Washington Lodge No. 18A.F. & A.M.Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas
Washington Lodge #18 Meeting at Independence Hall on Texas Independence Day, March 2, 2011 Washington Lodge No.18 of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas A. F. & A. M. is the Masonic lodge chartered at Washington, Texas during the Republic of Texas on January 11, 1844. It ceased to be a working lodge in 1887 when it surrendered its charter. Washington, Texas was a center of government and Masonic activities during the Republic of Texas. On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico at Washington and the Declaration of Independence was signed there. Therefore, Washington is referred to as the "Birthplace of Texas." At various times, the capitol of the Republic of Texas was at Washington. The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas held its annual meetings at Washington in 1843, 1844 and 1845. Today, the town of Washington is commonly referred to as Washington-on-the-Brazos. A few years ago this historic Masonic Lodge was re-chartered. The members of Washington Lodge #18 are very proud of their history and open lodge every year on Texas Independence Day, March 2, in the Convention Hall at Washington-on-the-Brazos on the very spot where Texas declared her independence from Mexico in 1836. Most of the members of Washington Lodge #18 are associate members who enjoy the history of Texas and Texas Masonry. See the Washington Lodge No. 18 Lodge Minute Book from 1854 here on the Portal to Texas History. Contact Information: Washington Lodge #18 Seth D. Hudson, Secretary Telephone# 940-577-0923 Email: cadrehudson@yahoo.com
Dedication of Marker Honoring Asa Brigham March 2, 2011 On March 2, 2011, Washington Lodge #18 conducted a ceremony honoring the memory and historic accomplishments of Brother Asa Brigham at Washington Cemetery in Washington, Texas. Brother Asa Brigham was the only man to assist in the successful founding of Masonry in Texas and the successful founding of the Republic of Texas. Brigham met under the Masonic Oak with a handful of other Masonic brethren in 1835 to petition the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for a Masonic lodge at Brazoria, Texas. Brigham also signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico at Washington, Texas on March 2, 1836. Brother Arnold Langston of Washington Lodge #18 researched the history, designed the marker and led the ceremony. Among those in attendance for the ceremony was Grand Master T. E. "Gene" Carnes of the Grand Lodge of Texas. March 2, 2011 was the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
ASA BRIGHAM ALCALDE OF BRAZORIA MUNICIPALITY, 1835 SIGNER OF THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1836 AUDITOR OF THE REPUBLIC [OF TEXAS], 1836 TREASURER OF THE REPUBLIC [OF TEXAS] 1836-1840 AND 1841-44 BORN IN MASSACHUSETTS 1790 DIED IN WASHINGTON, TEXAS JULY 22, 1844 Erected by the State of Texas 1936
Asa Brigham Alcalde of Brazoria One of 20 who planned the Battle of Velasco June 25, 1832 Signer of petition to start the first Masonic Lodge in Texas at Brazoria from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana March 1835
All Photos Courtesy of K. K. Searle |
