Inside
of Box
Detail from front of box
Cambuslang
Free Gardeners Philanthropic Society.
The death of Andrew Millar on 2nd. April 2004 was a sad day for all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Unknown to many of his friends Andrew had been a member of Cambuslang Free Gardeners Philanthropic Lodge and was perhaps the last Secretary.
His son Andrew who advised that he had a box of Free Gardeners paraphernalia, which had belonged to his father, contacted me and it was his intention to donate the box and contents to Adelphi Bluebell Lodge.
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The box is a magnificent example, measuring 25 inches long by 15 inches wide and 15 inches high and is beautifully painted with the Lodge name and various emblems of the Order. It is also inscribed “Instituted 1823” and is locked by two different hand made keys. The interior of the box is divided and contains a locked drawer on the left side. (contents unknown as we have no key) |
| Inside
of Box |
Detail from front of box |
Charter. The box contained the Lodge Charter which was granted by the Western Grand Lodge and dated 13th. November 1868. It is signed by William Thomson - R.W.M., John Tennant - Senior Warden, Arthur McDonald - Junior Warden, Arthur Robertson - Treasurer, John Wright – Secretary (these appear to be Grand Office Bearers). In the left hand corner is the note, “ We find the above Lodge was Instituted at Cambuslang on the 23rd. of April 1823” . The note is surrounded by five sets of initials. The Charter is hand written and states that this “Charter of Confirmation” is granted to “Francis Gibb - Right Worshipful Master, Archibald Fife - Senior Warden, William Ward - Junior Warden, James Hamilton - Treasurer, John Glen – Secretary”. “As if this Charter had been granted when this Lodge was Instituted”.
Sash. A near perfect sash was also in the box. 5.25 inches wide and 76 inches long it was worn over the shoulder and tied at the hip. It is Royal Blue in colour and has a 0.5 inch Red border at each side. The silk panel has the usual emblems of the Order and interestingly the St. Andrew Ancient Order of Free Gardeners above and below. The makers tab is sewn on the reverse bottom – Chas. Lang, Manufacturers, 28, Bridgeton Cross, Glasgow.
Minute Book. A hand written minute book from the period 8th. November 1946 to 18th. December 1954 was also in the box. This book gives a valuable insight into the working of the Cambuslang Lodge and the latter years of the Western Grand Lodge. (A detailed account of these minutes will be given in another paper).
Photo. A black and white photo of the Lodge Office Bearers was also discovered. The minute book confirmed that the photo was of the Lodge Office Bearers and was taken at a Special Meeting to mark the 125th. Anniversary of the Lodge on 24th. April 1948.
The fourteen Office Bearers in the photo wear long embroidered aprons and two styles of collars supporting their jewel of office. The collars also have the initials representing their Office ie. SW – Senior Warden. In the photo the Worthy Master, Bro. William Duncan holds a baton in his right hand which is adorned by an ornate crown. On his right the Senior Warden, Bro. James Russell holds a baton in his left hand. The baton has a triangular top and the letter C is visible. On the Worthy Masters left Bro. D. Laird holds a similar baton with the letter F visible in the triangle.
Office Bearers Photo. Back Row. G. Forsyth - Depute Master, J. Cameron - Secretary, (unknown) Middle Row. J. Russell - Chaplain, (unknown), H. Gemmell - Junior Steward, Thos. Gemmell - Pass Master, J. Duncan - Treasurer. Front Row. (unknown) J. Russell - Senior Warden, Wm. Duncan - Master, D. Laird - Junior Warden, (unknown).
Jewels. A small wooden box within the larger box contained an amazing thirty Office Bearers jewels. Close inspection of the photo identify some of the jewels as being from the Cambuslang Lodge. However in the minute of 12th. October 1951 a Bro. Bertram of The Vale of Carstairs Lodge presented the Cambuslang Lodge with jewels which had belonged to the Carstairs Lodge which had recently ceased to work. All the jewels have been cleaned and photographed and appear below.
Click on each photo for larger size image
Five of the jewels are engraved “Grand Lodge” on the reverse. These jewels are of similar design to the Greengairs and Motherwell Lodge jewels which our Adelphi Bluebell Lodge possess. (the presence of the jewels is explained in the minute book). Most appear to be hand made but four are manufactured by Kenning & Son, London.
Gavels. Two small wooden gavels were also in the box.