Early History of Trumbull Lodge
Trumbull Lodge was named for a most remarkable and almost forgotten Patriot of American Revolution. Just who suggested naming this large for this great man has not been ascertained but the choice has been deemed excellent.
Jonathan Trumbull was born in Lebanon, Connecticut in October 1710. His father was an early settler in Lebanon where he developed a considerable mark until business. Jonathan showed an aptitude for ministry and when enrolled at Harvard at 13 years of age to study theology. He was graduated in 1727, and returned to Lebanon where he obtained a license to preach. He was about to accept the post in a church in nearby Colchester when his elder brother became ill and died. Thereafter causing him to enter into his father's business. Although it must be remembered that Jonathan had not studied law formally he discharged with wisdom and understanding the manifold duties of each office. In his twenties he was elected to the General Assembly. Thereafter he was Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Judge of Windham Probate Court and final, upon the death of Governor Pitkin in 1769, Governor of Connecticut. He was a strong advocate of colonial rights and was the only governor in the colonies to speak out against the harsh British regulations. For many years Lebanon was situated on one of the stages between Boston and New York. On one such stopover General Washington met Jonathan Trumbull and the two became fast friends, and Trumbull pledged all his fortunes to the cause of the colonists. When hostilities finally broke out, it was through Trumbull’s efforts that Connecticut became the principal source of supplies for the Continental Army. Hearing of the affairs at Valley Forge, he dispatched a wagon train of supplies at his own expense to that unfortunate place. Naturally Trumbull’s fortunes declined heavily during that war. His goods and ships were seized at sea in foreign ports, yet he continued sending supplies to designated places where Washington directed. It was then that a generic name came into being. Americans were called "Brother Jonathans". This curious name has been traced to a habit of Washington's, who when seeking Jonathan's advice in times of doubt would say, "let us hear what Brother Jonathan has to say".
Jonathan Trumbull was not a Mason, but the lodge is extraordinarily pleased to be named after him.
The Number “22” was given to Trumbull Lodge by the Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut upon receiving its charter in 1869. It does seem rather odd that a lodge chartered as late as 1869 should have been given such a low number. Consequently, the number was recycled from the disbanding of Hart’s Lodge in neighboring Woodbridge and Bethany.
The first written record of Trumbull Lodge is in the first entry of the first Minute Book which was dated January 23, 1869. Whereas a meeting was held relative to petitioning a Charter for Masonic Lodge, and that the three Senior Officers of said lodge would journey to Hartford to apply for Dispensation and Charter. The second meeting of Trumbull Lodge Under Dispensation was held on February 23rd about four weeks after the first meeting. That second meeting was held in a “Masonic Hall at the Temple.” The Minutes of the second Meeting state that a bill of $2.25 for printing applications was approved. A Lodge of Entered Apprentices was opened but since no names of candidates appear in the record we can only assume that was done to try the Officers’ proficiency in their work. The committee lost no time in getting down to business and we find on the next page of the Minute Book a lovely penned copy of this is Dispensation granted by the Grand Master and dated January 25, 1869. The first official meeting of Trumbull Lodge Under Dispensation was held on January 26, 1869 in Room #2 of the Cutler Building located at the corner of Church and Chapel Streets. The order of business was to assess each member $5 in order to create a Treasury. Candidate fees were set at $50 payable by a $25 fee with application and $25 at the time of initiation. A large sum of money in those days!
The first Master of Trumbull Lodge was James H. Leeds – he was listed in the directory as a carpenter and joiner. While yet working under dispensation two applications were received, one from young carriage maker named Edward Armstrong, and one named James E English whose occupation was listed as the Governor of the State of Connecticut; both were raised to the Sublime Degree on May 6th. Notably that carriage maker also became Master of Trumbull Lodge in 1874. Naturally the high point of the year was the time that the Lodge was officially constituted, and this occurred on June 8, 1869. They were 15 stated communications that year!
When Trumbull Lodge joined the other Masonic Lodges and Chapters in New Haven in 1869, the problem having a permanent Temple building was a manner of prime concern. In due time, it became evident that finding suitable rented quarters was difficult. Many disappointing and fruitless efforts were made up until 1913 at which time the fever reached a peak. At a joint meeting in which representatives from Hiram Lodge No.1, Wooster Lodge No. 79, Trumbull Lodge No. 22, Connecticut Rock Lodge No. 92, Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 125, Franklin Chapter No. 2 R.A.M., Harmony Council No. 8 R.&S.M., New Haven Commandry No. 2 K.T., E.G. Storer Lodge of Perfection A.&A.S.R., Elm City Council P of J, and New Haven Chapter Rose Croix A.&A.S.R., a decision was reached to purchase of plot of land somewhere in the city.
The original association thus formed issued stock that was sold to members of the Fraternity in New Haven. The first meeting of the Association was held on July 2, 1913 whereas it was voted to purchase a property at 218-220 York Street. This property was on the west side York Street, north of Chapel Street was occupied by Morehouse Lewis Piano Company with a showroom and salesroom on the ground floor.
A committee was formed investigate what possibilities property offered. In due course an architect was commissioned to draw up plans and submit them to the Association. The proposed structure was a tomb-like building clad in white marble with bowling alleys, billiard rooms, four Lodge rooms and numerous other ostentatious features which found little favor when the cost was considered. A strong effort to raise funds met only fair success.
Revived interest resulted in a joint meeting on January 1921 when an offer was received from Yale University to buy the York street property. Further negotiations led to a deal whereby the Association received title to land then known as the Scranton property at 1156 Chapel Street. However business conditions were generally not favorable and as time passed little progress was made.
At the annual meeting the Association in January 1924, new officers were elected and a new study with undertaking with a conservative point of view. A search of the city's available properties showed a plot located at 285 Whitney Avenue as being of adequate size and reasonable price. On Washington's Birthday 1926 and informal ceremony the first shovelful of Earth was removed. At high noon on June 12, 1926 a copper box was sealed and place in the cornerstone. At 3:00 p.m. the Most Worshipful Grand Master Arthur N. Nash attended by his associate officers laid the cornerstone in the northeast corner of the building. An interesting side note is the fact that every item used in the building and Temple was paid for in advance. Work progressed as fast as weather conditions allowed. When Wooster Lodge No. 79 had the honor of holding the first meeting in the new Temple building, the structure was completely debt free and a substantial fund was set aside to insure maintenance and repairs.
From one form of austerity imposed by the Depression, the country went into another. That short period of prosperity ended abruptly on December 7, 1941. And perhaps most difficult times for all Masonic fraternal organizations were those years when travel was most restricted. All the Lodges in the Temple building gave up the practice of bi-monthly meetings. This was done to both to conform to the travel restrictions and to conserve heating fuel during the cold months. Additionally those persons working in war industries were on full wartime schedule, which meant working all shifts, Sundays and holidays. Seven day work weeks were standard as well as 12-hour work days. This left most workers with little time for any outside activities. That was 78 years ago, and now here we are at 150th anniversary!