Knights Templar Certificate, 1856

Knights Templar Certificate, 1856
Issued to Richard Smith Spofford, Jr. (1833-1888), Newburyport Encampment, Newburyport, Massachusetts
Designed by Hammatt Billings (1818-1874), Boston, Massachusetts
Engraved by George Girdler Smith (1795-1878), Boston, Massachusetts
Gift of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA, A87/028

Richard S. Spofford, Jr., joined St. John’s Masonic lodge in Newburyport when he was just twenty one. Two years later, in 1856, he became a Knight Templar and received this certificate. Encampment officers’ signatures verified Spofford’s membership. The signature of the state level Grand Recorder, or secretary, attested to the legitimacy of the Newburyport group.