The Operative Lodge of Dundee No.47

The Early History of the Lodge

An extract by the late Alex Laing PM compiled in 1984

The object of this exercise is to consider the history of the lodge prior to 1801 and with information so meagre from our records it has been necessary to take a broader look at the craft, and at the same time try to relate that look to the Operative Lodge of Dundee.
Apart from tracing back references or incidents reported in the early minutes from 1881, there are no records apart from the charter, available within the lodge, and it is necessary to rely on research work by other Brethren, published papers and the recorded minutes of other lodges, including Grand Lodge to even have a glimpse into the past history of the Lodge.
The fire in 1882, which destroyed the written word of the Lodge certainly left a clean sheet as far as records of any kind are concerned and it is fortunate for us that we still have the Minute and Petition books for further study. In compiling this paper, I acknowledge my appreciation to the work of George Draffen of Lodge Progress No.967, Bro. A. Donovan of Ancient Lodge No.49, the late P.M. Bro John Forrester and the late P.M. Bro. A.F. Hill of Lodge Operative No,47, various quotes from Grand Lodge Year Books and to the other Brethren who have published papers and studies, part of which I have used and in so doing, have endeavoured to give a practical and factual history of the Lodge.
Time and circumstance may yet shed light on the unknown years but at present you have to come to terms with realities as they are, rather than how you would wish them to be.

The History

The Charter of Confirmation, granted to the Lodge on 6th Feb 1745 is inscribed in the Sederunt (or Minute) book of 1881 and the preamble is worthy of repetition here for the benefit of the Brethren.

"To all and sundry to wham these presents may come sendeth Greetings in God Everlasting, whereas upon application to the Grand Lodge of free and accepted Masons for the Kingdom of Scotland by the Right Worshipful David Stewart, Mason in Dundee present Master. Andrew Ouchterloney and James Smart, Masons there. Wardens. William Robertson Treasurer, and John Smart, Mason there present Deacon of the Mason Lodge of Dundee. Secretary, far themselves and as representing their other members of the Operative Lodge of Dundee, working Masons in and about the Town of Dundee in the, County of Forfar or Angus, setting forth that they and their predecessors having time out of mind as far back as the Sixteenth century, been erected into and kept a regular Lodge under the title of the Mason Lodge of Dundee, wherein they had beer, in use to enter apprentices, pass fellows of the Craft and raise master Masons on payment of such compositions as was suitable for support of the poor of their Lodge, their widows and orphans, and being most willing to subject themselves to the Government and regulations of the Brand Lodge, their undoubted patrons and Superiors in all time coming etc,"

The Charter goes on - Grand Lodge at a meeting held within St. Mary's Chapel in Edinburgh granted the charter on 5th. February 1745. The charter is signed by R.W. John Douglas Substitute Grand Master, in the absence of the Right Hon and Most Worshipful James 6th. Earl of Moray, the Grand Master Mason. The charter on the Masters pedestal is a copy issued by Grand Lodge in 1852 under what circumstances is not known at the present time.
The Sederunt book also has a copy of the articles and regulations formed by a committee of the Operative Lodge of Dundee containing a system of Bye - Laws for the better preserving of order and harmony amongst the Brethren of the said lodge, also amended by a select committee agreeable to the Spirit and Tenor of the benefit regulations.
But more of these Articles and Regulations later, as although the Benefit Regulations were consequent to the Act of Parliament passed in 1793 for the encouragement and relief of Friendly Societies, the effect of them can be more clearly defined relative to the minutes from 1801 and could be dealt with later.
It may be appropriate at this time to refer to the name of the Lodge and also the number given by Grand Lodge on registration and the number the Lodge now has. Firstly the title given on the copy of the Charter (in the 1801 Sederunt Book) is " The Operative Lodge of Freemasons of Dundee" although the applicants for the charter requested in, the name of the Operative Lodge of Dundee, and while the Lodge has been known locally, and in general terms as Lodge Operative and / or Lodge 47, it was also known in the 16th Century as the "Mason Lodge of Dundee" and in the mid 19th century as the "Ancient Operative Lodge" and in the early 19th Century as "The Associated Free and Accepted Operative Mason Lodge of Dundee " and we have now adopted the name "Operative Mason Lodge of Dundee" as our title. Secondly our number on the Roll of Grand Lodge was 52 when chartered. Other city lodges when chartered, as a matter of interest were: -

The original charter numbers were issued under the 1737 numbering system, then another system was introduced in 1809. The return, of Lodge Mother Kilwinning with its attendant lodges in 1807, would certainly create some problems, but in 1826 Grand lodge decided to re-number in accordance with their antiquity, and this is the current system used. The new numbers under the 1828 system are:-

Lodge St. David was dormant from 1836 to 1844 and was given No.78 when resuscitated. It is of interest to us that seven members of Lodge Operative assisted in resuscitation and one Bro. Thomas Russell became Master in 1853 - 55.
There are many discrepancies in the present system of numbering which affect quite a number of Lodges. For example, in the first Schaw Statute dated 28th December 1599, William Schaw, being the Master of work and Warden of the Masons under the authority of James VI, laid down the regulations for the control of Lodges, and in particular on this subject which we are now considering, decreed that:-

Quote"It is thought needful and expedient by my Lord war-den General that Edinburgh shall be in all time coming, as of before, the first and principal lodge in Scotland, and that Kilwinning be the lodge as of before is notoriously manifested in our old ancient writings, and that Stirling shall be the third Lodge, conforming to the auld privileges thereof" Unquote.

This document clearly lays down that the Lodge of Edinburgh Mary's chapel was then, had always been, and should always be the first and principle Lodge in Scotland and re-iterates no less than eight times in the whole statute that Kilwinning is the second Lodge in Scotland.
In the Grand Lodge Roil of Lodges, Kilwinning is No.0 and the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) is No.1. Stirling named in the Statute as the third lodge is No.30. It would appear that, if antiquity was to be the criteria, more than one lodge did not receive the status it deserved (if status is the right word)
For the 225th anniversary of the charter date of the lodge in 1970 PM Bro, Andrew F. Hill compiled a short history which states Quote "some Brethren were under the impression that the Lodge room in the Overgate, up the white washed close at No. 43 was an old house and made into a lodge room for the members of Operative Dundee No.47. In my research for information I discovered the Brethren acquired a piece of land just north of the houses facing the Overgate.
The Lodge room was built in 1745 at a cost of £300. It had an ante-room and a Fiddlers Gallery, The lighting would be oil lamps, then gas and finally electricity, a huge coal fire gave heat which was later replaced by gas radiators. while the hall was being built, the Brethren met in a hall on the North side of the Three Churches with an entry from Mid Kirk Style which ran from Tally St. to South Lindsay St. "The white washed close was called Guillans Close”. The Lodge Rooms and the Overgate were demolished in 1964 to make way for a shopping development.

There is an excellent model of the town in the museum and it is well worth a visit to anyone interested in old Dundee. The Lodge up the close opposite Thorter Row is seen. The model does not show the extension or the winding stair leading to the lodge room.
The stair was erected around 1837, A dispute then arose between the Lodge and the How family who claimed ownership of the ground the stair was built on. A sub committee was formed in December 1837 and eventually in November 1838, two of the How family, Peter and Andrew were initiated, passed and raised as members of the Lodge without any fees being paid, and they in turn, endorsed the Petition book with a declaration that no legal proceedings would be taken against the lodge in respect of the stair.
In 1752 David Smart was initiated, passed and raised. This brother died in 1806 after 53 years of service to the craft. He died as Convenor, which was an honorary rank, given as a matter of respect to the Senior Past Master. In the letter to the other lodges in town, reference is made to his descent from a line of Ancient Operative 'Masons and we remember a Bro. James Smart and a Bro. John Smart were Deacons of the Mason Trade. Bro. James in 1734 and Bro, John in 1745. In the minute, when plans were made for the funeral procession, and also in the letters to the other lodges, the Brethren were reminded of his "repeated charge and desire to his Brethren when in his convivial moments that they should honour him with a Masonic Funeral", The report of his funeral procession and interment, in the Howff is given in great detail and it appears that the Brethren responded well to the charge made to them.
In 1753 the two lodges in the town were joined by the Lodge St. David and from the book written by Bro. P.M. James Grant, Secretary of that lodge, giving extracts from the minutes of 1753-1511 we have at least a contemporary view of the craft during the latter part of the 18th Century, i.e. 1759-1800. This book is most welcome and to appreciate it further, one should consider the size of the town at this time and again I refer you to the model in the museum.

There were five main streets, Overgate, Nethergate, Murraygate, Seagate, and High Street, with wynds running off such as Thorter Row between Overgate and Nethergate, Kirk Lane off Thorter Row to Tally St. Mid Kirk Style - Tally St., and between the churches and the Overgate, Horse Wynd which ran from Murraygate to Seagate, Rankine's Court, Kirk Entry, and Wynds off Nethergate to behind the vault and streets and closes behind the Town House (pillars) to the shore. The boundaries of the town were roughly along Nethergate to the Cathedral then a hospital, up South Tay St. to west Fort, to ward Road, then Wellgate, thence to East Fort and to the Seagate with the Scouring Burn running along the Ward Road and Howff. The entrance to the Howff being in Barrack Street.
The area taken up now by Garland Place and the Royal Infirmary was known as the Meadows, while Blackscroft was a grazing area.
The streets were in part unmade with no street lighting and no running water, -water being drawn from wells. In the early 1880's when the Lodge bought quite a lot of property, there usually was a well attached to the purchase. The light was by candles or oil lamps. Military units were stationed in the town to keep order. It was customary to have music at festivals, meetings and processions. any musicians, including Military bandsmen were initiated, passed and raised in the forenoon so that they could play within the Lodge in the evening.
Most if not all of these initiations were free, and it was the custom that Clergymen, poor Masons, and musicians were received into the Craft without fees.

Deputations to and from each of the three lodges on festival and installation celebrations were accompanied with bands. Pipes and drums, French horns and Violins. Each deputation would be led by music and illuminated by Flambeaux which in 1759 cost 3d each, the dress was black cloths, white stockings and gloves. In 1751 the price of a bottle of punch was increased from 3d to 10d, and a gallon of rum cost 10/-.
In 1765, Sir James Kinloch & member of Lodge Operative, was made an Honorary member of Lodge St. David, and was elected W.S.W., on St. Andrews Day of that year.
In 1776, the Operative Lodge with Lodge Ancient and Lodge St. David marched in procession and laid the foundation stone of the new Trades Hall at the east end of the High St. This building was demolished one hundred years later.
In 1780 Operative Lodge purchased a house which was to be used as a Lodge and asked Lodge St. David to assist in the consecration on St. Johns day 24th June. The consecration took place before 11am. the day before, the 23rd, so that the Brethren could get away by 1pm. Many brethren living 15-23 miles away could not afford to lose two days wages and subsistence. Lodge Ancient was also in attendance, the consecration was carried out by Bro, Davidson the Depute master of Lodge Operative. In 1783 the R.W.M., of the Lodge was Bro Peter Cromb and Bro David Smart, Depute Master.
In 1785 Lodge Thistle Operative was Chartered on petition supported by the Operative Lodge, which was the Mother Lodge of the petitioners. In 1793 an Act of Parliament for the encouragement and relief of Friendly Societies was passed and the Lodge decided to take advantage of this Act. For the next forty years the labour of the Lodge was very much involved in this work. The minutes from 1881 give a very detailed account and can be studied later, suffice to give you the preamble to the regulations, which were written on parchment and laid before the Justices of the peace for the county of Forfar at the Quarter Sessions, held at Forfar on 2nd August 1796, and being found agreeable were approved.

The preamble is as follows
Quote "Whereas the fundamental principles of Freemasonry have a direct tendency not only to render us compassionate and benevolent, but also to administer that relief which the condition of any of its Members require and can bestow without manifest inconvenience to ourselves. Therefore we the members and Brethren of the Operative- Lodge of Dundee to do honour to our profession and the more effectively to promote the reciprocal office of humanity and the true Christian charity, have and do hereby agree to form ourselves into a Benefit Society and to raise a Fund in order that we may be the better enabled to assist and support each other whenever it shall please the Great Architect of Heaven and Earth to inflict us with any of the infirmities incident to mankind, and for the continuance, and good order and government of the said society, we have made and ordained and agreed to the several orders rules and regulation hereafter mentioned." Unquote.
There are twenty-seven regulations and because the basic principles of Freemasonry were maintained the forty years of its existence proved beneficial, not only to the brethren but to the Lodge.
The office Bearers around this time were: -

R.W. Master, Depute Master, Past Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplin, Sword Bearer, Grand Steward, Assistant Stewards, Visiting Stewards, Tommyhawk, Tyler, & Committee Members.
The office of Tommyhawk is a peculiar one. Until the office ceased in 1805 the Tommyhawk apparently acted as a messenger for the lodge and also took part in processions. In 1802 he received a pair of new shoes in addition to his salary, an inventory of furniture of the lodge in 1802 includes:-

Quote "A Suit of Highland Clothes consisting of a Tartan Coat, a Sold trimmed Waistcoat, a Plaid, Bonnet and Feather, a Sword belt and Silver buckle, Targe and Spear." Unquote
This was the clothing and equipment used by the Tommyhawk in his duties.

In 1805 the lodge decided that they required a Second Tyler and the same Brother who had been Tommyhawk for the past few years became Inside Tyler and the office of Tommyhawk never appeared again.
The Bye-Laws stated that the election of Office Bearers would be on the 30th November annually, At the Quarterly meeting preceding the election the Master, Wardens and the brethren each had a right to propose a successor for the chair, and if all agreeable, the Brother was declared Master Elect. If a vote was necessary, this was delayed to the annual election, the R.W. Master having a casting vote in addition to his own vote as a member.
The R.W. Master had the right to nominate his own Depute Master and the Depute superseded all other Past Masters, in the absence of the R.W. Master.
The Master having been elected and installed and named his depute then proposed two brethren as his wardens, and if agreed to were immediately installed.
The Bye-law regarding the wardens, state Quote "If a ballot is demanded for both or either of them and if not above three nos be found in the box they shall be declared duly elected" Unquote
The R.W, Master also proposed the Secretary and Treasurer, It would appear that the R.W. Master had the main say in selecting his office bearers.

The brethren were fined for absence from committee meetings without due cause, and the fines, with the profit sale of liquor were given to the R.W. Master to be distributed to the poor as he saw fit. The R.W. Master was also authorised to give relief to any stranger 'brother in distress, not exceeding five shillings.
Brethren we have now reached circa 1800, having covered the known events of the past seven centuries. The claim made in 1736 that David Earl of Huntingdon was an ancient Master, can be accepted today, by any reasonable minded Brother, as fact, given, the historical connection of his arrival at Alec-Tum, renaming it as Dei Donum, giving his device of a pot of lilies to the town and the building, of the churches, in the form of a cross, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Prior to his arrival, St. Clement was the patron saint of the town but St. Mary was then adopted.
Our Lodge is referred to as the Lodge of the Church builders and the Lady Luge of Dundee, which is obviously an Operative Mason Lodge, despite its many names it has never lost its Operative designation.
The indenture in 1536 with the town authorities must have been with an Operative Lodge and the Charter given to William St. Clair was by Operative Masons. The entries in the Lockit Bock of the Guild of Masons trade in 1734 name Brethren of the Operative Lodge therefore the Act of Concurrence with the Lodge of Dundee and the Burgh Council entered in the Lockit Book in 1659 can also refer to the Lodge of Operative Masons. The assertions, made in 1736 of a traditional antiquity of more than a thousand years must not be ignored, but with respect to our predecessors accepted until disproved.

Therefore, the chronology of our Lodge is as follows: -

So, ends our study of the history of our Lodge up to the 19th Century while much has been revealed, there is much to discover and the brethren are recommended to seek after knowledge of the early history of the craft in Dundee and of course of our Operative Lodge.

Alex Laing PM 1984

©Compilied and uploaded by Iain D. McIntosh, 2020