Masonic Influences in America: Surpassing Racial Boundaries
Maureen Wyse October 21, 2009 Professor Thomas Beyer The Keys to Angels and Demons
Freemasonry has had a global impact on the world. Many famous and influential leaders in Europe and America have been Freemasons who have adapted some of their Masonic ideals into the legislation of the country. In The Lost Symbol,
Dan Brown talks about the importance of Freemasonry in the founding of
Washington D.C., but what about Freemasonry’s involvement in the founding and development of the United States as a whole. Who were the Freemasons? Were they accepted into society or were they persecuted for their ideals? Freemasons have had a substantial impact not only on our capital but on our entire country. They have been involved in many political movements, wars, and other significant cultural events in America. The patterns of American history can be seen through an unexpected light as one discovers some of the motivations behind the actions of many of our American heroes. It was not only events in American history that were influenced by Freemasonry. Freemasonry affected the way in which the country’s ideals evolved and the values and cultural enigmas that are now considered
American. The changing circumstances of American life throughout its development as a country, for example the Civil War and its repercussions for African Americans, brought forth new opportunities for Masonic men like Prince Hall. New forms of
Freemasonry were developed to adapt for the changing ideals of Americans. A line of Freemasons begins at our founding fathers and reaches all the way into the present. Exploring this link of influential Americans can help one appreciate some of
2 the crucial movements that took place in America and different ideas that were circulating during these times.
Freemasonry in America did not begin until July 30, 1733 when Henry Price became Grand Master of America’s first Grand Lodge in Boston Massachusetts.1
Although there are some records of Freemason activity in America before this point, this was the first lodge ever established in the New World and is thus considered the official beginning of Freemasonry for America. The grant for this new lodge, St.
John’s Grand Lodge, was given to these men by the Grand Lodge in England. 2 The fact that St. John’s Grand Lodge followed the rituals of the English Masons would later cause a rift between other American Lodges, but for about twenty years this lodge and its practices were widely accepted in Freemasonry.
A rival of St. John’s Grand Lodge appeared in 1752 in the form of St. Andrew’s
Lodge, which was approved by a Grand Lodge in Scotland.3 Each Grand Lodge, both located in Boston, had different ideas on Freemasonry. St. Andrew’s Lodge held the view known as Ancient Masonry. Ancient Masons strove to go back to the mythic foundations of Freemasonry and revert back to many esoteric traditions that
Modern Masons believed to be outdated. Ancient Masonry was much more open to men of all classes, believing that the ideals presented through Freemasonry should be available to all classes. Being an Ancient Mason still provided a person with some social benefits such as connections and honor, but it was less prestigious than being
1 H. Paul Jeffers, Freemasons: A History and Exploration of the World’s Oldest Secret Society (New York: Citadel Press, 2005) p. 36. 2 Jeffers, p. 36. 3 Jeffers, p. 36.
3 a Modern Mason. As Stephen Blunt states, “Modern Masonry helped blunt and buffer the divisive forces of ethnicity, religion, and nationality-but it did so, ironically, by strengthening the crucial eighteenth-century social division, that between gentlemen and others.”4 This conflict between the two ideologies lasted throughout the Revolutionary War and was in fact partially ended by the result of the war. Many of the Modern Masons had been loyal to the British Government.
After the war, to avoid persecution, many of them fled to either Canada or back to
England, leaving many Modern Masonic Lodges lacking sufficient members. On the other hand, the Ancient Masons had spoken out for democracy, which aligned with their Masonic ideals.5 This caused the loyalty of American Masons to swing towards the Ancient Masonic ideals and eventually destroyed Modern Masons completely.
This division coincided with a simultaneous outcry throughout America for proper representation and the establishment of a uniquely American culture. Ancient
Masonry, with its acceptance of all social classes, ancient traditions, and commitment to democracy, matched perfectly with these principles making it the popular form of Freemasonry. While this battle of practice was being fought in
Masonic circles, many famous Freemasons were directly in involved in efforts to become an independent nation.
When the Revolutionary War broke out in America, it brought about a turbulent time for the colonies, and at the forefront of the movements for freedom were many Freemasons. Many Freemasons were writing about their ideas and how
4 Steven C. Bullock, The Revolutionary Transformation of American Freemasonry, http://www.jstor.org/ (July 1990) p. 353. 5 Bullock, p. 367.
4 people should become involved in the fight for independence. Many of these political actions were taken by individual Freemasons without the support of their lodge even though their beliefs were centered of Masonic ideals. Masonic lodges were forbidden by Masonic tradition to take an official stance on political occurrences and endeavors.6 Even though it was forbidden, there are rumors that one lodge in Boston, the Green Dragon Lodge7, was the instigator of the Boston Tea
Party, although there are arguments to support both the Masonic Lodge’s involvement in the Tea Party and arguments saying there was no Masonic involvement. It may be true that many Freemasons took part in the Boston Tea
Party, but most likely it was not a Masonic Lodge that was behind the planning of it.
In fact, it is fairly well known that the Sons of Liberty were the perpetrators in this incident. Some of them may have been Masons, but it is not against Masonic Code for
Masons to act politically individually so long as the lodge itself remains neutral. It could not be avoided that certain Freemasons would become involved in the movement that was taking place within America.
Many of the most prominent men from this period were Freemasons, including George Washington, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin.
Although their contributions during the Revolutionary War may not have been directly linked to their Masonic efforts, the ideas they stressed and proposed to have carried forth into the new nation definitely had Masonic influence. The Constitution
6 Freemasonry and the American Revolution, http://users.crocker.com/~acacia/text_mabook_revolution.html (September 17, 1998). 7 Edward M. Gair, The Mystery of the Green Dragon Tavern and the Boston Tea Party, http://www.Freemasonrywatch.org/boston_tea_party.html (2008).
5 itself was influenced by the Masons as well. Around 27% of the signers of the
Constitution were Freemasons, fifteen out of the fifty-six. Thomas Jefferson, who was a strong supporter of the Masonic tradition, included many previously stated
Masonic ideals in the Declaration of Independence as well. The ideas expressed in the Declaration and in the Constitution, such as men sitting as equals, governing themselves by a Constitution, and electing their own leaders were all democratic principles that had been in use in Masonic lodges since seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.8 Thomas Jefferson and Masonic contributors to both essential documents know of these methods of running an organization and were influential in the implementation of these ideals into America’s legal foundations. Many Freemasons had a significant role in drafting the two most important documents for our country’s government. These Freemasons allowed Masonic and democratic ideals to be spread throughout this new country as its own laws.
While the white Masonic Lodges were prospering during the Revolutionary
War, African Americans were finding it difficult to get involved in Freemasonry because of their race. One man, Prince Hall, took this problem into his own hands by trying to get a charter for an African American Lodge from a Grand Lodge in
Massachusetts in 1755. According to one source, his petition was rejected “on account of color.”9 Prince Hall was forced to appeal to a British Grand Lodge for a charter. In 1787, he and fourteen other African American men started the first
8 The Grand Lodge of Texas, Freemasonry and the American Revolution, http://www.themasonictrowel.com/Articles/History/united_states_files/Freemaso nry_and_the_american_revolution_gltx.htm (July 2007). 9 Corey D. B. Walker, A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America (Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2008) p. 64.
6 “colored” lodge in America.10 Although Prince Hall Freemasonry, as it later came to be known, was based on European American Freemasonry, it eventually transformed into its own version of Freemasonry that was much more accepting and focused on the racial issues present not only in the Masonic Societies but in
America itself.
Prince Hall Freemasonry was founded on many of the same principles as
European American Freemasonry, but African American Freemasons had to incorporate some new ideas into their lodges to adapt for their social standing in
America. As scholar Corey Walker describes, “for African American Freemasons … however, such a shared cultural identity was necessarily fractured by the growing tensions and strains spurred by inegalitarian ideologies and unjust material practices based on and produced through the construct of race.”11 Thus African
American Freemasons took a political stance for equality and liberty for all men regardless of race or class. Before this choice by Prince Hall Masons to take a definitive stance on a political issue, no Masonic lodge had been allowed to take a stance on political matters. But for African American Freemasons this was not only a matter of politics, but a matter of their rights as men. Prince Hall Freemasonry was always closely connected with the struggle for civil rights and freedom while living under the law. A central part of Prince Hall Freemasonry became the racial factor that these brothers shared that other Freemasons could not empathize with. African
American traditions were added into the Masonic traditions to make Prince Hall
10 William A. Muraskin, Middle-class Blacks in a White Society: Prince Hall Freemasonry in America, (Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1975) p. 32. 11 Walker, p. 61.
7 Freemasonry its own distinct sect of American Freemasonry. These Freemasons were respected and honored in their communities just as white Freemasons were honored in theirs, but Prince Hall Freemasons had the disadvantage of not being recognized as equals in the white communities, even in white Masonic communities.
A few white American Masons would help Prince Hall Freemasons become free blacks or otherwise, but for the most part, Prince Hall Freemasons worked for equality and freedom without the support of European American Freemasons.
African American Freemasons fought for freedom and equality. As the situation in
America between Whites and Blacks became worse as the years progressed, African
American Freemasons would have to await the Civil War as the means of their salvation.
When the Civil War broke out in America, there were Masons supporting both sides of the cause. As with many families during this time, Masons were fighting against their brothers in support of their ideals. Many influential Masons played roles in the Civil War as Generals and Commanders for both the Confederate and Union armies, but the truly inspirational stories from this war come from the average soldier. There are numerous stories that tell of one Masonic brother recognizing another on the field of battle and helping his brother to safety, even if they were on opposing sides of the battle. Here is one recounting of an act of bravery committed for the sake of a fellow Freemason fighting for the enemy,
“The Battle of Antietam was the single bloodiest day of
fighting ever during the bitter Civil War. Over 23,000 men
8 were killed or wounded. During this horrible and bloody
battle, numerous instances occurred that showed the enduring
nature of Brotherly Love and Relief in times of trouble. On the
morning following the battle, Confederate sharpshooters fired
at anything that moved. A wounded Confederate handed a
Union sentry a piece of cloth on which the Square and Compass
was crudely drawn in blood. The sentry carried it to a captain
who recognized the Masonic emblem. The captain told the
Colonel that a wounded Confederate needed help. The Colonel
asked for volunteers and several Masons offered to help. At
the risk of their lives they went to and carried the fallen
Lieutenant of the Alabama Volunteers to the 5th New
Hampshire field hospital. The Lieutenant told them about
another Mason lying wounded in the cornfield. Back they went
and carried him to join the other enemy soldier. Both men
received the same treatment, as did the Federal wounded from
the camp surgeon, a Freemason, Dr. William Child. These were
men who truly remembered their obligation to never hesitate
to go out of their way to raise a fallen Brother.”12
There are hundreds of stories like this one throughout the annals of history.
One of the most important values of Freemasonry is Brotherly Love and Masons
12 Freemasonry in the Civil War, http://www.calodges.org/no529/education/ed2005.11.html.
9 during the Civil War definitely proved that this clause was not just a saying but was actually put into practice. Many Masons wore signs and symbols of Freemasonry on their uniforms so that a fellow Masonic brother would recognize them and help them.13 This enhanced the respect of the fraternity of Masons in the eyes of people on both sides of the Civil War. The Masons who were showing their valor and brotherly love on the battlefield were mostly European American Masons, for many
African American Masons were looked down upon or were slaves. Nevertheless
African American Masons found their own way to contribute to the war against slavery.
The African American Freemasons were busy during and before the Civil War trying to free slaves through the Underground Railroad. This organization of both
Blacks and Whites was bound together by secret signs and codes just like the
Freemasons. The Masonic influence in the Underground Railroad becomes apparent in the different degrees one must reach before each person can reach a new level of participation. One of the interesting things about this organization was that Whites could only gain limited participation, meaning they could only reach the “Degree of
Confidence,” which was strictly related to the workings of the railroad.14 Prince Hall
Masons and other African Americans could move up in the ranking and become more involved in the links and organization of the Underground Railroad through
Freemasonry. The efforts of African American Freemasons in their fight for equality through the Underground Railroad were just the beginning of African American
13 Jeffers, p. 101. 14 “Code for Colored Man – Freemasonry Used in Connection with the ‘Underground’,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 6 August 1899, p. 39.
10 Masonic involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Prince Hall Masons frequently spoke out for civil rights and encouraged African Americans in their fight for equality. Prince Hall Masons were involved in almost any action or movement for civil rights and equality from their inception as an organization through the Civil
Rights Movement. The fight for rights and equality became the main cause of Prince
Hall Masons and it showed through all the work and contributions from African
Americans to the Civil Rights Movement.
After the Civil War, Prince Hall Freemasonry gained new momentum in its attempts to get Blacks equal rights in America. Two of their most important goals were getting anti-lynching laws approved by the federal government and gaining the vote for African Americans. Freemasons frequently spoke out in favor of these agendas and did their best to influence the sway of American politics. In most cases though, it was only time that would allow these measures to be implemented, after the strong emotions about the war had settled down. The African American Masons also worked toward a more achievable goal during the reconstruction era, improving African American education. Prince Hall Freemasons donated money to build schools and spoke out for improving education for African Americans, especially in the South. The fight for civil rights helped to differentiate the Prince
Hall Freemasons from the rest of their African American peers; becoming a
Freemason came to have new meaning to blacks who were accepted into the
Masonic ranks.
11 After the Civil War, Prince Hall Freemasonry became a more exclusive fraternity. Although it was spreading most rapidly after the Emancipation
Proclamation freed the slaves, three new requirements for entrance into the group emerged. Each member needed to be able to support himself and his family financially, he must support the ideas of the establishment and be willing to work towards them, and lastly if he is married he must be able to present a legal marriage certificate in order to join a lodge.15 Although these requirements may not seem like much, it began to cause a separation between the middle-class blacks and the financially challenged blacks after the Civil War. Joining a Masonic lodge became an accepted and honored political activity for newly freed African Americans. Being a
Freemason was a mark of class that only those who had done well for themselves could achieve. This separation began to mirror a similar separation and respect factor that had already taken place within the European American lodges and their communities throughout the United States. Because the slaves had just been released this realization was just coming to fruition in the communities of Prince
Hall Freemasonry. The Prince Hall Freemasons used their newfound influence and respect to help their communities improve and try to inspire political action in their communities as well. Prince Hall Freemasonry still carries many of the same ideals but because the racial status of African Americans in America has become more equal, they have been turning to other causes that help African Americans as well as focusing on equality. Prince Hall Freemasonry is still a very active sect of
Freemasonry and it honors its African American heritage. Prince Hall Freemasons
15 Muraskin, pps. 43-85.
12 prospered after the Civil War and continue to prosper; even though they may have faced many hardships along the way Prince Hall Freemasonry is still active today.
Masonic society itself underwent a series of challenges to its survival during the late 18th and the 19th centuries. It all began with a man named William Morgan.
He was a Freemason who was despised by almost everyone who met him. He was also known for starting his own lodge of Freemasons who were said to be aligned with the Batavia. This in itself caused some scandal but when book began to be released about the secrets of Freemasonry and Morgan decided to write one of his own this was a serious problem for some people. His book was copyrighted on
August 14th, 1826 with the title, Illustrations of Masonry, By One of the Fraternity who has Devoted Thirty Years to the Subject and was scheduled to come out in September.
16 Local Masons began to work to stop the publication of the book for fear of its repercussions on the reputation of Freemasons. Morgan’s print shop was burned to the ground and he was eventually arrested on a charge of theft from the master of
Ontario Master’s Lodge.17 Morgan was then arrested against for a debt to the innkeeper of $2.68.18 By the next morning Morgan had been released by some unknown benefactor who had taken him away in a carriage, most likely unwillingly.
Morgan was never seen again. He was supposedly held hostage at Fort Niagara and then bound with weights and thrown over the falls after being held hostage for a few weeks but his body was never found. Antimasonic sentiments began to arise out
16 William Preston Vaughn, The Antimasonic Party in the United States: 1826-1843 (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1983) p. 4. 17 Vaughn, p. 4. 18 Allen E. Roberts, Freemasonry in American History (Richmond: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Inc., 1985) p. 230.
13 of this incident because of their strong actions in trying to stop his book from being published. Also the four people who were most heavily involved in the crime were
Masons and yet they still received light sentences which made people even more suspicions of Freemasonry. After the Morgan incident, Antimasonic conventions were held across the country, which eventually led to the formation of an
Antimasonic party. The Morgan incident was the starting block for Antimasonic sentiment in the U.S.
Much of the Antimasonic sentiment in the U.S arose from fear and jealousy of the secrecy of Masonic societies. Another large source for the negative feelings was religion. Many of the Antimasons were fundamentalists who disliked Unitarianism and Universalism which were both accepted in Freemasonry.19 Freemasonry instilled a fear of conspiracy against people’s beliefs because it was so secret and exclusive. People are afraid of what they don’t know and Freemasonry was the epitome of this example. The Antimasonic sentiments roaming about the country during these years greatly decreased the numbers of Freemasons, as would be expected. Antimasonry affected Freemasonry so much that it almost killed off the entire group; the ironic thing is that Antimasonic feelings hardly affected African
American Freemasonry at all. In fact African American Freemasonry flourished during this period because apparently Antimasonic groups did not perceive a threat in Prince Hall Freemasons.20 The Antimasonic movement did not last very long.
Starting in the 1820s it gained enough momentum to have a distinctive stance
19 Vaughn, p. 21. 20 Muraskin, p. 36.
14 against Andrew Jackson in the 1828 and 1832 election and elect a Governor of
Pennsylvania from its ranks but it died before the 1840.21 In the overall scheme of things this is a very small period of time, but it did have a lot of influence on Masonic society during its existence. The Antimasonic party damaged the reputation of
Freemasonry and greatly depleted its numbers either by pressures to drop out by peers or out of a wish to maintain a good reputation. Either way Freemasonry greatly affected by the sentiments against it but managed to survive this obstacle and continue on into life today.
Freemasonry throughout American history has gone through many challenges and has been involved in many important occurrences in America.
Freemasons are active members of society who strive to better their communities and their country. Although Freemasonry may have been split by the racial tensions that ran through American in the beginning, both sects of Freemasonry worked towards their own ideals to help those who they thought needed it most.
Freemasonry may not have been directly involved in many of the major events in history but its members definitely had a large influence on the way American history turned out, or if not on American history as a whole, as least on the life of one person, such as the soldiers during the Civil War. Freemasonry is a noble institution that has been around as long as our country has. It has survived the same battles that Americans fought and some of its own as well. Freemasonry has survived its past history and will hopefully continue to thrive into the future.
21 Vaughn, p. 243.
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