Past Master Jewel, 1794 or 1795

The Past Master Jewel is presented to a retiring Master of a lodge. While the style and material for the jewels vary widely, the symbol of the sun inside the compasses or square and compass is generally understood to symbolize the past master. This jewel was presented to Joseph Prescott by St. George’s Lodge No. 6 in Schenectady, New York. The back of the jewel is engraved: “Presented to Br. Joseph Prescott by Lodge No. 6.”

Joseph Prescott was born on March 6, 1753 in Shaftsbury in Bennington, Vermont. On November 12, 1786 at the age of 33 in New York City he married Ann Clark (1763-1830) and had two daughters, Annie Prescott (1789-?) and Marie Prescott (1795-?). He died on July 14, 1806 in Savannah, Georgia. His widow later moved to Baltimore, Maryland were shed died on February 20, 1830.