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Note: A typescript of the following speech is on file at the Livingston Masonic Library at Grand Lodge Hall, West 23rd Street. A photocopy was brought back to Monticello by Wor. James Wall, Past Master (2000-2001) during a recent visit to Grand Lodge Convention together with an article from the Republican Watchman dated October 19, 1951 entitled "Masons clear Temple debt".

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Monticello Lodge 532 was granted dispensation on December 27, 1862 by Grand Master John J. Crane. It was at a time when Masonry was shedding its beneficient influences through a war torn country and Masons who had witnessed the good membership in earlier Lodges were pleased indeed to affiliate with the newly formed Lodge.

The first Masonic Lodge in Sullivan County was Sullivan Lodge 272 whose petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for a warrant and dispensation to form a Lodge at Monticello was dated May 14, 1811.

The petition bore the names of William Morgan, Caleb Howell, Lewis Rumsey, Seth Sears, John Wilson, Samuel Barnum, Samuel F. Jones, John P. Jones, Jesse Crocker, Solomon Royce, Jonathan Paddock, Raymond, [sic] and Amos C. Barnes.

The petition asked that "Brother Samuel Frisbee Jones" be installed as the first Master, and was endorsed by Edward Ely, Master of Montgomery Lodge.

Sullivan Lodge operated under dispensation until January 2, 1817, and was regularly installed under a warrant dated January 20, 5817 (year of Masonry), by Benjamin Lewis, Past Master of Hiram Lodge No. 131. John El Russell was the first Master; Livingston Billings, Senior Warden; Peter F. Hunn, Junior Warden; Cyrus A. Cady, Treasurer; and Jesse Towner, Secretary.

The membership was composed of Masons residing in the towns of Bethel, Liberty, Mamakating and Thompson and comprised the then prominent and leading men of the county.

The Lodge's first return to Grand Lodge bore the following names: John E. Russell, Elisha Hickock, William Morgan, George Vaughn, Levi Barnum, Cyrus A. Cady, Seth Allyn, John P. Jones, Alex Sterret, Joseph Coit, Darius Barnum, Thomas Crary, Joseph Pinckney, Asa Baker, Jesse Towner, Asa Hall, Nathan Couch, Solomon Royce, Luther Wood, Richard R. Norris, Moses Stoddard, Livingston Billings, John M. Towner, William Cochran, Peter F. Hunn, Asa McKee, Platt Pelton, Dudley Champlin, Thomas Adgate, Richard D. Childs, Daniel Niven, Lemuel Jenkins, William White, Silvester Wheeler, John W. Osborn, Alpheus Dimmick, Richard Thurston, William Roberson, Isaac Foot, James McCroskry, Robert Nathan, Seymour Armstrong, Andrew Comstock, Isaac Brown.

Sullivan Lodge continued to hold meetings despite a strong anti-Masonic feeling which was then prevalent in Sullivan County. The cornerstone for the lodge was laid on June 25th 1828, and St. John the Baptist festivals were held until June 5, 1835 when Grand Lodge declared the warrant of Sullivan Lodge forfeited.

Peter F. Hunn who had served as an officer of the Lodge became a traiter to the craft and was the author of derrogatory letters and editorials which added to Masonic troubles.

Bloomingburgh Lodge No. 310 was warranted on June 24, 1818 and flourished for a while but made no return after 1825.

An attempt to establish a Lodge in Monticello was made on September 25th 1858 when Sullivan Masons who had long yearned for Masonic fellowship such as they had once known, petitioned Grand Lodge for a charter. This Lodge was known as Monticello Lodge No. 460 and mong its charter members were Masons who had often visited both Sullivan Lodge No. 272 and Bloomingburgh Lodge No. 360.

The reason why Monticello Lodge No. 460 enjoyed only a short existence has not been fully explained by either Grand Lodge or the old minute book, but it is hinted that harmony and good management was lacking. War clouds were then hanging over the countyr and this too may have contirbuted to the Lodge's demise in December 1862.

Monticello Lodge is now seeking to regain its once prestige and leadership in the community by sponsoring such projects as the gift of a blood refrigerator to the local hospital, the gift of new 50-star flags to the five local schools, and the sponsoring of a Cub Pack.

The present officers are: Wor. Edgar M. Layton, Master; Bros. Harold Knapp, Senior Warden; Arnold Levy, Junior Warden; Wor. Hugh Richmond, Treasurer; and R.W. Charles W. Horton, Secretary.

Photos courtesy of Susan Benton Schock.

Posted 06-19-2001