The History of Freemasonry in the United States: A Foundation of Brotherhood and Liberty
Freemasonry in the United States, a saga that intertwines with the nation’s birth, growth, and cultural evolution. From its colonial origins to its pivotal role during the American Revolution, its influence through the Founding Fathers, and its lasting impact on American society, Freemasonry has been a cornerstone of moral and civic development. This narrative, crafted for Masons and the public alike, traces the craft’s journey before, during, and after the establishment of key Grand Lodges, culminating in its vibrant modern presence. Highlighting key figures, dates, and societal contributions, it invites readers to explore a fraternity dedicated to brotherly love, relief, and truth.
Origins of Freemasonry in America (Pre-1733)
Freemasonry in the United States began with colonial settlers who brought speculative Freemasonry—focused on philosophical and moral principles—from England, Scotland, and Ireland. While Masonic lore ties the craft to ancient builders like Hiram Abiff and King Solomon’s Temple (circa 950 BCE), its verifiable roots in America lie in the early 18th century, following the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge of England in 1717. The craft appealed to colonists seeking community, ethical guidance, and intellectual exchange in a new world.
The earliest documented lodge was St. John’s Lodge in Boston, Massachusetts, established on July 30, 1733, when Henry Price, a Boston tailor, received a deputation from the Grand Lodge of England as Provincial Grand Master for North America. Meeting at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, the lodge initiated prominent figures like merchant Andrew Belcher. By 1734, Benjamin Franklin, a printer and polymath, joined St. John’s Lodge and reprinted James Anderson’s *The Constitutions of the Free-Masons* (1723) in Philadelphia, the first Masonic publication in America. Franklin became Provincial Grand Master of Pennsylvania in 1734, spreading the craft southward.
Early lodges formed in port cities: Philadelphia (1730, warranted by Franklin), Charleston, South Carolina (1735, under English warrant), and Savannah, Georgia (1736). These lodges, often meeting in taverns, attracted merchants, professionals, and military officers, fostering Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality. By 1750, over 20 lodges operated, many under English or Scottish charters, though some claimed “time immemorial” status, operating without formal warrants.
Freemasonry and the American Revolution (1760–1783)
Freemasonry played a significant role in the American Revolution, providing a neutral space for colonists to discuss ideas of self-governance and resistance. Lodges became meeting grounds for Patriots, with rituals reinforcing values of unity and moral courage. The Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773) was planned at the Green Dragon Tavern, owned by St. Andrew’s Lodge, with Masons like Paul Revere, initiated in 1760, participating. Revere, a silversmith, carried messages for the Patriot cause, including his famous 1775 midnight ride.
By 1776, over 100 lodges existed, including “traveling” military lodges like American Union Lodge No. 1, warranted in 1776 for Continental Army soldiers. These lodges united officers and enlisted men, with Washington attending meetings to boost morale. Of the 56 Declaration of Independence signers, at least nine were confirmed Masons, and 33 of 74 Continental Army generals were members, including Nathanael Greene and Benedict Arnold (before his treason).
Prince Hall, an African American abolitionist, founded African Lodge No. 459 in Boston in 1784, warranted by the Grand Lodge of England in 1787. Facing racial exclusion, Prince Hall Freemasonry became a parallel tradition, promoting civil rights and community.
Founding Fathers Who Were Freemasons
All were active during the American Revolution (1775–1783) and played significant roles in the founding of the United States. Each entry includes their Masonic lodge affiliation(s), documented Masonic offices, and their Revolutionary or governmental contributions.
| Founding Father | Masonic Role | Revolutionary / Founding Role |
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| George Washington (1732–1799) |
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| Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) |
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| John Hancock (1737–1793) |
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| Paul Revere (1735–1818) |
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| Joseph Warren (1741–1775) |
Initiated: St. Andrew's Lodge, Boston (1761) Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (1769–1775) |
President pro tempore, Massachusetts Provincial Congress Drafted Suffolk Resolves (1774) Major General, killed at Battle of Bunker Hill (Jun 17, 1775) |
| John Marshall (1755–1835) | Initiated: Richmond Lodge No. 13, Virginia (1780s – exact date uncertain) |
Captain, Continental Army Chief Justice of the United States (1801–1835) – shaped federal judiciary |
| James Monroe (1758–1831) | Initiated: Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, Virginia (Nov 9, 1775) |
Lieutenant, Continental Army (Valley Forge winter) Fifth President of the United States (1817–1825) |
| Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834) |
Honorary member: American Union Lodge (military lodge, 1777) Made Mason at Valley Forge by Washington (Dec 27, 1777 – traditional account) |
Major General, Continental Army (1777–1781) Key French liaison; secured French troops & navy Hero of Yorktown (1781) |
| John Paul Jones (1747–1792) |
Initiated: St. Bernard Lodge, Kirkcudbright, Scotland (Nov 27, 1770) Visiting member: American Union Lodge |
"Father of the American Navy" Raided British coast; victory aboard Bonhomme Richard (Sep 23, 1779) |
| Israel Putnam (1718–1790) | Initiated: Military Lodge, Crown Point, New York (1758) |
Major General, Continental Army Commanded at Bunker Hill (Jun 17, 1775) |
| Rufus Putnam (1738–1824) | Initiated: American Union Lodge (military lodge, 1776) |
Engineer, Continental Army – built West Point fortifications Founder, Ohio Company; "Father of the Northwest Territory" |
| Nathanael Greene (1742–1786) | Initiated: St. John's Lodge No. 1, Providence, Rhode Island (1770) |
Quartermaster General (1778) Major General; Southern Campaign victories (Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse) |
| Henry Knox (1750–1826) | Initiated: St. John's Lodge, Boston (1763) |
Chief of Artillery, Continental Army First U.S. Secretary of War (1789–1794) |
| Richard Montgomery (1738–1775) | Initiated: Military Lodge, British Army (pre-Revolution) |
Brigadier General; led invasion of Canada Killed at Quebec (Dec 31, 1775) |
| John Sullivan (1740–1795) | Initiated: St. John's Lodge No. 1, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1767) |
Major General; commanded at Brandywine, Germantown Led Sullivan Expedition against Iroquois (1779) |
| William Whipple (1730–1785) | Initiated: St. John's Lodge, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1750s) |
Signer, Declaration of Independence Brigadier General, New Hampshire militia |
Speculated or Unproven Masons Among Founding Fathers
These individuals are frequently claimed to be Freemasons in popular literature, but no lodge records, initiation dates, or contemporary Masonic documentation exist to confirm membership.
| Founding Father | Speculative Claim | Revolutionary / Founding Role |
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| Thomas Jefferson |
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| Thomas Paine |
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| Samuel Adams |
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| Patrick Henry |
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| Alexander Hamilton |
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| James Madison |
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| John Adams |
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Notes for Clarity
- “Confirmed” status requires lodge minutes, Grand Lodge records, or contemporary Masonic correspondence.
- Speculated names persist in popular culture (e.g., National Treasure, anti-Masonic tracts) but lack primary evidence.
- Prince Hall Freemasonry, founded 1784, is a separate but recognized parallel tradition; none of the above Founding Fathers belonged to it.
For further research, consult state Grand Lodge archives, the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, or the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Library.
Post-Revolution Growth and Influence (1783–1900)
After independence, Freemasonry flourished as state Grand Lodges formed, replacing foreign oversight:
- Massachusetts Grand Lodge: 1733 and 1792.
- Virginia Grand Lodge: October 30, 1778, led by John Blair.
- Pennsylvania Grand Lodge: Established 1731.
By 1800, 11 Grand Lodges oversaw 347 lodges with 16,000 members. The craft influenced early governance: Masons held key roles in drafting the Constitution (1787), with Washington presiding over the convention. Masonic symbols—such as the all-seeing eye and pyramid—appeared in American iconography, notably the Great Seal (1782).
The 19th century saw Freemasonry shape society through charity and civic leadership. Lodges built hospitals, schools, and orphanages, embodying “relief.” Prominent Masons included:
- James Monroe: Initiated 1775, Williamsburg Lodge, Virginia; fifth U.S. President.
- Andrew Jackson: Grand Master of Tennessee (1822–1824), seventh President.
- James K. Polk: Initiated 1820, Columbia Lodge, Tennessee; 11th President.
The Anti-Masonic Movement (1826–1838) posed a major challenge. Sparked by the disappearance of William Morgan in Batavia, New York, in 1826 after threatening to expose Masonic secrets, it led to the Anti-Masonic Party (1828), the first third party in U.S. politics. Membership plummeted, and many lodges closed, especially in New York and New England. However, Freemasonry rebounded by the 1840s, driven by its charitable works and appeal to veterans.
The “Golden Age” (1870–1910) saw membership soar to over 2 million by 1900. Grand Lodges built iconic temples, like the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia (1873). Masons influenced education (e.g., funding public schools) and infrastructure, with figures like Lewis Cass (Michigan Governor, Grand Master 1826) leading civic efforts.
Notable 19th Century American Freemasons
| Notable Freemason | Masonic Role | 19th Century Achievements |
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| James Monroe (1758–1831) |
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| Andrew Jackson (1767–1845) |
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| James K. Polk (1795–1849) |
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| James Buchanan (1791–1868) |
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| Andrew Johnson (1808–1875) |
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| Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) |
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| James A. Garfield (1831–1881) |
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| Chester A. Arthur (1829–1886) |
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| William McKinley (1843–1901) |
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| Sam Houston (1793–1863) |
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| Davy Crockett (1786–1836) |
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| Kit Carson (1809–1868) |
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| Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) |
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| John C. Frémont (1813–1890) |
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| Zebulon Pike (1779–1813) |
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| Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) |
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| William Clark (1770–1838) |
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| Samuel Morse (1791–1872) |
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| John Jacob Astor (1763–1848) |
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| Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794–1877) |
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| Mark Twain (1835–1910) |
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| Buffalo Bill Cody (1846–1917) |
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| Wyatt Earp (1848–1929) |
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Modern Status of American Freemasonry (1900–2025)
Persecution hit during World War II, with Nazi-allied regimes targeting American Masons abroad. Post-war, the craft supported veterans’ programs and scholarships. By the 1980s, membership declined to 1.5 million due to societal shifts, aging members, and changing leisure patterns.
Notable 20th Century American Freemasons
This list focuses on prominent Americans active primarily in the 20th century (roughly 1900–2000), confirmed as Freemasons through lodge records or Grand Lodge documentation. Each entry includes their Masonic affiliation(s), key roles (e.g., initiation date, offices held), and major achievements or contributions during the era. The selection spans politics, business, entertainment, military, science, and culture for breadth.
| Notable Freemason | Masonic Role | 20th Century Achievements |
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| William McKinley (1843–1901) |
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| Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) |
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| William Howard Taft (1857–1930) |
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| Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) |
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| Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) |
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| Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) |
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| Gerald R. Ford (1913–2006) |
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| Henry Ford (1863–1947) |
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| J. Edgar Hoover (1895–1972) |
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| Earl Warren (1891–1974) |
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| Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) |
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| Omar Bradley (1893–1981) |
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| John Wayne (1907–1979) |
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| Clark Gable (1901–1960) |
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| Buzz Aldrin (1930–) |
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| Irving Berlin (1888–1989) |
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| Will Rogers (1879–1935) |
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| Nat King Cole (1919–1965) |
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| Richard Pryor (1940–2005) |
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| J.C. Penney (1875–1971) |
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Today, American Freemasonry, governed by 51 independent Grand Lodges (one per state plus Washington, D.C.), has about 1 million members across 12,000 lodges. The Grand Lodge system, decentralized unlike the UGLE, reflects American federalism. The *George Washington Masonic National Memorial* in Alexandria, Virginia (dedicated 1932), stands as a testament to the craft’s legacy.
Modern Freemasonry emphasizes charity, donating over $1 billion annually to causes like Shriners Hospitals for Children (founded 1922) and educational grants. Public engagement counters secrecy myths through websites (e.g., freemason.org) and open houses. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompted virtual meetings, with in-person activities resuming by 2022. Recent milestones include:
- 2017: UGLE’s 300th anniversary, celebrated with American participation.
- 2023: Nationwide initiatives for youth mentorship and community service.
- 2025: 250th anniversary of the Revolution, with lodges planning historical reenactments.
Prince Hall Freemasonry, with 4,500 lodges and 300,000 members, gained recognition from many mainstream Grand Lodges since the 1990s, fostering inclusivity while maintaining separate jurisdictions.
Influence on American Society
Freemasonry profoundly shaped American society:
- Governance: Masonic principles of equality and justice informed the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Washington’s Masonic leadership inspired trust in early government.
- Education: Lodges funded schools and libraries, with Masons like Horace Mann (education reformer, initiated 1830s) advancing public schooling.
- Charity: Organizations like the Scottish Rite’s Learning Centers (1990s–present) address dyslexia, reflecting ongoing relief efforts.
- Culture: Masonic symbols in architecture (e.g., Washington, D.C.’s layout) and literature reflect the craft’s philosophical reach.
Key figures:
- Henry Price (1733): Founded first American lodge.
- Benjamin Franklin (1734): Spread Freemasonry and Enlightenment ideals.
- George Washington (1752–1799): Embodied Masonic values in nation-building.
- Prince Hall (1784): Founded African American Freemasonry.
- Harry S. Truman (1940–1945): Championed post-war Masonic growth.
A Legacy of Liberty
From colonial taverns to modern temples, American Freemasonry has been a pillar of moral and civic life, shaping the nation’s founding and enduring through challenges. It invites all to explore its values of fellowship and service. Visit your state Grand Lodge’s website or local lodges to learn more about this living tradition, where history meets purpose to build a brighter future.