Thursday, 29 July 2010
Annawon Lodge History, the early days
Written by Dave Mason   
Friday, 14 December 2007 23:00

A brief history of Annawon lodge

Most of this article is adapted from the booklet published in 1973 on Annawon’s 100th anniversary...

ct_antique.jpgIn the mid 1800s, West Haven was a small village of a few hundred inhabitants, then as now, a suburb of the much larger city of New Haven.
Residing in West Haven at that time were less than fifty men know to be Masons. hailing from various lodges.  These brothers were obliged to travel, by foot or horseback, to Adelpi Lodge (then in Fair Haven) or Olive Branch (then in Westville.) or elsewhere.

      One can imagine that these brothers discussed the advisability of forming a local lodge during these arduous trips. Eventually a petion to the Grand Lodge of New Haven was made.  Notable members of the petitioning group included Bro Joseph W. Andrews, for whom the Jos. Andrews Chapter of DeMolay was later named,  Jarvis Kelsey, who became Annawon Lodge's first Master.  Also among the petitioners was Brother Dr. John M Aimes, who suggested the name Annawon for the lodge. There was much discussion, Bro. Aimes persisited, and the name was accepted.  Another signer was  the beloved Bro. Nelson S. Wilmont, veteren of the Civil War, who lost an arm in the Battle of Fredicksburg.  In relating his experience, Bro. Nelson told that he was wounded in battle and lay helpless.  With all hope was gone he gave the Mason’s grand hailing sign of distress, which some unknown brother recognized, then rescued and nursed him until he recovered.
    In due time the Grand Master  granted a dispensation to the newly conferred lodge.  A room known as Thompson Hall was secured, it was a second story over a grocery store, then located on the corner of Main Street and Campbell Ave.   Although it was very small, it answered the purpose, at lest for a wile.  The dispensation having been granted, officers were chosen and a communication  called, and on Monday evening, March 24, 1873, Annawon Lodge 115  was opened on the Master Mason degree and had it’s first stated communication.
Worshipful Master Topping of Hiram Lodge No1 in New Haven, along with other bretheren, opened the Lodge.  Past Grand Master Eli S. Quintard, representing the Grand Lodge, presented the dispensation to Master Elect Jarvis E. Kelsey who took his seat in the East.  James McAlpine, Sr. Warden Elect and Joseph Andrews, Jr. Warden Elect,  took their stations.  Worsipful Master Kelsey then appointed Fredric Bishop  Sr Deacon, Sr Warden Alpine appointed Henry C. Thomas Jr. Deacon, and Jr. Warden Andrews appointed Edgar Beebe and Henry A. Thompson  Stewards.  The buisness of the evening included reciving the application of Cyrus W. Tuttle, who was elected, and became the first brother to become a Mason at Annawon Lodge.  He was the first brother to sign the roll of membership in Annawon Lodge,  which every brother since has signed.  Bro. Tuttle went on to serve as Master of Annawon in 1899 and 1903.
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From early records it is evident that the lodge held weekly meetings.  In November of 1880 the by-laws were ammended to provide for meeting on the second and fourth Mondays - as we do to this day.  The records of the lodge show that fees of $20.00 were collected with a candidate's application, and $20.00 at the Entered Apprentice degree.  No fee was required for the Fellowcraft or Master Mason degree, apparently they prefered to get the full price at the early stages - it must be remembered that $40.00 was quite a lot of mony at that time!
The first lodge room was small and inadequate for the lodge's purpose.  A committee was apointed on March 4th of 1873 to secure a new lodge room.
 A report dated April 24, 1874 stated that a lodge room in a new brick building on the corner of Main Street and Campbell Avenue could be secured for $200.00 rent per year, and that the estimated cost to furnish the lodge would be $550.00.  When the hall was eventually secured the cost to furnish the new lodge was $1,008.68.  At that point subscriptions had raised the sum of $451.00.  As you can see our ancestors had the same frailities of spending more than the raised as we presently have.  However, notes were given for the balance of the money and the amount was paid in full.  The lodge, quartered in it's new home remained there for 38 years.


  More to follow…