A surprise email from a Canadian Freemason has led to the discovery of a long-lost Founder’s Jewel from a Newcastle Freemason’s lodge.
Founder’s Jewels are presented to founder members when new lodges are created, in this case Lodge Temperance No 2557 in 1895. The Jewel was returned to the UK by a Canadian freemason RW Bro.Royston Colbourne, District Deputy Grand Master District 17 of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon who said:
“The jewel surfaced when one of our members was conducting voluntary work in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. We do not know anything of its travels here in Canada or who passed it on as it appears to have gone through several hands.”
Lodge Temperance historian W Bro Peter Walker was able to find out about the Jewel and its owner.
“Andrew Christopher Messer was a founding member of Lodge Temperance 2557 which met at the Masonic Hall, Shakespeare Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He went on to become Master of Tyne Lodge 991 in 1900.
In the 1891 census Andrew is living with his wife, Emma Jane and son, Andrew Jnr, at 1, Wooler Street, Wallsend and is recorded as a metal turner. By 1901 the family have moved to 6, Buddle Street, Wallsend and Andrew is now a Commercial Traveller.
Andrew was interested in public life. The Shields Daily Gazette reported in 1894 that he was serving as a sidesman at St. Luke’s Church in Wallsend. A sidesman or usher, is responsible for greeting members of the congregation, overseeing seating arrangements in church, and for taking the collection. The Shields Daily Gazetteer reported in 1901 that “Andrew Messer, Commercial Traveller, 6, Buddle Street, was nominated for the first town council of the newly incorporated borough of Wallsend”
On March 21st 1904 Andrew and his family embarked on the S.S. Pretorian at Liverpool destined for Halifax, Nova Scotia. He returned briefly in 1907 after the death of his father, Thomas to take care of his affairs and then again in 1919 with his second wife Mary Ann.He died on 4th August 1952, aged 83, in Vancouver, British Columbia.”
The Jewel will be on display at every lodge meeting to remind members of their history and of the world-wide connection between Freemasons.
You can read more about Bro Messer here.
