This gavel used when the foundation stone of the Militia Arsenal was laid by the Provincial Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother James John Hammond on 24th June 1850. It is made of rosewood and the gavel has a silver plaque on the head, the gavel was used in Hammond Lodge No.829 until it disbanded.
The moment of the gavels use by the Provincial Grand Master is very well illustrated in The Freemasons Quarterly Review and Magazine on the 30th September 1850.
The Grand Treasurer, Bro. Dr. Goldstone, at the desire of the Prov. Grand Master, then deposited in a cavity of the stone the several coins of the realm, consisting of a sovereign, half-sovereign, crown, half-crown, florin, shilling, sixpence, fourpence, and a silver twopenny and penny piece, a copper penny, half penny and farthing, with a penny, halfpenny, and double, of the currency of the island; and the Bailiff proceeded to prove that the stone was properly adjusted. Bro. G. Sparrow, Director of Ceremonies, then invested General Bell with the badge of Masonry, which was handed to him by Bro. John Armstrong, Assistant-Director. The mallet was then placed in the hands of his Excellency, by the Provincial Grand Master, with which the gallant General struck the stone three times, saying, ” I do this day declare that this stone has been properly laid in masonic form.” (Loud cheers, the band striking up ” God save the Queen.”) The Lieut.-Governor then returned the mallet to the Provincial Grand Master, who, after striking the stone thrice, offered up the following prayer : ” May the Great Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on the foundation-stone which we have now laid, and by his providence enable us to finish this and every other work which may be undertaken for the benefit and advantage of this Island !—God save the Queen!” [The ceremony of sprinkling the stone with corn, wine, and oil, was here performed by the Provincial Grand Master] May the All-bounteous Author of Nature grant an abundance of corn, wine, and oil, with all other necessaries, conveniences, and comforts to this island! And may the same Providence preside over and preserve it from ruin and decay, to the latest posterity! -God save the Queen!” The Provincial Grand Master then delivered to Mr. Hart, the architect of the building, the several implements for his use; and on a signal being given by hoisting a flag on the summit of Victoria Tower, the artillery on the New-Ground fired a salute of nineteen guns. The Grand Chaplain then pronounced the benediction, at the conclusion of which the whole of the bands struck up “Rule Britannia;”.
The Silver plaque attached to the gavel with the inscription. “This Gavel used at the laying of the Foundation Stone of the Militia Arsenal June 1850 was presented by R.W.P.G.M J. J Hammond Esq to the Hammond Lodge 829 Guernsey.
