July, 2004
U.S. Presidents and Freemasonry
The purpose of this webpage is to present information about U.S. Presidents who had some involvement with Freemasonry, either as members or in some other way.
Please feel free to contact me with information, suggestions, or corrections about the information on this site. You can contact me by clicking on my name: Paul M. Bessel
There are 14 U.S. Presidents who are generally considered to have been Freemasons.
The "rating" in the following chart is from various polls of historians' views of U.S. Presidents that were conducted at various times. The details about these polls are shown at the bottom of this webpage. These polls were not related, so their ratings may not correlate completely with each other. However, there seems to be a general consensus among all the polls. For example, Abraham Lincoln is always rated #1, the greatest of all U.S. Presidents, and Warren G. Harding is always rated as the worst of all the U.S. Presidents who served in that office.
|
Name |
Years of Life & Presidency |
Rating |
Involvement in Freemasonry |
| George Washington | 1732-1799 1789-1797 |
"Great" - #2, #2, #3 |
EA Nov 4, 1752, FC Mar. 3, 1753, MM Aug. 4, 1753, in Fredericksburg Lodge (later No. 4), Virginia, MM 1753, named Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge #22, in Alexandria, VA, April 28, 1788, and reelected Dec. 20, 1788, but there is no evidence he was ever installed or presided over any Masonic meeting. Somewhat active and supportive of Freemasonry |
| James Monroe | 1758-1831 1817-1825 |
"Average" - #12, #18, #16 |
EA in Williamsburg Lodge #6 at Williamsburg, VA., Nov. 9, 1775, but there is no record of his taking any further degrees. The records of Cumberland Lodge #8 in Tennessee, June 8, 1819, show a reception for Monroe as "a Brother of the Craft." possibly MM 1776 |
| Andrew Jackson | 1767- 1829-1837 |
"Great" or "Near Great" - #6, #6, #6 |
MM 1800?, his lodge is un-known
but he is said to have attended at Clover Bottom Lodge under the Grand Lodge
of Kentucky. He was present in lodge at Greeneville in 1801 and acted as
Senior Warden pro tem. The records of St. Tammany Lodge #29 at Nashville,
which became Harmony Lodge #1 under the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, show that
Jackson was a member. Very active in Freemasonry, Grand Master of Tennessee 1822-1823 |
| James K. Polk | 1795-1849? 1845-1849 |
"Near Great" - #10, #8, #11 |
EA, FC, MM, in Columbia Lodge #31, Columbia, Tenn., 1820, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in La Fayette Chapter #4 at Columbia in 1825 |
| James A. Buchanan | 1791-1868 1857-1861 |
"Below Average" - #26, #29, #36 |
EA Dec. 11, 1816, Lancaster Lodge #43, Lancaster, PA, FC & MM 1817, Junior Warden 1821-1822, Master 1825, exalted in Royal Arch Chapter # 43, in 1826, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania |
| Andrew Johnson | 1808-1875 1865-1869 |
"Average" - #19, #23, #32 |
EA, FC, MM, in Greeneville Lodge No. 119 now #3 at Greeneville, Tenn. in 1851, probably a member of Greeneville Chapter #82, Royal Arch Masons, since he joined Nashville Commandery of Knights Templar #1 in 1859. He received the Scottish Rite degrees in the White House in 1867 |
| James A. Garfield | 1831-1881 1881 |
#33 | EA & FC Magnolia Lodge #20, Columbus, Ohio, MM Columbus Lodge #3O, 1864, Affiliated with Garrettsville Lodge #246 in 1866, Affiliated with Pentalpha Lodge #23 Washington, D. C. as charter member in 1869. Exalted in Columbus Royal Arch Chapter 1866, and Knight Templar 1866, 14th Degree Scottish Rite 1872 |
| William McKinley | 1843-1901 1897-1901 |
"Average" - #18, #15, #10 | is sometimes said to have received EA, FC, MM, in Hiram Lodge #10 in Winchester, West Virginia, in 1865, but William Moseley Brown is authority for the statement that this event took place in Hiram Lodge #21 at Winchester, Virginia in that year. McKinley affiliated with Canton Lodge #60 at Canton, Ohio in 1867 and later became a charter member of Eagle Lodge #43. He received the Capitular degrees in Canton in 1883 and was made a Knight Templar in 1884 |
| Theodore Roosevelt | 1858-1919 1901-1909 |
"Near Great" - #7, #7, #4 | EA, FC, MM, in Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, NY in 1901. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry |
| William H. Taft | 1857-1930 1909-1913 |
"Average" - #16, #16, #20 | EA Feb. 18, 1909, MM "Mason at Sight" in Kilwinning Lodge #356, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1901?, Evidently, that made hirn a member at large, for the Grand Lodge issued him a demit and he became a member of that lodge. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry |
| Warren G. Harding | 1865-1923 1921-1923 |
"Failure" - #29, #31, #37 | EA Lodge #7O, Marion, Ohio, Jun 28, 1901, received no other degree until after becoming U.S. President, FC & MM in Marion Lodge #70 in 1920 (MM Aug. 27, 1920), Royal Arch Chapter degrees in Marion Chapter #62 in 1921; Knight Templar in Marion Commandery #36, in 1921, Scottish Rite and Shrine in 1921 |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | 1882-1945 1933-1945 |
"Great" - #3, #3, #2 |
EA Oct 11, 1911, FC, MM, in Holland Lodge #8, New York City, in 1911, Scottish Rite in Albany Consistory 1929, Shrine in 1930. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry |
| Harry S. Truman | 1884-1972 1945-1953 |
"Near Great" - #9, #8 | EA Feb. 9, 1909, Belton Lodge #450, Grandview, Missouri, MM 1909. In 1911, Truman was the 1st WM of the new Grandview Lodge #618. Grand Master of Missouri 1940-1941. Very active and supportive of Freemasonry, Master of Missouri Lodge of Research while U.S. President, Masonic Ritualist, district lecturer and deputy Grand Master for several years, buried with Masonic rites in Independence, MO, in televised ceremony. |
| Gerald R. Ford | 1913-(still alive) 1974-1977 |
#23 | EA Sep. 30, 1949, Malta Lodge #465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, courtesy FC & MM Columbia Lodge #3, Washington, D.C., Apr. 20 & May 18, 1951 |
It is reported that Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S. President 1963-1969, rated "Average - high", #10 out of 36) was a Freemason in the sense that he took the Entered Apprentice, or 1st Degree, but did not continue to the 2nd and 3rd degrees. Some would consider him to have been a Freemason, but others would not. EA Oct. 30, 1937, in Johnson City Lodge #561, Johnson City, TX.
There have been reports that Thomas Jefferson (U.S. President 1801-1809, rated "Near Great", #4 out of 36, among the 10 best) was a Freemason, but most researchers now believe there is no evidence of this.
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August, 2004
The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 through July 3, 1863, is the most famous, most bloody, and in many ways the most significant battle of the U.S. Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Robert E. Lee took his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia on a controversial invasion of the Northern States in an effort to alleviate Virginia from having armies continue to fight there, and also in an effort to bring the Union Army of the Potomac out of its fortifications, to a climactic battle that could end the war and result in independence for the Confederate States of America.
Abraham Lincoln understood the significance of Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, and he appointed Union Major General George G. Meade to lead the United States army, with orders to prevent any attack on Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, Maryland. General Meade led his army into northern Maryland, while General Lee split his army into different parts with missions leading to the hoped-for capture of Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, with other missions to follow. However, Lee did not realize that Meade's army was as close as it was, until June 28. Then, he issued orders for the parts of his army to regroup at Cashtown or Gettysburg.
In the meantime, some of Lee's army was camped near Gettysburg, and some of Meade's army was in Gettysburg. They clashed briefly on June 30, and again in much larger numbers on July 1. Both sides threw in reinforcements, until the July 1 battle became a very large battle, very hard fought by both sides. At the end of the day the force of overwhelming numbers resulted in a Confederate victory for that day. The Union army regrouped on the hills and ridge south of Gettysburg, in a very strong position, under the leadership of Major General, and Brother, Winfield Scott Hancock, one of the most widely admired generals of the Civil War.
On July 2, General Lee attempted to defeat the Union army by attacking both ends of it, in another extremely hard-fought day with thousands of casualties. One of the most significant events of that day was the defense of a hill called Little Round Top by a Maine regiment commanded by Colonel (later Major General), and Brother, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. When his men ran out of ammunition, knowing that if he gave up his position the entire battle might be lost, he ordered a bayonet charge that might have been suicidal. Instead, he won a highly-praised victory, plus a Medal of Honor, and fame that resulted in his being later be elected Governor of Maine four times.
The climax of the battle took place on July 3. After a quiet morning, in early afternoon General Lee ordered the most massive cannon attack ever on the North American continent. Then, he ordered about 12,000 men to attack the center of the Union position, across about a mile of open country. Both the Southerners and Northerners generally showed great courage in facing each other, realizing that this might be the event that would decide the war and the fate of our country. Among the leaders of this event, known as Pickett's Charge, was Confederate Brigadier General, and Brother, Lewis Addison Armistead. The leader of the Union force being attacked was the Union Major General, and Brother, Winfield Scott Hancock.
Armistead and Hancock were both career soldiers, and before the Civil War they were friends when both were U.S. Army officers in California. Both were also Freemasons.
When the Confederate attack reached the Union line at Gettysburg, there was fierce fighting. General Armistead was shot twice, and as he went down he gave a Masonic sign asking for assistance. A fellow Mason, a Union officer named Henry H. Bingham, then a Captain, later a higher officer and then a very influential Congressman, came to Armistead's assistance and offered to help. Armistead reportedly asked to see and talk with his friend General Hancock, but he was told that Hancock had been very badly wounded just a few minutes earlier. Union Brother Bingham then helped Confederate Brother Armistead off the field and to a hospital, but Armistead died two days later. General Hancock, to the surprise of many, recovered and resumed his command later in the Civil War.
This incident, of a Freemason who was a Union officer helping a Freemason who was a wounded Confederate officer, is one of the greatest examples of the ideals of Freemasonry in action. In 1993, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania completed and dedicated a monument on the Gettysburg National Cemetery, with the cooperation and support of the United States government, that shows Brother Bingham, a Union officer, assisting Brother Armistead. This statue is extremely dramatic, and it is called the "Masonic Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial."
In the words of Sheldon A. Munn, one of the Freemasons who helped bring about the construction of this monument:
"The 'Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial,' at Gettysburg will help demonstrate to the world that Freemasonry is, indeed, a unique fraternity; that its bonds of friendship, compassion and brotherly love withstood the ultimate test during the most tragic and decisive period of our nation's history; it stood then as it stands now, as 'A Brotherhood Undivided!'"
For more information, see:
Munn, Sheldon A. Freemasons at Gettysburg. Thomas Publications, PO Box 3031, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325, 1993, ISBN 0-939631-68-7.
Roberts, Allen E. House Undivided: The Story of Freemasonry and the Civil War. Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Richmond, Virginia, 1961, ISBN 0-88053-056-1, also available from Anchor Communications, Highland Springs, Virginia, the publishing company operated by Brother Roberts' widow and children.
The following is from a handout used on a Masonic tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield in 1999
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September, 2004
What is Masonry? BY Bro. Walter H. Bonn, Victor, Iowa It's not a sign or handshake, a hall where tilers sit, It's not a guarded building, where passwords will admit, It's not a place of symbols, which Wardens oft display, It's not a lodge of members, who meet in white array. It is the home of justice, of liberty and truth, Of loyalty to country, of sympathy for youth, Of succor for a brother, of gentleness and cheer, Of tolerance for neighbors, whose life is often drear.
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October, 2004
Freemasonry has always been true to its name, and the real Mason is the builder of the temple of his own character. Its mission is to furnish high ideals for the individual, that may be reflected in his actions towards his fellow men. The Masonic ideal teaches that moral and spiritual attainments are far more important than the material and physical.
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November, 2004
We meet for the purpose of admitting members to our fellowship, to instruct them in the lessons and principles (of Masonry) and to strengthen each other in adherence thereto, said George W. Speth, in a public lecture in 1892. We meet to hand down to succeeding generations the knowledge and practice of certain ceremonies, which we have ourselves inherited from our Masonic ancestors, and the analogues of which can be traced in the remotest antiquity... Lastly we meet to practice our three grand principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
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December, 2004
The oldest of the known manuscript charges of Freemasonry, written about 1390, is in the old English of Chaucer's time, and is very difficult to read. This old manuscript contains 15 articles and 15 points, of which the following is a free transcript, care being taken to convey the spirit of the thought rather than literary accuracy:
(1) The Master must be a trusty man, an honorable and impartial medium between the lords who hire and the operatives who labor.
(2) He must be punctual in his attendance at the assemblies.
(3) He must take no apprentice for a term of less than seven years.
(4) He must take no apprentices, save the free and well born.
(5) He must take no mutilated person for an apprentice.
(6) He must not take Craftsman's wages for apprentices' labor.
(7) He must take no immoral or depraved person for an apprentice.
(8) Finding an employee incompetent, he must immediately discharge him.
(9) He must undertake no work that he cannot finish.
(10) No master shall supplant another in his business.
(11) He shall not require his workmen to work by night, except in search of knowledge.
(12) He shall speak no evil of his fellows' work.
(13) He must instruct his apprentices in the Masonic science.
(14) The Master shall take no apprentices for whom he has not sufficient labor.
(15) He shall not compromise with his fellows in their sins for any profit.
(1) The Mason must love God and his brethren.
(2) He must work diligently in working hours that he may lawfully refresh himself in the hours of rest.
(3) He must keep the secrets of the brethren with fidelity.
(4) He must be true to the Craft.
(5) He shall receive his wages without murmuring.
(6) He shall not turn a working day into a holiday.
(7) He shall not carnally lie with a brother's wife.
(8) He must be just and true to his Master and brethren in every capacity.
(9) He shall treat his brethren with equity and in the spirit of brotherly love.
(10) He must live peacefully and without contention with his brethren.
(11) Seeing a brother about to err he must admonish him with kindness.
(12) He must maintain the general regulations of the Craft.
(13) He shall commit no theft or succor a thief.
(14) He must be steadfast to these laws and to the laws of his country.
(15) He shall submit to the lawful penalty for what ever offences he may commit.
Those wishing a description of this manuscript may consult the Wisconsin Grand Lodge Research committee's pamphlet entitled "The Old Charges."
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January, 2005
Go to Masonic Thoughts, Page 3 (Soon to come)