Evening journal., 1899-07-20
THE FRANKLIN RECORDS
They Definitely Settle
Question in Controversy.
PHILADELPHIA THE MOTHER CITY

FRANKLIN DID PRINTING FOR
THE FREE MAsONs OF NORTH
AMERICA AS EARLY AS f7s4, AND
HIS ENTRIES PROVE SEVERAL
MOOT QUESTIONS.
In Delaware the Masonic fraternity
is strong, and the many members Of
the craft will be interested in the fol-
lowing from a Philadelphia exchange:
The claim has always been made
that Free Masonry in America had its
beginning in Philadelphia. This claim
has been stoutly contested by the Mas
saohusetts Grand Lodge Of Masons.
and, in the absence Of positive proofs,
the two parties to the controversy have
kept up the strife until recent date.
One of the strongest presentations Of
Pennsylvania's claims was made by
the late Clifford p. MacCalla during
his incumbency as right worshipful
grand master of Pennsylvania. He pub
lished several documents and papers,
basing his claims on notices and ad-
vertisement published by Benjamin
Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette,
claims which were strengthened by the
finding Of the individual ledger of st.
Johns Lodge, of Philadelphia, dating
from June "a. 1871, to June "a, 1888,
inscribed "Liber B" and subsequent
discovery of the journal of the Lodge
held at the Tun Tavern in Water
street" (Philadelphia), from June 2S
1749, to June "a, 1855.
The convincing evidence, however,
has been found by julius +. Sachse in
the handwriting Of Benjamin Frank in
himself, and the discovery was made
the subject of a communication read
by him before the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania This evidence was
found by Mr.. Sachse while looking
over the manuscript papers in the
Franklin collection in the possession of
the American Philosophical So
ciety. II is in the shape of original
entries made by Franklin in his ac-
count book. On the fly-leaf of the book
is written Benjamin Franklins Jour-
nal begun July 4, 1880" The daily en-
tries are made in the forepart of the
book, and in the latter half which he
PACED and indexed, the individual ac-
counts are posted. The charc yainst
the "Mason's Lodge" appear a. both
divisions.
The first entry is the earliest definite
evidence confrmatory of "Liber b.
(before referred to) Of the existence
of an active Masonic body in Pennsyl-
vania. Franklin, in the Pennsylvania
Gazette of December to 80, 1870,
states that several lodges Of Freema-
sons have been erected within the
Province" In his account book, con-
irmatory of this fact, is the following
charge, under date September ., 1871:
Blanks for Masons, 100 O.5.0."
These blanks arc supposed to have
been for petitions for initiation and
membership. In the Pennsylvania Ga
zette for June 10 to 26, 1882. Franklin
: records the meeting of the Grand
Lodge at Hubbard's Sun Tavern in
Water street. It is this date that is
fixed upon by the opponents Of Penn
sylvania's claims as the beginning of
the order in this state. Active life,
however, is shown by the entry in
Franklin's account book prior to Sep
ltember, 1881.
It is interesting to know that there
were two Masonic taverns on Water
lstreet at that early day. the Sun Tav-
ern, kept by John Hubbard, where the
Grand Lodge and st. Johns Lodge
held their stated meetings. and
the Tun Tavern, kept by Thomas
Mullen, where a subordinate lodge
met until the Mason's Hall was dedi-
Gated in Lodge alley, in 1865.
The same account book shows en-
tries in Franklins handwriting Of his
dealings with the Brethren, and the
? distribution of the Book of Constitu-
tions" Of the Freemasons. reprinted
,, by Franklin by special order for the
use of the brethren in North America
Franklin called it the Mason Book.
. 1t has the distinction of being the first
= Masonic publication issued in the New
> World. It was printed in the Summer
. of 1874, and was a reprint OF a Lon
!, don publication Of 1923. The entries
+ in this account book show conclusive
ly that St. Johns Lodge, of Philadel-
( phia, was not the Grand Lodge, az
~ has been claimed. but a subordinate
lodge. This bears out the statement
before referred to, made in the Penn
: sylvania Gazette of December 3 to
: 1880, that there are several lodges o.
: Freemasons erected in this province.
s Franklin was not admitted a member
4