Masonic knights Templar

Do the Masonic Knights Templar have any connection to the historic group founded by Hughes de Paynes, or was it born out of the golden age of fraternalism in 19th century America?

No, they are distinct groups.

The original Knights Templar (Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem; Poor Knights of Christ) was founded during the Crusades, and was later suppressed as an order.

Originally posted by bigred1000
Do the Masonic Knights Templar have any connection to the historic group founded by Hughes de Paynes, or was it born out of the golden age of fraternalism in 19th century America?

Templar Orders in Masonry have been around since the late 18th Century. The Baldwyn preceptory in Bristol (which claims "time immemorial" existence as many Masonic groups do) dates at least to December 1780.

The "traditions" of Masonic Templary of course come from the historic Templars, but it's not a direct line, despite what some zealous Masonic writers have said about it.