IN THE BEGINNING

A warrant dated June 13,1865, signed by Robert B. Holmes, Grand Master, and James M. Austin. Grand Secretary, was issued to H.’.W.’. John P. Jenkins, District Deputy Grand Master of the Fourth Masonic District, then consisting of the counties of Duchess, Putnam and Westchester, to constitute the new Lodge and install its officers; Brother Jenkins made the following official report: — “Diamond Lodge, No. 555, F. & A. M. constituted in form and its Officers elect installed by me June 23, 1865.”     

Signed, John P. Jenkins

The following Officers were installed: —

A. O. Wilsea             Worshipful Master                         D. W. King                       Senior Deacon

Charles Gisner Senior Warden                                       R. L. King                          Junior Deacon

Charles G. Storms     Junior Warden                               H. Parnell                         Sr. M. of C.

George H. Taylor       Treasurer                                    D. Lawrence                     Jr. M of C.

C. H. Judson            Secretary                                    Charles F. Eichorn              Tiler

 When the First Westchester-Putnam District was created, Diamond Lodge became a part of that District.

At its organization, Diamond Lodge had jurisdiction over the residents of the villages of Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Irvington and Hastings; with the organization of Hastings Lodge in 1930 jurisdiction passed to that Lodge over the residents of Hastings.

The first members to take degrees in Diamond Lodge were: —

Bishop Lawrence

H. C. Todd

Norman Secor

Daniel W. King

Lemuel W. Lawrence

Harry J. Parnell

George Storms

Samuel Elliot

Champion H. Judson

The Charter of the Lodge came along in due time and is dated June 13, 1865, it signed by —

Robert D. Holmes                Grand Master

Stephen H. Johnson            Deputy Grand Master

James Gibson                     Senior Grand Warden

John R. Anderson                Junior Grand Warden

Diamond Lodge proudly displays this original Charter at each of its meetings.

Diamond Lodge was incorporated April, 1871.

Notwithstanding the rule that members were required to be present at each Lodge meeting or present a reasonable excuse for such absence, otherwise a fine would be imposed, (the minutes indicate no such action.) Poor attendance then, as now seems to have been a problem; at the October 12, 1877, meeting the Secretary was ordered to send a letter to the non-attending members urging them to attend Lodge meetings and, at the beginning of 1879, he was ordered to report on the number of times each officer and member attended Lodge in the previous year.

In the old days since the District Deputy Grand Master had a large territory to cover, it was customary for the host Lodge to defray his traveling expenses, therefore, it may come as a surprise to the present day members to learn that in the minutes of March 20, 1881, meeting, the Secretary was ordered to send a letter to the then District Deputy Grand Master informing him that, on account of the financial condition of the Lodge, they would be obliged to dispense with his services at that time.

In November 1878, Diamond Lodge held its first entertainment of which the net proceeds amounted to $32.00. Another entertainment was scheduled for January 28th in the following year. The committee doubted that the Masonic Hall would hold the large crowd expected. This entertainment netted $51.66.

In June 1879, the Lodge purchased its first organ made by the renowned firm of Horace Waters and Sons for the sum of $65.00, the freight charge on same from New York City was 75 cents.

At the present time it is the custom to present to each candidate taking his Entered Apprentice degree, a Lambskin or White Leather Apron. This custom originated in 1907, the first such apron being presented to Bro. William Pringle; prior to that time beginning in 1904, the Lodge used a symbolic apron.

 THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY

Diamond has ever been in the forefront with respect to one of Masonry’s greatest tenets — CHARITY — In many instances acts of charity were briefly mentioned in the minutes and, as is customary with ancient usage, the recipient’s names were never given. These acts usually took the form of cash donations, however, in one instance; it is recorded in the minutes that two tons of coal and one barrel of flour were delivered to the widow of a Master Mason who belonged to another Lodge.

With the imminent destruction of the building in which the Lodge held its meetings for thirty-one years, the Lodge held its last meeting in its first home on May I, 1895. A special meeting was called for that purpose. It then moved to rooms in the Oddfellows Hall on Main Street, Dobbs Ferry.

 OUR SECOND HOME

Oddfellows Hall

On May 8, 1895, the Lodge held its first meeting in its new quarters, the Oddfellows Hall. It is interesting to note that for 29 years we were tenants of the Oddfellows and that for some years past, they have been tenants of ours. The Lodge remained a tenant of the Oddfellows until October 1, 1924, when it vacated the premises to move to its own building. in many respects the new quarters were an improvement on the old; illumination was by means of the new fangled gas jets and in candescent mantles; gas was also used for cooking, payment being on the pay-as-you-go basis by dropping a quarter in the meter. On some occasions considerable embarrassment occurred when the lights began to dim and someone rose hurriedly to put another quarter in the meter.

Many good times were had in this building, it is noted that the membership provided its own entertainment, which, on several occasions, were selections played on a member's gramophone. It was during this period that the annual custom of entertaining the Ladies was inaugurated, the first “Ladies Night” being held on April 20, 1906.

In 1906 Diamond Lodge was honored by its first visit of an elected Grand Lodge Officer in the person of M .'. W.'. M. Ehlers. Past Grand Master and at that time Grand Secretary. Brother Ehlers raised one of the candidates in the third degree.

In 1909. the Lodge held it first “Fair’’. For this occasion hiring the village Town Hall. The fair netted $1,354.30.

On November, 26, 1915, Diamond celebrated its fiftieth anniversary; it was a gala affair attended by M.'.W.'. George Friefeld, Grand Master, accompanied by his Grand Marshal. A large marquee tent was erected on one of the neighboring sites; games ware held in the afternoon followed by a banquet in the evening. On this occasion, the Grand Master presented to Brother Charles G. Storms, the only living Charter member, a Masonic apron.

In 19 I 6, the Lodge purchased a full set of uniforms for the degree team, the uniforms were first used on November 17, 1916; undoubtedly they were of exceptionally good quality being retired in 1956 due, primarily to shrinkage after successive cleanings.

WAR ACTIVITIES

During the World War I period, Diamond Lodge displayed its patriotism by purchasing Liberty Bonds, by contributing to the Grand Lodge War Relief Committee’s funds, by remitting the dues of any member in the services and by the comparatively large number of its members of military age who served in the services. Twenty-eight members were called to the colors; two made the supreme sacrifice; those who served were as follows: —

George Le Roy King             Rev. W. R. Blackie              Alfred G. Fuller                   John J. McLave

Josiah Wright                     Julius Kloss                        Harold S. Knodel                 Alex M. White

H. J. Storant                     F. Ernest White                  Robert Mathieson               James Clark

Earl L. Price                       Rev. G. M. Whitmore           William Grantham                Hassow Van Wedel

Clarence W. Hopper            James Mc F. Rankin             Frank A. Doerfler                Frank H. Addyman

B. I. Emerich                      F. A. Graber                      E. Ernest Buckhout             Hanford C. Judson

Joseph A. Algeo                 William E. McLave               Nelson D. Brown                 N. M. Templeton

Similar services were again rendered in World War II when Diamond Lodge again co-operated to its fullest extent with Grand Lodge in all its activities. During this war Sons of members in the services received special consideration from Brother Masons throughout the world. Twenty-three members of Diamond Lodge served with the colors in World War II, their names follow: —

Arthur W. Booth                 George A. Maven                Richard W. Batten              John A. McGinness

John L. Conklin                   G. A. Petruzzelli                  Charles A. Wagner              Walter C. Shorter

Fred W. Hildenbrand            Reginald W. Stanhope         William R. Bruch                  Bruce E. Thauburn

Edward M. Byrne                 Bernard A. Uhr                   Harry L. Cromer                  Ernest H. Uhr

Gunther Hahn                    Gardner P. Welch, Jr.          Benjamin E. Hayes               Clifford B. Adler

William C. Keller                  James Gaffney                   William A. Sargent

Both of the foregoing Service men's lists were prepared by the chairmen of the service men’s committees who undoubtedly made every effort to have them complete, however, it is barely possible that someone’s name may have been omitted; if so, it is to be regretted. In addition, 75 sons of members served in World War II, seven of whom made the supreme sacrifice.

In 1920 began what is known as “The Immediate Relief”. While not a Lodge function, it is restricted to members of the Lodge; it provides payment of $100.00 to the widow of a member immediately after his death. When the fund reaches a predetermined level, an assessment is made upon the members of this association to restore it. The present assessment is $1.10 per member. Membership in this association is strictly voluntary.

On May 21, 1920, Diamond Lodge celebrated its 55th anniversary. It was also the occasion of its 2,000th stated communication; on this occasion M.'.W.'. Arthur S. Tompkins, then Deputy Grand Master attended.

In 1919, the Lodge gave serious consideration to acquiring its own building; in fact except for a few degree nights during the last four years of its tenancy in the Oddfellows Hall, planning with this objective in mind, occupied most of the Lodge sessions.