OUR HISTORY
It was well over a Century ago, the terrible War Between the States had just come to an n end. Our President, Abraham Lincoln, had recently met his death at the hand of an assassin. The weary soldiers, who had worn the gray uniform of the south, had returned to their homes. In the Town of Jeffersonville, Virginia, the following action was taken by Tazewell Lodge No.62 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons on August 1,1865.
“To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Virginia.
We, the undersigned being master masons of good standing, and having the prosperity of the craft ant heart, are anxious to exert our best endeavors to promote and defend the genuine principles of free masonry, and for the convenience of our respective dwellings, and other good reasons, we are anxious of forming a new lodge at Bluestone, in the county of Tazewell to be named Harmon Lodge NO. _______. We therefore respectfully pray for a dispensation empowering us to open and hold a regular lodge at Bluestone, and therein to discharge the duties of Ancient York Masons in a constitutional manner, according to the forms of the order and laws of the Grand Lodge; do recommend (we have nominated) Brother Z. S. Witten to be the first Master, Brother J. Mosby Davis to be the first Senior Warden, and Brother John A. Calfe to be the first Junior Warden of the said lodge.
Should the prayer of the petitioners be granted, we promise strict conformity to all the regulations of masonry, and the laws, resolutions and edicts of the Grand Lodge”
Signed
John S.W. Neel
Z.S. Witten
John A. Calfe
Wm. F. Neel
G.P. George
J. Mosby Davis
Wm. L Graham
Our first meeting place in Graham, Virginia was a frame building, which was destroyed by fire in 1883 along with all original records. Our Brethren saw need of a new building in 1895 when our current building was started. Over the years our Brethren struggled to build and pay off the note. In the year 1897 it was requested of the Grand Lodge that dues be remitted so that all funds should be put on the debt and the request was granted. After many years of frustration, the debt was paid and deed of trust was released on March 19,1906.
The first floor of the building has been leased to several concerns. In 1924 it was leased to Dr. C.M. Fisher to be used as a drug store. Bro James McNeer and Mr E. A. McNeer assumed this lease. The building at the present is still rented and houses New Graham Pharmacy and Cornerstone Gift Gallery. Our building was one of the first brick structure built in what is now Bluefield Virginia and serves as a primary anchor for the downtown district. It is a wonderful place to meet and hold meetings. Currently we are acquiring items for a museum and Masonic library on the second floor. Regularly we offer tours and open the building for the public to visit from a historical perspective.
We are greatly indebted to those who have gone before us for this priceless heritage. We sincerely trust that our brethren may wrought as well in the next century as our forefathers have in the past, and that our labors will not be disappointing to the historians of that day.
COLONEL EDWIN HOUSTON HARMAN
1835-1864
IN WHOSE MEMORY HARMAN LODGE WAS NAMED
Colonel Edwin Houston Harman was born February 3, 1835, in the Bluestone Valley, Tazewell County. He was the son of Erastus Granger Harman, one of the first-born generation of that section of the county. On the 2nd of April 1861 he was married to Miss Jennie King at the bride’s home on Back Creek, Pulaski County, Virginia; and a few days thereafter entered the service of the Confederate States as captain of Company A, 45th Regiment, Virginia Infantry.
In the spring of 1862 he was promoted to Lieutenant colonel of the regiment. He was a daring and accomplished soldier and officer; and it was strangely decreed by; fate that he should fall in the battle but a few miles distant from the place where he won his bride three years previously. On the 9th of May, 1884 Colonel Harman was mortally wounded at the battle of Cloyd’s Mountain, and died from the wound two days later. His dust now rests in a Hero’s grave in Thorn Spring Cemetery about six miles west of where he fell in battle.
|
Harman Lodge # 222 AF & AM |
| P.O. Box 181 Bluefield, VA 24605 |