Alabama - History - Masonic Biography and Dictionary ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Barton lab@boone.net May 1, 2003 Statistics – Number of Lodges in the various States, from 1816. In 1816, many of the Grand Lodges were not formed, and hence no returns. Alabama – 1816, No. of Lodges (No return); 1822, No. of Lodges – 14; 1859, No. of Lodges – 334; 1866 , Members 10,904 and Initiated 1,037. Hendrix, Wm. – Past G. M. of G. L. of Alabama, died Aug. 27th, 1866, at Montgomery. In 1844 he served as J. W. of the Grand Lodge; in 1846-47, as Dep. G. M.; and in 1851, as Grand Master. His virtues were those of a just and upright Mason, a Christian, and a citizen. Anti-Masonry - In 1826 a great cry was raised by the political tricksters of the country against Freemasonry. To insure success, the party had recourse to every stratagem, and amongst the most popular was the story hatched out of the so-called and supposed abduction of an individual named Morgan, at Batavia, New York, in 1826, for exposing the secrets of the order. This fellow, finding no doubt his enterprise a failure, secreted himself, and circulated the story in order to meet a ready sale of his work, which was but a republication of "Jachin and Boaz," published in Albany, in 1790, from an English work. The frenzy with which politicians hashed and rehashed this story, obtained for them about 100,000 supporters in New York. In Pennsylvania, where the Hon. Judge Giullis was arrested for complicity in the affair, the party succeeded in dividing the vote. In Vermont, the party, fired with unceasing efforts, succeeded for a time. But this was not to last. The party had grown so rapidly, swollen so hugely with broken-down politicians, and presented such an empty hollowness of principle, that it exploded with the contempt of all good citizens. In Pennsylvania, the Legislature inaugurated a series of persecutions, and the hero Thaddeus Stevens, Esq., of Lancaster, a rejected applicant of Good Samaritan Lodge, Gettysburg, Pa., was not able to force the secrets from the order. The principles of the order having become known and found their way to the people, the sentiment was soon changed, and the ill-shaped Anti-Masonic party, having no other aim than power and corruption, came to an end. But the power behind the throne has again shown its huge-footed plans and the resurrection of its skeleton is now proposed. Whether the new effort will succeed, remains for the future to disclose, but it matters little, as the truths of a genuine Christian system of charity and benevolence, as produced by Freemasonry, are engrafted in the minds of the people, not to be rooted out by persecution. (See U.S. "Anti-Masonic Convention.") Alabama – The exact date of the introduction of Freemasonry into Alabama is not known. Charters for Lodges were granted by the Grand Lodges of S. Carolina and Tennessee. The Grand Lodge organized 14th June 1821. The Grand Chapter, 2d June 1827. The Grand Council of Select Masters, 9th June 1827. The Knights Templar, 29th Nov 1860. During the late rebellion of the Southern States, Morris Lodge, at Pollard, was broken into, and robbed of its jewels and charter, etc. The jewels fell into the hands of a Federal soldier not a Mason. While the army was on its march to Montgomery, they were discovered by a fellow-soldier and a Mason, who purchased them from his comrade, and on his arrival at Montgomery, placed them in the hands of Bro. Strenna, to be returned to Morris Lodge. This instance of fidelity and zeal for the craft, although then arrayed against one another, is but one of the many instances of brotherly love that occurred during that dark period. Masonic Biography and Dictionary comprising The History of Ancient Masonry, Antiquity of Masonry, Written and Unwritten Law, Derivation and Definition of Masonic Terms, Biographies of Eminent Masons, Statistics, List of All Lodges in the United States, Etc. Compiled by Augustus Row, K. T. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1868 LIST OF LODGES. ALABAMA (The numbers below that are blank did not have a lodge assigned to them, it was just easier to let it auto number itself instead of leaving these numbers out as they are in the book. This is a list of Lodges as of 1858, not 1868 the date of publication of the book) ALABAMA. Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Alabama. 1. Helion, Huntsville 2. 3. Alabama, Claiborne 4. Rising Virtue, Tuscaloosa. 5. Halo, Cahaba 6. Walker, Moulton 7. Macon, Grove Hill 8. Farrar, Elyton 9. Gilead, Butler 10. Royal White Hart, Clayton 11. Montgomery, Montgomery 12. Marion, Suggsville 13. _______________ 14. Florence, Florence 15. _____________ 16. Athens, Athens 17. ____________ 18. Limestone, Mooresville 19. ______________ 20. _____________ 21. _______________ 22. Saint Alban's, Linden 23. ____________- 24. George Washington, Clinton 25. Dale, Camden 26. Lafayette, Greensboro' 27. Selma Fraternal, Selma 28. Marengo, Dayton 29. Rising Sun, Decatur 30. ______ 31. Autauga, Autaugaville 32. _______________ 33. Lowndes, Hayneville 34. Perry, Marion 35. ___________ 36. Washington, Tuscumbia 37. Courtland, Courtland 38. ___________ 39. Wetumpka, Wetumpka 40. Mobile, Mobile 41. Livingston, Livingston 42. Hiram, Jacksonville 43. Leighton, Leighton 44. __________ 45. Jackson, Gainesville 46. Harmony, Eufaula 47. Warren, Kingston 48. Vienna, Pleasant Ridge 49. Demopolis, Demopolis 50. Union, Uniontown 51. Jefferson, Cedar Bluff 52. New Market, New Market 53. Greening, Evergreen 54. Amity, Eutaw 55. Mount Moriah, Pickensville 56. Troy, Troy 57. Tuskegee, Tuskegee 58. _______ 59. Benton, Benton 60. __________ 61. Tompkinsville, Tompkinsville 62. Saint John's, Union Springs 63. Social, Enon 64. Eureka, Greenville 65. Liberty, Liberty 66. _________ 67. Hampden Sidney, Robinson's Springs 68. Holsey, Glennville 69. Howard, Mobile 70. Central, Montevallo 71. Tehopeka, Dadeville 72. Widow's Son, Snow Hill 73. Acacia, Lowndesboro' 74. Solomon's, Lafayette 75. _________ 76. Auburn, Auburn 77. Uchee, Uchee 78. Crozier, White Plains 79. Fredonia, Fredonia 80. Wilcox, Allenton 81. ___________ 82. Bellefonte, Bellefonte 83. Friendship, Centreville 84. Erophotic, Bragg 85. ________ 86. ________ 87. ________ 88. Meridian Sun, Pleasant Hill 89. Prattville, Prattville 90. Pfister, McKinley 91. Henry, Abbeville 92. Triana, Triana 93. Sawyer, Wedowee 94. Philodorian, Cusseta 95. Danville, Danville 96. Tuckabatchee, Crawford 97. Lozahatchee, Goshen 98. Fulton, Orrville 99. ____ 100. Bridgeville, Bridgeville 101. Hartwell, Oxford 102. Newbern, Newbern 103. Benson, Mechanicsville 104. Good Samaritan, Dudleyville 105. Shiloh, Hampden 106. Hermon, Sumterville 107. Choctaw, Pushmataba 108. Oak Bowery, Oak Bowery 109. ____ 110. Forest Hill, Pleasant Grove 111. Sylvan, Foster's 112. Dean, Brooklyn 113. ____ 114. _____ 115. Warrior Stand, Warrior Stand 116. Dekalb, Lebanon 117. Perryville, Perryville 118. _______ 119. Notasulga, Notasulga 120. Waverly, Waverly 121. 122. Coffeeville, Coffeeville 123. 124. Felix, Midway 125. Herndon, Union 126. Tallapoosa, Rock Spring 127. Bolivar, Stevenson 128. Ridge Grove, Ridge Grove 129. Geneva, Geneva 130. 131. Yorkville, Yorkville 132. Roanoke, Roanoke 133. Loachapoka, Loachapoka 134. Wiley, Farrierville 135. 136. Unity, Lower Pine-tree 137. Rockford, Rockford 138. Bradford, Bradford 139. Chilton, La Place 140. Shelby, Columbiana 141. Bethel, Arbacoochee 142. Baldwin, Stockton 143. Burleson, Burleson 144. Daleville, Daleville 145. Fraternity, Blountsville 146. Missouri, Perote 147. Rodgersville, Rodgersville 148. 149. 150. Etam, Hamburg 151. Bladon Springs, Bladon Springs 152. Mount Jefferson, Rough and Ready 153. Monroeville, Monroeville 154. Nixburg, Nixburg 155. Eastaboga, Eastaboga 156. 157. Somerville, Somerville 158. Maysville, Maysville 159. 160. Mitchel, Turkey Town 161. Penick, Central Institute 162. Hendrix, Dublin 163. F. Authentic, Fayetteville 164. 165. 166. Sumter, Gaston 167. 168. Mount Hope, Mount Hope 169. Buena Vista, Sardis Church 170. Elba, Elba 171. Clopton, Barnes's Cross Roads 172. 173. Andrew Jackson, Montgomery 174. 175. 176. Davie, Indian Creek 177. Orion, Orion 178. Desotoville, Desotoville 179. Ashland, Mount Sterling 180. Mount Hilliard, Mount Hilliard 181. Aberfoil, Aberfoil 182. 183. 184. Brundidge, Brundidge 185. 186. Catawla, Ashville 187. 188. Haw Ridge, Clintonville 189. Delta, Kizer Hill 190. Tombigbee, Jefferson 191. Brush Creek, Brush Creek 192. Chattahoochee, Berlin 193. High Log, Greenwood 194. 195. Opelika, Opelika 196. 197. Hillabee, Pinkneyville 198. 199. 200. Sylacauga, Sylacauga 201. Helicon, Helicon 202. Pine Level, Pine Level 203. 204. 205. Gainestown, Gainestown 206. 207. Pettusville, Pettusville 208. Alexandria, Alexandria 209. 210. 211. 212. Putnam, Louina 213. Euclid, Fort Browder 214. Carrollton, Carrollton 215. Builders, Planters' Institute 216. 217. Spring Hill, Spring Hill 218. Sam Dixon, Centre 219. Lineville, Lineville 220. Pine Grove, Pine Grove 221. Tensaw, Tensaw 222. Western Star, Cuba 223. Sandy Ridge, Sandy Ridge 224. Newton, Newton 225. Louisville, Louisville 226. Santa Fe, Jackson 227. James Penn, Clopton 228. 229. Lebanon, Marion 230. Bexar, Bexar 231. Duck Spring, Duck Spring 232. 233. 234. 235. Harpersville, Harpersville 236. Gadsden, Gadsden 237. Tallassee, Tallassee 238. Fairmount, Fairmount 239. Andalusia, Andalusia 240. 241. Bowen, Whistler 242. Coosa, Buyckville 243. Ramah, Ramah 244. Dawson, Oakey Streak 245. 246. Harrison, Henderson 247. Cropwell, Cropwell 248. Lawrence, Lawrenceville 249. Toluca, Toluca 250. Amand, Chestnut Creek 251. Camp Creek, Camp Creek 252. North Port, North Port 253. Rose Hill, Rose Hill 254. Quitman, East Georgia 255. 256. 257. 258. Randolph, Randolph 259. Magnolia, Mobile 260. Bellville, Bellville 261. Talladega, Talladega 262. Highland, Highland 263. 264. Walnut Grove, Walnut Grove 265. Meridian, Meridianville 266. Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant 267. Wind Creek, Wind Creek 268. 269. 270. Butler Springs, Monterey 271. Pea River, New Hope 272. Clifton, Clifton 273. 274. Paint Rock, Paint Rock 275. Frankfort, Frankfort 276. Bullock, Bullock 277. Larkinsville, Larkinsville 278. Northern, Vienna 279. Flat Creek, Pineville 280. Springville, Springville 281. C. Baskerville, Fayetteville 282. Richmond, Richmond 283. 284. 285. Georgiana, Georgiana 286. 287. 288. Hickory Flat, Hickory Flat 289. Wesobulga, Wesobulga 290. Gillespie, Handy 291. Fort Deposit, Fort Deposit 292. 293. 294. 295. 296. 297. 298. 299. 300. 301. Norris, Pollard 302. 303. 304. Zion, Aston's Store 305. Central City, Selma 306. 307. 308. New Delta, Delta 309. 310. 311. 312. 313. 314. 315. Jonesboro', Jonesboro' 316. 317. New Lexington, New Lexington 318. 319. Cluttsville, Cluttsville 320. Warrenton, Warrenton 321. 322. 323. Holly Grove, Holly Grove 324. Viola, Cross Roads 325. 326. Youngsville, Youngsville 327. Andrew Chapel, Andrew Chapel 328. Sycamore, Garland 329. Madison Station, Madison Station 330. Forkland, Forkland 331. Charity, Six Mile 332. Blue Eye, Lincoln 333. Oliver, Choctaw Corner LIST OF GRAND CHAPTERS ALABAMA. – Grand High Priests. – 1823, Dugald McFarlane, Tuscaloosa; 1824-5, Governor Israel Pickens; 1826, Nimrod E. Benson; 1827-8, John Murphy; 1829-30, Thomas B. Creagh. (No meeting until 1837.) 1837-9, John C. Hicks, Leighton; 1840, A. B. Dawson, Wetumpka; 1841-3, David Moore; 1844, James Penn, Huntsville; 1846, Felix G. Norman, Tuscumbia; 1847-9, Wm. Hendrix, Marion; 1850, Rufus Greene, Mobile; 1851-2, Wm. P. Chilton, Tuskegee; 1853-5, W. a. Ferrell, Hollow Square; 1856-8, David Clopton, Tuskegee; 1859-60, S. A. M. Wood, Florence. Grand Secretaries – 1823-4, John B. Hogan, Mobile; 1825-7, Wm. D. Stone, Pickensville; 1828-30, John G. Aikin; 1837-8, Doric S. Ball, Tuscaloosa; 1839-56, Amand P. Pfister, Montgomery (died 3d Dec. 1856); 1856-61, Daniel Sayre, Montgomery Subordinates – No. 1, Tuscaloosa; 4, Claiborne; 5, Huntsville 6, Florence 10, Tuscumbia 11, Greensboro 12, Marion 17, Wetumpka 18, Warsaw 19, Clinton 21, Mobile 22, Montgomery 24, Eufala 25, Courtland 26, Uniontown 28, Selma 30, Jacksonville 31, Benton 32, Orrville 33, Autaugaville 34, Union Springs 35, Glennville 36, Pickensville 37, Lafayette 40, Camden 41, Summerfield 44, Butler 49, Bridgeville 50, Gainesville 52, Allentown 53, Uchee 54, Troy 55, Suggsville 56, Waverly 57, Lebanon 58, Cahaba 60, Braggs 61, Society Hill 62, Rockford 63, Clayton 64, Montevallo 65, Stevenson 66, Mobile 67, Farriorville 68, Centre 69, Lower P. Tree 70, Choctaw County 71, Barnes Cross Roads 72, Midway SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS ALABAMA – There was a Barker Encampment in Alabama in 1829. Marion, at Marion, 1844. Washington, at Marion (perhaps same), 1846. Barker, at Claiborne, chartered 1847. Mobile, at Mobile, April 7th, 1848; March 18th, 1851. Tuscumbia, at Tuscumbia, Aug. 1st, 1848; Oct. 12th, 1859. Montgomery, at Montgomery, Oct. 17th, 1850; Sept. 19th, 1853. Selma, at Selma, May 13th, 1858; Sept. 16th, 1859. State Grand Commandery, formed Nov. 29th, 1860; 1st Election, Dec. 1st, 1860. American Military Lodges. - The following are the military lodges that were instituted in the American army during the revolutionary war. 1. St. John's Regimental Lodge, in the U. S. Battalion, warranted by the G. L. of New York, Feb. 24th, 1775. 2. American Union Lodge, in the Connecticut Line, warranted by the G. L. of Massachusetts, Feb. 15th, 1776. 3. No. 19, in the 1st Regiment, Pennsylvania Artillery, warranted by G. L. of Pennsylvania, May 18th, 1779. 4. Washington Lodge, in the Massachusetts Line, warranted by the Massachusetts G. L., Oct. 6th, 1779. 5. No. 20, in North Carolina Regiment, warranted by the G. L. of Pennsylvania, _____1779. 6. No. 27, in Maryland Line, warranted by G.,L. of Pennsylvania, April 4th, 1780. 7. No. 28, in Pennsylvania Line, warranted by G. L. of Pennsylvania, _______1780. 8. No. 29, in Pennsylvania Line, warranted by G. L. of Pennsylvania, July 27th, 1780. 9. No. 31, in New Jersey Line, warranted by G. L. of Pennsylvania, March 26th, 1781. 10. No. 36, in New Jersey Line, warranted by G. L. of Pennsylvania, Sept. 2d, 1782.