Brenham and Masonry... over 178 years together
January 13, 2023 marked the 178th year of existence for Graham Lodge No. 2o. A.F. & A.M.
The City of Brenham also celebrated its 178th year in 2023 as the city and the Masonic Lodge developed concurrently. The men working for the establishment of the City of Brenham were the same men who established and labored in the Masonic lodge in Brenham and in the other lodges of Washington County.
On July 12th, 1844, Brothers D. McGee, William Hunt, James Hurt, J.D. Giddings, George W Gentry, Henry King and Hugh C. McIntyre petitioned the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas for a charter for Graham Lodge, which was recommended by Milam Lodge #11 of Independence, Texas. A dispensation was granted at Washington, Texas on August 24, 1844 (six months after the establishment of Brenham) by Brother Thomas G. Wester, of the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. The charter was finally granted on January 13,1845, with the following brothers serving as the first officers of Graham Lodge No. 20: Henry King, Worshipful Master: William Hunt, Senior Warden; H.C. McIntyre, Junior Warden
The history of Graham Lodge is closely associated with the history of the City of Brenham, but unfortunately many of the records of Graham Lodge were destroyed in a fire in the late 1800’s.
Republic of Texas & Washington County Masons
“It is really surprising that so much was accomplished by the 1700 Texas Masons, considering they constituted such a small percentage of a population of about 125,000 persons in 1845…
George K. Teulon, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas said in 1844, “Texas is emphatically a Masonic Country: All our presidents and vice-presidents and four fifths of our state officers, were and are Masons.”
The same statement holds true for Washington County and the city of Brenham. “first district court (in Washington County) was held by Judge R.E.B. Baylor (of Baylor Lodge), with J.D. Giddings (member Milam Lodge #11, Graham Lodge #20) and Sam Lusk (Graham Lodge #20)
The prominent lawyers of the period included R.E.B. Baylor, J.D. Giddings, Asa M. Lewis, John Sayles (All known to be Masons)
J.D. Giddings
“In the spring of 1838, J.D. Giddings came to Texas, seeking information about his brother Giles A. Giddings who died from wounds received at the Battle of San Jacinto.
It was said…”to J.D. (Jabez Demming) Giddings, more than to any other man, must be given the credit of having founded the City of Brenham…It was through his efforts that it became the county seat in 1844.”
It is noted that during the election called for by the Congress of the Republic of Texas that J.D. Giddings rode throughout the settlements preaching the virtues of the new settlement at Brenham.
J.D. Giddings continued to be a moving force in Brenham history. “The first and most earnest advocate of a railroad, was J.D. Giddings, and with the patriotism that characterized his every movement where Brenahm was concerned, he endeavored to build it
With the aid of his brother D.C. Giddings, he organized the Washington County Railroad Company.
It became necessary at this period to establish a bank to handle the commercial interests of the people; and in 1886 the bank of GIddings and Giddings opened its doors for business.
J.D. Giddings was a member of the legislature in the reconstruction days. He aided in the removal of the Federal soldiers from Camptown. He was a leading lawyer.
He was vitally interested in the success of Brenham. He traveled night and day, and made speeches in every town and settlement. He cast his lot, heart and soul, with the infant town, and formulated plans for its upbuilding.
Brenham continued to grow with the help of the prominent citizens and Masons of the day. But in 1867 an epidemic of Yellow Fever hit Brenham and did much damage to the local community. “In spite of the quarantine ordinance which D.C. (DeWitt Clinton) Giddings submitted to the city council, and which was passed in August of 1867, the Yellow Fever invaded Brenham.
” No nobler example of heroism may be found among the annals of men than that given by this good citizen, when he faced danger and death, and gently, and unselfishly ministered to the sufferers. By day and night for three months he nursed the ill and dying, allowing himself scant rest, and so sad were the conditions and so great the death rate, that Col. Giddings often superintended the interments in the graves at the Masonic Cemetery, which he had helped the colored laborers to excavate; and sometimes he was the sole mourner, for Yellow Fever was in every home, and few people were able to attend funerals”
Past Masters
Lodge Secretaries
