~ Scottish Royal Liberty Button ~

The Allegiance to the House of Stuart
By
Robert J. Silverstein
Co-Contributor Dale Hawley 

 

Color: A Charcoal Green with Silver Highlights.
Metal: Flat, 1-Piece, Impressed Design of Bee then Hand-Engraved Silver-Wash Copper.
The Size: 32mm. Coat Size
Rarity: R-7 (1 or 2 known) Strict Observance Scottish Revolutionaries.
Variety Type: Jacobite Liberty Button / Eye of Providence / Honey Bee /13 Stars to Represent Colonies.
Present Condition: An Excavated Specimen, Strong Planchet Condition, A Strong Impression Remains.

Found in the front yard of a home on the River Terrance in the City.

The Restoration of the House of Stuart

     This is a Scottish-Rite Lodge fraternity button that was worn in lodge to show support for the restoration of the House of Stuart. The button was made specifically for a family member who is part of the Royal Bloodline families to Prince Edward Stuart. This specific design was used by the Young Pretender in the mid 1700’s with Scottish factions out of power. It uses historical context to show support for the restoration of Bonnie Prince Charlie. This movement carried on with Scottish families in America. Scottish families discreetly played chess, and placed operatives to move their agenda along in restoring Prince Edward Stuart to power in America.

      At one point, I wondered, only if the experiment of self-governance failed.” Since, Prince Edward Stuart died in 1788, this would allow us to tightly date the button from 1774/5 to 1778. But, the combination of the symbolism of the person that wore this button was there in 1746 at the Bonnie’s side. Years of Scottish Royal Culture stature doesn’t wash away in 30 years.

       I date it a year before Betsy Ross sewn the first Flag for our Continental Navy because the Council of Enlightened Revolutionaries would have had this strategic move in place before the flag was sewn. After the Battle of Preston in 1715, the fleeing Jacobites who didn’t take refuge in other parts of Europe crossed the Atlantic to start a New Republic here in America. These were Revolutionaries in their own rights who knew at this point in time they would not be able to battle the British Empire on an equal playing field or from strength of a superior army.

Context: Republicans and democrats living together, but the party out of power constantly plotting to regain positions of power. The Scottish factions who were out of power needed the Bonnie to return so, they can regain positions of power for themselves. The Patriots were a tool and these men of high society didn’t care one bit, and gave the cold shoulder in financial support. 

     The groundworks for a New Age of Enlightenment most likely steamed from the political and religious freedom that King James II afforded Scotland before the Glorious Revolution. The fleeing Jacobites most likely had a vision that a New Republic in America which was free of British control would allow one day the House of Stuart (through the Bonnie Prince) to have an expo-facto legitimate title to America’s throne. Meaning, the original legitimate authority and claim by birthright to the throne in Scotland, England, and Ireland makes him automatically the ruler of all settled colonies in America and throughout the world. 

       Since the English family Hanoverian victory at Culloden in 1746, the House of Stuart family was limited in their fight against the British Empire’s Royal family. It wasn’t until 30 years later across the Atlantic with the American Revolution that would offer opportunity to re-ignite the displaced power Jacobites in their struggle against the British Royal bloodline families stranglehold of political, religious, social, and economic dominance of power. In early colonial America, the Scottish & English Royal bloodlines controlled the Shipping, the trade goods, and all the Artisan Craft Guilds. Even though it was their efforts which made American colonies the breadbasket of agriculture and hand-made crafts they were still considered British subjects of 2nd class status by birth of their citizenship. The established Scottish family aristocrats with fleeing Revolutionary hearts were determined though strategic planning to hopefully one day re-assend the Scottish Royal exiled families under the banner of Prince Edward Stuart. By using the Scottish-Rite Masonic lodges, it offered an avenue and networking vehicle for supporters of the restoration of the Bonnie Prince charlie. Possibly, a means to undermine the British Empires social & economic established power base. So, if your an American Jacobite you see only two avenues for the House of Stuart’s restoration. One through the limited war in Europe between England & France, and the other by following a pathway provided by a new culture of Enlightened individuals who have the strategic means to victory through the American Revolution. 

Rosetta Stone To The Truthful Owner

     At first, Hugh Murcer was a strong consideration of mine. He was a Scottish-Rite Jacobite that fought along side of the Bonnie Prince in Scotland, and his family owned property in America at one time where the button was recovered. But, I rejected him as a candidate because he was not of Royal lineage. This point excludes him from wearing a symbol that represents the Royal bloodline of the House of Stuart. I believed that only someone of Royal lineage to the House of Stuart could have the right and authority to wear the symbol of the Honey Bee. I believe that is a very important point. Most people in today’s times do not account for the social structure or proper etiquette of the era.  

Great Respect For Hugh Mercer

      With the Jacobites final defeat in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Mercer was forced to flee to America. Here he became a Brigadier General in the Continental Army, and a close personal advisor to George Washington. It is even rumored that it was General Mercer’s tactics that gave Washington the idea to cross the Deleware in December of 1776. His lineage actually turned out General Patton who was known for his blood and guts glory and keeping with Scottish Jacobite traditions. In the years before the American Revolution Murcer became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This Lodge hosted very prominent families and was actually chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1758. Members included both Presidents George Washington and James Monroe, and was a who’s who of Revolutionary War Generals. These aristocratic members most likely were the real undercurrent that inspired the American Revolution. So, one can even say the idea of the foundation stone of the new Republic was being threatened once again by the English throne. Since the button was recovered in a geographical location that supported Murcer as the true owner (being a Jacobite), he wouldn’t of had the title or right to wear a button depicting the Honey Bee. Yes, it could have been his if it just depicted a Phrygian Cap and Liberty Pole, and possibly even the Dog Star in the analogy that the Jacobites always watching. 

 

Draft Notes to finish:

Robert Scot & James trenchard

     I believe Robert Scot and James Trenchard specifically made this button for a direct member of the Royal House of Stuart. When Scot & Trenchard crafted this button, they used their knowledge of Scottish Royal Culture and ancient religious symbols that were used before Christianity’s Cross. This ancient religious aspect stems from the European Merovingian King’s traditions of worship that originated from the Egyptian Magi-Priest / Pharaoh who worshiped the celestial Star Sirius  (Dog Star). In a multi-layer allusion, Scot & Trenchard combined the original meanings of these ancient religious symbols with the use of the Phrygian Cap on a Pole. So, there was a layered allusion of meaning to include Egyptian, Roman, and the Scottish use by the Bonnie Prince Charlie in his propaganda war against the British Royals. This should be seen as sort of an analogy to the Jacobite’s circumstances for their struggle against British Royal oppression of Scotland’s legitimate King by religious authority granted by God. In the mid 1700’s Prince Charlie used this symbol on printed propaganda leaflets that were distributed throughout the country in hopes to firing-up a rebellion (the Jacobite cause) against the British Royal families control over economic and political positions. The Phrygian Cap in this button should be seen as a reflection of the Scottish Royal bloodline’s revolt against the British Royal families who stole control over all the key economic positions. This control was also a “Bar of power” against all the Scottish bloodline families. Obviously, the undertone being the unfair deposition of King James VII in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Robert Scot re-instituted this metaphor on this Jacobite Liberty button for a Scottish Royal Family member who was living in colonial America. This button most likely was only worn at Scottish-Rite fraternities or Jacobite social-political functions. All colonial era Jacobite families would have a firm understanding of the importance, and Royal association of the Honey Bee Hive symbol, and the authority of the wearer to use this symbol as a representation of being a direct member of the House of Stuart.

     I believe the Honey Bee & Hive symbol which is depicted within the Phrygian Cap represents the religious authority of the House of Stuart. This gives them the religious authority to rule the sovereign titled European nations. The only legitimate heir of the throne of Scotland has the religious authority to wear the Honey Bee and Hive on their button; this would be a direct family member of the Royal House of Stuart or the Bonnie Prince himself. From several ancient artifacts and writings we are given a sort of time line from the beginning of history. The objects and religious relics that flowed through history which depict the honey bee was used as a Godly authoritative symbol thats use was only permitted by members of the House of Stuart. Throughout history the honey bee was known to be associated with Royals who’s bloodlines had a direct or indirect relation tie to divinity (God). Since the button is Masonic in nature there is a multi-meaning allusions which has layers of meaning in Scottish Royal Culture and Religious divinity. For example, the 7 parts of the honey bee’s body represent the 7 Scottish Earls, and the Two Wings would mean the King and Queen of Scotland. The depiction looks like the ” Dog Star “ or the “All-Seeing-Eye or Eye-of-Providence” but it is not. Even though a very similar designed symbol is used by Scottish-Rite & York-Rite fraternities, it is doubtful they would reference their Masonic social or ritual beliefs. This All Seeing Eye symbol with triangles would be more of a Egyptian religious reflection (symbol) that was used by the  Scottish Royal culture granting heraldry from ancient times. Meaning the Seven Circling Triangles around the stipple center is another multi-layer allusion that reflects religious authority through the divine legitimacy of the House of Stuart. The Center Stipple represents, “All of Us” and we as God’s children use the Goodness of God’s and his wishes to do good though us (This is the most important thing i wrote on this whole page, and the hardest thing i have ever figured out in studying religious symbolism)! There are Four Sets of Three Stipple Line Sun Rays. Each set represents another allusion with multi-layer reference to the Scottish Royal culture’s authority, and the Jacobite’s intent for a New Republic. My personal theory as to the meaning would be the sovereign authority granted by God to the House of Stuart over Scotland, England, Ireland, and the fourth set represents the New Republic in America. So, one can conclude the button represents the restoration of the legitimate authority of the House of Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) over all four nations! The Sun’s Rays shine down over a semi-circle of large Circle Stipple Wells that contain Thirteen Five Point Stars. The large stipple wells i am not at Liberty to divulge, but I can say that Scotland is God’s the home for the stars. The 13 American 5 pointed stars that represents the states is another multi-layer allusion that represents the House of Stuart. For the Scotland’s Royal family the stars represents the 5 Petal White Rose that Bonnie Prince picked to symbolize Scotland. In war he paced Scotland’s native flower in his Cockade. For America the 5 pointed Star is our nation’s chosen federal and Revolutionary War Star. The 13 Star Arch is a reflection of religious authority steaming from a symbol of Christianity’s 12 Apostles and the (13) Scottish King’s legitimate authority under God. Probably not Jesus as 13 if wondering, just stick to the button’s intent. 

 

Some of my study notes for the Button’s Research Paper:

Jacobite History With Symbols 

     When I first saw this button I got excited to see my first true hidden master Scottish-Rite Fraternity Button. The depiction of the Phrygian Cap and the Liberty Pole actually coincided with the re-introduction of these Roman symbols by the Bonnie Prince Charlie in the mid 18th century. He had leaflets printed with the depiction of a man sitting on a rock holding a Liberty Pole with a Phrygian Cap on top. This was propaganda to make a strong social statement among his people toward England’s dethronement of King James the true King and heir of Scotland, Ireland, and England. We also know that 30 years later in America another family decadent from the House of Stuart, John Morin Scot reintroduced this as propaganda in NYC for the Sons of Liberty. It served as a rally cry a second time against the British Empire’s economic oppression for American colonists.

     Since this button was found in America, I automatically assumed the button was made for one of the Aristocratic British Jacobite families that fled or was exiled to America. This would be like the Standish, Murcer, or Anson families. Then the location of the recovery fine tuned me to believe that it could have belonged to Brigadier General Hugh Mercer or Robert Scot’s Son, Robert JR. Originally, this was General Mercer’s mother in-law’s property that was sold to George Washington’s nephews who intern sold it to Robert Scot’s son who was a Ship’s Captain and private merchanter. Mercer first, he was a well known outspoken Jacobite surgeon that fought battles in Scotland to reinstitute the House of Stuart and oppose the line of English Kings from William III of Orange and England, and II of Scotland. The earlier background history is that supporters of James II rebelled against the deposing of their favorite monarch in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. They were called Jacobites. A name derived from Jacabus, which is the Latin version of James. In short, these were mostly Scottish Highlanders who were determined to restore James II and VII to the throne Scotland, England , and Ireland. Ultimately their rebellion was crushed and these fugitives fled or was exiled across the Atlantic ocean to America.

     In 1715, twenty seven years after the Glorious Revolution there was a rebellion in Preston northern England, and many of these (Jacobites) aristocratic British families were arrested, exiled, or deported to America. These were notable powerful British aristocrats that held hereditary titles and some were made knights and Land Barons. Names like the Standish or Ansons now flee to America with what was believed as a foundation stone of the New Republic. These family members were also the notable Masons that were directly from Scottish Masonic lodges. So any one of these families members could have had been entitled to wear this button depicting the Honey Bee. It should be noted that these families members went on to be founders of the war of independence> the American Revolution. These people represent the Secret Power in America and are the un-named Scottish undercurrent that is not publicized in history books over American public figures like the Adams’s or Hancock’s. Both had common goals against the British and acted as members in the Sons of Liberty. 

 

 

Quick education on Freemasons

Facts To Get Your Answer: The use of the word “Scottish” has led many researchers to believe that the Scot-Rite originated in Scotland, and a member had to go to Scotland to receive the 33 degrees.  This would be incorrect on both accounts.  In the late 17th Century, the British Isles were torn by strife and many Scots left to France and resumed their Masonic interests. We find the first reference to this Rite here in old French records. They start to use the word, ” Ecossais,” which means Scottish. In 1732, the first Scottish lodge was officially organized in Bordeaux, which happen to be one of the oldest and most influential Masonic centers in France. The key aspect to this Scottish-Rite is that it’s membership included both Scottish and English nationalities. By 1738, we see the formation and introduction of advance degrees (Hauts Grades). In 1761, the Masonic authorities in France granted permission (Patent) to Stephen Morin of Bordeaux to bring the advance degrees to America. He established a system of 25 so-called higher degrees which were known as the, “Rite of Perfection.” This was established from 1763, and the years forward in French controlled areas mainly in the West Indies. By 1767, other degrees were added until the Rite had the ritual structure of 33 degrees. It was at this time Stephan Morin deputized Henry Francken, who organized a Lodge of Perfection in Albany, New York. This would become the accepted Scottish-Rite affiliation in America. During America’s Colonial period other deputies were appointed by Morin who helped organize other Masonic lodges. The members conferred these advance degrees to its brethren in lodges all along the Atlantic seaboard as well as South Carolina. Here lies the the key to the Button’s authority and use. The lodges that formed here in America were independent of each other. Meaning, they have no official centralized supervision or control “Nationally”. Each lodge was umbrella under a “State” Grand lodge. (Which is a reflection of our Federal government and the 13 States within that represent their own interests. The only common thread between these organizations is that their authority came from Stephen Morin in Jamaica in the French controlled West Indies. The only person who would be able to exude the state lodge authority would be a direct bloodline of the House of Stuart (Bonnie Prince) or a Hidden Royal Superior. Hence your answer. Last fact to note, it wasn’t until May 31, 1801, that the Supreme Council of the 33 degree (which actually was the first Scottish-Rite Supreme Council in the World) was founded in South Carolina. The main objective of this creation was to unify the competing groups who were in constant war and chaos amongst themselves. The council consisted of 11 Grand  Inspector Generals which only “2” of these men were native born Americans: Isaac Auld & James Moultrie. Religiously speaking, there were four Jews, five Protestants, and two were Roman Catholics. Nice mix in my opinion to build a New Republic. Historically, all of these men are known to be scholars, but they educate using Masonic principles and teachings to the public by way of their professions. Like Daniel Tompkins, 33 deg. was the Vice President of the United States for two terms under Monroe. Shaping the government we know? You bet! There are others, long laundry list from Revolutionary War Generals, WWII Generals, Congressman, and Presidents. All with moral compasses that want to help for the betterment of man through charity, faith and hope. Masons believe there is a God, and he wants us to do good through our actions and help our fellow brothers prosper and do good for the benefit of all. Hence the use of the term, “God Bless America.” I bet you didn’t know that! Most think the slogan came from the Church….

 

 

Images were Provided by Mr. Gary G. through Mr. Thomas Wack.

John Morin Scot raised the Phrygian Cap for the first time in America. He was part of the Stuart family line. He raised the Liberty Cap on a Pole in NYC for Sons of Liberty. Both men are part of Stuart family. General Murcers mother in-law’s property was sold to Washington’s Nephew then later owned by Robert Scot’s son Robert Scot JR Private merchanteer / Ship Captain.