Masonic Lodge Proceeding Records from Pine Bluff/Troy Lodge 85: 1857-1881 [On file at the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas AM & FM Library, 715 Columbus Avenue/P.O. Box 446, Waco, Texas] NOTE: Names may be misspelled but were typed as recorded in the printed proceeding books. Towls may actually be Towels; or Chambler may actually be Chamblee. 1857 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Troy, County of Freestone, on 1st Saturday [p. 17] OFFICERS.--I Malone, W M; J R Alford, S Deacon; J Q Anderson, S W; G E Barns, J Deacon; F C Oliver, J W; E Weaver, Steward; B Towls, Treasurer; A G Lee, J D; B P Hammett, Secretary; E Sevier, Tyler. PAST MASTER--B P Hammett. MASTER MASONS. --P Richardson, J Waldrum, C B West. ENTERED APPRENTICES. --J Coody, C Shelton. 1858 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Troy, in Freestone County, on the first Saturday in each month. [p. 229] OFFICERS. --Isaac Malone, W M, R S Alford, S D; Jno Q Anderson, S W; A G Lee, J D; F C Oliver, J W; N P Richardson, Steward; J R Alford, Treasurer; E Weaver, Steward; B P Hammett, Secretary; John Waldrom, Tyler. PAST MASTERS--B P Hammett, J Malone. ENTERED APPRENTICES--Charles Shelton. 1859 PINE BLUFF LODGE, N.85: Held at Troy, Freestone County, on the first Saturday in each month [p.14] OFFICERS.--Isaac Malone, W M; R S Alford, SD; F C Oliver, J W; N P Richardson, Steward; J R Alford Treasurer; E Weaver Steward; B P Hammett, Secretary; John Waldrom, Tyler. PAST MASTERS.--B P Hammett, J Malone. MASTER MASON.--Berry Towls. ENTERED APPRENTICE.--Charles Shelton. 1860 PINE BLUFF LODGE NO. 85: Held at Troy, in the county of Freestone, on the first Saturday in each month [p. 298] OFFICERS.--B P Hammett, W M; Berry Towls, Secretary; Jno Anderson, S W; Ezekiel Weaver, SD; W R Standefer, J W; H G Bradbury, J D; Jno R Alford, Treasurer; Isaac Malone, Tyler. PAST MASTERS.--B P Hammett, J Malone. MASTER MASONS--R S Alford, A G Lee, F C Oliver, H S Harper, Wm R Standifer. ENTERED APPRENTICES.--Charles Shelton, Joseph Coody. 1866 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Troy, Freestone County, on the First Saturday of each month. [pg/ 207] OFFICERS: B. H. Hammett, W M.; H. C. Bradbury, Sec.; Henry, S. W; R L Alford, S. D; W. R. Standifer, J. W; H. S. Harper, J. D; E. Weaver, T A; G. Lee, Tyler. PAST MASTERS--J Malone, B P Hammett. MASTER MASONS--J Coody, B Towles—Total, 11. ENTERED APPRENTICES--R Eskridge, W L Edwards. 1866 GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS: [PG 61] We further recommend that the petition of J. A. Bacon and B. W. Childs be returned, as the privilege they ask is granted so far as this Grand Lodge can do so, by resolution last year. We further recommend that Havana Lodge, No. 191, have permission to remove their place of meeting from Havana in Davis County, to Douglasville in said county. Also, that Pine Bluff Lodge, No. 85, have permission to move their place of meeting from Troy to Rockspring; and that they be permitted to continue to work at that place, on payment of dues. 1868 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone County, on the First Saturday of each month. Fairfield Post Office. [pg. 70] OFFICERS --B P Hammett, W M; Ira G Cobb, S W; Jim D Miles, J W; E Weaver, Treasurer; Berry Towels, Sec; E W Childs, S D; A G Lea, J D; R L Alford, Tyler. PAST MASTER --B P Hammett. MASTER MASONS-- H G Bradbury, C Henry. - Total 10 ENTERED APPRENTICES-- W L Edwards, Richard Eskridge SUSPENDED-- H S Harper DIMITTED -- N T Avant, Thomas Avant, W R Standefer. 1868 ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE: [pg. 193} Brother S. Robinson presented a resolution on Amendment of the Constitution, Section 3, Chapter I, Article 5, which was read, and, on motion, laid on the table. Brother P. B. Hammett presented the following preamble and resolution, which was read and adopted: Whereas. Owing to the protracted afflictions in the vicinity of Pine Bluff Lodge, No. 85 of which the W. M. suffered for six months, together with numerous causes unavoidable in their nature, Pine Bluff Lodge failed to meet regularly for work, as required by a resolution passed in 1865, thereby becoming suspended, unless the M. W. Grand Lodge shall grant said Lodge permission to work, therefore Resolved, That Pine Bluff Lodge, No 85, be and is hereby excused and permitted to go on with her work. 1869 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the First Saturday each month. [pg. 191] OFFICERS--B P Hammett, W M; J G Cobb, S W; Jim D Miles, J W; E Weaver, Treasurer; Berry Bowles, Secretary; E W Childs, S D; A G Lee, J D; R L Alford, Tiler. PAST MASTER --B P Hammett. MASTER MASONS--John M Day, C Henry, J B Lee. Total,11. ENTERED APPRENTICES-- L Edwards, Richard Eskridge. EXPELLED --H G Bradley. 1870 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Spring, Freestone county, on the First Saturday of each month. Post Office, Fairfield [pg. 167] OFFICERS. –B P Hammett, W M; I G Cobb, S W; H S Hill, J W; J M Day, Treasurer; Berry Towles, Secretary; E W Childs, S D; A G Lee,, J D; C Henry, S Steward; J B Lee, J Steward; R L Alford, Tiler. PAST MASTER. --B P Hammett. MASTER MASONS. --R L Alford, I G Cobb, E W Childs, H J Childs, John M Day, B P Hammett, H S Hill, Conrad Henry, J B Lee, A G Lee, Jim D Miles, Berry Towles. Total 12. ENTERED APPRENTICES. --W L Edwards, Richard Eskridge, GG Towles. FELLOW CRAFT –W B Eskridge. 1871 PINE BLUFF LODGE NO. 85. --Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the First Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 236] OFFICERS. --Ira G Cobb, W M; Jno M Day, S W; Geo G Towles, J W; E W Childs, Treasurer; Jno H Towles, Secretary; Jno B Casey, S D; J B Lea, J D; R L Barnett, S Steward; A G Lea, J Steward; Wm B Eskridge, Tiler. MASTER MASONS. --R L Barnett, I G Cobb, E W Childs, J B Casey, J M Day, W B Eskridge, I P Hamilton, H S Hill, J B Lea, A G Lea, G G Towles, Berry Towles, J H Towles. Total 13. ENTERED APPRENTICES. – H R Bartlett, Richard Eskridge. DIMITTED. – James D Miles, C Henry, R L Alford, H J Childs. DEATH. – B T Hammett. 1872 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the First Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [Pg. 229] OFFICERS. – John M Day, W M; Geo G Towles, S W; E W Childs J W; John B Casey, Treasurer; Berry Towles, Secretary; Wm B Eskridge, S D;R L Barnett, J D; J P Hamilton, S Steward; A G Lea, J Steward; J B Lea, Tiler. PAST MASTER.--Ira G Cobb MASTER MASONS.--R L Barnett, H R Bartlett, Ira G Cobb, E W Childs, J B Casey, J M Day, W B Eskridge, J P Hamilton, J B Lee, A G Lee, G G Towles, Berry Towles, J H Towles. Total 12 ENTERED APPRENTICES.--Richard Eskridge, J L Childs. FELLOW CRAFT.--Wm Coats DIMITTED.--H S Hill. 1873 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the first Saturday in each month. Post Office, Fairfield [Pg. 295] OFFICERS.--Geo G Towles, W M; R L Barnett, S W; Wm B Eskridge, J W; John B Casey, Treasurer; Berry Towles, Secretary; F M Salley, S D; E W Childs, J D; A G Lee, S S; John M Day, J S; J B Lee, Tiler. PAST MASTERS.--Ira G Cobb, John M Day. MASTER MASONS.--R M Barnett, H R Bartlett, John B Casey, Ira G Cobb, E W Childs John M Day, Wm B Eskridge, A G Lee, J B Lee, F M Salley, Berry Towles, Geo G Towles. Total, 12. ENTERED APPRENTICES.--Richard Eskridge, J L Childs. FELLOW CRAFTS--Wm Coats. DIMITTED.--J P Hamilton. EXPELLED.--Hugh L Harper. DEATH.--John H Towles. 1874 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the third Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 140] OFFICERS.--George G Towles, W M; John M Day, S W; J W Covington, J W; B F Salley, Treasurer; Berry Fowles, Secretary; Wm B Eskridge, S D; E W Childs, J D; A G Lee, S Steward; J L Childs, J Steward; J B Lee, Tiler. MASTER MASONS.--H R Bartlett, John B Casey, E W Childs, J L Childs, J W Covington, John M Day, Wm B Eskridge, A G Lee, J B Lee, James K Lane, B F Salley, Berry Towles, Geo G Towles. Total, 14. ENTERED APPRENTICES.--E R Johnson, Wm Morrow. FELLOW CRAFTS.--Wm Coats, J W Hill DIMITTED.--Ira G Cobb EXPELLED.--Isaac P Hamilton. DEATHS.--Henry S Hill, Richard Eskridge, an E.A. 1875 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the Third Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 270] OFFICERS. – Geo G Towles, W M; John M Day, S W; J W Covington, J W; B F Salley, Treasurer, Berry Towles, Secretary; W B Eskridge, S D; E W Childs, J D; A G Lee, S Steward; J L Childs, J Steward; J B Lee, Tiler. PAST MASTERS.--John M Day, Geo G Towles. MASTER MASONS.--John B Casey, E W Childs, J L Childs, J L Childs, J W Covington, John M Day, Wm B Eskridge, J W Hill, O H Kendrick, A G Lee, J K Lane, WTC Lane, B F Salley, J Shamley, Berry Towles, George G Towles, J M Webb, Wm F Webb. Total,18. ENTERED APPRENTICES.--E R Johnson, Wm Morrow. FELLOW CRAFT.--Wm Coats DIMITTED. --R L Barnett, H R Bartlett. 1876 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the Third Saturday of each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg 109] OFFICERS. -- John M Day, W M; J B Chambley, J L; A G Lee, J W; J L Childs, Treasurer; Berry Towles, Secretary; J B Lee, S D; Wm Webb, J D; T A Jones, S Steward; John B Casey, J Steward; J W Hill, Tiler. PAST MASTER. --John M Day MASTER MASONS. --John B Casey, J B Chamley, J L Childs, John M Day, T A Jones, Wm Coats, John Giles, A G Lee, J B Lee, J K Lane, J W Hill, Berry Towles, B F Salley, J M Webb, W F Webb. Total, 15. ENTERED APPRENTICES. --E B Johnson, T F Young. FELLOW CRAFT --Wm Morrow DIMITTED. --George G Towles, E W Childs, O H Kendrick, J W Covington, Wm B Eskridge 1878 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Springs, Freestone county, on the third Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 197] OFFICERS --J. M. Day, W . M.; F. C. Gough , S. W.; Wm Coats,, J. W.; A. G. Lee, Treasurer; J. B. Lee, Secretary; J. W. Hill, S. D.; W. F. Webb, J. D.; J. B. Casey, S. Steward; J. L. Childs, J. Steward; G W.; G. W. Dunbar, Tiler. PAST MASTER. --J. M. Day. MASTER MASONS--J. B. Casey, J. L. Childers, Wm. Coats, J. B. Chambers, J. M. Day, J. W. Dunbar, F. C. Gough, John Giles, J. W. Hill, T. A. Jones, A. G. Lee, J. B. Lee, B. F. Salley, Berry Towles, W. F. Webb. Total, 15. ENTERED APPRENTICES --E. R. Johnson, T. F. Young. FELLOW CRAFT --Wm. Morrow. DEATH --J. M. Webb. 1879 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Spring, Freestone county, on the third Saturday in each month. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 200] OFFICERS -- J. M. Day, W. M.; F. C. Gough, S. W.; Wm. Coats, J. W.; A. G. Lee, Treasurer; J. B. Lee, Secretary; J. W. Hill, J. D.; T. A. Jones, S. Steward; J. L. Childs, J. Steward; G. W. Dunbar, Tile PAST MASTER --J. M. Day. MASTER MASONS --J. L. Childs, Wm. Coats, J. B. Chambler, J. M. Day, G. W. Dunbar, F. C. Gough, J. W. Hill, T. A. Jones, J. B. Lee, A. G. Lee, Berry Towles, W. F. Webb. Total, 12. ENTERED APPRENTICES --F. E. Hill, E. R. Johnson, T. F. Young. FELLOW CRAFT --Wm. Morrow. DIMITTED --John Giles, B. F. Sally, J. B. Casey. 1880 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Spring, Freestone county, on the third Saturday in each month, at 9 o'clock A. M. Postoffice, Fairfield. [pg. 163] OFFICERS --J. M. Day, W. M.; W. F. Webb, S. W.; T. Y. Logan, J. W.; A. G. Lee, Treasurer; F. C. Gough, Secretary; J. W. Hill, S. D.; Wm. Coats, J. D.; J. L. Childs, S. Steward; T. A. Jones, J. Steward; George W. Dunbar, Tiler. PAST MASTER --J. M. Day. MASTER MASONS--J. L. Childs, Wm. Coats, J. B. Chambler, J. M. Day, Geo. W. Dunbar, F. C. Gough, J. W. Hill, T. A. Jones, T. J. Logan, J. B. Lee, A. G. Lee, Berry Towles, W. F. Webb. Total, 13. ENTERED APPRENTICES --F. E. Hill, T. F. Young, E. R. Johnston. FELLOW CRAFT --Wm. Morrow. 1881 PINE BLUFF LODGE, NO. 85: Held at Rock Spring, Freestone county, on the third Saturday of each month at 2 o'clock P. M. Post office, Fairfield. [pg. 219] OFFICERS --W. F. Webb, W. M.; J. W. Hill, S. W.; T. Y. Logan, J. W.; G. W. Dunbar, Treasurer; A. G. Lee, Secretary. PAST MASTER --J. M. Day MASTER MASONS --Wm. Coats, J. B. Chambler, J. M Day, Geo. W. Dunbar, F. C. Gough, J. W. Hill, T. Y. Logan, J. B. Lee, A. G. Lee, Berry Towls, W. F. Webb. Total 11. ENTERED APPRENTICES -F. E. Hill, E. R. Johnston, T. F. Young. FELLOW CRAFTS --Wm. Morrow, J. T. Simpson. DIMITTED --J. L. Childs, T. A. Jones. 1881 Fraternity in his District. pg. 22] In his thorough and exhaustive report on the Lodges in his jurisdiction, I am able to perceive an improvement in tone and spirit as existing therein with some few exceptions; though in this District, in common with almost every other in the State, there is not that interest shown by the individual members that I could wish. Nor is there enough of that true spirit of Masonic charity which seeks out the widow and the fatherless, and other objects in our common Brotherhood upon whom to bestow benefits without waiting for them to turn up in our immediate neighborhood. Of Pine Bluff Lodge, No. 85, he recommends that its Charter be revoked; that it is in a moribund condition with only seven members; that the Secretary appropriated the Lodge funds and has been expelled, and charges have been preferred against another Brother, which will result in expulsion. The members of this Lodge live as near to Fairfield Lodge, No. 103, and to Butler Lodge No. 224a, as to their own. Of Spring Hill Lodge, No., 155, he says they will probably apply to change their location, and recommends that their request be granted. 1881 [pg. 143] The following resolution was presented, and was read and adopted: Resolved, That, in accordance with the recommendation of the D. D. G. M. of the Eighteenth Masonic District, The Charter of Pine Bluff Lodge, No. 85, be, and the same is hereby annulled. (Following are the records from the following year for both Butler Lodge and Fairfield Lodge.) 1882 BUTLER LODGE, NO. 224a: Held at Butler, Freestone county, on Saturday before the full moon in each month. Post office, Butler. [pg. 272 & cont'd pg 273] OFFICERS --Robt. Mayes, W. M.; W. H. Gill, S. W.; M. Michelson, J. W.; F. B. Looney, Treasurer; R. B. Gill, Secretary; J. R. Mobley, S. D.; N. W. Hammett, J. D.; R. J. Satterwhite, Tiler. PAST MASTERS --J. R. Mobly, T. P. White, C. Henry, Robt. Mayes. MASTER MASONS--Geo. W. Greene, Sam Gorman, R. B.Gill, W. H. Gill, J. M. Hammett, N. W. Hammett, James H. Jones, F. B. Looney, H. Manning, J. B. Mobley, Robt. Mayes, M. Michelson, Seaborne McQuirt. Sam Nesbitt, Geo. W. Powell, W. M. Stevens, R. J. Satterwhite, James Strickland, J. B. Streety, W. J. Trotter, Thos. P. White. Total, 21. ENTERED APPRENTICES --W. L. Edwards, W. D. Holley, R. P. Riley. DIMITTED--Q. V. Shockley, C. Henry, Geo. w. Gilbert. 1882 FAIRFIELD LODGE, NO. 103: Held at Fairfield, Freestone county, on the first Saturday night after the full moon in each month Post office, Fairfield. [pg. 229] OFFICERS --L. D. Lillard, W. M.; R. Harding, S. W.; L. Johnson , J. W.; L. G. Sandifer, Treasurer; J. J. DeBorde, Secretary; J. A. Sneed, S. D.; W. D. Pitman, J. D.;R. F. Hatter, S. Steward; H. S. Drumwright, J Steward; J. L Miller, Tiler. PAST MASTERS --L. D. Bradley, J. T. Kerr, O. C, Kirven, L. D. Lillard, James H. Moody, L. G. Sandifer. MASTER MASONS --Robt. Adams, J. C. Anderson, L. D. Bradley, J. L. Bonner, I. H. Bonner, W. G. Bain, Jas. G. Blain, T. G. Blackmon, J. J. Cullison, Ira G. Cobb, Wm. Cotton, H. J. Childs, J. J. DeBorde, W. C. W. Day, W R. T. Drumwright, H. S. Drumright, J. B. A. Folk, Chas. E. Grayson, H. J. Grann, John Giles, H. W. Granberry, F. R. Huchaby, Jas. S. Hinton, H. A. Hinton, Vincent Harrison, Richard Harding, Elisha Hobbs, Robt. F. Hatter, L. Johnson, W. P. Johnson, O. C. Kirven, P. E. Kirven, J T. Kerr, Alex. Lee, L. D. Lillard, Jas. T. Lott, Jas. H. Moody, W. H. McCreery, A. M. Miller, J. L. Miller, J. F. Manahan, W. P. Medaries, J. H. McIlveen, W. L. Noland, W. G. Noland, W. G Owens, Dan W. Owens, B. A. Philpott, W. D. Pitman, F. H. Pitman, I. N. Robertson, W. B. Robinson, S. B. Richardson, D. C. Rutherford, R. P. Riley, L. G. Sandifer, W. N. Sneed, J. A. Sneed, H. B. Stubbs, F. M. Stewart, F. W. Speed, P. D. Speed, Chas. O. Steen, W. T. Scott, L. B. Vernon, C. L. Watson, J. W. Waters, J. G. Wallace, J. B. Woolridge, T. F. Woolridge, J. D. Williams, D. T, Yates. Total 71. ENTERED APPRENTICES --G. J. Campbell, J. L. Lynch, H. B. Philpott, J. F. Shafer. FELLOW CRAFTS--James R. Anderson, Robt. Murray. DIMITTED --J. D. Miles, G. W. McDonald, C. C. Stubbs. DEATHS --James R. Seeley.