Craft Masonry in Albany County, New York - Onondaga and Oswego ...

After a number of years, and beyond the term of the third Prov. Grand Master, Francis Goelet — the old substitute Warrant of No.
74 was confirmed by the fourth Provincial Grand Master, George Harrison, February 21st, 1765; and while naming the same Master,
Richard Cartwright, to preside, William Benson, Senior Warden, and John Visscher, Junior Warden, designated the Lodge as Union
Lodge, No. 1.
An old document entitled “The Charity Fund of Union Lodge, No. 1, of Albany,” for 1765, shows that Brethren, on entering, severally
paid £3 4s., and the total cost to the time of raising, £4 12s.; that the yearly dues were 20 shillings, and there were “dues of the night
18 pence—about 36 cents—from each member.” These dues were undoubtedly expended for refreshments when the Craft were
“called from labor.”
About this time, 1769, Union Lodge laid the corner-stone of the church at Johnstown.
On July 30, 1773, Sir John Johnson, Prov. Grand Master—as we shall hereinafter further record—reconfirmed the old Warrant,
“together with all such precedences and other privileges as they may or ought to claim by virtue thereof.” Peter W. Yates, Master,
John W. Wendell, Senior Warden, and Leonard Gansevoort, Junior Warden.
In accordance with an ancient document, still preserved in Albany with jealous care, we learn that the following invitation from
Masters’ Lodge, No. 2, was extended to Union Lodge, No. 1, to join in a procession in honor of St. John’s day, June 24, 1773:
“The W’pll Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Masters Lodge, No. 2, present their respects to W’full Master, Wardens and
Brethren of Union Lodge, No. 1; would be glad that as many as possible can would join the procession to morrow, and as many of
this Lodge as think their circumstances will permit will do themselves the pleasure to sup with them.
“By order W. V. Wemple, Sec’y Lodge No. 2, June 23d, 17 73.”
The following By-Laws of Union Lodge show the manner in which the Brethren were governed when in session, about the period of
the American Revolution.
BY-LAWS OF UNION LODGE, of the most antient and honorable Society of free and accepted Masons duly constituted the XXIst Day of
February AL. 5765. AD 1765. held in the City of Albany.
Drawn at the Request of said Body, by PETER W.YATES, 1773. Approved of by me John Johnson, Provincial Grand Master.
BY-LAWS.—As Laws Orders & Constitutions are essentially necessary to the Establishmt. and Support of every Society, the general
Laws and Regulations of the most antient & honorable Society of free and accepted Masons as set forth in the Book of
Constitutions, are invariably to be observed by every private Lodge and every individual Member of the Fraternity. But for better
answering the purposes of particular Lodges, to cement the Union thereof & for cultivating the royal Craft, it hath ever been the
Usage of the Lodges to frame to themselves By-Laws, provided they are not contrary to the general Regulations.
BY-LAWS OF UNION LODGE, ALBANY.
ARTICLE I. That from and after this 29th day of April 1773 this Lodge shall assemble on Thursday every Fortnight at the Hour to
which the same is adjourned which shall be deemed general or public Lodge Nights, but the Worshipful Master may convene an
extra or private Lodge whenever he shall deem it expedient.
ART. II. That a Member neglecting to attend a public Lodge shall pay a Fine of two Shillings and a private Lodge one Shilling if duly
summoned to such private Lodge, unless he makes Excuse satisfactory to the Body, and a Member coming to Lodge after the
appointed Time shall pay a fine of six Pence, for which Purpose the Secretary shall every Lodge Evening call the Roll and make
Report of those who are fineable.
ART. III. That the election of a Master and Treasurer of this Lodge shall be annually at the public Lodge held before the Festival of
St. John the Baptist by a Majority of the Members present by Ballot and that the Master elect shall on the Night of Election appoint
the two Wardens Deacons and Secretary.
ART. IV. That the Accounts of the Treasurer shall be audited on the night of Election or next Lodge Night by the Master and
Wardens or by a Committee for that purpose to be appointed and the Ballance appearing due thereon, shall be paid by him to the
Treasurer elect immediately.
ART. V. That every member of this Lodge shall pay to Treasurer, the annual sum of ten Shillings by quarterly payments
commencing from the Feast of St. John Ye Baptist and if any one shall refuse or neglect to pay the same in three months from every
such quarter day having had notice thereof from the Secretary he shall be expelled and excluded from visiting this Lodge, unless
good Cause be shewn to the Master and Brethren to induce a Forbearance.
ART. VI. No Man can be made a Mason in this lodge without previous Notice one month given to the Lodge, in which Interval proper
inquiry may be made into his Character. But in case he is well known to the Body or = recommended he may be admitted the same
Evening in which he is proposed, and .on balloting no black or negative Ball shall appear, or he cannot be admitted.
ART. VII. Every one who shall be made a Mason in this lodge is to pay three pounds 4s. for the Fund and one Dollar to the Tyler, for
which he shall be entitled to the three degrees without further expense: but if any Member of this body shall prove to be an unworthy
Member of the Craft, he shall be expelled this Lodge forever.
ART. VIII. Any transient brother made in another lodge shall on being passed or raised in this lodge pay two dollars for each degree
for the fund and one dollar to the tyler, the same also where a brother made in another lodge is admitted a Member of this Body.
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