The Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge F&AAYM is a subordinate Masonic Grand Lodge of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall Origin - National Compact in and for the State of Georgia. Through it subordination to the National Grand Lodge, Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge has lineage to African Lodge No. 459.
True history of Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge
In the Book Making Rough Edges Smooth: A historical study of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masonry, Prince Hill Origin National Compact in the State of Georgia by Christopher L. Belcher He writes in Chapter Four-The early history of the Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge (1892-1930) "The Most Worshipful Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge had been in Existence since the re-organization of Compact freemasonry by the National Grand Master Captain William D. Matthews since December 2,1892. The re-organization of Compact Freemasonry (which established the MW Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge within the Southern United States.[1]
The history listed below has nothing to do with the founding of Smooth Ashlar Grand Lodge. It is the history for the formation of what is now the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia.
On August 22, 1870, representatives of National Grand Lodge subordinate Lodges met and organized and established the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia (Colored) under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. On this date and at this meeting, Bro. James Merilus Simms was installed as the first Grand Master for the state of Georgia. National Grand Master Richard Howell Gleaves presented the Grand Lodge its National Grand Lodge Warrant. The minutes from the establishment stated the following:"Bro. R. H. Gleaves M. W. National Grand Master took the chair and delivered an elegant and instructive address on the Cardinal Virtues after which at 2 ½ o’clock P. M. The convention was called off. At 4 ½ o’clock the convention was called on. At the request of the N. G. M. the minutes of the convention held June 4th and 29th were read. The Grand Secretary elect read the Warrant of Constitution granted the Grand Lodge for the state of Georgia by the M. W. National Grand Lodge."[2]
Four years following the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Georgia (colored) by the National Grand Lodge, a rival independent Grand Lodge of African-American Masons was established. June 23–27, 1874 in convention the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted (Colored) Masons for the state of Georgia was established.