cr ft m sonry - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic District Historical ...

Do, by these Presents appoint, authorize, and empower our worth Brother Richard J. Chillingworth to be the Master; our worthy
Brother William W. Parker to be the Senior Warden; and our worthy Brother Charles S. Wells to be the Junior Warden, of a Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons, to be, by virtue hereof, constituted, formed and held in LIVERPOOL, ONONDAGA COUNTY.
which Lodge shall be distinguished by the Name and Style of LIVERPOOL LODGE NUMBER 525 and the said Master and
Wardens, and their successors in Office, are hereby respectively authorized and directed by and with the Consent and Assistance of
a Majority of the Members of the said Lodge, duly to be Summoned and present upon such Occasions, to Elect and Install the
Officers of the Said Lodge as Vacancies happen, in manner and form as is, or may be, prescribed by the Constitution of this
Grand Lodge.
And Further, the said Lodge is hereby invested with full Power and Authority to assemble upon proper and lawful
Occasions, to MAKE MASONS, and to ADMIT MEMBERS, as also to do and perform all and every such acts and Things
appertaining to the CRAFT as have been, and ought to be done, for the Honor and Advantage thereof; conforming in all their
Proceedings to the Constitution of this GRAND LODGE, otherwise this WARRANT and the powers thereby granted, to cease and
be of no further effect.
THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL James Gibson
Junior Grand Warden.
Registered in the Book of the
Grand Lodge - Page 108
Given under our Hands and the Seal of our Grand Lodge, at the City
of New York, in the United States of America, this THIRD day of JUNE, in
the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Three and
in the Year of Masonry Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Three.
James M. Austin Grand Secretary.
W.. Richard Jolly Chillingworth
Charter Master of Liverpool Lodge No. 525
Richard J. Chillingworth was born in Handsworth, Staffordshire, England, on 30 Nov 1833. His family
moved to the United States in 1835, living in New York City for about a year before moving to Cherry
Valley, New York., in the spring of 1836. They next moved to Fruit Valley, near Oswego, in 1838. He had a
sister, Sarah, who was born in England on 14 Dec 1824. She married Daniel Devine Miller of Liverpool.
< Brother Chillingworth mined for gold in California where he was quite successful. With his "fortune" he
came to Liverpool and established a home and farm where the Myron Melvin farm stood on Route 57. He
was a member of Syracuse Lodge No. 102, having been Initiated 24 Feb 1859, Passed March 10th, and
Raised March 17th of the same year. He became a Charter Member (No. 25) of Syracuse Lodge No. 501
on 4 Apr 1960, from which Lodge he demitted on August 26, 1862, the same date he was elected as the
first Master of Liverpool Lodge No. 525 at the age of 28. He also served as Master in 1863, 1864, 1866,
1867 and 1873.
There were five members of Liverpool Lodge No. 525 by the name of Chillingworth: Richard J., our first
Master; Joseph, Master in 1881 and 1882; Frank (mbr no. 24), Edward L. (mbr no. 52), and Charles C. (mbr no. 149). W.’. Richard
J. Chillingworth moved to Florida in 1892 where he assisted in the organization of Harmonia Lodge No. 135. He passed away in
1915 at the age of 82.
Masonic Temples used by Liverpool Lodge No. 525
1. 26 Aug 1862 to 1866: The first communications of the Lodge were held in the Odd
Fellows Hall on the third floor of the Smith Block (building owned by R & J Smith) which
stands on the northwest corner of Vine and First Streets, now minus the third floor (the
Nichols Liquors Store as of 1995). The original furnishings were purchased from the
Odd Fellows (Gilboa Lodge No. 259) following the surrender of their Charter.
2. 1866 to 1878: In 1866 the Smith's lease was broken to occupy space in the newly
erected Manly Building on the northwest corner of Tulip and First Streets, presently
number 401 and occupied by The Olde Liverpool Shoppes. The lease, dated April 1,
1866, is in the archives of the Lodge and reads as follows:
This Article of Agreement between [Bro.] William Manly of the Village of Liverpool of the first
part, and [Bro.] Hiram L. Hawley and [Bro.] John S. Heath of said Village of Liverpool of the
second part - Witnesseth, that the said William Manly agrees to let - or rent - to the said
Hiram L. Hawley and John S. Heath or their assigns the third story of his brick building (now
in progress of construction) together with the right of entrance through the first and second
stories to the said third story; the same to be used as a Masonic Hall or Lodge Room - Said
Manly reserves the right of entrance through the said third story to the roof of the building - In
consideration of the payment - of fifty six dollars per year to be paid quarterly by the
occupants, this agreement is to remain in force for the term of ten or more years.
Signed and sealed this first day [of] April at Liverpool Onondaga Co. New York Eighteen hundred and sixty six -
Wm. Manly
J. S. Heath
69