Peter F. Crawford

WB Peter Flournoy Crawford - 1890-92, 1901

Meet WB Peter Flournoy Crawford, who presided over our Lodge at the very beginning (February 14, 1890). WB P.F. Crawford was the listed Master of the Lodge while it was still under dispensation, and was installed and served when the Grand Lodge of Georgia issued us our Charter on October 31, 1890.

WB P.F. Crawford then continued his service during the years of 1891, 1892, and 1901.

WB Crawford was born on his family farm in Talbot County, Georgia, on November 18, 1854. When he turned 19, he moved to Loachapoka, Alabama, and clerked in a General Mercantile for four years, until he joined the Loachapoka Baptist Church and was called to the ministry.

At the age of 25, he married Miss M. J. Crawford and, five years later, attended Mercer University.

After graduation, WB Crawford moved to Carnesville and was hired as Principal of Carnesville High School. While in Carnesville, he joined Carnesville Lodge No. 186, F&AM; helped found the Carnesville Baptist Church (he was the first Pastor); and preached at Crossroads Baptist Church (Carnesville), Lavonia Baptist Church, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

WB Crawford left the area for a few years to serve in churches in Bainbridge and Albany, Georgia, but later returned to Lavonia when his health began to fail.

In January 1906, WB Crawford accepted calls to preach Liberty, Pickens, and Cateechee, South Carolina. Finally in 1920, WB Crawford and his wife moved to the home of their son, M.T. Crawford in Charlotte, North Carolina. He laid down his working tools on October 15, 1921.

I wanted to share this information today (February 13) because Lavonia Lodge No. 241, F&AM will have its first Regular Communication of February today, and I thought it appropriate to remember this Brother and his contributions to Lavonia Lodge No. 241, F&AM, exactly 134 years ago tomorrow.

Sources:

Graham, B.J.W., ed., Baptist Biography, Vol. 1. Index Printing Company, Atlanta. 1917

History of Franklin County, Georgia. The Franklin County Historical Society. WH Wolfe Associates, Roswell. 1986.

https://www.findagrave.com/.../peter-flournoy-crawford

Lavonia Lodge No. 241, F&AM, Minutes of February 14, 1890.