Glenbuchat Heritage

29 Glenkindie Free Masons Friendly Society

Introduction to Glenkindie Free Mason Friendly Society Handbook

Click for Pages,1 – 9
Click for Pages,10 - 17
Click for Pages 18 – 25
Click for Pages 26 – 31 and Hand written text

Above
1. Map of 1850 of Glenkindie Masons Arms
2. Map of Inverden Glenkindie
3. Coat of Arms of Leith family above the hotel door.

Founded in 1814 and affiliated to the St Andrews Free Masons Lodge of Glenkindie, the Glenkindie Friendly Society was remodelled in 1831 to conform with the Act of Parliament, 10th Geo.4, c.56, Friendly Societies Act 1829, "An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Friendly Societies" It repealed all the previous Acts and put regulation largely in the hands of local justices (in this case based in Aberdeen).

Along with the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, it was a large society, and worth reconstituting to conform with the regulations of the 1829 Act. The Rule Book lists all members who had joined the Society from its foundation in 1814 to its reconstitution in 1831. Almost 300 in total, from a wide cross-section of upper Donside male society, and from further afield - farm laborers, farmers, country tradesmen, teachers, ministers, doctors, and a couple of gentry and aristocrats.

The other, smaller friendly societies, in upper Donside at the time, disbanded a few years after the Act of 1829 and the subsequent Act of 1834 became law - possibly not having the scale to conform with the new legal regulations (see the appendix of the Rule Book).

The Alford Farmer Friendly Society - dissolved in 1831.
The Glenbucket Male and Female Friendly Society - dissolved in 1835.
The Strathdon and Glenbucket Wright Friendly Society - dissolved in 1836.
The Kildrummy Male and Female Friendly Society - dissolved in 1840.
The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society - formed 1823.
The St Andrews Lodge of Glenkindy Free Mason Friendly Society - formed 1814.
The final two pages of the book are handwritten, undated lists of disbursements to successful claimants.

The Rules and Regulations book, dating from1831, of the St Andrews Lodge of Glenkindy Free Mason Friendly Society. The original belonged to founder member Thomas Cordiner, a farmer in Glenkindy, and is deposited in the University of Aberdeen Library, Special Collections Dept.
The Rule Book shows the type of rules Friendly Societies were expected to follow after the 1829 Act and it complements the Glenbucket Male and Female Friendly Society Minute Book
Click for Introduction to Friendly Societies and Glenbucket Society

Further to the above link to the Glenbuchat Friendly Societies, Ken Cruickshank has kindly forwarded the booklet for the Glenkindie freemasons Friendly Society.

Glenkindie was a centre for Freemasonry led by the Laird, Major General Sir Alexander Leith of Glenkindie house. The Masonic Hall was in the local hotel owned by the laird and named ‘Glenkindie Mason Arms Inn,

Click for Glenkindie Freemasons Hall

The Glenkindie Hall is mentioned is a number of guide books produced at that time:

From ‘The Donean Tourist’ 1828
“On the north of the Don stands an elegant masonic lodge, reared in 1820 and dedicated to St Andrew. The building cost £450 sterling and is 56 feet by 22 the hall is very large and commodious being 40 feet by 18. The lodge is occupied as an inn, being a convenient stage on the road leading to Strathdon a little beyond the 37th mile stone. In the neighbourhood are many antiquities such as tumuli druidical circles encampments &c.”

The New Statistical Account of Scotland (1845)
Volume XII – Aberdeen. Parish of Towie
“Friendly Society: There was a masonic society instituted here in 1814, and denominated St Andrew's Lodge of Glenkindie Free Mason Friendly Society, which usually distributes among its members to the amount of L. 50 per annum.”

From A topographical dictionary of Scotland 1846
“The St Andrew Masonic lodge was instituted in 1814. and a spacious hall erected in 1821 the buildings comprise also an excellent and well frequented inn. A public library which contains more than 500 volumes of standard works on theology history and general literature was established in 1827 and is well supported by subscription. Fairs chiefly for cattle are held annually near the Masonic lodge at Glenkindie on the first Monday after Trinity Muir fair in April and the first Saturday after that of Keith in September, there are also fairs for hiring servants on the days after Whitsuntide and Martinmas Facility.”

A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (1851), Samuel Lewis
“The St. Andrew Masonic lodge, here, was instituted in 1814, and a spacious hall erected in 1821; the buildings comprise also an excellent and well-frequented inn”

From Canmore web Site
Masonic hall, now in use as a hotel, built in 1820-1. It depicted on the OS 1st and 2nd edition maps when it was named the Glenkindie Arms Inn. The 1st edition shows the inn as a rectangular building with some projection on the north elevation. There is a long oblong enclosure to the east with a U-plan steading to the north of it. On the 2nd edition OS map the inn has been altered to L-plan, and there is a similarly sized rectangular building added to the west and a smaller building to the north. The U-plan steading has been removed, and there is a mill pond to the south of the enclosure. A larger U-plan steading has been added to the south. Current maps show some further alterations to the hotel and the U-plan steading. The mill pond has been removed. The hotel is a two-storey harled building with margins. It has a four-window long elevation, featuring a central door surmounted by an architraved painted heraldic panel.


The Inn was also in use for a number of local functions:

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 26 April 1854
“Dr. Robb begs to inform the Inhabitants of Towie, Strathdon, Kildmmmie, and surrounding District, that ho has commenced the practice of his Profession in all its branches in Towie, and that for a time messages maybe left for him at the Glenkindie Mason Lodge. 18th April, 1854.”

NOTICE. AT the request of the Farmers of this District, I beg to intimate that a FEEING MARKET will be held here, for the purpose of engaging Harvest Hands, on the Saturday preceding Glass Market annually—this year to be held on the 28th of this month. PETER WHYTE. Glenkindie Masons’ Arms, 2d July, 1855,

NOTICE. A SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING of the ST. ANDREW'S LODGE of Glenkindie Free Masons’ Friendly Society is hereby requested within their Hall, on Friday the 25th inst., at 4 o’clock, p.m., to consider Business of importance that cannot be delayed to the Stated General Meeting. By order of the Committee, Wm. PETRIE, Sec. / Glenkindie Mason Lodge, Towie, 18th July, 1851.

Glenkindie was a centre of Masonic activity, and from ‘The History of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and accepted Masons ‘it mentions:
“He (Lt Col William James Bury McLeod Moore, Supreme Grand Master of the Sovereign Great priory of Canada) received the three degrees of Craft Masonry in one evening, (Aug 17 1827) when, only seventeen years of age, at a special meeting of Glenkindie Lodge, held in the house of Master, Major General Sir Alexander Leith.”

With the gradual withdrawal of Free Masonry, the Hotel dropped the word Masons from its name and became the Glenkindie Arms Hotel

Sir Alexander Leith the Laird of Glenkindie and Masonic Grand Master died in 1859.

John o' Groat Journal - Thursday 03 March 1859
Aberdeen: General Sir Alexander Leith, well known for his gallantry and achievements during the Peninsular war, died at his seat of Freefield, Aberdeenshire, Saturday morning, in his 85th year, he is succeeded by his eldest too, Alex. Leith, Esq. '

Following the death of Sir Alexander Leith, the Masonic lodge obviously fell out with his son, also called Alexander. This resulted in an acrimonious court case costing the Lodge a lot of money. They also lost the money they had invested in the building. £500 then is almost with £70,000 in 2021. The

The situation is shown in the following newspaper adverts and articles

INTIMATION IS HEREBY GIVEN, that all Orphans, Widows, and Superannuated Old Members unable to attend will send Representatives the Meeting. Masons wishing to Dine will send in their names to Mr Deans, at the Lodge, on or before the 22d inst. Procession, Dinner, and Ball. By order of the Committee, Pro Secretary, Wm. PETRIE. Mason Lodge, Towie, 5th Aug., 1861.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 14 August 1861
NOTICE. GENERAL MEETING of the ST. ANDREW’S GLENKINDIE FREE MASON FRIENDLY SOCIETY is particularly requested, within their Hall, on Monday the 26th inst., at Two o’clock, P.M, in consequence of one of their Members, Mr Leith of Glenkindie, having minuted to the Society that he is to force them out of their Lodge Building, which cost them £5OO, without giving them any remuneration for it, and appropriate it for his own behoof,

William Paul, the agent for Glenkindie Estates and acting for Mr Alexander Leith the Laird, wrote in response to the Newspaper:

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 21 August 1861
GLENKINDIE MASON LODGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ABERDEEN JOURNAL.” SIR, —With reference to an Advertisement which appeared in your last impression, calling a Meeting of the Members of this Lodge, I beg to state, for their information, that the assertions regarding Mr Leith of Glenkindie are untrue, and written with the view to mislead. As Mr Leith’s Agent, and by his direction, I offered the former L Agent for the Lodge, both verbally and in writing, compensation for the Buildings erected on the Farm, if the Lodge agreed to give up their occupancy, which was only from year to year. Mr Leith was in no way bound to pay one shilling, but his offer, though communicated to the Treasurer on 11th April, 1860, by his Agent, was not accepted or noticed, and has been concealed from the Members. It was consequently withdrawn. No notice will be taken of any further Advertisement. I am. Sir, Your most obedient Servant, WILLIAM PAUL.

The St Andrew’s Glenkindie Free Mason Friendly- Society.
THIS Society having advertised a General Meeting to be held on the 26th instant, in as mild a form as circumstances would permit, William Paul, Agent for Leith of Glenkindie, intimates, in the Aberdeen Herald of Saturday last, that our Advertisement is untrue, and written with a view to mislead. No such thing; it only gives small portion of the reason why those concerned are called together; and with regard to concealment, the offer communicated to our Treasurer, on the 11th April, 1860, was laid before the Committee, and answered the 14th of same month, and open to be perused by all the members of the Society ever since. The offer was a mere quibble. When our agent pressed him to name a sum, he refused to name any sum, not even 2s; and in same letter our Agent gave his opinion that Leith would only give a gratuity to the Lodge, solely because he is an office-bearer, without admitting that he is liable in anything, and this only (if his Father’s Executors are not liable). William Paul writes that Mr Leith is in no way bound to pay one shilling. When Mr Leith became member of this Society, he solemnly swore before God and many witnesses (still living) that he would not conspire against the Master nor any of the Office-bearers of it, &c., and that he would protect and maintain the Society to the utmost of his power, &c. &c. Observe the protection and compensation he is giving to the Society. He has summoned the Society to remove from their own building, and refuses to give anything for it. The Society always offered to leave at any time on being paid valuation by men mutually chosen, according to agreement, which is optional for the Proprietor, to relieve the Society of at the end of every nineteen years, if he is disinclined to renew the lease on the terms stipulated. William Paul also adds that no notice will be taken of any further (alias future) advertisement. I hope the public will read many of them yet. The information he offers is useless to everyone except himself, being a parcel of untruths throughout. JOHN DAWSON, D. P. Master. Mason Lodge, Towie, 19th Aug., 1861.

Later newspaper articles look back at the situation. There is also mention of a piece of music ‘The St Andrew's Lodge Glenkindy's Strathspey and Reel,’ written by James Strachan of Glenbuchat commonly known as Drumnagarry, , as he lived at Drumnagarrow Croft in Glenbuchat

A FORGOTTEN MASON LODGE.
Missing Charter and Minute Books. (By Robert Murdoch Lawrence, F.S.A., Scot.)
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Wednesday 08 July 1925

From influential quarters I informed that to-day freemasonry Scotland is flourishing, and performing its duties in a commendable manner. Last year handled a scarce musical composition that not well-known by members of the craft, the reason being that the score has been thumbed out of existence.

It bears the following title:
The St Andrew's Lodge Glenkindy's Strathspey and Reel,
composed and most respectfully dedicated to Alexander Leith, Esq., of Glenkindy. By Alex. Strachan, Drumnagary. (see above for ?correction of name) Price 6d. Aberdeen: published Davie and Morris their Musical Repository, Union Street.

The music, which is undated was engraved W. High Street, Edinburgh. Early Traces of Lodge. Endeavouring to trace the date of inauguration of St Andrew's Lodge, the following reference is extremely helpful.

The 'New Statistical Account of Aberdeenshire," published 1843, mentions that "there was a Masonic Society, instituted at Towie Parish 1814, and denominated St Andrew 'a Lodge of Glenkindie Freemason Friendly Society, which distributed among its members £50 per annum."

Then, again, additional light on the Lodge is afforded the following reply received Mr Speid Benson, Provincial Grand Secretary, Aberdeen, from Mr David Reid, Grand Secretary the Grand Lodge of Scotland Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 96 George Street, Edinburgh. The letter, dated 3rd July, 1925, is in the following terms:

Dear sir and brother, —I have received your letter 2nd inst. Lodge St Andrew, Glenkindie (No. 254), appears the Roll of Grand Lodge for 1852 being represented Brother Alexander Leith, advocate,' Proxy Muter. From that date to 1885 the Lodge appears under the List of Lodges unrepresented in Grand Lodge who are over five years in for annual certificates. I am not aware when the lodge became dormant; the Charter the Lodge is not the possession the Grand Lodge.

Lost Documents.
It would interest many members of the craft to know where the Charter and Minute Books are deposited. it possible they were burnt, along with a quantity old family papers mentioned in the late Colonel James Allardyce's privately printed brochure entitled, "Story of a Donside Estate" (1900 —page 27)? Sir Alexander Leith, as one learns from Colonel Allardyce's brochure mentioned, got possession of the lands of Culquoich, and the deed is dated December 9, 1831. Of Michael Morris, joint publisher with James Davie, music-seller, he was piano maker at 55 Union Street (1824-31), and Nicholas Street (1832-5), and he resided at 29 Union Street (1824-5) and -6 St Nicholas Street (1832-3), according to the Aberdeen Directory. Regarding Strachan, the "Aberdeen Journal" of October 20, 1813, furnishes this interesting paragraph: "At rejoicings held at Glen bucket in honour the Earl of Fife, on October 11, the large company danced merrily to Wis inspiring bagpipe#, played by the celebrated of) Drumnagarrow." I shall glad if any Donside reader your widely-read journal will locate the present whereabouts of the Charter and Minute Books of this once flourishing Mason Lodge, they are bound to throw light on matters relating to the Craft a century ago.

LETTERS TO EDITOR.
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Friday 07 August 1925
Glenkindie Lodge Freemasons.
Sir,
From a blank diploma of the Glenkindie Lodge of Freemasons which has come into my hands, ornamented with kilted Highlanders, masonic emblems, an engraving of Glenkindie House, and motto in Gaelic and English, " Trusty to the end," it is evident that the lodge was not originally put under the control of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. In this diploma, however, there is inserted. No. 333, now on the register of the Grand Lodge of Scotland." From the communication which appeared in your issue of July 8, it appears that the above number had been altered subsequently to 245.

The meeting place was Glenkindie Arms Hotel, which was formerly I known as " The Lodge," and is still referred to by the older inhabitants of the district that name. The father of Alexander Leith, advocate, who represented No. in Grand Lodge in 1852, was an enthusiastic Freemason, and under his patronage St Andrew's, Glenkindie. flourished exceedingly, and drew members from Strathdon, Towie. Glenbuchat, and elsewhere in the valley of the Don.

On his is death certain difficulties and disputes arose between members and the new proprietor—that is, the advocate—resulting in legal proceedings which terminated disastrously, the lodge being deprived of its temple and the members involved in heavy expenses. So perished Glenkindie Lodge, long lamented, for the extent j its charitable work was very considerable, and certainly not forgotten. What became of the charter and regalia not known now for certain, the secretary in office in 1852 has long since passed over to the majority, and after their unfortunate and costly experience with the law, the members were so disheartened that they relinquished all idea of seeking new temple and having the lodge reponed and reopened.
Yours, etc., R.W.M., No. 11, Maybole. August 5, 1925.

Following eviction from the Glenkindy Masons Arms, the Lodge moved to the nearby farm of Inverden. The clerk was William Cordiner son of Thomas Cordiner the owner of the book.

The Annual General Meeting of The St. Andrew’s Glenkindy Free Mason Friendly Society will be held at Inverden, on Monday the 30th inst., at Two o’clock, P.M., for the purpose of Collecting Quarter Dues, &c. &c. order of Committee, Wm, CORDINER, Clerk. Towie, 18th Nov., 1863

Dundee Advertiser - Monday 20 May 1867
Masonic Ceremonial at Aboyne. Erection Monument To Late Marouis Of Huntly
St Machar, Aberdeen, No.51 St Nicholas Aberdeen, No.93; Operative, Aberdeen, Now Aberdeen, No. l159; St George, Aberdeen, No, 190; St Andrew, Glenkindie St Nathalan, Ballater

It seems Towie later beclme a lodge of the Oddfellows Society
Huntly Express - Saturday 06 August 1887
TOWIE Picnic Games. -The Loyal Glenkindie Lodge No. 1091 of the National Independent Order of Oddfellows

and in 1900
Towie.Dinner to Glenkindie Tenants.
Captain Leith of on Tuesday night entertained to dinner the tenants on the Glenkindie and Deskry estates. The dinner is an annual event. It was held in the Oddfellows Hall, Glenkindie, and was very largely attended. Captain Leith, who had obtained abort leave of absence from the Aberdeenshire Militia at Aldershot, presided in person, and proposed the loyal toasts and the toast of “The Tenantry.’* and Mr Thomson. replied, The proceedings were most harmonious

Click to see picture of Oddfellows of Towie

Click for details of Towie Oddfellows Hall

From ‘The Universal Language of Freemasonry’

Oddfellowship differs from Masonry in respect to the classes of men who unite with it. Both these lodges are English in origin, but Freemasonry though having mechanic societies as a basis, from the beginning courted the aristocracy, and has for years had the Prince of Wales, now Edward VII, as its Grand Master. The result has been that it has become aristocratic in its membership, while Oddfellowship, starting also among the wage-earning classes, has never made progress in that direction. Crossing the ocean, the same difference in membership is apparent. In the United States Freemasons are of the professional and mercantile occupations, while Oddfellows are more largely mechanics, day laborers and farmers. Of course, there are exceptions, we speak only of the rule. It is also to be remembered that many men, especially those who seek for office, belong to both.

Details of the Cordiner family owners of the Rule Book.

Thomas Cordiner in the 1851 Scotland Census
Name: Thomas Cordiner
Age: 67
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1784
Relationship: Head
Spouse: Agnes Cordiner
Gender: Male
Where born: Towie, abdnshire
Civil Parish: Towie
County: Aberdeenshire
Address: Glencuie
Occupation: Farmer Of 30 Acres Employing 2 Lab & 2 Women
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas Cordiner 67
Agnes Cordiner 55
Ann Cordiner 34
William Cordiner 32
Jane Cordiner 28
William Bachelor 27

Thomas Cordiner
Birth Bet. 1783–1784 Towie, Aberdeenshire,
Death 20 Mar 1859 Prob Glencuie, Towie, Aberdeenshire,
Parents
Thomas Cordiner 1755–1785
Isobel 1755–1812
Spouse
Agnes Cran 1795–1876
Children
Christian Cordiner 1820–1829
Jane Cordiner 1822–1893
William Cordiner –1869
Ann Cordiner –1886

William Cordiner in the 1861 Scotland Census
Name: William Cordiner
Age: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1819
Relationship: Head
Mother's Name: Agnes Cordiner
Gender: Male
Where born: Towie, Aberdeenshire
Registration district: Towie
Civil parish: Towie
County: Aberdeenshire
Address: Glencui
Occupation: Farmer Of 50 Acres
Household Members Age Relationship
William Cordiner 42 Head
Agnes Cordiner 65 Mother
Ann Cordiner 44 Sister
Jane Cordiner 38 Sister
Robert Murdoch 28 Servant
William Forbes 14 Servant

William Cordiner
Birth Unknown
Death 20 May 1869 Prob Glencuie, Towie, Aberdeenshire,