Freemasonry & Monroe

By 2024-2025 Bowley Scholar Blake Bauer

In pursuit of an education at the College of William and Mary, 16-year-old James Monroe arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia during the summer of 1774. He was young, determined, and searching for where he could fit in this yet incomplete puzzle of adolescence appertaining to both himself and a possible new nation. Consequently, in step with many of his contemporaries, it made sense that he decided to soon join the Freemasons.

So, what is Freemasonry anyway? There have been many misconceptions about the fraternal organization that continue on even today. In truth, aspects of Freemasonry can be well summarized through this motto: “Make good men better.” While there is focus on the external, it is the internal first and foremost that the Masons are concerned with. By being your best self, you set an example for others to follow. Through joining the Masons, you are around other men who share similar values, and, as they say, iron sharpens iron. However, it is still also a personal journey, one that requires self-discipline and dedication. 

Although already well established elsewhere, Masonry in Virginia was still in its early stages during the late 18th century. In fact, Grand Lodge of Virginia, located in Williamsburg, wasn’t established until 1778, three years after James Monroe was inducted. Before it was given its current name of Masonic Temple Williamsburg No. 6 A.F. & A.M., it was simply called the Temple of 1773. It was there, almost 250 years ago, that James Monroe’s journey with Freemasonry began.

Monroe was only seventeen at the time of his induction on November 9, 1775. [It is worth noting that usually a man must be at least eighteen to be eligible to join]. He would have started out as an “Entered Apprentice,” which is the first of three degrees (levels) of Freemasonry. There is no evidence that Monroe was raised to a higher degree at the Williamsburg lodge, though his dues were paid through October, 1780.

In 1786, 28-year-old James Monroe and his 18-year-old bride, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe arrived in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Little is known about Monroe’s Masonic activity between 1780 and 1786, owing to scarce primary resources.

Unfortunately this lack of concrete information is a common problem in attempting to understand the scale of Monroe’s involvement with the Masons. There are many Masonic websites dedicated to the overall history of United States presidents who were Freemasons, but facts about Monroe are few and far between, and lack proper citations.

Because the lack of a written record is not unusual, oral history is extremely important for the Freemasons. Many records, some dating back hundreds of years, are passed down exclusively through word of mouth. Whether or not further information of James Monroe’s Masonic ties remain whispered quietly from ear to ear is unknown. 

There are many secrets within Freemasonry, yet that doesn’t make them a “secret society” as many think. As is commonly said, they are just a society with many secrets. Still, misinformation and conspiracy theories reaffirm this false belief that the Freemasons run the world from the shadows. This is simply false.

Returning to Monroe’s escapades, it was on the lot at the southwest corner of the intersection of Charles Street and William Street in downtown Fredericksburg that James Monroe opened his law firm in 1786. Monroe became a member of the “Lodge at Fredericksburgh” (today’s Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, A.F. & F.M.) shortly after his arrival in the town. 

Since 1763, the “Lodge at Fredericksburgh” had met at the original Town Hall and Market House on Caroline Street. This is where Monroe became a member in 1786.  Following a succession of moves beginning in 1814, Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, A.F. & F.M. has called the building at 803 Princess Anne Street (at the northeast corner of Princess Anne Street and Hanover Street) its home since its construction for the Lodge in 1816.

James Monroe was presented with a Masonic apron upon his indoctrination into the “Lodge at Fredericksburg” in 1786.  Presently, it is on exhibit at the James Monroe Museum at 908 Charles Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

From this point onwards there is yet again a large gap in Monroe’s masonic timeline. From 1786 until his death 45 years later in 1831, almost no further details of his Masonic activities seem to exist online. Through broader public outreach and research the story of James Monroe and his Masonry legacy may come to light. This is an ongoing research project, so stay tuned for updates. 

*Thank you to James “Jay” G. Harrison III for assistance in the research, writing, and gathering of materials for this post. Thank you as well to the many kind Masons who spoke to me about Masonic history.