Masons at the Nashville City Cemetery

by Fletch Coke

On June 22, 1871, following a Called Meeting, the Cumberland Masonic Lodge of Nashville adjourned so members could attend the funeral of Washington Cooper, who was, according to a local newspaper, "one of the oldest Masons in the city and one of the original members of the Cumberland Lodge."  Lodge minutes reported that "the brothers proceeded to the late residence of Bro. Cooper and then to the Cemetery" for the burial "with the usual ceremonies of the order."

On a Second Saturday Tour 137 years later -- May 10, 2008 -- fifty people gathered at the City Cemetery for two special events.  The first was a talk by Duncan Callicott, who spoke to the group about his ancestor, Grand Master Wilkins Tannehill.  The second event was a ceremony at the Cumberland Lodge No. 8 burial lot.  William R. Cooper of Union, Ohio, great-grandson of Washington Cooper, was welcomed by Worshipful Master W. M. Byrd and secretary Jason Felts of Cumberland Lodge No. 8.  After introductions and a few preliminary remarks, current Lodge members dedicated a new tombstone for Washington Cooper, replacing one long lost.

In 1845 Cumberland Lodge No. 8 purchased a burial lot and six years later bought the adjoining lot at the City Cemetery.  Between 1846 and 1922, twenty-nine interments took place on this lot.  With the addition of Washington Cooper's marker, eight Masons now have tombstones there. 

To learn the names of the twenty-nine Masons buried in the Cumberland Lodge Lot, visit the Nashville City Cemetery Association website -- www.thenashvillecitycemetery.org.   Anyone with additional information about these Masons is urged to contact the Association.  (Fall 2008)

Pictured above: upper left, Duncan Callicott; center right, William R. Cooper; lower left, new gravestone of Cumberland Lodge member Washington Cooper.  All photos by Kathy Lauder.

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