View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by St Andrews Research Repository >0;??6>5 3=228/>;9=B &+'*"&,&%- <=;4=2>>! <;A2=! /91 <;76?60> 8CRL 0PMGNCO ACMMCEG / ?JGSKS >UDNKTTGF HPR TJG 1GIRGG PH <J1 CT TJG @OKVGRSKTY PH >T# /OFRGWS '%%+ 3UMM NGTCFCTC HPR TJKS KTGN KS CVCKMCDMG KO =GSGCREJ.>T/OFRGWS-3UMM?GXT CT- JTTQ-$$RGSGCREJ"RGQPSKTPRY#ST"COFRGWS#CE#UL$ <MGCSG USG TJKS KFGOTKHKGR TP EKTG PR MKOL TP TJKS KTGN- JTTQ-$$JFM#JCOFMG#OGT$&%%'($(') ?JKS KTGN KS QRPTGETGF DY PRKIKOCM EPQYRKIJT SCOTTISH FREEMASONRY 1725-1810: PROGRESS, POWER, AND POLITICS MARK COLEMAN WALLACE Thesis submitted for the degree of Ph.D. University of St Andrews, 10 April 2007 For Uncle Dennis ii Declarations (i) I, Mark Coleman Wallace, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. Date………………. Signature of candidate…………………….. (ii) I was admitted as a research student in September 2001 and as a candidate for the degree of Ph.D. in September 2002; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2001 and 2006. Date………………. Signature of candidate…………………….. (iii) I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Ph.D. in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date………………. Signature of supervisor…………………... (iv) In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker. Date………………. Signature of candidate…………….………. iii Abstract Modern freemasonry emerged in Britain during the eighteenth century, combining earlier stonemason customs and methods of organization with the popular passion for clubs and societies. Although by no means unique in its ideology and constitution, freemasonry established itself after 1700 as a prominent fixture in both British communal and social life. Some mocked masonic lodges and their rituals, but they were an accepted feature on the social scene and, given that they avoided political and religious discussion and swore loyalty to the existing regime, their position was largely uncontroversial. The French Revolution, however, caused a severe backlash against the masons in Britain and Europe. During the 1790s, masonic lodges which were once viewed simply as charitable and convivial organizations were now seen as convenient vehicles for allowing radical groups to pursue covert revolutionary activities. As a result, legislation was passed which attempted to regulate these societies and eradicate any traces of secrecy. Despite its commitment to the establishment, freemasonry came under suspicion. This thesis examines the structure, nature, and characteristics of Scottish freemasonry in its wider British and European contexts between the years 1725 and 1810. As we shall see, masonic lodges and their members changed and adapted as these contexts evolved. The Enlightenment effectively crafted the modern mason and propelled freemasonry into a new era marked by increasing membership and the creation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, with the institution becoming part of the contemporary fashion for associated activity. iv Table of Contents Declarations ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements v Chapter One: Introduction ‘The Happy Hunting Ground’: Scottish Freemasonry and Masonic Historiography 1 Chapter Two ‘Antient Lustre In This Kindgome’: The Grand Lodge of Scotland, Operative Freemasonry, and the Development of Scottish Lodges 12 Chapter Three ‘Revival of the Grand Lodge’: Enlightenment, Evolution, 65 and Expansion Chapter Four 139 ‘Behind Closed and Guarded Doors:’ Politics, Masonic Suppression, and the French Revolution Chapter Five ‘I Dub Thee In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:’ The Unlawful Oaths Act and the Maybole Trial of Sedition 185 Chapter Six ‘The Scotch Diable Boiteaux’ or, The Lame Scottish Devil: Masonic Rebellion and the Rise of the Whigs 230 Chapter Seven: Conclusion ‘A Willingness To Return To The Fold:’ Reconciliation and The Lasting Impact of the Grand Lodge of Scotland 272 Bibliography 279 Appendix 293 v Acknowledgements This study would not have been possible without the support of many people. I would like to thank my parents, Wiley and Carole Wallace, for their constant encouragement. I would also like to thank my grandmother, Marion Fetterolf, for giving me the opportunity to complete my Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews. In writing a history of eighteenth-century freemasonry, I am especially indebted to the insights of David Stevenson, who read parts of my thesis and helped me to improve the overall structure and content of my work. My research has taken me to numerous masonic lodges in Scotland and England. I am grateful to Robert Cooper and the members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, the United Grand Lodge of England, No. 1 Mary’s Chapel, No. 1(3) Aberdeen, No. 3 Scoon & Perth, No. 3bis Glasgow St John, No. 6 Old Inverness Kilwinning St John’s, No. 11 St. John’s Maybole, No. 25 St Andrew, No. 27 The Lodge of Glasgow St Mungo’s, No. 30 Ancient Stirling, No. 49 Ancient Dundee, No. 160 Roman Eagle, and No. 198 Royal Arch Maybole for permitting me to examine their minutes and records. Not least of all, I am appreciative of the continual support from the members of No. 304, Victoria, Virginia. I also would like to express my appreciation to the Department of Special Collections at the University of St Andrews, the Edinburgh University Library for allowing me to reprint several manuscripts, the National Library of Scotland, and the staff at the National Archives in Edinburgh for their assistance. A final debt is owed to my supervisor, Dr. David Allan. I am immensely grateful for his patience, guidance, and counsel. Chapter One: Introduction The ‘Happy Hunting Ground’: Tracing the Origins and Development of Scottish Freemasonry During the first half of the eighteenth century, freemasonry was already an old-established part of Scottish and British culture. Although its secrecy sometimes evoked sceptical feelings, freemasonry did not normally provoke the extreme anti-masonic attitudes prevalent in Europe.1 Its organization and development were such that it had always precluded any serious accusations of treason or sedition from the public and the government. However, as the second half of the eighteenth century progressed and the French Revolution exercised a significant influence over political thought, British freemasonry was targeted by a suspicious government intent on monitoring the activities of secret societies. As such, heavy-handed legislation passed in the 1790s to stamp out radical groups transformed Scottish freemasonry from a convivial, charitable association into an organization characterized by intense political rivalries and power struggles. The friction among Scottish freemasons during the end of the century was directly caused by government legislation as well as problems stemming from the formation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1736. Smouldering inter- lodge disputes combined with accusations of treason triggered a decade of 1 British freemasonry did receive some criticism during the eighteenth century, although it was infrequent and principally confined to England and Europe. See S.N. Smith, “The So-Called ‘Exposures’ Of Freemasonry Of The Mid-Eighteenth Century,” AQC, 56(1943); Knoop and Jones, “An Anti-Masonic Leaflet of 1698,” AQC, 55(1942); N.B. Spencer, “Exposures And Their Effect On Freemasonry,” AQC, 74(1961). Spencer notes that “considering the number of exposures, it is marvellous that they have had so little effect on the Craft,” 145. 2 conflict which severely damaged the reputation of Scottish freemasonry and exposed its vulnerable organizational structure. There are four reasons for carrying out this study. David Stevenson, in his books The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland’s Century 1590-1710 (1988) and The First Freemasons: Scotland’s Early Lodge and their Members (1988), precisely charts the gradual development and growth of both operative and speculative freemasonry in Scotland. 2 These two histories are the first of their kind to offer a definitive and historically sound starting point for the study of eighteenth-century Scottish freemasonry in a wider historical environment. Although he provides the first comprehensive listing of Scottish lodges, their archival holdings, and a close examination of their histories from 1590 to 1710, no extensive study of eighteenth-century lodge records has been attempted. Following the example of Stevenson’s works, this study will endeavour to illustrate the ways in which events such as the creation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1736 affected Scottish lodges. Secondly, freemasonry has too often been viewed from a strictly masonic context that frequently ignores its wider impact and influence on Enlightenment sociability. A broader contextualization offers a clearer representation of recruitment patterns among provincial and metropolitan lodges, and reveals the similarities and differences existing among freemasonry and other eighteenth-century clubs and societies. As such, analysis of masonic membership, organisational characteristics, and ideological concerns will 2 David Stevenson, The Origins of Freemasonry: Scotland’s Century 1590-1710 (Cambridge, 1988) and The First Freemasons: Scotland’s Early Lodges and their Members (Aberdeen, 1988). 3 provide a clearer understanding and purpose of masonic lodges and their attraction to a wider cross-section of Scottish society during the 1700s.