By E. W. Timberlake Jr.

The subject of this paper has been selected with a view to presenting to the Craft a brief sketch of the beginning and development of Freemasonry in North Carolina. The history of the Order, especially in our own Grand Jurisdiction, should be, and no doubt is, a matter of interest to every Mason in the State, and therefore forms a proper and important part of the work of a lodge of research, and deserves a prominent place in programs of Masonic education. While the glory of Masonry lies not in its antiquity alone, yet we may justly point with pride to its immemorial existence and to its past accomplishments, and rightly keep them before us as an inspiration for the future.

The beginning of Freemasonry in North Carolina, as in many other Grand Jurisdictions, is hazed in uncertainty. Some of the early records are incomplete, some doubtless lost, and in some cases it is probable that no records were kept at all. Unfortunately, therefore, we are without a complete record of what took place among our early brethren in this State.

Some light is thrown on the subject, however, in a statement made by Francois Xavier Martin, the well known historian and jurist, in a discourse delivered by him before St. John's Lodge, now No. 3, of New Bern, on the occasion of the Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24th, 1789. In this discourse, he said:

"Masons crossed the Atlantic with the first settlers of the British colonies in America; and, soon after, the Grand Master of England appointed Provincial Grand Masters and constituted regular lodges in the new world.

The Carolinas, whose settlement is of a later date, had no provincial Grand Master until 5736 (A. D. 1736), when the Earl of Loudoun appointed John Hammerton, Esq., to that dignity. From him a regular succession can be traced to Joseph Montfort, Esq., who was appointed by the Duke of Beaufort."

The above quoted statement is taken from the Ahiman Rezon and Masonic Ritual, published in New Bern, in 1805, by John C. Sims and Edward G. Moss by order of the joint Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee. It seems clear from this statement that there were Masons in the Carolinas as early as 1736, and probably prior to that date.

John Hammerton, above mentioned as the first Provincial Grand Master of the Carolinas, was a South Carolinian. There is no record of any charters for lodges in North Carolina, granted by him or by his successors in South Carolina, among whom were James Groeme, who served from 1737 to December 27, 1740, and John Haughton, who served from December 27, 1740, to December 27, 1741. On the last mentioned date John Hammerton again became Grand Master, this time by being elected to that office by the Grand Lodge of the Province of South Carolina, and served in 1741 and 1742. He was succeeded by Benjamin Smith, an uncle of Governor Benjamin Smith, of North Carolina, and who was Grand Master of North Carolina from 1808 to 1811.

The oldest subordinate lodge now in existence in North Carolina is St. John's Lodge No. 1, of Wilmington, it having received its charter from the Grand Lodge of England in 1755, with the number 213, which number was, however, changed several times.

The second oldest lodge in the State is Royal White Hart No. 2, of Halifax. Royal White Hart Lodge was instituted, on November 1, 1764, "By Virtue of a Letter of Authority obtained from Cornelius Harnett, Grand Master of the Lodge in Wilmington." Whether Harnett held Grand Lodge authority at that time, though he afterwards did, or whether he granted this "Letter" under a misapprehension as to his powers and prerogatives, is a matter of uncertainty. However that may be, Royal White Hart Lodge later obtained a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, under date of August 21, 1767, with the number 403. This number, as in the case of St. John's Lodge, at Wilmington, was several times changed.

Among the earlier lodges established in North Carolina, was a lodge called "The First Lodge in Pitt County." The records of the Provincial Grand Lodge, at Boston, show that this lodge was in existence as early as 1766. Thos. Cooper was Master of this lodge, and was later appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master by Grand Master Henry Price, of Boston, by a commission bearing the date of December 30, 1767. From all that is known, however, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Cooper chartered no lodges under the authority of the commission issued to him by Grand Master Price. "The First Lodge in Pitt County" became extinct some time prior to the War of the Revolution.

On January 14, 1771, the most notable event in the development of Freemasonry in North Carolina, prior to the Revolution, took place. That event was the appointment by the Duke of Beaufort, Grand Master of England, of Joseph Montfort, Master of Royal White Hart Lodge, at Halifax, as Provincial Grand Master for America. Joseph Montfort was vested with higher and more extensive authority than had ever been granted to any Provincial Grand Master up to that time, and had the distinction of being the first and only Provincial Grand Master of and for America. The original of his commission is preserved by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and is deposited in the Hall of History, at Raleigh. This commission is of such interest and importance that it is here quoted in full:

"(SEAL.) BEAUFORT, G. M.

"To All and Every our Right Worshipful, Worshipful and Loving Brethren. We, Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, Marquis and Earl of Worchester, Earl of Glamorgan, Viscount Grosmont, Baron Herbert, Lord of Ragland Chepstow and Gower, Baron Beaufort of Caldecot Castle, Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, Greeting:

"Know Ye that we, of the Great Trust and Confidence reposed in our Right Worshipful and well beloved Brother, Joseph Montfort, Esquire, of Halifax, in the Province of North Carolina, in America, Do hereby Constitute and Appoint him, the said Joseph Montfort, Provincial Grand Master of and for America, with full power and Authority in due form to make Masons and Constitute and Regulate Lodges, as Occasion may Require. And also to Do and Execute all and every such other Acts and things appertaining to said Office as usually have been and ought to be done and executed by other Provincial Grand Masters; he the said Joseph Montfort taking special care that all and every the Members of every Lodge he shall Constitute have been Regularly made Masons and that they do observe, perform, and keep all and every the Rules, Orders, and Regulations contained in the Book of Constitutions (Except such as have been or may be repealed at any Quarterly Communication or other General Meeting), together also with all such other Rules, Orders, Regulations, and Instructions as shall from time to time be transmitted by Us, or by the Honourable Charles Dillon, our Deputy, or by any of our Successors, Grand Masters or their Deputys for the time being. And we hereby Will and Require you our said Provincial Grand Master to cause four Quarterly Communications to be held Yearly, one whereof to be upon or as near the feast Day of St. John the Baptist as conveniently may be, and that you promote on those and all other occasions whatever may be for the honour and advantage of Masonry and the Benefit of the Grand Charity, and that you yearly, send to us or our successors, Grand Masters, an Account in writing of the proceedings therein and also of what Lodges you Constitute and when and where held, with a list of the members thereof, and copies of all such Rules, Orders, and Regulations as shall be made for the good Government of the same, with whatever else you shall do by Virtue of these Presents. And that you at the same time remit to the Treasurer of the Society for the time being at London, Three Pounds, Three Shilling sterling for every Lodge you shall constitute, for the use of the Grand Charity and other necessary purposes.

"Given at London under our hand and seal of Masonry this 14th day of January, A. L. 5771, A. D. 1771.

"By the Grand Master's Command:

"Witness. "CHAS. DILLON, D. G. M.

"JAS. HESELTINE, G. S."

Referring to the appointment of Joseph Montfort, Brother Marshall DeLancey Haywood, Historian of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, in his "Historical Synopsis" of the Grand Lodge, says:

"The appointment of Joseph Montfort as Provincial Grand Master was most fortunate. The old minute books in the lodges at New Bern and at Edenton as well as in his home town of Halifax, show that he paid frequent visits to them. What is more important still, he chartered a number of new lodges, as we shall show later on. He also appointed a full complement of Grand Lodge officers to aid him in carrying on his work."

Thus, as will be readily observed, the appointment of Joseph Montfort marked the beginning of an important era in Masonry in North Carolina, and the Order, under his administration, went forward in a manner that it had not hitherto done. After a distinguished and useful career, both as statesman and Mason, Joseph Montfort died on March 25, 1776. He was buried in the town of Halifax, NC, where his body now rests in peaceful and loving remembrance. [He is buried on the grounds of Royal White Hart 2.]

James Milner, a distinguished lawyer of that period, was appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master under Provincial Grand Master Montfort, but served only a short time, dying on December 9, 1772.

Milner's successor, as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for America, was Cornelius Harnett, Master of St. John's Lodge No. 1, of Wilmington. Harnett was an outstanding figure, and one of the foremost statesmen of his time. He held a number of high positions prior to the War of the Revolution, and was a leading spirit in the deliberations of the patriots during the War, being finally elected President of the Council of the entire Province of North Carolina. He was captured by the British while suffering from a serious illness, and was imprisoned in a stockade in Wilmington, in which he died in the spring of 1781.

The Provincial Grand Secretary of America, under Provincial Grand Master Montfort, was William Brimage. He also was a man of prominence during that period, being judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty for the Port of Roanoke, at Edenton, though it seems that his residence was in Bertie County. At the beginning of the War of the Revolution, Judge Brimage espoused the cause of the King, and soon thereafter went to the Island of Bermuda, and later to England.

At this point, mention may be made of the lodges that were in existence in North Carolina prior to the War of the Revolution. Brother Haywood gives the following summary of these lodges:

"Solomon's Lodge, near the present town of Wilmington, is said to have been chartered by Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master of England in 1735 (see History of Freemasonry and Concordant Orders); but the North Carolina records show nothing concerning this lodge.

"St. John's Lodge, in Wilmington, chartered in 1755 by the Grand Lodge of England, and still in existence, now being No. 1 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

"Hanover Lodge, near Wilmington, is said to have been first chartered as an army lodge while the North Carolina troops were in the northern colonies during the French and Indian War. There is no documentary proof of the existence of this lodge.

"Royal White Hart Lodge, in the town of Halifax, first began work on November 1, 1764, 'by virtue of a letter of authority from Cornelius Harnett, Grand Master of the lodge in Wilmington', to quote the language of the old manuscript still preserved at Halifax. A new charter, under date of August 21, 1767, was issued to this lodge by Grand Master the Duke of Beaufort, and this charter is still preserved in the archives of Royal White Hart Lodge, which is now No. 2 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

"The First Lodge in Pitt County, as it was called, was chartered by the Grand Lodge at Boston as early as 1766 (when we find mention of it on the records at Boston), but this lodge passed out of existence before the Revolution.

"St. John's Lodge, in New Bern, has its original records showing that it was chartered by Provincial Grand Master Montfort on January 10, 1772. This Lodge is now No. 3 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

"St. John's Lodge, in Kinston, was doubtless chartered by Provincial Grand Master Montfort, though its original records have been lost. It is now No. 4 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

"Royal Edwin Lodge, in Windsor, was probably another lodge chartered by Provincial Grand Master Montfort, though its original records are lost. Immediately after the Revolution, No. 5 was assigned to it, and this number has since been given to Charity Lodge, in the same town.

"Royal William Lodge, in Hertford County, presumably chartered by Provincial Grand Master Montfort, surrendered its charter in November, 1799, and none of its records are known to exist.

"Unanimity Lodge, in Edenton, has its original records, which show that it was chartered by Provincial Grand Master Montfort, the first meeting (under dispensation) having been held on November 8, 1775. It is now No. 7 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

"Blandford or Blandford-Bute Lodge, in Bute County (which county was afterwards divided into Warren and Franklin counties), was a lodge of the Colonial period. (This lodge appears to have been in existence as early as 1765, but the records are not clear as to the source of its original warrant. It was granted a charter, under the name of Johnston-Caswell Lodge, by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in December 1788).

"Dornoch Lodge, in Warren County (formerly Bute County) sent delegates to the convention which organized the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, after the Revolution. The convention held that this lodge was not legally constituted, though its delegates (being lawfully made Masons), should be given seats on the floor."

At the close of the Revolution, Masonry in North Carolina found itself in a rather peculiar situation. That situation was that none of the Masonic officials who had held Grand Lodge authority during the Colonial period were living in the State. There was, therefore, no higher authority in the State than the subordinate lodges. Several of these had preserved their existence during the war, and several others which had become dormant during hostilities were revived after peace was declared. In this condition of things it was obviously necessary that an independent Grand Lodge be established in North Carolina.

The first definite step toward the organization of such a Grand Lodge was a circular letter sent to the various lodges in the State by Union Lodge of Fayetteville. This lodge was then working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, but was later, on November 18, 1789, chartered as Phoenix Lodge by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, with the understanding that its Scotch dispensation be surrendered. It is now Phoenix Lodge No. 8, on the roll of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

The proposal, contained in the above mentioned letter of Union Lodge, was that a convention be held in Fayetteville, on June 24, 1787, to take under consideration the matter of declaring the independence of the lodges in North Carolina, and to appoint a State Grand Master and other Grand officers. There were not a sufficient number of delegates present, however, and the convention adjourned to meet in Tarboro, on the 9th day of December of the same year. The convention accordingly met, on said date, in the town of Tarboro, where a Masonic declaration of independence took place, and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina organized. John Mare, of Unanimity Lodge in Edenton, was President of the Convention, and Benjamin Manchester, of St. John's Lodge, New Bern, acted as Secretary. On December 11 the officers of the new Grand Lodge were elected as follows: Samuel Johnston (afterwards Governor), Grand Master; Richard Caswell (then Governor), Deputy Grand Master; Richard Ellis, Senior Grand Warden; Michael Payne, Junior Grand Warden; Abner Neale, Grand Treasurer; and James Glasgow, Grand Secretary.

Francois Xavier Martin the historian, strikingly describes the organization of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, in the Ahiman Rezon, as follows:

"The Great Architect of the Universe having permitted a dissolution of the political bands which united North Carolina to Great Britain, propriety seemed to point out that the lodges of this State should not remain longer under any allegiance to or dependence on the Grand Lodge or Grand Master of that Kingdom. In 5786 the Union Lodge, of Fayetteville, being advised thereto by a number of visiting brothers from the different parts of the State, proposed that a convention of all the regularly constituted lodges of North Carolina should be held at Fayetteville, on the 24th of June, 5787 (AD 1787), to take under consideration the propriety of declaring by a solemn act the independence of the lodges of North Carolina, and to appoint a State Grand Master and other Grand officers. The great distance to and small intercourse between the different parts of this extensive State having prevented a sufficient number of delegates from attending, the convention adjourned to the town of Tarborough, on the 9th of December following, when the (Masonic) declaration of independence took place, and a form of government was adopted. The Most Worshipful Samuel Johnston having been appointed Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful Richard Caswell (then Governor of this State), Deputy Grand Master, the first Grand Lodge was held on the following day."

The lodges represented and taking part in the organization of the Grand Lodge were as follows:

Unanimity Lodge, of Edenton.

St. John's Lodge No. 2 (now No. 3) of New Bern.

Royal Edwin Lodge No. 4, of Windsor.

Royal White Hart Lodge (English No. 403, now No. 2 in N. C.), of Halifax.

Royal William Lodge No. 8, of Winton.

Union Lodge, (now Phoenix Lodge), of Fayetteville.

Blandford or Blandford-Bute Lodge, of Warren (formerly Bute) County.

St. John's Lodge No. 3 (now No. 4), of Kinston.

Dornoch Lodge No. 5, of Warren County had representatives present, but this lodge, as above mentioned, was held not to have been legally constituted, though its representatives, having been lawfully made Masons, were invited to seats in the convention.

Old Cone Lodge, in Salisbury, according to the early records of the Grand Lodge, had a representative present, but this seems to have been an erroneous entry, as later records show that Old Cone Lodge was granted a warrant of authority by action of the Grand Lodge on November 20, 1788.

The formation of the Grand Lodge, on December 9, 1787, was, of course, the great outstanding event in the early rise of Masonry in North Carolina. With its organization, Masonry had become a permanent reality and a living force.

In 1791, there were eighteen lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge, and seniority among them was a matter of considerable uncertainty. By action of the Grand Lodge in that year the question of seniority and precedence was settled as follows:

No. 1, St. John's Lodge, of Wilmington.

No. 2, Royal White Hart Lodge, of Halifax.

No. 3, St. John's Lodge, of New Bern.

No. 4, St. John's Lodge, of Kinston.

No. 5, Royal Edwin Lodge, now Charity Lodge, of Windsor.

No. 6, Royal William Lodge, of Winton (now extinct) .

No. 7, Unanimity Lodge, of Edenton.

No. 8, Phoenix Lodge, formerly Union Lodge, of Fayetteville.

No. 9, Old Cone Lodge, of Salisbury (now extinct).

No. 10, Johnston-Caswell Lodge, formerly Blandford-Bute Lodge, of Warrenton.

No. 11, Caswell Brotherhood Lodge, of Caswell County (now extinct).

No. 12, Independence Lodge, of Chatham County (now extinct).

No. 13, St. John's Lodge, of Duplin County (now extinct).

No. 14, Rutherford Fellowship Lodge, of Rutherford County (now extinct).

No. 15, Washington Lodge, of Beaufort County (now extinct).

No. 16, Tammany Lodge, of Martin County (now extinct).

No. 17, American George Lodge, of Hertford County.

No. 18, King Solomon's Lodge, of Jones County (now extinct).

In November, 1797, the Grand Lodge was legally incorporated by Act of the Legislature, Chapter 10 of the Laws of that year, with all the rights, powers and privileges of bodies corporate under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

The next event of importance that took place in the early development of Masonry in North Carolina was the organization of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. When North Carolina ceded its domain west of the mountains to the United States Government for the purpose of forming the State of Tennessee, and when lodges had begun to be organized in that region, both States were under one Masonic Jurisdiction, known as the "Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee." This condition of affairs continued for several years. On December 2, 1811, a convention of the lodges in Tennessee assembled in Knoxville, and drew up a petition (with appropriate expressions of fraternal love and friendship), requesting that the establishment of a separate Grand Lodge for that State be authorized. At the next communication of the Grand Lodge, the petition was granted, and the Grand Master was authorized to take suitable steps for carrying this action into effect. Accordingly, on September 30, 1813, the charter for the new Grand Lodge was transmitted to Tennessee. As this is the only charter, establishing a Grand Lodge, ever issued in America, and is of special interest for that reason, it is here quoted in full:

SIT LUX ET FUIT

"To all and every of our Right Worshipful, Worshipful, and well beloved Brethren, Greeting:

"Know Ye, That the Most Worshipful Robert Williams, Esq., General, etc., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee of Ancient York Masons, has ordained and directed as follows, viz:

"I, Robert Williams, Grand Master of Masons, by the powers and authorities vested in me as such by the Ancient Landmarks of our Order, and by and with the advice and consent of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee for this purpose had and obtained, Do hereby Declare and Ordain that the following Lodges within the State of Tennessee, viz Tennessee Lodge No. 41, in the town of Knoxville; Greenville Lodge No. 43, in the town of Greenville; Newport Lodge No. 50, in the town of Newport; Overton Lodge No. 51, in the town Rogersville; King Solomon Lodge No. 52, in the town of Gallatin; Hiram Lodge No. 55, in the town of Franklin, Cumberland Lodge No. 60, in the town of Nashville; Western Star Lodge No. 61, in Port Royal, Be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered either by themselves or by their Representatives, chosen for that purpose, to constitute a Grand Lodge for the State of Tennessee. And I do, as Grand Master of Masons, by and with the advice and consent of our Grand Lodge aforesaid, renounce and release unto the said Lodges all jurisdiction over them; and I do hereby transfer and make over to said Lodges all the powers and authorities which our Grand Lodge had, by ancient usage, a right to exercise over them or either of them, upon the following terms and conditions, to wit: That the said Lodges, or a majority of them, shall within twelve months after the reception of this authority by them, either by themselves or by their Representatives duly appointed by them for that purpose, meet in Convention, and then and there make such rules, regulations or laws for the government of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee as they may think proper; that the said Grand Lodge, when thus constituted, shall once in each year and every year elect a brother of our Order as Grand Master of said Grand Lodge; that they also shall elect a Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden, Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer; that the Grand Master so elected and installed, under his own sign manual shall appoint a Deputy Grand Master, Grand Senior Deacon, Grand Junior Deacon, Grand Chaplain, Grand Pursuivant, Grand Marshal, Grand Sword Bearer, and one or more Grand Tylers, also such members as Stewards and other inferior officers as he may from time to time think proper to make.

"It is further Ordered and Ordained that the Grand Lodge of Tennessee thus constituted, shall be vested with all powers and authorities which any other Grand Lodge, known among our Craft, has a right to use and exercise and that they may make and constitute new Lodges at their discretion within their jurisdiction, and the Charters of each and every Lodge, as well as those by them to be made and those recited in this instrument, to arrest and dissolve upon such terms as the said Grand Lodge of Tennessee may think proper to prescribe.

"And it is further Ordered and Ordained that the said Grand Lodge of Tennessee take special care that the Ancient Landmarks of our most ancient and honourable Institution shall be in every instance whatever solemnly kept and preserved.

"In testimony wherof I do hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of Masonry to be affixed, at Raleigh, this 30th day of September, AL 5813, AD 1813.

"(SEAL) "ROBT. WILLIAMS.

"TEST:

"A. Lucus, Grand Secretary."

The first Grand Master of Masons in Tennessee was Honorable Thomas Claiborne, later a representative from that State in the Congress of the United States, in the session 1817-1819. Other officers were duly elected and installed, and the Grand Lodge of Tennessee began work on St. John the Evangelist's Day, December 27, 1813.

Some time during the early part of the nineteenth century, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina began to consider the advisability of erecting a building in which to hold its regular communications. Accordingly, on St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24, 1813, the corner stone of a building was laid, this building being located at the corner of Dawson and Morgan streets in the city of Raleigh. After the close of the War between the States, a movement was begun for the raising of funds to erect a new Temple at the corner of Fayetteville and Davie streets, in Raleigh, but this movement failed, and the Grand Lodge continued to occupy the old building until about 1880. After that time it met in the local hall of the lodges, in Raleigh, until the completion of the present Temple at the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett streets. The corner stone of the present Temple was laid on October 16, 1907, and the building was occupied by the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication, January 12, 1909.

A short time before the War between the States, the Grand Lodge undertook to establish an educational institution, at Oxford, to be known as St. John's College. This enterprise failed, however, and, by action of the Grand Lodge in 1872, the institution was converted into an orphanage, and opened in 1873, with John H. Mills as its first Superintendent. This institution is now the Oxford Orphanage - the institution in which the Masons of North Carolina take so just a pride, and which they love so well.

During the first decade of the present century the Grand Lodge began to take under consideration the advisability of establishing a home for aged and dependent Masons. The idea grew in favor, and accordingly, on January 12, 1914, the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, at Greensboro, was opened for the reception of guests. This institution, like the Orphanage, holds a warm place in the affections of North Carolina Masons. Thus, in these two splendid institutions, Masonry cares for both the morning and evening of life.

Perhaps it might not be inappropriate, before closing this paper, to mention briefly those who have served in the high office of Grand Master in North Carolina. In their order of service, they are as follows:

Samuel Johnston, 1787. Richard Caswell, 1788. Samuel Johnston, 1789, '90, '91. William R. Davie, 1792, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98. William Polk, 1799, 1800, '01. John L. Taylor, 1802, '03, '04. John Hall, 1805, '06, '07. Benjamin Smith, 1808, '09, '10. Robert Williams, 1811, '12, '13. John L. Taylor, 1814, '15, '16. Calvin Jones, 1817, '18, '19. John A. Cameron, 1820, '21. James Strudwick Smith, 1822. Robert Strange, 1823, '24. H. G. Burton, 1825, '26. L. D. Wilson, 1827, '28, '29. R. D. Speight Jr., 1830, '31. S. J. Baker, 1832. S. F. Patterson, 1833, '34. L. H. Martseller, 1835, '36. D. W. Stone, 1837, '38, '39. S. J. Baker, 1840. D. S. Crenshaw, 1841. J. H. Wheeler, 1842, '43. P. W. Fanning, 1844, 45, '46. W. F. Collins, 1847, '48, '49. A. T. Jerkins, 1850, '51, '52. Clement H. Jordan, 1853, '54. P. A. Holt, 1855, '56. Alfred Martin, 1857, '58. Lewis S. Williams, 1859, '60. William G. Hill, 1861. E. F. Watson, 1862, '63. John McCormick, 1864. E. J. Reade, 1865, '66. R. W. Best, 1867. Robert B. Vance, 1868, '69. Charles C. Clark, 1870, '71. John Nichols, 1872, '73. George W. Blount, 1874, '75. Horace H. Munson, 1876, '77. William R. Cox, 1878, '79. Henry F. Grainger, 1880, '81. Robert Bingham, 1882, '83, '84. Fabius H. Busbee, 1885, '86. C. H. Robinson, 1887, '88. Samuel H. Smith, 1889, '90. Hezekiah A. Gudger, 1891, '92. John W. Cotten, 1893, '94. Francis M. Moye, 1895, '96. Walter E. Moore, 1897, '98. Richard J. Noble, 1899. B. S. Royster, 1900 ,'01. H. I. Clark, 1902, '03. W. S. Liddell, 1904, '05. Francis D. Winston, 1906, '07. Samuel M. Gattis, 1908, '09. Richard N. Hackett, 1910, '11. W. B. McCoy, 1912. F. M. Winchester, 1913. John T. Alderman, 1914. F. P. Hobgood, Jr., 1915. A. B. Andrews, 1916. Claude L. Pridgen, 1917. George S. Norfleet, 1918. Henry A. Grady, 1919. James C. Braswell, 1920. J. Bailey Owen, 1921. James H. Webb, 1922. Hubert M. Poteat, 1923. J. LeGrand Everett, 1924. Leon Cash, 1925. John E. Cameron, 1926. John H. Anderson, 1927. Raymond C. Dunn, 1928. John J. Phoenix, 1929. E. W. Timberlake, Jr., 1930. J. W. Winborne, 1931.

It is unnecessary for me to speak of present day Masonry in North Carolina, for it is known to all. Suffice it to say that the Order, with its more than thirty-nine thousand members and approximately four hundred lodges, is with our sister Grand Jurisdictions throughout the world, endeavoring to exemplify Masonry's ideals and principles in unselfish service to mankind.

In conclusion, we cannot be too often reminded that we, of the present day Craft, have a heritage beyond price, and that at the same time there rests upon us an important responsibility. Our heritage is the record of an ancient and honorable institution; to uphold that record is our responsibility.

The writer desires to acknowledge with thanks the valuable assistance received in the preparation of this paper, from Brother Marshall DeLancey Haywood's "Historical Synopsis" of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, also the valuable aid received from the other sources of information that have been available.

E. W. Timberlake Jr. served as Grand Master 1930.

NOCALORE

Volume 1-Part 2-1932, pp. 13-30

Copyright, Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF & AM