DeMOLAY COMMANDERY #3

DeMolay Commandery #3, Knights Templar, of Columbia, Tennessee was formed December 19, 1858, A. O. 740, pursuant to a Dispensation of the Grand Encampment of the United States, dated at Columbus, Ohio, and signed by the M. E. Grand Master, Sir Benjamin Brown Hubbard. The petitioners to the Grand Commandery were Sirs Lucius J. Polk, A.M. Hughes, John B. Hamilton, Joseph M. Towler, Lionel Hawkins, William H. Whiton, John H. Devereux, Samuel H. Jones, C. Foster Williams, W. G. J. Hunter and William R. Hodge. At the formation under Dispensation the following held office under appointment:

Sir Lucius J. Polk	Eminent Commander
Sir A. M. Hughes	Generalissimo
Sir John B. Hamilton	Captain General
Sir Joseph M. Towler	Prelate
Sir John H. Devereux	Senior Warden
Sir Lionel Hawkins	Junior Warden
Sir William R. Hodge	Treasurer
Sir William H. Whiton	Secretary
Sir Samuel H. Jones	Warder

At a regular organization under Charter, dated September 16, 1859, A. O. 741, the same officers were elected and installed. Subsequent to the war it was revived on the 31st day of May 1867, A. O. 749, under the personal supervision of the R. E. Grand Commander of the State of Tennessee, Sir John McClelland, by the election and installation of the following officers, to wit:

Sir Joseph M. Towler	Eminent Commander
Sir John B. Hamilton	Generalissamo
Sir A. M. Hughes	Captain General
Sir C. F. Williams	Prelate
Sir W. L. I. Wilkes	Senior Warden
Sir W. J. G. Hunter	Junior Warden
Sir T. W. Keesee	Treasurer
Sir Jesse Oakes	Sentinel

DeMolay Commandery #3 was honored to have the following members serve as Grand Commander of the State of Tennessee:

Sir Lucius J. Polk	1860
Sir Joseph M. Towler	1868
Sir Joseph H. Fussell	1880
Sir Robert Pillow	1891

Sadly This Commandery surrendered its Charter in 1903

Written by:
Rex Hartsfield
12-20-2005