On the 3rd of February 1994 Bro. I. Murray presented to the Lodge on behalf of Mrs. Greta Prentice the widow of Bro. James O. Prentice P.M.(1943-44) a Grand Lodge 200th Anniversary Jewel and a document which consists of 6 (4.25" x 3") pages written in ball point pen. The document is a Second Generation copy of a Scroll which was interred in the Cornerstone of the Wishaw Burgh Court Building as part of a Foundation Stone Ceremony carried out on the 5th of July 1859. The Burgh Court Building mentioned in this document was part of the Burgh Buildings situated on Main Street, an upper room of which served as the Courtroom until 1905 when a separate Court and Police Barracks were constructed to the rear of the Burgh Building. These buildings were demolished in the early 1960's and replaced by the current Block of Flats, Burgh Housing Dept., Public House and Amusement Arcade. A recent search of the District Council (Burgh) records showed that during restoration work on 21st March 1912 the Lead Casket beneath the Foundation Stone was removed and the contents examined by the Town Clerk. The contents were listed in the Burgh Minutes of 1st April 1912, Item (2) was detailed as follows :- Masonic document; Coltness St. Mary's No. 31 , dated 5th July 1859. It was agreed at a meeting on 8th April 1912 to re-seal the casket with some new additions to the original contents and replace it beneath the Foundation Stone in the North East wall. No details of a sealed container being discovered during the demolition of the buildings in the 60's are recorded in the Burgh Minutes.

The Transcript of the Scroll

Having at this time an opportunity of depositing a number of relics and others bearing upon our new Burgh of Wishaw. Masonry being one of the Ancient Institutions, and is now again being brought into, or near its original uses. We, the Coltness St. Mary's No. 31, who have held of the Grand Lodge of Scotland since 1737, prior to that date held of Mary's Chapel, Edinburgh for 40 years, but as no regular books were kept, it cannot be ascertained who were the Members that Constituted the Lodge at that time. Those who got a Charter from the Grand Lodge in 1737, are named as follows :- John Baird, Thomas Nisbet, John Mackie, Patrick Glover, William Brownlie, Alexander Cross, John Fleming, William Gibb, William Kerr, Robert Dick, Robert Laurie, John Cleland, John Forest, Thomas Russell, James Hamilton, and Robert Steele. The Lodge was purely kept as a Masonic Lodge for a number of years, during which period money was collected and distributed to the aged and infirm, and also to the Widows of Members. Shortly after this a Friendly Society was formed in Connection with the Lodge, for the benefit of Members, which proved a great blessing to them in time of need, as well as to the Widows of deceased Members and fatherless Children. In the year 1833 the funds being exhausted towards these charitable purposes, and only a few Members of the Lodge being in Life, and of mature years the Lodge became dormant. In the month of January last a few Brethren connected with other Lodges along with the present R.W.M., who was the R.W.M. when the Lodge became dormant, proposed clearing off all arrears due by the Lodge, which has been done, and at that time the following were elected as Office-Bearers Viz :- Mr. Marshall, R.W.M.; Thomas Ritchie, Secretary; Thomas Campbell, S.W.; Alexander Howden, J.W.; John Christison, D.M.; John Barrowman, P.M.; Robert Clarke, Treasurer; William Simpson, Senior S.; Robert Nicol, Junior S; Thomas McReady, Officer. Since the 24th January last upwards of 40 Members have been admitted into the Lodge and 15 Affiliations. Wishaw being recently erected into a Burgh, and a court House being in the course of erection, The Chief Cornerstone of Which is this day to be laid by Sir Archibald Alison, Baronet, Sheriff of the County of Lanark, and M.W.G.M.M. of the Provincial Lodge of Glasgow. Along with this Lodge and Deputations from other Lodges, this document is deposited in said Stone with the hope that it may meet the eye of a Brother, when the Building shall be no more required for the purposes for which it is now erected.

Wishaw, 5th July, 1859. John Marshall, R.W.M.

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