USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 1 > Part 22
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Gratitude lodge No. 664, F. & A. M., began its career under the name of Nassan lodge, under a dispensation granted in 1867, with D. P. Davis as W. M., Aaron Gifford as S. W. and George L. Eighiny as J. W. The first regular session was held at Nassau, September 26 of that year, but the organization was not duly chartered until the follow- ing summer, when, June 19, 1868, its received its charter and rank as Gratitude lodge No. 671. The first officers were: W. M., George L. Eighmy; S. W., James Van Alen; J. W., George B. Mitchell. Many of the first members came from Schodack Union lodge of Schodack. Among the early masters of the lodge were D. P. Davis, George L. Highmy, James Van ien, jr . John 1. Kane, John 1. Holt and Aaron Gifford.
Apollo Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar, came into existence Angust 12, 1839, by dispensation, under the title of Apollo encamp- ment, and its first commander was Sir Thomas T. Wells. Work under dispensation was continued until June 44, ISH, when a warrant was granted by the Grand encampment of the State, and Apollo encamp- ment, No. 15, was duly constituted, and the officers were installed (Sir Joel G. Candee, commander) in the following August. It bad a mem- bership at that time of thirty-eight. In 1858 the name was changed to Apollo commandery, No. 15. November 27, 1880, Apollo Drill com- pany was organized. From this has developed the now famous Apollo Drill corps, which under the able leadership of Sir James H. Lloyd, its
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commander, in recent years has won for itself many laurels, an envia- ble position and a national reputation. The record of the command- ery is replete with interesting incidents and notable occasions and its fame has spread far and wide. During its entire history Apollo has maintained a reputation of being composed of men active and ener- getic in Masonry and zealous to promote the cause of templarismi, and as a result it has been eminently successful in all its undertakings. Its deeds of charity and pure beneficence have been innumerable, and it has exercised a potent influence for good. Its roster of members con- tains many names of prominent and honored citizens of Troy and vicinity. Its growth has been constant and steady and at the close of the last Templar year its membership numbered 519. For proficiency in ritualistic work, excellence and precision in drill, harmony and brotherly kindness among its members, knightly bearing, elevation of morale and splendid esprit du corps it stands at the head of the order in the State, and without a superior in the nation. A list of the com- manders is appended :
Thomas T. Wells, Joel G. Candce, Abel Wetherbee, Archibald Bull, James Hege- man, John S. Perry, Richard Bloss, R. W. Kenyon, F. T. Parkman, Marcus Ball, George Babcock, George F. Sims, R. W. Roberts, L. A. Rousseau, James W. Cu- sack, Henry B. Harvey, Jesse.B. Anthony, Julius R. Pettis, George B. Smith, The- odore E. Haslehurst, Henry B. Thomas, Henry Stowell, A. G. Goldthwaite, S. V Stur- tevant, John F. Shafer, Arthur MacArthur, James H. Lloyd, William M. Peckham, Robert B. Stiles, Eugene A. Van Pelt, Frederick W. Sim, Daniel II. Ayers.
Phoenix Chapter, No. 133, R. A. M., of Lansingburgh, was established in 1849 when, November 22, Companions Samuel S. Bingham, Daniel King, S. D. Smith, Il. G. Holmes, A. Whipple, C. S. Houghton, 11. Knickerbacker, S. Freiot, Chauncey Ives, Nicholas Weaver and Will- iam MeMurray met under a dispensation from the Grand lodge and elected these officers: High priest, Samuel S. Bingham; king, Daniel King; scribe, S. D. Smith; C. of HI., A. Whipple; P. S., N. Weaver; R. A. C. and secretary, S. Freiot; M. of Third Vail, S. S. Houghton; M. of Second Vail and treasurer, G. F. Holmes; M. of First Vail, Will- iam MeMurray. At the annual convocation of the grand chapter a charter was granted bearing the date of February 5, 1850. The whole number who have been members of the chapter since its organization up to the summer of 1896 is 304, the present membership being 110. The high priests of the chapter have been :
S. S. Bingham, 1850-'51-'52-'53 -55 '56; Daniel King, 1854; William J. Newman,
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1857-'58-'59-'60; Charles Lapham, 1861; E. Hyatt, 1862; T. Sands, 1863; A. Kirk- patrick, 1864; Charles Weaver, 1865-66; F. Fountain, 1867-68-69-70, William H. Shumway, 1871-72; E. A. Skillman, 1873-74-15-76; E. A. Van Pelt, 1877 75 29- '80; John M. Chambers, 1881-'82 '83-'84-85; J. F. Smith, 1886 /'87-'88; William Gilmore, 1889-90-91; George H. Davry, 1892-93-91; C. J. Barker, 1895-96.
Greenbush Chapter, No. 271, R. A. M., was instituted May 5, 1875, with the following officers and members: Charles Melius, high priest ; Simeon Savage, king; George HI. Russell, seribe; George Il. Simmons, treasurer; William C. Ruyter, secretary; William Seaton, captain of host; E. C. Crocker, principal sojourner; William Teller, royal arch captain; Benjamin Evans, jr., M. of 3d V .; Alfred D. Crandall, M. of 2d V .; A. M. Rose, M. of Ist V .; William M. Killeen, tiler; and Com- panions John Thompson, John C. Foyle, Frederick Carr, Frank Lusk, James Hendricks and Horace Russell. The chapter was chartered February 3, 1876, with the following additional companions, who are, with the foregoing, charter members: James 11. Miller, Luke Slade, Albert Phelps, George B. Mitchell, Jacob R. Parsons, Thomas S. Cal- lender, Philip Weest, Albert J. Dings, Lawrence Rysedorph, William T. Miles, Charles II. Gilman, Justin Feldt, John H. Wieks, Edwin A. Sliter, William 11. Sliter, George W. Van Ilise and Albert P. Traver. The chapter was incorporated August 22, 1894. The high priests in the order of their election are: Charles Melius, Simeon Savage, George II. Russell, E. C. Crocker, William Teller, Thomas B. Purves, jr., Arthur W. Hines, Thomas Phibbs, Robert Mitton, James F. Doran, James 1. Miles. Life member, E. C. Crocker. In the summer of 1896 there were ninety one members on the roll.
Raymond Chapter, No. 215, R. A. M., is connected with Van Rensse- laer lodge of Hoosick Falls. The first dispensation of Raymond chapter was granted February 8, 1871, by M. E. Rees G. Williams, D. G. I. P., on the recommendation of Phoenix chapter, No. 133, of Lansingburgh, to Hiram Moses, David Ball, James Waddell, J. Leavitt Lambert, Smith A Skinner, Charles E. Morey, M. L. Powers, Warren F. Peters, S. W. Stewart, J. D. Worth, and L. S. Finch. The officers named in the dispensation were James Waddell, 11. P .; J. Leavitt Lambert, K. ; and Smith A. Skinner, S. The first to receive the mark degree were Daniel E. Spencer, E. C. W. Hull and C. W. Buck, March 2, 1869. They were also first exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason the evening of the same day. The dispensation was renewed June 18, 1871, by M. E. John W. Simons, grand high priest, and in the follow- ing February the charter was granted.
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A Mark lodge had existed in Hoosick many years before. It was instituted as Hoosick Mark lodge February 3, 1807, the warrant having been granted to W. S. Cardall, Renben Faxon, William Goodrich and others, but the name was subsequently changed to Federal Mark lodge No. 37. The lodge ceased to exist after a career of eight years.
Star lodge No. 941 of Petersburgh, which ceased to exist many years ago, was instituted in the year 1810 with these officers: W. M., Russell Wilkerson; J. W., Thomas Rix; secretary, Isaac B. Maine. Most of the records of the lodge either have been destroyed or are in such con- dition that it is impossible to write a trustworthy history of the organ - ization.
For many years prior to 1871 the question of building a Masonie temple was discussed in the several lodges located in Troy. About that time the General Room committee of 1821, having determined that it was inexpedient to rent rooms, resolved that it was " deemed advisable to procure a site, erect a building and give to the Masonic fraternity of Troy the long wished for plan of having a home of their own." A sub-committee was appointed to draft a bill to incorporate " The Troy Masonic Hall association," also to report a plan for organ- ization on a joint stock basis. January 17, 1821, the committee unani- mously voted to purchase the lots Nos. 15 and 1? Third street, for the sum of $30,000. The lodges approved of the action and the secretary of the general committee, Brother Jesse B. Anthony, presented a plan by which the lodges could raise money to enable them to take stock of the association. It was known as the life commutation of dues, and has proven successful. The Masonic Hall association was incorporated February 15, 1821, the first officers being George Babcock, president ; John 1. Flagg, vice president; George F. Sims, treasurer; Jesse B. Anthony, secretary; and these trustees: Charles Cleminshaw, Apollo lodge; Jesse B. Anthony, King Solomon's Primitive lodge; George Babcock, Mount Zion lodge; Alexander C. King, Apollo chapter; John 1. Flagg, Delta lodge of Perfection; Levi 11. Button, Bloss council; George F. Sims, Apollo commandery ; trustees elected by shareholders, Robert B. Ranken, John Don, Gorton P. Cozzens. The capital stock of the corporation was $25,000,
The first stone of the foundation of the Masonic Temple was laid June 19, 1871 precisely three quarters of a century after the charter was granted to the first lodge (Apollo). The corner stone of the temple was laid with Masonic ceremonies August 2, 1821. Early in the after-
MASONRY IN RENSSELAER COUNTY. 199
noon a parade was held, under the direction of Eminent Sir James W. Cusack as grand marshal. Besides the Masonic bodies of Troy there were in the procession Phoenix lodge No. 58 and Jerusalem lodge No. 355 of Lansingburgh, Evening Star lodge No. 75 of West Troy, Cohoes lodge No. 116 of Cohoes and officers of the Grand lodge of the State of New York, The ceremony at the corner stone included music by Doring's band ; prayer by the grand chaplain, Rev. J. W. Carhart; followed by the usual ceremonial prescribed by the Masonic ritual. An anthem composed by Charles C. Clark of Mount Zion lodge No. 31! was rendered by the choir, and Brother Jesse B. Anthony, P. M. of King Solomon's Primitive lodge No. 91, delivered an eloquent oration. The closing ode was written by Brother Hl. M. Heller, P. M. of Mount Zion lodge.
The dedication of the temple occurred April 2, 1872, the ceremony being performed by the grand master and officers of the Grand lodge. M. W. John W. Lewis, past grand master, was the orator After the ceremonie's the grand officers and invited guests returned to the Troy house, where a banquet was served. A concert at the temple oc- curred in the evening, followed by a ball. The total expense of the lot, building and furnishing was about $100,000.
In 1866 the several Masonic bodies in Troy, feeling that a library was needed in the city for their exclusive use and benefit, decided to establish such a library. A joint committee was appointed to devise a plan to carry the project into effect, and the result was that all the local members of the order contributed towards the proposed institu- tion. It was not long before a large library was collected, and the number of books is constantly increasing.
The Masonic exercises commemorating the release from debt of the Masonic hall and asylum in New York occurred at the Masonic temple on the evening of April 24, 1889, under the direction of Apollo lodge, King Solomon's lodge and Mount Zion lodge. The exercises, which were opened by prayer by the Rev. T. P. Sawin, included singing by the Mendelssohn quartette; addresses by M. W. Jesse B. Anthony and by Rev J. W. Thompson of Greenwich.
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CHAPTER XIV.
RENSSELAER COUNTY'S NATIONAL GUARD. 1
The history of the military of Rensselaer county dates from a very early period. The early records of the various towns of the county show that some sort of military organization existed during the French and Indian Wars, and that during the final desperate struggle of that long series of contests between the French and English for supremacy in America, distinct and thoroughly organized companies, even one or more entire regiments, were maintained in the county. Reference to these early heroes is found in the history of the county and in the his- torical sketehes of the various towns.
When the War of the Revolution was in progress, and probably very soon after its inauguration, a large portion of the qualified male inhab- itants of the county were serving in the Continental army. It is a matter of keen regret that the records of the doings of these heroes of Revolutionary times were kept in so unsatisfactory a manner, fre- quently not having been officially preserved; for it is impossible to tell the story of the achievements of these brave men in anything but a general and altogether too vague way. In preceding pages will be found a summary of the operations of the soldiers of the county of Rensse- laer in the War of the Revolution, in the War of 1812 and finally in
that memorable sanguinary conflict known as the War of the Rebellion, or the Civil War. In the history of each town a more detailed refer- ence has been made to the men who served their country in these try- ing times. What is believed to be a complete list of the Rensselaer county militia will also be found in preceding pages. "
THE OLD CITIZENS CORPS.
'The National Guard of the State of New York, or as it recently has
1 Compiled by Captain Wait Il. Stillman of the Sixth Separate Company, Captain James H. Lloyd of the Twenty-first Separate Company, Captain J. P Treanor of the Twelfth Separate Company and Major Isane F. Handey.
2 See Chapter VII.
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been officially styled, the National Guard of New York, is well rep- resented in Rensselaer county. The oldest organization is the Troy Citizens corps-the Sixth Separate company, National Guard of New York. The early history of the old corps is contained in the following, written several years ago by an acknowledged authority on military matters in Troy:1
After the war of 1812 interest in military matters in this State was for a long time dormant. The milnia of New York, through continued neglect, became much de- moralized. The system of organization then in vogue, never too good, had been quite outgrown, and its defects became each year more apparent. At length intelli- gent men began to deplore the lack of a trustworthy citizen soldiery, and to east about them for expedients by which publie interest could be awakened, and a good class of citizens induced to render military service. Of these one of the most fruit- ful in good results was the device of independent companies. . The first company organized under this plan was the Albany Burgesses corps, in 1833, and the Troy Citizens corps and Utica Citizens corps soon followed.
In accordance with a notification previously published in the city papers, a meet- „ing of those interested was held at the assembly room of the Troy house September 23, 1835, and an organization effected by the choice of Thomas Turner, superin- tendent of the Albany iron works, as captain, and Henry R. Bristol, then county elerk of Rensselaer county, as president.
The uniform adopted, it may be added, was substantially that of the old Trojan Greens. This was a company which had flourished in Troy before the war of 1812, had done good service in the field during that contest, and had fallen to pieces soon after the end of hostilities. Captain Turner at one time was its commanding officer.
The formation of the Citizens corps was greeted with popular favor, and from the outset it had the countenance of many of the most prom- inent men of the city. One of the first honorary members was the Hon. William 1 .. Marey, and the company's first lessons in the military art were under the personal supervision of General John E. Wool. General Genet, too, was an active patron of the new company. The corps received a charter from the Legislature May 20, 1836. The first officers were: Captain, Thomas Turner; first lieutenant, Alfred II. Peirce; second lieutenant, Erastus F. Brigham; third lieutenant, Lewis Lyons. The first drill room was in the small hall near the Mansion house and adjacent to that hotel. The corps soon removed to the southwest corner of Congress and Third streets, where the armory was maintained several years, When the Tibbits building, called the mili- tary hall, was erected, on the site of the old State armory, where Ger-
" History of the Troy Cit.zens Corps, by Harry P. Judson: 1844.
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mania hall now stands, the corps removed its quarters to that plicc. This was occupied until the building was burned in the fire of 184S. when the city authorities granted the use of Fulton market, where headquarters were maintained until 1864, when the records and com- pany property were removed to Cannon Place and subsequently they were destroyed by fire in that building.
The old Citizens corps participated in many events of interest to the city. As related more in detail in another part of this work,' it quelled the riot occurring on St. Patrick's day in 1834, being called ont by Mayor Richard P. Hart. In 1839, and again in 1844, the corps was ordered ont to assist in suppressing the famous anti-rent troubles, which took on the character of a small war. The first regular tour of camp duty was at Saratoga July 19 to 26, 1841. On various other oc- casions the company was called upon to attend publie gatherings to preserve order, particularly at public executions. It also attended the funerals of deceased members in Troy and of prominent military men in other places. Occasionally it would be called upon to entertain vis- iting military organizations from other places, and not infrequently it made pleasure trips to various points, frequently entertained by other companies. February 19, 1861, the corps, under Captain II. L. Shields, received President-elect Lincoln at the Union depot.
April 23, 1861, Captain Shields tendered to the adjutant-general of the State the services of his company to aid the government in sup- pressing the rebellion, but the offer was declined on the ground that a separate company of infantry could be of little use under the circum- stances. Soon after, however, a large number of members were com- missioned as officers in various regiments, undoubtedly rendering bet- ter service in that capacity than they could have done as privates. Most of the members of the corps afterward enlisted in the regiments organized in Rensselaer county and sent to the front, and in 1864 active military work was suspended, although an organization sufficient to hold the charter was maintained.
That the military work of the corps during these times had not been in vain is shown by the fact that a large proportion of the members who enlisted during the Rebellion were at once commissioned as offi- cers, and many of them won positions of distinction, Among them may be mentioned General John W. Sprague, General William B. Tib-
1 Sec history of the City of Troy,
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bits, General William A. Olmstead, Colonel Irvin Crandell, of the 125th N. Y. Vols. ; Colonel John Schuyler Crosby, aide to General Sheridan; Colonel John MeConihe, 169th New York Vols., killed at Cold Harbor; Colonel Charles Osborne Gray, 96th New York Vols. ; Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Brintnall, 30th New York Vols. ; Lieutenant Colonel James M. Green, 18th New York Volunteers; Lieutenant- Colonel William E. Kisselburgh, aide to General Vogdes; Major George II. Otis, 2nd New York Volunteers; Major George W. Wilson, 2nd New York Vols. ; C. D. Diekerman, paymaster in the navy; Captain Moses C. Green, 15th New York Engineers; Captain A. H. Howe, 67th New York Vols; Captain Joseph Lafeura, 2nd New York Vols. ; Cap- tain John M Landon, 30th New York Vols .; Lieutenant-Colonel George F. Lemon, Ist California Vols. ; Captain Charles L. MacArthur, Ist Brigade, Brd Army Corps; Captain John T. McCon, 169th New York Vols. ; Captain Francis M. Plum, 2nd New York Cavalry, and others.
During its honorable career the principal officers of the old corps were as follows:
Captains: 1835, Thomas Turner; 1836- 1847, Alfred Il Peirce; 1818, John S. Van Schaick; 1819, John 11. Whitlock; 1850, J. M. Warren Jones; 1851, Alfred 11. Peirce: 1852, J. M. Warren Jones; 1853, Alfred 1. Peirce; 1854-1856, Richard C. Barion ; 1857-1858, Edwin D. Blanchard ; 1859- 1860, Hamilton L. Shields: 1861 6563, George F. Sims.
First lieutenants: 1 1835, Alfred II. Peirce; 1836, Luther R. Lasell; 1837, Charles E. Brintnall; 1839, Arba Read; 1845, Charles E. Brimnall; 1516, John 11. Whitlock; 1817, John S. Van Schaiek : ISIS, Boynton W. Knowlson; 1849, J. M. Warren Jones; 1550 1551, James T. Woolsey; 1859 -1858, Edward Cusack; 1851-1855, Edwin D. Blanchard ; 1838 1556, James Bowen; 1575, John A Sims; IN09, Ebenezer 11. Virgil; Isto. James W. Cusack ; 1861 1863, Edward A. Ives,
Second lieutenants, 1535, Erastus F. Brigham; 1ST, Arba Read; 1839, William C. Dalstead; 1848-1844, John W. Sprague; 18445, Chuton L. Adancourt; 1516, John S. Van Schaick : 1847, Boynton W. Knowlson; ISIS, J. M. Warren Jones; IS19, Edward L. Stone ; 1850 1851, Prentiss L. Jones; 1852, Benjamin F. Town ; 1853, Rich- ard C. Barton; 1854, James Bowen ; 1855-1857, John A. Sims; 1858, James W. Cu- sack : 1859, Jonas S. Heartt; 1560, Richard D. Bloss; 1861 - 1863, Asa W. Wiekes.
The presidents of the civil organization as far as the records show, were:
1835, Henry R. Bristol; 1838, David M. De Freest; 1839, John T. Lamport; 1811, Clinton L. Adancourt; 1816, John B. Townsend, ISE Ists, Richard C. Barton ; 1819,
" The records do not she's who served in the Stars not mentional.
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Prentiss L. Jones; 1850-1853, Philip Casey; 1854, James C. Roth; 1855-1857, James A. Leach; 1858-1859, John M. Landon; 1860, Lewis A. Rousseau; 1861-1863, An- drew B. Fales.
SIXTH SEPARATE COMPANY.
The Troy Citizens corps of to-day, officially known as the Sixth Sep- arate company, National Guard of New York, is a continuation of the old Troy Citizens corps, the original charter never having been annulled. The first regular meeting after the war was called by President A. B. Fales November 29, 1876. Twenty-one old members responded to the eall and these eivil officers were chosen: President, Walter P. Warren; vice-president, Samuel B. French; secretary, Al- phens Richards; treasurer, Philip F. Vanderheyden. At the meeting held January 2, 1877, it was thought that enough members had been obtained, many of them being sons or relatives of former members of the corps, and these military officers were elected: Captain, James W. Cusack; first lieutenant, Walter P'. Warren; second lieutenant, Ezra R. Vail; third lientenant, Le Grand C. Cramer. At the earnest solic- itation of Adjutant-General Franklin Townsend the organization voted to affiliate with the National Guard, and consequently February 3, 1877, an order was issued deelaring the corps duly organized as the Sixth Separate company of infantry, N. G. S. N. Y. The company was formally mnstered in at the State armory February 20 by Major George H. Otis of General Alden's staff, and the first election of civil officers under the new constitution resulted in the choice of the following: President, Francis N. Mann, jr .; vice-president, Charles B. Ilubbell; secretary, G. D. Robertson; treasurer, Philip F. Vanderheyden. May 15, 1St, the company was the recipient of a full stand of colors pre- sented by E. Thompson Gale, in memory of his son, Major A. De Forest Gale. The first street parade was held on Memorial day, 1877.
The first actual service after entering the National Guard was the part the company took in suppressing the great railroad strike of July, 1877. On the afternoon of the 24th of that month, one hour after or- ders had been received, the company proceeded to Albany, and the next day boarded the ears for the West Albany yards of the New York Central & Hudson River railroad. Here it served a week. The com- pany also participated in the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the battle of Bemis Heights, September 19, 1877.
July 25, 1879, the Old Guard was organized, being attached to the
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corps as an auxiliary body. The uniform adopted was similar to that of the old corps, and Charles W. Tillinghast was chosen president and William E. Kisselburgh secretary. April 5, 1878, the corps acted as escort at the funeral of Colonel James R. Hitchcock in New York. The Army and Navy Journal commented as follows upon the appearance of the corps on that occasion :
The Troy Citizens corps was the observed of all observers, its showy uniform coupled with its solid front and splendid marching, winning encomiums even from the most critical.
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