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The Grand Lodge of Virginia originally chartered Fleetwood Harmony Lodge of Nelson County, Virginia
on December 15th 1812 A.D. (5812 A.L.) by the designation of the Rockfish Harmony Lodge #92. In the
Grand Lodge on December 9th 1845 A.D. (5845 A.L.), it was resolved that the above Lodge be revived
and removed to Fleetwood, Nelson County by the name, Fleetwood Harmony #92. It was located in the
“town” of Jonesborough, Nelson County, Virginia.
In 1850, the Lodge was granted the use of a house on the land of George Williams for the sum of one
dollar. The Mill Grove Section of “The Sons of Temperance” were also given the right to hold their
meetings in the same building.
In 1853, the meeting place was moved to “Providence” (possibly the home of Dr. Littleberry Ligon). The
Lodge moved to Roseland between 1862 and 1865, before returning to Providence for one year.
In the years 1867 & 1868 found the Lodge back in Roseland, then to Fleetwood, a section near
Roseland, for the year 1869. The next stop in the Lodge journey was Massie’s Mill for one year, then the
Lodge reconvened at a Fleetwood location for the next three years.
From 1874-79 the Lodge met in several private homes. It then moved to the Brent and Wheeler
Storehouse in 1880 and continued there until 1889. A group was formed in 1888 to purchase the
Storehouse, but no deed has been found to indicate that the transaction was ever made.
In 1890, the Lodge moved to Lovingston, the county seat of Nelson County. The Lodge Hall was rented
from Mr. M.K. Estes. Several years later, a building was purchased in partnership with the local chapter
of Odd Fellows. In 1956, an auction was held and the building became the exclusive property of
Fleetwood Harmony.
In 1979, Lowesville Lodge #293 merged with Fleetwood Harmony. In 1998, Shipman Lodge #46 (founded
in 1917) merged with Fleetwood Harmony and the Lodge moved to the Shipman Lodge, upstairs of the
Shipman Baptist Church on Church Street in Shipman, Virginia.
In 2003 Brother Palmer Tunstall donated a very nice parcel of land just behind the Nelson County Library
in Lovingston. A building committee was formed, designs were made, money was raised, permits were
approved, and countless volunteers GAVE. Brothers, Wives, Family Members, Neighbors, Friends and
Strangers gave their time, money, materials, space, equipment, tools, food, drinks and knowledge,
together as brothers with help from the community a new Lodge was built.
On January 9th, 2006 Rite Worshipful R. Lee Morris Honored the Lodge as Worshipful Master and
opened the new Lodge Building in ancient form. The new Lodge and our new fellowship hall has
already provided many Masonic and Family Events! For instance, the District School has moved to
Fleetwood Harmony.
It is impossible to name all the dedicated people who have made Fleetwood Harmony Lodge a continuing
entity throughout the 196 years of its existence.
The Masonic fraternity is the oldest in existence and it spans the free world. Written records date back to
the 1390’s, and the traditions are much older. A roster of its members is a study of American History. Its
membership contains 14 Presidents, numerous congressmen, governors, state legislators, military
leaders, astronauts, writers, musicians, artist and local community leaders.
Free Masons is a lodge with secret, but it is not a secret lodge, as its members proudly wear their ancient
insignia, the Square and Compass, publicly. Only their ritual is secret, as other material is found in
writing and is available. The goal is simple: Charity, Friendship, Morality and to preserve the traditions of
the ancient craft. They are not a religion, but do believe in the supreme architect of the universe.
Virginia’s Grand Lodge is the oldest independent body in the United States of America. (October 1778)
Written by the late Roy P. Hatch, Jr.
Submitted by Preston Spencer
Updated 2008 by Wm. Larry Bethea, Jr.
| The History of Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 92 |
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