FIRST COMMUNICATION
The first communication was held at Milo, Maine, in Temperance Hall, May 25, 1855, Brother I. S. Wiley, presiding. Present were, Brothers W. H. Stanchfield, Russell Kittredge, Edward Nason, William E. Gould, John S. Sampson, and Amos A. Richards. Several petitions were received for the degrees.
June 29, 1855 — A regular communication was held; David Shepard S.M., Edward Nason S.W., Abner Ford J.W., Russell Kittredge, Secy., W. H. Stanchfield S.D., J. M. Burton J.D., A. A. Richards, Tyler. Work in the 1st and 2nd degrees was exemplified.
July 3, 1855 — A special communication was held.
July 27, 1855 — A regular communication was held.
August 24, 1855 — Petitions accepted, bills paid, and closed in due form.
August 31, 1855 — A special communication was called.
September 21st and October 12th, special communications were called for work.
October 19, 1855 — A regular communication. Petitions were received, and there was work in the third degree.
November 25, 1855 — Regular communication.
December 21, 1855 — Regular Annual Communication. Reports were read and accepted. Petitioners, having completed the several degrees, were elected to membership. Then they proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year; Viz: William H. Stanchfield S.M., Edward Nason S.W., I. S. Sampson J.W., Abner Ford, Treas., Russell Kittredge, Secy., William E. Gould S.D., Isaac Leonard J.D., David Shepard S.S., T. Sargent J.S., S. V. Millett, Tyler. Voted - That the Installation of Officers be postponed until the next regular communication. That each Master Mason invite his wife to that occasion.
December 27, 1855 — Special communication was held. Voted to suspend the installation until two weeks from this date, also to invite Brother A. A. Richards to give an address at this time.
January 18, 1856 — Regular communication. Voted as above.
February 1, 1856 — Special communication called for the installation of officers, Wor. Brother, E. B. Averill, D. D. G. M., presiding. This being an open meeting, the ladies were present by invitation. A program was given for their entertainment, then the officers, elected December 21, 1855, were installed.
February 15, 1856 — A regular communication was held. The following were elected:
Finance Committee — John S. Sampson, Isaac Leonard, James M. Burton.
Guardians - William E. Gould, Amos A. Richards, Edward Nason.
March 21, 1856 — A regular communication was held. Petitions were received and there was work in the first degree.
April 19, 1856 - A regular communication was held. Elected a proxy to Grand Lodge in May.
May 11, 1856 — A regular communication was held. Voted that this lodge meet for instructions on the second Thursday evening after the regular communication of each month. It is noted that the word "regular" is changed to "stated" communications.
June 13, 1856 — Stated communication held.
July 11, 1856 — Stated communication held. The by-laws were read and a comparison made with the original issued.
August 15, 1856 — Stated communication held.
September 12, 1856 — Stated communication held.
November 19, 1856 — Stated communication held. The announcement of a Masonic Convention at Dover, December 12th, was read.
December 4, 1856 — Stated communication held. The question of delinquent dues was brought up. The secretary was instructed to notify these members that they should pay or withdraw their membership. Officers were then elected for the ensuing year; Viz: William E. Gould W.M., John S. Sampson S.W., T. Sargent, Jr. J.W., S. D. Millett, Treas., Russell Kittredge, Secy., W. H. Stanchfield S.D., John Hodgkins J.D., Edward Nason S.S., Isaac Leonard J.S., S. V. Millett, Tyler, Moses W. Brown, Marshal.
Finance Committee — J. S. Sampson, W. H. Stanchfield, W. E. Gould.
Guardians — W. E. Gould, J. S. Sampson, T. Sargent, Jr.
December 18, 1856 — Special communication called for installation of officers. Wor. Brother E. B. Merrill presided and installed the officers.
January 2, 1857 — Stated communication held.
February 6, 1857 — Stated communication held. It is noted in the records that the candidates were required to pass a satisfactory examination in the degrees previously taken before advancing to a higher degree. It was proposed that a new floor be laid in the hall. A committee was appointed for that purpose.
March 1, 1857 — Stated communication held.
April 3, 1857 — Stated communication held. A new by-law was adopted: "That ministers of the Gospel may be initiated, passed and raised in this lodge and all fees shall be remitted except the application fee of three dollars." (This is not a practice at the present time.)
April 23, 1857 — Special communication called for work in the first degree. It is recorded that a dimit was given Bro. Josiah Towle at his request. A proxy to Grand Lodge was elected, which indicates that the business of the lodge could be legally transacted at special communications.
May 8, 1857 — Stated communication held.
May 21, 1857 — Special communication called for work.
June 5, 1857 — Stated communication held. A communication from John I. Bell, D. D. G. M. of the 7th District, was read.
July 3, 1857 — Stated communication held. Brothers Jason Huckins, Charles B. Huckins and Amos A. Richards were raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason, and several applications for the degrees of Masonry were received.
July 31, 1857 — Stated communication held. Again on account of the phases of the moon, two stated communications were held in one month. This was opened as a lodge of Master Masons and later closed to resume as a lodge of Entered Apprentices to confer the work of this degree on a candidate.
August 28, 1857 — Special communication held, for work in the first degree.
September 4, 1857 — Stated communication held. Opened in the Fellow Craft degree and two candidates were passed.
October 2, 1857 — Stated communication held, At this time a committee was appointed to examine the by-laws and recommend such changes they deemed advisable as required by Grand Lodge. It is noted that T. Sargent, Jr. (he is one of the first settlers of Milo) is quite active in the doings of the lodge.
October 16, 1857 — Special communication held. Bro. S. C. Shute was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason.
October 29, 1857 — Special communication held. Work in the Fellow Craft decree.
November 28, 1857 - Stated communication held. It was voted to buy a new stove. The Fellow Craft degree was conferred on one candidate.
December 25, 1857 — Stated communication held. Bro. Royal Quimby was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year; Viz: W. E. Gould W.M., Russell Kittredge S.W., T. Sargent, Jr. J.W.,
Isaac Leonard, Treas., C. B. Huckins, Secy., S. D. Millett S.D., J. S. Sampson J.D., M. W. Brown, Mar., Edward Nason S.S., John Hodgkins J.S., S. V. Millett, Tyler.
Committee of Finance — W. H. Stanchfield, R. Kittredge, Edward Nason.
Guardians - W. E. Gould, R. Kittredge, T. Sargent, Jr.
January 12, 1858 — Tuesday evening at 6:00 o'clock. This lodge was called for the purpose of installation. The ladies presented the lodge with the Holy Writings. A prayer was offered by Rev. James Hartford of Plymouth Lodge and the officers elected December 25, 1857, were installed.
January 29, 1858 — Stated communication held. Voted to adopt by-laws as recommended by Grand Lodge.
February 26, 1858 — Stated communication held. Voted to exclude dancing in the hall. Candidates passed the lecture in the third degree of Masonry.
March 26, 1858 — Stated communication held.
April 23, 1858 - Stated communication held. Bro. S. V. Millett was elected as a proxy to Grand Lodge.
May 21, 1858 — Stated communication held.
June 25, 1858 — Stated communication held.
July 23, 1858 — Stated communication held. Applications were received for the degrees in Masonry, and were referred.
August 20, 1858 — Stated communication held. Work in the first degree.
September 17, 1858 — Stated communication held. The degree of Fellow Craft was conferred on two candidates.
October 22, 1858 — Stated communication held. Bro. Theodore Wyman was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason.
November 19, 1858 — Stated communication held. Voted to install the officers elected for 1859 on the night of election. (That by-law is in vogue at the present time).
December 17, 1858 — Stated communication held. Work in the Fellow Craft degree. Officers elected: J. S. Sampson W.M., W. H. Stanchfield S.W., M. W. Brown J.W., Isaac Leonard, Treas., C. B. Huckins, Secy., S. D. Millett, Tyler, R. Quimby, Mar.
Finance Committee - W. H. Stanchfield, W. E. Gould, R. Kittredge.
Past Master W. E. Gould installed the officers.
December 24, 1858 - Special communication called for work in the Fellow Craft degree. The lectures in the first and second degrees were given. Resolutions of Respect were read for Bro. Abner Ford who died at Sebec, November 10, 1858. Voted that these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased, a copy be spread on the records and also be sent to the Observer for publication in its next edition.
January 14, 1859 — Stated communication held. Candidates passed the lessons of the third degree of Masonry.
January 21, 1859 — Special communication held, to receive a visit from D. D. G. M. Silas Alden who made a very instructive talk. Also honored by the presence of Bro. D. Bugabee W.M., of Rising Virtue Lodge No. 10, in Bangor.
February 11, 1859 — Special communication held. Voted J. S. Sampson, W. H. Stanchfield and M. W. Brown, Guardians of this lodge for the year 1859.
March 18, 1859 — Stated communication held.
April 15, 1859 — Stated communication held. Applications received and accepted, also candidates worked in the first degree.
May 13, 1859 — Stated communication held. Work in the second degree.
May 21, 1859 — Special communication held. Nathaniel Milton Smith of Brownville received the Entered Apprentice degree.
June 10, 1859 — Stated communication held.
July 8, 1859 — Stated communication held. Work done in the first degree.
August 13, 1859 — Stated communication held. Two candidates were crafted.
September 9, 1859 - Stated communication held. Bro. N. M. Smith was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason.
October 7, 1859 - Stated communication held.
No communication recorded as of November, reason not given, but it may have been on account of the moon.
December 9, 1859 - Stated communication held. Applications received and accepted, then proceeded to elect officers for the year 1860; Viz: J. S. Sampson W.M., C. B. Huckins S.W., Theodore Wyman J.W., Isaac Leonard, Treas., Russell Kittredge, Secy., J Hodgkins S.D., E. Nason J.D., W. E. Gould S.S., W. S. Merrill J.S., S. V. Millett, Tyler, S. D. Millett, Mar.
Committee of Finance — R. Wyman, W. E. Gould, S. W. Merrill.
December 27, 1859 — Special communication held for the purpose of installing the officers, Past Master W. E. Gould, presiding.
January 5, 1860 — Stated communication held. Voted to purchase aprons and sashes which apparently was the official regalia of the officers at that time.
February 3, 1860 — Stated communication held, D.D.G.M. Silas Alden presiding. Work was done in the second degree.
March 2, 1860 — Stated communication held. Bros. Joseph C. Eveleth and Samuel Glover were raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason.
March 30, 1860 — Stated communication held. Voted to let the hall to the Sons of Temperance for ten dollars a year, to be paid quarterly.
April 10, 1860 — Special communication held. Voted to the Grand Lodge, yearly dues it being in the sum of $13.75; also elected Russell Kittredge proxy to that august body.
May 4, 1860 — Stated communication held. No work recorded.
May 24, 1860 — Special communication at noon called to give the Masonic burial rites for Bro. James M. Burton who died at his home in Medford. R.W. E. B. Averill assisted by Bro. James S. Wiley performed the service.
June 1, 1860 — Stated communication held.
June 29, 1860 — Stated communication held. Applications were received from three candidates and referred. Oliver K. Nason, having been entered, crafted and passed satisfactory examination in these degrees, was then raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason. Dimit given to Bro. Jason Huckins.
July 26, 1860 — Stated communication held. Applications received and work done in the Fellow Craft degree.
August 11, 1860 — Special communication held. Voted to buy kerosene oil lamps for the hall.
August 17, 1860 — Special communication held. Work in the first degree.
August 21, 1860 - Special communication held. One brother was crafted.
August 23, 1860 — Special communication held. Bro. Lewis R. Haskell received the third degree in Masonry.
August 31, 1860 — Stated communication held. Several candi-dates were crafted.
September 28, 1860 — Stated communication held. Bro. Kendall Pollard was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason.
October 25, 1860 — Stated communication held. Bro. Ezra W. Gould was elected to membership on dimit presented at a previous communication.
October 29, 1860 — Special communication held. Frank Gilman of Sebec was entered in due form.
November 9, 1860 — Special communication held. Two candidates were crafted at this time.
November 23, 1860 — Stated communication held. Work in the second degree.
November 30, 1860 — Special communication held. Bro. Frank Gilman was raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason.
December 21, 1860 — Stated communication held. Bros. A. Arnold and Isaac Libby were raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason. The following officers were elected; Viz: Russell Kittredge W.M., S. D. Millett S.W., T. Wyman J.W., Isaac Leonard, Treas., C. B. Huckins, Secy., J. S. Sampson S.D., C. J. Ford J.D., W. E. Gould S.S., O. K. Nason J.S., M. W. Brown, Mar.
Finance Committee - R. Kittredge S. D. Millett, J. S. Sampson.
Guardians - C. B. Huckins, W. E. Gould, Seth Merrill.
December 21, 1860 - Report of finance committee was read and accepted. Voted to install the officers on Dec. 27.
December 27, 1860 — Special communication held, for installation of officers, as was voted at the last stated communication.
January 25, 1861 — Stated communication held.
February 22, 1861 - Stated communication held. Voted to amend the by-laws regarding the amount of the dues to be assessed annually, it to be hereafter one dollar per annum.
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