Finding Aid of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, 1806 - 1987, ORG.57
Abstract
The Grand Lodge of [North] Carolina of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons (of A. F. and A. M.) was formed in 1787. Subsequently, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee was founded by eight Lodges working under charters from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina on December 27, 1813. By the latter part of the 1990s, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina of A. F. and A. M. had more than 60,000 members in 385 lodges. Its headquarters are in Raleigh.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons Papers
- Call Number
- ORG.57
- Creator
- Freemasons. Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
- Date
- 1804-1987
- Extent
- 4.00 boxes
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Org.57, Grand Lodge of North Carolina, Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
Included in the records of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons are Grand Lodge proceedings from 1804 to 1840; treasurer's records of the same from 1891-1924; material documenting events over a period of time, including on Annual Communication of 1902; Executive Office Dedication of 1958; and material from the Bincentennial Celebration of 1987. There are various, non-consecutive records from individual lodges, including an 1838 constitution and 1848 proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons; the Hiarm Lodge, Raleigh, the record book (minutes of 1905-1911) of Stone Square Lodge, No. 10, Warrenton. There is miscellaneous material relevant to North Carolina laws and legislative committee activity, including a report relating to "Erection of Suitable Buildings for the Deaf and Dumb, and Blind" (1847); an almanac of 1848; and an ode.
Arrangement Note
This collection is organized into 3 series: Administrative and Miscellaneous Records of Grand Lodge, Certificate of Commission of Hiram Lodge, Raleigh, December 15, 1800, and Record Book of Stone Square Lodge, Warrenton, 1905-1911.
Arrangement is chronological within the first series.
Finding Aid prepared by: James O. Sorrell in August 1988.
Revised by: Fran Tracy-Walls in December 2002.
Historical Note
Freemasonry had its documented origins in Europe during the Middle Ages and traces its history there over a span of almost eight centuries. Freemasonry in the United States had its beginnings in colonial times, with the lodges of that period usually receiving their charters from the grand lodges of England or Scotland. Following the American Revolution, the lodges in each state received new charters from their respective grand lodges. From that base, Freemasonry gradually spread across the country as new states were added to the original thirteen.
The entry for North Carolina in the , indicates that in 1735 some Masons gathered at Cape Fear (now known as Wilmington) to form a lodge. This early colonial lodge is believed to be the forerunner of North Carolina's lodge that received a warrant in 1754 from the Premier Grand Lodge; it was later named St. John's Lodge. Chartered by the Grand Lodge of England, St. John's is thought to be the oldest masonic lodge in continuous operation in North Carolina.
The Grand Lodge of [North] Carolina of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons (of A. F. and A. M.) was formed in 1787. Subsequently, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee was founded by eight Lodges working under charters from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina on December 27, 1813. By the latter part of the 1990s, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina of A. F. and A. M. had more than 60,000 members in 385 lodges. Its headquarters are in Raleigh.
Now as in medieval times, each individual lodge is presided over by a master, assisted by a senior and a junior warden. The master of a Masonic lodge is vested with a higher degree of authority than usually given the presiding officer of other organizations. There are several lodge officers below the ranks of master and wardens; in most instances a Mason progresses through this line of officers until eventually becoming master. In some lodges all officers are elected; in others only the high officers are elected, with the master appointing the lesser officers.
To insure unity and conformity among the individual lodges, there is a grand lodge in each state of the United States and one in the District of Columbia. The organizational structure of a grand lodge is basically the same as that of a lodge, with its officers usually being called grand master, grand warden, etc. The business of a grand lodge is transacted during annual meetings, delegates from the member lodges usually constituting a majority of those entitled to vote therein. The grand lodge exercises complete authority over each of its member lodges, the lodges, through their delegates, have some say about who will govern them, and by what means.
Overall, freemasonry is concerned with the welfare of its members, financially, politically, and physically. The stated mission of freemasonry in North Carolina is A belief in God is required, but otherwise it is not a religious organization. Today such service is expressed by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina of A. F. and A. M. in a variety of charitable activities, including sponsorship of the Oxford Home for Children at Oxford and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home at Greensboro.
Contents of the Collection
1. Administrative and Miscellaneous Records of Grand Lodge,, n.d., 1804-1987
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At the beginning of this series, both North Carolina and Tennessee were still under one masonic jurisdiction, called the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee. This union continued for several years, until 1813, when a charter for a new Grand Lodge was issued to Tennessee. As the 19th century progressed, more lodges than ever before received charters. Although, some lodges became extinct or forfeited their charters, the masonic movement in North Carolina strengthed, well into the 20th century. In 1958, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina dedicated a new headquarters and administrative building located in Raleigh at 2921 Glenwood Avenue. In 1987 the organization celebrated two hundredth anniversary, or its bicentennial.
2. Certificate of Commission of Hiram Lodge, Raleigh, Wake County,1800
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According to current records of the state organization, Hiram Lodge was originally chartered December 16, 1799, and was a half owner in the first Grand Lodge building. It absorbed some members who had belonged previously to Democratic Lodge, dissolved in 1799. The Hiram Lodge remains active.
Born in Mecklenburg County, William Polk was one of the heroes of the American Revolution,serving under Thomas Sumter as a lieutenant colonel. After the war, Polk was one of the leaders in the organization of the Society of Cincinnati at Hillsborough in 1783. He was a trustee of the University of North Carolina from 1790 until his death in 1834?. Polk moved to Raleigh around 1799. During that time, Polk was elected grand master of the state Masonic order. He served from December 1799 to December 1802. In 1811, Polk became the first president of the State Bank, holding that post for eight years. During his later years, Polk was honored as Raleigh's most illustrious citizen, and invited to speak at numerous public meetings.
3. Record Book of Stone Square Lodge No. 10, Warrenton, North Carolina,1905-1911
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A lodge of this name and location appears on a current (2003) list of lodges affiliated with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdictions, Inc. This listing appears on the website of the organization at www.mwphglnc.com/lodges.htm. The same name does not appear on the This table is presented on the website of the that organization, at www.grandlodge-nc.org.
Prince Hall is recognized as the father of African American masonry. Black Freemasonry is said to have begun in 1775 when Hall and about fourteen other free black men were initiated into a a lodge in Boston, attached to the British Army garrisoned there. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina was formally organized on March 1, 1870. From that time to the present, a number of new lodges have been organized under the jurisdiction of the state Prince Hall Grand Lodge.
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift, Portions of collection are a gift of John Huske Anderson, 1935; and B.G. Thomas, 1961. Dedication program of Executive Office Building received as gift from Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Raleigh, March 29, 1963. Notices of expulsion addressed to Sharon Lodge received April 8, 1964. Bicentennial Celebration banquet ticket, newspaper, and program received August 24, 1988. Record Book of Stone Square Lodge received August 30, 1968. Treasurer's Records were formerly in N.C. Treasurer's Papers.