ROBERT BENJAMIN FOLGER WAS A FASCINATING man and Mason. I became interested in him when I first saw a single page from one of his cipher manuscripts reprinted in A History of Royal Arch Masonry by Turnbull and Denslow. My first thoughts were to solve his cipher, then to understand his strange manuscript, and finally to know the author. These three objectives were met, and the results published in volume twenty-three of the Masonic Book Club, The Folger Manuscript.
While doing my research on the Folger Manuscript, I came across a reference to a series of newspaper articles Folger had published in the New York Dispatch from 1873-1874. The Library of Congress had bound copies of the newspaper for the right years, and I instantly realized I was sitting on a gold mine! I learned more about Bro. Folger, which helped me with my research, but more importantly I read a unique first-hand account of American Masonry. Folger's "Recollections of a Masonic Veteran" is his account of New York Masonry, from his initiation in 1824 to the publication of his recollections in 1873-1874; fifty years of Masonic experience.
Folger had a strong personality, which led to his expulsion twice from the Grand Lodge of New York, and later in 1881 from the Supreme Council, N.M.J. At the time of his "Recollections," however, he seemed to look back over his career through rose-colored glasses. He had kind words for almost everyone and gave a gracious interpretation to most actions he described. Unfortunately, his rose-colored glasses may have been distorted.
For example, Folger was a friend of Henry C. Atwood and described his Masonic career in very sympathetic terms. Atwood, however, formed two schismatic Grand Lodges and headed two irregular Supreme Councils, one of which chartered Symbolic Lodges in New York. Folger also was an ardent supporter of Joseph Cerneau and the Supreme Councils descended from him. The descriptions of the Cerneau Scottish Rite are in glowing terms and do not reflect current thinking. In short, Folger is not as unbiased a reporter as a casual reader might believe. Other than this caution, Folger's words stand alone.
A few words are in order about his articles. Folger's "Recollections" were published by the New York Dispatch in forty-two parts, numbered one through forty. Part three was published in two parts, and there are two parts numbered thirty-one. As far as I can tell, only one letter to the editor was published concerning the series, and this has been reprinted as a "Query from a Young Mason." Some four months before his "Recollections" were published, the Dispatch ran the anonymous "Reminiscence of Jeremy L. Cross," which explained how the famous ritualist designed his monument for the tomb of Hiram Abif. There is no doubt that Folger was the author, not only from the distinctive prose style, but also from little hints, like the author's statement that "I was raised to the third degree in Fireman's Lodge, old City Hotel...." While strictly not part of the "Recollections," the Reminiscence is included as a bonus.
-S.Brent Morris
