George Lodge No. 32, A.F. & A.M.

                                                           Howardsville, Virginia

The history of George Lodge No. 32 began in 1791. Its founding was due largely by the inspiration and life and example of George Washington.

George Lodge No. 32 received its first charter April 14, 1791, and has been located in three different places, situated in three different towns, Warminster, Norwood, and Howardsville. These were in Amherst, Nelson, and Albemarle Counties.

From 1791 to 1820, this Lodge met at Warminister. In 1820, it moved from Warminister to Norwood where it survived for three years. It was never very active during that period and in 1823, the Grand Lodge of Virginia declared George Lodge extinct a year or so later.

In 1846 the Lodge was revived under its old name and number at Howardsville. It has been active continuously since that time and still occupies the same Masonic hall, which has been its home since the second charter was granted December 15, 1846.

Major Charles Yancey was the only member of George Lodge to serve as Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, he being elected on December 10, 1822. There is an interesting account of him in the volume, “Today and Yesterday in the Heart of Virginia,” published in Farmville, Virginia in 1935. He was born on March 22, 1770, in Louisa County and died April 18, 1857.

It is recorded that Charles Yancey was initiated in George Lodge on June 25, 1791, a little over two months after the Lodge had received its charter. He was raised March 24, 1792. Brother Yancey was Worshipful Master of this Lodge in 1800, 1819, 1820, 1821, and 1822. During the years 1819 to 1822, inclusive, he was also serving respectively as Grand Senior Warden, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, thus having the distinction of being Worshipful Master of George Lodge and Grand Master of Masons in Virginia simultaneously.

We also find that Charles Yancey was made secretary of this Lodge shortly after he was initiated, June 25, 1791. In those days Lodges met on the First Degree. All business was transacted on the First Degree (Entered Apprentice Degree), thus a member who was only an Entered Apprentice was, or could have been, Worshipful Master of his Lodge.

It is fitting to note some of the outstanding members of George Lodge No. 32. Brothers Jordon Benjamin Wells and William Moseley Brown were both elected honorary members on February 20, 1937. Brother Wells served as Worshipful Master in 1924-1926, and later as District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 17. Brother Wells was an excellent farmer and grew the most delicious watermelons. In 1930, he started the AJ. B. Wells watermelon feasts. He passed away on May 5, 1950, at the age of 83. The tradition is still being carried out every year on or about the first Saturday in September. Brother Wells was Chaplain emeritus at the time of his death.

Most Worshipful Harold R. Stephenson was elected an honorary member on August 30, 1947. He conducted the funeral for Brother Wells on May 7, 1950.

Brother Hunter Early Fenwick was recognized and known over the State of Virginia. He was raised November 20, 1920, and was the son-in -law of Brother J. B. Wells. A Past Master and Past District Deputy Grand Master, he was an outstanding and proficient member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Work. He was honored as “Mr. Mason” by Most Worshipful Robert Randle Kennedy, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, in 1978. He passed away on December 4, 1978. A Masonic School of Instruction had been named “The Hunter E. Fenwick Ritual School” and is held at Stonewall Lodge No. 200 each year the third week in May. Right Worshipful Charles A. Sinclair, Jr., Grand Lecturer conducted Brother Fenwicks funeral, which was attended by the Grand Master and a host of Grand Lodge officers.

Right Worshipful Vanzy L. Wood, Jr. served as Worshipful Mater and District Deputy Grand Master simultaneously in 1983, and served as “acting” Worshipful Master from February 5, 1980, until December 18, 1980, due to the death of Worshipful Fred V. Davis. On December 18, 1980, he was elected Worshipful Master. He was the son-in-law of Brother Hunter E. Fenwick.