Nansemond Lodge No. 77
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
Suffolk, Virginia
Stated Communication 2nd Thursday at 7:00PM of each month. Dinner at 6:15PM
History of Nansemond 77
Nansemond Lodge No. 77, officially chartered on January 1, 1993, was formed through the merger of three historic lodges: Chuckatuck No. 77, Harmony No. 149, and Hiram No. 340. Although the current charter dates from 1993, the Masonic history and traditions of Nansemond Lodge trace back to 1797 in Nansemond County, Virginia. The founding brothers were pillars of their communities—farmers, teachers, ministers, merchants, soldiers, sailors, lawyers, and everyday citizens—who shaped local churches, schools, and government.
Chuckatuck Lodge Origins (1797–1922)
On July 1, 1797, the Grand Lodge of Masons in Virginia issued a dispensation for a lodge in Chuckatuck, Nansemond County. Chuckatuck Lodge No. 53 received its charter on November 29, 1797, with John Holiday as its first Master, Scarsbrook Godwin as Senior Warden, and John Godwin as Junior Warden. This lodge operated until 1848, when it was suspended. A new charter was granted on January 20, 1852, establishing Chuckatuck Lodge No. 77.
Harmony Lodge Origins (1856–1992)
Harmony Lodge was established on February 2, 1856, when Most Worshipful John S. Caldwell, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, issued a dispensation for a lodge to meet at Yeates Lower Free Schoolhouse in Nansemond County. John T. Kilby served as the first Master, with John W. Ames as Senior Warden and William J. Lawrence as Junior Warden. The petition was also signed by L.H. Klingman, Joel M. Tartt, Eli Johnson, and Charles Capps. Chuckatuck No. 77 endorsed the location in a certificate signed by Secretary John M. Cowling.
The lodge’s location was variously described as Yeates Schoolhouse, Bellville Academy, and Lower Schoolhouse. By 1874, Harmony Lodge No. 149 met at Yeates Lower Academy, and by 1875, records noted the location as “its hall at Bellville.”
As the railroad came through the area, E.J. Driver—a past Master of Harmony Lodge—founded the town of Driver, about seven miles southwest of Bellville. The post-Civil War agricultural revival brought prosperity, and Harmony Lodge moved to Driver around 1891, meeting across from the current location of Berea Christian Church.
The Masonic Temple in Driver became a central hub for the community in the late 1800s and early 1900s, hosting social events, plays, lectures, and civic gatherings. Among its most notable guests was William Jennings Bryan, who spoke there in 1913 shortly after his appointment as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.
The original officers of Harmony Lodge included:
Master: John T. Kilby
Senior Warden: John W. Ames
Junior Warden: Joseph W. Mansfield
Secretary: William J. Arthur
Treasurer: William W. Wright
Senior Deacon: Isham L. Jordan
Junior Deacon: Joel M. Tartt
Tiler: McKenny Lewis
Charter members also included Lysander H. Klingman, Charles Capps, James A. Raby, Jeremiah Jones, John W. Ward, and George W. Barnes. Many early Masters served for multiple years.
Harmony Lodge remained active except during the Civil War when it was located in Union-occupied territory. During that time, a Union officer removed the lodge’s original charter, records, Bible, jewels, and tiler’s sword. These items were safeguarded in a Connecticut lodge and later returned.
In April 1937, Harmony Lodge was destroyed by fire. Most furnishings were lost, but members salvaged the charter, Bible, and tiler’s sword, which are still preserved. A new temple was built on King’s Highway in Driver and dedicated on May 4, 1938. The recovered artifacts were presented at the dedication.
Early meetings, held on Saturday mornings, often welcomed Masons from Norfolk and Portsmouth who traveled by train. During the Great Depression, meetings moved to Tuesday evenings, partly because members could no longer afford to feed the many Saturday visitors.
Hiram Lodge Origins (1921–1992)
On December 6, 1921, fourteen members of Suffolk Lodge No. 30 met to petition for the formation of a new lodge. Each contributed $3.00, and a $25.00 fee was sent to the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Officers elected at that first meeting were:
Master: John C. Holladay
Senior Warden: George H. Balance, Jr.
Junior Warden: George F. Whitley
Grand Master Most Worshipful John S. Bottimore issued a dispensation on December 17, 1921. The lodge adopted its by-laws in January 1922, and on February 1923, received its official charter as Hiram Lodge No. 340. The charter was formally presented at the March 1923 meeting.
On November 20, 1939, Hiram Lodge celebrated the raising of its 100th candidate, Brother Marshall Franklin Driskill. Despite World War II, lodge activity remained steady. While many members served in the military, lodge records did not reflect a drop in activity. In 1948, Hiram Lodge celebrated its 25th anniversary under Worshipful Master Robert Letcher Small, with Grand Master Most Worshipful Clarence Freeman in attendance.
Formation of Nansemond Lodge No. 77 (1993–Present)
In June 1992, a committee was formed to explore merging Chuckatuck No. 77, Harmony No. 149, and Hiram No. 340. The committee recommended the merger, citing strengthened resources, leadership, and membership. Each lodge approved the merger at its June Stated Communication.
Most Worshipful John R. Dean, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, granted a dispensation to form the new Nansemond Lodge No. 77. The organizing meeting took place on December 17, 1992, at the Masonic Temple in Driver. A new charter was granted, effective January 1, 1993.
In December 1996, Nansemond Lodge moved into its new temple on Lee Farm Lane in the Bennett’s Creek area of Suffolk, Virginia. Continuing the legacy of its predecessor lodges, Nansemond Lodge No. 77 remains a vital part of the local community today.