Freemasons Certificate

[Jason]

Hello,

I have an original Freemasons Certificate from 5894 AL (1894 AD ), with the official seal from the United Grand Lodge in London. It is stating the recievership of a certain Joseph Griffiths into the Freemasons for Holte Lodge in Aston ( No; 1246) and is dated as the day of 16th May 5894 (1894 AD), with admittance into 3rd degree on the 19th day of december 5894. The Grand Secretary appears to have a signature of Letchworth.

Could anyone tell me how i may be able to find out more about the individuals themselves. I acquired this about 20 years in a jumble sale believe it or not and after clearing about my garage this afternoon i stumbled across it once again. Considering its age, it is in fantastic condition and appears to be on some type of parchment rather than paper as we know it. The hand writing is still very eligible and aside from a couple of tears around the edges it is a wonderful document.

If anyone has an idea what such an item may be worth as well then i would be truly grateful !!

Jason

[corey123]

Hi Jason,

What a find! Great great. Is there any way you could scan it so we can see it? I am sure you can get more help that ways.

Yours truly

[Jason]

I dont actually have a scanner here at home, my neighbour may have. I will ask him.

[corey123]

HI Jason,

Can you elaborate on the details of the certificate?

Sounds like a wounderful document.

yours truly

[Jason]

I Reads as follows :

United Grand Lodge of Ancient, free and accepted masons of england.

His Royal highness the Prince of Wales ( then it has two letters but cant make them out) Grand Master

To All,

Whom it may concern, these are to certify that our brother ( then hand written) JOSEPH GRIFFITHS..who hath signed his name in the margin hereof was regularly recieved into Free Masonry on the ( then hand written ) 16th day of May A.L 5894 was admitted to the ( hand written )third degree on the 19th day of december 5894 in the Holte Lodge No: 1246 Aston and that he is duly registered in the books of this grand lodge accordingly. In testimony whereof i have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the grand lodge at London the 23rd day of March A.L 5895 A.D 1895.
this certificate shall not entitle a brother to admifsion into any Lodge without due examination.

E Lethchworth G.Sec

Wow that was tough to write !!- my words not the certificate !!

[corey123]

Thanks Jason sorry if I cant be of more help. Have you tried finding him in the census?

[Jason]

thats my next port of call, just been having a look at aston villas website to see if he was anything within the football club ie. director or something...their home fans stand on the Holte End so imagine it is something local !!he may have been a local businessman who just knew the right people !!

[JosephDurham]

Any luck with scanning the document for us?

Joseph

thats my next port of call, just been having a look at aston villas website to see if he was anything within the football club ie. director or something...their home fans stand on the Holte End so imagine it is something local !!he may have been a local businessman who just knew the right people !!

[Jason]

i will have it done by this evening hopefully

[Monty]

Jason,

PM me, Ive a contact for you.

Monty

[Chris Scott]

Hi Jason
Regarding the person who signed your certificate (E Letchworth) - the nearest census in time to the document is the 1891 census. In that census there are 13 male Letchworths listed of whom only one has the initial E.

25 Ryder Street, Westminster, London
Head: Emma Nicholls (Widow) aged 57 born Plymouth - Lodging house keeper
Lodger:
Edward Letchworth aged 58 born Reading - Solicitor
Staff:
Margaret Sinclair aged 39 - Cook
Lucy Randall aged 23 - Housemaid
Ernest Clothier aged 15 - Boot boy

Unfortunately the name Joseph Griffiths for that year produces a listing of 372 records...