Craft Masonry in Oneida County, New York - Onondaga and ...

a State Senator for several years. In 1814 he was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. He was a candidate for
Governor, but was defeated by Daniel D. Tompkins, who afterward became Vice President of the United States.
David Ostrom, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, was the first Supervisor of the town of Paris. For several years he served as
a member of the Legislature, and was County Judge from 1798 until 1816.
Gen. George Doolittle was a soldier in the army of the Revolution. For many years he was a member of the Legislature of the
State, and was the first Brigadier General commissioned in the county of Oneida.
Elizur Mosely, M. D., was postmaster at Whitesboro for several years. When he gave up the office he was known as the oldest
postmaster in the United States. In 1798 he was Assistant Justice of the County Court. In 1799 he was Sheriff of Oneida County.
Thomas R. Gold was born in Connecticut and educated at Yale College. He was eminent as a lawyer, standing at the head of
his profession in Central New York. In 1796 he was a member of the State Senate, and of the Assembly in 1808. He was a
representative in Congress from this district in 1804, and in 1810-12. In conjunction with Gen. George Doolittle, he set up the first
cotton factory at New York Mills in the year 1808.
It may be fitting here to mention, among other Masons whose influence remains in this portion of our State, the names of George
Washington, first President of the United States, and George Clinton, Governor of New York. They were owners of valuable land in
Oneida County. The name of the Governor is perpetuated in this connection by the village of Clinton. Even then, and later, the land
of our county was more valuable than that of Washington’s dearly loved Mount Vernon. This is witnessed to by the fact that it has
been sold at a higher price than the land in Virginia once owned by the Father of his Country.
The name of Clinton suggests a fact pregnant with meaning in the history of Masonry. The small beginning at the close of the last
century has spread into wider and more splendid issues. The few Chapters of Royal Arch Masonry have increased into many, until
the grand body of Royal Arch Masons in the State of New York stands to-day, in intelligence and power, an influence such as no
man can estimate. And it has been a force to stimulate the order in other States of the Union, until the group of Grand Chapters, like
stars in a planetary system, merges in and forms a still more magnificent system in the General Grand Chapter of the United States.
The germ cast into the ground with weakness and tears has sprung up and covers the land, rich in its growth of good deeds, of
nobler charities, and those principles which exalt and ennoble human nature.
It is a fact significant in its meaning, that while the forest has become a fruitful field, and the land once the home of the Indian, is
now the foundation of towns and cities, Masonry has advanced and become a part in their activities and life. While times may
change and villages rise into towns, the homes of teeming populations, Masonry remains unchanged in its principles, old as the
revelation of truth, yet ever new and fresh and inspiring to the thoughts and enterprises, and achievements of man. And while our
cherished Utica and the towns that all around mark American civilization shall stand, Masonry shall exist, a beauty and a power. It
has so wrought itself into our social and national life that the corner-stones of our temples for learning, for justice, for public use, are
laid by Masonic hands. Masonry is perpetuating itself in all the great interests which occupy man, and which broaden and deepen,
and give abiding strength to human institutions.
Appendix II
John Post
John Post, the first Senior Warden of the Amicable Lodge No. 22, Whitestown, was the son of Elias and Mary Post, and was born
28 Dec 1748. He was married Jan. 7, 1776, to Margarietji Bellinger. There were born to them eleven children: John, Jr., Maria (who
died in infancy). Maria. Frederick, Catharine, Elias, Deborah, Catahne, Elizabeth, Helen and Rebecca. Elias Post, his father, after an
eventful life, was found dead in his bed by his son John and Baron Steuben, who was an intimate friend of the family. His wife was
the daughter of Col. Bellinger, who was an aid to Gen. Nicholas Herkimer, and fought at Oriskany.
John Post was a staff officer in the Revolutionary War. He took part in the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne and in the expedition of
Sullivan. He was present at the battle of Monmouth, and also at the surrender of Gen. Cornwallis, which virtually ended the war.
In 1790, in connection with a Mr. Martin, of Schenectady, he engaged in trade with the Six Nations. He purchased large
quantities of ginseng, which he exported to China, it being supposed at that time a remedy for the plague. After his removal to Utica,
later in that year, he still continued dealing with the Indians, and was the first merchant in the place. About this time he established a
line of stage-boats on the Mohawk River, to run between Albany and Utica. These boats were styled “The Accommodation” and the
“Diligence.” For the. times they were regarded as comfortable and very useful conveyances. They furnished room for twenty
passengers and were propelled by means of poles, and though remarkable for their day, they furnish a marked contrast to the
splendid steamers of our modern commerce, which show our national progress. He also established a line of freight boats, which
during the season of navigation were employed in carrying produce to Schenectady and bringing back merchandise.
Previous to his settlement in Utica he had purchased near the Mohawk River land on which he caused a log house to be built.
This was on the east side of what is to-day Genesee street and near the corner of Whitesboro street. At first he kept his goods in his
house, but in 1791 he built a store on the corner of Genesee and Whitesboro streets. In this store he carried on for many years an
extensive trade with the Indians and white settlers. He extended his business to Floyd, Manlius and New York, and became a man
of wealth. He served as first postmaster in the village of Utica, and held the office for many years. On July 13, 1792, he purchased
from the representatives of Gen. Bradstreet 89^ acres of land—known as Lot No. 95 in the Crosby Manor. This land now includes
the very heart of our present city of Utica.
On June 5, 1805, a petition from John Post and others, residing in Utica and vicinity, County of Oneida, was received,
recommended by Amicable Lodge, No. 23, to establish a Lodge of Master Masons in the village of Utica. The Grand Lodge of New
York granted the petition. Oneida Lodge was constituted, and John Post became its first Master and held the office for several
years.
In 1806 he took into partnership his son-in-law, Giles Hamlin, who purchased a large stock of merchandise. A fire broke out and
destroyed his property, and in a few moments swept away his wealth, leaving him a bankrupt. Shortly after this he removed to
Manlius, where he resided until his death, which took place Dec. 5, 1839. He was buried at Jamesville, near Manlius.
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