   George Washington, A General Grand Master?

Masons from every State and every Country visit the George 
Washington Masonic National Memorial, and they ask questions. We 
expect this and try to inform them with correct answers. Yet, it 
is the statements our visitors make which are in error, and which 
we have a hard time convincing them, that they are in error.  
Washington was a Grand Master. Washington was a General Grand 
Master, Washington received the 33rd when President. Washington 
was a member of the Knight Templars. Etc. on and on, ALL 
WRONG......
The one which bothered us the most, and which might be answered 
yes, depending on the interpretation, made me research the entire 
story direct from the proceedings of the Grand Lodges of 
Pennsylvania, and Massachusettes. I made photo copies of the 
proceedings and entire records of what happened. The following, 
quoted from the proceedings of the Grand Lodges, and letters, 
is to show what actually happened in 1780. I might say, YES 
Washington was elected General Grand Master of Masons in 
Americas, by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, but, none of the 
other Grand Lodges concured with Pennsylvania.

NO; Washington never served as General Grand Master. It is 
doubtful if he ever knew of the election or suggestion.

I hope you will enjoy knowing exactly what happened, without any 
interpretations.
Pennsylvania's action on Gen. Grand Master from Proceedings of 
January 13, 1780   "Grand Lodge of Emergency" "This Grand Lodge 
being called, by order of the Grand Master, upon the request of 
sundry Brethren, and also in pursuance of a motion made at the 
last General Communication, to consider the propriety as well 
as necessity of appointing a Grand Master, over all the Grand 
Lodges, formed or to be formed in these United States, as the 
correspondence which the rules of Masonry require, can not now be 
carried on with the Grand Lodge in London, under whose 
jurisdiction the Grand Lodges in these States were originally 
constituted.
"Sundry respectable Brethren being then put in nomination, it was 
moved that the ballot be put for them separately, and his 
Excellency, George Washington, Esq.; General and Commander in 
Chief of the Armies of the United States, being the first in 
nomination, he was balloted for as Grand Master and elected by 
the unanimous vote of the whole Lodge.
"Ordered, that the Minutes of this election and appointment be 
transmitted to the different Grand Lodges in the United States, 
and their concurrence therein be requested.......etc..."

Letter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania To the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts.     

"Philadelphia, Aug. 19, 1780" "Sir;
"I do myself the honor to address you, by order of the Grand 
Lodge of Ancient York Masons, regularly constituted in the City 
of Philadelphia. This Grand Lodge has under its jurisdiction in 
Pennsylvania and the States adjacent, thirty-one different 
regular lodges, containing in the whole more than one thousand 
Brethren.  Enclosed you have a printed abstract of some of our 
late proceedings, and by that of January 13th last, you will 
observe that we have, sofar as depends on us, done that honor 
which we think due to our illustrious Brother, General 
Washington, viz., elected him Grand Master over all the Grand 
Lodges formed or to be formed in these United States, not 
doubting the concurrence of all other Grand Lodges in America to 
make this election effectual.
"We have been informed by Col. Palfrey that there is a Grand 
Lodge of Ancient York Masons in the States of Massachusetts,  and 
that you are Grand Master thereof; as such, I am, therefore, to 
request that you lay our proceedings before your Grand Lodge, and 
request their concurrent voice in the appointment of General 
Washington, as set forth in the said minutes of January the 13th, 
(which, as far as we have been able to learn), is a measure 
highly approved by all the brethren, as being for the honor and 
advancement of our Royal Art.
"Your answer, as soon as convenient, is requested...........your 
humble servant, for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania."

                                "William Smith, Grand  Secy." 
Action of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on the letter

"Friday, Sept. 1st, 1780
"The Worshipful Grand Master, laid before the Grand Lodge a 
letter dated Philadelphia Aug. 19th 1780, signed William Smith 
Grand Secy, Inclosing a Printed list of the several lodges in 
Pennsylvania under that jurisdiction, and Advising that they had 
in their Grand Lodge thought it Expedient to make choice of a 
Grand Master General for the Thirteen United American States, 
that they had nominated his excellency General George Washington, 
Requesting the Opinion and Approbation of this Grand Lodge where 
on, Voted Circular Letters be wrote to the several Lodges under 
this jurisdiction Requesting Attendance of Masters and Wardens at 
the next Adjournment, for their opinion, or that they give 
Instructions to their Proxys, on the Subject."


   Letter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

                                "Boston, September 4th, 1780 
"Sir; .      
"Your agreeable favor of the 19th ult., I duly received the 31st, 
covering a printed abstract of the proceedings of your Grand 
Lodge. I had received one before, near three months from the 
Master of a travelling Lodge of the Connecticut Line, but it not 
coming officially, did not lay it before the Grand Lodge, but the 
evening after I received yours, it being Grand Lodge; I laid the 
same before them and had some debate on it, whereupon it was 
agreed to adjourn the Lodge for three weeks, to give instructions 
to their proxys here concerning their acquiescence in the 
proposal. "I am well assur'd that no one can have any objections 
to so illustrious a person as General Washington to preside as 
Grand Master of the United States, but at the same time it will 
be necessary to know from you his prerogative as such; whether he 
is to appoint sub-grand or Provincial Grand Masters of each 
State, if so, I am confident that the Grand Lodge in this State 
will never give up their right of electing their own Grand Master 
and other officers annually. This induces me to write to you now, 
before the results of the Grand Lodge takes place, and beg an 
answer by the first opportunity............
"I do not remember of more Grand Masters being appointed when we 
were under the British Government than South Carolina, North 
Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, but now it 
may be necessary......... "I have granted a Charter of 
dispensation to New Hampshire till they shall appoint a Grand 
Master of their own, which suppose will not be very soon as there 
is but one lodge in their State. Inclosed I send you a list of 
the Officers of our Grand Lodge, and have the honour to be, with 
great respect and esteem."

                         "Your affectionate Brother and servant," 
"Joseph Webb "Grand Master."


LETTER OBJECTING TO WASHINGTON AS GEN.GRAND MASTER

From Trinity Lodge, Lancaster, Mass
 dated, September 19, 1780 .NF;NA
Lancaster, Sept, 19th, 1780

  "To the Most Worshipful Master, Wardens & brethren of the 
ancient Grand Lodge in Boston.
  On the receipt of a letter signed William Hoskins, G. Scry. 
directed to the Rt Worshipful Masters, Wardens & Brethren of 
Trinity Lodge in Lancaster - requesting their concurrence & 
opinion on the choice of his excellency Gen.
Washington as a Grand Master of the United American States, by 
the Grand Lodge at Philadelphia.
  "On which subject, we would beg leave to offer such objections 
as appears to us, consistant with the constitution of Ancient 
Masonry - Not that we would mean to suggest that his excellency 
Gen Washington is not fit in every manner for the office of G. 
Master and deserving of every honor - but we do conceive that the 
Grand Lodge at Philadelphia had no right to make choice of a 
G.Master without a previous consultation of other lodges in  
Americas and on full consideration, it appears to us to be a 
dangerous Innovation."

"Nathan Gaines Scry."
    P.S.- Photo copy of letter attached.

    Yet; in all this can we really answer the question?  The 
illusion was also perpetrated by a Masonic Medal, which was 
struck in 1797, having on its obverse side the bust of Washigton 
in military dress, with its legend, "G. Washington, President 
1797;" and on its reverse side, the emblems of Masonry, 
surrounded by the inscription, "Amor, Honor, et Justicia," and 
the initials, "G.W.G.G.M."



Nor was Washington's fame as a mason, or the belief that he was 
General Grand Master, confined to this country; for, in 1786, two 
letters in french were addressed to him, from Cape Francois, as 
"Grand Mster of America". soliciting a lodge-warrant for brethren 
on that island; which letters Washington caused to be laid before 
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and they accordingly granted the 
warrant. As to why Washington sent the letters to the Grand Lodge 
of Pennsylvania instead of the Grand Lodge of Virginia?  At that 
time (1786) Washington was a member of Alexandria Lodge No.39 
which held its warrant out of Pennsylvania.

However My Brothers this is all argumentive, Pro and Con, Yes and 
No. Something to tease the mind; but for us at the Memorial, when 
asked if Washington was ever General Grand Master? The answer is 
NO. If you should agree with us. Please help us stop the story.

