LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Forest
Lodge No. 166 F & A.M.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of organizations which
comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; 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 Forest Lodge No. 166 Free and
Accepted Masons (F & A.M.); and
WHEREAS, The freemasons are the world's oldest and largest fraternal
organization; they are a very close-knit group of individuals who always
look out for one another, discuss matters on an intellectual level and
most importantly give their time and talent to many charities; and
WHEREAS, The original charter was dated on June 11, 1816, signed by
The Honorable DeWitt Clinton, Esq. just one year prior to becoming
Governor of New York State; and
WHEREAS, The first officers of the Forest Lodge No. 166 F & A.M. were
installed on July 24, 1816; the officers included: Ebenezer Johnson,
Samuel Sinclair, Jonathan Sprague, Eliphalet Dewey, Seth Snow, and
Daniel Barnes-Tiler; and
WHEREAS, Forest Lodge No. 166 F & A.M. is the only organization that
has been active in the community since before the Village of Fredonia
was officially formed; and
WHEREAS, Lodge members who were essential in the early years of the
Town of Pomfret and Village of Fredonia included: Philo Orton, first
Supervisor of the Town of Pomfret; Samuel Berry, first Schoolmaster,
Town Clerk, and Justice of the Peace; James Mullet, elected President of
the Village of Fredonia when incorporated in 1829; Henry Fiske, first
Village Clerk; and Leverett Barker and Henry Bosworth, overseers of
streets; and
WHEREAS, Forest Lodge No. 166 F & A.M. was also instrumental in the
laying and dedication of the cornerstone of Fredonia Village Hall in
1890, as well as the cornerstone of the Fredonia State Normal School in
1901; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of communities large and small
in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Forest Lodge No. 166 F & A.M.;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Forest Lodge No. 166 F & A.M.