Legacy
The Prince Hall Legacy in the state of Delaware had its beginnings at the beginning-with the man himself. On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall, along with fourteen other men of color, were initiated into Masonry through Lodge #441, a military lodge warranted by the Irish Constitution. Upon their departure from Boston, Lodge #441 granted Prince Hall and his brethren authority to meet as African Lodge #1 (under dispensation), to go in procession on St. John’s Day and bury their dead as a lodge, but they could not confer degrees nor perform any other Masonic ‘work’. For nine years these brethren assembled, often with other men of color who had received their degrees elsewhere. Finally, after having their fill of enjoying their limited privileges as Masons, Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a warrant or charter on March 2, 1784. The warrant was granted on September 29, 1784 and was delivered in Boston on April 29, 1787. It was under this warrant’s authority that African Lodge #459 was organized on May 6, 1787, and became the first African American Lodge in the United States. Expansion into Pennsylvania came as a result of a request by man who made African American History himself in the area of religion (and has roots traced through Delaware)-Absalom Jones. Under the authority of the charter of African Lodge #459-Boston, Prince Hall established African Lodge #459-Philadelphia, Union Lodge, Laurel Lodge #5 and Phoenix Lodge #6 between 1797 and 1814. Acting in accordance with the custom of the period, these four lodges met on St. John’s Day, December 27, 1815 and organized themselves as the “First African Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, for and in the Jurisdiction of North America.” Reverend Absalom Jones was elected the Most Worshipful Grand Master. In the year 1826, two men had an honest desire to improve themselves and be of service to GOD and mankind. These men were Samuel Leary and Jacob Jenkins-both residents of Wilmington, Delaware. They applied to Union Lodge #4 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Having met the necessary requirements, they were made Masons and admitted as members thereof. Shortly afterwards, the following men petitioned Union Lodge #4 and were received and made Masons as well: John Cooper, Moses G. Nelson, William A. Stevens, Henry Weeks, Levi Medford and David Jackson. It was during the year 1845 that several of these above-mentioned brethren made application to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a charter to open and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Wilmington, Delaware. They received the support and recommendation of Union Lodge #4 and a dispensation was granted. The organization of Star in the East Lodge #12 (now #1) on September 20, 1845 brought forth the first African American Masonic lodge in the State of Delaware. After the dispensated time had lapsed, this lodge received its warrant; its officers duly installed and were dedicated in due and ancient form. Three years later, after Star in the East Lodge #12 had grown to a large number, several of the brethren resigned their membership and applied to form a new lodge. Having received the recommendation by Star in the East Lodge #12, their request was granted and Rising Sun Lodge #28 (now #2) was formed in November of 1848 in the city of Wilmington, Delaware. Later that same year, more brethren applied for a dispensation and eventual charter-which Pennsylvania’s Grand Lodge granted-and Meridian Sun Lodge #29 (now#3) was organized in Delaware City, Delaware. These three lodges worked Masonicaly and peace and harmony prevailed. Word of their congruous behavior reached the Grand Lodge and communication was sent soliciting representatives from this trio to attend the next Annual session and receive authority to take charge of the state of Delaware. This report was acted upon in accordance to their wishes and on June 9, 1849 the three lodges assembled with their officers and members in their hall on West 5th Street in Wilmington, Delaware at 1 o’clock PM. Having paid all of the necessary assessments, the Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of and for the State of Delaware was duly organized. The ceremony was presided by Jacob Jenkins-the very same man who traveled from Delaware to be initiated into the Mystic Art of Freemasonry 23 years earlier-who was the Most Worshipful Grand master of Masons for the state of Pennsylvania. The elected and appointed Grand Lodge officers were as follows: Most Worshipful Grand Master.......................... Levi Anderson Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master.......... Moses G. Wilson Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden ................William Blunt Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden............. Michael Sterling Grand Treasurer...................................................... Bennett Hill Grand (Recording) Secretary........................... Joseph H. Banks Grand (Correspondence) Secretary.................... John E. Young Grand Pursuviant............................................. Charles Webber Grand Tyler......................................................... Levi Medford Grand Senior Deacon ...........................................Alex Watson Grand Junior Deacon....................................... Hennard Bayard Grand Master of Ceremonies............... Benjamin W. Sharpless Grand Sword Bearer.......................................... Henry Weeks Grand Marshal........................................................ John Viney Grand Chaplain................................................... Daniel Russell Grand Chaplain................................................. Henry Johnson Grand Senior Steward................................... Hemsley Jackson Grand Junior Steward......................................... Samuel Green Around 1880, a piece of property was acquired on Twelfth Street between Orange and Market Streets and converted into a Masonic Hall. In keeping with our belief of improving and assisting our neighbors, Shiloh Baptist Church met in this building while its present day edifice was being constructed. Also, Howard School used the first floor to house classes until additions to its own building were complete. There are many older residents in the city of Wilmington who have recollections of many a pleasant hours spent in social activities in this Masonic Hall. As Wilmington grew and businesses developed, the growth of the Craft made it apparent that a new home would soon be a necessity. Looking forward to that day, in 1914, Most Worshipful Grand Master John L. Hubert organized and incorporated the Hiram Grand Lodge Masonic Temple Inc., to have funds available when the new quarters would be found. He also organized the Hiram Grand Lodge Endowment Association (now Known as the Mutual Benefit Fund) to aid Masons families to meet burial expenses. It was under the leadership of Most Worshipful Grand Master Conwell Banton that negotiations were complete for the sale of the Twelfth Street property (to the Clover Dairy Company) and the purchase of 514 French Street (the old Delaware Fire Company). Bro. G. Oscar Carrington, #1, (who later served as Most Worshipful Grand Master from 1940-47 and 1949-51) was responsible for developing renovation plans, which were approved. On November 1, 1925, the cornerstone was laid by MW Banton, assisted by the officers and members of the Grand Lodge and visitors from neighboring jurisdictions. This home was dedicated according to Masonic customs on May 16th and 17th, 1926. In 1944, at the 95th Annual Communication, during the administration of Most Worshipful Grand Master G. Oscar Carrington, #1, the name of this Grand Lodge was changed to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware. It was Most Worshipful Grand Master C.P. Houston, #6, who provided the Jurisdiction with an international character by organizing lodges overseas.