M.W. William H. Ellis 1835-1837

William H. Ellis

Thirteen must have been a lucky number for the Grand Lodge for the one who bore it served the Grand Lodge long and faithfully. William H. Ellis was born in 1790 and became a member of Hiram Lodge No.1 on November 18, 1813. : He was Master of his Lodge from 1830 to 1833. During that period the same brothers were active in other bodies and Brother Ellis was no exception. He served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter,· R. A. M., 1837 to 1841, M. P. Grand Master of the Grand Council, R. and S. M., 1832, and Grand Commander of the Grand Commmandery, 1845. He is first noted in the Grand Lodge as elected to the position of Grand Senior Warden May 13, 1833. Two years later he became Grand Master and served for three-years until May 9, 1838. Frequently thereafter he was in attendance and many times was the installing officer.

He is said to have been a very active citizen holding minor city offices. At one time he was the Federal Collector of Customs. Trinity Episcopal Church had the benefits of his services as Vestryman. His church affiliations did not prevent his affixing his name to the Declaration of Principles in 1832. His death occurred in New Haven, April 8, 1856. Grand Master Theodore Spencer in his address says of him: "Let us imitate his devotion to the interests of our beloved order."