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

Senior Warden.—James Sheward, 1848-9; E. J. Tuckerman, 1850; W. N. Woodcock, 1851-2; W. J. Smith, 1853; D. P. Barnard, 1854; W. J. Gilbert, 1855; G. G. Joyce, 1856; J. E. Jenkins, 1857; L. McMullen, 1858-9-60; D. T. Hines, 1861; E. Oliver, 1862; F. C. Niebuhr, 1863-4-5; L. L. Laidlaw, 1866; J. E. Cordner, 1867-8; Frank Arnold, 1869; C. T. Aldis, 1870; W. Sherer, 1871; D. B. Davidson, 1872; L. C. Bond, 1873; H. Palmer, 1874; E. T. Mackay, 1875 ; L. C. Bond, 1876; J. A. Babcock, 1877; D. B. Davidson, 1878; W. T. Ramsbotham, 1879; S. F. Walker, 1880-81; F. E. Vermeule, 1882-3; S. E. Weaver, 1884; P. H. Bowne, 1885; J. E. Morse, 1886; W. C. Humstone, 1887-8.

Junior Warden.—H. Jessop, 1848; B. H. Downing, 1849; D. T. Walden, 1850; D. P. Barnard, 1851; Charles Padley, 1852 ; James Bright, 1853; W. E. Gilbert, 1854; P. E. Walden, 1855; Edward Walden, 1856; L. McMullen, 1857; W. A. Atterbury, 1858; D. S. Hines, 1859-60; T. Terry, 1861; F. C. Niebuhr, 1862; B. F. Wyman, 1863; D. S. Hines, 1864; G. N. Conklin, 1865; Frank Arnold, 1866-7-8; G. H. Jennings, 1869 ; A. Cranston, 1870; D. B. Davidson, 1871; L. C. Bond, 1872; W. T. Ramsbotham, 1873; E. T. Mackay, 1874; S. I. Boone, 1875; W. W. Bragg, Jr., 1876; A. K. Sloan, 1877-8; E. H. W. Rowe, 1879; J. Y. Murkland, 1880; K. B. Atterbury, 1881; S. E. Weaver, 1882-3; P. H. Bowne, 1884; J. E. Morse, 1885; J. E. Watt, 1886; J. Norwood, 1887; Joseph Aspinall, 1888.

Treasurer.—M. Mottram, 1848-9; W. T. Smith, 1850; John Warde, Jr., 1851-2; J. Howe, 1853-4; W. N. Woodcock, 1855-6-7-8; John Marsden, 1859; W. N. Woodcock, 1860 to 1865, inclusive; B. Oliver, 1866 to 1872, inclusive; W. Sherer, 1873; A. K. Sloan, 1874-5; H. W. Post, 1876 to 1882, inclusive; W. T. Ramsbotham, 1883; B. B. Atterbury, 1884; W. E. Knickerbocker, 1885 ; H. A. Moore, 1886-7-8.

Secretary.—B. H. Downing, 1848; D. T. Walden, Jr., 1849 ; W. N. Woodcock, 1850; Chas. Padley, 1851; W. J. Smith, 1852; H. B. Rose, 1853; G. Cooper, 1854; T. T. Outerbridge, 1855-6-7-8; H. Y. Browne, Jr., 1859; T. T. Outerbridge, 1860; G. N. Conklin, 1860-64; W. Conklin, 1865 to 1885, inclusive; S. F. Walker, 1886-7; W. T. Ramsbotham, 1888.

Rt. W.’. D. T. WALDEN, Past Master Of Anglo-saxon Lodge.—Past District Deputy Grand Master Third Masonic District.

Bro. Walden is now the patriarch of Anglo-Saxon Lodge by right of succession, he being the oldest Past Master living, Bro. Evans, who preceded him, having recently severed his connection with the Earthly to join the Celestial Lodge above. He was brought to light on December 7, 1848. He was Junior Warden in 1850, and Master in 1854-5, and again in 1859 and in 1862 and 1879. He represented Anglo-Saxon Lodge in the "Phillips Grand Lodge" at its Quarterly Communication in March, 1850, and in June following sat in the Grand Lodge of New York, Anglo-Saxon Lodge having in the interim returned to its former allegiance. In March, 1856, he was appointed Representative of the Grand Lodge of Alabama, near the Grand Lodge of New York. In 1858 he received a Dispensation from Grand Master John D. Lewis to "constitute in Form Morton Lodge No. 469, of Hempstead, L. I., and install its officers; and in 1860 he was duly authorized to constitute in Form Island Lodge No. 511. In 1860-61 he served as District Deputy Grand Master for the Third Masonic District, which then comprised Richmond, Kings, Queens and Suffolk Counties. While holding this position he laid the corner-stone of the Brooklyn Court House, and for the occasion organized a Grand Lodge, over which he resided, appointing his own subordinates. He was exalted in Orient Chapter No. 109, which then met in New York City, of which he became High Priest; he also received the Council degrees, R. and S. M., by communication. He passed to the 32d degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Eite. He organized the Masonic Relief Association of Brooklyn, and was for some years its President.

Bro. D. T. Walden was born in New York City, 28 Apr 1824. He was the twin brother of Philip E. Walden, who was at one time Master of Anglo-Saxon Lodge. Both were educated at private school, and afterwards at Swinburn's famous school at White Plains. Bro. D. T. Walden read law for seven years with Alexander W. Bradford, of New York. He was admitted to the bar at Utica, in 1845, and commenced practice at once in New York. He was Assistant Corporation Attorney under T. E. Tomlinson, with whom he formed a copartnership, under the firm name of Tomlinson, Walden & Brigham. This continued until 1864, when he became associated with Wm. G. Sterling, as Sterling & Walden. Judge Sterling retired in 1880, since which time Bro. Walden has conducted his own affairs.

WOR. PHILIP E. WALDEN,
Past Master Of Anglo-saxon Lodge.

The record of Bro. D. T. Walden, the twin brother of Philip E., contains most of the facts connected with the early life of both. Bro. Philip E. Walden was raised in Anglo-Saxon Lodge in 1848, just previous to his brother D. T. He was Junior Warden in 1855, Master in 1856, but left the city before completing his term of office. He commenced his business career in the American Exchange Bank, New York. He subsequently went to California. On his return he was for a time in the Appraiser's Office. He went to New Orleans in 1856, and became Assistant Collector of that port. At the breaking out of the war he espoused the cause of the South. While on a visit to his family, after the capture of New Orleans, he was arrested and brought before General Butler, who, because of his refusal to produce the books, sent him to Fort Jackson, where he was kept at hard labor for thirteen months. His release was finally obtained by his brother, who was just as firm in his allegiance to the North. He soon after went to Bermuda, where he died of yellow fever in 1864, leaving a wife and three children—all natives of New Orleans.

WOR. J. E. JENKINS, Past Master Of Anglo-saxon Lodge.

Of the many brethren who were contemporaneous with Wor. Bro. Jenkins in Anglo-Saxon Lodge, scarcely half-a-dozen now remain. The others have long since passed to that "undiscovered country." Bro. Jenkins received the working tools and entered upon his labors as a Master Mason on February 8, 1855. He became a skillful Craftsman and a Master Builder. Of the materials prepared by him for this noble edifice, but "two living stones ' now remain, viz.: Bro. Thomas S. Tice and James Thoubboran. The individuality of Bro. Jenkins was indelibly stamped upon his work and on the Lodge. He commenced his labors first as Junior Deacon, and then as Senior Deacon. Passing the South, he entered the West in 1857, and the following year found him in the East. He was retired for one year, and again elected in 1860-61. As a presiding officer he was quick, prompt and decisive, and while he enforced strict discipline and decorum during Lodge hours, when the Lodge was called from labor to refreshmen the was the whole-souled, genial, warm-hearted Brother, with a kind word for all and a grip that was magnetic in its power, and never to be forgotten, is laugh was contagious, his heart beat responsive to every call for help, and his purse-strings were always loose. It is more than fifteen years since he ceased from active labor, yet the happy hours he spent with the friends of his youth in Anglo-Saxon Lodge still linger in his memory as a sweet fragrance to cheer and comfort his declining years.

Bro. Jenkins was born at Hudson, on the Hudson river, 28 Mar 1827. He completed his studies at the age of fourteen, and spent some six years in a country store. He came to New York to try his fortune forty-one years ago. For nearly fourteen years he was a clerk in one of the oldest shipping houses in New York. In 1861 he started in the Freight Brokerage business on his own account, which he has conducted successfully for more than a quarter of a century. He wears a spotless escutcheon, and is well known in business circles, where he is highly respected for his probity and honor. He became a resident of Brooklyn in 1851. Bro. Jenkins is well preserved for a man of his years. His form is erect, his step is firm and elastic, and he still devotes at least one-third of the twenty-four hours to his business, forgetting not, in his hours of rest and labor, the needy and suffering around him.

WOR, LEWIS McMULLEN, Past Master Of Anglo-saxon Lodge.

Although Anglo-Saxon Lodge is the third oldest Lodge in Brooklyn, it was still in its infancy when Bro. McMullen knocked at the door for admittance. Thirty-four years have passed since then, and his locks are whitened with the snows of many winters, yet his mental faculties remain unimpaired, and he is still hale, hearty and strong for one of his age. He was made a Master Mason in this Lodge, Nov. 2, 1854; served as Junior Warden in 1857, as Senior Warden in 1858-59-60, and as Worshipful Master in 1864. There are but few brothers now living who sat under his instructions at that time. His was a quiet and peaceful administration, the Lodge having just emerged from the trouble incident to the formation of two Grand Lodges, in which Anglo-Saxon Lodge bore a conspicuous part. Bro. McMullen had no desire to explore beyond the precincts of Capitular Masonry. He was exalted in Orient Chapter, in which he served for a time as Treasurer.

The father of Wor. Bro. McMullen came to New York early in the present century, and was an ardent patriot during the War of 1812-15. He was attached to an artillery company, and stationed at the old Red Fort, at the foot of Hubert street, on the North Eiver.

Bro. McMullen was born in New York City seventy-two years ago (ca 1816), within five blocks of his present place of business. He was educated at Borland and Forest's school, on Warren street, where some of the most prominent men of New York were prepared for college; among these was Hon. Hamilton Fish, Sr. It was difficult to obtain access to the school, as the number of pupils were limited to two hundred. Bro. McMullen entered upon a mercantile career immediately after completing his education. He was connected with the hardware business for about twenty-two years. In 1852 he was appointed Examiner in the U. S. Appraiser's office, New York, and held that position for thirty-three consecutive years. On April 23, 1885, he was appointed, by President Cleveland, Appraiser of the Port of New York. Although the appointment was violently opposed by the politicians, it met the general and hearty approval of the business community, who were thoroughly familiar with the worth and ability of the appointee.

Bro. McMullen was married, in 1842, to Alethea Augusta Wood, of New York. They have raised a large family of children, only four of whom are now living, five having deceased. He has occupied for thirty-six years the same house in Brooklyn.

R.’. W.’. WILLIAM SHERER, Past Master Of Anglo-saxon Lodge.—Grand High Priest Of The Grand Chapter of R. A. M. Of The State Of New York.

Bro. Sherer received his first instructions in Masonry from Wor. Bro. J. E. Jenkins, who is still living, and a member of Anglo-Saxon Lodge. Bro. Sherer is justly proud of his alma mater, having risen from the position of a humble Craftsman to the highest office in the State of New York in Capitular Masonry. He was initiated, passed and raised in Anglo-Saxon Lodge, in 1868, receiving his Third degree on December 10th; served one term as Senior Deacon; as Senior Warden in 1871, Worshipful Master in 1872, Treasurer in 1873; elected Master in 1874, again in 1877-78 and in 1880, serving five terms, altogether, as Master of this Lodge. As a workman he had few equals and no superiors. He presided with dignity, grace and ease, and his lectures were deeply impressive. Many of his pupils now living can testify to the thoroughness of his work. He was exalted in Constellation Chapter No. 209, R. A. M., in 1872, passed through the several chairs, and was High Priest in 1872-3. He has been a member of the Grand Chapter for several years; was Grand R. A. C. one year, Grand Lecturer two years, G. C. H. for four years, Deputy Grand High Priest one year; was elected Grand High Priest in the winter of 1886, and is now serving his second term. He was Knighted in Clinton Commandery No. 14, K. T., in which he served one year as Captain General, and was compelled to decline further honors for want of time. He has taken the 14th degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a member of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, of Brooklyn. He is a member of Brooklyn Council No. 4, R. and S. M., and was Thrice Illustrious Master three years in succession. He served as Dist. Deputy G. M. of the Third Masonic District in 1878, under the administration of M.’. W.’. Edmund L. Judson; was reappointed to the same position, but declined. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Commission of Appeals of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He was "conducted across the burning sands" in Mecca Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Winona Council No. 905, A. L. of H., in which he passed through the several chairs, and is now Grand Commander of the Grand Council of the State of New York. He is also a member of the National Provident Union.

Bro. Sherer is a native of Mead Co., Kentucky, born 3 Sep 1837. He removed early in life to Virginia, thence to Pennsylvania, and to Brooklyn in 1851, where he completed his education. He commenced his business career in 1852, in a wholesale drug house. In 1855 he entered the employ of the Metropolitan Bank, where he remained for nearly eight years. In 1863 he accepted a position in the U. S. Sub-Treasury, New York, where he has already spent over a quarter of a century. He is at present Cashier and Acting Assistant Treasurer.

He has been twice married, first in 1859; his wife deceased in 1870, and in 1872 he married Miss Adelaide Clark, of Oneida County, NY. He has raised a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living. Bro. Sherer served ten years in the Volunteer Fire Department of Brooklyn, and was President of Engine Company No. 17. He was also a member of G Company,

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