Trivia

The first-known use of the word Freemasons - in the form Free Masons - occurs in City of London Letter-book H of 9 August 1376, though the word is in fact deleted in favour of Mason. Masons and Freemasons were interchangeable during the 15th and 16th centuries and Freemasons were generally meant to denote hewers or setters of freestone, Masons being used to embrace all stoneworkers. Ashmole in his diary wrote that he was made a Free Mason and referred in 1686 to the "Fellowship of Free Masons". James Anderson when writing his 1723 Constitutions did not use the single word - Freemasons - once. Whatever the reasons, the 1723 Constitutions contain approximately 126 references to Masons, 12 to Free Masons, 10 to Free and Accepted Masons, 9 to Free-Masons, one to Accepted Free Masons and none to Freemasons. And such is the tenacity of tradition that to this day the most of the Constitutions are addressed to Free and Accepted Masons and not to Accepted Freemasons. The earliest-known anti-masonic leaflet, of 1698, warns the public against "those called Free Masons" - almost certainly what we now know as speculative Freemasons.

In July 1863, Confederate raiders rode into Versailles, IN, capturing the local militia and stealing the county treasury. The next day, General John Morgan (CSA), learned that his men had also made off with the jewels of the local lodge. They were returned the following day. Morgan was from Daviess Lodge #22, Lexington, KY.

Wheelock Commandery No. 5 in Texas had all 55 of its members killed serving in the Confederate Army. The Commandery ceased to exist.

Missouri’s first Confederate Capitol was the Masonic Building in Neosho, MS. From here the legislature passed the Act of Secession.

USA General Thomas Benton, also Grand Master of Iowa, ordered Federal troops to protect Albert Pike’s home and prevent the library from being burned, when his troops took Little Rock, AR.

July 2, 1751, Ferdinand VI of Spain issued an edict against Freemasonry. Father Jose Torrubia secured a special dispensation from the Pope, joined a lodge, secured the names of its members, and proceeded to have them arrested. Hundreds were arrested, persecuted, and imprisoned.

Mussolini ordered all Masonic references removed, including the emblems on the base of Garibaldi’s monument in Rome.

After the restoration of the republic, fascist emblems were removed and the Masonic emblems restored.

In Fascist Spain under Franco, it was a crime to be a freemason. Masons convicted had to serve prison terms equal in years to the number of Masonic degrees possessed. Master Mason – 3 years.

Chicago, IL has three American Legion Posts whose memberships are entirely Masonic.

All four Presidents of the Republic of Texas, David Burnett, Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, and Anson Jones, were Masons.

Between 1737 and 1779 two sailing ships of interest operated off the U.S. eastern seaboard, Freemason and Master Mason. The Freemason caught fire and sank in Marblehead Harbor, Mass in 1779.

On November 10, 1928, the Grand Lodge of California held a special communication at Culver City, to lay the corner stone of the Masonic temple. The lodge room was so crowded that the Grand Lodge officers were unable to enter. They retired to the Ladies’ powder room to open the grand lodge for the ceremony.

In 1892, the tallest building in the world was the Masonic Temple at Randolph and State Streets, Chicago, IL.

The largest Master’s chair is in Ophir Lodge #33 Murphys, CA. It is 15 feet long and can seat the Master, living Past Masters, and visiting dignitaries.

On June 7, 1921, Mystic Lodge #21 of Red Bank, NJ had conferred half of the MM degree on brother Lyman C. Van when the power went out. He didn’t receive the rest of the degree for several weeks, making him for a time, a “two and half degree” mason.

When the great Obelisk of Alexandria (Cleopatra’s Needle) was moved to New York in 1880, there were discovered certain emblems on the original foundation and pedestal. One is clearly a square, causing some to conclude that Masonry existed in ancient Egypt. This issue is still open to debate.

The two structures in the U.S. that have elevators which move sideways, in addition to up and down are the Arch in St. Louis and the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria

On his famous solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh, a Mason, wore a square and compasses on his jacket as a good luck piece.

Gordon Cooper, in his Mercury capsule, carried a Masonic coin and a blue Masonic flag on his 22 orbit flight, which he later presented to his mother lodge.

Andrew McNair, a Philadelphia Mason, rang the Liberty bell in Independence Hall of July 8, 1776 to call the people together to hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The bell developed a crack when it was rung for the death of Chief Justice Marshall, Past Grand Master of Virginia.

Lodges in Mass. have no numbers. In Penn. there are 11 lodges that have numbers but no names.

In Georgia there are two lodges with the number 1. In Maryland, Tennessee and Penn. there is no lodge with the number 1.

Masonic Place Names in the US: Anchor, IL, Beehive, MT, Boaz, AL, Charity, MS, Circle, MT, Cowan, TN, Emblem, WY, Eureka, WV, Faith, SD, False Pass, AK, Fidelity, IL, Five Points, AL, Freeborn, MN, Grand Pass, MS, Hiram, MA, Hope, AK, Jachin, AL, Justice, IL, Lodge, SC, Mason, KY, Masonic Home, KY, Masontown, WV, Square, MT, Steward, IL, Symbol, KY Temperance, MI, Tyler, TX.

Hiram Abiff Boaz, born Dec. 18 1866 in Murray, KY. Received his degrees in 1922 before an unusually large crowd and served as Grand Chaplin (TX) in 1953.

Joseph A. Gilmore (1811-1867), former governor of N.H. was made a Mason at sight on April 28, 1863. He received Scottish Rite degrees and was awarded 33rd degree on May 7, 1863 – only 9 days later.

Between 1890 (when it became a state) and 1951, every Governor of Wyoming, except one, was a Mason. The one, Mrs. William A. Ross, was the wife of a mason and a member of Eastern Star.

In 1951, while President, Harry Truman served as Master of his lodge.

Paul Revere was a Mason, as was his cohort, Robert Newman, who hung the lantern in the Old North Church.

John Aasen of Highland Park Lodge No. 382 in Los Angeles, CA was the largest known MM ever raised. At the time he was 8.5 feet tall and weighed 536 pounds.

Charles Stratton, a.k.a. Tom Thumb, was 24 inches high and weighed 16 pounds when raised in 1862.

And.....

From Reagan Lodge 1037 Houston, TX

When and where did Masonry originate?
It was not the work of any single man or group of men. Its beginning is not recorded, although there were certain organizations from which Masonry has borrowed extensively through the centuries in its evolutionary process.
When was King Solomon's Temple Erected?
It was started about 972 B.C.

Who was Hiram of Tyre?
He was King of Tyre, a friend and ally of King David. At Solomon's request he furnished assistance in the construction of the Temple.

Who was Hiram Abif?
He was a talented workman, skilled in metals, wood, stone and linen. He was sent by King Hiram to help in the erection and adornment of King Solomon's Temple.
What are the Old Charges or Old Constitutions?
Medieval manuscripts that outline the legendary history of Freemasonry and present the rules and laws governing the conduct of early operative masons.
What is the Regius Poem?
The oldest of the so-called Old Constitutions dating from approximately 1390, its Masonic character being revealed years later. It was named the Regius Poem (Latin: rex, regis, king) because it was part of the Royal Library of England and later presented to The British Museum by King George II. It is written in verse, whereas all other copies of the Old Charges are in prose.
What other Old Charges are there?
More than 100 of these old documents have been discovered. Almost all of them are in Great Britain, but three have been brought to this country. Two are in the possession of The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in Boston. Another, "The Carmick Manuscript of 1727" is in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
What were the Guilds?
Organizations composed of workers such as tailors, dyers, builders, potters.
Of What interest are Guilds to Masons?
The prevalent theory of the origin of Freemasonry suggests that eventually Guilds of the building trade developed into lodges of operative masons from which, it is supposed, present-day Freemasonry evolved.
Who were Masons prior to 1600?
Operative masons who made their living by working at one of the building trades.
How did Operative Masonry develop into Speculative Masonry?
Beginning about 1600, men of prominence who were interested in learning about all types of sciences, particularly architecture and building, became members of some of the lodges of operative masons and finally assumed leadership therein. They used the tools, language and principles of operative masonry to teach the rules of life.
What is the symbolism of Freemasonry?
The use of the tools and terms of the builder's trade to express invisible or spiritual ideas and thereby illustrate moral concepts and basic truths in the life of mankind.
What is the oldest existing Lodge record?
That of Edinburgh Lodge No. 1 dated July 30, 1599.
When and where was the first Grand Lodge established?
On June 24, 1717, in London
How was it formed?
By action of four existing Lodges that were accustomed to meeting at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul's Church-yard; Crown Ale-house in Parker's Lane near Drury's Lane; Apple Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden; and Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster.
When were other early Grand Lodges formed?
Grand Lodge of Ireland, 1725; Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 1731; Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 1733; Grand Lodge of Scotland, 1736, in addition to several formed in England, which were of short duration.
What other Grand Lodge was organized in England in 1751?
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England, according to the Old Constitutions, also known as the "Antients."
What names were given to these two groups?
The members of the Grand Lodge of 1751 referred to themselves as "Antient Masons." The members of the Grand Lodge of 1717 were known as "Modern Masons."
What was the principle difference between them?
A difference in the Ritual, having to do particularly with the Third Degree.
How was their rivalry ended?
By their merger in 1813 to form The United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England.
Who were the leaders in the union of 1813?
The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Kent (sons of King George III,) the Grand Masters of the Moderns and the Antients, respectively.
Is the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house still standing?
It was torn down in 1894.

What Lodges of the 1717 Grand Lodge of England are in existence?
The Lodge at the Goose and Gridiron, now called Antiquity No. 2; the Lodge at the Rummer and Grapes, now called Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. 4; the Lodge at the Apple Tree Tavern now called Lodge of Fortitude and Old Cumberland No. 12.
In the early 1700's how were Lodges formed?
Under the "time immemorial usage," a number of Masons were permitted to meet, form a Lodge and practice the Rites of Freemasonry.
Why were the Antients sometimes called Atholl Masons?
This was due to the fact that the Dukes of Atholl presided over them as Grand Masters.
What effect did the existence of two competing Grand Lodges in England have upon Freemasonry in the United States?
Inasmuch as numerous Lodges had been constituted in America by the Moderns, while others had come into existence under Antient auspices, quite naturally much of the Ritualistic difference (and also the intense rivalry) occurred here. This was complicated somewhat by the fact that there were also Lodges in America of Irish and Scottish origins. The settlement of differences in England in 1813 was followed by similar action in America within a few years.
Who are the Members of Grand Lodge?
The Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters, Past Masters by one year's service and the Worshipful Masters and Wardens of all Symbolic Lodges lawfully Warranted and duly Constituted by the Grand Lodge of a given state and under its Jurisdiction.
What is the Ahiman Rezon?
Originally it was the Constitution of the Antient Grand Lodge as compiled by Laurence Dermott, Grand Secretary. The name is Hebraic in origin, but has no true and concise English equivalent. "A Help to a Brother" is one of many suggested translations.

What was the origin of the expression "Blue Lodges?"
There are several theories, of which two have the most adherents. Some believe that operative Masons felt that blue, the color of the sky both by day and by night, was associated in their minds with the purity of Deity, which Masons attempt to emulate. Others refer to the change made by speculative Masons shortly after the establishment of the original Grand Lodge of England when blue was substituted for white as the official Masonic color, presumably because it was the color of the Order of the Garter of which a number of Masonic leaders were members.

What is Ancient Craft Masonry?
The Three Symbolic Degrees-- Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.
Which Presidents of the United States were Freemasons?
George Washington, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Gerald R. Ford. Some authorities also include Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, but documentry evidence is lacking. Lyndon B. Johnson received the Entered Apprentice Degree, but did not advance.
Which Presidents were Grand Masters?
Andrew Jackson of Tennessee and Harry S. Truman of Missouri.
Which other famous Americans, during the Revolution, were Masons?
Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, John Marshall, Joseph Warren, and John Paul Jones are but a few Masons noted in history.

Who was the first native-born American to become a Mason?
Jonathan Belcher, who became Governor of Massachusetts in 1730, according to a letter he wrote to the "First" Lodge of Boston in 1741 stating that he had been made a Mason in 1704 in London.

When and under what circumstances was the Cornerstone of the National Capitol laid?
On September 18, 1793 by Bro. George Washington with a Masonic Ceremony.
Who gave George Washington a beautiful Masonic Apron which he wore while laying the Cornerstone of the National Capitol?
Brother Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Montier, more commonly known as the Marquis de Lafayette.
When and where was George Washington made a Mason?
On November 4, 1752 in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Upon what Bible was George Washington sworn in as President of the United States, and by whom was the Oath of Office administered?

The Bible that belonged to St. John's Lodge No. 1, New York City. The Oath of Office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State who at the time was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. Although not part of the text of the Oath in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, Washington pronounced the words, "so help me God" and kissed the Bible, setting a precedent that every President has followed to this day.