Eastern Star Lodge #13

Universal Lodge No. 1 of Alexandria was organized in 1845 and marked the introduction of Prince Hall masonry into the State of Virginia.  It was necessary for the original members of this lodge to travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for initiation because the "free" status of the Negro did not satisfy the requirement of the Masonic Landmarks; that a man be "free born.  This concept prevailed until President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, effective January 1, 1863.  During this period, several groups received "light" by traveling to Philadelphia, or Maryland.  Seventy-two (72) men were initiated in the City of Petersburg in 1865 by a committee which traveled from Philadelphia for that purpose.  These 72 men formed into 3 lodges, with 24 members each.  The names of the lodges were J.B. Trusty, Virginia, and Abram. Abram # 10 still exists.  

Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, Black men who were regarded as free, were initiated into Masonry only by leaving the State of Virginia.  These men returned and subsequently organized lodges.  The earliest recorded lodge, Universal #1 was organized in 1845 in Alexandria.  Several lodges which began in like manner organized themselves into the "Union” Grand Lodge, February 1866.

            "Certain qualifications of candidates for initiation are derived from a landmark of the order.  These qualifications are that he shall be a man - shall be un-mutilated, freeborn and of mature age.  That is to say, a woman, a cripple, or a slave or one born in slavery is disqualified for initiation into the rights of Masonry:..."

(Quote from Mackey, Albert, G.,

Masonic Jurisprudence of Freemasonry, 1859.)

By 1866, the order was well established in the state, with strongholds in Alexandria, Petersburg, Richmond, and Norfolk, all operating under the authority of the National Grand Lodge, which was composed of the state grand lodges.  This grand body, however, still faced strong opposition, because it held to the idea of white masons; that no man born in slavery could become a mason.  The alternative to the National Grand Lodge was the organization of the Union Grand Lodge.  This organization was executed in three meetings; October 1865, December 1865, and February 1866.  Concurrent with the organization of this the first grand lodge of Virginia, Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 was also organized (February 17, 1866).  In December 1867, the charter was issued to No. 13 bearing the signature of Grand Master, William Keeling, and Grand Union Warden John C. Robinson, each of whom were instrumental in the organization of Universal Lodge No. 1 of Alexandria and Rising Sun Lodge No. 2 of Norfolk.  

In 1866 however, Reverend M. F. Sluby procured a warrant for Lincoln Lodge No. 11, from the independent Grand Lodge of Maryland which was styled Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons.  In 1867, the three lodges in Petersburg were merged into a Grand Lodge comprised of numbers 8, 9, and 10.  These lodges were established by the authority of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, also styled Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons.  It was during this year; December 1867 that Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 received its charter.  

Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 came into existence prior to the consolidation of the two Grand Lodges in the state, who did not merge until December 1875.  This distinction places it in the forefront in the growth and development of Prince Hall Masonry in the State of Virginia and the nation.

Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 was granted a warrant and dispensation from the Union Grand Lodge (1866), which acknowledged it as one of the original lodges on its roster.  This warrant was countersigned by the RWGM J. E. Fuller of Norfolk, RWDGM John W. Tony of Richmond, and RWSGW Thomas G. Gladman of Lynchburg.  Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 had become firmly established in the development of Prince Hall Masonry in the state.  It remained the only lodge in the City of Hampton and Elizabeth City County for twenty-four years before a charter was granted to Hampton Royal Lodge No. 84.   From 1900 through 1952, Prince Hall Masonry continued to grow in Hampton.  During this period, three more lodges were added to its rolls:  Silver Square No. 129, (1907), Silver Star No. 145, (1911), and Pioneer No. 315, (1952).  This Prince Hall family operated as five (5) separate lodges until 1976 when they merged into Eastern Star Lodge No. 13, to form the largest lodge in the state, with a membership of 454 masons.  

Attempts to develop sufficient strength in the independent lodges to maintain a viable program in the City of Hampton proved to be less than successful.  However, in the early 1960s, these five lodges, No.'s 13, 84, 129, 145, and 315 found it expedient to form themselves into the "Association of Prince Hall Lodges; so that the order could maintain its positive image in the face of social and economic change.  Combined strengths and efforts were needed for the replacement of the meeting hall, which was lost to the "Redevelopment and Housing Authority; out of this association, developed the "Committee on Consolidation”.  

In 1974, the five lodges determined that the future of the organization could best be served by consolidation into one lodge, and petitioned the Grand Lodge in September 1974 for this privilege.  Such petition, one from each of the subject lodges, were received and tabled by the 99th Grand Communication in 1974 in Richmond, Virginia.  In 1975, at the 10th Annual Grand Communication, the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Landon H. White, recommended that the privilege to consolidate be granted to the five lodges; Eastern Star Lodge No. 13, F&AM, PHA, again being a pacesetter.  Such a merger was unprecedented and became one of the highlights of the administration of District Deputy Grand Master, Nathaniel E. Bowman, who ably guided the five lodges in this endeavor, along with District Deputy Grand Master Willie R. Brooks, who succeeded Bro. Bowman in the Sixth Masonic District.  

(From Daily Press Jun 29, 1976)

MERGER GIVES HAMPTON BIGGEST MASONIC LODGE

"A merger of five Hampton Masonic lodges recently resulted in the creation of the largest Prince Hall affiliate lodge in Virginia.  Nearly three years of thought and planning.  Creating a membership of nearly 500, the new lodge is actually a merger of four small lodges with the Eastern Star Lodge Number 13 F & AM (Free and Accepted Masons) PHA (Prince Hall Affiliate)”.  

According to the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary Charles H. Harris of Lynchburg, "this is a big event for PHA Masons and for this district”.  Never has such a large merger taken place, he proudly stated.  The fact that such a merger has become reality speaks well for the leadership and unity existing in this district.  

The lodges involved in the merger are :  The Hampton Royal Lodge Number F&AM, 77 years old, with 89 members, represented by James W. Chappel; Silver Square Lodge Number 129 F&AM, 69 years old, with 54 members, represented by Harry Miller; Silver Star Lodge Number 145 F&AM, 65 years old, with 105 members, represented by Harry Fauntleroy; Pioneer Number 315, 24 years old, with 73 members, represented by Sidney Williams; and Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 F&AM (PHA), 109 years old with 140 members, represented by Louis Purdie. Presiding over the ceremony was the District Deputy Grand Master for the 6th and 7th Masonic district, Willie R. Brooks.  Plans are under way for the construction of a Temple in which the enlarged lodge will hold its meeting.  

When the merger became a reality in June 1976, the five lodges were represented by their respective Masters; Eastern Star Lodge No. 13, Bro Louis Purdie; Hampton Royal, Member 84, Bro Ames W. Chappel; Silver Square No. 129, Bro. Harry W. Miller; Silver Star No. 145, Bro. Harry Fauntleroy; and Pioneer lodge No. 315, Bro Sidney Williams.  Prince Hall Masonry has flourished in the City of Hampton (Elizabeth City County) since the early 1860's.  It has survived pitfalls and obstacles through two Grand Lodge organization changes, and one consolidation of the final five local lodges of the community.  Prince Hall and his associates had an honorable, legal organization, which with pride, could trace its ancestry to the Grand Lodge in England.  The two original grand lodges in the State of Virginia were outgrowths of organizations planted in Pennsylvania and Maryland by Prince Hall.  Further, the existing grand lodge is a parent worthy of our pride.  

Eastern Star Lodge No. 13 presents itself with pride as the bedrock of the Prince Hall family in Hampton.  The masons of this city have been activist, boasting four (4) Grand Masters from their past.  Three who hailed from Hampton Royal Number 84, Harris Barrett 1906-08, Hamlin Nelson, 1927-29, C.K. Bassette*, 1931-32, and one from Eastern Star Lodge No. 13, T.I. Anderson*, 1943-44. 

We have proven who can best work and best agree.

*Died in office.