Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Past Master's Jewel with stick pin in original hinged case
1860
Maker not marked
USA: Massachusetts, Boston (likely)
a: gold, diamond; b: silk, paper, metal
1-7/16"h x 1-7/16"w x 3/8"d; stick pin with chain: 6-1/4"h; b: (open): 1/2"h x 4"w x 2-3/4"d; (closed): 3/4"h x 2"w x 2-3/4"d
Gift of Virginia B. Squair
2021.008.5a-b

a: Past Master's Jewel with stick pin. Jewel is of cast gold, with sun that has face with diamond eyes in center of square and compasses with quadrant arc below. Reverse has vertical hinged stick pin for afflixing to clothing and bears the engraved text, "Presented to / E. J. Cleveland / by his friends / E. Boston, Apr. 6, 1860." Stick pin head is of cast gold and spherical in shape with decorative designs overall; spiral engraving on shaft. b: Pink velvet (likely silk)-covered hinged case has triangular shape and gold-colored metal push-button clasp. Inside, dark blue velvet (likely silk) lining on bottom side has indentations for holding pin, with white paper rim around edge; top (lid) side has dark blue silk lining with "E. J. CLEVELAND." stamped in gold leaf.

In December of 1859, twelve men applied to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for permission to form Hammett Lodge, in East Boston. After the Grand Lodge granted Hammett Lodge a charter in 1860, Elisha Cleveland served as the lodge’s first Master. To commemorate his service to the lodge, Cleveland’s brethren presented him with this Past Master’s jewel, inscribed with the message that it was given “by his friends, E. Boston, Apr. 6, 1860.”