M.W. Thomas Hubbard 1831-1833

Thomas Hubbard

Our next Grand Master was of the medical profession. Doctor Thomas Hubbard was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, December 10, 1774. His education in medicine was received at the hands of Dr. Albigense Waldo, a surgeon in Washington's Army, and the Mason in charge of Israel Putnam's funeral. Settling in Pomfret about 1795 and marrying Miss Elizabeth Gray in 1799, he practiced medicine in that vicinity for 34 years. He had a number of ambitious young men whom he was instructing in his profession. When they went our riding together the people would announce, "Here comes Hubbard and his hounds."

The Connecticut Medical Society elected him its President in 1822 and Yale called him to occupy the chair of surgery in 1829. He remained in New Haven until his death. His last years were occupied in establishing a hospital for the insane poor. He had always been interested in behalf of the unfortunates such as deaf, dumb, and blind. Director of a Bank, Colonel of Mounted Artillery and member of both houses of the General Assembly were among his Civic activities.

It is uncertain when or where he received his degrees but he was the Junior Warden named in the charter of Putnam Lodge, No. 46, in 1803. He held the office of Master in this Lodge several times appearing in Grand Lodge records frequently from 1807 on. When everyone else declined office he accepted the office of Grand Master May 11, 1831, his first appointment in Grand Lodge. This office he held three years through the early difficulties of the Morgan period. We find him at the Head of the Grand Chapter, 1826 and 1827, and an officer in Washington Commandery.

He died June 16, 1838, and was accorded a Masonic funeral which the Grand Lodge officially attended.