The mysterious demise of William Morgan

In the history of American Freemasonry, there is perhaps no more intriguing a tale than the mysterious demise of William Morgan. The mix of circumstances, evidence, hearsay, public speculation, and alleged abduction and murder weave a fantastic tale perfect for a made-for-television movie. The fact that the case was so much in the public eye is arguably the most crucial element of the mystery since the eventual outrage and exposure of the Brotherhood and its secrecy led to widespread anti-Mason sentiments and the formation of the Anti-Masonic Party. 

A native of Culpepper County in Virginia, William Morgan left his home to spend time working various jobs in Canada and areas of New York. In 1824, Morgan settled in the small town of Batavia, New York, and began work as an itinerant stonemason. Referring to himself as “Captain” Morgan, he cited his distinctive military service in the War of 1812. Whether Morgan actually did serve in the armed forces is still questioned by historians, and many accounts of the Morgan mystery vary widely. 

Some historical accounts show that in 1825 in the Western Star Chapter No. 33 in LeRoy, New York, Morgan was awarded a Royal Arch degree. Experts disagree as to whether he was ever really a Mason (most assert he wasn’t) or had simply lied his way into the fraternity for his own evil gain. Other accounts tell that Morgan showed up at the lodge claiming he was already a brother, which incited suspicion among that lodge’s brethren. No matter whether he was a true Mason or not, several accounts state that Morgan spent time visiting other lodges and eventually was part of a group that was petitioning for a Royal Arch Chapter (a division of the York Rite). 

However, when the chapter started, Morgan was denied membership. Unbeknownst to everyone, this marked the beginning of a powerful public scandal that would shock brethren around the world. Morgan Spills Freemason Secrets Morgan’s omission from the new Batavian charter group resulted in arguments, and Morgan left the fraternity. 

At that point, he made his intentions clear: he was writing a book that would reveal all the secrets of Freemasonry—including their rituals and procedures—and he had, in fact, been paid a great sum in advance for the book by David Miller, publisher of a local newspaper, the Batavia Advocate. Morgan’s contract for the book involved Miller, a Mason who for twenty years did not progress beyond Entered Apprentice and bore a grudge against the Brotherhood; Morgan’s landlord, John Davids; and a man called Russell Dyer. 

Morgan exacerbated the issue by continually boasting about the enormous sum he had been paid for the book, which only gave rise to anger among the brethren. In order to avert the potential crisis, local Masons ran advertisements in other publications, which informed the public to be watchful of Morgan and his undesirable attributes. As one historian tells the tale, shortly thereafter, a local innkeeper was asked by a Mason to provide a meal for fifty of his brethren, who revealed that their intention that evening was to attack the Batavia Advocate’s offices. After hearing of their plan, Miller put out the word that he and others were armed and prepared for any attack. 

The Freemasons never executed their plan, but the incident did set off a chain of events. It is said that several Masons approached Morgan at his residence and arrested him for debts he owed them. He was taken to a local jail in the charge of a jailer who also happened to be a Mason. Miller, upon hearing of Morgan’s incarceration, set about finding the jailer so as to pay off Morgan’s alleged debt; however, it was a Friday evening and the jailer had conveniently departed, leaving Morgan behind bars until Monday. 

With the jailer absent, the Freemasons returned to confront Morgan about his scandalous exposé, telling him that if he gave them the book he would go free. After he refused to do so, they went to his home and engaged in a futile attempt to recover Morgan’s work. From there, matters only got worse. By Monday morning, Miller paid Morgan’s “debt,” and he was released. The Freemasons then turned around and had him immediately arrested for stealing a shirt and tie and owing another small debt in the town of Canandaigua, about fifty miles east of Batavia. He was driven there in a carriage and again incarcerated. At the same time, an unsuccessful attempt was made to jail Miller.