The Portland daily press., 1869-06-12
Correspondence of the Pyess:l

sI masonic Dedlcatfom Mt Alfred
Fraternal Lodge, Number % of Free and
Accepted Masons was instituted in 1928. Its
local habitation at that time was in the ad-
joining town of Shapleigh, whence under q
dispensation from the Grand Lodge, it was re-
moved to Alfred in 1852. The charter of this
lodge bears the signatures of the late Gov.
Robert P. Dunlap and Amos Nourse, and is
countersigncd by the late Gen. Samuel Fes-
senden. The petition for the charter was
signed by John Trafton, John Gowen, William
I'll. Pillsbury, Charles Blanchard, Elisha Bod
well, John L. Paine, Edward B, Remick, John
Nutter, Jeremiah G..odwin, Benjamin j. Her
rick and Roswell Putnam. OF these only two
OF three survive and but one, the venerable
Benjamin J. Herrick, resides in Alfred.
The first master of this lodge was John I
Paine, somewhat distinguished politician
and lawyer, who resided during the last year
of his life in Somerville, Massachusetts,, prac-
tising his profession in Boston, Mr.. Paine
acted as Master for the years 1928, 1929, 1880
and 1881 and was subsequently the Most
Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of Maine
From 1882 to 1852 the lodge held no commu-
nication, but in the latter year it was revived,
and taking new lease of life, has continued
perity and works of charity.
The following named persons have acted as
Masters of the Lodge: Joshua Herrick, 1856;
VIM. H. Miller, 1857 75S; Jefferson Moulton,
1859; Moses w. Emery, 1860; Hiram N Trip,
1861; Thomas Rogers from 1862 to 1866 inclu-
sive; Thomas Holland, 1867, 1868, 1869. Thorn
as Rogers was Deputy Grand Master for this
district for several years.
The meetings of the Lodge since its removal
to Alfred have been held in the upper cham
Der of the old academy, venerable structure,
standing solitary and alone upon the north
eastern outskirts of the village. For several
years the fraternity have agtated the subject
of procuring a more eligible location and o
hall furnished more in accordance with the
prosperity and onward march of Masonry, but
no favorable opportunity occurred to carry out
their designs, until the praiseworthy enter
prise of Messrs. Littlefeld, Leavitt & Co. in
erecting the elegant building now occupied by
them in the very heart of the village, opened
up the way for them to secure suitable acc om-
modations, of which opportunity they speedily
availed themselves, and securing the upper
story set about its completion with as much
celerity as the circums tances would permit.
The hall is neatly frescoed and furnished in q
neat and becoming manner.
The 9th of June having been designated fol-
i.s dedication to Freemasonry,- Ito Virtue and
UNIVERSAL Benevolence, it was with unspeak-
apie satisfaction that the brethren observed
tnat tne threatened storm of the day before
had kindly delayed its visit. and that the day
and weather We're auspicious in all resnects
Alfred never looked more cbarmingly than ON
this occasion. Nature, like the inbab;ta ots of
the good old town, seemed to have nut nm its
holiday attire, and like ancient Canaan. stood
dressed in living green" Indeed there are
few towns in New England which can vie
with Alfred in the beauty of its natural seen
cry. Mountains clad in primeval verdure,
laughing water, gushing from the rocky hill
side at the command of greater than Moses,
calm, inland lakes rejecting, as it were, the
Great Spirits smile, innumerable brooks and
streamlets and fair green fields stretching out
In all directions unite in making the town and
Its surroundings exceedingly attractive to all
lovers of the beautiful li.,t gr.,e
Early in the forenoon delegations from sew
erai adjoining towns, and the Sanford Band,
arrived, followed at about noon by Bradford