The Fraserburgh Lodge of Freemasons #1055

The First Fifty Years

INTRODUCTION

There is no record as to when Freemasonry was introduced into Fraserburgh. The earliest record of a Freemason in our midst is an epitaph on a gravestone of one - Andrew Brown - who died in a year which is unfortunately not given. However, his wife, who must have died after he did, has the date of her decease as May, 1702. Thus it can be proved that Freemasonry was in vogue in this area at this early time although it appears about two centuries later than the first recorded item of concerning Freemasonry in Scotland.

We have proof of the existence of several Friendly Societies in Fraserburgh, but Freemasonry is not a Friendly Society in the sense of guaranteeing benefits to its members. Up until 1835, Freemason Lodges in Fraserburgh did have Benefit Societies attached to them, but these were only to carry out the Brotherhood's principles.

In these early days, Freemasonry was looked upon by many with fear and trembling because it was a Society which did not flaunt its secrets about. Because of this reticence on the part of the Craft, the early history of Freemasonry in Fraserburgh must have been destroyed. This is perhaps the only reason for us to-day knowing so little about the early history of the Craft in this town.

We have knowledge of a Lodge - The Fraserburgh Lodge No. 125 - being in existence in the town, but we do not even know when it was founded. In 1796 we do manage to peep behind the scenes because in that year Lodge Solomon No. 197 was granted its Charter. In 1807, another Lodge makes its appearance. This was The Fraserburgh Lodge No. 287, which was formerly Lodge No. 125, and is consequently an ancestor of 1055. Therefore, 1055 is the direct descendant of Fraserburgh Lodge No. 125, through Fraserburgh Lodge No. 287.

The Fraserburgh Lodge No. 287 was erected by a Charter from Grand Lodge, which confirmed its former existence. This Charter was granted by the acting Grand Master Mason of Scotland, Francis, Earl of Moray.

This Charter distinctly states that the Lodge had been for a long time dormant. In all probability the Fraserburgh Lodge was in existence prior to Grand Lodge, and like many other Lodges continued a system of self government and did not come under the control of the Grand Lodge. Like many other Lodges, the Fraserburgh Lodge had refused to be controlled by Grand Lodge, but it came into the fold in 1807. Up till that time the Lodge had issued its own Diplomas which the Master and Wardens signed and sealed with the Lodge Seal.

To-day, all we have to show the existence of this Lodge is the original Charter, the Copper Diploma Plate and its Bye Laws, which were printed and dated 1812. We hear nothing further about this Lodge until 1818 when its Master had the honour of laying the foundation stone of the South Breakwater. (This will be brought out with full details in the first chapter of this book).

Square and Compass

The year 1835 was a tragic year for Freemasonry in Fraserburgh. Lodge Solomon closed its doors and divided £1,015 0/1½ (one thousand and fifteen pounds, one and a half pence) between its 287 members. The Fraserburgh Lodge was still active at this time, but it became defunct in 1837. What became of the property of this Lodge, and of the funds, nothing is left to tell us.

Solomon Lodge was resuscitated with great enthusiasm in 1863, and since that date it has made steady progress, both numerically and financially.

In 1909 the Fraserburgh Lodge was revived for a third time. It is the history of this Lodge from then till now - 50 years - that this book traces and we will follow the fortunes of the Lodge through its teething troubles until it emerges triumphant and, let us hope, never to go under for a third time.

Square and Compass

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