Brethren, Found while surfing the web. Did U Know? The 400th Anniversary of the Oldest Masonic Records in the World. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is custodian of the oldest Lodge records in the world being those of Aitchisons Haven. The first entry in the Minute Books of that Lodge is dated 9th January 1598. Prior to 1602 the Scottish New Year began on 25th March. By modern reckoning, therefore, the anniversary will not take place until 9th January 1999. It must be said immediately that this Lodge no longer exists. The oldest records of a Lodge which is in existence still are those belonging to The Lodge of Edinburgh (Marys Chapel), No.1. The existing minutes of that Lodge commence on 31st July 1599. THE BOOK OF THE LODGE OF AITCHISONS HAVEN,1598-1764 By THE LATE BROTHER R. E. WALLACE-JAMES, P. M. Lodge St John Kilwinning, No. 57 (From 1852, when the Lodge became dormant, the Minute Book was in the possession of the descendants of one of the last members of the Lodge. It was put up for sale by auction in July 1980 and purchased by Grand Lodge.) Aitchisons Haven would be searched for in vain in any modern map, and even locally the name is all but unknown. It lay to the east of Musselburgh between Levenhall and the little harbour of Morrisons Haven in the County of Midlothian. It had its origin from a Charter of King James V dated 1526 and in all probability the Lodge would date from about that time. By this Charter the Monks of Newbattle were authorised to form a harbour within the lands then belonging to them, for the purpose of shipping the coal won, even at that early period, from the extensive coalfields of the Barony of Prestongrange. The harbour was first called the Millhaven and it is referred to under this name in the earlier Minutes. The name was afterwards changed to that of Aitchisons Haven. Of the actual foundation of the Lodge, however, we have no trace in the Minute Book. The Minute Book consists of some seventy-five written pages, bound (though the pages are now loose) in sheepskin, and measures about 15 by 5¾ inches. The edges of the leaves are more or less tattered, as might naturally be expected, and though in one or two places a few words are illegible the writing is in good condition and, from its archaic appearance, there can be no doubt of the genuineness of the manuscript being, as it purports to be, the Minute Book of the old Lodge of Aitchisons Haven. The volume is designated as The Buik of the Actis and Ordinans of the Nobile Maisteris and fellows of Craft of the Ludg of Aitchisons heavine, and contains a catalogue of the names of the fellows of Craft that ar presently in the Zeir of God 1598. The five earliest Minutes ante-date the famous Minute of Ultimo Julij 1599 of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Marys Chapel), No. l. Like its famous compeer, the chronological sequence of the Minutes leaves much to be desired, the same page in many instances containing Minutes widely separated in date for instance, following the Minute of 2nd January 1600, on the same page, appear Minutes of 27th December l669 and 27th December 1670. No doubt the clerk at that time, finding a blank half page, economically utilised the space by writing these Minutes there, and took credit to himself for so doing. This Masonic Did U Know list is strictly voluntary. If you received this message in error or you wish to be removed, please reply to the author only and you will be removed, no questions asked. If you know of a Brother who would like to be added to our list, reply to author with the Brothers e mail address and it will be added immediately. May We Meet Upon The _|_ Act By The ! And Part Upon The |_ W. Bro. Dwight D. Seals Camden Lodge #159 Camden, Ohio
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 20:17:01 +0000
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