The History of Gaffney Commandery #18
CHARTERD 13 MARCH 1958
At an unknown date prior to September 23, 1957, members and officers of the Gaffney York Rite Bodies consisting of Gaffney Chapter No. 55, R.A.M. and Potter Council No. 42, R&S.M. petitioned the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of South Carolina for dispensation to form a Commandery of Knights Templar in the city of Gaffney.
It is very possible that this request was made at a special meeting of Gaffney’s Potter Council # 42, on August 8, 1957, where the Right Eminent Grand Commander of South Carolina was visiting for the degree work, which was one month prior to the date of Gaffney Commandery being granted the request to form a Commandery.
The request was granted by Grand Commander Horace D. Johnson of Greenville, South Carolina on September 23, 1957 at a regular Conclave of Spartanburg Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar.
The minute books of this era were written shy of detail, and sometimes unclear, and with much missing information, making it very difficult to determine many details of the formation of this Commandery. The minute book didn’t show how many U.D. members were listed with the request to form a new Commandery or when and how the new officers of Gaffney Commandery U.D. were determined. Only that the following Companions were listed as Officers:
E.V. Hinton Eminent Commander
Fay Abernathy Generalissimo
W.H. Plemmons Captain General
Geo. S. Dominick Senior Warden
A.L. Midyette Junior Warden
W.B. Bierley Prelate
Ernest L. Dorman Treasurer
Clinton Meredith Recorder
O.B. Elmore Standard Bearer
Charles R. Parker Sword Bearer
J.R. Sanders Warder
T.A. Ellis Sentinel
After being activated, the first recorded meeting of Gaffney Commandery U.D. was held on October 10, 1957 for the purpose of receiving, referring and balloting on petitions for Knighthood on the following 34 Companions.
Edward Hoke Bridges Vernon Keith Melton
Maurice Mason Bridges David Wood Melton
Horace Namond Brown LeFoy Hammett Poole
Clyde Woodrow Crawford Wilkes Heavener Poole
William Holden Dorman, Jr Charles Patterson
William Robert Douglas Heyward W. Porter
Harry Lee Frieze James Chaves Parris
Walter Bookter Goudelock George Landrum Robbins
James Victor Heron William Baxter Smith
Daniel Thomas Lambright Dan Lavender Smith
Paul McCullough Lipscomb Jesse Horace Sanders
Robert Lamar Lipscomb Charles Alvin Skinner
Claude Littlejohn Charles Pat Stroup
George Langston Lewis James Edward Sykes
Thomas Garvin Meredith Grady Giles Turner
Furman Calhoun Martin Robert Brookman Turner
Guilford B. Melton Leonidas Veo Vinesett
During this meeting, the degree work was set for October 21st, 27th, and 29th, 1957 and was closed with no further business being done.
The second meeting was recorded as being held on October 20, 1957 instead of the set date of October 21, 1957, for the purpose of conferring the Orders on 12 of the 34 Companions elected to receive the Orders. The candidates present were Horace N. Brown, Clyde Woodrow Crawford, James Victor Heron, George Langston Lewis, Vernon Keith Melton, LeFoy Hammett Poole, Heywood W. Porter, James Charles Parris, Dan Lavender Smith, Jesse Horace Sanders, Charles Pat Stroup, and L. V. Vinesett. Being brought forth and receiving the Orders, these candidates were made Knights Templers.
Although there was degree work set for October 27th and 29th, there were no entries for this work in the minute book, but the Order of the Temple appears to have been performed on the other 22 candidates on these dates because several of them appear in the later minutes as sitting in the Officers chairs for the degree work and serving on investigating committees and being appointed to Officers positions during elections at the end of the year.
There was a short business meeting recorded on November 7, 1957. The minutes were read and approved, after which the Commandery was closed with no other activity recorded until a stated business meeting 5 months later on April 3, 1958 for the purpose of balloting on candidates and setting degree work. The degree work was set for April 29, 1958 with 13 candidates slated to receive the order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta.
On April 29, 1958, there were 15 candidates that received the Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta. They were James Edward Spearman, Adolph Paul Graite, Dever Coyle, Miles Wood Hammett, Haile Humphries LeMaster, Joseph Esom Daniel, Jr., Landrum Ellison Wood, Lamar Poole Cooper, James Stewart Mooney, Sr., Anthony Dewey Morris, Samuel Burton King, Frank E. Guyton, James Makinson Longshore, James E. Medlock, and William Smith Blanton. There were no other minutes recorded in the minute book until 6 months later on October 30, 1958.
However, on May 30, 1958, a special conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of South Carolina was held in Gaffney for the purpose of constituting Gaffney Commandery No.18. This special meeting was not recorded in the minute book for Gaffney Commandery U.D., but was recorded in the Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of South Carolina. The proceeding for the special Conclave read as follows:
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of South Carolina convened in Special Conclave in the Masonic Temple in the City of Gaffney, South Carolina, Friday, May 30, 1958, at 8:00 p.m., with the following Grand Officers present:
Harry R. Stevens Grand Commander
Joe M. Black Deputy Grand Commander
George D. Bell Grand Generalissimo
J.B. McGuirt Grand Captain General
Wm. M. White Grand Senior Warden
Horace D. Johnson Grand Junior Warden
W. Curtis Sheely Grand Treasurer
Hugh N. Lane Grand Recorder, Pro Tem
J.W. Robison Grand Prelate
John H. Wynn Grand Standard Bearer
Leonard C. Ripley Grand Sword Bearer
D. F. Merrill Grand Warder
Perry T. Hawkins Grand Captain of the Guard
The Grand Commandery was opened in short form in an outer room of the Masonic Temple, with Sir Knight J.W. Robison, as Grand Prelate, leading in the devotion of the Sir Knights. The Grand Commandery then proceeded to the Asylum.
The Grand Commander stated that the purpose of this special Conclave was to constitute Gaffney Commandery No. 18 and to install the Officers thereof. He then proceeded to constitute the Commandery.
The ceremonies of constituting were completed. The Grand Commandery was adjourned and Gaffney Commandery No. 18 opened for the purpose of electing and installing its Officers. The following Officers were elected and installed by the Grand Commander, with Sir Knight R.W. Coleman, PGC serving as Marshall:
E.V. Hinton Commander
Fay Abernathy Generalissimo
W. Harlan Plemmons Captain General
Geo. S. Dominick Senior Warden
Albert L. Midyette Junior Warden
Winfred B. Bierley Prelate
Horace N. Brown Treasurer
Clinton C. Meredith Recorder
O.B. Elmore, Jr. Standard Bearer
Charles R. Parker Sword Bearer
James R. Sanders Warder
John C. Barnhill Guard
Morgan S. Bramlett Guard
Wm. D. Byars Guard
Thomas Audell Ellis Sentinel
The following 71 Sir Knights were listed as charter members of Gaffney Commandery No. 18:
Fay Abernathy Milton Hudson Lisk
John Cleveland Barnhill, Jr. Dever Little, Jr.
Winfred Bobo Bierley Robert Smith Littlejohn
James Woodrow Blanton Thomas Chlingman Littlejohn
Lemuel Fredrick Blanton Elmage Walstein Lollis
Morgan Stephen Bramlett Jake Nathan Lipscomb
Broadus Vaughn Brown James Douglas Marett
Paul Wilkes Brown Wofford Campbell Martin
William David Byars Clyde Lee Medley
Melford Willoughby Carter Robert Lee Medley
John Belton Cash Clinton Caradine Meredith
William Alvin Clary Albert Lee Midyette
James Albert Coggins William Morrow Mitchell
William Dexter Cooksey Onnie Miles Mullinax
Billy Dean Cooper George Francis McCraw
Bobby Gene Cooper James Aaron McSwain
Ernest Lee Dickey Ellie Raymond Parker
George Sampson Dominick VanBuren Parker
Ernest Lee Dorman John Wilburn Patterson
Thomas Audell Ellis Charles Russell Parker
Oscar Bunion Elmore, Jr. Harvey Smith Peeler
Joe Long Farish Mace Pennington
Curtis Audrey Ferebee Roy Stephan Phillips
James Edward Fraley William Harlan Plemmons
William Kenslar Gunter William Clyde Richards
Paul Graham Gillespie Everette Earl Sanders
Johnny Jacob Huffstetler Woodrow Wilson Sanders
Ira B. Hallman James Robert Sanders
John Wesley Hamlin James Henry Sanders
Jay Hammett Newton Charles Taylor
Everett Vachel Hinton Eddie Franklin Turner
Earl Edward Jones Thomas Glenn Upton
Robert Alexander Jones Joshua Cleveland Ware
William Hickson Jones Billy Vandine Wilkerson
James Russell Kiser Robert Phillip Wilkerson
Thomas Benjamin Lipscomb
Following the installation of the Officers, Sir Knight Harry R. Stevens, Grand Commander, spoke briefly in words of congratulation and encouragement. Other members of the Grand Commandery, who were present, were recognized. Sir Knight Everett V. Hinton, Commander of the newly constituted Commandery expressed appreciation to the Grand Commander and his Officers on behalf of Gaffney Commandery No. 18.
By authority of the Grand Commander, Gaffney Commandery No. 18 was adjourned by its Officers.
At 6:30 p.m. before the ceremonies, the Officers of the Grand Commandery and other visitors were guests of the Gaffney Sir Knights at a delicious dinner served in the dining room of the Hotel Carroll. This feature was enjoyed immensely by all Sir Knights present.
Harry R. Stevens,
Grand Commander
ATTEST:
Hugh N. Lane,
Grand Recorder, Pro Tem.
The next meeting recorded in the minute book was held on October 30, 1958 for the purpose of work. This was the first minutes that listed Gaffney Commandery with the designate number of 18 instead of U. D. Nine candidates and one courtesy candidate were present and received the Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta. Seven days later on November 6, 1958 the same candidates were brought forth and knighted as Knights Templar.
On December 4, 1958, the Commandery was opened for regular business and for the first regular election of officers for the newly constituted Commandery. The following officers were elected for the year of 1959.
E.V. Hinton Commander
George S. Dominick Generalissimo
O.B. Elmore Captain General
Dan T. Lambright Senior Warden
Albert Medyette Junior Warden
W.B. Bierley Prelate
H.N. Brown Treasurer
Clinton C. Meredith Recorder
Charles Parker Standard Bearer
Dewey Morris Sword Bearer
Paul A. Graito Warder
T.A. Ellis Sentinel
James C. Parris Guard
Charles E. Earle Guard
Dean E. Dorman Guard
By the end of 1958, the membership was approximately 128 members strong. Ten years later in 1968 the membership had grown to 206 members. Twenty years later, in 1978, the membership had grown beyond 300 members, with Commandery dues at $6.00 and the York Rite Bodies net worth of over $20,000. However, the membership peaked at 381 members in 1982 and there hasn’t been a significant increase each year since this peak. Thirty years later in 1988 there were 326 members. Forty years later in 1998 there were 246 members. Fifty years later in 2008 there were about 126 members. Most of the decline has been attributed to death and non-payment of dues of the members.
Gaffney Commandery won the E.I. Johnson trophy for the largest percentage gain of 7% in 1982 and 6.4% in 1986 and .015% in 2002. Gaffney Commandery also tied for the Hugh N. Lane trophy with Lancaster Commandery #19 in 1982 and Easley Commandery #21 in 1986 for the largest numerical gain of 24 members in 1982 and 21 members in 1986 and won the trophy in 2002 with a gain of 2 members.
Gaffney Commandery throughout the years has had several appointed Grand officers and two elected to the Grand Line to become Grand Commanders.
Elected Officers:
Richard Harding – Grand Commander in 1985.
Richard Harding – Grand Treasurer from 1989 to 1998.
James J. “Jack” Holmes - Grand Captain General in 2008 and expected to be elected Grand Commander in 2011.
Appointed Officers:
Richard L. Harding – Grand Warder in 1981
J P Short - Grand Senior Warden in 1985
J P Short - 4th District Representative in 1986.
Douglas G. Lee – Grand Warder in 1989.
Charles W. Linder – 4th District Representative in 1990.
Edward A. Morgan - 4th District Representative in 1991.
Charles W. Linder – Grand Standard Bearer in 1992.
Charles W. Linder - 4th District Representative in 1994.
Donald E. Patton, Jr. - 4th District Representative in 1999.
Gary N. Martin - 4th District Representative in 2003.
Gary B. Jolley – Grand Standard Bearer in 2004.
Dennis Sentell - 4th District Representative in 2005.
Gary B. Jolley - Grand Warder in 2007.
Interesting facts from the Minute Books :
April 1960 Made a $3000 dollar donation to Cherokee Shrine Club for the purpose of erecting their club house.
August 1960 Donated $100 dollars to Cherokee County Polio Drive.
March 1962 Invested $4500 dollars into CDs at 4 percent interest.
March 1962 Voted to institute by-laws for York Rite Bodies.
January 1963 Voted to underwrite formation of Demolay Chapter.
December 1966 Loaned Cherokee Shrine Club $4000 @1/2 of 1% interest to be repaid at $500 annually plus interest.
February 1968 Net worth $12,354.78.
September 1968 Dues to go from $1.00 to $2.00 for Potter Council to help pay for KT Magazine for each member.
December 1969 Eminent Commander - James A. Melton died.
March 1973 Net Worth – Over $20,000
November 2008 50th Anniversary
This history was researched and written by:
Douglas G. Lee Past Illustrious Grand Master of the
Grand Council of South Carolina.
This web site has been approved by The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina
Most Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman, Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina.