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Our History & Our PGM & PGP

Grand Chapter Eastern Star

1.  The First Era extended from 1850 to 1866, under the leadership of Dr. Rob Morris, Poet Laureate of Masonry.
2.  The Second Era extended from 1866 to 1876, under the leadership of Robert Macoy of New York.
3.  The Third Era extends from 1876, when the General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was established to the present time.

Of these eras, the first is perhaps the most important as it prepared the way for the other two. The real origin of the Order of the Eastern Star, like Masonry, will always be shrouded in mystery.  Many researchers believe it had a French origin as early as 1703.  By some, this is claimed to be the first inception of “Female Masonry” or “Androgynous Degrees”  —  (degrees for both men and women).

There appeared at this time, to be a demand for “Side Degrees” or Degrees conferred on ladies, and quite a list sprang up — “Heroines of Jericho”, “Danger in the Dark”, “Tall Cedars of Lebanon”, etc.  These were extensively used but soon fell into decay for lack of lasting worth. As to the real origin of the Eastern Star degrees in its Initiatory form, there is not the least shadow of doubt that the honor belongs to Dr. Rob Morris and its real origin comes under the First Era. Dr. Morris had traveled many years.  He had written many books on Masonry which are valued references in many Masonic Libraries. 

Never quite satisfied that all the good in Masonry should be confined to men, Dr. Morris felt that Masonry should be for the whole family.  But by the laws of that Ancient Order, women are not eligible for its degrees.  Knowing he could not change the Ancient Landmarks of Masonry, Dr. Morris sought some method by which women could share with the Masonic Brother the same inspiration that “prompts man to noble deeds.” Although he harbored these feelings for years, it wasn’t until 1850, while confined to his home after an accident, that Dr. Morris fully developed the Eastern Star Degrees in their present initiatory form. During this time, he carefully thought out the symbolism and significance of the floor plan and the corps of officers.  He conferred the degrees upon his wife and daughters, and some neighbors, presumably having an idea to clothe the ladies with certain words or signs whereby they might make themselves known to Master Masons. These signs and so-called mysteries of the Order were communicated freely to all Master Masons and their relatives.  Dr. Morris and other prominent Master Masons gave many lectures and conferred the degrees on many ladies throughout the nation.

The Order was created by Rob Morris, he set down the principles of the order in his Rosary of the Eastern Star. By 1855, he had organized a “Supreme Constellation” in New York, which chartered chapters throughout the United States.  In 1866, Dr. Morris started working with Robert Macoy, and handed the Order over to him while Morris was traveling in the Holy Land. Macoy organized the current system of Chapters, and modified Dr. Morris’ Rosary into a Ritual.  On December 1, 1874, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 became the first Prince Hall Affiliate chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star when it was established in Washington, D.C. by Thornton Andrew Jackson.  The “General Grand Chapter” was formed in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 6, 1876. Committees formed at that time created the Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star in more or less its current form.

Our Past Worthy Grand Matron And Worthy Grand Patron


For the most part we have been using scans of association pins, if you have any of the missing pins, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I will be glad to come and photograph the pins. It will take no more then a few minutes for me. It is very important that we try to get these, as they are a very important part of our HISTORY,  We don’t ever want to forget. Thanks for your help. Mike

  Worthy Grand Matron Worthy Grand Patron Installed Association (Began: 1931)
  Emogene Williams (1) S. Penrose Williams (1) August 22, 1895  
  Mary F. Phillips (2) Elisha P. Clarke (4) October 14, 1896  
  Hattie E. Davis (1) Frederick E. Phillips (2) October 13, 1897  
  Sarah E. Ballou (1) Fred W. Arnold (3) October 12, 1898  
  Hanna F. Aldrich (3) John M. Nye (5) October 11, 1899  
  Lizzie F. Chase (5) Frank N. Cook (6) October 10, 1900  
  Lizzie J. Hoxie (4) Caleb L. Knight (3) October 09, 1901  
  Fannie M. Freeman (2) Anson T. Rice (1) October 08, 1902  
  Jennie L Huston (8) George H. Huston (8) October 14, 1903  
  Alice M. Arnold (1) Edward B. Smith (2) October 12, 1904  
  Isabella H. Sanborn (7) John P. Sanborn (7) October 11, 1905  
  Charlotte E. Rice (1) John C. Davis (1) October 10, 1906  
  Mary R. Tillinghast (4) Archer C. Anthony (8) October 09, 1907  
  Bertha G. Haines (3) Byron A. Northup (5) October 14, 1908  
  Myra A. Ray (8) George W. Avery (4) October 13, 1909  
  Louise A. Babcock (9) Samuel S. Eldred (6) October 12, 1910  
  J. Elvira Burr (2) Albert H. Humes (2) October 11, 1911  
  Mabel F.C. Remington (1) Chester W. Barrows (1) October 09, 1912  
  Anita G. Gillies (5) Charles W. Salisbury (10) October 08, 1913  
  Lillie H. Durfee (7) Charles M. Kebbe (9) October 14, 1914  
  Edna C. Browning (8) John Barlow (6) October 13, 1915  
  Henrietta C.H. Broadbent (3) Stephen H. Douglas (3) October 11, 1916  
  Mary E. Hall (6) Alvah H. Sanborn (7) October 10, 1917  
  Robina A. Mitchell (2) Eugene McKenzie (5) October 09, 1918  
  Elizabeth R. Sherman (1) William E. Smyth (8) October 08, 1919  
  Sallie C. Simmons (10) Frank F. Davis (13) October 13, 1920  
  Bertha E. Parker (5) Theodore E. Dexter (2) October 12, 1921  
  M. Isabelle Fiddes (9) John J. Greene (4) October 11, 1922  
  Abbie B. Coleman (12) Frank E. Ballou (1) October 10, 1923  
  Bertha P. Miller (8) Joseph A. Haines (3) October 08, 1924  
  Sarah A. King (7) George H. Blackwell (14) October 14, 1925  
  Maude L. Stevens (15) Fred A. Brown (17) October 13, 1926  
  Harriet G. Bullock (6) Henry H. Wardle (20) October 12, 1927  
  Affa Mae Pierpoint (16) George H. Potter (10) October 10, 1928  
  Evelyn W. Spaulding (3) Henry M. Soule (2) October 09, 1929  
  Annie H. Blake (2) Arthur A. Sherman (19) October 08, 1930 Ramblers
  Ethel G. Albro (1) William L. Marchant (21) October 14, 1931 The Thirty-Twos
  Ella L. Blackwell (14) George C. Clark (1) October 12, 1932 Songsters
  Isabella M. Stark (7) Nathaniel D. Brown (22) October 11, 1933 Skippers
  Laura H. Nickerson (8) Alpheus S. Place (15) October 10, 1934 Satalites
  Lucy E. Spencer (23) Henry G. Heath (4) October 09, 1935 The Rangers
  Nettie E. Thompson (16) Alexander Mitchell (9) October 14, 1936 The Comets
  Jean T. Swan (20) J. Foss Magoon (5) October 13, 1937 Cygnets
  Elizabeth Haskell (2) Grafton H. Willey, Jr. (8) October 12, 1938 Twinklers
  Bessie F. Potter (10) Lewis A. Rhodes (12) October 11, 1939 Bessie-Lews
  Charlotte O. Davenport (19) James D. Nall (6) October 09, 1940 Starlets
  Elizabeth J.T. Read (1) George A. Farron (3) October 08, 1941 Loyalites
  Ethel W. Place (15) Ernest F. Scholfield (16) October 14, 1942 Beacons
  Marilla J. Hopkins (21) Janus P. Luth (7) October 13, 1943 Marillaites
  Irene G. Williams (24) Joseph Sedgwick (20) October 11, 1944 Gleaners
  Elsie S. Magoon (5) Amos W. Hazard (1) October 10, 1945 Aremes
  Mae W. Hacking (2) Roland A. Salisbury (17) October 09, 1946 Amapoes
  Mabel E. Aldrich (3) Peter Scott (18) October 08, 1947 Amarities
  Evelyn A. Bethel (22) Thomas Thoresen (8) October 13, 1948 Cheramies
  Mary A.N. Webb (6) Robert H. Chappell (19) October 12, 1949 Webb-Stars
  Esther T. Littlefield (11) Roy H. Vaill (16) October 11, 1950 Estrellitas
  Bertha M. Weaver (1) Robert D. Kinniburgh (2) October 10, 1951 Blue Rays
  Mary W. Needham (10) Russell W.B. Barlow (22) October 08, 1952 Lyrics
  Agnes S. Farley (3) Forrest G. Mowry (5) October 14, 1953 Chysolites
  Grace B. Swinson (18) William H. Johnston (4) October 13, 1954 Sun Rays
  Helen B. Bowers (14) Howard B. Arnold (10) October 12, 1955 Electalites
  Edith Meehan (20) Leonard Truman (1) October 10, 1956 Star-Lites
  Edna A. Gavitt (2) Andrew B. Winsor (13) October 09, 1957 Travelers
  Ethel D. Wilcox (12) William R. Aldrich (18) October 08, 1958 Eth-Alds
  Sarah T. Foster (26) Elmer R. Sherman (9) October 14, 1959 All-Stars
  Rachel E. Raymond (22) Opha D. Strawderman (4) October 12, 1960 Star-Rays
  Elenora T. Butterworth (16) Harlan H. Howe (20) October 11, 1961 Halos
  Althea S.T. Finch (17) Charles H. Leffingwell (21) October 10, 1962 Al-Chas
  Ada M. Frey (15) Hobart S. Caswell (6) October 09, 1963 Eastern Lights
  Mildred L. Voelker (3) Walter E. Linden (14) October 14, 1964 The Milers
  Jane S. Bennett (5) Everett Cobain (2) October 13, 1965 Jane-ettes
  Marjorie H. Self (8) Ensley W. Ramsey (23) October 12, 1966 The Mareners
  Audrey Z. Andrew (16) Earland W. Fielder (24) October 11, 1967 The Auralites
  Gladys W. Steere (13) Robert W. Harris (1) October 09, 1968 The Gladabouts
  Dorothy E. Hall (22) Kenneth T. MacCaskill (26) October 11, 1969 The Hall-Macs
  Muriel L.P. Kent (14) Howard W. Dawley (16) October 14, 1970 Kay-Dees
  Dorris H. Orr (6) Eddie Pitney, Jr. (7) October 13, 1971 The Dor-Eds
  Alice J. O’Brien (21) Peter G. Frageorgia (25) October 11, 1972 The Key-Notes
  Marion G. Weaver (5) Robert B. Green (15) October 10, 1973 Wea-Bobs
  Devara Poll (2) Howard C. Potter (6) October 12, 1974 Golden Rulers
  Jerane Chapman (24) Stewart A. Davis (4) October 11, 1975 Centennials
  Hope E. Barter (20) George R. Congdon, Jr. (15) October 09, 1976 The Harvesters
  Kitty Harrison (25) Stephen M. Kemp, Jr. (13) October 08, 1977 Bell Ringers
  Anna R. Northup (23) Walter J. Gardiner (15) October 07, 1978 Gard I Anns
  Phyllis T. Brown (4) Douglas A. Kershaw (17) October 06, 1979 Evergreens
  Patricia H. Gwynne (1) Alfred W. Wickersheim (26) October 11, 1980 Electa’s Pride
  Doris E. Ogilvie (22) Earl S. Downey (25) October 10, 1981 Highlanders
  JoAnn G. Sugden (3) Thomas M. Nisbet (5) October 09, 1982 Glad Apples
  Edna F. Thibault (14) Richard J. Wischnowsky (1) October 08, 1983 Harbor Lights
  Helen Stoukides (2) Emery W. Young (9) October 13, 1984 Olympians
  Beverly J. Bittner (21) Richard J. Reilly (6) October 12, 1985 Dream Weavers
  Marjorie R. Taylor (26) Henry A. Blake (7) October 11, 1986 Lucky Stars
  Claudia A. Horton (23) Robart A. Kane (24) October 10, 1987 Friendly Pandas
  Marianne H. Salisbury (15) Milton H. Thoene (13) October 08, 1988 Royal Notes
  Frances R. Dawley (16) Richard L. Wood (21) October 14, 1989 The Adventurers
  Pauline V. Scullin (22) Harold E. Smith (6) October 13, 1990 Golden Monarchs
  Florence M. Young (9) George J. Thibault (14) October 12, 1991 Star Steppers
  Lorraine M. Christy (25) Charl R. W. Davidson (7) October 10, 1992 Star Angels
  Kathryn A. Newman (21) Raymond C. Macomber (22) October 09, 1993 New Rays
  Mary E. Rosenfield (24) Mathew Aquilante (21) October 08, 1994 Anchors of Hope
  Barbara A. Matteson (15) Paul R. Sugden, Jr. (3) October 14, 1995 Shamrocks
  Marjorie H. Dale (16) Elmer F. Perkins October 12, 1996 Star Spotters
  Nancy G. Nelson (6) Ronald D. Newman (21) October 11, 1997 The Sea Stars
  Willadean A. Wilson (9) Stephen J. Madden, Jr. (15) October 10, 1998 Mad Deans
  Barbara B. Giarrusso (6) William H. Mitchell (9) October 09, 1999 Milleniums
  Barbara A. Morrison (18) Hugh A. Morrison, III (18) October 14, 2000 M&Ms
  Meredith J. Pfefferle (26) Frank Allen, Jr. (21) October 13, 2001 Love Doves
  Sharon A. Mitchell (9) Donald R. Hallene (15) October 12, 2002 The Bridge Builders
  Nancy A. Gombeyski (24) Ronald D. Ayers (3) October 11, 2003 The Lion Hearts
  Shirley E.G. Ayers (3) Ronald D. Newman (21) October 09, 2004 Harmonicats
  Judith E. Brightman (21) Douglas A. Kershaw (25) October 08, 2005 CrossRhodes
  Mary B. Hallene (15) Stephen M. Kemp, Jr. (10) October 07, 2006 Bright Stars
  Ernestine I. Angell (2) David J. Flaxington (2) October 13, 2007 Stars of Hope
  Beverly J. Allen (21) Frank Allen, Jr. (21) October 11, 2008 Youth Builders
  Barbara A. Page (21) Manuel G. Arruda (21) October 10, 2009 Magic Stars
  Crystal C. Bradshaw (15) Mark D. Thompson (15) October 09, 2010 Hummin’ Hoppers
  Jan M. McIntyre-Ba (2) Mark D. Thompson (15) October 08, 2011 Rhodesters
  Hazel I. Arruda (21) William H. Lacross (21) October 13, 2012 Constellations
  Kimberly R. Harrison Richard J. Therrien October 2013 Butter Crushers
  Lynne A. Harrell Ronald D. Ayers October 2014 Cat's "Meow"
  Edith L. Johnson Richard P. Harrell October 2015 GOD 'n EARS
  Mary Jannarelli   Richard J. Therrien October 2016  
  Deborah L. Therrien Richard J. Therrien October 2017  
  Allison C. Thiene Mark D. Thompson October 2018  
       

MARCH 2024

1st – 3rd CAN AM – NIAGARA FALLS (ANNOUNCEMENT OF NE AND Maritimes 2024-2027 General Grand Chapter officers and committee members)
4TH - WOONSOCKET CHAPTER
9TH - CARD MAKING AT SCOTTISH RITE 12-2 – DONATION TO HOSPITALS & NURSING HOMES
11TH - INSPECTION – MARTHA WASHINGTON
14TH - DEBORAH CHAPTER
15TH - INSPECTION -RAINBOW OF PROMISE CHANGED PER DOC
18TH - INSPECTION – ADAH CHAPTER
23RD - GRAND OFFICER’S DAY – RAINBOW – EAST GREENWICH