1885 Laying the Foundation Stone

18th September 1885

Minute of an extraordinary meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire held within Webster’s Seminary on 18th September 1885 at half past one o’clock.

Present James Berry Esq., Depute Provincial Grand Master in the chair, Brothers: -

Full list of attending

A.D. Lawson	P.G.S.W.
The R.W.M. No. 90	Acting P.G.J.W.
James Cargill	Acting P.G.J.W.
Rev James Crabb M.A	P.G. Chaplain
John Herald	P.G. Treasurer
Wm Dowell	P.G. Senior Deacon
Thomas Buick	P.G. Junior Deacon
F.G. Kemp	P.G. Sword Bearer
G. M. Welch	P.G. Bible bearer
Bro George	P.G. Director of Music
Bro Toplis	Bro Toplis
Also
P.M.	No.15
2 P.M.’s & W	No.40
1 P.M.	No.49
S.W.	No.66
1 P.M.	No.78
R.W.M. & W	No.90
R.W.M, P.M. & 2Ws	No.99
R.W.M., P.M. & 1W	No.101
P.M. & J.W.	No.123
P.M. & S.W.	No.182
R.W.M. & 2 P.M.s	No.254
R.W.M., P.M. & 2 W’s	No.286
P.M.	No.299
R.W.M., P.M. & 2 W’s	No.309
P.M.	No.448
R.W.M. & S.W.	No.593
R.W.M. & 2 W’s	No.694

Also a large number of brethren from the Province and from Perth and Coupar Angus, numbering about three hundred, amongst other being the Earl of Airlie, Capt Napier and other distinguished brethren.

The minutes of last meeting were read and approved of.

The chairman then stated that the Provincial Grand Lodge has as intimated by circular been convened to receive Sir Archibald Campbell of Blythswood, Bart, Grand Master Mason of Scotland and a deputation from Grand Lodge preparatory to assisting the Grand Master in laying the foundation stone of the new Public Hall Buildings for Kirriemuir.

The Grand Master then entered the Lodge accompanied by the Earl of Haddington, Grand Master Depute, R.F. Shaw Stewart, Past Substitute Grand Master, Colonel John Grant Kinloch of Logie, Past Sub Grand Master, Sheriff Thoms of Aberlemno, P.G. M. of Caithness & D. Murray Lyon, Grand Secretary, D. Kinnear, Grand Treasurer, James T. Elliot, younger of Wolfelee, Senior Grand Deacon & William Hay Past Grand Jeweller, J. Dalrymple Duncan Grand Bible Bearer, W. Edwards, Vice President of Grand Stewards, I. B. Smart, Alex Ralston, and R.F. Jamieson, Grand Stewards and were received in Masonic order.

P.G. Lodge was then declared to stand adjourned, and a procession of the brethren was formed, which procession was preceded by a large procession of the Trades and Factory workers of Kirriemuir, and the rifle volunteers accompanied by their Brass Band. The procession proceeded to the site of the buildings in ……Street Kirriemuir and the Grand Master, and Grand Lodge deputation and P.G. Officials having taken their positions on the platform, Mr James Davidson, Solicitor, Kirriemuir, honorary Secretary of the building committee presented the Grand Master with a handsome silver trowel bearing a suitable inscription with which to perform the ceremony. The ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone was then performed in a very efficient manner according to the ritual of Grand Lodge, printed programmes being distributed among the brethren.

The Grand Master at the close of the ceremony delivered an address congratulating the town of Kirriemuir on the prospect of having buildings so suitable which would supply a felt want in the town and would be the means of affording profitable pursuits and amusements to the inhabitants. Chief Magistrate Ogilvie replied and thanked the Grand Master for performing the ceremony and the brethren for turning out in so large numbers to assist him.

The brethren then reformed in procession and returned to Webster’s Seminary. The D.P.G.M. proposed a vote of thanks to the Grand Master Mason for coming so long a distance to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone stating that the trouble he had taken showed the great interest which the Grand Master took in connection with the affairs of the Craft which vote was unanimously accorded.

P.G. Lodge was then closed in due order.

A Luncheon was thereafter held in the Airlie Arms Hotel, Chief Magistrate Ogilvie in the chair, supported by the Grand Master and deputation, The Earls of Airlie and Haddington, Sit Thomas Munro of Lindertis, and Wm. T. Munro of Lindertis, Mr Leonard Lyell of Pitmuries, P.G. office bearers and a large number of brethren and gentlemen belonging to Kirriemuir and neighbourhood. The toast of the Army was replied to by Bro the Earl of Airlie, the Navy by Sheriff Thoms, and the Reserve Forces by Captain James Davidson of the Kirriemuir Rifles, the toast of Grand Lodge was received with enthusiasm, and replied to by the Grand Master, and the toast of the P.G. Lodge was also well received and was very efficiently replied to by the Depute P.G. Master.

The whole proceedings connected with the ceremony of laying the foundation stone and the Banquet passed over successfully and the brethren showed great enthusiasm.

(Signed) James Berry, D.P.G.M.

Transcribed by Iain D. McIntosh, Jan 2014