U.S. Secretary of War and Minister to Mexico

Did you have a “Poinsettia” plant in your house over Christmas?

They seemed to be everywhere.

We have Bro. Joel R. Poinsett to thank for this .On his return from Mexico he brought back a beautiful flowering shrub which had struck his fancy, he developed it and improved it on his plantation and thereby immortalised his name in the plant world, previously it had been called “painted leaf” or “Mexican Fire Plant” Now it is officially Poinsetta pulcherrima

Bro. Joel was a Past Master of both, Recovery Lodge No. 31 Greenville S. Carolina

and Solomon’s Lodge No. 1 Charleston S. Carolina.

In 1821 he was elected Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. He was unable to serve as Grand Master due to his appointment as Secretary of War (1837-41)

1821-41 he was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of South Carolina.

1849 Upon the revival of Greenville Lodge No. 5 he served as R.W.M..

Stamp Issued: - Republic of Congo