A F & A M Windsor, CT · History of Washington Lodge #70 A F & A M Windsor, CT 1825-2025 Last...

History of

Washington Lodge #70 A F & A M

Windsor, CT

1825-2025 Last updated: Nov 4, 2019

Editors:

Parts I-II (1825-1965) Robert F. Belden, PM and Lodge Historian

Part III (1965-2025) Paul J. Hendricks, PM and Lodge Historian

History of Washington Lodge #70

2

Table of Contents

PART I – The First 15 Years (1825-1840) .......................................................... 4

Commerce on the Connecticut River above Hartford...................... 4 Morning Star Lodge No. 28 Moves to Warehouse Point ................. 5 Masonry in Connecticut 1820-1825 ................................................ 5 Washington Lodge No. 70 Is Born .................................................. 6 Original Minute Book of Washington Lodge No. 70 ...................... 7 Washington Lodge No. 70 Is Constituted ........................................ 7 John Barney ..................................................................................... 8 First Recorded Initiation .................................................................. 8 1826 ................................................................................................. 9 1827 ............................................................................................... 10 Morgan Incident ............................................................................ 11 1828 ............................................................................................... 12 1829 ............................................................................................... 12 1830 ............................................................................................... 12 1831 ............................................................................................... 13 1832 ............................................................................................... 13 1833 to 1839 .................................................................................. 13 Our Charter Revoked in 1840 ........................................................ 14 Meeting Places of the Lodge ......................................................... 14 Sill-Benton-Paine Tavern (Meeting Place #1) ............................... 16 Bissell-Sheldon Tavern (Meeting Place #2) .................................. 16 Loomis Residence (Meeting Place #3) .......................................... 17 Darkness: 1840 To 1865 ................................................................ 17

PART II – The First 100 Years Under the Restored Charter (1865 - 1965)...... 19

Washington Lodge No. 70 Emerges from Darkness ..................... 19 Original Charter Restored .............................................................. 19 Central Street (Meeting Place #4).................................................. 20 Lodge Hall Burned ........................................................................ 20 Maple Ave (Meeting Place #5) ...................................................... 21 Frisbie Building (Meeting Place #6).............................................. 22 1870 ............................................................................................... 23 Chicago Fire .................................................................................. 23 1871-1874 ...................................................................................... 23 Fiftieth Anniversary ....................................................................... 24 1876-1880 ...................................................................................... 24 James McCormick ......................................................................... 26 1881-1909 ...................................................................................... 28 Ellsworth-Filley Building (Meeting Place #7)............................... 29 Visits by Grand Masters ................................................................ 29 100th Anniversary ......................................................................... 30 1926-1952 ...................................................................................... 30 Plans for a New Temple ................................................................ 30


3

Our Temple Purchased (Meeting Place #8) ................................... 31 Dedication of Our Temple ............................................................. 31 1955-1965 ...................................................................................... 32

PART III – Approaching the Bicentennial (1965 - 2025) ................................. 33

Ancient Ritual ................................................................................ 34 Traditions....................................................................................... 36

Nonrepeating Masters ........................................................... 36 The Masters’ Pin ................................................................... 36 Washington’s Birthday ......................................................... 36 Uncle Henry’s Chair ............................................................. 37 Other Lodge Traditions ........................................................ 37

Community Involvement ............................................................... 38 Recurring Events .................................................................. 38 One-Time Events .................................................................. 39

Lodge Visitations........................................................................... 40 Mutual Visitations ................................................................ 40 Visiting Degree Teams ......................................................... 40 Other Notable Visitations ..................................................... 41

Policies .......................................................................................... 42 Lodge Policy ......................................................................... 42 We Influence Grand Lodge Policy ....................................... 43

Renovations ................................................................................... 44 Building & Furniture ............................................................ 44 Lodge Room Implements ..................................................... 45

Personnel ....................................................................................... 46 It’s a Family Affair ............................................................... 46 Well-Travelled Masters ........................................................ 46 Unsung Heroes ..................................................................... 47 Believe It or Not ................................................................... 47

Miscellaneous ................................................................................ 48 Communication .................................................................... 48 Mergers ................................................................................. 48 Masonic Groups That Met Here ........................................... 49 Past Masters’ Association ..................................................... 49 Fellowcraft Club ................................................................... 49 Lost Records ......................................................................... 49 Bicentennial .......................................................................... 49

APPENDICES .................................................................................................. 50

The Meeting Places of Washington Lodge #70 ............................. 50 The Masters of Washington Lodge #70 ......................................... 52 Grand Lodge Offices for Brothers of Washington Lodge #70 ...... 54 Service Awards for Brothers of Washington Lodge #70 ............... 55

History of Washington Lodge #70 PART I

4

PART I – The First 15 Years (1825-1840)

It will surprise the members of Washington Lodge No. 70 to learn that the

formation of their lodge on August 25, 1825 was directly due to the

increasing number of commercial vessels then using the Connecticut River

above Hartford. The events which led to this development are most

interesting, as shown by a brief perusal of the history of those days.

The Bissell Ferry - the oldest in the United States until its discontinuance

in 1917 - originated in January 1648 when the General Court of

Connecticut made a contract with John Bissell "to keep and carefully

attend the ferry over the Great River". This license was granted him for

having made a trip to England in 1636 and purchasing cattle to replace the

stock which had died during the settlers' first winter.1 This ferry became

the main route for both the Hartford-Boston and the Hartford-Springfield

stage coaches, as there was no ferry at Hartford until 1682.

Bissell built the first house east of the Connecticut River and part of it

became a tavern which continued an unbroken existence for many years.

Later it became the East Windsor almshouse until demolished in 1904.2 In

this tavern, Morning Star Lodge No. 28 was organized August 21, 1794

and there met until June 15, 1797 when "it moved up to the main road" in

East Windsor Hill where it remained until 1820.

Commerce on the Connecticut River above Hartford

It is most difficult for us who scarcely ever see more than an occasional

row-boat there to visualize the amazing number of commercial vessels

using the Connecticut River above Hartford around 1820. Prior to the

Revolution, East Windsor with its thriving ship-building industry, at the

mouth of the Scantic River, was as great a commercial center as Hartford

or Middletown.3 By early 1800, many flat-bottomed scows regularly

operated between Hartford and Wells River (Vermont) by being poled, or

rowed, upstream and floating downstream. President Dwight of Yale

University reported seeing in 1812 at Wells River fourteen boats destined

for Hartford as well as numerous others for intermediate points.4

Eli Whitney, the inventor, was chairman of the committee which planned

and constructed the first bridge at Hartford in 1810. It was built without

any drawbridge so prevented sailing vessels going above Hartford, but

permitted passage of scows and light draft craft. When this bridge was

carried away by a flood in March 1818, a covered bridge was built with a

drawbridge at the west end.5


5

Windsor, too, was a busy port of entry with often as many as seven vessels

at the wharf located at the foot of North Meadow Road.

The War of 1812 was so disastrous to the commerce of all New England

that around 1815, plans were made to revive it by making the Connecticut

River navigable all the way to Canada, and even to the St. Lawrence River.

Many factory sites were contemplated from Enfield to Barnet (Vermont),

eleven miles north of Wells River.6

By 1820, sixty scows, averaging fifteen tons capacity, were engaged in

freighting merchandise between Hartford and up-river towns. Cargoes

above eight tons were unloaded at Warehouse Point and carted by oxteam

to Thompsonville, where other barges carried them north. Boats with less

than eight tons cargo were poled up the Enfield rapids with twelve men to

a boat, besides a helper for every ton of cargo.7

Morning Star Lodge No. 28 Moves to Warehouse Point

The minutes of Morning Star Lodge No. 28 reveal numerous discussions

on moving from East Windsor Hill to Warehouse Point, but the resolution

to do so was not adopted until August 23, 1820. The change was

undoubtedly made because Warehouse Point had become such a busy

town with great activity caused by the increased growth in river

commerce. This move left the Windsor members of Morning Star Lodge

No. 28 without any means of attending their lodge, as no ferry existed

between Warehouse Point and Windsor Locks - then only a tiny settlement

of fifteen families mostly living far west of the river.8 Furthermore, the

only highway then north from Windsor ran up Pink Street (in Hayden's

Station) and across the plains to Suffield. The three nearest lodges - St.

Johns No. 4 in Hartford, St. Marks No. 36 then in Granby, and Apollo No.

59 then in West Suffield - were all too distant for convenient travel. So it

was natural that the Windsor Masons should desire to have their own

lodge.

Masonry in Connecticut 1820-1825

In 1820, there were 59 lodges in Connecticut with 4,700 members.

At the May, 1825 session of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, all but two

of the 65 lodges were represented, and charters were granted to five new

lodges - numbers 66 through 70. Masonry in Connecticut had reached a

new peak of activity and prosperity. A large delegation of Connecticut

Masons attended the gathering of thousands of New England Masons at


6

the laying, with Masonic ceremony, of the cornerstone of Bunker Hill

Monument on June 17, 1825.

Washington Lodge No. 70 Is Born

After Morning Star Lodge No. 28 moved to Warehouse Point late in 1820,

four years elapsed before the Windsor members acted to form their own

lodge. However, there must have been considerable discussion among

them for the November 10, 1824 minutes of Morning Star Lodge No. 28

state "It was voted that the secretary of this lodge be required to form an

address to the brethren of Windsor giving our approbation to them to form

a lodge in that town, if the Grand Lodge permits". The regulations of the

Grand Lodge required the approval from an existing lodge before a new

lodge could be formed within ten miles distance. The minutes of St. John's

Lodge No. 4 of January 12, 1825 state it "received a communication from

a number of Masonic Gentlemen in the town of Windsor desiring the

approbation for an application for a charter in that town". The matter

was held over pending further information, but approval was voted May

10. The approval of these two adjacent lodges spurred the Windsor

Masons into action, as at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge on May 12,

1825 "a petition was received from brethren in the town of Windsor

praying for a charter for a lodge to be located in that town". This petition

was granted "on condition that said lodge be held in the First Society of

said town and said lodge to be designated by the name of Washington No.

70". Fifteen dollars was paid for the charter, plus five dollars for

registering it and affixing the Grand Lodge seal.

Unfortunately, it is not recorded just who these Windsor Masons were, but

they lost no time in making plans for their own lodge, as the July 27, 1825

minutes of St. John's Lodge No. 4 state that "an invitation was received

from Washington Lodge No. 70 inviting the Brethren of this Lodge to

attend the installation of that Lodge in Windsor" and on motion it was

voted that "the Brethren of St. John's No. 4 attend as a Lodge the

Installation of Washington Lodge No. 70 at Windsor the 25th of August

next, agreeable to the invitation of the Master and Wardens of said

Lodge". Samuel G. Goodrich, who later became a famous author under

the pen name of Peter Parley, was then Master of St. John's Lodge No. 4.

The August 15, 1825 minutes of Morning Star Lodge No. 28 state "it was

voted that the brethren of this lodge attend the installation of Washington

Lodge in Windsor on the 25th inst. as a lodge with their sashes and

jewels".


7

Original Minute Book of Washington Lodge No. 70

Washington Lodge No. 70 has in its safe the book containing the original

Lodge minutes from its constitution on August 25, 1825 through the

annual meeting on January 27, 1831. This old book, found in an ancient

cobwebbed attic, was later used to record someone's business accounts at

Lyon, N. Y. from 1848 - 1882, as well as containing frequent crude

drawings by some child. Oddly, there is no record when or by whom this

priceless book was returned to Washington Lodge! It should, however, be

treasured forever as the authentic history of the birth of our lodge, even

though some details are lost as the lower part of the first page and all of

three later pages are missing. However, minutes of 38 meetings are

recorded.

Washington Lodge No. 70 Is Constituted

The first page of this historic book, entitled "Record Book of Washington

Lodge No. 70 in Windsor, Connecticut", states: “At a Regular

Communication of Washington Lodge No. 70, the Lodge was opened on

the 1st Degree of Masonry in Due Form. We then Dispensed with this

Degree for the purpose of opening on a Higher Degree. We then opened

on the 2nd Degree of Masonry and the Lodge was Declared to be opened

in Due Form. The 2nd Degree of Masonry was Dispensed with and

opened on a higher Degree. The Lodge was Declared to be opened in Due

Form on the Degree of Master Masons August 25 1825 or 5825.

Procession was then formed Composing Grand Lodge with its members--

St. Johns Lodge 4 with its officers and members in full dress also Morning

Star Lodge with its officers and ........ in full dress besides many ...........

different Lodges ........ meeting house ....... by singing and ..........

propriate......” (Note: ...... indicates part of page missing.)

This celebration on Thursday, August 25, 1825 must have been a gala

event with members of the Grand Lodge and "many different lodges in full

dress" joining the Windsor Masons in the procession to the spacious

meeting house, as the First Church was then called. Even though the 1826

Grand Lodge proceedings make no mention of the constitution of

Washington Lodge No. 70 (or of any of the other four lodges to which

charters were granted in May 1825), the occasion was undoubtedly the

official constitution of our lodge and the installation of its officers, even

though there is no mention who they were.

The next page is headed "List of Lodge Nov. 25, 1825" and shows the

following present: John Barney, Master P. T.; Odiah Loomis, Senior


8

Warden; William Alford, Junior Warden; John Sargeant, Treasurer; Allyn

M. Mather, Secretary; David Paine & Amos Hathaway, Deacons P. T.;

William L. Perkins & Augustine Drake, Tylers; Jared B. Benton, Anson

B. Hayden, and Jasper Morgan. "Masters Lodge was closed in Due Form.

Fellow Crafts Lodge was Closed in Due Form. Entered Apprentice Lodge

was Closed in Due Form."

John Barney

Washington Lodge No. 70 was honored to have John Barney serve as

acting Master at its first recorded lodge meeting, for according to the

published statement of John Spargo, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge

of Vermont, John Barney made the greatest contribution to Freemasonry

ever made by any individual! He was born in Canaan, Connecticut in

October 1780, but moved to Charlotte, Vermont where he was raised in

Friendship Lodge No. 20 in 1810. Although partially crippled in one leg,

he worked as a tailor. His zeal for Masonry and his remarkable retentive

memory encouraged his lodge to collect funds to enable him to go to

Boston in 1817 where he was personally instructed in the ritual by

Benjamin Gleason, Grand Lecturer of Massachusetts, and by Thomas

Smith Webb who was a pupil of William Preston, the recognized authority

on Masonic ritual and the most prominent Mason in England. Barney was

Grand Lecturer for Vermont from 1817 until 1823 when he returned to

Lakeville, Connecticut, and was elected Master of Montgomery Lodge

No. 13. In 1830, he moved to Ohio where he was Grand Lecturer from

1836 to 1843. In 1844, he was active in reviving the Grand Lodge of

Michigan; in 1845, he was Grand Lecturer for the Grand Lodge of Illinois;

and in 1846 for Indiana; and in 1847 for Missouri.9 Thus the Grand Lodges

of Vermont, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri owe much to

the services of John Barney. Surely, Washington Lodge No. 70 was

honored by being instructed in the ritual by such a famous person! Barney

died June 2, 1847 in Peoria, Illinois, where the Grand Lodge of Illinois

later erected a monument to his memory.

First Recorded Initiation

Only two days later, November 27, 1825, a regular communication was

held at which "Edwin Chapman and Hiram Buckland were balloted upon

and admitted to the first degree of Masonry", at a fee of $10 each. A

Master Mason Lodge was then opened and after a ballot, Anson B. Hayden

was raised. Thus it appears Anson B. Hayden was the first candidate

raised by Washington Lodge No. 70, although the 1826 Grand Lodge

proceedings lists William S. Pitkins as the first name of those "initiated"


9

in 1825. The fact that Hayden's name appears on the list of November 25

indicates he - and possibly Pitkins - may have received the first two

degrees before the lodge was constituted. At this November 27 meeting,

it was voted that "the nightly bills for Suppers be paid for Visiting brethren

out of the Lodge funds for the first and second visits by the Treasurer"; the

first application was noted in the "proposition of Walter Pease, Jr. who

wishes to become a member of this Institution" and the appointment of a

"Committee on Buy Laws".

In the list of members following the lengthy minutes appears five

additional names - Anson Bates, Cyrus Howe and Ambrose Adams, who

served as officers for the evening, and Levi Hayden and James O. Pond.

Thus there were at least fifteen original members of Washington Lodge

No. 70. Of these, six had been raised in Morning Star Lodge No. 28, four

in St. Marks Lodge No. 36, one each in St. John's Lodge No. 2

(Middletown) and Wooster Lodge No. 10 (Colchester), and three from

unknown lodges.

The officers on December 22, 1825 were: James O. Pond, Master; William

Alford, Senior Warden; John Sargeant, Junior Warden; Levi Hayden,

Treasurer P. T.; Allyn Mather, Secretary; David Paine & Amos Hathaway,

Deacons; Augustine Drake, Tyler. James O. Pond was thus our first

Master - even though there is no mention of his being so elected - as John

Barney was recorded as Master P. T. for both the November 25 and

November 27 meetings. James Otis Pond was born August 21, 1790 in

Grafton, Massachusetts. He resided in Granby and represented that town

in the 1825 Connecticut Legislature. He was educated as a physician and

received his M. D. Degree from Yale University in 1827. He was raised

in St. Mark's Lodge No. 36 and served as its Master from 1823 to 1825.

As the first Master of Washington Lodge No. 70, he served from

December 22, 1825 until May 1, 1827 when he resigned! The Pond

Family Genealogy (published in 1873) states he moved to New York City

in 1827 and "is still a practicing physician there". At the December 22

meeting, bylaws "were accepted by a unamos voat". Unfortunately, the

two following pages have been torn out, but a tiny corner of one reads "to

find a ...... lodge room".

1826

The officers during 1826 were the same as on December 22, 1825, except

that Anson Bates and Amos Hathaway were Deacons, David Paine and


10

Cyrus Howe were Stewards, and various members served as Treasurer and

Tyler.

During 1826 - although two full pages are missing - there are details on

thirteen meetings, usually on Thursdays, twice a month until July, but once

thereafter. The following nine were raised: Edwin Chapman, January 19;

Milton Phelps and Samuel B. Stebbins, April 27; James Loomis, May 1;

Hiram Buckland and Walter Pease, Jr., May 18; Charles Woodward and

William S. Pierson, June 15; and Timothy Wells, October 12.

In addition, Samuel Hollister, who had been raised in Morning Star Lodge

No. 28 on July 18, 1798, was "admitted" on May 18. Horace H. Sill was

initiated July 13, but was twice later voted "not clear" to be passed.

On November 9, 1826, it was voted that "a committee be appointed to

collect from Webb, Cross and others approved writings and system of

funeral exercises for adoption by the Lodge". On December 14, it was

voted "to accept the fourth edition of the Cross version". Jeremy Ladd

Cross was one of the most active of the pioneer lecturers on American Free

Masonry who supported themselves from fees of $10 for 2-1/2 day’s

instruction. He was a pupil of Thomas Smith Webb, and his printed ritual

was the first to show pictured emblems.10 He was appointed by the Grand

Lodge of Connecticut as Grand Lecturer from 1818 to 1824.

1827

The officers on January 11, 1827 were: James O. Pond, Master; John

Sargeant, Senior Warden; Anson Bates, Junior Warden; Odiah Loomis,

Treasurer; Allyn Mather, Secretary; David Paine and Amos Hathaway,

Deacons; Cyrus Howe and Charles Woodward, Stewards; and Timothy

Wells, Tyler.

Although one page is missing, there are minutes of twelve meetings, yet

only two candidates were raised: James A. Drake, August 30, and George

W. Richardson, November 1. Oddly enough, the lodge voted on

November 1 "to give Richardson the three degrees gratuitously", although

on February 8, 1827, he had signed the bylaws as a Visiting Brother! On

January 11, Moses P. Holt and Rockwell Hoskins were appointed to a

committee, so undoubtedly had become members.

On May 1, 1827, the Master and Senior Warden resigned! The Pond

Family genealogy states that James O. Pond "moved to New York City in


11

1827", but there is no clue for the resignation of Senior Warden Sargeant

unless it may have been ill health, as he died January 28, 1829. On May

1, 1827, Anson Bates was elected Master, Charles Woodward as Senior

Warden, Jasper Morgan as Junior Warden, and William L. Perkins as

Steward.

On July 5, 1827, James O. Pond presented the Lodge with three gavels,

and it was voted the "the Lodge accept the gift and that the thanks of the

Lodge be transmitted to Bro. Pond and the Secretary be directed to

transmit a copy of the above to Bro. Pond".

The minutes of December 29, 1827 read only: "This evening spent in

lecturing for the good of the Lodge". This no doubt refers to the existing

anti-Masonic feeling resulting from the Morgan episode.

Morgan Incident

In September 1826, William Morgan of Batavia, N. Y., who had declared

his intention to publish the secrets of Free Masonry, was arrested as a poor

debtor. On his release from jail, according to gossip, he was pushed into

a closed carriage and driven to Fort Niagara. Great excitement followed

his disappearance, and the scandal which burst upon the fraternity

suddenly found all Masons the object of venomous and savage attack. Due

to the prevailing prejudice, all lodges became less active, especially those

recently formed.

In the light of history, it is now evident this attack on Masonry was the

unscrupulous use of the Morgan incident for political purposes by

ambitious men eager to grasp the reins of government position and power

by inflaming the people against those Masons who were then the leaders

of the party in power.11

The anti-Masonic movement, at a convention held in Hartford in February

1830, drew up a list of candidates for state offices. This action would have

had no great influence upon Connecticut affairs had it not appeared at a

time when rivalry between the older parties was becoming particularly

acrimonious.12

The movement was anti-Jackson and gathered the remnants of the old

Federal party together with all discontented racial and religious elements.

The Anti-Masonic Party even nominated a candidate for President in 1832,

but within a few years became a spent force and was absorbed by the


12

growing Whig Party in 1836. If there is any lesson clearly taught by the

anti-Masonic movement, it is that no party built on prejudice can long

endure or hope to develop national strength.13

During this period, charters were revoked or surrendered by many of the

75 Connecticut lodges. The storm reached its peak in 1831, which no

doubt accounts for the fact that the minutes of the January 27, 1831

meeting are the final entry for Washington Lodge No. 70 in its historic

book.

1828

At the annual meeting January 31, 1828, the officers of 1827 were

reelected except for William L. Perkins as Senior Deacon, Edwin

Chapman as Junior Deacon and Walter Pease, Jr. as Junior Steward. The

first Treasurer's report - the only one in this book - showed a balance of

$2.95 after paying expenses of $11.19 during the previous year! On March

27, 1828, John Barney returned to act as Master pro tem. There were five

monthly meetings (January through May), but the only candidate, David

R. McElfresh, initiated February 28, is the last recorded one of this early

period of Washington Lodge No. 70. On May 29, it was voted "to dispense

with the communications June, July and August", but nothing appears in

the records for the rest of 1828. In fact, after this May 29, 1828 meeting,

the only minutes are those of the annual election of officers in 1829, 1830

and 1831 - which clearly shows the effect of the Anti-Masonic agitation.

1829

At the annual meeting on January 29, the following officers were elected:

Charles Woodward, Master; Jasper Morgan, Senior Warden; Amos

Hathaway, Junior Warden; Odiah Loomis, Treasurer; Allyn M. Mather,

Secretary; Anson Bates, Senior Deacon; Cyrus Howe, Junior Deacon;

Samuel Hollister, Senior Steward; and Walter Pease, Jr., Junior Steward.

No mention was made of the Tyler, which indicates no meetings were

contemplated, as it was voted "this lodge adjourn without date, to be

summoned by the Worshipful Master".

1830

At the annual meeting on January 7, all officers were reelected and a

committee of eight appointed "to make arrangements for collecting the

debts due". Washington Lodge No. 70 was represented by Allyn M.

Mather at the Grand Lodge session where the Grand Secretary reported "a


13

large and increasing delinquency in returns from the lodges on account of

the prevailing panic now existing on the subject of Masonry" and

suggested withholding publication of the meager returns.

1831

At the annual meeting on January 27, the following officers were elected:

Jasper Morgan, Master; Amos Hathaway, Senior Warden; William Alford,

Junior Warden; Odiah Loomis, Treasurer; Allyn M. Mather, Secretary;

Anson Bates, Senior Deacon; Cyrus Howe, Junior Deacon; Samuel

Hollister, Senior Steward; and Rockwell Hoskins, Junior Steward. This is

the last entry in our historical book pertaining to the original Washington

Lodge No. 70.

At the 1831 Grand Lodge session, it was voted that “the subject of

inflicting penalties upon delinquent lodges not represented be postponed

until next session and the Grand Secretary be instructed to urge

compliance with Grand Lodge regulations”. All pleading with the lodges

to comply with Grand Lodge regulations was fruitless, as many lodges

were helpless in withstanding the relentless storm of persecution.

In fact, at the 1831 Grand Lodge session, every officer except the Grand

Treasurer, declined further service, and at the 1832 session only the Grand

Master and Grand Treasurer reported for duty.14

1832

The Grand Lodge adopted the "Declaration of Freemasons" which was

published with signatures of over 1500 Masons throughout Connecticut,

but none were listed from Windsor. This declaration was a clear concise

statement refuting every charge made against the principles of Masonry.

Its publication did much to allay the existing excitement, and soon the

opposition began to decline.

1833 to 1839

At the Grand Lodge sessions of 1833, 1834 and 1835, there was more

discussion on the delinquent lodges, and in 1836 it was voted that all such

lodges "be notified to make returns, send representatives, or surrender

their charters and other effects". As there were no returns from 31 of the

75 lodges in 1837, the Grand Master appointed a committee to visit the

lodges not reporting. At the 1838 Grand Lodge session, the committee

reported that among the five delinquent lodges near Hartford, Washington

Lodge No. 70 had elected officers and had promised "to make returns and


14

be represented in the Grand Lodge". However, the Committee on

Delinquent Lodges recommended that fourteen lodges, including

Washington Lodge No. 70, "be required to surrender their charters

immediately, although the Grand Master was empowered to grant

dispensations until the next Grand Lodge session to any of the above

lodges". At the 1839 Grand Lodge session, three of these fourteen were

restored their charters.

Our Charter Revoked in 1840

At the Grand Lodge session on May 13, 1840, - at which only 23 lodges

were represented - the charters were revoked for the other eleven,

including Washington Lodge No. 70, as well as 7 additional lodges, which

were "required to deliver to the Grand Secretary their charters, books,

papers, jewels, funds, and furniture agreeable to the bylaws of the Grand

Lodge, and that those members who refuse to comply with their

obligations in this particular be dealt with according to the laws and

usages". Apparently, Washington Lodge No. 70 did not completely

comply with this order, as after Washington Lodge No. 70 was revived in

1865, the widow of James Loomis presented the lodge with "a beautiful

painted Master's carpet and a complete set of sterling silver jewels,

including a trowel, which had been entrusted to his care when the charter

was revoked".

Such is the history of the founding of Washington Lodge No. 70 which

began so auspiciously in August of 1825 and showed much vitality during

its first three years, only to be struck down in its thriving infancy through

no fault of its own. The lodge which started with 15 charter members had

increased to 39 in 1828 when the last candidate is recorded. Although the

last recorded meeting was on January 27, 1831, Washington Lodge No. 70

existed legally until May 13, 1840 when its charter was revoked by the

Grand Lodge. The anti-Masonic feeling faded away, and charters were

later restored to many lodges, but Masonry in Windsor was dormant for

25 years before there was sufficient inspiration to revive Washington

Lodge No. 70.

Meeting Places of the Lodge

A very thorough search of all sources of information was made to locate

where the original Washington Lodge No. 70 held its meetings. The place

probably was not far from the First Church as the minutes of St. John's

Lodge No. 4 state that on August 25, 1825 - the day Washington Lodge

No. 70 was constituted - "a special meeting of St. John's Lodge No. 4 was


15

holden at Windsor. The Lodge formed in the procession, attended the

Installation at the Church and returned to the place of meeting where it

was closed".

The original record book of Washington Lodge No. 70 reveals only these

items pertaining to the location of the lodge room. Following the recorded

minutes of the November 27, 1825 meeting, several pages are torn out, but

on the remnant of one appears "to find a ...... lodge room". On June 7,

1827, it was "Voted that the old committee for removing the Lodge be

discharged from office" and a new committee was appointed. On July 5,

1827, Brother Paine notified the Lodge "he could no longer accommodate

the Lodge unless he was paid 25 cents for refreshments". Previously, he

had received 18-3/4 cents. (See following on Sill-Benton-Paine Tavern.)

The committee reported that "if Brother Paine continues here it is

expedient to remove the Lodge and it is their opinion the Lodge ought to

be removed and recommends the house lately occupied as a public inn on

Broad Street belonging to Brother Loomis. Report accepted". A

committee was appointed "with instructions to close with Brother James

Loomis and remove the furniture to his house on Broad Street". This

house of James Loomis, built in 1822 at 208 Broad Street, is now occupied

by Herbert Andrus. However, the Lodge apparently never moved to the

Loomis house, as on October 5, 1827, the committee reported "it was

expedient to procure another room". A new committee was appointed "to

circulate a subscription paper among the brothers for a new lodge room".

Charles Woodward was appointed "with discretionary powers to settle the

account with Thomas Benton". Although the lodge obviously continued

to meet in the tavern after Paine took over Benton's license in April of

1827, it had not fully paid its account with Benton.

On November 1, 1827, another committee reported "in favor of Sheldon's

back room for the present". This is the only specific reference as to where

the original lodge ever met! (See following on Bissell-Sheldon Tavern.)

The anti-Masonic feeling no doubt prompted the need of a secret meeting

place, as on April 24, 1828, it was voted "to appoint a committee of our

worthy brothers whose duty it shall be to inquire of the Grand Lodge on

expediency of praying liberty to hold the lodge at any P hour in Windsor

and on consultation to petition the Grand Lodge for liberty as above and

at their discretion". W. M. Bates appointed a committee of 3 members,

but the lodge voted to add 2 members to it. The following meeting (May

29, 1828) is the last recorded one at which any business was transacted.

George H. Maude told the writer that his father (George R. Maude) often


16

stated the older members recalled that during the Morgan era, Washington

Lodge No. 70 secretly met in the attic of the James Loomis house at 208

Broad Street. This may well be the "secret meeting place" after May 29,

1828.

Sill-Benton-Paine Tavern (Meeting Place #1)

The tavern licenses in the archives of the Connecticut State Library show

that in April of 1825, John Sill declined to renew his license. Miss

Florence Mills, an authority on old Windsor history, states that the Sill

tavern was located between the present parsonage and the First Church,

but was later removed to North Meadow Road and used as a barn. The

Windsor land records (Vol. 30, page 72) show the sale of this land by John

Sill to the First Society on January 30, 1826. Thomas Benton, father of

Brother Jared Benton, took over Sill's license in April of 1825 and

continued it for 1826, but declined to renew it in April of 1827 "when he

removed from town" - probably to Bloomfield, as Stiles' History of

Windsor states he kept a tavern for several years in that part of Simsbury

which is now Bloomfield. David Paine was nominated by the selectmen

to take over Benton's license which Paine held for 1827 and 1828. He

probably moved to Rainbow, as the old atlas of Hartford County shows a

"D. L. Payne Hotel" opposite the paper mill there.

These facts establish the first meeting place of Washington Lodge No. 70

in the tavern of Thomas Benton which stood on the site of the shrubbery

planting now between the First Church and the parsonage. However,

Benton must have had a different tavern earlier than this one, as the

minutes of Morning Star Lodge No. 28 state that it "held St. John's Day

June 26, 1798 at Benton's tavern in Windsor" and on July 18 "voted to

return the thanks of this Lodge to the singers of the First Church in

Windsor for assistance in that part of the worship with us".

Bissell-Sheldon Tavern (Meeting Place #2)

Here is the real mystery! Who was Sheldon and where was this "back

room"? Ebenezer Bissell had conducted a tavern for many years at 1022

Palisado Avenue, but in April of 1825 declined to renew his license, and

it was transferred to Nathaniel Lynde. On September 28, 1827, the

selectmen voted "Whereas one of the persons nominated at the annual

meeting in January has removed from the place where a house of public

entertainment has been kept for many years, we the civil authority judge

it to be a matter of public convenience and necessity to add to the number

nominated in January and do hereby nominate James Sheldon as a fit and


17

suitable person to keep a house of public entertainment for the remainder

of the current year". Sheldon's license was renewed for both 1828 and

1829. While it thus appears Sheldon took over the Bissell tavern, a

Sheldon descendant living in Suffield states that the descendants believe

Sheldon's tavern stood on the present site of St. Gabriel's Church on Broad

Street. The "Commemorative Biographical Record of Hartford County"

states Gad Sheldon of Suffield conducted a hotel in Windsor for 8 years

before returning to West Suffield, but there is no record of a license having

been issued to him. The Windsor Land Records show he purchased "one

acre with dwelling house and other buildings" from William Howard (Vol.

32, page 145), but this did not occur until May 19, 1830! Therefore, it

would appear that Washington Lodge No. 70 held its meetings from

August 25, 1825 to October 5, 1827 in the tavern (conducted by Thomas

Benton until April 1827, then by David Paine) which was located between

the First Church and the parsonage at 101 Palisado Avenue; from

November 1, 1827 to May 29, 1828 in the tavern of James Sheldon at 1022

Palisado Avenue;

Loomis Residence (Meeting Place #3)

Washington Lodge No. 70 held its meetings from May 29, 1828 to January

27, 1831 (and probably until 1840) in the attic of the home of James

Loomis at 208 Broad Street. (The building would later be occupied by the

Bank of America.)

Darkness: 1840 To 1865

Following the anti-Masonic depression, the number of lodges dropped to

as low as 39 in 1851. The membership had been greatly reduced as deaths

far exceeded the number initiated; many hill towns had declined in

population; and the emergence of the mill towns on the rivers attracted the

foreign born. Nevertheless, a steady increase in membership began, and

by 1865, there were 76 lodges with 8,992 members.

- End of Part I –


18

Notes for Part I

1 Wright, George Crossing the Connecticut 2 Stiles, Henry R. History of Ancient Windsor 3 Stoughton, John A Corner Stone of Colonial Commerce 4 Whittlesey, Charles Crossing and Re-crossing the Connecticut River

5 Wright, George Crossing the Connecticut 6 Burpee, Charles A Century in Hartford 7 Trumbull, J. Hammond Memorial History of Hartford County 8 Hayden, Jazeb H. Historical Sketches of Windsor Locks 9 Spargo, John John Barney - Free Mason Extraordinary 10 Case, James R. Jeremy Ladd Cross 11 Palmer, John C. The Morgan Affair and Anti-Masonry 12 Morse, Jarvis M. A Neglected Period of Connecticut History 13 Bernard, David Light on Masonry 14 Wheeler, Joseph K. Centennial Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Conn.

History of Washington Lodge #70 PART II

19

PART II – The First 100 Years Under the Restored Charter (1865 - 1965)

Washington Lodge No. 70 Emerges from Darkness

At the Grand Lodge session on May 9, 1866 - only a month after the close

of the Civil War - Grand Master Quintard reported that during 1865, he

had received a petition signed by eleven brethren then living in Windsor

(Jasper Morgan, Cyrus Howe, Hiram Buckland, James McCormick, Rev.

William E. Smith, Eli P. Ellsworth, Hiram Cobb, George F. Hardy,

Charles W. Hathaway, William Cornwall, and John Burns, Jr.) "praying

for the restoration of the charter of Washington Lodge No. 70". Of these

eleven, two (Morgan and Howe) were members of the original

Washington Lodge No. 70, one (Buckland) was raised in the original

Washington Lodge No. 70, four in Apollo No. 59, and one each in St.

John's No. 4, Morning Star No. 28, Manchester No. 73 and one unknown.

Grand Master Eli Quintard had doubts of his power to restore the charter

as the petition contained the names of only three, rather than seven,

original members. However, as he had "received favorable reports from

this lodge", he issued a dispensation in November 1865 authorizing the

petitioners to congregate under the name of Washington Lodge No. 70 U.

D. and named James McCormick as Master, William Smith as Senior

Warden and Eli Ellsworth as Junior Warden, "with power and authority to

perform all Masonic labors appertaining to lodges under dispensation".

Possibly the Grand Master was influenced in his decision by the approval

of St. John's Lodge No. 4 on June 14, 1865 of the petition of Washington

Lodge No. 70 for the restoration of its charter.

Worshipful Master McCormick appointed the following officers: C. W.

Hathaway, Treasurer; Hiram Cobb, Secretary; William Cornwall, Senior

Deacon; George Hardy, Junior Deacon; and Cyrus Howe, Tyler.

During the remainder of 1865, Cornelius Gillett, John W. Corbin, Jasper

Morgan, Jr., and S. L. Smith were initiated.

Original Charter Restored

At the Grand Lodge session on May 9, 1866, the dispensation was returned

accompanied by a petition signed by sixteen members - the eleven original

petitioners, three of those initiated under dispensation (but not including

S. L. Smith), but adding C. A. Smith and Oliver Marshall. The Committee


20

on Charters recommended that the petition be granted. The original

charter of Washington Lodge No. 70 was restored, and James McCormick

was designated as Master, William Smith as Senior Warden and John

Burns, Jr. as Junior Warden. The members lost no time, as on the same

day, they elected: Hiram Cobb, Treasurer; Charles A. Smith, Secretary;

William Cornwall, Senior Deacon; Jasper Morgan, Jr., Junior Deacon; and

George Hardy, Tyler.

Central Street (Meeting Place #4)

The Lodge meetings were held the second and fourth Mondays on the

upper floor of the brick building on Central Street owned by Ellsworth N.

Phelps, just west of the railroad station. (Among the site’s later occupants

are the Windsor Garage, Windsor Theater, Bill Selig Ford, Get Baked and

Central Street Antiques & Auction.) Deputy Grand Master Storer reported

to the Grand Lodge that "I visited Washington Lodge No. 70 and installed

the officers May 22, 1866. The old charter of this lodge has been restored

after having laid concealed among the rubbish for a number of years. This

lodge is now under the control and management of a generation of young,

active, and intelligent Masons, and promises ere long to occupy a proud

position among the subordinates of this Grand Lodge."

At the time of the restoration of the charter, the widow of Brother James

Loomis presented the lodge with property of the original lodge left in his

care when the charter was surrendered in 1840; a beautiful painted

Master's carpet about 8 by 10 feet in a gilt frame, and a complete set of

sterling silver jewels, including a trowel. John Burns and William Smith

prepared a resolution of thanks which was presented to her.

Initiated in 1866 were: Robert Lander, J. R. Capen, Eli B. Francis, George

W. Foote, Edgar A. Mosher, Eugene Brown, Daniel Beeman, William H.

Filley, and L. L. Bedortha. S. B. Minton was admitted by demit.

Lodge Hall Burned

All records of Washington Lodge No. 70, following its revival in 1865,

were lost when the building burned on June 7, 1868, but fortunately, John

Burns, Jr., then Junior Warden, wrote a detailed account of the lodge

activities for the previous three years. His history occupies the first ten

pages of the book starting with the Secretary's minutes of June 15, 1868.

The best description of the events following the fire are those of Grand

Master William Storer who reported to the 1869 Grand Lodge session,


21

"A severe calamity befell our brethren of Washington Lodge No. 70 on

last June 7. Their commodious hall was consumed by fire, together with

their charter, jewels and furniture, thus leaving them without a place of

shelter and entirely destitute of the proper Masonic implements for labor.

Our enterprising brethren of Windsor, however, did not yield to the

adverse circumstances in which they found themselves, but went to work

with a hearty good will to repair their broken fortunes. Brother James

McCormick, their energetic Master, called on me the day after the fire,

and I did not hesitate to grant a dispensation authorizing the Lodge to

continue its labor until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, not doubting

that this body would willingly give them a new charter free of expense. A

temporary place of meeting was procured, and the lodge has pursued its

labors with a commendable degree of energy. I most cordially recommend

that a new charter be ordered for this lodge and their dues for the past

year be remitted and that the Grand Lodge grant such other assistance as

may be practical." A temporary charter was granted June 8, 1868,

although our present permanent charter was not issued until the next Grand

Lodge session on May 15, 1869 and dated then rather than May 9, 1866.

Maple Ave (Meeting Place #5)

A meeting was held at Union Hall, which was then the Academy or Union

School. This building, which stood on the very site of our present temple,

was removed in 1902 to the rear of 192 Broad Street where it was used for

various purposes until torn down in 1956. At the meeting, a committee

appointed "to procure a suitable room in which to hold our meetings"

reported a few days later that the "Misses Julia Williams and Elizabeth

Francis of the Young Ladies Institute had kindly tendered the use of the

gymnasium hall connected with their institute for that purpose and which

has since been holden regularly". This institute, later known as the

Campbell School, at 260 Broad Street, had its Gymnasium or Seminary

Hall facing Maple Avenue on the site which later became the Odd Fellows

Hall. (The building was later replaced by the Windsor Towne House.)

The lodge lost no time in accepting the offer of the use of the hall, as the

first meeting there was held June 15 - only eight days after the fire - when

after reading the dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge, it was voted

"to procure a record book for use of the Lodge; a committee (John Burns,

Jr. and L. L. Bedortha) appointed to write a history of the Lodge previous

to the fire; the Secretary and Treasurer to report on the funds in their

possession; and the Treasurer ordered to pay Phelps for the rent of the

Hall previous to the fire." At a special meeting on June 19, the Treasurer

reported $101.00 and the Secretary $52.30.


22

Apparently, the members wanted a more permanent lodge room than

Seminary Hall, as on June 23, 1868, a committee was appointed to procure

a hall for the lodge. On August 9, the Master was authorized to procure

aprons and jewels, and on September 14, the Master and Eli Francis were

appointed to procure furniture for the lodge.

It should here be noted that, although everything in the lodge room was

destroyed by fire on June 7, 1868, Washington Lodge No. 70 has two

articles of the original lodge; the record book of the Secretary (which was

found years later in the house where the original secretary lived - although

never recorded in the minutes of any meeting) and the sterling silver jewel

which the Treasurer, James R. Capen, had neglected to remove from his

coat at the close of the meeting before the fire. The lodge also has the

elaborate apron of Hiram Buckland (raised May 18, 1826) which was

presented to the lodge April 27, 1925 by his daughter, Mrs. William H.

Filley; also that of Cyrus Howe, one of the charter members of the original

lodge, which was presented September 28, 1953 by his granddaughter,

Mrs. George J. Merwin.

Frisbie Building (Meeting Place #6)

On October 14, 1868, the committee appointed on June 23 was authorized

to procure a suitable hall at a rent not to exceed one hundred dollars

($100.00) annually. On October 26, a committee was appointed to procure

subscriptions for the purpose of furnishing the hall. On November 2, it

was voted that "the trustees execute an agreement with L. T. Frisbie for

the lease of a hall for the term of ten years commencing May 1, 1869, or

earlier if the hall is finished". On November 9, 1868, it was voted that this

committee also furnish the lodge, but it was not until August 16, 1869 that

Washington Lodge No. 70 met in their new hall on the top floor of the

building at 192 Broad Street. (Later occupants of this building have

included grocery stores, car dealerships, King's Electrical Co. and the

Global Driving School.)

On March 4, 1867, the lodge voted a resolution on the death of Cornelius

Gillett, an officer in the U. S. Army, who lost his life on December 24,

1866 while crossing a swollen river in California. Brother Gillett was the

first candidate raised after Washington Lodge No. 70 was revived in 1865.

Vesper Lodge in Red Bluff, California, recovered the body after twenty

days search and buried it with Masonic honors. Washington Lodge No. 70

paid Vesper Lodge for money spent in the search and burial.


23

1870

On January 24, 1870, Grand Lecturer C. M. Hatch visited the lodge and

"witnessed a specimen of the work" and reported to the Grand Lodge that

"Washington Lodge No. 70 now occupies one of the finest halls in the state

and, under the guidance of their excellent Master, is in a prosperous

condition. Their zeal and labors are worthy of commendation. Their work

is good, though not strictly in accordance with our standard. Brother

McCormick having been so long familiar with another system, and

contemplating an early retirement from the chair, has left this matter as a

legacy to his successor."

At the 1870 Grand Lodge session, the Grand Lecturer reported that "all

lodges in the state except three in New Haven County and five or six in

Hartford County are doing the standard work and the former objections

are gradually giving way so that at an early date we may look for an

absolute uniformity". He never anticipated that Washington Lodge No. 70

would be one of the few lodges in Connecticut clinging faithfully to the

original Cross ritual!

Chicago Fire

At the meeting of October 9, 1871, it was voted to "send a donation of $50

to our suffering brethren in Chicago and that a like amount be raised by

subscription to reimburse the treasury". In the minutes of the November

13 meeting is pasted a letter from Dewitt Creiger, Grand Master of Illinois,

thanking the lodge "for coming forward so nobly"; also two clippings from

the Hartford papers, one of which states that Washington Lodge No. 70

"was the first, we believe, to respond in Connecticut and asks why the

lodges in Hartford have taken no action". The Grand Master, however, at

the next Grand Lodge session, reported that Centennial Lodge No. 76 was

the first lodge in Connecticut to respond by sending its contribution to him.

There is no mention in his report of Washington Lodge No. 70 sending a

contribution to him, as the lodge had sent it direct to Chicago.

1871-1874

A review of the minutes of the first years of the revived lodge show an

amazing amount of money given to members in distress. For a young

lodge of only 64 members to be so sincerely generous in their charity was

so outstanding that at the 1872 Grand Lodge session, Grand Lecturer

Hatch reported "the voluntary contribution of about $700 by the small


24

lodge in Windsor to relieve the distress of a worthy brother this past year

is an instance much to commend".

On March 9, 1874, the lodge, in reply to the Grand Lodge request for funds

to establish a Masonic Home, passed a resolution "In respect to the appeal

for the Masonic Home, that during the past two years the members of this

Lodge in performance of their duties to distressed brethren and families

have expended a larger amount in proportion to any lodge in the state,

and have a present debt of over $500 which they should pay to the holders

of the loan and in spite of the present disturbed condition of the country,

the Lodge has voted to support a needy brother; be it resolved that it is

inexpedient at this time to attempt to raise funds for establishing a

Masonic Home, but as soon as circumstances permit we will raise our

proportion of money for establishing a Masonic Home".

Fiftieth Anniversary

The 50th anniversary of Masonry in Windsor was noted in the minutes of

the May 12, 1875 meeting merely as "Forty members, with wives and

friends, were entertained by remarks from James McCormick and Rev.

Ruel H. Tuttle and then repaired to Union Hall for a collation and thus

ended the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our lodge".

Thirty-three members of Washington Lodge No. 70 assisted the Grand

Lodge in laying the cornerstone of Beth Israel synagogue in Hartford on

September 28, 1875.

1876-1880

On January 24, 1876, James McCormick, on behalf of M. Zwicker of New

York City, presented the lodge with three handsome engraved marble

pedestal caps, and on April 24 the following resolution was adopted:

"Whereas it has happened through the casual entertaining of a visiting

brother James McCormick that this Lodge has been presented by Brother

Zwicker of New York with three beautiful marble pedestal caps, be it

resolved, etc.".

At the 1878 Grand Lodge session, the proxy for the Grand Master reported

"I found Washington Lodge No. 70 to be in a very flourishing condition in

every particular. They have a good hall very nicely furnished, the very

best of feeling prevails and they are united as one man. Their work cannot

be surpassed."


25

On December 28, 1878, the lease was renewed for ten years at sixty dollars

($60.00) "but if ventilation is desired it must be procured at the Lodge's

expense".

On April 22, 1880, a Masonic funeral was held in Elm Grove Cemetery

for Cyrus Howe, the last member of the original Washington Lodge No.

70, and one of the three original members who signed the petition for

reviving the lodge in 1865. He was born in Windsor in 1790 and a veteran

of the War of 1812. For many years, he was a firm believer in spiritualism

and drafted the constitution of the Spiritual Harmonical Society of

Poquonock, in which his daughter, Mrs. Flavia Thrall, gained a world-

wide reputation as a healer. The society built for its lectures Liberty Hall,

now owned by St. Casimir's Lithuanian Society. At his death on April 19,

1880, he was the oldest Mason in Connecticut, having been raised in New

York State in 1812. The lodge, on May 24, adopted a resolution which

stated, in part, that "for 67 years he shared the labors and in the darkest

hours of our history was the unflinching defender of the principles of

Masonry".


26

James McCormick

During 1881 and 1882, Washington Lodge No. 70 was honored by having

one of its members serve as Grand Master. Washington Lodge No. 70 will

always hold in highest respect James McCormick, who was not only the

leader of the group which revived the lodge in 1865, but also served as one

of the top five officers for a period of 43 years. In addition, he was a most

faithful and active member of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, attending

every session for 49 years, during which he served on many committees

besides progressing as an officer to become Grand Master.

He was born in Flushing, N. Y. on March 29, 1831, and after attending

school there, engaged in the manufacture of cigars. In January of 1849,

he went to Suffield, but soon moved to Manchester. Although the early

records of Manchester Lodge No. 73 are lost, he was raised there during

1853 and served as Master in 1855 and 1856. He came to Windsor in 1860

to his large home on Broad Street facing Windsor Green.

He was the leader among the eleven Masons in Windsor who in 1865

petitioned the Grand Lodge to restore the charter of Washington Lodge

No. 70 which had been revoked in 1840. The lodge was permitted to work

under dispensation until the Grand Lodge in May of 1866 restored the

original charter, with McCormick continuing as Master. He demitted from

Manchester Lodge No. 73 on May 15, 1866 to affiliate with Washington

Lodge No. 70, and from that day until his death on June 24, 1917, he was

always very active in developing Masonry in Windsor as well as in the

affairs of the Grand Lodge. As evidence of his devotion to Washington

Lodge No. 70, after serving as Master U. D. in 1865, he continued in that

office through 1872.The lodge being well established then, he relinquished

the duties, as he was then beginning to be active in Grand Lodge affairs.

He was appointed Grand Junior Deacon in 1876, Grand Senior Deacon in

1877, elected Grand Junior Warden in 1878, Grand Senior Warden in

1879, Deputy Grand Master in 1880, and Grand Master in 1881 and 1882.

From 1880 through 1883, he was also Master of Washington Lodge No.

70! He served again as Master in 1887 and 1888, Senior Warden in 1889

and Chaplain in 1890. From 1890 until 1904, he was Secretary, and from

1905 through 1912 he was Treasurer. Thus for 43 years, James

McCormick was most active in the affairs of Washington Lodge No. 70 -

serving fourteen years as Master, fifteen as Secretary, eight as Treasurer,

and six as Deacon, Warden or Chaplain.


27

In the Grand Lodge, he was a most devoted and active member, attending

every session for 49 years (1867 to 1916) during which he served on at

least eight committees (Charters, Finance, Grievances, Ritual, Masonic

Charity Foundation, Grand Lodge Dues, Appropriations, and Grand

Lodge Office) in addition to Bylaws of which he was chairman (1880-

1888), then sole member until his death in 1917, and Jurisprudence (1890-

1917) of which he was chairman after 1906. He was appointed as

Representative to Quebec from 1890 to 1905 and to Ireland from 1906 to

1917. During his years as Grand Master, he was most active and among

the many accomplishments were the adoption of the district deputy plan

and the appointment of the committee which incorporated the Masonic

Charity Foundation. From 1913 until his death in 1917, he served as

Deputy Grand Secretary.

On June 25, 1906, Grand Master Havens presented him with a gold Past

Master's jewel in recognition of his long service to Washington Lodge No.

70. It consisted of two bars reading "James McCormick" and "1865-1906"

and on the reverse side "Presented to our most worshipful brother, James

McCormick, in thankful remembrance of 41 years of faithful service to

Washington Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M., Windsor, Conn., June 25,

1906". Washington Lodge No. 70 had presented him with a silver tea set

on January 1, 1876 as a testimony of his appointment as Grand Junior

Deacon.

In addition to his service to Lodge and Grand Lodge, Brother McCormick

also served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch

Masons in 1885 and 1886. Subsequently he served that body as Grand

Secretary and as Grand Recorder of the Grand Council of Royal & Select

Masters from 1895 until his death in 1917.

Masonry mourned the death on June 24, 1917 of James McCormick - the

last survivor of the charter members who revived Washington Lodge No.

70 in 1865 - who had been such an outstanding Mason for 64 years. He

was buried on June 27 in Palisado Cemetery in Windsor with Grand

Master McKenzie and thirteen Past Grand Masters attending, besides

numerous other Grand Lodge officers and many representatives of other

Masonic bodies, as well as almost every member of Washington Lodge

No. 70 which he had served so faithfully for 52 years.


28

1881-1909

On June 20, 1883, a special meeting was called at 6:00 a.m. to attend the

100th anniversary celebration of Montgomery Lodge No. 13 in Lakeville.

In January of 1886, the Grand Master issued a dispensation for a special

election "as the officers chosen at the annual communication declined to

be installed".

On March 22, the lodge voted to confer with H. Sidney Hayden regarding

a new hall, but the idea was rejected on April 12.

The lodge voted $25.00 on September 10, 1888, towards the tablets erected

in Grace Church in memory of Rev. Ruel H. Tuttle. The Grand Master

refused a dispensation for the lodge to turn out as a lodge to attend the

dedication services "as to do so was not performing some Masonic work".

On July 10, 1889, fifty members, with the Windsor Drum Corps,

participated in the parade in New Haven celebrating the 100th anniversary

of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut.

The lease was renewed for ten more years in the Frisbie building on

December 9, 1889. The hall was refitted and $250 spent for furnishings.

The lease was renewed at $75 yearly for ten years January 28, 1901, and

"for the usual period" June 28, 1905. Worshipful Master Tudor White

died February 26, 1892 and was succeeded by Charles Searle. The 75th

anniversary was celebrated on May 14, 1900 with a supper in the Town

Hall followed by speeches.

On October 8, 1908, one hundred four members of Washington Lodge No.

70 - the eighth largest delegation of the ninety Masonic lodges

participating in the two mile parade of over six thousand Masons -

attended the laying of the last cornerstone of the Bulkeley Bridge at

Hartford.

At the 1909 Grand Lodge session, District Deputy English reported

"Washington Lodge No. 70 has been heroically supporting a sick brother

in California and it should have all honor for their truly fraternal and

Masonic spirit which has placed them at the head of the list with no near

competition".


29

Ellsworth-Filley Building (Meeting Place #7)

On February 8, 1909, the lodge voted to confer with Horace H. Ellsworth

and William H. Filley (both members of the lodge) relative to larger

quarters on the top floor of their new building at 164-6 Broad Street. (This

building was later replaced by the Webster Bank.) The lodge voted to

accept the quarters on March 22 at $250 yearly, but on December 13

changed to $300 "with heat furnished". Incorporated in the outer north

wall was a large red sandstone marker reading "A.F. & A. M." beneath a

large bronze one reading "Washington Lodge No. 70". The lodge spent

$1,101.50 in furnishing the new quarters with theatre chairs, carpet,

kitchen facilities, etc. The long settees which members used in the old

lodge room were transferred to the banquet room and today are used in our

reception room. The new hall was dedicated May 24, 1910 following a

supper in the Methodist Church served by Eureka Chapter No. 56, O.E.S.

Grand Master Verplanck was assisted by 14 Grand Lodge officers (of

which 5 were Past Grand Masters), and 175 members were present for the

dedication. It is interesting to note that the lodge never requested a

dispensation to move to this building! In his report, the Grand Master

stated "the new lodge room was ample in size, complete in equipment, and

a credit to the Masons in Windsor".

The 85th anniversary was celebrated June 11, 1910 with a literary and

historical program, in addition to music by the Sphinx Temple Band. It is

known that James McCormick read a history of Washington Lodge No.

70, but unfortunately no copy of it can be found.

Visits by Grand Masters

Washington Lodge No. 70 has often been honored with visits by the Grand

Master, but most outstanding have been:

June 23, 1919 - Grand Master Moyle and associate Grand Lodge officers

and 200 members participated in "Banker's Night".

June 4, 1923 - "Past Grand Masters' & Veterans' Night" was celebrated

when 160 members including Grand Master Brown witnessed the E. A.

degree conferred by Past Grand Masters English as Master, Parkman as

Senior Warden, and Kies as Junior Warden, Deputy Grand Master Buck

as Senior Deacon, Past Grand Master Cramer as Junior Deacon, District

Deputy Middleton as Senior Steward, and Past Grand Master Fuller as

Junior Steward.


30

November 12, 1923 - Grand Master English and officers of St. John's

Lodge No. 4 with 200 members present.

100th Anniversary

On December 8, 1924, the committee appointed for the 100th anniversary

to be celebrated in 1925 recommended a one day affair costing $100, but

this was voted down and the minority report adopted for a two day affair

costing $800. An afternoon service was held May 24, 1925 at Grace

Church, and on May 25 a banquet was served by Eureka Chapter No. 56,

O. E. S., at John Fitch School, where 550 Masons heard speeches by Grand

Master Arnold, District Deputy Stevens, Deputy Grand Master Nash, and

Governor Trumbull, with the principal address by Rev. J. Fort Newton.

1926-1952

In order to further develop the social activities of the lodge, the Windsor

Masonic Club was formed May 24, 1926.

The February 22 dance, which had been an annual feature for 20 years,

was discontinued in 1940, as it had become more of a public dance than a

Washington Lodge No. 70 affair.

Since 1940, Washington's birthday has been celebrated by the Past Masters

conferring the third degree with a supper served between the 2 sections by

Eureka Chapter No. 56, O. E. S.

In observance of the 200th anniversary of George Washington being raised

as a Master Mason, Washington Lodge No. 70 went to Manchester Lodge

No. 73 for a joint meeting November 3, 1952 at which the third degree

was conferred by the officers dressed in colonial costumes.

The 125th anniversary of Washington Lodge No. 70 was celebrated May

12, 1950 with a banquet in Odd Fellows Hall, served by Eureka Chapter

No. 56, O. E. S., with Grand Master Lister in attendance.

Plans for a New Temple

After the liquidation of the Windsor Masonic Hall Association in February

of 1948, the members gave up plans for a building of their own, but within

a few years interest again developed, and on April 9, 1951, a committee

was appointed to raise funds for a new temple. The Grand Lodge

Committee on Welfare of Lodges met with the lodge committee April 30,

1951 and reported to Grand Master Corby "The committee from


31

Washington Lodge No. 70 was advised to incorporate a company to hold

the property and to proceed with plans to collect funds. This committee

feels the endeavor should be encouraged as the Lodge has about $13,000

in cash and government bonds and is the beneficiary of a $10,000 legacy".

The approval of this Grand Lodge committee was received with great

enthusiasm by the lodge which on May 14 approved the articles

incorporating the Windsor Masonic Building Association, and on June 25

the bylaws were adopted.

Our Temple Purchased (Meeting Place #8)

The First Church decided to build a parish house closer to the church and

offered for sale the old parish house at 153 Broad Street which was built

in 1903. This building seemed ideal as little change would be needed to

convert it into a suitable Masonic Temple. On October 5, 1954, the Grand

Lodge Committee on Welfare of Lodges met with members of the

Windsor Masonic Building Association and, after reviewing the proposed

financial plans and inspecting the building, agreed that Washington Lodge

No. 70 could "properly purchase the building and pay for it without injury

to the Lodge". The building, with some of its furnishings, was purchased

December 28, 1954 for $23,500. The trustees were authorized to borrow

$10,000 for 2 months until the government bonds could be redeemed. A

campaign netted sufficient funds to pay back this loan before February 14,

1955, and thus Washington Lodge No. 70 had its own temple free of any

debt. Numerous members volunteered their services in making the

necessary changes to convert the main room into a lodge room, as well as

painting the wall and ceilings of the entire building. After the meeting of

January 24, 1955, the members transferred all the lodge equipment and

material to the new temple. Grand Master Corby issued a dispensation to

Washington Lodge No. 70 to move the charter and other paraphernalia to

the new temple as of February 14, 1955.

Dedication of Our Temple

On March 28, 1955, the Grand Lodge of Connecticut held an emergent

communication "for the purpose of dedicating the new temple of

Washington Lodge No. 70 according to the ancient form and usage".

Grand Master Corby, assisted by many Grand Lodge officers officially

dedicated the temple before 130 members, including 17 Past Masters.


32

1955-1965

As a tribute to Chester B. Smith on starting his 35th year as Secretary, the

lodge celebrated the event with a testimonial dinner for him on January

25, 1958.

On September 28, 1958, the lodge participated in the parade

commemorating Windsor's 325th anniversary with a delegation of 45

members besides 30 other members on decorated floats or in other units.

Chester B. Smith was honored at a dinner on June 18, 1960 when Grand

Master Milnes presented him with the Pierpont Edwards Medal as a token

of the Grand Lodge's esteem for his devoted service as Secretary of

Washington Lodge No. 70 since December 1922. Brother Smith is the

first member of our lodge to be so honored.

At this meeting, Edward Beizer was presented with a Past District Deputy

medal in commemoration of his service as District Deputy for the Sixth

Masonic District during 1955 and 1956. Brother Beizer is the first member

of the lodge to have served as a District Deputy. Culver Kennedy served

as his Associate Grand Chaplain.

On June 2, 1962, Grand Master Dayton visited Washington Lodge No. 70

for the unusual honor of presenting 50 Year Pins to 5 members of our

lodge: George J. White, Mason C. Green, John C. Conklin, Frederick E.

Barnes and Elisha E. Thompson.

On November 22, 1963, our oldest living Past Master, R. Arthur Hagarty

(1899-1900) received the F. Ward DeKlyn Veteran's Jewel of the Masonic

Veteran Association of Connecticut. This jewel signifies the holder has

been a Mason longer than anyone else in Connecticut. Worshipful Brother

Hagarty was raised on April 13, 1891 in Washington Lodge No. 70.

- End of Part II -

History of Washington Lodge # 70 PART III

33

PART III – Approaching the Bicentennial (1965 - 2025)

Editor’s Notes:

Washington Lodge #70 is a very active lodge, both within the lodge and

within the community.

Presenting these numerous activities and events chronologically, as was

done in Parts I and II, would fail to show how they are connected. So,

Part III presents these items differently, by grouping them into these

topics, chosen to show who we are and how we fit into the community:

• Ancient Ritual

• Traditions

• Community Involvement

• Lodge Visitations

• Policies

• Renovations

• Personnel

• Miscellaneous

Other notes on Part III:

• The names of those involved in an event are only listed when it is

critical to the event being described (mostly because this is a history

of the lodge, not of its members, but also because any attempt to list

them all would certainly miss some.)

• Parts 1 and II are not modified to fit the style of Part III. They are only

modified to update a few references, like the names of the current

occupants of our former meeting places, or the fact that we now have

more than one Past District Deputy.

Finally, Part III is a work in progress …

• A formal printing of the History is planned for 2025, on the occasion

of our lodge’s 200th anniversary.

• Until then, since additions and updates are expected in Part III, it is

only issued electronically.


34

Ancient Ritual

Background: Our lodge voted in 1826 to adopt the ritual created

by Grand Lecturer Jeremy Cross. It is essentially the Standard

Ritual of the Grand Lodge of CT at that time. It did not include

the words used for opening & closing lodge or for receiving &

examining candidates – those were passed orally.

When James McCormick wrote down our ritual as practiced

in 1865, it included those missing words. It also indicated that we

always opened a Master Mason lodge to do business and then

called off to other lodges as needed for proficiencies and degrees.

In 1934, we first documented the addition of the Conspiracy

& Soliloquy section to the MM degree, something that we had

been doing for several years.

1989: We modified our ritual to follow the recent Grand Lodge ruling that

allowed a lodge to open on any degree and conduct business on that

degree. This made it easier to do a Proficiency on the same night as the

next degree; we still did a Proficiency at Refreshment on the higher degree,

but without opening the lower lodge.

1995: Deputy Grand Master Charles Yohe encouraged us to seek formal

authority from the Grand Lodge to use our non-standard ritual. He

clarified that he was not seeking justification for its differences, and that

he had no intention of taking it away from us, as he agreed with the District

Deputies and Grand Lecturers who had found the “appropriateness and

quality” of our ritual to be “exceptional”.

He pointed out that if others wanted to take it away, they could cite

Grand Lodge Regulation 7000 (“Measures to compel the use of any

particular ritual in working the degrees should not be taken except when

necessary to prevent infringement of the Landmarks.”) and Landmark XV

(“No innovations can be made upon the body of Masonry without the

consent of the Grand Lodge having first been obtained.”) If they did, we

could point out that most of the differences were because we stopped

following their ritual innovations. Fortunately, the need for any such

contention was removed by the 2006 Grand Master…

. . .


35

2006: Grand Master Charles Fowler issued a formal Decision which

granted the formal authority for our ritual: (“Inasmuch as each of these

Lodges have been using unique forms of the ritual from earliest days, it is

in the best interest of these Lodges and Connecticut Freemasonry that

Hiram Lodge No. 1, Putnam Lodge No. 46, Washington Lodge No.70 and

Wooster Lodge No. 79 should continue to be authorized to maintain their

own forms of the ritual. Provided, however, that if any changes are to be

made to their ritual, such changes shall bring the ritual into closer

conformance with Connecticut Standard Work.”)

2013: Grand Lodge requested a copy of the ritual from each of the four

lodges authorized in 2006 to use their non-standard ritual, so that they

could verify that any future changes are in fact “closer” to the current

standard ritual.

2014: We held a special lodge meeting to review and vote on a formal

approval of our current ritual (our first recorded approval since 1826.) At

this meeting, the Custodian of the Work presented a detailed list of all

items that are different from the ritual as practiced in 1865. First, we

agreed that floorwork items (staging directions) are only suggestions, not

actual ritual, and thus are not subject to a vote. Then we voted to approve

the current ritual, after satisfying ourselves that each of the remaining

changes was acceptable because it was either:

- Response to a Grand Lodge rule (like opening on any degree)

- A meaningful addition we wanted to keep (like the MM Conspiracy)

Note: Implicit in the result of the 2014 vote was the fact that if a change

was made after 1865 and later undone before the vote, then it was to

remain undone (like a script for conducting business or several

transcription errors).


36

Traditions

Nonrepeating Masters

As of 2019, our lodge has installed 119 consecutive nonrepeating Masters.

(To our knowledge, the only other lodge in CT with more than 100 is

Ansantawae #89 in Milford, at 110.) Our last brother who was elected to

more than one term as Master of our lodge did so in 1900. This does not

mean that our Masters haven’t been good enough to be elected twice – it

means that there have always been enough brothers who are both able and

willing to fill the position. The only way for a Master of our lodge to serve

more than one term in the East is to be the Master of another lodge; some

have done so before serving here and others have done so after.

The Masters’ Pin

Since 1971, the current Master of our lodge has worn a Master’s Square

lapel pin. That pin was transferred to him at his installation by his

predecessor.

The pin was initially presented to Henry Savelli at his installation

in 1971, by Grand Lodge officer John Gonsalves, a friend of the lodge.

The tradition was interrupted by the tragic death in 1988 of our lodge’s

sitting Master, Howard Symonds, who was clearing trees on his

retirement property in Vermont when a tree fell on him. The lodge

decided to bury the pin with him, the seventeenth Master to wear it. At

the installation of his successor Charles B. Fowler, Jr in 1989, John

Gonsalves, now the Grand Master, presented a new lapel pin. It is that

pin that now resides upon the lapel of the current Master of the Lodge.

Washington’s Birthday

Since the 1940s our past masters have performed the Master Mason degree

at the second lodge meeting in February. Typically, the regular officers

open lodge and receive the past masters, who then assume the roles of

officers, lecturers and drama cast for the rest of the meeting. For many

years, dinner was typically prepared and or served by Eureka Chapter #56

of the OES.

Since 2003 Brother George Washington himself, as portrayed by

Paul Hendricks, has visited us on this occasion. He has typically done the

historical lecture. In 2019, when George was Acting Master for the whole

degree, the lodge was surprised by a visit from Brother Lord Charles

Cornwallis, as portrayed by Jon White. After explaining to the lodge that

they were enemies on the field but brothers in the lodge, they jointly

delivered the historical lecture.


37

Uncle Henry’s Chair

It is our tradition to keep this chair occupied at every meeting. Its name

comes from these two events:

- When lodge chairs were installed in 1982, Henry Savelli wanted a

single chair placed in the NW corner.

- When his nephew was initiated and asked in whom he put his trust, the

reply was “Uncle Henry”.

Other Lodge Traditions

• We have three cycles of degrees in a typical year (where a cycle is

EA – FC – MM)

• We do ritual proficiencies in lodge and approve them by a lodge vote

• We delegate most degree lectures

• We do step-ups in the fall, where a senior officer is the Master for a

degree (SD does EA, JW does FC, SW does MM) and the officers

below him advance one chair.

• We have additional officers, appointed at the Master’s pleasure:

Historian, Librarian, Custodian of the Work, and associate(s) for all

non-line officers

• We had quartets/soloists sing for the various degrees (until the

1980s, and occasionally the 1990s)

• We have special dinners: Table Lodge, Ladies at Table, Widows’

Dinner. Stewards’ Cookout in June

• We have a Widows’ Fund, started in 1983 by Robert Belden

• We deliver poinsettias to our lodge’s widows in December

• We loan McCormick’s jewels of office to brothers who have held

those offices (see details in Appendix)

• Our incoming Master needs to find two Past Masters for special

tasks: one to install him in January and one to preside over the Past

Masters’ MM Degree in February (suggestion: ask the PM who

invited him into the officers’ line and the PM who raised him)


38

Community Involvement

Over the years we have done many activities in or for the community.

Recurring Events

• Shad Derby – every May, typically includes pancake breakfast, pig

roast, and marching in the parade

• Blood Drives – a few times a year, typically draws many donors

• ChiP (Child Protection program, where we give parents a DNA

swab, fingerprints and brief DVD video) – typically done at the

Shad Derby in May and at the Northwest Park Fair in the Fall

• Nightmare on Broad Street – various organizations provide a safe

Halloween experience on or around the town green

• Lobster Dinners & Friday Suppers – to benefit the Scholarship Fund

• Windsor Feud – In the 2000s, we participated in a few of the local

TV channel’s annual competition, modeled after a popular TV quiz

show and based on knowledge of the town.

• Tri-Lodge picnic – in August, with Composite #28 and Hartford-

Evergreen #88


39

One-Time Events

1967: We participated jointly with the Knights of Columbus in a

ceremony dedicating Windsor’s new Town Hall. Carlan Goslee

was the emcee.

1979: We put on a dinner to benefit the Poquonock Church’s tornado

relief fund, raising $2000. This tornado did much damage in

Windsor and Windsor Locks, near the Bradley Airport.

1998: We prepared 50 gallons of beef stew dinner to feed 300, and

brought it 250 miles to a town in upper state NY, where they had

lost power for weeks after an ice storm. We served it with help

from a local lodge.

2000: We supported the Music Room at Wright Residence, and a

Hospice room at Masonicare in Wallingford.

2003: We provided dinner for participants in the Revolutionary War

battle reenactment.

2010: The Town of Windsor presented our lodge with a Bridge Builders

Award, in recognition of our lodge’s commitment to diversity and

service to the community.

2017: We received a $400 seed from Composite #28 to help purchase a

defibrillator for the lodge. After we bought it, we sent a $425 seed

to Columbia #25.


40

Lodge Visitations

Mutual Visitations

Over the years, our lodge has had visitations with most lodges in the 6th

district, and some lodges from beyond. Sometimes the officers of the

visiting lodge put on a degree, a few times they got dispensation to open

a joint communication, and other times they “blitzed” (where, with the

help of an insider, they would come on a business meeting to surprise the

other lodge – bringing ample refreshments of course.) Visits of note:

• 1923-1996: We had a very special relationship with Hospitality Lodge

#128 of Wethersfield. For 73 years we annually visited each other’s

lodge and put on a degree. This tradition only stopped in 1997, when

Hospitality merged with Stepney #133 to become Silas Deane #147.

(When that lodge moved out of town and settled in Newington a few

years later, some brothers from the original Hospitality lodge

requested and had their charter reinstated in 2012.)

• 1980s-2000s: We had frequent visits, in both directions, with:

o Hiram #98 of Bloomfield (later part of Valley Lodge #36)

o Wyllys #99 of W. Hartford (later part of Wyllys-St. John #4)

o Hartford-Evergreen #88 (and its predecessors Hartford-Lafayette

#88 and Oriental-Evergreen #114)

o Prince Hall Excelsior Lodge #3 of Hartford.

Visiting Degree Teams

We have had degrees performed by these informal groups of Masons

whose members come from various lodges but band together to confer

degrees upon those who work at their place of business:

1967: Hamilton Standard Wayfarers’ Club performed the EA degree

1967: US Sub Base degree team performed the FC degree

1968: Pratt & Whitney Square Club performed the MM degree

1973: Masonic Club of Hartford Electric Light Co performed the 2nd

section of the MM degree

1984: Northeast Utilities Degree Team performed the MM degree

1997: State Police Degree Team performed the MM degree


41

Other Notable Visitations

1978: We did an EA degree in colonial attire for the District 6

Bicentennial at Manchester#73

1982: After extensive renovations, we rededicated the Lodge in a Joint

Communication with the Grand Lodge.

1985: Visitations by a Grand Lodge suite of officers were more frequent

than normal in the 1980s, but none so much as in this year, when

there were 6 visitations, with several of those including the Grand

Master.

1995: WB Barry Simms of Fayette #69 and PM of Chelsea #3098 and

Phaeton #7820, and of London Grand Rank, explained the

ceremony of Elevation to Grand Rank, with a personal greeting

from MWGM, His Highness the Duke of Kent. With the aid of

some brothers he demonstrated the first degree as conferred in his

lodge.

2000: WM Tom Hayes of Mount Moriah Lodge of Westfield MA

presented the Canadian Charge at the end of our MM degree. This

charge, also known as the Candlelight Charge or “On Yonder

Book,” is a mainstay of degree teams from the Royal Canadian

Mounted Police.

2004: We did a FC degree at Teutonia #367 in Reading PA

2009: We did an EA degree at Mystic #56 in Stowe VT

2013: We did a joint MM degree with Hartford-Evergreen #88 in a barn

in East Windsor Hill


42

Policies

Lodge Policy

Our Lodge Bylaws are supplemented by our Lodge Policies.

Dress code:

In 2015 we documented the long-followed standard practice that brothers

wear business suits to all meetings and that officers wear tuxes to all

degrees and funerals. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Master.

Alcohol:

In 2019 we decided to get a liquor license to be able to serve wine at Table

Lodge. As a backup, we also decided to create a formal Bottle Club policy,

where participants bring their own bottle and sign a form to accept

liability. (Grand Lodge currently requires one of these to be in effect to

be able to serve and consume alcoholic beverages.)

Smoking:

There is no rule against smoking in lodge, either by Bylaw or policy. But

in 1991 Master Mark Fernandes declared that too many brothers had lung

disease and he removed the ashtrays. Since that time, all brothers wishing

to smoke have gone outside to do so.

. . .


43

We Influence Grand Lodge Policy

We are governed by two Grand Lodge manuals, Rules & Regulations and

Officers’ Manual (Policies & Procedures), as interpreted by Grand

Master’s Decisions. Sometimes our lodge has tested the limits of Grand

Lodge policies and influenced how they’re interpreted.

Who can confer a degree:

In 2007, our Senior Deacon sat in the East on a Step-up Night in the fall,

and performed the whole EA degree – that much is standard practice for

our lodge. Since it was Lodge Inspection night, he asked the District

Deputy to do a ritual proficiency examination. The DD found the quality

of the work sufficient, but was not comfortable with a candidate obligated

by someone who was not a Master or a Warden.

Even though Grand Lodge Regulations allow the Master to

appoint any capable brother to confer a degree in his presence, the DD,

Grand Lecturer and Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education

pondered the wisdom of that practice. Six months later, lodges received a

memo from the DD, stating that it was not only OK but encouraged.

Number of candidates:

Grand Lodge states that a degree cannot be performed on more than 5

candidates at a time. In the past, when we had more than 5 but wanted to

process them in the same cycle, we held special communications on

separate nights. In 2010, the Master and Wardens devised and followed a

plan, with the District Deputy’s approved, to allow the extra EA or FC

candidates to be processed on the same night. (The length of a MM degree

precluded this plan.)

We called a special lodge for 5:30 on the same night as the

regularly scheduled lodge. At this time, we only opened, received and

obligated some of the candidates, and closed. We then had a light supper

for the craft and all of the candidates. At 7:30, we opened our regular

lodge, to which the 5:30 candidates were admitted on the sidelines. After

the 7:30 candidates were received, obligated and reinvested, all candidates

were brought together for the lectures, charges and closings.

While there has not been a need to implement this plan since that

year, it is an option available to the lodge.


44

Renovations

Building & Furniture

Sincere thanks go out to the many brothers, too many to list, who have

helped make these renovations possible with their generous donations of

materials, time, labor and money. More details for some of these

renovations may be found in the Building Association records.

1973: Aluminum siding

1982: Lodge room seating

(from auction of Hartford Masonic Temple)

Lodge room carpeting

Columns on front porch

Table & chair in Parlor

1983: Treasurer’s & Secretary’s chairs

(from Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co.)

Dining room

1984: Wall clock behind Junior Deacon

(from Northeast Utilities degree team)

1985: Heating system

Scullery access ramp

Stairwells

Storage shed

2006: Roof

2009: Electrical wiring improvements

Chandeliers in Parlor

2010: Stairway chairlift

2015: Lodge room ceiling tiles

(funded by asking brothers to Adopt a Tile for $5 each)

Large red sandstone sign “A. F. & A. M.” on front lawn

(from the building of our previous meeting place)

2017: Kitchen and scullery overhaul

Defibrillator

2018: Windows and exterior doors (with a 50% subsidy from the town)

Stairway chairlift replacement

Siding for turret and eaves

2019: Dining room walls, carpet, flooring

Ramp to bathrooms


45

Lodge Room Implements

Sincere thanks go out to the brothers who generously donated most of

these items (the rest being purchased by the lodge.)

1984: Craftsmen’s uniforms

1989: Wardens’ columns and gavels

1990: Officers’ jewels

1991: Candidates’ uniforms

1997: Bible on altar

1998: Officers’ aprons

Master’s travelling apron –

“I did it my way, you do it yours” stitched on back

1999: Officers’ gloves

2000: Deacons’ rod stands

2004: Candidates’ cable tows

Quilt for EA lecture

2010: Tracing board for MM lecture (monument & emblems)

2013: Tyler’s sword

2014: Square & compasses on the altar

2015: Deacons’ and Stewards’ rods

Visitors’ aprons

Officers’ lapel pins

2018: Almoner’s apron and jewel


46

Personnel

It’s a Family Affair

Our lodge has had many instances of brothers being related – where one

is the son, grandson, nephew, brother or in-law of another, past or present.

When one was a Master, it’s likely that the other will be one also. The

following instances are particularly notable:

1980: We installed Frank (Bill) Carmon III as our Master. He was the

third successive generation of Frank Carmons to serve as Master.

While Frank Sr and Frank Jr participated in Bill’s installation, they

did not live to see Bill’s son, Frank IV, raised in 2004.

2018: Ken Roach II and Ken Roach III, father and son, started going

through the officers’ line together. That year, the father was our

Junior Steward and the son was our Marshal.

Well-Travelled Masters

Our lodge has had several Masters who started their Masonic journey in

another lodge, whether it’s in another town, state, or country. It’s

important to remember that while they may have an appreciation for other

forms of ritual and customs, they have chosen to come here and accept

ours. Notably, two of our Masters started their masonic journeys in

England:

• Paul Tappenden was initiated by Eccentric #2488 of London. When

he affiliated here in 2000, that lodge asked us to complete his degrees,

which we did. He became our Master in 2006 and attained dual

citizenship in 2009.

• Jon White was Master of Concord Lodge #7233 of London. He

affiliated here in 2010, became our Master in 2017, and attained dual

citizenship in 2018.


47

Unsung Heroes

Several brothers in our lodge have performed a task for several years, in

support of degree work or a lodge function. Some have done them for so

long that current brothers have trouble remembering a time when the task

was done by anyone else Some have been recognized by being named an

Honorary Past Master or Officer Emeritus, and are listed in the appendix

on Individual Distinctions. The following have had no formal recognition

but have earned our particular appreciation:

• Frank Krikorian was our Tyler for 30 years, starting in 1960.

• John Jordan has been our 1st Craftsman for 40 years, starting in 1980.

• Bruce Chamberlin was our Master Chef for about 30 years, starting in

the 1980s, organizing and preparing countless dinners for our degrees

and for the public. He started the Friday Night Suppers which

supported the scholarship fund.

• Mark Fernandes has been our tireless herder of cats for about 30 years,

starting about 1990. He plans, organizes and leads our Table Lodges,

Invite a Friend events, and the Master Mason Degree drama cast.

• Dick Incorvati supplied his fine homemade wine for Table Lodges for

over a decade, starting in the 2000s.

Believe It or Not

Oct 11, 1999: Senior Warden Ron Eleveld stunned the lodge when he arose

to announce that he had nothing to say.


48

Miscellaneous

Communication

Initially, communications with the brethren were through the monthly

mailings of the Masters’ trestle board, listing upcoming events. In January

1985, our Master started adding a monthly newsletter, with Bill Miller as

editor. In March we renamed it to the “Washington Wayfarer”. In more

recent years, the Trestle Board has been folded into the Wayfarer, which

is normally issued quarterly. Starting in the 1990s, communication

expanded into electronic media. We have used a Grand Lodge web site, a

Google Group, a telephone mass calling system, and Facebook. In the

interest of saving mailing costs, brothers have been encouraged to indicate

if they are willing to receive it only electronically.

Mergers

When membership fell below a critical level, some lodges have needed to

merge in order to survive. The number of lodges in our district went from

17 to 7 (~ 60% reduction) because 15 lodges merged to form 5. Each of

those 5 lodges is composed of 2 to 4 original lodges. Only 2 lodges in

our district have never merged: Washington #70 and Manchester #73.

While our lodge has never merged, two lodges sought to merge with us:

Tuscan #126 and Lafayette #100.

- 1982: Both started renting our lodge, after leaving their respective

lodge buildings in Hartford.

- 1985: Both requested a merger with us. We declined their requests –

not needing the merger to survive, and not accepting all of their terms

(like lodge name or representation in the officers’ line). They declined

our counteroffer of membership in our lodge – presumably not wanting

to lose their own heritage. They both continued to rent from us.

- 1988: Tuscan left and eventually merged with Friendship #145 in

Manchester.

- 1996: Lafayette left and soon merged with Hartford #88 (which is now

Hartford-Evergreen #88 in S. Windsor.)


49

Masonic Groups That Met Here

Eureka Chapter #56 of the OES met here from 1903 to 1987, when they

merged with Ionic Chapter #100 in Enfield. They did many activities with

and for our lodge. Pinemeadow DeMolay met here in the 1980s-1990s,

before moving on to another lodge. Some of our brothers were involved

as members or advisors of these groups.

Past Masters’ Association

While not in the bylaws, this group was created in the 1940s to advise,

assist and support the Master in any way they could. While past masters

continue these activities on an individual basis, the association has not

been active as a group since the 2000s.

Fellowcraft Club

This group had its origins in the Windsor Masonic Club which was created

in 1926 to develop the social activities of the lodge (such as dinner dances,

theater outings and ball game outings). As needed, the group also took on

coordinating the Washington’s Birthday drama cast, participating in

various degrees, helping to serve various dinners, and working at CHIP

events and blood drives. At present, these activities are organized by

individuals.

Lost Records

In 1975, numerous records of our lodge dating back to 1870 were found

in the attic of the King’s Electric building (now the Global Driving

School) which was our meeting place from 1869-1910. They could have

been a valuable addition to our archives, but except for three items they

were all in very poor condition.

Bicentennial

August 25, 2025: This will mark the 200th anniversary of our first meeting

under our original charter.

- End of Part III -

History of Washington Lodge #70 Appendices

50

APPENDICES

The Meeting Places of Washington Lodge #70

#1: Aug 25, 1825 – Oct 5, 1827

The Lodge was constituted in the

Meeting House of First Church of

Windsor on Palisado Avenue and

met at the Sill-Benton-Paine tavern,

which stood just north of there.

#2: Nov 1, 1827 – May 29, 1828

The Lodge met in the tavern of

Ebenezer Fitch Bissell (later James

Sheldon) at 1022 Palisado Avenue, at

the north end of town.

#3: June 1, 1828 – Jan 27, 1831

Infrequent meetings were held in the

home of James Loomis at 208 Broad

Street, possibly until 1840.

Currently the site of a Bank of

America branch.

#4: Nov 1865 – June 1868

(No photo has been found of this

building which burned on June 7,

1868.)

When the Lodge was revived in

November of 1865, it met in the

Phelps Building which stood next to

the railroad station, at a site later

occupied by Windsor Garage, Bill

Selig Ford and Central Street

Antiques & Auction.


51

#5: June 15, 1868 – Aug 9, 1869

The Lodge used Seminary Hall of

the Young Ladies’ Institute located

at 19 Maple Avenue (later the

Campbell School, and also the Odd

Fellows Hall). Currently the site of

Windsor Towne House.

#6: Aug 16, 1869 – May 23, 1910

The Lodge rented the top floor of the

Frisbie Building at 192 Broad Street.

Over the years, this building has

housed several grocery stores, a

couple of car dealers, King’s

Electric, and currently the Global

Driving School.

#7: May 24, 1910 - Jan 24, 1955

The lodge rented the top floor of the

Ellsworth-Filley Building at 164

Broad Street. Currently the site of

Webster Bank.

#8: Feb 14, 1955 – Present

The Lodge now meets in the first

building which it has owned, having

purchased the former Parish House

of First Church located at 153 Broad

Street and built in 1903. The Grand

Lodge dedicated the new Masonic

Hall on March 28, 1955.


52

The Masters of Washington Lodge #70

1825-26 James O. Pond 1926 Lionel V. Marks

1827-28 Anson Bates 1927 J. Ford Ransom, Sr.

1829-30 Charles Woodward 1928 Horace W. White

1831 Jasper Morgan 1929 Frank W. Carmon, Sr.

1865-72 James McCormick (GM) 1930 Raymond C. Schneider

1880-83 1931 Lawrence G. Young

1887-88 1932 Percy R. Daniels

1873 Henry E. Phelps 1933 Rollin M. Ransom

1874-76 Edward L. Smith 1934 Christian H. Meier

1877-79 D. Ellsworth Phelps 1935 George H. Maude

1884-86 1936 Arthur N. Matthews

1889-92 H. Tudor White 1937 John A. Benson

1892-94 Charles B. Searle 1938 Henry J. Potter

1895-96 Lorenzo D. Converse 1939 Raymond C. Hampson

1897-98 Charles. T. Welch 1940 D. E. Mather

1899-00 R. Arthur Hagarty 1941 W. H. Williamson

1901 Lorenzo L. Rivers 1942 Carlan H. Goslee

1902 Robert J. McCormick 1943 Kenneth E. Goslee

1903 Elisha L. Cobb 1944 George H. Kaler

1904 Albert H. Chamberlin 1945 Elmer S. Mather

1905 Randolph R. Herriot 1946 Edward M. Beizer (DD)

1906 Fred W. Marks 1947 Edward W. Metheny

1907 Stanton F. Brown 1948 Dale W. Tryon

1908 Charles E. Stinson 1949 Culver H Kennedy (AGM)

1909 Harry C. Hungerford 1950 Lester V. Vermilyea

1910 Charles E. Granger 1951 Robert F. Belden (AGM)

1911 Frederick W. Morgan 1952 Frank W. Carmon Jr.

1912 Albert H. House 1953 Floyd E. Weller

1913 Frederick M. Lanphear 1954 Neil O. Deane

1914 Alfred. W. Olds 1955 Edward R. Goslee (AGM)

1915 Eleazor Pomeroy 1956 Albert F. Young

1916 Fred M. Bassett 1957 Paul S. Strubell, Jr.

1917 Charles F. B. Leppens 1958 Edward J. Heske

1918 George J. White 1959 John W. Colody

1919 Frederick M. Snow 1960 Nelson C. Christensen

1920 Clyde A. Clark 1961 Clifford H. Divine, Sr.

1921 Frederick F. Fisher 1962 Frederick C. Butz

1922 Emil L. Pfunder 1963 Leopold H. Bidmead

1923 Charles A. Blake 1964 Theodore A. Iffland

1924 Mason C. Green 1965 Phillip J. Francois

1925 John C. Conklin 1966 J. Frank Morgan, Jr.


53

1967 J. Philip Lukens (DD) 2008 Rodney R. Plath

1968 Frederick A. Knighton 2009 Mitchell K. Page

1969 Wilson MacEachrean 2010 Paul J. Hendricks

1970 Edward E. Kemp, Sr. 2011 Robert J. Gresham (DD)

1971 George H. Palifka 2012 Brian A. Cosker

1972 Henry J. Savelli 2013 David W. Shaw

1973 Donald F. Kaluzewicz 2014 Charles W. Jackson, III

1974 Bazil Campbell 2015 Matthew R. Chmiel

1975 Harry F. Apraham 2016 Jonathan R. White

1976 Thomas E. Morton 2017 W. Stephen Matthews, Jr.

1977 James E. May 2018 Sterling N. Viets

1978 Francis H. Stiles 2019 Joseph C. DiFraia

1979 Bruce R. Chamberlin (DD) 2020

1980 Frank W. Carmon, III (DD) 2021

1981 John H. Kurlick 2022

1982 Jowill E. Taylor 2023

1983 David N. Terry 2024

1984 William A. Rand 2025

1985 A. Robert Pasternack (DD)

1986 Timothy J. Kurlick

1987 Michael Scheidel

1988 Howard W. Symonds

1989 Charles B. Fowler, Jr. (GM)

1990 Richard A. Incorvati (AGM)

1991 Mark J. Fernandes

1992 Fred A. Anderson

1993 Harry D. Thomas

1994 Frank E. Chagnon, Jr.

1995 Mark R. Andresen

1996 Joseph T. DiMarzo

1997 Gerald A. Wistrom

1998 Peter T. Arnold (AGM)

1999 John P. Lukens, Jr.

2000 Ronald Ch. Eleveld

2001 Stan M. Balcezak

2002 T. Donovan Scroggs (DD)

2003 James H. Ratcliffe

2004 Wayne S. Rettburg

2005 Kenneth P. Newton

2006 Paul I. Tappenden

2007 David C. Abrames


54

Grand Lodge Offices for Brothers of Washington Lodge #70

These brothers have honored our lodge by serving the fraternity at the

state or district level.

Grand Master

Two of our members have served in the highest office in the state. Their

portraits are both on the wall behind our Senior Warden. It is noteworthy

that James McCormick’s term coincided with one of his terms as Master

of our lodge.

1881: James McCormick

2006: Charles Fowler, Jr.

District Deputy & Associate Grand Marshal

These are the representatives of the Grand Master at lodges within a

district, helping to ensure the quality of the ritual and the business

operations.

1955: Ed Beizer & Culver Kennedy

1972: John Philip Lukens & Bob Belden

1983: Frank Carmon III & Bruce Chamberlin

1994: Bob Pasternak & Ed Goslee

2000: Bruce Chamberlin & Pete Arnold

2017: Bob Gresham & Dick Incorvati

2019: Don Scroggs & Carl Stidsen


55

Service Awards for Brothers of Washington Lodge #70

These brothers’ outstanding service have earned them recognition, by the

lodge or the Grand Lodge.

Pierpont Edwards Medal in Bronze

This medal is awarded by the Grand Lodge, in recognition of outstanding

service to the fraternity and the community, based on nominations

submitted by individuals within the fraternity.

1960: Chester Smith

1972: Ed Beizer

1985: Robert Belden

2000: Frank (Bill) Carmon III

2003: Bruce Chamberlin

2010: Charles Fowler, Jr.

Honorary Past Master / Emeritus Officer

These titles are awarded by the lodge, in recognition of long service in the

named office

1965: Chester Smith (Secretary) ...... Honorary PM & Secretary Emeritus

1982: Carl Stevens (Chaplain) ............................................ Honorary PM

2005: Chuck Erickson (Treasurer) ...................................... Honorary PM

2019: Charles Fowler, Jr. (Secretary) ......................... Secretary Emeritus

James McCormick Jewels

These 3 jewels, which had been presented to James McCormick in

recognition of offices he had held, were donated to the lodge by his

family. The lodge now awards each of them ad vitam (for life) to a lodge

member who has also held that office. More details on the Past Master

jewel are given in the Part II section titled “James McCormick”. The

jewels and their current holders are:

• Past Master ........................ awarded in 2005 to Bruce Chamberlin

• Past Grand Master ............. awarded in 2006 to Charles Fowler, Jr.

• Past Grand High Priest ...... awarded in 2013 to Bill Miller


56

A F & A M Windsor, CT · History of Washington Lodge #70 A F & A M Windsor, CT 1825-2025 Last...

Documents

Transcript of A F & A M Windsor, CT · History of Washington Lodge #70 A F & A M Windsor, CT 1825-2025 Last...