Early MasonryDepot, at that time still a part of West Springfield, during the winter of 1849 met at various times, in their homes, perhaps, and discussed the advisability of forming a Masonic Lodge, and having a firm belief in the words of the Psalmist,
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is
for Brethren to dwell together in unity" resolved to unite themselves into a society of friends and brothers, to bind themselves more closely together, allow them to meet in fraternal friendship, strengthen one another in all the relations of life and make friendship unalloyed, unselfish, and pure. Upon the receipt of the Warrant from the Grand Lodge, the eight original petitioners proceeded to form the new Lodge. They were Brothers Samuel Knox Hutchinson, Hezekiah Hutchins, Robert T. Buss, Nathaniel W. Quint, Samuel B. Oliver, Samuel Flinn, Charles Mason and William P. Gevat. Brothers S. K. Hutchinson, Hezekiah Hutchins and Robert T. Buss were appointed Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. According to our records, the, first Communication under the Dispensation was held on April 5,1850 of which the following is a copy:
"Mount Tom Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons met at their Hall. Opened on the 1st. Degree of Masonry. Present Master, S. K. Hutchinson. S. Warden, H. Hutchins. J. Warden, R. T. Buss. Treasurer, . . . Secretary, Wm. Withey. S. Deacon, N. W., Quint. J. Deacon, B. Withey. Brother S. Flinn. Brother C. Mason. Tyler M. Palmer." (The Treasurer's chair was vacant, — the reason perhaps is obvious) "Received the petitions of Charles F. Ingalls, Daniel E. Emerson, Wm. W. Giddings. Voted to accept the petitions and refer them to a Committee of Investigation. Voted that the first officers of the Lodge be that Committee. Lecture on the First Degree of Masonry. Lodge closed in due form. W. WITHEY, Secretary." Brother Hutchinson evidently took a deep interest in the new Lodge, for at the next Communication on May 3, he offered to furnish funds to the amount of one hundred dollars to defray expenses and wait until the Lodge could refund the amount. On the same day the Lodge worked for the first time, C. F. Ingalls, D. E. Emerson and William W. Giddings being initiated into the E. A. Degree. On June 7, a code of By-Laws was read and adopted. The Master Mason Degree was worked for the first time on July 26, Brother C. F. Ingalls being the first candidate raised in the Lodge. On Dec. 6, it was voted to apply for a Charter, which was granted on Dec. 12, 1850, and was signed by Edward A. Raymond, Grand Master, Thomas M. Vinson, Senior Grand Warden and Charles W. Moore, Grand Secretary, the date of precedence being March 14, 1850, as previously stated. The first meeting place of the Lodge was in a hall rented from Holyoke Lodge of Odd Fellows in Peck's Block, standing on a lot adjoining the present Holyoke National Bank. On January 9,1851, the Lodge was duly Consecrated. This was the first public function and the event is recorded as follows: Holyoke, Jan. 9th, 1851, A. D., 5851 A. L. Agreeably to the appointment of the District Deputy Grand Master, Franklin Weston, the officers and Brethren of Mount Tom Lodge in Holyoke met at the Lodge-room on High St, where the usual ceremonies were performed prior to forming a procession. The procession formed and marched to Exchange Hall under the marshaling of Bro. James Crooks, the Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, acting as Grand Marshal. In the hall the usual ceremonies of music, prayer, etc., were performed, the oration being delivered by Rev. Bro. Cook of North Adams. Bro. S. K. Hutchinson was presented to the Grand, Master as the Master Elect, after which the Lodge was Consecrated with the usual and appropriate ceremonies. Bro. Hutchinson was then duly installed Master of the Lodge; Bro. Hezekiah Hutchins, Senior Warden; Bro. Samuel Flinn, Junior Warden, Bro. D. C. Emerson, Treasurer; Bro. W.B.C. Pearsons, Secretary; Bro., Nathaniel W. Quint, Senior Deacon; Bro. Charles H. Ingalls, Junior Deacon; and Bro. W. W. Giddings, Tyler. After the Brethren received their charge the Grand Marshal proclaimed the new Lodge by the name of Mount Tom Lodge to be Constituted, Consecrated, and the officers duly installed. The benediction was then pronounced, and the Brethren forming in procession returned to the Lodge-room where the usual ceremonies were performed, after which the Brethren present, with certain strangers, partook of an elegant and palate-satisfying supper at the Samosett House. The proceedings were in a remarkable degree harmonious and had an obvious tendency to allay the prejudices existing against our Ancient and Honorable Inssitution, and of reconciling all persons to the truthfulness of its purposes. W.B.C. PEARSONS, Sec'y. The "Hampden Freeman" under the date of Jan. 9, 1851 reported the affair as follows: "MASONIC GATHERING. The ceremonies of consecration of Mt. Tom Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons took place on Thursday evening last, at Exchange Hall when the officers were installed in due form. The oration explanatory of the objects and principles of the Order was given by Rev. Cook of North Adams who treated his subject in a very able manner and was listened to by a goodly number with evident interest and attention. After the ceremonies at the hall were ended the Lodge repaired with their brethren from abroad, to the Samosett House, and partook of a most excellent supper, which Mr. Marsh had prepared for them. The tables were loaded with everything the epicure could wish for, and a large company soon seated themselves at them, and partook of the luxuries spread before them with good relish. After paying due honors to the eatables, speeches were made, songs and glees were sung and toasts given, till near 12 o'clock, when the company broke up and repaired to their homes, all appearing satisfied with the evening's entertainment." The early records show that the sum of $15 had to accompany an application which included the cost of the Entered Apprentice Degree. The fee for the Fellow Craft Degree was $3 and $2 was the charge for the Master Mason Degree. Furthermore, a ballot was also taken on each of the last two degrees before the candidate was advanced. The annual dues were $1 payable in quarterly installments. The Lodge room was heated by a stove for which was paid $3.25 for half a cord of wood according to an early entry. No doubt the lighting and heating duties fell upon the Tyler. The rent for the hall for 1850 was only $30 which was quite fortunate for the Lodge had as its cash balance on Dec. 6, 1850, but fourteen cents. During the year, under dispensation, twenty-four Communications were held and eight candidates were raised. On August, 18, 1852 misfortune struck the Lodge through the fire which destroyed, Peck's Block in which we held our meetings. The hall was rented from Holyoke Lodge of Odd Fellows. All the property of the Lodge was lost, except the Charter, Book of Records and .By- Laws and Treasurer's book which were not in the building at the time, for which we are truly thankful and they are all in good condition, today. On August 21, 1852, three days after the destruction of the building, which occurred under mysterious circumstances, there appeared in the "Hampden Freeman", a poem signed by W. W. G., evidently William W. Giddings, Junior Warden of the Lodge. Saddened by the loss, his poetic leanings inspired the following: "Thou ruined Hall, oh! where art thou? Low mingled with the dust of earth Where Friendship shone from every brow As childhood round it parent hearth. Where oft kind Clarity has shone Within thy walls her pearly light As angels from their distant thrones To soothe the heart in sorrow's night. Low midst these ruins now are laid The treasures of these kindred bands For self's or will's avenging blade Plucked by a demon's ruthless hand. Such is man where passions blight Bereft of virtue to rebel There's naught secure within that night Where will and reckless passions dwell" Our Regular Communications of September and October of that year were held in the hall of Chapin's Building just north of the recently destroyed Peck's Block. Our next location was in the building later known as Carter's Block, adjacent to Chapin's Building and Hall and which at the time was owned by Bro. A. 0. Colby. Here the Lodge met continuously for forty-three years or until 1895. This building is still standing. During our occupancy the building underwent alterations and improvements at various times, the most important being in 1869 and is referred to by the D. D. G. M., D. W. Crafts of Jerusalem Lodge in his report: "Mount Tom Lodge has materially improved its hall and is now one of the best in the District, and very handsomely furnished, which reflects great credit upon its members." The early entries on the records show items of financial interest such as: In 1855 our stove was replaced with a more elaborate one at the price of $18 and in 1860 an odd expense was incurred when a harp was purchased for $16.80. History does not record the name of the Brother who played the instrument. In 1863 the Lodge appeared quite prosperous or perhaps more civic minded when it loaned $180 "to the first Fire Department of the Town of Holyoke." While our records afford but little information we know from other sources that during the dark days of the Civil War many of our Brethren, overflowing with patriotic fervor, responded to their country's call, some never to return. As a mark of respect for our late President, Abraham Lincoln, it was voted that the hall be draped in mourning for a period of thirty days.
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