History of Recovery Lodge #31

In his appendix, Dr. Mackey explores the origins of each of the lodges that existed in 1861.  His entry for Recovery 31 is shown here.

As stated, Recovery Lodge was originally one of the Modern lodges and numbered 57 chartered by the South Carolina Grand Lodge formed in 1808.  It is interesting that Mackey characterizes it as a Modern lodge as it was formed after the time that Mackey himself states that all lodges were in fact observing the Ancient practices at this point.  Nothing is known about the origin of the name “Recovery.”  In Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary, the first two entries are 1) … regaining, retaking or obtaining possession of anything lost; 2) Restoration from sickness or apparent death.  Either of the definitions might apply.  The first could be a reference to events that take place in “the Legend of the Third Degree.” The second might reference recovery from the strife that had plagued Masonry in South Carolina in the years leading up to the formation of the lodge.  Given the wit and education of masons in that day, it is also likely to have a double meaning. Shortly after the final union in 1817, all the lodges are renumbered so Recovery No. 31 first appears in Grand Lodge annual notes in 1820.

In these years Greenville was not yet incorporated and served as a summer home for many in the low country and midlands.  One such visitor was the diplomat, statesman, and Mason Joel Poinsett, who in addition to being a frequent visitor, spent a great deal of time in the Greenville area in his work to build a road connecting the upstate and the midlands.  Based on the timeline of his activities in the upstate, it is probable that during this time was when he was Master of Recovery Lodge and may have even been involved in the formation of the lodge in Greenville.  In 1821, Poinsett was the Deputy Grand Master, but owing to his obligations in State and Federal government,  was not able to take up the position of Grand Master. 

In 1826 Recovery 31 failed to make a return (pay dues) to the Grand Lodge so in 1827 it was suspended.  Although it is not known why the lodge was inactive for 21 years, there may have been two contributing factors. First, during this time Poinsett was out of the country in Mexico attending to his duties on behalf of the federal government. Assuming he had great influence in the lodge, his absence may have contributed to its decline.  Another event that took place in 1826 was an unfortunate incident in New York that fomented an anti-masonic movement across the country.  It’s worth noting that in 1827 the Grand Lodge reported 13 lodges as suspended and 11 as extinct.

On December 4th 1849 the Grand Lodge restored the the lodge and it has since continued in a very prosperous condition.