Franklin Lodge No. 151, A.F.& A.M., beholden under the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Virginia (31st Masonic District). Stated Communication: 2nd Thursday 7:30 PM 309 N Main St, Franklin VA 23851
Masonic Biography of MAJ Joseph E. Gillette
Summary
| Born | 6/26/1827 at Cedar Lawn, just outside Hunterdale, VA |
| Died | Nov/1/1863 at 36 yrs at Cedar Lawn |
| Father | Ezra Gillette |
| Mother | Elizabeth F. Murdaugh |
| Married | Edith Emeline Worrell on Oct 4, 1849 |
| Primary Masonic Affiliation | Franklin Lodge 151 |
| Primary residence | Cedar Lawn, Southampton County VA |
| Burried | Cedar Lawn in family cemetary |
| Children | 6 |
Military Service
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Formed Southampton Calvary at Cedar Lawn in 1861, later to become Co. H, 5th Virginia Cavalry, later to reform as
Asa T. Biggs, Jr.
Summary
| Born | 1849 in Williamston, North Carolina |
| Died | Nov 10, 1883 at 34 yrs in/near Franklin, VA |
| Father | Asa T. Biggs, Sr. |
| Mother | Martha E. Andrews Biggs |
| Married | Lucy Myrick Massenburg in Apr 1879 |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Primary Masonic Affiliation | Franklin Lodge 151 |
| Children | Son, William Asa Biggs (born June 1, 1883) |
The Biggs family moved to Virginia from North Carolina after the Civil War; his father, the elder Asa Biggs (1811–1878), was a U.S. Senator and federal judge who also died in Virginia (Norfolk) a few years prior in 1878.
Franklin Lodge No. 151 Secretaries
Lodge Secretary–the hardest job in the Lodge.
Remembering:
Franklin Lodge No 15 History
History of Franklin Lodge No. 151 A.F.& A.M.
The History of Franklin Lodge
Franklin Lodge No 151 is a product of four different Lodges. Mt. Olivet Lodge No. 25 (), Berlin Lodge No. 42 (), Somerton Lodge No. 99 (), and Acacia Lodge No. 84 () can each give to the history of Franklin Lodge. The distance of each of these Lodges from the Franklin area and the mode of transportation in the year 1855 gave rise to the need of a Lodge in Franklin. On February 13, 1856 Brother Stephen G. Darden, Secretary of Mt. Olive Lodge No. 25 submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a Lodge in Franklin. There were eleven other signatures on the petition. All but one of these eventually joined Franklin Lodge. The name of the Lodge was left blank on the petition with the choices being Franklin or Seaboard. The charter was granted on December 10, 1856, with twenty-eight charter members.
Franklin Lodge No. 151 100th Anniversary History
Franklin Lodge, No. 151, A. F. and A. M.
Yesterday and Today
Grand Secretary
of
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient,
Free and Accepted Masons in the
Common Wealth of Virginia
Copyright 1956, by James N. Hillman, Richmond, Va
Printed in U. S. A.
APPRECIATION
Franklin, Virginia
September 27, 1956
The members of Franklin Lodge wish to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Most Wor. Hillman for his untiring efforts in preparing this 100th Anniversary history. Â Without him, this book would not have been possible. Â We wish to thank him for his many suggestions in planning tis celebration.