Farmingdale Royal Arcanum

The Supreme Council of the Royal Arcanum, more commonly known as the Royal Arcanum, was founded in 1877 in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded by John A. Cummings and Darius Wilson, and it is a fraternal benefit society. The Royal Arcanum’s structure follows a three-tiered system which includes local groups or “councils” with at least 16 members, five state councils or “Grand Council” with at least 1,000 members, and the highest tier which is the “Supreme Council” based in Boston.

In August of 1887, the Farmingdale Council 1052 became a member of the National Council of Royal Arcanum.  Farmingdale Council 1052 had boasted that they are the oldest organization in the Village of Farmingdale.  It was originally founded under the name, Hardscrabble Council 1052, but the name was changed to Farmingdale Council 1052 in 1888. The group was founded by William H. Trou, Dr. H. Thorne, Gilbert Laurence, Humphrey Pike, Alanson Van Cott, Peter N. Bowers, Adolph Bausch, Reverend H. Blatz, George Warner, George Nuncy, and John Turner.

Farmingdale Council 1052’s first home was a two-story wooden building which was built in 1888 and cost three hundred dollars. It would have stood at today’s address of 281 Main Street, where the Divine Olive was.

Being established as a fraternal benevolent organization required all members to buy life insurance for family protection from the Supreme Council in Boston, Massachusetts. As part of their membership, the group members and their families were able to attend an elaborate Christmas Party by the State Council of the Royal Arcanum in New York. Farmingdale Council 1052 also took part in sponsoring many events around Farmingdale and New York. One event the group sponsored was Santa Claus’ visit to the Village. They also sponsored the Babe Ruth Baseball Team which played Little League.

The last information available about the Royal Arcanum was 1956 and their dissolution information is unknown.

Source:

Junior Historical Society of Farmingdale. Farmingdale’s Story: Farms to Flights. 

Weldon E. Howitt High School, 1956

“Royal Arcanum.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Sept. 2019,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Arcanum