How did Freemasons during the 1800's(like Andrew Jackson) identify themselves to one another?

by throwtac

I am curious how they would identify each other back then. Was it a secret society back then or were they more open?

aaronsherman

There are publications from the anti-masonic period that are quite explicit. As a Mason, I would feel uncomfortable linking directly, but Google Books, Amazon and many other resources have it all.