Lodge Histories.

Lodge met and passed a resolve that tbe brethren Avear black crape with blue ribbon on the left arm for thirty days as a badge of mourning for tbe decease of their Illustrious Broth or , George Washington , and to listen to an eulogy to be pronounced tho next clay by Joseph Story , Esq . He who pronounced that eulogy placed bis name on tbe rolls of fame as a jurist higher than any American has over reachedOther laces claim names famed in the

. p may records of jurisprudence , but tin ' s town claims a Story higher . The records close , 1803 , with Elisba Story as Master , ancl open January 10 th , 1809 , Avith Ralph French as Master . Then for the first time we find an account of the installation of officers . He held the office for one year , and a large number were initiated . He was re-elected , but declined , ancl Bro . Eben G . Evans was elected , serving one year . Bro . John Candler was then electedand served till the

, surrender of the charter in 1812 . But three times in tbe records do Ave find a presentation made to any Master or brother . In 1810 , a modal Avas presented to Brother French ; in 1859 , a Past Master ' s Jewel Avas presented to Wor . Brother Blaney as tokens of respect for their services in Masonry ; and in April , 1872 , a purse of money to Bro . Peter J . Rogers , on bis eightieth birthday , and then more than fifty years a Mason .

At a meeting , January 23 rd , 18 . 12 , the Lodge voted to return tbe charter . Then war again raged , but now its fiercest conflicts were upon tbe ocean , ancl this town sent forth ber bravest sons to aid in the conflict upon the decks of privateers or battle-ships . They nobl y did their duty , ancl at the close of that war had a roll of tbe members of the old Lodge been called , tbe greater number of responses Avonld have come from Dartmoor or tbe prison-hulks of England . From 1812 to 1821 Masonry remained silent in this town , but in April of 1821 a meeting of several of tho brethren Avas bolden for tbe purpose of consulting on the expediency of re-establishing tbe Loclge . OE tbe thirteen

petitioners for tho restoration of tho charier , not one is now living ' , tbe last one , Bro . E . Kimball , having died within a year . At a meeting , April 9 th , Brother John Bartlett Avas elected Master , and all tho other offices filled . June 24 th , 1822 , the new ball Avas dedicated ( this bouse was afterwards purchased and occupied by Bro . David Blaney , and it is in possession of tbe famil y at this date , 1880 ) , by Grand Loclge , with honours . An oration Avas delivered bBro . Thaddeus M . Harrisof Dorchesterand a dinner Avas prepared at tbe

y , , Fort . All of ns here present remember that day by tradition ; for myself , tbe first recollection that I have of Masonry was the saying that it alivays rained AA'hen the Masons walked . I belioA ' c that it was generall y conceded by all that it never rained harder before and never will again rain as on that clay . The fact of it is a matter of record , and also the fact that it was much needed , as vegetation Avas suffering , and it Avas regarded as a great blessing from the Grand

Master of the Universe . Brother John Bartlett remained as Master till 1825 , then Bro . R . W . French for one year , then Bro . Creasey for two years , then Bro . Trolly for one year , then Bro . Traill . Under these tbe Loclge increased in numbers and prospered till tho dark days of Masonry came on . Then , in that wild tempest of fanaticism , with most of the Lodges in its vicinit y it again surrendered its charter . In those days to be a Mason was indeed to be a marked

man , doubled and mistrusted ; but that fiery ordeal through which it then passed became a positive good , for the cowardly and the mean , the scheming politician , and tbe vile demagogue , AVIIO bad sought for the means of rising to political power Avithin its Lodges , left it , never , Ave hope , again to return . Then it was tbe true Mason stood fearless and erect , conscious that in the cud virtue and light would be triumphant . For awhile the storm raged

, but soon spent its fury , then broken and scattered , tbe clouds rolled aAvay , the sun came out again , the Loclge slowl y revived , and the true Mason found himself by its consecrated altars . In March , 1841 , the charter was again called back , and Bro . John Bartlett elected Master . He held office till December of tbe same year , Avben Bro ,