Broadside announcing Anti-Masonic lecture by Avery Allyn, circa 1830

Item — Box: 209

Identifier: GL2004-0514

Scope and Contents

Broadside announcing the offering of the Royal Arch degree in New York. It has woodcut illustration with caption, "Three weary travelers from Babylon in search of more light." The Anti-Mason offering the Royal Arch degree is Avery Allyn. The broadside reads "Royal Arch Degree. Prices Reduced.." Avery Allyn is exposing Masonic ritual to the public for a fee

Dates

Creation: circa 1830

Creator

From the Collection: Freemasons. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

The disappearance of William Morgan of Batavia, New York, in 1827 sparked the Anti-Masonic Party and prompted numerous Anti-Masonic lecturers to tour the country. This broadside announces a talk by a well-known Anti-Mason, Avery Allyn, at Boston's Pantheon Hall. By demonstrating the Royal Arch degrees, Allyn sought to make known what he believed were various irreligious and anti-American aspects of Freemasonry. He also thought that revealing Freemasonry's so-called "secret" rituals would make the fraternity less attractive to potential members.

For further information, see Newell, Aimee, et.al., "Curiosities of the Craft: Treasures from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Collection", 2013, p. 184-185.