Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: First Series Summary

Freemasonry had an interesting beginning prior to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, especially in the American Colonies. There has been no evidence found that any other member of the expedition was a Freemason before and during the expedition, except for Meriwether Lewis. The only other known member who became a Freemason after the expedition was William Clark. No other records have been found to date as to anyone else being a Freemason before, becoming one during or becoming one after the expedition was over.

There is nothing in the journals Lewis and Clark kept indicating any sort of tyled or un-tyled masonic work or activities was conducted during the expedition. There is proof Captain Meriwether Lewis took his masonic beliefs with him on the expedition and named three river tributaries after three of the Masonic Virtues.

The question as to whether or not masonic work was conducted on the expedition is no at least not among the other members of the expedition, from researching the known journals and records. It can be interpreted and said Masonic work was conducted by Meriwether Lewis when he named the three river tributaries, even if none of the other members of the expedition knew it at the time. When WIlliam Clark became a Freemason after the expedition it is likely he understood why Lewis named the river tributaries as he did.

The research will continue for any other journals, records, etc.

There will be a break from this series after this first half. The second half will be about what happened within Freemasonry during the expedition and right after it ended.


Previous articles:
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Introduction
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Thank You
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Information Sources
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Timeline
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: The Type of Men who Joined Freemasonry in the Past 
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Was Masonic Work Conducted during the Expedition?
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: We Proceeded On Article.
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Royal Arch Mason Article