Cannon County Freemasons
The pictures to the right are of stones displaying the Freemason symbol that have been located in Cannon County. |
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Grant to Masons to hold Lodge in Court House}
On motion of C. B. Davis leave is granted to the Woodbury Lodge of Free Masons to hold their lodge in the east room up stairs in the courthouse in Woodbury, the lodge being responsible for any damage they may do to said court house, but said lodge are to discontinue their meetings in said room at the pleasure of a majority of the justices of this court.
On motion of C. B. Davis leave is granted to the Woodbury Lodge of Free Masons to hold their lodge in the east room up stairs in the courthouse in Woodbury, the lodge being responsible for any damage they may do to said court house, but said lodge are to discontinue their meetings in said room at the pleasure of a majority of the justices of this court.
The following excerpt is from the 'History of Woodbury and Cannon County' by Spurlock, Page 136:
The Masonic Lodges that have existed in Cannon County are:
Woodbury Lodge, No. 225, chartered October 3, 1854. The charter was arrested on November 12, 1873. It's charter members were: Wiley W. Bell, Worshipful Master; Sterling Spurlock, Senior Warden; John H. Smith, Junior Warden; P. G. Leech; A. C. Tatum, John W. Ware; Thomas G. Wood; C. B. Davis; T. B. Brevard; J. W. Summar; William Derby and James England.
Thyatira Lodge, No. 242 at Bradyville, was chartered on October 2, 1855. It's charter was arrested on January 30, 1929. Prominent members just after the organization were: A. B. Witherspoon, Charles Petty; J. W. Patton; J. M. Witherspoon; S. H. Wood; William Bynum; J. H. Neely; S. M. Patton; D. C. Witherspoon; George Harney; W. C. Elledge. The officers for the year 1928 were: J. R. Caffey, Worshipful Master; C. S. Denton, Second W.M.; D. H. Holmes; Junior Warden; W. H. Jernigan, Treasurer; J. J. Bynum, S. D.; C. L. Miller, Secretary.
Clear Fork Lodge, No. 497, at Gassaway, was chartered January 31, 1896. It's charter was arrested on January 28, 1920. The charter members were: S.P. Tassey, Worshipful Master; W. L. Comer, S.W.; John H. Melton, Junior Warden; E. T. Haley, Treasurer; L. L. Melton, Secretary; George Grizzle, S.D.; J. C. Spurlock, Steward; W. M. Grizzle; J. B. Collins; W. R. Estes; B. F. Hale; H. M. Powell; A. C. Summar.
Woodbury Lodge, No. 475, was chartered on November 14, 1876. It's charter was arrested on January 31, 1917. Charter members were: J. B. Hawkins, Worshipful Master; E. Stephens, S.W.; A. C. Tatum, J. W.; J. C. New, Treasurer; S. C. Wharton, Secretary; J. H. Mitchell, S.D.; David Dodd; Robert Bryson; S. E. Bragg; S. Cook; Warren Cummings; T. J. Doak; E. T. Dillon; J. H. Freeman; Henry Finley; G. M. Kittrell; N. A. Mitchell; T. B. Mears; W. F. Mason; F. B. Martin; J. W. Nichol; J. C. New; H. L. Preston; J. H. Smith; G. S. Stroud; R. F. Tatum; James Todd; T. J. Vance; N. T. Wheeler; H. A. Wiley; M. W. McKnight; A. Rucker; J. A. Thompson; W. M. Brewer; W. A. Cathcart; Dallas Cummings; W. W. Gray; H. M. Mears; James A. Jones; Robert Brandon; A. T. Elrod; L. B. McCrary; B. P. Lester; Elijah Mears; J. G. Moore; N. B. Mullenax; C. C. Odom; John H. Odom; W. P. Patton; David M. Smith; W. B. Stone; W. H. Wilson; B. H. Tatum; T. A. Justice; A. J. Brandon; M. S. Fugitt; T. A. Dement; W. A. Wilson; E. C. Curlee; J. A. Covington; T. G. McBroom; E. J. Lorance; William Good; James McCabe; James Bridges; R. H. Davenport; W. J. Evans; Zeb Martin; Jesse Davenport; W. E. Keaton; W. W. Sullivan; George Summar and L. B. Gilbert.
Short Mountain Lodge, No. 373, was organized in 1868 and later moved to Warren County. It's members were: John Hawkins, Worshipful Master; E. N. Trail, S.W.; John Ware, J.W.; M. Ward; L. D. Evans; J. H. Harris; H. G. Maddux; W. B. Jones; S. Jones; E. English; E. H. Patterson; J. C. Alexander and J. M. Alexander.
Woodbury Royal Arch Chapter, No. 116, was chartered in 1876. The officers were: T. B. Brevard, High Priest; J. B. Hawkins, King; and B. B. Smith, Scribe.
No one knows with certainty how or when the Masonic Fraternity was formed. A widely accepted theory among Masonic scholars is that it arose from the stonemasons’ guilds during the Middle Ages. The language and symbols used in the fraternity’s rituals come from this era. The oldest document that makes reference to Masons is the Regius Poem, printed about 1390, which was a copy of an earlier work. In 1717, four lodges in London formed the first Grand Lodge of England, and records from that point on are more complete.
Within thirty years, the fraternity had spread throughout Europe and the American Colonies. Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America.
Within thirty years, the fraternity had spread throughout Europe and the American Colonies. Freemasonry became very popular in colonial America.
George Washington was a Mason, Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the fraternity in Pennsylvania, as did Paul Revere and Joseph Warren in Massachusetts. Other well-known Masons involved with the founding of America included John Hancock, John Sullivan, Lafayette, Baron Fredrick von Stuben, Nathanael Greene, and John Paul Jones. Another Mason, Chief Justice John Marshall, shaped the Supreme Court into its present form.
Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700s it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.
During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time, the government had provided no social "safety net". The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew.
Today in North America, the Masonic Fraternity continues this tradition by giving almost $1.5 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service, and providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic Homes.
The four million Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts of men ideals for a better tomorrow.
Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a worldwide fraternity emphasizing personal study, self-improvement, and social betterment via individual involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700s it was one of the organizations most responsible for spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity of man and the liberty of the individual, the right of all persons to worship as they choose, the formation of democratic governments, and the importance of public education. Masons supported the first public schools in both Europe and America.
During the 1800s and early 1900s, Freemasonry grew dramatically. At that time, the government had provided no social "safety net". The Masonic tradition of founding orphanages, homes for widows, and homes for the aged provided the only security many people knew.
Today in North America, the Masonic Fraternity continues this tradition by giving almost $1.5 million each day to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, contributing to local community service, and providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic Homes.
The four million Masons worldwide continue to help men and women face the problems of the 21st century by building bridges of brotherhood and instilling in the hearts of men ideals for a better tomorrow.