In the Beginning ...
Despite the 125 years which have elapsed, the events connected with the formation of Eureka Lodge are extremely well documented. Much of this is due to the efforts of Bro. and Dr. William S. Codman, the first Lodge Historian, who compiled its history covering the years 1855-1870. His work is quite complete, informative and well written. It contains much information which would otherwise have been lost as it does not appear in the minute books or elsewhere in the Lodge records. The following is taken from his account of the organization of Eureka Lodge and its operation while under Dispensation.
"...a few Masons actuated by a desire to have some place where they might meet for social intercourse and learn to improve themselves in Masonry, began a movement looking to the establishment of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in this vicinity. There being no lodge situated within ten miles of the business portion of the place, but a few of the citizens had ever sought an opportunity to attach themselves to our ancient and honorable institution.
The greater part of the male portion of the community being mariners, consequently absent a large share of the time, rendering it possible to attend a Lodge only occasionally, had debarred many from becoming members of our order, who were well worthy of the confidence and honor, and only wanted more favorable circumstances to make application.
It was not until the place had been most thoroughly canvassed by those interested, that enough could be found to sign a petition to the Grand Lodge, to be congregated into a Lodge of Master Masons. Nearly a year elapsed after the movement first began, ere enough could be assembled at any one time to transact the necessary business. After several ineffectual attempts however, a meeting was finally organized at the sail loft of Brother S.H. Jackson, at Tenants Harbor, May 10 (1855) when the subject was taken up and fully discussed. A petition was signed to the M.W. John Miller, G.M. of the M.W. Grand Lodge of the State, praying for a dispensation under which to act, which was recommended by Orient Lodge of Thomaston, and countersigned by R.W. Henry Clark, D.D.G.M. Several names were proposed for the new Lodge, and that of Eureka was finally adopted. Officers were chosen to act under the dispensation, should it be granted, and it was voted to hold meetings in a room at Mosquito Harbor, to be called Mason's Hall. Although most inconveniently situated and ill adapted to the purpose for which it was proposed to make use of it, our brethren were compelled to "make a virtue of necessity" and take that or none, as no other room could be procured."
The Petition for a Dispensation referred to by Bro. Codman, was signed by 14 Masons resident in the Town of St. George. They included Brothers Charles Stearns, Oren Prescott, John H. Smalley, Warren Blake, Lewis Ogier, William Long, William Smalley, George Barter, S. H. Jackson, John E. Dailey, William Brownrigg, Ebenezer Otis, James Wood and Alexander Allen. This Petition is still in existence and is in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Maine in Portland.
The sail loft of Bro. S. H. Jackson where the organizational meeting was held, is located on the second floor of the building owned by Deacon Robert Long on the Tenants Harbor waterfront. This building, still standing, was recently entered in the National Register of Historic Places, as evidence of Tenants Harbor's days as a shipbuilding center.
The room at Mosquito Harbor where Eureka Lodge first held its meetings, was on the second floor of Fred O. Martin's store in Martinsville. It was located on the harbor on the foundation now used for W. S. Cook's fish house.
The Dispensation requested was issued by Grand Master John Miller, on July 27, 1855, and names "Brother Ebenezer Otis to be the first Master, Brother S. H. Jackson to be the first Senior Warden, and Brother John E. Dailey to be the first Junior Warden of the said new Lodge." The Dispensation was copied in its entirety in the first minute book of the Lodge.
The petitioners lost no time once the Dispensation was received, and on August 6, 1855, held the first meeting of Eureka Lodge U.D. in Mason's Hall, Martinsville. Present were Eben G. Otis, WM; S. H. Jackson, SW; John E. Dailey, JW; Oren Prescott, Treasurer; Charles Stearns, Secretary; Lewis Ogier, SD; John H. Smalley, JD; Warren Blake, Tyler, and Bros. Alexander Allen and William Long. We continue with Bro. Codman's narrative.
"Although this was the first authorized meeting, we find four petitions were presented asking for the degrees within the gift of the Lodge, and for a long time two or more petitions were presented at every communication, from those who had long wished to attach themselves to our order, but up to this time, had been prevented from so doing by the difficulty of attending Lodges situated so far away.
On the evening that the first work was performed by the Lodge, M.W. John Miller, G.M. of the Grand Lodge of the State was present and assisted with his kind advise and goodly counsel in initiating four candidates into the mysteries of the Entered Apprentice degree. For over eight months, the Lodge steadily persevered in the work of the first two degrees, and it was not until the eighteenth of March (1856) that they entered upon the work of the third and last degree within their gift. This was not from any desire on the part of the Lodge, or inability to enter upon the work of this degree, but from the 'will and pleasure' of the Worshipful Master, to put it off from time to time. Again the M.W.G. Master of the State, John Miller was present to aid by his presence and fatherly counsel in raising Brother Henry Wiley to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, who was the first brother to have that honor conferred upon him by Eureka Lodge. The next evening the same degree was conferred upon three more brethren under the supervision of the M.W.G.M. who still remained. The meeting held on the evening of the twenty fourth of April, seems to have been the last held under the Dispensation, and closes the administration of Brother Otis. During Brother Otis' term in office, the Lodge was in its infancy, and had all the difficulties, troubles and trials incident to the first struggles of all new Lodges. The officers having had but little opportunity to attend a Lodge, and none of them ever having filled the positions to which they were assigned, frequently they found themselves situated where they hardly knew what was right or what was wrong. The absence of the Worshipful Master who being a farmer and a lawyer, found his other duties so onerous that he was frequently deprived of the privilege of attending the communications; and the extremely inconvenient situation of the Hall tended to seriously interfere with the whole workings of the Lodge. As a whole, however, the administration of Brother Otis may be said to have been a success. Much of the success was due to the then M.W.G. Master John Miller, or Father Miller, as he was more commonly called, who was several times present in person, to aid and assist by his presence and instruction, and ever stood ready to stretch forth a helping hand in time of need, by giving good advise or a kindly word of encouragement."
Brother Codman goes on to note one incident which marred the peace and harmony of the new Lodge. He states that there was "a misunderstanding between a few Entered Apprentices and some of the members in regard to the rights and privileges of E.A. Masons in a Lodge. The former, sustained by the Worshipful Master, insisted upon the exercise of certain rights, privileges and benefits to which the latter contended they were in no way entitled." The dispute was finally referred to the Grand Master, who upheld the members in their contention. Brother Codman reports that the matter was never fully resolved. Apparently the E.A.s refused to accept the Grand Master's ruling, and were never advanced further.
The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maine show that at the Annual Communication of May 2, 1856, the Grand Master (John Miller) reported:
"On the 27th of July, I granted a dispensation to certain brethren to form and open a lodge in St. George, County of Lincoln, by the name Eureka Lodge. The application was accompanied by the recommendation of the nearest Lodge, and the approval of the District Deputy Grand Master, and the dispensation is returnable at the present session."
The Proceedings further note that "Petitions of Eureka Lodge for a Charter were presented and referred to the Committee on Dispensations and Charters." That Committee late in the session, reported back to the Grand Lodge recommending "That a Charter be granted to the Lodge at St. George, to be called Eureka Lodge No. 84."
The recommendation was adopted by the Grand Lodge, and thus Eureka completed its probationary period and became a Chartered Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons on May 2, 1856.
While operating under dispensation, Eureka Lodge held 15 communications, initiated 12 candidates as Entered Apprentices, passed 6 to the degree of Fellowcraft, and raised 5 to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
With the 1856 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, M.W. John Miller who did so much to help Eureka Lodge through her birth pains, concluded his term as Grand Master. He was reappointed to his old office of District Deputy Grand Master of the Fourth Masonic District.
Eureka Lodge was assigned to this Fourth District, which then included the following Lodges:
Lincoln No. 3, Wiscasset Aurora No. 50, Rockland
Orient No. 15, Thomaston King Solomon's No. 61, Waldoboro
St. George's No. 16, Warren Bristol No. 74, Bristol
Alna No. 43, Damariscotta Rockland No. 79, Rockland
Eureka No. 84, St. George
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