Grand Lodge of New York - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic District ...

SENECA LODGE, NO. 113, WATERLOO. N. Y.
WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated July 12, 1846.
MINUTES: Intact from 1846.
The original name was Junius, and was numbered 291; it received its present name and number upon its revival in 1845.
Junius Lodge was organized in 1817; the warrant is dated June 1, 1817, and is signed by DEWITT CLINTON, Grand Master;
MARTIN HOFFMAN, Deputy Grand Master; CAPWALLADER D. COLDEN, Senior Grand Warden; ELISHIA GILBERT, Junior
Grand Warden, and ELIAS HICKS. Grand Secretary.
The officers named in the warrant are:
Isaac Rosa, Master;
Luther F. Stevens, Senior Warden;
Joseph Pixley, Junior Warden.
As the minutes of the Lodge are not intact, it is impossible to give a complete record of its doings; it is known that it met regularly
until December 1826, after that time but little is known concerning its affairs; in all probability it ceased to meet owing to the excited
conditions which at that time existed. It was not until the later part of the year 1839 that an attempt was made to revive the Lodge.
On December 27, 1839, a meeting was held at the house of one DANIEL KERN, when an election for officers occurred. At this time
O. R. FARNSWOBTH was elected Master, JULIUS C. STRONG, Senior Warden, and HARVEY S. LISK, Junior Warden.
The Grand Lodge register contains the following concerning this event: "Reorganized by L. KELLY, Grand Visitor, December 27,
1839, by order of the Grand Lodge."
The register also contains the following statement:
"Made no returns after revival, consequently the warrant was declared forfeited and recalled in June, 1843, and after considerable
difficulty obtained by BRO. LUTHER KELLY in August, 1844, and delivered by him to the Grand Secretary. No books, papers or
other property."
Occasional meetings were held for several months after its revival; the last recorded meeting was April 16, 1840.
From this date Masonry as an organized body ceased to exist in Waterloo. But the old members were restless without a Masonic
home; they felt disheartened, but still had courage enough to hope for better times. Informal discussions took place, until finally they
determined to apply for a dispensation and once more resume their labors. On July 31, 1845, a dispensation was obtained, and
once more these veterans gathered about the altar, when the great light was opened never to be again closed.
The officers named in the dispensation and warrant were:
Caleb Fairchild, Master;
Julius C. Strong, Senior Warden;
Horace F. Gustin, Junior Warden.
The first meetings were held in the same room formerly used by the old Lodge.
In April, 1847, it moved to the rooms of the Sons of Temperance, where it remained until 1855, when it moved to Odd Fellows Hall
in the Hunt Block; here it remained until July, 1867. On the 9th of that
month it dedicated its new rooms in Columbian Block, which had been fitted up for its special use. A report of this event says: "The
day was wet and lowery, but the ardor of the Craft was not dampened
thereby, large delegations arrived on every train and by private conveyances. They were escorted to Towsley Hall where a fine
collation had been spread by the fair daughters of Waterloo; after all had been beautifully refreshed the Grand Lodge was convened
at the Eagle Hotel (where now stands the Towsley Block) with M.'. W.'. STEPHEN H. JOHNSON presiding. Accompanied by the
other Grand Officers they marched to the rooms where they were received by the Master, JAMES McLEAN, and the Brethren of the
Lodge.
"After the dedicating services the several Masonic Bodies marched to the Presbyterian Church where an eloquent oration was
delivered by R.' W.'. CHARLES H. PLATT, Grand Chaplain. At the conclusion of the services at the church the procession was reformed
and marched to the Franklin House where a dinner was served."
The Lodge remained in the Columbian Block until 1896, when it moved to its present quarters in the Dempsey Block. On June 12th
it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with appropriate ceremonies, and on October 15, 1896, the formal dedication of the new quarters
occurred. The occasion attracted a large gathering from the surrounding country. The ceremonies were conducted by M.'.W.'.
WILLIAM A. SUTHERLAND, who at the time was Deputy Grand Master.
A memorable meeting was held July 30, 1867. Its purpose was to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Lodge and have a reunion
of the members of Junius Lodge who were still living.
The Lodge was opened as Junius Lodge, and the minutes of the meeting held December 27, 1826, were read for information. An
address was delivered by W.'. CALER FAIRCHILD. Remarks were made by most of the veteran brethren, who related many
incidents of interest which had occurred almost half a century ago. Extracts from the old minutes were also read, which revived the
memories of the times when men's souls were tried in the fire of hatred and persecution.
The Lodge held Jubilee services April 24, 1889. On this occasion the Grand Master's address was read, and addresses were made
by Rev. W. S. CARTER and Rev. R. D. MUNGER.
It was present at the laying of the corner-stone of the Home at Utica and also at the dedication of the same. It was also present at
the laying of the corner-stones of the Masonic Temple at Rochester and the Masonic Temple at Seneca Falls.
MEN IN PUBLIC LIFE.
James McLean, Assemblyman.
D. S. Kcndig, Assemblyman.
Samuel R. Welles, Assemblyman.
S. G. Hadley, Assemblyman, County Judge.
John E. Richardson, County Judge.
Sanford R. Ten Eyck, Assemblyman.
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