Origin and History of the Adoptive Rite Among Black Women
Researched , compiled and written by
Past Grand Worthy Matron Jessie Mae Ayers
1874, Thorton Andrew Jackson received the several degrees of the Rite
of Adoption of the Order of the Eastern Star from Brother C.B. Case, a
Deputy and agent of Illustrious Robert Macoy 33, Supreme Patron of the
Rite of Adoption of the World. In addition, Thornton Jackson also
received a letter from Bro. C.B. Case granting him the authority to
establish chapters of the Eastern Star among eligible black women. In
obedience to the authority granted by William H. Myers, Grand master,
Union Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, Bro.
Jackson established the first Eastern Star Chapter among black women
in the United States.
On December 1, 1875, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern
Star, was established at 708 - O Street, N.W., Washington D.C. in the
home of Mrs. Georgiana Thomas. The first Worthy Matron was Sister
Martha Welch and the first Worthy Patron was Bro. Thorton A. Jackson.
In December 1874, Grand Master William H. Myers and Deputy Grand
Master William A. Tallaferro, Union Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the
District of Columbia, were invited to receive the androgynous degrees.
They both accepted, thus further cementing the ties that bind the
Masonic Family together. Upon the occasion of Grand Master Myers'
initiation into the Adoptive Rite, he made the following statement to
the sisters of Queen Esther Chapter No.1 - extolling them to
greatness:
"May the dove of peace hover over you. May the All Seeing Eye, whom
the Sun, Moon, and Stars obey ever watch over you. May he keep and
protect you in your every effort to promote interest in the general
good of this chapter"
On April 28, 1890, Queen of Sheba Chapter No. 3 and on October 20,
1890, Gethsemane Chapter No. 4, Order of the Eastern Star, were
established by Thorton A. Jackson within the Jurisdiction of the
District of Columbia. He was also instrumental and helped establish
one (1) chapter in Alexandria, Virginia, three (3) chapters in
Maryland and three chapters in Pennsylvania. In each instance when the
chapter was organized and established, it was adopted by a regularly
constituted Masonic Lodge. Thus, Brother Jackson was able to bring
about more unity within the Masonic Family.
During the year 1875, Pythagoras Lodge No.9 presented the officers of
Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 with their first badges which were known as
Rosettes. This presentation was made by Worthy Patron Thorton A.
Jackson who wished the chapter success and prosperity in the work upon
which they were entering. He admonished the officers to wear the
Rosettes with dignity keeping ever before them the memory of the five
(5) Heroines: Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa. In closing,
Brother Jackson stated "To you Queen Esther and Associates, the
representatives of the rays of the Beautiful Star and from whom comes
the most charming, the most prophetic and the most instructive lessons
of the Old and New Testaments. May you always throw an air of beauty
and solemnity around all that you bring thousands to worship Him."
This has been our charge as bonafide members of the Order of Eastern
Stars from 1875 to this present moment in time.
And so it was one hundred years after the founding of the first Black
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Queen Esther Chapter No.1, Order of
the Eastern Star, was officially instituted in the City of Washington
in the District of Columbia.
The above article was edited from the Prince Hall Masonic Directory,
4th Edition 1992. Conference of Grand Masters, Prince Hall Masons
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