The above caption, written with a quill, is from the heading on the first page of the first record book of

Northern Light Lodge No. 40

A Brief Look Back

In 1817 the struggling settlement on the north bank of the Maumee River opposite Fort Meigs was known as Waynesfield, County of Champaign, State of Ohio. History had already been made on nearly every inch of its soil. Fort Miami had existed much earlier, first under French, and later under British control.
So it is indeed historic ground — this spot where the first Lodge of Masons was organized in Northwestern Ohio. Here at Fort Meigs in 1813 Army Lodge No. 24 had been established with authority to hold its meetings at Camp Meigs or elsewhere as the casualties of war might direct, but there is nothing further in available records to indicate the activity of Army Lodge, and it was discontinued following the disbanding of the troops after the war was over.
Among the approximately forty settlers at Waynesfield, and along the rapids above the village, were five Master Masons who petitioned for and were granted "all the privileges of right appertaining to a Lodge held by Dispensation."
Northern Light Lodge No. 40 is frequently referred to as the "Mother of Lodges in Northwestern Ohio". Many of the early Lodges in this area came to her for division of jurisdiction before petitioning for a Dispensation to work. These were granted in the following order: Toledo Lodge No. 144 in 1846, Defiance in 1848, West Unity in 1849, Fulton County Lodge in Delta in 1853, Sylvania and Grand Rapids Lodges in 1856, Tontogany in 1869, Wakeman at Waterville in 1879, and Swanton in 1888.

1817 TO 1917 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM (large downloads)

1817 TO 1942 125 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

1817 TO 1992 175 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM

First Lodge Photos

 

 

Text of Original Dispensation

In the name of the Holy Craft
Ohio, sendeth GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, a number of Ancient York Masons, residing in the town
 and vicinity of Wavnesfleld in the county of Champaign and state
aforesaid, being desirous to inculcate the principles, and to extend
the benefits of the Royal Art, have prayed that a Dispensation might
issue authorizing them to congregate together as a regular Lodge,
with the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. And have
promised a ready and cheerful obedience to the regulations of the
Grand Lodge, and a strict adherence to the principles of Masonry.

NOW THEREFORE KNOW YE, That in compliance with the said
petition, and by virtue of the authority in me vested, I have established,
and do hereby establish a Lodge of Ancient MASONS, to be
held in the said town of Wavnesfleld to be denominated Northern
Light Lodge N. 40 And I do hereby appoint Brother Almon Gibbs to be
the first Master; Brother Wm Griffith to be the first Senior Warden;
and Brother Charles Gunn to be the first Junior Warden. And I do
hereby grant to the said Lodge all the privileges of right appertaining
to a Lodge held by Dispensation to be used and exercised agreeably
to the Rules and Land Marks of Masonry. And I do require of the
said Lodge and every member thereof, a due acquiescence in all the
proceedings of the said Grand Lodge, and a strict conformity with the
Ancient Principles of the Order.

This Dispensation shall continue in force until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge aforesaid.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my
hand, and caused the seal of the Grand Lodge to be
affixed at Chillicothe in the year of our Redemption
one thousand eight hundred and Seventeen and of
Masonry five thousand eight hundred and Seventeen.

By the Grand Master (s) Henry Brush
(s) R Kerchival Grand Secretary

Chillicothe March 5. 1817