William Morgan

Who was William Morgan?

William Morgan was a resident of Batavia, New York, whose disappearance and presumed murder in 1826 ignited a powerful movement against the Freemasons, a fraternal society that had become influential in the United States. After Morgan announced his intention to publish a book exposing Freemasonry's secrets, he was arrested, allegedly kidnapped by Masons, and believed murdered.

The allegations sparked a public outcry and inspired Thurlow Weed, a New York politician, to muster discontent and found the new Anti-Masonic Party, which was also opposed to President Andrew Jackson. It ran a presidential candidate in 1832 but was nearly defunct by 1835.