Biography | George Washington

George Washington

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Etched by Stuart Edwards,
Gould’s History of Freemasonry Vol I. p. 104.

February 11 1732 O.S. – December 14, 1799
George Washington was Commanding General of the American Continental Army during their War ofIndependence (1776-1781). He was President of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and from 1789 to 1796 was the first president of the USA.
Reputed to have received a masonic apron from Gilbert Lafayette, the only apron listed in Washington’s effects at his death was one made by nuns at Nantes and presented by the firm of Watson and Cassoul.¹
Contrary to the discredited claims made by Governor Ritner (1780-1869)² in 1837, Washington remained a freemason until his death, whereupon, at his widow’s request, he received a masonic funeral. While his continued membership and regard for Freemasonry is unquestionable, his personal papers suggest that he may not have been a frequent attendee at lodge.
Initiated: November 4, 1752.
Passed: March 3, 1753
Raised: August 4, 1753
Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia,Worshipful Master: May 29, 1788-1789 (elected but not installed)
Lodge No. 22 [39], Alexandria, Virginia,

Source: Denslow
1.Claude Harris, Esoteric Symbolism of the Watson-Cassoul Apron, Alexandria Lodge No. 39, 1998.
2.Vindication of General Washington from the stigma of adherence to secret societies, by Joseph Ritner (1780-1869) … Communicated by request of the House of representatives, to that body, on the 8th of March, 1837, with the proceedings which took place on its reception. Harrisburg : Printed by T. Fenn, 1837. 26 p. 21 cm.
3.Correspondence from George Washington to Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons, December 27, 1792, reprinted in A Treasury of Masonic Thought, Carl Glick, ed. New York : Vail-Ballou Press, Inc., 1959. p. 204.