masons such as Orville Hungerford and his political mentor Perley Keyes signed the following public defense of their fraternal organization: Due to continued public condemnation of freemasonry, however, Sir Orville Hungerford's encampment would go dark in 1831. In February 1850, after the furor abated, Hungerford and others successfully petitioned the Grand Encampment of New York to reissue their former warrant, thereby establishing Watertown Commandery No. 11. On January 16, 1826, Hungerford bought from Hart Masey a three-story brick building on Washington Street in Watertown, which housed the Eastern Light Lodge No. 289. The deed to the building had a covenant to secure the use of a 40 by 42.5 room on the third floor for the Masons. During the height of the Morgan affair uproar, the Lodge operated in secret, communicating to members by placing a lighted candle in certain windows. In 1834–35 the Eastern Light Lodge failed to hold annual elections; the concomitant failure to collect dues resulted in forfeiture of the charter, which was reinstated in 1835 upon a successful petition to the Grand Lodge. The Washington Street building was destroyed in a fire on January 27, 1851, and the Eastern Light Lodge moved temporarily to an Odd Fellows Hall and then to several other locations. In 1838, Orville Hungerford was elected high priest of Watertown Chapter No. 59 of the Royal Arch Masons, which received its New York charter on February 7, 1817. Hungerford carried on as high priest for three years. During his tenure, he created 14 members. Orville Hungerford continued his involvement with freemasonry while serving in Congress. Diarist Benjamin B. French stated: "As a Freemason, [Hungerford] was a constant visitor to our Chapters and Lodges in the District, and never declined any duty that he was asked [to] perform." In 1850, Hungerford was elected to the position of Deputy Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter State of New York, Royal Arch Masons. In 1851, Hungerford became the 15th Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter State of New York, Royal Arch Masons. Marcus Hungerford, the son of Orville, would join Watertown Lodge, No. 49. Community service Fire was always a threat in frontier communities. In 1816, Orville Hungerford's brother-in-law Jabez Foster was elected as one of the fire wardens in the Village of Watertown. When Orville was younger he often followed Foster's lead, especially since the two became partners running a store. The