One of Alabama's oldest Masonic lodges is in Monroe County

Old Masonic lodge building at Perdue Hill.

(The following story was originally published in The Monroe Journal’s Centennial Edition on Dec. 22, 1966. It appeared on Page 5C of that issue under the headline, “One Of State’s Oldest Masonic Lodges Is In Monroe.")

One of the oldest Masonic chapters in the state is Alabama Masonic Lodge, No. 3.

Excerpts from the minute book of Alabama Lodge No. 3, covering the period from Nov. 16, 1841 to Sept. 21, 1850, state that the lodge was chartered at Claiborne by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, June 25, 1819, and designated as Alabama Lodge No. 51, prior to the formation of Grand Lodge of Alabama.

The old Masonic lodge in Perdue Hill, visited by French General LaFayette in 1825, was once the building used as a courthouse in Claiborne when the thriving riverport of that day was the county seat of Monroe County.

The event occurred only 10 years after Monroe County had been proclaimed a county, June 29, 1815, as part of the Mississippi Territory. On Dec. 7, 1815, the Territorial Legislature named Fort Claiborne as a place for holding courts. It continued to be the seat of justice until 1832, when it was succeeded by Monroeville.

John Murphy, afterwards governor of the state, was its worshipful master. The lodge united with eight other lodges existing in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Alabama, June 21, 1821, being given the serial number three, which it has retained until today.

Moved in 1884

The lodge remained at Claiborne from its formation until 1884 when it was moved from its original site to Perdue Hill and re-erected to appear as it been approximately 150 years ago. It was moved by ox-cart at a fee of $7.

The county’s joint ownership in the Masonic Hall is in a document showing authorities had determined to dispose of the county’s interest in the building at a public sale on June 18, 1842. The lodge appointed a committee of D.H. Crane, R.H. Puryear and William Merkel to purchase the county’s claims to ownership, provided the sale price did not exceed $300.

While there is no report or record as to success or failure of the committee in the undertaking, the transaction was more likely consummated within limitations prescribed.

Masonry was halted at the old lodge during the 1830s when anti-Masonic sentiment prevailed in the country. Lights of the Grand Lodge were extinguished for a period of two years, with fraternal assemblies in subordinate lodges suspended.

Lodge Reorganized

The lodge minute books show that Nov. 16, 1841 seven members assembled for reorganization of the lodge and restoration of the charter. They were William R. Agee, John G. Wallace, John W. Lindsey, Henry N. Allen, James S. Colburn, William R. Whatley and William Henderson. At the close of the year 1842, there were 32 members in good standing. The charter was restored and the lodge enjoyed a prolonged period of operation, its welfare being affected again only by the War Between the States. In 1917, Alabama Lodge No. 3 was consolidated with Monroeville Lodge No. 153, organized in 1852.

Although a number of records shows the old lodge building was used for special occasions, the most auspicious one was the entertainment of the Marquis de LaFayette on his historic tour of the United States.

It was James Dellet, early judge of the circuit court at Claiborne and later legislator and member of congress, who was chairman of the planning committee. He wrote the letter of invitation to General LaFayette, March 21, 1825. The letter is one belonging to Mrs. William E. Deer, a native of the Midwest, who came to make her home at Claiborne. She has amassed the great collection of material known as the Dellet manuscripts as the foundation for a rich group of historical items. The letter reads as follows:

General LaFayette:

Sir:

The citizens of the County of Monroe and Town of Claiborne, having participated in common with the American people, in the unfeigned gladness of heart imparted by the certain information of your arrival in the United States, desire me to say to you, that it will afford them a gratification which they anticipate with the most grateful feelings, if you can make it convenient to touch at Claiborne, on your passage from Montgomery to Mobile, and afford them the pleasure of your company for such a time as you can spare under the arrangements of your western tour.

I am with very great respect

Your obt.

James Dellet

Chairman of the Committee of Claiborne

21st March 1825

It was Mr. Dellet who welcomed the distinguished guest to Claiborne, although Judge Charles Tait met the General at the river landing, a point now immediately under the new bridge. It is told that the boat arrived shortly before the expected hour and the crowd, gathered on the bank of the river beheld an old man leave the steamer and wait several minutes before a carriage drawn by four white horses, descended the road to the water’s edge to receive him. This embarrassment was quickly alleviated by the warmth of his reception.

The reception was given in Gen. LaFayette’s honor, where refreshments could be served, at the Dellet home. The bill of fare was prepared by I.B. Hoover. It provided enough for a small army and was headed by six hams, eight roast turkeys, six roast pigs, 24 fowls, 12 ducks, six dishes of roast beef and the necessary trimmings and vegetables in proportion. Other documents in the collection show that $9.50 was pledged by a number of citizens, each of who obligated himself to aid in paying for the entertainment of Gen. LaFayette and party.

It is recorded also, that a whole year was required to complete the collection of pledges.

Lavasseur, the secretary to General LaFayette, records in his “journal” the tour of American that LaFayette and members of his party, which included the son, George Washington LaFayette, were amazed at the eloquence of Mrs. Dellet in a setting which had been recently reclaimed from savages.

Temple dedicated

LaFayette dedicated, on April 5, 1825, the Masonic Temple built by Lodge No. 3. This hall has been rebuilt in Perdue Hill and the desk from which he spoke has a silver plate attached to commemorate the visit. It was presented by the Woman’s Club of Perdue Hill, April 5, 1925.

Gen. LaFayette and his entourage spent the afternoon and evening at Claiborne and James Dellet, Judge Charles Tait, Arthur P. Bagby and many other Alabama notables shared in the hospitality.

The old James Dellet mansion still stands and is the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Willie E. Deer. Here can still be found some of the grand old furniture, crystal, books and other items which belonged to Congressman Dellet of the Whigs. In the dining room, still stands the old table with its fiddle backed cane seated chairs from which LaFayette was served refreshments.