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A lodge born in the depths of Reconstruction Days, following the disastrous Civil War; moved three times, split up, barely surviving the depression, and finally emerging into a strong, able lodge is the story of Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304.... On October 1, 1870, ten Master Masons with a dispensation dated September 24, 1870, from Most Worshipful Brother R B Vance, Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina, met in the home of J. H. Kinsey. This house was located about one mile from Pleasant Hill Church in Jones County. This first meeting was held upstairs in the west room of the Kinsey Home, which was built in 1845. For many years it stood in a remarkable state of preservation. Pictures were made of this home, along with the room used as a meeting place for the first years of our lodge which appeared with the original history written in 1960. Part of the boards in the walls were fifteen inches wide, long-leaf heart pine, material impossible for find today. Sadly to say, this building burned a few years ago. Of the ten brethren who obtained this dispensation, seven had originally belonged to Zion Lodge No. 81 in Trenton. According to Zion's minutes, in the spring of 1870, these several brethren: A. B. Kinsey, C. C. Fordham, A. J. Fordham, F. M. nixon, .J. H. Kinsey, L. P. Fordham and Cyrus Brown had tried unsuccessfully to move the Zion Lodge from Trenton to Pleasant Hill. Failing this, they united with Brothers H. S. Nunn, W. A. Jones and S. W. Noble of St. John's Lodge No.4 of Kinston and were able to get their dispensation for a new lodge. In special communication, on January 6, 1871, Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 was constituted and dedicated by Right Worshipful Brother S. W. Rountree, Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. The following brethren were installed as officers of the new lodge: Brother H. S. Nunn Worshipful Master
An interesting thing to note about this installation was the fact that Brother W. B. Nunn, installed as Senior Deacon on January 6, was on January 7 raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Incidentally, Secretary's books, containing complete minutes of an the meetings, are the proud possession of the lodge today. Pleasant Hill Lodge at that time was located in the northwestern edge of Jobes County and it was originally planned that the lodge should have jurisdiction over this area, plus the southern part of Lenoir County, and probably a small area of Duplin County. In 1873, the J. H. Kinsey home and farm, where the lodge was meeting, were bought by Martin Noble, who moved there and made it his home for the rest of his life. Mr. Noble, a non-mason, let the masons continue to meet there. I talked with his son, George G. Noble, about twenty-five years ago. At that time, he was ninety years young, retired Registrar of Deeds for Jones County, and still owned the property. He told me that as a small boy of three or four, he remembers the meetings being held upstairs. Mr. Noble was raised in Pleasant Hill in 1920 and was Secretary for two years during the twenties. In 1930, after moving to Trenton, He demitted to Zion Lodge No. 81 in Trenton, where he remained active as long as he lived. In 1874, it was decided that the Lodge was on it's feet sufficiently to build it's own building. Since the new Lodge had grown to fifteen Brethren, a larger meeting place was needed. It was decided to move to a more central point for the Brethren, as well as the jurisdiction of the Lodge. Accordingly, through the efforts of all the brethren, but especially Brothers J. M. Noble and S. W. Noble, a lodge building was built near Nobles Mill in Lenoir County, actually in the yard of J. M. Noble. This was five miles from the first meeting place at the Kinsey Home. The Nobles Mill Home of Pleasant Hill Lodge was used for twenty-nine years. During this period, the lodge made steady growth and progress. This building later burned to the ground, after the lodge had moved again. At this time it is interesting to note that during the period from 1870 through 1906, thirty seven years, Pleasant Hill had only five Worshipful Masters. Their names and the lengths of their tenure in the East are as follows: Bros. H. S. Nunn - 4 years, A. B. Kinsey-1 years, William B. Nunn - 16 years, C. C. Fordham - 10 years, Henry Cunningham - 5 years. Since 1906, Masters have usually served only one or two years. In the history of St. John's Lodge No.4 of Kinston, it is interesting to note that on August 3, 1881, the Grand Lodge convened in Kinston and laid the cornerstone of the monument to Richard Caswell, who had been both Governor and Grand Master of North Carolina. Among the lodges represented was Pleasant Hill, Brother C. C. Fordham acted as Grand Steward for the occasion. As the number of masons had increased to thirty-six, in 1903, after much discussion, it was decided to build a new lodge building at a new location. Since part of the new brethren were from Pink Hill, the new lodge needed to be closer to them. Accordingly, the third lodge building was built between US 258 and NC 11, about three miles from Johnstown and 4 miles from the old location at Nobles Mill. A Building committee consisting of Isaac Stroud, Jr., J. B. Smith, George Turen, W. A. Jones and F. M Smith were appointed. The size of the lodge was to be forty feet long, twenty-six feet wide and sixteen feet between joints. To help finance the building, each brother was taxed four dollars. Lumber and services were donated for the building. Among others, Brother James B. Smith paid $5.00 for the building site. The total coast of the building, as recorded in the minutes was $351.76. From 1903 until 1918, we find a steady growth in Pleasant Hill Lodge. The number of Brethren increased from 36 to 73. It is interesting to note that on September 10, 1908 at a regular Communication, a public installation of officers and a picnic were held. It was estimated that a thousand people were present. By 1910, this became a yearly event, held on the second Thursday in September, largely attended by both Masonic and non-Masonic families from the surrounding areas. Many came from Kinston on a train and walked the last couple of miles from the railroad. These picnics continued for many years, finally succumbing, some years ago, to modem-day living. Another interesting thing was the fact that from the beginning of the Lodge in 1870 until the early nineteen-twenties, at practically every meeting, there were one or more requests from other lodges for a widow or an unfortunate brother. It appears to have been a regular practice of the times and seldom were the requests turned down. Most of the time one dollar was contributed to the unfortunate one. On June 12, 1919, twenty-one of the brethren of Pleasant Hill Lodge were given provisional demits to establish a new lodge in Pink Hill. This lodge became Victory Lodge No. 642. However, about ten years later, it surrendered its charter. Some of the brothers went to St. Johns Lodge No. 13 in Kenansville, some went to St. Johns Lodge No.4 in Kinston and other returned to Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304. The depression hit Pleasant Hill Lodge a heavy blow. From a membership in the seventies, during the middle twenties, it gradually dwindled to thirty by the middle 1930's. In addition to this, the funds of the lodge were lost in one of the Kinston banks when it closed. It looked for a while as if the charter would surely be lost. Lodges all over the state were surrendering their charters. But the few brethren that were left were the strongest, and were determined to keep their lodge active. Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 held on and weathered the crisis. In 1945, there were only forty-five brethren. By 1950, the lodge had grown to one hundred and two. For the next few years, growth was less rapid, but by 1960 there were one hundred and twenty-eight brethren. In 1948, Eastern Star Chapter No. 102 was chartered and in a few years this able and active chapter grew to sixty members. They cooperated beautifully with the Masonic Lodge and did much to make the lodge building more comfortable and convenient. During the fifties and sixties many physical improvements were made to the lodge. The upstairs and downstairs were sealed, waterworks installed, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, tables built to seat seventy, carpets put on the floor, a gas heating system, piano, air conditioning upstairs and a blower system to change air were major improvements achieved through the years. These were slow and hard to get because fees and dues were held to a minimum which prevented any sizeable sum accumulating in the treasury. In the mid nineteen sixties Pleasant Hill Lodge had grown so much in number it was determined that a new and larger lodge building was needed. Accordingly, it was decided to get an option on a piece of land on NC 11 between Deep Run and Pink Hill, on which to build a new lodge. At that time the Finance Committee was authorized to start soliciting funds for the new building. Plans for either a one-story or two-story building were discussed. On January 25,1968, a building committee consisting of C. C. Turner, Kenneth Jones and Harold Hardison was appointed. Later that year, it was decided to build a one-story building and the plans were passed around for the brethren to examine. On February 13, 1969, it was reported that there was $9,100.00 in the building fund. On June 25, 1970 Worshipful Master Alex Barwick stated that the first meeting of Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 was held on October 1, 1870. Accordingly, a special meeting should be set up to celebrate the one-hundred centennial of this event. The one-hundredth anniversary of the constitution and dedication of Pleasant Hill Lodge was held on Sunday afternoon, October 4, 1970, in the Pink Hill School Auditorium. Most Worshipful Brother Robert L. Pugh gave the address for the occasion. A history of the lodge was read. Three of the brethren of our lodge, the first to ever be so honored, were presented the Veterans Emblem and Certificate for fifty years of service. They were Brothers Seth D. Turner, Sr., Don L. Smith and C. C. Noble. Several other brethren received their twenty-fifth certificates. It was really a glorious celebration. On February 11, 1971, Brothers C. C. Turner, Morris Barwick and Fred Harper were given the authority to sign any and all necessary papers concerning the new lodge to be built. During this period of the early 1970's and thereafter the Eastern Star Chapter was busy making money to help pay for the new building. It is hard to see how we could have paid for this building without them. On March 23, 1972, a dispensation was read from Most Worshipful Grand Master W. W. Mims granting Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 permission to build a new one-story lodge building. On June 8, 1972, the building committee was given permission to borrow $20,000.00 from Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. On December 14, 1972, it was recorded in the Court House in Kinston, North Carolina. These transactions point to the increased problems of building today, as compared with 1903, when the third lodge was built. About this time, Worshipful Brother Dr. H. A. Edwards, a staunch mason and one of the pillars of the Easter Star Chapter reported the purchase of $1,250.00 of kitchen equipment by the Eastern Star. Incidentally, Brother Edwards was presented the Veterans Emblem and certificate for fifty years of service on January 10, 1974. During this time, the other obligations of the lodge were not forgotten. Collections for Oxford Orphanage and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home were made and sent yearly to these institutions. Brother Eric C. Sparrow was in charge of this for many years and did an excellent job. The big night arrived. On June 13, 1974, the first communication was held in the new lodge building. The original history, written in 1960 was read. The new lodge had cost $46,424.84, which did not include some donations of material, equipment and labor. Chairs for the three principal officers of the lodge were given by the Seth D. Turner, Sr. family. There were sixty-seven brothers from Pleasant Hill Lodge and forty brethren from eleven visiting lodges were present. The old building was sold for $3,000.00. Also, $766.55 was received from the sale of equipment of the old building. One thousand dollars was received from the estate of former brother John S. Albright. W. M. Jerry M. Kanter of St. Johns Lodge No.4 presented a gift from his lodge, "A Letter G "', and a commissionary plaque to it. On March 25, 1976, a letter was read from Brother Boyd Hopkins, Chairman of the Grand Lodge on Masonic Education, informing the brethren that Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 had earned the Grand Master's Award for the sixth consecutive year. Much of this was because of the untiring efforts of Worshipful Brother William B. Harper. On March 18, 1977, the new lodge building was dedicated by Most Worshipful Brother Leslie H. Garner, Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina. Open house for the public was held at this time for most of the proceedings. Worshipful Master Jimmie Williams presided in the East. On May 21, 1981, at a stated communication of Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304, Worshipful Brother C. C. Noble was escorted to the East where Worshipful Brother William B. Harper presented him with his Diamond Jubilee Pin and Certificate, signifying his sixty years of service to our lodge. Brother Noble was raised tot he Sublime Degree of Master Mason on November 20, 1920. This was a first for Pleasant Hill Lodge. Now comes the sad part. On January 27,1983, Brother James G. Davis reported the danger of losing the charter of the Eastern Star Chapter because of the lack of participation and their need for new members. On April 14, 1983, a contribution of $3,847.85, representing the profits of the Eastern Star dinner was presented to the lodge. At this time, the Eastern Star charter was surrendered. On May 26, 1983, a "note burning" was held in the lodge hall. On November 10, 1983, Brother Jesse Flavius Williamson was presented his fifty year Veterans Emblem and Certificate. Pleasant Hill Lodge now serves the territory composed of the Pleasant Hill community in Jones County, Pink Hill and Deep Run in Lenoir County and part of the Albertson community. It is one of the few lodges where the lodge itself is actually located in the middle of the country. Pleasant Hill Lodge is free of debt and has lovely facilities. Pictures of all the Worshipful Masters are hanging in order in the dining room. A large glass-covered board in the lodge has the number of brothers and the officers for each of the first one hundred years. Pleasant Hill Lodge is one hundred and fifteen years old this year. There have been lean years, there have been trials and tribulations, there have been times when even the lodge's survival was threatened. But a dogged persistence, developed through a belief in the basic tenets of Masonry, has strengthened and helped the brethren overcome the obstacles, so that today Pleasant Hill Lodge No. 304 stands proud of it's past, humble in it's present accomplishments, and looks with confidence to the future.
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