Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

earning a Liberty had by reason of the Gout, and who by his Representation
given into the Lodge was and is willing to Deprive his whole subjects both
Heritable and moveable on their allowing him such a Consideration as they In
their goodness should be pleas’d to Appoint for his support during his Life.” 130
117
Monetary dispensations, however, were not the only source of charity. A
good example of non-fiscal assistance is recorded in the records of No. 8
Journeymen Lodge in Edinburgh. John Turnbull, the oldest member of the
lodge, intimated to the lodge that he was “in grate want of the Nessarys of
Life.” 131 Subsequently, the members supplied him with a “Cart of Coals…one
peck of meal per week during the winter Quarter,” 132 and a “new Coat and…a
pair of shoes and a shirt which the Lodge unanimously agreed to.” 133
Scottish masonic lodge charity, similar to the philanthropic practices of
English lodges, “was also disbursed more widely, to the local poor and needy
causes at home.” 134 In Edinburgh, No. 8 Journeymen met on 10 September
1762 to discuss “the State of the widows at present upon the Societys Expence,”
ultimately concluding that they were “to be paid at the rate of Five shillings
quarterly.” 135 Also taking an interest in education, No. 8 introduced a scheme
for apprenticing boys to masters, although this venture seemed to be singularly
unsuccessful and was quickly abandoned. Lodge minutes recount that George
Stewart, apprentice of Charles Watkins – a barber and wigmaker in Edinburgh –
130
No. 1(3) Aberdeen Lodge Minutes, 6 August 1772. The lodge also recorded on 25 March
1747 that several brethren applied for charity, who “on account of their old age and
Infirmity…were not able to work for their bread.”
131
No. 8 Journeymen Lodge Minutes, 27 December 1804.
132
Ibid.
133
Ibid, 15 February 1805.
134
Clark, British Clubs, 337.
135
No. 8 Journeymen Lodge Minutes, 10 September 1762.