M.W. J. Hull Manwaring 1956

J. Hull Manwaring

On May 20, 1970, the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe summoned our well-loved Brother from this temporal life to the Celestial Lodge above.

Most Worshipful J. Hull Manwaring, Past Grand Master (1956) quietly laid down his working tools of life at the age of 74 years, leaving a long career of service on Earth for that abode where the sterling virtues of his character, the gentleness of his demeanor and the purity of his life will receive their eternal award.

Given the name of Josiah Hull Manwaring when born on July 11, 1895, in Niantic in the Town of East Lyme, Connecticut, he was the son of Josiah O. and Grace Woods Manwaring. His boyhood days were lived in the small village of Niantic. He received his education in East Lyme public schools and in the former New London Vocational High School.

Brother Manwaring was employed by the Connecticut Light and Power Company in 1915, serving in the Accounting Department, first in New London, then in the Middletown division. During World War I he served in the Army in the Field Artillery and was discharged as a Sergeant. Subsequently he was employed by the electrical power engineering firm of Stone and Webster at Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, where he courted Cedella Elizabeth Dicks who became his wife on January 26, 1922, in St. John's Anglican Church, North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Upon returning to New London, Brother Manwaring worked as a Public Accountant with H.N. Alexander & Co., until 1928, when he became Assistant Tax Collector for the City of New London. In January 1930 he was named Tax Collector; later in that same year he assumed the additional duties of Assessor. He retired from his position with the City of New London in 1960 after completing 32 years of continuous service. During

this time he was for many years a member of the Advisory Committee to the State Tax Commissioner as Representative of New London County. He served as President of this body in 1947-1948.

Brother and Mrs. Manwaring returned to Niantic to make their home, but not for long in retirement. He was called to the service of the community as First Selectman of the Town of East Lyme, being elected to this office in 1961, and being re-elected in 1963 and again in 1965. He served a total of six years in three consecutive terms. In 1967 poor health finally brought a decision not to seek political office again and Brother J. Hull Manwaring retired to life as a private citizen.

Although his last few years were shadowed with pain and almost continuous ill health, Brother Manwaring maintained his great interest in the affairs of St. John's Episcopal Church in Niantic where for many years he had been a communicant. He was the first Senior Warden of St. John's and had served this Church as Secretary and Member of the Executive Committee for many years. He was also Treasurer of the Old Stone Church Association of East Lyme.

Thus it was that St. John's Episcopal Church which he had served so faithfully, served him in turn for his funeral service, conducted by the Reverend Clarence R. Wagner and the Reverend Richardson A. Libby, and attended by many, many, friends, relatives and Masonic Brethren. Many other Masons and friends had attended the Masonic Memorial service conducted the preceding evening by Brother Manwaring's own Lodge, Bayview #120 of Niantic.

At the end he was laid to rest in the Manwaring family/lot in Union Cemetery, Niantic, survived by his widow, two sisters, an his brother, William E. Manwaring, Past Master of Bayview Lodge # 120, all of whom reside in Niantic.

MASONIC SERVICE

Brother J. Hull Manwaring was Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut in 1956. He was a 50 year member of the Craft. M.W. Brother Manwaring entered Bayview Lodge #120, A.F. & A.M. in 1920, being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master on May 1, 1920. He was appointed Junior Steward in 1921 and was installed as Worshipful Master of Bayview Lodge in 1928.

Brother Manwaring was elected Secretary of Bayview Lodge in 1929 and served continuously thereafter until 1964, holding this office for 35 years. He had been the Secretary of Bay View Temple Association since 1923.

In 1939 he was appointed an Associate Custodian of the Work, thus beginning his service to the Grand Lodge. In 1940 and 1941 he served as District Deputy of the Eighth Masonic District. In 1948 he entered the Grand Lodge line when M.W. Louis S. Thomas appointed him as Grand Junior Steward.

In York Rite Masonry, Brother Manwaring was a member of Union Chapter #7, R.A.M.; of Cushing Council #4, R. & S.M.; and of Palestine Commandery #6, K.T., all of New London.

In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he was a member of all of the Bodies of the Valley of Norwich.

In the Order of The Eastern Star, he was the first Worthy Patron of Nehantic Chapter #102, when it was organized in Niantic in 1923. In 1942 Brother Manwaring was elected Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Connecticut, O.E.S.

He was a Charter Member of Bethany Shrine #6, White Shrine of Jerusalem and held membership in Jessamine Court #6, Order of Amaranth.

He was Secretary of the New London County Actual Past Masters Association, holding this post for many years; a life member of the Masonic Veteran Association of Connecticut; an honorary member of New London Chapter #58, National Sojourners; and a Knight Companion of St. Andrew's Conclave #28, Red Cross of Constantine of Hartford.

He was for many years Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Colorado, near the Grand Lodge of Connecticut since his appointment in 1943.

Above all, he was a Master Mason and in this honorable estate he was presented his 50 year emblem of service to the Craft on May 2, 1970, in Bayview Lodge #120 in Niantic, by Most Worshipful Carl O. Carlson, Grand Master.

In the course of his response M.W. Brother Manwaring noted that this presentation, the highlight of his Masonic career, came just fifty years plus one day and he was very grateful to all who came to share it with him. His words were "Dear Brethren, I have waited for fifty years to have something of importance to say, - now I just can't do it - but I thank you all from the depth of my heart."

In the presence of his own brother, Wor. William E. Manwaring, Past Master, and the other living Past Masters of Bayview Lodge, including his nephews, Wor. William O. Manwaring and Wor. J. Marshall Perry and the two remaining Manwaring nephews, Brother Manwaring spoke to those assembled in Bayview Lodge, saying, "We must tell our own Brothers what we are doing in Connecticut. Our Home and Hospital (in Wallingford) is the greatest opportunity Connecticut Masons have had to show what Masons can do. We pass over too many things too lightly - our ritual teaches us the simple truths of life, fundamental to Freemasonry and basic to living a good life."

Eighteen days later our Brother, Most Worshipful J. Hull Manwaring answered the final great summons. We of Connecticut Freemasonry pray,

Brother of our Craft, sleep on.
Thou art numbered with the blest,
In that celestial world beyond our ken
Enjoy thy well earned peaceful rest.