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tavern. In February, 1824, they removed to a new Masonic hall in the three story brick building near the court-house, which has since been their abiding place except for a short period. In 1880 Hon. John W. Stewart built large and commodious rooms for the Masons in the third story of a new block on Main street. They had been occupied but a short time when they were destroyed by fire. The lodge has had the singular good fortune to preserve its records through these different conflagrations. Union Lodge has always been prosperous, and since its organization has initiated about six hundred and seventy-five members.

On the 13th of October, 1800, Morning Sun Lodge No. 5 was chartered at Bridport. On the 9th of October, 1815, Independence Lodge No.10 was chartered at Orwell. On the 13th of January, 1859, Libanus Lodge No. 47 was chartered at Bristol, and on the 9th of January, 1862, Simonds Lodge No. 59 was chartered at Shoreham. Six lodges are now, therefore, in successful operation in the county. In addition to these there are three chapters of Royal Arch Masons: Jerusalem No. 2, at Vergennes, chartered August 15, 1805, Potter No. 22, at Middlebury, chartered October 7, 1868, and Gifford No. 23, at Bristol, chartered September 16, 1872. There are three councils of Royal and Select Masters. Vergennes Council No. 2, chartered January 3, 1818, Middlebury No. 14, chartered October 8, 1868, and Munsil Council No. 15, at Bristol, chartered January 17, 1872. Mount Calvary Commandery of Knights Templar was chartered by the Grand Encampment of the United States February 20, 1824.

For about ten years, from 1836 to 1846, owing to an anti-Masonic furore which swept over portions of the country, and which was originated for particular purposes by certain shrewd leading politicians in the State of New York, the Masonic bodies of Vermont suspended business; but when this causeless opposition had spent its force, the Masonic brethren resumed their implements of labor, and have worked faithfully onward in the good work of " brotherly love, relief and truth."

To enumerate all of the prominent men who have been attached to the order would fill more space than we can give to this article, but a sketch of some of them will not be amiss. Among the charter members of Dorchester Lodge was Hon. Enoch Woodbridge, the grandfather of Hon. F. E. Woodbridge, now living in Vergennes. He graduated from Yale College in 1774. He was one of the gallant band who accompanied Ethan Allen in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. He was at Quebec and stood at the side of the brave General Montgomery as he fell. He was at Hubbardton in that disastrous engagement. He was at Bennington engaged with General Stark in that victorious battle, and was present at Burgoyne's surrender. After the war he lived a short time at Pownal and Manchester, and then settled in Vergennes. He was its first mayor, a member of the Legislature in 1791-92-93-94-95 and 1803; judge of the Supreme Court from 1794 to 1810, and became chief justice.

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Dr. Roswell Hopkins was born at Amenia, N. Y., May 16, 1757, was engaged in the battle of Bennington, and rendered other military service in the Revolution. He was clerk of the General Assembly from 1779 to 1787, and secretary of State from 1788 to 1802. In 1786 he removed to Vergennes and was clerk of Addison County Court from 1786 to 1801. He subsequently removed to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. William Brush, another charter member, was judge of the Addison County Court in 1786, and afterward removed to Hopkinton, N. Y.

General Samuel Strong was born at Salisbury, Conn., July 17, 1762, and came to Vermont when three years old. He was elected sheriff of Addison county when twenty-five years old and served two years. He was mayor, and the first president of Vergennes Bank. November 5, 1804, he was chosen by the General Assembly major-general of the Third Division of Vermont Militia, and at the battle of Plattsburgh, September 11,1814, had command of the Vermont Volunteers, where he served with great credit. The General Assembly of Vermont passed a resolution of thanks, and the Legislature of New York presented him with a sword. He was assistant judge of the County Court in 1805, 1807, 1813, 1814, 1815, and town representative in 1804-5.

Colonel Jabez G. Fitch was born at Canterbury, Conn., March 20, 1764. He was United States marshal from 1797 to 1801, and deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of 1801. He was brother of Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, D. D., first president of Williams College.

Philip C. Tucker entered the Grand Lodge in 1824 as grand junior deacon; was deputy grand master from 1829 to 1846, and grand master from 1846 until his death in 1861, a period of fifteen years. He was one of the ablest grand masters who has ever served in the United States. Learned in Masonic history and literature, he was an accomplished writer and an apt and forcible public speaker. Of him, Brother Albert Pike, himself a distinguished Mason, says: " There are a few names in American Freemasonry that will never be forgotten, of men whose intellectual labors and services to the great society it will always be profitable to recall to the remembrance of the craft. The years that pass away after their funerals in no degree weaken their title to our affectionate reverence and gratitude, and their names are indissolubly connected with the history of the order which honored them with office and rank, and was itself honored by having them in its service. One of these few was Philip C. Tucker, grand master of Vermont, a man of singular purity of character and great intellectual endowments."

In addition to his long service as grand master, he served as deputy grand high priest of the Grand Chapter in 1832 and 1833 and from 1849 to 1852, when he was elected grand high priest and served six years. In 1856 he was elected deputy general grand high priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States; from 1854 to 1857 he was deputy grand commander of the

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Grand Commandery of Vermont, voluntarily retiring, owing to the pressure of other Masonic duties. With a pen as sharp as a Damascus blade, few indeed were there who could successfully enter the lists of controversy with the favorite grand master of Vermont, who will long be remembered with pride by the fraternity of the jurisdiction.

Enoch Day Woodbridge, son of Enoch, was born at Bennington, May 16, 1779, and removed to Vergennes with his father. He was repeatedly elected mayor of the city, and in 1816, '18, '24, '34 and '34 was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, and subsequently was elected to the Senate. He left several children, among whom was Frederick E. Woodbridge, who, like his father and grandfather, is a member of the fraternity; has served in both branches of the Legislature as State auditor, and from 1863 to 1869 as a member of Congress. Enoch D. Woodbridge, besides holding many other Masonic offices, was grand secretary of the Grand Lodge from January, 1806, to 1811.

Samuel Wilson, besides having served many years as master of Dorchester Lodge and high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, was, during most of Grand Master Tucker's administration, grand lecturer, and became quite generally known through the country as the custodian of the " Webb-Preston work." He served from 1848 to 1852 as grand senior warden of the Grand Lodge, and in 1860 to 1861 as grand king of the Grand Chapter. He is still living at Vergennes in infirm health and is over ninety years old.

William S. Hopkins, M.D., a leading physician, has long been a prominent member of the order, repeatedly master of Dorchester Lodge and high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, and has held various offfices in the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Vermont, being deputy grand high priest of the Grand Chapter in 1879. He was several times mayor of the city of Vergennes and was for two years a member of the General Assembly.

William C. Bradbury, of Dorchester Lodge, is the present grand recorder of the Grand Commandery of Vermont.

Stephen Haight, of Monkton, was a member of the Masonic bodies at Vergennes, having joined the Chapter there July 21, 1823. He was one of the foremost men of his time in that section of the county, represented his town in the Legislature from 1812 to 1822 inclusive, was four years judge of the County Court and four years sheriff, retiring from this offfice in 1832. He afterward was appointed sergeant-at-arms of the United States Senate, which office he held at his death, January 12, 1841.

Deacon Calvin Squier, of New Haven, a prominent citizen of that town, was for nearly sixty years a Mason, and joined Jerusalem Chapter January 16, 1826, and died May 6, 1880.

Philip C. Tucker, jr., was grand secretary of the Grand Chapter of Vermont in 1841, '50, '51. He removed from Vergennes to Galveston, Tex., and has been at the head of every Masonic

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State grand body in Texas, and is still living at Galveston.

Among the charter members of Union Lodge at Middlebury was Colonel John Chipman, the pioneer settler of the town, who was born at Salisbury, Conn., October 22, 1744. In the spring of 1766 he, with fifteen other young men, came to Vermont with an ox team. There was not a house in Vermont north of Manchester. Chipman located near "Three Mile Bridge," south of the present village; the other fifteen men pushed on to Vergennes; he cleared ten acres and returned in the autumn to Connecticut. He did not return until 1773, when he again located on his ten-acre clearing. The Revolution soon broke out, and, joining Seth Warner, Remember Baker and Ethan Allen, he took up arms for his country. He was present at the capture of Ticonderoga by Allen, and at the taking of St. Johns and Montreal; was at the battle of Hubbardton, serving as first lieutenant in Seth Warner's regiment. He was engaged in the battle of Bennington, and present at Burgoyne's surrender. He returned home at the close of the war, was sheriff of Addison county from 1789 to I801. In 1794, at the organization of the Grand Lodge, he was elected grand senior warden, and in 1798 was elected grand master and served seventeen years with marked ability and to the general acceptance of the craft.

Joel Linsley, another charter member, came from Woodbury, Conn., and when the town was organized, March 2, 1784, was chosen town clerk and served thirty-five years. He was representative in the General Assembly ten years; assistant judge of the Addison County Court from 1795 to 1800, and chief justice of the court from 1801to 1806. His son, Charles Linsley, was afterward eminent as a member of the Addison County bar, and active as a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Daniel Chipman was a member of Union Lodge, and one of the leading citizens of the State. In 1798, '99, 1800, '02, '04, '06, '07, '08 12-14, '18, '21, he was a member of the Legislature from Middlebury, and in 1813 and 1814 was speaker of the House.

Gamaliel Painter, who did so much to found Middlebury College and gave it thirteen thousand dollars, was another member of Union Lodge. He represented Middlebury in the Legislature in 1788-93, '96, 1801, '03, '05, '08, '10.

Samuel Miller and Seth Storrs, both very able lawyers at the commencement of the present century, were active members of the lodge, both serving as wardens prior to 1800. Robert B. Bates, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the Vermont bar, the compeer and rival of Samuel S. Phelps and Horatio Seymour, was many years a member of the Legislature and speaker of the House in 1827-28. He was especially distinguished and had few equals as a jury advocate.

The following are well-remembered members of the lodge: Jonathan Hagar, long a leading

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bookseller in Middlebury; John M. Weeks, one of the most prominent citizens of Salisbury, and the historian of that town; Joshua Stockwell, an active merchant in Cornwall; General William Nash, of New Haven, who was president of the Bank of Middlebury many years, and a member of both branches of the Legislature; Ira Gifford, of New Haven, was many years master of the lodge, and was high priest of Jerusalem Chapter, and eminent commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery, and officiated at the funerals of over fifty of his Masonic brethren, prior to his decease in 1881. He was a most zealous and devoted member, was for a long time deacon of the Congregational Church, and in 1864-65 was a member of the General Assembly. He was also grand king of the Grand Chapter in 1866, '68, '69.

Daniel L. Potter was for several years master of the lodge, but more particularly distinguished himself in his devotion to Christian knighthood. He was grand commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar from 1853 to 1859, and died in June, 1879, and was buried by the Templars, Hon. Barzillai Davenport, of Brandon, then grand commander, officiating.

Joseph Warner, for many years cashier of the Bank of Middlebury, a member of the Legislature in 1842-44, '50, and senator in 1855-56. Deacon Ira Allen, a leading business man of Middlebury, and a member of the Legislature in 1848-49. Erasmus D. Warner, of New Haven, a skilled physician of long practice, who was a member of the Legislature in 1839-40 and senator in 1853-54. William P. Nash, of New Haven, director of the Bank of Middlebury, and a member of the Legislature in 1854-55, and senator in 1868-69. James M. Slade, lieutenant-governor of Vermont in 1856-57. David S. Church, high sheriff of Addison county for many years. Dr. William P. Russel, who was several years master of the lodge, and who served also as deputy grand commander of the Grand Commandery. Samuel Brooks, the present secretary of the lodge, who has served as master several years, and also as high priest of Potter Chapter and eminent commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery, and filled various positions in the grand bodies of the State, have all lent their influence to build up and strengthen the Masonic institution.

Edward S. Dana, of New Haven, became a member of the lodge in 1856 and was the same year elected secretary. He has since served as master and warden. In 1862 he was elected grand master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons of Vermont and served until 1866, when he declined a reelection. In 1868 he was again elected and served until 1876, eight years, making twelve years in all. In 1866 he was elected grand high priest of the Grand Chapter and served one year. In 1875 he was again elected and served until 1879, four years. In 1877 he was elected grand commander of Knights Templar and served until 1881, four years, representing the Grand Commandery in the Grand Encampment of the United States at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1877, and at Chicago in 1880. He has served eight years as chairman of the correspondence committee in the

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Grand Chapter, and now holds that office. In 1875-77 he filled the same station in the Grand Commandery. He was also for twelve years president of the order of High Priesthood of the State.

Thaddeus M. Chapman has devoted his attention chiefly to the orders of knighthood. He was the popular commander of Mt. Calvary Commandery eight years, and, having filled nearly all the subordinate stations in the Grand Commandery, in June, 1885, was elected grand commander, which position he now holds.

John Strong was the first master of the Morning Sun Lodge No. 18 (now No. 5), at Bridport. He was succeeded in 1804 by Joel Barber, and he by Benjamin Skiff in 1806; Henry Hall was master in 1808; Richard Carrique in 1809; John N. Bennett in 1810; Richard Carrique in 1811; Benjamin Skiff in 1812; John Smith, jr., in 1813, with James Fletcher as senior warden and William Whitford as junior warden. Fletcher and Whitford both lived to be about ninety years of age, and have died within a few years. Whitford was master in 1816; Jonathan Wetherbee in 1817; John Bowersin 1822; Calvin Solace in 1826. Judge Solace was both lawyer and farmer, an able and prominent man, who served several terms in the Legislature, and was five years assistant judge of the County Court; Luther Ferre was master in 1828-29 ; Chester Stevens in 1830-31, Solomon Mason in 1833. John Brainard represented the lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1836, its last regular communication before its suspension from labors owing to the anti-Masonic excitement.

Among the other prominent citizens of the town who have contributed to the success of Morning Sun Lodge we mention Paris Fletcher, long president of the Bank of Middlebury, and who served several terms in the Legislature; James Fletcher, his brother, a wealthy and prosperous farmer, who lived to be about ninety years of age, and not long before his death marched a half mile in his Templar uniform at the funeral of a brother; William B. Benjamin, who was for nearly or quite twenty years master of the lodge; John Brainard was in 1847 deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge; Henry N. Solace who was in the Legislature in 1867-68 and was assistant judge of the County Court in 1880-82; Nathan S. Bennett, a member of the Legislature in 1853-54, and now, and for many years past, town clerk; Asa Rice, for several years master of the lodge, and now living at the ripe age of eighty-six years, respected by all who know him; Albert A. Fletcher, son of Paris, formerly master of the lodge, and recently eminent commander of the Mt. Calvary Commandery; he is president of the Bank of Middlebury, was a member of the Legislature in 1872 and of the Senate in 1882.

Daniel Root was the first master of Independence Lodge No. 40 (now No. 9), at Orwell. Benjamin Pardy was master in 1821. The lodge meetings were held for several years at the house of Brother Willis Abell, in the east part of town,

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but in 1821 were removed to the inn of Jeremiah Boynton at the village. This removal created some discontent, and a committee of the Grand Lodge reported in favor of the lodge meeting alternately one year at each place, which report was sanctioned by the Grand Lodge. The lodge was not as frequently represented in the Grand Lodge as most lodges in the vicinity. Wait Branch was master in 1825, and was present at the Grand Lodge. Benjamin Pardy was master in 1829, and Wait Branch in 1830. Among the prominent members of the lodge have been Roswell Bottum, who was fortyfive years town clerk, a member of the Legislature in 1842, and served three years as assistant judge of the County Court. Judge Bottum served as master of the lodge, was a man of quiet, unostentatious manners, and who keenly enjoyed the social relations of life with his brethren. He would sit down to a Masonic banquet past midnight when nearly four score years of age, with as great a relish as any of his younger brethern.

William R. Sanford, one of the most noted and successful breeders of Merino sheep in the United States, and who has served as a member of both the Vermont House and Senate. Joshua W. Boynton, one of the most genial and popular inn keepers of the State, a member of the Legislature in 1859-60, and who was for two years assistant judge of the County Court. William B. Wright, a leading merchant, and a member of the Legislature in 1880. D. W. Clark, a member of the Senate in 1884. E. M. Bottum, formerly master of the lodge, and a member of the Legislature in 1884. Charles E. Abell, a graduate of Middlebury College, who served with great credit in the late war as an officer, and has also served as master of the lodge, and in the Legislature. Dr. Joel Barber and Bishop Bottum were prominent citizens and active members of the lodge. Myron W. C. Wright, of Shoreham, was a member of the Legislature in 1846, '59, '60, and assistant judge of the County Court in 1858 -59. John L. Hammond was for many years president of the bank; C. M. Fletcher, son of Paris Fletcher, of Bridport, served two years in the Legislature; and Moses J. Clark, recently deceased, was also a member of the General Assembly, and George A. Kimball, superintendent of schools for many years, selectman, and present master of the lodge.

The first officers of Libanus Lodge, at Bristol, were Harvey Munsill, master; Horatio Needham, senior warden; and Winter H. Holley, junior warden. Munsill was a member of the Legislature in 1829-31, a member of the Senate in 1842-43, and was for thirty years judge of probate, an able, upright and just man. Needham was a lawyer of ability and of great geniality of temper and fine social qualities. He was in the Legislature in 1835, '37, '39, '47, '48, '52, '53, and in 1853 was speaker of the House. In 1863, at the time of his death, he was grand commander of Knights Templar. Holley was a prosperous merchant, director of the Vergennes Bank, and 1841 was a member of the Legislature.

page 200 HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

Among the other prominent members of the lodge have been the following: Levi Hasseltine, a leading physician, and member of the Legislature in 1855-56. Oliver Smith, of New Haven, who has served in the Legislature and two years as assistant judge of the County Court. Lewis L. Beers, of Monkton, a member of the Legislature in 1849-50, and who has served two years as assistant judge of the County Court. Henry B. Williams, of Monkton,who has served in both branches of the Legislature and as an assistant judge of the County Court. Noble F. Dunshee, who has served in both branches of the Legislature and was sheriff of the county from 1868 to 1885. Edwin D. Barnes, who served as master, and was a member of the Legislature in 1874. Dr. E. M. Kent, physician and druggist, who has served as master, and was a member of the Legislature in 1880. Titus B. Gaige, a member of the Legislature in 1843-44. Rollin Dunshee, a member of the Legislature in 1857. Erwin A. Hasseltine, past master of the lodge and a member of the Legislature in 1884, and Harvey C. Munsill, past master of the lodge and high priest of Gifford Chapter.

George L. Deming was the first master of the Simonds Lodge No. 59, at Shoreham, with Colonel Charles Hunsden senior warder, and Julius N. North junior warden. Deming was for some years the hotel keeper at Shoreham village, and afterwards removed from the State. Hunsden enlisted and served through the late war, and after repeated promotions became colonel of the Eleventh Vermont Volunteers. After his return from the war he was chosen to the Legislature, and aftenwards removed to Albany, N. Y. North was several years master of the lodge, and was a member of the Legislature in 1869 -70, and in the Senate of 1880.

Among the other prominent members have been the following: Thurman Brookins, for some time master, a member of both branches of the Legislature, and two years assistant judge of the County Court. H. S. Brookins, a member of the Legislature in 1856-58. Charles E. Bush, cashier of the bank at Orwell. Gustavus A. Cutting, for many years master of the lodge, and Edgar N. Bissell, a prominent breeder of Merino sheep, and a member of the Legislature of 1882.

Among the clergymen who have resided in the county and have given to Freemasonry their influence and support may be named the following: Thomas Tolman, of Middlebury, the first grand secretary of the Grand Lodge; Ebenezer Brown, of Middlebury; Increase Graves, of Bridport; Ira Ingraham, of Orwell; J. J. Mathias, of Middlebury; Josiah Hopkins, D.D., of New Haven; Alexander Lovell, of Vergennes; Henry Boynton, of Bristol; Robert Hastings, of Orwell; Kittredge Haven, of Shoreham; William H. Lord, of Middlebury; S. F. Calhoun, of Orwell; Frederick S. Fisher, of Vergennes, and Clarence S. Sargent, of New Haven. This is far from a complete list, but enough to show that Freemasonry has had its firm adherents among all classes and professions.

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It is not strange that an institution, supported and upheld by such men as have been enumerated in these pages, should have a powerful and most beneficent influence in the community, and should go down to posterity with a record honorable among men.

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