Lafayette Johnson (1813-1904)

Born in Lynchburg, Virginia and came to Bristol with the railroad. He was 40 years old when he came to Bristol. He was in the packaging business with the railroad. Soon after arriving in Bristol, he quit the railroad. Bristol’s population at that time was 800 people. He built a house in Bristol, Tennessee, then started a real estate and mercantile business. He had no children. Lafayette Johnson established Shelby Lodge No. 162. H. M. Ledbetter was the first Worshipful Master for 13 years, then Johnson was Worshipful Master for 10 years, 1858-1865, 1869 and 1885.

Winter of 1865, near the end of the Civil War. Northern soldiers came to Bristol and burned Johnson’s home. The Yankees arrested him and others in Bristol and marched them to Jonesboro, Tennessee for a trial, where they were found guilty of treason and marched to Knoxville, Tennessee. The prisoners were marched barefoot and without a hat.

April 9, 1865, the Civil War ended. Johnson was released from prison, and he walked back to Bristol. When he arrived home, his first question was, “Where was his wife?” He started rebuilding his life, home, and business.

He went to Tennessee and started King Lodge #461. He then established Shelby Lodge No. 162 in 1857, E. H. Gill Royal Arch Chapter #50 in 1860, and Johnson Commandery No. 14 in 1874. Lafayette Johnson also established Saint Omar Commandery # 19 and a Consistory in Bristol, Tennessee, however the Consistory did not last long. Lafayette Johnson was a 33 degree Scottish Rite Mason.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia asked him to be a Grand Lecturer, which he accepted. He traveled by horseback into West Virginia, Cumberland Gap, Blacksburg, Bluefield, Grundy, Nicholsville, St. Paul, Norton, Appalachia, Jonesville, Clinchport, Mendota, and Bristol. He did this for ten years. He conferred over 3,000 masonic degrees. He helped build churches and preached some as well. One of his famous quotes was, “It has been my purpose to give out the True Light of Masonry wherever I go.” His tombstone reads, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” He was 91 when he died.