Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice A Pictorial Catalog of Commemorative Flagholders & Plaques  of Organizations & Military Knights Templar Tri-Counties Home Page Flagholder Home Page Warning on Sale of Cemetery Memorabilia Say Hello to Joyce Guidelines

Commemorative Plaques & Flagholders  of Military and Organizations as Photographed by Joyce M. Tice  Presque Isle Commandery of the Knights Templar

Order of the Eastern Star Presque Isle Commandery Knights Templar Grand Encampment 32nd & 33rd Degree Masons Shriners Free & Accepted Masons Knights Templar Cards The Knights Templar, founded 1816, is a fraternal service organization for Master Masons. In 1994 there were 300,000 members. The Knights Templar is the Tenth and highest degree of the York Rite. There are actually two routes to this degree. Lodges are called commanderies. This marker found near Erie PA by guest Bill Klauk, is for the Presque Isle Commandery of the Knigts  Templar. The insignia includes the Masonic compass  and a skull. It also includes at its center a cross within a crown. This tombstone plaque lists the person's Masonic connections by date, including the Presque Isle  Commandery. It also includes the standard Masonic emblem, the 32nd degree emblem, the Shriner's emblem. For additional information see International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, Alan Axelrod, Checkmark Books, 1997, page 157. (Currently available at Amazon.com)

Subj:  Presque Isle Commandry
Date: 07/26/2000 3:19:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time
To: JoyceTice@aol.com

Joyce,

The crown and cross are the emblem of the Knights Templar, a Masonic body.  Their motto is In Hoc Signo Vinces.  Presque Isle Commandry K of M? (Knights of Malta?) No. 459.  It is analogous to Northern Commandry No. 16, located in the Valley of Towanda, PA, I believe.

My father and a grandfather (a 33-degree Mason) were Past Eminent Commanders of Northern No. 16; my other grandfather was a Blue Lodge Mason.  My mother and both grandmothers were Past Worthy Matrons and Past District Deputies of the Eastern Star.  Although, I never petitioned, I grew up with Masonry in my home and have a fair outsiders knowledge.  A York Rite Mason can set it to rest.

Joyce,

I found this:   In Hoc Signo Vinces is Latin for "In This Sign (the Cross) You Shall Conquer." at http://www.bardstown.com/~ihsv/aboutus.html (an ultraconservative Catholic site)

http://www.commandery.com/ in the FAQs section:
 On March 2, 1784, these same brethren applied to the Grand Lodge of England for a charter, which was subsequently issued to them on September 29, 1784.They were warranted under the name of African Lodge, No. 459 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England by authority of then Grand Master, the Duke of Cumberland. This site also displays the middle emblem in your marker (the crown with the cross) and the In Hoc Signo Vinces and at the bottom alternating between the Mason symbol with the G and the Malta Cross shown on the edge of your marker.

It appears so far that the middle states K[night] of Presque Isle Commandery 459. The 459, noted above, may be what is noted as a founding chapter of Knights Templar or perhaps another Chapter within the realm of Masons.

I'm getting closer - check this site out: http://www.constantine13.org/kt.htm
Shows just below the middle of the page an emblem close to the marker, a bit exaggerated though, with the crossed swords, crown and cross, and In Hoc Signo Vinces on a Malta Cross.

http://members.aol.com/KNIGHTSMW/NewYork.html
Is the NY web site of the Knights Templar it gets better - http://www.yorkrite.com/KTnews/ny.htm according to this link from the above site there will be The 187th Annual Conclave, September 15, 16, and 17 right there in Binghamton in the Holiday Inn Arena!  The point of contact  is --- if you want to confirm your marker symbols (and perhaps they may erect a new one due to the poor grade of that one).

Although I cannot find what the symbols at the edges of the Malta Cross are but I believe you can mark THIS mystery solved!

Russ

Published On Tri-Counties Site On 06/05/2003 By Joyce M. Tice Email: JoyceTice@aol.com You are the  visitor since the counter was installed on 05 JUNE 2003