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History of Caleb Butler Lodge

March 17, 1859 to June 10, 1984 By Wor. David J. Dakin, P.M.

September 10, 1984 – Present By Wor. Charles H. Jones and R.W. Richard W. Van Doren

Foreward

The following is a brief compilation of some of the important or interesting events extracted from the minutes of Caleb Butler Lodge on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The history of the first 125 years was compiled by Wor David Joy Dakin for the 125th anniversary. RW Richard Witt Van Doren and Wor Charles Howard Jones added the most recent 25 years. It must be stressed that this is merely a brief summary of events and in no way attempts to recount the entire history of the Lodge. Many events were not included for the sake of brevity. The Lodge is blest to have some members that have been active for many years such as RW H. Arnold Wilder. These “senior” members have a wealth of history and stories, some of which were not recorded in minutes. To learn more of the details of our history, the authors encourage all to speak with those senior members. We are certain that you will be rewarded with very interesting tales.

In going over the records of the Lodge for the past one hundred twenty five years, which comprises 1394 Regular Communications and 2049 Special Communications, I found a great deal of interesting history. This is not offered as a complete history of Caleb Butler Lodge but a brief account of the record of the Lodge from its beginning under dispensation in 1859 until the present time.

On March 17, 1859 a group of Masons met at the home of E. Dana Bancroft in the village of South Groton, now known as Ayer, for the purpose of choosing officers and adopting measures to establish a Masonic Lodge under dispensation. It was voted that E.D. Bancroft serve as Chairman, Arthur Fenner as Secretary, and the name of the Lodge be Excelsior. It was further voted that the Regular Communication would be held on the first Monday after the full moon of each month.

Officers elected at the first meeting were as follows: E.D. Bancroft Worshipful Master, O.N. Wing Senior Warden, Agustus Dike Junior Warden, Arthur Fenner Treasurer, and William F Goulding Secretary. The ten Brothers present were: J.Q.A. McCollister, G.W. Standish, H. P. Nichols, E.D. Bancroft, B.F. Taft, G.J. Woodbury, W.F. Goulding, W.A. Hayward, J. Gleason, and A. Fenner. These Brothers became responsible for the fifteen dollars required for the Dispensation from the Grand Lodge.

On March 29, 1859, a special meeting of the petitioners was held at which time the dispensation from the Grand Master was read and the remaining officers elected. They were as follows: John M. Roberts Senior Deacon, Geo J. Woodbury Junior Deacon, Geo H. Champney Senior Steward, Geo W. Standish Junior Steward, Leander G. King Marshall, Daniel L. King Tyler, and J.Q. A. McCollister Chaplain.

The first Regular Communication of Excelsior Lodge was held on April 18, 1859 at which time the Lodge received its first application from George S. Evans. Fees for the degrees were established as follows: $5 with the application, $5 for each degree to the total of $20.

The records do not indicate where the first Lodge Rooms were, but from other sources we learn that they were in a place called the “Break O Day” which was located in a building between what is now the Mobil station and Moore lumber. Under dispensation, Excelsior Lodge held fifty meeting and raised thirteen Master Masons.

The records do not indicate the exact reasons for changing the name of the Lodge, but in the history written for the 50th Anniversary, the following information appears:

“The subject of changing the name of the Lodge had been talked

among the Brethren considerable and there was a good deal of

dissatisfaction with the name of Excelsior as at that time it was

commonly attached to merchandise of questionable quality and

the Brethren wanted to select a name that was something to be

lived up to instead of the reverse, and they finally settled on the

name Caleb Butler for the name of the Lodge. Caleb Butler was

a member of Saint Paul Lodge and held office of Master from

1833-1836 and was Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts

in 1841-1842. The Brethren felt that adopting his mane for the

Lodge they had an honorable name and one which stood for

something in the community.”

Most Worshipful Caleb Butler

A charter was granted to Caleb Butler Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on March 14, 1860 and was consecrated on March 26, 1860 by the Most Wor Deputy Grand Master, Brother J. H. G. Smith after which the officers were installed by Rt Wor W.D. Coolidge.

The first Regular Communication of Caleb Butler Lodge was held on April 9, 1860 at which time nine applications for membership were received. All nine had previously been made Master Masons in Excelsior Lodge. In the first year, thirty-two meetings were held and eleven Master Masons were raised.

On or about August 1860, the Lodge moved into new quarters in the Phelps and Harlow Building located at the corner of Main and West Streets. It remained in these quarters until the great fire of 1872.

Caleb Butler Lodge’s association with the military first appears in the records in conjunction with the Civil War. Fourteen Brethren serve in the Union Army with one being killed in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 21863. Brother Leander G. King was Captain, Co. C, 16th Regiment and Master of Army Lodge NO. 2 at the time of his death. Brother King was buried in South Groton on July 22, 1863 by Caleb Butler Lodge with full Masonic honors.

On April 18, 1870 Saint Paul Lodge began meeting in the Lodge Room in “Groton Junction” and the two Lodges shared the apartments from that time. At the Installation Banquet in 1874, the Following toasts were proposed:

“To Saint Paul Lodge-at once our sister and mother Lodge, we were

nursed into existence by some of her most prominent members.”

On April 18, 1872, the entire North side of Main Street was destroyed by a great fire, which lasted for two days. The Lodge lost everything except the Charter and the records, which were saved. The charred remains of the three officers jewels were recovered from the ruins and have been on display in the Lodge rooms ever since. The records show that $475 was received from the Fitchburg Fire Insurance Company for the losses sustained in the fire.

During the period from April 1872 to July 1873, the Lodges met in various places including the Irish Benevolent Society Hall and then in the Harvey Wood Building. During this period, since the Lode had no regalia with which to do degree work, they traveled to Fitchburg whenever the occasion required.

On October 6, 1873 at a Convention of Saint Paul and Caleb Butler Lodges, the new apartments in the Page Building were dedicated by Most Wor. Sereno D. Nicherson. The Master of Caleb Butler Lodge was Wor. Henry A. Brown who has the distinction of serving the most terms as Master, that being six. The records of this dedication take up twenty-five pages is the book and indicate approximately one hundred fifty were present, including six Pasts Grand Masters.

The minutes of the meeting of April 12, 1875 indicate the Lodges purchased their first musical instrument, a Bruce and Chard Organ No. 897 for $125.

On August 12, 1896 Wor. Brother E.D. Bancroft passed away at age 74. He was made a Mason in Aurora Lodge, Fitchburg in 1857, Master of Excelsior Lodge, South Groton under dispensation in 1859, and an honorary member of Caleb Butler Lodge in April 1860 and was organist from 1886 until death.

On December 13, 1897, Wor Brother B.E. Hartwell made a proposition to the Lodge in regard to a new home in the building the Savings Bank planned to build. In February of 1898 the offer was accepted and the corner-stone laid on May 7, 1898 by Rt. Wor. Albert L. Harwood, Deputy Grand Master and suite in a very impressive ceremony. In the Grand Lodge records we find the following:

“A copper box in the stone contains all the pertinent papers and

records of the fraternal organizations, churches, town departments,

post office, court and library of the town, together with the

photographs and other valuable evidence of the conditions which

existed at that time. In the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, 1898 we

find the following: “The stone was lowered into its place with the

Grand Honors and the sound of the trumpet. It was duly tried by

the jewels and being pronounced square, level and plumb, was

declared by the Grand Master, well made – well proved – truly laid

true and trusty.” Corn, wine and oil were poured upon the stone and

the Grand Chaplain invoked the blessing of Almighty God upon

the undertaking.”

The installation of officers held on January 30, 1899 was the first meeting held in the new Lodge rooms and they were dedicated on April 19, 1899 by Most Wor. Charles C. Hutchinson, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. Caleb Butler Lodge and Saint Paul Lodge have occupied these apartments from 1899 to the present time. During this period the apartments have also been used by the Bancroft Royal Arch Chapter, Ida McKinley Chapter O.E.S., Ayer Chapter Order of DeMolay, Ayer Assembly No. 104 of the Rainbow, Sojourners Club of fort Devens and Tahattawan Lodge.

The 50th Anniversary of Caleb Butler Lodge was held on March 14, 1910 and was attended by the Most Wor. Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and his suite. The 50th Anniversary history was presented by Wor. Fredrick Whitney.

On October 13, 1913, Caleb Butler Lodge presented Past Master’s Jewels to 21 of the 27 living Past Masters who were present. The other six were all out of the state but sent letters regretting that they could not be present.

On May 17, 1915, a unique meeting took place at Caleb Butler Lodge with Most Wor. M.M. Johnson, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts attending. Rt. Wor. Albert A. Fillebrown had the honor of raising his uncle, his brothers, Bro. W.W. Fillebrown and Bro. A. P. Fillebrown, and his cousin Bro. W.F. Bryant.

During the period of the First World War the Lodge experienced its largest gain in membership and its busiest period. In the calendar year 1918, 134 meetings were held and 191 Master Masons signed the By-Laws. Also during this period attendance at meeting ranged up to 250, and 40 plus applications received at a meeting were not uncommon. Between 1917 and 1925, a period of 8 years, a gain in membership of 516 is recorded. Not only were members made for this Lodge, but the degrees were worked on many as a courtesy to other Lodges all over the country. At one meeting there were 28 different jurisdictions represented.

Our By-Laws contain the names of nearly 700 Brothers who served in World War 1. Out of all these members, only one met death in battle. Lt. Bro Richmond Young was killed in France on October 10, 1918.

After the closing of the Regular Communication on April 13, 1925, the “remainder of the evening was given over to the advancement of good fellowship.” Seven other organizations were represented, including the Hiberians, Odd Fellows, Knights of Phythis, Royal Arch Masons, DeMolay and the F.O.E.

On September 10, 1928, a request was read from five Brethren residing in Littleton asking for permission to form a new Lodge in that town. This request was voted on and approved on October 8, 1928, thus Tahattawan Lodge chartered in 1929.

The 75th Anniversary of the Lodge was held on June 18, 1934 with Wor. Thomas A. Manktelow presiding and was attended by Most Wor. Curtis Chipman, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, and his suite. Wor. Manktelow was presented his 50 year Past Masters Certificate in 1984.

The 75th Anniversary history was presented by Wor. Kimball W. Martin.

At the annual installation held in October 7 1935, Wor H.Q.A. McCollister was presented a Past Masters Jewel which was constructed from one originally presented to his Grandfather Wor. J.Q.A. McCollister who was Master in 1872 and a charter member of both Excelsior and Caleb Butler Lodges.

Tuscan Lodge No. 126 of Hartford, CT paid a fraternal visit to Caleb Butler Lodge on June 4, 1938 and raised a candidate to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Wor. Robert E. Price, presiding Master of Tuscan Lodge was raised in Caleb Butler Lodge on June 24, 1918. On June 10. 1939, 52 Brothers of Caleb Butler traveled to Hartford and visited Tuscan Lodge and returned the courtesy including raising one of their candidates with Wor. John G. Strachan presiding.

During the Second World War, a number of meetings during the winter months were held in the vestry of the Federated Church due to lack of heat in the Lodge apartments. During this period the membership increased by about 100 but this does not reflect the courtesy degree work done on Brothers stationed at Fort Devens for other Lodges located all over the country, and in later years for Lodges located over the world.

Saint Marks Lodge No. 22 of Derry, NH paid a fraternal visit to Caleb Butler Lodge on February 9, 1948 and Caleb butler Lodge returned the visit on April 23, 1948. At each visit, the Lodges raised candidates to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason utilizing the ritual of their jurisdiction.

The 100th Anniversary of the Lodge was held on June 3, 1960 with Most Wor. Laurence E. Eaton, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts and suite in attendance. The exercises were held in the Page School and the Grand Master presented Veterans Medals to Rt. Wor. Frank B. Crandall and Brother Holden C. Harlow. The 100th Anniversary history was presented by Wor. Frederick H. Brown.

A new gravestone was dedicated at the grave of Most Wor. Caleb Butler on August 24, 1975 by Most Wor Stanley F. Maxwell, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. Most Wor. Maxwell spoke of the life of Caleb Butler and then “dedicated the stone with Corn, Wine and Oil, symbolic of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.”

The longest trip from the West to the East was completed on October 7, 1978 when Wor Robert D. Barclay was installed as Master. Wor. Barclay was installed as Senior Warden on October 9 1948 and due to military duty his trip to the East was delayed by 29 years.

Over the years, the Brethren of Caleb butler Lodge have celebrated Saint John’s Sunday many times, but possibly the most memorable church service was held on June 10, 1984. On this Sunday, the officers, members and families were welcomed at Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Shirley. In his welcome the Priest made the following remarks “History is in the making here today when a Polish Priest is assigned to a predominately French parish and the Masons are welcomed here today to worship with us.”

Any history of Caleb Butler Lodge would be incomplete without mention of several Brothers who gave of their time and unlimited services for the good of all. Between 1891 and 1981, only four Brethren served a Secretary. Of the four, two served a total of 73 of the 90 years. Wor Bro. Elson H. Bigelow served 28 years and Wor. Frank Harmon 45 years. Wor. Harmon sat as Secretary Protem from January 11, 1937 to October and was first installed as secretary on October 4, 1937. He held that office until October 17, 1981 when ill health forced his retirement. During this period he served as Dad advisor to Ayer DeMolay for many years, held many elected and appointed offices in the Town of Ayer and was active in several other organizations.

Our Great Light tells us that the span of man’s life is three score years and ten, infers that the life of a Lodge may go on forever.

In closing I desire to pay tribute to all those Brothers who have worked so hard to make Caleb Butler Lodge the success that it is today.

The following toast to the Lodge was offered by Wor, Kimball

Martin on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary and I think it would be appropriate to repeat it 50 years later:

“My toast to Caleb Butler Lodge is that it may continue to carry the high standard of Masonry down through the years, until time shall be no more.”

***

The lodge activity picked up after being dark for the Summer of 1984 with an Official Visit being paid by the District Deputy grand Master, R. Wor. William E. Williams of the Fitchburg 13th Masonic District. This constituted the 1,460th meeting of the Lodge.

October of 1984 was a busy month for Caleb Butler Lodge. Mrs. Ida Naparsrek of the Order of the Eastern Star presented a check to the Lodge for $300 to go toward the purchase of new dishwater. At the same meeting, two members who had belonged to the Lodge for more than 25 years could not afford to pay dues. The Lodge, in true and typical Masonic fashion, voted to make them Life Members. That same meeting, W. Bro. George C. Saul presented to the Lodge a Masonic Flag. He had received the flag from Brother Kenny Allison, 33° and W. Bro. Saul had planned to give it to the Grand Lodge. It turned out that the Grand Lodge already had one, so W. Bro. Saul presented it to Caleb Butler instead.

Later that same month, the Lodge travelled to the Masonic Home in Charleton to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree on Richard S. Reed, the Director of Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. Brother Robert D. Reed, Richard’s father and member of Caleb Butler, was in attendance.

On October 27th, the Installation of Officers was held at the bank Building on Main street. A dinner and dancing followed the meeting at the Fort Devens Officer’s Club.

1985 was a banner year for the Lodge in many respects. In March, the Lodge was presented with the Grand Master’s Award for work completed under Wor. Eugene Wixom. The Award was signed by M.W. David B/ Richardson.

June 16th a church service, in conjunction with St. Paul’s Lodge, was held at the Federated Church in Ayer. June 25th was the date of the 125th Celebration of the Constitution of Caleb Butler Lodge. Ronald E. Jackson, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master – acting as the Grand Master while the latter was out of the Commonwealth – was in attendance.

A most unusual circumstance occurred September 12, 1988. The Regular Communication #1500 was declared null and void under a dispensation of the Grand Master, Albert Ames, “For good and sufficient reason”. The Lodge had made the request that this be done. Minutes of the meeting were purged from all records. On October 3rd of that year, the District Deputy grand Master, Jack Taub, opened the Lodge for a Special Communication. He was attended by his suite of officers. No elected officers of Caleb Butler were present for this Official Visit. No record of these events is now extant either with the Grand Lodge or Caleb Butler.

On June 10th of 1990, the last meeting of Caleb Butler at the Bank Building apartments on Main Street of Ayer was held. At that meeting, the officers and members witnessed the raising of Brother Karl N. Searle to the Master Mason Degree.

June 27th of 1990 saw the first meeting of the Lodge at their new residence at 60 Pleasant Street – the Pleasant Street School Building. The Fellowcraft Degree was conferred on Brother William L. Estes to mark the occasion. The official dedication of the Lodge Room was held on September 8th. Wor. Robert V. Stafford and the officers of Caleb Butler Lodge were present to assist M.W. Edgar W. Darling and his suite during the ceremonies. Also present was a large contingent of members from St. Paul’s Lodge. Noted and published in the Grand Lodge proceedings, St. Paul’s Lodge officially hosted the event.

Numbers reported to Grand Lodge occur every year as the Annual Reports are made. In 1990, the numbers reported included the following: 337 members of the Lodge; current dues of $4,375; Grand Lodge Assessment was $2, 790; the Lodge brought in fees and other income of $1,803.96; the Treasurer received monies held by the Secretary of $10, 630.02. It was not reported that the $.02 were the opinions of the Lodge Secretary.

Administrative review of Lodge records can occasionally contain some lighter moments. Witness the entry for the Regular Communication on April 8, 1991: A dispensation for Caleb Butler Lodge was received from the Grand Lodge for the purpose of holding a Table Lodge on Saturday, April 13th. However, the actual Table Lodge being held on that date was held by St. Paul’s Lodge who had assured Caleb Butler that they were already in receipt of an official dispensation to do so.

In February of 1992, a joint meeting of three lodges – Caleb Butler, St. Paul’s, and Tahattawan – under the rubric; “Nashoba Valley Lodges” was held for fellowship and degree work. The Junior Wardens of those lodges held a collection and received $600 which they donated to the Ambulance Services serving the 8 towns and communities from the local area. A team of degree workers from the three lodges performed the ritual for the evening.

Another example of close collaboration of lodges occurred in July of that year. At a Special Communication of Caleb Butler Lodge, the Worshipful Master and Officers of Tahattawan invited the ladies of both lodges to a potluck supper and a social visit. Later, they witnessed the officers of Caleb Butler confer an Entered Apprentice degree on one of the Tahattawan candidates. It should also be noted here that, for the first time since 1934 [except for the years of WWII] Caleb Butler continued to hold regular communications during the months of July and August rather than “go dark” as was the usual custom. Worshipful Brother Dakin, the master of the Lodge, and his officers maintained a steady workload of degrees. To compensate the membership for a lack of time off during the warmer months, “casual dress” was adopted for those meetings.

The last meeting of the year 1992 included a vote by the members to spend $75 for purchase of glass for the Master’s Carpet cabinet which is located in the Lodge Room. It is hoped that when the Lodge continues to make such purchases, note is made of them in the official records. That kind of information is absolutely essential for Lodge historians. An example of the kind is also noted when in April of 1993, a committee of three – Worshipful Brothers Tony Caprio and Milt Starr, along with the Junior Deacon at the time, Bob Maxwell, were charged with investigating the purchase of new aprons for the Lodge. Their investigation led to the purchase of 30 white aprons which were made by the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine and were to be used for Masonic funerals. They also purchased a new set of officer’s aprons at a cost of $ 616.00.

Membership increased slightly during the early 1990’s and in May of 1993, Wor. David Dakin received a “Plus One” plaque from the Grand Lodge for raising 11 candidates the previous year. On hand to make the presentation was R.W. Frank O. Collins, the District Deputy Grand Master along with the Master of Caleb Butler, Worshipful Brother Timothy Bemis.

Another festive occasion occurred in June of 1993. R.W. Brother H. Arnold Wilder was presented his 60 year pin and a Grand Lodge Life Membership. He said, at that time, that he had gotten much more out of Freemasonry than he had ever given to it. He should have measured his words more carefully – the Lodge was going to get a great deal more service out of Brother Wilder in the years to come.

The Lodge continued to remain very active during the 90’s with frequent visits by the various District Deputy Grand Masters. The Christmas program grew and the Lodge provided a Christmas for many needy families in the area in addition to visits and gifts to widows of our brothers and brothers that were incapacitated. In October of 1993 the Lodge voted to donate $100 to the Gettysburg Masonic Memorial in memory of Worshipful Leander G. King, a charter member of Caleb Butler Lodge that died in the battle on July 3, 1863.

The Lodge joined with St Paul Lodge a few times during the 90’s to travel to the Masonic Home in Charleton, MA to perform some degree work and join the residents in a luncheon. There has been a rather long history of the members of the Lodge enjoying meals with their functions. Many times during the 90’s and 2000’s Worshipful Eugene Wixom and his helpers, known as “The Itsy Bitsy Catering Company”, provided wonderful meals for the members.

On October 7, 1995 a historical event took place. Caleb Butler Lodge held a public installation of officers and its special guests were some members of Crispus Attucks Lodge 24, Prince Hall Masons. The guests were Wor. Thomas Wilson, Jr., and Brothers Tidmore, McKinney, Owens, Isaacs, Douglas, Williams and McMillan. Wor. Wilson stated “How great it is for Brothers to meet in harmony after so long and that the members of his Lodge certainly felt at home, especially since so many of us know each other outside the Lodge.” The newly installed Master, Wor. Kenneth Lewis was presented an original painting of the Pleasant Street School Masonic Apartments painted by Brother Harding Bush.

During 1998, Wor. Andrew Waugh introduced us to some Masonic Brothers from Scotland and created a bond between Caleb Butler Lodge and some Lodges in the Inverness, Scotland area. This has resulted in several visits to Scotland by members of our Lodge and several visits to our Lodge by our Scottish Brothers. Around this time also, Marilyn Stafford, widow of Wor Robert Stafford, found a “Traveling Paper” from Shefford Lodge 18 in Waterloo, Quebec, Canada among some of her husband’s papers. A meeting was arranged and a delegation from our Lodge

Wor Charles H. Jones, MW John E. Leide and Wor Dexter W. E. Larose

visited our brothers in Canada and returned the letter. This has resulted in several visits of our brothers to Canada and visits by the Canadians to our Lodge. Wor Paul Poirier led one of our visits to Canada in 1999 and Wor Charles Jones led the visit in October 2005 when Shefford Lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary. Wor. Jones met with MW John E. Leide, Grand Master of Quebec and Wor Dexter W. E. Larose, Master of Shefford Lodge at that meeting and Marilyn Stafford was honored for her role in creating the friendship between the two Lodges.

 

On November 20, 1999, Caleb Butler Lodge held a public dedication of its new apartments at 11 Scully Road in Ayer. Wor Charles Jones welcomed the Most Worshipful Grand Master Fred Kirby Bauer and the Grand Master and his suite performed the ceremony of dedication. Wor Paul Poirier was the Architect of the renovation and he presented the plumb, level and square to

the Grand Master. After the dedication, a reception was held at the Bull Run Restaurant and the Grand Master presented plaques of appreciation to Wor. Gene Wixom, Wor. Milt Starr and Brothers Norman Carkin and Dan Taylor for their work on the new apartments. Wor Wellman Parker presented a Certificate of Recognition from the Ayer Board of Selectmen and Brother Robert Hargraves, State Representative, presented a Resolution from the Massachusetts State

House of Representatives. He also presented a special thank you from the State Legislature to the Wor Anthony Caprio’s wife, the late Rose Caprio, for all the social work she had performed.

One of the highlights from the association of the Lodge with our Canadian and Scottish brothers occurred on October 20, 2001 when there was a combined meeting of the three Lodges in our Masonic apartments. At this meeting, each Lodge exemplified one of the degrees with our Scottish Brother Craig Ross serving as candidate. Brother Craig Ross had recently been raised by his father Wor Frazier Ross. Canadian Lodge 18 from Waterloo Quebec exemplified their first degree, Caleb Butler Lodge exemplified the second degree, and the Scottish Masons exemplified the third degree. The Scots had bagpipe music and Wor Frazier Ross served as Master with his father serving as Senior Deacon. After the degree work, Wor Ross presented the mallet they used, a check for the relief fund and a painting of Bro. Robert Burns to the Worshipful Master, Rick Skoczlas.

In September 2002, while Wor. Skoczlas was Master the Masonic Districts in Massachusetts were reorganized the and Tahattawan and Caleb Butler Lodges were moved to the 14th Masonic District This was a rather sad event for many of the members as they had a long friendship with the members of the various Lodges in the 13th Fitchburg Masonic District. However, the reorganization brought the Lodge together with many different Lodges and new friendships and a special Tri-Lodge meeting was established. Three of the Lodges in the 14th Masonic District meet on the 2nd Monday of the month and we now meet together once a year.

RW H. Arnold Wilder has continued to be recognized for his outstanding service to Masonry. On June 9, 2003 he was presented his 70 year pin. [See photo below.]

Wor David Winters, RW H. Arnold Wilder, MW Roger W. Pageau

 

US Flag Presented by Wor Jim Bursey

On November 11, 2003, Worshipful Brother James P. Bursey was stationed as a Staff Sergeant with the 110th Maintenance Company in the war zone of Iraq. On that day, he flew an American flag over his tent, photographed it, and later presented it to the Lodge. The flag now is encased with a copy of the photo and a plaque declaring the presentation to be in honor of all Brethren who served in the Massachusetts National Guard with the 110th Maintenance Company. The flag can be seen in the entranceway to the lodge room.

Sometime over the Summer of 2006, the Tyler’s sword which was ever at the ready to defend the Lodge from intruders, itself succumbed to the purloinment of thieves. The disappearance was and continues to be a mystery. However, on January 8th of 2007, Brother Robert Brooks Maxwell, serving in the United States Navy, presented the Lodge with a Marine Corps Non-Commissioned Officer’s sword. In true brotherly fashion, it was donated for that purpose by a Lodge of Prince Hall Affiliation in Alexandria, Virginia. Subsequently a display and storage case was built for the sword by Wor. Eugene Wixom and hung outside the lodge room.

The first “Tri-Lodge Meeting of the 14th Masonic District was held on February 12, 2007 in the Masonic Hall in Concord, MA. The three lodges in the District that meet on the same night [the second Monday of the month] – Caleb Butler, Corinthian, and Simon W. Robinson -- met to confer a joint Fellowcraft Degree on 12 candidates. The officers of Caleb Butler conferred the First Section of the Degree, the Second Section was performed by Simon W. Robinson, and the Master’s Lecture was done by the Worshipful Master of the Host Lodge. The dinner was provided by Corinthian Lodge and a wonderful time was had by all those in attendance. It was quite a sight to see with “standing room only” in the lodge room.

A special motion was made during the business of the Lodge on September 10, 2007. Leander King, a founder of the lodge and a Past Master of Army Lodge Number 2, was made an Honorary Past Master of Caleb Butler Lodge. Wor. Brother King was the first member of the Lodge to pass away, having been killed on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Capt. King’s picture as Commander of Company C, 16th Regiment, Mass Volunteers, in full uniform, hangs in the Dining Hall of the Lodge. His body lies in repose in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ayer. At the same meeting, the members also passed a motion to remit the dues of Brethren serving in the Iraq War while they are on their tour of duty overseas in the war zone. These two Patriotic Acts are in keeping with the strong military support that Caleb Butler Lodge has provided over the years.

In December of 2007, Wor. Geoffrey Kromer received the Grand Master’s Award on behalf of Caleb Butler Lodge during the Quarterly communication of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Previously, Wor. Brother Dakin [1982] and Wor. Brother Wixom [1984] had also received the Award. Wor. Brother David Winters would be the latest Caleb Butler Master to receive that award, garnering the honors on February 9th of 2009. At that time, it was revealed that of the 230 constituent lodges in the Grand Jurisdiction of Massachusetts, only six received the award.

At the January 14th, 2008 meeting, the first Lewis Jewels of the grand Lodge of Massachusetts were presented to members of Caleb Butler Lodge. These jewels recognize the holder as being raised a Master Mason at the time that their fathers were [or in the case of they being deceased, having been] Master Masons. The first two recipients of the honor were Wor. Brother Richard W. Skoczylas and Bro. Walter “Rick” Dickson, Jr. The jewel, suspended from the left breast pocket, is a gold “Lewis device” below two bars with the dates of the Father’s initiation and the son’s initiation into the Craft.

On March 10, 2008, Caleb Butler entered the age of cyberspace. At that time, the website of the lodge was launched over the internet: Http://www.calebbutlerlodge.com . The website was constructed and introduced to the international audience of internet “surfers” by Brother Robert Lindberg. Since the date of the launch, it has become a most helpful means of communication for all those that are wired into the 21st Century.

At the meeting of the Lodge on September 27, 2008, two things happened of historical note: Wor. David Winters presented a “Traveling Square” to the newly installed Worshipful Master, R.W. Ernest A. Bean, and Wor. Barry Kromer of Putnam Lodge #46 of South Woodstock, CT presented a hand carved setting maul to the new Master. The first item marked a continuance of a tradition begun two years earlier of passing along a lapel pin in the form of a Master’s Square to be worn when the incumbent Worshipful Master of Caleb Butler Lodge visited other lodges. The second item was hand carved by Wor. Barry Kromer [father of Wor. Geoffrey Kromer of Caleb Butler] from the wood of a tree which had fallen on the historic lodge in Connecticut. The lodge, formed in pre-revolutionary times, is the site of the famous Annual Smoke-Out and Fumigation, attended by many of the members of Caleb Butler. The hickory setting maul should last for many years to come and everyone appreciated the gesture from our Worshipful Brother to the Southwest.

We, the members of the Committee for writing this history, wish the Lodge and all those who compose her Peace, Harmony, and Prosperity in the years to come; that our children and grandchildren may gather within her walls in the time-honored traditions of the Craft – becoming ever better men, better husbands and fathers, and better citizens in their quest for Masonic improvement and perfection.

So Mote it Be.

**********

Worshipful David Joy Dakin

Worshipful Charles Howard Jones

Right Worshipful Richard Witt Van Doren