Leicestershire Masonic Hall

As part of the Mark Master degree, each initiate selected a personally meaningful emblem that the lodge or chapter secretary then recorded. This book contains members'

marks from the King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter in Greenwich Village, Massachusetts. Martha S. Harding, the daughter of chapter member Alpheus Harding (17801869), illustrated most of the marks in pencil, ink and watercolour, lending colour and

polish to the chapter’s records. Martha Har-

ding likely honed her painting skills while a student at New Salem Academy from 1822

to 1829.

The Isaac Rich

The painting shows the three-masted barkentine "Isaac Rich" entering Livorno, Italy in 1876 under full sail; flags on mast include the ship's swallowtail flag or pennant, which is red and reads, "Isaac Rich," flying from the mainmast, an American flag from the gaff, a Jack from the foremast, and a blue flag with Masonic square and compasses flying from the mizzenmast; in varying shades of blues, greens, reds. A port and other ships are visible in the background. Inscribed along the bottom, "Bark Isaac Rich of New York, W.B. Sheldon Master entering Leghorn Febry. 19th 1876."

The dark blue banner let others know that the captain or owner of the ship was a proud Freemason. This painting descended in the family of the ship’s master, William Bartlett Sheldon (ca. 1826 –1903). At the time Renault painted this scene, Bro. Sheldon of Beverly, New Jersey, was Master of the Issac Rich. A professional ship master, Sheldon served as an Acting Volunteer Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. While Acting Master of the gunboat steamer U.S.S. Flambeau, operating in South Carolina waters, he was captured in May 1863 while hunting on Bull's Island, and confined in the Confederate military prison at Columbia. Exchanged, he returned home to be raised a Master Mason in Burlington Lodge No. 32 in June 1863. Lt. Sheldon served in the navy until honourably discharged in 1865.

Interesting article on the GL website about Dr. Baxter who attended Napoleon on St. Helena who joined the Craft in St. Mungo No.27 in Glasgow.

PGL Renfrewshire East

The first PG Committee and Triannual meetings of the new Commission have now been successfully held and the outstanding PGL Office Bearers and Stewards have been installed.

35 Annual Visitations have been completed with the last 2 rescheduled for the end of May.

The 100th Anniversary rededication of Lodge Moorpark No 1263 by Grand Lodge will finally take place on Saturday 7th May. PGL will also carry out rededications of Lodge Inchinnan No 1405, Lodge St Andrew No 524 and Lodge Kil Bryd No 1667 across the summer recess.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a relaxing summer recess, hopefully we’ll all be back fully refreshed in September and looking forward to the Installations starting in October.

Ronnie PGM

Freemasons’ Hall in London Road, Leicestershire has been the home to 79 lodges and the Province’s museum since 1909. It was a former Georgian house, purchased by the Freemasons. The Holmes Lodge Room (below), one of the finest in the country, was designed by local architect Howard H Thompson.

In the Museum can be seen a fine collection of Masonic Aprons and certificates, which date back to the early eighteenth century. They include items of regalia once worn by Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany 1763 –1827, as well as some of the earliest membership and clearance certificates to be found in England. In addition to regalia associated with Craft Masonry, there is a collection of items belonging to many other orders of Freemasonry linked with the Province. Over the years the Museum has also been given items that are not in themselves Masonic, belonging for example to one or other of the various Friendly Societies which emerged during the nineteenth century and which closely paralleled Freemasonry without being condemned as ‘quasi-masonic’. Amongst these collections can be found the regalia which at one time belonged to William Kelly PGM (above) whose Masonic career spanned the second half of the nineteenth century, and who was in effect the godfather of Masonry in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland.

Edinburgh Business Directory

A number of Apps (from the App Store) are available, the common ones being from Grand Lodges and general freemasonry types. One even includes music for the organist. Perhaps this is something Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodges should think about.

Interesting idea from the Edinburgh group. This directory is common in many Grand Lodge districts across the US and elsewhere. Brethren in days gone by used to advertise on shops etc.

Largs Royal Arch Chapter and Cryptic Council celebrated 100 years last month—due to Covid, some anniversaries have been doubled to get through the back log. However, it proved to be a very enjoyable day with the MEC First Grand Principal Joe Morrow running things in his usual efficient manner. He was presented with the image (top right) which is a remarkable likeness! Below: the main OBs of the chapter and the council (MEC Alan Buntain and TIM Andrew Gough) with SGRAC OBs and the heads of the local Orders including the master of Lodge Largs St. John Kilwinning No.173 Bro. Andrew McIntyre.

Bro. Willie Fleming PM 1042 HM 242 has been commissioned as Provincial Grand Master in Glasgow and will be installed in October. The other PGM is Robin Sutherland (another very good friend of 242) from Carrick and Annandale & Archie Chalmers is the IPPGM of Carrick and Annandale.

Perkins Lodge No.402

The Past Master’s jewel is from Perkins Lodge No.402 under the GL of Pennsylvania, dated 1878. In 1985, the lodge merged with St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia and so no longer exists with the number 402 vacant.

It is typically an English style jewel showing Euclid’s 47th Proposition,butisaveryornatejewel.

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