Research Catalog

Details

Description

1. 19 linear feet (14 record cartons, 3 flat boxes)

Summary

1. The collection is primarily comprised of ledgers containing financial records, minutes and annual reports for the various lodges. The ledgers are organized by lodge, except for several oversized ledgers from different lodges that are housed together due to their size. Consult the finding aid for further details about specific lodges.
2. Of particular note are the death claim files and beneficiary applications, which hold membership information across all lodges including the Sojourna Household of Ruth, an auxiliary of the Order. Additionally, there are administrative documents belonging to the governing bodies i.e., the Master of Works Council #1 and the Pycal Holding Corporation, publications created by the different lodges and the Sojourna Household of Ruth, as well as miscellaneous paraphernalia.

Subject

1. African American fraternal organizations
2. Knights of Pythias > Grand Lodge
3. African American Greek letter societies
4. Household of Ruth > Sojourna Lodge
5. Knights of Pythias > Emanuel Lodge No. 3
6. Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia
7. Knights of Pythias > Majestic Lodge No. 7
8. Annual reports
9. Brave Club (New York, N.Y.)
10. Knights of Pythias > St. Paul Lodge No. 63
11. Grand United Order of Odd Fellows > Excelsior Lodge No. 7335
12. African Americans > Social life and customs
13. Richmond (Va.) > Societies and clubs
14. Ledgers
15. Knights of Pythias > Master of Works Council No. 1
16. Minutes
17. African American fraternal organizations > Virginia > Richmond
18. Knights of Pythias > Manhattan Lodge No. 55
19. Knights of Pythias > Reserve Fund Department
20. Women in charitable work > United States

Genre/Form

1. Ledgers.
2. Minutes.
3. Annual reports.

Call number

1. Sc MG 504

Note

1. Many of the ledgers suffer from red rot; please see archivist before handling these materials.

Source (note)

1. Denise Lamaute

Biography (note)

1. In 1869, the Knights of Pythias Supreme Lodge held a meeting in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss instituting a charter for an African American lodge. Although the charter was denied, it prompted Black men to create their own fraternal lodge. Dr. Thomas W. Stringer was the founder of the Black Order known as the "Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias of North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa" (KPNSAEAA). Around 1880, the first Black Orders were established in Mississippi: Lightfoot Lodge No. 1, Meridian Lodge No. 2 and Damon Lodge No. 3. KPNSAEAA's membership grew steadily. By 1897, 40,000 men had been initiated, including those in the West Indies and Central America; however, the majority of members were in the United States.

Author

1. Knights of Pythias.

Title

1. Knights of Pythias files, 1903-1974.

Type of content

1. text

Type of medium

1. unmediated

Type of carrier

1. sheet
2. volume

Biography

1. In 1869, the Knights of Pythias Supreme Lodge held a meeting in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss instituting a charter for an African American lodge. Although the charter was denied, it prompted Black men to create their own fraternal lodge. Dr. Thomas W. Stringer was the founder of the Black Order known as the "Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias of North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa" (KPNSAEAA). Around 1880, the first Black Orders were established in Mississippi: Lightfoot Lodge No. 1, Meridian Lodge No. 2 and Damon Lodge No. 3. KPNSAEAA's membership grew steadily. By 1897, 40,000 men had been initiated, including those in the West Indies and Central America; however, the majority of members were in the United States.

Connect to:

1. Finding Aid

Research call number

1. Sc MG 504