Founder Member's Jewel
Only one of the founding members' jewels is still in existence to our knowledge. Bro. George Hay was the first ever Senior Warden at West Ham Abbey. He was Treasurer of the Lodge for seven years between 1891-1897. He was also mayor of West Ham on three occasions, 1887/8, 1891/2 & 1895.
The jewel below was donated to the Library and Museum at the Freemasons' Hall on 15th February 1978. It is unclear who donated this piece but needless to say that without such an act of generosity the jewels presented to founding members of West Ham Abbey Lodge would be forever restricted from us.
 |
 |
The jewel clearly shows two
badges. The first, on the blue ribbon is that of the civic
coat of West Ham which is now the coat of arms of Newham Borough
Council. The latin motto beneath says 'DEO CONFIDIMUS'
which means 'We Trust In God'.
The second badge is that of the Lodge's banner which depicts the gateway to the Stratford Langthorne Abbey or 'West Ham Abbey' as it became known locally. On the reverse it is engraved 'BRO. G.HAY 1st S.W.' Because this piece is the only reference we have, it is difficult to be certain as to why a Level was linked at the bottom but it is entirely possible that this masonic instrument which is the badge of the office of Senior Warden represents the office to which Bro. Hay was to occupy. On this basis one could conclude that the various other founding brethren would have had their office represented by its coinciding badge linked just like this one. But there isn't an abbey at West Ham!!? Click here or return to the History page.
|
| Copyright, and reproduced by permission, of the United Grand Lodge of England. Thank you. | ||