BS: Masonic symbols - help?

Subject: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 15 May 09 - 09:03 AM

I was recently given an old photograph of a couple who, I was told, are my 3 x Great Grandparents - but not WHICH!

According to a fashion historian, the lady's dress would indicate that the photo was taken sometime before 1860. I've whittled the candidates down to two possibilities, but I'm still stuck.

HOWEVER, the gentleman is holding what looks like a quill. If you imagine a white feather with one of the vanes removed, that's how it looks. One of the candidates was a hatter, the other a sawyer, so there is no obvious connection with their occupations.

BUT, one of the candidates was a prominent freemason in Oldham (UK)and I am wondering if the quill/feather was some kind of masonic symbol.

Anyone any ideas?

Subject: RE: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: 3refs
Date: 15 May 09 - 09:35 AM

This might be of some help!

http://gazette.gmu.edu/articles/10210/

Subject: RE: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 15 May 09 - 09:54 AM

Thanks 3refs, a few websites (UK and US) suggest that a quill could indicate that the bearer was a lodge secretary.

Subject: RE: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 May 09 - 12:10 PM

As an aside, we even have masonic symbols on tombstones here in the remote West of Irelnad!:

http://www.quiltyns.net/asp/section.asp?s=13

Subject: RE: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 09 - 12:22 PM

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.

Subject: RE: BS: Masonic symbols - help?
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 15 May 09 - 01:03 PM

Thanks guys. I'm becoming more and more convinced that I'm on the right track and that the photo is William Patterson (1791-1865). His gravestone (paid for by his lodge) is plastered with masonic emblems.

He was styled 'Gentleman and proprietor of houses' on the census - why on earth he let his daughter marry a bloke who sawed logs all day, I'll never know. But I'm glad he did.