People from Batavia, New York - William Morgan, David C. Johnson, Robert Haney, Amaziah B. James (Paperback)

Chapters: William Morgan, David C. Johnson, Robert Haney, Amaziah B. James. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 20. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: William Morgan (17741826?) was a resident of Batavia, New York, whose disappearance ignited a powerful anti-Freemason movement in the United States in the early 19th century. After stating his intention to write a book exposing Freemasonry's "secrets," Morgan was arrested, kidnapped, and then apparently killed. His disappearance sparked a public outcry and launched the formation of a new Anti-Masonic Party. Morgan was born in Culpeper, Virginia, in 1774. His birthdate is sometimes listed as August 7, but no source for this is given. He was apprenticed as a bricklayer or stone cutter, then briefly was a brewer in Canada, before returning to quarry work in Rochester, New York. In October 1819, when he was in his mid 40's, Morgan married 16-year old Lucinda Pendleton in Richmond Virginia. They had two children: Lucinda Wesley Morgan and Thomas Jefferson Morgan. Two years after his marriage, he moved for unknown reasons to York, Upper Canada, where he operated a brewery. He has been described as a heavy drinker and a gambler. When his business was destroyed in a fire, Morgan was reduced to poverty. He returned to the United States, settling first at Rochester, New York, and later in Batavia. Morgan claimed to have served with distinction as a captain during the War of 1812, though there is no evidence that he did so. Several men named William Morgan appear in the Virginia militia rolls, but none held the rank of captain. Morgan attempted to join the Masonic lodge in Batavia, New York but was denied admission. Angered by his rejection, Morgan declared that it was his intention to publish a book entitled Illustrations of Masonry, critical of th...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=31035