over 100 years of service to the fraternity Operating under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of Georgia by Rick Conn, PM , 2012
It has been a Hundred and Eleven years now since Grayson Lodge #549 received it’s charter. A lot of history has been lost in the past years, as no one has taken the time and energy to stop, reflect back, and write them down. Many of the original founders are long gone, pictures have been lost, memories faded. But there is still time to stop and piece together as much as possible to recreate those “Thrilling days of yesteryear” when our founders took much effort to stop their everyday lives and form this Lodge. We owe a lot to them, and to their memory, dedication and hard work, this book is dedicated. Thru their toils and labors we have one of the finest Lodges in the State of Georgia. Not as large, nor not even as fancy as many other old Lodges in the State, but it is one that has strength and character that has endured many trials, and lasted the test of time.
I take the time to stop in my many duties and responsibilities to gather together the information that can still be gleaned to keep the memory of those dedicated Brothers of Fergus, Lawrenceville, and Stone Mountain alive and to preserve their legacy. May we ever be worthy of their efforts. May their memory ever be remembered in the words from our Sacred Book....... “Well done my good and faithful servants”.
Thanks to the many that have helped me in gathering this information and to the Great Architect of the Universe for his aid it putting it all together.
One cannot discuss the History of Grayson Lodge #549 without first discussing the History of the City of Grayson itself, as Both are so richly tied together in their history.
The City of Grayson was first established in 1879 by James Patterson McConnell, but not as Grayson. The first name it held was Trip. J. D. Spence, a merchant and public figure in Lawrenceville, named the area ‘Trip’ because it was a “Trip” to McConnell’s country store. (Trip was also called the “Garden spot of Gwinnett County”). Grayson did not actually exist until the end of 1902 when it was officially incorporated as the town of Grayson. Act No. 182, by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, Approved December 17, 1902, changed the name to Grayson. The first Aldermen to serve the newly established city were J.P. McConnell, W. P. Williams, J. S. Pate, A. Bennett and W. J. Tribble.
Between Trip and Grayson, the town had two other names. On December 6, 1901, John Ellery Jacobs (the Postmaster of Trip) changed the name to Berkley, but a short time later he was informed that someone else already had that name. He suggested it be changed to “Graymount” as you have a clear view of the gray top of Stone Mountain. Later he was informed that this name too had already been taken, so he suggested the name of “Grayson”, and by the end of 1902 it was officially named. As if naming the city was not difficult enough, establishing and keeping a post office proved to be just as demanding. Grayson citizen, Tom Moore (Past Master of Grayson Lodge and husband of Ponnie McConnell), learned that the Postal Authorities intended to close Grayson's post office. He lobbied to spare the city's postal service and provided a building to house it. The new post office was dedicated and an Open House held on July 12, 1964, in the building he owned at the corner of Britt Street and Highway 84. Grayson City Hall, Chartered in 1901, was housed on the first floor of 424 Main Street from 23rd April, 1973 till 1996 when the new building, where it now is located, was built. The Lodge building was originally The Gwinnett County courthouse, When sold it was purchased jointly by the Lodge and Gwinnett County and used for J. J. Cofer’s Store on the first floor, with the Lodge and courthouse housed on the second floor. It is located at the corner of Britt Street and Highway 84, opposite side of Britt Street from the old Post Office. Along about 1909, several prominent founders of the town, William P. Williams, William J. Tribble, J. P. McConnell, (members of Fergus Lodge #135), W. A. Cooper ( Stone Mountain Masonic Lodge #499), and C. C. Cooper (Lawrenceville Masonic Lodge #131) were also prominent Masons in the area. They gathered for the purpose of forming a Masonic Lodge in Grayson, and by October 26th, 1909 they received their official Charter or Constitution as Grayson Masonic Lodge #549. Of the 14 original founders of the Lodge, one was later expelled from the Craft for un-masonic Conduct. Of the 13 original left, they include: W. B. Cooper, Stone Mountain #499 N. P. Butler, Fergus Lodge #135 W. P. Williams, Fergus Lodge #135 J. A. Ford, Fergus Lodge #135 J. L. Haney, Fergus Lodge #135 L. P. Ethridge, Fergus Lodge #135 W. A. Cooper, Fergus Lodge #135 J. M. Loveless, Fergus Lodge #135 J. P. McConnell, Fergus Lodge #135 H. J. Tribble, Fergus Lodge #135 W. J. Tribble, Fergus Lodge #135 W. S. Carter, Fergus Lodge #135 C. C. Cooper, Lawrenceville Lodge #131 On Wednesday evening 27th of December, 1909, the following is recorded. “According to a previous announcement a number of brethren met here today to be organized into a Lodge of F&AM, to be known and hailed as Grayson Lodge #549. A Charter from the Grand Lodge F. A. M. of Georgia authorizing the same. The Lodge was called to order and opened in ancient and due form. The above named brethren of Fergus Lodge officiating.” This meeting was for the purpose of electing the first slate of Officers for Grayson Lodge. The First ‘Charter’ Master of Grayson Lodge was WBro W.O. Bennett, with Brother F. M. Watson, serving as Senior Warden and Brother W. T Bird, serving as Junior Warden. Other Officers were as follows: E. A. Pate Senior Deacon, Albert Webb Junior Deacon, and G. H. Boss Tyler. All from Fergus Lodge #135, Loganville, Ga. The following Officers were elected to be the first Official Charter Officers of Grayson #549: W. P. Williams, Worshipful Master W. A. Cooper, Senior Warden W. J. Tribble, Junior Warden C. C. Cooper, Treasurer W. S. Carter, Secretary W. B. Cooper, Senior Deacon H. J. Tribble, Junior Deacon J. M. Loveless, Senior Steward J. A. Ford, Junior Steward N. P. Butler, Tyler Thus the first Official minutes of Grayson were from the first Official meeting on the 11th of January, 1910. Now, up and running, Grayson Lodge conferred its first EA Degree on 10th March, 1910. With three more EA’s coming on the 10th of April, 1910, with its First Masters conferred on the 10th May, 1910. The old trunk, now in the closet of the Preparation room, was purchased by Brother B. H. Lansford on the 11th of March, 1912 , “For the purpose of keeping the Regalia”, for the sum of $2.00. Having trouble with the Tyler attending the meetings, the Lodge voted to pay the Tyler the sum of $0.50 cents per month to maintain his services at regular meetings on 13th June, 1910. Several organizations have met in the lodge over the years, Grayson Order of the Eastern Star, I. O. O. F. Woodsman of the World, The Salvation Army, and the Knights of the Open Palm. A little about these at a later date. More to come, THE BELOW: These are just some dates I do not want to lose, as I want to incorporate them into the body of the text where they belong at a later time.
1909 building belongs to Gwinnett County and used as the County court house. Building was bought in 1909 for $400. Building bought in joint with Gwinnett County for $200 each. It appears that the top floor was divided in half, with the back half used by Gwinnett County as the Court Room, and front half used as Lodge, with bottom floor rented out with rent split 50/50 (Lodge & County). Bottom floor rented to J. J. Cofer for a General Store. (J J Cofer’s General Merchandise and Fancy Grocery) MASONS BOUGHT LODGE from the County on the 8TH JUNE, 1931. Masons purchased the building only, the remaining property out back was used to Build a Building to be used for the voting in front half and a Boy Scout hut in the rear half.
A Re-DEDICATION of the Lodge was held in October 2009 and a new cornerstone Plate was set by the front door. WB Jesse Dooley Worshipful Master, WB Rick Conn , Secretary, with MWB Edward Jennings Grand Master and RWB Joe Watson, Grand Secretary. Grand Lodge officers conducted ceremony of RE-DEDICATION. thus Grayson Lodge re-dedicated itself to another 100 years to the service of the craft, community, state and nation.
some notes of interest are:
OES - Chapter chartered, 10 October, 1921, lodge mentions donating $10 to OES Grayson Chapter No. 209, was instituted April 11, 1921 , Chartered May 31, 1921, Constituted August 3, 1921 and Closed June 25, 1925 When started they had 40 members and in 1921 they initiated 2 more giving them 42 members at the end of 1921. The First Officers were: Worthy Matron: Mrs. Grace Roberts Worthy Patron: W. T. Roberts Secretary: Miss Thelma Johnson In 1922 their Officers were: worthy Matron: Mrs. Cora Webb Worthy Patron: J. J. Cofer Secretary: Miss Thelma Johnson And finally , in 1923 the Officers were: Worthy Matron: Woodie Tribble Worthy Patron: F. A. Etheridge Secretary: Grace Roberts Grayson Lodge OES. Sister Louise Cooper attended Grand Chapter in June 1923. The Chapter was declared closed June of 1925.
I.. O. O. F. - October 13, 1913 granted use of Lodge for their meeting for $0.75 cents per month + them furnish their own fuel and lights. Minute books, records, and rituals was found in an old steamer trunk. These articles were turned over to the I.O.O.F. IN 2016 by the secretary Rick conn as they have no bearing on the LODGE.
W. O. W. - 10th of June, 1918 petitioned to rent lodge to the Woodsmen of the World lodge for their meetings for $15.00 per year + they furnish their own fuel and lights..
Salvation Army - 9th May, 1921, issued charter to rent the Lodge hall for $18.00 per year.
Knights of the Open Palm - 10th April, 1921, permission to use the hall beginning with the next meeting. The only reference to this old order is in the book "the black mask" from 1923. this was a forerunner of what is now called the KLU KLUX KLAN.
First Master passed on the 20th April, 1911, with a called communication for a Lodge of Sorrow. WBro william p Williams was the Mayor of Grayson at the time of his death.
20th January, 1920, Electric power was added to the Lodge and lights installed.
9th September, 1940, WM appointed committee to contact dimit members of the deflunk Snellville Lodge to petition Grayson for membership.
8th October, 1945, Motion that Grayson Lodge recommend a Lodge be organized in Snellville was seconded and approved.
13th December, 1976, Motion to sponsor BSA club of Grayson Troop 499, seconded and approved, Flag for Scouts with their Scout name, & Number, along with Grayson Lodge Name and Number purchased with an offering from brothers of the Lodge.