Our Lodge - Easton Lodge 152
Meets First Thursday Of The Month, 7:30PM
22 South Third Street, Easton, PA 18042
THE HISTORY OF EASTON LODGE NO 152
The Beginning
In 1776, the tax assessment of Easton was 64 houses, 29 horses, 66 horned cattle, 60 sheep, 3 bound servants, and 4 Negro slaves. Shortly thereafter, in 1779 Masonic Meetings started being held in Easton by Colonel Procter under warrant No. 19 at the flats south of Easton along the Lehigh river before their journey north to engage the Five Nations of the Iroquois Indians. On September 2, 1782, a petition was granted to Lodge No. 38, Easton PA with the following members: William M Smith, WM, Alexander Patterson, SW, Theophilus Shannon JW, John Dick, Jacob Humprey and John Bush. Freemasonry in the Lehigh Valley was now official.
Willaim M Smith became Grand Master in 1797 and Theophilus Shannon was the rentor of what is now as the Buchman Taveren which was owned by George Taylor. Brother Shannon bought the Tavern On April 17. In 1817, Masons, who were members of Olive Branch Lodge No 16, Sussex County Phillipsburg, NJ and Jordon Lodge No 151 of Allentown, PA met at the home of James Hays on Pomfret St. (3rd Street) for the purpose of forming a Lodge. The petition was signed by the following: Christian Hutter WM, George Wolf SW, and John Erb JW. The following masaons who attended are: Manneduke McMichael, James Ralston, George Barnet, Christon Hutter, James Hays, John Erb John Fogal David Roch, Abrehem,Sevan, Conrad Keider, Peter Gwinner, Jacob Hartm Fredrick Bartholds, George Wolf, Henry Spering, John Bramham, John Dolby, Herny Segreaves and James Rochrock. Christian Hutter was the editor of the Easton Sentral Newspaper and George Wolf was a Lawyer and President of the Easton Water Co, later to become Governer of Pennsylvania.
On May 13, 1817, the petition was granted and on May 26, 1817, the Lodge was Constituted on the second floor of the Court House which was also the Courtroom. That evening John Dolby, Secretary and Henry Spering, Treasurer were elected.
The By-laws were set and the annual dues were $1.00 and the intitation fee was $2.00. Date set was the day after the full moon. Later the fees were raised to $5 per Degree. The refreshments for that days meeting totaled $37.00.
On September 18, 1818, James Madison Porter transferred to the Easton Lodge. Brother Porter was a Lawyer and later Secretary of War under President Tyler and was also one of the founders of Lafayette College.
Suspension of Easton Lodge
On October 3, 1821 The Easton Lodge received a circular from Lancaster Lodge No. 43 inviting the country Lodges to a meeting in Harrisburg. The meeting was called to discuss the following points:
- The inequality of respresentation in the Grand Lodge.
- The misapplication of funds drawn on the Country Lodges.
- The want of Masonic Light and instruction from The Grand Lodge.
Easton Lodge agreed to send 2 men.
At the same meeting it was decided to submit a plan for a Master Mason's Manual.
On December 12, 1822 the Grand Lodge requested an apprearence of the Easton Lodge to show cause why the Lodge should not be suspended. A letter was sent to Grand Lodge informing them that they had no right to punish us for a difference of opinion and that what they were doing was against the Land Marks.
On January 2, 1823 a committee was sent to the Grand Lodge in Philadelphia. There, they were informed that the Warrent was suspended on November 18, 1822. The committe then demanded a hearing and was at first denied. They then informed Grand Lodge that to suspend a Warrant without a hearing, was against the Rules and Regulations. They also demanded to hear the charges against the Easton Lodge. The Grand Lodge now realized that no charges were filed. A hearing was had and the Grand Lodge fearing that this could break up its union, granted Easton Lodge's demands first to return the Warrant of Lancaster #43, to create representation in the Grand Lodge, the need for Masonic Education and that the Grand Master visit the country Lodges once a year
The Grand Lodge agreed to the demands
Through the Years...
12/3/1825 A Grand Lodge Lecturer attends to give instruction and exaime the minutes.
12/19/1825 Publication of the Ahiman Rezon for the suborinate Lodges.
2/19/1825 Motion was made to build a new hall and also to open a RoyalArch Chapter.
6/22/1826 The committee on obtaining a bulding, reported that a lot could be purchase for $400 and the cost of the building would be about $2000. On motion, to go ahead and obtain suscriptions and a and loan from Easton Bank.
12/3/1826 Motion to purchase a lot on Fermor St. between Northampton and Ferry for $450. Fermor is now 2nd St.
1/18/1827 Grand Lodge announced that a District Deputy Grand Master would be installed to represent Northampton, Lehigh and Pike counties.
6/14/1827 Purchased lot on Pomfret St from the late Samuel Sitgraves.
3/6/1828 James M. Porter appointed D.D.G.M.
3/3/1828 Unable to get aid from neigboring Lodges to erect New Hall.
6/10/1830 Last Meeting of the Easton Lodge as this was the begining of the Anti-Masonic Crusade when most of the Lodges disbanded, Jordon Lodge No 151, Olive Brank Lodge No 16, etc.
6/21/1836 First meeting since 1830. 38 Masons who were members of Olive Branch Lodge joined Easton Lodge.
10/4/1840 Motion to allow the Odd Fellows to use their furniture.
1/20/1848 Joint Committees of the Odd Fellows and this lodge, renting and furnishing a new hall.
2/24/1848 Collected $24 to furnish new hall.
3/23/1848 Committee to collect the furniture and other properity of the lodge and have them ready for the move to the new hall at the NE corner of 3rd & Ferry.
8/10/1849 Communication read from Peace and Plenty Lodge #69 Odd Fellows asking that a committee be form to solicit funds for the relief of the hall.
12/6/1849 A Mason's Manual was released.
1850 all busness was now conducted in the M.M. Prior to that time, all busness was conducted in the E.A. and it was not unusual to find a E.A. sitting in a electived chair. I found at one time a Bro. was Passed, Raised and elected Secretary in one night.and that a Brother was Entered and elected JW at the same time.
8/22/1850 Motion to furnish room, approved.
9/25/1850 Motion to carpet the room, approved.
3/11/1852 Motion to install gas fixtures and burners for $129, if rent is not increased. The Grand Sec. receives $1260 per An.
4/8/1852 Bill presented by the proprietors of the Odd Fellows Hall for 1 years rent.
1/20/1853 Motion to purchase another stove like the one they have.
1854 Light fixtures installed.
11/27/1856 Members from the area of Williamsburg, Northampton Co. want to petition the G.L. for a new Lodge, which will be Mount Bethal
1858 Gas bill is $13.86 a year.
10/13/1859 A communication was read from Milton Lodge #256 for donations, as their Lodge was destroyed by fire.
12/15/1859 Donated $15 to Milton Lodge.
James Madison Porter Jr, entered Easton Lodge on April 1859 and was aWM, .DDGM and Grand Master in 1878.
9/6/1860 A proposition was read from T M Zulich to transfer stock to the Lodge and release him from indebtness.
11/1/1860 Insurance was obtained for the Lodge and Hugh De Paynes Commandry #19.
12/19/1861 The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the proprietors of the Hall find them incorrect. A bill for $5.11?coal, ice and candles.
11/11/1862 James M Porter dies and the Lodge is drapped in black in mourning for one year.
12/11/1862 Request to form a new Masonic District
6/23/1864 A committee to investiage the cause of the damages to Lodge property.
11/17/1864 Request from George Washington Lodge #143 for relief from damage cause by the war.
Easton Lodge lost 3 members to the war. One at the battle of Winchester Virg,. one at Andersonville, as a POW one on a gunboat on the Miss at New Madrid.
12/28/1882 Easton Lodge presented George C Bebler with a Ebony Gold Headed Cane for his many years of service as Tyler. This Cane was returned to the Lodge.
2/11/1866 A plan was submitted to improve the Lodge Room.to close off the window in back of the station of the M.M.install a small circular table for the M.M. and an overhead canopy in blue taprestry with the letter G in gas lights.
May 23 1867, Thirteen members asked for demits in order to form a new Lodge, Dallas Lodge
Dues in 1866 was $4.00
On Feb 7, 1884, The first Stated Meeting of Easton Lodge was held since it moved to their present location, known as the Kneeht's Building A banquet was held along with Dallas No 396 at the United States Hotel previous to the meeting. The lease was between the Lodges and Commandey No 19 which now owned the building. The lease was for $150.00 per year.
Feb, 25 1884. Easton Chapter No 173 presented The Book of Minutes and The Roll of Members of Nothampton
Mark Lodge No. 212 which was Constituted Oct 2, 1837 and was dissolved.
April 1, 1892, Easton Lodge presented Thaddeus S Boyd with a Gold Headed Cane for his many years of service and was returned to the Lodge in 1940. This cane is in the show case in the banquet room, It is to be presented to the oldest member who lives near the Lodge and is to be returned when that member is deceased.
February 2, 1950, The Easton Lodge moved to the Elks Bldg at 33 S 3rd St. due to a fire that destroyed the 4th floor and all of the lodge furniture and warrant. The last Meeting held in The Easton Lodge Hall was on January 16, 1950.
The Lodge Today
Easton Lodge 152 meets the first Thursday Of The Month, 7:30 PM. at 22 South Third Street, Easton, PA 18042.
Lodge News
New Officers Installed for 2012
Congratulations to the new officers for 2012. They were installed at the stated meeting in December. We wish you all good luck this year with your duties. New officers are listed here. Photos to come.
