Масоны в Рочестере почтили память двух солдат-фримасонов, погибших в битве за независимость США

Freemasons gather at Mt. Hope Cemetery to honor story of two Revolutionary War soldiers ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The New York Freemasons paid tribute Tuesday night to a group of Revolutionary War fighters buried at Rochester’s Mt. Hope Cemetery. A group of American soldiers, including Thomas Boyd and Michael Parker, were ambushed near present-day Groveland. Boyd and Parker were captured and tortured, but Boyd — a Freemason — appealed to Mohawk leader Joseph Brant, who was also a Mason. According to the story, Brant tried to have Boyd’s life spared, but British soldiers eventually killed them. Local historians say it shows respect and recognition can exist even between sworn enemies. “The thing about that story is even though it’s more of a traditional story as opposed to documented proof, there is documented proof elsewhere where Brant did spare the life of patriot soldiers even though he was on the loyalist side,” said Chris Carosa, the deputy historian for the town of Mendon. This event was part of statewide commemorations marking America’s 250th anniversary.