Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) French Language Collection, 1787-1825, 1907, n.d.

The origins of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry can be traced to France around 1754, when a Chapter of Claremont was founded in Paris. Initially this chapter had seven degrees, but by 1758 there were twenty-five degrees, known as the Rite of Perfection. In 1761, Stephen Morin was appointed to introduce the Rite into the New World. He began with Kingston, Jamaica and San Domingo. Further establishments were made in New Orleans, LA(1763); Albany, NY (1767); Philadelphia, PA (1782); and Charleston, SC (1783). In order to improve the disorganized state of the degrees in Europe, “Grand Constitutions” were enacted in 1786. These Constitutions formally brought into existence the “Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite”. None of the degrees of the Scottish Rite would seem to have origins in Scotland. “Scottish” is translated from the French word “Ecossais”, which is found in some of the French titles of some of the degrees of the Rite of Perfection. It is possible that the Scottish connection is a result of the involvement of a Scotsman, Andrew Michael Ramsey, who may have devised some of the degrees.

Certificate for Two Shares of Preferred Capital Stock in Gove Motor Car Company, Detroit, Michigan

Certificate for 2 shares of preferred capital stock in Gove Motor Car Company, Detroit, Michigan to Hamilton K. Woodruff, June 13, 1921.

Michigan Central Railway to S.D. Woodruff

Letter from the Michigan Central Railway to S.D. Woodruff regarding the construction of a fence, June 16, 1883.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. at the National Hotel in East Saginaw, Michigan

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. at the National Hotel in East Saginaw, Michigan. The writer informs Mr. Woodruff that there is about 26,000 of first class board pine which was cut. Mr. Woodruff did not give a receipt to Barton and Bro., Jan. 20, 1880.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. in Saginaw, Michigan.

Letter (1 handwritten, double sided page) to S.D. Woodruff from J.J.B. in Saginaw, Michigan. J.J.B. says that he doesn’t want any money for his information. He explains where the pine is, and encloses a crudely drawn map. He says the Mr. Woodruff can correspond with him, but to please keep this a secret, Jan. 23, 1880.

Telegraph to S.D. Woodruff from W.H. Johnson of Alpena, Michigan

Telegraph to S.D. Woodruff from W.H. Johnson of Alpena, Michigan. He says “If I can have the refusal at the twenty five hundred until I can look, you can draw for the seventy two dollars”. The telegraph is torn, Mar. 5, 1880.

Letter to F.W. Gilchrist of Alpena, Michigan from S.D. Woodruff

Letter to F.W. Gilchrist of Alpena, Michigan from S.D. Woodruff (1 page, double sided) in which he says he will sell berth 192 in south Lake Huron for $2,500. He would expect ½ in cash and the balance in 1 year with interest of 7%. He explains that he has also had another enquiry regarding the land, Feb. 11, 1881.

Telegraph to S.D. Woodruff from W. Johnson of Alpena, Michigan

Telegraph to S.D. Woodruff from W. Johnson of Alpena, Michigan stating that he has sent a New York draft for $2,500.00, May 27, 1881.

Letter to Louis Cabot from S.D. Woodruff stating that he will sell his Point McMillen [McMillan], Michigan shares

Letter to Louis Cabot from S.D. Woodruff stating that he will sell his Point McMillen [McMillan], Michigan shares, but he doesn’t think that the sheriff will sell his Long Point shares, Jan. 6, 1886.

Letter to Louis Cabot from S.D. Woodruff regarding his Point McMillen [McMillan], Michigan shooting shares

Letter to Louis Cabot from S.D. Woodruff regarding his Point McMillen [McMillan], Michigan shooting shares. He says that he has decided to sell and his price is $3,000. He gives directions on how to get to the club which is on the Huron River, 7 miles from Rockwood, Jan. 25, 1886.