The Father of The York Rite
The Father of the York Rite York Rite Mason Thomas Smith Webb is considered to be the Father of the York Rite or the American Rite. Born on October 30, 1771, in Boston, Massachusetts. Webb grew up as a printer’s apprentice in Boston before continuing in New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, he completed the three Ancient Craft Masonry degrees at the Rising Sun Lodge in 1790. In 1793, Thomas Smith Webb moved to Albany, where he started a paper staining factory. Thomas Smith...