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Freemason Underground | Cities of the Underworld (S1, E10) | Full Episode

HISTORY・35 minutes read

Freemasonry had a profound impact on American history, with key figures like Paul Revere and Ben Franklin playing crucial roles in the American Revolution and construction projects in cities like Boston and Philadelphia. The Freemasons' influence extended to the Underground Railroad, where they helped over 50,000 slaves escape to freedom in Canada, showcasing their hidden role in shaping American history.

Insights

  • Freemasonry, a secretive brotherhood, had a substantial influence on American history, with 9 of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence being Freemasons, playing a crucial role in the American Revolution and even aiding in the fight against slavery.
  • Freemasonry's impact on cities like Boston and Philadelphia goes beyond symbolism, with hidden underground locations revealing a hidden world where Freemasons operated secretly, evading British troops during the revolution, using tunnels for military actions, and even aiding escaping slaves through the Underground Railroad, showcasing a rich, multifaceted history intertwined with American historical events.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of Freemasonry in American history?

    Freemasonry had a substantial impact on American history, particularly during the nation's birth and the American Revolution. The secretive brotherhood, with symbols prevalent in cities like Boston and Philadelphia, played a crucial role in the revolution. Figures like Paul Revere, a prominent Mason, and other Bostonians were key in sparking rebellion against British rule. Freemasons operated underground in Boston, using tunnels to evade British troops and carry out military actions. The Old North Church in Boston served as a strategic point for Freemasons, aiding in signaling British movements. Overall, Freemasonry's influence on American history, from the revolution to the construction of key structures, is significant and deeply intertwined with the nation's founding.

  • What are the origins and rituals of Freemasonry?

    Freemasonry originated as a group of master artisans passing on building skills, evolving to include non-artisans and focusing on symbolic structures. The brotherhood involves three degrees - Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason - with initiation ceremonies tied to ancient traditions. Freemasonry symbols are linked to ancient secrets and rituals, with connections believed to exist between Freemasons and the Knights Templar, even possessing the Holy Grail. The rituals and ceremonies of Freemasonry are secretive, with a rich history that dates back to the group's formation as a guild of skilled craftsmen.

  • How did Freemasons contribute to the construction of Fort Mifflin?

    Freemasons, led by figures like Ben Franklin, played a crucial role in completing Philadelphia's Fort Mifflin using their manpower and resources. The fort, built with thick outer walls that withstood heavy bombardment during the Revolutionary War, was constructed with the influence of Freemasonry. The shape of the fort, resembling a pantograph, may have been a message from the Freemasons, showcasing their involvement in the construction. Additionally, the fort's defenses, including booby traps and enlarged walls, reflect the strategic input of the Freemasons in creating a stronghold during the war.

  • What was the role of Freemasons in Philadelphia's water system?

    Freemasons influenced the construction of Philadelphia's water system, designed by Benjamin Latrobe and inspired by the brotherhood. The Fairmount Water Works, a crucial pumping station for Philadelphia, was designed by Frederick Graff with the Freemasons' influence evident in its creation. The waterworks project, initially designed in 1801 by Freemasons, brought water from the Schuylkill River into a canal dug through bedrock. The system, which pumped over 5.3 million gallons of water daily, showcased the impact of Freemasonry on infrastructure and public utilities in Philadelphia.

  • How did Freemasons contribute to the fight against slavery?

    Freemasons played a hidden role in the fight against slavery, with figures like Benjamin Franklin being leading abolitionists. The brotherhood's involvement in aiding escaping slaves through the Underground Railroad was significant, with secret rooms and hiding spots utilized to guide slaves to freedom. The Prince Hall Lodges, African-American Masonic lodges, were crucial stops along the Underground Railroad, providing refuge and assistance to over 50,000 slaves seeking freedom in Canada. Despite enduring racism even among those fighting slavery, Freemasons played a vital role in the abolitionist movement, impacting American history and contributing to the cities they helped build.

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Summary

00:00

"Freemasons' Underground Influence in American History"

  • 9 out of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence were Freemasons, a secretive brotherhood with significant influence on American history.
  • Beneath cities like Boston and Philadelphia, the Freemasons' impact on the nation's birth can be understood through hidden underground locations.
  • Freemasonry symbols are prevalent in Boston and Philadelphia, with the true depth of the brotherhood only revealed underground.
  • The Freemasons played a crucial role in the American Revolution, with some dubbing the founding of the nation as the "Masonic Experiment."
  • Freemasonry originated as a group of master artisans passing on building skills, evolving to include non-artisans and focusing on symbolic structures.
  • Paul Revere, a prominent Mason, and other Bostonians were key figures in the revolution, refusing British rule and sparking rebellion.
  • Freemasons operated secretly underground in Boston, using tunnels and narrow streets to evade British troops and carry out military actions.
  • The Old North Church in Boston served as a strategic point for Freemasons during the revolution, aiding in signaling British movements.
  • Beneath the Old North Church lies a crypt with over 1,100 bodies, including those from the Revolutionary War, revealing a hidden underground world.
  • Smuggling tunnels beneath the church, used by pirates and Freemasons, played a significant role in historical events, with rumors of their existence persisting in the neighborhood.

10:03

"Secrets of Freemasonry and Revolutionary Boston"

  • FBI searched for missing cash, leading to Sonny becoming a suspect.
  • FBI visited the narrator, who showed them a blocked tunnel.
  • FBI apprehended 11 accomplices in the Brink's robbery, but $1.1 million was never found.
  • Boston's underground holds many secrets, from lost cash to historical figures like Paul Revere.
  • Freemasonry's history and symbols are linked to ancient secrets and rituals.
  • Masonic initiation ceremonies are secretive and tied to ancient traditions.
  • Freemasons are believed to have connections to the Knights Templar and possess the Holy Grail.
  • Freemasonry involves three degrees - Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.
  • Freemasons like George Washington and Ben Franklin played crucial roles in the American Revolution.
  • Fort Mifflin, built by Freemasons, played a significant role in the Revolutionary War and was recently discovered to have hidden underground tunnels and rooms.

19:59

"Secrets of Fort Mifflin Revealed"

  • Fort Mifflin was used as a prison during the Civil War, with deserters, P.O.W.s, and murderers held there.
  • William Howe, a Union soldier and hero, was executed at Fort Mifflin during the Civil War.
  • The fort was discovered 142 years after Howe's execution, revealing his subterranean prison.
  • Freemasons, led by Ben Franklin, completed Philadelphia's Fort Mifflin using their manpower and money.
  • The fort withstood heavy bombardment during the Revolutionary War due to its thick outer walls.
  • The fort's barracks, built by the British, could hold 120 soldiers and were used as a defense during sieges.
  • The fort's shape, resembling a pantograph, may have been a message from the Freemasons.
  • The fort's defenses included booby traps in the river and thick walls enlarged by the colonists.
  • Freemasons also influenced the construction of Philadelphia's water system, designed by Benjamin Latrobe.
  • The Fairmount Water Works, designed by Frederick Graff, was a crucial pumping station for Philadelphia inspired by the Freemasons.

30:18

"Hidden Tunnels and Masonic Secrets Revealed"

  • Three huge turbines operated pumps that pumped water up to the reservoir.
  • A 3,000-foot-long tunnel beneath the enginehouse was part of the original waterworks, providing special access.
  • The waterworks project evolved over time, initially designed in 1801 by Freemasons to bring water from the Schuylkill River into a canal dug through bedrock.
  • The water was lifted to an underground brick conduit and delivered by gravity to a pumping station in Center Square.
  • Over 5.3 million gallons of water were pumped daily through the system, a significant increase from the original design's 7,500 gallons.
  • The waterworks closed in 1909, but the tunnels remain, offering a glimpse into the city's foundations.
  • Freemasons played a hidden role in the fight against slavery, with Mason Benjamin Franklin being a leading abolitionist.
  • A secret room used in the Underground Railroad was discovered in Concord, Massachusetts, hidden behind a fireplace in an art gallery.
  • The room, only 3 feet by 6 feet, was where slaves stayed before moving on to the next station in the railroad.
  • The Prince Hall Lodges, African-American Masonic lodges, were crucial stops along the Underground Railroad, utilizing secret hiding spots and codes to guide slaves to freedom.

41:09

Underground Railroad: Freemasons' Legacy of Freedom

  • Escaping slaves used a small cave with an underground tunnel leading to a hidden room by the chimney for refuge, enduring racism even among those fighting slavery, with limited space and the risk of being discovered.
  • The Freemasons played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, aiding over 50,000 slaves to freedom in Canada, a legacy of silence that continues today, impacting American history and the cities they helped build.
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