Our journal
1 January 03, 2026
1. Alexander C. Cherkas
Original Research
2. Airin Cherkas
Sir Peter Lauck (1753–1839): Soldier of the Revolution and Knight Templar
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 4-8.
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Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 4-8.
Abstract:
This article is devoted to the biography of Sir Peter Lauck (1753–1839) as a Soldier of the American Revolution and a Knight Templar. The source base of the study includes documents from the commercial genealogical database Ancestry.com, as well as a number of published documentary collections. In the conclusion, the author argues that the life course of Peter Lauck represents a vivid example of service to society, the state, and fraternal ideals in the late eighteenth and the first third of the nineteenth centuries. His biography reflects the characteristic features of the generation of American revolutionaries who, after the War of Independence, not only participated in the formation of political institutions but were also actively engaged in the economic, social, and spiritual development of their towns and states. As an entrepreneur and one of the founders of the Farmers Bank of Virginia, Peter Lauck contributed to strengthening the financial foundations of the region. His involvement in law enforcement and his service with the rank of captain underscore his role in maintaining order and civic stability during the early period of United States history. Of particular importance is his long-standing and active participation in the Masonic movement. His leadership of lodges during the transition from the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to that of the Grand Lodge of Virginia testifies to the high level of trust and authority he enjoyed among his contemporaries. The final stage of his life was closely connected with the Order of Knights Templar, in which he held responsible officer positions at both the local and state levels. The continuation of the Masonic tradition within his family further emphasizes the continuity of values and service. The death of Peter Lauck in 1839 marked the end of the life of a man who can rightfully be characterized as a Soldier of the Revolution, a public figure, and a Knight Templar—one of the notable personalities of his time.
This article is devoted to the biography of Sir Peter Lauck (1753–1839) as a Soldier of the American Revolution and a Knight Templar. The source base of the study includes documents from the commercial genealogical database Ancestry.com, as well as a number of published documentary collections. In the conclusion, the author argues that the life course of Peter Lauck represents a vivid example of service to society, the state, and fraternal ideals in the late eighteenth and the first third of the nineteenth centuries. His biography reflects the characteristic features of the generation of American revolutionaries who, after the War of Independence, not only participated in the formation of political institutions but were also actively engaged in the economic, social, and spiritual development of their towns and states. As an entrepreneur and one of the founders of the Farmers Bank of Virginia, Peter Lauck contributed to strengthening the financial foundations of the region. His involvement in law enforcement and his service with the rank of captain underscore his role in maintaining order and civic stability during the early period of United States history. Of particular importance is his long-standing and active participation in the Masonic movement. His leadership of lodges during the transition from the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to that of the Grand Lodge of Virginia testifies to the high level of trust and authority he enjoyed among his contemporaries. The final stage of his life was closely connected with the Order of Knights Templar, in which he held responsible officer positions at both the local and state levels. The continuation of the Masonic tradition within his family further emphasizes the continuity of values and service. The death of Peter Lauck in 1839 marked the end of the life of a man who can rightfully be characterized as a Soldier of the Revolution, a public figure, and a Knight Templar—one of the notable personalities of his time.
Number of views: 25 Download in PDF
3. Alexander C. Cherkas
Sir Knight Samuel May Williams (1795–1858): Missionary Activity of the First Texas Knight Templar
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 9-15.
Number of views: 26 Download in PDF
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 9-15.
Abstract:
This article examines the missionary activity of Sir Knight Samuel May Williams (1795–1858), the first Knight Templar of Texas. Having been received into the Masonic Order of Knights Templar on December 1, 1835, Samuel M. Williams devoted the remainder of his life to service within the Order. In the conclusion, the author argues that the activity of Samuel M. Williams represents a rare example of the combination of political, civic, and Masonic missions that exerted a long-term influence on the development of Texas. His assistance to the Republic of Texas, although it followed the Battle of San Jacinto, played a crucial role in stabilizing the young state and preventing a possible renewal of Mexican military intervention. In subsequent years, Williams became one of the central figures in shaping the institutional structure of Freemasonry in Texas: from the establishment of the first regular lodge and participation in the formation of the Grand Lodge to the organization of Royal Arch chapters and the higher chivalric degrees of the York Rite. Of particular significance was his contribution to the establishment of the Grand Encampment, later the Grand Commandery of Texas, which laid the foundation for the rapid growth of Templarism in the region. The history of the development of Masonic organizations in Texas clearly demonstrates that the mission of Samuel M. Williams was not only successfully accomplished, but also determined their trajectory of development for decades to come.
This article examines the missionary activity of Sir Knight Samuel May Williams (1795–1858), the first Knight Templar of Texas. Having been received into the Masonic Order of Knights Templar on December 1, 1835, Samuel M. Williams devoted the remainder of his life to service within the Order. In the conclusion, the author argues that the activity of Samuel M. Williams represents a rare example of the combination of political, civic, and Masonic missions that exerted a long-term influence on the development of Texas. His assistance to the Republic of Texas, although it followed the Battle of San Jacinto, played a crucial role in stabilizing the young state and preventing a possible renewal of Mexican military intervention. In subsequent years, Williams became one of the central figures in shaping the institutional structure of Freemasonry in Texas: from the establishment of the first regular lodge and participation in the formation of the Grand Lodge to the organization of Royal Arch chapters and the higher chivalric degrees of the York Rite. Of particular significance was his contribution to the establishment of the Grand Encampment, later the Grand Commandery of Texas, which laid the foundation for the rapid growth of Templarism in the region. The history of the development of Masonic organizations in Texas clearly demonstrates that the mission of Samuel M. Williams was not only successfully accomplished, but also determined their trajectory of development for decades to come.
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4. Airin Cherkas
Personnel of Winchester Grand Encampment No. 1, Knights Templar (Winchester, Virginia) in 1821: A Historical and Genealogical Study
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 16-25.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 16-25.
Abstract:
This study examines the personal composition of one of the early Knights Templar organizations in the United States—Winchester Grand Encampment—as of 1821, when its membership consisted of 31 individuals. The source base of the research includes materials from the commercial genealogical database Ancestry.com as well as published documentary collections. In the conclusion, the author notes that the analysis of the membership of Winchester Grand Encampment in 1821 allows for several important observations regarding the social, age-related, and geographical characteristics of its members. First and foremost, a significant proportion of the members were veterans of the American Revolutionary War. At least eight members of the Encampment had military experience from the Revolutionary War; most of them served as privates, while two held the non-commissioned officer rank of sergeant. This indicates that Winchester Grand Encampment relied heavily on the authority and life experience of men who had participated in key events of early American history. Additional evidence of the military character of this milieu is provided by the service of Presley Marmaduke, who held the rank of captain during the War of 1812. The age composition of the Encampment demonstrates a combination of generations. Alongside elderly members, such as William Kelley, who was 70 years old in 1821, the organization also included relatively young men, including Samuel H. Lauck and Norman Nash, both aged 31. The average age of 51 years indicates the predominance of mature and socially established men, a characteristic feature of leadership-oriented and fraternal organizations of the period. The geographical distribution of the members shows that the influence of the Encampment extended beyond a single city and even beyond one state, encompassing Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi. Finally, the identified family continuity—illustrated by the Lauck family—highlights the role of Winchester Grand Encampment not only as a social institution but also as an intergenerational structure that reinforced traditions and values within individual families.
This study examines the personal composition of one of the early Knights Templar organizations in the United States—Winchester Grand Encampment—as of 1821, when its membership consisted of 31 individuals. The source base of the research includes materials from the commercial genealogical database Ancestry.com as well as published documentary collections. In the conclusion, the author notes that the analysis of the membership of Winchester Grand Encampment in 1821 allows for several important observations regarding the social, age-related, and geographical characteristics of its members. First and foremost, a significant proportion of the members were veterans of the American Revolutionary War. At least eight members of the Encampment had military experience from the Revolutionary War; most of them served as privates, while two held the non-commissioned officer rank of sergeant. This indicates that Winchester Grand Encampment relied heavily on the authority and life experience of men who had participated in key events of early American history. Additional evidence of the military character of this milieu is provided by the service of Presley Marmaduke, who held the rank of captain during the War of 1812. The age composition of the Encampment demonstrates a combination of generations. Alongside elderly members, such as William Kelley, who was 70 years old in 1821, the organization also included relatively young men, including Samuel H. Lauck and Norman Nash, both aged 31. The average age of 51 years indicates the predominance of mature and socially established men, a characteristic feature of leadership-oriented and fraternal organizations of the period. The geographical distribution of the members shows that the influence of the Encampment extended beyond a single city and even beyond one state, encompassing Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi. Finally, the identified family continuity—illustrated by the Lauck family—highlights the role of Winchester Grand Encampment not only as a social institution but also as an intergenerational structure that reinforced traditions and values within individual families.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
5. Violetta S. Molchanova
In Memory of Sir Knight Gilbert W. Barnard (1834–1908), Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Illinois (based on periodical press materials of 1908)
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 26-31.
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Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 26-31.
Abstract:
This article is dedicated to the memory of Sir Knight Gilbert W. Barnard (1834–1908), who served as Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Illinois from 1877 to 1908. The source base of the study consists of collections of documents related to the activities of the Grand Commandery of Illinois, as well as periodical press materials devoted to the death of Gilbert Wordsworth Barnard. In the conclusion, the author argues that the research conducted makes it possible not only to reconstruct the main stages of the biography of Sir Knight Gilbert Wordsworth Barnard (1834–1908), but also to determine his real significance in the history of the Grand Commandery of Illinois and American Templar Freemasonry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An analysis of the sources shows that Barnard was not merely a long-serving administrator in the position of Grand Recorder, but a key figure who ensured institutional stability, continuity of traditions, and the effective functioning of the higher Masonic structures of the State of Illinois. The scale of his activity is confirmed both by numerous official references in the proceedings of annual conclaves and by the considerable attention paid to his death in the periodical and specialized Masonic press. Of particular importance are obituaries and memorial texts, which make it possible to identify the perception of Barnard by his contemporaries as a moral authority, an expert in matters of Masonic law, and a guardian of ritual and organizational tradition. The number of degrees he held, the offices he occupied, and his extensive committee work testify to his exceptional involvement in the life of the Order. Thus, the death of Gilbert W. Barnard in 1908 became not only a personal loss for his closest associates, but also a significant event for the entire Masonic community of Illinois. The material presented demonstrates that the study of figures of this magnitude allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of functioning of Masonic institutions and the role of individual personalities in their sustainable development.
This article is dedicated to the memory of Sir Knight Gilbert W. Barnard (1834–1908), who served as Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Illinois from 1877 to 1908. The source base of the study consists of collections of documents related to the activities of the Grand Commandery of Illinois, as well as periodical press materials devoted to the death of Gilbert Wordsworth Barnard. In the conclusion, the author argues that the research conducted makes it possible not only to reconstruct the main stages of the biography of Sir Knight Gilbert Wordsworth Barnard (1834–1908), but also to determine his real significance in the history of the Grand Commandery of Illinois and American Templar Freemasonry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. An analysis of the sources shows that Barnard was not merely a long-serving administrator in the position of Grand Recorder, but a key figure who ensured institutional stability, continuity of traditions, and the effective functioning of the higher Masonic structures of the State of Illinois. The scale of his activity is confirmed both by numerous official references in the proceedings of annual conclaves and by the considerable attention paid to his death in the periodical and specialized Masonic press. Of particular importance are obituaries and memorial texts, which make it possible to identify the perception of Barnard by his contemporaries as a moral authority, an expert in matters of Masonic law, and a guardian of ritual and organizational tradition. The number of degrees he held, the offices he occupied, and his extensive committee work testify to his exceptional involvement in the life of the Order. Thus, the death of Gilbert W. Barnard in 1908 became not only a personal loss for his closest associates, but also a significant event for the entire Masonic community of Illinois. The material presented demonstrates that the study of figures of this magnitude allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of functioning of Masonic institutions and the role of individual personalities in their sustainable development.
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6. Alexander C. Cherkas
National Hotel Disease (1857): The Story of One Victim — What Really Happened?
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 32-36.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 32-36.
Abstract:
This article presents the author’s interpretation of the events of 1857 associated with the National Hotel Disease. The author attempts to examine this incident through the life history of one of its victims. The study is based on two groups of historical sources: official reports and periodical press materials from 1857. In the conclusion, the author notes that the present study makes it possible to consider the 1857 incident at the National Hotel in Washington not merely as an epidemic or a sanitary disaster, but as an event with potential political consequences. The biography of Alfred C. Barry serves as an indicator of the long-term impact of the poisoning on the lives of individual representatives of the political and intellectual elite of the mid-nineteenth-century United States. An analysis of official reports and periodical press materials reveals a number of anomalies, including the absence of quarantine measures, the coincidence of the peak of the disease with the inauguration of James Buchanan, and the severe and chronic consequences of the illness for a significant number of those affected. These facts make it difficult to explain the incident solely by sanitary causes. The hypothesis advanced in this article regarding a possible political motivation behind the poisoning does not claim to offer a definitive conclusion; however, it allows the event to be reconsidered within the broader context of the escalating crisis of American statehood on the eve of the Civil War. Further research on this incident may contribute to a deeper understanding of the hidden mechanisms of political struggle in the United States during the 1850s.
This article presents the author’s interpretation of the events of 1857 associated with the National Hotel Disease. The author attempts to examine this incident through the life history of one of its victims. The study is based on two groups of historical sources: official reports and periodical press materials from 1857. In the conclusion, the author notes that the present study makes it possible to consider the 1857 incident at the National Hotel in Washington not merely as an epidemic or a sanitary disaster, but as an event with potential political consequences. The biography of Alfred C. Barry serves as an indicator of the long-term impact of the poisoning on the lives of individual representatives of the political and intellectual elite of the mid-nineteenth-century United States. An analysis of official reports and periodical press materials reveals a number of anomalies, including the absence of quarantine measures, the coincidence of the peak of the disease with the inauguration of James Buchanan, and the severe and chronic consequences of the illness for a significant number of those affected. These facts make it difficult to explain the incident solely by sanitary causes. The hypothesis advanced in this article regarding a possible political motivation behind the poisoning does not claim to offer a definitive conclusion; however, it allows the event to be reconsidered within the broader context of the escalating crisis of American statehood on the eve of the Civil War. Further research on this incident may contribute to a deeper understanding of the hidden mechanisms of political struggle in the United States during the 1850s.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
7. Konstantine V. Taran
“Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois” as a Historical Source (based on the holdings of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial Library)
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 37-43.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 37-43.
Abstract:
This study, based on materials from the library of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, examines the annual publications of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois as a historical source. These annual reports have been published continuously since 1857 and remain in publication to the present day. In conclusion, the author notes that the materials of the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois constitute a valuable historical source not only for the history of the Grand Commandery of Illinois itself, but also for the subordinate commanderies under its jurisdiction. The Conclave materials preserved in the library of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial reveal numerous aspects of the life and activities of the Knights Templar within the state and may serve as an important source for genealogical research, especially for the period from 1857 to 1973. Many sections introduced more than 150 years ago continue to be used in the preparation of annual reports today.
This study, based on materials from the library of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, examines the annual publications of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois as a historical source. These annual reports have been published continuously since 1857 and remain in publication to the present day. In conclusion, the author notes that the materials of the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Illinois constitute a valuable historical source not only for the history of the Grand Commandery of Illinois itself, but also for the subordinate commanderies under its jurisdiction. The Conclave materials preserved in the library of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial reveal numerous aspects of the life and activities of the Knights Templar within the state and may serve as an important source for genealogical research, especially for the period from 1857 to 1973. Many sections introduced more than 150 years ago continue to be used in the preparation of annual reports today.
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Museum News
8. Airin Cherkas
The Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar Today
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 44-45.
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Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 44-45.
Abstract:
This section presents selected exhibitions of the Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar, also known as the Museum of Cherkas Global University. Established on August 1, 2024, the museum began developing four core collections: the Sword Collection, the Uniform Collection, the Badge Collection, and the Photo Collection, each reflecting different aspects of the material and visual culture of the Knights Templar in the United States. On November 1, 2025, a fifth collection—the Collection of Personal Belongings and Souvenirs—was initiated, significantly expanding the museum’s thematic scope. By December 2025, the museum’s holdings had grown to approximately 800 items. Special attention is given to the completion of the western exhibition space in December 2025, the centerpiece of which is an oil portrait of Sir Knight Joseph William Edwards (1832–1925) of Bethany Commandery No. 28, painted in 2025 by artist Lyudmila Nikolaevna Bogutskaya. Edwards served as Eminent Commander during two separate periods in the 1870s. The inclusion of this portrait highlights the museum’s role in preserving personal memory, institutional history, and the artistic representation of prominent figures within American Templar Freemasonry.
This section presents selected exhibitions of the Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar, also known as the Museum of Cherkas Global University. Established on August 1, 2024, the museum began developing four core collections: the Sword Collection, the Uniform Collection, the Badge Collection, and the Photo Collection, each reflecting different aspects of the material and visual culture of the Knights Templar in the United States. On November 1, 2025, a fifth collection—the Collection of Personal Belongings and Souvenirs—was initiated, significantly expanding the museum’s thematic scope. By December 2025, the museum’s holdings had grown to approximately 800 items. Special attention is given to the completion of the western exhibition space in December 2025, the centerpiece of which is an oil portrait of Sir Knight Joseph William Edwards (1832–1925) of Bethany Commandery No. 28, painted in 2025 by artist Lyudmila Nikolaevna Bogutskaya. Edwards served as Eminent Commander during two separate periods in the 1870s. The inclusion of this portrait highlights the museum’s role in preserving personal memory, institutional history, and the artistic representation of prominent figures within American Templar Freemasonry.
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9. Airin Cherkas
Review of Exhibitions at the Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar (Expositions No. 22–25 Presented between April 19 and July 15, 2025)
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 46-52.
Number of views: 24 Download in PDF
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 46-52.
Abstract:
This article reviews four exhibitions held at the Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar between April 19 and July 15, 2025. The exhibitions—Expositions No. 022 through No. 025—were devoted to the uniforms and material culture of the Masonic Order of Knights Templar from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. Each exhibition highlighted original and rare artifacts, including ceremonial uniforms, aprons, sashes, insignia, belts, and swords associated with specific commanderies and individual officers. Particular attention is given to the white uniform of an Eminent Commander from Bethany Commandery No. 28, which belonged to Civil War veteran Casper Ruedy, as well as to the black uniforms representing various commanderies across different states. The final exhibition focused on the eastern side of the museum, emphasizing the symbolic and ideological foundations of the Order through the display of an American Bible published in 1812 and the regalia of an Eminent Commander. Together, these exhibitions demonstrate the museum’s role in preserving, interpreting, and presenting the historical legacy of the American Knights Templar through authentic material evidence and curated visual narratives.
This article reviews four exhibitions held at the Museum of the History of the American Knights Templar between April 19 and July 15, 2025. The exhibitions—Expositions No. 022 through No. 025—were devoted to the uniforms and material culture of the Masonic Order of Knights Templar from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. Each exhibition highlighted original and rare artifacts, including ceremonial uniforms, aprons, sashes, insignia, belts, and swords associated with specific commanderies and individual officers. Particular attention is given to the white uniform of an Eminent Commander from Bethany Commandery No. 28, which belonged to Civil War veteran Casper Ruedy, as well as to the black uniforms representing various commanderies across different states. The final exhibition focused on the eastern side of the museum, emphasizing the symbolic and ideological foundations of the Order through the display of an American Bible published in 1812 and the regalia of an Eminent Commander. Together, these exhibitions demonstrate the museum’s role in preserving, interpreting, and presenting the historical legacy of the American Knights Templar through authentic material evidence and curated visual narratives.
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Our Publications
10.
A List of Publications Devoted to the History of Freemasonry
Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 53-54.
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Recorder. 2026. 2(1): 53-54.
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11.
Full number
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12.
Cover
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