The Edgar Jewel

In 1988 Lodge 77 celebrated its 250th anniversary. Part of the celebrations included a visit to Grand Lodge in January of that year where a family heirloom belonging to one of the Lodge members was presented to the Grand Lodge Museum. The following is an extract from the Grand Lodge Annual Report of 1988.

"The Edgar Jewel, donated by Wor Bro Norman Torrens, Lodge 77, Newry.

In January St. Patrick's Lodge No.77 Newry, paid a visit to Freemason's Hall as part of their 250th anniversary celebrations. To commemorate the occasion W Bro Norman Torrens presented a family heirloom to the Grand Lodge Museum. The jewel had originally been presented to Bro Robert Edgar of Lodge 367, Downpatrick, in 1809. Bro Edgar was unfortunately killed on 6th April 1812 during the Napoleonic campaigns. When his fellow soldiers went to bury him they found his jewel and certificate. Bro. Edgar was then buried with Masonic honours and the jewel and certificate returned to his family. RW Bro R.E. Gray, the Provincial Grand Master of Down on behalf of the Grand Lodge Library, presented W Bro Torrens with an engraved certificate recording his generous donation."

The jewel is still on display in the Grand Lodge Museum, Molesworth Street, and we are grateful to the museum staff for the photographs.