The podcast discusses the abduction of William Morgan in 1826 after he planned to expose Freemason secrets. It explores the efforts of fanatical Masons to prevent his book from being published, his arrest and imprisonment, and the detailed account of his abduction. The disappearance led to outrage, the formation of the anti-Mason political party, and a hilarious listener mail segment.
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Quick takeaways
The abduction of William Morgan and the subsequent anti-Mason sentiment highlighted the power and influence of the Freemasons in 19th-century America.
Conflicting stories about William Morgan's character and motivations emerged, contributing to the ongoing mystery surrounding his disappearance and the doubts about the authenticity of his discovered body.
Deep dives
The Disappearance of William Morgan
William Morgan, a former stone mason, joined the Freemasons and planned to publish a book exposing the secrets of the organization. This plan sparked hostility from the Freemasons, who threatened Morgan with imprisonment and bodily harm. Despite warnings about Morgan's character, he continued with his intention. On September 12, 1826, Morgan was forcibly taken from a jail by a group of men and transported to various locations before eventually disappearing. Rumors and speculations about Morgan's fate circulated, with some believing he was murdered while others claimed he had escaped. The anti-Mason sentiment grew, leading to the formation of the anti-Mason political party, and the reputation of the Freemasons was severely damaged.
Conflicting Stories and Investigations
After Morgan's disappearance, conflicting stories about his character and motivations emerged. Some viewed him as dangerous and of low character, while others described him as gentlemanly and engaging. Efforts were made to find Morgan and identify his abductors, leading to the arrests and trials of Edward Sawyer, Nicholas G. Cheesebrow, Loughton Lawson, and John Sheldon. While some believed Morgan's body was found and identified, others questioned the authenticity of the body and accused parties involved of falsifying evidence. Despite multiple investigations, the true fate of William Morgan remained a mystery.
Rumors, Cover-Ups, and Burials
Various rumors and stories began to circulate about what may have happened to William Morgan. Speculations ranged from him being drowned in the Niagara River to living a new life elsewhere. Some believed he staged his own disappearance. The discovery of a body believed to be Morgan's led to further uncertainty. Initially buried as Morgan, the body's identity was later challenged, and it was declared to be that of Timothy Monroe. However, doubts persisted, and many people continued to believe that Morgan's body was buried under the false identity of Monroe.
Consequences and Lingering Questions
The disappearance of William Morgan led to a surge in anti-Mason sentiment and the formation of the anti-Mason political party. The reputation of the Freemasons suffered greatly, with accusations of kidnapping and cover-ups. Despite various investigations and trials, the true fate of William Morgan remains unknown, with conflicting accounts, rumors, and speculations contributing to the ongoing mystery surrounding his disappearance.
In 1826, William Morgan, who lived in Batavia, New York, advertised that he was writing a book that would expose the secrets of the Freemasons. And then he vanished.
Research:
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Morgan, William. “Illustrations of Masonry.” Chicago. Ezra A. Cook Publications. 1827. (Digital copy.)
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Ross, Peter. “A Standard History of Freemasonry in the State of New York: Including Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Scottish Rite Bodies, Volume 1.” Lewis Publishing Company. 1899. Accessed online: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=-GciAAAAMAAJ
“To the Public.” Black Rock Gazette. Oct. 12, 1826. https://www.newspapers.com/image/254877456/?terms=%22william%20morgan%22&match=1
“William Morgan’s Bones.” New York Times. June 22, 1881. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1881/06/22/98562253.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“The masonic fraternity and others … “ Poughkeepsie Journal. August 23, 1826. https://www.newspapers.com/image/114416277/?terms=%22william%20morgan%22&match=1