Ohio Historical Marker

THE AMERICAN UNION
LODGE No. 1
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS

The lodge was organized in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1776, by Connecticut soldiers in the Continental Army.  It met when and where it could during the Revolutionary War. By tradition, the lodge’s name and seal were suggested by Benjamin Franklin and the seal was engraved by Paul Revere.  Many of the lodge members settled in the Marietta area following the war. On June 28, 1790, the lodge was reorganized in Campus Martius under its original warrant held by Past Master Capt. Jonathan Heart, commandant of Fort Harmar.

(Masonic Seal)
BRETHREN OF THE 17th MASONIC DISTRICT
AND
THE OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

American Union Lodge No. 1 Historic Marker

The Washington Masonic Apron

This masonic apron is said to have been once worn by George Washington, a Virginia Mason. It was handed down in the Henry Lee family of Virginia as a George Washington Keepsake.

The Washington Apron in the possession of American Union Lodge, has the following history as given on October 23, 1893, by P. M. George T. Hovey:

“To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren: I have the pleasure this evening of presenting to American Union Lodge No. 1 this historic apron, which has been worn by Washington. Preliminary to its history it may be well to mention that on the morning of September 27, 1893, there were gathered in this hall a goodly number of delegates to the Grand Chapter of Ohio, no members of our Lodge being present except Bro. P. M. James McClure and myself. Being requested to make some historical remarks pertaining to this Lodge to the visitors, who were personally unknown to me, it was fortunate that Brother Ludwell M. Cunard of Mt. Gilead, Ohio was present, who afterwards informed me that he had this apron, which he prized very much, but was willing our Lodge should have it…”

Passage from:
The History of American Union Lodge No. 1 F. & A. M.
by Charles Plumb.

An Apron Worn by General George Washington

 The George Washington Sword
Owned by American Union Lodge

The Washington sword owned by American Union Lodge has proven to be an interesting subject for historical study. The first record by the Lodge of this sword, was inscribed in the minutes of June 24, 1792, very briefly and as follows:

“Lodge of Entered Apprentice duly opened. Brother Rufus Putnam presented the Lodge with an elegant small sword, for which the thanks of the Brethren where returned.” Bro. Anselm Tupper was Secretary of the Lodge at this time. No reference to Washington is a part of this record.

At the session of Lodge on September 12, P. M. George T. Hovey was delegated to learn if this is the Washington sword, and report the same to the Lodge.

On October 17, 1910, Brother Hovey submitted the following report:

“W. M., Wardens and Brethren of
American Union Lodge No. 1:
“In compliance with your request at our last Stated Meeting in regard to Washington’s sword. I will state that soon after I was made a Mason in 1859, Col. Augustus Stone, James Dunn and other old members took special pride in explaining that the sword now in possession of this Lodge formerly belonged to General George Washington. Brother Stone was an intimate friend of Gen. Rufus Putnam, and was well versed in his family and Masonic history, which he was pleased to give me at some length at my request while I took notes at the time. In his narrative he mentioned that the sword came from George Washington and was presented to our Lodge by Bro. Putnam. Several years afterwards Col. Wm. R. Putnam, a grand son of Rufus, and then an old man, was disposing of many valuable papers and relics of his honored ancestor. I called upon him at his home and explained the connection of Gen. Rufus Putnam with our Lodge, and asked for some memento of remembrance of our beloved Brother, when he mentioned that we had Washington’s sword, and that he was pleased to present to me, for American Union Lodge, Gen. Rufus Putnam’s army chest.

Passage from:
The History of American Union Lodge No. 1 F. & A. M.
by Charles Plumb.

Washington Sword

Washington Sword

Washington Sword

Washington Sword