Born March 2, 1769 at Little Britain, New York, DeWitt Clinton was one of the greatest statesmen produced by the State of New York. He was a State Senator, United States Senator, Mayor of the City of New York and Governor of the State of New York. He was the driving force that made public education a reality as well as a proponent of the abolition of slavery in the State of New York. He spearheaded the construction of the Erie Canal, which became the gateway to the American West. He was also one of the most prominent Freemasons of his day. He was Master of Holland Lodge No. 16 in 1793 and he served as Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York from 1806 to 1819. He was the first Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York in 1798 and the first General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States in 1816. Clinton also served as the first Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of the State of New York in 1814, and in 1816 he was the first Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States. DeWitt Clinton left his earthly labors on February 11, 1828 at Albany, New York. He was reinterred in Green-wood Cemetery in 1844. DeWitt Clinton was an honorable man, a true patriot and a devoted Freemason.
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