NJ SCR105

Prince Hall (c. 1735-1807) was a free Black man in colonial Boston who founded the first African American Masonic lodge in 1775 after being denied admission to an all-white lodge, along with 14 other free Black men

The New Jersey Legislature formally recognizes Hall's legacy as a Revolutionary Era activist and founder of "Prince Hall Freemasonry," now the oldest continuously active organization founded by African Americans in the United States

Hall petitioned the Massachusetts government in January 1777 to abolish slavery, arguing Black people should receive rights guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence, and in 1788 advocated against the kidnapping and sale of Black sailors into slavery

Today, more than 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges trace their lineage to Hall's original African Lodge #1, which was renamed the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in 1847 to honor his legacy

Copies of the resolution will be transmitted to The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New Jersey