Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Historic Franklin Masonic Hall
Call for Peace, Summons to Arms
Photographed by Lugnuts, February 21, 2020
1. Historic Franklin Masonic Hall Interpretive Marker
Inscription.
Historic Franklin Masonic Hall. Call for Peace, Summons to Arms. As the Civil War approached, Masons urged peace. James McCullum, Grand Master of Tennessee, encouraged "the brethren engaged in the lawful contest to remember that a fallen foe is a brother, and as such is entitled to warmest sympathies and kindliest attention." In the spring of 1861, local women including Carrie McGavock of Carnton and her enslaved woman Mariah, gathered here at the Masonic Hall, Hiram Lodge No. 7, to sew Confederate uniforms. Dr. Samuel Henderson wrote, "The first company of volunteers under Hanner and House left Franklin May 18. Capt. Waggoner's company of Irishmen left Franklin about midnight. Company under the command Capt. (Moscow) Carter left June 3 at noon. Capt. Rucker's company left the same day.", In 1863, the Hall served as a Federal hospital, quartermaster offices, and barracks for regiments including the 2nd and 14th Michigan Cavalry. On the eve of Franklin's August 21, 1863, Unionist rally, Masons Dr. Daniel Cliffe, Dr. Samuel Henderson, Frank Hardiman, and non-Masons W.S. Campbell and A.J. Pinkerton wrote their "Unionist Manifesto" here. After the Battles of Franklin and Nashville, the Hall served as a hospital and quarters for U.S. Colored Troops in 1865. Many soldiers scribbled their names, ranks, and regiments on the walls. By 1916, the Masons had received reparations for damage to the Hall., Newly freed African Americans settled nearby along present-day 2nd Avenue. On July 6, 1867, a riot occurred downtown when the primarily African American Union League clashed with former Confederate sympathizers, shuttering the Masonic meeting that night. In response to the riot, the Masons erected an iron fence in 1868 that still stands.
As the Civil War approached, Masons urged peace. James McCullum, Grand Master of Tennessee, encouraged "the brethren engaged in the lawful contest to remember that a fallen foe is a brother, and as such is entitled to warmest sympathies and kindliest attention." In the spring of 1861, local women including Carrie McGavock of Carnton and her enslaved woman Mariah, gathered here at the Masonic Hall, Hiram Lodge No. 7, to sew Confederate uniforms. Dr. Samuel Henderson wrote, "The first company of volunteers under Hanner and House left Franklin May 18. Capt. Waggoner's company of Irishmen left Franklin about midnight. Company under the command Capt. (Moscow) Carter left June 3 at noon. Capt. Rucker's company left the same day."
In 1863, the Hall served as a Federal hospital, quartermaster offices, and barracks for regiments including the 2nd and 14th Michigan Cavalry. On the eve of Franklin's August 21, 1863, Unionist rally, Masons Dr. Daniel Cliffe, Dr. Samuel Henderson, Frank Hardiman, and non-Masons W.S. Campbell and A.J. Pinkerton wrote their "Unionist Manifesto" here. After the Battles of Franklin and Nashville, the Hall served as a hospital and quarters for U.S. Colored Troops in 1865. Many soldiers scribbled their names, ranks, and regiments on the walls. By 1916, the Masons had received reparations for damage to the Hall.
Newly
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freed African Americans settled nearby along present-day 2nd Avenue. On July 6, 1867, a riot occurred downtown when the primarily African American Union League clashed with former Confederate sympathizers, shuttering the Masonic meeting that night. In response to the riot, the Masons erected an iron fence in 1868 that still stands.
Location. 35° 55.517′ N, 86° 52.02′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. It can be reached from 2nd Avenue South south of East Main Street (Business U.S. 31), on the left when traveling south. Marker cannot be seen from the road or sidewalk, it is currently behind a temporary plywood fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 2nd Avenue South, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee and in Greater Nashville. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Temple (here, next to this marker); Ewen Cameron (within shouting distance of this marker); Original St. Philip Catholic Church (within shouting distance
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2020, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
