The Jews and Masonry in the United States Before 1810

The Jewish role in the formation and leadership of Scottish Rite Masonry
-- by: Samuel Oppenheim, 1910-02, source: American Jewish Historical Quarterly, Vol 19
MHP hypertext version for non-profit educational use only

2.  Massachusetts

Moses M. Hays and the formation of Scottish Rite Masonry

Moses M. Hays (1739-1805)

The leading figure among the Jews in connection with early Masonry in the United States was Moses Michael Hays, a member of the well-known Hays family, of which a connected account is given in The Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. VI, p. 270. [2a] His name is sometimes spelled "Hayes" in the early Masonic records. An interesting article on his Masonic activity is to be found in the New England Freemason for 1875, written by Sereno D. Nickerson, who also wrote on the same subject in The New Era for October, 1902. Nickerson says that Hays was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1739, though in various other Masonic accounts, and in documents, Hays is spoken of as a native of London, and even of New York. No attempt will be made here to repeat the details given in the two articles referred to.

Hays was prominently identified with the introduction into the United States of what is called in Masonry the "Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite," which now comprises, according to Albert G. Mackey's "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry", p. 667, 33 degrees, divided into the following sections:

• Symbolic Lodge, 1st to 3d degrees;
• Lodge of Perfection, or, as it was called in its early history, Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection, 4th to 14th degrees;
• Council of Princes of Jerusalem, 15th and 16th degrees;
• Chapter of Rose-Croix, 17th and 18th degrees;
• Council of Kadosh, 19th to 30th degrees;
• Consistory of Princes of the Royal Secret, 31st and 32d degrees;
• and Supreme Council, 33d degree.

Previous to 1801 the number of degrees was less, but they covered the various sections named, except the Supreme Council. A degree is the equivalent, in ordinary language, of grade or rank. These names will be occasionally met with in this paper, and are here given as explanatory.

During Hays' life his authority was recognized, but after his death considerable criticism, due apparently to his Jewish origin and to his designation of Jews in whom he had confidence for some of the higher offices, was made in anti-Masonic circles and by some discontented Masons and rival Masonic bodies, with reference to the steps taken by him and those acting under his authority for the furtherance of the interests of the Order. Into the merits of that controversy this is not the proper place to enter. His proceedings are now accepted by the Masonic fraternity as part of their approved history, and title is traced through him and his appointees, for the Scottish Rite in America.

Nickerson speaks of him as "the only Hebrew who ever held prominent office in the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts." In recognition of the powers conferred upon him he was elected Grand Master of that Grand Lodge at the annual elections from 1788 to 1792, having become a member of the subordinate Massachusetts Lodge in 1783, in which year he was elected its Master, and re-elected for the two succeeding years. [3] Paul Revere, the Revolutionary patriot, was Deputy Grand Master under him. [4] Before becoming Grand Master, Hays had been Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge in 1785. Previous to that time he had been Master of King David's Lodge in Newport from 1780 to 1782. [5] Prior to 1780 he had been Master of that [same] lodge in New York where it had been originally organized under a warrant issued to him by George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master of New York, February 23, 1769. [6]

His connection with Masonry probably commenced about 1768 when he was appointed Deputy Inspector General of Masonry for North America by Henry Andrew Francken, who had been commissioned by Stephen Morin, of Paris, acting under the authority of Frederick II of Prussia, the Grand Master of Masons of Europe and holding jurisdiction over America. The appointment was made with the view of establishing the Scottish Rite in America, and power was given to Hays to appoint others with like powers. Under this authority he appointed several Deputy Inspectors General of Masonry for various States, of whom mention will be made in treating of those States. [7] Why such extraordinary powers were granted to Hays, a Jew, is a question remaining to be answered. (see note [E1])

Hays is reported as having been in Philadelphia, New York, Newport, and Boston in furtherance of the mission entrusted to him, settling finally in Boston, in 1783, although one writer speaks of him as residing in Boston in 1767. When the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction was organized in 1801, at Charleston, S. C. (see chapter 9), as a transformation of the former Rite of Perfection or Ancient Accepted Rite which had been established in Charleston in 1783, through his appointee, Isaac DaCosta, Hays was on its rolls as an honorary member of the Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection, [8] and holder of the thirty-second degree. His personal activity in connection with the Rite seems to have ceased after he became Grand Master in Massachusetts.

He died in Boston, May 9, 1805, and his remains were taken to Newport and buried in the Jewish cemetery there. An elegiac sonnet on his death was written by Robert Treat Paine, Jr., son of Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. [9]

Hays is described in a recent Masonic work published in Massachusetts [10] as follows:

"Worshipful Brother Hays was truly "an Israelite in whom there was no guile," a man of broad and liberal culture, astute in business, sociable and friendly with all, of open-hearted and openhanded charity which his well-filled purse allowed him to extend to all who required fraternal aid, whether among Masons or otherwise. Such aid he extended in a truly Masonic spirit and in no intrusive manner."

Nickerson, in The New Era, says that Hays' son and all his grandsons and great-grandsons were Masons. Hays left one son and five daughters. [11]

Hays' son Judah is the only other Jew listed as a member of Massachusetts Lodge, of Boston, before 1810. He was initiated in 1788, and became a member in 1790. [12] He was a resident of Boston in 1805 when his father died. The issue of the Columbian Centinel of that city, for May 11, 1805, which contains a tribute on the death of Moses M. Hays, quoted by Nickerson in articles already referred to, includes an item of the election of Judah Hays as a "fireward" in Boston, in place of another official who had resigned.

Abraham Jacobs was, according to his certificate, " initiated into the second degree of Masonry" on July 22, 1782, in St. Andrew's Lodge, of Boston. [13] He will be met with later. His original certificate of membership is in the possession of the Grand Lodge of New York, and will be referred to in treating of New York. It reads:

And the Darkness Comprehended it Not.

In the East, a Place of Light where Reigns Silence and Peace.

We, the Master, Wardens and Secretary of St. Andrew's Lodge, held in the Town of Boston and State of Massachusetts, do Certify, that the Bearer hereof, our Worthy Brother Abraham Jacobs has been Regularly Initiated into the Second Degree of Masonry. As such he has been Received by us, and being a True and Faithful Brother is hereby Recommended to the Favor and Protection of all Free and Accepted Masons Wheresoever Dispersed.

In Witness Whereof, We have caused the Seal of our said Lodge to be hereunto affixed this twenty-second day of July, 1782, and of Masonry 5782.

Paul Revere, Master.
Robert McElroy, Senior Warden.
N. Willis, Junior Warden.
Ben Coolidge, Secretary.

(Seal)

We have caused the Bearer to affix his name on the opposite column.

Abraham Jacobs.