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Extracts from the Minutes of Lodge Operative No. 47

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge

held the fourth day of February

One Thousand eight hundred and fourteen years.

The Right Worshipful Master informed them that as the Dundee Caledonian Society had resolved to form themselves into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons by procuring from the Grand Lodge of Scotland a Charter and Constitution and erection, and for the purposes of obtaining such, they did humbly pray the Operative Lodge to enter a sufficient number of their members, masons, in whose name the charter might be drawn on. As also to give them every necessary assistance until they should be able in some measure to work for themselves, for which they were willing to pay such reasonable charge as the Lodge should see proper to make.

The above proposals being fully considered and canvassed they did unanimously agree to the same, the more so as we had the honour to be at the head of the Masonic bodies in this town, we were in duty bound to promote the interests of the craft at all times and as the members of the Caledonian Society were wishing the said business done without loss of time, the meeting agreed that they should enter the following nine of their number, members of our Lodge this evening, completing them one by one in all the three parts.

John Steven Manufacturer for Master

David Matthew " " Depute Master

William Lowden " “ Senior Warden

James Kinnear " “ Junior Warden

James Fenton Riddle Maker “ Treasurer

James Straiton Manufacturer “ Secretary

John Fotheringham " “ Chaplain

James Shaw " “ Sword Bearer

After which, the night being far spent the Lodge was adjourned

Signed

William Key, Master

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge Held the fourth day of March 1814

The meeting being called for the purpose of entering, admitting a few more members to Caledonian Lodge the following were accordingly entered, passed and raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons

Viz.

James Balbirnie Manufacturer

James Graham Flax Dresser

John McQueen Manufacturer

After which the Lodge was shut.

Signed

William Key, Master

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge Held the fifth day of March 1814

The meeting being called for the purpose of entering, admitting a few more members to the Caledonian Lodge the following were accordingly admitted members.

Viz.

Thomas Hill Manufacturer

David Arklay Manufacturer

James Hodge Manufacturer

John Falkner Flax Dresser

James Faulds Flax Dresser

David Reid Manufacturer

Signed

William Key, Master

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge Held the nineteenth day of March 1814

The meeting being called to enter a few brethren to the Caledonian Lodge the following were accordingly admitted members.

David Rait Manufacturer

David Tasker Manufacturer

James Beverly Flax Dresser

John Simon Manufacturer

Signed

William Key, Master

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge Held the twentysixth day of March 1814

At which meeting the following were entered members to the Caledonian Lodge. Viz.

John Hebengton Flax Dresser

William McPherson Shoemaker

John McIntyre Weaver

Thomas Lowden Manufacturer

Signed

William Key, Master

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge held the seventeenth day of May 1814

The committee did agree to charge as per statement annexed, from the Lodge Dundee Caledonia, as they were now in possession of a mandate from Grand Lodge of Scotland empowering them to act for themselves.

And of the forty-one shillings and three pence charged for the Lodge, the committee that one pound of said sum be added to the thirty shillings charged for the secretary, Grand Steward and Tyler, making two pounds ten shillings to be equally divided amongst the said three office bearers. The above account being read to the committee they did approve of the same and ordered the secretary to make out a copy to be given to the R.W. Master of Caledonian Lodge.

The committee did then vote to Brother Otto Strepsiger, ship Captain, the sum of three guineas for his past good services as he was now leaving this country, perhaps for ever.

The meeting adjourned

Signed

William Key, Master

Lodge Caledonian had use of our Lodge rooms from Whitsunday 1815 at four guineas per year

Dedication of the Caledonian Lodge arranged for Monday 24th June 1822

Minute

At a meeting of the Operative Lodge held on 24th June 1822

Para 2

At one o’clock the Lodge moved from the hall and joined the other Lodges in town and walked in procession through the principle streets to the Episcopal Chapel in Castle Street in the following order.

St Regulus Lodge, Cupar

Airly Lodge, Kirriemuir

Caledonian Lodge, Dundee

Tay Union, South Ferry

Forfar & Kincardine, Dundee

Thistle Lodge, Dundee

St. Davids Lodge, Dundee

Ancient Lodge, Dundee

Operative Lodge, Dundee

St. Thomas, Arbroath

After hearing an excellent sermon from the Rev Horsley & making a collection for the Asylum (£34.2.6.) the Lodge proceeded to consecrate the Caledonian Lodge – which business was done by the staff of our Lodge. The Lodges separated until 8 o’clock when they again met in the Caledonian Hall and spent the evening in great harmony.