Courtland Lodge No. 85 100th Anniversary History

COURTLAND LODGE NO. 85

IN CELEBRATION OF ITS FIRST 100 YEARS

A brief narrative history of Courtland Lodge No. 85 and two hundred years of Freemasonry in the Franklin-Southampton area

By

JAMES HARRY HOLLAND, PM; DDGM

1989

The Committee for the One Hundredth Anniversary Celebration

      “The First Article of This Geometry:-

      The Master Mason Must be Fully and Surely

      Steadfast, Trusty and True.”

         The Regius Manuscript

         Circa 1390

         Lines 87 - 89

INTRODUCTION

Some weeks ago I attended a Masonic Funeral conducted by our Franklin Brethren as a courtesy to a Newport News Lodge. The departed Brother had retired in Franklin and his home lodge, being unable to assemble sufficient Craft, had requested of Franklin 151 the courtesy of the Masonic Service. The service was ably conducted by Right Worshipful Graham Atkins, and owing either to his most solemn pronouncements or the extreme melancholy of that dark, drizzly day, I was unaccountably moved to quiet emotion for a Brother whom I did not know. After the service, while questioning among the twenty or so assembled Brethren, I found that no one present had ever met the departed Brother; yet I could not doubt that more honor would have been paid to the most exalted or beloved Mason among us. So runs a common thread of Freemasonry. Funerals of courtesy are not unusual occurrences, but what moves men to feel loss at the deaths of other men whom they have never met? The bond of Freemasonry does so. Across distance and time we are bonded to other men of good belief by common oaths, obligations, and laws that govern the Craft in the ways of friendship, morality and brotherly love. At no one’s command we expressed a desire to be a part of the Craft. We were accepted by our Brethren and were educated by them in the arts of speculative Masonry. We have made promises to each other and ourselves that we would look out for the others’ wellbeing, and that of their families, and more generally, that of mankind. How often has each of us upon meeting a stranger experienced that wonderful feeling of brotherhood and trust that comes in discovering by sign or word that he is of the Craft? Accepting in our hearts the precepts of Freemasonry we believe, just as that author of the Regius Manuscript believed six hundred years ago, that we and our Brothers must be fully and surely steadfast, trusty and true. Accepting the bonds of Freemasonry one cannot be but saddened when anyone of the Craft goes hence to the “Undiscovered Country”, because they are–across time and distance–our Brothers. In attempting to write a historical sketch of Courtland Lodge No. 85 on the occasion of its One Hundredth Anniversary, I have tried as much as possible to feel the bond of brotherhood across time. Bits of this come to me in searching the handwriting of our Brethren long departed for facts of their masonic work. It filters through documents, both official and unofficial, from times quite different than our own. It appears as hazy imaginings while listening to the stories of those now old recounting their youth. It whispers up through the grass and leaves of cementeries that safeguard the remains of good men and Masons awaiting the general resurrection. It speaks to me not of great events or grand designs but of how simple, upstanding men met, agreed and stood for good things in their community.

Wherever it has been practical or possible to do so I have tried to mention things about my historical Brethren other than just their masonic record. To name a man’s wife, to mention where he lived or what his work was makes for a more interesting historical sketch and hopefully, a more useful document in the future. To tell something of a man’s habits, or any humorous story about him, may make that man so long dead, live in the reader’s heart. The history of a masonic lodge is not about buildings, rituals or events; it is about the men who make up the lodge over its years of existence and how they worked to continue an ideal in friendship and harmony. I would like to thank the following for their assistance to me in the research and writing of this history: Linda Updike and Ed Moyler for their information on the Sebrell Family; Prince Sebrell for his recollections on his grandfathers, J. E. Sebrell and J. B. Prince; William Cole, John Rollison and Mrs. T. B. Bell for sharing their knowledge of the people and history of Courtland; and Bros. E. S. Manry and R. L. Vaughan for their memories of past events in Courtland No. 85. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Marie M. Barnett, the librarian of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, who has cheerfully and tirelessly gathered facts for me. Most of all I want to thank my wife, Carol; without her the task would have been impossible. In the name of the Centennial Committee I dedicate this work to all Masons, living or dead, who have ever been members of No. 85. From my own heart I dedicate this work to Bro. Lewis H. Hclland, who always serves as my ideal of the Master Mason. ii

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF COURTLAND LODGE NO. 85

The history of the town of Jerusalem (the name being changed to Courtland in 1888), and the growth of Freemasonry in Southampton County are inseparably bound over the past two centuries. On two separate occasions there have been periods of rapid community development in the place we now call Courtland. Corresponding directly with these periods of growth have been the fodnding of two separate masonic lodges to serve the needs of the Brethren in this community. The main purpose of this historical sketch is to chronicle the one hundred years of Courtland Lodge No. 85, but it would be quite a mistake to bypass the rich masonic heritage that preceded its founding. A strong case can be made to show that Courtland Lodge No. 85 is directly tied to its antecedent lodge in Jerusalem, Benevolent Lodge No. 34, by two hundred years of masonic heritage passed from father to son, elder brothers to younger. Although Benevolent Lodge No. 34 has been officially extinct for almost one hundred fifty years, it is important to remember that its Brethren played an important part in the growth of Jerusalem and that it passed its masonic riches to the lodges that followed it in Southampton County. Southampton Courthouse, Jerusalem, or Courtland, as the county seat of Southampton has been variously called in its over 225 years, had its community origins in the formation of Southampton County from a part of Isle of Wight County in 1749. Court for the county was first held on June 8, 1749, at the home of Elizabeth Ricks when the justices decided to build a courthouse on the land of Elizabeth Exum at Flowers Bridge. An act of the General Assembly dated April 13, 1752, allowed the county to purchase two acres of land from Elizabeth Exum, on which property were erected a courthouse, prison, pillory, whipping post and stocks. The original courthouse survived only until 1767 when it was destroyed by fire, possibly an arson. The courthouse was rebuilt in 1768 in the same location, occupying approximately the same site as the present day jailhouse. Although a number of bridges have spanned the Nottoway River at this site, the pilings on the north border of the current jail property are thought to be those of Flowers Bridge. In October 1791, an act of the Virginia General Assembly provided for the establishment of seven towns in the State. The act specifically provided that “ten acres of land adjoining the courthouse in the County of Southampton, the property of Joseph and William Scott,” be vested in eight trustees who were to oversee the division of the land “into lots of half an acre each with convenient streets.” The lots in the new town of Jerusalem were to be sold at public auction, with the deed of sale requiring that a house with brick or stone chimmneys be built “fit for habitation” within five years of the sale. The first recorded indications that lots had been sold and improved appear with rents being listed separately on three lots in the 1795 land tax records. All 20 lots were in the hands of private owners by 1800, but despite the five year building requirement, it was not until 1816 that all the lots were improved. Early buildings around the courthouse in Jerusalem consisted primarily of taverns, stores and other businesses. Persons holding merchants’ licenses or ordinary licenses or being listed as attorneys of the Superior Court of Law owned as many as half the lots in Jerusalem in the early years. From its initial building phase Jerusalem apparently grew little during the

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1820’s and 30’s. Some buildings and lots were improved but most remained unchanged with the largest buildings located adjacent to the courthouse square. Kello’s Tavern on Lot #18, Hart’s Tavern on Lot #17, and the building of James Crichlow (who himself or his father, John, received ordinary licenses several times between 1800 and 1815) on Lot #20 were all valued at over $2,600 in 1820. Even with Jerusalem’s relatively slow growth, few towns developed in Southampton County, and those few were generally no more than three or four buildings at a crossroads. Therefore, Jerusalem, as the county seat, at the geographic center of the county, assumed importance as the major town in over 600 square miles comprising the rural agricultural county. It is still obvious, however, that the Town was no thriving metropolis by the text of an 1835 Gazeteer which noted that Jerusalem: “has been stationary for 20 years, having neither retrograded or advanced. Population 175 persons, of whom 4 are resident attorneys, and 4 regular physicians.,” The writer also stated that there were in the town: “about 25 dwelling houses, 4 mercantile stores, 1 saddler, 1 carriage maker, 2 hotels, 1 masonic hall, and 2 houses of public entertainment.” In the same year and month (October, 1791) that an act of the Virginia General Assembly created the town of Jerusalem, an act of Thomas Matthews, the fifth Grand Master of Masons, AF&AM, in Virginia, chartered and established Benevolent Lodge No. 34 to meet in that very community. It seems fair to assume that in the case of both town and lodge, a good deal of organization had gone on before October of 1791. Some building of a community had occurred in the Southampton Courthouse area from at least 1752 on. It is very likely that in those thirty-nine years of growth around the courthouse a number of masons moved into the new community from areas with established lodges. It is reasonable to suspect that when a sufficient number of Master Masons finally settled in the Southampton Courthouse area, they would strive to receive a charter from the Grand Lodge, which was in its 14th year of existence. The first record of Benevolent Lodge No. 34 was reported in the Grand Lodge proceedings for 1791: “Ordered –that (in pursuance of their petition) a charter be issued to Joseph Holmes as Master; Richard P. Clements, as Senior Warden, and Joseph Fort, as Junior Warden, authorizing and empowering them to hold a lodge at Southampton Court House, to be designated the Benevolent Lodge, No. 34.” -2-

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No local records have yet been discovered to give more light on the history of Benevolent Lodge No. 34. Over its known history Benevolent Lodge did make returns to the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 27 of its 58 years of existence. This is not surprising or unusual when one considers the methods of transportation and communication available to our Brethren in that time. The oldest existing document of Benevolent Lodge is a handwritten return to the Grand Lodge of Virginia in October of 1793. This document, apparently in the hand of George Blunt, the Lodge’s secretary, is here transcribed in its entirety. A return of Lodge Po. 34 held in Jerusalem called the Benevolent Lodge, showing a list of members. Brothers initiated. Rejections and suspensions since October 5792. Joshua Fort John D. Haussmann Robert Goodwyn John Crichlow George Blunt John Andrews Arthur Applewhite William Applewhite Bela Badger James Bell John T. Blow Arthur Boykins Simon Boykins Daniel Butts William Chambliss Francis Clements George Clements Richard P. Clements James Crichlow Newit Drew John Fort Joseph Fort Peyton Harris Elias Hening Joseph Holmes Solomon Holmes Robert Hunt Miles Herby Benj. Peete Thomas Ridley William Simmons Edmund Tyler John Urquhart Henry Westbrook Joseph Wilkins William Wright Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Treasurer Secretary Initiations since Oct. 5792 Arthur Applewhite Joseph Fort Henry Westbrook Robert Hunt James Bell Jery Summerville John Clayton Peyton Harris William Applewhite Newit Drew James Crichlow Willis Woodley Samuel Calvert Mathew Figuers James Butts Rejections Nicholas Barber,Benja. Barham, William Harris,John Simmons, Jun., Aroh Smith, John Barlow Suspensions Miles Kerby in April 5793 for three months. Joshua Fort Master and Robert Goodwyn were duly elected repre-sentatives to the G-convention the present year. (Signed) Geo. Blunt, Sec. John D. Haussmann,S.W. - 3 -

The earliest printed return of the Lodge appears in the Proceedings of 1802: . Benevolent. Lodge, No. 34. jerufalem, in the county of Southampton, on the third Monday in every month, William Hart, M. Francis Clements, s. jAn..es Drew, y. Samurl s. Hardy A pple white, ll.icharr Keno, s. 7). pi-12PS MOW, y. D. :Jeremiah Cobb, S. Sarnut:1 Woodward, P 3.! Fort •!,..,d P. Clements E•;ITIS `:;,;. I),):)1C \!;1. CI-iambi( In ;01 n karats :t haniel Fitz 3 .i:1; Crichlow Blow • \’ ilham Blow (;!.,,rie G. “Thc:nias (•:ah Ba):in jr ha T. Blow, jun. fan Bowers T1 ontaz 1-1:01•y Ti.o’s. \V. Clements E. A. 1. C. Williams ’ Benj. W. johnfon’ Samuel Calvert Samuel Barlrim john Myrick 1)avid Wind rom Benjamin Clements John T. Richardfon lames Williamfon Zehulun Lewis Timothy T. Barham Lewis Fort Samuel Blunt Robert Goodwyn David Wafhington Etheldred Nicholfon Ellis G. Blake Barham Newfura Miles Carey john Pettway Thomas A. Henry Thomas Thomas Hunt Benj. Cobb john Allifon Gorge Blow •

• 4 - Benjamin Pretlow Nathaniel Newfura Robert Adams Francis Hill Jahn Clayton, fen. Wm. Turner Noel Wadlc James Grichlow Wm. Wright Ehas Hening Simon Baykin Solomon Holmes Gerlbam Galufha Wm. Butts Charles Skinner Ailland Parker Henry Buggs Wm. Apple white Edmund Tyler Jethro Joiner

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:hough no petition for dispenSaticn exi-sts, and it is impossible to determine how many of these men were already Masons, it does seem certain from these early returns that Freemasonry was a very popular institution among the men of Jerusalem and the environs of Southampton County at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. The return of October 1793 shows 36 members, 10 having been raised during the year with 5 more men working toward the Master Mason Degree and 6 rejections; a busy year’s work that any modern rural lodge would be proud of! Over the next nine years the Lodge grew to 72 members despite a rather substantial number of deaths that occurred..among its membership during the late seventeen hundreds. Benevolent No. 34 made no reports (or paid any Grand Lodge Tax) between 1804 and 1822. It was declared dormant in 1816, but was revived and rechartered by the Grand Lodge on December 11 of 1822. For the next nine years its reports were regularly received until that infamous year of 1831, after which Benevolent’s reports became infrequent and ceased with its final report in 1642. Benevolent Lodge No. 34 was declared extinct in December of 1849 and its number was reassigned in 1852. The rise and decline of Benevolent Lodge can be roughly paralleled to the rise and, if not decline, then at least stagnation of Jerusalem. In its first thirty years of existence the town of Jerusalem appears to have been a vibrant, dynamic rural court town. Attracting many lawyers, merchants, and tavern keepers, the Town provided rich intellectual material to meet the appeal of the Mysteries of Freemasonry. Court days provided opportunities for planters and farmers from outlying parts of Southampton County to be drawn into town and into a curiosity for the institution of Masonry practiced by Benevolent Lodge. It is fair to assume that early lodge meetings occurred in conjunction with court days and its earliest meetings were held in taverns. Meeting on or near court days would allow men from the far reaches of the county, such as Joshua Fort of Fortsville to conduct business and fraternal duties on one stay. The names of tavern keepers such as William Hart, Richard Yell° or John Crichlow support the notion that during the early years Benevolent Lodge might have met in taverns and inns. By 1823 the Craft of Benevolent Lodge were sufficiently well-off enough to have erected their own hall, but all was not well. It is doubtful that during the dormant years from 1816 to 1822, much decline in the practice of Masonry occurred in Jerusalem. It is rather more likely that a secretary never got around to reporting such activity to the Grand Lodge. With its rechartering and reviving in 1822, Benevolent showed a membership of 51 men, a number that was to slowly decrease to 43 by 1830. Already the notion that if an organization is not growing it must be dying was taking place. In the year of Nat Turner’s slave revolt, 1831, no report was returned and in the following year membership had dropped to 32. A continued lack of economic development in Jerusalem through the 1830’s and 40’s, coupled with growth for other parts of the county and Emporia due to railroads, took more emphasis away from Jerusalem and interest away from Benevolent Lodge. In its final official report, which occurred in 1842, Benevolent Lodge showed but 14 members, and with no impending improvement in the growth of the town, slipped away into extinction by 1849.

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Across its almost 60 years of existence Benevolent Lodge No. 34 enjoyed the membership of many interesting and important members of the community. Two early members, Samuel Kello, long time Clerk of Court for Southampton County, and John T. Blow, were among the petitioners to request the grant of township for Jerusalem. Colonel Thomas Ridley, a distinguished veteran of the Continental Army and leader of church reform after the Revolution, appears on the earliest Roll of the Craft. In the early growth stage of town and lodge the names of tavern and shop keepers such as Hart, Goodwyn, Kello and Crichlow figure in the Lodge’s leadership. In the 1820’s and 30’s two Past Masters of Benevolent Lodge, W. B. Goodwyn and A. P. Peele also served as President and Secretary, respectively, of the Jerusalem Jockey Club, an organization that sponsored prize money horse races and caused Southampton County to be known for its quality racehorses all through Virginia. It is likely that the tumultuous events of 1831 marked all the members of Benevolent Lodge, and many of its members played out parts in the tragedy of Nat Turner’s slave revolt. A. P. Peele was a captain in the local militia and in the first wave of troops that broke the will of the revolt at Parker’s Field. James Trezevant, a warden in Benevolent during the 1820’s was a magistrate of the court who questioned Turner prior to his being charged with various crimes. Jeremiah Cobb was the Judge who heard Nat Turner’s trial and sentenced him to death. Perhaps the member of Benevolent that was best remembered as a result of the revolt was Thomas R. Gray of Round Hill. Gray, who is shown as Junior Warden in the Proceedings of 1827, was granted the exclusive right of interviewing Nat Turner, and published the only purported “authentic account” of the insurrection, The Confessions of Nat Turner, in November of 1831. Another member of Benevolent touched by the revolt was Fielding Mahone, a lieutenant colonel in the Southampton County Militia. Mahone, shown in the Proceedings of 1834 as Senior Warden, had moved his family to Jerusalem for safety as a result of the revolt, and some years later moved them there permanently, purchasing Benjamin Lamb’s Hotel and Tavern in 1840. Mahone was known as a celebrated mathematician and English scholar, but is best remembered as the father of General William Mahone, Civil War General and hero of the Battle of the Crater. Fielding Mahone died in 1855 and is buried in the Manry-Mahone Cemetery. The ‘returns of Benevolent Lodge No. 34 in the 1842 Proceedings serve as a mile post for both an ending and a beginning of Freemasonry in the Southampton County environs. With the town of Jerusalem in a state of economic stagnation and no new influx of people into the community the membership of Benevolent, which had been as high as 60 just 13 years before, had dropped to 14 members as shown in the 1842 returns. It is interesting to note in the Grand Lodge returns of the 1840’s that many old, established lodges had quite small memberships, such as Suffolk No. 30 with 21 members in 1842, or Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27 with 14 members in the same year. It is also to be noted that both of these lodges are at or in their 200th year of existence–they managed to survive the lean years of their membership while Benevolent did not. Although it is quite likely that unreported Masonic activity continued in Jerusalem into the 1840’s or even the early 50’s, it is also quite certain that no work of the Craft occurred in Jerusalem by the Civil War period.

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But while Benevolent Lodge No. 34 found its end in the early 1850’s, Freemasonry in Southampton County did not. •Within nine years of the official extinction of Benevolent Lodge (1849), three new lodges had been established in a roughly triangular pattern around the Jerusalem area. Berlin Lodge No. 42, chartered Octdber 10, 1850, was the first of these three. The station officers mentioned on its charter included Wor. Thomas J. Drumwright, Worshipful Master, Samuel Kello, Senior Warden, and Giles S. Whitney, Junior Warden. The first report to Grand Lodge was in 1t51 and included the following officers and members: OFFICERS Wor. Thomas J. Drumwright, Master Irvin Griffin, Senior Warder Giles S. Whitney, Junior Warden Milton D. Butler, Secretary Merit J. Davis, Treasurer Robert M. Doles, Senior Deacon William Atkinson, Junior Deacon A. A. Drewry, Chaplain Samuel Kello, and Murdock M. Clopton, Stewards Arrington Gardner, Tiler MASTER MASONS A. S. H. Burgess Robert H. Branch I. C. Wills M. J. Davis James Hundley A. J. Stephenson James A. Gillette Samuel Kello Total Membership–19 The second of the three Lodges formed in the wake of Benevolent’s passing was Acacia Lodge No. 84, chartered at Newsoms Station on December 13, 1854. The station officers named in the charter were William M. Blow, Worshipful Master, Thomas H. Urquhart, Senior Warden and John R. Rochelle, Junior Warden. Acacia’s first report to Grand Lodge was in 1855 and included the following officers and men: OFFICERS Thomas H. Urquhart, Worshipful Master Thomas Vaughan, Senior Warden William Urquhart, Junior Warden W. F. Barham, Secretary James Majett, Treasurer John H. Stith, Senior Deacon William N. Drumgoole, Junior Deacon Cuthbert D. Barham, Chaplain James J. Darden, Steward S. A. Darden, Tiler PAST MASTERS Thomas H. Urquhart Cuthbert D. Barham Total members–27 MASTER MASONS Edward W. Massenburg Robert J. Fitch William R. Parker John T. Kindred Thomas N. Briggs Harrison D. Moore John L. Thorp Joshua Pretlow John Pretlow Richard H. Blythe George Applewhite George W. Lawrence John Pretlow James N. Bell William C. Jordan William W. Cobb The third and most important lodge formed in the 1850’s was Franklin Lodge, No. 151, chartered on December 10, 1856, to meet in Franklin, Southampton County. Officers named on Franklin’s charter include: Joseph E. Gillette, Worshipful Master, J. C. Edwards, Senior Warden, and Joshua Pretlow, Junior Warden. Franklin’s first report to Grand Lodge in 1857 included the following members:

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LIST OF OFFICERS Joseph E. Gillette, Master J. C. Edwards, Senior Warden Joshua Pretlow, Junior Warden William Murfee, Secretary John Pretlow, Treasurer Richard H. Lee, Senior Deacon Wiley Councill, Junior Deacon James A. Gillette, Chaplain Thomas Harcum, Tiler A. W. Norfleet, Steward PAST MASTER Joseph E. Gillette MASTER MASONS Theron A. Scroggins Joshua Crunpter Allen Baccus John A. Hundley George H. Gardner Leonard C. Cobb Warren Edwards Robert W. Screws William A. Bell Dixon H. Holland Wm. H. Stephenson Matthew Moore Arrington Gardner James W. Dillard Merit J. Davis Robert J. Stephenson I. C. Wills Richard Darden–28 members Franklin Lodge No. 151 can be considered the most important of the three lodges founded in the 1850’s in that it has been the one lodge founded prior to the Civil War that has survived into modern times in the Southampton County-Franklin area. It can be noted that a significant number of members in both Berlin Lodge and Acacia Lodge moved to Franklin Lodge once it was established, providing it a strong base of support through the chaotic Civil War period. Franklin’s strong economic and social growth in the postwar period provided a community rich in young men of good moral qualifications and interested in discovering the secrets of Freemasonry. It would be historically presumptious to imply that the demise of Benevolent Lodge in Jerusalem led to the formation of any of the three lodges formed in the 1850’s in Southampton County. But it would be fair to presume that as for so many years as the Brethern of the County had come to its center for their meetings, that those Brethern left from “Old No. 34” would carry its Masonic heritage out from that center to the new lodges. A major difficulty in determining what members of Benevolent Lodge might have affiliated with new lodges exists because no records of Benevolent Lodge giving a complete Roll of the Craft from 1622 - 1849 have yet been discovered. Grand Lodge returns in that period only listed the 3 station officers, Past Masters and deaths for a lodge in a given year. No local records have yet been recovered–if in fact, any still exist. So while it is likely that most of the final stated membership rejoined other lodges, one has to be careful in making assumptions on who they were. In Berlin Lodge No. 42 it is a strong assumption that Samuel Hello and Irvin C. Wills had been members in Benevolent Lodge, and the same could be true for James (A. or E.) Gillette, although the confusion over middle initials has exact identification in doubt. In Acacia No. 84 in Newsoms Station we can be sure that Cuthbert D. Barham and William Blow had belonged to and had been officers in Benevolent Lodge; this being stated in Grand Lodge returns. Based on this knowledge it is quite possible that several other early members of 84 were from Benevolent as well. In the case of Franklin Lodge 151 it is - 8 -

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unclear if any past Benevolent members joined there, with the exception of men like J. A. Gillette or I. C. Wills, who moved ::embership from Berlin to Franklin in 1856. The onset of the Civil War and the several years of reconstruction, especially in physically and economically devastated Virginia, played havoc with the record keeping of the Grand Lodge and local lodges as well. Much continuity was lost in the years of 1860-65 and for many lodges, several years thereafter. It is important to note that Franklin Lodge No. 151 bounced back as a strong, viable lodge in the postwar period. But even Franklin Lodge required several years and a revised charter to return to peace and harmony. It continued its returns in 1870, and .its growth was to greatly benefit Freemasonry in Southampton County. In the same year that Franklin Lodge was returning to postwar stability, a new lodge was chartered in Southampton County that, although shortlived, was to have an important impact on the return of Masonry to Jerusalem. Door To Truth Lodge, No. 128 was chartered on December 15, 1869 to meet at Barn Tavern in Southampton County on the first Saturday of every month. It made its first return to Grand Lodge in 1871 which is here reproduced: DOOR TO TRUTH LODGE, No. 128, Meets at Barn Tarern, ,contbampton county, on the .first Sat wylay rf erery month. POST ()El1er,—FARME11.:+ Onovs. LIST OF OFFICERS. J. W. Urquhart. .1. E. Selrell M. M. ‘Urquhart R. Ridley…. …. …….. A. B. Urquhart…………… IV. If. Urquhart N. B. Ridley…………….. 11. T. Barham …. W. W. White Thomas Shninon, ….Worshipful Master. …. Senior Warden. ….Junior Warden. ….Secretary. Treasurer. Senior Deacon. ….Junior Deacon. • • Stewards. Tiler. PAST MASTERS. W. IV. Cobb, .1. W. Urquhart. 3. Q. A. Barham, R. F. Barham, W. A. Bell, ‘R. H. Blythe, 11,. H. James, MASTER MASONS. ,T. R. Bello, J. Kindred, It. H. Leigh, ‘I’. G. Little, C. W. Nicholson, J. B. Vick. Twenty-nine members.

• 9 - W. H. Nicholson, J. B. Prince, .1. J. Turner, .1. R. Tyler, W. Urquhart,

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In the next year the membership grew to 35; a number that remained consistent for several years. It is hard to imagine that a lodge in a small community such as Farmer’s Grove (the present day Sebrell) could long hold the interest of a small but dynamic group of Masons. Many of these men were young Civil War veterans, eager to put the past behind them and to grow in new bonds of fellowship. This lodge could not hold, and fragmented so completely that in 1881 eight of its former members were joined with Franklin 151, a year before the lodge at Barn Tavern was declared extinct. Two years later, in 1883, a new lodge was formed in Newsoms and was given the number relinquished by Door to Truth, that being 128. The original lodge in Newsoms, Acacia No. 84, had not survived the Civil War era or the migration of members to Franklin 151, and was declared extinct in the late 1860’s. As a new sense of economic growth, especially. in the railroads caught on in the postwar South, new life was infused into the Newsoms community, providing a good location for Mascnic growth. Three years after its establishment Newsoms No. 128 had the following return: N E W:730NIS LODU E, No. 128. Chartered December, 168:;. _Meets at Newsom*, in the county of Southampton, on the second Thursday of every month. vir-O I, lc e— N o••ICEIts—J. S. Barham, Master; J. A. Pope, Senior Warden ; B. J. Gray, Junior Warden ; J. J. Darden, Treaollrer ; J. S. NIusgrave, Secretary; W. It. Blow, Senior Deacon ; J. Darden, Junior Deacon ; J. U. Moss, Chaplain ; J. W. Whitley, Tiler. PAST MASTER—E. M. Darden. MEMBERS—Davis Barrett, C. L. Corhitt, J. L. Barham, J. R. Darden, B. .1. Bray, E. M. Darden, J. W. Whitley, .1. It. Beale, J. J. Dardeu, R.T. Piers, .1. IL Barden, G. W. Prince, Ii. S. Mazette, A. D. Bryant, J. W. Bayton, S. II. Alley, M. C. Vick, J. A. Pope, W. R. Blow, E. W. Beale, George E. Hill, .1. 0. Moss, 11. L. Hill, J. S. Musgrave-24. Newsoms No. 128 has been a successful small town lodge over its 106 years and still regularly meets on the third Thursday of each month.

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As the end of the 1880’s approached there had been a lapse cf active Freemasonry in Jerusalem for at least forty years. Fut many men from the Jerusalem community had been active in other lodges over those years. In taking a final•look at the last official return of Benevolent Lodge No. 34, printed in the returns of 1842, the name of one important masonic family stands clear: Benevolent Lodge, No. 34$ Meets at the Masons’ Hall, in tit town of Jerusalem, ,Covihalig, ton county, on the 3d in every month. Nicholas M. Sebrell, Master, , S. Warden, William J. Sebrell, J. Warden. P. NI. C. D. 13arrham. 14 members. For this last listed Master and Junior Warden of Benevolent Lodge No. 34 were respectively the uncle and father of James E. Sebrell, First Master and the Mason most responsible for the establishment of Courtland Lodge No. 85. In this way, more than any other is almost 200 years of Freemasonry bound in Jerusalem/Courtland.

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THE ESTABLISHMENT OP COURTLAND LODGE NO. 85 It seems fair to suggest that the growth of rural communities and the effect that this growth has on the Masonic lodges in or near them is closely related. This seems to be uncommonly true in the history of Jerusalem, later to be named Courtland, and the two lodges that have served this community. Jerusalem was established in October of 1791; so was Benevolent Lodge No. 34. The first real growth in Jerusalem since its establishment occurred in 1888; one year later the town changed its name to Courtland and had a new Lodge, Courtland No. 85. The growth that came to Jerusalem, soon to be renamed Courtland, was as a result of the dealings between the Atlantic and Danville Railroad and John J. Kindred. At the very time when the Town was languishing, and the possibility existed that the railroad might bypass the Town entirely, Kindred struck a deal that gave the railroad company its right-of-way, station house property and development property in one transaction. The right-of-way being about one quarter of a mile north of the Courthouse allowed for great community expansion and provided for the development of a true business district. In this new spirit of growth and at the suggestion of the Postmistress, Miss Fannie Barrett, the name of the town became Courtland, a more modern sounding name. The railroad, new businesses and much developing property led to rapid community growth. But as important as community growth is to a Masonic Lodge, the nature of the men that reside there is so much more important. A cc’ unity founded on the gain of riches or of greed could never have a useful lodge. A community of men who believe in and live lives that reflect temperance, fortitude and justice will more than likely be the home of great lodges. It appears that the new Courtland of 1889 was the latter of these two. It is unfortunate that the letter of dispensation for a new lodge written by those Masons who wished to found it in Courtland no longer exists. It would be good to know exactly which of the original Craft did the early work toward its formation. we can, however, make good assumptions as to who these men were by a study of Grand Lodge records which do exist. The first reference to the new Lodge in Courtland occurs in the Grand Lodge Proceedings for the year 1889. In his address to the Brethren, Most Worshipful Robert T. Craghill, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, reported that he had granted a dispensation for the formation of a Lodge designated Courtland Lodge, at Courtland, in Southampton County. On the second day of this Grand Lodge, December 11, 1889, at the evening session in St. Albans Hall, the Committee on Dispensations and Charters, chaired by Jackson Guy presented as part of its report the following:

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Wi►;iu A Dispensation was issued on the 2d day of October, A. L. 5889, A. D. 1489, bY the Most Worshipful Grand Master for the opening of a Lodge at Courtland, Southampton county. by the designation of Court-land Lodge. and appointing Brother Jas. E. Sebrell.Master ; Brother Benj. McLemore, as Senior Warden ; and Joseph B. Prince, as Junior War-den ; and whereas the said Dispensation has been now returned with the necessary documents ; therefore, be it ReNgyrd, That a Charter do issue for the permanent establishment of said Lodge under the name and style of Courtland Lotitte, No. 85, and ap-pointing Brother Jas. E. Sebrell, as Master ; Brother Benj. J. McLetnore, as Senior Warden ; and Brother Joseph Prince, as Junior Warden. Later in that same Grand Communication the report of the District Deputy Grand Master for the 32nd Masonic District states: “On the 3rd Day of October, 1839, the Most Worshipful Grand. Master granted a dispensation to Courtland Lodge, at COUrtland, VA. This Lodge has entered upon its Masonic career with good prospects of success.” This District Deputy Grand Master knew exactly how good the prospects were, for he was the Charter Master of Courtland Lodge No. 85, Right Worshipful James Edward Sebrell. The founding father of Courtland Lodge No. 85 does not seem an inappropriate title for James Edward Sebrell. In attendance at the Grand Lodge session of 1889, Bro. Sebrell not only represented the fledgling No. 85 as Worshipful Master, but the 32nd Masonic District as its District Deputy Grand Master and a Past Master of two other Lodges as well! A Southampton County Mason for at least sixty-six years of his life, Bro. Sebrell served at least eight years as a Worshipful. Master and an incredible thirty-five years as District Deputy Grand Master–from 1885 until 1920. Born in Southampton County in 1833, the eldest son and fourth child of William Joes Sebrell and Virginia Mary Butts Sebrell, James Edward Sebrell w:Ngraduated from old Randolph-Macon College in 1855. He was probably%sed to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1856 or 1857 in Franklin Lodge No. 151, though no exact record has been thus far found to assure this. He first appeared on the roll of Franklin 151 in the 1858 Proceedings, and served as Secretary in 1860. When Franklin Lodge was revived in 1869 Bro. Sebrell did not appear on the roster, but was Junior Warden of Door To Truth Lodge No. 128 in 1870. While a member of Door To Truth Lodge he served as Senior Warden in 1870-1873 and Worshipful Master in 1874. He rejoined Franklin 151 in 1861 and served as Worshipful Master there from 1882 until 1888. The following year he was Charter Master of Courtland Lodge No. 85. Just as he was respected and trusted by his Brothers in Masonry, Bro. J. E. Sebrell was well-loved and trusted by the Southampton community as well. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in

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1867-1666. In local government Bro. Sebrell served as Treasurer of Southampton County from 1673 to 1E66 and County Commissioner of Accounts from 1692 to 1904. He finished his working career as Cashier of the Peoples Bank of Courtland, starting in 1904. Bro. Sebrell was a pillar in the Methodist Church and an active Confederate veteran, having served in the 18th Virginia Heavy Artillery. He was married to Ann Maria Bell and was the father of eight children. Along with Right Worshipful Brother Sebrell a number of other upstanding Courtland Community residents came from Franklin No. 151 to establish the new Courtland No. 85. Appearing with Bro. Sebrell on Courtland’s Charter are the names of Benjamin F. McLemore as Senior Warden and Joseph Brown Prince as Junior Warden, both from Franklin No. 151. B. F. NcLemore, the son of James McLemore, was born in 1643. He served the South in the Civil War and was a farmer in the Courtland area thereafter. In 1887 he became Clerk of Court for Southampton County, a post that was later held by his son and grandson, lit&B. NcLemore and H. B. McLemore, Jr. B. F. McLemore was married4c, Rosa Westbrook of Courtland. Joseph Brown Prince was a graduate of VMI and served the South as a Second Lieutenant in General Wade Hampton’s Calvary. After the War he attended the University of Virginia and graduated with a degree in law from that institution. After establishing a law practice in Jerusalem he was for many years Commonwealth’s Attorney in Southampton County and in 1891 became Judge of Southampton County Court. He was married to Mary F. Drewry of Petersburg and passed from this life in 1903. Although the Charter of Courtland No. 85 shows Brother Prince as Junior Warden, the first full returns of Courtland 85, printed in the Proceedings of 1890 lists John I. Turner in that station. John Ivey Turner, born near Sebrell in 1E42, served the South as a member of Prince George Calvary Co. “F”, 16 Virginia Regiment. After the War he married Rosa Ellen Barham and lived near Sebrell. He served as Sheriff of Southampton County from 1908 to 1916, and passed away in 1928. Several other Masons cane to Courtland No. 85 from Franklin No. 151 as well. James Ezra Gillette was the first Secretary, but passed away in 1892. V. Hunter Cobb was the first Tiler and served in that role several times over the next quarter of a century. Other new members of Courtland Lodge No. 85 who had been members of Franklin No-.- 151 included: Henry T. Barham of Capron, George W. Lawrence, Ja.R. Hello, James R. Tyler, who was Commissioner of Accounts in Southampton County during the 1870’s, Irvin C. Wills, and William Walter White. Irvin C. Wills remained a member in Courtland but one year, returning to Franklin Lodge No. 151 where he was a Past Master. It is interesting to speculate that Bro. Wills could have been the one Master Mason who had been a member of both Benevolent Lodge No. 34 and Courtland Lodge No. 85, by way of Berlin and Franklin Lodges. William Walter White, the grandson of Jeremiah Cobb, was born in 1842. He was for several years a student of Bro. J..E. Sebrell at Barn Tavern Academy and went to Bro. Sebrell’s Alma Mater, Randolph Macon College. While serving the South during the Civil War Bro. White had the distinction of being part of Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg and reaching the stone wall–the “High Water Mark” of the Confederacy. Among 26 Charter Year Members it is interesting to note that both Bro. White and Bro. J. I. Turner were taken prisoner as a result of the

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Gettysburg Battle. After the War Bro. White returned to Southampton. County where he taught school until 1905 and was afterwards Superintendent of Schools for Southampton County until 1913. Bro. White was Master of Door To-Truth Lodge in 1875 and joined Franklin in 1880. The Charter Year Masons of Courtland No. 85 did not just come from Franklin, but from other ccunty lodges as well. Master Masons who came from Boykins No. 64 include Joseph E. Bailey and R. Frank Barham, Past Master. Brethern joining Courtland from Newsoms Lodge 128 included Charles A. Bell and Joseph Musgrave. Although not much information has been collected on these Brethern it is assumed that Courtland must have been a closer journey for them than their home lodges in those days of slow transportation. It is also important to recognize the past members of the extinct Door to Truth Lodge No. 128 that eventually became members of Courtland No. 85. The Masons we can be sure of include: J. E. Sebrell, Past Master, W. W. White, Past Master, J. I. Turner, J. B. Prince, H. T. Barham, J. R. Keno, C. W. Nicholson and J. R. Tyler. With the exception of Nicholson, all of these Brethern came to Courtland by way of Franklin.The first complete roll of Courtland Lodge No. 85, being printed in the Returns of 1890, is here reproduced: COURTLAND LODGE, No. 85. Chartered December 12, 1889. Meets at Courtland, in the county of Southampton, on the second. Wednesday of every month.. POST OFFICE-COU RTI, A ND. OFFICERS—James E. Sebrell, `faster; B. F. M diem o re , Senior Warden ; John I. Turner, Junior Warden ; J. B. Prince, Treasurer ; James E. Gillette, Secretary ; Wm. J. Sebrell, Senior Deacon ; John N. Sebrell, Junior Dea-con ; —7– –, Chaplain ; H. V. Cobb, Tiler. PAST MASTER—James E. Sebrell. MEMBERS—Joseph E. Bailey, Henry T. Barham, It. Frank. Barham, Charles A. Bell, Andrew J. Coker, W. F. Deal, Lewis P. Freeman, George W. Lawrence. James It. Kello, Joseph F. Musgrave. Charles W. Nicholson, J. Emmett Sebrell, Thos. E. Sebrell, Andrew J. Sheffield, James R. Tyler, W. W. White, Junius W. Williams, Irvin C. Wills-20.

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Of the 26 -members shown it is possible that as many as nine •men could have been raised in the previous 14 months, nine being the number that -do not show up on other lodges’ rolls prior to 1889. During-those. years the Grand Lodge did not print the number of raised Masons in the Proceedings and, lacking local records, it is impossible to. tell for sure who was raised when. But of these nine masons there are four that we can be sure were raised in Courtland Lodge because these four young men all carried the name Sebrell, were brothers, and were sons of James E. Sebrell. The oldest brother, William James Sebrell, is shown as Senior Deacon in 1890. A graduate of Randolph Macon College and the University of Virginia, W. J. Sebrell practiced law in Southampton County and was Commonwealth’s Attorney in the early 1900’s. He also served Southampton as a State Representative in 1885-86. He was married to Antoinette Kindred in 1689 at the age of 33. The second brother, Thomas Edward Sebrell, was born in 1859 and married Ella Prince in 1883. He lived until 1946 and was involved in the insurance business for most of his life. The third brother, Joseph Emmett Sebrell, was born in 1861 and married Elizabeth Cobb in 1885. He was a graduate of Richmond Medical College and practiced medicine in Southampton County and later in Norfolk. He died in Charlotte, N.C. in 1931. The fourth brother, John Ney Sebrell, is shown as Junior Deacon in 1890. Like his brother William James, John Ney graduated from the University of Virginia and practiced law in Southampton County. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1901-02, and later moved to Norfolk and was for several years the City Attorney there. In 1939 he was appointed Chairman of the State ABC Board and held that position until his death in 1947. In 1904 he was married to Bessy Rose Prince. In his later years, Bro. James Edward Sebrell could, no doubt, boast of a family without peer in masonic circles in Virginia. Of his four sons raised in the first year of Courtland Lodge, three served as her Worshipful Master. An additional son, Robert Ashby, was Master of Ruth Lodge No.89 in Norfolk. A sixth son, Charles Hall Sebrell, was later raised in Courtland No.85 and served as her Master as well. In addition to being one of Courtland No.85’s youngest Masters, John N. Sebrell was also active in the appendant bodies and served as Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America. Brother James Edward Sebrell was most correct when he stated, “This new lodge has entered upon its Masonic career with good prospects of success.” The First 25 Years 1889 - 1914 The official minutes of Courtland No. 85 start with the meeting of July 8, 1914, written in the hand of H. H. Gillette, Secretary at that time. What happened to the minutes of the first 25 years? The only thing we are sure of is that no one in Courtland 85 today knows. Written on the front inside cover of the Minute Book started in December of 1921, a note by R. A. Pope, the Secretary from 1918 to 1931, indicates that “The secretaries book previous to this was put in the hands of Bro. G. W. Reese to put in the vault of the Peoples Bank for safekeeping R.A. Pope Mar.9, 1922. Also book previous to that,

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sometimes during the year 1923”. What became cf the bock “previous to that” no one knows. But in 1989 we are not completely destitute of all knowledge of the first 25 years of Courtland No. 85. The end of year report that is required of all District Deputy Grand Masters was printed in the Proceedings up into the 1960’s. Throughout the first 25 years of Courtland 85’s history. she was blessed with the membership of J. E. Sebrell, D.D.G.M. Through Brother Sebrell’s reports we gain some insight on how things proceeded in Courtland No. 85. In the report of 1890 Bro. Sebrell finds the “Masonic outlook encouraging” and reported that during the year he has “conferred within the District forty-three degrees”. Also in that year Bro. Sebrell conducted corner-stone ceremonies for both Franklin and Courtland MethOdist ChUrches “with the assistance of quite a large number of the representatives of the several lodges in the District.” In the report of 1892 Bro. Sebrell reports that: On the 25th of August the corner-stone cf the new Masonic Hall at Courtland was laid, many Masons of the adjoining Lodges being present and assisting in the very impressive ceremonies. Right Worshipful G. H. Ray delivered a very interesting and eloquent address to a large assemblage of ladies and gentle-men on the occasion. In September I conducted the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone of the new Baptist Church at Capron, and in October the corner-stone of Barnes’ Church in Southampton county. Courtland Lodge No. 85 had purchased their first lot, No. 34 on the Kindred Plat, on July 2, 1890. The trustees for the Lodge, C. W. Nicholson, R. F. Barham and J. N. Sebrell purchased lot No. 34 from John J. Kindred and W. J. Sebrell for the sum of $5.00. It is assumed that the original lodge hall was built completely on Lot 34 because Lot 35 was not purchased until November 22, 1894. In that year the same group of trustees purchased Lot No. 35 from David Lehman of New York City for the sum of $50.00. These transactions are found in Deed Books 41 and 43, Southampton County Court. In 1893 Bro. Sebrell is discouraged over the progress of several lodges but is happy with 151 and 85, comparing them to the best anywhere. Also in 1893 the Grand Lecturer visits Courtland for the first time. In 1894 Bro. Sebrell proposes that the 32nd District be split into Isle of Wight and Southampton Counties to provide for more frequent visits by the District Deputy. He also reports that No. 64 in Boykins is close to extinction. In 1895 Bro. Sebrell gives the following report on Courtland 85: No. 85 has been doing well this year. I have been present at every meeting, and assisted in conferring twenty-seven degrees. Several candidates are now

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page21-18

asking for advancement, and at almost every stated communication petitions for initiation are presented. During this year his son, John N. Sebrell had been Worshipful Easter. In 1896 Bro. Sebrell reports that Boykins No. 64 has surrendered her charter and is extinct. Of Courtland he reports a net gain of 5 members and good financial condition. In 1897 Bro. Sebrell reports that Courtland No. 85 officiated at the corner-stone laying for Clarksburg Methodist Church. He also reported that “his lodges were opposed to any increase in the per capita assessment by the Grand Lodge for the Masonic Home.” (The Orphanage) In 1898 Bro. Sebrell reported that he had been present at every communication of Lodge No. 85 and had assisted in conferring thirty-two degrees. during the year. He reported that during that year No. 85 had 16 communications with an average attendance of 19 out of a membership of 48. In his report of 1900 Bro. Sebrell expressed the feeling that ’there are more “bright” young Masons in the District than in the previous forty years of its history.” He also stated that each lodge was in good financial shape and in the coming year no lodge within the 32nd District would have any indebtedness. In 1902 Bro. Sebrell reports that Berlin No. 42 was debating the move of its lodge to Ivor and that Courtland No. 85 experienced a net gain of 3 members. By 1904 Berlin Lodge had moved to Ivor. Also in 1902 he reports that a new lodge in Boykins was operating under a dispensation and would soon be chartered. It is in 1904 that Bro. Sebrell requests he not be reappointed to D.D.G.M. This was the year in which he became Cashier of the Peoples Bank of Courtland and one may assume that his work was more pressing. In 1905 he reports that Courtland had eight new members join during that year. 1906, 07 and 08 bring short reports, very unlike Bro. Sebrell. In 1909 he reports “that some friction exists among the membership” of Courtland 85. 1910 brings another short, almost melancholy, report, no doubt due to the death of his eldest son, W. J. Sebrell in November of 1910. In 1911 he reports that the lodge in Capron, operating under a dispensation, does not have the interest and will not ask for a charter. In the same year he reports that CoUrtland No. 85 has lain a cornerstone for the new Methodist Church in Sebrell. In 1912 he reports the sad loss to Courtland No. 85 of R. Frank Barham, Past Master and long time treasurer. 1913 and 1914 bring short reports from Bro. Sebrell. Over the last five years of his tenure as D.D.G.M. Bro. J. E. Sebrell becomes a bit more positive in the tone of his reports, as he had been in the previous century. He speaks warmly about Bro. G. W. Wright, the Grand Lecturer during these years. He reports on the laying of corner-stones for Methodist Churches–Newsoms in 1916 and Sedley in 1917. His final report Bro. Sebrell makes from his hospital bed in Norfolk, regretting he will not be able to attend Grand Lodge in the following week. His final line from his 35th report sums up his nature so well:

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page 22-19

I wish to express my heartfelt love and gratitude to my brethren, who have shown me so many courtesies and kindnesses, and trust that they may find Masonry as great a benefaction to then’ as it has been to me. Fraternally submitted, JAS. E. SEBRELL, D.D.G.M. District No.32 THE SECOND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS 1914-1939 In writing a history from the secretaries’ records of events, one needs to be exceptionally careful. The many small details recorded, that perhaps seem so trivial when they were approved, become fascinating as time separates them from the event. It is much too easy to become so engrossed in details that one can overlook the broad flows that occur across time–trends that greatly effect an organization. Yet if one only looks for trends and patterns, it is easy to miss “jewels” of detail that make the organization more human. And many details and broad flows of events are found in the second twenty-five years of Courtland No. 85. Over seven hundred pages of secretaries minutes speak to these years. It being impossible to include all this information in one brief narrative history, I have hopefully gleaned the richest information to provide both information and color about this time. One point that stands out is that the minutes, though written in an era much different than our own, show that the Ancient Order of Masonry has changed very little. One can take any of the minutes from 1914, remove the dates and a few details, and those minutes would read as ours do today. Changes have occurred in the way men who are Masons live and work, but there are no real changes in Masons–a reassuring thought in modern times. The period of the second twenty-five years opens with Courtland Lodge No. 85 meeting at 11:00 a.m. on second Wednesdays. Near the end of this period, 1933, the meeting time changes to its current third Tuesday evening time. This change in meeting time reflects the fundamental change in the world throughout this period. Whereas before Masons had been generally farmers and small business owners–men who controlled their own use of time, now Masons were changing to working men who could only meet in the evenings. Whereas before Masons needed daylight or oil lamps for evening meetings, now the addition of electricity made night meetings more convenient. Whereas the period started with most Masons traveling by horse or buggy–not prudent transportation at night–the period ended with the universal use of the motor car. The minutes of the early part of this period indicate that Bros. J. E. Sebrell and R. A. Pope were the “Grand Old Men” of the Lodge. Most of the early lectures and instruction seem to have been provided by these two men. These men were often turned to for their wisdom or advice, and to take care of the problems of the Lodge. In 1916 and 1920 Bro. Sebrell “negotiated” with Miss Fannie Turner to solve problems or set prices for dinners (the midday meal) for the Lodge. For many years Bob Pope was Secretary of the Lodge and a person turned to when problems needed to be solved. Early minutes

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show great concern for Bro. Sebrell whenever he fell ill and there were outpourings of grief both in 1921 at the death of Bro. Sebrell’s wife and again in 1924 at Bro. Sebrell’s passing. The sane expression of grief was evident in 1935 when Bro. POpe passed away. To quote Bro. Ed Manry these two men “ruled the roost” in his early years as a Mason. What a wonderful thing it is to be able to quote Bro. Edward S. Manry, a member of Courtland Lodge for over 72 years. In an interview with Bro. Manry about a week after his 95th birthday I was truly amazed to hear personal reflections about so many of the things I had read about. Bro. Manry’s record as a Courtland Mason is unique in that he was initiated, passed and raised on the same day–as the result of a dispensation granted by the Grand Easter since Bro. Manry was about to be called away to World. War I. Bro. Manry related that the whole day was “a blur” to him and that he learned his first Masonry from Bro. Wallace Chiles, a Missouri Mason, while in France during the War. A year after Bro. Manry’s “busy day” as a result of the First World War, the death of two Brethern, both of whom were warriors, added sadness to Courtland No. 85. Bro. W. W. White, Confederate soldier and survivor of Gettysburg, passed away in May of 1918. Six months later and 5 days short of the end of hostilities, Bro. Arthur C. Parker was killed near Villers, France. Bro. Parker’s earthly remains were eventually returned to America, and he was buried with Masonic honors two years and 10 months after his death. Busy days occurred frequently for Courtland No. 85 in the late teens and twenties–Masonic growth was rapid in these years. What a day February 14, 1917, must have been. One petition was read, 4 petitions were voted on, two of the E.A. Degrees were performed, 4 examinations occurred and 3 Fellow Craft Degrees were performed–all in one day! There were rarely any stated communications that did not have degree work and on numerous occasions 4 or 5 petitions would be read. But while this record showed many new men attracted to the Craft, there is also record of many demits and expulsions for non payment of dues. Courtland Lodge No. 85 showed a net increase in membership of one between 1914 and 1939. Examples of all that is good in Masonry and some of what is bad in huian nature can be found in the minutes of these years. One of the earliest meetings recorded deals with the problem of a Brother who has fallen off a roof and broken both legs. A committee is appointed to make sure he is properly taken care of. Later in the year of 1914 the Lodge contributes to the relief of a widow and 3 orphans of another lodge. But along with this good can be found the bad. In 1917 a Masonic trial expells a Brother charged with murder. 1931 finds another Brother reprimanded for misuse of bank funds. Although the wrong doings of a Mason are most deplorable, it is reassuring to know that the Masonic trial protects the good name of the Institution from those misguided members who would harm it. Perhaps the most spectacular event of those 25 years and the one that shows how Courtland Masons could best work and best agree occurred on June 29, 1928 when the existing lodge building was totally destroyed in a storm. Following that storm 34 members met on July 3 in the Courthouse to start the process of rebuilding. By September plans had been formulated and moved with such smoothness that Courtland was able

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to hold their December 11, 1928 con-iunication in their new building. The disbursments made for the new hail, the one we meet in now, are here shown as they appeared in May of 1929: To amt paid Y.C.Hundley for Rough Lumoer,Hauling and Etc. X464.47. To amt paid Suffolk Lumber Co. for Dressed Eumoer, Frames & Etc. 1013.03-Paid R.B.Jenentan hauling Sand. 6.00: Paid 0.M.Joyner, for Light Fixtures Dire & Etc. 36.00. Amt paid W.E.Edwards & Bro, Nails & Etc. 98.94• ?v.T.Pace, for Doors,Sash,Locks, Wall ooard & Etc. (paint& Varnish) 471.30 W.J.Sebrell Brick & Lime, 71.35. T.H.Birdsosg & Co.,Brick k Lime. 102.05 0.W.Williams cash advanced, for cleaning up around Hall. &Freight(9W 6.90 H.A.0illette, Cash advanced, 3.40 A.H.Harrell, Contractor, building Lodge. 847.00- A.H.Harrell, for Extra 41or2 including front & Etc. not included in original contract. 60.78 Paid J.S.Johnson for Inside Painting and front poarch. 66.50 4 3247.7’– The building committee for the new lodge included the following members: R. A. Pope, E. F. Reese, Jr., C. W. Williams, V. S. Pittman and Junius W. Pulley. What is even more amazing is that while this building program was under way Courtland Lodge was passing and raising a Mason, as a courtesy to Williamsburg No. 6, and using Franklin’s Lodge Hall to accomplish this. Just as Bro. J. E. Sebrell could be said to be the outstanding Mason in Courtland of the first 25 years, the same could be said of Bro. Junius W. Pulley in the second 25. Raised on June 12, 1915, Bro. Pulley better tells his own story, here taken from an account he wrote late in his life: inkil,at the age of 23, attended the funeral of R. M. -Herrin, a merchant of Ivor, and an acquaintance of my childhood. He had been a Mason of some repute and was buried with Masonic honors. During the services I was standing by Dr. Julian T. Doles, our family physician, who was also a Mason, but of the lukewarm variety. He told me some things in praise of the fraternity. Among these was that Masons were not permitted to solicit membership. On this occasion I made up my mind to make application for membership as soon as circumstances permitted. Immediately after I moved to Courtland, September 22, 1913, Benjamin A. Williams, a merchant a little over my age, and I became good friends–in fact inseparable

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companions. He later became cashier of the Sank of Southampton, one of the two banks in Courtland. Both were placed in the hands of receivers during the depression of the thirties. .77:e died of the flu and pneumonia in 1918 when he was well advanced in a suc-cessful career. We applied for membership in the Courtland Masonic Lodge at the same tine, took the degrees together, learned the lectures and, within a short time, each had held every office in our lodge. We studied together at every spare moment under the tutorage of James E. Sebrell, who was then in his seventies, and was con-sidered the best inforzed Mason in the county. He was District Deputy Grand Master continuously for thirty-two years. During our sessions he invariably smoked a charoot, and I can see him now when the charoot had gotten to about one inch in length, take a tocthpick from his vest pocket, stick it in the charoot butt to prevent burning his fingers and throw it away only when the fire got to his lips. He loved Masonry with a passion. We went with him to visit other lodges in his district and Ben and I would often take part in the work. I remember that the first time I ever gave the first degree lecture was in Newsoms Lodge. Mr. Sebrell was a great Mason and a good ran and I still retain respect and gratitude for him. Ben and I were together so much that we came to be called Sam and Rufus for Sam and Rufus Lane, two farmer brothers who came to town every Saturday afternoon and stayed together the whole time. Ben was my senior by some seven or eight years but the discrepancy in age had no effect on our congenialtiy and when he died I was greatly shocked and grieved. When we became members of the lodge it had morning and afternoon sessions and dinner at Mrs. Fannie Turner’s hotel. She invariably had chicken pie, for which she was justly famous. Our members came from as far as Sedley, Sebrell, Joyner, Capron and Drewryville; most of them in buggies. Among those I remember were Ed Marks of Pope, R. A. Pope, Eldridge Pope and Amos Pose and Charlie Newsoms of Drewryville, Sam. Lankford and an elderly man named Reese from Capron, a Mr. Bradshaw from Sedley at whose funeral Ben and I took part. Two incidents at this funeral impressed themselves on my memory. One was that we had been unable to open our lodge in our lodge hall (a necessary prerequisite) and we hid ourselves in a horse stable where we opened our lodge in “due and ancient form” after turning out the horse. The other was one of the pallbearers holding one end of the strap under the head of the casket got his foot too near the edge of the grave, slipped in, and, in his efforts to keep from falling, let go his hold on the strap and the coffin fell in head first. I have often wondered if our brother Bradshaw was not jolted into an uncomfortable

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position. After the ceremonies we repaired in a body to our horse stable lodge and closed the lodge in ritualistic form. In due time I served as Master of Courtland Lodge some five or six times and one year I was Master of both Courtland and IVor Lodges. I served five terms as District Deputy Grand Master. I knew all the work and lectures, with the exception of the Second Degree Lecture, and even that r blundered over on two or three occasions. At the end of 50 years of Courtland No. 85 Bro. Junius Pulley, along with Bros. C. W. Davis, F. L. Davis, Sr. and T. B. Bell, were the driving force that directed the Lodge towards its next 50 years. In closing the first 50 years’ history of Courtland No. 85 it is important to note, that at this writing, 4 Masons from that era yet remain. Along with Bro. Edward S. Manry, our oldest member, are Bros. L. A. (Dick) Clements, R. L. Vaughan and a member of Franklin 151 who was raised in Courtland, W. Graham Atkins. All of these Brethren are Past Masters and Right Worshipful Vaughan and Atkins are still very active in the work of their lodges. The Third Twenty-Five Years 1939-1963 The first several years of the new quarter century started out at a slow pace; certainly giving no indication of how it would finish•_ through the Fifties and early Sixties. There were no new candidates in 1939 or early 1940, but when three petitioners were elected in June of 1940, degree work by T. B. Bell, G. E. Harris, F. L. Davis, Sr., and lectures by J. W. Pulley continued in “due form”. The “new” Lodge Hall was now about 12 years old, and when painted in the summer of 1940 the cost was $71.33 for paint and oil, and $50 for labor. Although the Depression was supposed to be over it appears cur Brethren in these years still had occasional money problems. In 1939 $650 was still owed to the estate of Bro. R. A. Pope from the rebuilding of the Lodge Hall. During that year some confusions occurred over charity money, no doubt due to the practice of charity funds being"loaned" to general funds. Charity collections during these yeareould typically be as little as 25 to 30 cents per meeting. In November of 1940 15 members were ordered cited for non-payment of dues. But even in that time of tight money much good Masonry occurred. On several occasions the membership collected special funds to contribute to the relief of others. In May of 1940 there was a “Ladies Night” occasion–a brunswick stew at Delaware Beach followed by speeches by Franklin and Courtland Masons. The year 1941 began with an impressive open Installation of Officers on January 31 with “many ladies in attendance.” On September 12 of the same year Courtland No. 85 invited the Thirty-Second Masonic District to a most impressive Grand Master’s visit. After a fish muddle the members of Courtland Lodge received the Grand Master and raised a candidate, J. W. Pope, Jr., to

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the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The Grand Master, C. D. Freeman, gave Bro. Pope the Lecture. Unfortunately such a good year as 1941 ended for Courtland No. 85 and the rest of America on December 7th. The Stated Communication of December 16, 1941 rust have been a buzz with war talk, but very little shows in the secretary’s secord. No official comment occurs in that record until the Lodge “contributes $10 to the Red Cross War Relief Fund” and the Master appoints a committee of Bros. 0. M. Joyner and L. A. Majette to “Prepare a list of our members that had been drafted in the army and also those who are members of the Virginia Protective Force.” The war years touched on Courtland No. 85 in a number of ways. In February of 1942 all servicemen had their dues remitted for the duration of the conflict. The August Stated Communication was cancelled because,of a black out. In June of 1943 a supper at the Lodge was called off because of the gas shortage. Bro. W. B. Simmons, III was raised in South Carolina in October 1943, as a courtesy to Courtland No. 85 by Spartare Lodge No. 70 because of Bro. Simmons’ military duty. In May of 1943 a service flag was secured to commemorate all members of Courtland No. 85 who served in the military services. Courtland Lodge No. 85 sadly had to remember two of its Brethren, Bros. H. E. Marks, Jr. and Olin D. Rogers, with gold stars for their ultimate sacrifice to their country. As the war years pushed to their end, a renewed vigor was being felt in Courtland No. 85. By June of 1943 Courtland had removed its debt on the Lodge Hall by subscription at the order of F. L. Davis, Sr.,W.M. In May of 1944 the Lodge purchased Lot No. 33 from Bro. W. J. Sebrell for $50.00, completing the size of the current Lodge property. This same Spring saw a renewed interest in Masonry and by September of 1944 seven men were in varying states of work. In January of 1945 five new petitions were read. In February and again in April of 1946 four new petitions were read. The first record of proficiency in the Master Masons Catechism was noted to Bro. G. R. Bryant in March of 1946. September 16, 1947 must have been a special evening for Bro. J. W. Pulley, for on that evening he was able to give the Master Mason’s Lecture to B. A. Williams, Jr., the son of his dear and long deceased friend. Bra. Cecil Tillery’s being raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 25, 1948 was typical of so many degrees that occurred through the Forties and early Fifties. Bros. G. E. Harris and T. B. Bell presided in the first and second sections, and Bro. J. W. Pulley lectured. Other Brethren whose names regularly appeared as Lecturers in that period include C. W. Davis, K. C. Rice, Jr. and W. Graham Atkins, both as a member and moved to Franklin No. 151 in 1949, but his heart never seemed far from Courtland. Other visitors whose names appeared regularly in the degree work of Courtland included Bros. E. F. “Doc” Spivey and J. T. Steward of Franklin No. 151. Meeting in Courtland No. 85’s Lodge Building during this same period of time was the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 68. Chartered in 1942 the Eastern Star Chapter assisted Courtland No. 85 in a number of open programs, and has done much to help embellish the Lodge Hall with contributions over the years.

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Moving into the 1950’s with its growing membership of “creature comforts” being pointed out to them, and with the need no doubt, by the Eastern Star Ladies, Courtland No. 85 embarked on additional building and improvement programs. Work proceeded in 1953 on the Lower Hall under the direction of a committee composed of Bros. L. H. Holland, J. E. Crenshaw, and R. J.. Hotchkiss. The windows of the Lodge were replaced in 1955. The issue of restrooms which had come up numerous times from the late Forties on, was finally resolved in 1956 when connection to city water made the project more affordable. Initially envisioned as two restrooms, the more economical one room plan was completed in 1956 and the note was paid off in a 3-way loan to the Lodge by Bros. F. L. Davis, Sr., T. B. Bell, and G. E. Harris. Courtland Lodge No. 85 came very close to a disaster as bad as 1928 when on February 12, 1962 a fire severely damaged, but did not destroy, the Hall. The services of Bro. L. H. Holland were secured to work under a building committee to repair and improve the Hall. By 1963 the .repairs had been accomplished, gas heat installed, and work on the kitchen was proceeding. As Courtland No. 85 moved to the end of its third quarter century it did so with a much larger membership, an active work schedule and a much improved Hall. The Grand Lodge returns of 1963 showed a net increase in membership of 49 from 1939. Active instructional leadership in the early 1960’s was being provided by Bros. W. L. Everette, W. B. Ellis, K. C. Rice, E. B. Parker, and J. E. Crenshaw. Bro. J. E. Crenshaw followed Bro. K. C. Rice, Jr. into the early 1960’s as Secretary, both Brothers doing a most excellent job. Older Brothers J. W. Pulley and F. L. Davis, Sr.. still provided instruction and wisdom to the Craft. Bro. Pulley would still speak at special meetings, such as Founders Day celebrations, and Bro. Davis was still active in the ritual work, raising his grandson, Paul Banks, Jr., in 1961, and being named District Chairman of Masonic Education and Instruction in 1963. Even the District and State leadership in the final year of the third quarter century was most auspicious with John Stokes as Grand Master and the beloved Simpson Porter of Newsoms No. 128 as D.D.G.M. Courtland Lodge No. 85 was not without its losses in the late Fifties and early Sixties. Bros. C. W. Davis and G. E. Harris passed away in 1957 and Bro. T. B. Bell in 1961. It is a tribute to Brother Bell to say this about his love for and gift to Masonry; that just 4 days before he left for that “Undiscovered Country” he had given the Master Mason’s L.Oure at the raising of Bro. K. S. Marks. The last Years of the third quarter century ended in many activities for Courtland No. 85. In July of 1962 the Lodge took part in the laying of the foundation stone of Southampton Memorial Hospital. August of 1963 finds Courtland No. 85 involved in a family picnic at Manry Hunt Club, planning a Ladies’ Night supper in Capron, and preparing for the use of the Hall for polio vaccine dispensing in early 1964. It most certainly can be said that Courtland No. 85 of the early 1960’s was in its full beauty and glory. - 25 -

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THE FOURTH 25 YEARS: 1963 - 1989 There is a widely held opinion among many masons that the “good old days” are long past and no bright future is in sight in Virginia Freemasonry. It is true that Virginia Masonry grew rapidly for thirty years through the Thirties, Forties, Fifties and early Sixties. It is also true that since the middle Sixties Virginia has been decreasing in its Masonic population, slowly at first, and now more rapidly. In the last fifty years Courtland Lodge No. 85 has paralleled the growth and decline of Virginia; rapid increases in membership from 1944 through 1963, and a gradual decline since then. Especially in the last 10 years there have been many more Resolutions of Respect than Petitions for Membership in Courtland Lodge No. 85. But a decline in membership in no way indicates that the quality of work has decreased. On the contrary, the Craft has learned to work with greater agreement and many good things have been accomplished in harmony. The Craft may be of an average older age but this age has only served to mature and dignify the Lodge as it poises for the beginning of a second hundred years of service to Cod and mankind. Future historians will take great pleasure in reading about the fourth quarter century of Courtland Lodge No. 85, for with the exception of three years in the early Sixties the minutes of this Lodge were dutifully recorded through the clear eyes and perceptions of Bro. J. E. Crenshaw. Bro. Crenshaw has left a rational system of organization that all who follow shall hope to emulate in the Office of Secretary. The records of earlier quarter centuries had reflected the effects of war and economic crises on the Brethren of Courtland No. 85; the fourth quarter century shows the effect of social and economic change. As early as 1964 the Grand Master of Masons, Bro. M. H. Robbins, was caused to give warning to the Craft in Virginia that if government agencies should ask about admission procedures to lodges, the answer should be that the lodge is the sole judge of whom it will admit. March of 1967 brought a warning to strictly avoid all federal monies that could be used on various lodge properties. Recent threats to the loss of the tax exempt status of the MHOVA based on civil rights laws haVe caused Virginia Masons much concern in 1988 and 1989. As of January 1, 1964 the dues for Courtland No. 85 stood atn”..00; by 1985 that annual figure was at $36.00, a rate the Lodge maintains today. In July of 1964 the Vepco bill stood at $4.95; July of 1989 found the bill from Virginia Power being $34.04. In 1964 the water bill usually averaged $7.00; in 1989 the Department of Water and Sewer gets $16.00. Meals that were typically $1-$3 in 1964 are $7 to $10 in 1989. The Grand Lodge assessment was $435.95 for about 120 members in 1964; in 1989 the same assessment was $882 for about 90 members. In reading the minutes of the past twenty-five years one can see the steady march of inflation. Many embellishments and improvements have been added to our Lodge Building over the past quarter century. In May of 1965, at the end of a Stated Communication, past Matrons of O.E.S. Chapter 68, Mrs. John T. Smith, and Miss Lucille Gillette made presentation of the Masters’ Plaque which hangs in the North. The Plaque was made by Mrs.

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Smith’s son, Jerry, a navy man, out of several species of mahogany. To accurately reproduce the emblem he had magnified one of his ship’s officer’s cuff links 19 times. The Plaque was graciously received by Bro. F. L. Davis, Sr. In November of 1967 the Lodge expressed its gratitude to Bros. K. R. .Purvis and J. D. Cox for furniture recently afforded the Lodge. The said furniture includes the Officers’ Stands and the Altar we use today. In 1968 Bro. K. R. Purvis again earned the Lodge’s thanks for having the Columns in the South renovated and painted. In 1971 fluorescent lights were installed upttairs. April of 1972 finds Bros. E. C. Bond and H. M. Edwards presenting the Lodge with the Officer’s Aprons which we use today. By March of 1976 the decision was made to stop exterior painting and install aluminum siding, this work being finished by June of that year. In October of 1978, after 15 years of debate, air conditioning was finally approved to be installed in the Lodge, rounding out nicely the improvements made since rebuilding in 1928. As in its first 75 years Courtland Lodge No. 85 has used its means to contribute to others’ relief in the past quarter century. The ability to perform acts of general charity was tremendously enhanced in July of 1975 when the Lodge was informed of the Elizabeth Williams Johnson Will. In her will Mrs. Johnson established a trust in the name of her late husband, Bro. John Pettaway Johnson, to be shared between four organizations. Courtland Lodge’s share of the Trust’s earnings which has regularly been between $2000 and $3000 per year, was left with the understanding that it would be used “for general charitable purpose in the area served by it.” The Johnson Trust, and regular Lodge contributions to charity, have allowed Courtland Lodge No. 85 to do a number of good works. In 1977 Patti Watkinson and Gregory Council became the first two college students to receive $500 Scholarships from the Lodge. On several occasions distressed older Masons have received financial help in amounts up to $1000, and a number of nonmasonic families have been helped as well. The Lodge regularly contributes $500 per year to the Masonic Home of Virginia, and it is usual, with individual contributions of members, for No. 85 to contribute as much as $1500 per year to the MHOVA, an accomplishment of which the Lodge is quite proud. Over the past quarter century there has been less work in the Ritual, which in consequence has caused the number of Masons who work in the Ritual to decrease. This does not mean that the Ritual has lost its importance to the Craft in Courtland No. 85. In the early parts of this quarter century the Grand Old Man of the Ritual, Bro. F. L. Davis, Sr. worked with other Brethren of the Lodge, such as Bros. W. B. Ellis, J. E. Crenshaw, and W. L. Everette, Jr., to keep the Ritual pure. In the late Sixties much work was taken over by Bro. J. W. Burgess who has been elected Master of Courtland No. 85 four times. When Bro. F. L. Davis, Sr. passed away in November of 1971, an attempt was made by this Lodge to get our area school named for him. It is interesting to note that two month’s prior to Bro. Davis’ death Bro. H. M. Edwards, Jr. performed his first Lecture, the Fellow Crafts, on our current Master, Bro. A. P. Grizzard, Jr. In the years since then Bro. Edwards has become the District’s foremost authority on the Ritual, a member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Work and served in a Grand Lodge Office, as Grand Persuivant in 1985. An

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additional Brother in our Lodge, Pro. E. C. Bond has been appointed to serve in Grand Lodge as Associate Grand Chaplin in 1990. In the Masonic Ritual Work and Education of the past 25 years Courtland Lodge Mc. 85 owes debts of gratitude to Brethren from other lodges. From Franklin Lodge No. 151 Bro. R. W. McMurtrey in the Sixties, and Bros. Joe Steward and W. Graham Atkins in the Seventies and Eighties have assisted our Lodge with many lectures of highest quality. Bro. Tony Lane of Franklin 151 has recently performed his first lecture for Courtland Lodge degree work continuing a special chain of Brotherhood between the two Lodges that has lasted 100 years and promises to endure. In 1988 Courtland Lodge and the Thirty-Second Masonic District suffered a grievous loss at the passing of Bro. Simpson Porter of Newsoms Lodge No. 128. From 1967 when he became Chairman of District Masonic Education, Bro. Porter worked diligently to provide for programs, picnics, and family fellowship for all the lodges of our district. His quiet, happy countenance was a light that will never fade for those of us who remember Bro. Porter and his love for the Craft. And we of Courtland Lodge No. 85 should never fail to remember our own bright lights that have gone on to the “House not made with hands” in this past quarter century. Bro. W. B. Ellis, who was Master in 1964 and an active ritualist before that, passed away in 1968. In August of 1970 Bro. J. W. Pulley, 55 years a Mason, crossed to that “Undiscovered Country”, leaving a tremendous Masonic legacy. The untimely death of Bro. W. L. Everett, Jr., so much the heart of No. 85 throughout the decade of the 70’s, struck the Lodge hard in December of 1980. So hard too, was the loss of our Worshipful Master of 19E7, Bro. W. E. Brooks, who had worked so diligently and achieved so much, yet was struck down by that grim reaper in the fourth month of his tenure in the East. The sudden loss of our Brother R. J. Hotchkiss in November of 1988 deprived Courtland No. 85 of an active Mason and dear Brother. Such bright lights are so difficult to lose, yet easy to revere. EPILOGUE It ‘is easy to look with fondness to the past and it is our duty to remember it. But it is much more important that we look with anticipation to the future and to the new lights that will guide us to it. Let us congratulate Bro. A. P. Grizzard, Jr. who has had a most excellent “100th” year in the East. Salutations go to Bro. B. B. Gentry who will preside over the start of the second hundred years of Courtland 85. To Brothers T. C. Tillery and E. D. Sexton praise is offered for their diligent effort in learning the work of the Craft. Let us offer encouragement to all past Masters and Members of the Craft of Courtland 85 that we may begin anew in our work as Freemasons and be worthy of that which was said by our Brother James E. Sebrell so long ago: “This Lodge has entered upon its Masonic career with good prospects of success.”

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From Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1914 COURTLAND LODGE, No. SS Chartered December 11, 1889. Post°Mee, Courtland. Meets at Courtland, In the county of Southampton, on the second Wednes-day of every month, at 11 o’clock. OFFICERS—E. L. Marks, W. M.•’ Joseph C. Drake, S. W.; Geo. H. Musgrove, J. W.; J. William Ridley, Treasurer; Huger H. Gillette, Sec-retary; Geo. A. Lankford, S. D.; M. A. Pierce, J. D.; H. P. Myers, Chap-lain,; V. H. Cobb, Tiler. PAST MASTERS—J. N. Applewhite, H. G. Bradshaw, E. W. Crichton, J. C. Drake, H. H. Gillette, E. L. Marks, R. H. Pope, E. F. Reese, Jr., Jno. N. Sebrell, Sr.. Jas. E. Sebrell, Jno. I. Turner, W. W. White. MEMBERS—Parley Baker, W. S. Briggs, C. E. Bradshaw, L. M. Cobb, S. D. Clinton, E. W. Davis, M. H. Doyle, J. S. Everett, Geo. B. Everett,• Jesse Dunn, R. A. Fannie, Geo. C. Faville, Jr., W. P. Gillette, B. L. Grizzard, H. T. Grizzard, J. S. Gilliam, Sam Griffin, Geo. W. Hall, R. E. Harrell, J. A. Harrell, S. P. Johnson, J. P. Johnson, C. J. Jones, V. L. McGee, L. L. Maury, J. S. Musgrave, Simon Mern, C. L. Newsom, G. D. Overman, C. B. Parker, T. C. Parker, A. P. Pope, J. A. Rollison, B. W. Sebrell, H. M. Smith, F. W. Stortz, C. F. Spain, R. S. Spain, W. J. Spain, L. R. Urquhart, R. E. Watson, W. B. Westbrook, W. B. Webb, R. E. Whitehead, H. Woolfolk, T. P. Wynne, J. M. Whitehead, J. H. Brace, B. K. Basho, J. Sidney Cobb-68. District No. 32 From Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1939 COURTLAND LODGE, No. 85 Chartered 1889 Post Office. Conrtland, Va. Meets xt Courtland on the third Tuesday of every month. OFFICERS P. B. Edwards, Jr., W. M. C. W. Davis, Secy. L. A. Magette, S. W. F. L. Davis, Jr., S. D. F. N. Barker, J. W. S. L. Joyner, J. D. W. N. Thornton, Treas. F. L. Davis, Tiler PAST MASTERS T. B. Bell I. P. Gilbert A. G. Perry G. W. Reese J. C. Drake 0. M. Joyner V. S. Pittman W. N .Thornton C. W. Davis C. H. Musgrave J. W. Pulley C. W. Williams F. L. Davis E. S. Manry E. F. Reese, Jr. W. S. Williams MEMBERS Atk Grizzard, M. D. Manry, E. S. Reese, W. D. Applewhit4'13. F. Grizzard. H. T. Musgrave, G. H. Rogers, 0. D. Bel!, T. B. Griffin, Samuel Musgrave, W. H. Spain, W. J. Birdsong, T. H., Jr. Gilliam, 0. B. Newsom, C. L. Sebrell, W. J. Benton, F. R. Gilbert, I. P. Magette, L. A. Thomas, Peter Barker, F. N. Hall, W. B. Owen, J. D. Thornton, W. N. Burch, J. G. Harrell, W. S. Parker, C. B. Thornton, H. V. Burke. K. E. Harris, C. E. Pierce, M. A. Vaughan, R. L. Chappell, H. H. Howell, C. C. Pope, A. P. Wade, J. H. Clements, L. A. Johnson, S. P. Pope, W. B. Williams, C. W. Drake, J. C. Jones, C. J. Pope. S. E. Williams, W. S. Davis, C. W. Joyner, 0. M. Pulley, J. W. Williams, H. C. Davis, F. L. Joyner, S. L. Pittman, V. S. Webb, W. M. Davis, F. L., Jr. Judkins, E. C. Pittman, W. T. Whitehead, H. H. Edwards, P. B. Lankford, G. A. Perry, A. G. Yates, G. H. Ellsworth, E. P., Jr. Lankford. McClen ny RPese, E. F., Jr. Fox, J. E. Leigh, Joshua Reese, G. W. (69 mtrni,N1 Grizzard, R. L. Marks, R. H. Raised—O. D. Roger,, W. G. Atkins. Affiliated—J. G. Burch. G. E. Harris. Died—C. L. Bailey. J. L. Gilliam.

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In I.. ,Ii ,.t I, r GRAND LODGE, A. F. & A. M. 01" VIRGINIA District No. 32 Meets at COURTLAND LODGE No. 85 Chartered December 11, 181(9 Cott rtiand 125 Post Office, Courtland, Vs. the third Tuesday of every month OFFICERS Willie Bart, Ellis, W. M. (‘oartlittni, Va. Paul litatinon Davis, S. W. Courtland, Va. James Itichard K.ello, III, J. W. Court land, Va. Leray Magette, Treasurer Courtlailli, Va. John Ldwarcl Crenshaw, Secretary Cour:land, Va. Kyle Itohert,on Purvis, S. D. Carron, Vie. B. H. Brooks L A. Clements J. E. Crenshaw t’ L. Davis G. H. Davis W. L. Everett, Jr. J. B. Holcomb (291) Andrews, S. W. Applewhite, E. M. Bailey, Wm. McC. Baker, John I Baker, Otis F. Betakes. P. J., Jr. Barham, J. N. Barker, F. N. Barksdale, J. B., Jr. Barrett, E. S. Neale, B. H. Beale, R. F., Jr. Bell, A. H. Helier, Jerome Brooks, R. H. Brooks, W. E. Bryant, G. R. Bryant, G. T. Bryant, R. P. Burgess, 3. M. Burgess, James W. Camp, S. V., Jr. Chappelle, H. H. °entente, L. A. Crenshaw, J. E. Davis, F. I.. Davis, G. H. Davis. Paul B. Dickerson. R. M. Dunn, Paul C. Allen Henry Bell, .1. D. Sedley, Va. Robert Janney liotehliiss, Clatolitin Stalley, V a. Enonette Russell Vaughan, Steward Court ad, Va. John Irving linker, Steward Capron, Va. Jani Wilton Burge;:;, Tiler Sedley, Va. PAST MASTERS L. H. Holland V. S. Pittman *E. R. Vaughan R. J. Hotchkiss J. W. Pope, Jr. (128) *1t. I,. Vaughan •J. W. Pulley .1. W. Vick J. W. Pulley, Jr. /1. P. Watkinson G. W. Reese W. N. Whitehead *K. C. Rice, Jr. Is. A. Williuma. Jr. W. S. Williams D. M. Joyner E. S. Maury L. A. Magette K. B. Parker MEMBERS Dunn, R. J., Jr Edwards, 13. L., Jr. Edwards, George la Edwards, II. M., Jr. Elder, V. A. Ellis, Willie II. Ellsworth, E. P., Jr. Everett, W. L., Jr. Everette, M. L. Francis, G. G. Francis, V. W. Foster. Nathan Girette, B. A. Gillette, E. F. Grizzard, B. E. Hancock, H. J. Hancock, H. S. Hill. Spurgeon W. Holcomb, J. B. Holland. Lewis H. Hooke, John R. Hotchkiss, R. J. Nowell, C. C. Howell, E. F. Handley, F. B. Handley, G. T., Jr. FlandleY. J. W. Joyner, 0. M. !Cello, J. R., III Magette, L. A. Maury, E. S. Marks, A. P. Marks, C. S. Marks, It. H. Marks, B. E. Moore. hardy Moreland, J. H. McClenny, J. D. McClenny. J. E. Munford, Moody E. Newsoms, C. L. Owen, J. D. Parker, E. B. Parker, W. H. Peele, D. C. Peyton, C. C. Pierce, M. A. Pittman, John P. Pittman, V. S. Poates, Calvin 0. Poates, F. W. Poates, 0. II. Pope, A. P. Pope, J. W., Jr. Pope, W. 13. Pulley, F. 13. Pulley, J. W. Pulley, J. W., Jr. Purviance, II. M., Jr Purvis, Kyle R. Reese, G. W. Rice, K. C., Jr. Settle, Charles 13. Simpson, J. G., Jr. Simmons, J. K. Simmons, J. P., Jr. Simmons, W. 13., III Simmons, Walter M. Smith, L. N. Thomas Peter Tillery, T. C. Urquhart, C. F Vaughan, E. R. Vaughan, R. L. Vick. Jack W. Watkinson, H. P. Whitehead, H. 13 Whitehead, H. IL Whitehead, H. ft Whitehead, L. D. Whitehead, S. A., J r. Whitehead, W. N Williams, B. A.. Jr. Williams, David C. Williams. W. S. Worst, G. K. Yates, O. H. York, H. C. Total Members-118 RA ISM).– .1 ames Wilton Burgess, Bennet t Lee Edwards, J r., .lames rold More-land, Mood, Elton Manford, Walter Maurice Simmons, David Collin Williams. AFFILIATED—Paul Crawford Dunn. WITHDRAWALS—James Clayton Bryant.

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The Officers of Courtland Lodge No. 85 - 1989 front row - J. H. Holland, Senior Deacon; second row from left - L. H. Holland, Steward; T. C. Tillery, Junior Warden; B. B. Gentry, Senior Warden; A. R. Worrell, Steward; third row from left - W. Sutton, Tiler; E. C. Bond, lreasurcr; A. P. Grizzard, Jr. Worshipful Master; J. F. Crenshaw, StTretary, J. W. Burgess, Chaplain. not pictured - A. E. Briggs III, Junior Deacon.

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Some of the Pastmasters of Courtland Lodge No. 85 front row - left to right: L. H. Holland, 1958; K. R. Purvis, 1967; J. E. Crenshaw, 1957; R. L. Vaughan, 1947; second row - J. H. Holland, 1986; W. Sutton, 1977; E. C. Bond, 1981; A. P. Grizzard, Jr. 1978, 1989; J. W. Burgess, 1969, 1973,1982, 1988; A. R. Worrell, 1979.

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NEMSEERS OF COURTLAND LODGE NO. 85 - 1989 S. W. Andrews C J. Arringtm, J. C. C. Baker, Jr. F. N. Barker, Jr. J. B. Barksdale, Jam. E. S. Barrett B. H. Beale R. F. Beale, Sr. A. H. Bell J. Beller E. C. Bond E. O. Bond A. E. Briggs R. H. Brooks G. R. Bryant G. T. Bryant H. F. Bryant J. W. Burgess J. M. Burgess L. A. Clements J. D. Cox J. A. Creasey J. E. Crenshaw G. H. Davis P. B. Davis R. M. Dickerson. M. L. Dodson R. J. Dunn, Jr. B. L. Edwards, lar. G. B. Edwards H. M. Edwards, In. J. K. Edwards M. L. Everett M. L. Everett, Jr:- C. E. Faison G. G. Francis V. W. Francis B. B. Gentry A. P. Grizzard, Sir.. B. E. Grizzard E. L. Grizzard E. M. Grizzard R. R. Hart S. W. Hill J. H. Holland L. H. Holland J. R. Hooke G. T. Hundley, Jr. J. W. Hundley H. P. Jackson L. W. Jarvis J. H. Jenkins G. M. Johnson R. R. Kelly E. S. Manry B. E. Marks L. S. Marks J. H. Moreland M. E. Munford E. B. Parker L. E. Parker D. C. Peele J. P. Pittman C. 0. Poates F. B. Pulley J. W. Pulley, Jr. K. R. Purvis K. C. Rice, Jr. C. B. Settle E. D. Sexton J. K. Simmons J. P. Simmons W. B. Simmons, III W. M. Simmons H. K. Suits Willie Sutton T. C. Tillery R. L. Vaughan J. W. Vick H. B. Whitehead H. H. Whitehead, Sr. H. R. Whitehead S. A. Whitehead, Jr. W. N. Whitehead B. A. Williams, Jr. D. C. Williams A. R. Worrell J. G. Wyatt

page 37-34

PASTMASTERS OF COURTLAND) LODGE NO. 85 A.F.&A.M.

|—|—|—|—|—| |1889|J. E. Sebrell| |1939|P. B. Edwards, Jr.| |1890|J. E. Sebrell| |1940|L. A. Magette| |1891|J. E. Sebrell| |F. M. Barker| 1 • r. N, NeOek 1892 - R. F. Barham 444 P. I" Hotile, 1893 - W. J. Sebrell 141 V I" Hoolo 1894 - J. I. Turner 444 1" A, Olome0=4 1895 - J. N. Sebrell 1.144 N. 1/4110411 1896 - J. E. Sebrell 444 II, P, 1897 - J. E. Sebrell u4i - P. W, YouloHoH 1898 - J. S. Musgrave o4o 4, W. all 1899 - J. E. Sebrell 040 T, N. Nell 1900 - J. N. Sebrell, Jr. 440 w, N. WhIttehood 1901 - J. N. Sebrell, Jr. oni II, P, Weliklution 1902 - E. W. Crichton 411 r, I., Dowto 1903 - E. W. Crichton oni h. A. WIllieme, jr. 1904 - E. W. Crichton 14, J. Hotohklee 1905 - C. H. Sebrell ono d. W. Pulley, jr. 1906 - J. N. Applewhite unn $, O. Niue, Jr. 1907 - E. F. Reese on/ • J. M. Crenellnw 1908 - J. C. Drake viii • 1,, U. Holland 1909 - E. L. Marks 0/14 ’ N. H. hrooke 1910 - J. C. Drake ono - J, W. Vlok 1911 - H. A. Gillette tlpl - O. H. Davis 1912 - R. A. Pope 444 - N. P1. Parker 1913 - J. N. Applewhite 041 W. L. Everett, Jr. 1914 - E. L. Marks 044 W. H. Ellis 1915 - J. C. Drake 1044 . P. R. Davis 1916 - G. H. Musgrave 1044 is J. R. Kello, III 1917 - R. A. Pope 1047 K. R. Purvis 1918 - J. W. Pulley 1044 A. H. Bell 1919 - B. A. Williams 1040 - J. W. Burgess 1920 - C. W. Williams 1070 ■ M. L. Everett 1921 - J. C. Drake 1071 - J. W. Vick 1922 - G. W. Reese 1072 - H. P. Watkinson 1923 - E. S. Manry 1011 - J. W. Burgess 1924 - C. W. Davis 1074 - C. C. Baker, Jr. 1925 - 0. M. Joyner 101i - C. C. Baker, Jr. 1926 - H. L. Weston 1078 - H. M. Edwards, Jr. 1927 - V. S. Pittman 1977 - Willie Sutton 1928 - V. S. Pittman 19/8 - A. P. Grizzard, Jr. 1929 - W. S. Williams 1070 - A. R. Worrell 1930 - W. S. Williams 1030 - L. E. Parker 1931 - T. B. Bell 1981 - E. C. Bond 1932 - F. L. Davis 1932 - J. W. Burgess 1933 - A. G. Perry 1983 - L. W. Jarvis 1934 - C. W. Williams 1084 - L. W. Jarvis 1935 - W. N. Thornton 1085 - M. L. Everett, Jr. 1936 - J. W. Pulley 1986 - J. H. Holland 1937 - T. B. Bell 1987 - W. E. Brooks 1938 - I. P. Gilbert 1088 - J. W. Burgess 1889 - A. P. Grizzard, Jr.

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