CERTIFYING WILLIAM A MASTER MASON in the St. John's Lodge of Wilmington, North Carolina, in a manuscript document on vellum, written in three languages (Latin, English, and French), in three equally divided segments of the document, each signed by Rice and four officials of the lodge, John Brown, Master, John Telfair, Senior Warden, Edward Jones, Junior Warden, and J. Bernard, Secretary, 3 November 5795 (i.e., 1795).

Wilmington, NC: 1795. Manuscript document on vellum, 11 1/4 x 13 inches, the headline in larger script, the body of the text well executed in a practiced hand, larger and bolder words, phrases, and flourishes creating an attractive presentation; the entire text within a double thin-rule border, thin double-rules separating the columns. "The bearer hereof William Rice hath been regularly enter'd, pass'd and raisd to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason, and has during his residence with Us behaved himself as a worthy Brother and as such We recommend him to all worthy Brethren round the Globe." St. John's Lodge, "No. 1" in North Carolina, was chartered in 1754; Telfair was elected to membership in the lodge in 1789. Manuscripts relating to freemasonry in North Carolina in the 18th century are rarely encountered in the market; this is the first we have offered. Very good. Old fold lines. (11149). Item #64917

Price: $1,500.00