Craft Masonry in Orange and Rockland Counties, New York

generations of Rocklanders. Misses Demarest and Vervalen were responsible for raising the money for the flags. When presented
with the banners, Pye was overcome with emotion. “He pledged the company to defend it and either bring it back with them or leave
their poor carcasses with it in the battle.”
Edward Pye was elected county judge in 1855 and served one term. Judge Pye was a man of fair ability as a lawyer, and as judge
performed all of the duties of the office most acceptably. During the civil war he entered the army and became colonel of the 95th
Regiment New York Volunteers. He died June 12th, 1864, of wounds received in the battle of Cold Harbor.
Judge Pye was succeeded in the office by Andrew E. Suffern, of Haverstraw, who continued in the office until his death, on the 16th
day of March, 1881.
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Judge Andrew Edward Suffern will probably always stand forth as one of the most brilliant personalities Rockland county has ever
produced. He was graduated from the University of New York, studied law, and resided and practiced in Haverstraw during the
remainder of his life. In 1853 he became district attorney, which position he held at the time he was elected county judge. He was for
several years chief of the Commission of Appeals of the Grand Lodge of F&AM in this State, and was an authority on Masonic
law and procedure.
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George W. Weiant [Weyant] was born in Stony Point, New York, in the year 1844. He began the practice of law in Haverstraw in
the year 1870, where he continued to reside and practice until his death in 1895. He was one of the strongest characters in many
respects that ever entered upon a professional and public career in this county. He graduated from the State Normal School at
Albany with honors. He was well and intimately known by almost the entire adult population of two towns at the very beginning of his
professional career. As a judge he was universally commended. While off the bench he was most affable and kind; when engaged
in the discharge of the judicial prerogative, he was wholly unapproachable, apparently forgetful of the friendly and social relations in
which at other times he delighted, possessing the extraordinary faculty of shutting out of thought and consideration everything
extraneous to the matter in hand, remembering only that it was his duty to judge between friend and foe alike, or rather to forget for
the time being who was friend and who was foe. His death was universally lamented. His widow and two sons resided at the
homestead where he died.
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http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/frank-bertangue-green/the-history-of-rockland-county-eer/page-47-the-history-of-rocklandcounty-eer.shtml
William H. Wiles, of A[lfred]. M. & W[illiam]. H. Wiles, manufacturers of brick making machinery at Stony Point, N. Y., died April 20
[1897], aged 75 years. Before engaging with his brother in the manufacture of machinery Mr. Wiles had been making wagons and
carriages at Haverstraw.
In the spring of 1845, John I. Wiles moved from Orange county to Grassy Point with his family, and opened a shop for the purpose
of doing business in the shape of blacksmith or wheelwright work. On the death of John I. Wiles, in 1851,the business, which even
then had become profitable, was carried on till 1855 under the name of F. J. & A, M. Wiles, and from that time till 1861 under the
name of F. J. Wiles & Co. Since 1861 the business has been managed by A. M. & W. H. Wiles. As business increased new works
were added. In 1871, a foundry was built and
started, and at the present time this branch of industry, which began in such a humble way, gives employment to many score men
and is used in manufacturing machinery for flour and saw mills and brick-making.
Alfred M. Wwiles, born in London, England, 13 Jan 1829. His father was John J. Wiles, and his mother Ann M. Eames; she was
born 3 Feb 1796. The brothers and sisters are Joseph K., Wm. H., Frederick J., Elizabeth, Emma S. and Harriet. Mr. Wiles married
Catherine Blauvelt, d/o Jacob Blauvelt, 26 Nov 1853. The children are Rhoda A., Edwin L. and Maggie. Mr. Wiles is popularly known
as the head of the firm known as A. M. & W. H. Wiles. Their manufactory is without a peer in their line.
W. H. WILES, of the firm of A. M. & W. H. Wiles, is a brother of Alfred M., whose birth and ancestry will explain his. Mr. Wiles is a
genius and well read, as is his brother Alfred. In the year 1850, Aug. 11, Wm. Wiles married Mary E. Fredrick, d/o Jacob Fredrick.
Wawayanda Lodge No. 315, Piermont, Rockland, New York
WARRANT: The warrant in possession of the Lodge is dated July 1, 1853.
The name or number has never been changed.
MINUTES: Intact.
The petition for Wawayanda Lodge is without date and signed by the following:
Elias Coles Noe. Levi F. Ward. Ebenezer G. Bennett. John R. Baker. Frederick G. Devoe.
John .Randel. David B. Parson. R. H. Blake. John W. Lozier.
The petition was recommended by Piatt Lodge, No. 194; also by Solomon’s Lodge, No. 198, at a meeting held 15 Jun 1853.
The petitioners nominated as officers:
DAVID B. PARSON, Master.
R. H. BLAKE, Senior Warden.
EBENEZER G. BENNETT, Junior Warden.
On February 18, 1853, a dispensation was issued by R.’. W.’. JOSEPH D. EVANS, Deputy Grand Master, and on June 20, 1853, by
order of the Grand Lodge it was continued to June 1, 1853.
Indorsed upon the dispensation is the following:
"Returned July 1, 1853, and charter granted same day."
The first meeting under the dispensation was held February 23, 1853. The Lodge was constituted and its officers installed by R.’.
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