Organised Freemasonry, as we know it today, began with the founding of the first Grand Lodge on 24 June 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St Paul's Churchyard.

RW.Bro. Thomas Fitzgeorge Dunkerley, the originator of Provincial Grand Lodges, Provincial Grand Master for Essex. This Brother played a very conspicuous part in the history of Freemasonry in Essex, and is believed to have aided in reconstructing and modernizing the lectures and ritual. In 1776 he represented the Province of Essex at the dedication of Freemasons’ Hall, London, and in 1777, with a view to promoting the Craft in those Counties, he was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Dorset, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somersetshire, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, and Grand Superintendent of the same Provinces; and also of Kent, Nottingham, Surrey, Suffolk, Sussex and Warwick, still retaining his connection with Essex.