Created by
African Lodge, No. 459, American, 1776 - 1847
Received by
Powers, Nero, American, died 1829
Signed by
Hilton, John T., American, 1801 - 1864
Lewis, Walker
Gaul, Aaron, American
Barbadoes, Isaac
Subject of
Hall, Prince, 1735 - 1807
Date
1826
Medium
wax and ink on wove paper with silk (textile)
Dimensions
H x W: 10 3/4 × 9 in. (27.3 × 22.9 cm)
Description
A membership certificate from the Masonic African Lodge No. 459, Boston, Massachusetts, certifying the promotion of Nero Powers to the rank of third-degree Mason.
The front of the paper features artwork of woodcut architectural motifs and columns on the left and right sides of the centered print. The all-seeing eye is depicted at the top beneath a line of Masonic decorative print. The left side of the paper is pierced with a silk ribbon and there is residue of a wax seal at upper left.
In black print type the certificate reads, [AND THE DARKNESS PRESENDETH IT NOT / IN THE EAT A PLACE OF LIGHT, WHERE REIGN SILENCE AND PEACE. / WEA the Master, Wardens and Secretary of / AFRICAN LODGE, No. 459 held in the Town of / Boston hereof, our Worthy Brother Nero Powers / has been regularly initiated into the third 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 13th day of November / 1826Anno Lucis 5826].
The certificate is signed by the Warden [John T. Hilton WM.], and Secretaries [Walker Lewis S.W. / Aaron Gaul S.W. / Isaac Barbadoes Sect.] at the bottom. On the reverse of certificate is an ink inscription, “18539 / S.D. 7".
Place printed
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
certificates
Topic
Associations and institutions
Fraternities
Free communities of color
Freemasonry
Men
Societies
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2021.51
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd548a862fa-a56a-42cd-93fa-f8550410c8ba

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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