Browse Items (53 total)

Also known as the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s charter, warrant, or “Birth Certificate,” this formal certificate was likely made in 1814. John James Joseph Gourgas who served in an official, secretarial capacity for both the Sublime Grand…

General convocation certificate issued by John James Joseph Gourgas to Edward A. Raymond and Charles W. Moore. Dated February 26, 1848. In this document, Sovereign Grand Commander Gourgas summons Raymond and Moore of Boston, Massachusetts, to attend…

Handwritten petition for Killian H. Van Rensselaer. Dated June 17, 1845. This supplique or application, written by Sovereign Grand Commander John James Joseph Gourgas, declares Killian H. Van Rensselaer's intention to join the Supreme Council,…

Handwritten summons from Sovereign Grand Commander John James Joseph Gourgas to Edward A. Raymond. Dated November 22, 1847. In this handwritten summons addressed to Edward A. Raymond, Sovereign Grand Commander Gourgas directs Raymond, Charles W.…

John Brown. Dated between 1861 and 1865. This Civil War era envelope depicts the abolitionist John Brown and bears the inscription, "His last words.—'I die for the inalienable right of mankind to freedom, whatever hue the skin may be.'"

Note:…

A letter from Charles S. Westcott to Charles W. Moore. Dated November 21, 1855. In this letter, Westcott requests the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, accept the petition of a group of New York City Freemasons to unify with the…

A letter from Garrett Lawson Taylor to Jephtha Lodge, No. 11. Dated February 26, 1918. In this letter, Taylor, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, describes conditions on board the U.S.S. Leviathan, a World War I troop transport ship, during its first…

Letter from John James Joseph Gourgas to Edward A. Raymond. Dated November 8, 1847. In this letter, Sovereign Grand Commander Gourgas pushes Edward A. Raymond, Charles W. Moore, and Reuel Baker to take a stand against the decision of the Supreme…

Letter from John James Joseph Gourgas to Giles F. Yates. Dated October 6, 1827. In this letter, Gourgas, a member of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, acknowledges the receipt of Yates’ letter of September 21. He apologizes for not…

Letter from John James Joseph Gourgas to Giles F. Yates. Dated March 29, 1828. In this letter, Gourgas, a member of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, states he has received Yates' letter of March 24. Gourgas has “obtained the roll…