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Community Corner

Masons Trace 220 Year History in Newtown

Hiram Lodge No. 18 has a long and vibrant history in town.

Captain Peter Nichols’ grave lies on a peaceful hill in the Newtown Village Cemetery across the street from Ram Pasture.

In his lifetime, which spanned from 1732 to 1799, Nichols was an active leader in Connecticut society. He established a school in South Center Kettletown, which is present day Southbury, served on Newtown’s Board of Tax Collectors, and was installed as the first Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge No. 18 in 1791.  

The Masons marked 220 years of history in Newtown this year wreath ceremony on Sunday, which had been scheduled for Jan. 14, the day of Hiram Lodge’s chartering in 1791, but the exceptionally snowy winter precluded this from happening.  

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On that day in 1791, several Masons from Woodbury traveled to the home of Bennett Perry in Newtown to officially install Peter Nichols as the first Master of Hiram Lodge.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Rev. Philo Perry of Trinity Church in Newtown delivered an oration to those present. That marked the beginning of Nichols’ tenure as Master Mason, as well as Hiram Lodge itself. 

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“Masonry is almost as old in Newtown as Newton itself,” said William G. Hillman, the present-day Lodge Master.

Many of the names of former Master Masons, including Blackman, Fairchild, and Shepard, are visible on street signs and landmarks across Newtown. 

“Throughout our history,” Hillman said, “you’ll find many notable citizens who helped build Newtown.” 

Marvin Self, who has been a member of Hiram Lodge for 56 years, attributes much of the joys of his life to his membership in that organization. 

“There’s no telling what I would have done if I didn’t have my brothers,” he said, adding that the Masons are “a brotherhood in the truest sense.”

Masons, including  Kevin White, a member of Danbury's Union Lodge 40 who was at Sunday's wreath ceremony, said they feel privileged to have a connection to such a close community of friends.

“Wherever you go in the world,” he said, “you’re never alone. You have brothers everywhere.” 

Correction: Marvin Self's last name was incorrect in an earlier version of this article.

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