ORIGINS OF HAMMERMEN SOCIETIES AND GUILDS
Hammermen societies in Scotland can trace their origins back to the 15th century. Societies were recognised officially by town councils who were given the right to grant seals. The first society granted a seal was in Edinburgh in 1483, followed by Glasgow in 1536. Hammermen societies provided regulation of the metal working and hammering trades within their burgh. They set standards of training and workmanship for Freemen and apprentices. They also provided support for members, their widows and dependants who fell on hard times.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOCIETY
The Society of Hammermen and Clockmakers in Paisley formed an informal association in 1760. It was formally constituted by charter on 15 May 1761. Its membership was open to various tradesmen employed in a wide range of trades including ironmongers, wrights, saddlers, engravers, iron and brass founders, smiths, plumbers, machine makers, slaters, cutters, clockmakers and watchmakers.
The records show the silversmiths also joined the society. Malcolm Gillies entered the society as member 975 on 20 September 1783. Membership also appears to have extended to trades not normally associated with using a hammer, including innkeepers and tailors.

OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY
Acting as a charitable organisation, the Charter indicates the aim of the society was to raise funds for the care of the poor of the craft and for the training of the children of such poor for a trade within the craft.
The trust itself is expressly set out whereby money must be used “for the common use and relief of the poor of the said craft and other necessary uses thereto belonging.”
WOMEN MEMBERSHIP
The society admitted women for the first time in 2012 and announced this in a letter to members dated 29 October 2012. “this year the Society will welcome any ladies who wish to attend the Dinner either as new members or guests.” At the election dinner held on 5th December Celia Lawson, Provost of Renfrewshire was admitted to the society.
The trades of the Hammermen members noted were broad and of the time:
Plumber, Ironmonger, Iron and Brass Founder, Watchmaker, Machine maker, Slater, Cutter, Engraver, Smith and, Saddler.

SOCIETY CHARTER
In 1658, Paisley Town Council first granted a charter making it possible for the trades people of Paisley to form societies. The purpose of these societies was to protect their trade and exclude strangers from carrying on the trade within the town’s boundaries.
The Society charter was granted not long after in 1761 by the Baillies, Treasurer and member of the Town Council of Burgh of Paisley in favour of the Society of Hammermen and Clockmakers.
The society charter, written on vellum, is in the safe storage of Paisley Museum and Art Galleries
The charter was hand written on ink by John Pattison apprentice to Alexander Skeoch, Town Clerk. Both Pattison and Skeoch were witnesses to the signing of the charter.
The charter was transcribed by David R Shearer, Chief Curator of Museum and Art Galleries of Renfrew District Council on 28 November 1979 and extends to five foolscap pages.
Even today the objects, organisation and operation of the Society is based on the charter.
CHARTER SIGNATORIES
The signatories to the charter are arranged in 5 columns. The 1st column contains the witness signatures. Column 2 is believed to contain the signatures of the 28 members of the town council, some of whom were also Hammermen. Columns 3, 4 and 5 are believed to contain the signatures or marks of the Hammermen.
The trades of the Hammermen members noted were broad and of the time:
Plumber, Ironmonger, Iron and Brass Founder, Watchmaker, Machine maker, Slater, Cutter, Engraver, Smith and, Saddler.
ORGANISATION & DUES
From the outset the society was governed by seven elected representatives, masters of their crafts. The principal position is the Boxmaster, responsible for leading the society and the safekeeping of funds, effectively acting as treasurer. Another would act as Collector, responsible for collecting the dues from members. Two others acting as key-keepers, held different keys to open and close the common chest.
Today the society is organised and managed by the Directors consisting of the Deacon (formerly known as the Boxmaster), the Collector, the Senior Key Keeper, the Junior Keeper and the Past Master. The society also has a Clerk who is responsible for the day to day running of the society including secretarial and financial management. There are also a number of directors who are elected to assist and bring expertise to the society.
Dues consisted of fees paid on joining the society and annual membership fees. The amount of dues would vary for apprentices, journeyman or freemen.
Initially a freeman paid fifteen shillings sterling and an apprentice ten shillings and sixpence. The annual fee for a freeman was eight shillings Scots and two shillings and sixpence for an apprentice. If the apprentice was the son of a freeman the annual fee was reduced to one shilling and sixpence sterling. The annual fee for a journeyman was one shilling and eight pence sterling.
FUNDS
From the first day of the society funds were collected and disbursed. Members paid fifteen shillings to join. Society funds were securely kept in a solid wooden chest under the auspices of the Boxmaster and the Collector. The box was locked by two different keys and the responsibility for opening and closing the box was given to two office bearers known as the Senior Key Keeper and the Junior Key Keeper.
Today, society monies are kept securely in banks and investments funds, while the names of the office bearers continue to this day.

SYMBOL & MOTTO
The society motto is:
“With hammer and hand all arts doth stand”
The symbol representing Hammermen throughout Scotland is of a hand holding a hammer with crown.
SYMBOLS
THE SOCIETY CREST
The Society crest is set with three symbols of the hammer, crown and hand. These are separated with a chevron, within an escutcheon with scrolls. The escutcheon is topped with a phoenix rising from the flames. Below the escutcheon the words “With hammer and hand all arts doth stand” are set within a scroll. Above the crest are the words Paisley Hammermen Society.

CHAIN OF OFFICE
In January 1850, the Society managers resolved that “from the high respectability of the society and the status it occupies amongst the charitable institutions, a gold medal and chain, with the society’s armorial bearings thereon should be purchased for the Boxmaster.”
The centre medal was beautifully crafted and hallmarked in Glasgow in 1851 and is made of 18ct gold. The centre piece incorporates the Society’s crest of 3 hammers in hand, with crown and includes the motto “By hammer and hand all arts doth stand” on the front and “Paisley Hammermen Society 1760” on the reverse.
The heavy gold chain is made of 14 carat gold and is 41 inches long. The medal and chain weigh 257 grams.
Since first worn by the Boxmaster in 1851, the society’s chain of office is still worn by the Deacon, to this day, at ceremonial events.
GAVELS & TANNAHILL
The society possesses two nineteenth century gavels made from trees felled in Paisley. The gavels were gifted to the society by Ex-Deacon William Gardner on 19 October 1888.
The large gavel is inscribed on a round silver plate “made from the last of the BONNY WOODS OF CRAIGIELEA” The gavels were reputed to have been designed and made by apprentices at the time.
The Craigielea woods were located in the north west of Paisley. They were made famous by Paisley’s weaver poet Robert Tannahill who wrote the famous song “Thou Bonnie Woods of Craigielea“
Tannahill describes his bonny woods as:
The broom, the brier, the birken bush,
Bloom bonnie on thy flow’ry lea;
And a’ the sweets that ane can wish,
Frae Natur’s hand are strew’d on thee.
Far ben thy dark green plantin’s shade,
The cushat croodles am’rously;
The mavis down thy bughted glade,
Gars echo ring frae ev’ry tree.