2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 245
Commending St. Johns Lodge No. 144 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, for 200 years, St. Johns Lodge No. 144 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons has cultivated bonds of fellowship between residents of Charlotte County and created opportunities for leadership development, charitable outreach, and community engagement; and
WHEREAS, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 13, 1826, St. Johns Lodge No. 144 is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in Charlotte County and was established during a period of significant civic growth in Southside Virginia; and
WHEREAS, St. Johns Lodge No. 144 was founded by William B. Daniel, who served as its first worshipful master, along with John W. Daniel, Thomas H. Watkins, Richard H. Cardwell, James T. Henry, Benjamin F. Roberts, Samuel P. Daniel, William A. Booker, John Harvey, and Thomas J. Harvey; and
WHEREAS, St. Johns Lodge No. 144, which was located in Charlotte Court House, grew and thrived in its early years and remained active during the Civil War, becoming one of the most stable lodges in rural Virginia by the end of the 19th century thanks to the interwoven family networks that sustained membership and operations; and
WHEREAS, multiple generations of the same families supported St. Johns Lodge No. 144 in the 19th century, particularly the Daniel, Booker, Harvey, Hamlett, Roberts, Henry, and Spencer families; members came from all walks of life, including farmers, merchants, tradesmen, physicians, justices of the peace, and civic officials; and
WHEREAS, another Masonic lodge began serving the Keysville community in the mid-1800s with the foundation of Keysville Lodge No. 154, which drew its membership from merchants, railroad workers, farmers, and civic leaders in the rapidly growing area; and