Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-12
UNCAS LODGE IS T YEARS OLD
Odd Fellows Celebrate Address by Judge Nelson J. Ayling-Ashley I. Boon, One of Four Oldest Members Was Charman-Musical Numbers Programme.

continent was Shakspere No. ', New York city, Dec. 26, 1S06 The five odd Fellows composing this lodge were Of the Loyal Independent Order, and the moving spirits were Solomon Cham bers and his son. John C., English me chanicS from the south of London. The early members were zealous workers, and other lodges were soon organized. In 1909 the roll of membership in the six New York city lodges comprised 36 prominent citizens and business men, as well as many others of less infiu- ence. In 1919 George Pope Morris was admitted, and at once became a leader in the councils of the order in the Elm pire State Attempts had then been made to plant Odd Fellowship in other parts of North America In 1915 there were two lodges in Halifax, Mayo Sco- | tia-Royal Wellington, No. l, and Loy- al Bon AccOrde, No. 2. Little is known of this pioneer effort in the British provinces. but the minutes of the Man chester Unity record a lodge chartered in Halifax about this date-evidence preSumptiVe of Unity lodge. In BoS- ton during ISIS James B. Barnes. who had emigrated to this country from England the previous year. and four others instituted Massachusetts lodge, No | and held regular meetings, the method being, like New York, ancient usage and self-institution. The records eXtant, however, date only from March 20, 1920. Two Englishmen, a Jew, an Irishman and a F>renchman comprised it's charer membership. Washington lodge. No. 1. of Baltimore. was organ ized April 26, 1919 under the leadership of Thomas Wildey, now recognized as the founder of American Odd Fellow ship. WildeY came to the United States from England in ISIS. He had been affiliated with one of the branch es abroad since 1894, had passed the lol,,, ,;,-e. r., Odd Fellow.
 Judge Ayling was enthusiastically applauded' at the close of his ad- dress.
 The double quartette was again heard in Like the Woodland Roses Fair, and Lullaby, and they concluded their part of the entertainment with the Stein Song, as an encore.
 In behalf of the members of the lodge the chairman extended a vote of thanks to the quartette for their services. Following another selection by the orchestra William J. Banf1eld mystified all with a number of slefght of hand tricks. Refreshments of ice cream. cake and coffee were served and cigars were passed around.
 Four Oldest Members.
 The four oldest members of the lodge and the dates on which they entered the organization as as follows:
 Charles w Spalding-Jan. 15 1866.
 Henry $. Gay-Sept. 24, 1S66
 Calvin J. Roath-March 4, 1866.
 Ashley T. Boon-June 12, 1872
 Brothers Spalding, Gay and Roath were unable to attend the celebration so Brother Boon claimed the distinc- ton of being the oldest member in the hall.
 Present Officers.
 The present officers of Uncas lodge are: Noble Grand. Ernest K Man ming; Vice Grand D. Louis Browning; Recording Secretary John F. Auburn: Financial Secretary James Fl. Smith; Treasurer F. D. Greene
 The committee in charge of the so cial evening comprised Noble Grand Ernest K Manning, chairman. Viye Grand D. Louis Browning. Louis Ort- men, Clarence Brown and Henry NJ. Betting.