Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
William Stephens
First Grand Master, Grand Lodge Of Georgia, F &AM
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
1. William Stephens Marker
Georgia’s first Attorney-General he was also Chief Justice of Georgia, Mayor of Savannah and held other important posts of honor. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him United States District Court Judge which position he held with distinction until just prior to his death on 6 August 1819.
A dedicated Freemason he was Worshipful Master of Solomon’s Lodge at Savannah prior to 1783. In 1791 he was Worshipful Master of another Savannah Lodge, Union No. 10 (Extinct).
When the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M., was organized at Savannah on 16 December 1786 as the Independent and Sovereign Masonic Power in Georgia, William Stephens was elected Grand Master and he served through 1788. In 1793 he was re-elected Grand Master and served continuously through 1813, a record of longevity in that exalted Masonic office never since equaled.
The honored remains of Grand Master Stephens rest in the Colonial Cemetery of Savannah. His Masonic posterity, the nearly 100,000 Freemasons of Georgia, will ever cherish his memory.
Erected 1970 by Education & Historical Commission Of The Grand Lodge Of
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1752.
Location. 32° 4.554′ N, 81° 5.412′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker can be reached from East Oglethorpe Avenue. Marker located in Colonial Park (Cemetery). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gen. Samuel Elbert (1740-1788) (a few steps from this marker); Colonial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Habersham (1751-1815) (within shouting distance of this marker); James Habersham (within shouting distance of this marker); Major John Berrien (within shouting distance of this marker); Conrad Aiken (within shouting distance of this marker); Hugh McCall (1767-1823) (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Clay, Patriot (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker for Colonial Park
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
2. William Stephens Marker, in Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah
Also see . . . The History of Freemasonry. (Submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 23, 2008
3. William Stephens Marker (r) shares location with Gen. Samuel Elbert Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
4. Marker located in Colonial Park Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,697 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
