Masonic Certificate presented to Alexander Campbell

Dateca. 1794

Artist/Maker Thomas Abernethie (fl. 1785 - 1795)

Engraver Thomas Abernethie (fl. 1785 - 1795)

OriginAmerica, South Carolina, Charleston

MediumLine engraving with some etching on paper

DimensionsOH: 16 in.; OW: 13 in. (40.6 x 33cm)

Credit LineGift of Lex Reeves

Object number2018-258

DescriptionInscription beneath globe surmounting column on left: "Order from Confusion"
Inscription beneath seascape surmounting column on right: "Light from Darkness"
Inscription along left margin: "Ne Varietur/ Alex:.r Campbell [manuscript inscription]"
Central text column reads" TO ALL WHOM/ IT MAY CONCERN/ We do hereby certify that/ Brother Alex..r Campbell [manuscript inscription]/ is a regular registerd [sic] Free/ Mason of Lodge N.o 31 [manuscript inscription] of the/ STATE of SOUTH CAROLINA,/ & has during his Residence/ amoungst them conducted/ himself like an honest/ and worthy Brother/ as appears by the Lodge/ Certificate to us./ Given by the Order/ and in behalf of the Grand/ Lodge under the hand of our/ Grand Secretary, and the/ Seat of the Grand Lodge/ at Charleston on this 1.st [manuscript inscription] / Day of Feb.y 1802 [manuscript inscription] and/ in the Year of Masonry/ 5802 [manuscript in scription/ J.H. Mitchell [manuscript inscription]/ Grand Secretary"
Lower margin reads: "Drawn & Engrav'd by B.r Abernethie Charleston."
Label TextMasonic certificates were designed to recognize the holder as a “true and trusty” member of the fraternity. Along the left edge of the document, just above the manuscript signature, read the engraved words, “Ne Varietur” Latin meaning “lest this change.” This placement on the page was designed so that the bearer could line the signature on the certificate up with their signature on any document in order to prove their identity. The document was intentionally engraved in three languages so that mariners traveling to different ports, like the West Indies or Mediterranean, could prove their identity and membership to foreign brethren. It is likely that this print was published between 1793 and the maker’s death in 1795 as the print sources for the allegorical figures appear to be copied from illustrations in a 1793 edition of The Freemason’s Magazine. The three female figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity represent the three major tenants of Freemasonry.

The certificate was engraved by the Scottish engraver Thomas Abernethie, who was active in Charleston between 1785 and his death in 1795. While in Charleston, he advertised as a surveyor and engraver. In 1787, he issued one of the first road maps published in the new United States: Road to Watboo Bridge from Charleston.

This certificate was issued to a man named Alexander Campbell by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina on February 1st, 1802 a brother of Lodge 31, the St. Johns Lodge in Charleston South Carolina.