Featured Masonic 51 Years Membership Medal

Hello all! I am hoping that someone with knowledge of Masonic 'collectibles' will see this. I have questions, such as does this medal signify anything other than what can be directly inferred from it? That is, Edwin Clarence Smith was a member of the Saint John's Lodge, No 1 Providence, for at least 51 years. I have looked at a lot of these 'medals' and this one has the general configuration of a 'past master jewel'. Would it be correct to describe this piece like that or is this simply a membership award/medal? Is this plated or could it possibly be solid 10K? The mark is difficult to make out; all I can really (I think) see is 10K, but there is more. It measures 3 1/4" H by 1 3/4" W and weighs 16.8 grams. Thanks for looking and any input!

 

To my eye, it doesn't appear to be gold. And, just in my opinion, Masonic jewelry shouldn't be resold. If it were mine, I'd return it to the lodge. Or track down his family. Sure either would be happy to have it.

Debora

 

In the for what it's worth category, the St. John's Lodge #1 still exists (actual address in either Portsmouth or Cranston, Rhode Island) and has a presence on Facebook.

 

Thanks Debora, that thought did cross my mind; both about reselling and locating his family. I wonder how many Smiths are in Rhode Island/New England though? Also have to wonder how this ended up in a jar of costume jewelry in MA? Kind of sad...

 

Think so too. And, funny, I know a Smith family in Rhode Island. Will ask if they had an uncle Edwin.

Debora

 

Always bothers me that things get away from families.

Worse when they don't care.
ESPECIALLY of their/our veterans.

 

So, as usual, I went searching on Ancestry and found a likely candidate. Had to be someone old enough to join the lodge in 1901 who lived long enough to receive this jewel and it's additional bar in the early 50's.

There is (or was) an Edwin C Smith in Providence, a factory manager, who fits the bill. Born 1869 in Elizabeth, NJ, lived in Providence from at least 1900 until his death in late 1952. He and he wife Anna had only 1 child, who was still unmarried in the 1940 Census (in her 30's.) Found a family tree for this person that does not have marriage info for the daughter.

 

If I've never said it out loud... Thank you so much for (always) being so generous with your ancestry.com subscription and sharing the information you discover there with us.

Debora

 

I CONCUR!!!

 

As do I! Bakersgma...Wow! Is the daughter's name listed? I wonder if she is still alive?

 

Highly unlikely that the daughter is still alive. She'd be almost 110.

 

Wenna - what part of MA was this found in?

 

Outer fringe of the Metrowest area; not sure if I should be more specific?

 

Bingo. Near Groton, perhaps? That's where his "family plot" is.

 

About 26 miles away (found in Marlborough)!

 

Close enough!

(I lived in MA for over 30 years. )

 

You are quite the detective/researcher! I had made a half-hearted google search and didn't even come close.

 

It might be 10KT GF meaning gold filled.
There are many gentlemen who collect Mason items.
This is not something that would be common. Prices can go reasonably high for unusual pieces.

 

Since there's no family remaining, I'd go right ahead and sell it. It looks like a gold fill mark to me too, but I'd test it or have it tested just in case since it's such a blur. Odds are good this was made right in Providence or just to the north. North Attleboro was a big jewelry-making center too, and to some extent still is.