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Why no numbers?

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
When I was raised a Master Mason some 29 years ago, I never gave it a thought on why my Lodge did not have a number, nor why other Lodges did. Throughout my travels, research, and a member of a number of forums, I hear "why does your Lodge or Grand Lodge have no numbers?"
Massachusetts Lodges have no numbers at all, we are the only ones in the world not to have numbers assigned to us. This comes from our history, founded in 1733, we are the oldest Grand Lodge in the United States and in the Western Hemsphere. We are the third oldest in the world, behind the Grand Lodge of England in 1717 and the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1725.

Before 1733, the Masons of Boston, which were meeting as a Lodge, but not recongized or organized, asked Brother Henry Price to travel to England to get a charter for them to offically meet as a Lodge. Since we at that time were under English ruling, Freemasonry would also be under English ruling. Brother Price returned in 1733, but not only did he have a charter, but he was commissioned as Provincial Grand Master of North America. So St. John's Lodge of Boston became the first Lodge in the United States offically in 1733, and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts became the first Grand Lodge in 1733.
During this time, several new Lodges were formed, both here in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States. It is said that Benjamin Franklin himself, a Freemason at the time, met with Price and later returned to Pennsylvania with a charter to form that Grand Lodge. That is another story, and still being researched. In 1756 a group of brothers which founded St. Andrew's Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Scotland also asked for a charter to form a Grand Lodge here in Massachusetts. So in 1756, the Grand Lodge of Scotland issued a charter for the formation of a Grand Lodge to be called, St. Andrew's Grand Lodge, and which they elected Brother Joseph Warren.
He remained Grand Master till the battle of Bunker Hill, he was General of the Boston area military or minutemen. He should not have been there that day, and gave up command when he arrived to command the troops on top of Breed's Hill(the correct hill, not Bunker Hill). He was killed in action that day, and became the first Grand Master to die during warfare. In 1777 a new Grand Master of St. Andrew's would be elected and installed. During this period both Grand Lodges still gave charters for new Lodges forming not only here in the United States, but also a few in Canada.

After the Revolution, the two Grand Lodges did open up for discussions on the future of both Grand Lodges, and in 1792, both united to form the current Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. We took the date of 1733, and worked into our line of Past Grand Masters both Grand Lodges. So we claim many men such as Henry Price, Joseph Warren and Paul Revere as Past Grand Masters, even though they were Grand Masters of different Grand Lodges here in Boston.

The Grand Lodge of England recongized us as the third oldest in the world, and with the date of 1733. Now when it came time for the merger and figuring out all the legal stuff that comes with merging two Grand Lodges, it was hard to say who is first, second, third, fourth, etc, etc, etc. It was agreed that NO numbers would be assigned to any Lodge here in Massachusetts, and for which reason we are the only ones in the world that do not have numbers or ever will.

Our Grand Royal Arch Chapter and Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons also followed suite with no numbers on their subordinate chapters and councils. Our Grand Commandery does use numbers, since we also have a two state jurisdiction, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are one under one Grand Commandery.
This is of course a short or abbreviated history, for a better understanding I suggest the book, Steward Builders published by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, this book dives into the true history of Freemasonry here in Massachusetts and the early days here in America.
 

cambridgemason

Premium Member
Premium Member
Thanks, I did not know that, thought Hawaii was under the control of CA at one time and therefore had numbers. Will remember that.
 

K.S.

Registered User
What a great informational read, thank you. As I travel to New England quite often to visit family, I found it especially interesting.
 

kyfreemason357

Registered User
Only reason I know is we had a GL officer from there come to one of our 3rds. We have made several friends there and visit usually once a year.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
I belong to Macedonian Lodge in Quincy Mass. I knew since I first joined, that Mass lodges did not have numbers. But I did not know the "backstory", thanks!

Hawaiian lodges were chartered by the Grand Lodge of California, since Hawaii became a territory of the USA, back in the 19th century. Even though Hawaii got statehood in 1959, the Grand Lodge of Hawaii was not established until 1989.
 

A7V

Registered User
Thanks, I did not know that, thought Hawaii was under the control of CA at one time and therefore had numbers. Will remember that.

Hawaiian Lodges did have numbers under the GL of CA when they formed their own Grand Lodge they dispensed with the numbers.

I have often been asked in the past by PHA Brothers how old is my mother, and I can't answer the question because I am a member of Hawaiian Lodge.
 

SeeKer.mm

Premium Member
Cambridge Mason,

Thank you for a well written history on the Lodges in Mass! Being from Connecticut I plan to visit Mass lodges in the future! Thanks for the head start in learning the Masonic history of such a great state. I respect and love the state of Mass very much but albeit still a Yankee fan! ;)
 
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