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Finding Aid - Independent Order of Odd Fellows

The Papers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110

Collection Overview

Collection Name: The Papers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110
Span Dates: 1846-1966
Creator: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Extent: 25 items, 1 archival box measuring 20 ¾ x 16 ¼ x 3 ¼ (width by length by depth in inches)
Language: Collection material is in English
Repository: The Duxbury Free Library History Room
Call number: AR ESA S4B1 ODD
Abstract: This collection contains records created by and related to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110, which was located in Duxbury, MA.

Historical Note: 
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F) is a fraternal organization, founded in the 17 th century in England. The Order of Odd Fellows was established in North America in Baltimore, in April of 1819, but did not become independent of England until 1834. The first Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge was established in Massachusetts in 1820 and granted a Charter in 1823 by the Grand Lodge of the US. The Massachusetts Lodge has been dissolved and reformed several times and there are 36 active Odd Fellows Lodges in Massachusetts today. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows' logo is three links, with the letters ‘F”, “L”, and “T” within each link. The letters stand for Friendship, Love and Truth. When they join, all new members of the I.O.O.F. pledge “to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan".

The materials in this collection were created by and for use by the Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110, which was located in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The Mattakeesett Lodge was granted a Charter on February 5, 1846 and the Lodge was instituted on March 6, 1846. The I.O.O.F. originally met at Sprague Hall on Washington Street. In the 1890s, a building known as the Mattakeesett Lodge was built and became home to the I.O.O.F. in Duxbury. After the I.O.O.F Mattakeesett Lodge was disbanded, the building was used generally by the community and has now been renovated into a private home.

Subject Headings

  • Odd-Fellows, Independent Order of Fraternal OrganizationsDuxbury (Mass.)
  • By-Laws
  • Receipts (Acknowledgments)
  • Fire Insurance

Administrative Information

Provenance: The Papers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110 were given to the Duxbury Free Library by Charles and Russell Hamblin in 1998.

Access Restrictions: For use in the library only (Duxbury History Room)

Finding Aid Prepared by: Kerry Durkin, August 2008

Scope and Content Note: This collection is made up of 25 items, either created by or belonging to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110.

Container List

All items are in a large archival box, measuring 20 ¾ x 16 ¼ x 3 ¼ (width by length by depth in inches). Items are listed chronologically, by date of creation.

  1. ‘Constitution: By-Laws and Rules of Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110, Independent Order of Odd Fellows'; 1846-1966. Also contains list of all members' names, occupations and residence. Dates begin in 1905, sporadically recorded until 1946. Dating until 1966.
  2. ‘Question Book'. c.1846-10/20/1883. 100 p. Preformatted book which lists each member name, age, occupation, residence, etc. Records for 199 members.
  3. “Question Book'. 11/19/1883-12/6/1924. 96 p. Preformatted book which lists each member name, age, occupation, residence, etc. Records for 186 members.
  4. 4 copies of ‘Ceremony to be observed at the Celebration of the Anniversary of the Order Adopted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows'. Published by the Sovereign Grand Lodge; 1897. 131 p. 4 ½ x 6 ½, width by length in inches
  5. ‘Question Book for Subordinate Lodges Issued by the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows'. Baltimore, MD; 1901. Preformatted book that lists each member name, age, occupation, residence, etc. Records for 87 members; 2/7/1925-6/8/1966.
  6. 3 copies of ‘Questions for Examination of Candidates for Advancement from One Degree to Another'; copyright, 1930, corrected in 1950. 7 p. 2 ¾ x 4 ½ width by length in inches.
  7. Receipt Book. 9/28/1950-6/18/1958. 2 ¾ x 3 ¾ x 1 width by length by height in inches. Wrapped in paper.
  8. 2 copies of ‘Book of Instruction for Subordinate Lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the State of Massachusetts'. Published by the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F.; January 15, 1954. 3 ½ x 5 ¾ width by length in inches. Stapled.
  9. 2 copies of ‘By-Laws of Mattakeesett Lodge, No. 110, I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows”; Duxbury, MA. Revised August 12, 1954. 10 p. 4 x 5 ¾ width by length in inches.
  10. 1 mimeographed copy of the ‘Grand Lodge Constitution, 1957-1958'. Marked ‘desk copy'.
  11. Receipt Book. 7/2/1958-6/17/1964. 2 ¾ x 3 ¾ x 1 width by length by height in inches.
  12. Typewritten letter to J. Newton Shirley, Recording Secretary from J. Arthur Anderson, Grand Secretary; October 1, 1958.
  13. Fire Insurance Policy from the Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company for the I.O.O.F Lodge on Washington Street, Duxbury. Coverage from September 25, 1959-September 25, 1964. Dated 8/17/1959, signed by Ray A. Sterns, Agent.
  14. Fire Insurance Policy from the Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company for the I.O.O.F Lodge on Washington Street, Duxbury. Coverage from September 25, 1964-September 25, 1969. Dated 8/25/1964, signed by Elizabeth S. Burns, Agent.
  15. 5 blank requisition forms for supplies; n.d.