We remember from our early history lessons that Paul Revere was an outstanding silversmith and that he once took a very important horse ride that helped launch the nation. But for most of us, the history books skipped over the fact that Paul Revere was also a Freemason, like many of his countrymen at the time. All that history came to light this week when two members of the Corinthian Lodge in Concord, Mass. discovered that a cache of ceremonial silver medallions were likely handmade by Paul Revere for the lodge that he chartered, according to a Boston news report. The dozen or so pendants date back to 1797.
Two members of the lodge, John Ritchie and Randall Oxley, were working on the brick building about a year and a half ago and found a bag hidden among insulation inside a wall pocket. They didn’t look into their find until 18 months later and were shocked to discover the bag contained a set of medallions with Masonic seals representing various officers’ positions within the lodge, similar to ones used today.
“As the Grand Master and a master that chartered lodges he, being a silversmith wanted to give a gift to the brothers in that lodge and he put his mark on the craft at that time,” said Oxley. “He left us a legacy with these jewels. The care and affection he put into them inspires us to want to leave a legacy to our community, our children and our craft,” said Oxley.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization that dates back to the late 16th and early 17th century. George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock were all Masons. Freemasonry was built on three tenets of brotherly love, morality and brotherly love and it is believed there are 3 million members worldwide today.
Photo by silverfernzcom via Flickr.