Being so long ago, and with scarce records, it is impossible to say with absolute certainty when the formation of Lodge Dumfries Kilwinning No.53 took place. We know from the Lodge minutes that the brethren were celebrating the tri-centenary on 27th December 1815, placing the Lodge's formation at 1515 (making the Lodge now 488 years old). However, there is no evidence to corroborate that this date is the true one. The Lodge charter was granted by The Grand Lodge Of Scotland in 1750 and in it was the text, "the said Lodge of Dumfries having been constitute in a just and perfect Mason Lodge as a pendicle of the Ancient Mother Lodge of Kilwinning about the number one hundred and seventy five years ago". This would place the formation around 1575 (the charter did say "about" 175 years ago). The brethren of 1750 accepted the date of formation to be literally 1575, and this is the date which we now celebrate.
The oldest existing Lodge minute dates from May 1687 and a photograph of it has been reproduced below. It minuted the appointment of Brother James Tod as the new Master of the Lodge. We have no records of who occupied the Master's chair (or, for that matter, anything else that went on in the Lodge) prior to this. The photograph was presented to the Lodge by Bro. Robert Rawson PM, who was Master in 1902 and part of 1903. The original minute book is held at Grand Lodge in Edinburgh.
In 1736, just prior to the formation of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, a letter was received by the Lodge, which, by today's terms could only be seen as canvassing. It read:
Edinr., 9 Nov., 1736
Brother,
As a great many of the Lodges in Scotland are determined on this Election of a Grand Master to give their vote and interest for William St. Clair now of Rosline, Esqr., to be the first Grand Master whose predecessors for many years enjoyed the same by patent from the King as appears by a Declaration Signed by Several Regular Lodges about 153 years agoe in favor of that family, and again Ratified about 50 years after. Furder lest it should Humble any of the Brethren The present Roslin notwithstanding from the face of the Inclosed Declarations he appears to have a hereditary right thereto does not that by electing him the same should be continued to his heirs. On the contrary he is willing upon his being elected the first Grand Master to Declare the same Annual in all time coming. This with the Inclosed you will signify to your Lodge and you will much oblige.
Your affect. Brethren and most humbl Servts.,
GEO. FRAZER, Cannongate Kilwinning
WM. MONTGOMERY, Leith Kilwinning
JAMES CARMEHAELL, Lanark
No mention of this communication is made in the minute, and so we are without the expressed opinion of the Brethren at this point. The Grand Lodge of Scotland was formed at this time when William St. Clair of Roslin filled the Throne and demitted office the following year.
In 1742, His Grace Charles Duke of Queensberry and Dover was chosen and elected Master the Lodge; but the appointment was necessarily of an honorary character, and His Grace does not appear to have been able to attend any of the meetings during the years he filled the office.
As previously mentioned, the Lodge was acting under a charter granted from Mother Kilwinning for the first 175 or so years, before one was received from The Grand Lodge Of Scotland in February 1750. The Lodge was originally known as "The Old Lodge" until 1755, when the present title of "Kilwinning" was adopted. Doubtless the formation of the "Journeymen" (now Lodge Thistle No. 62), in 1754 made them desirous of departing from this vague, though in some respects, unique title they had previously held. However, the name "Ye Olde Lodge Of Dumfries" is still in use on letterheads, etc.
One prominent member of the Lodge was Robert Burns, son of the bard. He filled several offices in the Lodge and was Master in 1845. He was a clerk in the Stamp Office, London, and after twenty nine years in this position, he retired to Dumfries (the place of his father's death), on a Superannuation allowance in 1833.
In 1847, the Lodge seemed to be in a fairly prosperous state, with 8 brethren initiated. However, for some inexplicable reason, the meetings ceased and the Lodge slipped into dormancy. Even the minutes give no clue as to the reason. The Lodge was reponed on 19th March 1874 at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge with members of Lodge Thistle No.62, Lodge St Michael No.63, Lodge Operative No. 140 and Lodge St John's, Thornhill, No. 252.
Since then, the Lodge has gone from strength to strength, passing through two World Wars in the process. Many celebrations have taken place over the years and we are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate two beginnings: the (supposed) birth of the Lodge in 1575 and the granting of our Grand Lodge charter in 1750. We can only hope that this fine old Lodge goes on for many more centuries to come, giving countless men the pleasures of the virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
A number of Lodge papers, documents and books (including the Old Charges) are held in storage at Grand Lodge in Edinburgh. They may be inspected by brethren who avail themselves of prior written consent from Brother Secretary.