Establishment of the First Mason Lodge in the Town of Pelham

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The Historic Pelham Blog has included articles before about the founding of the Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.on November 1, 1908.  See, e.g.:

Mon., Jan. 19, 2015:  More on the Early History of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

Wed., Jul. 09, 2014:  Record of the Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

Mon., May 30, 2005:  Early History of the Winyah Lodge U.D. of Pelham, New York. 

Wed., Mar. 08, 2006:  The 1939 Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham, NY.

Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M. was not the first Masonic Lodge established in the little Town of Pelham.  The first such lodge was Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M. established on City Island in the Town of Pelham in mid-July, 1871.  

On July 20, 1871, The Statesman of Yonkers published a brief notice that "a few evenings since" a group of local Masonic officials including R. W. Stephen S. Marshal (District Deputy Grand Marshal) and George E. C. Seaman (Grand Marshal) installed a group of officers of the new Pelham Lodge including:

John O. Fordham (Master)
James Hyatt (Senior Warden) 
Stephen D. Leviness (Junior Warden)

Source:  CITY ISLAND -- MASONIC, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jul. 20, 1871, Vol. XVI, No. 805, p. 1, col. 4.

This installation was, of course, a formality.  The Lodge had been organized by Pelham citizens the previous year and had been fairly active before the formal installation of its Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden.

Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M. remains active to this day.  It provides an early history as follows:

"A group of City Island Masons on or about 1870 decided to form their own lodge. Thereafter, Grand Lodge sent them a dispensation and Pelham Lodge was born. The charter members were: D.W:. Billar, Jerome Bell, John Bowman, Wm. F. Billar, Oswald Bergan, David Carll, John O. Fordham, James Hyatt, Benjamin Hegeman, Stephen D. Leviness, Frederick Price, Charles H. Stringham, and A.B. Wood. 

The first meeting, attended by 12 members and 1 visitor, was held on Saturday, February 4, 1871 with John O. Fordham as Master. By-laws were drafted and it was voted to meet every Tuesday night. A dispensation cost of $80.00 was paid and Pelham Lodge became part of the Ninth Masonic District. The lodge rooms were over a carpenter shop south of where the Island Pub is now located, in a building owned by a Mr. Baxter who later became a Brother. Rent was $100.00 a year without heat and the cost of coal was $6.00 per ton. 

At the fifth meeting on February 28, 1871, By-laws were adopted, and at the eighth meeting, Pelham held its first Master Mason's Degree, at which 3 candidates were raised. The first application to be received was that of Edward L. Wooden, age 25, teacher at City Island's one-room, one-teacher schoolhouse. 

During Pelham's first year, 13 Brothers were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, making a total of 31 members, 2 Fellowcrafts, and 3 Entered Apprentices. W:. Bro. John O. Fordham was re-elected Master for another year on December 19, 1871. The second Worshipful Master of Pelham Lodge was S. D. Levenap, elected December 24, 1872. Elections were held for the offices of Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Secretary, and Treasurer."

The detailed history of this first Pelham Masonic Lodge makes fascinating reading.  You may visit it here:  About The Bronx Masonic District:  Pelham Lodge #712 (visited Feb. 18, 2018).

Logo of Pelham Lodge No. 712, F. & A. M.  Note the Nineteenth

Century Sailing Ship and the Lighthouse Evoking the Maritime

History of City Island.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Thanksgiving Celebrations Throughout Pelham in 1925

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I awoke this morning with a devout thanksgiving

for my friends, the old and the new.  Shall I not

call God the Beautiful, who daily showeth himself

to me in his gifts?

Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Friendship" in Essays, First Series (1841).

Happy Thanksgiving dear Pelham!

Pelham may have been a very different place 92 years ago in 1925.  Yet, were we to be transported back in time to November 26, 1925, we would recognize the warm and sincere giving of thanks and the many celebrations of Thanksgiving held in our little Town that Thanksgiving week.  Indeed, Pelham's Thanksgiving celebrations of today remain rich with tradition and look much like the Thanksgiving celebrations of Pelham in 1925.

College students flooded into Pelham to gather with their families for the holiday.  Pelham families hosted out-of-town guests for the celebration.  A surprising number of Pelhamites attended the Army-Navy football game at the Polo Grounds Thanksgiving weekend.  Some Pelhamites traveled elsewhere to spend the holiday with out-of-town families and friends.

Throughout Thanksgiving week there were grand gatherings and parties, particularly on Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1925).  For example, that Wednesday night, the Liberty Engine and Hose Company hosted a massive "fancy dress carnival" attended by 400 people at the firehouse on Fifth Avenue.  Prizes for best costumes included, among other things, a fifteen-pound turkey.  A six-piece orchestra provided music for a ballroom dance until midnight when the costume party attendees were unmasked.  Then, three additional musicians helped provide music for continued dancing that lasted until 3:00 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.

At the same time on the same evening, the Pelham Country Club hosted its own Thanksgiving dinner and dance.  Neighbors and friends reserved tables together and enjoyed a massive Thanksgiving celebration.

Even Town Justice Anthony M. Menkel got into the Thanksgiving spirit on that Thanksgiving Eve in Pelham.  He held a Town Court session that evening.  When Thomas Grivffre of Mount Vernon appeared in Court to answer for an unspecified infraction, the Judge fined him $10.  When the poor fellow emptied his pockets, he only had $8.  Judge Menkel, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, reduced the fine to $8.  

The Manor Club, in turn, hosted its annual "Thanksgiving Feast" on the evening of Friday, November 27, 1925.  The annual Manor Club Thanksgiving celebration was the hottest ticket in town each year.  Seating was limited to 150, so tickets had to be bought for the event.  The Manor Club clubhouse was decorated in "Harvest" decorations for the traditional turkey dinner and the grand dance that followed.

Thanksgiving celebrations began as early that week as Sunday, November 22.  For example, that day the Young People's Society of the local Congregational Church hosted a lecture by Catharine Garber on the subject of "Thanksgiving Day" in which she "contrasted the spirit in which it was first celebrated and the way we celebrate it today."  Additionally, Dr. William Milton Hess explained to the audience "the difference between the Pilgrims who came to America for complete religious independence and the Puritans who came later and founded Massachusetts Bay Colony although they were not determined to entirely separate from the English church. . . ."

Thanksgiving Day in 1925 dawned bright and brisk.  The Young People's Society of the Congregational Church sponsored a pre-Thanksgiving dinner hike.  The group and guests hiked to Scarsdale and back before sitting down to their tables for a turkey feast.

At mid-day, Pelhamites throughout the Town sat down to their own turkey feasts with family and friends.  It was the height of the Roaring Twenties and the price of turkeys was up that year.  The Pelham Sun reported as follows:

"Pelham residents were just as anxious to buy their gobblers for the annual feast despite the fact that the price was about 5 to 10 cents higher [per pound] than last year.  Most of the turkeys came from Maryland and Ted's Market, People's Market and Pelham Heights Market reported that the price ranged from 40 to 65 cents per pound.  Although the majority of Pelham people wanted the usual Thanksgiving delicacy all markets reported a brisk demand for ducks and geese.  The prices for cranberries and the rest of the makings were correspondingly higher this year but that fact apparently made little effect on the Thanksgiving buyers."

The Pelham Sun lamented what it viewed as a decline in the nature of the Thanksgiving holiday spirit.  In an editorial that week, the newspaper stated:  

"[W]hen the first bountiful harvest came and a few of the Indian savages showed their friendship, [the Pilgrims] were certain that God had smiled on their religious venture and they hastened to give thanks.  The tables were heaped high with game from the forests and corn from the fields.  All feasted that day in a manner befitting a people who recognized the fact that their God had seen fit to treat them well.  Today this holy day has degenerated into little more than a mechanical holiday and the true fervor of the Thanksgiving spirit is experienced by few.  It is a day of rest and amusement from the tasks of the previous weeks instead of a day of prayer for the escape from dangers past."

Pelham, it seems, celebrated Thanksgiving in grand style in 1925 just as it is doing this day, ninety-two years later.

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"Good Turkeys Were Higher This Year
-----
Demand for Ducks and Geese in Advance of Last Year's and Higher in Price
-----

Pelham residents were just as anxious to buy their gobblers for the annual feast despite the fact that the price was about 5 to 10 cents higher [per pound] than last year.  Most of the turkeys came from Maryland and Ted's Market, People's Market and Pelham Heights Market reported that the price ranged from 40 to 65 cents per pound.

Although the majority of Pelham people wanted the usual Thanksgiving delicacy all markets reported a brisk demand for ducks and geese.  The prices for cranberries and the rest of the makings were correspondingly higher this year but that fact apparently made little effect on the Thanksgiving buyers."

Source:  Good Turkeys Were Higher This Year -- Demand for Ducks and Geese in Advance of Last Year's and Higher in Price, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 3, col. 2.  

"THE MANOR CLUB. . . . 

THANKSGIVING FEAST

One of the most important, and certainly one of the most enjoyable social events of the Manor Club season is the Thanksgiving Feast which will take place tonight at the club house.  The attendance has been limited to 150 and that number of tickets is reported as having been sold for some time past.  Each year the club members look forward to this event, when a feast is served in the old-fashioned way and followed by music and dancing to bring in the modern note.  The club will be attractively decorated in Harvest atmosphere and those of the members who are fortunate will enjoy one of the most delightful affairs that the Manor Club program has to offer. . . . 

AT THANKSGIVING FEAST OF MANOR CLUB
-----

One of the tables at the Thanksgiving feast at the Manor Club this evening will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. William Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. Migel, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Angell, Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hull, Mr. and Mrs. Herber Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hess, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Cutting and Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Tuttle and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore H. Dauchy."

Source:  THE MANOR CLUB, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, cols. 4-5.  

"Four Hundred at Annual Ball of Liberty Hose Co.
-----

Over four hundred attended the annual dance and fancy dress carnival of Liberty Engine and Hose Company at fire headquarters on Wednesday night.  Mrs. Jennie Pickard won first prize, a silk umbrella, for her Santa Clause costume.  Miss Katherine Tully was awarded a silver compact for her costume.  William Heisser won a fifteen-pound turkey.

A six-piece orchestra supplied music until midnight when the unmasking took place.  After midnight the orchestra was augmented by three extras and dancing kept on until 3 a.m."

Source:  Four Hundred at Annual Ball of Liberty Hose Co., The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 1, col. 7.

"CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Y. P. S.

Catharine Garber gave a talk on the subject of 'Thanksgiving Day' Sunday night at the meeting of the Young People's Society at the Congregational Church in which she contrasted the spirit in which it was first celebrated and the way we celebrate it today.  Dr. William Milton Hess explained the difference between the Pilgrims who came to America for complete religious independence and the Puritans who came later and founded Massachusetts Bay Colony although they were not determined to entirely separate from the English church. . . ."

Source:  CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Y. P. S., The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, col. 3.

"HIKED TO SCARSDALE FOR THANKSGIVING APPETITE

The annual Thanksgiving hike of the Young People's Society of the Congregational Church was held Thursday morning when a small band of determined spirits walked ten miles in the bracing autumn air before coming back to attack the gobbler and fixings.  Dr. William M. Hess was with the party and they got as far as Scarsdale before turning back."

Source:  HIKED TO SCARSDALE FOR THANKSGIVING APPETITE, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 1, col. 5.  

"Judge Reduces Fine on Account Of Thanksgiving

Judge Anthony M. Menkel gave Thomas Grivffre of Mount Vernon something to be thankful for Thanksgiving eve at Town Hall where Grivffre's fine was reduced from $10 to $8.  When the fine of $10 was first announced, Grivffre searched his pockets and was able to gather only $8.  Judge Menkel thereupon declared the fine $8."

Source:  Judge Reduces Fine on Account Of Thanksgiving, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 4, col. 4.

"THANKSGIVING

'A solemn day set apart wherein we return glory, honor, and praise with all Thanksgiving to our good God' -- that was the first Thanksgiving Day according to that redoubtable religious leader of Massachusetts, Governor John Winthrop, who wrote down this interesting commentary in his diary in 1623.  In those days it was a heartfelt giving of thanks, for hostile Indians lurked in the shadowy forests and it was with great difficulty that the little hands of the settlers raised enough food to last through the long and bitter winters.  Plague and pestilence combined with the savages and grim hunger to make their lives a hard and disappoint trial.

Consequently, when the first bountiful harvest came and a few of the Indian savages showed their friendship, they were certain that God had smiled on their religious venture and they hastened to give thanks.  The tables were heaped high with game from the forests and corn from the fields.  All feasted that day in a manner befitting a people who recognized the fact that their God had seen fit to treat them well.

Today this holy day has degenerated into little more than a mechanical holiday and the true fervor of the Thanksgiving spirit is experienced by few.  It is a day of rest and amusement from the tasks of the previous weeks instead of a day of prayer for the escape from dangers past."

Source:  THANKSGIVING, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 2, col. 1.

"NEWS AND PERSONALS

Miss Edith Jackman of 545 Fowler avenue, Pelham Manor, will be home for Thanksgiving vacation from Russell Sage College, Troy, New York.

Miss Winifred Leo of Benedict Place had several out-of-town friends as her guests at the Thanksgiving dinner-dance at the Pelham Country Club on Wednesday evening.  Her guests were Miss Elizabeth Stirling, of Montclair, N. J., and Mr. Monroe Dreher and Mr. Charles Durr, of Newark.

Mr. and Mrs. William Currie of the Esplanade will attend the Army-Navy game on Saturday.

Mr. James F. Wilkinson, of Rochester, N. Y., was the guest of Mrs. Washington Cockle and Miss Anna Secor at their home on the Boston Post Road over the holiday.

Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Junker and family, formerly of Mount Vernon are now residing in Pelbrook Hall.

Robert and Lloyd Brook are spending the Thanksgiving recess with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Brook, of Monterey avenue.  They arrived from Amherst on Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Coulson of Witherbee avenue entertained at the dinner-dance at the Country Club on Thanksgiving Eve.  Their guests were Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Shipman, and Mr. William B. Warner of Pelham, Mr. Lewis Calder, of Greenwich, Conn. and Miss Mary Berke and Mr. Charles Lovering, of New York City.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lyon, Jr. formerly of New York City, have taken up their residence in Peldean Court.  

Mrs. R. Rice of the Esplanade is in Elmira, N. Y. for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Miss Mary Beutell of the Esplanade returned today from The Castle, Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson, to spend the week end with her family.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Odell Whitenack of Monteret avenue are in Washington, D. C., where they are spending the holidays with their daughter, Janet, a student at National Park Seminary.

One of the tables at the dinner-dance at the Country Club on Wednesday evening was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Maxwell, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dodge, and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Passmore.

Miss Winifred Leo of Benedict Place will attend the Army-Navy game tomorrow at the Polo Grounds with a party of friends from Washington, D. C.

Miss Katherine King, of the Esplanade, is home from Wells for the holiday season and will attend the Army-Navy game on Saturday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. King, and her brother, Seymour.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Kennedy, formerly of New York City, now made their home in The Peinord.

Miss Elizabeth Doherty has returned to her home in East Orange, N. J. after spending a few days as the house guest of Mrs. Walter Browne, of Pelham Manor.

Mr. and Mrs. Dwight E. Wheeler and Mrs. E. L. Wheeler of Storer avenue left on Wednesday to spend the holidays in Trenton, N. J. with their children, Miss Dorothy and Mr. Clarence Wheeler.

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Bradley of Elderwood avenue have as their house guests Major and Mrs. William E. Larned of Watervilet Arsenal arrived for Thanksgiving and will remain over the week end, attending the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Bradley tomorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. Northrup Dawson of Pelham Manor Road will be among those from Pelham who will witness the Army-Navy game at the Polo Grounds on Saturday. 

Mrs. Harry B. Swayne of Monterey avenue was hostess to a number of friends at her home on Friday afternoon.  Mrs. S. L. Hale of Winchester, Mass. was the guest of honor.  Two tables of bridge were arranged, the players including Mrs. William L. Bradley, Mrs. Northrup Dawson, Mrs. Louis Carreau, Mrs. W. B. Holton, Jr., Mrs. A. Baker, Mrs. H. A. Wyckoff, and Mrs. John Duncan.

Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Schminke of Fourth avenue entertained a number of relatives over the holiday.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Peck of Suburban avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Clark of Scarsdale will attend the Army-Navy game tomorrow.

Mr. Frederick B. Davies of Storer avenue leaves on Saturday for an extended southern trip.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Abbott of the Esplanade entertained on Thanksgiving Day at a family dinner.  Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus M. Geer of Clay avenue will be among those present.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Loney of Pelhamdale avenue will attend the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Keogh of New Rochelle.

Mrs. Robert C. Black of Pelham Manor will leave for Palm Beach on December ninth.  Mrs. F. Rice leaves on the sixth.

Mrs. Walter B. Parsons has returned to her home on Bolton Road after a visit to Syracuse, N.Y.

Mrs. Dawson Furniss of Corlies avenue will attend the Army-Navy game, she will be accompanied by her young son, Harry, and his friend, Bill Parks.

Mrs. S. D. Hines has returned to her home in Bowling Green, Ky., after having spent two weeks as the house-guest of Mrs. Lockwood Barr of Highbrook avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Randall of Pelham Manor are leaving in the week for their home on Christopher street, New York City, where they will pass the winter.

Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Waters of Monterey avenue spent Thanksgiving Day as the guests of friends in Forest Hills, L. I.  Miss Betty Waters will spend the week end at home and Miss Jane will be in Philadelphia for the holiday season.  Both are students at National Park Seminary, Forest Glen, Md.

Lieut. Frederick E. Phillips and Mrs. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McGee, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Crowell and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Knight of Mount Vernon and Miss Marian Johnson and Miss Alice Bentley are among those who will be present at the Army-Navy game tomorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. D. Gleason and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Rourck were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Engerud and Mr. Louis Engerud on Thanksgiving Day at their home in The Peldale.

Miss Helyn McGovern of Haverstraw, New York, was the week end guest of Miss Evelyn Lahey of Pelham Manor.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Emmons Pervear of Pelbrook Hall motored on Wednesday to Pawtucket, R. I. to spend Thanksgiving with Mr. Pervear's mother, Mrs. C. E. Pervear.

Miss Floy Anderson of Pelbrook Hall is spending the holiday season at the home of her brother, Ross Anderson of East Orange.

Mr. and Mrs. Claude Joslin of Fifth avenue, North Pelham, and their daughter, Alice, and her fiance, Mr. William Frederick, of Westfield, N. J., were among the guests at a family gathering on Thanksgiving Day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Darby of Brooklyn, N.Y.  Mr. and Mrs. William Weber of Philadelphia, who were also guests of the Darby's, accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Joslin home and are spending the week end with them.  

Mr. and Mrs. William Wind of Mamaroneck are spending a few days with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hermanson of Fourth avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Schulte and Miss Charlotte Schulte of Bronxville and Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Woodward were the Thanksgiving dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Shanks, of Wolf's Lane.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Constable of New York City are spending the holiday season with Mr. and Mrs. Victor G. Beutell of the Esplanade.

Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Trohe of Syracuse, N. Y. and their daughter, Mary, and son, Edmund, are spending Thanksgiving and the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Early of Pelhamdale avenue.  On Saturday they will attend the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Early, their son Melvin, Jr., and Raymond McNeil, of Nyac avenue.  Melvin Early, Jr. and Raymond McNeil are home from Colgate for the holiday and will motor back with Mr. and Mrs. Trohe on Sunday.

Dr. and Mrs. Ken G. Hancher, of Pelbrook Hall and their children are in Elwood City, Penna., where they are spending the Thanksgiving holidays with Dr. Hancher's parents.

George Cottrell of Prospect avenue is spending the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cook, at their Belleport, L. I. home.

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rose, and their sons, Herbert and Kenneth, and daughter, June, spent Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Abel of Hartsdale, N. Y.

Mr. Paul Bosse of Storer avenue, has returned from a hunting trip in the Canadian woods.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Monel of Mount Vernon were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Emile Ericson of Benedict place on Thanksgiving Day.

Mr. and Mrs. John N. Young of Highbrook avenue, entertained Mr. and Mrs. Bryon Benton and family of Milford, Conn. on Thanksgiving.

Mrs. B. F. Jacobs of Peldale, and her daughter, Miss Betty, are spending the holiday season with Mrs. Folger Framingham of Boston."

Source:  NEWS AND PERSONALS, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 2017, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, cols. 1-3.  

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For more Historic Pelham articles about the celebration of Thanksgiving in Pelham over the years see, e.g.:

Thu., Nov. 24, 2016:  An Important Thanksgiving Sermon Delivered in 1865 at Christ Church at the Close of the Civil War.

Thu., Nov. 26, 2015:  Thanksgiving in Pelham 75 Years Ago.

Thu. Nov. 27, 2014:  By 1941, Most Pelhamites Celebrated "Franksgiving" Rather than "Republican Thanksgiving."

Thu., May 08, 2014:  Thanksgiving Day Football Game in 1895 Between Pelham Manor and Mount Vernon Teams.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

More on the Early History of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

I have written before of the early history of the Masonic Lodge known as Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M. (and its temple) established in 1909.  For example, see:  

Mon., May 30, 2005:  Early History of the Winyah Lodge U.D. of Pelham, New York.

Wed., Mar. 08, 2006:  The 1939 Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham, NY.

On November 1, 1908, a group of Masons headed by Village of North Pelham druggist Seth T. Lyman, met in the meeting room of Hiawatha Lodge No. 434 F. & A. M. in Mount Vernon to organize a new masonic lodge in the Town of Pelham to be known as Winyah Lodge.  

Winyah Lodge purchased the former club house of The Pelham Village Club in the Village of North Pelham and dedicated it as the Pelham Masonic Temple on Labor Day, September 6, 1909.   

For many years, the Winyah Lodge commemorated the opening of the Temple with special celebrations held on special anniversaries including the 20th, the 25th, and the 30th Anniversaries. Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes an article on the early history of the Winyah Lodge published to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the lodge.

Post Card View of the Village Club Building in

North Pelham Acquired by the Winyah Lodge and

Opened as its Temple in 1909.

Cover of Program for the 30th Anniversary Celebration

of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham,

New York, Five Years After the Silver Anniversary Celebration

Described Below. Source: Collection of the Author.

"'WINYAH, TWENTY YEARS AGO'
By WILLIAM R. MONTGOMERY
-----
An intimate story of the founding of Winyah Lodge, No. 866, F. & A. M., written by the lodge historian.  A tribute to the charter members, at observance of the twentieth birthday of the lodge, May 6th.

'A little over twenty years ago, a group of enthusiastic Pelham Masons met at the home of Brother Seth T. Lyman, at the corner of Fifth avenue and First street, where the old Post Office was then located, and decided that a Masonic lodge would be a desirable acquisition for the Town of Pelham.  After considering many names for the new lodge, the unanimous decision was Winyah.

'Winyah is the name of an old Indian tribe who used to live along the coast of South Carolina.  The Bay near Georgetown, S. C., is named Winyah after it.

'In the year 1847 Colonel Richard Lathers of Georgetown, S. C., bought several hundred acres of land in the villages of New Rochelle and Pelhamville extending to Fifth avenue, including what is now known as Pelhamwood.  Colonel Lathers named his homestead Winyah Park, and it was from this park that the name Winyah was taken.  It might be of interest here to state that there was another lodge named Winyah:  this was the Winyah Lodge of Georgetown, S. C., whose charter dates from 1743.  It was one of the oldest lodges of Colonial times.

'After deciding upon Winyah as the name of the new lodge, the twenty Masons petitioned the Grand Master for a dispensation to conduct a lodge in Pelham.  The following names appear on the petition:

Seth T. Lyman, Louis C. Young, Harry A. Anderson, G. I. Karbach, George C. Rupert, H. Elliott Coe, Isaac C. Hill, W.: John T. Logan, Henry L. Rupert, Charles E. Boss, John H. Young, George Stead, Emil Ericson, David B. Algie, W. F. C. Tichborne, Charles R. Wallander, A. Wilbur Crane, Edward Thurnaer, Joseph J. White, Charles A. Barker.

'The Dispensation was duly granted by the Grand Master .: W.: S. Nelson Sawyer, and on November 17, 1908, Winyah Lodge met at the old odge rooms of Hiawatha Lodge No. 434 F. & A. M., in Mount Vernon, with Seth T. Lyman, Master; H. Elliott Coe, Senior Warden, and Louis C. Young, Junior Warden, for the purpose of receiving from R.: W.: Frank V. Millard, District Deputy, the Dispensation empowering the above twenty Masons to conduct Winyah Lodge in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Grand Lodge and their own By-Laws.  On May 6, 1909, the Grand Lodge, assembled in New York, decided that the necessary requirements were fulfilled and thereupon granted a charter constituting Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.  It is that event that we are tonight commemorating.

'The first Stated Communication of Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M., was held on June 1, 1909, in the lodge rooms of Hiawatha Lodge No. 434, Mount Vernon, N. Y., and upon that occasion the Master, Seth T. Lyman, received the Charter from M.: W.: Edward M. L. Ehlers.  The officers of Winyah Lodge at that time were as follows:

Seth T. Lyman, Master; H. Elliott Coe, Senior Warden; Louis C. Young, Junior Warden; Isaac C. Hill, Treasurer; Joseph W. Stone, Secretary; Albert L. Logan, Senior Deacon; Edward M. C. Logan, Junior Deacon; Julius A. Nelson, Senior Master of Ceremonies; Rohn Rohrs, Jr., Junior Master of Ceremonies; Rev. Herbert H. Brown, Chaplain; Samuel J. Adler, Senior Steward; Horace E. Burnett, Junior Steward; Walter R. Harris, Marhsal; Fred W. Case, Tyler.

Trustees:  William R. Montgomery, Walter F. C. Tichborne, A. Wilbur Crane.

The above officers with the following brethren constituted the thirty-five charter members of Winyah Lodge No. 866, F. & A. M.:

David B. Algie, Harry A. Anderson, Charles E. Boss, Edward M. bray, Barthelemy G. Donzel, Emil Ericson, Ludwig W. Elsinger, Charles Fistere, Albert D. Frost, Andrew Heisser, George C. Rupert, Henry L. Rupert, George Stead, Edward Thurnaer, Joseph J. White, Jacob A. Wirth, Charles R. Wallender, John H. Young.

'Winyah Lodge up to this time had no home of its own, holding the various meetings at Hiawatha Lodge No. 434, in Mount Vernon, N. Y., and Huguenot Lodge No. 46, in New Rochelle, N. Y.  Many of the members of Winyah Lodge with a few non-Masons formed the Hutchinson Realty Co., and built the present Temple.  The first meeting held in the new temple was on October 30, 1909, when the final arrangements for the dedication of the Lodge room were made.  The Temple was duly dedicated on November 6, 1909, by M.: W.: Edward M. L. Ehlers, assisted by the Grand Lodge Officers.  Upon this occasion R.: W.: Charles G. F. Wahle directed the choir of the Church of the Redeemer in the rendition of appropriate music.  It was the largest Masonic gathering ever held in Pelham, and many Masons were unable to gain admission.  After the dedication a banquet was served in the club room, and there were about 250 guests.

'Winyah Lodge received many gifts -- too many to note them all here.  The Holy Bible was presented by W.: John T. Logan and the Square and Compasses by R.: W.: and Mrs. Charles G. F. Wahle.  Both theme gifts are still in use on the Altar.

'The first election of officers of Winyah as a charter lodge took place at the sixth stated communication, held December 21, 1909.

'Seth T. Lyman was re-elected Master; H. Elliott Coe was re-elected Senior Warden; Louis C. Young was re-elected Junior Warden; Isaac C. Hill was re-elected Treasurer and Joseph W. Stone was re-elected.  

'The first public installation of officers was held on January 4, 1910.  R.: W.: Charles G. F. Wahle acting as Grand Master, and W.: John T. Logan as Grand Marshal.  This public installation was greatly enjoyed and so it has ever since been a yearly feature eagerly looked forward to by the brethren and their friends; Judge Wahle always as Grand Master, and John T. Logan, until his death, as Grand Marshal.

'Space does not permit us going further into details regarding the early life of Winyah Lodge,, but we would be unappreciative if we did not, at this time, pay our humble tribute to the invaluable services so faithfully performed and so cheerfully given by R.: W.:: Charles G. F. Wahle, W.: John T. Logan and W.: Adolph Wade.

'Before concluding we must express our appreciation for the work of those who labored so unceasingly for the lodge in its early days especially our beloved first master, R.: W.: Seth T. Lyman, the father of Winyah.'"

Source:  Montgomery, William R., WINYAH, TWENTY YEARS AGO, The Pelham Sun, May 17, 1929, p. 15, cols. 2-3.

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Record of the Celebration of the Silver Anniversary of the Mason Lodge of Pelham: Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M.

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I have written before of the early history of the Masonic Lodge known as Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M. (and its temple) established in 1909.  For example, see:  

Mon., May 30, 2005:  Early History of the Winyah Lodge U.D. of Pelham, New York.

Wed., Mar. 08, 2006:  The 1939 Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham, NY.

On November 1, 1908, a group of Masons headed by Village of North Pelham druggist Seth T. Lyman, met in the meeting room of Hiawatha Lodge No. 434 F. & A. M. in Mount Vernon to organize a new masonic lodge in the Town of Pelham to be known as Winyah Lodge.  

Winyah Lodge purchased the former club house of The Pelham Village Club in the Village of North Pelham and dedicated it as the Pelham Masonic Temple on Labor Day, September 6, 1909.   

For many years, the Winyah Lodge commemorated the opening of the Temple with special celebrations held on special anniversaries including the 25th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary.  

Post Card View of the Village Club Building in North Pelham

Acquired by the Winyah Lodge and Opened as its Temple in 1909.

Cover of Program for the 30th Anniversary Celebration

of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple in Pelham, New York,
Five Years After the Silver Anniversary Celebration Described
Below.  Source:  Collection of the Author.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes an article published in 1934 that detailed the silver anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Winyah Lodge.  The text of the article is followed by a citation to its source.

"Masonic Leaders Congratulate Winyah Lodge at 25th Anniversary Program
-----
Charles G. F. Wahle, Franklin T. Davis and Harry Aikenhead, Tell of First Meeting of Masonic Lodge.
-----

Commemorating the twenty-fifth birthday of Winyah Lodge No. 866 F. & A. M., two hundred Master Masons gathered at the Masonic Temple on Tuesday night.  An inspiring program was presented by outstanding members of the craft who have been associated with the lodge since it received its charter on June 1, 1909.  The speakers included Charles G. F. Wahle, Past Judge Advocate of the Grand Lodge of New York; Franklin T. Davis, Past District Deputy Grand Master, and Harry Aikenhead, Past District Deputy Grand Master, who took part in the first meeting of Winyah Lodge.  Others who spoke included David A. Embury, Past District Deputy of the First Manhattan District, and Robt. L. Donovan, of New Rochelle, who was recently elected District Deputy of the Second Westchester-Putnam Masonic District.  Kneeland S. Durham, Master of the lodge presided at the ceremonies.

The Rev. Herbert H. Brown, rector of the Church of the Redeemer offered the Invocation, Secretary Robert M. Fenwick read the minutes of the first meeting of the lodge.  James Corrican, President of Winyah Fellowcraft Club presented a set of leather officers' aprons as gifts of his organization to the lodge.

William R. Montgomery, Past Master of the lodge read the roll class of charter members and Past Masters.  He delegated the Rev. Mr. Brown to present a Holy Bible gift of the Past Masters.  The Master announced that the ensuing officers will present a set of ribbons for the new Bible.  This presentation will be made in the near future.

In his anniversary salutation to Winyah Lodge, District Deputy Donovan expressed the following wish:  'May the best that has come to Winyah in the last 25 years be the worst that it will receive in the next 25 years.'

Judge Wahle, who was largely responsible for the organization of the Winyah Lodge and who has officiated at all but one of the installation ceremonies of Winyah Lodge, recalled many incidents in the history of the lodge and paid high tribute to the late John T. Logan, for many years an honorary member of the lodge.  Seth T. Lyman, first Master, and to the late Mrs. Logan and Mrs. Lyman.  He reminded many members of incidents which happened in their youth, and told of the experience of the lodge in its early days.  He congratulated Winyah on its silver anniversary and promised to be present at its golden jubilee.  

In an inspiring address, Robert L. Donovan called attention of the lodge to its duty to its community, state and nation.  He urged that the lodge, as an organization, interest itself in good government, and to campaign against lawlessness and racketeering.  He said that fraternal organizations can do much toward directing public attention and creating sentiment in favor of honest government regardless of politics. 

The Rev. Dr. Willard P. Soper, pastor of the Huguenot Memorial Church, pronounced the Benediction.  

After the meeting, refreshments were served in the dining room of the Temple.  A musical program was presented by Frederick T. Kennett, James Kennett and Joseph Towne."

Source:  Masonic Leaders Congratulate Winyah Lodge at 25th Anniversary Program, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 8, 1934, p. 2, cols. 2-3.

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Death of the Captain of William B. Astor's Yacht in Pelham on October 8, 1888

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William B. Astor, Jr. (July 12, 1830 - April 25, 1897) was a grandson of John Jacob Astor.  He inherited a substantial portion of the family fortune.  During the 1880s he had a steam yacht named the Nourmahal.  The Captain of that yacht for a time was Samuel Freestone of Bartow-on-the-Sound, a hamlet located in the Town of Pelham.  On October 8, 1888, Captain Freestone was overcome by gas from the coal used on the yacht and subsequently died at his home in Bartow-on-the-Sound.  A brief article appeared in The New York Times.  It read as follows:

"SUDDEN DEATH ON A YACHT.

Capt. Samuel Freestone, in command of William B. Astor's steam yacht Nourmahal, died suddenly at Bartow-on-the-Sound, N.Y., yesterday morning from apoplexy, resulting, it is said, from inhaling gas from the coal used on the yacht.  Capt. Freestone was found in a state of asphyxia on the yacht and taken home, but medical aid failed to rally him.  He was a fine seaman, and was brought to this country from England by Mr. Astor.  He was a member of Pelham Lodge, No. 712, F. and A.M., and will be buried with Masonic honors."

Source:  Sudden Death on a Yacht, N.Y. Times, Oct. 9, 1888, at p. 8.

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