The history of Washington Lodge No. 5, A.F.M., is very incomplete due to the fact that the minutes and most of the records were lost or destroyed during the War between the States.

It has been the general belief that Washington Lodge No. 7 in 1817 and in the year 1825 amalgamated with Union Lodge No. 8 and formed Washington Lodge No. 5, however our original charter, which is still in our possession proves this belief to be in error and is quoted as follows:

Warrant of Constitution

"To all whom it may concern:

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free Masons of South Carolina, assembled in Grand Communication in the City of Charleston and State aforesaid, Send greeting.

Know ye, that we, the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, invested with full and sole power and authority over all the Craft and Supreme Courtof appeal in all Masonic Cases arising under its jurisdiction, do hereby authorize and empower our trusty and well beloved brethren John Roche, Master; William Cruikshanks,Senior Warden; Jacob Duryea, Junior Warden; to open and hold a Lodge No. 7 (seven) under our Register and Jurisdiction in Charleston, in the State of South Carolina or within three miles of the same. And we do likewise authorize and empower our said brethren John Roche, William Cruikshanks and Jacob Duryea, to admit, Enter, Pass and Raise Free Masons, according to the Most Ancient Custom and usage of the Craft, in all ages and nations throughout the World, and not otherwise, and we do further authorize and empower the said John Roche, William Cruikshanks and Jacob Duryea and their Successors, to hear and determine all and singular matters and things relative to the Craft within the jurisdiction of the said Lodge. "And lastly, we do hereby authorize, empower and direct, our said trusty and well beloved brethren, John Roche, William Cruikshanks and Jacob Duryea, to install their successors, after being duly elected and chosen; to invest them to their offices respectively belonging and deliver them this Warrantof Constitution--and such successors shall in like manner from time to time install their successors and proceed in the premises as above directed. Such installation to be upon or near the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, during the continuance of the said Lodge forever.

Provided always, that the said above named brethren and their successors, do pay and cause to be paid due respect and strict obedience to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, aforesaid and to the Ordinances, Laws, Regulations and Degrees thereof; otherwise this Warrant of Constitution to be of no force or virtue. Given in open Grand Lodge under the hands of our Grand Officers, at Charleston, South Carolina this Twenty sixth day of December in the year of Our Lord, One Thousand and Eight Hundred and Eighteen and of Free Masonry, Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen.

Thomas W. Bacot, Grand Master; John S. Cogdell, Senior Grand Warden; David Johnson,Deputy Grand Master; Elias Kingman, Junior Grand Warden

This charter was issued on December 26, 1818 to Lodge No. 7 (no name given to the Charter)--However we find Lodge No. 7 registered as Washington Lodge in the Grand Lodge proceedings. On the back of this Charter is inscribed the following:

"To all Whom it may Concern:--In accordance with the Resolution of the M. W. Grand Lodge, passed at their stated Communication 15th, December 1825, the within Warrant of Constitution will hereafter be known and distinguished in the Grand Lodge and elsewhere by the appellation of Washington Lodge No. 5, which with its number previous to the Union of the two Grand Lodges. Charleston, December 17, 1825 John Geddes, Grand Master Benjamin Fannel Hund, D.G.M. William H. Williams, S.G.W. This proves that the present Washington Lodge No. 5, was No. 5 previous to the union of the two Grand Lodges.