1871/72 private laws – Ch.83 Sec.1

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact, That the Master, Wardens and members of Rountree Lodge, number two hundred and forty-three (243), located at Bethel Church, Cotentna Neck township, Lenoir county, be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name and style of Rountree Lodge, number two hundred and forty-three -243 of Free and Accepted Masons, and by that style and name shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any court ot record or before any justice of the peace in fais state, may contract and be contracted with, may acquire by purchase or otherwise real and personal estate, and shall hold and dispose of the same for the benefit of the Lodge, may have a common seal, and in general exercise all such rights and privileges as are usually incident to corporations of a like nature.