Freemasonry for African-Americans in the state of Georgia began in the city of Savannah, February 4, 1866 when the first Lodge, Eureka Lodge No. 11, was established by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The second Lodge of African-American Freemasons was John T. Hilton Lodge No. 13 established on December 27, 1866 also established by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The third lodge was established by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F. & A. A. Y. M. in the city of Augusta, Georgia. Banneker Lodge No.38 was established in the same year. It is of importance to note that the Grand Lodges that granted dispensations for the fore-mentioned lodges were Grand Lodges subordinate to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge F&AAYM Prince Hall Origin-National Compact.

On August 22, 1870, representatives of the above mentioned lodges met and formed the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia (Colored) under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. Bro. James Merilus Simms was installed as the first Grand Master for the state of Georgia. National Grand Master at the time, the Honorable Richard Howell Gleaves was present.

Bro. R. H. Gleaves M. W. National Grand Master took the chair and delivered an elegant and instructive address on the Cardinal Virtues after which at 2 ½ o’clock P. M. The convention was called off. At 4 ½ o’clock the convention was called on. At the request of the N. G. M. the minutes of the convention held June 4^th and 29^th were read. The Grand Secretary elect read the Warrant of Constitution granted the Grand Lodge for the state of Georgia by the M. W. National Grand Lodge. (Proceedings "Handwritten" Grand Lodge of Ga "Compact" 22 August 1870)

The three founding Lodges were re-warranted under the newly formed Grand Lodge and were designated Eureka No. 1, Hilton No. 2 and Banneker No. 3.

Four years following the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Georgia (colored) by the National Grand Lodge a rival independent Grand Lodge of African-American Masons was established. June 23-27, 1874 in convention the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted (Colored) Masons for the state of Georgia was established. The three lodges involved in the convention were: Excelsior Lodge No. 16, working under the jurisdiction of the M.W. United Grand Lodge of New York; Mount Moriah Lodge No. 56, working under the jurisdiction of the MW Hiram Grand Lodge of  Pennsylvania; and St. Augustine’s Lodge No. 16 working under the jurisdiction of the M.W. Hiram Grand Lodge of Delaware (Proceedings Grand Lodge of Georgia AF&AM (colored), 1874, Savannah, Ga) It is important to understand the nature of the Grand Lodges that established these aforementioned Lodges in Georgia. The United Grand Lodge of New York as well as Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Delaware were NOT subordinate Grand Lodges of the National Grand Lodge (the legitimate authority of Freemasonry amongst men of color in the United States at the time).   The United Grand Lodge of New York was EXPELLED by the National Grand Lodge.

Whereas, The United Grand Lodge of the state of New York, has refused to comply with the provisions of their charter, also the constitutional authority of the National Grand Lodge, from whom they received their authority; therefore the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge (of Colour,) of these United States of North America of Free and Accepted A. Y. M., now in Grand Lodge assembled on the 25^th day of June, A. D. 1849, A. L. 5849, at the Masonic Hall, south Eleventh Street, Philadelphia, do, by these presents, make known that the United Grand Lodge of the state of New York, and her warrant, is hereby expelled from the Masonic Union and Fraternity [snip] (Woodlin, The National Masonic Union, 1856)

The Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania that established lodges in Georgia was a re-incarnation of a Grand Lodge that was an “illegitimate” Grand Lodge prior to the establishment of the National Grand Lodge. To completely tell the story of Hiram Grand Lodge and its impact on Freemasonry amongst men of color would take volumes and would need to be told at a later time. Hiram Grand Lodge was an illegal Grand Lodge created by expelled members of First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (prior to the existence of the NGL, 1833).  Although Hiram Grand Lodge was illegally conceived, she began to gain members and power. The situation with Hiram Grand Lodge was one of the reasons that led to the creation of the National Grand Lodge. At the convention of the organization of the National Grand Lodge, Hiram Grand Lodge was healed by the  Articles of Union drafted amongst the two Grand Lodges in Pennsylvania (Hiram Grand Lodge & First Independent African Grand Lodge) to form the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons for the state of Pennsylvania January 19, 1848. This union did not last long as the members who were part of the Hiram faction began to rebel and were eventually suspended and expelled. This group of expelled Masons, along with the expelled United Grand Lodge of New York help to create a movement that was detrimental to the National Grand Lodge. They formed an alliance with rebel Masons from New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware to openly rebel against the National Compact.

In 1888 Captain William D. Matthews, the 8th National Grand Master, seeing the manner by which dissention and rebellion that existed amongst the Grand Lodges established by the National Grand Lodge had waged against them, set forth his 1888 Manifesto. The main provision of the Manifesto stated:

"I, therefore give each state, Grand Lodge, subordinate lodge or lodges in such open rebellion until the 8^th day of March 1888, to return to their allegiance, and to report to the National Grand Secretary, John A. Mulligan, 117 James Street, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Failing to comply with this order, I shall commission Grand Masters with full power and authority in those rebellious states, and organize Grand Lodges according to the precedent which was laid down in 1733."

The Grand Lodge of Georgia (Compact), who had not sent returns to the National Grand Lodge since circa 1878, who could have been considered as a rebellious entity, did not adhere to the manifesto of  Captain Matthews. Three months after the deadline of the Matthew's Manifesto, the Compact GL  merged with the State Rights Grand Lodge forming The Union Grand Lodge of GA. AF&AM which eventually changed its name to the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia.  The Eighth National Grand Master William D. Matthews, in accordance with the Manifesto he published established the Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall Origin-National Compact in and for the state of Georgia on December 27, 1892.

 

The Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge has had a very rich history with many of its members being leaders not only in their home state, but leaders in the National Compact as well. Georgia has produced three National Grand Masters  (Hon. Alfred B. Allen [not pictured],  Hon. Square S. Simmons and Hon. Norman Woodard)and has produced leaders in all Grand Departments as well. Georgia has hosted National Grand Lodge Sessions.

     Free and Accepted Ancient York Masonry is and continues to be a part of the fabric of African American Freemasonry in the Georgia and it is the prayer that this work will be part of its continued life and progress.

 

LUX LUCIS PER ERUDIO

From the book "Making Rough Edges Smooth: A Historical Study of Free & Accepted Ancient York Masonry Prince Hall Origin-National Compact in the State of Georgia " by Christopher L. Belcher 33°