j j é 9HISTORICAL SKETCH of UNION LODGE. No.5,F.@ A.M. NTN aE Dy ON TE SE CE TO nT —— oe LAUT OE OE — Wa AU We Sr Ne SI Se WU) a a zi i Adve! VINIDY I il in WM stacks:LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PRESENTED BY McGREGOR FUND TO THE GENERAL COLLECTIONVm,THe LATE JAMES WILSON, KATHE OF THE Ti Neri PTS TT Te PM eT— Nive WO) — ONO Ss | = WHC IN ENCE TNT CAAA lnc Ee NECN ANZ “> 0 TaN UTaNNYaNU aan Ss U U Ta AY i NaNivaNivaNivaxiivevl WOW tt 71 Cur nc it (IL Ya\ii 0 —— SaaS a HISTORICAL SKETCH o UNION LODGE Po. 5, PF. & Ae eeeen - ee 7 * a . © zi ( EI \ EI RA A BUTI LTE WAWOANG), a POTTwHlAy c> CB A Sar} y y SD ad 38 £ >,TANIT@NIY@NIT@NIVONIVeNIY VaNilvaxuvarty, FOU MO aT WOW Mt @iiveyi eae WOMATAMAMAMAMAMAMAmAt 1K FOREWORD As many a brother and fellow has done before me, I petitioned for the degrees of Masonry without the slight- est conception of what I was to receive. Needless to say they were a revelation to me. They taught me much,—they left infinitely more for me to find out for myself. In my search for further light, I studied the history of the craft in general, its growth in America, the development of Masonry in Connecti- cut, and finally the records of my own lodge. In my readings I chanced upon a list, by lodges, of Masons killed in the Civil War. My lodge was not mentioned, and I thought it strange, for I knew of at least one member who had given his life for the Union cause. Again, I found a book containing short historical sketches of the earliest Connecticut lodges. My lodge was given but the briefest mention. Even in the records of provincial New York Masonry, old Union No. 5 was not mentioned among those lodges, to which George Harrison had issued charters. And so it went Siz >wherever I turned, until I wondered if Union Lodge had no history of any in- terest, or if its past was so buried in the rubbish that no one had ever taken the trouble to dig it out and put it in read- able form. It was more pleasant to believe the latter; and assuming such to be the fact, I attempted this history. The study has been so intensely interesting that I have come to feel I know many of the old brethren even as I do my fellow mem- bers of today. Wherever possible, the exact minutes from the original records have been quoted in order to preserve the quaint colonial spelling and phrase- ology. If, in this work, I have contributed in any way towards giving to dear old Union Lodge the place in Masonic his- tory she deserves, my labor is well re- paid and I am thankful for having been permitted to be of some service to the lodge which introduced me to the beau- tiful symbolism of Masonry. C. Harris SCOFIELD. a.— —- CurATranannAnAnAnAmAnAMAMAMAmAL HISTORY of UNION LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. “EQN the first authentic record of 4 Union Lodge, No. 5, of Stamford, Conn., we have but few facts; but these are terse and sharp, and only whet the appetite for a wider and more ex- tended research into the ancient history of the Lodge, its members, the times in which they lived, the places of their habitation, and the conditions which en- vironed them. To understand the limitations under which the early brethren labored, it must be borne in mind that only forty- six years had elapsed between the form- ation of the Grand Lodge of England in London, and the granting of the charter to Union Lodge by the Most Worship- ful, George Harrison, Esquire, Provin- cial Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the Province of New York in America, under authority Sen ee eee ee ee ee a a — DS Ey x EY = EY EI EI B BO | POGUES 2), TOESSSeS eee ee THE HISTORY OF UNION derived from the Right Worshipful John Roby, Baron of Crawford, in the County of Wicklow, in the Kingdom of Ireland, the then Grand Master of England. This charter, which bears the date of November 18, A. D. 1763, A. L. 5763, authorizes Sylvanus Waterbury to be Master of the Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be held in the Towns of Stamford and Horseneck, and parts adjacent, in the colony of Connec- ticut, and gave him power to “choose his Wardens” and “appoint other offi- cers with the consent of the brethren assembled in due form,” to “make Masons, as also, to do all and every such acts and things, appertaining to said office as usually have and ought to be done and executed by other Masters having care that the members of his Lodge do observe, perform and keep the rules and instructions as. contained in our constitution and their own By-laws, together with all such orders and in- structions, etc., as shall be given by us, and paying to us, out of the moneys he shall receive for initiation fees, three pounds, three shillings sterling, to be applied by us to the use of the Grand Charity.” AASLAAILSAILAAHI AA AA ASA ESS SSSoS oo A a ee eee eee = LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. This charter sufficed the brethren for thirty years, and until the formation of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Al- though the Grand Lodge of Connecticut was organized in 1789, it was not until four years later that Union Lodge sur- rendered its old charter and received in its place the charter of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, signed by Wm. Judd, Grand Master. Although the minutes of the Lodge from 1763 to 1780 are missing, the con- dition is not surprising when one con- siders the state of the country at that time. The inhabitants were subject not only to the invasion of the Dutch under Stuyvesant, whose great desire seems to have been to annex all this part of Connecticut to the province of New York, but also to the incursions of the Indians who occupied Shippan, Mianus and parts adjacent to Stamford, and who were a constant source of trouble to the settlers. Besides these, and especially during the Revolutionary War, Stam- ford was frequently invaded by what one old historian called the “bloody breasted soldiers” of England. With all the horrors and devastation caused by the war, its disease, starvation, and —— TAW 9 WOW = ox raw "| Cy ox ly ( OT AW OT) a Oy ih ry ry ZaN CANIN a AS TIGA S BUT AVON GAOL! Se :SSSR iS 5 3 8 THE HISTORY OF UNION z Ke manifold forms of suffering, the great 5 5 wonder is that the old charter was pre- A Ne served, and it is a lamentable fact that | 3 KS having passed through so many VICISsI- a 5 s tudes in that early period, it cannot now 5 Re be located. The present Grand Secre- Bt KS tary has caused strict search to be made EY is in and about the several apartments of 2 : the Masonic Temple, and reports that it 5 kd can nowhere be found. In its place, we 5 $ turn to the ancient By-laws of the 5 i Lodge, adopted in 1780, and supposed Ri Re to be identical with a copy of the origi- . is nal By-laws on its foundation in ae: : : As these have been printed, we quote RK only a few of the articles, in order to BY bg show the disposition of our ancient ‘| : brethren. They amply illustrate their 5 a veneration for the high ideals which BS KS their Masonic principles inculcated. EA “In order to prevent all feuds, con- | ie troversies, illegal arguments or debates, By iS which might in any way disturb or make RB void the true intent and meaning of this s be our unanimous conjunction, We, the Bf Kg Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary EI : and Deacons, with the rest of the mem- 5 3 bers of Union Lodge have thought fit RY iS to subscribe the following rules, etc., 5 etc.— s q :ig is x KG ig is KG KG WAT TOM MIA raw TOMA We ox r oy TOW ——, OWE SPW WOW we nN ox QOL POW WO. On iP LOO OiAmAmAnATAnAnAnOnOAmOonOnOmAmAmOnOmAmomanat 7a os LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 9 “That every member shall appear in clean, decent apparel, and observe due decorum while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and solemn. ‘That no member chosen to any of the offices shall absent himself from the Lodge on the following penalties, viz: The Master, three shillings, York money, and all subordinate officers, two shillings, York money. “That every member shall pay into the Lodge for the use thereof, One Dol- lar a year in the following manner, 4 S, York money, at the expiration of three months from St. John the Evangelist, and the other 4 8S, York money, at the end of nine months from said St. John. “That no person is capable of becom- ing a member of this Lodge but such as are of mature age, upright in body and limbs, free from bondage, has the senses of a man and is endowed with an estate, trade, occupation, or some visible way of acquiring an honest and reputable livelihood, as becomes the members of this most ancient and honorable fra- ternity. “That if any member of this Lodge shall curse, swear, lay or offer to lay wagers, or use any reproachful language By 5 EI EI Ri EI R EI Da\itvant—————— aa OO aT ene oe Oe OO, SJ THE HISTORY OF UNION in derogation of God’s name, or corrup- tion of good manners, or interrupt any officer, or member while speaking, he shall be fined at the discretion of the Master and majority. “Tf any member of this Lodge come into the Lodge disguised with liquor, or shall become so during Lodge hours, he shall be admonished for the first offence, and for the second offence shall be fined one shilling, and for the third, shall be excluded the Lodge. “That if any member be guilty of . lying, swearing, drunkenness, stealing, fornication, adultery or blaspheming the name of God, or shall in any way use such words as bring a reproach on this Lodge, or any member, for the first offence, on his promising reformation, he shall be forgiven, and for the second offence he shall be excluded the Lodge for six months, and for the third offence, shall be excluded and reported to the Grand Lodge.” , Thus our ancient brethren conserved the social, civil and moral government of their own society, and the community in which they lived, and exerted a most powerful and beneficial influence in 2ALAALASAISAIAAIA AeA AAAI EA EAA EA SAIAALAAIESAILEAIESSEA SALA ALAALAALASALAAYASPe ee? rn YAWN WaNttva\itvavih Won Ama U vaNih oz YT cM Wan See hee Eo TOWrAw LODGE, NO. §, F. & A. M. shaping the future of the infant Re- public. In the early days of Union Lodge, Connecticut was sparsely settled. As there were few wheeled vehicles, the in- habitants were compelled to travel either on foot or on horseback, and, on account of the poor roads, made unsafe by marauders, the Lodge was held alter- nately in Stamford and Greenwich, thus affording the brethren in each place an Opportunity to attend the meetings, which otherwise would have been im- possible. The hour of meeting was at two oclock and they sat until six o'clock, thus avoiding the dangers of a night session. At the meeting, held on January 18th, 1780, evidently in Stamford, the minutes of which compose our first au- thentic record, the following resolution is found:—‘“by unanimous consent of the brethren, and members within the district of Union Lodge, the place of meeting is removed to Horse Neck.” This meeting was one of emergency and but few of the brethren were present. Caleb Lawrence of Rye was proposed, balloted for, accepted and passed to the “first step in Masonry,” and Brother OTE ZT BN WO DSTHE HISTORY OF UNION John Willis of Horse Neck, raised from a Fellow Craft toa Master Mason. Jehial Hubble, Samuel Rauthbourn and William Elliott, being recom- mended, were balloted for and accepted, to be initiated next lodge night, and a special lodge, for this and other rea- sons, was ordered held the next Tues- day. The Lodge was closed at 9 o'clock. The next recorded meeting was held on Tuesday P. M., January 25, 1780, Anno M (2?) 5780, according to ad- — journment, and the minutes gave the first mention of presiding officers. ‘These were: R. W. John Anderson, Master pro tem; Senior Warden Israel Knapp, Junior Warden John Willis. There were present William Bush and Samuel Lockwood, and visiting brothers Caleb Lawrence, Matthew Alstine and Ralph Isaacs. Jehial Hubble and William Elliott passed the first step of Masonry, and Rauthbourn’s family being unwell, he did not attend. Richard Sackett, Michael Cox Timpany, Jeremy Mead and Frederick Stephens were recom- mended, balloted for, and accepted, to be initiated the next lodge night. The Lodge then closed at 9 o'clock. These DASALASAI ASA AA AAIANHIES EOL EAA ELE EAL EAA EEALEALAS ALIEN AAAS AA AA OAL ALIAS AYKg % y= s U s 4 Re be s b= S wo . sg Z = KS Z PS Ko KS Ow Mt it Oe 1 Nivew\uya\ (ANNAN VaN aN YeNiye * U MCMC he Ee Ae LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. lodges were closed with the appren- tices’ song, the reading of the old charges and a lecture. On Tuesday, February 15th, 1780, Mr. Lawrence Bound passed the first step in Masonry to act as Tyler and was installed in that office, and on March ist, 1780, Brother M. Cox Timpany, who had been elected and serving as Secretary, together with Caleb Law- rence and Richard Sackett, were raised from ‘“‘Crafts” to Master Masons. On March 25, 1780, there is the first mention of fees, when Caleb Lawrence, who had been raised March Ist, paid his initiation fee of one guinea. On April 13th, the Tyler, Lawrence Bound, was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft, received his third degree on May 8th, 1780, meanwhile acting as Tyler, his fees being paid each night. From January to July the attendance of the brethren gradually increased, many applications were received for membership and the Lodge became pros- perous. About this time, however, there were numerous Indian troubles, making it very unsafe for the brethren to leave their homes unguarded. Hence, on June 15th, 1780, when a letter was receivedpeuamiamiais : AMAUOtAt aXiv@xivexl | ) MOMOUO UL AMOtnat : TAMOAMOUOt . AMOUOUWaL : rom. ie rm i ford” Phere ‘ ¥ : io worth . : ie 10n que i : : | U ' Stl : : ig esti od fe 8 : Ke ae the : : = : | et wa attend : ie 4 esent the rethr at J ; i attend criti agree ae = , RS iency ed a sit cor we ‘i : ie qu aravel ith uati a ha : Ke ence pe the eee ; Ss tan s to rh co : : S : S ce ou aps c in : ie solved from r fami be a ‘ ms : Kg We , th thi i be : , It at S - “ : a e to th pla ce 3 , A pologi th - : : iE O e 7 4 7 : : ig I gize 1 = ca : , eth ! oO nt r y b efo is- RY 2 2 et Le re Bf : : : : : he or S 1rec TE= 5 KS ae b stival - ” ya ce | ie ae un , the ae nt 2 t r ani . Z i O at im me ght Be 7 | KS oe te pre es : Ke oO’ at cL i | | . : i Se ent ne te DY x Oo ye ck A a vo 7 : : RG 10 m ‘ . M = = (AG : : f whe tin ae ove = | i ormed re 5 hou ve om ) : : , : ° - isel J at : kG I no. H eu 2 | : ; : iS fo n th obby ae to a vil» . iS und © ie ; : CO i : KS egr the fi ie Z KS L ee 2 = : | ock a er : Kg B WoO as enti ds r Kg rothe pte : a = : be of th 1B as rai a) s : : KS shi ree elch aised ee as : | = ili p er ' i : Ke In ou Pp : : : | ie gs ie ‘ . : , : : i Au amu Bf mn aid bis ne gust el Cf fou ee 1atio a 9 to SS 1 ; ise and a rd hi : : ‘ ve : quar- : 5 BY E ~() =, a ta 2A UG RAN eA be 7 sy EA aU PURO \A MG se AGA) BOG ACA Za MS aa & OSA ———— Zz EF 2A AA ——— CSA ——— aTZA(Mee YN anv vaniverl axlivani x ig i ko 5 s i i ‘ : s Ps x Nite Ni evil Ve\uYeviveviva\ivaNl LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. terly dues, and in November, Brother John Palmer paid for the same privi- lege the sum of four pounds York cur- rency, while Nathaniel Weed was fined for ““non-attendance at the house.” On December 19, 1780, Worshipful Brother John Anderson, having re- moved from the limits of the Lodge, and “in such situation that he cannot attend and perform the duties thereof, the Lodge thinks proper to choose a new Master.”’ Accordingly, on December 27th, Brother Israel Knapp, in whose house the meetings were held, was chosen Worshipful Master. That the brethren of 1780-81 were interested in politics, which were no doubt as absorbing in interest as at the present day, is attested by the fact stated by Shadrach Mead, the Secre- tary, that the meeting of October Ist, 1781, was not held, the members “‘being prevented assembly by affairs of a po- litical nature.” During the latter part of 1781, an effort was made to combine the several Lodges in the state for uniformity of work, and a letter was received from the Lodge at Norwalk proposing a meeting of the several Lodges of theTHE HISTORY OF UNION County in a Convention in Fairfield of the officers of each Lodge. It was re- solved that the officers and such other members as could conveniently go, would attend the convention and repre- sent Union Lodge, but, as no report was made, it is evident that the effort was futile, although from other sources we learn that a convention was held in Fairfield in January, 1782. However, there is no mention of it in our minutes. In the celebration of St. John’s Day on December 27, 1781, twenty-two brethren were present, and they voted that the By-laws respecting meeting twice every month be dispensed with, and that the body meet the first ‘Tues- day of every month at 2 o’clock P. M. only, and that every member pay to ye Treasurer 2 S lawful money each night and all visiting members to pay the same sum (first night excepted); also that every member who shall absent himself designedly shall pay unto the fund of the Lodge, 3 S lawful money each night so absenting himself. The first brothers fined under this section were the Worshipful Master Israel Knapp, the Junior Warden Sam- uel Bush, the Senior Deacon NathanielRt RR EAR EL ¥ a 4 i . 33 we . a 7 “re? ; TY ; aS) 5 5 ¥ t é ‘ ¥ 4 Af Ra 3 a8 : see © re > a § ie ete oo¥y iy x eae ieee aSoS SSIS aS ae ie EAE AIARAREaTG e \ ) i LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 17 fl i Ri 2 Peck, and three others. This proved too Bf ! stringent a law, and on March 5, 1782, 5 it was voted that the new By-law be 5 ie null and void and that the former law BS ‘3 remain in full force. From the list of Ss % brethren present, it is evident that it Re became a very onerous burden first to x fine and then to collect the fine. 5 . A fine sense of humor was possessed 5 % by the Secretary, who wrote under this BY 5 date, that Brother Bailey for certain eI . ‘Taisins’’ was exempted from the “Rais- 5 a ing”’ fees. si Ko In the fall of 1782, the meetings Ss is were interrupted by an epidemic which 5 i swept over the land, and the Lodge did is not meet regularly. In October the min- . utes state that “‘our situation and a very : = sickly time, in consequence of which the 5 is greatest part of the members could not et ig attend, prevented our meeting the last 5 2 two usual Lodge days.” 5 P= As a pertinent illustration of how Rt Masons ought to meet, act and part, there is perhaps no better commentary than the minutes of December 30, 1783, when “the members and brothers of IO T T j lO OSEAN LALA, \ete MET WENT MHL? METI? WOT Union Lodge met at the Lodge room to By celebrate the festival of St. John, after a ‘ . e proceeding with harmony and good 4 is 2 ig By KG ry ROTOR ODOM ROOD BUTE ROMOMOMOT OTB BOTOMOMGREL RS 18 THE HISTORY OF UNION 5 3 order to the meeting house and hearing ; : there a most agreeable sermon delivered 5 ig by the Rev. Mr. Seward, we returned Bf 5 and dined, and finished the day with the 3 Xe greatest regularity, and good order.” 5 i As in 1781 the Lodge in Fairfield BS : had invited Union Lodge to a conven- EI a tion, so again in 1784 they invited . ig Union to a convention in New Haven 5 : on January 14th. Brother Jabez Fitch eI % was appointed a committee to represent z ig Union Lodge. Whether he attended 5 5 that convention or not, we have no in- 5 % formation, for at the preliminary con- : | is vention of thirteen lodges in New 5 : Haven in 1783, Union had no repre- 5 % sentative and, in fact, was not repre- a $ sented in Grand Lodge until 1791, and 5 : not again until 1796, when Elkanah 5 Mead was the delegate from Greenwich. EI % That there was a disposition to unite I : with the new Grand Lodge of Connecti- 5 cut is shown by the records of October, EI 5 1788, when it was voted “that warrant 4 % should be sent by Col. Fitch to the 5 K Grand Lodge of the State for a new Ey 2 warrant under the new constitution.” 5 be This new charter was not granted 5 is until October 17, 1793, in response to 5 : a vote of Union Lodge in that month to 3 ig Bf =( CE PHOSIa ae — a en een ee a aoe LODGE, NO. 5, F.& A. M. join the Grand Lodge, and make ap- plication for a warrant. The discrepancy in dates is accounted for by the fact that from 1788 to 1793, the meetings were interrupted and very few were held and not well attended. One of the inconveniences arising from the alternate meetings in Stamford and Horseneck was that the Lodge was obliged to transfer its working materials from place to place, each time it met. It became so burdensome that in March, 1794, Brother Samuel Jarvis proposed “to have the Lodge when they met in Stamford, to be provided with such things necessary for their use, that they may not bring them from Horseneck. Voted unanimously that Brother Jarvis be appointed to purchase for this Lodge, one good chest, one carpet, three dozen glasses, two pitchers, two decanters, and a ballot box. Also voted to fur- nish Horseneck complete as well as Stamford.” Occasionally we get a glimpse of the Lodge’s depleted and cheerless condi- tion. On December 27, 1791, it moved to Brother Jere Mead’s house, and a levy was made on every member of one shilling with which to purchase a stove. We BUS BUG & DOANCANCANCN ASL Pa BUT os LTO oS r OWI AIAN, TUBUBUBY PUTED u a raw OLE « TOW w Wane PTO WW va\Si Ne : 20 THE HISTORY OF UNION ko KS Notes were taken from members in : arrears, and they voted “chat ait tite ig Lodge could not be tiled each night for i two shillings, that the members should : take turns in tyling, the Master, War- % dens, Secretary and ‘Treasurer e€x- KS cepted.” is It must be remembered that the : Lodges at this time, as from time imme- kg morial, had been accustomed to combine 2 both pleasure and profit. Every meet- : ing night was the occasion of a banquet, NG and each member paid his proportion is of the expenses. The “expenses of the = house” was the common expression KS found in all the early records. : That the brethren discriminated in Ro the value of sermons, is shown by the : fact that while the usual fee given to ig the minister for his sermon on St. John’s is Day was two pounds sterling, in 1794, = Rev. Ogilvie was given but six dollars i for his “excellent sermon,” thirty shil- : lings of which was raised by the over- rs plus of house expenses. Six years later, s however, the appreciation was increased ig and Parson Smith received ten dollars ig for his sermon. As Parson Ogilvie’s ser- : mon was excellent, Parson Smith’s was H = EU CO DOO OOOO OS ALAA ESAS LAsBs TOMAR AAA IEC uC) | 5 : LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 2) : by probably most excellent, hence the dis- FY iS crimination. EY fg A touch of that sympathy which : i makes the whole Masonic world kin, as bs well as a picture of the perils through EY % which our old brethren passed, is seen Z| KE in the abduction of the young son of EI y Brother Josiah Utter by the Indians. : ng The Lodge, in March, 1797, voted $20 5 iE —a large sum at that time—for the use EI i of Brother Utter to recover his son, his 5 3 personal funds being low. After search- : ig ing for many years in vain for traces of PS the lad, the father at last met with 5 success. 5 - Previous to 1793 comparatively few 3 i meetings were held in Stamford, al- = : though the design had been to hold them 5 i alternately here and in Greenwich, but DY i the unsettled state of the Colony pre- 5 : vented the plan being carried out as 5 % intended. Israel Knapp’s house in i Ks Horseneck was the meeting place for 5 i many years, but in 1793 they were at 5 % John Hobby’s, and at Isaac Quintard’s By e house in Stamford. At that time the EA % Ne ei BS Lodge met at two o clock in the after- | r noon and often continued through the 5 °C evening. They met in Stamford until 4 ig 1811 in the house afterward owned and 5 = DEO OOOO OTE EO BOE EOE EOE EBON Ker y 5THE HISTORY OF UNION occupied by J. N. Ayres. It was then used as a public house. From 1811 to 1821 the Lodge met in a room over the store of Hubbard and Close. This build- ing stood upon the corner now occupied by the Methodist Church. From that time until 1848 the Lodge Room was in the second story of the old block which belonged to Isaac Quintard and was afterward consumed by fire. It was called Union Hall. On April 1, 1848, the room over A. N. Holly’s hardware store was the regular meeting place. This place was used until 1873, when the Lodge moved to Hoyt’s Hall. On June 24, 1796, Brother David Maltbie presented the Lodge with a small sword, for which the Lodge voted him their thanks. This sword was probably lost in the fire at the house of William Knapp in Horseneck where the Lodge meetings were held, and where, accord- ing to the records, the Lodge tools, etc., were lost. As an example of the fidelity of some of the brethren, and their desire to hold the members of the Lodge to their vows, we read that in October, 1796, it was moved “that the members belonging to this Lodge be summoned to give their SOON OPOAVCNCAPOAPONPON ONS! POTS z AAns — — LOnAROMmAnAnAmAnOAmOmAmAmAnAmAmAmAmAmAmAmAmAmAMAnAr ay EY iS LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 28 BY kd attendance on the first Tuesday of De- 5 s cember, in order that measures may be 2 i adopted to inforce a due obedience to : 5s the principles of Masonry, voted in the 5 pS infirmative. DY bs Apropos of this, there is a very in- a 3 teresting entry on the record book after BI i the date of February, 1793, which 5 rs speaks for itself. It is as follows: 5 "3 “wrote by Sam’! Keeler when reflecting 5 ig on the private duties of a Mason, 1805, 4 : 20th Sept. As it respects the private 5 i qualities and duties of a Mason, he Cf s should avoid all manner of intemper- s S ance, or excess, which might obstruct his 5 performance of the laudable duties of BY KS his craft, or lead him into crimes which 4 s would reflect dishonor upon the ancient 5 ' fraternity.” This Brother was after- = kg ward elected Secretary and, finally, E| ig Master of the Lodge. 5 There are many lapses in the dates 3 id of meetings, and some very important 5 matters have no record. This may be Fi i accounted for by a note on the minutes DI . of December, 1795, which states that | s ‘Messrs. Stephen Selleck and George 5 rg Mills, who were formerly duly pro- Bf is posed, balloted for and accepted in this | s Lodge as appears by the testimony of a 5 a RY POI BE IEEE EEE EIB EEE EIEIO oSTHE HISTORY OF UNION number of brethren, the record of those doings being lost through the neglect of the Secretary, they were each initiated in the first degree and stand proposed as candidates for the 2nd and 3rd de- grees.” Selleck and Mills gave their notes at interest payable to the Treas- urer for Ten Dollars each. Of more than passing interest is the record of December 27, 1799, when Union Lodge voted that the expense of draping the room in mourning on this day for our worthy deceased Brother George Washington, be defrayed by the funds of the Lodge. Also that each brother wear a badge on the left arm until a different order be taken. The same action was again taken on July 21, 1852, when they voted to clothe the Lodge room with appropriate badges of mourning as a mark of respect to the memory of Henry Clay. In February, 1813, the brethren got thirsty and voted to buy half-pint tum- blers, and thirty-two shillings ($4.00) was raised for that purpose. The necessity for stringent measures to compel attendance of officers at meet- ings was shown in November, 1820, when it was voted to fine the Master 25LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 25 cents, and subordinate officers 12% cents, for non-attendance, except on reasonable excuse, and we note a cau- tious charity in 1829 when Ten Dollars was voted to Brother John Seeley to aid him in procuring a cow and not to be paid until the said cow should have been purchased, while in 1830 the aes- thetic taste of the members caused them to vote permission to Brother Leeds to “paint the pillars according to his own fancy.” Up to the year 1826, the growth of the fraternity had been very rapid. Lodges were instituted without that re- gard for solidity which is a vital ele- ment in an institution like ours. A laxity in regard to materials accepted, and also the proper educational treatment while under opposition, resulted in a complete depletion of lodges in many states. Political chicanery and _ trickery, fanned what was, at first, a trivial mat- ter to such a degree that communities and whole states were convulsed, and the entire country felt its withering and blasting influence. The celebrated case of William Morgan will go down in his- tory as a most unique and most das- tardly attempt to ruin a noble institu- MOU OMATI AMAA Yaviivayl ) )THE HISTORY OF UNION tion, and to lift into political promi- nence a group of vicious and discredited politicians. Morgan was a man of no repute, of idle and dissipated habits and harassed by debt. His time was spent mostly in barrooms, and no credence could be given to any statement he might make. William L. Stone, author of the anti- Masonic letters to John Quincy Adams, wrote: “He was a hard drinker, and his nights and days were spent in tippling houses and to the still greater neglect of his family. He joined in the drunken carousals of the vilest and most worth- less men, and his disposition was en- vious, malicious and vindictive.” He claimed to have been made a Mason in Canada, or some foreign country, and succeeded in entering the lodge at Ba- tavia, N. Y., as a visitor (Wells, 282). Being rejected in a Royal Arch Chap- ter, he vindictively associated with him David C. Miller, Editor of the Repub- lican Advocate, who had received the first degree in Albany, but who was re- fused advancement owing to develop- ments of his character. These two, with visions of wealth from an expose of Masonry, printed material supposed to DOANE ONWOON MC MC ELI MEN MN PIECE EECA KS Af s LODGE, NO. 5, F.& A. M. a7 sl Xe reveal the secrets of Free Masonry to 5 s the uninitiated. Being arrested by a Ey % hotel keeper of Canandaigua for lar- | kG ceny, Morgan was committed to jail. BY s From this he was released, but again DI " arrested and taken out of the state. E % From that time all trace of him was EY lost. Documentary evidence leads to : the belief that he was paid $500.00 on si his arrival in Canada and his pledge was 2 given never to return. This was done, : not by Masons, but by his partners in BY crime, Miller and others, who desired EI to get Morgan out of the way, in order : to reap the financial harvest accruing 5 from the sale of the book. On October EY 4th, 1826, fifty thousand circulars were E ; ; ca ‘ i 1 distributed detailing his disappearance. 5, Public meetings were held in Batavia, BY and prominent Masons were foremost 5 in demanding an investigation, while Fs the cry was raised that Morgan had BY been abducted and killed. On October | 7th a body was found in Lake Ontario, 5 which was claimed by the opposition to 5 be Morgan’s, although his own wife 4 failed to recognize it. Nevertheless a 5 public parade was held, and the body 5 interred as that of Morgan. A Mrs. 2 Munroe of Canada, hearing of the Ef 5 DY SOMONE ec Nn EC NNEC METI MEIN MEIN NEN MIT MEINE i PUR UUUOEOE EOE EEIEIEIEG A CS Kk e J = Y D = 0) DTHE HISTORY OF UNION case, traveled to Batavia, had the grave opened, and positively identified the body as that of her husband, Timothy Munroe. The body was then taken to Canada by the widow, but it was the event for which the politicians were looking, .and the apostle of anti- Masonry, Thurlow Weed, took advan- tage of it, saying he was a good enough Morgan till after election (Mitchell, p. 222). The hand of the politician was seen all through the villainous work. Miller, the accomplice of Morgan, be- came clerk of the County Court, Tracy went to the Legislature, Spencer to the Special Council, and Southwick secured the privilege of running for Governor. Northon, another leader, got a seat in Congress, for which, to use his own words, he owed Billy Morgan many thanks, “‘as hell would have frozen over before he would have been elected had it not been for the excitement.” The anti-Masonic frenzy lasted for many years, families were disrupted, men known to be Masons were ruined in business, the Churches everywhere ful- minated against the craft. One hundred and thirty-seven newspapers opened up the floodgates of violent abuse. NoSa a a a a a a a aa aaa A at GPP ITA LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. term was too vile or harsh to villify Masonry. Many ministers induced their churches to refuse the communion to Masons, refusing even consolation to the dying unless they recanted and de- nounced the Order. Under this terrible pressure, the Lodges suffered, their members withdrew in large numbers and many charters were surrendered. At one period, it was a difficult thing to find men brave enough to become a Grand Lodge officer or to assume the chair of the Grand Master. Anti-Ma- sonic lodges were formed in which sup- posed Masonic ceremonies were ridi- culed and burlesqued, and traveling mountebanks gave exhibitions in which the public were gulled by pretended ex- posures. In New Britain such an exhibi- tion was given. A candidate, scantily dressed, was brought to the door of the hall and the “inside guardian” de- manded in sepulchral tones, “Who goes | there?’ Before the outside conductor could answer, a man in the audience cried “A damned fool.” The spectators burst into a roar of laughter which could not be checked, and the mock candidate, who had been given a free ticket for his services, was so enraged Ve ae TEODORO PIO: —acosS oSte 30 THE HISTORY OF UNION 5 2 5 is that he flatly refused to proceed, and the 5 : show broke up. : RS In 1834 the Farmington Congrega- 5 i tional Church resolved, that hereafter BY = it will be required of every person de- El Ne siring admission to this Church, who : ig has been a member of the Masonic 1n- Bf : stitution, to give satisfactory assurance zi Ne that he has discontinued all connection 5 i with that institution, and intends to re- Ef = main so discontinued during his life, EI ng and that he will not practice its cere- 5 ¢ monies, nor its signs, nor yield obedience RY : to its oaths of allegiance. EI % In 1844 this prohibition was ex- A RS tended to Odd Fellows. In Stamford, 5 is the celebration of the Fourth of July, 5 % 1830, was made memorable by the anti- sl K Masonic excitement. At the public din- 5 iS ner at the inn of Henry Waring, one 5 : hundred and fifty prominent citizens EI % assembled, the larger part of whom were 5 : Masons. Among the toasts drunk in Bf % “sparkling wine and old Burgundy,” as EI iS the historian says, “after the manner of 5 3 our pious and patriotic forefathers,” i ie was one toast “‘to the Clergy of Connec- EA ig ticut, Joel Mann excepted.” This man 5 : had made himself obnoxious by a series 5 Ng of public lectures against Masonry, and EY x EI 5 BOUND NNO DOONAN NCO NOONE—s Sa ea ea ea ene eae ee DDD —— NaN vant 1a\ 7 ia Yn NATE LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. the toast, drunk by Masons and non- Masons alike, was their evidence of dis- like for the man and his manners. At the same time, two traveling lec- turers, who undertook to give alleged illustrations of the three degrees, raised a near riot in the village. The boys got out a cannon and fired at the building in which the lecturers, Fenton and Crocker, were stopping. They were hung in effigy in front of the premises, and would have been severely handled if they had not escaped through a rear entrance. In Bridgeport, a publication called the Spirt of the Times called Masonry a “most foolish, most profane, most blasphemous, most murderous, most God provoking, most Heaven daring, and most Hell resembling institution.” In 1830 and 1831, the Grand Lodges of Vermont and Massachusetts issued circular letters protesting against the unholy and intolerant warfare. They were signed by some of the purest pa- triots, most enlightened statesmen and most exemplary Christians in New England. Thus inspired, the Grand Lodge of Connecticut issued the follow- ing appeal: NON NCNOMONC I KO CONS BS oes AeA i S Key CANNON NS =A UOT ZOOS LOANSEOL E ie 5 . 22 THE HISTORY OF UNION 3 b= PS “We, the officers and members of the B % Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and of 5 iS the subordinate members under its Juris- 5 g diction, have come to the conclusion 5 Ns . : NS that justice to ourselves, and a decent 2 is regard for the opinions of our fellow- 5 eS citizens demand from us a_ public BS ' avowal of the principles of the Order 2 is and of the nature and tendency of the 5 - Institution. 5 is 5 % ( is Tue DECLARATION 5 iS 5 ig ‘Whereas, it has been frequently as- . [Bf % serted and published to the world that ; ys LD e in the several degrees of Freemasonry s as they are conferred in the United % States, the candidate on his initiation be and subsequent advancement, binds ig himself by oath to sustain his Masonic % brethren in acts which are at variance NS with the fundamental principles of 5 morality and incompatible with his % duty as a good and faithful citizen; in RS justice therefore to themselves and with : a view to establish Truth, and expose tg imposition, the undersigned, members iS of the Masonic Fraternity, and many KS of us the recipients of every degree of g Free Masonry known and acknowledged ns in this country, do most solemnly denyA i * 4 % > 4 + - ‘ a ¢ re St : > 2s rf oR Pe 5 oD Cun z Zak Pf aT = ‘ a tk Z Soi ; ; 7 te . 3 < a: g ~ : : 2 = < .MEDICATED| eS 2 re) OO) WaviiVav vanes LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 33 7) ( CC EI the existence of any such obligations in the Masonic Institution as far as our knowledge respectfully extends. “And we do also solemnly aver that no person is admitted to the Institution without first being made acquainted with the nature of the obligations which he will be required to incur and assume. “Free Masonry secures its members in the freedom of thought and of speech, and permits each and every one to act according to the dictates of his own conscience in matters of religion and of his personal preference in matters of politics. It neither knows nor does it desire to inflict upon its erring members, however wide may be their abberrations from duty, any penalties or punish- ments other than admonition, suspen- sion and expulsion. The obligations of the Institution require of its members a strict obedience to the laws of God and man. So far from being bound by any engagements inconsistent with the happiness and prosperity of the nation, every citizen who becomes a Mason is doubly bound to be true to his God, his country, and his fellow-men. “Masonry disdains the making of proselytes. She opens the portals of her WOW @ilvavivant M rN a i Y TOUT MOWIOT TOW aNivani - U (Wey aviv CWI ine ve i S ‘a\il Nui t D<< SS ht ee SS oe ret Oe 24 THE HISTORY OF UNION asylums to those only who seek admis- sion with the recommendation of a char- acter unspotted by immorality and vice. She simply requires of the candidate his assent to one great fundamental re- ligious truth, “The existence and provi- dence of God,’ and a practical acknowl- edgment of those infallible doctrines for the government of life, which are writ- ten by the finger of God on the heart of Man, etc.” This petition was signed by thirty- seven brethren of Stamford (as well as by hundreds of others in the State) and they deserve a place in the Masonic Hall of fame. They are as follows: Wm. H. Holly, Roswell Hoyt, Isaac Quintard, Jr., Chas. D. Hoyt, Jas. S. Davenport, Alfred A. Holly, Dan’l Scott, Jno. S. Winthrop, David Holly, Jr., S. H. Minor, Peter Knapp, John W. Leeds, Isaac Lockwood, Benjamin Page, Smith Scott, John Brown, An- drew Mead, James Stevens, Abm. Dav- enport, David Waterbury, J. B. Water- bury, Ebenezer Mead, Fred Lockwood, Oliver Lockwood, Jno. S. Hennessy, A. S. Todd, Stephen Warring, Nath. D. Haight, Jas. R. Hoyt, Jos. H. Leeds, Wm. Leeds, Abm. H. Close, Wm. S. TOMS As POAWEAPOAVCAVON SODAS BUBUIEN UNak iS DI : LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. af : g Wood, Morehouse Adams, David Holly, EI 3 Jno. W. Holly, Ezra Knapp. | Pe From 1826 to 1832 meetings were 5 pS very regular and many initiations were EY i held, but from the close of 1832 to : Rs June, 1835, they were intermittent, al- 5 KG though no reason appears. From June, 5 : 1835, to May, 1830, no meetings were : % held. On the latter date, however, Al- 5 KS fred A. Holly presided in the East and DY s the meeting was adjourned to the next 5 is regular communication, which did not Rf iG occur until eight years afterwards, or, BS s to be accurate, on March 1o, 1847. 4 is In 1838 the Grand Lodge granted 5 Re Union Lodge one year to show cause 5 i$ why their charter should not be revoked, EI there having been no returns for several 5 PS years, although in 1836 Roswell Hoyt, 5 i James F. Henry and Isaac Quintard, 2 2 Jr., had represented Union Lodge in the 5) Ne Grand Lodge. 5 s In 1839 the Grand Lodge minutes CY pa . Y ®) r state that Union No. 5 was now repre- 5 ig sented and had made returns at the 5 s present communication and that Brother 4 % Unah Turner of Union No. 5, having 5 Kc made a satisfactory excuse, it was voted 5 s that the penalty incurred by Union for 2 b delinquency be remitted. In 1840 Union 5 i BI S J 4= < J] PS , ~J iS Cj = @THE HISTORY OF UNION was represented, but again lapsed, al- though the records have nothing con- cerning it. In consequence, the Grand Lodge, in May, 1842, revoked the char- ter for being delinquent three years OT more. : As above stated, no meetings were held for eight years, but, on March 10, 1847, a meeting was called and William H. Holly was elected Master, and on motion he was appointed a committee to petition the Grand Lodge for the restoration of its forfeited charter at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge. This was accordingly done and in May, 1847, the charter was formally restored by the Grand Lodge, under date of June 9, 1847. On the 23rd of the same year, the Lodge met and voted that the Lodge meet every Wednesday evening and that the officers be fined 12% cents, unless they were in their seats five min- utes after the time of meeting. Since the restoration of its charter, the Lodge has taken on a new life, vastly superior to its former existence, a life replete with good works, abound- ing charity, and nobler and higher aims. Its convivial character has been entirelymat Ss TANANIANIaNYaNivaNlivaxth RATA? — Tw AMARA AA AMAA PRR EEE rae LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. a7 changed, and a pure moral atmosphere injected into its ritual. One hundred years after its first char- ter was given, the Lodge celebrated its centennial with great elaboration. Brethren F. M. Merritt, T. I. Daskam and E. Francis were invited to deliver addresses and November 18, 1863, was made memorable by the large and nota- ble gathering of prominent Masons. The Grand Lodge officers, together with representatives of many subordinate lodges, proceeded under the direction of Brother J. A. Scofield as Marshal, to Seely’s Hall, where, in the presence of a large audience of ladies and gentle- men, the Worshipful Master opened the public exercises by reading the original warrant granted by Gro. Harrison of New York. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Phillip L. Hoyt, and an historical address by Bro. E. Francis was read. The brethren and one hundred guests then partook of the banquet and lis- tened to speeches by Brother Luke Lockwood and others. In 1872 the flourishing condition of the order in Stamford and the increased membership rendered additional accom- modation necessary. At the communi- OY KS ie is : ig ig KS is KS Kg Kg is KE : iS x—— eee Sa oe THE HISTORY OF UNION cation of March 6, 1872, the Worship- ful Master, Dwight Waugh, appointed Brothers George L. Lounds, Charles M. Holly and Edwin 5. Holly a committee to select a suitable room for the use of the Lodge. After some months’ exam- ‘nation of different buildings, the Com- mittee reported that Hoyt’s Hall was best adapted for the purpose. Accord- ingly, on December 6, 1872, the plans were adopted, and the Trustees signed the lease for the third floor with a room on the second floor at a rental of $300 - for the first five years, and $400 for the succeeding five years. The furniture was then removed from the former hall on Atlantic Street, which had been occupied since April 1st, 1848, and it was installed in the new hall on April 2, 1873. Just twenty-five years after the first gathering in the old hall the first meeting was held in the new. On April 15th a reception was given to several hundred guests, and the next day the hall was dedicated with the usual Masonic ceremonies. Grand Master Luke A. Lockwood officiated, assisted by the Grand Officers, and a distinguished gathering of sister Lodges, who listened with great interest to the ALSAIBSAILAALAHL EASY Ess ALASALAALASASEASsSsessass eeiii a eet, PAC ATMA Mmmm AMMAR ARIANA Os Kd EI LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 39 5 i historical address by Past Master J. H. z : Olmstead. Ef is In the refurnishing and decorating, CY KS over $2,800 was expended, contributed ss 5 very largely by individual members of 5 me the Lodge. On April 30, the Lodge was DS is presented with two ashlars, by Brothers DY i Ketcham and Altrocchi, and the two 5 me formerly used were presented to Ivan- 5 KS hoe Lodge of Darien. By : As “great oaks from little acorns = ig grow,’ so from a small offering as a 5 ig holy Eucharist, a great and noble char- Bf i ity has gone forth to lighten the burdens S| 3 and relieve the sick and suffering. As an 5 i example of Masonic gratitude, the fol- BY i lowing letter speaks volumes. On April s : ist, 1874, Brother J. S. Huntington of : ie Lyme, Conn., wrote: “To the Secre- Bf i tary and Brethren of Union Lodge. 2 : God in his great mercy and providential 5 re care, having delivered me from impend- x is ing peril at the Stamford Railroad :, depot a few days since, and as a free | i will offering of thanks, I wish to add BY bs the enclosed check of $50.00 to the q : charity fund to be used as you deem 5 r proper for the relief of suffering human- K is ity. Trusting in God, the great Archi- : is tect, Builder and Master of the Uni- a 5 Sw ) » ? v ) 5ST aT nO b= 5 : 40 THE HISTORY OF UNION : kg EI KS verse, and acknowledging the obliga- 5 is tions of the Order, I remain, in the bonds 5 : of brotherhood, J. S. Huntington.” 5 kd It was immediately voted that “the : is eratitude of this Lodge is due Brother 5 : Huntington for the true Masonic spirit El Re shown by him, and that the money be 5 ig deposited in the bank as a foundation 5 = for a permanent charity fund to per- 5 Re petuate the remembrance of so noble an 5 ie act of Masonic Charity, the fund to be : is known as the Huntington Charity Fund Bf NG of Union Lodge.” oe iS Time softens and heals, and it is Ei s pleasant to notice the difference which 5 % fifty years brought about in the senti- 5 ment toward Free Masonry. On June : 6, 1883, the Secretary notified Union 5 Lodge that he had loaned the jewels of BS the Lodge to the Presbyterian Society EI for the purpose of laying the corner- S stone of their church, the ceremony be- 5 | ing performed by the Rev. Mr. Wells 5 s of New York, and that Brother Alex. | X% Milne returned personal thanks and 5 kg also the thanks of the society for the cy is loan. | : Many interesting and valuable gifts : NS have been presented to the Lodge from Ey 5 time to time. Among them were some : | EI Vail——, pGOIORAM ATOR AnAnAnAT Amann miAmAnAmAnAnARAnAmAMAAD 104) BN i A ig “A ig DI i LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. Al 5 i E 3 aged Masonic papers given by Brother : F. Skelding in 1883. In 1802) Past 5 Ne Grand Master Dwight Waugh re- Df ig quested permission to place on the walls 4 : of the Lodge a testimonial presented to 5 i him by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut BS kg during his administration as Grand 5) i Master. 3 ie As Union Lodge has freely received, 5 x so it has freely given, in recognition of BS is the faithful services of its brethren. On ei January ist, 1890, Brother Theodore 5 Ne Leeds completed twenty-five years of BS : service as Treasurer of this Lodge, and : in grateful recognition was presented 5 Xe with a beautiful ring suitably inscribed. 5 ig Brother Leeds continued as Treasurer EY : for fifteen years after this event, making : im a total of forty years service in this 5 i responsible office. Upon the death of EY 5 ; : x ie Brother Leeds, this ring was presented 5 ie to Brother James Wilson, the present 5 Kg able and efficient Treasurer, who has Dy held office since 1904. 2 i A very unique and unusual possession 5 KS of the Lodge is two pitchers of unknown Ef : origin and association. They were pre- 2 Re sented by Worshipful Master A. W. 5 Re Davenport, while Master, on behalf of Bf : the estate of Mrs. Waite, and have a S s ) f SOLO NOOO TOTO TOE ITED) UEUUEUES: 42 THE HISTORY OF UNION sl nS . Ri i curious history, being decorated with ; is Masonic symbols and characters, evi- : : dently of a period about a hundred and 5 : fifty years ago. They were doubtless 5 ig the property of an ancient Lodge and | e testify to the convivial character of their % gatherings. They were presented to a 5 K] Brother Hartley by a Philadelphia ; 3 Lodge. This Brother was the great- 5 i grandfather of Mrs. Waite, who 5| x brought them to Stamford. After some f : years they were taken back to Philadel- 5 2 phia and were owned by someone, not a ~ 5 KS Mason, who returned them to Stamford 2 3 when they were presented to Union : 4 Lodge by Miss Mead (Mrs. Waite's BS KS sister) and Miss Davis on April Ist, 2 s 1908. fl Ne On the same date, the Worshipful 5 kg Master, on behalf of Mrs. Foster, pre- 2 3 sented to the Lodge the engraved reso- fl S lutions, jewels, aprons, etc., which were BS iS presented to Most Worshipful Brother Ey ig Dwight Waugh by the several grand 5 : bodies with which he was associated and 5 kd which testify to the great esteem in Ey which he was held by his brethren. ; be These testimonials have been preserved 5 a by the Lodge as loving tributes to a CY : noble and honored son of the craft. 3Ey A LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 43 s ig There are many ties which bind us to Bf : the old country from whence came our 2 i American Free Masonry. Her sons have = i added their quota of sterling integrity 5 s and ability to develop the spirit and ., ig strength of the ancient institution. To ; 5 Ke Scotch Free Masonry, as well as to Bf s English, does America owe its meed of S e praise and gratitude. It was, therefore, 54 Re in grateful recognition of this fact, that BS ‘ Union Lodge sent as its delegate to the e e Centenary celebration of the death of = i Robert Burns, held in Dumfries, Scot- 5 ig land, on July 21st, 1896, its noble and a > generous hearted Scotch brother, John : i M. Brown, whose presidency of the BY ig Scottish Society of Stamford has made Ri 3 him famous on both sides of the ocean. 5 Brother Brown was made a Mason in FY KG St. John’s Kilwinning Lodge, Hadding- By " ton, Scotland, and fittingly represented 2 i Union Lodge at Dumfries, as is attested 5 i by the place of honor accorded him in EI ig the procession of that day. He was 5 : made one of the Masonic escorts to Lord 5 i Roseberry, while the published volume 5 ig of the Centenary records Brother Brown 2 3 as representing Union Lodge both under 5 ig the caption of American and Colonial Df i Societies and American and Colonial A3 44 THE HISTORY OF UNION ~ f iw Deputations. Brother Brown made a E : second trip to Scotland in 1911 and : Rg upon his return presented the Lodge 5 KS with a framed replica and chart of the BY : celebrated painting representing the in- EY % stallation of Brother Robert Burns as bd Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning BY : Lodge on March 1, 1787. The installa- BE tion was held in the same room which 5 i for 200 years has been held sacred to 5 : Masonic use. In its Chapel is the organ B Xe built in 1754, the oldest organ in Scot- fl kg land, and the only existing instrument ~. {Bf ig on which the songs of Burns were Et : played in the presence of the poet. This sl is picture and chart form a valuable addi- 5 = tion to the treasures of the Lodge and Ey % for which Brother Brown received the s RS hearty thanks of the brethren. IB ig Union Lodge has always been noted EY : for the care it has extended to sick and 5 Re dying brethren who were sojourning in Bf i Stamford, and its records teem with Bf . these references. It could therefore ap- | %g _preciate the care given to one of itsown ‘ KS members in a distant state. In March, 5 $ 1893, Brother P. R. Dusinberre was EI be taken sick and died in Richmond, Va., : Ke and the Masonic brethren in that city Bf s rendered such excellent service that f ie 5 EAI AAILAALAAHI ASAI ES BEA EAS ASAI AAI AAIL EO AILESALE ALS AISA IMIAAIAAT RA ASA SSA BrALODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 45 5 5S Worshipful Master G. R. Faucett DS caused the following letter to be sent Re them: “We tender to our Masonic 5 KS Brethren of Richmond, Va., our sincere BY : and hearty thanks for the considerate : RC and timely aid they so generously ten- x is dered our late Brother Dusinberre, for DY ? : . \ iS the sympathetic treatment of his com- 5 b . ° A re panions and especially his bereaved BS i widow, whose sorrowing heart they re- EY be ye @ oe Rf % lieved of much care and anxiety, inci- 5 be dent in a strange city far from home. 5 ig You have proved yourselves brothers DY = in very deed, whose kind persistence, 5 bs in attending to every detail necessary in 5 Ke emergency, has kindled a flame of grati- 3 4 ° . =~ p= tude in all our hearts and given to the e KE ; " % friends of our deceased brother an ex- 5 ‘ alted opinion of our fraternal institu- DY s tion as an agency for good among men.” : % As an echo of this touching epistle, Ff Re there came a letter from Evangelist : Lodge, New York City, in recognition 5 : ° a . s of the services of the brethren of Union 5 Lodge for their care of a sojourning 5 brother in Stamford. It reads: ““When- : . . . a: LD ever the indisputably Masonic qualities : of Friendship, Morality and Brotherly BY Love are exemplified either by indi- EI ° . > vidual or associated brethren, a chord Ffeee \ rc EY : 46 THE HISTORY OF UNION 3 iS responsive is touched in hearts which eI are imbued with their beneficial princi- : i ples. The brethren of Union Lodge 5 KS have given a striking example of broth- EB 3 erly oe and oe devotion to the : ie tenets of our profession as Masons, in BS i untiring endurance to comfort and sus- Bf 3 tain our lamented brother, William H. : nS Hay, during his long and painful illness 5 i in your city. That the brethren of 5 E Evangelist Lodge do hereby express 2 i grateful acknowledgment for your gen- 5 : erous, tender and Masonic solicitude _ a 5 and care for our late esteemed Brother zi 5 Hay, during his fatal illness, and for | 5 your presence and participation in the EA : funeral services, and laying his remains S i away in the grave.” 5 3 Time and space forbids the detailed | : ee of the charities which this = S odge has dispensed, its cases of indi- EA : vidual need relieved, its contribution sl : to the sufferers of the San Francisco Bt ke fire, or to that noble charity, the Ma- 2 : sonic Home in Wallingford, in which 5 : Union Lodge furnished a room in 1907. EI re (Union Lodge also furnished a room s : in 1916 in the new dormitory, finished 3 3 that year. ) | El : : E Si hE TORU OU OTOP pO EO OOOO UU EEO x ESAIAS LAIAAIES aS ESAIADALI AAI EAAISES Oa EEA EAALEAALMAILBMAIBA i 2S— SIS roOWrOnrOnraw ox Sera vavllveNl SiN TOWOmOtrat IYa\UYaNVeNivaNlva\iva\iva\lye: Nutr it POE U LODGE, NO. 5, F.& A. M. From the date of its charter in 1763, when Right Worshipful Brother George Harrison, in the grant, stipulated that the “moneys he shall receive for initia- tions, namely, three pounds, three shil- lings sterling, shall be applied by us to the use of the Grand. Charity,” the Lodge has faithfully observed its trust, and no worthy brother in distress, or any meritorious appeal for charity, has been in vain. Inasmuch as Greenwich and Stam- ford have been so closely linked in the bonds of brotherhood, and in their twin birth matured by the same Masonic mother, it is of more than passing in- terest to know at about what period each body felt strong enough to walk alone. The Grand Lodge of Connecti- cut, having perfected its organization in 1789, Union Lodge was first repre- sented by Greenwich in 1791. The first Grand Lodge mention of representa- tives from Greenwich was that of El- kanah Mead, Senior Warden and proxy for the Worshipful Master in May, 1796, and in October, 1796, of Sam’! Jarvis, proxy for the Worshipful Master.THE HISTORY OF UNION In May, 1800, William Knapp of Stamford became the first representa- tive from this city, but in October of the same year he is credited from Green- wich, and Stamford is not again used until 1821, when Erastus H. Weed was Worshipful Master. From that date, Union Lodge No. 5 is credited from Stamford. In May, 1826, the brethren made an ineffectual appeal to the Grand Lodge for a charter for Greenwich. That appeal was laid over until the 1827 session, when, after mature de- liberation, it was decided inexpedient to grant the request. On January 16, 1856, Luke A. Lockwood was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, and probably through his efforts in 1857, Samuel Close and others applied to the Grand Lodge for a charter for a lodge in Greenwich, to be known as Acacia. The petitioners not being pres- ent when the appeal was taken up, it was deferred to the next session. On May 12, 1858, the final separation came in the charter granted to the brethren of Greenwich. From this time on the two bodies have labored harmoniously side by side to build the temple of Truth, Justice and Equity.OT DD ONS Dao —s LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. On February 19, 1908, Dwight Waugh, one of Union’s most illustrious sons, was reported seriously ill with pneumonia, and on the next day, Feb- ruary 20th, 1908, he was called from labor to refreshment in the Supreme Grand Lodge above. On February 24, 1908, the earthly remains of Brother Waugh, under the Chaplaincy of Wor- shipful Brother F. T. Beehler, were taken to St. John’s Episcopal Church, where services were held, and thence to Woodland Cemetery, where he lies in the peaceful sleep that knows no waking. In June, 1904, there passed from the earthly Lodge the form of the beloved Harry S. McConkey, for ten years sec- retary of the Lodge, faithful, true, and tried. In his death, he remembered Union and bequeathed to the Lodge, in trust, the property on Summer Street in which he lived. At the expiration of the trust, it was to revert to the Lodge. This was made the foundation of what the future will know as the Masonic Temple of Stamford, and when that temple shall have reared its heights toward Heaven, the names of Harry S. McConkey, James Wilson, and their LOA, a IQ: 5 Nd 50 THE HISTORY OF UNION 5 : confreres who have given their time, 5 ke affection and interest to its erection, will : ig forever be a loving tribute to their love RY : for the Royal Art. After several years’ EI Re devotion to the consideration of the 5 is srowing need of a Masonic Hall, 5 Brother James Wilson, on September 7, 3 Ne 1910, reported that the Masonic Build- 5 $ ing Association had secured a site on At- A : lantic Street, and on November 2, 1910, 5 the deeds of the property came into the ; ig hands of the Association. A : Among the many visitations of Grand EY i Lodge officers to Union, that of April : ig 16, 1913, deserves special mention. 5 5 Right Worshipful Brother Frank L. 5 B| Wilder, D. Dep. (First District), with EI s Most Worshipful Brother George Mc- 5 . Nall, P. G. M. G. L. Conn., in com- Bf % menting on the work of the evening, EI i paid due tribute to the excellence of it 3 S by Worshipful Master Hertz and his 5 iS associate officers. Most Worshipful 2 : Brother McNall was refreshingly lib- 5 be eral in his attitude toward ritualism and 5 bg said that a jury of Masonic critics could cy 5 rarely agree. “Let us,” he said, “be ss % charitable in our criticism of the work 5 i found in lodges visited. The point 1s, EI 5 to do it with dignity and reverence. 5 SS EI eADR a SE aa Looe — Laas ee ea eee ee aaa aaa LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. Good luck to you in your work, you don’t need criticism from any Grand Lodge officer.” Under the head of re- freshments, the versatile secretary, Brother F. S. Camp, adds that they were “‘Non-Masonic’”’ of the class of im- proprieties not prohibited. The mem- bers of the Lodge agreed that this com- munication was one of the most enjoy- able and instructive ever held. Of all the good, light-giving words at table, one should be noted, that of Worshipful Brother I. Newton Phelps, Past Master of Center Lodge No. 97 of Meriden, Conn., who made an elo- quent plea to teach our young masons Masonry, and to instill into them the true, deeper spirit and meaning of the institution, so that Free Masonry may continue to be the living force it has been through the centuries, and not lapse into decadence as it inevitably will if it is not allowed to expand and grow and take a new meaning with the coming years. All things human must grow and develop or else shrivel and decay; only that which is divine will survive. This Lodge has been favored by the preferment of its members to the high- WANCANEH BY Ua — Ae PA uy 7 Ba ur UE b —y rb a uy co Jt OMIA BUY "4 LU ay uy 7 rut i Ye ‘att h OMe 7 DOAN CNWOANCANCANGANG Ww \ Wiz BURA Ni WIM Tay ¥| Way 2) U OTN aE Ww Ssavilva OurOMA kd s ine THE HISTORY OF UNION iS i est Masonic honors possible, and with- s in the limit of Ancient Craft Masonry. i Three of its sons have been called to the Ks Grand East, if we may count Brother i Luke A. Lockwood, who first saw the Masonic light at its altar, as one of iS them. Dwight Waugh and James H. is Swartwout complete the triad whose 3 labors in the Grand Lodge met with Nd eminent success. The earliest choice of iS a member of Union was that of Brother 5 William H. Holly, who was Grand Ne Senior Deacon from 1833 to 1836. ie In the days long before the modern ‘ custom of a yearly rotation of office i came into practice, its Masters achieved ig perfection and consequent satisfaction 3 and success by their long terms of office. % Thus Jabez Fitch was elected Worship- i ful Master three separate periods, first : in 1785, making in all nine years. Israel ne Knapp, first elected in 1781, served iS four years; William Bush, four years; : John W. Leeds, fourteen years; Alfred Rg A. Holly, eighteen years; Dwight is Waugh, five years. : The office of Treasurer is notable for 1 the long service of Theodore Leeds, ie who held that office forty years. Wil- liam Bush served in that capacity for e ) CoO BS EAA ASA SS Ess PALA a FIN VIN VN NN— = FSA aN a a Yea VONI eva IYO NTYOXTVONITOCIVOVIVGXITON { ) : LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. Ge : ig | | ci iS ten years, dating from 1780, while the Rf ‘ present incumbent, Brother James Wil- CY te son, has already served nine years and | is still evidences the possibility of surpass- Bf : ing the record of his predecessors. EY ba In the list of Secretaries, we find that kg Shadrach Mead served six years, begin- ig ning in 1781; William H. Holly, seven- ‘ teen years; George L. Lounds, thirteen Ke years; Robert A. Reynolds, eleven i years; and H. S. McConkey, ten years. 5 As Senior Deacon, Smith Scott held the ‘ office for sixteen years, while Isaac bs Quintard, Sr., was Junior Deacon PS twenty-three years and Senior Steward % forty-two: years, 23°73% 7 8s, Into the; history:of: Unie Lodge for the past. ene hundred) and: fifty, years there has heen wover,the manifold and composite character of a majority of Stamford’s foremost citizens. The fra- ternity’s high ideals of friendship, morality and brotherly love have at- tracted men from every walk of life, attesting the value of the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Each passing year has brought increasing peace and prosperity. Storm and tempest have hurled their strength at this ancient Lodge but it has endured. N@NUANITANI/@NUYONITANIV@NIY@NIYaN TaN iVaxiYa\iVaxlVaxitvaxl (AX T@NIVANIYEN Ye rm U SaNIYaN H y 2% b= = xe Ca h KS v is ca KY Kg ite bs (3 kK RS mS bs ka i 6 \) bs ) RS KE san KS Kd ba kK = iS ) is } KS \ RS ) is KOTHE HISTORY OF UNION Men have come and gone in fleeting generations, seasons have flown like hours, but it has still maintained its beneficent influence and spread it wider and wider over the earth. Visions of the future appear before us, and through the mist there may be seen a new Temple for Union Lodge, each stone of which has been squared by the perfect square of Virtue and on the facade of which stands out, with great clearness, that sacred emblem of all true Masons. In this Temple may the members of the Masonic fraternity in Stamford prepare themselves for that future life of worship:and service in the Temple not ‘made. with hands,’ eternal im thehéavietss 26% © “7: Me .itelt EY Ngwton PHELps. C. Harris SCOFIELD. November 17th, 1913.— WrOwOMOnOnarL @ r ar N@XUTaXiaNliVaniVaviivaviiventh — Yaw TOL So TOW WOOO wat NYaXUaNly Mm Wot cy INC Mtn LODGE, NO. 5, F. &.A. M. POSTSCRIPT HIS historical sketch compiled by j Worshipful Brother JI. Newton Phelps and Brother C. Harris Sco- field for Union Lodge, No. 5, F. and A. M., of Stamford, Conn., not only fills a long felt need in the life of the Masonic fraternity in this city, but will perpetuate for succeeding generations important data that will be valued more and more with the passing years. Brother Scofield has traced the his- tory of Union Lodge from its inception to November 17th, 1913. It is a source of great regret that he himself received the summons to the Life Eternal before the visible Temple about which he had dreamed became a concrete reality in the life of Masonry in Stamford. He would have found pleasure in collecting the historical material which would have brought his sketch down to the present date. As it is, there is a period between November 17th, 1913, and the laying of the cornerstone of the new Masonic Temple in Stamford, on Au-56 THE HISTORY OF UNION sust 18th, 1923, which is not included in the record which has been prepared. Without attempting to add to the work which Brother Scofield so ably carried out for the Lodge which he loved and with which he was long identified, a brief mention should be made of the period, embracing virtually a decade, which is not included in his historical sketch. Union Lodge continued its work faithfully during the trying period of the World War. Despite the fact that the nation was engrossed in multifarious war activities, and that every one had additional burdens and responsibilities at that time, Lodge meetings were held regularly and were faithfully sup- ported. After the entrance of the United States into the war, forty-five of the younger men in the lodge en- rolled in the various branches of gov- ernmental service and rendered con- spicuous service in the nation’s hour of need, two giving their lives in patriotic devotion to their country. Since the war the progress of Ma- sonry in Stamford has been unusual. There have not only been large addi- tions to Union Lodge, but a growing LS EILEALAALMAIAAa eT ee rT a oN er Nr a oN ea ea wa a oxy row WaNivaxitvavivant row row SPP OM oS 1 Tay o WOW ED TO ~, raw! S TOW S oS oS WC MC ME TOW CWO tate va CMC oS vax = LOY! wy 0 Wa\ilvaviiVaNlivaNl AL LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. recognition of the fact that the interest in the fraternity justified the organiza- tion of other lodges. As a result of this increasing need, Stamford Masons have recently witnessed the institution of two new Blue lodges. On March 1oth, 1922, Commonwealth Lodge, No. 129, was duly formed and instituted, and since that time has been moving rapidly for- ward. A few days later, March 2oth, 1922, Roosevelt Lodge, No. 130, came into being. This lodge embraces a con- siderable number of members who are of the Jewish faith, but no religious dis- tinctions are drawn. As a still further evidence of Ma- sonic progress in Stamford one might cite the formation of Stamford Com- mandery, No. 12, Knights Templar, which was instituted and commenced its work in October, 1922. This Com- mandery had been the hope of leaders in the Masonic life of Stamford for many years, and under the leader- ship of District Deputy, Judge Harry C. Scofield, all necessary procedure was finally taken for the institution of this work. The Stamford Commandery has had a phenomenal growth during the ten months it has been organized. =, AOE POI OSS DOORS<< —— — <== ——s == —s : i 53 ; = A TEL ig consi EH Ke tivi : ry le OF iS i h U EIvaite as b par NI 5 KS atl SO e to ON : zatio en A f the i 5 : old ane whi e Mas e resul inter 5 : it ello ch wa onic C t of est in 5 s S wo weraf s the lub the ; : 7th, : ile Gleb one an org i ae as ele a lens | ae social This Gat n which b the 5 ig to larg event lub cs O egan CY ig one final o ian Noe: a May 2 : ero Maso HS mental oe sored 5 ous] nic T atlo in nd h B : bane ot oe emple nN the brin y as 5 : gested to rea mone i Taha plans oe 5 a a ee ee i . Ha ; the hi tion it en Fad id Tris istori tha s eff gen- 8 S rl t O NF a cofi cal d rts sy : been pla eld. sketch ream s to 5 a n u : fee of ae s for th of Oe : : eM eee ie e Te ; : : which asonic ele . ae leh : ig ja d tl d ie resid ames H. J Associ nown - a x cn ent; F E. essup I ciation as 5 : ahi ci Line a Me Ab OL ae en 5 s ae Nisa HG, wathel ee 5 ig _M s of t 18th ould , oe Z A KS offic! Me ot he , 1 en cre- aS cla C Gr Q2 7 2 EY is of te on and 2, th rea Ne thi at th necti Lo er S= OY b is n e layi icu dg epr cB id eauti ew ayl te, sa Gc, FE e- a reet pl ple the orm 5 i : See to b co all Rf of | e | mers iy Kd and oe d tone Bt Nn B on BY edf q 5 ord 5 = oI ys AOAC DOTA LITA BIGOT TOITQA NOL NOL NOAWOL BUe BU TUEUDUBU BUTT TOMA SOOT TOOT BU TUBOT SUTTat CM Ly TaXVanitVavivani N@NIVOViVaNIYaNiveviva\iyarlveliveivarlver OWOanew LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 59 The life of Masonry in Stamford in the years to come will center in this magnificent edifice. Here new mem- bers will be brought to light and in- structed, here the solemn ceremonies and rites will be carried on, here the brethren will meet in fraternal fellow- ship and brotherhood. On the founda- tions securely laid in the past, the Ma- sonic fellowship in Stamford will build a superstructure dignified and beautiful, which will be a credit to the various lodges and an honor to the fraternity. ALFRED GRANT WALTON. August 15, 1923. eS > ): 60 THE HISTORY OF UNION 5 K 5 5 is : : 5 : MEETING PLACES e| iS a 5 NE of the most interesting fea- 5 Re tures of any organization is its 5 iS meeting places. In this respect the S is records of Union Lodge are fairly ex- 5 plicit. Numerous places are mentioned BI ie and agreeable to the custom of their an- : : cient brethren, many of these places 5 ie were in taverns or inns. Occasionally 5 | the members would meet at the home of zi 3 some brother, choosing a place or time 5 Xe convenient to the candidate rather than Bf iS to themselves. One such instance is indi- 5 : cated by the minutes of February 12, 5 Ne 1782, when “Dr. Whiting urges that 5 is the situation of the Lodge and his sit- El S| uation being such that he can’t attend : % on ee oe ae ee that BY a special lodge be called for the pur- RY : pose of initiating him as aforesaid, on 5 i which this Lodge 1s called.” 5 Ke Of the meeting places prior to 1780 5 4 we, of course, know nothing. But just sl ie before that date at least some of the Ri KS meetings were held in Stamford, for the BY : first written record we have (that of a ie 5 SOL EEE EEE EEN ELEN EL EEA EEA OAL AAL AA Oh _ MAI OALAAIAEAIAAEAIAAIASATLARSYALALODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. January 18, 1780) informs us that “By unanimous consent of the Brethren and members within the district of Union Lodge, the place of meeting is removed to Horse Neck.’ Beginning here, we will take up the Greenwich meeting places, after which we will learn what we may of our Stamford homes. 1780-84 1784-96 1796 1798-02 1802-03 1803-05 1811 1815-16 1793-06 1806-08 1808-10 1810 1811-21 1821-48 PERMANENT Greenwich Israel Knapp’s Tavern. John Hobby’s Tavern. Wm. Knapp’s, Cos Cob. Peter Quintard’s. Hardy Mead’s. Wm. Peacock’s. Wm. Peacock’s (once). Hezekiah Tracy’s. Stamford Isaac Quintard’s. Abraham Davenport’s Inn. Andrew Neaman’s. James Stevens’. Over Hubbard & store. Isaac Quintard’s, Jr., “Union Fall.” Over A. N. Hobby’s hard- ware store. Close’s Oo“ NOH BUS a BOT BOE WG VepCO OR b= NS Ey s 62 THE HISTORY OF UNION : ig Bf Kd Of s 1873-1923, Masonic Hall, 125 Atlan- : : tic Street. ; id 1923-24 Horticultural Hall, Forest Ri is Street. EI : 1924 Masonic Temple, Bedford St. 5 kd OCCASIONAL Sf 5 Greenwich sl ie 1782 Josiah Utter’s, once. 5 5 1788 Moses Husted’s, Jr., twice. S % 1792 Elias Newman’s, twice. 5 KS 1795 Elias Newman’s, once. 5 ig 1798 Jonathan Finch’s, three times. EI : 1800 Dr. Clark Sanford’s, once. : % = : Stamford : iS 1781 David Webb Tavern, once. IB : 1782 David Webb Tavern, once. 2 % 1796 David Webb Tavern, once. 5 i 1800 Hoyt’s Hall. 5 : 1804 David Waterbury’s (%). | = | The first Secretary, Michael Cox = Timpany, makes mention of no particu- 5) % lar meeting place, but his successor, EI RS Brother Shadrach Mead, in the minutes 5 : of September 20, 1780, mentions the [si % house of Israel Knapp as the meeting EI re place, and as there is no record of any 4 s change between January and September 5 re of that year, it is most probable that the | Ke KMNg Gg rg LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. Knapp Tavern, as it was then known, was the place to which the Lodge moved in January. It met there until June 24, 1784. This house has an extremely interest- ing history. The land on which it stands (opposite the present Episcopal Church on Putnam Avenue) was granted by the town to one Nathan Whelpley, who in 1731 sold it to Capt. Israel Knapp, a Revolutionary officer, and in all proba- bility the tavern was built about that time. One of his daughters, Amy, mar- ried Jabez Fitch, a soldier, who was Town Clerk for many years and an active member of the Lodge. He was Master at three different times, nine years in all. Captain Knapp’s son, Israel, Jr., inherited the property and continued the tavern. He also fought in the Revolution, was appointed on the Committee of Safety in 1776 and was Surveyor of Highways in 1787. He was made a Mason in Union Lodge in 1780 and was Master from 1781 to 1786. The tavern was a favorite meeting place of the soldiers and officers of the Continental Army and was used by General Putnam as his headquarters part of the time. To quote from Mead’sSISA SAAR AT PATA IAM ATI OMOMOnney KS ratrarrOnOmOrOuOan SS Omri anOtnc 64 THE HISTORY OF UNION “Ve Historie of Greenwich”: “It 1s re- lated that General Putnam stopped at this hostelry the night before Tryon’s raid, the night of February 25th, 1779, and that on that evening a ball was given at the house of Moses Husted, at Pecksland, a short distance south of the present school house and on the site of the residence formerly of William A. Husted. General Putnam attended, taking a lady on his horse behind him, according to the custom of those days. The lady was a daughter of David Bush of Cos Cob Landing.” The next day he made his famous ride down the rocky hill to avoid being captured by the British. Israel Knapp died in 1790 and his son-in-law, David Wood, acquired the property. He in turn conveyed it to Hezekiah Tracy on March 8, 1814, to which mention will be made later on. From 1814 on it changed hands many times until on November 24, 1902, it came into possession of the Israel Put- nam House Association, who now hold it in trust for the Putnam Hill Chapter, D. A. R., thus preserving to future gen- erations this interesting relic of Revolu- tionary days. eI E 5 | C] BWWOPOPOVC DONO DONO ONO DUNN POO OO CIS DET D‘3 IRA AIEEE ‘e : LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M 65 5 c sO? 5. H. & ALM. 5 s From June 24th, 1784, to the fourth 5 % Tuesday in January, 1792, we find our EI ig brethren meeting at the house of John z : Hobby, or Hubby. Some time between 5 r January, 1792, and the “second Tues- 4 s day in June, 1792,” it evidently moved 5 re to some unmentioned place, for on this 3 % latter date we read that “upon agree- EY s ment with (this same) Br. John Hubby 5 Z for his lodge room and the room BS % ‘ajdusant’ for the sum of three pounds 2 i per annum. Voted that this Lodge move : s to Bro. Jno. Hobby’s before the 26th 5 : inst.” By s The “house of Jno. Hubby” was also : s a tavern and stood on the south side of 5 3 Putnam Avenue about opposite Sher- :, %e wood Place. This, too, was a favorite 5 : stopping place for soldiers and officers 5 Ne of the time, but does not seem to have Df Kd the historical associations connected 5 ‘ with the Knapp Tavern. It has long 5 3 since been removed. AS KG On January 7th, 1796, the Lodge 2 is moved again to the house of William 5 3 Knapp at Cos Cob. Brother Knapp 5 % was prominent in the political affairs of DY ks the village, and also filled several offices E 5 m the Lodge. He ran a packet boat 5 % from Cos Cob at one time. This meeting 5 . EI iS 2 EEO EOE OBOE IEE IEEE IEEE SEITEN t v = KQTHE HISTORY OF UNION | place was of short duration, for in Sep- tember of that year we read that a meet- ing was held in Stamford “by special order in consequence of the misfortune of Brother William Knapp losing his house by fire by which means we are de- prived a lodge room at Horse Neck and of our tools, etc.’ For two years thereafter no meetings were held in Greenwich. From June 20, 1798, to 1802 the Lodge met at Brother Peter Quintard’s, a son of Isaac Quintard of Stamford, after which it met at Brother Hardy Mead’s—the latter part of 1802 and part of 1803. From November 23d, 1803 to 1805 we find it at the house of Brother William Peacock, and then after a lapse of six years it met there once more on May 28th, 1811. Of the location of these three brothers’ houses we know nothing. During all this time the Lodge met on special occasions at different brothers’ houses. Thus on February 7th, 1782, one meeting was held at Brother Josiah Utter’s. A beautiful example of the spirit of Masonry is written into the records of the first Tuesday of March, 1797, when “on the application of= Lt : LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A.M. 67 ; s Brother Josiah Utter, stating that he EI . was in need of assistance in order to 5 re enable him to endeavor to recover his x iS son who had been in the hands of the 5s "3 Indians for a number of years, and 5 i stated that he had lately heard that his x ig son was on Grand River, voted by this 2, : Lodge that the Treasurer pay into the 5 i hands of Brother Jabez Fitch Twenty 5 ke Dollars to be by him forwarded to Bro. OY ig Utter.” Ey : In 1788 two meetings were held at : i Moses Husted’s at Pecksland, a section Bf ig of the town located northwest from the E : center. This house, it will be remem- 5 re bered, was the scene of a ball the night BY i before Tryon’s raid on Greenwich, at 5 : which Brother General Putnam was a Bf i guest. DY i Once in September, 1792, again in Ss i December of that year, and for a third 5 ie time in November, 1795, meetings were Bf : held at the house of Elias Newman, at 3 An Bedford, N. Y. About twenty-four E members attended each of these sessions. With all the modern conveniences of travel afforded by the automobile and ANC, POW NaN Vala TUBUTOROMOUL te good roads, we wonder if twenty-four KE brothers could be found willing to ven- % 3 ; . DY s ture such a trip in the middle of winter 5 s <= ry SURE TTR REET TETRISKS ie Kg Kg iS Nes Ds 68 THE HISTORY OF UNION today. It testified better than words can describe the sacrifices those old members were willing to make for their beloved order. In January and again in February, 1798, lodges were closed to meet at Brother Jonathan Finch’s, Stanwich. There are no minutes of either of these Stanwich meetings, but this does not necessarily mean that the meetings were not held, as the records are full of just such lapses as might have occurred here. However, on November 6th, 1798, six- teen members did journey to Stanwich to this same brother’s house, and ev1- dently had quite a social time of it, for little business was transacted and no degree worked. We find one more occasional meeting on June 24th, 1800, at Dr. Clark San- ford’s. Mead gives an interesting ac- count of the Doctor in his “Ye Historie of Greenwich,’ from which it would appear he attained considerable prestige in his profession. And now we come to the last of our Greenwich history—back to the old Knapp Tavern. As _ before stated, Brother Hezekiah Tracy acquired this property in March, 1814. The follow- 2& 4] OORT AT Anan Am AmORAMATAnAmAmAMmATATAmAmATAnAmAmAnA: : = a LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 69 5 °F Rf : ing January, after a lapse of four years : when no meetings were held in Green- 5 a wich, we find the Lodge voting to meet Bf KS alternately again, in Greenwich at the ®, i house of Brother Hezekiah Tracy. But 5 re the attempt to revive the interest failed 5 Ke utterly. Of the eight Greenwich meet- BY : ings called between March, 1815, and 5 a September, 1816, at but two were there 5 KS sufficient members present to open BY s lodge. The latter date ends Union z i Lodge’s history in Greenwich, in the 5 ke same building in which it started thirty- Bs 5 six years before. = ie And thus departed forever old Union 5 KG from this historic Colonial village. But BI is before leaving, on the brow of the hill, 2 ig she dropped a sprig of Acacia to mark 5 ‘ the place where her members so often : sat down to rest and refresh themselves. 5 s Half a century later no less a person i = than our Past Grand Master, Brother 2 is Luke A. Lockwood, discovered the place : : and under his nurturing care the little 4 i sprig was coaxed back to life and has Bf i since developed into a new “Acacia” as 2, 3 far removed from the old, in the extent 5 i of its good works, as the east is from the 5 g west. EY sg RA io RRR RR RE ET TE EE EON TERE7O THE HISTORY OF UNION The first recorded meeting in Stam- ford is on November 8th, 1781, “being a case of Emergence, the body met at the house of David Webb agreeable to summons.” The name of David Webb recalls many Revolutionary traditions of old Stamford, for he was none other than the owner of Webb’s Tavern, which stood on what is now the corner of Main and Clark Streets. “Pictur- esque Stamford” says: ‘““Webb’s Tav- ern, better known to later generations as the ‘old Washington House,’ was so called from a traditional belief that General Washington put up there dur- ing one or more of his several journeys to eastern New England. It is at least probable that the old house had the honor of sheltering the Colonial Com- mander-in-Chief, most probably in 1775, when Washington traveled through Connecticut on his way to take com- mand of the Revolutionary Army in Massachusetts.”’ Let us trace a step fur- ther the thread of possibilities. We know that Washington passed through Stamford several times in the ’70’s, and possibly stopped here in 1775. Know- ing his great love for Masonry, is it without the range of possibility that inLODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. stopping at this tavern where the Lodge met, he may not have been a welcome visitor to our own Lodge? How such a speculation makes us crave a glimpse of those old records prior to 1780! And is it not possible that friendships were made then which on December 27th, A. L. 5799, caused the Lodge to vote ‘that the expense of draping the room in mourning (on this day for our Worthy Deced’s Bro. George Washing- ton) be defrayed by the funds of the Lodge. Also that each Brother wear a badge on the left arm until a different order be taken” ? Again on April 13th, 1782, a “mem- bers opinion lodge met agreeable to a special order from the Wr. at the house of David Webb.” Just how a “mem- bers opinion lodge” differed from any other, the minutes do not disclose. Only once more, in September, 1796, was the tavern used as a lodge room. The old building stood until 1868, when it was demolished to make room for a more modern structure; just prior to this, however, a photograph was secured of it, a copy of which we have secured for our records. OMURURURURURUNURUIBU NO ELA EAA SALAS; ng Ge. THE HISTORY OF UNION 5 is EI ig Thus for 13 years, from 1780, but Si : three meetings were held in Stamford, : Ne but in 1793 Stamford started holding 5 i regular meetings in a room furnished by 5) : Isaac Quintard. With one exception, on z i November 4th, 1800, when it met at KS Hoyt’s Hall, the Lodge met here until EY : April 2d, 1806, when it moved to the 5 i Abraham Davenport Inn. In 1808 the 5 NS Lodge “found it expedient to move to 5 5 _the house of Brother Andrew Newman.” A Ng Here it met for two years when in 5 ie March, 1810 (the 14th), it moved again 5 ie to the house of Bro. James Stevens, a E 5 building later owned by J. N. Ayres : i and used as a public house. A peculiar DY contract is made with Brother Stevens e % for the rent of this room, when it was : % “voted that the present funds of the 5 $ Lodge be put in the hands of Bro. Jas. a & Stevens, he giving satisfactory security 2 a therefor and that he hold the same with- 5 iS out interest so long as he shall furnish 3 a the lodge with suitable room for their : he lodge business.” x : This seems to have been a common CY Re method of depositing funds in a safe = ie place before there were any local banks 5 | for this purpose, for we find the same B S arrangement made with Hubbard & 3 POO CONT OPE NO TT OAN COAO ON CINCO NOONE BLA AAILAAILSAILSAILAA! ALAA AAT AALS AALESAY AY SI EASEi RE iG Kg re ie KE Kg KE KE = C] J Se RC iS is } KG ‘ay WIA Wow) r a ne Oa LOIN 7 uy ry CCW Nn NY? SLE Nit aN it/a\ a ralreww Ww ON r CWP ln NEE WEN WN Walt i Sa bs HOMAM OT AnARATATAnAmOmAnAMAmAmAMAMAMAMAR AMAR AMAT AT 10: LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. 73 Close, in whose building the Lodge met from March 6th, 1811, to 1821. This building of Hubbard & Close’s stood on the corner now occupied by the M. E. Church, and was later moved to Atlan- tic Street just north of Bell Block, and now occupied by Free’s Flower Store. From 1821 to 1848 the Lodge met on the second floor of a block known as Union Hall, which stood about where the C. O. Miller Dry Goods Store now stands. The members by this time seem to have gotten tired of shifting about and determined to get a permanent meeting place. The conditions upon which this room of Isaac Quintard, Jr., was obtained are indeed interesting. It appears that Brother Isaac Quintard, Jr., was to fit up a lodge room, for which the Lodge was to pay $30 a year rent. To finance the alterations the Lodge agreed to either loan Brother Quintard $250 or pay the interest on this amount secured elsewhere. The wording of the minute is amusing: “Voted that this Lodge comply with Brother Isaac Quintard’s proposals for building a Lodge Room at the rate of $30 per year he giving good and suffi- cient security for two Hundred and ax PIO DIO OTTO Vil AIAN ANOANCA GANG, DUUUEUEA 7 ay BUDUTORUTUT TOOT TROT OTB BOE> S Warivarlvaxlvaviivelyarivat/avlevivanlvavi Se 74 THE HISTORY OF UNION fifty which we agree to loan to him by paying the lawful Intrus as Voted to Have the Room for 15 or 20 years and longer if agreeable to the Lodge & Voted that Peter Brown and Wm. Keeler and Wm. Wilmoth be a Com- mittee to see that Bro. J. Quintard Make the Room to the acception of the above Committee and that the above Committee is to see and furnish the Room after done in good stile as they think propper as a good Lodge Room.” (June 13, 1821.) Evidently the com- mittee did not properly provide for the members’ comfort, for shortly after we read this amusing item: “Voted that Br. Wilmoth furnish a stove pipe and 1 load wood at the expense of the lodge and call on the Secretary for cash to set it cut. (October 17th, wo2N-) This building was afterwards destroyed by fire. From April 12th, 1848, until April 16th, 1873, the Lodge met in a room over Alexander N. Hobby’s, and later Charles E. Hobby’s hardware store. The building is still standing on the southeast corner of Atlantic Square and Canal Street. As late as 1914, when the paper on the walls of the room where MOMOMAMAMAMATOMmATO maa, vO" rattartrextianl TAMAMOMOO nO trOWycrtl Pu DAIWA AZAIAAIATAZAIA ATA AEAIAATASIASEIMAIAMEILASALASAIAAINAIAATIAAIAATAATSAAISae Be ea a a aaa oa S Wanyaxita NOMA n Ona LODGE, NO. 5, F. & A. M. the Lodge met was removed, Masonic symbols were found painted on the old plaster. This room was being used by the Odd Fellows and Union Lodge sub-leased it from them for a yearly rental of $30, light and fuel furnished. Immediately after moving in, some of the brothers must have had a bad case of homesick- ness for on the 26th of April, the fol- lowing meeting in fact, we read of a motion to abandon the room and return to the old lodge room. The motion, however, was lost, and the Lodge con- tinued to rent under the original terms until 1858, when Union Lodge took over the lease themselves and sub-let the rooms to Rippowam Lodge of Odd Fellows. April 16, 1873, is indeed an impor- tant date in the history of Union Lodge. Under the leadership of such staunch old Masons as Dwight Waugh, Charles E. Holly, Edwin S. Holly, Lorenzo Meeker, George L. Lounds, Charles M. Holly, and others, the Lodge had greatly prospered and so increased in members that a meeting place more suited to their requirements and the work of Masonry became necessary.SSS Oe ee eee ee 76 THE HISTORY OF UNION After a thorough investigation of avail- able rooms, Hoyt’s Hall, on Atlantic Street near Main Street, was decided upon, and a lease executed for eight years, at a yearly rental of $300 the first three years and $400 thereafter. About $2,800 was expended in remod- eling and decorating the place, over $2,000 of which was raised by subscrip- tion. Practically all of the work was done by lodge members, and that they did good work, true work, is indicated by the tribute unconsciously paid them in the Stamford Advocate of that date: ‘“Hoyt’s Hall, so well known to Stamfordites, is a thing of the past. In its place, the Masonic fraternity of Stamford have a magnificent lodge room. The contrast it presents to its former appearance is almost as wonder- ful as any of the miraculous metamor- phoses we read of in the Arabian Nights.” On the 15th of April the rooms were thrown open to the public and hundreds of people visited the hall during the afternoon and evening. On the 16th of April, M. W. Luke A. Lockwood, Grand Master, and his staff, in the pres- ence of over two hundred Masons, in- EO ODO OOO BOBO BOTOT 2: | : Ne LODGE, NO. 5, F.& A. M. ai z ig cluding delegations from many other 5 3 lodges, formally dedicated the new hall BY Ng to the use of Masonry. | ig C. Harris ScoFieELp. BY : : be From 1874 until 1922 Union Lodge E g held its meetings in Hoyt’s Hall (better 5 5 known now as Masonic Hall) on Atlan- 5 tic Street. When it became known that BY this building was to be torn down to EY make room for a new banking house for | the Fidelity Title & Trust Company, a BS committee was appointed to look for a EI new meeting place. It was necessary to 5 secure a hall that would be large enough Ri to shelter the several Masonic bodies sl which have been started since 1874. : These include The Chapter, The Coun- 5 cil, The Eastern Star, Masonic Club, BY Commonwealth Lodge, Roosevelt S Lodge, and The Commandery. Horti- Fj cultural Hall, at the corner of Forest EY Street and Greyrock Place, was finally 5 leased for this purpose. 5 On Monday evening, April 4th, 5 1923, the first Masonic meeting was held in this place. This will be used 5 until the new Masonic Temple, which Rf is to be built during the coming year on 2 Bedford Street, is completed. 5 | OOOO OBO BOBO OPO BOBO BOBO BPORCidan “Tess