Connecticut western news., 1883-06-06
CENTENNIAL
MOntgOmeryL0dgo ,LakeVille,
 Wednesday, June 20, 1883. '"

The arrangements are completed anc the 20th of June will witness, at Lake
 vile the greatest assemblage and the most imposing masonic ceremonies evel seen in Litchfeld county. Already the following organizations have given no tice that they will be present on the oc casion and participate in the celebration Washington Commandry No 1, Hartford Clark Commandry, Waterbury; Hamil ton Commandry, Bridgeport; Hudson Commandry, New-York; Pittsfeld Com. mandry, Pittsfeld, Mass. There will be present, lodges from all parts of the state; also from Berkshire county, Mass, Duchess and Columbia counties, N Y. Arrangements have been made with par | ties from the city, to set the tables and fur nish the dishes. Two mammoth tents have been procured in Boston. These tents will accommodate about 120OO persons, and in case the weather should prove unfavorable, the thousands assembled, can take shelter under them.
 Montgomery lodge was chartered in 1783 by the Grand lodge of North America, and is older than the Grand lodge of the state of Connecticut. The original charter has been missing many years and no one could tell what had become of it. Col Harlow P Harris voluntarily undertook the forlorn hope of finding this ancient charter and after months of patient and untiring search and inquiry, it was found in the archives of the Grand lodge of Connecticut. No man living knew what had become of the original charter and to Col Harris is due the honor resurrecting it. This an- cient charter is signed by Grand Mas ter, Joseph Webb, and by Paul Revere, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand lodge of North America. This old charter will be presented at Lakeville, June 20, to Montgomery lodge by the Grand secretary of Connecticut. Hez- ekiah Fitch was the first Master of Montgomery lodge and the jewel of his office worn by him, is still in the poses sion of Montgomery lodge, and can be seen on this occasion. It is of solid sil- yer and is in remarkable state of per- sevation.
 The Grand lodge of the state of Con- necticut was organized in 1788, and in 1792 took up Montgom- cry lodges charter, which they received from the Grand lodge of North America, and issued in the place of it, the present charter of Montgom- cry lodge. Thus we discover that Montgomery lodge is older than its step-father, the Grand lodge of Connec- ticut. Gen Montgomery, of Quebec fame, after whom Montgomery lodge was named, lived on Town Hill in Sails burry, about mile southeast of Lake vile. The old stone house where Montgomery lived is still standing and is now owned by the Cleavland family.
 Exercises commence at II o'clock M and close at 5 o'clock M. The Hart ford X Connecticut railroad will carry passengers at one half fare. Regular train from Hartford 6:42 o'clock AM, special train from Hartford at o'clock A M; from Rhinecliffe 8:45 M; special on Housatonic railroad from Bridgeport and regular from Pittsfeld to connect with Hartford special at Canaan. The Hartford & Connecticut Western rail- road will be ready to take all passengers from the Harlem, Newburgh, Duchess & Connecticut, and Poughkeepsie rail roads at Millerton. Brethren will ap- pear in full regalia.