Prince Hall was born in Barbadous, British West Indies to an English man and a free Negro woman. At the age of twelve he worked as an apprentice to a leather merchant. Prince Hall did a variety of jobs, before leaving Barbadous for America. Hall relocated to Boston, Massachusetts in 1765. He work in and around the Boston area, savign all the money he could. He eventually saved enough money to purchase land and become a voter. When he was not working, Hall used his spare time to educate himself.

In 1774, Prince Hall joined the Methodist church. His activities in and around the church lead him to become a minister and the leader of a small Negro community in Boston.

Several years passed and the American Revolution esculated to a heavy stage of combat. Prince Hall felt that it was his duty to help defend his new country. There was only one problem. Negroes were not allowed to fight in the Revolution. So, he petitioned John Hancock, Committee of Safety for the colonies, to allow him to join the Continental Army. President George Washington approved the petition and Prince Hall fought in the Continental Army.

On March 6, 1775 Prince Hall and fourteen other Negroes were initated in the British Army Lodge # of the Irish Infantry in Boston Harbor. Following the conclusion of the American Revolution, Prince Hall and the other Negro Masons were charted as African Lodge #459. Four years later, the African Grand Lodge was formed and Prince Hall was elected Master. In 1797 Prince Hall help organize lodges in Philadephia and Rhode Island. Prince Hall passes on to the promised land in 1807. Later in Negro Masons decided to honor him by renaming to the African Grand Lodge to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

Information on the Most Worshiful Prince Hall Grand Lodge

The following in an excerpt from the Grand Junior Warden of the MWPHGL of Massachusetts.

The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)awarded a charter to African Lodge #459 (Boston, MA) on September 29, 1784. The MWPHGL (Massachusetts) was established in December 1808 as African Grand Lodge (not under the auspices of the UGLE), and then became Prince Hall Grand Lodge in 1847. Since that time Grand Lodges have been established through their links to the original African Lodge #459 (MWPHGL of Massachusetts). Offhand, I cannot tell you all of the Grand Lodges that were established directly by Massachusetts. However, the first two were Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Subsequent Grand Lodges were established through lineage from these Grand Lodges as well as the original one in Massachusetts. Although I may be mistaken but Ohio is the Grand Lodge with the most children (direct Grand Lodges established). A little more detail is available at our new but temporary web site:

On December 14, 1994 at its quarterly communication, the United Grand Lodge of England voted to recognize the MWPHGL, Jurisdiction of Massachusetts, as regular. In June 1996, I had the distinct pleasure of being part of the MWPHGL of Massachusetts entourage that was the first ever Prince Hall body to be received by the UGLE in London. It was probably one of the most memorable experiences of my entire masonic life past, present and possibly, future. Since this original recognition, several Prince Hall Grand Lodges have applied for, and received recognition, only after proving their lineage to the original African Lodge #459, now the MWPHGL of Massachusetts.

If you are not aware, honorary membership is available in African Lodge #459. The requirements are current membership in a lodge, Prince Hall Affiliated. The fee is $35.00 and includes a certificate, medallion, dues card and copy of the original charter, which as Grand Treasurer, I had the auspicious responsibilty of protecting, and accordingly, seeing and touching. In the near future, the Massachusetts web site will have the specific details on obtaining membership.

I have to go but hope that I have shed just a little more light on something masonic.
Take care my brothers and sisters.

Fraternally;

RW David R. Phillips
Junior Grand Warden
MWPHGL of Massachusetts

1997