About Lodge Hamilton233

In the year of 1810 is when the chapter of the Hamilton Lodge of Freemasons begun. After a industrial revolution boomed through the town of Hamilton there was a large population rise that increased its industrial roots. The production of leather, and thereby shoemaking had sky rocketed. The acts of farming, quarrying and cabinet making had boomed as well as the act of Brewing and the production of lace.

These events subsequent a rise of me of independent mind and initiative. This then could be pinpointed as a turning point to Hamilton as a number of Brethren from the Hamilton Kilwinning lodge departed from said lodge and started a chain of meetings and discussions. These meetings and discussions built the foundations of a committee being formed by the following brethren:

RWM - Charles Sommerville - Merchant in Hamilton. A Master Mason of the Coltness Lodge, He affiliated to Hamilton Kilwinning Lodge No. 10 (now No. 7) on the 26th of December 1799.

DM - Thomas Dunn - Baker in Hamilton. Admitted 23rd of January 1800, Passed and raised 11th of March 1800, In Hamilton Kilwinning Lodge.

SW - William Dunn - Servant to the Marquis of Douglas. Admitted, passed and raised 9th of January 1809, in Hamilton Kilwinning Lodge.

JW - George Burns - Spirit dealer in Hamilton.

Treasurer - John Currie (Jr) - Residing in Hamilton. Admitted 15th of December 1808, Passed 22nd Of December 1808, and raised 9th of January 1809, In Hamilton Kilwinning Lodge.

Chaplain - John McDermaid

Secretary - Robert Aiton - Writer (Lawyer) in Hamilton.

(Note: No record was made of any other Officer Bearers)

It was these brethren who solicited the recommendation of neighbouring lodges only one of which, the Kilbridge St Andrew Lodges known, whereby a petition was presented on behalf of several brethren residing in the town of Hamilton on the 5th day of February 1810, to a meeting of the grand lodge of Scotland, who considered their request and accordingly granted them a charter of constitution under the title and number of the Hamilton Lodge No. 307. However, as some time was likely to elapse before the charter could be issued owing to the absence from town of several Grand Lodge Officers, it was resolved to grant a Dispensation "in order that the brethren may not be longer prevented from exercising their Masonic Labours".

This had sparked the flame which was Hamilton Lodge No. 307 (And subsequently No. 235 and now No. 233) of Free and Accepted or Speculative Masons.

The opening of Hamilton Lodge No. 233 is however shrouded in a cloud of mystery as even though the Charter and Dispensation were granted in February there are no indications or records of any meetings of consecration or erection, or of any other form, until November later that year. 

Some speculation has been made as it being in relation to Government Acts of that time, one of which, The Act Against Unlawful Oaths, 1797, Declared it illegal for any body of men to require an Oath or Declaration from their members not authorised by law, but specified an exception in favour of Freemasonry. This act; whilst set up to coincide with existing Lodges, halted the growth and opening of new lodges at that time. 

To this day Hamilton Lodge No. 233 is still going strong with a forever growing Brotherhood that range from all walks of life.

The above information was sourced from the Lodge History 1810 - 1986, written by Bro John Prentice PM