Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Past Master's Jewel for Nicholas Roome
1812
James Simmons (ca. 1781-1816)
USA: New York, New York
Gold, silver
Overall: 3-3/8"h x 2-1/4"w x .022"d ("floor": .26"d); overall: 8.6 x 5.7 cm; weight: 30.5 g
Gift of Elizabeth Roome Luquer
85.71

Masonic Past Master's jewel. Gold oval with bow at top; gold and silver Masonic symbols are enclosed. At center is a Past Master's symbol of compasses and quadrant with a sun in the center. Around this symbol is an arch resting on a pair of columns; there is a keystone at top center. At bottom are three steps and a checkered flooring or pavement. Engraved on oval, "Presented by Independent Royal Arch Lodge No. 2 to W. P. M. Nicholas Roome New York December 27th A. 5811"; reverse reads "His works were approved"; and "Bro. J. Simmons Fecit."

Nicholas Roome (d. 1824) was a merchant in New York City and served as Master of Independent Royal Arch Lodge (I.R.A.L.) No. 2 from 1809 to 1811. Bro. Roome was also active in Royal Arch Ancient Chapter No. 1 and Knights Templar Columbian Encampment No. 1. The minutes of the I.R.A.L. No. 2 record that on March 17, 1812, that "A Past Master's jewel was presented to W. Bro. Nicholas Roome. Cost $75." James and Abraham Simmons were in partnership as silversmiths in New York from 1802 until 1814. In 1815 their advertisements began to appear separately as James continued working as a silversmith, and Abraham was listed as an engraver. For further information, see Hamilton, John D., "Material Culture of the American Freemasons," 1994, p. 137, 272.