My Fraternity
4 de fev de 20202 min
I am writing to you for your support in the creation of a Prince Hall stamp. Prince Hall was born in 1732, a free man of color, who advocated for the freedom of Blacks, reparations for those who were illegally enslaved and for the education of Black youth. Prince Hall was also a dedicated abolitionist who advocated for the rights and education of the entire Black and enslaved community.
In 1775 Prince Hall founded the African Lodge of the Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Boston, Massachusetts, the world’s first lodge of Black Freemasons and the first society in American history truly devoted to social, political and economic improvements. In honor of his many humanitarian contributions, the Masonic Order that he founded was named after him. Prince Hall is best known as one of 15 men of African descent who were initiated into Masonry on March 6, 1775 by John Batt, a Sergeant in the 38th Foot Regiment of the British Army and a representative of Irish Military Lodge No. 441, working under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. When the British left Boston on March 26, 1776, John Batt had already issued a permit to Prince Hall on July 3, 1775.
This was one full year before America declared its independence from England and while the United States of America was still known as the American Colonies.
The issuance of this permit led to the formation of African Lodge No. 1, thus allowing them to function as a lodge, walk on St. John’s Day, march in parades, and to bury their dead. Today, over 5,000 lodges and 47 Grand Lodges, and one Grand Lodge in your congressional district, trace their history and name to the original Prince Hall Lodge, African Lodge #1.
These AfricanAmerican Masonic groups remain dedicated to improving and aiding their community, society and mankind as a whole.
Sincerely Yours | In, official site