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All in the Family
by Ymelda Rivera Laxton, Assistant Curator, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library
Families pass down traditions, treasured heirlooms, and memories from generation to generation. Sometimes objects and images are foundational in forming a family’s legacy. Some families have preserved mementos and memories that speak to a Masonic tradition. In its collection, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library holds many items that tell the story of different families’ Masonic traditions—some of them are highlighted here. George and Frank Moxley Captain George William Moxley (1831-1921), a mariner and fisherman born in Groton, Connecticut, joined Union Lodge No. 31, in New London, Connecticut, in 1868. He served as Junior Warden of the lodge in 1884 and as Master of the lodge in 1887. His son Frank G. Moxley (1854 or 1855-1913) followed in his dad’s Masonic footsteps, joining Union Lodge No. 31 in 1905. This endearing 1910 photograph shows father George pinning a jewel to his son Frank’s jacket lapel. At the bottom of the photo is inscribed “P.M. George W. Moxley presenting his son Frank G. Moxley with a P.M. jewel.” On back of the photograph reads a note, “son Frank died in 1913 at the age of 59.” Frank George W. Moxley with son Frank G. Moxley, 1910. Schofield, New London, Connecticut. Museum Purchase, 2000.059.11.
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Moxley, who also went by Francis, served as Junior Warden in 1908, Senior Warden in 1909, and Master of the lodge in 1910.
Alexander and Margaret Pollio In 1975, Knight Templar and Junior Grand Warden of New York, Alexander Pollio (1916-1995), and his wife, Margaret Pollio (1922-2003), member of Chenango Chapter No. 135, Order of the Eastern Star, developed an idea for a project to benefit the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Together with the Ladies of Malta Commandery No. 21 in Binghamton, New York, they worked for three years to create this intricately embroidered quilt. The quilt features emblems from the White Shrine, DeMolay, the Triangles, Amaranth, Royal Arch Masons, and Knights Templar. Margaret Pollio first collected symbols of the various Masonic groups on lapel pins, placemats, and other items. She gave her emblems to artist and fellow Eastern Star member Imogene Bowman (1919-1992) of Chenango Forks, New York, who then transferred each drawing to a muslin block. It was then embroidered by members of the Ladies of Malta Commandery No. 21. The quiltmakers completed the project in November 1977 and exhibited it at several Masonic events in 1978. It was donated to the museum the same year. In a 1978 article in the magazine Knight Templar, Pollio detailed the time and dedication needed to make the quilt, stating, “It required 90 hours to embroider the DeMolay emblem.” This quilt is an example of a unique and creative way in which one Masonic family expressed their commitment to their fraternity.
The Northern Light
