PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1898
CATEGORIES OF JEWELS
SUSSEX LODGE NO. 137
PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1898
CONTENTS:-
[TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO A SECTION CLICK ON NUMBER ]
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1. DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.
2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT NO.137.
3. HISTORY OF SUSSEX LODGE NO. 137, 1842 - TO DATE
4. DETAILS OF WHEN SUSSEX LODGE NO. 137 MEETS.
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OBVERSE OF JEWEL
A superb quality gold Compass and Square Past Master's neck Jewel.
The Jewel comprises of a normal Compass and Square, which is gold, with fixed "G", which is also gold. The handle of the Square is engraved with five shamrocks, and the Compass with six on each leg, totaling seventeen.
The engraving is of the highest quality.
REVERSE OF JEWEL
The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription :
"Presented to
Bro. Rev. J.A. Ford. W.M.
by the Brethren of Sussex
Masonic Lodge No. 137
Ballinasloe, on the occasion
of his leaving Ireland. 14th Sept 1898"
The Maker's Mark on the reverse of Jewel is "WS".
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2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT NO. 137
Warrant No 137 issued to brethren at Labour at "Mr. Bray's", Swan Alley, DUBLIN, in September 1743.
Warrant No. 137 was cancelled on the 4th February 1837.
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3. HISTORY OF SUSSEX LODGE NO. 137
1842 - TO DATE
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 5th December 1842 show concerning Lodge 137 -
"Read an Application from 3 Brethren, Dr. William Heivee, Ch. O’Kelly and Andrew Home, Ballinasloe, praying that a new Warrant may be granted to them for forming a Lodge in that locality and accompanied by the several vouchers from 3 Lodges.Resolved That the Board recommend the Grand Lodge to grant a New Warrant accordingly. Granted 137".
This recommendation was followed by Grand Lodge who resolved that -
"Warrant No. 137 to Ballinasloe, Co. Galway as “The Sussex Lodge”"
Warrant No. 137 reissued to `Sussex Lodge' in BALLINASLOE, Co. Galway, on 5th December 1842 and Series two Vol. 2 of the Grand Lodge Register shows "Will. Heivee; Char. D. Kelly and And. Home registered 5th December 1842".
On 2nd October 1845 a memorial was read in Grand Lodge from Lodge 20 Sligo, 21 Castlebar, 137 Ballinasloe, 242 Boyle, 340 Strokestown and 455 Eyrecourt praying for the appointment of Bro. Lord Clonbrook as Provincial Grand Master. The Board of General Purposes recommended and Grand Lodge approved that Lord Clonbrook be recommended to the Grand Master to be Provincial Grand Master for a district comprising the Counties of Galway, Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon but this was not acted upon.
A total of 116 brethren registered up to 11th February 1858.
The following is an extract from "Sander's News Letter."(Newry Telegraph - 23th June 1866)
"On the 19th (1866) inst., the Brethren of the Masonic Lodge No. 137, of Ballinasloe, assisted by several Brethren from a distance, laid the Foundation-stone of a new Mansion House, which is being erected at Runnymede, near Ahaseragh, by their Worshipful Master, Joseph Trumperant Potts Esq., J.P.
The proceedings, which were of a most interesting nature, were intended, on the part of the Masonic Body in Ballinasloe and vicinity, as a small mark of respect for Brother Potts, for the uniform kindness with which he ever treated the Members of the mystic Fraternity, and for the support which he has always freely rendered to promote every project having for its object the welfare of the Masonic Brethren individually, or for the extension and prosperity of that excellent Order. So well appreciated are the efforts of this gentleman and other members of his family in this respect, that, in the year 1852, the Freemasons of the district paid a similar complement to his elder brother, William Trumperant Potts Esq., when that gentleman was re-building his present splendid mansion-house, Correen Castle, a few miles from Ballinasloe.
Their younger brother, Harry T. Potts Esq., is also a Past Master of Lodge No. 137. This Lodge received its warrant - which had formerly belonged to the Sussex Lodge - from the Grand Lodge of Ireland, on the 6th December 1842, when it was first opened by Bro. William Haise, Master. Under the patronage of Mr. Potts, the Lodge has rapidly risen to be one of the best of the country Lodges in the West of Ireland, the average attendance being about thirty-five."
The Grand Lodge Register a total of 130 brethren registered up to 11th October 1899. In most cases the dates when the degrees were conferred and the issue of certificates is shown.
Five members of The Sussex Lodge No. 137 served in the 1914-18 War and all returned.
Their Hall was raided and burnt out in 1922 however the Warrant was saved and with the help of the Brethren from Athlone a new home was found for them.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 18th May 1932 show concerning Lodge 137 -
"Read letter from Lodge 137, Ballinasloe requesting permission to change place of meeting. Leave granted to meet in Johnston Memorial Hall".
From 1935 The Sussex Lodge No. 137 met in ATHLONE, Co. Westmeath, and from 1948 in BALLINASLOE, Co. Galway(the Lodge now meets in Athlone).
Series five Vol. 17 shown as Vol. 1 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows "Warrant No. 137 to Ballinasloe (scored out and Athlone inserted(this amendment would have been made circa 1935)) as “The Sussex Lodge”. This particular register commences with the registration of Howard J. McClean, Bank Clerk, registered 10th April 1924. A total of 71 brethren registered up to 8th September 1952. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 21 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of C.W., Shop-keeper, registered 11th May 1953 and a total of 36 brethren registered up to 15th March 1984. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
From 1984 the registration of members 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.
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4. DETAILS OF WHEN SUSSEX LODGE NO. 137 MEETS.
THE SUSSEX LODGE NO.137 MEETS ON THE 1st TUESDAY IN 2, 5 & 11 AT 8.OOp.m. AND ON THE 2nd TUESDAY IN 10 AT 8.00p.m. IN ATHLONE, COUNTY WESTMEATH.
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