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Over 225 Years
Union Lodge No. 40, A.F. & A.M., of Danbury, Connecticut, was
constituted on March 23, 1780, during the American Revolution. In 2005 the l=dge
celebrated its 225th anniversary. The original warrant for Union Lodge was
issued under authority of John Rowe, Provincial Grand Master of St. John
Grand Lodge (Moderns), Boston, Massachusetts. Many early members of the lodge
were 20 American soldiers serving at a supply depot and a military hospital then
located in Danbury. Brothers from lodges in Fairfield and Woodbury, Connecticut,
conducted the first installation of lodge officers on April 19, 1780. The first
Master of Union Lodge was Sallu Pell, a physician and surgeon. The first
initiate was Josiah Bartlett, then serving in Danbury as a military
surgeon E2 mate, who later became Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts.
Union Lodge maintained its original constitution until 1797. In November of that
year the lodge came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut
(formed in 1789) and was designated number 40.
Early communications of Union Lodge were held in private homes. In 1814, the
lodge paid a little more than $400 to construct an addition to a building then
housing a local tavern. This hall served as the lodge’s permanent home until it
burned in 1850. For the next seventy-five years Union Lodge occupied several,
rental spaces, at first with a local lodge of Odd Fellows and later in upstairs
rooms of commercial buildings located in downtown Danbury. In 1921 the lodge
purchased a large house at 337 Main St. to use for social functions. This
building was extensively renovated and added to and is now known as the Masonic
Temple. Meetings of Union Lodge and associated bodies have been conducted there
since 1925.
Major General David Wooster (1711-1777), Revolutionary War hero, is called
the “Father of Freemasonry in Connecticut.” He secured a charter for and in 1750
was first Master of the first Masonic lodge organized in Connecticut, at New Haven, and now called Hiram Lodge No. 1. In April 1777 General Wooster was
wounded at Ridgefield, Connecticut, while leading American forces in pursuit of
British raiders who had burned buildings and destroyed Continental military
stores at Danbury. Wooster was carried to Danbury where he died and was burieded
a few days later. Members of Union Lodge working with other interested local citizens, Masons from around Connecticut, and state government leaders conceived
and in 1854 erected a sculpted brownstone monument marking the General's
final resting place. Over the years Union Lodge has hosted many ceremonies
honoring and remembering the contributions and legacy of David Wooster.
Four Brothers who became Grand Masters of Masons have been members of Union
Lodge. The first was Josiah Bartlett (1759-1820) mentioned above. After
completing his military service Bartlett returned to his hometown of
Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he became the first Master of King
Solomons Lodge. Active in the Massachusetts Grand Lodge Bartlett was
elected Grand Master of Massachusetts in 1797, 1798, and 1809. John C. Blackman
(1807-1872) was a two-time Master of Union Lodge during the 1830s before
relocating to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and serving as Master of St. John’s Lodge
No. 3. Active in the Grand Lodge of Connecticut during the 1850s Blackman became
Grand Master in 1859. James H. Welsh (1831-1899), Past Master and long-time
Secretary of Union Lodge served as Grand Master of Connecticut for the term
beginning in 1896. He is one of a handful of individuals to ever head the Grand
Chapter, the Grand Council, the Grand Commandery, and the Grand Lodge of
Connecticut. Clarence Austin (1857-1933) was Master of Union Lodge in 1904
and 1905. He later became a Grand Lodge officer and was elected Grand Master of
Connecticut in 1915.
Danbury, first settled in 1684, was once a center of hat-making and is
still remembered as the “Hat City.” Many members of Union Lodge were associated
with the hatting industry while others were farmers, tradesman, clergymen, or operated local businesses. Over the years Danbury’s economy has diversified and
present day Brothers of Union Lodge come from many and varied walks of life. Common to members of all eras has been an interest in and dedication to their fraternity and their community. In 1984 the Grand Lodge of Connecticut presented
its David Wooster Medal in Silver to Union Lodge. The citation accompanying the
medal concludes this way:
The highest award of the most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Connecticut bearing the name of David Wooster, the scholar, citizen, soldier, martyr, an Freemason, has been presented to a select few recipients in the past, always in
recognition of outstanding public service and exemplary conduct.
As a memento to be cherished, as a token of well earned recognition for
devoted service, and as a mark of Fraternal appreciation, the Most Worshipfu Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Connecticut is proud to award the General David Wooster Medal in Silver to Union Lodge No. 40 A.F & A..,
exponent of the Masonic attributes of Brotherhood, patriotism, and beneficene
in this Community for more than 200 years, and entrusts this Medal to the
Worshipful Master for appropriate display.
The above excerpt was written by Douglas H. Parkhurst - Lodge Historian of Union Lodge # 40
As you can see, Union lodge No.40, Danbury, CT has stood the test of time for the past 225 years. As current day, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons (A.F.&A.M.) we have come a long way since then. As the years have passed, Union Lodge No.40 represents a pillar of Danbury's history and a strong landmark which is what many of its men have become yesterday and today. as you enter into Union Lodge No.40, remember the history that had made it was it is today. Please come and join us to experience the histories and the friendships that Union Lodge has forged.
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