I have a question...why do people call the GLoStates George Washington GLs...didn't*James Edward Oglethorpe receive the first charter in America in 1734?
I think I'm the one who introduced the term on this forum. I've been using it for many years elsewhere before I encountered this forum. I'm nearly the only one here who uses the term with any frequency. I resist using "mainstream" as both family branches are mainstream. In the case of any one state GLofTX and MWPHAGLofTX work but on occasion I still want terms for the two branches of our family.
You have a good point for Oglethorpe but I wanted a brother whose name brothers will recognize. Only Masonic history buffs know the name Oglethorpe.
I have an additional reason to prefer Washington over Oglethorpe - W Bro Washington introduced separate sovereignty per state to the US. He built on the models of the GLs in England, Scotland and Ireland, introducing what became the American doctrine of territorial exclusivity.
The doctrine has been a mixed blessing ever since. It shows that GLs can function well with no central authority - This has been good for PHA GLs. It says that GLs hold their own territory - This has been used to hold back PHA recognition.
That and Oglethorpe was of a generation before W Bros Washington and Hall. Washington and Hall were contemporaries.