Freestone County, Texas Social Organizations Fairfield Masonic Lodge #103 A.F. & A.M. (1853-current) Fairfield, Texas Masonic District 22 Charter granted January 23, 1853 Current Number of Members: 97 Lodge Address: 120 Keechi, Fairfield 75840 Mailing Address: PO Box 153, Fairfield, TX 75840 Meetings: 1st Thur @ 7:30 pm, (except Dec.. 1st Mon @ 7:30 pm) Lodge Phone: 903-389-3984 ================================================================================ HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD LODGE NO. 103 ANCIENT FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS [The following is based on an historical sketch by Philip Dale Browne for Lodge's Centennial Observance in 1953, articles by Mack Powers, Minutes of the Lodge, a compilation by Tom James and additional information found in the History of Freestone County, Volume I and II.] Less than a month after lots in the townsite of Fairfield were sold at auction, William Frances Daniel Sr. and eight other Master Masons signed a petition to the Grand Lodge requesting a warrant or dispensation for a Masonic lodge. September 15, 1851, Grand Master Ochiltree and Grand Secretary Ruthevan issued an offical order for Fairfield masonic lodge appointing William Frances Daniel the first Master, John F. Huckaby the first Senior Warden and Zeno P. Clough the first Junior Warden. The first Fairfield Lodge meeting was October 3, 1851. The first meeting had William Frances Daniel Sr., Worshipful Master (previously of Dale Lodge No. 25, Alabama); John Fuller Huckaby Sr., S.W.; Zeno P. Clough, J. W. (previously Woodlawn Lodge No. 15, Arkansas); Dunbar Bragg, Secretary; John W. Blackmon, S. D. (previously of Moses Cook Lodge No. 111, Mississippi); W. M. Blackmon, J. D.; William Cotton, Tyler, Pro tem., (previously of Evening Star Lodge No. 70, Mississippi); Nelson Tarver and Chas. W. Leven were original petitioners for Pine Bluff Lodge No. 85, Texas. The first offical return dated December 27, 1851, had the eight names plus five who had affiliated and two given the first degree in Masonry. Early visitors and affliations represented other lodges, as Pearl Lodge No. 23 and Willis Lodge No. 92, Mississippi, and Perry Lodge No. 34, Alabama. The work and returns were found correct by the Grand Lodge January 21, 1852 and by-laws approved. The first who reached Master Mason in Fairfield was Elisha Hobbs in April 1852. There were plans for a brick Masonic hall in 1852. The Grand Lodge show that Fairfield Lodge #103 was chartered January 23, 1853. On May 8, 1854, John Campbell sold the Lodge lot #2 in block #4 (southeast corner). The Masons purchased the half acre lot for $35.00. The November 29, 1854 issue of the Leon Pioneer reports, "The Masonic hall, quite imposing, is nearly complete. The lower room of the (frame) hall is occupied by Dr. Moore, who has under his charge a flourshing school composed of young ladies." The lodge opened a private Masonic school for girls in 1854 and was soon followed by a school for boys in 1855. Officers in 1855: Moody, William Lewis Sr. [Worshipful Master] Gregg, John [S.W.] (District Judge, later Brigadier General C.S.A.) Bradley, Lucius deYampert Sr. [J.W.] There were 64 lodge members in 1855. When the civil war arrived, 42 members enlisted in the Confederate army. At least six died in service including John Gregg. In 1867, the Grand Lodge allowed the remission of dues that year because of the destruction of the lodge building, charter and property by a fire in 1866. Eighteen demitted, seven suspended and one expelled during the hard years of 1866-1868. By 1873, everything was good again with 75 members. Then followed a decline that reached a low of 35 in 1900. A revival occurred in 1902 with 12 initiated, 12 passed, 8 raised, 6 reinstated, and 5 affliations. A new lodge building and furniture were reported in 1903. By 1905, the membership was back to 66. On July 1, 1911, the lodge building was burned, with no insurance to cover the losses. Afterwards the lodge constructed a building on the west side of the courthouse square with the lodge on the top floor and general store of J. S. and B. S. Fryer on the bottom floor. Fairfield lodge's maximum membership occured in 1928, with a total of 98 Master Masons. The suspensions due to non-payments lowered the membership to 39 in the Depression. There were 97 members in 1952. In 1953, the lodge celebrated its centennial. In 1975, the lodge purchased the old Iris Theather building on the east side of the court house square where the lodge currently meets. In 1978, the lodge had 137 members. Current membership is 101. ================================================================================ Deaths Reported at the Grand Lodge Meeting or Annual Lodge Returns Grayson, William S. 1859 Dunagan, C. G. 1860 Bonner, Andrew S. 1865 Batcheller, E. 1867 Cooley, W. L. 1868 Moore, W. B. 1868 Carter, D. L. 1870 Sheffield, Jessie 1871 Rogers, James B. 1872 Murray, John T. 1872 Daniel, W. F. 1872 Wylie, T. L. 1875 Johnson, J. B. 1875 Wortham, L. R. 1875 Jennings, H. C. 1876 Wallace, E. 1878 Evans, Jessie B. 1879 Gullette, Frank G. 1880 Seeley, James R. 1882 ================================================================================ Known Past Members: Henry, Conrad (died 1886) (Oct 1, 1886 edition of Fairfield Recorder) ================================================================================ Programs: The Fairfield Lodge No. 103 A.F. & A.M. celebrated its 150th Anniversay Celebration on Saturday, January 25, 2003 at Fairfield Elementary School at 120 S. Keechi Street in Fairfield, Texas. Officers 2002-2003 Culbertson, Bill Worshipful Master Barrantinne, James Senior Warden Sawyer, Tom Junior Warden Bournais, Sam Bill Treasurer Jackson, Reed Secretary Jones, Chharles Chaplain Mills, Scott Senior Deacon James, Tom Junior Deacon Billings, Ralph Senior Steward Powers, Mack Tyler 150th Annivesary Program: Call to Order..................Bill Culbertson Invocation.....................Rev. Wayne Flowers Pledge of Allegiance...........Tom James Welcoming Remarks..............Ralph Billings Introduction of Guests.........Scott Mills Fairfield Lodge History........Sam Bill Bournais Introduction of Grand Master...Reed Jackson Keynote Address................M.W. Boyd Patterson (Grand Master of Texas Masons) Benediction....................Charles Jones Adjourn to the Cornerstone Ceremony Past Masters of Fairfield Lodge No. 103 A.F. & A.M.: Daniel, William Frances Sr. 1851-1852 Grayson, William S. 1853-1854 Moody, William Lewis Sr. 1855-1856 Bradley, Lucius deYampert Sr. 1857-1858 Grayson, Dr. Thomas Blackmon 1859-1865 Bradley, Lucius deYampert Sr. 1866 Grayson, Dr. Thomas Blackmon 1867 Starley, Dr. Silas Fletcher 1868-1869 Bradley, Lucius deYampert Sr. 1870 Starley, Dr. Silas Fletcher 1871 Moody, James H. 1872-1873 Karner, Fred 1874-1876 Sandifer, Lucian Green 1877 Kerr, J. T. 1878 Gullette, Frank G. 1879 Kirven, Oliver Carter 1880 Lillard, Lewis D. 1881-1882 DeBorde, J. J. 1883 Harding, R. 1884 Daviss, Horatio Paxton 1885 Harding, R. 1886 Lillard, Lewis D. 1887 Drumwright, H. L. 1888 Hatter, R. F. 1889 Moore, W. F. 1890 Harding, R. 1891 Hatter, R. F. 1892-1893 Evans, Hiram M. 1894 Daviss, Horatio Paxton 1895 Hatter, R. F. 1896-1898 Daviss, Horatio Paxton 1899 (continued) Past Masters of Fairfield Lodge No. 103 A.F. & A.M.: Hatter, R. F. 1900 Moses, W. B. 1901-1902 Daviss, Horatio Paxton 1903 Sims, F. F. 1904 Richards, W. E. 1905 Daviss, Horatio Paxton 1906-1908 Kirgan, Lee Colby 1909 Cain, J. R. B. 1910-1911 Moses, W. B. 1912 Parker, Walter Alvin "Watt" 1913-1914 Glazener, Edwin Ruthwin 1915 Gilpin, G. T. 1916-1917 Parker, Walter Alvin "Watt" 1918 Henderson, W. M. 1919-1920 Steward, Hugh Birt 1921-1922 Parker, Walter Alvin "Watt" 1923-1924 Steward, Hugh Birt 1925 Robertson, H. L. 1926 Childs, Clifton Edwards Sr. 1927 Williford, Harold Lee 1928 Browne, Philip Dale 1929 Steward, Roger 1930-1931 French, P. O. 1932 Robertson, Condia C. 1933 Kirgan, Lee Colby 1934 Steward, Hugh Birt 1935 Robertson, Homer Lake 1936 Dupuy, D. Leldon 1937 Lott, James Edward "Son" 1938 Gilpin, Rankin R. 1939 Kirgan, Lee Colby 1940 Stroud, Algy Edell 1941 Bonner, Leslie Lee 1942 Kirgan, Ramon Richard Sr. 1943 Wood, Wirt L. 1944 Wood, Forrest Edwards 1945 Bonner, Benjamin Young 1946 Smith, W. G. 1947 Winkler, W. G. 1948 Davis, Lee Judson 1949 Bonner, Edd Robinson 1950 Treadway, E. A. 1951 Hill, Johnnie A. 1952 Kirgan, Joe Lee Jr. 1953 Pritchard, John H. 1954 Harrison, Henry M. 1955 Robinson, Jack T. 1956 Capps, Bennie G. Jr. 1957 Granberry, H. C. 1958 Richardson, Wiley G. 1959 McGuyer, Lesile W. 1960 Childs, Clifton E. Jr. 1961 Pritchard, John H. 1962 Granberry, H. C. 1963 Bergstrom, Brent E. 1964 Bonner, Leslie 1965 Reed, Hugh D. Jr. 1966 Newman, Zack C. Sr. 1967 Nelson, Wallace F. 1968 Morgan, Charles R. 1969 Bonner, Edd Robinson 1970 Daughtery, Lewis Guynes "Jack" 1971 Burleson, Maurice 1972 Watson, Marvin Lee Jr. 1973 Bragg, Frank 1974 Watson, Marvin Lee Jr. 1975 Dodds, E. Ray 1976 Deer, Amel A. 1977 Bonner, Tom Jr. 1978 Journey, John W. 1979 Billings, Ralph 1980 Willard, Danny Tate 1981 Hunt, Ronald Bee 1982 Fryer, J. Sidney 1983 Bishop, Wally W. 1984 Bournais, Sam Bill 1985 Bonner, Tom Jr. 1986 Plantt, Jimmy A. 1987 Childs, Robert C. 1988 Bulger, Kenneth L. 1989 Steiner, E. M. "Gus" 1990 Billings, Ralph 1991 James, Stephen D. 1992 Smith, Edward M. 1993 Culbertson, Billy J. 1994 McLeod, Donald L. 1995 Jones, Charles E. 1996 Schick, F.L. "Sonny" 1997 Jackson, M. Reed 1998 Moore, Darrell R. 1999 James, Thomas H. 2000 Powers, Mack A. 2001 Culbertson, Billy J. 2002 Barrentine, James N. Jr. 2003 Mills, Scott 2004-2005 Patterson, Roy 2006 ================================================================================ Events: Ralph Billing's sheriff report in Mexia Daily News newspaper - Jan 27, 2003 edition: "Big crowd from all over the state in Fairfield on Saturday for dinner, 150-year anniversary of Fairfield Lodge #103, cornerstone ceremony and time capsule placement at new Fairfield Elementary School. Our special thanks to J&S Meats for vacuum sealing the itmes placed in the two time capsules. One time capsule had items school related, the other held items from local Masons and Fairfield Lodge." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Billing's sheriff report in Mexia Daily News newspaper - July 9, 2003 edition: "July 2 thru July 8, 2006 ... Charles Day and Durwood Bottoms install Lodge Officers at Fairfield Lodge #103 with large crowd on hand." ================================================================================ Llewellyn Johnson arrived in 1876 from Missouri and served as tiler for the Fairfield Lodge for more than 30 years.