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Abstract:
Mrs. Katherine Sweet Babington was born in 1815 in Chatham County. She grew up around the Masonry traditions and in her late teens began spying on initiations in the Masonic Hall for an entire year until she was caught. Since she had learned all the order's signs, symbols, words and secrets, the prominent Masons decided to administer to her the three degrees of Masonry and she became a Master Mason. Although, in 1712 one other woman in Ireland had become a Mason, Mrs. Babington was the first woman Master Mason in the history of the Masonic order. She died in Shelby, NC in 1886.
Abstract:
Along with many other \"firsts\" North Carolina has the right to claim the first, and only, woman Master Mason in the history of the Masonic order. Her name was Mrs. Katherine Sweet Babington; she was born in 1815 near Siler City in Chatham County. As a young girl she secreted herself in the lodgeroom, learned the secrets of the order, and was administered the obligations.