Historical records returned to Monticello Freemasons

Historical records returned to Monticello Freemasons

WANAKSINK LAKE – Important historical records were returned to their rightful custodian recently when the Monticello Lodge #532, F.&A.M. received five volumes of membership records dating to when the Lodge was instituted in December 1862.

The ledgers were in the possession of the late historian Alvin O. Benton of Wanaksink Lake when he died in 1993, according to his daughter Susan Schock.

Mr. Benton, who was a member of Monticello Lodge, wrote Early Freemasonry In Sullivan County & History of Monticello Lodge #532, F.&A.M. in 1942. He used the ledgers in his research, said Lodge member Tom Rue of Monticello who digitally republished the book for the Lodge two years ago.

Mr. Rue, who is the immediate past Master of Monticello Lodge, was joined by the current Worshipful Master, Ernie Marchino of Monticello, in accepting the return of the membership records at the lakeside home of the late Mr. Benton on July 26th.

Spanning the years 1863 to 1947, the books include a page for every member of the Lodge then living. Records from 1948 to the present were already in the Lodge’s possession, Mr. Rue noted. The whereabouts of these books were unknown until Mrs. Schock contacted him, he said.

In addition to the dates when each man received Masonry’s three degrees and paid his annual dues ($3.50 in 1863), the record includes the man’s age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and the name of the member who sponsored his initiation to the fraternity. Also received was a Secretary’s Cash Book dated 1925 to 1931 and a “Black Book” where names of rejected applicants were recorded.

Susan Schock with records returned to Monticello Lodge stands in the home of her late father, Alvin O. Benton, in front of a cement fresco by local Masonic artist Sanford Case. [more info]

Speaking for all the members of the lodge, Mr. Rue expressed thanks to the Benton family preserving and returning the records. Along with the ledgers, Ms. Schock presented a box of letters and official papers belonging to the late Clarence Maine, who served as Monticello Lodge as secretary for many years and co-authored the above mentioned book along with Mr. Benton who was then editor of The Republican Watchman newspaper.

The text of Mr. Benton’s history, including photos of early local leaders, is available online here.
With the exception of a few years in the mid-1800s, Masonry has been a part of community life in Monticello since the founding of that village in 1804. The successor to an earlier lodge instituted by the founders of the Monticello, the lodge holds regular communications on second and fourth Mondays.

Due to the recent sale of the Masonic Building in Monticello, which the Lodge transferred to the Times Herald Record in 1984, starting this summer Monticello Lodge began meeting at 20 Eagle Dr., Liberty. The last meeting held at the Monticello Temple was June 17th when David Misner of Livingston Manor was passed to the second degree of Masonry, Mr. Marchino noted.

Monticello Lodge now shares quarters with Liberty Lodge #521, F.&A.M.; Fallsburg Lodge #1122, F.&A.M.; and Revonah-Lincoln Chapter #443 of the Order of the Eastern Star – each meeting on different evenings.

For more information, contact Ernie Marchino, Master of Monticello Lodge #532, PO Box 444, Liberty, N.Y. 12754; or leave a message at (845) 796-4822.

PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 26, 2003

LODGE HISTORY

WANAKSINK LAKE – Important historical records were returned to their rightful custodian recently when the Monticello Lodge #532, F.&A.M. received five volumes of membership records dating to when the Lodge was instituted in December 1862. The ledgers were in the possession of the late historian Alvin O. Benton of Wanaksink Lake when he died in 1993, according to his daughter Susan Schock. Mr. Benton, who was a member of Monticello Lodge, wrote Early Freemasonry In Sullivan County & History of Monticello Lodge #532, F.&A.M. in 1942. He used the ledgers in his research, said Lodge member Tom Rue of Monticello who digitally republished the book for the Lodge two years ago. Mr. Rue, who is the immediate past Master of Monticello Lodge, was joined by the current Worshipful Master, Ernie Marchino of Monticello, in accepting the return of the membership records at the lakeside home of the late Mr. Benton on July 26th. Spanning the years 1863 to 1947, the books include a page for every member of the Lodge then living. Records from 1948 to the present were already in the Lodge’s possession, Mr. Rue noted. The whereabouts of these books were unknown until Mrs. Schock contacted him, he said. In addition to the dates when each man received Masonry’s three degrees and paid his annual dues ($3.50 in 1863), the record includes the man’s age, birthplace, residence, occupation, and the name of the member who sponsored his initiation to the fraternity. Also received was a Secretary’s Cash Book dated 1925 to 1931 and a “Black Book” where names of rejected applicants were recorded.
	Susan Schock with records returned to Monticello Lodge stands in the home of her late father, Alvin O. Benton, in front of a cement fresco by local Masonic artist Sanford Case. [more info]
Speaking for all the members of the lodge, Mr. Rue expressed thanks to the Benton family preserving and returning the records. Along with the ledgers, Ms. Schock presented a box of letters and official papers belonging to the late Clarence Maine, who served as Monticello Lodge as secretary for many years and co-authored the above mentioned book along with Mr. Benton who was then editor of The Republican Watchman newspaper. The text of Mr. Benton’s history, including photos of early local leaders, is available online here. With the exception of a few years in the mid-1800s, Masonry has been a part of community life in Monticello since the founding of that village in 1804. The successor to an earlier lodge instituted by the founders of the Monticello, the lodge holds regular communications on second and fourth Mondays. Due to the recent sale of the Masonic Building in Monticello, which the Lodge transferred to the Times Herald Record in 1984, starting this summer Monticello Lodge began meeting at 20 Eagle Dr., Liberty. The last meeting held at the Monticello Temple was June 17th when David Misner of Livingston Manor was passed to the second degree of Masonry, Mr. Marchino noted. Monticello Lodge now shares quarters with Liberty Lodge #521, F.&A.M.; Fallsburg Lodge #1122, F.&A.M.; and Revonah-Lincoln Chapter #443 of the Order of the Eastern Star – each meeting on different evenings. For more information, contact Ernie Marchino, Master of Monticello Lodge #532, PO Box 444, Liberty, N.Y. 12754; or leave a message at (845) 796-4822. PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 26, 2003
LODGE HISTORY