Masonic Gravestones ~ Freemason’s Graves
Masonic Gravestones and Freemason’s Graves
As part of my mission to visit, photograph and research all the churches in Lincolnshire I’ve also decided to catalogue some of the interesting grave stones and tombs.
The Masonic tradition is one of increasing interest to me and something I’m researching all the time, to that end I thought it would be an interesting idea to try and record grave markers that have Masonic insignia on them.
Caveat: I cannot say definitively that the head stones mark the graves of Freemasons for sure in every case. The ones I shall feature will bear all the tell tale carvings, symbols and insignia which suggest they do mark the resting place of a Freemason.
When possible I shall be including the details of the person as seen on the gravestone, this may provide some useful information for those researching ancestry and family trees.
The one below is in the Churchyard at St Peter and Paul Tetney in Lincolnshire and is unusual in that it contains exact details of the lodge.
It has the crossed keys, hourglass, the Agnus Dei ( Lamb of God ) amongst other things
Tetney
Loyal Sovereign Lodge No 570
M.U. Gt Grimsby District
Thomas Robinson
Died 1866
Below is to be found in West Ashby Lincolnshire. The arrow is the arrow of death, the hour glass signifies mortality ( time running out ) . The scythe also time, the divine harvest. The eye above surrounded by the sun is classic Masonic symbolism.
I was hoping to have several more articles before I published this but they are proving to be scarce. The second one found only yesterday and the first many months ago.
I am hoping that anybody seeing this may be able to help and let me know if they know if any Masonic Gravestones in Lincolnshire.
I am checking every churchyard I visit but as I started this after my quest to visit all the churches in Lincolnshire I may well have missed some - not to mention missing some anyway.
If you can help with any information on other memorials or you can shed any light on the symbolism, history or heritage then please do leave a comment - it would be greatly appreciated.
All the best
Rod
Please scroll down for latest additions
Phildude said,
March 9, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
Rod
Can you tell me what ‘IHS’ stands for on these graves. Its hidden in this one and ive seen it many times before.
Thankyou.
Phil
chris keyworth said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
IHS means, Iesus Hominum Salvator (Jesus, Saviour of man) in Latin.
regards
Chris…
Rod said,
March 9, 2010 @ 5:39 pm
Hi Phil,
as Chris says, manythnkas Chris, I’ve been out all day.
You do see that on a lot of gravestones all around a similar period.
Cheers
Rod
ian said,
November 9, 2010 @ 1:00 am
Foregive me if I am realy behind the times, but have you looked at the grave in the floor of Tattershall church, think the skull and crossbones is masonic. Regards Ian
Rod said,
November 9, 2010 @ 9:58 am
Ian,
thanks for the tip-off really appreciated and welcome to the site - hope you’ll return
All the best
Rod
History Hunter said,
November 9, 2010 @ 11:20 pm
There are 2 or 3 in Cleethorpes Cemetery. Easy to find, just near the Chapel in the older area.
Co-ords are 53°33′20.20″N 0° 2′20.43″W or TA 3000108342 depending on which you use.
Rod said,
November 10, 2010 @ 9:15 am
HH,
now that is a tip-off - I’d no idea - just made a note of it and will be off to investiagte asap
Many thanks indeed
All the best
Rod
Rod said,
November 14, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Gravestones
Although not Freemasons they have much symbolism in common so here are 3 grave markers located in Cleethorpes cemetery with thanks to History Hunter for the tip off
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cleethorpes Unity
In Affectionate remembrance of
George
The Son of Charles and Mary Issit
Who Died June 12th 1884
Aged 27 Years
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cleethorpes Unity
In Affectionate Remembrance of
William Markham Young
the Beloved Husband of
Mary Young
He Departed this Life September 8th 1899
Aged 79 Years
Also Mary His Beloved Wife
Died April 6th 1903 Aged 83
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cleethorpes Unity
In Affectionate Remembrance
John Johnson
Who Died January 20th (1902 ??)
Aged 82 Years
Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary said,
December 3, 2010 @ 9:15 am
Sorry to be a kill joy but there has never been a Masonic Lodge anywhere in Lincolnshire, since the fomation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire in 1792, called Loyal Sovereign No:570.
The answer lies in the other photographs you show - as they bear the same heraldic devices i.e. Agnus Dei, Cross Keys, etc - of the Odd Fellows. This is another fraternal order but not in any way connected with Freemasonry.
By co-incidence, the name Thomas Robinson is well known by Cleethorpes Masons as Cleethorpes Masonic Hall was built by Sir Thomas Robinson, the Grimsby trawler owner - not the one in that grave, and he lived there until his death in 1927. It was bought from his daughter by the Freemasons in 1951.
Rod said,
December 3, 2010 @ 9:35 am
PAGS,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site, that’s very interesting indeed.
I wonder if anybody knows exactly what Lodge No 570 was ?
I’ll do some digging myself but I suspect any help will come from people rather than records or information
Kind regards
Rod
Chris Osborne said,
May 24, 2011 @ 11:43 pm
There a few ‘Odd Fellow’ gravestones in Old Clee Churchyard.
Rod said,
May 25, 2011 @ 7:32 am
Chris ,
thanks for that, much appreciated, I’ll put it on my list to check out and get some pictures.
All the best
Rod