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The eighteen-century, the era known as the Enlightenment, saw
the emergenceof the modern world, as we know it. It was a time
of great political and cultural growthin Europe and consequently,
in America. Progressive thinkers espoused rationalism, thescientific
method. the importance of the individual, the moral perfectibility
of humankind.And if enlightenment was the message, Freemasonry
was the universal language inwhich it was shared. The idealism
of the day was a perfect match to the Freemason’sphilosophy
of tolerance, brotherhood, and humanism, and the sect became
an importantvehicle in disseminating those values. |
| Although the fraternity remained
officially nonpolitical, its values naturally ledmembers towards
democratic beliefs, and in America, where many colonists chafedunder
repressive British rule, the Masons attracted dedicated, politically
active men. As dearly as 1732, Daniel Coxe,the first colonial
Masonic grand master. proposed a plan to confederate the American
colonies, and by the 1760s, thebrotherhood included such leaders
as George Washington. Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and PaUl
Revere. Thesemen envisioned a new society based on fraternity
and equality, It was perhaps inevitable that they world play
a key rolein securing America’s independence |
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Long before the American Revolution began in earnest. Bostonians
angrySngland’s high-handed treatment of the American
colonies began meetingregularly to air their frustrations
and plot a response. These political freethinkersgathered
at taverns and distilleries, including a pleasant pub called
the Greendragon Tavern in Boston’s North End.
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The Green Dragon was also
the meeting place of St. Andrew’s Masonic lodge. Not all
lodge members supported the patriots’ cause,but its leaders,
including Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Dr. Joseph Warren,
were committed to colonial rights. For them a 1773 British move
to exclude colonists from the tea trade was the last straw Denouncingthe
Crown for discriminating against its colonial subjects through
unfair taxation and restrictive trade, they resolved tohelp
break the British stranglehold on American commerce.On the evening
of December 16, 1773, three tea-laden ships from England were
docked in Boston Harbor, posing anopportunity that did not go
unnoticed by Revolutionary firebrand Samuel Adams, probably
Mason himself. Ad Adam’ssignal, dozens of men dressed as
Mohawk Indians. their faces blackened with burned cork, swarmed
Boston Harbor.They quickly commandeered the boats, and in less
than three hours, they dumped 342 chests of tea overboard. Althoughthe
identities of these celebrants at the Boston Tea Party can never
be known for certain, the band almost surely includedRevere
and other Freemasons.
Later, several Masons convened at the Green Dragon. The patriots
had dealt the British a telling blow,and in the flush of victory
the brethren sang: Rally. Mohawks! Bring out your axes/And
tell King George, we’ll no taxes |
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When twenty-five-year-old Paul Revere
joined Boston’s St. Andrew’s Masoniclodge in 1760,
his motives were probably fraternal and professional. The lodge
gave hima chance to mix with men of backgrounds and interests
similar to his own, and new friendsmeant new patrons for his
gold and silver handwork. Since Masonic ritual calls for avariety
of medals, jewels, seals, and engravings, the artisan did a
brisk business with aready-made clientele. |
| But as political strife with
Britain escalated, the young smith’s interest in Freemasonrybecame
less social and more centered on the patriotic fervor rife among
his brethren.The 1770 Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party
helped fuel his political passions,and he joined a group that
met regularly at the Green Dragon Tavern to keep an eye on British
troop movements.Of course, Revere’s best-remembered contribution
to the cause was his famous 1775 midnight ride. Reverewrote
of his adventure that is Masonic master. Joseph Warren, “sent
in great haste for me, and beged that I wouldimmediately Set
off for Lexington.” His mission was warm fellow patriots
that British soldiers were on the way.After battles at Lexington
and Concord, the British blockaded Boston, and the city’s
Masons suspended meetingmore than a year. Once they reconvened,
Revere again became active in the sect. In time, he would serve
as masterA St Andrew’s lodge, then of another Boston lodge,
and finally as grand master of the grand lodge of Massachusetts. |
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