The Oldest Masonic Records in the World
The 400th Anniversary of the Oldest Masonic Records in the World — the Minute Books of the Lodge of Aitchison's Haven, dating from 9th January 1598.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland's Custodianship
The Grand Lodge of Scotland is custodian of the oldest Lodge records in the world — those of Aitchison's Haven. The first entry in the Minute Books of that Lodge is dated 9th January 1598. Prior to 1602 the Scottish New Year began on 25th March. By modern reckoning, therefore, the anniversary will not take place until 9th January 1999.
It must be said immediately that this Lodge no longer exists. The oldest records of a Lodge which is in existence still are those belonging to The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel), No. 1. The existing minutes of that Lodge commence on 31st July 1599.
The Lodge of Aitchison's Haven
Aitchison's Haven would be searched for in vain in any modern map, and even locally the name is all but unknown. It lay to the east of Musselburgh between Levenhall and the little harbour of Morrison's Haven in the County of Midlothian. It had its origin from a Charter of King James V dated 1526 and in all probability the Lodge would date from about that time.
By this Charter the Monks of Newbattle were authorised to form a harbour within the lands then belonging to them, for the purpose of shipping the coal won, even at that early period, from the extensive coalfields of the Barony of Prestongrange. The harbour was first called the Millhaven and it is referred to under this name in the earlier Minutes. The name was afterwards changed to that of Aitchison's Haven.
The Minute Book consists of some seventy-five written pages, bound in sheepskin, and measures about 15 by 5¾ inches. The volume is designated as “The Buik of the Actis and Ordinans of the Nobile Maisteris and fellows of Craft of the Ludg of Aitchison's heavine,” and contains a “catalogue of the names of the fellows of Craft that ar presently in the Zeir of God 1598.”
Structure and Governance
Like all other old Scottish Trade Incorporations the Lodge was at first ruled and governed by a Warden and a Deacon with a Clerk to attend to the clerical work. It is not until the year 1825, in a subsequent Minute Book, that we first find the senior office-bearer designated as “Master.”
The meetings of the Lodge were held at various places in the neighbourhood — Musselburgh, Fisherrow, Inveresk Kirk, Prestonpans and Dalkeith — as well as at the home base, Aitchison's Haven. As a rule there was only one meeting in each year, upon St John's Day, 27th December.
At the opening of the minutes we find that the fee payable by an intrant was twenty shillings and, in addition, he had to supply gloves to every master present. In the case of the entry of a freeman's son the fee was modified to ten shillings. From the Minutes we find that apprentices on being admitted chose two brethren as tutors or instructors — “tendars” or “intenders” as we find them repeatedly called.
Original Minutes of the Lodge
Selected verbatim entries from the Minute Books, 1598–1681, written in archaic Scots English.
Robert Widderspone was maid fellow of Craft in ye presens of Wilzam Aytone Elder, Johne Fender being Warden, and others. He chois George Aytone and Johne Pedden to be his intenders and instructouris and also ye said Robert hes payit his xx sh. and his gluffiis to everie Maister as efferis.
James Fender hes payit x sh to ye buiking of his self sone to Johne Fender Warden for ye present.
Upon the XX day of November the brither being convenitt and find that Wm. Miler haid offendit Or Actis qrfor he was convictit in XL lib conform to ye general actis and binds him self never to haif ane prentice heirefter w'out the consent of the Maister of the Ludg of Aitchisons haven.
The quhilk day the dewisioun of ye ludg was maid betwixt Milhaven and Newbottle.
Upon the XXVII day of descember the brether of ye Loge of Atcheson hevin convenit and hes schosin Johne Petticrowe warden and Thomas Aytoun deikin for yis zeir.
It is apointed be the Companie of Achisons Lodge that ther shall none of the said Cumpanie be either passed fellow craft or any of the said prentisses be made enter prentisses under the sowme of twelve pund Scots money.
The quhilk day Alexr Galloway deacon and David Dickson Wairden with consent of the Maisters hes receaved Williarn Smith Clerk of Musselbrugh enter prenteis and fellow craft.
Edward Brochie was made fellow Craft and hath payed his booking money. John Smart was made fellow craft.
Source: The preceding article is taken from volume XXIV of Ars Quattuor Coronati — the Transactions of the Quattuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076 E.C. — and was read as a Paper to the Lodge in March 1911, and is reproduced here with acknowledgements to that Lodge.