Jefferson County, NY

CRAFTS MASONRY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK

for Alexandria and Brownville Lodges

Compiled by R. W. Gary L. Heinmiller, Director of the
Onondaga & Oswego Masonic Districts Historical Societies - July 2010
(This is a partial list of the lodges in Jefferson County.)

ALEXANDRIA LODGE NO. 297, ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY:

The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated June 8, 1866; the original warrant, dated June 11, 1853, was destroyed by fire. The name or number has never been changed. Alexandria Lodge was organized during the fall of 1852, at Plessis, NY. The petition, dated December 13, 1852, is signed by the following:

The petition was recommended by Theresa Lodge, No. 174, at a meeting held December 29, 1852. On January 12, 1853, a dispensation was issued by R. W. JOSEPH D. EVANS, Deputy Grand Master, which named as officers:

JASON CLARK, Master, MARTIN J. HUTCHINS, Sr. Warden , DANIEL ROOF, Jr. Warden

The original warrant, issued June 11, 1853, named the same officers. The first meeting...was held on February 22, 1853 with the following officers:

JASON CLARK, Master; MARTIN J. HUTCHINS, Sr. Warden; DANIEL ROOF, Jr. Warden; JONAS C. BIDLEMAN, Treasurer; ANDREW CORNWALL, Secretary; BENJAMIN SUITS, Sr. Deacon; WILLARD SHIRTLUFF, Jr. Deacon; EZRA CORNWALL, Tiler

The first applicant for degrees was CHARLES COMSTOCK, who was initiated March 8, 1853. The first meeting after the warrant was issued was held on June 21, 1853. In October, 1865, all of its property, including its warrant, was destroyed. In September 1893, it suffered slightly by fire, and in February, 1895, all of its property was destroyed by fire for the second time;, but the warrant escaped destruction. The second warrant, issued June 8, 1866, named the following officers:

MARTIN J. HUTCHINS, Master; ANDREW CORNWALL, Sr. Warden; DANIEL ROOF, Jr. Warden

The Lodge remained at Plessis until June 10, 1859, when the Grand Lodge gave it permission to move to Alexandria Bay; its quarters there were dedicated on July 12, 1853 by R. W. LEYSANDER H. BROWN, District Deputy Grand Master. After the fire in 1865, it met in the Crossman Hotel, and for some time had quarters at Redwood, returning to Alexandria Bay in 1866. The following members were men in the public life of the county:

MOSES C. JEWETT, Assemblyman; ANDREW CORNWALL, Assemblyman, WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, Assemblyman.

The following is a list of LODGE MASTERS and years in that position:

The following biographies include some of the Lodge Masters.

ANDREW CORNWALL, associated with his partner, JOHN F. WALTON, was the practical founder of the world-famous Thousand Islands as a watering place. Andrew was born in Pultneyville, Wayne Co., NY on 25 March 1814. His father, with two brothers, ANCIL and WILLIAM, had left Connecticut about 1800 and moved to what was then looked upon as the far west, or Genesee County. The advent of the family to this country was in 1710 and three generations lived and died in old Chatham, CT (later Portland). The third of the line was the grandfather of Andrew. He was a soldier in the Continental Army and died from the effect of a wound received at Bennington. In July 1844, Andrew moved to Redwood, NY and entered the company of DeZing & Burlingame, manufacturers of cut glass. He was given the management of their store and remained as such until November 1846. At that time Azariah Walton encouraged him to remove to Alexandria Bay and Andrew then took an interest in the firm of L. A. Walton & Company. The firm continued for seven years, until the death of Mr. Walton in 1853, when a new firm was organized under the name of Cornwall & Walton, John P. Walton as junior partner. They were the largest businessmen in the area for several years. Both retired on 1 April 1877 and a new firm, Cornwall Bros., was formed which included the four sons: ANDREW C. CORNWALL, CHARLES W., JOHN I. and HARVEY A.

In 1845, AZARIAH WALTON bought of HENRY YATES of the firm of McIntyre of NY City, the north half of Wells Island and all the small islands in the river St. Lawrence in American waters, from Round Island in Clayton to the village of Morristown in St. Lawrence Co.

Andrew Cornwall married in January 1843 to MARY C. CALHOON, a daughter of Captain Calhoon of Williamson, Wayne Co., NY, who was a pensioner of the War of the Revolution and a captain of volunteers in the War of 1812. Andrew and Mary were the parents of four sons: ANDREW C., CHARLES W., JOHN I. and HARVEY A. Mary died on 13 August 1890.

JOHN W. FULLER, long an favorably known in Alexandria Bay, was the son of SIMEON FULLER, a Revolutionary soldier from Massachusetts, who settled in Oneida Co., NY, where John W. was born. John W. was one of the earliest settlers of Alexandria, having come in 1820. Mr. Fuller's first was was MARIA BARNES, sister of MRS. LULL, a pioneer homemaker of Theresa. Maria died in 1825, while John was absent at Montreal looking after his lumber. For his second wife, John married MARIETTA SHURTLIFF in 1832 and they had a large family. Mr. Fuller's business career was a long one, first as a partner with Jere Carrier, then with Azariah Walton, whom he succeeded in 1840, and then in business by himself. He was a Collector of Customs under Pres. W. H. Harrison and was postmaster under Pres. Zachariah Taylor. In 1849 he built the first steam sawmill on that part of the St. Lawrence River.

DR. MARTIN J. HUTCHINS was born 7 Nov. 1825 in Schuyler, Herkimer Co., NY and educated there in the common and selected schools. He read medicine with Drs. Davison and Brewster, of Theresa in Jeff. Co., with whom he continued for three years and also attended medical lectures at Castleton Medical College in Vermont. In May 1846 he began his practice at Plessis, where he remained until 1853. In May of 1846, he was granted a license to practice by the Jefferson Co. Medical Society and in 1852 he received an honorary diploma from the Burlington Medical College in VT. As a prominent Democrat and party leader, he received the appointment of Custom House Inspector in June 1853 and moved to Alexandria Bay. He continued to hold that office under both Presidents Pierce and Buchanan until 1861. Then he settled at Redwood and resumed his medical practice, having practiced for 44 years in Alexandria. Dr. Hutchins served in other public offices. He was the father of two sons: the eldest was MARTIN J., JR., who became a journalist; and the younger, FRANK F. who attended the New York Medical University and became active as a physician.

MOSES C. JEWETT came with his wife from Vermont in 1846, and bought the Chaffey farm. Jewett's Corners was named after the family. Moses was the Master of Alexandria Masonic Lodge No. 297 for several years and he advanced to the Theresa Chapter in time. His son, MARCUS J. JEWETT, born 21 April 1855 at the homestead, moved onto the old homestead later in life. Moses C. Jewett was born in Windsor, VT on 11 Feb. 1815 and about 1845 married MARY A. WAKEFIELD of Reading, VT. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters: LAURA A.; HENRIETTA A.; EMMA; MARCUS J.; MARION I.; and CHARLES C. Marcus J. received a liberal education; on 10 Sept. 1879 he married LIBBIE M. MARKIE, and they had four children: FRANK G.; MORRIS H.; INA C. and JOHN C. and later CARL and RAY L. of Redwood.

AZARIAH WALTON, was born at Chesterfield, NH on 20 Aug. 1784. He emigrated prior to the War of 1812 into Jefferson County, and superintended the construct of the cotton mills at Brownville as an expert mechanic. In 1824 he moved to Theresa where he was a merchant until 1828 and became by appointment a Deputy Collector of Customs for the port of Alexandria Bay, an office he held for almost 19 years. He lived in Alexandria Bay until his death on 10 June 1855. Note: see also, the Pioneer account of Azariah Walton.

DAVID COUNTRYMAN was born in Herkimer County, NY on 23 Dec. 1815. He married LOVINA SHOEMAKER and they were the parents of eight children: JOSEPH; GEORGE; HANNAH C; REUBEN; CHARLES H.; ORVICE; MARY A.; and MARTHA. Joseph was born in Herkimer Co. on 30 Sept. 1842 and when he reached one year, the parents moved to Pamelia, and then to Alexandria when he was age nine. When Joseph was 20, he enlisted in the Civil War; on 30 October 1866, he married MARY, the adopted daughter of JOHN ROOF and they have two children: ARTHUR R. and MAY E.

ALMON H. HOUGHTON was born in Alexandria on 10 June 1849 on the farm that he later owned. In 1872 he married CANDACE, daughter of ABRAM and MATILDA RAUGHT; they were the parents of three children: NORRIS A.; LILLIAN J.; and LINNIE M. His father, JOSEPH HOUGHTON, was born 24 June 1820 and came to Jefferson county from Vermont, with his parents who were ROSWELL HOUGHTON and PERCY (PERSIS) PARKER, in 1832. Roswell was the son of SAMUEL HOUGHTON and SARAH COOKE of Fairlee, Orange Co., VT. Joseph, b 1820, married JANE CLARK, who also came from Vermont with her parents at about the same time. Joseph took up a section of land consisting of about 450 acres, and continued to live on part of it. Almon H. owned about 200 acres of the land, where he lived until 1886, when he moved to Alexandria Bay and started a mercantile business. He joined the Alexandria Lodge when he was age 22, and eventually became a member of Theresa Chapter, Watertown Commandery and Media Temple. For eleven years he served as a justice of the peace. Almon's children: NORRIS A. HOUGHTON 1874-1903, married LOUISE WATSON 1874-1973. LILLIAN J. HOUGHTON. LINNIE M. HOUGHTON 1877-1913.

ATHOL LODGE NO. 308, HOUNSFIELD, JEFFERSON CO. NY:

WARRANT: 7 June 1818

HIRAM STEELE as Master. The records of this lodge cannot be found in the village; consequently what is here given will be from the recollections of old members, of whom there were in 1894, four residing in Sackets Harbor:
CAPT. DANIEL READ
LEONARD DENISON
JOHN WALLING
DAVID MILLINGTON

Other member of this lodge were:
ALVAN KINNEY
JUDGE ELIJAH FIELD and others; it was continued until 1827.

BROWNVILLE LODGE NO. 318, BROWNVILLE, JEFFERSON CO., NY:

Brownville Lodge, No. 318 was installed March 31st, 1819 by ISAAC LEE, acting as G.M.; A. TROWBRIDGE, D. G. M. Its masters have been SYLVESTER REED; PELEG BURCHARD, JAMES MKENZIE; HOEL LAWRENCE; WARREN SKINNER, S. REED. From 1827 until 1839 the meetings were discontinued, when the charter was revived as No. 53 on 2 April 1839.

MASTERS:

The officers for 1877 were: JOHN B. ATWATER, Master; JOHN W. WILDER, S.W.; FRANKLIN SEEBER, J.W.; AMOS R. WILCOX, Treasurer; HORACE SKINNER, Secretary; EDMUND H. CARPENTER, S. D.; JAMES DIER, J. D.; CHAUNCEY W. PHIPPEN, S. M. C.; JAMES G. GUNN, J. M. C.; NEWMAN H. POTTER, Chaplain; HENRY BARBOUR, Marshal; CHAS. L. WITT, Tyler.

BROWNVILLE LODGE, NO. 53, BROWNVILLE, JEFF. CO., NY:

WARRANT: The first warrant issued to Brownville Lodge, No. 318, dated 4 March 1819, was declared forfeited by the Grand Lodge, 7 June 1833. It was restored 7 March 1839, and the number was changed to 53 on 28 September 1841.

CHARTER MEMBERS:

OFFICERS:
The first five Officers named in the Warrant were: SYLVESTER REED, Master; AZARIAH WALTON, Senior Warden; SIMON FOWLE, Junior Warden; JAMES McKENZIE, Treasurer; DANIEL LYMAN, Secretary.

The original Warrant was in the possession of the Lodge, The minutes were intact except from December 11, 1827 to April 2, 1839. At the second meeting of the Lodge, held March 31, 1810, the Officers were installed by ISAAC LEE as Grand Master; AMASA TROWBRIDGE as Deputy Grand Master and WILLIAM KING as Grand Marshal On April 6, 1819, the first applications for membership were received and at the next meeting held April 13, 1819, JAMES BALLARD was initiated. The Lodge continued to meet regularly until December 11, 1827.

CORNELIUS SALISBURY, was initiated, passed and raised subsequent to the date of the last record, and that the brethren continued to pay quarterly dues up to 16 February 1830.

On April 2, 1839, at a meeting, JOEL BLOOD was elected Treasurer; JOHN K. ADAMS, Secretary; HENRY W. CHAPMAN, Senior Deacon; APOLLAS HUNTINGTON, Jr. Deacon; DERRICK GIBBONS and GIDEON TILLINGHAST, Stewards, and HUGH WILEY, Tiler.

MEN FROM THE ABOVE LODGE WHO WERE IN PUBLIC LIFE:

ALANSON SKINNER, State Senator and Member of Assemblyman
ISAAC VAN VLECK, Surrogate
WALTER COLE, Member of Assembly, Supervisor
F. W. SPICER, Supervisor
GEORGE BROWN, Supervisor
ARBA STRONG, Supervisor
WILLIAM LORD, Supervisor
CHARLES K. LOOMIS, Supervisor
BERIAH ALLEN, Supervisor
CHARLES STEELE, Justice
CHARLES ALLEN, Justice
EDSON A. STEELE, Justice

MASTERS:

BERIAH ALLEN b 1798 d 21 September 1871 at 72 years, 10 months, 10 days; buried Perch River Cemetery, Town of Brownville, NY. He married DIANA PRIOR who d 12 May 1872 at 62 years. Children: WAYNE d 29 August 1854 at 29 years; FIDELIA ELIZABETH, EDWARD Beriah's father was JOHN PEARCE ALLEN b 19 July 1767 and his mother was ELIZABETH WALL b 15 July 1772. They married 2 February 1795.

PELEG BURCHARD was the County Clerk for Jefferson Co., NY. He was born in Norwich, CT in 1790 and settled early in Utica, NY and in 1809 in Watertown, NY, where he was a merchant. He moved to Brownville, failed in business, and was elected County Clerk in 1828, an office he held for 12 years. In 1843 he was appointed Collector at Cape Vincent and held two terms. He died there 2 February 1861 at 63 years; he was a brother of JEDEDIAH B. BURCHARD, the celebrated revival preacher.

GEORGE BROWN, Esq. was the son of GEORGE BROWN, one of the colonists, and followed his father to Jefferson County in 1802. He as elected Justice of the town soon after its organization, an office he held for nearly 50 years, being elected whenever nominated. He was also postmaster for 28 years and a member of the assembly in 1819. It is said that he introduced and secured the passage of the bill organizing the town of Pamelia, and giving it the name after the wife of General Brown.
George Brown died July 8, 1870 at the age of 88 years, at the residence of his daughter, MRS. JAMES G. BROWN of New Haven, Connecticut.

GEN. THOMAS LOOMIS came to Jefferson County at an early day, from Otsego County originally. He was engaged in a tannery and shoe shop and conducted a large business. He also had a distillery. His description states that he was of large, portly figure, a fine face and an eagle eye. One of his sons, CHARLES K., was for many years a resident of Brownville. His business career was as a merchant, lumber dealer and United Sates Marshal, which made him well known throughout. During the last years of his life he was the general freight agent for the Buffalo Division of the NYC Railroad but on his way to a convention, became the victim of a railroad disaster at Carr's Rock. Another son, MORRISON C. was engaged in business with his father for many years but then moved to Ogdensburgh. General Loomis was an invalid for many years and died at his residence in Brownville on 24 April 1869 at 80 years.

COLONEL WILLIAM LORD came from Vermont just prior to the outbreak of war. His uncle, WM. M. LORD, kept the Brownville Hotel and induced William to come and be his bookkeeper. William taught a winter school at Blanchard's Corners and when out of school he was getting out the timber for 40 wood plows, which the next spring he finished for market. In the fall he intended to return to Vermont, packed his clothes, bought a horse and saddle and was intending to start the next morning in company with ISAAC FARWELL, CHESTERFIELD PARSONS and a Mr. STOW. While dining together at ABIJAH FARWELL's, WARREN SKINNER, acting as sergeant in Capt. Wm. Cole's company, came and warned each of them to report with ax and gun the next morning for service in cutting and felling trees across the road between Brownville and Cape Vincent to prevent the enemy approaching by way of the cape, fearing the enemy might gain access to Sacket's Harbor by that route. Farwell, Parsons and Stow went to Vermont but William Lord was engaged in service for 28 days and did not see Vermont again for six years. Upon returning to Brownville, he opened the foundry of Lord & Skinner and later Lord & Sons. Two of his sons, Col. N. B. LORD and N. N. LORD, were in the Civil War, the 35th Infantry and the 20th Cavalry. Col. Lord at age 86 was living with two of his children in the family mansion at Brownville.

HON. ALANSON SKINNER
It has been very aptly said that "a truthful representative of a worthy life is a legacy of humanity." Acting upon this assertion, we present an outline of the business, social and official character of Alanson Skinner, a pioneer of Brownville, who was prominently identified with all its interests. He was born at Westmoreland, NH on 21 May 1794, the son of TIMOTHY SKINNER, and the third of a family of nine children-eight sons and one daughter. In 1814 he came to Brownville, Jefferson, NY from his native state, and after 1830 never changed the home of his adoption, where, in all that related to the growth, success and prosperity of the village, he took an active part. He grew up with it through all its changes, ever remaining one of its most respected and worthy citizens. He took an active part in military matters soon after he came, and served under (Bro.) Gen. Jacob Brown, in the troubles that then existed between the United States and Great Britain. Soon after he settled in Brownville he became actively interested in manufacturing and for many years owned and conducted an extensive foundry and stove works, carrying on a large business, always managed with carefulness and success. This industry was an important one in those days and the firm of Skinner & Davis will long be remembered in this part of the State. He continued the business alone for many years, when his sons, WILLIAM T., JAMES and HORACE, succeeded him, the former still remaining in the business. Mr. Skinner was supervisor of the town during the years 1839-40 and 46, and for nine years between 1832 and 1849, was one of the village trustees, being chosen president of the village in 1836. In 1850 he represented this district in the State senate, and it can be truthfully said of him that in whatever position he was placed he was always actuated by a faithful desire to do his duty to his constituents and to maintain a reputation for personal honor. He was a careful and systematic businessman, and his extensive investments were almost invariably attended with success. He was industrious and economical, and no man ever bore a name more worthy for honor and integrity. For several years he was the honored and respected president of the National Union Bank of Watertown, in which he had long been a large stockholder. Socially, he was one of the most general and cordial of men. He was hospitable in his home, in his conversational powers attractive and entertaining. He was for nine years an earnest and consistent member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Watertown Chapter and Master of Brownville lodge. At showing the esteem at which he was held by his fellow Masons, we append the (partial) extract from the Memorial Tribute placed upon the records of the Watertown Commandery No. 11, Knights Templar:

"On 29 Sept. 1819, Mr. Skinner was united in marriage with Miss MARY WOODWARD. This union was blessed with four children, namely: HORACE, born 27 Sept. 1820, resided in Brownville; MARY, born 22 Nov. 1822, married the Rev. LUTHER RICE of Watertown; JAMES born 19 Nov. 1824, and lived in Aurora, Illinois; WILLIAM T. born 11 Dec. 1826, represented the business established by his father. "On 7 June 1876, Mr. Skinner died, full of years and honors. At his death he was 82 years of age and he retained all his facilities to the last....

"Father of Alanson: TIMOTHY SKINNER b 10 Feb. 1761, Mansfield, MA; d 17 July 1843 Westmoreland, NH, son of Timothy Skinner; m RUTH WARNER, 15 Sept. 1790.

Children:
WARREN SKINNER
CYNTHIA SKINNER
HIRAM SKINNER
ALANSON SKINNER
AVERY SKINNER
DOLPHUS SKINNER
BARTON SKINNER
JOHN LANGDON SKINNER
ALBERT GALLATIN SKINNER

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