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

The last recorded meeting of the old Lodge was held in August, 1820. There were present JOSEPH ENOS, RUFUS ELDRED,
ELLIS MORSE, THOMAS GREENLY, CURTIS PORTER, THOMAS WYLIE, EPHRAIM GRAY, WINDSOR COMAN, RICHARD
WARD, DAVID DARROW, DAVID HITCHCOCK, BENNETT BICKNELL, JOSEPH MORSE and LYMAN G. HATCH. At this meeting
seven delegates were appointed to attend a convention to be held at DeRuyter on the first Wednesday in September. This
convention had been called by the Masons of Madison. Chenango and Courtland Counties "To take into consideration the interests
of Masonry under the present anti-masonic excitement raging so furiously throughout the length and breadth of the State."
R.'.W.'. GEORGE BEAL, one of the most active Past Masters of Hamilton Lodge, who has devoted much time to this subject and is
well informed upon matters relating to the early history of the Lodge, writes as follows concerning this event: "The convention
assembled at the appointed time, it was composed of the leading men of all the Counties represented, men who under ordinary
conditions were leaders who could shape and direct public opinion but were now overwhelmed with the popular clamor. This fact
demonstrates beyond question that the madness of the anti-masonic excitement was beyond control, for were it otherwise these
men would have surely found a way to save their beloved institution from crushing disaster.
Their loyalty to the cause of Masonry cannot be doubted, their courage and ability was unquestioned, but such was the awfulness of
the situation that they saw no way but to bow to the storm, unreasonable and unjust as it was."
The outcome of the convention was the adoption of the following:
"That under the present feverish excitement of the public mind in relation to the alleged abduction of William Morgan, it would be
better for the future good and prosperity of Masonry, that the Lodges in said counties should, for the present, suspend their
meetings, until the public mind should be disabused, and reason once more resume its sway."
The Lodge accepted this conclusion and closed its doors, and for nineteen years these loyal Masons were without a home, the altar
lights were extinguished, but the Great Light was still an open book, and within the breasts of these brethren the fire, though
smothered and hidden from view, was still alive, and when the whirlwind had spent its force it was fanned into flame, the altar was
again diffused with light, the Lodge arose from its lethargy and resumed its labors.
The warrant was declared forfeited by the Grand Lodge in 1834, and in 1838 it was filed with the Grand Secretary by Grand Visitor
COOLEDGE.
This old document is still in a good state of preservation. It is signed by JACOB MORTON, Grand Master; MARTIN HOFFMAN,
Deputy 6rand Master; CADWALLADER D. GOLDEN, S. Grand Warden, and DANIEL D. TOMPKINS, Grand Secretary.
The officers of the Lodge named in the warrant are:
Seeley Neil, Master;
Asa B. Sizer, Senior Warden;
Rufus Eldred, Junior Warden.
In the latter part of 1846 the revival of the Lodge was determined upon, and a petition was prepared asking for a dispensation, which
was granted December 8, 1846.
CHARLES G. OTIS was named as Master; BENJAMIN F. SKINNER. Senior Warden, and GAINS STEBBINS, Junior Warden.
These, together with the following, became the charter members:
Thomas H. Greenly. Jeremiah Wilber.
Henry G. Beardsley, Thomas C. Nye.
Daniel Younglove.
Perez H. Bonney.
Thomas Wylie.
Curtis Porter.
Daniel Barker.
Isaac Phelps.
Philander Barker.
The first meeting was held at Odd Fellows' Hall December 16, 1846; fourteen members were present, including the officers.
JUSTUS S. MASTERS was proposed for initiation. He was elected, and was the first to receive the degrees in the revived Lodge.
At a session of the Grand Lodge, held June 3, 1847, the Committee on Warrants recommended the granting of warrants to several
Lodges, among them Hamilton and Glens Falls. The warrants were granted and Hamilton received number 120 and Glens Falls
121.
The inquiry as to why Hamilton Lodge did not receive its old number 121 is natural, and in the absence of any definite reason it is
fair to conclude that the Lodges were numbered in the order in which they appeared on the report of the Committee on Warrants.
Further, it must be noted that the warrant of Hamilton Lodge is dated June 7, 1847, and that of Glens Falls is dated June 8, 1847:
hence, inadvertently, the Grand Secretary failed to give Hamilton Lodge its old number as desired.
The officers named in the warrant are:
Charles G. Otis, Master;
Benjamin F. Skinner, Senior Warden;
Gains Stebbins. Junior Warden.
The first meeting under the Warrant was held July 7, 1847, when the Lodge was formally instituted and the following officers
installed by R.'. W.'. EZRA S. BARNUM, assisted by W. IRA CHASE, both of Utica Lodge, No. 47:
Charles G. Otis, Master;
Gains Stebbins, Senior Warden:
Jeremiah Wilber, Junior Warden;
Thomas Wylie. Treasurer:
Henry G. Beardsley, Secretary;
Daniel Younglove, Senior Warden;
Alexander Wilton, Junior Deacon:
Perez H. Bonney, Tiler.
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