Milton in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rising Sun Lodge #4, F. & A.M., P.H.A.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, October 6, 2013
1. Rising Sun Lodge #4, F. & A.M., P.H.A. Marker
Inscription.
Rising Sun Lodge #4, F. and A.M., P.H.A.. . The roots of African-American Masonry in this country can be traced to the period of the American Revolution, when founder Prince Hall and others established the first Masonic Lodge for men of color in Boston, Massachusetts. By the early 19th century organizational growth had extended to the port cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington. where residents of southern Delaware who were engaged in maritime and other commercial occupations were exposed to the Masonic Order. In March 1852, a group of 15 men from Milton area met at the home of Lott Purnell for the purpose of organizing a local Lodge. On April 1, 1853, Rising Sun Lodge #4, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation, recieved its charter. After meeting at various locations since its organization, the Lodge formerly occupied the present building in 1934. Constructed as a Presbyterian Church in the 1830s, the structure had been converted for use as a public school in 1876. It was used as such until 1892, when it was conveyed to the trustees of Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Sale of the property to the Lodge was completed in 1939. Today, the members of Rising Sun Lodge #4 continue to follow the traditional Masonic precepts of Brotherhood, Charity, and Truth, in service to the community.
The roots of African-American Masonry in this country
can be traced to the period of the American Revolution,
when founder Prince Hall and others established the
first Masonic Lodge for men of color in Boston,
Massachusetts. By the early 19th century organizational
growth had extended to the port cities of Philadelphia
and Wilmington. where residents of southern Delaware
who were engaged in maritime and other commercial
occupations were exposed to the Masonic Order. In
March 1852, a group of 15 men from Milton area met
at the home of Lott Purnell for the purpose of organizing
a local Lodge. On April 1, 1853, Rising Sun Lodge #4,
Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation,
recieved its charter. After meeting at various locations
since its organization, the Lodge formerly occupied the
present building in 1934. Constructed as a Presbyterian
Church in the 1830s, the structure had been converted
for use as a public school in 1876. It was used as such
until 1892, when it was conveyed to the trustees of
Union Methodist Episcopal Church. Sale of the property
to the Lodge was completed in 1939. Today, the
members of Rising Sun Lodge #4 continue to follow the
traditional Masonic precepts of Brotherhood, Charity,
and Truth, in service to the community.
Location. 38° 46.273′ N, 75° 18.756′ W. Marker is in Milton, Delaware, in Sussex County. Marker is on Chestnut Street (State Road 249) near Church Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milton DE 19968, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Rising Sun Lodge #4, F. & A.M., P.H.A. and Marker on Chesnut Street
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.