M.W. Phillip James Jones 1949

Phillip James Jones

On October 1, 1983, Connecticut lost one of its greatest members in the history of Free Masonry in Connecticut. We have often referred to him as the only Four-Star General of the Twentieth Century.

Following is a reprint of his background which was published by the Most Puissant Grand Council of Connecticut at the time the Phillip J. Jones Distinguished Service A ward Medal was instituted, December 6, 1972.

Phillip James Jones was born in Portland, Connecticut, October 22, 1888.

He attended the Public Schools in that town and the Hartford Public High School, afterward graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. He then started his life work as a dentist, sparing neither his time nor his energy in his activities for his profession and for his beloved Masonic Order.

He has been tireless in his Masonic work, having been raised in Orient Lodge No. 62, East Hartford, May 3, 1911, and served as Master in 1921. In 1935 and again in 1936 he was appointed District Deputy of the Sixth Masonic District. His ability was noted by the Grand Lodge and in 1941 was appointed Grand Junior Steward and progressing yearly, was elected and installed as Grand Master on April 6, 1949. He was a member of the Board of Managers of The Masonic Charity Foundation for two years. He was presented with The Pierpont Edwards Medal in Bronze for Distinguished Masonic Service in 1940 and the Pierpont Edwards Medal in Silver for Eminent Masonic Service in 1960. He is a Charter Member of Philosophic Lodge of Research and was elected Master December 19, 1947. He is also a member of the Coronati Lodge of Research, London, England, and holds Honorary Memberships in St. John's Lodge No.4, Wyllys Lodge No. 99, and Level Lodge No. 137.

He received the Chapter degrees in Pythagoras Chapter No. 17, Royal Arch Masons of Hartford and served as High Priest in 1928-1929; served as Trustee 1936 through 1969. He served the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1951-1952. He is a member of Wolcott Council No.1, Royal and Select Masters of Hartford, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1927-1928. He was elected Recorder in 1940 and continues to hold that office. He served Cryptic Masonry as their Most Puissant Grand Master 1941-1942. He was Knighted in Washington Commandery No.1, Knights Templar, November 18, 1919 and served as Eminent Commander in 1929. He was elected Recorder of Washington Commandery No.1 in 1942, and served until February 1971. He served as Grand Commander 1964-1965 of the Grand Commandery. He became a member of St. Paul's Conclave May 22, 1927, and is a Charter Member and Past Sovereign of St. Andrew's Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine of Hartford. At the present time he is Intendant General for this District. The title Knight Commander of Constantine, conferred 1970. Charter member and at present Honorary Member of Plantations Conclave, Rhode Island.

He is a member and a Past Presiding Officer of all the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Hartford and was Secretary of these Bodies from 1941 to 1950. In 1920 he received his 32nd degree in Connecticut Consistory, S.P.R.S., Norwich; served as Commander-in-Chief 1941-1944; Elected Trustee 1944; Crowned 33rd Honorary at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 25, 1940. One of the Founders, First President and now a Director of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Hartford. He received the Royal Order of Scotland, September 20, 1948. He is a Charter Member of Syria Grotto and served as Monarch in 1927. He holds membership in Sphinx Temple, A.A.O.:\I.M.S. in Hartford, and in Crescent Lodge No. 25, LO.O.F., in East Hartford.

A member of Ivanhoe Chapter No. 10, Order of Eastern Star, he served as worthy Patron in 1919; of Olive Court No.7, Order of Amaranth, being Royal Patron in 1920; Grand Royal Patron of the Grand Court of Connecticut, Order of the Amaranth in 1922; and served as Supreme Royal Patron 1930-31 of the Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth. A member of Vashti Shrine No.2, White Shrine of Jerusalem.

He was a member of the Masonic Veterans Association and served as Venerable Master 1952-1953. A member of the Hartford County Past Masters Association and served as Right Worshipful in 1954. .

Always interested in youth activities, in 1923 he became interested in Charter Oak Chapter, Order of DeMolay for Boys, and was a Charter Member of the Advisory Board, serving as "Dad" from September 1926 to January 1, 1945, when he was appointed Deputy for Connecticut. In 1947 he was elected an Active Member of the Grand Council of DeMolay, and at present, an Active Member At-Large of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.

He was a member and Past President of the Masonic Hall Association of Hartford. A member of Knickerbocker Priory No.3; New York and Connecticut Priory No. 28; Connecticut Knights of the York Cross of Honor; also the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Created a Tall Cedar at Sight 1949.

He held the following Allied Masonic Degrees: Past Sovereign Grand Master’s Council of North America 1961, Grand College of Rites of the U.S. Grand Council A.M.D. of the U.S.A.; Paumanock Council o. 32, Knight Mason of Ireland; Ye Ancient Order of Corks; Masonic Order of the Bath of the U.S.A.; New York College, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis; The Grand College of America Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; Grand Preceptor 1964; 1st Eminent Preceptor of Apostles Tabernacle No. XXVII Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, Eminent Registrar 1961 until December 1971. Member Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cite Saints, Great Priory of America.

He was Past President of Hartford Dental Society, a life member of the Connecticut State Dental Society, Past President New England Dental Society, a life member of the American Dental Association, Past President of the Horace Wells Society, a member of Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity.

He was also a member and Past President of the Fernleigh Club, Inc., a former member of the Thistle Lawn Bowling Club and the Miami Lawn Bowling Club.

He was for many years a Communicant of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford and in later years of St. Andrew's Church, now St. Stephens in Bloomfield where he has served as Senior Warden and also Lay Reader, often conducting the services in the absence of a Rector.

In 1921 M.W. Bro. Phil met Miss Sibly Ann Collum. They were married on July 19, 1913, and lived in Hartford. In 1925, due to a growing family, they moved to West Hartford. Their marriage has been blessed with three sons and three daughters, all of whom are married. They are the proud grandparents of eighteen grandchildren, and seventeen great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Most Worshipful Brother Phillip James Jones were held Tuesday. October 4, 1983 at 11:00 A.~1. in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 590 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, with the Rev. Richard ,Y. Gray officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford.

Members of Orient Lodge No. 62 A.F. & A.M. conducted a Masonic Memorial Service for our late Most Worshipful Brother Jones, on Monday evening, October 3rd at 8:00 P.M. in the Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home.