Nearly a century and a quarter elapsed between the settlement of the present territory of Glynn County and the establishment of Masonry therein. It might well be asked, "Why so long a delay?" It could be answered that the population of Glynn County was small, very small; that this small population was widely scattered and large streams and inland swamps, as well as no roads, made it almost impossible for a sufficient number to gather in a Masonic Lodge.     

During 1736 - 1743, there would have been an opportunity for Masonry to have existed at Frederica, on St. Simons Island. It was the home of General James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony. There was stationed there, a crack British Regiment from Gibraltar and nearby had been settled the fighting Scottish Highlanders. Yet during these seven years, there is not the slightest evidence of any Masonic activity whatever.

The background of the settlement of the colony of Georgia has been misunderstood and the real purpose back of all minimized. However commendable it may have been in protecting the few hundred unfortunates settled at Savannah and the persecuted Salzburgers at Ebernezer, this in itself cannot explain the arousing of England so that every individual purse string was loosened and the government making most liberal appropriations toward the maintenance of this small colony.

As soon as Gen. Oglethorpe had the little colony settled at Savannah, he journeyed southward to locate a suitable place for a fort and selected the site now Frederica. He had constructed a fort of several bastions, This fort was armed with proper defensive guns and manned with an Artillery Regiment from Gibraltar, Barracks, Arsenals, Store Houses and other necessary buildings were erected and the whole surrounded by a deep moat.

A neutral territory bad been set aside, between the Altamaha­ and the St. Marys rivers, but this was but slightly respected by either side. The English were constantly pushing southward and the Spanish towards the North. In but a short time the inevitable conflict was on. A formidable armada appeared in St. Simons Sound with fifty-one ships and some five thousand men. This expedition under General Monteano was charged to destroy Frederica and then advance northward, destroying, devastating and leave nothing but ruin in their path.

This Fortress at Frederica stood between destruction and the English colonists settled between the Altamaha and St. Laurence Rivers. Would it stand? Would English civilization prevail in North America?

History tells the story of England's triumph. While there were several skirmishes, especially the one at Gulley hole and the Massacre at Bloody Marsh and finally a ruse that sent the Spanish fleet precipitately from the Island, yet behind it all sat that formidable fortress of Frederica so admirably planned by Oglethorpe in it's muteness and strength proclaiming: You shall not pass.