Buckingham County: Freemasons
George Washington, Freemason
The Masonic tradition in Buckingham County is a long one. Many accounts, both personal and public, attest to the service of Masons in the county. Whether they aided a fellow mason when his house burned or participated in ceremonies such as the dedication of the county’s Confederate Monument, these men were essential to the culture and society. There were several lodges in Buckingham, including Dillwyn Lodge No. 315, A.F. & A.M. A short history of the lodge begins:
In 1910, a group of Master Masons living in the vicinity of Dillwyn, Virginia saw the need for a Masonic Lodge. They proceeded to draw up a request for a dispensation to meet and work as a Masonic Lodge in Dillwyn. After obtaining a recommendation from H. G. Harris, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 17, a charter was issued to Dillwyn Lodge No. 315, by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on February 16, 1911. Its first officers were:
William R. Conner Worshipful Master
William A. Spencer Senior Warden
William E. Hardiman Junior Warden
According to the 1911 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, “The membership of this Lodge embraces some of the best and most influential citizens in its neighborhood and they have secured a first-class hall.” The following year did not pass without its clouds. Right Worshipful Harris reported trouble in both Dillwyn Lodge No. 315 and Taylor Lodge No. 117, but the difficulties were adjusted and peace and harmony reigned throughout the District. He thanked Worshipful Paul McRae of Cumberland Lodge No. 283 for valuable assistance in adjusting the difficulty in Dillwyn.
For more visit Dillwyn Lodge No. 315.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
I’m interested in joining, just looking for some more information in joining and how going about it.
I have no direct experience with Freemasons. If you haven’t already found this website, you might begin here: http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/become-a-free-mason.html. Joanne
fyi – a couple of years ago, I found an old book on the Virginia Freemasons at the University of Richmond Library. The date was 1802. I copied the whole book for the Housewright Museum in Buckingham. It listed members of Buckingham County and other counties in Virginia. You could see it at the Museum.
Thanks, Fran.
Still haven’t found the beginning and end of Henry St> Geroge Harris’s Masonic trail. Mary
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Mary Eleanor, Keep hunting!
Kathy, I will be posting more about Freemasons in Buckingham in the coming months.
My great grandfather, BH Springer and his two brothers, Chas and Arthur, were Masons of the Dillwyn Lodge. They were among the first batch (along w a brother in law, Edward Dunavant) to become Master Masons of the Dillwyn Lodge. They wanted to give my great grandfather a Masonic funeral, but my great grandmother was opposed. Do you know if the Masons keep records that are available for genealogical purposes? I am wondering about the history of the Buckingham, and/or Dillwyn lodge in the 1800s…..
There is a book on the Buckingham masons.i have a copy of. I am out of town when I get back would be happy to let u know more about. Kathy Clark
Kimberley, There will be more posts soon. The book is: “200 Years of Freemasonry in Buckingham County, Virginia.” I believe it is out of print, but copies are available on the Internet.
My great grandfather C.H.Agee & my grandfather, Frank Agee were members. They both had Masonic funerals. My grandfather always wore Masonic ring. I recall him going to “secret meetings” as a child.