Bill Text: NJ SCR105 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes Prince Hall as Revolutionary Era activist and founder of "Prince Hall Freemasonry."
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-02-24 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [SCR105 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-SCR105-Introduced.html
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 105
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 24, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes Prince Hall as Revolutionary Era activist and founder of "Prince Hall Freemasonry."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the life and legacy of Prince Hall.
Whereas, Prince Hall was a Revolutionary Era activist and free Black man who lived in colonial Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1735 to 1807; and
Whereas, Freemasonry is a fraternal organization and oath-bound society devoted to liberty, fellowship, and moral discipline; and
Whereas, Prince Hall was drawn to Freemasonry because of its ideals surrounding liberty, fellowship, and morality and applied for admittance to an all-white Masonic lodge in Colonial Boston; and
Whereas, In 1775, after being denied admission by the all-white Masonic lodge, Hall and 14 other free Black men formed their own Masonic lodge; and
Whereas, Hall was elected as the leader, or "Worshipful Master," within the newly formed African Lodge #1, later renamed African Lodge No. 459; and
Whereas, Because of his role in founding the African Lodge and his subsequent election as leader, Hall is known as the founder of "Prince Hall Freemasonry;" and
Whereas, In the year following Hall's death, several African Lodges in the Northeast organized African Grand Lodge #1; and
Whereas, To honor the legacy of Prince Hall and his role as their founding father, African Grand Lodge #1 changed its name in 1847 to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge; and
Whereas, "Prince Hall Freemasonry" is recognized as the oldest continuously active organization founded by African Americans in the United States; and
Whereas, Prince Hall's legacy continues to influence the 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges that trace their lineage to the original African Lodge #1; and
Whereas, In addition to his role in founding the first African Masonic lodge, Hall advocated for the expansion of rights for African Americans, demanding public education for African American children and asserting that tax dollars should not be withheld from African American families; and
Whereas, In January 1777, six months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Prince Hall petitioned the Massachusetts government to abolish slavery and proclaiming that Black people should be granted the rights set out in the Declaration of Independence; and
Whereas, As Worshipful Master, Hall drafted the Boston Plan in 1787, a plan for African Americans to return to Africa, to liberate themselves of the conditions of slavery and unequal status in American society; and
Whereas, Hall, along with other lodge members, again petitioned the Massachusetts government in 1788 to advocate against the kidnapping and sale of Black sailors into slavery; and
Whereas, Hall's work advocating for the abolition of slavery and equal rights has cemented his legacy as a prolific activist of the Revolutionary Era and the fight for justice for African Americans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The New Jersey Legislature formally recognizes the legacy of Prince Hall and for his contributions as a Revolutionary Era activist and Masonic leader, and his lasting impact in the African American fight for justice.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes and honors Prince Hall, a Revolutionary Era activist and the founder of "Prince Hall Freemasonry."
Prince Hall was a Free Black man who lived in Colonial Boston, Massachusetts circa 1735 to 1807. In 1775, after being denied membership by an all-white Masonic lodge, Hall and 14 other free Black men formed their own Masonic lodge, African Lodge # 1, later renamed African Lodge No. 459. Soon after the founding, Hall was elected the leader, or "Worshipful Master," within African Lodge #1. Because of his role in founding African Lodge #1, and his leadership role within the lodge, Hall became known as the "Father of Black Freemasonry." In the year following Hall's death, several Northeast African Lodges formed the first African Grand Lodge. In 1847, the African Grand Lodge changed its name to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge to honor Hall's legacy. Today, more than 5,000 lodges and 47 grand lodges can trace their lineage to African Lodge #1. "Prince Hall Freemasonry" is recognized as the oldest, continuously active organization founded by African Americans in the United States.
In addition to his role in founding the African Lodge, Hall is known for his advocacy for the abolition of slavery. In 1777, Hall petitioned the Massachusetts government to abolish slavery in proclamation that African Americans should be afforded the rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence. In 1778, Hall, as Worshipful Master, presented a plan to the Massachusetts government to allow African Americans to return to Africa in consideration of slavery and other hostile living conditions within the United States. In 1788, Hall again called upon the Massachusetts government to protect Black sailors from being kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Alongside his work for the abolition of slavery, Hall continuously fought for the expansion of rights for African Americans. Hall called for the extension of public education to African American children. He argued that tax dollars taken from African American workers should not be withheld from African American families.
Prince Hall's advocacy work has cemented his legacy as a prolific Revolutionary Era activist, especially as it relates to the fight for justice and equal rights.
