On this date in 1646...

On this date in 1646, renowned scholar, antiquarian and public official Elias Ashmole was reportedly initiated into Freemasonry. According to his diary:

Oct. 16, 1646 at 4:30 p.m.
“I was made a Free Mason at Warrington in Lancashire, with Coll: Henry Mainwaring of Karincham in Cheshire. The names of those that were then of the Lodge: Mr. Rich Penket, Warden, Mr. James Collier, Mr. Rich. Sankey, Henry Littler, John Ellam, Rich. Ellam & Hugh Brewer.”