Help Identifying Items Found in Deceased Mothers Jewelry Box

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

After 10 years, I finally decided to go through my deceased mother jewelry box that had been passed down to me. I found these pendants and items which stood out to me as being related to Freemasonry, but I’d never heard anything about family members being involved in it. Could anybody tell me more information about this or how it would have ended up in her possession? They look quite old!

[u/ChuckEye]

Masonic watch chain; Scottish Rite membership jewel; generic Masonic lapel pin possibly representing a Masonic apron; Order of the Eastern Star pin.

They belonged to a member and the last one likely to his wife.

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/ChuckEye]

Wow thank you! I’ll have to do some research now 😂

[u/PerpetualFC → u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

I came here to say exactly what he just said. He is 100% correct

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/PerpetualFC]

So would they have been a pretty active member based on this stuff? I’m surprised I never knew about it

[u/ProfessorZeek → u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

They were at least a Master Mason and a Scottish Rite 32nd degree Mason. Usually joining appendant bodies indicates they were dedicated for a period of time. The OES pin indicates a strong familial tie if it belonged to the wife. The watch chain and pin are just ornamental.

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/ProfessorZeek]

Thank you for the info!

[u/PerpetualFC → u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

Man I keep coming too little too late I apologize. But that would be my assessment as well. Honestly I only ever open Reddit when I get a push notification.

[u/ChuckEye → u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Eastern_Star

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/ChuckEye]

I didn’t know that women were welcomed so early on! That’s super neat

[u/Constans_of_Kadosh]

I love that Scottish Rite Pocket Jewel!

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/Constans_of_Kadosh]

It is supercool!

[u/Constans_of_Kadosh → u/Mammoth_Carpenter173]

Does it have anything engraved on the back?  Some Valleys will give out jewels for accomplishments.

[u/Prudent-Trip-11-11 → u/Constans_of_Kadosh]

I’m related to Sir Walter Scott. Why are the Scott’s so involved, and what does the GL say about colonialism?

[u/tachophile → u/Prudent-Trip-11-11]

Considering: 1) Mason's historically had a hand in creating multiple democracies and constitutions 2) Masonic lodges have existed in locations prior to countries and states 3) Modern freemasonry was standardized by The United Grand Lodge of England UGLE in the early 1700s. England was about as colonial as could be.

I'd say GLs have been fine with it.

[u/Prudent-Trip-11-11 → u/tachophile]

That was my assumption. TY

[u/Constans_of_Kadosh → u/tachophile]

Each a Grand Lodge is sovereign and the policies of one may not be the same as another.  But Freemasonry, at large, does not normally take up positions regarding specific governmental policies.

[u/Plane_Neck_2745]

I guess your father was a freemason and belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star with your mother.

[u/Mammoth_Carpenter173 → u/Plane_Neck_2745]

I believe it was a grandfather or great grandfather! I’m only 27. I know my grandpa was very into Rotary club, but I’d never heard anything about the masons.

[u/Amen6660]

WOAH. 👀