The Rising Point - Winter 2011

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Rising Point
Volume 22. Issue 1 • • winter 2011

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Contents
Volume 22. Issue 1 - winter 2011
FEATURE ARTICLES
MAILING ADDRESS
THE RISING POINT 3 ......George Washington
Bonisteel Masonic Library 5..............James Madison
2520 Arrowwood Trl
Ann Arbor, MI 48105 7................James Monroe
Web site: www.bonisteelml.org 9.............Andrew Jackson
11...................James Polk
Bro. Mitchell Ozog , 32º Editor in Chief.
mozog@bonisteelml.org 13..........James Buchanan
Bro. Karl Grube, Ph.D., 32º Managing Editor 15..........Andrew Johnson
kgrube@bonisteelml.org
17.............James Garfield
Bro. Robert Blackburn 32º Book Review Editor
19.........William McKinley
LAYOUT & DESIGN 21.....Theodore Roosevelt
Bro. Mitchell Ozog
COVER CREDITS
23.................Howard Taft
Photo - Magdalena Ozog 25...........Warren Harding
27.......Franklin Roosevelt
Editor’s Note: Graphics and articles about USA 29...............Harry Truman
President was first published in The Masonic 31...........Lyndon Johnson
World Vol. 12, No. 1 September 1945. Reprint
with permission of the Detroit Masonic Temple 32..................Gerald Ford
Library and Museum but © Unknown.
33,34...The Book Reviews

THE RISING POINT is the official publication of Bonisteel Masonic Library and is published four times per year. Masonic Bodies are welcome to reprint from this publication
provided that the article is reprinted in full, the name of the author and the source of the article are indicated, and a copy of the publication containing the reprint is sent to the
editor. Submissions to this publication and all Correspondence concerning this publication should come through the Editor Mitchell Ozog. The Editor reserves the right to edit all
materials received.

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Rising point WINTER 2011

G
EORGE 1st President - April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797

W A S H I N GTO N


On
April 30, 1789,
George Washington,
standing on the balcony of
Federal Hall on Wall Street in
New York, took his oath of office
as the first President of the United
States. “As the first of every thing, in
our situation will serve to establish
a Precedent,” he wrote James
Madison, “it is devoutly wished on
my part, that these precedents
may be fixed on true
principles.”
George Washington 1732-1799

EA Nov 4, 1752, FC Mar. 3, 1753, MM Aug. 4, 1753, in Fredericksburg Lodge (later No. 4), Virginia, MM 1753, named
Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge #22, in Alexandria, VA, April 28, 1788, and reelected Dec. 20, 1788, but there
is no evidence he was ever installed or presided over any Masonic meeting. Somewhat active and supportive of
Freemasonry

J
ames
Madison
4th President - March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817


Madison
made a major
contribution to the
ratification of the Constitution
by writing, with Alexander
Hamilton and John Jay, the
Federalist essays. In later years, when
he was referred to as the “Father of
the Constitution,” Madison protested
that the document was not “the off-
spring of a single brain,” but “the
work of many heads and many
hands.”
James Madison 1809-1817

James Madison was presumed a Freemason at one time, but the records of the lodge that he is believed to have
attended have been lost for that time period.

J ames Monroe
5 th President - March 4, 1817 to March 4, 1825


As
a youthful
politician, he joined
the anti-Federalists in the
Virginia Convention which ratified
the Constitution, and in 1790, an
advocate of Jeffersonian policies,
was elected United States Senator. As
Minister to France in 1794-1796, he
displayed strong sympathies for the
French cause; later, with Robert R.
Livingston, he helped negotiate
the Louisiana Purchase.

James Monroe 1758-1831
EA in Williamsburg Lodge #6 at Williamsburg, VA., Nov. 9, 1775, but there is no record of his taking any further degrees.
The records of Cumberland Lodge #8 in Tennessee, June 8, 1819, show a reception for Monroe as “a Brother of the Craft.”
possibly MM 1776

A ndrew Jackson
7 th President - March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837


More
nearly
than any of his
predecessors, Andrew
Jackson was elected by
popular vote; as President
he sought to act as the
direct representative
of the common
Andrew Jackson 1767-1829-1837 man.
MM 1800?, his lodge is un-known but he is said to have attended at Clover Bottom Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. He was present in lodge at
Greeneville in 1801 and acted as Senior Warden pro tem. The records of St. Tammany Lodge #29 at Nashville, which became Harmony Lodge #1 under the
Grand Lodge of Tennessee, show that Jackson was a member. Very active in Freemasonry,
Grand Master of Tennessee 1822-1823

10 Rising point WINTER 2011

J ames Polk

Rising point WINTER 2011 11

He
offered to
settle by extending
the Canadian boundary,
along the 49th parallel, from
the Rockies to the Pacific. When
the British minister declined, Polk
reasserted the American claim to
the entire area. Finally, the British
settled for the 49th parallel,
except for the southern tip
of Vancouver Island. The
treaty was signed in
James K. Polk 1795-1849? - 1845-1849 1846.

EA, FC, MM, in Columbia Lodge #31, Columbia, Tenn., 1820, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in La Fayette Chapter #4
at Columbia in 1825

J ames

Buchanan


Tall,
stately,
stiffly formal in the
high stock he wore
around his jowls, James
Buchanan was the only
President who never
married.
James A. Buchanan 1791-1868 - 1857-1861

EA Dec. 11, 1816, Lancaster Lodge #43, Lancaster, PA, FC MM 1817, Junior Warden 1821-1822, Master 1825, exalted
in Royal Arch Chapter # 43, in 1826, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

A ndrew Johnson
17th President - April 15, 1865 to March 4, 1869


Born
in Raleigh,
North Carolina, in
1808, Johnson grew up in
poverty. He was apprenticed
to a tailor as a boy, but ran
away. He opened a tailor shop
in Greeneville, Tennessee,
married Eliza McCardle,
and participated in
debates at the local
Andrew Johnson 1808-1875 - 1865-1869 academy.

EA, FC, MM, in Greeneville Lodge No. 119 now #3 at Greeneville, Tenn. in 1851, probably a member of Greeneville
Chapter #82, Royal Arch Masons, since he joined Nashville Commandery of Knights Templar #1 in 1859. He received
the Scottish Rite degrees in the White House in 1867

J ames
20th President - March 4 , 1881 to September 19, 1881

Garfield


As
the last
of the log cabin
Presidents, James A.
Garfield attacked political
corruption and won back for
the Presidency a measure of
prestige it had lost during
the Reconstruction
James A. Garfield 1831-1881 period.

EA FC Magnolia Lodge #20, Columbus, Ohio, MM Columbus Lodge #3O, 1864, Affiliated with Garrettsville Lodge #246
in 1866, Affiliated with Pentalpha Lodge #23 Washington, D. C. as charter member in 1869. Exalted in Columbus Royal
Arch Chapter 1866, and Knight Templar 1866, 14th Degree Scottish Rite 1872

W illiam McKinley
24th President - March 4 , 1897 to September 14, 1901


At
34, McKinley
won a seat in Congress.
His attractive personality,
exemplary character, and quick
intelligence enabled him to rise
rapidly. He was appointed to the
powerful Ways and Means Committee.
Robert M. La Follette, Sr., who served
with him, recalled that he generally
“represented the newer view,” and
“on the great new questions .. was
generally on the side of the
William McKinley 1843-1901 public and against private
interests.”

1897-1901 is sometimes said to have received EA, FC, MM, in Hiram Lodge #10 in Winchester, West Virginia, in 1865,
but William Moseley Brown is authority for the statement that this event took place in Hiram Lodge #21 at Win-
chester, Virginia in that year. McKinley affiliated with Canton Lodge #60 at Canton, Ohio in 1867 and later became a
charter member of Eagle Lodge #43. He received the Capitular degrees in Canton in 1883 and was made a Knight
Templar in 1884


T
heodore Roosevelt
25th President - September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909


He
took the view
that the President as
a “steward of the people”
should take whatever action
necessary for the public good
unless expressly forbidden by
law or the Constitution.” I did
not usurp power,” he wrote,
“but I did greatly broaden
Theodore Roosevelt 1858-1919 - 1901-1909 the use of executive
power.”

EA, FC, MM, in Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, NY in 1901. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry

W illiam
26th President - March 4 , 1909 to March 4, 1913

Taft


Born in
1857, the son of
a distinguished judge,
he graduated from Yale,
and returned to Cincinnati to
study and practice law. He rose
in politics through Republican
judiciary appointments, through his
own competence and availability,
and because, as he once wrote
facetiously, he always had his
“plate the right side up
when offices were
William H. Taft 1857-1930 - 1909-1913 falling.”

EA Feb. 18, 1909, MM “Mason at Sight” in Kilwinning Lodge #356, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1901?, Evidently, that made hirn a
member at large, for the Grand Lodge issued him a demit and he became a member of that lodge. Somewhat active,
and very supportive of Freemasonry

W arren Harding
28th President - March 4 , 1921 to August 2, 1923


Warren
G. Harding
declared, “America’s
present need is not heroics,
but healing; not nostrums,
but normalcy; not revolution,
but restoration; not agitation,
but adjustment; not surgery, but
serenity; not the dramatic, but the
dispassionate; not experiment,
but equipoise; not submergence
in internationality, but
Warren G. Harding 1865-1923 - 1921-1923 sustainment in triumphant
nationality....”

EA Lodge #7O, Marion, Ohio, Jun 28, 1901, received no other degree until after becoming U.S. President, FC MM
in Marion Lodge #70 in 1920 (MM Aug. 27, 1920), Royal Arch Chapter degrees in Marion Chapter #62 in 1921; Knight
Templar in Marion Commandery #36, in 1921, Scottish Rite and Shrine in 1921


F ranklin
31st President - March 4 , 1933 to April 12, 1945

Roosevelt


Assuming
the Presidency at
the depth of the Great
Depression, Franklin D.
Roosevelt helped the American
people regain faith in themselves.
He brought hope as he promised
prompt, vigorous action, and
asserted in his Inaugural
Address, “the only thing
Franklin D. Roosevelt 1882-1945 - 1933-1945 we have to fear is
fear itself.”
EA Oct 11, 1911, FC, MM, in Holland Lodge #8, New York City, in 1911, Scottish Rite in Albany Consistory 1929, Shrine in
1930. Somewhat active, and very supportive of Freemasonry

H arry Truman
32nd President - April 12, 1945, to 1953


Dangers
and crises marked
the foreign scene as
Truman campaigned
successfully in 1948. In
foreign affairs he was
already providing his
most effective
leadership.
Harry S. Truman 1884-1972 - 1945-1953

EA Feb. 9, 1909, Belton Lodge #450, Grandview, Missouri, MM 1909. In 1911, Truman was the 1st WM of the new Grandview
Lodge #618. Grand Master of Missouri 1940-1941. Very active and supportive of Freemasonry, Master of Missouri Lodge
of Research while U.S. President, Masonic Ritualist, district lecturer and deputy Grand Master for several years, he died
December 26, 1972, buried with Masonic rites in Independence, MO, in televised ceremony.

L
36th President - 1963, to 1969

yndon B.
Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson was initiated on
October 30, 1937 in Johnson City
Lodge No. 561, at Johnson City,
Texas, but completed only the Entered
Apprentice, or first, of the three Masonic
degrees.

He was a Freemason in the sense that
he took the Entered Apprentice, or 1st
Degree, but did not continue to the 2nd
and 3rd degrees. Some would consider
him to have been a Freemason, but
others would not.

“A
Great Society”
for the American
people and their fellow
men elsewhere was the vision
of Lyndon B. Johnson. In his
first years of office he obtained
passage of one of the most
extensive legislative programs in
the Nation’s history. Maintaining
collective security, he carried on
the rapidly growing struggle
to restrain Communist
encroachment in Viet
Nam.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit:
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto - Public Domain LBJ Library photo by Arnold Newman - Public Domain


G erald R.
Thirty-eighth President (1974-1977)

Ford
MASONIC RECORD

Initiated: September 30, 1949, Malta Lodge
No. 465, Grand Rapids, Michigan, along
with his half-brothers Thomas Gardner Ford
(1918-1995), Richard Addison Ford (1924-
) and James Francis Ford (1927- ). The
Fellowcraft and Master Mason Degrees
were Conferred by Columbia Lodge No.
3, Washington, D.C., on April 20 and May
18, 1951, as a courtesy to Malta Lodge.
Brother Ford was made a Sovereign Grand
Inspector General, 33°, and Honorary
Member, Supreme Council A.A.S.R.
Northern Jurisdiction at the Academy of
Music in Philadelphia, on September 26,
1962, for which he served as Exemplar
(Representative) for his Class. Brother and
President Ford was unanimously elected
an Active Member of the International
Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay and
its Honorary Grand Master, at its Annual
Session held at Orlando, Florida, April 6-
9, 1975; Brother Ford held this post until
January 1977, at which time he became
a Past Honorary Grand Master, receiving
his Collar and Jewel on October 24, 1978
in Topeka, Kansas, from the Hon. Thomas
C. Raum, Jr., Grand Master, Order of
DeMolay.

http://www.pagrandlodge.org/mlam/presidents/ford.html

Lithographic copy of an engraving of U.S. President Gerald R.
Ford by the staff of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
- http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/avproj/portraits.asp

When Gerald R. Ford took the oath of office on August 9, 1974, he declared, “I assume the Presidency
under extraordinary circumstances.... This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our
hearts.”

Ford was confronted with almost insuperable tasks. There were the challenges of mastering inflation,
reviving a depressed economy, solving chronic energy shortages, and trying to ensure world peace.


The ManuscripT Found in
saragossa
Jan Potocki (1761 – 1815) lived a life hole down which the Masonic reader will, at times, feel he
that reads more like fiction than fact. is witnessing a series of obscure Ecosais degrees. Its 66
A Polish nobleman, army officer, stories are by turn humorous, picaresque, erotic, gothic, and
novice Knight of Malta, ethnologist, esoteric. Many incidents and characters call to mind the
linguist, early balloonist, and world cards from the Tarot’s Major Arcana. Even the protagonist,
traveler, he is without question one Van Worden, is left to wonder whether he hasn’t been caught
of the most intriguing figures of his up in a vast conspiracy, the substance of which is always
age. Yet there is more to Potocki, just beyond his grasp:
including some rather dark rumors …I recognized the ill-starred gallows of Zoto’s
too. Potocki had a keen interest in brothers. The sight of this made me curious. I
the occult and was an acquaintance hastened down and indeed came to the foot of
of Alessandro Cagliostro (into whose the gallows from which the two hanged men
were suspended.
elaborate Egyptian-styled Masonry
I looked away and sadly climbed back to camp.
he may have been initiated). Potocki’s two marriages ended The gypsy chief asked me where I had been. I
in accusations of incest. Thereafter, Potocki retreated to his replied that I had been down to the gallows of
estate where he is said to have committed suicide with a Zoto’s two brothers.
silver bullet he fashioned from a sugar bowl handle - a gift ‘Where are they,’ asked the gypsy.
from his mother – which he had blessed by his priest. ‘What do you mean,’ I replied. ‘Are they in the
Potocki wrote several travelogues documenting his habit of absenting themselves?’
adventures. He also left a novel, originally written in French, ‘Often,’ said the gypsy, ‘especially at night.’
titled The Manuscript Found in Saragossa (1814). A literary These few words made me very pensive. I found
nesting doll, the book is a collection of interwoven stories myself once again in the neighborhood of those
adopting a variety styles and conceits. The “manuscript” is damned ghosts and whether or not they were
vampires or had been used to persecute me, I
said to have been found by a French military officer who,
believed that I had much to fear from them. I
following his capture, is presented with a translated copy of was morose for the rest of the day, did not eat
the work. Superficially, it is the diary and recollections of supper and went to bed, where I dreamed of
a young army captain in the Walloon Guards who has been vampires, phantoms, nightmares, spectres and
called to Madrid for a new posting. While en route, this hanged men.
Alphonse van Worden is separated from his companions Potocki’s Manuscript is meant to entertain rather than
and forced to take refuge in an abandoned hostelry. Here illuminate. It deservedly draws comparisons with The
he meets two beautiful Muslim princesses who may, or may Arabian Nights, Canterbury Tales, and Decameron.
not be, the ghosts of two recently hung bandits, the Zoto Whether The Manuscript constitutes “Masonic” literature,
brothers. Bound by his strict code of honor, if not chastity, on the other hand, is up to the reader to decide. But be
the young soldier’s word is repeatedly tried and tested as forewarned, there will be as many twists and turns to reach
he encounters the Inquisition, a religious hermit, bandits, that conclusion as there are in the book itself.
cabalists, gypsies, a mathematician, the “Wandering Jew,”
and a mysterious Muslim sheik that controls the lonely Jan Potocki, The Manuscript Found in Saragossa, trans. by Ian
Spanish countryside where the story takes place. Mclean (Penguin Books 1996, $ 17.00 USD)
The Manuscript Found in Saragossa is a delicious rabbit

INTERNATIONAL MAsONIc REVIEW PUBLIsHED BY BONIsTEEL MAsONIc LIBRARY

Haunted CHambers:
the Lives of early Women Freemasons
In April 2010, the Grand Orient of France, the largest and oldest Masonic jurisdiction
For the in continental Europe, ruled that women can be initiated as full members of its lodges.
First time While this decision is of limited importance to regular Masonry (such jurisdictions having
ever, the most severed ties with the Grand Orient of France in 1877 over its admitting atheists), it is
complete stories nevertheless historic. Women, for the first time in more than four hundred years, are
oF early women being admitted directly into our mysteries. Or so we have been lead to believe. Such
Freemasons milestones are rarely so simple.

Karen Kidd’s Haunted Chambers: the Lives of Early Women Freemasons has two apparent
goals. First, to demonstrate that women have already had a share, albeit a small one, in regular Masonry since
its inception. Second, that female Freemasons, possessing the same abilities and Masonic passions as their
male counterparts, deserve to enjoy full recognition and acceptance
by all-male lodges. Kidd acknowledges the meagerness of her
source material, yet manages to build some interesting biographical
sketches of women who claimed Masonic affiliation with regular
Masonry. Her plea for full female recognition, on the other hand, is
another matter altogether.

Kidd contends that mainstream Masonic histories unfairly conceal
the existence of female craft masons when discussing the Fraternity’s
origins. She notes that the “Old Charges,” being a body of some
hundred or so early manuscripts, contain numerous references to
women, including the use of the word “Dame” in some texts as
the equivalent of “Master.” Of particular interest is York MS No. 4
(dated 1693):

The one of the elders takeing the Booke and that hee or
shee that is to be made mason shall lay their hands on
thereon, and the charge shall be given.

Kid also provides examples of women operative apprentices
and men being assigned to female masters as late as the early
18th century. So why, ponders Kidd, were women excluded from
speculative Masonry? Regrettably, there is no certain answer
to this question. Andersen and Desaguliers made the injunction
explicit in Masonry in 1726. Kidd, in a nutshell, believes it was
because 18th century women were not “free” under the law and
moral codes of their day and that women posed a sexual threat of

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Page 1


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www.bonisteelml.org

scandal for speculative lodges making a breakbreak their operative origins.
scandal for speculative lodges making a from from their operative origins.
Haunted Chambers also contains a catalogue of women alleged to have have breached regular Masonry’s gender
Haunted Chambers also contains a catalogue of women alleged to breached regular Masonry’s gender
barrier. The number, it should be noted, is little more more a handful and several strainstrain credulity. three three are
barrier. The number, it should be noted, is little than than a handful and several credulity. Only Only are
generally accepted to have have been initiated - Elizabeth St. Leger Aldworth (1712), Henriette Heinken (1795), and
generally accepted to been initiated - Elizabeth St. Leger Aldworth (1712), Henriette Heinken (1795), and
Helene, Countess HadikHadik Barkoczy (1875) – having drawn particular notice and either recognition or censure from
Helene, Countess Barkoczy (1875) – having drawn particular notice and either recognition or censure from
their local Masonic communities. The others constitute an array array of eavesdroppers like Elizabeth Aldworth,
their local Masonic communities. The others constitute an of eavesdroppers who, who, like Elizabeth Aldworth,
may or may not have have been regularly initiated, two early “adoptive” masons, a transvestite (who, being a man,
may or may not been regularly initiated, two early “adoptive” masons, a transvestite (who, being a man,
really really oughtn’t count), and one or two more whose Masonic pedigrees persist more in the realm of legend rather
oughtn’t count), and one or two more whose Masonic pedigrees persist more in the realm of legend rather
than historical fact. It is also clear that none,none, otherperhaps Elizabeth Aldworth, was ever permitted to enter enter
than historical fact. It is also clear that other than than perhaps Elizabeth Aldworth, was ever permitted to
a regular lodgelodge again.
a regular again.
Karen Kidd is a member of a co-Masonic lodgelodgeHaunted Chambers, a littleatoo frequently, readsreads more like
Karen Kidd is a member of a co-Masonic and and Haunted Chambers, little too frequently, more like
a polemic against gender exclusivity in regular Masonry than a straightforward history. ThereThere is no reason
a polemic against gender exclusivity in regular Masonry than a straightforward history. is no reason
to question her or any woman’s commitment to Masonic idealsidealsprinciples. They Theyafter all, universal.
to question her or any woman’s commitment to Masonic and and principles. are, are, after all, universal.
But speculative Masonry, regardless of operative masonry’s actual traditions, was established as anas an all-male
But speculative Masonry, regardless of operative masonry’s actual traditions, was established all-male
organization. And there there need not be anything sinister or controversial in this fact. During an age of clubs, men
organization. And need not be anything sinister or controversial in this fact. During an age of clubs, men
liked to organize socially as men. men. we still do. Let thosethosewish pursue co-Masonry, adoptive Masonry, or
liked to organize socially as And And we still do. Let who who wish pursue co-Masonry, adoptive Masonry, or
female lodges do so. They They do not need our permission, nor is there any reason for regular Masonry to recognize
female lodges do so. do not need our permission, nor is there any reason for regular Masonry to recognize
them.them.enough that we have our traditions and they have theirs.
It is It is enough that we have our traditions and they have theirs.

Haunted Chambers contains somesomeinteresting and useful material. It is a It is a shame that did not discuss
Haunted Chambers contains very very interesting and useful material. shame that Kidd Kidd did not discuss
the advent of eithereither co-Masonry or female Masonry. Women being barred regular Masonry, it wouldwould
the advent of co-Masonry or female Masonry. Women being barred from from regular Masonry, it
have have been interesting to learn more about the development of these bodiestheir early early female champions.
been interesting to learn more about the development of these bodies and and their female champions.
Perhaps Kidd is leaving that to another book.book. I also point out that there there are two factual errors which caught
Perhaps Kidd is leaving that to another I must must also point out that are two factual errors which caught
my eye and which, I confess, irritated me (as they do in any non-fiction work). On p.On p. 64, refersrefers to “Ancient
my eye and which, I confess, irritated me (as they do in any non-fiction work). 64, Kidd Kidd to “Ancient
Mason Laurence Dermott,” author of Ahiman Rezon, as “Grand Master of Ireland.” Dermot was awas a Master
Mason Laurence Dermott,” author of Ahiman Rezon, as “Grand Master of Ireland.” Dermot Past Past Master
of an of anlodgelodge and Grand Secretary of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England 1752 1752 to 1771. Henevernever
Irish Irish and Grand Secretary of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England from from to 1771. He was was
Grand Master of theof the Grand Lodge of Ireland orjurisdiction. Also problematic is Kidd’s assertion on p. on p. 42
Grand Master Grand Lodge of Ireland or any any jurisdiction. Also problematic is Kidd’s assertion 42
concerning whether or notor not Elizabeth Alworth received rd degree in Masonry:
concerning whether Elizabeth Alworth received the 3 the 3rd degree in Masonry:
These Masonic historians seemseem not to know, forget, or ignore thethat what whatknown as as
These Masonic historians not to know, forget, or ignore the fact fact that was was known
“the Master’s Part” was not yet separated into its own degree from the Second Degree. The Third Third
“the Master’s Part” was not yet separated into its own degree from the Second Degree. The
Degree did not yet exist this early in thein the 18th Century.
Degree did not yet exist this early 18th Century.
Kidd is apparently unaware that the Trinity College, Dublin MS, dateddated 1711 (a BEFORE she suggests
Kidd is apparently unaware that the Trinity College, Dublin MS, 1711 (a year year BEFORE she suggests
Aldworth was initiated) demonstrates that in Ireland, at least, least, all three separate degrees were already being
Aldworth was initiated) demonstrates that in Ireland, at all three separate degrees were already being
worked. GivenGiven that Aldworth accidentally overheard the Fellowcraft Degree, there reason to assume that that
worked. that Aldworth accidentally overheard the Fellowcraft Degree, there is no is no reason to assume
she ever received any more more “light” in Masonry what whathad already improperly obtained, let alonealone be
she ever received any “light” in Masonry than than she she had already improperly obtained, let be
granted the Master Mason degree or be or be allowed in thein the East. On the contrary, common sense dictates she
granted the Master Mason degree allowed to sit to sit East. On the contrary, common sense dictates she
wouldwouldhave been been obligated as far as necessary to maintain secrecy. But this, like so muchmuch concerning
only only have obligated as far as necessary to maintain secrecy. But all of all of this, like so concerning
thesethese women Freemasons, is conjecture owingowing to the scant historical record.
early early women Freemasons, is conjecture to the scant historical record.
Karen Kidd, Haunted Chambers: the Lives of Early Women Women Freemasons (Cornerstone 2009,US). Website:Website: http://www.hauntedchambers.com
Karen Kidd, Haunted Chambers: the Lives of Early Freemasons (Cornerstone 2009, $24.95 $24.95 US). http://www.hauntedchambers.com

According to her web site, She was initiated into Freemasonry in AugustAugust into a Seattle, WA-based Lodge Lodge
According to her web site, She was initiated into Freemasonry in 2006, 2006, into a Seattle, WA-based
that works works the Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry, American Federation of Human Rights.Rights. The
that under under the Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry, American Federation of Human The
Honorable Order is based in Larkspur, CO, and was founded in the USthe the early 20th Century. She is She is also a
Honorable Order is based in Larkspur, CO, and was founded in in US in the early 20th Century. also a
member of the Honorable Order’s Lodge Lodge of Research, for she writtenwritten several architectures/research papers
member of the Honorable Order’s of Research, for which which she several architectures/research papers
and more are in the works.works. In March She was honored by many of Malecraft Brethren during during a ceremony
and more are in the In March 2008, 2008, She was honored by many of Malecraft Brethren a ceremony
in Machester, England. Karen Karen essay, “I am Regular”, won the WorldI have I any hopes for “Haunted
in Machester, England. essay, “I am Regular”, won the World “If “If have any hopes for “Haunted
AwardAward in Internet Lodge No 9659’sPaper’s competition. Internet Chambers”, it’s that the book gets to gets to
in Internet Lodge No 9659’s Short Short Paper’s competition. Internet Chambers”, it’s that the book
Lodge Lodge is a Lodge in Manchester England that works the UnitedUnited the readers who most want it.are
is a Lodge in Manchester England that works under under the the readers who most want it. There There are
Grand Grand Lodge of England. It’s biannualpapers papers competition attracts a quitefolks who will findwill find this book
Lodge of England. It’s biannual short short competition attracts quite few and would rather this never
a challenge
a few folks who
it
book
entrants the world over. She was the first Co-Mason and the first woman had been written.written. would rather itconvert
a challenge and
entrants the world over. She was the first Co-Mason and the first woman had been I’m not I’m notconvert
out to out to
never
Freemason to win such an award in a contestcontest sponsored by a Lodge under anyone. Thoserather dismiss dismiss it out
Freemason to win such an award in a sponsored by a Lodge under anyone. Those who’d who’d rather it out
the UGLE. DuringDuring the ceremony, She was addressed as “Brother”of hand of hand aredo so.to do Iso. But there there
the UGLE. the ceremony, She was addressed as “Brother” and and are free to free But know I know
She received the award awardthe then Pro Grand Grand Master UGLE, are readers readers the want to want to know this
She received the from from the then Pro Master of the of the UGLE, are whoThose are the readers to hope to
really really know this
history. history. are
Those
who
readers I hope I
the Most Hon the Marquess of Northampton.
the Most Hon the Marquess of Northampton. reach.” reach.”
Source: http://www.hauntedchambers.com/About__Biography_.html
Source: http://www.hauntedchambers.com/About__Biography_.html

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