Shared Photo: John A. Brownlee

+10 votes
269 views

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I wanted to share this family photo of John Brownlee with the community. Location: Abbeville, South Carolina, United States. Date: 1851.
500px-Brownlee-102.jpg
Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (1899 x 1656).

WikiTree profile: John Brownlee
in Photos by Elizabeth Logan G2G Crew (690 points)

2 Answers

+3 votes
What a great heirloom Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing it with us.
by Marty Franke G2G Astronaut (1.0m points)
Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

~Elizabeth
+4 votes
Do you have any idea what it was or represents?

Looks like a hinge and clip, possibly for a book or a box.

Burning bush usually refers to Moses and the burning bush from the Bible.

Chapter ?- I can't read it.

2nd Dec. 2381, the only web reference is Star Trek fans.
by Rick Morley G2G6 Pilot (285k points)

Yes. It is a masonic keystone. After a little research, I contacted the Anderson Co., SC Masonic Lodge and this is the email I received:

"Royal Arch Masons date from the completion of the second temple by Zerubbabel, Anno Inventionis (A.I.) – “In the year of Discovery”. This adds 530 to the common time. The year 1851 becomes 2381.

What does HTWSSTKS stand for on a headstone?

When it comes to historic cemetery symbols, acronyms are used as a form of shorthand. There’s only so much room on a headstone, after all. (Speaking of acronyms, in an earlier post, I explained the surprisingly upbeat meaning behind the rather dire-sounding acronym, FATAL.)

HTWSSTKS is an acronym with connections to the Masonic Temple, specifically Royal Arch Masons. The letters stand for, “Hiram, Tyrian, Widow’s Son, Sent to King Solomon.” Of course, now we’re left wondering who the heck Hiram is!

As it turns out, all third degree Freemasons study the story of a man named Hiram Abiff (a.k.a. Hiram the Widow’s Son.) According to legend, Hiram was chief architect for the Temple of King Solomon. When bad guys tried to squeeze the secret masonic passwords out of Hiram, he valiantly refused to tell them. As a result, the bad guys killed poor Hiram. In Masonic teachings, Hiram’s story is held up as an example of loyalty.

So, when you see HTWWTKS on someone’s headstone, you know that not only were they a Royal Arch Mason, but that they made it at least as far as the third degree in that fraternal order!" 

email from: anderson.york.rite@gmail.com

I hope this helps!!

~Elizabeth

I was curious about the same thing Elizabeth. Thank You for sharing the results of all your exploring with us.
You're welcome.
Ah, been over 50 years since I thought about the Masonic calendar.

Thanks!

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