 The
Independent Order of Good Templars originated in Sweden and is an
international non-government organization working in the field of
temperance which has very strict alcohol policies. It was founded in
the 19th century and is structurally modeled on Freemasonry. Unlike
many, however, it admitted men and women equally (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia). Common practice for lodges was to hold meetings on the second (upper) floor of a church or school buildings. This practice was to assure privacy for their rituals and to prevent the efforts of outside youngsters of peeping or eavesdropping. The windows had to be open on summer days and nights. There was a one-sentence reference to the Temple of Honour, or the Templars Lodge, in the church minutes although no information was provided regarding the organization. On February 19, 1855 the District Deputy Grand Master L.G. Harmon of the 8th Masonic District of Texas granted a dispensation to the men listed below to meet as a lodge until the next communication of the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas. Temporary designations were given as follows:
A charter was granted to the Kentucky Lodge #167 on January 24, 1856 by the Grand Lodge of Texas. This lodge would exist at Kentuckytown until 1883 when it was moved to Whitewright, retaining the same name for ten more years. New names that appeared on the membership were Wm. P. Head, WM and S. S. Varnett as Steward. A. M. Bryant became secretary and rode a mule to Jefferson, Texas, about one hundred miles, to pick up the new charter. The Kentucky Lodge #167 existed until 1883. It was relocated at Whitewright, Texas under the same name for another ten years. In 1893, the Grand Lodge of Texas permitted a permanent name change to Whitewright Lodge #167, AF & AM. Letter written by George W. Newcome, Secretary to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas January 12, 1866 "My Brother, Since we heard from each other, there has been great changes in our political affairs and those Changes still going on, who knws when or where those changes will stop, I dont. We arehaving good enough times here, except there is rather too many Arrests made by the Civil and MIlitary Authoritys, in this and the adjoining Counts to be called altogether peaceable and quite. I have just learned that Col. Brown Commanding post at Sherman will make a Speech there tomorrow. I think of going up tohere him, hopeing to here something from Washington City. The Negroes have pretty generally got homes and gone to work, but have all left their former owners. There is plenty to eat up here and fine prospects for Wheat Crops the comeing Season. Please give me some news and if possible send me a late paper. Yourse Respectfully & Fraternally, G. W. Newcome." The above information was written by George W. Newcome during the Civil War and was made available through courtesy of the Lodge and its Secretary, emory Christian. Chumbley, Joe W. Kentucky Town and Its Baptist Church. Houston, Texas: D. Armstrong Co., Inc., c1975, pg. 29. Kentuckytown History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |