History of the Third Masonic District Grand Lodge of the State of New York

Senior Warden.—Henry Ward, 1858; R. W. Dockson, 1859; H(enry). O. Brien, I860; H. J. Connolly, 1861; Joseph Eagleton, 1862; J. J. Stilwell, 1863; F. E, Penfold, 1864; H. J. Connolly, 1865; R. Swithenbank, 1866; H. C. Fraser, 1867; Ulrich Kreitler, 1868; Edwin Schofield, 1869; John Bruce, 1870; John H. Doxsey, 1871; Peter McDonald, 1872; Wm. J. Orr, 1873; Geo. D. Knight, 1874; S. Leighton, 1875; Geo. Gilbert, 1876; Geo. W. Walters, 1877; Walter Moore, 1878; Edwin Baker, 1879; Wm. E. Gregory, 1880; F. Boschen, 1881; Edwin Schofield, 1882; John H. Doxsev, 1883; David Trotter, 1884; F. Boschen, 1885; Richard Twiss, 1886; Jas. Stewart, 1887; S. H. Annin, 1888.

Junior Warden.—George Cross, 1858; Henry O. Brien, 1859; H. J. Connolly, 1860; B. Lewis, 1861; J. J. Stilwell, 1862; Frank E. Penfold, 1863; Abraham Nathan, 1864; R. Swithenbank, 1865; Wm. Booth, 1866; U(lrich). Kreitler, 1867; M. Connolly, 1868; John H. Doxsey, 1869; P. McDonald, 1870; J. L. Rile, 1871; H. Joseph, 1872; G. E. Knight, 1873; S. Leighton, 1874; Geo. Gilbert, 1875; George Orr, 1876; Walter Moore, 1877; Edward Baker, 1878; G. E. Knight, 1879; F. Boschen, 1880; J. L. Pye, 1881; M. J. Hanley, 1882; Robert Richardson, 1883; C. S. Moore, 1884; Richard Twiss, 1885; J. Stewart, 1886; S. H. Annin, 1887; F. Goldsmidt, 1888.

Treasurer.—John F. Cross, 1858-60; J. Devausene, 1861; Geo. Hudson, 1862-64; George Close, 1865; H. J. Connolly, 1866; Edwin Schofield, 1867-68; Ulrich Kreitler, 1869-76; Wm. Ling, 1877; W. E. Gregory, 1878; David Trotter, 1879-83; John Learey, 1884-88.

Secretary.—E. W. Dockson, 1858; H. J. Connolly, 1859; Henry Ward, 1860; James Devausene, 1862-65; W. H. Norris, 1866-57; John Penfold, 1868-71; B. Lewis, 1872; Wor. E. W. Dockson, 1873; J. E. Penfold, 1874; Wor. E. W. Dockson, 1875-76; John Bruce, 1877-87; J. F. Learey, 1879; John Bruce, 1880-81; S. Leighton, 1882-88.

WOR. ROBERT SWITHENBANK, Past Master Of Delta Lodge.

Bro. Swithenbank has made a faithful use of the opportunities he has enjoyed for advancing the interests of the Craft, more especially those of his own Lodge. He was made an Entered Apprentice in Delta Lodge, Oct. 1,1862; passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, Oct. 14; and was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, Nov. 12 of the same year. He served as Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, and was elected Junior Warden in 1865, Senior Warden in 1866, Master in 1871, and has served several terms as Trustee. He has been a faithful and true friend to Delta Lodge, and has given liberally to the cause of benevolence and charity. Over twenty-six years of his life have been devoted to the cause and he still continues in active service.

Bro. Swithenbank was born in Leeds, England, 13 Feb 1823. He received a fair education and afterwards learned the trade of iron moulder and finisher, which he followed for many years. He served three years as a soldier in the British Army. He came to this country in 1849; settled first in New York and subsequently removed to Brooklyn. He continued to work at his trade for a time, but for some years past has been engaged in the wine business. He is a widower with two children, his wife having deceased in 1875.

WOR. HENRY JOSEPH, Past Master of Delta Lodge.

Although it is several years since Bro. Joseph has laid aside the gavel of office, he has lost none of his interest in the great principles of symbolic masonry as especially pertaining to Delta Lodge. He is ever ready to strengthen and encourage the younger brethren in the work, and by his example and conversation to exemplify the teachings of masonry. He was brought to light in this Lodge in 1871, served one term as Senior Deacon, and was elected Junior Warden in 1872, and Master in 1879. The Lodge was successful and prosperous under his administration, and he labored faithfully to promote peace and harmony among the brethren. He gave earnest need to the appeals for assistance from those who were in need and entitled to recognition from Delta Lodge. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Orient Chapter No. 138, and served for a time as Captain of the Guard. He was re-elected Master of Delta Lodge in December, 1888.

Bro. Joseph was born in New York City, 16 Feb 1847; he removed to California in 1852, and returned to New York soon after the close of the war and was engaged for many years as an employee in the manufacture of hats. In 1884 he started in business for himself at 2994 Broadway, New York, where he has since carried on a successful business. He was married in 1888 to Miss Lina P. H. Knowles of New Jersey, and is the happy father of three children, highly esteemed among his business associates, honored and respected in the community, a devoted and loving father.

WOR. EDWARD BAKER, Past Master of Delta Lodge.

Few brethren have been more highly honored, and deservedly so, by Delta Lodge, than Bro. Baker. One of the best presiding officers and most skillful Craftsmen the Lodge has ever had. Earnest and impressive in manner, manly and dignified in his bearing, he did much to build up and strengthen the Lodge during his administration as Master. At the close of his third term he was presented by the Lodge with a beautifully engrossed set of resolutions enclosed in a handsome frame as a token of the love and esteem, and the high appreciation of his eminent services as a Brother and officer of Delta Lodge. He was entered and passed in this Lodge in 1869, receiving his Third Degree Nov. 16 of that year. He was elected Junior Warden in 1878, Senior Warden in 1879 and Master 1880-81-82.

His efforts in the cause of benevolence have not been confined to his alma mater. He was the prime mover and founder and the first President of the Kings County Masonic Mutual Benefit Association, and has continued firm and steadfast in his support of this Association from the date of its organization up to the present time. Since 1885 he has been its Secretary, and continues to hold that position. The Masonic Fraternity of Brooklyn owes to him a life-long debt of gratitude for the good accomplished through this institution. He suggested the Masonic column in the Brooklyn Review, and was its first Masonic editor.

Bro. Baker was born near Chelmsford, Essex Co., England, 31 Jan 1845. He was educated at Christ's Hospital, London, one of the oldest public schools in England, founded by Edward VI. After completing his education he was apprenticed to the printing business in London, where he remained until 1866, when he concluded to try his fortunes on this side of the Atlantic. He has been connected with some of the best book printing establishments and the different New York journals as compositor, proof-reader, etc., and is now connected with the New York Sun as proof-reader.

WOR. EDWIN SCHOFIELD, Past Master Of Delta Lodge.

No truer Craftsman or worthier Bro. Mason has ever sat in Delta Lodge than Bro. Schofield. Steadfast, earnest, persevering and painstaking, he has labored for twenty-three years to advance its interests, and assist the work of building up the Lodge and instructing the candidates. He is an accomplished and well-tried Master Builder, and his brethren showed their confidence in him and their appreciation of his efforts by electing him two successive terms as Master. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in this Lodge October 25, 1865. He served as Treasurer in 1867-8; as Senior Warden in 1869; as Senior Deacon in 1873, and again in 1881; as Senior Warden in 1882; as Master in 1883-84, and as trustee for three or four terms. He has been almost continuously in office since he first became a member. As Master, he assisted in laying the corner-stone of the 47th Regiment Armory, and rendered other important service, both in and out of the Lodge.

Bro. Schofield is a native of England, born 21 Oct 1839, but has been a resident of Brooklyn for upwards of thirty- one years. He has become as thoroughly identified with his adopted city as though "to the manor born." From his boyhood up he has been engaged in the business of oil press mat maker; he was for many years in the employ of others, but since 1886 he has carried on the business for himself. His lines have not always fallen in pleasant places, he was married in 1871, and for several years his domestic life was peaceful and unclouded; the death of his wife in 1882, however, was to him a great bereavement; one child was left to comfort him in his declining years.

WOR. JOHN H. DOXSEY, Past Master Of Delta Lodge.

The great majority of Bro. Masons, after a few years of service, become tired of the work and cease their labors. Bro. Doxsey, however, was one of those who enlisted for life and never grew weary of well doing. He has already given twenty- three years of his life to the service, and is still a regular attendant and an active workman. He entered this Lodge in the usual way in 1865, receiving his Third Degree Sept. 12 of that year. He was Junior Warden in 1869, Senior Warden in 1871, and Master in 1885. He has served several times as Trustee and now occupies that position. The Lodge was prosperous under his administration as Master, and enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Orient Chapter No. 138; he has served as Master of the 2d Veil. He has been for some time a member of the North Western Masonic Insurance Company.

Bro. Doxsey was born in Jamaica, L. I., 20 Jun 1838, but became early in life a resident of Brooklyn, where he received his education. He tried mercantile affairs for a time as clerk in a store, but, with a natural love of adventure, he concluded to try a seafaring life; he accordingly shipped on board a whaling vessel, and after a voyage of thirty-two months gave it up. During the war he was connected with the Quartermaster's Department, devoting two and a half years to the service of the government. He has been for the past eight years or more in the employ of H. B. Claflin & Co. as engineer. His social and domestic life have been pleasant, and he is the father of nine children, three of whom are married. He was united to Miss Rosa Herron, of Brooklyn, in 1860.

WOR, DAVID TROTTER, Past Master Of Delta Lodge.

Bro. Trotter entered the Lodge Aug. 29,1865, passed Dec. 5, and was raised December 12 following. He served as Treasurer in 1880-81-82-83; as Senior Warden in 1884, and Master in 1886. He was like the rough ashler in appearance and manner, but warm-hearted and of generous impulses, always ready to assist a friend in need, whether a Brother Mason or not. Bro. Trotter was born in Quebec, Canada, 7 Apr 1830; removed to Brooklyn in 1836. For the past eighteen years he has been engaged in the business of fur skin dressing and dying.

WOR. GEO. W. WALTERS, Master Of Delta Lodge.

The twenty-first birthday of Bro. Walters found him in the Master's chair with a record as a Craftsman of which any man might well be proud. During this period many of his contemporaries have passed to that "undiscovered country," and while his life has been prolonged it has not been in vain, for he has served his brethren faithfully and ministered to the wants of distressed worthy brethren. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in this Lodge on June 11, 1867, served for a term as Junior Deacon; in 1877 was elected Senior Warden, and is now on his second term as Master, viz., 1887-8. He was exalted in Nassau Chapter No. 109, R.A.M.; advanced to R.& S.M. in Brooklyn Council; knighted and dubbed in Clinton Commandery No. 14, K. T., and completed his 32d degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; he enjoys the benefits of the North Western Masonic Life Ins. Co.

Bro. Walters' was born in New York city, 1 Oct 1839, received a good public school education, and was engaged as clerk in a mercantile house until the breaking out of the war. In May 1861, he enlisted in Company E, of the famous 14th Brooklyn Regiment, and served with distinction throughout the war. He participated in nearly all .the important engagements in Virginia, among which were the First Battle of Bull Eun, Bin's Hill, Falmouth, Spottsylvania (Aug. '62), Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, Groveton, Manasses Plains, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg. Port Royal, Fitzhugh Crossing, Chancellorsville, Seminary Hill, Gettysburg. Mine Run, Wilderness, Laurel Hill, and Spottsylvania. He escaped with only a slight wound, and was honorably discharged, Dec., 1863.

He is a member of the 14th Regiment War Veteran Association, and of Moses F. Odell Post No. 443, G. A. R, Fourteen years ago he received an appointment as bill clerk in the Brooklyn Tax Office and from that has risen to be Chief Clerk. He was married in 1858 to Miss Hester, a daughter of the famous Dr. McAllister (of ointment fame). He has two children, one of whom he recently had the pleasure of raising in Delta Lodge. Bro. Walters served ten years in the old Volunteer Fire Department as a member of Washington Hose Company No. 6. He is now a member of the Exempt Fireman's Association.

STEPHEN LEIGHTON, Secretary.

Bro. Leighton is one of the old and honored members of Delta Lodge. His record covers a period of nearly twenty years of continuous and faithful service. He served as Junior Warden in 1874, and Senior Warden in 1875, and for the past seven years has been Secretary of the Lodge. A regular attendant at all stated communications, willing to devote his time and energies to the work in whatever position he could be most useful, he won the esteem and affection of his brethren, and has made for himself an honorable record. He is a member of Protective Lodge 2832, K. of H.

Bro. Leighton was born in London, England, 28 Jul 1841. He received a liberal education in the rudimentary branches, and afterwards learned the printing business. He arrived in this country in 1864, and for the past twenty-four years has been a resident of Brooklyn.

ZEREDATHA LODGE NO. 483.

Zeredatha Lodge was organized in 1859, but was the outgrowth of a previous organization which existed by the authority of what was known as the St. John's Grand Lodge. The following reference to the original organization is taken from an Historical Address (compiled by Wor. Bro. C. P. Marrat, the then Master of the Lodge) delivered before Zeredatha Lodge, in 1866, by Bro. J. Windle Fowler, Secretary.

"At a Special Communication of Trowel Lodge No. 14, held at its rooms, Washington Building, corner of Court and Joralemon streets, on the evening of December 27, 1857, the following Brothers signed a petition to the Most Worshipful George Ely, Grand Master of the St. John's Grand Lodge for a Dispensation to form a Lodge under the name and title of St. John's Lodge No. —. The Petitioners were: Wor. Salmon Winchester, L.W. Jacobs, Joseph Mesigh, Aaron Morley, James I. Jones, Gottleib Sprechelman, George P. Hower and John Torrison. The prayer of the petitioners having been granted, St. John's Lodge, U. D., held its first Communication at Myrtle Hall, No. 190 Myrtle avenue, on Wednesday evening, December 30, 1857, Bro. Salmon Winchester in the Chair.

The dispensation was then read, empowering the members of St. John's Lodge, U. D., to meet as a Masonic body and make Masons. The first officers were: Bro. Salmon Winchester, Master; W. L. Jacobs, Senior Warden, and James M. Carpenter, Junior Warden. At a Regular Communication held January 6, 1858, Bro. Jefferson Fowler was elected Treasurer; James I. Jones, Secretary; Joseph Mesigh, Senior Deacon; Aaron Morley, Junior Deacon, and Jeremiah Box, Tiler.

At a Regular Communication, held Wednesday evening, June 28, 1858, the Lodge received its charter. The Grand Officers being in attendance were received with the usual honors.

Soon after its organization, several members, having awakened to the conviction that they were not a legitimate body, became dissatisfied and withdrew. Efforts were made to heal the existing difficulties and bring the Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Foremost among these was Wor. Bro. Salmon Winchester, Master of St. John's Lodge No. 1, who was also Secretary of the St. John's Grand Lodge. His first step was to attempt the disbandment of this Body. Accordingly on the evening of June 7, 1859, he offered a motion, which was seconded by Bro. Aaron Morley, Senior Warden of St. John's Lodge No. 1, to disband that Grand Body. The motion prevailed, and the Grand Body subsequently disbanded.

The action of these Brethren was fully endorsed by the members of St. John's Lodge No. 1, and at a Regular Communication held June 15, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, that the late members of St. John's Lodge No. 1 apply to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for a Dispensation.

On motion, it was further resolved that the name of the Lodge be Zeredatha.

Bro. Winchester was appointed a Delegate to visit Grand Master Lewis, Jr., at Penn Yan, who gave the matter his favorable consideration.

The Petition was sent to the Grand Lodge on July, 1859, recommended by Progressive Lodge No. 354. It was signed by the following Brethren: Salmon Winchester, Joseph Mesigh, Jefferson Fowler, William Read, Philo Doming, C. P. Marrat, John Torrison, A. F. Warren, Elisha D. Hawkins, W. H. Brownsou, Aaron Morley, J. Windle Fowler, F. C. Rockwell, Isaac W. Nevius, Thomas T. Bailey, Lester Morrell, Philip L. Jardin, James I. Jones, and Andrew M. Schermerhorn. The following officers were recommended by the Petitioners: Salmon Winchester, Master; Aaron Morley, Senior Warden; Joseph Mesigh, Junior Warden.

On Wednesday evening, July 12, 1858, a Special Meeting was held. The Dispensation having been granted to the brethren to form a Lodge under the name and style of ZereDatha Lodge, U. D., F. & A. M., the following named brethren of the late St. John's Lodge No. 1, were elected to membership by ballot, and their names ordered to be engrossed on the Charter: Albert W. Morley, Thomas Morley, Hoffman, Fiimey, Nevius, Daly, Brownson, Carter, Jacobs, Mead, Tabor, Denton, Main, Schermerhorn, Read, Foster, Martin, Smead, Rhodes, Howkins, Boyer, Bailey, Bergen, Morrell, Jardin, Tyson, Valentine, Acker, Luckey, Deming, Terry, Bridges, Brown, Wiggins and McMurray.

On Wednesday evening, July 20, 1859, the brethren met and proceeded in a body to St. John's Hall, corner of Bowery and Delancey Street, New York, and were then and there "healed " by R.’. W.’. John W. Simons, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, assisted by Wor. Enoch P. Breed. The original Square and Compasses used on that occasion have been carefully preserved, and are still in possession of the Lodge.

The first Regular Communication of Zeredatha Lodge, U. D., took place on Monday evening, July 25, 1859, at its rooms in Myrtle Hall, No. 190 Myrtle Avenue. The first petitioners for membership were Thomas Mosscrop and John S. Morris. The place of meeting was subsequently changed to Montague Hall, No. 6 Court Street.

Wor. Bro. Salmon Winchester continued to serve as Master until Feb. 29, 1860, when he asked to be excused from further service, and on March 7, following, his resignation was accepted with many regrets, and a Preamble and Resolutions were adopted expressive of the sentiments of the Lodge concerning him. The following brethren were then elected to fill the offices for the unexpired term, U. D.: Wor. Bro. Benjamin Price, Past Master of Commonwealth No. 409, Master; Bro. Edward A. Hodgson, Senior Warden ; Bro. Charles P. Marrat, Junior Warden. On March 27, 1860, a communication was received from R.’. W.’. John W. Simons appointing these brethren in place of those named in the original Dispensation.

At the same communication Wor. Bro. Winchester applied for a dimit, which was granted.

The Charter was granted June 5, 1860, and at a Communication on June 13th following, the Lodge was duly Constituted, and its officers elect installed by the officers of the Grand Lodge. R.’. W.’/ James M. Austin acted as Grand Master, assisted by Wor. Bros. Breed, Kane, Millard, Ames, McChesney, Boyce, Fuller, Carman and Willetts. The following were the officers installed on this occasion: Benjamin Price, Master; Edward A. Hodgson, Senior Warden; Jefferson Fowler, Treasurer ; J. Windle Fowler, Secretary; Charles A. McMurray, S. D.; F. C. Rockwell, J. D.; Isaac W. Nevius, Tiler.

For the first two or three years the Lodge had a hard struggle for existence, but the brethren stood shoulder to shoulder and gave even of their penury to assist the needy and unfortunate, especially the families of those who had given their lives in defense of their country. Bro. Winchester, the former Master of this Lodge, was killed during the second year of the war, and the Lodge immediately voted a monthly allowance towards the support of his family, cared for the widow during a lingering illness, and at her death performed the last sad rites of burial, and then assumed the care of the orphans.

A Special Communication of the Lodge, in conjunction with Stella Lodge No. 485, was held on Dec. 23, 1862, for the purpose of paying the last tribute of respect to the memory of Bro. Winchester. His remains were buried in the Soldiers' Plot in Greenwood Cemetery, and those of his wife were subsequently laid by his side. On March 12, 1866, Miss Warren, the guardian of the children of Bro. Winchester, presented the Lodge with a beautiful portrait of the deceased brother.

The Secretary's Report (Bro. J. Windle Fowler) at the close of the sixth year, shows a more prosperous condition of the Lodge. There were then 268 members in good standing; large amounts had been contributed to the support of distressed worthy brethren; five widows of deceased brethren were in receipt of a weekly or monthly allowance for the maintenance of themselves and children.

On April 23, 1866, a history of the Lodge (compiled by Wor. Bro. C. P. Marrat), was read by Bro. J. Windle Fowler, the then Secretary, and 300 copies ordered to be printed.

On March 26th, of this year, the Lodge paid its last tribute of respect to Bro. W. H. D. Brownson, the late Treasurer. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. H. M. Gallaher.

The year 1865 appears to have been one of unusual financial prosperity for the Lodge, besides donating to charitable purposes the sum of $1,150, there was a cash balance in bank of $2,279.62.

In 1870, the donations to charitable purposes amounted to $1,130.57. The following year, 1871, the Lodge donated to the sufferers from the great fire in Chicago the sum of $50, and to the Charleston yellow fever sufferers, in 1884, $150. On Feb. 3, 1872, a Finance Committee was appointed, with instructions to examine the books, vouchers, etc., and prepare a detailed statement of all receipts and disbursements. At the same Communication a Relief Committee of three members was appointed, whose duty it was to visit each and every one of the widows and others having claims or receiving pecuniary aid from the Lodge, and report their conclusions in detail, previous to the appointment of their successors. All applications for charity were to be referred to said committee.

Sept. 21, 1874, M.’.W.’. J. W. Simons presented a collection of the portraits of the Past Masters and present officers of the Lodge, which was gratefully acknowledged.

The Lodge has participated at different periods in many of the public ceremonies of the day, notably, the funeral obsequies of President Lincoln in 1865; the laying of the corner-stone and the dedication of the Masonic Hall in New York, in 1870-75; and the Egyptian Obelisk ceremonies in 1884.

On Dec. 5, 1881, the Lodge celebrated its twenty-first anniversary. M.’. W.’. John W. Simons, P. G. M., with members of the Grand Lodge and a number of distingiiished visiting brethren, occupied seats in the East. Bro. Simons made an earnest and eloquent address, alluding to the fact that he signed both the Dispensation and Charter for the Lodge. He congratulated the Lodge on its growth and prosperity. Short addresses were made by the other brethren present, after which the Lodge retired from labor to refreshment, and partook of a bountiful collation.

In June, 1885, the Lodge celebrated its quarter centennial. A large number of distinguished masons were present. Addresses and musical exercises formed a part of the evening's festivities. A grand banquet followed.

The regular communications of the Lodge were held in the Phoenix Building, No. 16 Court street, until 1877. On June 4th of that year they removed to the Cochran Building, 304 Fulton street, taking a ten years' lease of the same, at $800 per annum. At the expiration of that period they removed to their present quarters, 38-40 Court street.

List Of Elective Officers From 1859, U. D., To 1888, Inclusive.

Worshipful Master.—