Freemasons in Charleston

by Elliott Friedman

Charleston has long been a city rich in history, culture, and tradition. Among its many historical threads, one of the most intriguing is the deep connection it holds with Freemasonry. The origins of Freemasonry in Charleston date to the early 18th century when the city became a key hub for this secretive and influential fraternal order in the American South. In this post, we’ll delve into the history of the Freemasons in Charleston and explore how they established some of the earliest lodges, their notable members, and the lasting impact they’ve had on the city’s legacy. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious traveler, or someone interested in the mysteries of Freemasonry - this journey into Charleston’s Masonic past will entertain and enlighten.

Before we deep-dive the history of Masonic activity in Charleston, it is important to establish some basic, foundational knowledge of the structure and proliferation of Freemasonry before it was brought to the Americas. 

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and most widespread fraternal organizations. It has long been the subject of much intrigue, speculation, and criticism with a rich history full of complex rituals and deep traditions. The origin of the Lodges, while somewhat shrouded in mystery, are rooted in the stonemason guilds of the Middle Ages and have since evolved into a global society focused on moral and spiritual development, brotherhood, and charitable work.

46 Broad St. in Charleston

Over time, operative lodges began accepting non-stonemasons as members. These “speculative” Freemasons were men of various professions who were interested in the symbolic and philosophical teachings of the stonemason trade. By the 1600s, these speculative lodges began to dominate and Freemasonry evolved from a craft guild into a fraternal organization centered on moral teachings, self-improvement, and spiritual enlightenment.

The formal organization of modern Freemasonry began with the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England in 1717. This event marked the transition from informal, independent lodges to a unified, organized fraternity with standardized rituals and governance. The Grand Lodge of England became the model for other grand lodges, which spread throughout Europe and eventually across the world.

After the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, Freemasonry spread rapidly across Europe and beyond. By the mid-1700s, Freemasonry had reached the American colonies, where it became influential among many of the Founding Fathers, including nine out of the fifty six signers of the Declaration of Independence and thirteen of the thirty nine signers of the Constitution. Notable names include George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Patrick Henry. 

George Washington, a Freemason and one of the best-known founding fathers of the United States.

Freemasonry also spread to other parts of the world with the establishment of lodges in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Notable Masonic figures from history outside of the Anglo-American sphere include Voltaire, Marquis de Lafayette, Simón Bolivar, Swami Vivekananda (a Hindu monk and key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world), Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (founding father of Turkey), and Nelson Mandela (Mandela’s formal initiation as a Freemason is a topic of debate).

The first Masonic lodge in Charleston (the third-oldest in the US behind Boston and Philadelphia, respectively) was Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, founded in 1735. This lodge, located at 46 Broad St, occupied the space of a former tavern, Charleston’s first post office, and the first Chamber of Commerce in America. 

In its early years, Solomon’s Lodge attracted many influential local figures, including merchants, landowners, and political leaders. These men were drawn to the Masonic principles of fraternity, moral development, and civic responsibility. The lodge quickly became a hub for intellectual discourse and community leadership.

The lodge’s membership included some of the most prominent citizens, many of whom were involved in the founding and administration of key Charleston institutions. As a result, the lodge wielded significant influence in shaping the political, social, and economic fabric of the city.

In 1754, Solomon’s Lodge was catalytic in the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, which unified the various Masonic lodges in the colony under one governing body. This Grand Lodge became a central institution in the spread and regulation of Freemasonry throughout the southern colonies.

During the American Revolution, members of Charleston’s Masonic lodges were heavily involved in the Patriot cause. Many Freemasons in Charleston, including members of Solomon’s Lodge, played key roles in the fight for independence with members represented as military leaders, political figures, or supporters of the revolutionary movement.

Masonic Tomb at Magnolia Cemetery

College of Charleston's Maybank Hall

Notable institutions in Charleston that were influenced by Freemasons either as founders or leaders throughout their history include: 

College of Charleston: Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston is one of the oldest educational institutions in the United States. Many of its founders and early trustees were prominent Freemasons, who saw the college as a way to promote education, civic values, and intellectual growth in the region.

The Charleston Library Society: Established in 1748, the Charleston Library Society was one of the first subscription libraries in America. Several of its founding members were Freemasons, and the society became a vital center for knowledge, culture, and community in the city.

South Carolina Society: Founded in 1737, the South Carolina Society was originally a charitable organization that later expanded to focus on education and social welfare. Many of its members were Freemasons who promoted the society’s mission of aiding widows, orphans, and the needy.

St. Andrew's Society of Charleston: Founded in 1729, this organization aimed to assist Scottish immigrants and their descendants in Charleston. Freemasons were instrumental in its early leadership, reflecting the close ties between Masonic ideals and civic service.

Charleston’s Early Government and Civic Leadership: Many of Charleston’s leading politicians, judges, and military leaders were Freemasons. Their influence extended into local government, helping to shape the city’s laws, economy, and social structures during the colonial and post-Revolutionary periods.

Several founding fathers are known to have been Freemasons

Some influential Freemasons from Charleston’s past include:

Albert Gallatin Mackey (1807–1881): One of the most significant figures in the history of Freemasonry, Mackey was a physician, author, and a leading Masonic scholar. He served as the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina for many years and authored several influential works on Masonic rituals and history, including The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. Mackey’s contributions helped shape the principles and practices of Freemasonry both in Charleston and internationally.

Henry Laurens (1724–1792): A key figure in the American Revolutionary War, Henry Laurens was a prominent South Carolina planter, merchant, and statesman. He served as President of the Continental Congress and later as a diplomat. Laurens was a member of the Masonic fraternity in Charleston, and his influence extended both politically and within the Masonic community.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1746–1825): A prominent statesman, soldier, and signer of the U.S. Constitution, Pinckney was an active Freemason in Charleston. He served as a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. Pinckney was also a key figure in the early development of the United States and served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, as well as an ambassador to France.

John C. Calhoun (1782–1850): Although more famously known as a U.S. Vice President, senator, and advocate for states’ rights (as well as controversial views on the morality of slavery), John C. Calhoun was also a Freemason in Charleston. Calhoun’s political influence was significant in the antebellum South, and his Masonic connections reflect the deep ties between the fraternity and the political leadership of the time

Thomas Smith Webb (1771–1819): Webb is considered one of the founding fathers of the York Rite of Freemasonry in America and was highly influential in developing the Masonic rituals used in Charleston and elsewhere. Though originally from New England, his work had a lasting impact on Masonic practices in the South, including Charleston.

Robert Mills (1781–1855): An architect known as the designer of the Washington Monument, Mills was born in Charleston and became a prominent Freemason. His contributions to architecture, particularly in designing important buildings in Charleston and across the nation, were significant, reflecting both his professional and Masonic ideals.

Isaac Hayne (1745–1781): A patriot and planter, Isaac Hayne was executed by the British during the American Revolution for his role in leading South Carolina’s resistance against British rule. Hayne was also a Freemason in Charleston, and his martyrdom became a symbol of sacrifice in the struggle for American independence.

Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805): Known for designing the famous "Don't Tread on Me" flag, Christopher Gadsden was a leader in the American Revolution and an early advocate for independence. He was also an active Freemason in Charleston and contributed significantly to both the Masonic and revolutionary causes.

John Rutledge (1739–1800): A signer of the U.S. Constitution, Governor of South Carolina, and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Rutledge was one of the most influential figures in South Carolina’s early history. He was also an active Freemason in Charleston and participated in the early development of the fraternity in the city.

Edward Rutledge (1749–1800): The younger brother of John Rutledge, Edward was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and an important political leader in South Carolina. Like his brother, Edward was a member of the Masonic fraternity in Charleston and played a key role in the city’s civic and political life.

Prince Hall, who chartered the first Masonic lodge for Black Americans in 1787.

During the Civil War, Freemasonry in Charleston faced significant challenges due to the broader social, political, and military upheaval. With many of its members either serving in the military or displaced due to the war, Masonic lodges in Charleston had to suspend regular meetings. The destruction and chaos of war made it impractical to maintain normal lodge activities.

One of the unique aspects of Freemasonry during the Civil War was the recognition of Masonic brotherhood across the North-South divide. There are documented instances where Masons from opposing sides offered aid or protection to each other based on their shared Masonic values, though this was more representative of individual acts rather than organized lodge activities.

Following the Civil War, the late 19th century is often referred to as the "Golden Age of Fraternalism" in the United States. Freemasonry saw a significant revival and expansion during this time, suggesting that despite the setbacks during the war, the fraternity in places like Charleston likely rebounded with renewed enthusiasm. 

It is important to mention that Freemasonry in the South experienced challenges regarding racial integration before and after the Civil War. Black Masons were part of a parallel fraternal order of Masons under what is called the Prince Hall Grand Lodge system. Prince Hall was a free Black man in Boston, Massachusetts, who was initiated into Freemasonry in 1775. He and fourteen other Black Americans were initiated into a British military lodge attached to the British forces stationed in Boston during the Revolutionary War.

After the British regiment left Boston, Hall and his fellow Masons were granted a limited charter to meet as a lodge, which they called African Lodge No. 1. However, they had limited rights and recognition compared to other Masonic lodges. In 1784, after several years of operating under the limited charter, Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a full charter, which was granted in 1787. This charter officially established African Lodge No. 459, making it the first recognized Masonic lodge for Black Americans.

Prince Hall served as the first Grand Master of the lodge. Under his leadership, the lodge grew, and other lodges were established, leading to the formation of Prince Hall Grand Lodges. Prince Hall Freemasonry became an important institution for Black Americans, providing a sense of community, mutual support, and a platform for activism. The lodges played a significant role in the Black American community, particularly in the fight against slavery, the promotion of civil rights, and the pursuit of education.

For many years, exclusively Black Prince Hall Freemasonry was not recognized by mainstream (predominantly white) Masonic lodges in the United States. This was due to the racial segregation that existed in many aspects of American society, including Freemasonry. 

Over time, many mainstream Grand Lodges gradually extended recognition to Prince Hall Lodges. Although Black Americans were permitted to become Freemasons in the mainstream lodge system after the end of segregation during the Civil Rights movement, the Grand Lodge of South Carolina did not officially recognize Prince Hall Lodges until 2020.  

According to recent data released by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, there are approximately 16,000 Freemasons in South Carolina attending 278 lodges - 16 of which are in the Charleston Metro Area. This number of individual members is part of a broader trend of declining Masonic membership across the United States, a phenomenon that has been occurring for several decades. 

It is my sincere hope that this brief history of Freemasons in Charleston has provided interesting and useful information on the subject. A walk through the city will reveal many masonic images and symbols on the Northeast cornerstones of buildings and etched into headstones in graveyards and cemeteries. The Masonic ideals and philosophy of benevolence, charity, and fraternity continue to influence Charleston and her residents. I encourage everyone interested in Masonry to do their own research and explore the subject further as much was not covered in this blog post.

Elliott Friedman became a Master Mason at age 21 in 2008. He later discovered masonic lineage in his family when his paternal, Jewish grandmother asked if the ring he was wearing belonged to his grandfather - her late husband. She then revealed that her husband had been encouraged (strongly) by her father, a member of masonic leadership in New York, to become a mason before he would consent to their marriage. 

Sources and further reading:

* "Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina." Official website of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina. Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.scgrandlodgeafm.org

* "Freemasonry in the United States." Masonic Service Association of North America. Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.msana.com/​

* Cornwell, Ross, and Samuel M. Willis. History of Freemasonry in South Carolina - The Years 1860 - 1919. Columbia, SC: The R. L. Bryan Company, 1979.

* Mackey, Albert G. The History of Freemasonry in South Carolina: From Its Origin in the Year 1736 to the Present Time. 1861. Reprint. Charleston, SC: Walker, Evans, and Cogswell Co., 1936.

* Poston, Jonathan H. The Buildings of Charleston: A Guide to the City's Architecture. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 1997.

* Washington, George. "From George Washington to the South Carolina Masons, 4 May 1791." Founders Online, National Archives. Accessed August 27, 2024. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-08-02-0120.