Freemasonry in America: Origins and History

Freemasonry has played a significant role in American history since the colonial era. From founding fathers to presidents, many influential Americans have been members of this fraternal organization. Here's everything you need to know about how Freemasonry began in America.



How Did Freemasonry Start in America?

Freemasonry arrived in colonial America through British settlers in the early 1700s. The first documented Masonic lodge was established in Philadelphia around 1730-1731, followed by lodges in Boston and New York. These early lodges operated under charters from the Grand Lodge of England, bringing European Masonic traditions to the New World.

As the colonies grew, Freemasonry spread rapidly among merchants, professionals, and political leaders. The organization provided a network for business and social connections across different colonies, helping to unite men from various backgrounds under shared principles of brotherhood, morality, and mutual aid.


Where Did Freemasons Originate From?

Freemasonry originated in Scotland and England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The organization evolved from medieval stonemason guilds, which were professional associations that protected trade secrets and provided support for craftsmen.

The transition from "operative" masonry (actual stonework) to "speculative" masonry (philosophical and moral teachings) occurred gradually. The Grand Lodge of England, formed in London in 1717, became the first formal governing body of modern Freemasonry, establishing many of the rituals and organizational structures still used today.


When Did Freemasonry Start?

Modern Freemasonry formally began on June 24, 1717, when four London lodges united to form the Grand Lodge of England. However, the roots of Masonic traditions trace back much earlier to medieval craft guilds and stonemason fraternities.

In America, the first Masonic lodge was established around 1730 in Philadelphia. By the time of the American Revolution in 1776, Freemasonry had become well-established throughout the thirteen colonies, with lodges serving as important centers of colonial society.


Famous American Freemasons

Many prominent figures in American history were Freemasons, including:

Founding Fathers:
  • George Washington (1st President)
  • Benjamin Franklin (Diplomat, inventor, and statesman)
  • John Hancock (Famous signature on Declaration of Independence)
  • Paul Revere (Revolutionary War hero)
U.S. Presidents:
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President)
  • Harry S. Truman (33rd President)
  • Gerald Ford (38th President)
  • Theodore Roosevelt (26th President)
Other Notable Figures:
  • Mark Twain (Author)
  • Henry Ford (Industrialist)
  • Douglas MacArthur (General)
  • Duke Ellington (Jazz musician)

These influential Americans helped shape the nation while embodying Masonic values of integrity, charity, and civic responsibility.

Conclusion

Freemasonry's journey to America began in the 1730s and quickly became intertwined with the nation's founding and development. From colonial Philadelphia to the highest offices of government, Freemasons have played crucial roles in American history, carrying forward traditions that began centuries ago in Britain and Scotland.


Excerpt from A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry by Henry Coil

 SINCE THE UNITED STATES has come to have approximately one-half of the Grand Lodges and two thirds of the Freemasons in the world, the events attending the introduction of Freemasonry into this country are of great significance. In this regard as in others, Masonic writers have endeavored to antiquate Masonic activities as much as possible and sometimes more than probable. An example of this tendency is the story of the "Nova Scotia Stone," which was found some years ago and which bore very clearly the numerals, "1606." The stone was subsequently lost but, fortunately, before that event, it had been photographed. In some way, the rumor spread that it bore Masonic symbols and thus indicated the work of some member of the Craft. Some imaginative person expanded that statement to say that the stone bore the square and compasses, and this has even crept into publications of pretended accuracy. The fact is easily observable from the photographs that, while there are vague markings on the stone, they bear not the slightest resemblance to any Masonic symbol, much less the square and compasses. Then there was the claim that a manuscript existed showing that some Jews had opened a lodge in Rhode Island in 1656 or 58 and had conferred the degrees of Masonry on one of their race. The deficiencies in this story should have been apparent, viz., that at the time stated, Freemasonry was nominally Trinitarian Christian in doctrine, and there were no degrees such as were conferred in later years when this manuscript, if it ever existed, was probably written.

If you would like to read more, you can purchase the book here A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry by Coil