-
Articles/Ads
Article An Old Masters' Lodge. ← Page 2 of 4 Article An Old Masters' Lodge. Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Old Masters' Lodge.
No authority but this was needful during that period to provide for the regularity of thc meetings , and , though all thc other lodges in the Metropolis at that time were , doubtless , constituted in a similar manner , and possessed a like certificate of Constitution , the oldest of thc existing lodges which has preserved its
original authority is the " Felicity / No . 58 , of A . D . 1737 , a facsimile of which is given in its excellent History by Bro . W . Smithett ( 18 S 7-91 ) , and is still doing duty as its only " warrant . " No . Co , "Peace and Harmony , " of A . D . 1738 , has also its original Certificate of Constitution intact ; but , unfortunately , petitioned
for a "Warrant of Confirmation" in 188 4 , which was needless . So that now No . 58 is the sole lodge that meets in the Metropolis by virtus of its original Certificate of Constitution , from No . 6 , of A . D . 1721 , onward , for many years , the others having "
Warrants of Confirmation " only . Brethren interested in this curious subject should consult Bro . John Lane ' s invaluable " Masonic Records , 1717—18 94 " ( 18 95 ) , and " Handy Book to the List of Lodges , " & c . ( 1 S 89 ) .
The second page of the old Minute Book of 1725-6 is dated " London , Feb . 16 " of that year { i . e . 17 : 26 , N . S . ) , and contains thc signatures of the members to an agreement to assemble , as aforesaid , on the second and last Wednesdays in every month ,
and to pay the sum of 12 s . each every six months , to meet the incidental expenses , the first three who signed being " Martin O'Connor , ;!/¦' . ; Richard Shergold , S . W . ; and Samuel Berington , 7 . JL . "
The pagination is consecutive , the last page written on being numbered 175 , and thc entries range from A . D . 172610 1 734 . In 172 S-9 the number 39 was assigned to the lodge , which was altered lo 35 in 1 740 , and to 23 in I 755 ; but it had apparently lapsed before then . The third number was held by its successor
at Stockton-on-Tees , until 1770 , and subsequently changed , as the numeration was altered from time to time . Its several places of meeting are to be found in Bro . Lane ' s colossal volume previously noted . Thc Secretaries of the old lodge never once alluded to either of the numbers that distinguished it , and rarely referred to the place of meeting .
'I he by-laws immediately follow the signatures aforesaid , and commence at page " ( 3 ) , " the next two pages being also devoted lo that purpose . Unfortunately , the first of the trio does not lend itself to being facsimiled , but the remaining two have been
reproduced , with an ordinary copy of the first page lhat begins the code . They are the oldest of the kind ever published of KeoM . iations agreed to by a regularly constituted lodge on the roll " of the Grand Lodge of England .
[ COPY ] ( 3 ) Rules , Orders , and By-Laws for the good government of the Lodge at Ihe Swan & Rummer in Finch Lane j" in
Exchange Alley added above Ihe line . ) 1 . OuDKR ' n That tho Second & Fourth Wednesday in Every month be appointed & are hereby appointed our Lodge Night ' s for receiving visits eVc . Approved .
2 . I HAT at the Expiration of 6 months a New Master & Wardens be chosen . Approved . 3 . THAT the succession be Regular according to due Qualification , without regard to Seniority of Entrance info the Society , 1
w ' ' is to be done by ballot . 4 . THAT no Person be made a Member of this Lodge without thc unanimous Consent & Approbation of the Brothers present at thc time of Recommendation and that to be done by Ballotting . Approved .
< - , THAT the Lodge be open'd at 7 o'Clock in the Winter & closed at 10 , & during the Summer open'd at 8 and Closed at Eleven . Approval . (¦> . THAT livery Brother of tliis Lodge pay twelve shillings p' half year ; the said twelve shillings lo be collected at the Beginning of Every half year . Approv'd .
7 . THAT All visiting Brothers pay one shilling each & no more , within y" Lodge hours , their names to be enter'd in the Lodge Book & from what Lodges , the Better lo give us an
Opportunity of Returning their visits . At > provd . 8 . THAT ( he Master have . Liberty to Invite 2 Brothers , and the Wardens one each , at the making of New Brothers ci that they be intitlcd to Cloathing & lhat no other
Strange At a Lodge convened on May 11 tli , i 7 _ » 6 , six members attended and three visitors , the latter including Sir Thomas Mackworlh . Five candidates were recommended , and " Upon a ballot it was
agreed to admitt the above Gentlemen Brethren of this Lodge , " due notice of " ( he making" lo be given . On ( he 19 th , ( hive of lln- candidates were admitted " ' Mason ' s of this Lodge , " and also " Abell Wood , the Drawer . " This is the second serviiK-
An Old Masters' Lodge.
brother noted in the Minutes , to whom a fee of one shilling wag generally paid for each meeting . In 1729 "Mills , the Drawer , having been recommended by the Senr . Ward" - was admitted accordingly , " and on 30 th Mar ., 1 730-3 1 , the following entryoccurs :
" The Question being put that Bro . Johnson be desired to attend to Card the Lodge every Lodge night and that he be allow'd Two shillings Batch night for his attendance , it past in the affirmative nem . con . "
The Tyler ( and " Drawer apparently ) seems to have been a sensible man , for the words " Eighteen pence and one pint of wine" have a pen put through them , and the sum of two shillings
entered instead , showing he preferred the money to the drink . The next Minute reads as follows , and is of special interest and importance . " June Sth , 1726 .
Present : J . T . Desaguliers , Deputy G . M , Mr . Martin O'Connor ,
Masf-1 / ti r ^ / Zl ^/ f ^ s t / L ^ J & J ^^ . , _ ^ ,, , „ ^ < JT { . yt ^ . csv } > tf >~~& / J ? ^ A *// . ^/*? , ^ ^ . O -, , . i ~ n < " / t - ti * e-. it ' ( JfXt */^ . ^ . ' , ^^ £ ,, j ! f , s / fifi . f ? , * St ' ¦ ,..
y ' / C-. J < 7 > ^ t > / e j «>< J / G- ~ y- y ,, ~~ f /> ' / , „ .. ^ , /• >; £ . ' , -, cfi ^ e ^ y rfo ± * £ * r , j / tS ' n * i * / tf ,- ± / lC-, , _ ,. /^^^ s ^ lt /? .. ^ Sslo-rL , /^ -7 /*^ > ifo ~ s / ' ] -r' '/ r \ i .., ) . ^ , / *> i « So /*>¦ " <¦ 11 ) . 1 / fY . t fa * * * ,, o £ //* t i . ft *?? , , ^ / , i * . * .
~ i + / . ~ . f . / t ti , y ,. / d . j ArfZ * * 4 &~ J *~ T- yp . ~ . ' { . J— ¦ 11 , y // . li // hl . ( £ ** # l 4 MZ */ tJ .. <_!<• * S' // i ,-, * - **•?
f / f . „ . „ . ttrc //;* .,. 4 «® £ & r ) * .: £ ?) .. ~* 4 J & . Vt ' j „/ . ^ /^ r ? A . s ft , ' 6 f 7 ? o . ^ r u-T ^ .. ^ , / . «• .. < ¦
/ - -- £ *• -- J */— ^/ /~ v'' - y- ^ ...- ' / £ . jZ / i ' l / jS ^ y i ^ ' ^'' f . y . s .-. s ? A ' < <* .:. ' > - ' I ' , , St .... fe ., Z ^? D > . / fa J $ j * a ~/ :.. //' ' J J i" 7 r \ J .
n' > . ff , ; t if ...-.,,., j sfii / r . f .. / ,- * * * nj £ Sift Jft ' . r * , * $ >//[ . fti . / SU ^ . yT . Sj —^ ' TO- . . Urt-U' f ^ n > fa ^ srn ,, clC , s ,, / a i . VmisZ ' f . / .-
' - j A- , A * ) " - 4 S ^ . J ?> ¦> " >* £ . « . / - . fA-. ' , ' ji , - / : s' f / - ¦< £ ¦ / ' ' ¦ / /> \ / ' - ^ / ' / IA 'Jf } , i / A ' ~*/ .-,. « , //?„„ <& . rs 6 f , /„ r / . " -A-- ^ Tfc & te ^ # . *&&* , SC ^' yr ^ ZZ ' . /* yfy < A /^ .. tT ^ . r ^ kS / r yy ,.. ' *
/ S K J // d / .., A &^ Sv & s ^^ rjU ... . 1 : // . . ^ - < y ....... . .. A . r - . i . ^ c . f , C £ ,., s >? . C 5 u ,, y < J / // ,., .- ., f / . > ' .,. ( . /' ' ' ' "' //* .. f % - / 9 ? on { , > . „/ >¦< 1 . . ^ LttJ !&„ . * * £ , ' />> , tO _ — ' ¦ / / , ry / ,. i . //*• :. / . * ' . iff * - —^ m it
^ r Mr . Richd- Shergold , Sen " - Warden . Mrs . Sam - Berington , Junr- Warden . Mr . Broughton Wright . Mr . Cha * Waller .
Mr . Nath . Cureton . Capt . Wm- Hambly . Mr . Richd- Murphy .
Mr . Jos . Mare . Mr . John Vernon . Mr . Robt Stogden . Mr . Edw d . Norris .
he Rt . Ilonoble , Ihe Ear of InrhiqtinO 1 u 11 , < i , \ t „ t ,, XT . ,, ' ' ; -Invitedny the Master . Mr . Nic s - Bennett . J Mr . Jam " . Oates . Invited by Mr . Berington , Ward
11-he Ri- Ion . the Lord Kinsale S ... , ... ¦• . ., c . . „„ .. ,. . o ... .. , I \\ ereadmittedintothe Society he on - Jam - King , r . sip- { t .. ., ,, , , - ,. .... - , ,, . L j Sof tree Masonry \ made by Sr . \\ in wood Mowat , r . arr' - I ,, p . . ,. IM „„ , . " ,.-,, .-., „ , . \ the I lepty Grand Master . Micht O Bryan , hsii r - J '
In ( he discussion which followed the reading of my paper at the meeting in June , Bro . Dr . W . J . Chetwode Crawley communicated some interesting particulars respecting the foregoing
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
An Old Masters' Lodge.
No authority but this was needful during that period to provide for the regularity of thc meetings , and , though all thc other lodges in the Metropolis at that time were , doubtless , constituted in a similar manner , and possessed a like certificate of Constitution , the oldest of thc existing lodges which has preserved its
original authority is the " Felicity / No . 58 , of A . D . 1737 , a facsimile of which is given in its excellent History by Bro . W . Smithett ( 18 S 7-91 ) , and is still doing duty as its only " warrant . " No . Co , "Peace and Harmony , " of A . D . 1738 , has also its original Certificate of Constitution intact ; but , unfortunately , petitioned
for a "Warrant of Confirmation" in 188 4 , which was needless . So that now No . 58 is the sole lodge that meets in the Metropolis by virtus of its original Certificate of Constitution , from No . 6 , of A . D . 1721 , onward , for many years , the others having "
Warrants of Confirmation " only . Brethren interested in this curious subject should consult Bro . John Lane ' s invaluable " Masonic Records , 1717—18 94 " ( 18 95 ) , and " Handy Book to the List of Lodges , " & c . ( 1 S 89 ) .
The second page of the old Minute Book of 1725-6 is dated " London , Feb . 16 " of that year { i . e . 17 : 26 , N . S . ) , and contains thc signatures of the members to an agreement to assemble , as aforesaid , on the second and last Wednesdays in every month ,
and to pay the sum of 12 s . each every six months , to meet the incidental expenses , the first three who signed being " Martin O'Connor , ;!/¦' . ; Richard Shergold , S . W . ; and Samuel Berington , 7 . JL . "
The pagination is consecutive , the last page written on being numbered 175 , and thc entries range from A . D . 172610 1 734 . In 172 S-9 the number 39 was assigned to the lodge , which was altered lo 35 in 1 740 , and to 23 in I 755 ; but it had apparently lapsed before then . The third number was held by its successor
at Stockton-on-Tees , until 1770 , and subsequently changed , as the numeration was altered from time to time . Its several places of meeting are to be found in Bro . Lane ' s colossal volume previously noted . Thc Secretaries of the old lodge never once alluded to either of the numbers that distinguished it , and rarely referred to the place of meeting .
'I he by-laws immediately follow the signatures aforesaid , and commence at page " ( 3 ) , " the next two pages being also devoted lo that purpose . Unfortunately , the first of the trio does not lend itself to being facsimiled , but the remaining two have been
reproduced , with an ordinary copy of the first page lhat begins the code . They are the oldest of the kind ever published of KeoM . iations agreed to by a regularly constituted lodge on the roll " of the Grand Lodge of England .
[ COPY ] ( 3 ) Rules , Orders , and By-Laws for the good government of the Lodge at Ihe Swan & Rummer in Finch Lane j" in
Exchange Alley added above Ihe line . ) 1 . OuDKR ' n That tho Second & Fourth Wednesday in Every month be appointed & are hereby appointed our Lodge Night ' s for receiving visits eVc . Approved .
2 . I HAT at the Expiration of 6 months a New Master & Wardens be chosen . Approved . 3 . THAT the succession be Regular according to due Qualification , without regard to Seniority of Entrance info the Society , 1
w ' ' is to be done by ballot . 4 . THAT no Person be made a Member of this Lodge without thc unanimous Consent & Approbation of the Brothers present at thc time of Recommendation and that to be done by Ballotting . Approved .
< - , THAT the Lodge be open'd at 7 o'Clock in the Winter & closed at 10 , & during the Summer open'd at 8 and Closed at Eleven . Approval . (¦> . THAT livery Brother of tliis Lodge pay twelve shillings p' half year ; the said twelve shillings lo be collected at the Beginning of Every half year . Approv'd .
7 . THAT All visiting Brothers pay one shilling each & no more , within y" Lodge hours , their names to be enter'd in the Lodge Book & from what Lodges , the Better lo give us an
Opportunity of Returning their visits . At > provd . 8 . THAT ( he Master have . Liberty to Invite 2 Brothers , and the Wardens one each , at the making of New Brothers ci that they be intitlcd to Cloathing & lhat no other
Strange At a Lodge convened on May 11 tli , i 7 _ » 6 , six members attended and three visitors , the latter including Sir Thomas Mackworlh . Five candidates were recommended , and " Upon a ballot it was
agreed to admitt the above Gentlemen Brethren of this Lodge , " due notice of " ( he making" lo be given . On ( he 19 th , ( hive of lln- candidates were admitted " ' Mason ' s of this Lodge , " and also " Abell Wood , the Drawer . " This is the second serviiK-
An Old Masters' Lodge.
brother noted in the Minutes , to whom a fee of one shilling wag generally paid for each meeting . In 1729 "Mills , the Drawer , having been recommended by the Senr . Ward" - was admitted accordingly , " and on 30 th Mar ., 1 730-3 1 , the following entryoccurs :
" The Question being put that Bro . Johnson be desired to attend to Card the Lodge every Lodge night and that he be allow'd Two shillings Batch night for his attendance , it past in the affirmative nem . con . "
The Tyler ( and " Drawer apparently ) seems to have been a sensible man , for the words " Eighteen pence and one pint of wine" have a pen put through them , and the sum of two shillings
entered instead , showing he preferred the money to the drink . The next Minute reads as follows , and is of special interest and importance . " June Sth , 1726 .
Present : J . T . Desaguliers , Deputy G . M , Mr . Martin O'Connor ,
Masf-1 / ti r ^ / Zl ^/ f ^ s t / L ^ J & J ^^ . , _ ^ ,, , „ ^ < JT { . yt ^ . csv } > tf >~~& / J ? ^ A *// . ^/*? , ^ ^ . O -, , . i ~ n < " / t - ti * e-. it ' ( JfXt */^ . ^ . ' , ^^ £ ,, j ! f , s / fifi . f ? , * St ' ¦ ,..
y ' / C-. J < 7 > ^ t > / e j «>< J / G- ~ y- y ,, ~~ f /> ' / , „ .. ^ , /• >; £ . ' , -, cfi ^ e ^ y rfo ± * £ * r , j / tS ' n * i * / tf ,- ± / lC-, , _ ,. /^^^ s ^ lt /? .. ^ Sslo-rL , /^ -7 /*^ > ifo ~ s / ' ] -r' '/ r \ i .., ) . ^ , / *> i « So /*>¦ " <¦ 11 ) . 1 / fY . t fa * * * ,, o £ //* t i . ft *?? , , ^ / , i * . * .
~ i + / . ~ . f . / t ti , y ,. / d . j ArfZ * * 4 &~ J *~ T- yp . ~ . ' { . J— ¦ 11 , y // . li // hl . ( £ ** # l 4 MZ */ tJ .. <_!<• * S' // i ,-, * - **•?
f / f . „ . „ . ttrc //;* .,. 4 «® £ & r ) * .: £ ?) .. ~* 4 J & . Vt ' j „/ . ^ /^ r ? A . s ft , ' 6 f 7 ? o . ^ r u-T ^ .. ^ , / . «• .. < ¦
/ - -- £ *• -- J */— ^/ /~ v'' - y- ^ ...- ' / £ . jZ / i ' l / jS ^ y i ^ ' ^'' f . y . s .-. s ? A ' < <* .:. ' > - ' I ' , , St .... fe ., Z ^? D > . / fa J $ j * a ~/ :.. //' ' J J i" 7 r \ J .
n' > . ff , ; t if ...-.,,., j sfii / r . f .. / ,- * * * nj £ Sift Jft ' . r * , * $ >//[ . fti . / SU ^ . yT . Sj —^ ' TO- . . Urt-U' f ^ n > fa ^ srn ,, clC , s ,, / a i . VmisZ ' f . / .-
' - j A- , A * ) " - 4 S ^ . J ?> ¦> " >* £ . « . / - . fA-. ' , ' ji , - / : s' f / - ¦< £ ¦ / ' ' ¦ / /> \ / ' - ^ / ' / IA 'Jf } , i / A ' ~*/ .-,. « , //?„„ <& . rs 6 f , /„ r / . " -A-- ^ Tfc & te ^ # . *&&* , SC ^' yr ^ ZZ ' . /* yfy < A /^ .. tT ^ . r ^ kS / r yy ,.. ' *
/ S K J // d / .., A &^ Sv & s ^^ rjU ... . 1 : // . . ^ - < y ....... . .. A . r - . i . ^ c . f , C £ ,., s >? . C 5 u ,, y < J / // ,., .- ., f / . > ' .,. ( . /' ' ' ' "' //* .. f % - / 9 ? on { , > . „/ >¦< 1 . . ^ LttJ !&„ . * * £ , ' />> , tO _ — ' ¦ / / , ry / ,. i . //*• :. / . * ' . iff * - —^ m it
^ r Mr . Richd- Shergold , Sen " - Warden . Mrs . Sam - Berington , Junr- Warden . Mr . Broughton Wright . Mr . Cha * Waller .
Mr . Nath . Cureton . Capt . Wm- Hambly . Mr . Richd- Murphy .
Mr . Jos . Mare . Mr . John Vernon . Mr . Robt Stogden . Mr . Edw d . Norris .
he Rt . Ilonoble , Ihe Ear of InrhiqtinO 1 u 11 , < i , \ t „ t ,, XT . ,, ' ' ; -Invitedny the Master . Mr . Nic s - Bennett . J Mr . Jam " . Oates . Invited by Mr . Berington , Ward
11-he Ri- Ion . the Lord Kinsale S ... , ... ¦• . ., c . . „„ .. ,. . o ... .. , I \\ ereadmittedintothe Society he on - Jam - King , r . sip- { t .. ., ,, , , - ,. .... - , ,, . L j Sof tree Masonry \ made by Sr . \\ in wood Mowat , r . arr' - I ,, p . . ,. IM „„ , . " ,.-,, .-., „ , . \ the I lepty Grand Master . Micht O Bryan , hsii r - J '
In ( he discussion which followed the reading of my paper at the meeting in June , Bro . Dr . W . J . Chetwode Crawley communicated some interesting particulars respecting the foregoing