Mark Tabbert,

I don't know of any specific evidence explicitly linking the first
"Worthy Patriarchs" to Freemasonry.  But the Sons are often compared
to Freemasons in the literature produced by enemies of "secret
societies."  For example, see John Lawrence, Plain Thoughts on Secret
Societies. 3rd ed. Circleville, Ohio: Printed at the office of the
Religious Telescope, 1852.  This might explain the origin of such a
rumor (if this turns out to be just a rumor).

Hope that helps.

Jon

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  Jon Miller
  Department of English
  The University of Akron
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