Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Master Mason certificate issued to Daniel Rathbone
1796-03-01
Freemasons. Franklin Lodge, No. 37 (Ballston, N.Y.); Hutton, Isaac, 1766-1855
USA: New York, Ballston
Engraving on parchment
10" x 8 1/4"; 26 x 21 cm.; 1 item (1 page)
Museum Purchase
A78/038/001

A Master Mason certificate issued by Franklin Lodge, No. 37, to Daniel Rathbone. Dated March 1, 1796. At the top of the document, the certificate is adorned with depictions of the sun, the Eye of Providence, and the moon. The text block is flanked on each side by columns and at its bottom by Masonic tools.

Signed and Sealed: Masonic Certificates, corridor, part one, 2017 Master Mason Certificate, 1796 Issued to Daniel Rathbone (1759-1808), Franklin Lodge No. 37, Ballston, New York Engraved by Isaac Hutton (1766-1855), Albany, New York Museum Purchase, A78/038/001 Around 1790 Daniel Rathbone moved to Saratoga County, New York where he ran a saw mill. As part of establishing himself in a new community, Rathbone joined the first Masonic lodge in the area—Franklin Lodge No. 37 in Ballston. An Albany craftsman named Isaac Hutton engraved the Master Mason’s certificate Franklin Lodge officers issued to Rathbone. On the certificate, lodge offices attested that they “recommend him [Rathbone] as a worthy member.”