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

“Resolved, unanimously, That the election held in Union Lodge in the city of Albany on the 20th day of December last, was
constitutional and regular, and that the respective officers chosen in said Lodge at the election were duly chosen to said offices.
“Resolved, unanimously, That the election held in said Lodge on the 26th day of December last, was illegal, unconstitutional and
void.
“Resolved, unanimously, That Peter Fryer, John V. N. Yates, James Dunlap, Jr., Edward S. Willett, John McAuley, Butler Gilbert,
and Ransom Rathbun do immediately resume the execution of the duties of the several offices, to which they were respectively
chosen, and into which they were respectively installed on the said 20th day of December last, and that the Warrant of said Lodge
and possession of Lodge-room be delivered to the said Peter Fryer accordingly, and that the Secretary of this Grand Lodge transmit
the above proceedings under the seal of the Grand Lodge to the Right Worshipful the Junior Grand Warden in Albany, and a copy
thereof to the said Peter Fryer.”
At this time the Grand Master intervened for peace, and recommended that Union Lodge remain as such, and that W. Brother Fryer
and his associates form a new Lodge. This appears to have met with the Lodge approval.
The above action of the Grand Lodge had the happy effect of bringing the elements of discord into harmony, resulting in an
agreement between the members of Union Lodge; in conformity with which, on June 13, 1805, an application was made by both
parties for the destruction of all the papers specified in the agreement; whereupon Grand Lodge
“Ordered, That the same be referred to the Grand Secretary, with power to destroy such of the papers as to him appear proper.”
The few “bolters” soon ceased as an organized association.
In the Minutes of Proceedings of Grand Lodge of date March 5, 1806, the following occurs, over which, however, is drawn a waving
line with the memorandum beneath, “See Minutes, 3d December, 1806 ”: “Union Lodge of the city of Albany, having surrendered
their Colonial Warrant, and prayed for a new one by the name of Mount Vernon Lodge, of like rank with the old one, which was
promised to them by the Most Worshipful Grand Master and Junior Grand Warden, gratis, it was ordered to issue accordingly.”
The appearance of this record in the minutes of March 5th would seem perfectly regular and in accord with what precedes as well
as what follows in the history of Union Lodge, No. 1. As far back as 1800, the Lodge had agreed to surrender its Provincial Warrants
and take out a new one with equal rank, if given its legitimate place in date of precedency. This was determined upon, but the
agreement had been interrupted in its consummation, from time to time, until, in the beginning of 1806, the Brethren had deemed it
judicious to change the name of the Lodge to Mount Vernon, No. 3, thus maintaining its position as the third oldest Lodge under
Provincial Warrant, and taking its new name from the home of Worshipful Brother George Washington.
A Dispensation had been granted to the members of Union Lodge under the name of Mount Vernon; their old warrants had been
surrendered, but the new Warrant was unattended to, and realizing that they might be subject to neglect, on the 3d December,
1806, a petition from the officers of Mount Vernon Lodge, in the city of Albany, then working under the Dispensation from the Most
Worshipful Past Grand Master, was presented stating that they had surrendered the Colonial Warrants, under which they had
previously worked, to the R. Worshipful the Junior Grand Warden, under a promise from the M. Worshipful the Past Grand Master
and the Junior Grand Warden that a new Warrant should be granted to them free of expense, and prayed that such Warrant might
be issued accordingly. The petition was read and granted.
This became the culmination of Union Lodge, No. 1, which held its last communication January 6, 1807. Thus from this Lodge
sprang into being Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 3, which will be historically treated in due course and in its proper place.
No. 3 was also the number of St. Andrew’s Lodge.
In 1783, Brother George Washington paid his memorable visit to the city of Albany, and Union Lodge fraternally extended the
General an invitation to meet with them. This courtesy was duly and fraternally acknowledged. Peter W. Yates, who for thirty-seven
years was Master of the Lodge, and Matthew Visscher, another distinguished Brother, were appointed by the citizens’ committee to
prepare the address.
In 1765, fifteen citizens were raised in Union Lodge, No. 1, who became the applicants for a Lodge to be known as St. Patrick’s
Lodge at Johnstown, warranted August 23, 1766.
The records, so far as preserved, commence September 19, 1800, and continue, with exceptions, to the year 1814; then those from
1827 to the present day are intact.
The first corner-stone laid by the Masonic Fraternity in this State for a Masonic building was doubtless laid on Beauerwyck Street—
now Lodge Street--in Albany, 1768.
Members of Union Lodge, No. 1
1765 to 1807
whose approval and signatures were given to the By-Laws
as they Appear on the Books, signed by every member, commencing at the institution of the Lodge, A.L. 5765
No.
1 Peter W. Yates, Master
2 John W. Wendell, SW
3 Leonard Gansevoort, JW
4 Abrm. Bloodgood
5 J. Roorbach
6 William Hambalton
7 Henry Van Weort {Woert]
8 John Cole
9 Mathew Visscher
10 Edward S Willett
11 Richd. Cartwright
12 John Visscher
13 Benjn. Egburton
14 Thomas J Diamond
15 John Van Valkenburgh
16 John A Bradt
17 Peter Gansevoort Junr.
18 AB. Jacob Lansingh
19 Henry Van Veghten
20 Anthony J. Ten Eyck
21 Jacob G. Lansingh
22 Dirck Gardenier
23 John Hooghkirk
24 Richard Hanson
25 Daniel G Van Antwerp
26 Chris. P. Yates
27 Mathew Watson
28 Jacob Van dusen
29 Robert Hoakefiy
30 Thomas L Whitbeck
31 Arent N. Van Pettin
32 John D. Vosburgh
23