Bro. John Murdoch, Provost

Bro. John Murdoch of Rosebank was a tobacco merchant who was born on the 4th October 1709 to parents Peter Murdoch of Rosehill a Glasgow merchant and sugar refiner (owner of King St sugar works, and wife Mary Luke nee (Claythorn). He married Margaret Lang (daughter of William Land merchant) he had a daughter Ann. Margaret died in 1734 in childbirth. John then married Margaret Bogle, they had a daughter Margaret Murdoch. John lived at Rosebank House (below) in the Cambuslang Area. The front of house was demolished in 1933 with the rest in 1937.

In 1744 he became Baillie in Glasgow Town Council under his Brother in Law Lord Provost Andrew Cochrane. He later succeeded Cochrane as Lord Provost in 1746 to 1748. He became Lord Provost again in 1750 to 1752 and 1758 to 1760, Cochrane serving In 1750 he built the first house on Argyle Street standing on the corner of Dunlop Street as the residence for Lord Provost Murdoch alongside the house of Colin Dunlop of Carmyle. The building then became the Buck’s Head Hotel in 1757. The building was later sold to another merchant Thomas Hopkins in 1777.

Bro. Murdoch was involved with the Incorporation of Masons and was responsible for a couple of members joining gratis on his nomination. He was initiated into Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge No.4 on the April 1st 1735, the night of the consecration of the Lodge and passed away in his house on the 30th June 1776.

Thanks to PGL Glasgow website.

Will we ever get back to this?

A monolith stands out by Glass Beach at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a monument to members of the Caribbean Naval Lodge. The monument was built by the brothers of CNL to symbolize their bonds.

Irish Jewel 1806

Remarkable jewel of Bro. Andrew Keenan dated 1806 has hand engraved emblems of the Craft, Royal Arch and Knight Templar. He belonged to the Lodge of Friendship No.206 (EC) which met in Oxford Arms, Church Street, Deptford, London—the lodge still exists and meets in Freemasons’ Hall.

Most emblems are recognisable including various office-bearers jewels. However, one in particular is a curiosity and that is shown below. It is on the jewel on left in the centre.

What do the letter ‘J L H J’ or perhaps they are two pairs JL and JH?

Any ideas brethren?