Washington Lodge #18
A.F. & A.M.
Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas
Worshipful Master Seth D. Hudson
![Washington Lodge #18 on March 2, 2021 - 185th Birthday of Texas Washington Lodge #18 on March 2, 2021 - 185th Birthday of Texas](images/Washington Lodge 18 March 2 2021 (3).jpg)
Washington Lodge #18 Celebrates Texas Independence
Day at Independence Hall on March 2, 2021 - the 185th Anniversary of Texas Independence
![Washington Lodge #18 on March 2, 2011 - 175th Birthday of Texas Washington Lodge #18 on March 2, 2011 - 175th Birthday of Texas](images/washingtonlodge.jpg)
Washington Lodge #18 Meeting at Independence Hall on Texas Independence
Day, March 2, 2011
Next Stated Meeting of Washington Lodge #18
Navasota Lodge - Navasota, Texas
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Lodge Will Open at 6:300pm
All Brothers are welcome to join us for dinner afterwards at a local
restaurant following the meeting.
We will be remembering Brother Bill Miller.
We will be considering high school scholarship recipients and information about Lodge aprons. The District Deputy
Grand Master will be making a visit and we will be electing officers for the ensuing Masonic year.
![Washington Lodge #18 Installation of Officers 2023 Washington Lodge #18 Installation of Officers 2023](images/Washington 2023 Installation Invitation 2.jpg)
To contact Washington Lodge, email David M. Rice at dmrsam@aol.com or write to
Washington Lodge No. 18, c/o David M. Rice, 320 Moore Street, Navasota, Texas 77868. Telephone: 936-662-5838.
Except for the Independence Day celebration every year, all stated meetings
of Washington Lodge #18 are held
quarterly at The Navasota #299 Lodge Room
at 300 E. Washington Avenue in Navasota Texas.
The stated meetings for the next year are planned to be held quarterly on the first
month of each quarter:
July 26, 2023
October 25, 2023
January 31, 2024
April 24, 2024
July 31, 2024
![Historic Miller Theater in Navasota, Texas Historic Miller Theater in Navasota, Texas](images/Miller Theater Navasota Texas 550.jpg)
Except for the March 2nd meeting every year which meets at Washington-on-the-Brazos,
Washington Lodge #18 meets quarterly in the Masonic lodge room on the second floor of the historic Miller Theater in Navasota, Texas.
Washington Lodge #18
Where Texas History and Masonry Come Together.
Washington Lodge #18 of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas A. F. & A. M. is
the Masonic lodge chartered at Washington, Texas during the Republic of Texas on January 11, 1844.
It ceased to be a working lodge in 1887 when it surrendered its charter. Washington Lodge #18 was restored by
the Grand Lodge of Texas in 2004.
![Washington Masonic Lodge #18 Charter - Originally chartered during the Republic of Texas in 1844 Washington Masonic Lodge #18 Charter - Originally chartered during the Republic of Texas in 1844](images/Masonic Lodge Charter.jpg)
Washington, Texas was a center of government and Masonic activities
during the Republic of Texas. On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico at Washington and
the Declaration of Independence was signed there. Therefore, Washington is referred to as the
"Birthplace of Texas." At various times, the capitol of the Republic of Texas was at
Washington. The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas held its annual meetings at Washington in 1843, 1844 and
1845. Click here to see
The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas 1837-1857. Today, the town of Washington is commonly referred to as Washington-on-the-Brazos.
A few years ago this historic Masonic Lodge was re-chartered.
The members of Washington Lodge #18 are very proud of their history and open lodge every year on Texas Independence
Day, March 2, in the Convention Hall at Washington-on-the-Brazos on the very spot where Texas declared her
independence from Mexico in 1836. Most of the members of Washington Lodge #18 are associate members who enjoy
the history of Texas and Texas Masonry. Click to see and read the Washington Lodge No. 18 Minute Book from 1854 on the Portal to Texas History.
![Original Charter of Washington Lodge #18 from the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas in 1844 Original Charter of Washington Lodge #18 from the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas in 1844](images/Charter Lodge 18 Republic of Texas.jpg)
Grand Lodge of Texas
Washington Lodge #18's Original Charter from the Grand Lodge of the
Republic of Texas dated January 11, 1844
![Warrant of Dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas to Washington
Masonic Lodge #18 in 1843 Warrant of Dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas to Washington
Masonic Lodge #18 in 1843](images/Washington Lodge 18 Dispensation.jpg)
Grand Lodge of Texas
Warrant of Dispensation to Washington Lodge #18 in 1843
![Click to Read TSHA Handbook of Texas Article about Brother Stephen Z. Hoyle Click to Read TSHA Handbook of Texas Article about Brother Stephen Z. Hoyle](images/Washington Lodge 18.png)
Texas National Register (Washington, Republic of Texas)
Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1, Thursday, June 12, 1845, Page 6 of 8
Contact Information to Affiliate or Petition
Washington Lodge #18
David Rice, Secretary
Telephone# 936-662-5838
Email: dmrsam@aol.com
![Washington Lodge #18 Washington Lodge #18](images/State of Texas Map 50pxl.png)
![2020 Washington Lodge Presentation Coin Obverse 2020 Washington Lodge Presentation Coin Obverse](images/washingtoncoinback.jpg) ![2020 Washington Lodge #18 Presentation Coin Reverse 2020 Washington Lodge #18 Presentation Coin Reverse](images/washingtoncoinfront.jpg)
2020 Washington Lodge #18 Wooden Presentation Coin
![Washington Lodge #18 Record Book from 1854 - Star of the Republic Museum - Washington, Texas Washington Lodge #18 Record Book - Star of the Republic Museum - Washington, Texas](images/Washington Lodge 18 Record Book 1854.jpg)
Click here to see and read the 306 page Washington Lodge No. 18 Minute Book from 1854 on the Portal to Texas History.
Dedication of Marker
Honoring Brother Asa Brigham
March 2, 2011
On March 2, 2011, Washington Lodge #18 conducted a ceremony honoring the memory
and historic accomplishments of Brother Asa Brigham at Washington Cemetery in Washington, Texas. Brother Asa
Brigham was the only man to assist in the successful founding of Masonry in Texas and the successful founding of
the Republic of Texas.
Brigham met under the Masonic Oak with a handful of other Masonic brethren in
1835 to petition the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for a Masonic lodge at Brazoria, Texas. Brigham also signed the
Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico at Washington, Texas on March 2, 1836. Brother Arnold Langston
of Washington Lodge #18 researched the history, designed the marker and led the ceremony. Among those in
attendance for the ceremony was Grand Master T. E. "Gene" Carnes of the Grand Lodge of Texas. March 2,
2011 was the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
![Asa Brigham - 1936 Texas Centennial Marker in Washington Cemetery Asa Brigham - 1936 Texas Centennial Marker in Washington Cemetery](images/asabrigham.jpg)
ASA BRIGHAM
ALCALDE OF BRAZORIA MUNICIPALITY, 1835
SIGNER OF THE TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1836
AUDITOR OF THE REPUBLIC [OF TEXAS], 1836
TREASURER OF THE REPUBLIC [OF TEXAS] 1836-1840 AND 1841-44
BORN IN MASSACHUSETTS 1790
DIED IN WASHINGTON, TEXAS JULY 22, 1844
Erected by the State of Texas 1936
![Asa Brigham - Masonic Marker Placed on March 2, 2011 - 175th Anniversary of the Sigining of the Texas Declaration of Independence Asa Brigham - Masonic Marker Placed on March 2, 2011 - 175th Anniversary of the Sigining of the Texas Declaration of Independence](images/asabrigham2.jpg)
Asa Brigham
Alcalde of Brazoria
One of 20 who planned the Battle of Velasco June 25, 1832
Signer of petition to start the first Masonic Lodge in Texas
at Brazoria from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana March 1835
Washington Lodge #18 Project
Republic of Texas Era Masonic Aprons
![Washington Lodge Apron Examples Under Consideration Washington Lodge Apron Examples Under Consideration](images/Apron Example.jpg)
Examples of lodge aprons that will be presented for
consideration for adoption by the membership of Washington Lodge #18 at the July 26, 2023 meeting. Once adopted,
these unique lodge aprons will only be available to the members of Washington Lodge #18. The apron will exemplify
and celebrate the history of Texas, Washington-on-the-Brazos (where the Texas of Declaration of Independence
was signed in 1836), and of Washington Lodge #18, (a lodge originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of the Republic
of Texas).
![Republic of Texas Era Masonic Apron Worn Until the 1850's Republic of Texas Era Masonic Apron Worn Until the 1850's](images/parmermasonicapron.jpg)
Brother Don Pugh Identified this Masonic Apron as Belonging to the Palmer/Parmer Clan that Arrived in Texas in 1825
![Republic of Texas Era Masonic Apron Worn by Thomas Palmer/Parmer Son of Martin Parmer Signer of Texas Declaration of Independence - Sam Houston Memorial Museum Republic of Texas Era Masonic Apron Worn by Thomas Palmer/Parmer Son of Martin Parmer Signer of Texas Declaration of Independence - Sam Houston Memorial Museum](images/thomaspalmermasonicapron.png)
Masonic Apron Worn by Brother Thomas Palmer Who Arrived in Texas in 1825
![Early Texas Masonic Apron Belonging to Caleb Lynn Spencer Who Came to Texas in 1857 - Star of the Republic Museum Early Texas Masonic Apron Belonging to Caleb Lynn Spencer Who Came to Texas in 1857 - Star of the Republic Museum](images/texasmasonicapron.png)
Masonic Apron Belonging to Caleb Lynn Spencer
![Star with Letter G Inside Square and Compasses Star with Letter G Inside Square and Compasses](images/blazing_star.jpg)
A Possible Alternative Would be a Masonic Apron With a Less Crowded and Less Expensive
Design such as a Star with the Square and Compasses Similar to the Lodge's Current Logo
Over the past several years, Washington Lodge #18 of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas A. F. & A. M. has been
gathering information regarding Republic of Texas era Masonic approns in an effort to recreate a period-authentic apron to be worn by members
of Washington Lodge #18 during the annual meetings of the Lodge on Texas Independence Day every year. This meeting is conducted in Independence
Hall at Washington-on-the-Brazos at the site where the Delegates of Texas declared Texas independent from Mexico on March 2, 1836, at the exact
spot Where Texas Became Texas.
In an effort to
design the most most period-authentic apron possible, we have searched many different sources. It appears that linen or silk was the most
common material that the aprons were made of during the period and most were hand-painted. There are also a number of similar emblematic
Masonic elements seen in each of the examples shown above.
Brothers Seth Hudson and Kameron Searle are both working on the committee to propose a design for an official
apron for the Lodge that will be historically accurate to the period of the 1840's and would very much appreciate your help. If you have
a Republic of Texas era Masonic apron (worn by an ancestor or not), we would appreciate a scan of it. We would also be glad to include
scans of period-authentic aprons as additional examples on this site. Also, if you have historical expertise regarding American Masonic
aprons of the 1840's or earlier, we would also appreciate very much hearing from you. Email: ksearle1@pdq. net or call 713-880-4529
during regular weekday business hours.
Contact Information to Affiliate or Petition
Washington Lodge #18
David Rice, Secretary
Telephone# 936-662-5838
Email: dmrsam@aol.com
![Washington Lodge #18 Washington Lodge #18](images/State of Texas Map 50pxl.png)
Unless Otherwise Noted All Photos Courtesy of Brother K. K. Searle
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