Letter of George Mackenzie, Henry Liggan and Francis Shaw to Robert Leslie, Grand...

Letter of George Mackenzie, Henry Liggan and Francis Shaw, Newark to Robert Leslie, 28 Token House Yard, London thanking the Grand Secretary for sending them the instructions for applying for a Lodge warrant. The proposed Lodge intends to meet on the second Monday each month at the White Hind Inn, Carter Gate, Newark, run by Hempsall. The Lodge asks for four jewels to be sent with the warrant to the Master, Wardens and Secretary of Newstead Lodge, No. 44 [SN 388], Nottingham. Seek details of the costs for the warrant and the jewels and indicate that they will order four additional jewels in due course. The Lodge will pay Newstead Lodge or send the money direct to Grand Lodge. These members anticipate the arrival of the warrant and have every expectation of establishing 'a numerous and respectable Lodge in this town, as there is many genteel young men and house holders who propose to join us'. With a note that if the warrant is granted, they will order a full set of silver jewels to be sent with the warrant. Endorsed with a draft reply from the Grand Secretary sending the affadavit and registration of an unnamed Lodge, No. 107A [SN 535], which met at Bewdley, Worcestershire before returning its warrant on 27 December 1805. This warrant is transferred to the proposed Lodge at Newark. Leslie sends forms for the registration of members with the Clerk of the Peace at the Quarter Sessions, in accordance with the Unlawful Societies Act, before the Lodge meets for the first time.

This unnamed Lodge was granted a warrant by the Antients' Grand Lodge to meet as No. 107B at Newark in December 1806. The Lodge met at the White Hind Inn, Carter Gate, relocated to the White Lion Inn, Stodman Street in 1807 and met at the White Hind Inn, Carter Gate, Newark-?upon-?Trent, Nottinghamshire from 1808. The Lodge returned its warrant in January 1813 but was granted a number to meet as No. 132 after the union between the Antients' and Moderns' Grand Lodges in 1813 to form the United Grand Lodge of England. The Lodge appears in the Masonic Calendar for 1815, issued in 1814.