United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865

Scope and Contents Circular letter from the Masonic Mission to Mosaic Lodge, No. 52. September 20, 1864. In this circular letter, William Hobart Hadley, the Vice President of the Masonic Mission in Maine, and Agent for the New England States, reminds the Fraternity that the Masonic Mission is a Masonic institution that can expect little outside help. Hadley also requests that every Lodge in the State of Maine “make immediate and earnest efforts to raise money and supplies” from the Fraternity and private...

Content Description

Letter from Winyah Lodge, No. 40, to Pacific Lodge, No. 45. Dated June 04, 1873. In this letter, Winyah Lodge, No. 40, describes how white Union soldiers of the 15th Maine torched their lodge building in response to being “relieved by a Battalion of United States colored Troops” under the command of Colonel A. J. Willard. Concludes by appealing to Masons for relief in rebuilding their “lost Temple.”

Content Description

Manuscript letter addressed to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire requesting a dispensation for opening a military lodge by members of the 14th Regiment, New Hampshire Infantry. Letter signed by Lieutenant Colonel T.A. Barker and others.

Note on back of letter, dated October 20, 1862, written by Charles H. Bell, Grand Master of Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, granting the petition and naming the lodge "Comrades' Lodge, No. 4, of Army Lodges."

Content Description A Civil War Masonic certificate issued by the Grand Lodge of Illinois to Corporal Phineas Lovejoy, a member of Columbus Lodge, No. 227, at Adams, Illinois. Corporal Lovejoy served in the 3rd Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, and died on August 9, 1862, onboard the riverboat White Cloud, somewhere near Memphis, Tennessee. From April 1861 until the end of September 1863, the Grand Lodge of Illinois issued 1,757 Masonic war certificates to Illinois Master Masons, and eventually to the sons of Master...