Mason Symbols Gold Ring-Final Update-Ebay

[pointdlr]

My brother-in-law found this ring behind a wall in his bathroom. His house is an old stately mansion in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has no idea how the ring ended up there, but it did. I took a bunch of pictures of the symbols on the ring for you experts to decipher. The specs on the ring are as follows: Ring is marked 14K, and weighs a little over 14 grams. It is inscribed with "Alfred McGill Norwich, Conn. March 12, 1906". I think it is McGill, but I am not sure. There is also a phrase inscribed that I couldn't decipher b/c it is a little worn inside the ring. The one symbol that I recognized was the "32", which I think stands for a 32nd degree Mason(Highest level?).
I am wondering if someone could help figure out the other symbols, and possibly connect the name to someone.
My bro-in-law was going to sell it for scrap, but I think it is worth more. Anyone have any idea if the ring has any intrinsic value to collectors. If someone really likes it, they could PM me to discuss purchase.
Thanks in Advance,
Jon Dickinson.

 

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[Chris_Odom]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

it could be one of there legendary key rings that is required to enter secret passages around the globe. just a thought. it does look valueable very valueable. get find.

 

[WilliamBoyd]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

If you want real fun, you might try tracking down his heirs.

I believe that a 32nd degree Mason is the highest that an ordinary member can reach.
The 33rd degree is honorary.
The ring's symbols and inscriptions are standard Masonic terms.

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

that is a 32 nd degree ring the highest level a member may "earn" by works -- the 33rd degree is honorary and must be "bestowed" --there is no set path that will lead to its being awarded --you must be a "special" man amoungst men to get that honor .

there are two differant branches --in the masons --"the scottish rite" and "the york rite" ---the scottish rite is the more common members choice normally --the york rite is often very serious minded heavy hitter types ==

in hoc signo vinces (latin)-- in this sign we shall conquer --the maltese cross

hiram the widows son sent to king solomon -- on the keystone *htwssks

this one is in hebrew -- royal arch degree (this I will not decode)

and the rose cross -- a rose is a symbol of love --the love chirst showed for us on the cross -- by his offering himself for us.

march 12th of 1906 most likely the day he was awarded the 32nd degree

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

Could the name be Alfred MOFFITT? I'm having a really hard time finding this guy

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

think your right on the name ALFRED MOFFITT.

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

Thanks Ivan - I was going bug eyed staring at that thing.

If it is Alfred Moffitt then the likely candidate is one Alfred Moffitt b. 1871/2 in Oxford, Mass and listed in the Boston city directory as died on 1/16/1931. I found him in the Norwich directories for the early 1900s, listed as "Rem. to Boston, Mass" in the 1911 Norwich directory.

From what I can tell he never married. Worked as an accountant, bookkeeper, clerk. But did a significant amount of international travel. There are a couple of passport apps and some shipping records that show trips to: France, England, Bermuda, Jamaica, Bahamas...

One possible connection is on one of the passenger lists for what I think might have been a cruise out of NYC he is listed near someone named Carroll Parnell who gives his residence as the Fort Mitchell Country Club in Covington KY. Which when I looked it up says it is very near Cincinnati.

 

[pointdlr]

Mason Symbols on Gold Ring- SOLVED>

Ivan and Bramble,

Wow, that is great. I'm hoping the whole exercise prompts my bro-in-law into keeping the ring. Hate to see it melted.
Ivan- Is the one part you wouldn't decipher secret? or you just didn't know the phrase? Thanks for your help.
Fort Mitchell is very close to Cincy. There must have been a family connection of some type that brought the ring to the city. Sounds like it has to be Moffit. The script was tough to read and picture. Clearly, the ring was worn long enough to wear the area.

Regards,
Jon Dickinson.

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

its in hebrew and is part of the 4th or "royal arch degree" york rite -- not for general public discourse .
as far as I can go on the matter.

 

[thrillathahunt]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

I can tell you this, that ring is worth more than you would get at melt value.

 

[Chris_Odom]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

I can tell you this, that ring is worth more than you would get at melt value.

I agree surely worth keeping.

 

[Big A]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

If you found info on the possible owner placing him in Mass. You should contact the Grand Lodge of Mass.. They should have info on him in their archives. This looks like a nice one to try and return to the family.

Alan

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

My bro-in-law was going to sell it for scrap

Surely you jest.

 

[olepossum]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

ivan then may i assume you are a mason if so good then we can call each other brothers of the lodge i am going for my blue lodge membership next month i have finally convinced my wife that being a mason will help me out in my bussiness venture i am starting this year i am going in to a leather bussiness making scabbards for rifles, holsters for pistols, and single and double saddle horn pistol holsters, sheaths for knifes, and the round suitcases the cowboys had on the backs of the saddles and saddle bags for the saddle horn and the nack of the saddle i told her there are a lot of people that are masons that are involved in sass and cowboy action shooting and in leather tanneries and beef farmers and any good southern baptist man worth his weight in salt is a mason .

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

I also found this article which I believe is the same man. It is spelled "Moffett" here but in a follow-up article that reports on his lawsuit against the railroad it is spelled "Moffitt".

This is from the Pawtucket Times 7/7/1900 Article titled- Webster Victims Recover Slowly Patients at Worcester Hospitals in Danger Yet

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

my father was mason -- did the all the chairs as well as being master / past master of his lodge * --went both scottish and york rite -- was the past patron (male head) of the eastern star group as well
he went into the shriners too boot -- he was about as masonic as as a mason could get --thus my deep knowledge of masonic items --

seems the accountant mr moffitt -- was indeed a hero * in the train wreck he risked his life ( and in doing so was badly hurt) to save a woman he had never met before . -- thus he was a real credit to the masonic ideal

joining the masons is not to be done solely for personal fiscal or bussiness gain --while true masons do tend to help and do bussiness with another one should not "join" for that reason -- but rather to do "good works" for mankind in general is the purpose -- many masons are movers and shakers as they say -- powerful folks -- doctors , lawyers, judges , politicans , ect.

 

[Monty]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

It's true you may meet several people from different walks of life by joining the Masons. But I doubt wanting to join to Masonic Lodge for that reason alone is a good idea. Although I haven't been actively involved in the lodge for quite a spell now I am a Master Mason. At the lodge meeting we always had dinner afterward and I don't think I recall anyone ever discussing business. It would have been considered kind of rude I expect. But outside the lodge I am guessing there would have been some business arrengements discussed? Monty

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

It's true you may meet several people from different walks of life by joining the Masons. But I doubt wanting to join to Masonic Lodge for that reason alone is a good idea. Although I haven't been actively involved in the lodge for quite a spell now I am a Master Mason. At the lodge meeting we always had dinner afterward and I don't think I recall anyone ever discussing business. It would have been considered kind of rude I expect. But outside the lodge I am guessing there would have been some business arrengements discussed? Monty

What was the main topic of discussion?

 

[ivan salis]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

charity projects and good works for the public good -- are nomally the topics talked about during dinner --not bussiness dealings * -- outside of lodge is the place for that --

bussiness and daily work details generally are not the topic of the day -- it is true that masons generally do try to assist one another in bussiness dealings and often hire one another to work for them knowing that a fellow mason will work honestly and faithfully for them.

and by keep fellow masons employed it helps them all as a group in general.

 

[pointdlr]

Re: Mason Symbols on Gold Ring

I am really glad I made this post. I learned more from you guys on this one than my previous 50. The Mason's sound like a great organization. Happy Hunting, Jon Dickinson.