The Independent United Order of Mechanics was founded in 1757 in Lancashire, England, after a schism with mainstream freemasonry. ‘Mechanics’ in this context has an esoteric meaning, involving an individual’s soul and a divine being.

The order spread internationally, particularly to North America, the Caribbean and the Netherlands. In the UK, its stronghold was in the north of England and the south of Scotland. Over time it split into various different orders.

The Independent United Order of Scottish Mechanics (‘IUOSM’) was formed by 1887 and had lodges (men) and chapters (women) both within and outside Scotland, including in England and the Netherlands.

The Langholm lodge was called the ‘Sir Walter Scott Lodge’. There was also a lodge in nearby Newcastleton; it had a higher profile as it had a hall which was the venue for various types of social events.

The IUOSM became a friendly society which could provide benefits to members such as health insurance.

The secretary John Cowan (1861-1938) was a powerloom tuner.

In 1914 the Town Council borrowed £200 from the Sir Walter Scott Lodge at a rate of 3.5 percent p.a. to purchase a property on the High Street, at the top of Gas Entry. It pulled part of it down to widen the High Street and made alterations to incorporate a fire station.

Langholm hosted the IUOSM’s annual meeting in 1915: see 27th November in the Diary.

< Freemasons, Lodge Eskdale Kilwinning No. 107 … Langholm Liberal Club >