The history of Prince Hall Masonry in the United States is a fascinating story of the rise and development, in spite of group and individual opposition, of a Masonic organization with a legitimate historical background extending far back to England and forward to the states of our nation. This story on the national scene has been told effectively by the Masonic Historian, Harry E. Davis, in his A History of Freemasonry Among Negroes in America (1946), and by Harold Van Buren Voorhis in his Negro Masonry in the United States (1949). Other publications which have added material and description to this aspect of Masonic History include the works of Harry A. Williamson, Past Deputy Grand Master and Past Grand Historian of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, in his series, A Chronological History of Prince Hall Masonry (1934), and his The Prince Hall Primer (1949), George W. Crawford, Sovereign Grand Commander, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Northern jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliation in his Prince Hall and His Followers (1914), and William H. Grimshaw, Past Grand Master, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia in his Official History of Freemasonry Among Colored People in North America (1903).
As for the state Grand Lodges, the State of Ohio remained for many years the only Prince Hall Grand Lodge which had published a volume devoted exclusively to its state history of Masonry among colored Americans. This volume was published in 1906 under the title An Official History of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Ohio, compiled by Most Worshipful and Honorable Brother William Hartwell Parham, collated by Most Worshipful and Honorable Brother Jeremiah Arthur Brown, Historiographers, (1849-1904). In 1957, another Prince Hall Grand Lodge History was published for the State of New Jersey entitled, Footprints of Prince Hall Masonry in New Jersey by Aldrage H. Cooper, Grand Master of New Jersey, 1951-1953. Other Grand Lodges have also published their histories either in their proceedings or in pamphlet form, but octavo volumes are few.
Ohio 's Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons began to note the difficulties in obtaining historical information created by the vacuity in its history after 1904. Grand Masters and Grand Historiographers repeatedly recommended to Grand Lodge sessions that a history should be prepared especially for this subsequent period. Grand Historiographers have reported in the proceedings that progress had been made in the assembly of materials for a history, and they have each emphasized the need for a volume of published history. The final step was undertaken when Harry E. Davis began to prepare such a History. In fact, in 1949, he was requested to prepare a revision of the first Ohio history, with the addition of the subsequent history. This work was undertaken under the direction of Grand Master A. J. Worsham. Approximately 51 pages of typed material dealing primarily with Prince Hall and the struggle during the forties for the recognition of Prince Hall Masonry constituted this work. This manuscript was not published for it was not regarded as sufficiently comprehensive. During the administration of succeeding Grand Masters, reports and references were continuously made to the need for a published history.
During the administration of Grand Master James B. Simmons, Jr., there was appointed by him a Commission on Library, History and Research with a program for the completion of a second volume of the History of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio. Past Grand Master A. J. Worsham began to devote considerable time to the assembly of material for this purpose. Due to pressures upon his services as an attorney, he resigned as Chairman of the Commission and his resignation became effective December 1, 1957. In the meantime, on recommendation of the History Commission the Grand Trustees approved and ordered a reprint of 2,000 copies of the History of the Grand Lodge first published in 1906.
The Grand Trustees then began the proposal to secure the services of a Historian for the completion of this historical project for the Grand Lodge. Under date of December 10, 1957, Grand Master Guy R. Taylor wrote the author inquiring if he would engage in the preparation of this work and his assent was secured. Conferences were held in January, 1958, with Brothers A. J. Worsham, Homer Collins and Ray E. Hughes, and from each of these, information and historical materials were secured. Grand Master Taylor gave full cooperation. Contacts were made with Past Grand Masters, with Past Grand Secretaries and many Grand Officers who had material and information of value.
The first report made by Historian Wesley was in 1958, to the 109th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge and it was stated that his aim and purpose were to produce a single volume History from 1847 to 1959, which would be both reliable and readable. Grand Master Taylor in his report to this Grand Lodge said that the new edition of the History was being prepared by the author and that he had reviewed some of the contents and-found them "interesting and fascinating." At the 110th Communication in 1959, another report was made stating that the manuscript of the Grand Lodge was complete in the writing, and that it was available to the Grand Lodge session for reading and observation. Chapter headings were listed and a sample chapter was read to the Grand Lodge in session. Requests for cooperation from the subordinate lodges were urged and they were again asked to send in their histories.
The purpose of this work has been to present in a single volume the complete history of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, although the greater part of the work deals with the period since 1904. The first chapter treats Prince Hall and the origins. The three succeeding chapters summarize the period from 1847 to 1906. Twelve chapters embrace the pen6d since 1904. Illustrations are used throughout the volume.
The following story is based largely on the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge. Wherever records have been obtainable, the founding of subordinate lodges, with their charter officers, has been indicated as far as could be obtained. The histories of the separate lodges could not be included due to the interests of space, the lack of cooperation, and the growth of the Grand Lodge and its work. The individual lodge histories are not included just as the histories of the individual states are not included in a volume of the history of the United States.
The biographies of all great Prince hall Masons are not included but many of them are. Such a series of biographies belongs to another work, for the story of the Grand Lodge transcends the personalities known to contemporaries as among the great. For with the passing of time, the great may actually become small in the judgment of posterity. The writing of contemporary history then, is a difficult task, and it may be that we shall have to wait for the passing of time before we can judge persons and events with wise judgment and clearer vision than at the present writing.
The completion of this project has consumed a considerable amount of extra time while the author was engaged in an educational program for the advancement of Central State College, its clientele and the State of Ohio. However, the story of the Grand Lodge and its heroes, and the Order of the Eastern Star with its heroines, has made this extra task pleasant and desirable. The cooperation of the living Past Grand Officers, and in particular Grand Masters Cory Adams, A. J. Worsham, James B. Simmons, Jr., Guy R. Taylor, Louis B. Henderson, Lloyd H. Kimbrough, Clyde E. Moss and Carl L. Wilson, together with Grand Attorney Ray E. Hughes, and Grand Secretary William W. Browning, have all contributed to the completion of this work. The manuscript was read by Past Grand Masters Homer H. Collins, A. J. Worsham, Grand Master Carl L. Wilson, and Grand Attorney Ray E. Hughes.
The span of years covered by this volume is a significant one in the history of organizations in the United States, and these were also periods of marked progress for Prince Hall Masons in their march toward greater self-esteem and legitimate recognition. May the story of these years serve to inspire and encourage the continuation of the important program undertaken by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, and may its Grand Officers, its members and all those of the future be reminded continuously that their greatest service is not only to practice the tenets of Masonry but also to motivate the acceptance and practice of the ideals of the founding fathers of our nation whose contemporary was Prince Hall, our founder!
-CHARLES H. WESLEY
CENTRAL STATE COLLEGE
WILBERFORCE, OHIO
