Masonic Cemetery

Masonic Cemetery. Fredericksburg: Timeless.. , The Masons of Fredericksburg Lodge #4, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, organized as a lodge in 1752. They established this cemetery in 1784 and there are now approximately 270 graves within these grounds. Most are members and family members of the original lodge, but along the back wall are the reinterred remains of members of American Masonic Lodge #63, which had splintered off from Lodge #4, in 1799, but which did not last as an organization beyond the Civil War., The many graves within the sandstone walls reflect the population that was part of Fredericksburg's early development. Burials include people who came to Fredericksburg from England, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, as well as from other American towns such as Boston and Williamsburg. Numerous members of the Lodge also fought in the Continental Army during the Revolution. The Masons clearly helped to found a community as well as a nation., [Captions:] , The traditional Masonic symbol is the square and compass. The "G" stands for God., Colonel Fielding Lewis established an iron forge in Fredericksburg during the American Revolution, where damaged weapons could be repaired and new ones manufactures., A veteran of the French and Indian War, William Woodford commanded Virginia troops in Washington's army. He fought at Great Bridge, Brandywine, and Monmouth, but was captured at Charleston in 1780. He died aboard a prison hulk in New York harbor., Brigadier General George Weedon was a veteran of the French and Indian War and commanded Continental troops as well as Virginia militia. His force blocked a British breakout, at Gloucester Point, during the Yorktown campaign., Hugh Mercer soldiered in Scotland for the exiled Charles Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). He met Washington on the Pennsylvania frontier during the French and Indian War and joined the American forces when the Revolution came. He was mortally wounded at Princeton, in 1777., This 1878 map shows the Masonic Cemetery [labeled as Old Cemetery (Closed) as well the large dwelling in the middle of the block that is also visible in the photo., Sometime during the 1880s, a photographer climbed the steeple of St. George's Church, two blocks to your right, and exposed this image. The Masonic Cemetery is clearly visible, although the gate is blocked by a building (since demolished) on Charles Street., George Washington grew to manhood in Fredericksburg and became a member of the local Masonic Lodge the year it was founded.