Grand Lodge of England
The Grand Lodge of England is usually considered to have been founded on 24 June 1717 by members of Four Masonic Lodges that usually met at various drinking establishments. However, according to "The Second Messiah" on page 55, an old book called the "Multa Paucis" is said to claim that there were 6 Lodges that met to found the GLOE and that the GLOE will not discuss this topic. I have no idea. Perhaps I will discover more at a later date.
1) Goose and Gridiron Alehouse in St. Paul's courtyard
2) Crown Alehouse in Parkers Lane
3) Apple Tree Tavern in Charles' Street
4) Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Westminster
These Four Lodges met at the Apple Tree Tavern in February of 1717 and elected the oldest Master Mason amongst them to be the Grand Master.
On 24 June 1717 Mr. Anthony Sayer, gentleman, was elected Grand Master for the ensuing year. Mr. Sayer appointed Capt. J. Elliot and Mr. Jacob. Lamball as Grand Wardens.
(See "Who's Afraid of Freemasons?" p38)
On 24 June 1718 Bro. George Payne was proclaimed as the second Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England with John Cordwell and Thomas Morrice as Grand Wardens. (See "Who's Afraid of Freemasons?" by Piatigorsky page41)
[Is this George Payne in anyway related to Hugh de Payns of the Knights Templar, or perhaps to Thomas Paine in America?]
In 1719 Dr. John Theofilus Desaguliers was elected as the 3rd Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England. (See "Who's Afraid of Freemasons?" by Piatigorsky page43)
In 1720 George Payne was again elected as Grand Master.
The cornerstone was laid, by Lord Petre, on 14 May 1775 for the construction of a building for the Grand Lodge of England. The hall was finished in May 1776. (See "Who's Afraid of Freemasons?" by Piatigorsky page 149)
Also see:
24 June
1717
1718
1719
1720
1775
1776
Apple Tree Tavern
Crown Alehouse
Desaguliers, Dr. John Theofilus
February
Four
Goose and Gridiron Alehouse
Grand Lodge of England
Hugh de Payns
Knights Templar
Lodge
Masonic
Master Mason
May
"Multa
Paucis"
Payne,
George
Piatigorsky
Rummer and Grapes Tavern
Sayer, Mr. Anthony
"The
Second Messiah" (Especially Chapter 3"
"Who's
Afraid of Freemasons?"