From our research, we know that Benjamin Franklin was associated with Ephrata through his connections with Michael Wolfarth, one of the Rosicrucian founders, when Franklin printed the first material for the Cloister.  We also know that historian and esotericist Manly P. Hall identified Franklin's signature on the ledger of one of the great Rosicrucian lodges of the world in Paris.

Our information from Imperator Gary L. Stewart¹, is that Francis Bacon’s connection is the easiest of all to trace . . . 

Additionally, Dr. H. Spencer Lewis is credited for identifying something found in Thomas Jefferson's papers, as being a very old Rosicrucian code, used in times when being identified as a Rosicrucian would place one's life in jeopardy, and possibly any others with whom he or she might be associated. 

The natural question for any Rosicrucian today is, how did the Ephrata Cloister tie in with the early Rosicrucians in America; and what was the connection with men such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Francis Bacon—where is the connection between them and the Rosicrucian movement in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries?

To begin to answer this, we now turn to a review of the history of the Ephrata Cloister in Pennsylvania.
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¹Former Grand Master Stewart was selected by his predessor Imperator Ralph M. Lewis to fulfill the responsibilities and burdens of the next lifetime office of Imperator for the Rosicrucian movement.  He continues the work and traditions passed down by Dr. H. Spencer Lewis and Ralph M. Lewis.