History of the Order of the Eastern Star

General History

There are many opinions on how the order originated, the most widely believed is that French soldiers, during the mid 1770’s, carried the degrees from Orders established in their home land to the states. The names of some of those Orders were "Ordre des Felicitaires" (Order of Happy Folks), "Knights and Ladies of the Anchor" and "Ordre des Fendeurs" (Order of Wood Cutters). These were succeeded by the Lodges of Adoption, which Masons embraced with enthusiasm, as a practicable means of giving to wives and daughters some share of the pleasures which they themselves enjoyed in their mystical assemblies.

The real origin 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).

***

As to the origin of The Eastern Star Degrees in todays Initiatory form, there is not the least shadow of doubt that the honor belongs to Dr. Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris had traveled many years. He had written many books on Masonry which are now 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.

After his first published ritual in 1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence for an organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters operate under charter from state level Grand Chapters.

The name "Eastern Star" was first used in 1793 by Dr. Rob Morris of Kentucky. Dr. Morris, who was the Supreme Grand Luminary of the "American Adoptive Rite", wrote a ritual called "Thesaures". In establishing the Eastern Star he emphasized the high moral status of Masonry. He was never quite satisfied that all the good in Masonry should be confined to men. There was always in his mind the thought that Masonry should be for the whole family. Dr. Morris knew that he could not change the Ancient Landmarks of Masonry, so he sought some method by which women could share with the Masonic Brother the same inspiration that "prompts man to noble deeds".

While this idea was uppermost in his mind for years, it was not until 1850, while confined to his home from the effects of an accident, that he finally evolved and fully developed the Eastern Star Degrees in their present initiatory form.

By the late 1860’s there were hundreds of Chapters throughout the country, with several thousand members. On July 18, 1870 the State of New Jersey organized a Grand Chapter to assure the permanency of the Ritual and oversee the welfare of the Chapters within it’s Grand Jurisdiction.

The ideas of the uses of the Eastern Star have undergone such a wonderful change, that even the founders of the work would not recognize the Order. The only use in the beginning was to make the Masonic Brother know that ladies were either the wife, widow, daughter, sister or mother of a Mason. Any other ideas that this were not considered at that time.

But women were not content with a mere introduction to her Masonic Brothers. She wanted to become active, in the Benevolent work, and there were fields opened to her, through participation in the Order. Her natural activity, her resourcefulness and her adaptability to environment, social, moral and intellectual soon proved her capable of entering larger fields. Financial struggles were overcome by the resourcefulness and activities of the members of the Eastern Star.

Eastern Star homes , caring for dependent members of the Order have been erected in many states, such as our beautiful Eastern Star Home in Sommerville, New Jersey. Thousands have benefited from Eastern Star Charities and yet there are fields unexplored and broader visions apparent.

The Order of the Eastern Star today stands proudly as the largest organization on the face of the globe to which both men and women are eligible.