From Freemasonry to e-masonry 

The above shows how Freemasons may have looked in Macclesfield in the mid 1700s. Although the clothing may have changed dramatically, many of the customs and rituals would remain recognisable and basically similar to those practiced today.

The Earliest Recorded English Freemason, Brother Elias Ashmole, a Cheshire Mason (1617-1692) 

Elias Ashmole was born on 23rd May 1617 in Litchfield in Staffordshire. He trained in London, in law, becoming a solicitor and then barrister. During the English Civil War, as a supporter of King Charles 1, he had to leave London and went to Oxford, there studying alchemy and astrology. He later published a History of the Order of the Garter, which established his reputation as an antiquary in England and abroad.

Ashmole later moved to Lambeth, in South London, lodging with the collector and gardener John Tradescant, who had put together a great museum of plants, minerals, coins and curiosities collected through expeditions to foreign and exotic lands. When Tradescant died, he left his museum to Ashmole.

In 1661 Ashmole became a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1677 he gave his museum to Oxford University, on condition that they put up a building to hold it. The building was started in 1679, and completed 3 years later, and the world-famous Ashmolean Museum, the first public museum in Great Britain, opened its doors.

Ashmole married a second time in 1649 to Lady Mainwaring, from Smallwood, near Warrington, in Cheshire, who was 20 years his senior. On 16 October 1646 he was made a Freemason in Warrington. His initiation took place at 4.30 in the afternoon. The precise time can be given thanks to what are known as the Elias Ashmole diaries.  

Masons, as they may have looked meeting at The Childers Inn, Brunswick Street. (Then known as Goose Lane) Macclesfield, in the 1700's  

The actual entry from his diary reads:

"At 4.30pm on that day, I was made a Free Mason at Warrington in Lancashire with Col. Henry Mainwaring of Kermincham in Cheshire. The names of those who were there at the Lodge, Mr Ric. Penket, Warden; Mr James Collier; Mr Rich. Sankey; Henry Littler; John Ellam; Rich. Ellam and Hugh Brewer."

How and when did Freemasonry start?  The simple answer is that it is not known. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736.

All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles. There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons".

Gradually these non-operative took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges. The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world.
 

Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield 

Mary Fitton lived at Gawsworth, and it has been suggested that she could be the possible Dark Lady of Shakespeare's Sonnets. The Fitton family chapel is to be found in this beautiful house. It was first licensed in 1365 and still used by the family today. The Hall was the subject of the most famous duel in English history in 1712. Lord Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton fought over the estates when both were killed. Samuel Johnson, the last professional jester in the country, lived in the house and - eccentric to the last - he lies buried in the spinney known as "Maggoty Johnson's Wood 

An oil painting of Bro Timothy Jones, C1793,
a Macclesfield Mason of The Lodge of Union,
where he was the Tyler of the lodge for many years and is shown wearing the collar of his office.

In 1646, Ashmole travelled from the south of England to Warrington, breaking his journey in Macclesfield where he stayed at Gawsworth Hall.

Whilst there his attention was drawn to Lady Felica Fitton. There can be no doubt that Ashmole had an eye for the ladies and it was certainly his plan to marry well.
He writes in his diary;

"Whilst staying with my friend and cousin, Col. Henry Mainwaring, at Kermincham in Cheshire, I first saw the Lady Felicia Fitton at Gawsworth on 12th September 1646 and by 26th was contemplating marriage to her".

A communication dated 25th January 1901, from the Grand Secretary, following the 'melancholy occasion' of the death of Her late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria ordering Lodges to be placed in Masonic Mourning for three months.