Boykins Lodge No. 287 50th Anniversary History

Boykins Lodge, No. 287 A.F. & A.M. In Celebration of Its First 50 Years

A brief history of Boykins Lodge No. 287 and masonry in Boykins since 1877.

The Committee for the 50th anniversary celebration:

R. T. Lassiter, Jr & L. F. Draper, Jr.

Attempting to compile a history of fifty years for Boykins Lodge #287 is impossible without going back in history to the beginning of masonry in Boykins. Brethren in 1877 first brought the light of Masonry to Boykins Lodge No. 64 was formed and chartered in that year by men whose names are not only recorded in Masonry, but in the political and religious annuals of our town. To these brethren who ignited the spark of friendship and brotherly love, we give thanks. They were small in number - fourteen brethren in all. Nonetheless, though dim at times, a flame was ignited by them and it continues to burn today. Dues were three dollars per year and degrees were five dollars for entered apprentice, five dollars for fellow craft, and ten dollars for Master Mason degree. On January 25th, 1982, the Masonic Lodge moved into a new lodge hall, located on the corner of Virginia Avenue and Broad Street. This building is known to us in this generation as the apartment house in which Mrs. Susie Beaton lived. There was no report from Lodge #64 to the Grand Lodge from 1892 through 1896, and the charter was surrendered and the new lodge hall was sold. The flame of masonry in Boykins was extinguished for a number of years. From 1896 until dispensation was granted in 1904, there was no lodge in Boykins. Under a new number (287) and with the following station officers:

E.B. Beaton, Master T.Q. Bolton, Senior Warden W.W. White, Junior Warden The lodge was again at labor, and the flame was reignited. Grand Lodge nor Lodge #287 has any record of what transpired during these years except for the list of officers and members. District Deputy reports make no mention of what transpired in the lodge, except that they were well versed in the ritual and were working. During this time, some of our fathers were officers of the lodge and other tried and true men were members. To name a few:

• E. B. Beaton
• T. Q. Bolton
• W. W. White
• J. M. Holland
• W. R. Emmons
• J. Y. Mason
• Herman Drewry
• L. F. Draper, Sr.

Along with a host of other well known names. These brethren helped shape the lives of the present members of Lodge No. 287. The lodge at this time was conducting their meetings on the second floor of the W. W. White Hardware building. A Masonic emblem was placed on the front of the building and this was moved to our present location. Most of us will remember going to socials in the dining room of the lodge. The economy and threat of World War II played a part in the surrender of the charter and Lodge No. 287 closed in 1940. The flame, for the second time, was extinguished, and from 1940 - 1952, Boykins was without a lodge. The spark was reignited on May 7th, 1952, when the brethren came together under dispensation and lodge No. 287 was again at labor. Some of the present members were made Mason during this time of dispensation. They, along with the lodge, are celebrating their 50 years in masonry this year. The stationed officers under dispensation were as follows:

The charter was granted on May 8th, 1953, and the following officers were elected for that year:

Following is a list of masters and secretaries who have served from 1953 until the present:

There has been eleven times that District Deputy Grand Masters were elected from our lodge. Those serving district 32 were:

During these 50 years, Lodge No. 287 has produced many knowledgeable who knew the ritual and also knew how to teach it. Brothers 0.W. Kirkland and Henry D. Fuller, W. Wilson Barnes, W.R. Emmons, Elmo L.Rock, George M. Davis, and J.W. Holland, were among this group. Brother J.W. Holland was a mentor for many of us who are members of the lodge today. He was a stickler for remembering what you had been taught and if you forgot something, he would say, -“If they take you from the lodge, you will remember it next time.” Many of us found his words to be true. Brother Holland had requested that masons be with him at the time of his death. Brother Wilson Barnes, L.F. Draper, Jr., George M. Davis, Jr., and R.T. Lassiter, Jr. were called to Brother Holland’s bedside by his wife, and were present at his death. The experience that night left an indelible imprint on the lives of all those present. As new masons, those of us who were raised during the 50’s and 60’s had the privilege of being taught by the Grand Lecturer, George R. Marshall; Division Lecturer Walter Dority, District Lecturer, Jake McCauley, and Brother Higgenbothom. They came to us in 1955 and continued for quite some time. We considered that to be a school for learning. Now it seems that the schools are not for teaching, but to show how proficient you already are in the ritual. The lodge moved to its present location in 1984. The building was purchased from the town through money received through the generosity of a non-mason. The grantor, Mr. Jacob Serbin, a Jew from Pennsylvania, who loved this small town, made the money available. The Grand Master made his official visit to the 32’ Masonic District in Boykins that year. The Grand Master of Masons from North Carolina visited us on this occasion also. He was a friend to many in the lodge, and lived in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, just a few miles away. What a night for such a small lodge - two Grand Masters in attendance. In these fifty years, many have profited by the generosity of the lodge. We have worked with Eagle Scouts, given outstanding citizen awards, and supported the District and Grand Lodge in their programs. While the flame is not as bright as we would like it to be, our hope is that the spark will remain for generations to come.

Members of Boykins Lodge No. 287, 2003

To the brethren who have gone before, we dedicate this brief history. Many thanks to Mrs. Marie M. Barnett, Grand Lodge Librarian, whose help has been invaluable. Also, many thanks to Ms. Ashley Johnson for the making of this booklet. Fiftieth Anniversary Committee:

R.T. Lassiter Jr. and L.F. Draper, Jr.

• History
• Boykins