Beschreibung:

REVERE, Paul (1735-1818), Massachusetts patriot . Calligraphic document signed ("Paul Revere"), as Master of the Masonic Lodge of St. Andrews, a membership certificate in the Lodge, also signed by Nathanial Fellows, Andrew Newell and Benjamin Coolidge. Boston, 20 December 1780. 1 page, oblong (9 x 6 in.) , ON FINE PARCHMENT, text in a fine calligraphic hand, with original embossed paper seal of the St., Andrews Lodge at top left corner, double-matted with an engraved portrait and in a fine giltwood frame . A RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-DATE EXAMPLE OF A REVERE MASONIC CERTIFICATE. As early as 1773, Revere had engraved a membership certificate for the use of his lodge (Brigham, pl.61); he apparently sold these to his masonic brothers. In 1782 Revere engraved another slightly different certificate (Brigham, pl.62). This certificate, in manuscript, apparently falls between the two printed certificates, perhaps indicating that the earlier certificates had been used up and the new one was not yet available. The top lines give the traditional text of the Masonic motto, "And the Darkness comprehended it not" [ John 1:5] "In the East a place of Light where reign Silence and Peace." The certificate declares that "We the Master Wardens and Secretary of St. Andrews Lodge held at Boston New England, do certify to all men enlightened upon the face of the earth, that...our Brother Samuel Moore hath been duly initiated into the secret mystery of Free-Masonry, as an enter'd apprentice, pass'd a fellow-craft; and after due qualification, raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. And we do hereby recommend our said brother, wheresoever distress'd, to all True and Faithful brethren throughout the Globe." On 9 September 1760, the 25-year-old Paul Revere (who had probably been introduced to Freemasonry through Richard Gridley, a Mason and Revere's commander during the Crown Point Expedition of 1756), was initiated as an apprentice in St. Andrew's Lodge. He advanced rapidly to the rank of Master Mason, and, by 1769, Arch Mason (also held by fellow patriot Joseph Warren). As a skilled gold- and silversmith, Revere received several commissions to engrave certificates and to produce seals and medals for his Lodge (the engravings are illustrated in C. Brigham, Paul Revere's Engravings , pp.186-196). In 1783, Revere and other masons founded a new lodge, "Rising States," and in 1794 he assumed the status of Grand Master of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. According to one authority, after 1800, the demands of Revere's growing foundry business absorbed most of his time and Revere held no further masonic offices, only occasionally attended meetings (E.J. Steblicki, Paul Revere and Freemasonry , 1985, p.64). Documents relating to Revere's masonry are rare.