JACKSON LODGE №. 1, F.&A.M.

“Florida’s Oldest Lodge”

Chartered December 19, 1825 U.D. June 3, 1825

R∴W∴ Stephen M. Berry 2910 Kerry Forest Parkway D4-395

850-519-2834 HISTORY OF JACKSON LODGE Tallahassee, Florida 32309
Predating the incorporation of Tallahassee as Florida’s Capital, Jackson Lodge, U. D., was formed by the Grand Lodge
of Alabama in June 3, 1825. The Lodge was chartered as Jackson Lodge № 23 by the same Grand Body on December
19, 1825, with Robert Butler as Charter Master. Jackson Lodge was named for our Most Worshipful, General Andrew
Jackson, who served two years as Grand Master of Tennessee, 1822-23 and 1823-1824; as the first territorial governor
of Florida, and as the seventh President of the United States.

According to the history of Montgomery Lodge No. 11 of Alabama, they were the one’s who sponsored the formation
of Jackson Lodge No. 23 in Florida. According to the 1824 Grand Lodge Proceedings, on Saturday Evening of
December 18th, it was reported at Grand Lodge that they had received correspondence dated November 21, 1824,

“A communication from several brother Masons residing at or near Tallahassee in the Territory of
Florida, praying a Dispensation to authorize them to open and hold a Lodge of Ancient Free-Masons,
was read and referred to the committee on petitions.”
In the 1825 proceedings, on Saturday, December 17th, Bro. John B. Hogan the Grand Junior Warden, and member of
the credentials committee reported that Daniel M. Riggs, the Grand Secretary of Alabama, represented Jackson Lodge
U.D. of Tallahassee, Florida. Then on Monday, December 19, 1825, Secretary Riggs.

"presented the petition of the Masters and Wardens of Jackson Lodge of Tallahassee (now working
under dispensation from this Grand Lodge) praying a warrant of constitution.”
The motion was referred to a select committee consisting of John B. Hogan, Grand Senior Warden, and Past Grand
Master William B. Patton. The committee made the following report,

“The committee to whom was referred the petition, by-laws and transcript of the proceedings of Jackson
Lodge of Tallahassee, held at Tallahassee, in the territory of Florida, working under a dispensation,
granted at the last annual meeting of this Grand Lodge, beg leave to report that they have examined the
same and find them strictly correct, according to masonic usage, and therefore recommend that the
petition be granted, and that the Grand Secretary forthwith forward to the petitioners a warrant of
constitution.”
In 1830, Jackson Lodge № 23 of Tallahassee invited Washington Lodge and Harmony Lodge to meet with it in its hall
to consider forming a Grand Lodge of Florida. Convening on July 5, 1830 this convention adopted a resolution to form
the Grand Lodge of Florida. On July 9, 1830, the Lodges met to adopt governing rules and on the following day,
elected officers. The new Grand Lodge officers were installed using the Rules and By-Laws of Alabama. Lots were
drawn and under the new Grand Lodge of Florida, Jackson Lodge became № 1, Washington Lodge № 2, and Harmony
Lodge № 3, all being dated July 6, 1830.

The Grand Lodge of Florida met in the hall of Jackson Lodge № 1, at Tallahassee, from 1830 to 1869, at which time it
was moved to Jacksonville.
1. Cleves, Wallace R., Brief History of Masonry in Florida, 1942 Digest of the Masonic Law of Florida, Revised. 1947.
2. Past Grand Masters, Issue 3 (1830-1982). Grand Lodge of Florida, F. & A. M.
3. Crowther, J. Roy, P. G .M., Grand Historian. The Grand Lodge of Florida, Free and Accepted Masons History/ 1830-1988, Volume I: The Lodges. The
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida, Drummond Press, Jacksonville, Florida 1988, 1-2.
4. Past Grand Masters, Issue 3 (1830-1982), 15.
5. Alabama Lodge of Research, Florida Freemasonry.
6. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, The Grand Lodge of Florida Free & Accepted Masons, Grand Lodge of the Month - May 2013.

2818 Apalachee Parkway (850) 877-2716

Tallahassee, FL 32301-3608 www.jl1.com