The Ancient Order of Free Gardeners

[Dover]

Introduction

Free Gardeners of the Lothians and Fife
Gardeners' societies appeared in Scotland during the seventeenth century. Working gardeners started societies to promote and regulate their profession and to support themselves in time of need. As time passed the main aim became the members' benefits - they were friendly societies.

Non-gardeners could join most lodges. They were called 'free gardeners' and soon they out-numbered working gardeners. All through the 19th century free gardeners continued to found lodges despite the attractions of the many other friendly societies, such as the Foresters, Buffaloes or Oddfellows. Free gardeners made up their own rituals and practices, which helped unite the brethren of each lodge.

Some of the societies joined together in 'Orders' led by a 'Grand Lodge'. There were several orders based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and England. Some of the older lodges stayed independent. At their height in the Lothians there were over 10,000 free gardeners organised in upwards of 50 lodges. Juvenile and even women-only branches opened at the end of the 19th century.

The free gardeners are now part of history. Some of the societies are known only by name. Many different collections hold a few surviving documents or pieces of regalia. Luckily, the archives of the Dunfermline and Haddington bodies have been preserved. The resources on this website have been collected from many different institutions and collections across the Lothians and Fife. We hope that the seed planted here will grow and inspire others to unearth the history of the movement....cont'd


http://www.historyshelf.org/shelf/free/index.php


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....The severe famines of 1674 and 1675 might well have prompted the initial decision to formalise the, then, existing association of gardeners in the area. During the 17th. century the formal gardens of the Crown and nobility began to be copied by lesser nobility. The formation of the Order of Free Gardeners roughly coincides with the growth in interest and application of Renaissance architecture by wealthy landowners and the need for a large number of working gardeners. The adoption of classical landscape gardening as a foil to such edifices is probably best known in Scotland from the work of John Reid (1655-1723). His thoughts on `pleasure gardens` are recorded in his book The Scots Gard`ner and repeats the formal designs of the time. The evidence available shows that one Lodge at Haddington existed in the late 17th. century and one early in the 18th. at Dunfermline. Three others came into existence in the late 18th. century at Bothwell, Cambusnethan and Arbroath...cont'd

http://www.carboneria.it/gardeners.htm

[Quakerfriend]

1. Wonderful history!

You certainly have a unique ability to find great stuff, Dover!

I am especially fascinated by all of this, as I believe that I was a Gardner in one of my past lifetimes. My vague memory is of being a boy, aged 12 or so, dressed in the old English style walking through my magnificent gardens. I was a sickly child and was kept home from school. Apparently, I was in charge of the garden. I remember being quite lonely. But Oh, how I loved my gardens!!

Funny, because in the present lifetime I am also very passionate about gardening. And, my sisters tease me about how 'obsessed' I was with gardening as a teenager!

I once went with a girlfriend to her uncles house in the country. We were 15, at the time. She must have thought I was crazy because I was more interested in gardening that anything else!
Behind the house was a huge, old formal garden that had been neglected for years. There were beautifully symmetric stone paths, sun dials and statues all hidden under vines and weeds! All I wanted to do was fix that garden up!!

And, thank you for the ref. to John Reid's book. I have Reid cousins traced back to 1700's in Scotland. I wonder if he's a distant cousin??!

[Dover]

2. Wow...... sounds like some strong connections!

I can understand your excitement at discovering that old garden behind your friend's house and wanting to recover it's previous charms and beauty.

What kind of garden do you have now?

[NJCher]

3. you must read Beverly Nichols, quakerfriend!

He often writes about the restoration of old gardens in England. Not to mention he is funny and loves cats. One of my favorite writers.

How intriguing about the Reid connection!

This is fascinating, Dover! Thanks for posting it. I plan to share it with my garden friends.


Cher

[Quakerfriend]

5. Thanks NJC!

I've never heard of Beverly Nichols. I'll definitely look into his stuff!

[Desertrose]

4. This is so cool Dover!

Thanks...I think I too must have been involved somehow with the Gardeners lodge in some way....certainly brings back memories.

:hug::hi:
DR

[Quakerfriend]

6. another one of my stories...

My grandmother (Jean Harmer Reid) loved to garden too.

In her young thirties she lost her leg in a car accident.
However, she cont'd to be the radiant spark of light she had always been- loving, wise and full of good humor.

And, according to my aunt, she continued to manage her gardens all on her own by sitting on her bum and scooting from bed to bed. This story has always filled me with great admiration for her.

Three years ago (more than 30 years after her death) I found an envelop full of pictures of her magnificent gardens!