Masonic Material Culture

[Bushrod Carter]

Greg,

What you, most likely, have are a couple of rosettes from an 1880s to 1920s Knight Templar sash. Sorry to say they aren't funerary, but I don't think they are.

I've attached a photo to explain. I think the rosette would be worn on the sash were the two ends cross and maybe even another - or a similar rosette with a delta instead of a square and compass - on the shoulder. Of course, with all the 100s of photos I have of masonic stuff I can't find a better image than this one.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Pat-

My cockades are black silk with a white metal Masonic device in the center. They are constructed exactly like a Lincoln mourning badge, or a secession cockade (except in black). I'll post pics later when I get ahold of my camera.

Greg Starbuck

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Here are pics of the cockades.

Greg Starbuck

[Bushrod Carter]

Greg,

YUP. What you have there are rosettes from the Templar Sash. Take a close look at the photo I posted. You can see the ripple of the rosettes: one on the shoulderand one at the waist were the ends of sash cross - just behind the gauntleted hand holding the sword.

I have one just like that and thought the same as you - that it was a mourning device. But, alas, they are rosettes from a Templar sash. Still pretty cool, though.

[Greg Barnett]

Any comments on this gold fob, as far as time frame. It is 10k gold measures a little more than one inch in diameter. No markings on the back.

Regards

[MELowe]

Greg, et al:

Bro. Craddock is right. Those are still rosettes from Templar 'sashes'. Specifically, they are from the baldric of the old "Black Uniform".

From 1839 to 1859, the Grand Encampment declared that the uniform of a Knight Templar should consist of a black frock coat, black pantaloons, black chapeau (with black plumes), black velvet apron, and sword with scabbard suspended from a black velvet or black leather baldric. At the Triennial Conclave in '59, Grand Encampment changed the uniform from all black to all white and abolished the apron. At the next conclave, a new edict was issued changing the uniform back to black, only without the apron, adding a sword belt, and changing the baldric and plumes from black to white. This same edict allowed any subordinate commandery chartered prior to 1859 the use of the “Black Uniform”.

In the 1960’s, Grand Encampment made several more changes, switching from the frock coat to a modern, double-breasted coat, and doing away with the baldric altogether. As before, they included a ‘grandfather’ clause which allowed any Sir Knight to wear the uniform they were knighted in. This would permanently phase out all previous uniform styles over time, with very few exceptions. For example, Raper Commandery No. 1, in Indianapolis still has permission to wear the approved uniform of 1862 at all times, and any commandery in Indiana can wear it during the conferral of the Order of the Temple. California Commandery No. 1, in San Fransisco, has a completely different “mounted” uniform that it wears from time to time.

Unfortunately, at this time there is only one commandery in the country that I am aware of, that can wear the old “Black Uniform”, complete with apron. That should be Washington Commandery No. 1, in Washington, D.C. I know that they recently authorized members of their commandery to sell pieces of their regalia as a fund raiser, so several baldrics, aprons and uniform parts (such as baldric rosettes) have made their way into the market.


M. E. Lowe, DBC, Battalion VII
Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Indiana

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

OK, that's good to know.

I think I might turn them into CW mourning badges, remove the masonic device and add in a photo or button.

Greg Starbuck

[C.R. Henderson]

I was researching coffins this evening and on the site where I found one, I also found this hair fob.

http://www.civilwarantiqueshop.com/m44.htm

Thought it would be of some interest to some of y'all.

[Bushrod Carter]

Here is something that was on eBay recently - a chair from the 1840s. This was one of a group of four chairs that came out of some old Lodge building. I like the markings. These were "pick up only"! I wish I could have been a little closer to New York state!

Enjoy!

[ScottCross]

Hmm, I think my post was lost in cyberspace. Oh well, here we go again. Pat, can't you do hand graining and stenciling? I've got a book on how to do it and have done quite a few fancy chairs myself. I'm sure with your skills you could make one!

I just picked up a grouping from ebay for my museum, mostly Civil War soldiers but one possible Mason or Odd Fellow:
Charles Heman Stowers was born in August 1832 in Franklin County, New York, the son of Maria and Heman Stowers. The family migrated west and came to Waushara County. In 1860 Charles was living in Wautoma and working as a printer. He was living there in 1870 with his wife Alice and was working as a surveyor. His real estate was valued at almost 200,000 in 2007 dollars. By 1880 they were living in Bloomfield Township where he was a lumberman. By 1889 they had moved to a farm in San Juan County, Washington. He was still living there as late as 1920.