While no official record exists Masonic work was conducted during the Lewis and Clark Expedition there is evidence and proof Captain Lewis took his Masonic beliefs with him and that they had a positive influence and helped guide him on the expedition. He named three river tributaries after three of Freemasonry's important tenants. Captain Lewis may have been the only known Freemason on the expedition with Captain Clark becoming a Freemason after the expedition returned in 1806 it is possible and plausible others from the expedition joined the fraternity especially when the Ancients and Moderns joined to form one belief in Freemasonry. As of yet no known records exist proving if anyone but Lewis and Clark joined the Masonic Fraternity.
Something that has been proven is were it not for the expedition Freemasonry would not have expanded as it did during and especially after the expedition returned in 1806. Ever since 1806 every new territory, which developed into individual states which thus caused grand lodge jurisdictions in each of the respective states was a result of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Would Freemasonry have expanded otherwise? Yes, it would have, but not as quickly.
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
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: First Series Summary
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Freemasonry West of the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia 1700 to 1775
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Freemasonry West of the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia 1775 to 1825
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Freemasonry West of the Mississippi River, Kaskaskia after 1825
Freemasonry and the Lewis and Clark Expedition: Freemasonry West of the Mississippi River, Freemasonry after the Expedition; the next Masonic Lodge
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