Browse Items (57 total)

  • Collection: African American Freemasonry & Fraternalism

33° certificate issued by the United Supreme Council to Richard Theodore Greener, 1896 September 8

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A 33° certificate issued by the United Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree for Southern and Western Jurisdictions of the United States to Richard Theodore Greener, and dated September 8, 1896. Signed by Greener, John G. Jones, D.F. Seville, and…

Reading of the original charter 459, 1958

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A 1958 printed transcription and facsimile of the 1784 charter issued by the Grand Lodge of England to African Lodge, No. 459, the first African American or Prince Hall Masonic lodge in America. The document is hand-signed by Grand Master James R.…

Membership certificate issued by the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society to Allie H. Smith, 1910 January 21

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A membership certificate issued by the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society to Allie H. Smith of Court Frederick Douglass, No. 8496. Dated January 21, 1910. Research indicates that Court Frederick Douglass was located in Boston,…

Membership certificate issued by Golden Gate Lodge, No. 2007, to William Wesley, 1888 February 15

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A membership certificate issued by Golden Gate Lodge, No. 2007, of San Francisco, California, to William Wesley. Dated February 15, 1888. Imprint under the graphic reads, "Entered according to Act of Congress 1878 by Wm. M. T. Forrester in the Office…

Death benefits certificate issued by District Grand Lodge, No. 18, to Cornelia Hill, 1913 June 1

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A death benefits certificate issued by District Grand Lodge, No. 18, of Atlanta, Georgia, to Cornelia Hill of Winder, Georgia. Dated June 1, 1913. In this document, Cornelia Hill, a member of the Winder Household of Ruth, No. 1445, purchases death…

New business: a commentary on dancing in Masonic circles, about 1920

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New Business: by what authority is dancing prohibited in Masonic circles. Dated about 1920. In this document from the official minutes of Jephtha Lodge, No. 11, the members of the lodge discuss the prohibition of dancing during the hours of…

Minutes of Jephtha Lodge, No. 11, 1923 May 23

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The minutes of Jephtha Lodge, No. 11. Dated May 23, 1923. This document from the official minutes of Jephtha Lodge, No. 11, summarizes Past Grand Master Joseph E. Hatcher's visit to the lodge on May 23, 1923. During his lecture, Grand Master Hatcher…

Membership application of Robert Edward Creighton, about 1915

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A membership application for Robert Edward Creighton. Dated about 1915. In this document, Creighton, a charter member of Jephtha Lodge, No. 11, reapplies for membership.

Letter from Garrett Lawson Taylor to Jephtha Lodge, No. 11, about 1918

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A letter from Garrett Lawson Taylor to Jephtha Lodge, No. 11. Dated about 1918. In this letter, Taylor, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, and a wardroom steward on the U.S.S. Leviathan, tries to confirm that the lodge has received his latest dues…

Letter of introduction from St. John’s Lodge, 1912 April 9

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A letter of introduction for African American Freemason Arthur C. Johnson from St. John’s Lodge, No. 29. Dated April 9, 1912. In this letter of introduction, the Worshipful Master and Secretary of St. John’s Lodge certify that Arthur C. Johnson has…