The North Carolina Mason

Guilford Courthouse Battlefield in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sadly it would appear that his beloved wife's remains did not share in the honor. John Penn's short life was epitomized by what he said and wrote: "My first wish for America is to be free." Given that he was born a British subject in Caroline County, Virginia, on Wednesday, May 17, 1741, that was a strong and later decreed treasonous sentiment. Basically self-taught, he would "read law" under one of Virginia's most august attorneys, Edmund Pendleton. He thus began practicing law and in his early 20s decided to move to the colony of North Carolina, Granville County to be exact. The reason he moved was that the cost of living and owning property in North Carolina was less than in the Old Dominion. The relocation of his practice proved successful. His marriage to Susannah Lyme would result in the birth of three children, two of whom, William and Lucy, would live into the 19th century. As for John Penn's Masonic career, no clear records have been recovered, found, nor discovered. However, validation of his being a member of the Freemason fraternity was provided by the venerable and well-known Brother Colonel William L. Taylor in that he and Brother Penn attended Lodges numerous times in several locations. As the rift between the Colonies and Britain grew, Penn would become involved in local government matters. His position for liberty was well known. He served in North Carolina's early (1774) Provincial Congress, and then would be called upon to serve in the 2nd Continental Congress, filling the seat vacated by (Brother) Richard Caswell. Without reluctance Brother Penn signed the Declaration of Independence. Returning to North Carolina, he undertook actions opposing British activities of Brother General Cornwallis. John served on North Carolina's Board of War as well. Upon the conclusion of the Revolution, Penn was named as the Receiver of Taxes for North Carolina. As a result of a dispute with North Carolina's state government he resigned his position. It is reported that he returned to Caroline County, Virginia. Yet, now "the plot thickens." His place of death on Sunday, September 14, 1788, is listed in two locations: Caroline County, Virginia, as well as Granville County, North Carolina. Records prove elusive. Yet, in Granville County, near the town of Stovall, NC, sits "The John Penn Cemetery." Within this small graveyard is the marker for his wife Susannah. However, what were thought to be the remains of Brother John Penn were moved and reinterred, as those of Brother William Hooper's had been, and laid to rest upon the battlefield of Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro, North Carolina. This ends the chapter of the men, none who would live to be 50, who represented North Carolina as signers of the Declaration of Independence, each man doing what he thought was right – as we all should strive to do in life. *Historically denotes the members of the 2nd Continental Congress who affixed their signatures to the Declaration of Independence. "My first wish for America is to be free." - John Penn W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 | 17

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