There was this designation of symbols for officers of a lodge:

Grand Recorder, an imitation of a quill pen with a pendant suspended with the words, "Grand Recorder;"

BUT, that's for the Knights Of Columbus way back when in California.

Perhaps it was to honour the memory of Albert Pike. If you search for "quill" you'll see some about his legacy. It's probably much older as symbol than that, though. It is interesting to read about him, though.:-)

Good luck.