committee to draft a code of by-laws.
At the annual. meeting of the Grand Lodge the transactions of the Burns Lodge, No. 66, were approved and a charter granted in due and ancient form.1
1 The following is the charter : --
To all the Fraternity to whom these Presents shall come, The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of New Hampshire, send Greeting :
WHEREAS A PETITION has been presented to us by Brothers P. H. Paddleford, Joseph L. Gibb, James J. Barrett, H. B. Smith, Marshal Sanders, H. E. Chamberlin, William Brackett, William Burns, and S. B. Johnson, residing in the towns of Little- ton and Bethlehem and State of New Hampshire, all Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, praying that they, with such others as shall hereafter join them, niay be erected and constituted a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons - which Pe- tition appearing to us as tending to the advancement of Masonry and the good of the Craft :
KNOW YE, therefore, that we, the Grand Lodge aforesaid, reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Prudence and Fidelity of our beloved Brethren above named, have Constituted and Appointed, and by these Presents do constitute and appoint them, the said P. H. Paddleford, Joseph L. Gibb, James J. Barrett, H. B. Smith, Marshal Sanders, and others, a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the Title and Designation of BURNS LODGE, No. 66, hereby giving and granting unto them and their Successors, full Power and Authority to convene as Masons, within the Town of Littleton, in the County of Grafton, and State aforesaid - to receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise Master Masons, upon the pay- ment of such compensations for the same as may be determined by the Grand Lodge. Also, to make choice of a Master, Wardens, and other Office Bearers, annually, or otherwise, as they shall see cause ; to receive and collect Funds for the relief of poor and distressed Brethren, their Widows and Children, and, in general, to transact all matters relating to Masonry, which to them may appear to be for the good of the Craft, according to the ancient Usages and Customs of Masons.
And we do hereby require the said constituted Brethren to attend the Grand Lodge
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History of Littleton.
For several years the regular communications were held on both afternoon and evening.1 The first annual meeting convened in June, 1859, at ten of the clock in the forenoon. The lodge proceeded to the election of officers, and Philip H. Paddleford was chosen Worshipful Master ; H. E. Chamberlin, Senior Warden ; James J. Barrett, Junior Warden ; Aaron Brackett, Secretary, and Joseph L. Gibb, Treasurer. Subsequently Rev. Lewis P. Cushman was appointed Chaplain ; Marshal Sanders, Senior Deacon; George C. Wilkins, Junior Deacon, and James F. Palmer, Tyler. The afternoon session was occupied with the election of members and balloting for candidates. Eleven former members of Morning Dawn Lodge, No. 48, were elected to membership, and seven can- didates for degrees approved. In balloting, the box rested upon the altar, and members formally approached and cast their ballots. The first year was in all respects prosperous. All regular and seventeen ; special meetings were held, and fourteen candidates raised to the degree of Master Mason. The cash receipts were $372.25; the expenditures, $323.44, leaving a balance in the treasury of $48.81.
In 1860 occurred a fraternal incident of unusual interest. Ammonoosuc Lodge of Odd Fellows, when about to surrender its . charter, voted to present its Bible to Burns Lodge. For this pur- pose a special meeting was held at the lodge room on January 12. A large delegation of each fraternity was present. Gen. E. O. Kenney, in behalf of the Odd Fellows, made the presentation ad- dress, which was happily appropriate in both form and sentiment. The response in behalf of Burns Lodge was made by Col. Henry at their Annual Communications, and other Meetings, by their Master and Wardens, or by Proxies regularly appointed ; also, to keep a fair and regular Record of all their proceedings, and to lay them before the Grand Lodge when required.
And we do enjoin upon our Brethren of the said Lodge, that they be punctual in the payment of such sums as may be assessed for the support of the Grand Lodge ; that they behave themselves respectfully and obediently to their superiors in office, and in all other respects conduct themselves as good Masons.
And we do hereby declare the Precedence of the said Lodge, in the Grand Lodge and elsewhere, to commence from the date hereof.
In testimony whereof, WE, the GRAND MASTER, DEPUTY GRAND MASTER and GRAND WARDENS, by virtue of the Power and Authority to us committed, have hereunto set our Hands, and caused the Seal of the GRAND Lodge to be affixed, at Concord, this eighth day of June, Anno Domini One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty- nine, and of Masonry Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-nine.
[L. S.]
MOSES PAUL, Grand Master.
AARON P. HUGHES, Deputy Grand Master. JACOB C. HANSON, Senior Grand Warden. Junior Grand Warden.
By order of the Grand Lodge,
HORACE CHASE, Grand Secretary. 1 The By-Laws in this respect were changed in May, 1887.
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W. Rowell, in brief but felicitous remarks. This Bible was placed upon the altar, where it has remained as one of the great lights of Masonry for forty-four years.
Worshipful Master Paddleford declined to continue in the East during another term. At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the Sixth Masonic District in 1860, and reappointed in 1861 and 1862. He received the Royal Arch degrees in Franklin Chapter, Lisbon, in the summer of 1859; elected Master of the First Vail, November 8, 1860; P. Sojourner in 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863. From 1864 to 1867, inclusive, and in 1869, he was elected King. Re- ceived the Knights Templar Orders in North Star Commandery at Lancaster in 1864; was a charter member of St. Gerard Com- mandery and its Prelate from 1868 to 1871, inclusive, also in 1874 and 1875. Mr. Paddleford possessed the true Masonic spirit, was unselfish, helpful, and while without ambition for official fraternity positions, was always willing to serve when it was clear that it was for the best interest of the institution that he should do so. The record shows that from the time he was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason until his death in 1876, it was seldom that he did not hold an official station. He was not what is termed a " pen-and-ink man," and writing reports was not his forte. He was, nevertheless, a hard worker, and his knowledge of the ritual was nearly perfect, and all preferments that came to him "rested upon real worth and personal merit only." His death was a loss to the fraternity.
In 1860 the lodge secured the convenient hall abandoned by the Odd Fellows in Smith's Building, and there the annual com- munication was held in May. Horace Elliott Chamberlin was elected Worshipful Master ; Marshal Sanders, Senior Warden ; James J. Barrett, Junior Warden ; and Aaron Brackett and Joseph L. Gibb, respectively, Secretary and Treasurer. The appointed offi- cers for the year were H. W. Rowell, Senior Deacon ; Ai Fitz- gerald, Junior Deacon ; Rev. L. P. Cushman, Chaplain ; Charles Hartshorn, Marshal; David Page Sanborn, Senior Steward; Samuel B. Page, Junior Steward ; and Henry Thomas, Tyler.
The regular meetings were well attended through the year, and ten special communications were held. Twelve candidates were initiated, among them Josiah Kilburn, Alonzo Weeks, Chauncey H. Greene, and George Farr. In this year a large restful chair was presented by the lodge to Dr. Burns, Henry W. Rowell being the presenter. The aged doctor responded with evident emotion, thanking the brethren for their thoughtfulness. An
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History of Littleton.
incident that marked the progress of public affairs in the wide field of national events occurred at the communication in April, 1861. The lodge had assembled as usual, when it was called from labor to refreshment, to enable the brethren " to attend a meeting of citizens held in Rounsevel's Hall to interchange views in regard to the alarming condition of our country." On being recalled to labor but a small number were present, and the lodge closed in due and ancient form.
Worshipful Master Chamberlin, following the example of his predecessor, declined a re-election to the position he had graced through the year. He was a dignified and accomplished presiding officer, and thoroughly equipped for the work of the high position. He received his degrees in North Star Lodge at Lancaster, in 1858 ; the chapter degrees at Lisbon in Franklin Chapter, of which he was Captain of the Host in 1859-1860, and Treasurer in 1863. Since his residence in Concord he has received the honors of knighthood, and has received still higher degrees in the ancient order of Scottish Rite Masonry. Mr. Chamberlin is the only sur- viving charter member of the lodge, and though for many years a non-resident, he has continued to hold his membership in the lodge which he contributed to found, and of which he was the first Senior Warden. He has passed the threescore and ten mark, but bears his years well, a man strong in mind and body.
In May, 1861, the lodge entered upon its third year in the face of many difficulties and in the midst of great national events. The war thinned its membership and weakened its working force, but it held to its course with pertinacity, and successfully passed the crisis that threatened its existence for three years. Marshal Sanders was chosen to succeed Mr. Chamberlin in the East, Alonzo Weeks succeeded Colonel Gibb as Treasurer, and there were other changes in the list of officers which the curious reader will find recorded in the Masonic Tables in this volume. The absorbing interest of the people in the war is most emphatically indicated by the fact that during the year but six regular meetings were held in the afternoon, and but ten evening sessions, while only seven special meetings were called. This result was not caused by loss of interest, but through the overpowering demands of the momentous interests at stake at the time. The closing month of the year was memorable by reason of the death of the first member of the lodge, who was called to sacrifice his life for his country in the great conflict. Philip C. Wilkins died at Camp California, December 18, 1861, having contracted typhoid fever at the time his regiment, the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, was transferred
C
C
AARON BRACKETT.
NELSON C. FARR.
PHILIP H. PADDLEFORD.
ALONZO WEEKS.
NATHAN BURNS.
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Freemasonry.
from Bladensburg to the Virginia camp. His remains reached his former New Hampshire home on January 24, 1862. Funeral services, under the auspices of the Burns Lodge, assisted by Kane Lodge, were held at the Congregational Church on the 26th of January. A large concourse assembled to pay the last rites to the departed brother. The sermon was preached by the Rev. C. E. Milliken, the Rev. Mr. Dearborn, of Lisbon, assisting.1
Worshipful Master Sanders was re-elected to the chair in May, but did not serve out the term by reason of his enlistment in the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment, in which he became the captain of a company. Senior Warden George C. Wilkins pre- sided in the East from October to the close of the Masonic year in May, 1863. All the regular communications were held this year, as well as nine specials. Several dispensations were granted by District Deputy Grand Master Paddleford for conferring all the degrees at meetings held within a single week. These dispensa- tions were in favor of candidates who had or were about to enter the service of the country in a military capacity. The practice had been inaugurated in the preceding year. In the year seven candidates were raised, and two brothers, Henry Thomas and G.M. Buffum, entered upon their reward. Beside Worshipful Master Sanders, Brothers George Farr, Nathan Burns, Benjamin W. Kil- burn, and Frank D. Sanborn enlisted in the army and went to the front. During the year there was a marked increase in the chari- table work of the lodge, and a closer scrutiny made in regard to the Masonic qualifications of the candidates proposed for initiation, and nine were rejected.
At the annual meeting in May, 1864, the lodge found itself in a precarious position on account of a dearth of members qualified to fill the several offices, and was forced to adopt the unmasonic method of appointing a committee to report a list of candidates for officers. The committee named Philip H. Paddleford for Worshipful Master, and he was duly elected, but subsequently absolutely refused to be installed. At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge a dispensation was obtained, authorizing the lodge to fill the vacancy thus caused by a new election. But this failed to relieve the situation, no member qualified under the rules being willing to accept. Finally, in November, former Worshipful Master H. E. Chamberlin consented to serve the lodge during the re- maining months of the term.
1 A writer in the " People's Journal," of January 31, 1862, subjects the Rev. Mr. Milliken to severe criticism on account of his alleged lack of due recognition of the Masonic fraternity in conducting this service.
VOL. II. - 37
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History of Littleton.
The condition of affairs at this time (the summer and autumn of 1864) was critical in the extreme. For a time no work could be transacted for the reason that the several official positions could not be filled by members sufficiently familiar with the ritual to discharge the duties. Under these circumstances several members, among whom we recall the names of Ai Fitzgerald, Henry W. Smith, Charles F. Everett, Charles E. Baker, Chauncey H. Greene, George C. Wilkins, then suffering from the disease that in a few months proved fatal, and a few others, met in the hall several times a week for study and practice of the work, and were soon in a position to accept temporary appointments and perform the work of the lodge. The effect of this preparation and famil- iarization with the work was seen in the following years, when the lodge received the highest commendation from the District Deputy Grand Master for accomplishments in conferring degrees.
The Masonic record of Worshipful Master Marshal Sanders is brief. He received the Blue Lodge degrees in the lodge at Pontiac, Mich., Master degree being conferred July 25, 1855. There is no record indicating that he received any of the higher degrees. He was the first Senior Deacon of Burns Lodge (1859), Senior Warden in 1860, Worshipful Master in 1861 and 1862. In September of the last-named year he enlisted and went to the front. He contracted a fatal disease while in the service, and died April 4, 1866. He was a thoroughly educated Mason, having a well-memorized knowledge of the work, and was efficient in the discharge of all official duties.
Chauncey Hastings Greene was chosen Master in 1864, and a few months after enlisted in the artillery regiment. In his absence the duties of Master were discharged by the Wardens Albert H. Quimby and Henry W. Smith.
The Masonic year was a continuation of the critical period in the history of the lodge. All regular communications were duly held, and ten candidates were raised. At this period something of an innovation, that has seldom, if ever, been repeated, was introduced. A special communication was held Sunday evening, December 7. District Deputy Grand Master Ezra C. Knight, and other members of Kane Lodge, were present. The work was of the Entered Apprentice degree, Luther D. Sanborn being the candidate. Supper was served at Thayer's Hotel at the close of the work.
During the year the final Masonic rites were paid to the mem- ory of Joseph L. Gibb and George C. Wilkins, both of whom had been valuable working members of the lodge.
The birthday of Washington was observed in 1866 by a levee at
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Thayer's Hotel, which was largely attended. Many from out of town were present with ladies. The arrangements were under the direction of a committee appointed by the lodge.1 A steel en- graving of Washington was presented to the lodge by Lorenzo C. Kenney.
The year's work indicated an improvement in the financial affairs of the lodge, there being a surplus in the treasury of $280.38.
From May, 1865, to May, 1866, Henry W. Smith was Worshipful Master. The regular meetings were duly held, as were seventeen special meetings. Action was taken this year to increase the library which had been established in 1860. The work, however, was not systematized, and while some additions were made to the collection, they could not be regarded as especially valuable. Fifteen candidates were raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason in this year, and the other work was correspondingly successful.
Worshipful Master Smith took his first Masonic degree March 13, 1861, and was raised May 23 of the same year. Received the Chapter degrees at Franklin Chapter in 1868; was Senior Deacon of Burns Lodge in 1862-1863; Junior Warden, 1864; Worshipful Master in 1865 ; Representative to the Grand Lodge in 1868 and 1872; Marshal in 1869-1870 ; Secretary, 1880 ; appointed District Deputy Grand Lecturer in 1869, a position he declined to accept. He has been an interested but modest member and worker for the interests of the lodge; not desiring to hold official positions, for which he had capacity but no particular taste, he was yet always willing to do those things which were regarded by his brethren as necessary for the best interests of the lodge.
At the annual meeting in May, 1866, Chauncey H. Greene was again chosen to preside in the East. The lodge emerged from the shadow of the cloud that had darkened its course during the war, and entered upon a career of prosperity that has continued to the present time. Some weeks before the annual communication some of the younger members of the lodge, with a view of securing quarters adequate to the growing demands of the lodge, formulated a plan which resulted in the erection of Union Block, in which the lodge acquired a long lease of the upper story for its use. The builders of the block organized as a corporation, and all its stock was subscribed for and held for many years by mem- bers of Burns Lodge.
1 The committee consisted of Charles Hartshorn, James J. Barrett, C. C. Smith, Cephas Brackett, Lorenzo C. Kenney, James R. Jackson, Henry W. Smith, Samuel Taylor Morse, and Ai Fitzgerald.
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History of Littleton.
In January, 1867, the necessary lease of the rooms was executed, and $450 appropriated by the lodge, and the further sum of $755, secured by individual subscriptions by members, -$1,205, in all, -for use in furnishing the new rooms. The erection of the building and the contribution of this considerable sum for the purpose named indicate the spirit that prevailed among the members at that time. It was an undertaking that was decmed chimerical by many members when first broached, but a week's work by those who circulated the paper for subscriptions turned doubt to certainty, and from that time on the enterprise received the entire co-operation of every member. When completed, the hall was regarded as among the best in the State. The lodge took possession of the hall carly in 1867, and held a public installation of officers by District Deputy Grand Master Paddleford in May of that year.
Worshipful Master Greene was re-elected in May, 1867, and served by virtue of successive re-elections until May, 1871. The year 1868 was notable in the annals of the lodge by the death of Major Aaron Brackett, who had been Secretary of the lodge from its organization. For some unknown reason the major was not a petitioner for the charter, though he had received his degrees in Morning Dawn Lodge in 1821. He was, however, elected to mem- bership at the first meeting of the lodge. He was a brother of William Brackett, and for many years had been one of the re- spected and useful citizens of the town. He had been representa- tive to the Legislature, town clerk, fire ward, and for many years was chorister at the Congregational Church. He belonged to a class of men, somewhat rare, who do everything they undertake in fine form. For nearly half a century he had been called upon re- peatedly to act as secretary of both public and private associations, and his records were models of their kind.
Chauncey H. Greene's Masonic record is probably more ex- tended and diversified than that of any other member of Burns Lodge, and may be found in the statistical tables in this volume, and briefly in the volume devoted to the genealogy. It covers all the Masonic bodies that now have, or have had, an established organization in town. He has been a vigorous worker in the cause since his first connection with the order, and has filled acceptably nearly all its offices.
William Arthur Haskins was elected Worshipful Master in May, 1871, and held the position eleven years, - a longer period than any other person who had filled the office. He retired in May, 1882. He is said to have been an accomplished workman,
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