FACTS FOR SPEAKERS, ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON,
MASTER MASON
“A short compilation of facts of the Masonic history of the First
President, for the use of speakers who will prepare and deliver
addresses on the Father of His Country, on the two hundredth
anniversary of his birth.
In Fredricksburg Lodge (now No.4), Fredricksburg, Virginia,
Washington was:
Initiated November 4, 1752
Passed March 3, 1753
Raised August 4, 1753
Remained a member until the time of his death.
Alexandria-Washington Lodge No.22, Alexandria, Virginia was:
First Chartered as Alexandria Lodge No.39, under the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania.
Became Alexandria Lodge No.22, under the Grand Lodge of Virginia in
1788.
After Washington’s death, it was named Alexandria-Washington Lodge
No.22 in 1805.
Washington was first made an Honorary Member of this Lodge, June 24,
1784.
Became Charter Worshipful Master of this Lodge when the Charter was
issued to it by the Grand Lodge if Virginia, April 28,1788.
Holland Lodge No.8, New York City, New York, Elected Washington an
Honorary Member, 1789.
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1753 - September 1, Washington visited his Lodge at Fredricksburg
shortly before his leaving for the Western Country.
1755 - January 4. Again visited his Lodge.
1777 - June 23. Proposed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
Virginia.
1778 - December 28. Marched in procession in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania at the Masonic celebration in Honor of St. John the
Evangelist.
1779 - June 24. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge, the
festival of St. John the
Baptist, at West Point, New York.
1779 - October 6. Washington (Military) Lodge was instituted by the
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Washington visited this Lodge.
1779 - December 15. Proposed by American Union (Military) Lodge at
Morristown, New Jersey, as
General Grand Master of the united States.
1779 - December 20. Proposed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as
General Grand Master of the United States.
1779 - December 27. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge,
the Festival of St. John the
Evangelist, at Morristown, New Jersey.
1780 - January 13. Again proposed by the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania as General Grand Master of the United States.
1781 October. Said to have visited Lafayette Lodge No. 9 at
Yorktown, Virginia after the surrender of Cornwallis there.
1782 - Presented with a Masonic Apron, and other Masonic Regalia by
Brothers Watson and Cassoul, of Nantes, France. Acknowledged the
August, 1782.
1782 - June 24. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge the
Festival of St. John the
Baptist , at West Point, New York.
1782 - December 27. Solomon’s Lodge No.1, Poughkeepsie, New York,
records: Visitors, Bro. George Washington, Comdr in Chief.”
Celebrated with them on this date the Festival of St. John The
Evangelist.
1784 - June 24. Celebrated with Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria,
Virginia, the Festival of St. John the
Baptist.
1784 - August. Was presented by General Lafayette with a Masonic
Apron made by Madame Lafayette.
1785 - February 12. Walked in the Masonic procession at the funeral
of Brother William Rams, at
Alexandria, Virginia.
1789 - April 30. Inaugurated as President of the United States, and
took the oath of office on the Bible belonging to St. John’s Lodge
No. 1, New York City, New York.
1791 - April 15. Visited Newbern, North Carolina, and was welcomed
by the Freemasons of St. John’s Lodge No. 2, “with the mystic
numbers,” and attended a ball in the evening.
1791 - Mat. While on a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, was
greeted by General Mordecai Gist.
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, who extended the
greetings of that Grand Lodge.
1793 - September 18. Acting as Grand Master “pro tem,” laid the
Cornerstone of the United States Capital, at Washington, D.C.
1794 - Late in this year Alexandria Lodge received and accepted the
Masonic Portrait of Washington, painted by Williams of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, on order of the Lodge, and for which Washington
sat while in the city some time in the latter part of 1793, or early
part of 1794.
1797 - March 28. Received a delegation from Alexandria Lodge and
accepted an invitation to be present in Alexandria, April 1st.
1797 - April 1. Attended Alexandria Lodge, and, at the banquet,
proposed the toast, “The Lodge of Alexandria and all Masons
throughout the World.”
Buried Masonically, at Mt. Vernon, December 18, 1799, Alexandria
Lodge, No.22.
(The above facts taken from Brother William L. Boyden’s “Masonic
Presidents, Vice-Presidents and signers).
Librarian of the A.A.S.R. Southern Jurisdiction.
Minutes of: “The Lodge of Fredricksburg” (now Fredricksburg Lodge
No.4):
4th Novbr Charles Lewis George Washington
3rd March George Washington pass’d fellow Craft
4th August 5753 Which Day the Lodge being Assembled - Present:
R. Wpl. Daniel Campbell Transactions of
I. Neilson, S.W. Evening Are:
Rot. Haslkerson, J.W. George Washington
(sic) rais’d
James Strakan Master Mason
Alex’r Wodrow, Secretary pro Temp.
Thoms. Robertson Thomas James
William McWilliam, Treasr. Entd an Apprentice
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FREDRICKSBURG LODGE (Adopted 1769)
1. That the meetings in course be the first Friday of every month,
from March to September at 6 o’clock in the evening; and from
September to March at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
2. Every member of the Lodge shall pay three Shillings
Quarterly for expenses thereof. Visit. at last day, Midsummer,
Michaelmas and Christmas - extra Expenses to be defrayed by such
members as present on these occasion.
3. Every new made Brother shall pay the Fee of three Pistoles for
being admitted to the First degree. The fee of one Pistole for
being Passed to the Second and the same sum on being Raised to the
Third. These Fees must be received the night of his admission,
passing, or raising, or the Brothers who recommend to be
responsible for them.
4. Any Brother not made in this Lodge, Petitioning to become a member
thereof, shall upon his being received as such (after due
examination) pay the Fee of one Pistole. But Brethren made here
may become members without further Fee than that of their
admission.
5. No Visiting Brother is to be admitted without due Examination,
unless vouched for by a Brother present; nor more than once
without paying One Shilling and Three Pence.
6. No person to be admitted to become a Mason in this Lodge under the
age of twenty-one years on any account whatever, being Contrary to
the Constitutions of Masonry, nor without the unanimous Consent of
the Lodge by Ballot.
7. All Fees and Quarterages to be paid to the Treasurer for the time
being. His Acc’t to be Annually examined and Balanced on the
Night his office expires,
THE CHARTER GIVEN TO ALEXANDRIA LODGE BY THE GRAND LODGE OF
VIRGINIA, DATED APRIL 28, 1788. Edm. Randolph: G.G.
TO ALL AND EVERY to whose knowledge these presents shall come.
Greetings:
WHEREAS, It has been duly represented to us, that in the County of
Fairfax, and Borough of Alexandria, in the Commonwealth of
Virginia, there reside a number of Brethren of the Society of
Freemasons, who have assembled as a Lodge agreeably to the
Regulations of Masonry by the Title of the Alexandria Lodge, and
it appearing to be for the good and increase of the Fraternity
that the said Brethren should be encouraged to proceed and work,
as heretofore they have done in a Regular Lodge.
KNOW YET, That we, EDMUND RANDOLPH, ESQ. Governor of the
Commonwealth aforesaid, and Grand Master of the Most Ancient and
Honorable Society of Freemasons, within the same, by and with the
consent of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, do hereby Constitute and
Appoint our Illustrious and Well-beloved Brother, GEORGE
WASHINGTON, ESQ, late General and Commander-in-Chief of the
forces of the United States of America, and our worthy brethren,
Robert McCrea, William Hunter, Jr., and John Allison, Esq.,
together with all such other brethren as may be admitted to
associate with them, to be a just, true and regular Lodge of
Freemasons, by the name, title and designation of the Alexandria
Lodge, No.22.
And further do hereby appoint and ordain, all regular Lodges to
hold and acknowledge, and respect them, as such; hereby granting
and committing to them, and their successors full power and
authority to assemble and convene as a regular Lodge, to enter and
receive Apprentices, pass Fellow-Crafts, and raise Master Masons,
according to the known and established customs of ancient Craft
Masonry, and No otherwise, and also to elect and choose Masters,
Wardens, and other officers, annually, at such time or times as to
them shall seem meet and convenient; and to exact from their
members such compensation as they shall judge necessary for the
support of their Lodge , the relief of their brethren in distress,
and contribution towards the Grand Charity, and agreeably to the
Book of constitutions and the laws of the Grand Lodge of Virginia,
and recommending to the brethren aforesaid, to receive and obey
their Superiors in all things lawful and honest as becomes the
honor and harmony of Masons, and to record in their books this
present Charter with their own regulations and by-laws, and their
whole acts and proceedings, from time to time, as they occur, and
by no means desert their said Lodge hereby constituted, or form
themselves into separate meetings, without the consent and
approbation of their Master and Wardens for the time being. All
which, by acceptance hereof, they are holden and engaged to
observe; and the brethren aforesaid are to acknowledge and
recognize the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge as their Superiors,
and shall pay due regard and obedience to all such instructions
as they have received or hereafter shall receive from thence.
And, lastly, they are requested to correspond with the Grand
Lodge, and to attend the meetings thereof, by their Master and
Wardens, or their proxies being Master Masons and members of their
said Lodge.
GIVEN under the Seal of the Grand Lodge at Richmond, in the State
of Virginia, the 28th day of April, A.L. 5788, A.D. 1788.
By the Grand Master’s Command
William Waddell
Grand Secretary
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COLUMBIAN MIRROR AND ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1793
Georgetown, September 21, 1793
On Wednesday, one of the Grandest Masonic processions took place for
the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United
States, which perhaps, was ever exhibited on the like important
occasion. About ten o’clock, Lodge No.9 was visited by that
congregation so graceful to the Craft, Lodge No.22 of Virginia, with
all their officers and regalia; and directly afterwards appeared on
the southern banks of the grand river Potomac, one of the finest
companies of Volunteer Artillery that has been lately seen, parading
to receive the President of the united States, who shortly came in
sight with his suite, to whom the artillery paid their Military
Honors, and his Excellency and suite crossed the rive and was
received in Maryland by the officers and brethren of No.22 Virginia
and No.9, Maryland, whom the President headed, proceeded by a band of
music; the rear brought up by the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery,
with Grand Solemnity of March, proceeded to the President’s Square,
in the city of Washington, where they were met and saluted by No.15,
of the City of Washington, in all their elegant badges and clothing,
headed by Brother Joseph Clarke, Rt. Wor. G.M. p.t. and conducted to
a large lodge prepared for the purpose of their reception. After a
short space of time, by the vigilance of Brother Clotworthy
Stephenson, Grand Marshal, p.t., the brotherhood and other bodies
were disposed in a second order of procession, which took place
amidst a brilliant crowd of spectators of both sexes, according to
the following arrangement, viz.:
The Surveying Department of the City of Washington
Mayor and Corporation of Georgetown, Virginia Artillery.
Commissioners of the City of Washington.
Stone-Cutters - Mechanics.
Masons of the first Degree.
Bible, etc. on Grand Cushions.
Deacons, with staffs of Office.
Masons of the Second Degree.
Stewards, with wands.
Masons of the Third Degree.
Wardens, with truncheons.
Secretaries, with tools of office..
Past Masters, with their Regalia.
Treasurers, with their Jewels.
Band of Music.
Lodge No.22, Virginia, disposed in their own order.
Corn, Wine, and Oil.
Grand Master, pro tem. Brother George Washington. and Worshipful
Master of No.22, of Virginia. Grand Sword Bearer.
The procession marched two abreast, in the greatest solemn dignity,
with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators
rejoicing from the President’s Square to the Capitol, in the City of
Washington, where the Grand Marshal ordered a halt, and directed each
file in the procession to incline two steps, one to the right and one
to the left, and face each other, which formed a hollow oblong
square, through which the Grand Sword Bearer led the van; followed by
the Grand Master pro tem, on the left, the President of the united
States in the center, and the worshipful Master on No.22, Virginia,
on the right; all the other orders that composed the procession
advanced in the reverse of their order of march from the President’s
Square to the southeast corner of the Capitol, and the Artillery
filed out to a destined ground to display maneuvers and discharge
their cannon. The President of the United States, the Grand Master
pro tem, and the Worshipful Master of No.22, taking their stand to
the east of the large stone, and all the Craft forming a circle
westward, stood a short time in solemn order.
The Artillery discharged a volley. The Grand Marshal delivered the
commissioner a large silver plate, with an inscription thereon, which
the Commissioners ordered to be read, and was, as follows:
“This southeast Corner-Stone of the Capitol of the United States of
America in the City of
Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the
thirteenth year of American
Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency
of George Washington, whose
virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as
conspicuous and beneficial as his
military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her
liberties, and in the year of
Masonry 5793, by the President of the United States, in concert with
the Grand Lodge of
Maryland, several Lodges under its Jurisdiction, and lodge No.22 from
Alexandria, Virginia. Thomas Johnson, David Steuart and Daniel
Carroll, Commissioners, Joseph Clark, R.W.G.M. pro tem,., James
Hobam and Stephen Hallate, Architects.”
Collin Williamson, Master Mason.
The Artillery discharged a volley. The Plate was then delivered to
the President, who, attended by the Grand Master pro tem., and three
Most worshipful Masters, descended to the cavazion trench and
deposited the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone of the Capitol
of the United States if America, on which were deposited corn, wine,
and oil, when the whole congregation joined in reverential prayer,
which was succeeded by Masonic chanting honors, and a volley from the
Artillery.
The President of the United States, and his attendant brethren,
ascended from the carazion to the East of the corner-stone, and there
the Grand Master pro tem., elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an
oration fitting the occasion, which was received with brotherly love
and commendation. At intervals during the delivery of the oration
several volleys were discharged by the Artillery. The ceremony ended
in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a 15-volley from the
Artillery.
The whole company retired to an extensive booth, where an ox of five-
hundred pounds weight was barbecued, of which the company generally
partook with every abundance of other recreation. The festival
concluded with fifteen successive volleys from the Artillery, whose
military discipline and maneuvers merit every commendation. Before
dark the whole company departed with joyful hopes of the production
of their labor.
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SOME QUOTATIONS FROM WASHINGTON’S MASONIC LETTERS.
December 28, 1783, to Alexandria Lodge No. 39:
I shall always feel pleasure when it may be in my power to render
service to Lodge No.39, and in every act of Brotherly kindness to the
Members of it.
June 19, 1784, to the same:
With pleasure I received the invitation of the Master and Members of
Lodge No.39, to dine with them on the approaching anniversary of St.
John the Baptist.
If nothing unforseen at present interferes, I shall have the honor
of doing it.
August 22, 1700, to King David’s Lodge, Newport, Rhode Island:
Being persuaded that a just application of the principles, on which
the Masonic Fraternity is founded,
must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall
always be happy to advance the
interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving
brother.
1791, to St. John’s Lodge, Newbern, N.C.
My best ambition having ever aimed at the unbiased approbation of my
fellow citizens, it is peculiarly pleasing to find my conduct so
affectionately approved by a Fraternity whose association is founded
on justice and benevolence.
1791. To Prince George’s Lodge No.16, Georgetown, South Carolina.
I am much obliged by your good wishes and reciprocating them with
sincerity, assuring the Fraternity of my esteem, I request them to
believe that I shall always be ambitious of being considered a
deserving Brother.
Response to an address of Charleston, South Carolina, Masons.
The fabric of our freedom is placed on the enduring basis of public
virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect the
prosperity of the architect who raised it. I shall be happy on every
occasion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity.
1792. To the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
At the same time, I request that you will be assured of my best
wishes and earnest prayers for your happiness while you remain in
this terrestrial Mansion, and that we may thereafter meet as brethren
in the Eternal Temple of the Supreme Architect.
Response to the dedication in the constitution Book of the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts:
It is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member
of the Fraternity, as well as the publications that discover the
principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the
great object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human
race.
MASONIC DEDICATIONS TO WASHINGTON The Pennsylvania Ahiman Rezon of
1783:
To His Excellency. GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq,. General and Commander in
Chief of the Armies of the United States of America; In “Testimony,”
as well as his exalted Services to his Country, as of that noble
Philanthropy which distinguishes Him among Masons, the following
Constitutions of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of “Free
and Accepted Masons,” by order and in behalf of
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, &c. is dedicated, By his
Excellency’s Most humble servant and faithful Brother,
William Smith, G. Secretary.
The Constitutions of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of
Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New York; Collected
and digested by Order of the Grand Lodge of said State (printed
in 1789).
To His Excellency, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. In testimony, as well as
o his exalted Services to his Country, as of his distinguished
Character as a Mason, the following book of constitutions of the most
antient and honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, by
order and in behalf of the GRAND LODGE of the State of New York, is
dedicated, By His Most Humble Servant,
JAMES GILES, G. Secretary, A.L. 5785Virginia New Ahiman Rezon of
1791:
To George Washington, Esq., President of the United States of
America. The Following Work is Most Respectfully Dedicated by His
Obedient. and Devoted Servant, THE EDITOR.
The Massachusetts “Book of Constitutions,” (printed in 1792 and
1798):
In Testimony of His Exalted Merit, And of Our inalienable Regard,
THIS WORK IS Inscribed and Dedicated to our Illustrious BROTHER
GEORGE WASHINGTON;
The Friend of Masonry, Of His Country, and Of Man.
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