🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Need help identifying gold cross.

[Bobwilki]

Could someone tell me what this gold cross pendant is exactly? What do the letters and symbols mean? How old is it really? Tested 14 kt.
Side 1 - CHARLES PHELPS HOVEY Side 2- BALDWIN COM. NO. 11. KNIGHT DEC. 20,1871

EXALT. SEPT

K S H T W S S T.

15, 1871

VALLEY CHAPT

NO. 20

DEC. 20, 1870

 

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[Bucket Lister]

Looks like a Masonic/Knights Templar fob.
Have you tried lensing it?

 

[Mackaydon]

With a name like that, it may be this man:

Brief Life History of Charles Phelps​

"When Charles Phelps Hovey was born in April 1849, in Niagara, New York, United States, his father, Albert James Hovey, was 39 and his mother, Helen Satterlee, was 32. He married Adella M. Covell on 24 February 1869, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He lived in Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, United States for about 10 years and East Las Vegas, San Miguel, New Mexico, United States in 1880. He died on 10 January 1908, in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 58, and was buried in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California, United States."
Don inSoCal
Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LQ5Q-9HC/charles-phelps-hovey-1849-1908
PS: Any thought of offering the piece to his heirs?

 

[Mackaydon]

The 'eye' is the Eye of Providence; a symbol recognized by Freemasons everywhere as a beautiful representation of the watchful care of the Supreme Architect.
Don....

 

[Mackaydon]

The square, compass and triangle are described here:

Behind the Masonic Symbols: The Square and Compasses - Freemasonry

Explore the symbolism and meaning behind one of the most well-known symbols of Freemasonry: the Square and Compasses.

www.freemason.com

The letters “HTWSSTKS” represent the mark of the Ancient Grand Master and stand for “Hiram, Tyrian, Widow's Son, Sent To King Solomon” which signifies loyalty in Masonic teachings.
Don.
PS: All the facets of your piece are easily found on Google.

 

[Bobwilki]

With a name like that, it may be this man:

Brief Life History of Charles Phelps​

"When Charles Phelps Hovey was born in April 1849, in Niagara, New York, United States, his father, Albert James Hovey, was 39 and his mother, Helen Satterlee, was 32. He married Adella M. Covell on 24 February 1869, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son. He lived in Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, United States for about 10 years and East Las Vegas, San Miguel, New Mexico, United States in 1880. He died on 10 January 1908, in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 58, and was buried in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California, United States."
Don inSoCal
Source: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LQ5Q-9HC/charles-phelps-hovey-1849-1908
PS: Any thought of offering the piece to his heirs?

Thank you for the information!

 

[Tesorodeoro]

Thank you for the information!

Is that gold? That’s a great find if honoring a pioneer such as that. Folks that literally helped build our country.

Doubt that man was confused or would put up with our nonsense.
Likely devoted much of his time to charity and helping his community. Man - Woman - Child alike.

 

[Blackfoot58]

This piece would have been very special to the owner, especially back in that day.
It had visual references to both: his Masonic Blue Lodge & his York Rite (Masonic) Chapter. I also see one thing that points toward Knights Templar (Masonic, not historical). This would give reference to York Rite Commandry. Very nice item .
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mackaydon]

Charles Phelps Hovey, 1849 - 1908​

Charles Phelps Hovey was born in month 1849, in birth place, New York.
Charles had 5 siblings: Albert S Hovey-Price, Caroline Adams Hovey and 3 other siblings.
Charles married Adellia Hovey (born Covell) on month day 1869, at age 19 in marriage place, Wisconsin.
Adellia was born in 1844, in birth place, New York.
They had one son: Charles 'AC' Hovey.
Charles then married Francis 'Fannie' Hovey (born Nuckolls) on month day 1887, at age 37 in marriage place, Nebraska.
Francis was born on month day 1859, in birth place, Missouri.
They had 2 children: Donald Charles Hovey and one other child.
Charles lived in 1850, in address, Wisconsin.
He lived in 1860, in address, Wisconsin.
He lived in 2 more places.
Charles passed away on month day 1908, at age 58 in death place, California.
He was buried in burial place.
Source: myheritage.com
Note: The missing information is at 'myheritage.com' but I don't have a subscription.

And this:

From here: BillionGraves.com record for CHARLES P HOVEY (1849 - 1908), BillionGraves Record San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California, United States, North America

With this information, you probably could find his current heirs--if you choose.

Don in SoCal.