Dr. Rob Morris, the poet laureate of Masonry, conceived the Order of the Eastern Star in 1850.  It was created as a means to involve the wives, daughters, granddaughters, and sister of Freemasons in the Fraternity.  Dr. Morris created the Degrees of the Eastern Star around the lives of Biblical women.  They were Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.  The reason was that each of these Biblical examples stands for one of the tenets of the Order. They are Fidelity, Loyalty, Faith, and Love.

The Order of the Eastern Star is not a religion, even though we are religious in character.  It does not pretend to take the place of a religion, or serve as a substitute for the religious beliefs of its members.  Members come from all denominations.

The purpose of the organization where women and men with high moral and social character, can contribute much time, energy and wisdom to our Order with Charity, Truth and Loving-kindness for the good of all mankind throughout the world.  The Order of the Eastern Star provides us with a means of compassion and concern, not only for our fellow Sisters and Brothers in the Order of the Eastern Star, but to ourselves, our Country, and our faith.  In addition, it enters us into a way of life that all of us inwardly want for ourselves and our families.

Origin and History of the Adoptive Rite Among Black Women

On August 10, 1874, Thornton Andrew Jackson received the several degrees of the Rite of the Adoption of the Order of the Eastern Star from the 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 Colombia, Bro. Jackson established the first Eastern Star Chapter among black women in the Untied States.

On December 1, 1874, 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. Thornton 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 Colombia, 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 Thornton A. Jackson within the Jurisdiction or the District of Colombia.  He was also instrumental and helped to establish one (1) chapter in Alexandria, Virginia, three (3) chapters in Maryland and three (3) chapters in Pennsylvania.  In each instance when a 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 know as Rosettes.  This presentation was made by, Worthy Patron Thornton A. Jackson who wished the chapter success and prosperity in the work upon which they are 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 bona fide members of the Order of the 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 Easter Star, was officially instituted in the City of Washington in the District of Colombia. 

The above article was edited from the Prince Hall Masonic Directory, 4th Edition 1992. Conference of Grand Masters, Prince Hall Masons.