Meriwether Lewis’s Masonic Certificate

This sealed certificate, dated October 31, 1799, and signed, at left, by Meriwether Lewis, confers upon him the Masonic degree of Royal Arch, Superexcellent Mason. This honor was granted by the Royal Arch chapter of Masons in Staunton. The freemasonry is a fraternal organization noted for its semisecret and esoteric rituals.

Citation: Meriwether Lewis Masonic certificate, 1799 Oct. 31, Accession #3837, Special Collections, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.