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Oxoboxo History
For many years in one Grand Lodge Session after another, the name of Oxoboxo Lodge #116 has been an object of great curiosity, particularly in the fact it’s spelt the same forward or backward. Many brethren have inquired as to where it is and whence came its name. Montville was that part of New London known as the North Parish and extended to Cochinknack Brook or River and also called Saw Mill Brook, due, no doubt to the many sawmills located on it. Later this stream became known as Okseeboksee Brook, which legend has defined as the river from the small pond, now called Oxoboxo Lake in contrast to the large lake which is now Gardner Lake that makes part of the boundary between Montville and Salem. North of Cochinknack Brook was the southern part of Norwich. In the middle of the 19th century Montville’s many manufacturing concerns included a saw mill about one mile south of Oxoboxo Lake Dam owned by a gentleman named Parish. Farther east was a small woolen mill owned by Mr. Schofield. Next in Oakdale was a large stone mill that later was part of the Massasoit Manufacturing Company who bleached cotton for the Eastman Kodak Company. Next were three paper mills owned by three brothers and is in existence now, (1987) the Robertson Paper box Company. (2022) Rand-Whitney Containerboard. Near the last mill was palmer’s Bed Quilt Mill, with branches in New London and Fitchville. Very close to Palmer’s Mill was the R. G. Hooper Woolen Mill who’s owner was the 1st Master of Oxoboxo #116. Below the woolen mill were two cotton mills and last on the streams Johnson’s Dye Mill were dye wood or log wood brought from Central America was chipped into small bits and distilled to make various shades of red dye. It was from this group of mill owners and a few other brothers being masons from Lodges in New London and Norwich decided to unite and petition the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for a charter to establish a lodge in the Town of Montville. On March 30,1875, 21 brothers from Union Lodge #31 in New London and Somerset Lodge #34 in Norwich asked the Grand Lodge of Connecticut to grant a charter for a Lodge in Montville to be named Oxoboxo, a derivative of the former Indian name of the brook or river in the town. After due consideration by the Grand lodge a charter was issued.
Trench Art
This beautiful trench art lamp was presented to Oxoboxo Lodge No. 116, Montville, Connecticut on 21 March 1939 by Brother James Delpaggio. The Lodge then presented brother James with a Masonic ring as a token of the appreciation and esteem that the members of the Lodge had for him and his devotion to Oxoboxo Lodge. This lamp is 40 inches tall. It is made of brass and steel and weighs over 40 pounds. It is surmounted by a five pointed star at the top. The stand is solid brass and has the level on the left side and the plumb on the right side. At the base is the Mosaic Pavement representing the ground floor of King Solomon's Temple. It also depicts the three, five, and seven steps, and at the top is the two great pillars of Boaz and Jachin. Between the pillars is the Square and Compasses with the Letter "G". On the outer sides and on top of the pillars are the two globes representing the terrestrial and celestial spheres. The rear of the lamp has embossed filigree. The projectile is highly polished steel and is adorned with three hand painted shades. The lamp is used by Oxoboxo Lodge to signify what degree the Lodge is working in. With one lamp turned on it is working in the Entered Apprentice degree, with two lamps on the FellowCraft degree, with all three lamps on the Master Mason degree. A special "Thank You" to Worshipful Brother Richard B. Lord of Oxoboxo Lodge No. 116 for submitting the pictures and description of this wonderful lamp!
LodgeArt
Oxoboxo has a long history of having many Brothers through the years that are Masters of their craft, wood working, art, tattoos, and so much more.