History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

240 History of Swansea
Dorothy Brown Lodge
Early in the year 1893, a number of Odd Fellows, belonging
to different lodges in the vicinity, but residing in Swansea,
decided to start a Rebekah Lodge in this town, and began to
make plans to that end. They gave a clambake and lawn
party, and raised funds. They were granted a Charter,
August 11, 1893; and the Lodge was instituted, in the Town
Hall, December 11, 1893, as the Dorothy Brown Rebekah
Lodge, No. 122, L 0. 0. F., this name being chosen, on the
suggestion of the Hon. John S. Brayton, because it was the
name of the wife of John Brown, one of the early settlers of
Swansea, and an important man in the Colony. Her son
James Brown, and her grandson John Brown were also prominent
in the community. She was long resident in this town,
and died here, January 27, 1674, at the age of ninety years;
and four direct descendants of hers have been members of this
Lodge.
The organization began with about sixty charter members;
and the place of meeting was at first in Case's Hall. The
present Lodge Hall, built in 1899, was dedicated March 29,
1900 ; and it is said that this is the only Rebekah Lodge in this
country that owns its Hall, and has invested funds. The
present number of members, (1916), is one hundred.
The Swansea Free Pubuc Library
A Sketch by its founder, the Rev. Otis Olney Wright, formerly the
rector of Christ Church, Swansa, 1881-1888
The Swansea Free Public Library is of humble origin ; and
of slow but steady growth.
In September, 1882, the writer being then the rector of
Christ Church, and realizing the value of good books to read,
started the " Christ Church Book Circle. " This circle was com-
posed of twenty-one members whose names are as follows:
Mrs. James H. Mason, Miss Ellen S. Austin, Mrs. F. S.
Stevens, Miss Mary A. Case, Miss Fanny E. Wood, Miss
Carrie A. Chase, Mrs. Betsy E. Winslow, Mrs. Katharine F.
Gardner, Miss Helen L. Wellington, Miss Juha R. Wellington,
Miss J. Blanche Chase, Mrs. Ella A. Jones, Miss Ruth E.
Pearse, Mrs. A. A. WiUiams, Mrs. Lauretta B. Chase, Henry 0.
Wood, Miss Sarah L. Gardner, Jeremiah Gray, George C.
Gardner, Samuel G. Arnold, and Rev. O. 0. Wright.
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