How & Why Freemasonry Came to Kentucky: The Backstory - Paperback

by John Bizzack (Author)

While the role the spread of Freemasonry played in the early years of the history of the United States is well documented elsewhere, the backstory about who, how and in some cases, why this proliferation occurred as it did is lacking, especially in Kentucky. Towards that end, this publication is offered with intent to not only provide context, but connect the historical events that occurred behind the scenes that were untold, or perhaps even unknown by those who wrote the earlier histories of the arrival of Freemasonry in Kentucky. It is better understandable today that the men who were Freemasons prior to 1788 would seek a lodge somewhere in the area that was closer than the journey to Virginia where the closest lodge was located. However, it is also clearer today that those turbulent times involved men who were already Freemasons in leadership positions in Kentucky. Clear too is the fact that one immigrant with peculiar ties to George Washington also had a knack of finding himself involved in the middle of several historical events that led not only to statehood, but becoming one of the founding members of the first Masonic lodge in Kentucky. Evidence points the likelihood that Freemasonry was brought to Kentucky to further harvest and engender trust among early leaders rather than the long-standing belief that has stood since research in the 1930s. This likelihood also extends to the need George Washington, and his long-trusted friend and Secretary of War, Henry Knox among others seemed to have on relying heavily on the fidelity of brethren during the early years in which the United States was in its infant stage and expanding.