History of Greeneville Lodge #3

Free and Accepted Masons

 
    Greeneville Lodge #3 was first granted a charter by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1801, before a Grand Lodge had been established in Tennessee.  This charted is dated December 15, 1801 and bears number 43 of North Carolina and number 3 of Tennessee.  Signed by the Hon. William Polk, Grand Master of North Carolina, it was issued to George W. Campbell as Worshipful Master, Jenkins Whitesides as Senior Warden, and John Rhea as Junior Warden.  A second charter was granted when this Lodge became a member of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, which organized in 1813.  Issued to William Dickson as Worshipful Master, James Gass as Senior Warden, and Daniel Creamer as Junior Warden, this charter bears the date October 6, 1814 and is signed by the first Grand Master of Masons of Tennessee, Thomas Claiborne.

    The history of this long surviving Lodge has been compiled several times since its dispensation to organize two hundred years ago.  Some of the earliest writings on record  were made by Brother John M. McKee.  As evidenced by several records found in the Lodge archives, Brother McKee was very active and proficient in Masonic concerns.  Brother Walter Brannan once wrote, "History of Greeneville Lodge No. 3 shows that Brother John M. McKee (better known to the brethren as 'Mitch') was one of the most brilliant and learned Masons to belong to Greeneville Lodge.  Brother McKee was never married.  It is not known where he was raised, but his entire Masonic life was devoted to the study of Masonry, which he so willingly imparted to the candidates and brethren."

    Brother McKee wrote of the history of this Lodge on several occasions.  On one such occasion his writing was published in The Tennessee Mason.  The March 1894 issue of this newsletter for the Masons of Tennessee contains an article by Brother McKee stating many interesting matters about the formation and early years of No. 3.  Here among the many detailed and imformative statements recorded he wrote, "From its first organization up to November 1857, the Lodge records are all lost and gone, and of course many very important matters that would be extremely interesting at this time, and valuable to the Craft, are now forever lost.  During the War of '61-'65, the Lodge room was broken open while General Longstreet had his headquarters in town, and the Lodge room used for sleeping apartments by some of the soldiers, and all records up to November 1857, and most of the fixtures, were taken away or destroyed.

    Some months previous to this however, two of the members of the Lodge, Bros. John Maloney and John M. McKee, fearing something might happen to the Lodge, as it had not met for a considerable time before this, took the Charters and Records then in use, beginning in November 1857 (the other record books being locked up in the Secretary's desk), the Jewels and some of the other articles, and hid them in the hotel then occupied by Brother Maloney, ..., by taking up a plank on the top of an old-fashioned cupboard built between a chimney and the wall, and wrapping them up in an old blanket, placed them up in there, and then fastened back the plank."

    Brother McKee wrote again of the history of this Lodge after a question had arised about the Lodge affiliation of former Presidents Andrew Johnson and Andrew Jackson. His written reply states, "I am now 72 years old.  Was made a Mason in this Lodge in the year 1862.  At that time there was a number of old men who belonged to the Lodge and had been members of the Lodge for many years.  Among whom I mention Genl. Sam Milligan, John Maloney, B. McDannel, Dr. William West, A. S. Johnson and Maj. Jas. G. Reaves.  I have often heard these Brethren, and others, speak of  Andrew Johnson being made a Mason in this Lodge, and some of them of having assisted in conferring the degrees upon him.  There is not the shadow of a doubt but that Andrew Johnson was made a Mason in this Lodge, and was a member of it when he died, as well as all the time he was a Mason.  He was buried by this Lodge.

    As to Andrew Jackson being made a Mason in this Lodge, I have often heard a number of the oldest members speak of it, and never heard it questioned until of late years.  The oldest members of the Lodge always said that he was made a Mason in this Lodge.  I am positive that I have heard some of them speak of Jackson being at the Lodge at certain times, and this is pretty good evidence that they had been with him in the Lodge.  From all that I have heard and learned, I have no doubt but that Andrew Jackson was made a Mason in this Lodge, and while he lived at Jonesboro, Tenn, and I would say somewhere between the years 1801 and 1805."  This writing by Brother McKee is signed and dated April 15, 1910.

    The afore-mentioned Brother Walter Brannan also recorded the Lodge history in a writing dated March 1st, 1957.  Titled A Brief History of Greeneville Lodge No. 3 F&AM from January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1957, this long time member of No. 3   wrote, "Since 1914 Greeneville Lodge No. 3 has lost to the Grim Reaper many of it's older members, who were known to never miss a meeting, illness preventing.   It seemed to be a pleasure for them to impart their knowledge of Masonry to candidates and the brethren."  He also stated that the Lodge had enjoyed steady growth of membership, then at 366, up from an enrollment of 121 on January 1, 1914.  Thirty-three men were raised in 1951 and again in 1955.  Brother Brannan stated that "In December 1951 the Lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary with appropriate services at the Lodge Hall."

    Another historical recording was made by one of the most active and informed Lodge members of current times, Brother Royce Peterson.  This writing includes facts about No. 3  from January 1957 up to March 1st, 1992. Among the many interesting facts recorded here are the acquisition and remodeling of the building now owned and used as the Lodge Hall.  On September 9th, 1974, a building owned by Brother Howard White was purchased by the Lodge.  "Many of the brethren were ever ready with their tools and know-how to convert the former hardware store into the Masonic Temple of Greeneville Lodge No. 3.  The Lodge room was furnished by the Lodge while the Greeneville Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star furnished the kitchen and dinning hall and the beautiful red carpet in the Lodge room, preparation room, and lobby."  On December 16th of that same year, the Lodge officers for the insuing year were installed in the new Lodge Hall and the first meeting was held there on the first Tuesday in January of 1975, just four months after the purchase date.

    Brother Peterson also wrote, "December 1991 marked the end of an era for Greeneville Lodge No. 3 when Brother Robert Ward decided to step down as secretary after serving in that position for 22 years."  Since then however, Brother Ward returned as Lodge secretary for two more years, 1997 and 1998.  Brother Wards'  dedication and sacrifice for the Lodge is a tremendous example of "service and loyalty" and the Lodge is most appreciative of his love of the fraternity.
 



 
    May we all be as willing to serve our Lodge and great fraternity as those few mentioned here.

 

 

 
 

     Compilied from the writings of John M. McKee, Walter Brannan, Royce Peterson, and the records in the archives of
     Greeneville Lodge #3 F&AM.

    Chris Hawk
    June 19, 2000