I am trying to find a list of members of the Caneadea Lodge of Freemasons from 1865 to 1935. The Caneadea lodge was disbanded in I think the 1950s. Does anyone know where the lodge records might be located and who I should contact to access them?
Kate J. replied:
Caneadea Lodge, No. 357, F. & A. M., was instituted June 16, 1855, with 14 charter members. Among them were James McCray, W. M.; Simon Wilson, S. W.; Levi H. West, J. W.; Alanson Burr, Charles Ingham, and Leonard P. Walker. George P. Ketchum was the first to be initiated. Down to 1879, 124 masons had been made by this lodge. Feb. 13, 1878, the building containing the lodge room was burned without an insurance, and its charter, furniture and jewels were lost. Since then communications have been held in a hall over a store in Caneadea village. The masters have been: James McCray, Levi H. West, Henry Burleson, John Ingersoll, B. F. Bigelow, John H. Saunders, Columbus Balcom, Sampson Friendly, Joseph T. Russell, Geo. L. Estabrook, Alpheus Estabrook, Jr., Fred L. Davis, N. B. Sherman, Fred D. Franklin, C. N. Bigelow, J. L. Jackson, Almon H. Lyman, A. L. Franklin Present officers: A. O. Arnold, W. M; B. D. White, S. W.; M. Z. Butler, J. W.; William Sherman, Treas., C. N. Balcom, Sec.; A. L. Franklin, S. D.; Charles W. Vosburgh, J. D.; F. J. Lewis, S. M. C.; F. L. Davis, J. M. C.; F. R. Westbrook, Tiler. The membership is now 37 and the lodge is in a good thrifty condition. Source: History of Caneadea, New York A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany County, New York John S. Minard, Esq. Historian Mrs. Georgia Drew Andrews, Editor. W. A. Fergusson & Co., Alfred, N. Y. 1896 http://history.rays-place.com/ny/alle-caneadea.htm