Denise Vickers-Leon
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The establishment of what has become considered as America's first civil rights organization goes back to March 6, 1775, when Prince Hall, who was an abolitionist and civil rights activist, was initiated into freemasonry along with 14 other free black men. In 1775 they organized African Lodge #1. They then petitioned and were granted a charter in 1784 for African Lodge #459 in Boston, Mass. With well over 300,000 members and initially based on the principles of liberty, equality and peace, while improving the lives and conditions of African-Americans, Prince Hall Freemasonry is recognized as the oldest and largest organization which was founded by African-Americans and is still active.
During the Civil War and by way of the United States Colored Troops and John Hill, who served with them, the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons were established in Jefferson County. Built in 1868, Solomon Lodge, originally #7 but changed to #6 in the 1940s, is the oldest African-American Lodge in the State of Florida. According to Sylvester Peck Sr., FAMU High School Instructor, Monticello native and historian, the lodge and several other black institutions were built by Rev. Robert Meacham along with other mustered out United States Colored Troops.
He noted too that the majority of African-Americans in Jefferson County were and still are members of a Masonic Lodge. These members range from skilled labor workers to farmers, teachers, preachers and funeral directors. A large population of African-American women in Jefferson County are affiliated with fraternal organizations as well. Some of the most notable Masons in Jefferson County have included the late Moses White, Thomas Saunders, Eddie Miles, Rev. Mack Peck and Sylvester Steward, to name just a few among many.
The Prince Hall Masons of Jefferson County hold true to the principles and ideologies of the foundation Prince Hall laid out for them on September 29, 1784. They are committed to their mission of improving the lives of African-Americans here in Jefferson County and by all foreseeable standards, they're doing just that.
Sylvester Peck Sr. is writing a book on the history of the Masons in Jefferson County. He can be reached at Sylvesterpecksr3@ gmail.com.
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