History of Hudson River Lodge
The below information was obtained from the book Titled History of Hudson river Lodge No. 607, Free and Accepted Masons, Newburgh N.Y., Authored by Charles H. Halstead.
On December 22nd, 1865 the annual elections for Newburgh Lodge # 309 had taken place. Nominated for Master of the Lodge were Bro L.S.Straw and Bro David .A. Scott. Bro Straw obtained the seat of Master by a difference of 4 votes. Thirty one to Twenty seven in Bro L.S. Straw’s favor.
At the second communication after the election, January 5th, 1866 (according to the minutes) Bro Scott arose in his place to announce a petition would be presented at the next communication seeking permission to form another Lodge. It was noted that this action was not required by any Masonic Law or Usage rather demonstrated Bro D.A.Scott’s high sense of honor.
On the evening of January 11th, 1866 numerous members of Newburgh Lodge # 309 assembled in the parlor of the Ringgold Hose Company for the purpose of organizing another Masonic Lodge. It was decided that A Masonic Lodge be formed without delay , to be known as Hudson River Lodge. The Officers for Hudson River Lodge were selected at this meeting. The officer were to be :
• Master – David A, Scott
• Senior Warden – G. Fred Wiltsie
• Junior Warden – Samuel Stanton Junior
• Treasurer – Charles Estabrook
• Secretary – Louis H. Blackman
• Senior Deacon – Edwin T. Skidmore
• Junior Deacon – Robert C. Bancroft
• Marshal – Chancey M. Leonard
• Chaplain – Rev. G. Henry Manderville
• Organist – John Alsdorf
• Master of Ceremonies – William H, Van Steenburgh and Nelson Crist.
• Trustees – William E Warren, William R. Brown and Willaim E. Peck
• Standing Committee – George M. Clapp, John Galt and John L, Westervelt
On January 12th, 1866 Newburgh Lodge held a communication in which Bro John L Westervelt arose in his place and announce that he held a petition to the Grand Lodge of New York . Bro Westervelt then proceeded to read the petition . The petition was signed by 46 members of the Newburgh Lodge # 309 of which four were not active members of any lodge.
On Saturday evening , March 3rd, 1866 the first meeting under dispensation was held by Hudson River Lodge # 607 in the Masonic Hall of Newburgh Lodge which prior arrangements for rental was obtained by WM:. David A. Scott. At this meeting the Lodge was gifted a set of solid silver Officers jewels by Bro John L. Westervelt. Interestingly two applications for membership were received to which the fee were $35.00.
A charter for Hudson River Lodge # 607 was granted by the Grand Lodge of the state of New York at it’s annual annual communication and dated July 12th, 1866. A public installation of officers was instituted on July 19th, 1866.
Hudson River Lodge # 309 is currently working under a charter issued on June 6th, 1996. We are currently meeting and working under this charter.