History of Raiford Lodge #82

Raiford Lodge No. 82 was chartered January 23, 1902 to meet at Raiford in Bradford County.

The three Line Officers at chartering were:
        James C. Byrd            Worshipful Master
 James W. Dowling             Senior Warden Oliver B. Gordon                Junior Warden

The Chartering Grand Lodge Officers were:
       James Carnell                Grand Master
      Thomas M. Puleston   Deputy Grand Master
     Charles W. Johnson     Senior Grand Warden
     Elmer E. Haskell            Junior Grand Warden Wilber P. Webster        Grand Secretary

Raiford Lodge No. 82 had twelve charter members.  Half of these came from Lake Butler Lodge No. 52 and the others from Bradford No. 42, New River No. 68, and Sanderson No. 122.  Two brothers received their degrees in the U.D. Lodge.  All were Florida Masons and were as follows:

James C. Byrd, W.M. (52)      
Aaron D. Andrews (52)
James W. Dowling, S.W. (52)   
John W. Mann (122)
Oliver B. Gordon, J.W. (52)        
Eric P. Johnson (68)
Hunter W. Raiford (52)                
Lewis C. Futch (42)
John H. Dowling (52)                 
Wm. P. Rigdon (122)

The number 82 was previously assigned to:

• Pine Lodge No. 82, chartered January 10, 1877, forfeited charter in 1892.
• John F. Dunn Lodge No. 82, chartered January 16, 1895, consolidated with other lodge in 1900.

Charter burned December 3, 1921 and certified copy issued December 14, 1921.  Raiford is still an active lodge and meets at Raiford, Florida, on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

History by J. Roy Crowther, PGM