Lodge Kilmarnock Kilwinning No. 22

Last month we looked at the history of Lodge Hamilton  Kilwinning No. 7, this month we again look to Grand Lodge for the interesting early history of Lodge Kilmarnock  Kilwinning No. 22.

The Petition for the formation of a Lodge at Kilmarnock is dated 14th November 1734. It is signed by Lord Kilmarnock, amongst others, and shows that all subscribers were "Masons belonging to the said Worship full and most        ancient Lodge of Kilwinning". The Lodge is therefore a true Daughter of Kilwinning, no members of any other Lodge having had a part in the erection. The reasons for praying that a Lodge be erected are clearly stated.

"That the Brethren of Mother Kilwinning in and about the town of Kilmarnock are at a great loss, by our distance from the seat of the said Lodge, in not getting cultivate in due manner the ends and purposes of Masonrie, nor keeping useful correspondence in a regular Lodge".

This request was granted and the original Charter of the Lodge issued under the ordinances of the Schaw Statutes. The origins of Freemasonry in the town of Kilmarnock are unknown, but it should be noted that early minute books are embossed 'Instituted 1700" indicating the existence of the Lodge prior to 1734.

Reflecting on the beginnings of the Lodge we can be considered fortunate on the choice of the first Right  Worshipful Master and his standing in Scottish history, he being William Boyd 4th Earl of Kilmarnock. He was Master of the Lodge during 1734-1741 and in 1744, Grand Master Mason 1742-43 and Master of Mother Kilwinning in 1742 when it is recorded that "The Right Honourable William Earl of Kilmarnock was installed, proclaimed and acknowledged Right Worshipfull Master for the year ensuing; and after having taken the chair and opening the Lodge, he admitted the Right Honourable Alexander, Earl of Eglintoune, an apprentice, and James Harper and Alexander Campbell were made fellows of craft, and his Lordship of Eglintoune paid into the box five guineas for the poor, besides the     expenses of the day." The Earl of Eglintoune and his  descendents were to feature prominently in Grand Lodge history, the 10th, 16^th and 17th Earls becoming Grand    Master Masons. Lord Kilmarnock did however pay the     ultimate price for his support of Charles Edward Stuart and was executed at Tower Hill in 1746 following his capture at Culloden. From this somewhat eventful start the Lodge progressed towards the late 1700's in a stable manner. Lodge St John Kilwinning Kilmarnock took an early  opportunity to support the newly formed Grand Lodge of Scotland. In 1738 Grand Lodge issued under its authority a Charter to the Lodge.

The earliest existing minute pertaining to a sister Lodge in the town appears in 1780 when Robert Arbuckle, Surgeon, a member of St Andrews Lodge was admitted a member and in 1782 when Lt. Hobart of the 21st Regiment of Foot. an apprentice of St Marnocks Lodge did likewise.

As the Lodge reached the end of the eighteenth century it was fortunate to he involved with one of the great literary figures of Scotland, Brother Robert Burns. The Bard was to become associated with the Lodge at a difficult period in his life. He was residing at Mossgeil near Mauchline and was a frequent visitor to Kilmarnock. He was also at this time on the verge of publishing the first edition of his poems and this was to be done with the assistance of a member of the Lodge, the printer John Wilson. Brother Wilson who was to become Master of the Lodge during 1796-1797 and later to become instrumental in the production of the Ayrshire  newspaper, the Ayr Advertiser. Burns' social character brought him into contact with many members of the Lodge but probably the most memorable friendship was of Tam Samson, local seedsman. Brother Samson was Treasurer of the Lodge in 1779, and is celebrated in Burns' Elegy: the Lodge has lost an unco devil, Tam Samsons Deid".  

John Begbie, a local vintner and friend of Burns, was initiated into the Lodge on 22nd December 1786 and featured in the poem 'The Ordination':

Then aff to begbies in a raw, An drink divine libations.

Begbies Inn was later to become the Angel Inn, a regular meeting place of the Lodge during the late 1800's.

Robert Burns was made an honourary member of the Lodge on 26^th October 1786. The minute is of particular   interest as it refers to Burns as a poet and not as a farmer. He would have considered this a great privilege and the Lodge has since been honoured by his Masonic Song, "The Sons of Auld Killie", dedicated to the Lodge and his friend William Parker of Assloss Right Worshipful Master at that time. The members of the Lodge subscribed and supported his First Edition and so perhaps in some way assisted in giving to the world his immortal work. The Lodge has in its possession a gavel reputedly presented by Burns.

During this period the Lodge met in Croft Street in what is now the Wheatsheaf Hotel and an early map of the town of 1818 shows a separate Lodge building adjacent to those premises. The Lodge proceeded into the 1800's with great enthusiasm and in 1818 supported the formation of a new Lodge in the town, Lodge St James Nethertonholm, No.345, It appears from the minutes that this Lodge was to be short lived, and in 1821 reference suggests that its downfall was caused by some form of schismatic Freemasonry. The   support that St Johns' gave to extending Freemasonry within the area continued and in 1830 supported the formation of the now extinct Lodge Glencairn Kilmaurs in the adjacent village of Kilmaurs. The minutes of the 1800's make interesting reading and paint a picture of a rather   elegant period in the Lodges history. During the iii Id 1800's the meeting places can be determined as the George Hotel then moving on to the Sun Inn. Sadly it is obvious that the Lodge fortunes were to take a turn for the worse and the Lodge was in some form of dormancy during the years l838 to 1856, although with no existing minutes it is difficult to ascertain the exact state of affairs.

The Lodge emerged from this condition and regained its strength. In 1860 the Kilmarnock historian, poet and topographer, Archibald McKay was initiated and also in that same year  installed as Poet Laureate of the Lodge. In 1861 he examined the papers in possession of the Lodge  pertaining to the dormant Old St Marnock Lodge, No.136, which was to re-emerge in 1867 as Lodge St.Marnock, No.109, and  indeed still thrives today. In 1863 a signet ring was  presented by the Lodge to James Brown Past Master as a token of respect. It was returned to the Lodge from the Trustees of Brother Brown's estate on the condition it be worn in perpetuity by the Masters, a tradition carried on to this day. During this period a leading figure appears in the person of John Steven Past Master who was to become  Depute Provincial Grand Master. His passing away in 1871 was a great loss to Freemasonry.

As the end of the nineteenth century approached the four Lodges within the town were to realise the benefits of shared premises and in 1898 purchased 39 John Finnie Street at a cost of œ2,050. The Consecration took place on 26th October 1899 with the ceremony conducted by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Mathew Arthur. The trend in new premises within the Province was prolific and the Lodge well represented on all these occasions.