LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Boyer
Lodge No.1 Free and Accepted Masons, P.H.A.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 200th Anniversary of the Boyer Lodge No.1 Free and Accepted
Masons, P.H.A.; and
WHEREAS, February 16, 1812, marked the birth of Boyer Lodge No. 1 of
New York City which was the beginning of Prince Hall Masonry in the
State of New York; the Charter was issued by Peter Lew, Grand Master of
the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Boyer Lodge was named in honor of Haitian soldier-statesman
and President Jean Pierre Boyer who was considered a Hero for his lead-
ership during the war of Liberation of Haiti from France; and
WHEREAS, On October 2, 1818, there appeared a notice in several local
newspapers, calling for a meeting of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons
on October 6, 1818, in the City of New York, and styled, the "African
Lodge"; and
WHEREAS, In 1826, The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts helped
further expand Freemasonry in New York State by the Chartering of Celes-
tial Lodge No. 2, Rising Sun Lodge No. 3 (Brooklyn) and Hiram Lodge No.
4; and
WHEREAS, On March 14, 1845, further progress was achieved when Boyer
Lodge No. 1, Celestial Lodge No. 2, Rising Sun Lodge No. 3 and Hiram
Lodge No. 4 convened and erected Boyer Grand Lodge of New York; with
this transition Boyer Grand Lodge of New York became the third lodge
founded in history; and
WHEREAS, In 1944, the formal name was changed to "The Most Worshipful
Prince Hall Grand Lodge Of The Most Ancient And Honorable Fraternity Of
Free And Accepted Masons Of The State Of New York"; and
WHEREAS, Currently under the leadership of the Worshipful Master Carlo
Smith-Ramsey, the members of Boyer Lodge No.1 are active in their commu-
nity, evidenced by their yearly participation in the "Toys for Tots"
program, providing meals for the hungry on Thanksgiving and Christmas
day, participation in the Relay for Life program, and changing the lives
of men in the New York City area; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Boyer Lodge No.1 Free and
Accepted Masons, P.H.A.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Boyer Lodge No.1 Free and Accepted Masons, P.H.A.