~~Joseph Warren-Soley Lodge, AF & AM 150TH ANNIVERSARY~~
150TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, NOVEMBER 2006
From Proceedings, Page 2006-153:
By Donald L. Dawes, P. M.
The early history of both Joseph Warren and Soley Lodges has been thoroughly documented at previous anniversary celebrations and there is little this author could add to our early history. Soley Lodge moved to Lincoln from Somerville in 1960 and Joseph Warren Lodge merged with Soley Lodge and moved from Boston in 1983.
I would like to briefly tell the biographies of both our namesakes for reference. Given their age difference, they probably never met. They were both extremely dedicated Masons and it is most appropriate for their names to be joined, particularly in the name of a Masonic Lodge.
I have been a resident of Lincoln since before the Lodge moved here and can provide a short history based partially on my own participation during our early years in Lincoln ending with the merger.
JOSEPH WARREN
Joseph Warren was born in Roxbury in 1741. He graduated from Harvard in 1759 and practiced medicine in Boston. He was an ardent Mason and a member of The Lodge of Saint Andrew, which met in the "Long Room"®of the Green Dragon Tavern. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized on St. John's Day, 1767 with Joseph Warren as Grand Master. It was at the Green Dragon that Sam Adams,Paul Revere, Warren, Hancock, Otis and others met and passed resolutions in opposition to British policies. Joseph was a member of the Boston Committee of Safetyy and in 1774 presented to the convention in Milton the Suffolk Resolves, advocating forcible resistance to the British. These were conveyed to Congress in Philadelphia in Paul Revere's saddlebags and endorsed by those present. On the night of April 18, 1775, he dispatched Dawes and Revere to warn the patriots that the British were marching on Concord. He was killed during the battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill on June 17, 1775 at the age of 34.
JOHN SOLEY
John Soley was born in Charlestown February 1, 1765, making him 24 years younger than Joseph Warren. He attended the district schools, and, while a youth, displayed both intelligence and a good level of common sense. Charlestown was at the time an active shipping center. More than a thousand ships a year entered and left the port producing a good living for local merchants. John Soley took up merchandising and became quite a prosperous and respected merchant.
He was initiated into King Solomon's Lodge on January 11, 1791 and elected Worshipful Master in 1794. He held office for three years (1794, 1795 and 1796) and greatly endeared himself to the Lodge and the Craft. He was appointed to the committee to obtain land in Russell's pasture and erect a monument to Major General and Most Worshipful Joseph Warren and his companions who fell during the battle of Bunker Hill. The monument was dedicated on December 2, 1794 by Wor. John Soley, Master of the lodge.
"Nations in all ages have endeavored to perpetuate the brilliant actions of their heroes, thereby to inspire the living with a spirit of emulation and to discharge the obligations they owe to those deeds of valor by which their rights are secured."
John was a prominent and charitable man and was greatly esteemed. The public offices he held included Justice of the Peace, councilor and judge of the lower court. He was treasurer of the old Charles River Bridge Corporation and a director of the Massachusetts State Prison. He was elected and served in the State Legislature during the years 1813 and 1814.
Wor. Bro. Soley was elected an Honorary Member of his lodge in December, 1806. He served as Senior Warden in 1808. He was admitted a member of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, March 23, 1795 and elected as King, October 21, 1796.
He was active as an officer in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts:
It is interesting to note the relation of the two men whose ages differed by 24 years and that the lodge bearing John Soley's name was instituted 23 years after the one bearing Joseph Warren's name.
THE LODGE IN LINCOLN
My wife and I moved to Lincoln in 1958. There was no lodge in Lincoln at the time so I attended my mother lodge in Cambridge. There was an active Square and Compass Club composed of Masons from many lodges (predominately Corinthian in Concord) who met socially more or less regularly at various houses just to stay in touch. In late 1959 we began to hear rumors that a lodge in Somerville was looking for a new location that would be easier to get to and might provide more fertile grounds for new candidates. Lincoln was considered a good choice since it is easy to get to both from the city and the outlying suburbs. By this time many of the lodges members lived outside of Somerville. There were at the time five lodges in Somerville, three of which met at the apartments in Gilman Square.
Wor. Alfred C. Walton of Soley Lodge stands out as an energetic backer of the move. He was a lawyer and helped to pass many legal hurdles that came up in the process of moving and securing a new building. Two prime backers from Lincoln at the time were Wor. Harold Lawson (Corinthian) and Wor. John W. Barber, Jr. (John Abbot) who were neighbors along Route 2 in Lincoln. Wor. Lawson was a farmer with a fresh produce stand on the highway and had many good opportunities to talk to prospective affiliates and candidates.
From the Abstract of Proceedings of The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, June 8, 1960:
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wardens and Members of Grand Lodge:
Soley Lodge has submitted a petition praying that its charter be amended so as to change its location from the City of SomerviUe to the town of Lincoln. It appears that Soley Lodge has been losing ground for several years and despairs of survival in its present location.
The Town of Lincoln is unoccupied Masonic territory and is contiguous to three other towns in the same category. Therefore, a move to Lincoln holds considerable promise of renewed Masonic interest. Satisfactory facilities for holding Lodge meetings are available in the Farrington Memorial Building on the Concord Turnpike within the Town of Lincoln. This location is exceptionally accessible and has ample parking facilities.
After due notice, the petition as here presented was unanimously approved by Soley Lodge at its regular communication held May 16, 1960. The Committee on Charters and By-Laws therefore recommends that the petition be granted to become effective September 1, 1960.
Fraternally submitted,
J. Henry Johnson
From Proceedings, Page 2006-153:
By Donald L. Dawes, P. M.
The early history of both Joseph Warren and Soley Lodges has been thoroughly documented at previous anniversary celebrations and there is little this author could add to our early history. Soley Lodge moved to Lincoln from Somerville in 1960 and Joseph Warren Lodge merged with Soley Lodge and moved from Boston in 1983.
I would like to briefly tell the biographies of both our namesakes for reference. Given their age difference, they probably never met. They were both extremely dedicated Masons and it is most appropriate for their names to be joined, particularly in the name of a Masonic Lodge.
I have been a resident of Lincoln since before the Lodge moved here and can provide a short history based partially on my own participation during our early years in Lincoln ending with the merger.
JOSEPH WARREN
Joseph Warren was born in Roxbury in 1741. He graduated from Harvard in 1759 and practiced medicine in Boston. He was an ardent Mason and a member of The Lodge of Saint Andrew, which met in the "Long Room"®of the Green Dragon Tavern. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized on St. John's Day, 1767 with Joseph Warren as Grand Master. It was at the Green Dragon that Sam Adams,Paul Revere, Warren, Hancock, Otis and others met and passed resolutions in opposition to British policies. Joseph was a member of the Boston Committee of Safetyy and in 1774 presented to the convention in Milton the Suffolk Resolves, advocating forcible resistance to the British. These were conveyed to Congress in Philadelphia in Paul Revere's saddlebags and endorsed by those present. On the night of April 18, 1775, he dispatched Dawes and Revere to warn the patriots that the British were marching on Concord. He was killed during the battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill on June 17, 1775 at the age of 34.
JOHN SOLEY
John Soley was born in Charlestown February 1, 1765, making him 24 years younger than Joseph Warren. He attended the district schools, and, while a youth, displayed both intelligence and a good level of common sense. Charlestown was at the time an active shipping center. More than a thousand ships a year entered and left the port producing a good living for local merchants. John Soley took up merchandising and became quite a prosperous and respected merchant.
He was initiated into King Solomon's Lodge on January 11, 1791 and elected Worshipful Master in 1794. He held office for three years (1794, 1795 and 1796) and greatly endeared himself to the Lodge and the Craft. He was appointed to the committee to obtain land in Russell's pasture and erect a monument to Major General and Most Worshipful Joseph Warren and his companions who fell during the battle of Bunker Hill. The monument was dedicated on December 2, 1794 by Wor. John Soley, Master of the lodge.
"Nations in all ages have endeavored to perpetuate the brilliant actions of their heroes, thereby to inspire the living with a spirit of emulation and to discharge the obligations they owe to those deeds of valor by which their rights are secured."
John was a prominent and charitable man and was greatly esteemed. The public offices he held included Justice of the Peace, councilor and judge of the lower court. He was treasurer of the old Charles River Bridge Corporation and a director of the Massachusetts State Prison. He was elected and served in the State Legislature during the years 1813 and 1814.
Wor. Bro. Soley was elected an Honorary Member of his lodge in December, 1806. He served as Senior Warden in 1808. He was admitted a member of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, March 23, 1795 and elected as King, October 21, 1796.
He was active as an officer in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts:
- Junior Grand Warden, 1803, 1804
- Senior Grand Warden, 1805, 1806
- Grand Secretary, 1811-1818
- Most Worshipful Grand Master, 1826, 1827, 1828
It is interesting to note the relation of the two men whose ages differed by 24 years and that the lodge bearing John Soley's name was instituted 23 years after the one bearing Joseph Warren's name.
THE LODGE IN LINCOLN
My wife and I moved to Lincoln in 1958. There was no lodge in Lincoln at the time so I attended my mother lodge in Cambridge. There was an active Square and Compass Club composed of Masons from many lodges (predominately Corinthian in Concord) who met socially more or less regularly at various houses just to stay in touch. In late 1959 we began to hear rumors that a lodge in Somerville was looking for a new location that would be easier to get to and might provide more fertile grounds for new candidates. Lincoln was considered a good choice since it is easy to get to both from the city and the outlying suburbs. By this time many of the lodges members lived outside of Somerville. There were at the time five lodges in Somerville, three of which met at the apartments in Gilman Square.
Wor. Alfred C. Walton of Soley Lodge stands out as an energetic backer of the move. He was a lawyer and helped to pass many legal hurdles that came up in the process of moving and securing a new building. Two prime backers from Lincoln at the time were Wor. Harold Lawson (Corinthian) and Wor. John W. Barber, Jr. (John Abbot) who were neighbors along Route 2 in Lincoln. Wor. Lawson was a farmer with a fresh produce stand on the highway and had many good opportunities to talk to prospective affiliates and candidates.
From the Abstract of Proceedings of The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, June 8, 1960:
To the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Wardens and Members of Grand Lodge:
Soley Lodge has submitted a petition praying that its charter be amended so as to change its location from the City of SomerviUe to the town of Lincoln. It appears that Soley Lodge has been losing ground for several years and despairs of survival in its present location.
The Town of Lincoln is unoccupied Masonic territory and is contiguous to three other towns in the same category. Therefore, a move to Lincoln holds considerable promise of renewed Masonic interest. Satisfactory facilities for holding Lodge meetings are available in the Farrington Memorial Building on the Concord Turnpike within the Town of Lincoln. This location is exceptionally accessible and has ample parking facilities.
After due notice, the petition as here presented was unanimously approved by Soley Lodge at its regular communication held May 16, 1960. The Committee on Charters and By-Laws therefore recommends that the petition be granted to become effective September 1, 1960.
Fraternally submitted,
J. Henry Johnson