Printed and Manuscript Americana

Boston: St. Andrews Lodge No. 82, March 12, 1778. Manuscript document on vellum, signed by Paul Revere as Master of St. Andrews Masonic Lodge, as well as Secretary James Carter, Senior Warden Stephen Bruce, and one additional Warden (name now illegible), certifying that Captain Joseph Squier "hath been duly initiated into the secret Mystery of Free Masonry as an enter'd Apprentice and pass'd to a Fellow Craft and after due Qualification has been rais'd to the sublime Degree of Master Mason..." With calligraphic images of two winged figures at top holding a banner with the masonic motto, "In the East a place of Light where reigns Silence & Peace"; calligraphic image of an open book with masonic Square and Compasses symbol at bottom left, with the masonic motto, "S. John And the Darkness comprehended it not". Large red wax seal and blue silk ribbon intact in top left corner. Some text faded; creasing from old folds; scattered spotting; dampstaining at bottom; scattered wear along extremities.

A rare Revolutionary War-dated manuscript Freemason certificate, signed by patriot and silversmith Paul Revere.

Paul Revere (1735-1818) was one of the most prominent Freemasons in New England during his lifetime. Likely introduced to Freemasonry through Richard Gridley, a fellow Mason who was Revere's commander during the Crown Point Expedition of 1756, Revere was first initiated into Boston's St. Andrew's Lodge on September 9, 1760. He quickly rose to higher lodge offices, serving as Junior Deacon, Secretary, and Junior Warden, before being installed as Master, from 1770-71 and from 1777-82. In 1784 he withdrew from St. Andrews and formed the Rising States Lodge where he became its first Master. In 1792 the Saint John's Grand Lodge and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge merged to form the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, where, in 1794, Revere became its Grand Master, a position he held until 1797. Concurrent with his responsibilities in these offices, as a skilled gold- and silversmith by trade, Revere was frequently commissioned to produce engraved certificates as well as seals and medals for Masonic lodges throughout the region. During the time Revere signed this certificate, he was serving as Commander of Boston Harbor's principal defense works, Castle William.

Captain Joseph Squier is presumed to be the same individual that was born in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1752, and who served in the company of David Dimon on the Lexington Alarm in April 1775. In January 1778, he was commissioned Captain of Marines on board the ship Defence, who during her three-year career captured 12 prizes and 600 prisoners. During this time Squier also undertook three whale boats to raid British installments and shipping on Long Island Sound (records show a Joseph Squire, presumably the same). His partners in this venture included Hezekiah Nichols and Abraham Cooper Woodhull (the latter a cousin of the head of General Washington's famous Culper spy ring, Abraham Woodhull.) In Boston in August of 1778 Squier married Sarah Eliot (1755-99), daughter of Andrew Eliot (1718-78), Congregational minister of Boston's New North Church. The latter Eliot's son, Andrew Eliot, Jr. (1743-1805), served as pastor of First Church of Christ in Fairfield, Connecticut (where Squier was born and raised), from 1774 to his death. After the war Squier returned to Fairfield, where he died in 1825.

Documents and engravings related to Revere's freemasonry are very rare, with manuscript examples being even more uncommon, both in institutions and on the market. According to RBH, this is only the third manuscript Masonic certificate signed by Revere to come to auction. Of them, this is the earliest, and of a much more elaborate and attractive design.