The Worshipful Company of Masons of the City of London, a flourishing Gild today, has its earliest existing document, an account book headed “1620.” This account book details receipts and payments from July 1, 1619, to July 1620, for the use of the Company.
The book shows that besides ordinary Freemen and Liverymen, there were members termed “Accepted Masons,” belonging to an inner fraternity known as the “Accepcon” or “Acception,” which was a Lodge of Speculative Freemasons.
In 1620, an entry notes: “They charge themselves also with Money Received of the Persons hereafter named for they're gratuities at they're acceptance into the Lyvery viz” (followed by six names).
The following year's accounts (1621) include sums received from several persons, including two mentioned in 1620, “Att the making masons,” suggesting that a further qualification was needed.
In 1631, an entry states: “Pel in going abroad at a meeting at the hall about the Masons that were to be accepted vi-vid,” meaning expenses for a meeting regarding Masons to be accepted.
The Company did not accept members; they were admitted by apprenticeship, patrimony, or redemption. The entries suggest that non-trade persons needed to become Accepted Masons before being eligible for the livery. Payments for “coming on the Liuerie & admission upon Acceptance of Masonry” are noted in 1650, with different fees for acceptance.
Unfortunately, no records of this Acception or Lodge have been preserved, but references in account books indicate that payments by Accepted Masons were added to the Company’s funds, with some spent on banquets.
In 1665, an inventory includes: “Item. The names of the Accepted Masons in a faire inclosed frame with lock and key.”
By 1676, an inventory lists: “Item. One book of the Constitutions of the Accepted Masons.”
The existence of this Symbolical Lodge is confirmed by Elias Ashmole's diary, dated March 10, 1682: “I received a summons to appear at a Lodge to be held next day at Masons Hall London.” On March 11, Ashmole was admitted into the Fellowship of Free Masons, noting that the event was organized at the expense of the New-Accepted Masons.
Ashmole's diary also indicates he was made a Freemason in Warrington on October 16, 1646, but “Accepted” is not mentioned there.
No further mention of Accepted Masons is found after 1677. Anderson's 1723 Constitutions state: “It is generally believed that the said Company, that is the London Company of Freemen Masons, is descended of the ancient Fraternity; and that in former Times no Man was made Free of that Company until he was installed in some Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, as a necessary Qualification.”
Anderson's 1738 Constitutions quote regulations from 1663 that use “accepted a Free Mason” and “Acceptation,” indicating the term was in use by that time.
Other instances include Doctor Plot in 1686 referring to “Accepted Masons,” and John Aubrey in 1691 noting “Accepted” Masons. The term “Accepted Masons” became common post-1701, signifying both Operative and Speculative members.
The Roberts Print of 1722 and Anderson's Constitutions use “Free and Accepted Masons” to refer to both types of members, reflecting the evolution of the term's usage.