Grand Lodge of Tennessee

History of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Tennessee

In the Beginning

     African American Freemasonry or Prince Hall Freemasonry is synonymous with its founder and name sake Prince Hall who along with 14 other men of African descent gave birth to a world-renowned organization of Freemasonry which accepts men from various backgrounds as long as they are free born and come well recommended.

Prince Hall himself was born in 1738 either in America or Barbados, Boston Massachusetts or Bridgetown respectively. The documents which would definitively close the discussions around this subject have not been found or are no longer available to those wishing to ascertain the facts.

Be that as it may, what we do know is that a man called Prince Hall and 14 other men who were in Boston sometime in March 1775 petitioned an Irish Registry Lodge No. 441 which was attached to the 38th British Foot Infantry stationed in Boston at that time.

On March 6th, 1775 fifteen men of African descent were initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry. African Lodge No. 1 was formally organized on July 3rd, 1776 with Prince Hall as its Worshipful Master. (excerpted from the writings of RW Raymond T. Coleman, Grand Historian Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts)

The warrant issued by the Worshipful Master John Batt only allowed them to meet as a Lodge, march in procession and bury their dead but unable to do the work associated with Masonic Lodges Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a charter.

On September 29th, 1784 a charter was issued to African Lodge No. 1 and was re-styled as African Lodge No. 459.

This seminal moment in Freemasonic history would usher into existence all that we revere as Prince Hall Masonry today.

Building the Legacy

     Due to the leadership of Prince Hall and his dedication to the craft that soon after his death on December 4th, 1807 the brothers who were influenced by him continued their Freemasonic journey by forming Grand Lodges in various jurisdictions, all owing affiliation and lineage by descent to Prince Hall.

Having been initiated into a regular Lodge at its inception Prince Hall and the Brothers of African Lodge No. 459 enjoyed the fruits of Masonic authenticity which have never been in dispute and are bequeathed to all the regular Lodges and Grand Lodges that followed in their Masonic footsteps.

So, despite the objections of some, the facts and relevant documents bear witness to a simple truth that all Prince Hall Masons are regular from 1784 to the present.

As a consequence, on a warm Wednesday morning at 10:00am in 1870 on the 31st day of August, duly elected officers met in Nashville Tennessee for the expressed purpose of forming a Prince Hall Grand Lodge for the State of Tennessee.

The Lodges represented at this historic event were Rock City Lodge No. 17 of Nashville, East Star Lodge No. 20 also of Nashville and Job Thompson Lodge No. 33 of Pulaski all warranted under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ohio.

A credentials committee was formed and Brother Nelson McGavock was chosen as its chairman and Brother R. P. Clark was chosen secretary.

This credentials committee formally adopted a resolution unanimously and presented the report to be read officially; “Whereas, a Masonic Convention, held this day composed of Representatives of Rock City Lodge No. 17, Nashville; East Star Lodge, No. 20, Nashville; and Job Thompson Lodge No. 33, Pulaski all duly represented by authority of the herein named Lodges, do hereby order and ordain that a M. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons be established by Convention, after the precedent as laid down by England, to be styled the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for the State of Tennessee and Jurisdiction; therefore, be it  Resolved, that said Grand Lodge, when established, shall ratify and adopt such By- Laws, etc., for its government as are in accordance with the landmarks of Ancient Freemasonry.”

“The Convention elected the following Grand Officers:

Nelson McGavock ………………………………. Grand Master

Simeon R. Walker ………………………………Deputy Grand Master

Hiram P. Rhodes ………………………………Grand Senior Warden

Richard Harris ………………………………… Grand Junior Warden

John J. Cary ……………………………………. Grand Treasurer

Abraham Smith ……………………………… Grand Secretary” (excerpted from Prince Hall Masonic Code and Constitution of Tennessee)

The Future founded on the Past

     Since the time of Nelson McGavock, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge has experienced many of the societal effects its membership had been exposed too and were instrumental in driving constructive social change.

Prince Hall Masons have been in the forefront of the civil rights movement as well championing causes which promote community service and a self- less dedication to justice and equality.

In the intervening years, 148 to be exact the vagaries of growing a fraternal organization such as ours has seen all manner of issues especially since in August 1870 which was a tumultuous time for those men who were suffering from the effects of injustice in the Jim Crow South.

Despite all the obstacles and the social turbulence of the times the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Tennessee has endured and prospered. Inasmuch as one could point to a particular Grand Master as the catalyst for our successes and or failures, it is the broad shoulders of the men who have knelt at the sacred alter and ridden the goat who are propelled by the vision of the Grand East, which in the end has made our presence here today possible.

     Tennessee is now at the center of the Prince Hall Masonic world with Memphis being the home of the United Supreme Council A.A.S.R- SJ, PHA and the AEAONMS PHA.

Memphis is unique as a Masonic headquarters and unique geographically as well, hence the name Memphis which is a direct correlation to the ancient capitol of the Old Kingdom of Kemet.

It isn’t lost on Masonic scholars of the esoteric aspects of the craft who understand the significance and relevance that the name Memphis imbues to the City on the Mississippi, the proverbial Nile of North America.

Also, modern academia has located ancient sites in America that bear unmistakable affinities to the Kemetic culture which first arose on the Nile. The proliferation of artifacts, stone structures and in some cases, the physical remains of the inhabitants document what scholar such as Dr. Albert C. Goodyear, Dr. David Imhotep, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Cheik Anta Diop and many others have provided through their research; which is the evidence that America was populated by Africans first at a time when no other humans existed except Africans.

The evidence suggests that some of these Africans were present in what is now Memphis Tennessee and they built structures identical to those found in Kemet including other archaic sites in remote parts of the world. Megalithic stone work including the astronomical alignments used to orient those structures documents in real time that these monumental edifices were constructed by Africans steeped in the arts of the master builder.

     Perhaps, to some the relevance of this information isn’t readily apparent but consider the fact that Memphis Tennessee is a physical link geographically and in allegory to the ancient craftsmen of Kemet who designed and fabricated the Pyramids.

It is beyond a mere curiosity that Memphis Tennessee is the seat of Prince Hall Masonry for the State and the Prince Hall Masonic world in 2018. As the research continues to enhance our understanding of the connection we have to the past and underscores the obligation we must be worthy stewards of the Masonic traditions we inherited from our ancient Brethren.

I would be remiss not to thank Grand Master Glass for the opportunity to serve and like the Grand Vizier Mereruka of Kemet he also presides over the work of the modern craftsmen in Tennessee.

Grand Master Glass is a tangible link to glories of ancient Kemet and is inspiring the MWPHGL of Tennessee to be the embodiment of the traditions begun so long ago. It is a monumental time be a Prince Hall Mason who can contribute to the continued development of this truly special Fraternity of men dedicated to upholding Masonic principles.

The ancient wisdom demands that each craftsman is committed to community service along with having a sincere desire to fulfill the highest ideals and be a living example in the community they serve.

Roster of Elected Grand Officers, Grand Lodge of Tennessee from Organization, 1870 thru 1982

Year          M.W.G. Master     R.W.D.G Master          R.W.S.G. Warden     R.W.J.G. Warden 

                  R.W.G. Treas.         R.W.G Sec.

1870-71 Nelson McGavock   Simeon R. Walker     Hiram P. Rhodes        Richard Harris

                John J. Carey            Abram Smith

1871- 72 Nelson McGavock   Simeon R. Walker       Thos. Z. Tolbert        Reuben P. Clark

                Nelson Walker          W. A. Summer

1872- 73 Nelson McGavock    Simeon R. Walker      D. J. Hodges               B. L. Brooks

                 Wm. Summer           Abram Smith

1873- 74   Nelson McGavock   D. J. Hodges               Albert Bray                 Wm. Howell

                 Wm. Summer           Abram Smith

1874- 75 Nelson McGavock   D. J. Hodges                Albert Bray                 Wm. Howell

                 Wm. Summer          Abram Smith

1875- 76 Nelson McGavock    Albert Bray                 L. H. Reynolds            Edward Dows

                 Wm. Summer           Abram Smith

1876- 77 Nelson McGavock    Albert Bray                 Edward Dows            Leon Howard

                Wm. Summer            M. R. Johnson

1877- 78   Nelson McGavock   Albert Bray                 Edward Dows            Leon Howard

                 Wm. Howard            M. R. Johnson

1878- 79 Nelson McGavock   D. J. Hodges                 B. L. Brooks               Edward Dows

                 Wm. Summer          John J. Carey

1879- 80 D. J. Hodges             W. L. Brooks                 Richard Morgan       J. E. Ellis

                 Wm. Summer          John J. Carey

1880- 81 Leon Howard           J. H. Cleage                  J. E. Ellis                      C. P. Pullen

                 B. J. Hadley              G. H. Shaffer

1881- 82 Leon Howard          C. P. Pullen                   J. E. Ellis                       J. M. Armstead 

                 B. J. Hadley              G. H. Shaffer

1882- 83   M. J. R. Gentle        F. Sabage                    J. H. Adams                  J. H. Cleage

                  N. M.  Austin           John Carey

1883- 84 M. J. R. Gentle         Jesse Jones                J. H. Adams                    John J. Irvin

                 T. E. Williamson     A. W. Williams

1884- 85 Nelson McGavock   C. C. Russell               L. W. Williams               John McNeil

                T. E. Williamson      A. W. Williams

1885- 86 C. C. Russell           Taylor Nightingale       A. W. Firsee                   Jas. W. West

                 T. E. Williamson    W. S. Williams

1886- 87 C. C. Russell            S. H. Summer              Jas. West                         Robert Banks

                  T. E. Williamson   A. D. Bradford

1887- 88 C. C. Russell           J. J. Irvin                         H. E. Evans                      J. S. Griggsby

                  T. E. Williamson    W. S. Williams

1888- 89   N. H. Evans           J. G. Hegie                     H. J. Jolly                         Robert Banks

                  T. E. Williamson    W. S. Williams

1889- 90 J. J. Irvine                 A. W. Firsee                 Alex Webb                      Robert Banks

                 T. E. Williamson      W. S. Williams

1890- 91   C. C. Russell            J. H. Adams                 Robert Banks                  A. B Walker

                   T. E. Williamson     W. S. Williams

1891- 92   C. C. Russell            J. H. Adams                Robert Banks                  A. W. Williams

                   T. E. Williamson     W. S. Williams

1892- 93   C. C. Russell            A. W. Williams           J. A. Henry                       L. H. Rogan

                   T. E. Williamson     W. S. Williams

1893- 94    W. S. Thompson    R. W. Harris               L. D. Stewart                   L. H. Rogan

                   T. E. Williamson      J. A. Henry

1894- 95   W. S. Thompson      R. W. Harris              L. D. Stewart                   W. T. Hightower

                  T. E. Williamson       J. A. Henry

1895- 96   W. S. Thompson      R. W. Harris              L. D. Stewart                   T. E. West

                  T. E. Williamson        J. A. Henry

1896- 97   W. S. Thompson      R. W. Harris              B. I. Gwinn                       G. W. Moore

                   T. E. Williamson      J. A. Henry

1897- 98    W. S. Thompson     R. W. Harris              Louis Perryman               N. Dixon   

                   T. E. Williamson       J. A. Henry

1898- 99   W.S. Thompson         R. W. Harris             W. H. Daniel                   M. Whitlow

                   T. E. Williamson        J. A. Henry

1899-1900   W. S. Thompson     R. W. Harris             M. Whitlow                   G. W. Hill

                      T. E. Williamson      J. A. Henry

1900- 01    J. A. Henry                R. W. Harris              M. Whitlow                    J. E. Harper

                   W. T. Hightower      W. S. Thompson

1901- 02   J. A. Henry             Alex Webb                  J. E. Harper                 W. O. Smith

                  R. G. Martin          W. S. Thompson

1902- 03   J. A. Henry           Alex Webb                     W. O. Smith               E. W. Alexander

                  R. G. Martin         W. S. Thompson

1903- 04   J. A. Henry           Alex Webb                     W. O. Smith                E. W. Alexander

                   R. G. Martin       W. S. Thompson

1904- 05   J. A. Henry           W. A. Singleton            W. T. McRae                W. G. Webster

                  W. T. Hightower     W. S. Thompson

1905- 06   J. A. Henry          W. A. Singleton             Wm. Porter                 W. G. Webster

                  W. T. Hightower   W. S. Thompson

1906- 07   J. A. Henry          Wm. Porter                   W. G. Webster           E. W. Mosley

                  W. T. Hightower    W. S. Thompson

1907-08   J. A. Henry               Wm. Porter             W. G. Webster             W. H. Carrier

                  W. T. Hightower   W. S. Thompson   

1908- 09   J. A. Henry          Wm. Porter                  W. G. Webster           W. H. Carrier

                   W. T. Hightower    W. S. Thompson

1909- 10   J. A. Henry           W. G. Webster           C. A. Kelly                  J. W. Banks

                  W. T. Hightower     W. S. Thompson

1910- 11   J. A. Henry             R. H. Koen                I. N. Rowlett              C. F. Simmons

                   W. T. Hightower     W. S. Thompson

1911- 12   J. A. Henry            R. H. Koen               C. F. Simmons         G. C. Harden

                  W. T. Hightower    W. S. Thompson

1912- 13   J. A. Henry               R. H. Koen                 C. F. Simmons        T. P. Haralson

                  W. T. Hightower    W. S. Thompson

1913- 14   J. A. Henry             S. M. Strayhorne        T. P. Haralson         L. M. Ballard

                   W. T. Hightower    W. S. Thompson

1914- 15   S. M. Strayhorne   C. F. Simmons        L. M. Ballard            A. R. Wheeler

                   W. T. Hightower      T. B. Hardiman

1915- 16   S. M. Strayhorne   C. F. Simmons        L. M. Ballard           A. R. Wheeler

                   W. T. Hightower     T. B. Hardiman

1916- 17   S. M. Strayhorne    C. F. Simmons       L. M. Ballard           J. A. Guthrie

                   W. T. Hightower     T. B. Hardiman

1917- 18    S. M. Strayhorne     C. F. Williams        L. M. Ballard         J. A. Guthrie

                   W. T. Hightower      T. B. Hardiman

1918- 19    S. M. Strayhorne     C. F. Simmons        L. M. Ballard        J. A. Guthrie

                    Preston Taylor         T. B. Hardiman

1919- 20   S. M. Strayhorne      J. A. Guthrie          J. M. Portray         J. A. Guthrie?  

                   Preston Taylor          T. P. Hardiman

1920- 21   S. M. Strayhorne        J. A. Guthrie       J. M. Portray         C. W. Hamilton

                  Preston Taylor        T. P. Hardiman

1921- 22   S. M. Strayhorne     J. A. Guthrie        J. M. Portray          C. W Hamilton

                   Preston Taylor         T. B. Hardiman

1922- 23    S. M. Taylor             J. A. Guthrie        J. M. Portray           J. T. Barnett

                    Preston Taylor        T. B. Hardiman

1923-24     S. M. Strayhorne     J. A. Guthrie         J. M. Portray          J. T. Barnett

                   Preston Taylor         T. B. Hardiman

1924- 25    S. M. Strayhorne       J. A. Guthrie       J. M. Portray           J. T. Barnett

                     Preston Taylor            S. M. Utley

1925- 26    S. M. Strayhorne       J. A. Guthrie        J. M. Portray         J. T. Barnett

                     R. B. Polk                 S. M. Utley

1926- 27    J. A. Guthrie            J. M.  Portray          J. T. Barnett          J. W. Owens

                    R. B. Polk                 S. M. Utley

1927- 28     J. A. Guthrie          J. M. Portray            J. T. Barnett           J. W. Owens

                    R. B. Polk               S. M. Utley

1928- 29     J. A. Guthrie          J. M. Portray           J. R. Wallace           J. W. Owens

                     R. B. Polk               S. M. Utley

1929- 30     J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray           J. R. Wallace           J. V. Byas

                     R. B. Polk               S. M. Portray       

1930- 31      J.A. Guthrie          J. M. Portray            J. R. Wallace            J. V. Byas

                     R. B. Polk               S. M. Utley

1931- 32     J. A. Guthrie         J. M. Portray            J. R. Wallace             J. V. Byas

                     R. B. Polk               T. B. Hardiman

1932- 33    J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray            F. L. Brewster        H. A. Suttles

                    W. D. Hawkins       H. R. C. Arnold

1933-34     J. A. Guthrie            J. M. Portray           F. L. Brewster        H. A. Suttles

                    H. J. Johnson           H. R. C. Arnold

1934- 35    J. A. Guthrie            J. M. Portray           F. L. Brewster        H. A. Suttles

                    H. J. Johnson          H. R. C. Arnold

1935- 36    J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray            F. L. Brewster        H. A. Suttles

                    H. J. Johnson          H. R. C. Arnold

1936- 37    J. A. Guthrie            J. M. Portray           F. L. Brewster        H. A. Suttles

                    H. J. Johnson           C. F. Oglesby

1937- 38     J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray            F. L. Brewster       C. E. Jones

                    H. J. Johnson           C. F. Oglesby

1938- 39     J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray        John N. McCoy         C. E. Jones

                     H. J. Johnson          C. F. Oglesby

1939- 40     J. A. Guthrie           J. M. Portray        John N. McCoy          C. E. Jones

                     C. A. Kelly               C. F. Oglesby

1940- 41     F. L. Brewster         H. R. C. Arnold    John N. McCoy         C. E. Jones

  1. W. Brown        C. F. Oglesby

1941- 42     F. L. Brewster         H. R. C. Arnold      John N. McCoy        C. E. Jones

  1. W. Brown          C. F. Oglesby

1942- 43     F. L. Brewster         H. R. C. Arnold      John N. McCoy         C. E. Jones

                    W. H. Johnson         C. F. Oglesby

1943- 44     F. L. Brewster         Charles W. Williams        John N. McCoy    Will Mitchell

                    W. H. Johnson        C. F. Oglesby

1944- 45     F. L. Brewster        John N. McCoy        Adam Watkins       E. V. Buford

                    W. H. Johnson        C. F. Oglesby

1945- 46    F. L. Brewster        John N. McCoy        Adam Watkins         E. V. Buford

                    W. H. Johnson       C. F. Oglesby

1946- 47    F. L. Brewster        John N. McCoy        Adam Watkins         E. V. Buford

                    W. H. Johnson       C. F. Oglesby

1947- 48     Charles F. Williams     Roy Bowen       Adam Watkins        E. V. Buford

                     W. H. Johnson        C. F. Oglesby

1948- 49   Charles F. Williams     Roy Bowen       Adam Watkins           E. V. Buford

                   W. H. Johnson          C. F. Oglesby

1949- 50   Charles F. Williams   Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford        C. C. Kizer

                   W. H. Johnson            C. F. Oglesby

1950- 51   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford        C. C. Kizer

                   W. H. Johnson           C. F. Oglesby

1951- 52   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins     E. V. Buford          Leroy W. Porter

                  W. H. Johnson           C. F. Oglesby

1952- 53   Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford       Leroy W. Porter

                   W. H. Johnson         C. F. Oglesby

1953- 54   Charles F. Williams   Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford         Leroy W. Porter

                   W. H. Johnson         C. F. Oglesby

1954- 55   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins       E. V. Buford      Leroy W. Porter

                   W. H. Johnson         C. F. Oglesby

1955- 56    Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford      Leroy W. Porter

                  W. H. Johnson       C. F. Oglesby

1956- 57   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins         E.V. Buford       Leroy W. Porter

                    Roy Mayes           C. F. Oglesby

1957- 58   Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins       E. V. Buford        Leroy W. Porter

                    Roy Mayes            C. F. Oglesby

1958- 59    Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford        Leroy W. Porter

                    Roy Mayes             C. F. Oglesby

1959- 60     Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins     E. V. Buford      Leroy W. Porter

                     Roy Mayes           C. F. Oglesby

1960-61     Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford       Leroy W. Porter

                    Roy Mayes             C. F. Oglesby

1961- 62     Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins      E.   V.   Buford     Leroy W. Porter

                    Roy Mayes           C. F. Oglesby

1962- 63   Charles F. Williams     Adam Watkins      E. V. Buford      Leroy W. Porter

                  Roy Mayes       C. F. Oglesby

1963- 64   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins    James L. Dobson        Peyton W. Smith

                   Roy Mayes       C. F. Oglesby

1964- 65   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins    James L. Dobson        Peyton Y. Smith

                   Roy Mayes        C. F. Oglesby

1965- 66   Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins    James L. Dobson        Peyton Y. Smith

                   Roy Mayes                 C. F. Oglesby

1966- 67    Charles F. Williams   Adam Watkins     James L. Dobson       Peyton Y. Smith

                    Roy Mayes                 C. F. Oglesby

1967- 68    Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins    James L. Dobson       Peyton Y. Smith

                   Roy Mayes             C. F. Oglesby

1968- 69    Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins     James L. Dobson      Peyton Y. Smith

                   Roy Mayes           C. F. Oglesby

1969-70    Charles F. Williams    Adam Watkins      James L. Dobson      Peyton Y. Smith

                   Roy Mayes           Ben L. Hooks

1970- 71   Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson   Peyton Y. Smith     John V. Malone

                   Roy Mayes        Ben Hooks

1971-72   Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson    John V. Malone     Leroy C. Spiva

                  Roy Mayes        Ben L. Hooks

1972-73    Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson    John V. Malone    Leroy C. Spiva

                  Roy Mayes        Ben L. Hooks

1973- 74   Charles F. Williams    James L. Dobson     John V. Malone     Leroy C. Spiva

                  Roy Mayes       Ben L. Hooks

1974- 75 Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson      John V. Malone      Leroy C. Spiva

                 Roy Mayes         Ben L. Hooks

1975- 76   Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson    John V. Malone     William E. Blevins

                 Roy Mayes       Ben L. Hooks

1976- 77   Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson    John V. Malone     William E. Blevins

                 Roy Mayes         Ben L. Hooks

1977- 78   Charles F. Williams     James L. Dobson    John V. Malone     William E. Blevins

                  Roy Mayes       Ben L. Hooks

1978- 79   Charles F. Williams     John V. Malone     William E. Blevins    Bennie L. Griffey Jr.

                   Roy Mayes      Ben L. Hooks

1979-80     Charles F. Williams    John V. Malone     William E. Blevins   Bennie L. Griffey Jr.

                   Roy Mayes     Ben L. Hooks

1980- 81    Charles F. Williams    John V. Malone     William E. Blevins     Bennie L. Griffey Jr.

                    Roy Mayes     Ben L. Hooks

1981- 82    Charles F. Williams    John V. Malone      William E. Blevins     Bennie L. Griffey Jr.

                    Roy Mayes     Ben L. Hooks

82-83    Charles F. Williams          John V. Malone                William E. Blevins               Bennie L. Griffey Jr.                        Roy Mayes          Ben L. Hooks

83-84    Charles F. Williams          John V. Malone                William E. Blevins               Bennie L. Griffey Jr.                        Roy Mayes          Ben L. Hooks

84-85    Charles F. Williams          William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.               Tillmon W. Payne                           Roy Mayes                         Ben L. Hooks

85-86    Charles F. Williams          William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.               Tillmon W. Payne                           Vernon Copeland             Ben L. Hooks

86-87    Charles F. Williams          William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.               Tillmon W. Payne                           Vernon Copeland             Ben L. Hooks

87-88    Charles F. Williams          William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.               Tillmon W. Payne                           Vernon Copeland             Ben L. Hooks

88-89    Charles F. Williams          William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.               Tillmon W. Payne                           Vernon Copeland             Ben L. Hooks

89-90    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

90-91    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

91-92    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

92-93    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

94-95    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

95-96    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

96-97    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

97-98    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

98-99    William E. Blevins            Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Ben L. Hooks

99-00    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland.           Donald V. Jackson

00-01    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland.           Donald V. Jackson          

01-02    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Donald V. Jackson          

02-03    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Vernon Copeland            Donald V. Jackson          

03-04    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Tillmon W. Payne               Lester S. Young                 Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

04-05    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Andrew Jackson                Lester S. Young                 Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

05-06    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Andrew Jackson                John Welch                       Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

06-07    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Andrew Jackson                John Welch                       Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

07-08    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Andrew Jackson                John Welch                       Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

08-09    Benjamin L. Hooks          Bennie L. Griffey Jr.            Andrew Jackson                John Welch                       Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

09-10    Benjamin L. Hooks          Arvin W. Glass                    Andrew Jackson                John Welch                       Paul Mondie Jr.                         Donald V. Jackson

10-11    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       William Horton                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Matthew R. Davis III

11-12    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       William Horton                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Matthew R. Davis III

12-13    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       William Horton                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Matthew R. Davis III

13-14    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       William Horton                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Matthew R. Davis III

14-15    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       William Horton                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Fred McWilliams

15-16    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       L. Lamont Banks                              Paul Mondie Jr.                Lee V. Lester

16-17    Arvin W. Glass                  Andrew Jackson               Albert Boyd                       L. Lamont Banks                              Paul Mondie Jr.                Lee V. Lester

17-18     Arvin W. Glass                 L. Lamont Banks    Gilford Yarborough               Spencer Rollins                Paul Mondie Jr.                         Lee V. Lester

17-18     L. Lamont Banks              Gilford Yarborough        Spencer Rollins                Greg Evans                        Timothy C. Anderson       Lee V. Lester

Humbly Submitted,

Lawrence R. Clemons – Grand Historian of the MWPHGL State of TN

“In the furtherance of our craft we kneel

We submit ourselves to the light of wisdom

Propelled by the inner glow emanating from the East

Forever to travel a level road with a step only Masons dare

Know ye all in our hearts we stand prepared

To all the above Prince Hall Masons swear”

                                                                                  Lawrence R. Clemons 2019©