In 1869, the Grand Commandery of Virginia authorized a dispensation for three new Commanderies: A.P. Abell Commandery in Charlottesville, Staunton Commandery in Staunton, and Monongalia Commandery, in what is now West Virginia.

The Monongalia Commandery has a significant role in Charlottesville origins story as our West Virginia fraters were attempting to revive the old Morgantown “Gill Commandery No. 3” in their area that went dark during the war. The Grand Commander of Virginia, Right Eminent John R. McDaniel, agreed to reissue the designation of “No. 3” to these Monongalia Sir Knights, if they would return the old Gill Commandery charter.

Unfortunately, at the Grand Conclave of Virginia which followed, when it came time to constitute these three new Commanderies, the old Gill Commandery fraters elected to withhold the return of the charter, as was required. Because of this, the Grand Commander continued their “Under Dispensation” status for another year and withheld Monongalia Commandery’s new charter. Therefore the “No. 3” designation was reissued to the Commandery in Charlottesville.

The first officers listed to A.P. Abell Commandery (under dispensation) received its orders and Sir Knight Alexander P. Abell was selected to be the first Eminent Commander (designate), with Sir Knight Peyton S. Coles as Generalissimo (designate) and Sir Knight J. Van Doren as Captain General (designate).

It seems strange enough that a Commandery would be given and dispensation and named after a living member, who in turn is selected to be the first Commander of a Commandery named in his honor. Even more confusing is the trust that is later placed upon this Sir Knight by the Grand Commander and yet, so little is known of his Masonic pedigree.

The following is the only real comprehensive report on this Sir Knight:

Alexander Pope Abell was born on the 23d of July 1817, four miles west of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia, the eldest of three brothers, sons of Rev. John S. and Lydia B. Abell. Alexander Pope Abell has made an impress on the Southern Baptist work, almost unique in character and results. He has spent a busy life in works of love. His first impressions were made by the teachings of his father, an honored minister of the Baptist denomination. Although he was not baptized until 1833, yet, when but fifteen years of age he undertook the management of a Sunday-school in the mountains near his home. He was baptized by Rev. R. L. Coleman and joined the Baptist Church in Charlottesville…

As a business man he has had an extended experience. Earnest, honest, faithful in all things, his promotion was rapid, and success secured. Clerk, partner, head of firm, cashier of bank, secretary and manager of a large insurance company, vice-president of a national bank, president, manager of a firm doing a large home and foreign business in Savannah, his business hours have been fully occupied. Millions of wealth have passed through his hands and every dollar has been accounted for…

Wherever he has lived, he has been called up to the head of a Sunday-school; in Charlottesville, Staunton, Virginia, Savannah, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina, where he is in charge of a flourishing mission school…

Married at twenty years of age to Miss Ann McLeod, a Scotch lady, whose ancestors figured largely in the history of their fatherland, his wife has proved a helpmeet indeed. The raven-locked young mand and the fair-haired lass have travelled, side by side, fortythree years, sharing sorrows and joys, helping and encouraging each other- and now that the hair is bleaching and the body is bending in the long years, the same loving, tender smile, the same pleasant, encouraging words greet friends and neighbors from the man and wife and people feel that it is good for them to meet the Christian couple. Mr. Abell has his only child, Mrs. R. S. Morgan, living with him. His home-life is very beautiful. Romping with his four grand-children, he, the merriest and noisiest, the little ones who know the friend, the sympathizer- the father.

Abell Commandery No. 3 is chartered at Grand Conclave on July 9, 1869, with Eminent Commander Alexander P. Abell later acting as proxy at the constitution ceremony on December 16, 1869, in Charlottesville on behalf of Sir Knight John R. McDaniel, Right Eminent Grand Commander of Virginia. Their asylum reports a complement of twenty-eight members in their first year.

The 1875 Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Virginia shows the last time the Charlottesville Commandery is reported as A.P. Abell Commandery No. 3. In the following year, the Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Virginia reports this Commandery in their new name of “Charlottesville Commandery No. 3” and it records the following:

PROCEEDINGS OF A. P. ABELL COMMANDERY NO. 3

The following proceedings of A. P. Abell Commandery No. 3, were presented:

At a stated assembly of A. P. Abell Commandery No. 3 K. T., on Tuesday, October 10,

A.D. 1876, A.O. 759, 

It was ordered that the application be made to M.E. Grand Commandery at its Annual Convocation in Alexandria, to change the name of this Commandery to Charlottesville Commandery No. 3 Knights Templar’

A true copy from the record.

Given under my hand as Recorder and certified under the seal of the

Commandery this 10th day of October, A.D. 1876, A.O. 759.

[Seal] M. McKennie, Recorder

From this report and as the final order of business for the 1876 Annual Convocation, The Grand Commandery of Virginia records the following:

Whereupon

Resolved, That the said Commandery be hereafter designated and known as Charlottesville Commandery No. 3.

GRAND COMMANDERY CLOSED

The following members of Charlottesville Commandery No. 3 became Grand Commanders of Virginia:

Sir Knight Peyton S. Coles (1881-1883) Sir Knight Emmett B. Coddin (1975-1976)

Sir Knight Edwin A. Joachim (1922-1923) Sir Knight Jay L. Cotner (2004-2005)

Sir Knight Harry M. Wilson (1941-1942) Sir Knight William F. Reinhold (2014-2015)

References:

Grand Commander of Virginia, 1860-1880, Proceedings of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia, Grand Conclave Minutes, Richmond: Grand Commandery of Virginia

USGenWeb Archives Special Projects, 1881, History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia: Biographical Compendium and Portrait Gallery of Baptist Ministers and Other Georgia Baptist, Atlanta, James P. Harris & Company, http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.fhtm.

By Sir Knight Shelby Chandler, PC, Fredericksburg Commandery No. 1