The fraternal society of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons was one of the earliest such organizations in Caswell County. The first lodge was chartered on November 20, 1788, as Caswell Brotherhood Lodge, No. 11, A.F. and A.M. it held its meetings in Leasburg, then the county seat. The Lodge ceased to function late in 1799; perhaps the formation of Person County in 1792 from the western half of old Caswell weakened the membership.A Lodge was organized at Milton in 1818 and in 1820 Golden Fleece Lodge, No. 74, was chartered. In 1824 the General Assembly authorized the lodge to raise $3,000 by one or more lotteries. The earliest members are unknown, but in 1830 the following were active: Thomas L. Stevens, W. M. Malbon, Stephen Dodson, Samuel Watkins, M. P. Huntington, Samuel Holden, Josiah Dixon, Samuel A. Douglas, John E. Lewis, George W. Kent, Mumford Stanfield, Isaac Jones, Henry I. Foster, James M. Gunn, Nathaniel M. Roan, James H. White, Bennett Lea, Richard A. Yarborough, William B. Graves, and Charles D. Donoho. The original charter was revoked in 1837, but the lodge was rechartered in 1848 and continued its work until 1918, when the charter was arrested.
Clinton Lodge, No. 107, meeting in Yanceyville, was chartered in December, 1842, and among its members were Junius Dillworth, Richard Ferguson, James L. Graves, William P. Womack, William A. Lea, Henry Willis, James H. Atkinson, William R. Neal, James Clark, Moses Clark, N. M. Roan, Virgil M. Rainey, John A. Graves, Alfred A. Mitchell, and Alfred M. Ellington. Roan had previously been a member of the Golden Fleece in Milton and he was soon joined in the Yanceyville Lodge by Franklin A. Liley who had also belonged to the Golden Fleece. The charter of the Lodge was surrendered in 1896 or 1897 and a new Lodge, John A. Graves Lodge, No 494, was chartered in 1898. B. S. Graves presided at the initial meeting of the new lodge. On May 20, 1935, this lodge ceased to function when the local Masons resumed the original name and number of the first Yanceyville lodge: Caswell Brotherhood Lodge, No. 11. This was the only lodge in the county in 1977.
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Caswell County Masonic Lodge Kicked Out
Whereas information has been given unto us that persons in several counties within this State and Tennessee, have assumed to themselves the appellation of Free Masons, and have associated together for purposes unknown -- It is therefore made my duty, by special order for that purpose given, to publish the names, members and places of meeting respectively, of all the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee; & to declare on behalf of our Grand Lodge, that all other associations under the appellation of Free Masons, are impostors: that we do deny any connection or fraternity with such associations. We do advise all persons to avoid such, declaring that the following and no other, are possessed of the craft; and that they are regularly constituted Lodges -- to wit:
[No Caswell County lodge listed]
. . . .
It is to be remembered, that the following Lodges have been regularly constituted; that some of them have surrendered their charters, and others have been arrested by order of our Grand Lodge; that they are now considered to be dismissed, to wit:
. . . .
Caswell Brotherhood, 11 Caswell County.
From the Archives,
Test,
Robert Williams, Grand Secretary
Raleigh, Dec. 27th, A. L.
A. D. 1896
Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina), 26 January 1807.
In 1855, the LaFayette Lodge, No. 179, at Leasburg was chartered but its charter was surrendered in 1873. In 1876 an attempt was made to organize another lodge there but work ceased the following year. Caswell Lodge, No. 539, located at Tony (or Baynes, as the community is also known), was chartered in 1906, but in 1924 it was consolidated with John A. Graves Lodge. The building erected at Tony was still standing in 1977.
Source: When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977, William S. Powell (1977) at 425-426.
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Following is the history included in Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 A.F. & A.M. 100th Anniversary 1898-1998:
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| See Description Below |
Caswell Lodge #539 at Tony, Caswell County, North Carolina, was chartered on January 10, 1906. It lost its charter in 1924. Grand Lodge records indicated that "It consolidated with John A. Graves Lodge #494 (April 1934) and the name changed to Caswell Brotherhood #11."
At the Grand Lodge Annual Communication on April 17, 1935, all lodge numbers were reassigned. It was at this time that John A. Graves Lodge #494 was renumbered to Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11. Getting the number 11 restored to Caswell County was due largely to the efforts of Bro. John O. Gunn, Bro. Sam Bason, and Bro. C. C. Cole.
The "direct line" of Caswell Brotherhood #11 as it is today is through John A. Graves Lodge #494. This is and has been a very active lodge over the past century. Many notable citizens of Caswell County have had their names spread upon the minutes as officers and very active members. The minutes reflect a time line of events that members were active in that helped shape our county. Several members have distinguished themselves as Masonic leaders beyond the recesses of our lodge and have served on the district and state level. Others have served as public officials and workers in various trades. All have promoted Masonry by example.
The following lists are names of the officers that have served John A. Graves and Caswell Brotherhood Lodges over the past 100 years. These names are a result of research done to complete the plaque that was placed in the present lodge when it was dedicated in 1976 honoring those who have served as past Masters. As the history in written form progresses, plans are to include full names instead of initials. Also, work has been done on a list of everyone that has been a member of the Lodge from the formation to the present. Hopefully, this may be of some assistance to future generations in genealogical research or for other purposes.
C. L. McGee, P.M.
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To see the entire brochure from which the foregoing was excerpted, including the list of officers since 1897 see: Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 100th Anniversary.
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Building Description: This building was the former location of Dan River Lodge #490 of Prince Hall Freemasons, which remains today as one of four chartered Prince Hall lodges in Caswell County.
Source: Sterling Carter, Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 - Yanceyville, NC, 1 November 2019 Post to Caswell County Historical Association Facebook Page.
Location: Beside the New Ephesus Church on Highway 158 in Caswell County, North Carolina.
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Note that the Yanceyville Masonic Lodge once was housed on the second floor of the building that eventually became the Crowell/Caswell Motor Company. It subsequently held its meetings on the second floor of the Hooper Building (corner of Greensboro Street and Main Street), which eventually became Prices Super Market and then was demolished to make way for the new Yanceyville Drug Store.
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Big Day at Baynes Store
The Masons held their annual picnic at Baynes Store yesterday. The occasion was attended by a large crowd. Two games of ball were played, one between Cedar Grove and Mebane, the other between Pagetown and Baynes Store. Several from this city were present.
Source: The State Dispatch (Burlington, North Carolina, 27 July 1910, Wednesday, Page 1.
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For a summary of the history of all the Masonic lodges in North Carolina see Masonic Lodges History. Note that the Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11, formed in 1788, was one of the first Masonic lodges chartered in the United States. As of November 2008, this lodge remained active, but had gone through a few name changes before reverting to its original name and status. It was appropriate in several respects for the Caswell lodge to be so named. Not only was it located in Caswell County, but the county was named for Richard Caswell, who in 1788 was the Grand Master of the Grand Masonic Lodge of North Carolina. Caswell would die the next year. See: Grand Lodge
See also: Grand Masonic Lodge of North Carolina
At one time known as The John A. Graves Lodge, it apparently had changed its name to honor Caswell County Civil War Lieutenant Colonel John Azariah Graves (1822-1864), who died at the Union's Johnson Island Prison in Ohio. Note that the above link is believed to be to a photograph of John Azariah Graves (or a photograph of his portrait), but this has not been confirmed. It did at one time hang in the Masonic Lodge in Yanceyville that at one time had been named for John A. Graves.
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Yanceyville Masons
Jeems Goslin in The Milton News
There was a Masonic Lodge, an Odd Fellows Hall and a "Sons of Temperance" organization.
The Masons occupied upstairs over the store of C. D. Vernon but built a hall about 1853 which was burned down several years ago. They built again which is now occupied by the Yanceyville Bank and "Knights of the Green Bag" as offices for the latter, on account of having to vacate their offices in the courthouse. The Masons now occupy upstairs over the storehouse of the late L. M. Neal on Main street. The Masonic lodge was chartered as "Clinton Lodge" but is now known as "John A. Graves Lodge." It is named for Capt. John A. Graves, who was an ardent Mason and captain of the Yanceyville Greys in the Civil War and of which this writer was a member. The resident Masons now occupy upstairs over the C. D. Vernon, Dr. Roan, Dr. Allen Gunn, Hon. John Kerr. W. H. Holderness, A. A. Pattillo, Capt. Abisha Slade, and others. I omitted to state that Cap. Graves died while a prisoner, at Johnston's Island, O., during the Civil War.
Source: The Reidsville Review (Reidsville, North Carolina), 10 June 1921, Friday, Page 1.
[Editor's Note: The following sentence from the above article obviously is incomplete and a bit garbled: "The resident Masons now occupy upstairs over the C. D. Vernon, Dr. Roan, Dr. Allen Gunn, Hon. John Kerr. W. H. Holderness, A. A. Pattillo, Capt. Abisha Slade, and others."
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Jeems Goslin is T. S. Harrison.
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Crowell Auto Co./Caswell Auto Co. Building (Yanceyville, North Carolina)
Historical Information
Book 1:1; page 359: Clinton Lodge # 107, Yanceyville, purchased lot # 1 on public square, Sept. 26, 1856 from William P. Brown.
Erected Lodge Hall in 1894.
Book 53; page 208-209: Building sold in 1897 to J. Archie Long for $1600 at auction.
Book 61; page 169: Deeded lot and building to H. W. Perry in 1906 for $1200.
Book YY; page 407: Mrs. Perry deeded property to Crowell Auto Co. In 1917 for $3,000. Used by Crowell to sell Ford Automobile products; later became Caswell Motor Co.
Book 95, page 535: Building and dealership purchased by John O. Gunn, 1936.
Book EE, page 261: Plat.
Book 154, page 579: J. O. Gunn deeded to Ann Gunn Everitt, who in turn deeded the building to Piedmont Community College.
Other Information
Size: about 12,750 sq. feet (on three levels)
Tax value (1/1/96): $49,961
Other Uses of Building
1930's to spring 1970: Caswell Motor Co.; with upper floor used by various offices.
1970-1972: used by Caswell County Sheriff's Dept.
1976-1988: Super Dollar Store, with upper floor used by Caswell Parish & other offices.
1990: Last used; upper office area by Caswell Co-op. Knitters.
2015: Building demolished.
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Clinton Masonic Lodge (Caswell County, North Carolina)
Chap. 135. AN ACT TO INCORPORATE CLINTON LODGE, NO. 107, OF ANCIENT YORK MASONS, IN THE COUNTY OF CASWELL.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North-Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the master, wardens and members, which at present are, or in future may be, of Clinton Lodge, No. 107, of Ancient York Masons, in Caswell county, are hereby constituted and declared to be a body corporate, under the name of "Clinton Lodge, No. 107, of Ancient York Masons," and by such name shall have succession and a common seal; may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, acquire and transfer property, and pass all such by-laws and regulations as shall not be inconsistent with the constitution and laws of this State or of the United States.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That this act shall be in force from and after its ratification. [Ratified the 12th day of February, 1855.]
Private laws of the State of North-Carolina, passed by the General Assembly [1854-1855]
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Most Worshipful Prince Hall Lodges of North Carolina
Welcome to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge List of Lodges. Lodges are arranged in charter number order. An example of the meeting time format is 2+4 Th 18:00: Translated to the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time in the USA.) Please contact the respective organization to preserve harmony in the craft. Please remember that all e-mail is submitted through unsecured means. Do not discuss ritual or esoteric matters by e-mail.
Dan River Lodge #490, Ruffin, Michael A. Graves, PO Box 839, Yanceyville, NC 27379, 1 Tu 19:00
Pelham Masonic Lodge #571, Pelham, Alphonso L. Williamson, 127 Jefferies Road, Pelham, NC 27311, 4 Tu 19:30
Leasburg Lodge #648, Yanceyville, Ronald L McCain, P.O. Box 34, Semora, NC 27343, 2+4 Sa 19:30
Source: https://www.mwphglnc.org/ph-lodges-of-nc/ [accessed 2 November 2019].
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Leasburg Methodist Church Used as Masonic Lodge
Captain John A. Graves (1822-1864)
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Freemasons Share a Special Time of Fellowship During Recent Visit from Grand Master
Freemasonry was alive and well in Caswell County at the end of February when Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons hosted the 22nd Masonic District’s annual Grand Master’s Visit in Yanceyville.
On Tuesday evening, February 25, over 100 masons representing seven lodges from Caswell, Rockingham and Alamance Counties gathered at the local lodge for a dinner hosted by Lillard’s of Providence and listened to inspiring remarks by Grand Master of Masons, Shaun Bradshaw.
Prior to the meeting, Delbert Swann of Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 of Yanceyville was presented his 70 year Service Award, having been raised as a Master Mason in 1950 when the local lodge was located on the town square in the upstairs of the Hooper Building.
Many Grand Lodge Officers, local lodge officers and administrators of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and Whitestone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community at Greensboro attended and delivered remarks as well. Freemasonry’s principle tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth were key highlights of Grand Master Bradshaw’s remarks.
Freemasonry offers a unique fraternal journey to men 18 years and older that brings together good men from all walks of life to make them better. Religion and politics being prohibited from official business meetings,
Freemasonry supports local and statewide charities like the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and Whitestone, a senior living facility in Greensboro. Freemasonry has a long history in Caswell County. It’s first lodge was formed in Leasburg in 1788. “To be one, ask one” as the fraternity’s membership motto suggests, a petition may be obtained from a local mason and more information may be found at https://www.grandlodge-nc.org/about-freemasonry/become-a-freemason.
Caswell Brotherhood Lodge #11 AF&AM meets the second Thursday of every month at 7pm and is located at 986 Firetower Road, Yanceyville, NC 27379.
Source: The Caswell Messenger (Yanceyville, North Carolina), Sterling Carter, April 15, 2020.
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"B. S. Graves, prominent local resident, was honored Monday night by the presentation of a 50-year pin in the Masonic Lodge. The meeting was a special Past Master's Night, with good attendance, and its particular purpose was the honoring of Mr. Graves, who originally joined the Old Clinton Lodge No. 107 in 1889. He remained a member of the Old Clinton Lodge until 1898, when he became a charter member of the Johnny Graves Lodge 494.
"Mr. Graves was the first master of the lodge, opening its first meeting and presiding over its final meeting before it became the Caswell Brotherhood No. 11. During the meeting Mr. Graves was presented the Master's Station. John O. Gunn was recognized by the master and presented the 50-year pin. The extreme unusualness of the honor of serving a lodge 50 years made the occasion a notable one both for Mr. Graves and for the other lodge members."
The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), 22 September 1940.
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