WHO WAS JAMES EDWARD COWAN, 33rd DEGREE MASON, SHRINER? TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE U.S. SENATE AND U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS
Biographical Sketch: James Edward Cowan 1892-1962 33rd Degree Mason and Founder and State Deputy of the (African-American) Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction.
James Edward Cowan was a great man and this is a fact. Although he was not wealthy, the things that he accomplished are noteworthy.
Regarding notability, James Edward Cowan founded The (African-American) Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons in 3 southern states.
In all of the 50 states, the white Scottish Rite Masons still to this day do not recognize African-Americans in their membership, except, perhaps, for the State of Oklahoma.
As late as 2005, the white Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern Jurisdiction voted to not admit African-Americans into their membership in North Carolina.
In all of the 50 states, the white Scottish Rite Masons still to this day do not recognize African-Americans in their membership, except, perhaps, for the State of Oklahoma.
As late as 2005, the white Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern Jurisdiction voted to not admit African-Americans into their membership in North Carolina.
However, now there is documentation on the Internet of the African-American Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction, which has recently organized into the United National Grand Lodge of the World HQ in Wilmington, NC (unitednational@bellsouth.net), which is an affiliate of the United National Supreme Council AASR Masons.
The white Scottish Rite Masons of the Northern and Southern jurisdictions are continuing to not recognize African-Americans, as equals. There is a wealth of information on the white Scottish Rite Masons.
The United National Grand Lodge Of The World HQ Wilmington, NC (unitednational@bellsouth.net) recently posted their website (http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-National-Masons/81399555565).
Also, see:
James Edward Cowan founded the (African-American) Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction in the states of Virginia, North and South Carolina in 1937, during the Depression and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in response to the racism of white America, and for this, he is notable!The United National Grand Lodge Of The World HQ Wilmington, NC (unitednational@bellsouth.net) recently posted their website (http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-National-Masons/81399555565).
Also, see:
He established a help system for widows and children, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction for African-Americans.
Assistance to widows and children is a mission statement of the Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction. This was during the time of racial segregation.
Assistance to widows and children is a mission statement of the Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction. This was during the time of racial segregation.
Research on James Edward Cowan was partially successful only. Good written records were not a forte of Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction.
In the 1980s a fire at the home of W.W. Hoover destroyed all records of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction, according to ILL. Louis Christian, 33 Lieutenant Sovereign Grand Commander of the former Central Jurisdiction (904 Burton Carpenter Road Mt Gilead, N. C. 27306).
In the 1980s a fire at the home of W.W. Hoover destroyed all records of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction, according to ILL. Louis Christian, 33 Lieutenant Sovereign Grand Commander of the former Central Jurisdiction (904 Burton Carpenter Road Mt Gilead, N. C. 27306).
My research information was mostly by "word of mouth" from James Edward Cowan's children:
Robert Harold Cowan (deceased), Thelma Cowan Teamer (deceased), Catherine Cowan Ross (my mother), Carl Edward Cowan (deceased), Clinton Alexander Cowan (deceased), Floyd Nathaniel Cowan (deceased), Wilma Cowan Carson, Ruth Cowan Carson, Emanuel Dunbar Cowan, Helen Virginia Cowan Cuthrell (deceased), and Lillian Cowan Pulliam.
Lillian Cowan Pulliam, youngest daughter of James Edward Cowan, did some secretarial work for Ed Cowan at some meetings, but she does not talk much about this, because the masons are a clandestine (secretive) organization.
Also, Lillian Cowan Pulliam and Helen Virginia Cowan Cuthrell (deceased) joined the Eastern Stars , which is the female companion of the all male masons. Lillian and Harvey Pulliam (deceased) attended some conventions.
Sadie Carr Cowan, wife of James Edward Cowan, was a member of the Eastern Stars for years.
Robert Harold Cowan (deceased), Thelma Cowan Teamer (deceased), Catherine Cowan Ross (my mother), Carl Edward Cowan (deceased), Clinton Alexander Cowan (deceased), Floyd Nathaniel Cowan (deceased), Wilma Cowan Carson, Ruth Cowan Carson, Emanuel Dunbar Cowan, Helen Virginia Cowan Cuthrell (deceased), and Lillian Cowan Pulliam.
Lillian Cowan Pulliam, youngest daughter of James Edward Cowan, did some secretarial work for Ed Cowan at some meetings, but she does not talk much about this, because the masons are a clandestine (secretive) organization.
Also, Lillian Cowan Pulliam and Helen Virginia Cowan Cuthrell (deceased) joined the Eastern Stars , which is the female companion of the all male masons. Lillian and Harvey Pulliam (deceased) attended some conventions.
Sadie Carr Cowan, wife of James Edward Cowan, was a member of the Eastern Stars for years.
It is believed that the Guy Lofton's (deceased) family had some information on the masons. however, when interviewed, Mrs. Lofton, was uncooperative.
Nate Brown, Guy Lofton,Sr.(deceased) and Charles Willett (deceased) were other men instrumental in the Scottish Rite Masons. Guy Lofton, Sr. was the secretary of the Salisbury, N. C. Eureka Lodge Number 45 of the Rising Sun Grand Council of the Carolinas, which is now named the King Solomon Lodge.
Nate Brown, Guy Lofton,Sr.(deceased) and Charles Willett (deceased) were other men instrumental in the Scottish Rite Masons. Guy Lofton, Sr. was the secretary of the Salisbury, N. C. Eureka Lodge Number 45 of the Rising Sun Grand Council of the Carolinas, which is now named the King Solomon Lodge.
The former Grand Master was Robert Chambers (deceased), was a life long family friend of the Cowan family.
James Edward Cowan traveled up and down the East Coast on trains by using Masonic Distress Signals to stop the trains and riding the trains to his destinations.
The engineers on the trains were white, who were white Scottish Rites masons who recognized the secret Masonic Distress Signals.
The engineers on the trains were white, who were white Scottish Rites masons who recognized the secret Masonic Distress Signals.
Below is specific info on James Edward Cowan:
1.) Elder & Superintendent of Sunday School of the Church Street Presbyterian Church for over 30 years.
2.) Founded the Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction for African-Americans in the states of North, South Carolina, and Virginia in 1937.
3.) He was the State Deputy of the Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction African-Americans (which is the highest ranking member at lodge meetings) in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for 30 years), until his death.
He established lodges in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and possibly Ohio.
The James E. Cowan Grand Council of Deliberations State of Virginia is named after him.
He established lodges in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and possibly Ohio.
The James E. Cowan Grand Council of Deliberations State of Virginia is named after him.
4.) He was married to Sadie Carr Cowan and the father of 11 children.
As indicated above, all Records of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction were destroyed in a house fire at the home of W. W. Hoover in the 1980s.
Documents on file at the Rowan Public Library Local History Room in Salisbury, North Carolina are:
Documents on file at the Rowan Public Library Local History Room in Salisbury, North Carolina are:
1.) A copy of the July 2, 1987 Banquet Program, "The First Jubilee of the Rising Sun Grand Council of the Carolinas and the James E. Cowan Grand Council of Deliberations, State of Virginia of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the Central Jurisdiction," Honoring James E. Cowan held in Elizabeth City, North Carolina at the Holiday Inn.
2.) Updated biographical Sketch of James Edward Cowan by Robert Edward Fisher, Master of Social Welfare UCLA and "Keeper of the Seal," of the "Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the World, AASR Masons," dated December 9, 2012. Also, he is the eldest Grandchild of James Edward Cowan.
3.) The 1945 North Carolina Supreme Court ruling dismissing a complaint by the Prince Hall Masons challenging the legitimacy of the James E. Cowan Eureka Lodge No. 45 of Salisbury, Rowan County North Carolina of the (African-American Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of Virgina, North and South Carolina.
3.) The 1945 North Carolina Supreme Court ruling dismissing a complaint by the Prince Hall Masons challenging the legitimacy of the James E. Cowan Eureka Lodge No. 45 of Salisbury, Rowan County North Carolina of the (African-American Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of Virgina, North and South Carolina.
4.) The Salisbury Post newspaper obituary for James Edward Cowan.
5.) Copy of Cowan family tree.
posted by Robert E. Fisher at 3:27 AM
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