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

The Americans were, however, stationed in a strong position on the brow of a hill, partially screened by trees. From this post they
poured a galling fire upon the British grenadiers, who occupied the Castleton road, and caused them to fall back. Victory was again
in sight for Warner's men, when drums were heard in the forest, and soon the tossing of banners and the gleaming of steel informed
all that Reidesel and his Germans had arrived to support Fraser.
An overpowering charge followed. Warner 's brigade was forced to flee over the Pittsford Mountains. The loss on each side was
very heavy. Colonel Warner collected his own regiment at Manchester and at once began whipping it into shape for further conflicts.
It was soon to be needed.
When, the following month, hard-pressed Burgoyne sent Colonel Baume with his German mercenaries on the Bennington raid, with
orders to "scour the country from Rockingham to Otter Creek," John Stark (soon to become a Master Mason in Albany) took charge
of the threatened territory, rallied the militia and sent a messenger post haste to Colonel Seth Warner, begging his help.
At once Warner ordered his men to march. All that day and part of the night they plodded through the rain over muddy roads and
arrived at Bennington during the watches of the morning. Here they remained for a time, drying their clothes and preparing their
arms for battle. But Colonel Seth Warner joined Stark as an aide.
The first part of the Battle of Bennington ensued. General Stark made his famous speech, containing the allusion to the future
slumbers of his wife - provided the red-coats were not beaten; Baume was mortally wounded, his artillery and most of his men
captured and the rest driven away. The militia had fought well, but the end was not yet. Colonel Breyman arrived on the stricken
field with British reinforcements, at once charged the scattered American militia, and it seemed that the battle would be lost by the
patriots. But now, just in the nick of time, the drums of Colonel Seth Warner's veteran regiment were heard beating the charge.
Through the ruck the Continentals shoved with advanced bayonets, fell upon Breyman's troops and drove them steadily until
darkness settled and the historic contest was over - the contest that proved to be the first nail in the coffin of Burgoyne's military
reputation. Once more Seth Warner and his men had proved their worth.
But the Green Mountain Boy's work was not yet done. At the battle of Saratoga he was to meet again his old antagonist of the fight
at Hubbardton - General Fraser. In this decisive conflict of the war for American independence Warner and his men rendered
excellent service. At the end Fraser was killed and Burgoyne surrendered. The war in the far North was over.
In this campaign Seth Warner soldiered with such Brother Masons as Daniel Morgan, the old wagoner general; Colonel
Peter Gansevoort, a member of his own Union Lodge No. 1; Colonel Cilley of New Hampshire ; Benedict Arnold, of Hiram
Lodge No. 1, New Haven; General Gates himself; Marinus Willett, the final savior of the Mohawk Valley; Stark, Poor,
Whipple, Paterson, Wilkinson, Glover, Dearborn and Hull. Surely, Masons helped mightily at Saratoga to build the foundations
of the Republic.
Colonel Seth Warner was destined barely to see his country independent. Early in 1782 he was forced by ill health to leave the
military service. He retired to Woodbury, Connecticut, the place of his birth, and there two years later he died, being but forty-one
years of age.
Friend of the puissant Ethan Allen, Green Mountain Boy, patriot of the Revolution, Master Mason, Seth Warner - though his life was
brief - qualified as one of the builders of the nation.
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http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/w/mawatson6837.html
Matthew Watson lived in Albany from the 1760s to the 1790s. He probably was born about 1740. He first appeared in the
community record in 1766 when he joined a number of Albany men in signing a constitution for the Albany Sons of Liberty. In that
year, his name began to appear on assessment rolls where he was called "Mr. Watson," a tailor, and a resident and householder in
the first and then second wards. In 1788, his second ward house and property were accorded modest assessments. In 1790, his
household included two men, two boys, two females, and a slave.
He was known as a tailor, a merchant, and an agent for Manhattan merchants. He advertized in the Albany Gazette both before and
after the War. He lived at 20 Maiden Lane. He was a member, trustee, and elder of the First Presbyterian church. In 1771, he was a
member of the Albany Masonic Lodge.
He served in the colonial militia. In 1771, he was appointed firemaster for the first ward. Later, he cut wood on Albany lands and was
paid for services by the city government. In 1775, he pledged money for the relief of Ticonderoga. As a newcomer merchant, he
would be watched by the revolutionaries. He was permitted to post bond for a number of individuals. Otherwise, we have not yet
connected him to wartime activities. At the end of the war, he was serving as one of the "Commissioners of Forfeitures" for the
western district - a position of judgment and trust. Afterwards, he was able to secure the rights to a number of bounty lands as well.
After 1790, the name of name Matthew Watson dropped from Albany rolls. He was dead by May 1797 when letters of administration
on the "estate of Matthew Watson" were granted to his son William and to Francis Follet, a friend.
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http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/w/jowwendell2954.html
John W. Wendell was a hat maker who came to Albany in the decade prior to the Revolutionary War. He was born about 1740 and
was said to be a native of Boston. He also was called John Walter Wendell. In 1771, he married Albany native Mary Trotter and
began to raise a family. He was an officer of the Albany Masonic Lodge.
Settling near his in-laws, in 1772 he received title to a lot along Court Street and began to make hats. In 1774, he was appointed fire
master for the first ward. His career was pre-empted by the outbreak of war. In 1775, he was appointed Quartermaster for the
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