Jean-Pierre Boyer (1776-1850) was born on 15 February 1776 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the son of a French tailor and an African mother from the Congo. He was sent to France for training and during the French Revolution served as a battalion commander. In the early stages of the Haitian Revolution he fought against Toussaint Louverture, but later allied himself with André Rigaut.

After his exile in France, he returned in 1802 with the French troops of General Charles Leclerc. When it became clear that the French intended to restore slavery, he joined the patriots under Alexandre Pétion and Jean-Jacques Desalin, leading the colony to independence. After Pétion’s death in 1818, Bouillet succeeded him as president of the Republic of Haiti.

In 1820, he reunited the northern and southern parts of the country and in 1822 he annexed the eastern part of the island, unifying the whole of Hispaniola under the Haitian government. During his presidency, he signed a treaty with France in 1825, agreeing to pay 150 million francs in compensation in exchange for recognition of Haitian independence, which severely strained the country’s economy.

His rule lasted until 1843, when he was overthrown due to economic difficulties and popular discontent. He fled to Jamaica and later settled in France.

In his capacity as a Freemason, he held the 33rd rank in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Press (AASR) and served as Grand Commander of the Haitian Supreme Council. During his early years, Boyer was associated with Somerset Lodge No. 34 in Norwich, Connecticut. In 1800, while traveling to Cuba, he was captured by an American ship and detained in New London, Connecticut. Recognizing his Masonic status, the Freemasons of the state offered him hospitality. He joined the Somerset Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and was housed at the expense of the Freemasons of the area.

His tectonic connections were important during his presidency. His leadership during the Haitian Revolution and his subsequent presidency were influenced by Masonic principles advocating freedom, equality and brotherhood. These ideals played a key role in shaping Haiti’s early political landscape.

In honor of his contribution, Boyer Lodge No. 1 in New York City was named after him. It was founded on February 16, 1812 by Peter Liu, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall, Massachusetts. Boyer Lodge No. 1 was the first licensed Masonic Lodge in New York City and played a pivotal role in the spread of Freemasonry in New York City, bearing witness to Boyer’s enduring legacy in the Masonic community.

Boyer died on 9 July 1850 in Paris.