Prince Hall Freemasonry exists because of the refusal of early American lodges to admit African-Americans. In 1775, an African-American named Prince Hall, along with fourteen other African-Americans, was initiated into a British military lodge with a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, having failed to obtain admission from the other lodges in Boston. When the military Lodge left North America, those fifteen men were given the authority to meet as a Lodge, but not to initiate Masons. In 1784, these individuals obtained a Warrant from the Premier Grand Lodge of England (GLE) and formed African Lodge, Number 459. When the UGLE was formed in 1813, all U.S.-based Lodges were stricken from their rolls – due largely to the War of 1812. Thus, separated from both UGLE and any concordantly recognised U.S. Grand Lodge, African Lodge re-titled itself as the African Lodge, Number 1 – and became a de facto "Grand Lodge" (this Lodge is not to be confused with the various Grand Lodges on the Continent of Africa). As with the rest of U.S. Freemasonry, Prince Hall Freemasonry soon grew and organised on a Grand Lodge system for each state. COUNT 10
QSN1 Why was Prince Hall Freemasonry formed? ANS1 refusal of early American lodges to admit African-Americans QSN2 When was Prince Hall Freemasonry formed? ANS2 1775 QSN3 What happened when the UGLE was formed in 1813? ANS3 U.S.-based Lodges were stricken from their rolls QSN4 What did Africian Lodge, Number 459 become after they were removed from the UGLE? ANS4 African Lodge, Number 1 QSN5 What was Africian Lodge, Number 1 considered after they changed from Africian Lodge, Number 459? ANS5 became a de facto "Grand Lodge" QSN6 What exists today because of the refusal of early American lodges to admit African Americans? ANS6 Prince Hall Freemasonry QSN7 In what year was Prince Hall admitted into the British military lodge? ANS7 1775 QSN8 When was the African Lodge, number 459, formed? ANS8 1784 QSN9 When was the UGLE formed? ANS9 1813 QSN10 The African Lodge re-titled itself what? ANS10 the African Lodge, Number 1