John Boswell (freemason)
Encyclopedia
John Boswell, 3rd Laird of Auchinleck, (1532? - 1609), was a Scottish gentleman and generally considered the first recorded non-operative Freemason.
In 1591 Boswell was accused in the Privy Council of Scotland
of practicing witchcraft, sorcery and enchantments, consulting with witches and taking part in other devilish activities. Boswell's response to these allegations was to flee the country.
held at Holyrood
on June 8th, 1600. According to many masonic historians, this was the earliest authentic record of a non-operative (or accepted) Mason attending a Masonic Lodge. There are others, however, who disagree. It is not clear in what capacity Boswell was in attendance at this meeting. It was not an ordinary masonic meeting of the lodge, but a trial of its Warden 'Jhone Broune'. While it is possible that he was there as a member (or an honorary member) of the lodge, it is also possible that he was there only as counsel for prosecution or defence (or for some other reason), and was not a member of the lodge at all. There is no evidence of his initiation in the lodge on that occasion or any other occasion, and the meeting of June 8, 1600 was the only occasion to which Boswell’s connection with the masonic Craft can be traced.
Biographical details
Boswell was the son of David Boswell and Janet Hamilton. In 1562 he married Christian Dalzell, and appears to have remarried Katharine Stewart in 1580.In 1591 Boswell was accused in the Privy Council of Scotland
Privy Council of Scotland
The Privy Council of Scotland was a body that advised the King.In the range of its functions the council was often more important than the Estates in the running the country. Its registers include a wide range of material on the political, administrative, economic and social affairs of Scotland...
of practicing witchcraft, sorcery and enchantments, consulting with witches and taking part in other devilish activities. Boswell's response to these allegations was to flee the country.
Freemasonry
Boswell's signature and mark are found on the records of a meeting of the Lodge of EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
held at Holyrood
Holyrood
Holyrood is an anglicisation of the Scots haly ruid . It may refer to:*Holyrood , relics of the True Cross on which Jesus died-Scotland:* Holyrood, Edinburgh, an area of Edinburgh...
on June 8th, 1600. According to many masonic historians, this was the earliest authentic record of a non-operative (or accepted) Mason attending a Masonic Lodge. There are others, however, who disagree. It is not clear in what capacity Boswell was in attendance at this meeting. It was not an ordinary masonic meeting of the lodge, but a trial of its Warden 'Jhone Broune'. While it is possible that he was there as a member (or an honorary member) of the lodge, it is also possible that he was there only as counsel for prosecution or defence (or for some other reason), and was not a member of the lodge at all. There is no evidence of his initiation in the lodge on that occasion or any other occasion, and the meeting of June 8, 1600 was the only occasion to which Boswell’s connection with the masonic Craft can be traced.