Albertbridge Lodge No. 535
Past Master's Jewel 1973
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Obverse of Jewel
A nice example of a fret cut Past Master's Jewel.
The Jewel is suspended from three gold bars and a sky blue ribbon.
The Jewel is suspended from three gold bars and a sky blue ribbon.
The centre bar has the initials "JAR" .
The Jewel itself is made of a silver Compass, Square and letter "G" mounted on a 9ct gold disc, the circumference of which bears the legend "Albertbridge Masonic Lodge 535". |
The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription:
"Presented to W.Bro. J. Rogers P.M. 1973" The Maker's Mark on the reverse of Jewel is "W.J.C." |
Short History of Warrant No. 535.
Warrant No. 535 was issued to brethren in the 30th FOOT, later The 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, on the 3rd October, 1776. A Duplicate of the Warrant No. 535 issued in May 1805, the original having been lost. Warrant No. 535 was cancelled on the 3rd July, 1823.
[The above represents the barest of facts relating to Warrant No. 535 before same reissued to Albertbridge Lodge No. 535 - the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom gives a very full account of the Lodges who held Warrant No. 535 for the years set out above]
[The above represents the barest of facts relating to Warrant No. 535 before same reissued to Albertbridge Lodge No. 535 - the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom gives a very full account of the Lodges who held Warrant No. 535 for the years set out above]
History of Albertbridge Lodge No. 535.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 29nd May, 1922 show concerning Warrant No. 535 -
"29 May, 1922 - Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Mountpottinger in the County of Down to be called the Albertbridge. – Recommended"
The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 29th May 1922 as "Confirmed"
Warrant No. 535 reissued to William J. Gowdy (Lodge 306), Daniel McVey (Lodge 240) and Frederick Moore (Lodge 240) to form `Albertbridge Lodge' in the Mount Masonic Hall, MOUNTPOTTINGER, BELFAST on the 24th June 1922.
Series four Vol. 15, shown as Volume 4, of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 535 to Mountpottinger as “Albertbridge Lodge”, 24 June, 1922 -William J. Gowdy, Jeweller, (306); Daniel McVey, Tailor (240) and Frederick Moore, Joiner (240) registered along with fourteen others from various lodges, 24 June, 1922."
The Minutes of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Down dated 23rd August 1922 show in regard to Albertbridge Lodge No. 535 show - P.G.L. of Down Minute.
"Masonic Hall,The Mount, Belfast, 23rd August, 1922.
An Occasional Meeting of the Right Worshipful The Grand Lodge of the Province of Down was held in the Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast, on Wednesday 23rd August, 1922 at 6.30 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Constituting the ‘Albertbridge’ Masonic Lodge No. 535
The Grand Lodge was opened on the First Degree and was officered as follows:-
R.W. Bro. The Right Honble. Col. R.G. Sharman Crawford, P.G.M.
R.W. Bro. J.D. Williamson, MD., JP., D.P.G.M.
V.W. Bro. Chas. A. MacKenzie P.S.G.W.
V.W. Bro. A. Armstrong, acting P.J.G.W.
V.W. Bro. M. MacDonald, P.G. Secretary
W. Bro. Thos. H. Keown, acting P.G. Chaplain
W. Bro. James Reid, acting P.S.G.D.
W. Bro. John Willis P.J.G.D.
W. Bro. Wm. McNeilly, P.G. Supr. of Works
W. Bro. Peter McLean, P.G. Dir. of Cer.
W. Bro. John Martin, P.G. Dir. of Cer.
W. Bro. S.H. Kinghan, P.G. S. Br.
W. Bro. Wm. Gordon, P.G.I.G.
W. Bro. Ed. J. Mills, acting P.G. Org.
The Roll was called and the attendance’s and apologies of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers recorded.
The notice convening the Meeting having been read the Ceremony of Constitution was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master & Grand Lodge Officers. The Grand Master declared ‘Albertbridge’ Masonic Lodge No. 535 to be at labour and Bro. W.J. Gowdy P.M., was installed as first Worshipful Master. The remaining Officers being afterwards installed by the Provincial Grand Master.
In his address the Grand Master said he supposed in all Lodges where the members grew too large and young members saw their chance of getting Office very small they desired to branch out into new Lodges and he presumed such was the case in this new Lodge which he said it gave him great pleasure to be present at the Constitution.
He felt that the Worshipful Master being a Past Master would understand how much of the success of the Lodge depended on him for the first year. He warned them that in their haste to see their Lodge growing they should be careful not to admit undesirable brethren who afterwards might give infinite trouble to them. He thought the Officers of the Lodge should set before them the view that they should learn to confer the degrees themselves and not depend upon outsider assistance merely. He impressed on them the claims of Charity and suggested that they should begin a Charity Fund in connection with the Lodge. He considered the Province was now doing well in connection with the Charities and felt that up till lately the subscriptions had not been such as what was expected from a Province such as ours. He wished the Lodge all prosperity and counselled them to act as good citizens always and show by their example both in public & private life what Freemasons are.
A vote of thanks to the Provincial Grand Master and Officers was passed on the motion of Bro. McVey, seconded by Bro. F. Moore and responded to be the Deputy Grand Master who assured the brethren it was a pleasure and at the same time only the duty of the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers to attend these meetings.
(signed) R.G. Sharman Crawford
Malcolm MacDonald, P.G. Secretary."
A further 19 brethren registered up to 22nd December, 1923. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 3 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers commences with the registration of Hugh J. Bennett, Spl. Constable RUC, registered 23rd January, 1924.
A total of 164 brethren registered up to 26th November, 1952. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 22 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of Samuel Patterson, Electrician registered 22nd November 1953.
A total of 96 brethren registered up to 24th October 1984. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Removed to the Masonic Hall, SYDENHAM, BELFAST, September 1987.
From 1984 the registration of members of ALBERTBRIDGE LODGE No. 535 is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.
"29 May, 1922 - Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Mountpottinger in the County of Down to be called the Albertbridge. – Recommended"
The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 29th May 1922 as "Confirmed"
Warrant No. 535 reissued to William J. Gowdy (Lodge 306), Daniel McVey (Lodge 240) and Frederick Moore (Lodge 240) to form `Albertbridge Lodge' in the Mount Masonic Hall, MOUNTPOTTINGER, BELFAST on the 24th June 1922.
Series four Vol. 15, shown as Volume 4, of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 535 to Mountpottinger as “Albertbridge Lodge”, 24 June, 1922 -William J. Gowdy, Jeweller, (306); Daniel McVey, Tailor (240) and Frederick Moore, Joiner (240) registered along with fourteen others from various lodges, 24 June, 1922."
The Minutes of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Down dated 23rd August 1922 show in regard to Albertbridge Lodge No. 535 show - P.G.L. of Down Minute.
"Masonic Hall,The Mount, Belfast, 23rd August, 1922.
An Occasional Meeting of the Right Worshipful The Grand Lodge of the Province of Down was held in the Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast, on Wednesday 23rd August, 1922 at 6.30 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Constituting the ‘Albertbridge’ Masonic Lodge No. 535
The Grand Lodge was opened on the First Degree and was officered as follows:-
R.W. Bro. The Right Honble. Col. R.G. Sharman Crawford, P.G.M.
R.W. Bro. J.D. Williamson, MD., JP., D.P.G.M.
V.W. Bro. Chas. A. MacKenzie P.S.G.W.
V.W. Bro. A. Armstrong, acting P.J.G.W.
V.W. Bro. M. MacDonald, P.G. Secretary
W. Bro. Thos. H. Keown, acting P.G. Chaplain
W. Bro. James Reid, acting P.S.G.D.
W. Bro. John Willis P.J.G.D.
W. Bro. Wm. McNeilly, P.G. Supr. of Works
W. Bro. Peter McLean, P.G. Dir. of Cer.
W. Bro. John Martin, P.G. Dir. of Cer.
W. Bro. S.H. Kinghan, P.G. S. Br.
W. Bro. Wm. Gordon, P.G.I.G.
W. Bro. Ed. J. Mills, acting P.G. Org.
The Roll was called and the attendance’s and apologies of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers recorded.
The notice convening the Meeting having been read the Ceremony of Constitution was carried out by the Provincial Grand Master & Grand Lodge Officers. The Grand Master declared ‘Albertbridge’ Masonic Lodge No. 535 to be at labour and Bro. W.J. Gowdy P.M., was installed as first Worshipful Master. The remaining Officers being afterwards installed by the Provincial Grand Master.
In his address the Grand Master said he supposed in all Lodges where the members grew too large and young members saw their chance of getting Office very small they desired to branch out into new Lodges and he presumed such was the case in this new Lodge which he said it gave him great pleasure to be present at the Constitution.
He felt that the Worshipful Master being a Past Master would understand how much of the success of the Lodge depended on him for the first year. He warned them that in their haste to see their Lodge growing they should be careful not to admit undesirable brethren who afterwards might give infinite trouble to them. He thought the Officers of the Lodge should set before them the view that they should learn to confer the degrees themselves and not depend upon outsider assistance merely. He impressed on them the claims of Charity and suggested that they should begin a Charity Fund in connection with the Lodge. He considered the Province was now doing well in connection with the Charities and felt that up till lately the subscriptions had not been such as what was expected from a Province such as ours. He wished the Lodge all prosperity and counselled them to act as good citizens always and show by their example both in public & private life what Freemasons are.
A vote of thanks to the Provincial Grand Master and Officers was passed on the motion of Bro. McVey, seconded by Bro. F. Moore and responded to be the Deputy Grand Master who assured the brethren it was a pleasure and at the same time only the duty of the Provincial Grand Lodge Officers to attend these meetings.
(signed) R.G. Sharman Crawford
Malcolm MacDonald, P.G. Secretary."
A further 19 brethren registered up to 22nd December, 1923. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 3 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers commences with the registration of Hugh J. Bennett, Spl. Constable RUC, registered 23rd January, 1924.
A total of 164 brethren registered up to 26th November, 1952. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 22 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of Samuel Patterson, Electrician registered 22nd November 1953.
A total of 96 brethren registered up to 24th October 1984. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Removed to the Masonic Hall, SYDENHAM, BELFAST, September 1987.
From 1984 the registration of members of ALBERTBRIDGE LODGE No. 535 is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.