Revolutionary
War Era
Royal Arch
Mason Jewels
This beautiful hand-made Royal
Arch Mason jewel dates to the Revolutionary War and is a fine example of what
early Masonic jewels looked like. This jewel has the name of the Lodge
and the name of an individual owner. It is engraved Abrm HARDENBERGH,
LIVINGSTON LODGE No. 23. It also has the original owners
"mark" which is the "sheaf of wheat" on the chapter penny
within the circle K, S, H, T, W, S, S, T. These letters are esoteric and
cannot be explained here. Royal Arch Masons remember the order of the
these letters with the humorous phrase "King Solomon Had Twelve Wives Some Say
Twenty". Both sides of this jewel display the Three Great Lights
which are the Holy Bible, Square and Compasses. Other working tools on
this jewel are the plumb, level, 24 inch gauge, common gavel, chisel and
trowel. Other symbolism includes the Sun, Moon and Stars, as well as
Jacobs Ladder. It measures 3 inches tall and 2 inches wide and is made
of silver. It is a wonderful example of early craftsmanship.
Background
Sketch of Abraham Hardenbergh
This background sketch is
speculation and needs further research, especially into
the location and history of Livingston Lodge No. 23, but given the strength of
Masonry in old New York, his military and civil career, his social station,
and family connections, he is certainly a strong possibility. There are
several other men of that name in the family line/NY area, but none of
appropriate date.
Abraham Hardenbergh, was born 5
September 1756 in Marbletown NY, son of Leonard and Rachel (Hoogteeling)
Hardenbergh. He was a lieutenant during the Revolution and made
important contributions as a cartographer. After the war he was
appointed a surveyor by the Surveyor General of New York, Simeon DeWitt, for
which services he was awarded 1200 acres. With Moses DeWitt, he was
responsible for surveying Onondaga County. He was married to Jane Verick,
sister of Robert Verick, an important New York City attorney who helped found
Jersey City, New Jersey,
and who became Speaker of the Assembly in 1788. Abraham died rather
young in
1794 (his widow later married his boss, Simeon DeWitt), but enjoyed a full
and well-connected career in his short life of only 38 years.
A special "Thanks" to Wm Voss for researching the
background sketch of the early Royal Arch Mason jewel.
Inscription:
One side engraved with a central motif of a sailing ship, signed by the
engraver, C. Foote, and encircled by the script letters: K·S·H·T·W·S·S·T
Dimensions: 1 15/16 x 3
1/16 in. (4.9 x 7.8 cm)
Masonic motif with a central
eye, above script engraving: Lockwood N. De. Forest / Jerusalem Chapter N¦o¦
(¦o¦ superscript with 2 dots beneath) 13 / Bridgeport (Conn) / June 8¦th¦ (¦th¦
superscript with 2 dots beneath) 1826
