The History of Freemasonry in St. Augustine
Early Years: 1565 - 1763
There may have been Traveling Lodges or Military Lodges in and around St. Augustine during the early years (1565 – 1763).
These Lodges were not permanent and few records were kept. They were not under a Grand Lodge System, therefore there were no proceedings or Grand Lodge records available.
The 14th Regiment of Foot received a warrant for Military Lodge No. 58 in January 1759. The regiment and Lodge is recorded as being there in 1776.
These Lodges were not permanent and few records were kept. They were not under a Grand Lodge System, therefore there were no proceedings or Grand Lodge records available.
The 14th Regiment of Foot received a warrant for Military Lodge No. 58 in January 1759. The regiment and Lodge is recorded as being there in 1776.
British and Spanish Periods: 1763 - 1821
In 1763 Florida was ceded to Great Britain and in 1768 the first of the recorded Lodges appeared. Grant’s East Florida Lodge was warranted under the G.L. of Scotland, with James Grant being the first W.M.. This Lodge became extinct in 1786 during the second Spanish period.
Also on March 15, 1768 Brother James Grant, Governor of East Florida, was appointed the Provisional Grand Master over the Lodges in the Southern District of North America. His seat was in St. Augustine.
In 1771, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of East Florida William Drayton signs a charter for St. Andrews Lodge in St. Augustine. The 29th Regiment of Foot, with their Military Lodge named the Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, arrives in St. Augustine.
They stay until September 1773 when they return to England.
From 1778 until 1780 “Lodge No. 204” was active in St. Augustine. It was warranted under the G.L. of England.
In 1806, the St. Fernando Lodge No. 28 was warranted under the G.L. of Georgia with Samuel Betts Worshipful Master.
This Lodge was closed by a mandate of the Spanish Government on 1811.
Later in 1820, Lodge No. 30 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina and was closed by a decree of the King of Spain in 1820.
Floridian Virtues Lodge No. 28 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina in 1820 with John Giger Worshipful Master.
Squire Streeter, Antonio Alvarez and John Walton were also principal officers of the Lodge.
This Lodge closed in 1828.
Also on March 15, 1768 Brother James Grant, Governor of East Florida, was appointed the Provisional Grand Master over the Lodges in the Southern District of North America. His seat was in St. Augustine.
In 1771, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of East Florida William Drayton signs a charter for St. Andrews Lodge in St. Augustine. The 29th Regiment of Foot, with their Military Lodge named the Glittering Star Lodge No. 322, arrives in St. Augustine.
They stay until September 1773 when they return to England.
From 1778 until 1780 “Lodge No. 204” was active in St. Augustine. It was warranted under the G.L. of England.
In 1806, the St. Fernando Lodge No. 28 was warranted under the G.L. of Georgia with Samuel Betts Worshipful Master.
This Lodge was closed by a mandate of the Spanish Government on 1811.
Later in 1820, Lodge No. 30 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina and was closed by a decree of the King of Spain in 1820.
Floridian Virtues Lodge No. 28 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina in 1820 with John Giger Worshipful Master.
Squire Streeter, Antonio Alvarez and John Walton were also principal officers of the Lodge.
This Lodge closed in 1828.
U.S. Territorial Period: 1821 - 1845
Florida became a possession of the United States in 1821 and a U.S. Territory in 1822.
Lodge No. 30 which was closed in 1820 was revived in 1824 as Montgomery Lodge No. 30 by the G.L. of Georgia.
However, this Lodge forfeited its charter in 1827 because of N.P.D.s.
A Mark Masters Lodge, named Union Mark Lodge, was established under the authority of DeWitt Clinton, Grand High Priest of the General Royal Chapter of the United States. The charter was dated March 25, 1822.
La Esperanza Lodge No. 47 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina in 1824 and surrendered its charter in 1827. Their work was all done in Spanish. The Lodge was closed after one year because most of the members moved to Havana, Cuba.
The Grand Lodge of Florida Free and Accepted Masons was formed in 1838.
Clinton Lodge No. 7 existed between 1838 and 1840 warranted under the G.L. of Florida.
On January 12, 1842, St. Johns Lodge No. 12 was chartered under the G.L. of Florida but this lodge surrendered its charter before 1869.
The lodge lost all their property and records in a fire.
Lodge No. 30 which was closed in 1820 was revived in 1824 as Montgomery Lodge No. 30 by the G.L. of Georgia.
However, this Lodge forfeited its charter in 1827 because of N.P.D.s.
A Mark Masters Lodge, named Union Mark Lodge, was established under the authority of DeWitt Clinton, Grand High Priest of the General Royal Chapter of the United States. The charter was dated March 25, 1822.
La Esperanza Lodge No. 47 was warranted by the G.L. of South Carolina in 1824 and surrendered its charter in 1827. Their work was all done in Spanish. The Lodge was closed after one year because most of the members moved to Havana, Cuba.
The Grand Lodge of Florida Free and Accepted Masons was formed in 1838.
Clinton Lodge No. 7 existed between 1838 and 1840 warranted under the G.L. of Florida.
On January 12, 1842, St. Johns Lodge No. 12 was chartered under the G.L. of Florida but this lodge surrendered its charter before 1869.
The lodge lost all their property and records in a fire.
Florida Becomes a State: 1845
St. Johns Lodge No. 55 was chartered on January 16, 1867, but surrendered its charter in 1869.
On January 13, 1876, Ancient City Lodge No. 76 was chartered under the G.L. of Florida and surrendered its charter in November 1886.
In 1882 the Knights of Columbus was chartered in St. Augustine.
On January 18, 1887, Ashlar Lodge No. 98 was opened under dispensation of the G.L. of Florida and was chartered in January 1888. Our Lodge continues to this day.
On January 13, 1876, Ancient City Lodge No. 76 was chartered under the G.L. of Florida and surrendered its charter in November 1886.
In 1882 the Knights of Columbus was chartered in St. Augustine.
On January 18, 1887, Ashlar Lodge No. 98 was opened under dispensation of the G.L. of Florida and was chartered in January 1888. Our Lodge continues to this day.
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