Box 5

A letter from President Andrew Johnson to Worshipful Master Charles T. Gay. Dated September 28, 1868. In this letter, Johnson acknowledges his receipt of Gay’s copy of the Star of Bethlehem Lodge by-laws and expresses his pleasure at the mention of the dedication of Boston’s Masonic Temple in a pamphlet. Johnson had attended the event in person on June 24, 1867.

Letter from R. A. Humphreys to Staunton Lodge, No. 13. Dated July 24, 1875. In this letter, R. A. Humphreys informs Staunton Lodge that he is the agent in charge of selling James T. Hill's Masonic chart in the state of Virginia. Humphreys also reports that he is paralyzed from the hips down and is greatly in need of support by the sale of these charts.

In this letter, Thomas seeks information regarding George W. Allen, a Masonic imposter or confidence man, who has been expelled from Washington Lodge.

This document purports that African-American State Grand Lodges are in open violation of Masonic law. Houston, an African-American, was the Sovereign Grand Master of Lodges of the U. S. A.

Collection includes correspondence, membership cards, programs, handwritten notes, connected to John B. Hill and Liberty Lodge. Hill was the Master of Liberty Lodge (Beverly, Mass.) in the mid-19th century.