11/17/07

Paul Revere
Grand Master Of Masons In Massachusetts
1795-1797

He was an early initiate of St. Andrew's Lodge in 1760, the first "ancient" lodge in Boston and spent forty of his eighty-three years as an active mason. He was involved in creating the Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons, through which he participated in the organization and spread of masonry throughout the state. By the time he was Grand Master in 1794 the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was chartering Lodges in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Revere himself added twenty three during his three year term. Paul Revere also played an integral part in writing the final resolution which declared the independence of the Grand Lodge from Great Britain, in keeping with his desire for an independent America.

He saw Massachusetts Freemasonry through the hazardous transition from colony to state, and experienced the brunt of the turmoil through St. Andrew's Lodge when it chose to remain loyal to the Grand Lodge of Scotland. He created Rising States Lodge which eventually failed, and perhaps disillusioned him, but he offered the craft his loyalty, and constantly worked through offices and committees to preserve and perpetuate its integrity. His was the glorious age of Masonry, prior to the Morgan Affair and the anti-Masonic crusade of the 1820's when the Fraternity grew unhindered and flourished in public processions and ceremonies, laid cornerstones and attracted men of influence in every community

As a craftsman Revere had a unique knowledge of the Fraternity which enabled him to produce items of symbolic Masonic significance, unlike most Boston goldsmiths of that day. Revere's shop provided Lodges with copperplate engravings for certificates and notifications of meetings, seals, ladles and medals. In addition Revere also crafted Masonic "jewels", symbolic emblems worn by the Lodge's officers. He made no fewer than eleven sets of officer's jewels containing anywhere from five to twelve pieces.

Complete sets of these jewels purchased in 1796 are still possessed by Washington Lodge in Lexington, Massachusetts and King Hiram's Lodge in Provincetown, Massachusetts. King Hiram's Lodge also has in its collection three Revere engraved certificates and two Past Masters jewels, one of which is on display at the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, Massachusetts. Revere also fashioned and crafted the golden urn in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1800.
The urn is inscribed "This URN encloses a Lock of HAIR/ of the Immortal WASHINGTON/ PRESENTED JANUARY 27, 1800/ to the Massachusetts GRAND LODGE/ by HIS amiable WIDOW. / Born Feb. 11th, 1732 /Obt Decr 14, 1799."

LODGES CHARTERED BY PAUL REVERE AS GRAND MASTER 1795 - 1797

• Republican - Greenfield, Mass - February 7, 1795
• Evening Star - Lee, Mass. - June 9, 1795
• Middlesex - Framingham, Mass. - June13, 1795
• Cincinnatus - Great Barrington, Mass. - December 9, 1795
• King Hiram's - Provincetown, Mass. - December 12, 1795
• Kennebec - Hallowell, Maine - March 15, 1796
• Fayette - Charlton, Mass. - March 15, 1796 (Extinct)
• Washington - Roxbury, Mass. (now Lexington) - March 17, 1796
• Columbian - Boston, Mass. - June 9, 1796
• Harmony - Northfield, Mass. - June 15, 1796
• Union - Dorchester, Mass. - June 16, 1796
• Thomas - Palmer, Mass. - December 13, 1796
• St. Paul - Ayer, Mass. - January 26, 1797
• Jerusalem - Northhampton, Mass. - June 13, 1797
• Adams - Wellfleet, Mass. - June 13, 1797 (Revived 1875)
• Tuscan - Columbia, Maine - June 13, 1797 (Extinct)
• Bristol - No. Attleboro, Mass. - June 14, 1797
• Fellowship - Bridgewater, Mass. - June 15, 1797
• Corinthian - Concord, Mass. - June 16, 1797
• Meridian Sun - Brookfield, Mass. - September 13, 1797 (Revived)
• Olive Branch - Millbury, Mass. - September 14, 1797
• Montgomery - Milford, Mass. - September 16, 1797
• Meridian - Natick, Mass. - December 10, 1797

List compiled from The Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts, Two Hundred and Fifty Years of Freemasonry (Boston: Rapid Press Service, 1983), p. 21

All the historical content in these pages researched and compiled by Wor. James J. Theriault, curator of King Hiram's Museum and lodge historian. Any comments concerning content may be sent to James J. Theriault, 541A Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601