Georgia Masonic Lodge

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

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.”)

Georgia – Freemasonry was introduced into this state about 1730-1734.  In 1735, the Grand Lodge of England granted a Charter for a Lodge at Savannah.  In December 16th, 1786, the Grand Lodge was organized.

Grand Lodge – The body that has exclusive jurisdiction in a State or kingdom over the Subordinate Lodges, and all Masons within its bounds. It empowers subordinate bodies to practice all the rights of Masonry.  Originally the order was not governed by Grand Lodges, but the right existed inherently to act as individuals.  However, the ancient brethren met annually, to consult upon Masonry and select a Grand Master.  But as the order increased in power and numbers, it became necessary to establish Grand Lodges,  for the interest of the order.  The first charter granted was to St. Alban’s, for a General Assembly, and subsequently Prince Edwin obtained a charter to assemble all Masons at York.  It was thus the order obtained and has ever since recognized the necessity of a Grand Lodge.

Grand Lodges and their Jurisdiction – A Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over the territory of the State in which it is organized, and no other Grand Body can exercise any authority or charter Lodges therein.   It is governed by the ancient usages and landmarks of the order, and acknowledges no superior authority than these.

Jackson, James, Maj.-Gen. – Born in  Devonshire, England, 21st Sept. 1757, died at Washington, D. C., 15th March, 1806.  He came to America in 1772, and read law in Savannah, Ga.  In July, 1782, Gen. Wayne selected him to receive the keys of Savannah from the British upon their evacuation.  In 1778, he was appointed a brig.-general of Georgia militia, and was wounded in the engagement of Ogeechee.  He was at the siege of Savannah in Oct. 1779, and at the battle of Blackwater in 1780.  Gen. Andrew Pickens made him his brigade-major in 1781.  He participated in the siege of Augusta in June, 1781.  He filled an important post in the Southern revolutionary struggle.   In 1778, he was elected Governor of Georgia, but declined to serve.  He was one of the first representatives of Georgia in Congress after the organization of the Federal Government, and from 1792 to 1795, a member of U.S. Senate.  About this time he was made a major-general.  He assisted in framing the Constitution of Georgia, and from 1798 to 1801, was their Governor, when he was again chosen U. S. Senator.  In 1785, in King Solomon’s Lodge, at Savannah, which had commenced its work under an old oak-tree in 1733, and belonged to the Modern, we find his first Masonic Records.  In July, 1785, he proposed that they form themselves into the Ancients, which was done.   In 1786, when the Independent Grand Lodge was formed, he was elected Dep. G. Master, and the following year elected Grand master, which he held until 1789.

Statistics –
Number of Lodges in the various States, from 1816.  In 1816, many of the Grand Lodges were not formed, and hence no returns.

Georgia – 1816, No. of Lodges – 14; 1822, No. of Lodges – 20;  1859, No. of Lodges – 320;  1866, Members – 10,023 ( with returns from 162 out of 250 Lodges) and Initiated – 2,373.

United States Anti-Masonic Convention. –
This convention assembled at Philadelphia, 11th September, 1830.  It was the first formidable attempt of a national combination in opposition to Freemasonry.  There were 96 members, representing Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode Island, Ohio, New jersey, Michigan, Maryland, and Delaware.  At that time but few persons of eminence were among the delegates, but several of them, attaching themselves to other “issues,” and abandoning political anti-masonry, subsequently became known.  Among them were Francis Granger, Henry Dana Ward, Frederick Whittlesey, Wm. H. Seward, N. Y., and Pliny Merrick, Mass.  The cement that bound such minds to men like David Bernard, Moses Thatcher, Thaddeus Stevens, and Joseph Ritner, must have possessed powerful magnetism.  Francis Granger was made Prest., seconded by six Vice-Presidents.  A remarkable fact is, that no State west of Ohio or south of Maryland had a delegate.  Maine and New Hampshire refused the part assigned them, and sent no delegate.  Fourteen committees were appointed, and the questions relative to Masonic rituals, history, and jurisprudence were divided among them.  Mr. Seward was to report resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the Convention.  A proposition to inquire into the pecuniary circumstances of the widow and children of William Morgan was rejected, as “that was not the purpose for which they had assembled.”  Three gentlemen of North Carolina took their seats as honorary members.  The committee “on the effects of Masonic ties and obligations on commerce and revenue of the U.S.,” were discharged without a report.  In the report of the influence of Masonry upon the public press, it was reported that between 1826 and 1830 there had been 124 anti-masonic papers established, to wit:  Pennsylvania, 53; New York, 46; Connecticut, 2; Rhode Island, 1; Massachusetts, 5; Vermont, 4; New Jersey, 2; Ohio, 9; Indiana, 1; Michigan,1.  A number of these journals simply kept quiet to see what the mountain would bring forth, and when they found it to be a mouse, tacked about and retired from the sinking anti-masonic vessel.  The summing up of these profound deliberations were:  1.  That the expositions of Masonic secrets are true. 2. That Freemasonry originated early in the 18th century.  3. That its oath are not obligatory.  4.  That adhering  Masons are disqualified for public officers.  5. Masonry and its principles are inconsistent with the genius of American Institutions.  6. That Masonry should be extinguished at the ballot –box.  7. That  the public Press are evil.  The Convention adjourned to meet at Baltimore, Sept. 26th, 1831, to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President.  The Convention nominated Wm. Wirt and Amos Ellmaker for their standard-bearers.  These renowned champions went forth to battle, and brought as trophies from the field the electoral vote of Vermont.  But the dog was now dead; and the leading fanatical spirits discarded it, as it ever was a worthless hotchpotch of the villainies of broken-down political tricksters.

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.

LIST OF LODGES.

(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 1859, not 1868 the date of publication of the book)

GEORGIA

Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Georgia

  1. Solomon’s, Savannah
  2. Social, Augusta
  3. Stith, Sparta
  4.     
  5. Rising Sun
  6. Macon, Macon
  7. Golden Fleece, Covington
  8. Columbia, Columbia
  9. Orion, Bainbridge
  10. Mt. Hope, Hawkinsville
  11. Olive, Talbolton
  12. Franklin, Warrenton
  13. Cross, Lumpkin
  14. Americus, Americus
  15. Marion, Tazewell
  16. Zerubbabel, Savannah
  17. Hamilton, Hamilton
  18. Darley, Ft. Gaines
  19. Monroe, Forsythe
  20. Washington, Cuthbert
  21. Rising Sun, Reidsville
  22. Hiram, Florence
  23. Mt. Vernon, Athens
  24. Lafayette, Washington
  25. General Warren, Monroe.

Albany, Albany

  1. Philomathean, Elberton
  2. Meridian Sun, Griffin
  3. Morning Star, Thomaston
  4. Union, La Grange
  5. Madison, Madison
  6. Amity, Walkinsville
  7. Montgomery, Zebulon
  8. St. Patrick, Danville
  9. Keneson, Marietta
  10. San Marino, Greensboro’
  11. Houston, Perry
  12. Unity, Jefferson
  13. Fraternal, McDonough
  14. Blue Mountain, Dahlonega
  15. Newborn, Newborn
  16. Ebenezer, Ebenezer
  17. Pythagoras, Decolin
  18. Concord, Concord
  19. West Point, West Point
  20. Lafayette, Cumming
  21. St. John’s, Jackson
  22. Washington, Pondtown
  23. Oglethorpe, Columbus
  24. Jackson, Hickory Grove
  25. St. Thomas, Thomsonville
  26. Jasper, Monticello
  27. Hiram, Danbury
  28. St. Patrick, Louisville
  29. Mt. Moriah, Fayetteville
  30. Clinton, Savannah
  31. Knoxville, Knoxville
  32. Burns, Lamir
  33. Greeneville, Greeneville
  34. Hamilton, Soudersville
  35. Atlanta, Atlanta
  36. Coweta, Newnan
  37. Chatahootche, Franklin
  38. Randolph, Pumpkintown
  39. Georgetown, Georgetown
  40. Mt. Moriah, Woodstock
  41. Traveler’s Rest, Traveler’s Rest
  42. Coosa, Rome
  43. Dawson, Crawfordville
  44. Dawson, Social Circle
  45. Carroll, Carrollton
  46. Erin, Erin
  47. Oxford, Oxford
  48. Villa Rica, Villa Rica
  49. Aleova, Newton Factory
  50. Unity, Palmetto
  51. Laurens, Dublin
  52. Campbellton, Campbellton
  53. Canton, Canton
  54. Lincoln, Lincolnton
  55. Tien, Buena Vista
  56. Weston, Weston x Roads
  57. Oak Bowery, Ellijay
  58. W. P. Arnold, Wrightsboro’
  59. Zaradotha, Lexington
  60. Lithoma, Lithoma
  61. Daniel, Island Creek
  62. Magnolia, Blakely
  63. Jonesboro’, Jonesboro’
  64. Pinta, Barnesville
  65. Eldorado, Plattsburg
  66. Ringold, Colbert’s Mills
  67. Western, La Fayette
  68. Carten, Pleasant Hill
  69. St. Mark’s, Gold Hill
  70. New River, Corinth
  71. Eureka, Starkville
  72. Liberty Union, Taylor’s Creek
  73. Euharlee, Van Wert
  74. Houston, Houston
  75. Siloam, Snapping Shoals
  76. St. John, Raysville
  77. Cartersville, Cartersville
  78. Rose, Whitesville
  79. Pleasant Ridge, Pleasant Ridge
  80. Montpelier, Montpelier
  81. Dalton, Dalton
  82. Quitman, Ringgold
  83. Thurmond, Hillsboro’
  84. Chapel, Lumpkin
  85. Summerville, Summerville
  86. Ft. Valley, Ft. Valley
  87. Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain
  88. Walton, Shady Dale
  89. Tallapoosa, Buchanan
  90. Allegheny, Blairsville
  91. Troup Factory, Troup Factory
  92. Wornam, Clinton
  93. Farmer’s, Vienna
  94. Kinbrough, Columbus
  95. McIntosh, Indian Springs
  96. Mackey, Cove Spring
  97. Caedonia, Cedartown
  98. Williamsville, Williamsville
  99. Baker, White Plains
  100. Furlon, Bobtsville
  101. Jabon Burr, Mountville
  102. St. Mary’s, St. Mary’s
  103. Ancient York, Sandy Ridge
  104. Union, Quito
  105. Fickling, Butler
  106. Salem, Cudoden
  107. Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville
  108. Long Cone, Long Cone
  109. Mt. Hickory, Easterling
  110.      
  111. Fergus, Buncombe
  112. Cassville, Cassville
  113. Malloryville, Malloryville
  114. Howard, Maxey’s Depot
  115. King David, King’s Chapel
  116. Claremont, Liberty Hill
  117. Charity, Petersburgh
  118. Haralson, Haralson
  119. South Western, Oglethorpe
  120. Ellerslie, Ellerslie
  121. Cohultah, Spring Place
  122. Kirlin, Mulberry Grove
  123. Sulphur Springs, White Sulphur Springs
  124. Phi Delta, Phi Delta
  125. Woodbury, Woodbury
  126. Carmel, Irwington
  127. Wellington, Wellington
  128. Sharon Grove, White Water
  129. Springville, Powder Springs
  130. Otheologa, Calhoun
  131. Chandler, Jamestown
  132. Harmony, McLendon’s Store
  133. Oakland, Ferris Bridge
  134. Irving, Chickasawahatchee
  135. Bowenville, Bowenville
  136. Harmony, Appling
  137. Tallulah, Clarksville
  138. Joppa, Pt. Peter
  139. Star in the East, Millhaven
  140. Triggs, Marion
  141. Rosswell, Rosswell
  142. Webbs’, Augusta
  143. Floyd Springs
  144. Adairsville, Adairsville
  145. Mt. Ebal, Fayettsville
  146. Emory, St. Cloud
  147. Philadelphus, Penfield
  148. Ocopilco, Ocopilco
  149. Patrick Henry, Drayton
  150. Holt, Quebec
  151. Zabud, New-market
  152. Acworth, Acworth
  153. Pine Grove, Pine Grove
  154.     
  155. Trenton, Trenton
  156. Fairburn, Fairburn
  157. Milford, Milford
  158. Dallas, Dallas
  159. High Falls, Cross Ridge
  160. St. John Baptist, Troupville
  161. Cool Spring, Cool Springs
  162. Carnersville, Carnersville
  163. Centre, Union
  164. Marshal, Preston
  165. Herman, Hartwell
  166. Baker, Newton
  167. Rockwell, Mulberry
  168. Rehoboth, Nockway
  169. Coffee, Jacksonville
  170. Worth, Isabella
  171. Holmesville, Holmesville
  172. Trader’s Hill, Trader’s Hill
  173. Wells, Calaparchee
  174. Milwood, Milwood
  175. Lumber City, Lumber City
  176. Eastern Light, Copeland
  177. Ococee, Morganton
  178. Tunnel Hill, Tunnel Hill
  179. Ashler, Concord
  180. Miller, Thomson
  181. Hickory Flat, Hickory Flat
  182. Bowden, Bowden
  183. Armonia, Duncansville
  184. Hudson, Glades x Road
  185. Alopaha, Troublesome
  186. Brookline, Brookline
  187. Butler, Alopaha
  188. Irwin, Irwinville
  189. Ogechee, Ogechee
  190. Ocean, Brunswick
  191. Goulding, Dublin
  192. Fulton, Atlanta
  193. Waresborough, Waresborough
  194. Halt, Colginth
  195. Gainesville, Gainesville
  196. Picken’s Star, Jasper
  197. Sonora, Sonora
  198. Etowah, Dawsonville
  199. Smith, Red Hill
  200. Magnolia, Magnolia
  201. Attapulgus, Attapulgus
  202. Ft. Early, Warwick
  203. Altamaha, Johnson
  204. Yellow River, Gwinnett
  205. Schley, Dawson
  206. Mineral Spring, Plains of Dura

 LIST OF GRAND CHAPTERS

GEORGIA

Organized Feb 23d. 1821, Louisville and Augusta represented;

Subsequently approval and vote of officers forwarded by Chapters at Lexington, Eastonton and Milledgeville – files in my possession imperfect.

Grand High Priests –

1822, Gov. William Schley, Louisville (died Nov. 20th, 1858)

1848, Wm. T. Gould, Augusta

1854-9, Philip T. Schley, Savannah

Grand Secretaries –

1823, Daniel Hook, Louisville

1848, W. H. Kitchen, Augusta

1854 to 1860, Benjamin B. Russell, Augusta

Subordinates –

No. 1 – Athens

       2 - Augusta

       3 - Savannah

       4 – Macon

       5 – Forsyth

       6 – Milledgeville

       7 -  Columbus

       8 -  Talbolton

       9 – Washington

     10 – Griffin

     11 – LaGrange

     12 – Ft. Gaines

     13 – Marietta

    14 – Newbern

    15 – Albany

    16 – Atlanta

    17 – Lumpkin

    18 – Fort Valley

    20 – Eatonton

    21 – Warrenton

    22 – Carrollton

    23 -  Ellaville

    24 – Dalton

    25 – Elberton

    26 – Rome

    27 – Greensboro

    28 – McDonough

    30 – Hamilton

    31 – Cuthbert

    32 – Lithonia

    33 – Sandersville

    34 – Newnan

    35 – Zebulon; Cartersville

    37 – Fayetteville

    38 – Franklin

    39 – Lawrenceville

    40 – Monroe

    41 – Cedar Town

    42 – Americus

    43 – Covington

    44 – Thomasville

    45 – Blakely

 SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS

Organized under Authority of the Grand Encampment of the U.S., or recognized by it, since its formation, on first day of June 1816.

GEORGIA

Georgia, at Augusta, May 5th, 1823

St. Omer at Macon, 26th July, and September, 1848.

St. Aldemar, at Columbus, December, 1857; Jan. 24th, 1860.

Comy. Coeur de Lion, at Atlanta, May 14th, 1859; September 17th, 1859.

Grand Encampment formed, April 25th, 1860.

A big thanks goes out to Linda Blum-Barton for submitting this information!

Last updated Monday, October 10, 2005

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