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Heroines of Jericho
The history of the Heroines of Jericho in Illinois is a record of
the struggles of the female relatives of Master Masons, it being the first
organization in the state among women devoted to beneficial, social and moral
welfare. This Noble Order made its appearance in the State among Negroes
about 1855, before the Civil War, and no doubt played an important part in
the Underground Railroad in giving aid and comfort to their oppressed sisters
and brothers. --There are no written records left to show this, but because
there was chief activity of all associations of our people at the time, and
the secret nature of the organization and its other characteristics would
sever invaluable assistance to such a cause.--
In 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation was decreed by
President Lincoln, and the same year Shiloh Court #1 was organized in Springfield, Illinois.
This would indicate that now that it was unnecessary to preserve such secrecy
as had been observed before, they organized themselves for the greater work
remaining to be done in the future.
In all histories there are fragmentary and unauthentic
traditions and legends, and it is the duty of the Historian to collect,
analyze and compile them in a manner that can be understood by the reader.
There is always a beginning, but when you get to the beginning there is
always something that was before that.
Before the Civil War and up to the time that Shiloh Court was
organized, numerous Courts existed in the State, and it is possible that they
only met when an emergency arose. Bro. Dunmore had a letter in his possession
from Queen Elizabeth Court of Love Joy, Illinois, giving the date of their organization as May
14, 1857 and the Obituary of Sister Rebecca D. Boone which states that she
received her Heroine Degrees in Pittsburg,
PA in 1848.
Bro. Moses Dickson compiled a ritual of the work which was
published in 1872 and it is the foundation of the Heroines Degrees throughout
the Country.
From 1863 down to the present time, the Order has proved
its value in many ways and stimulated the Sisters to develop and expand their
talents along many other lines into broader fields, so that today there are
many brilliant women who got their first inspiration from this great Order.
Bro. Benjamin F. Rogers - Grand Master, Bro. W.T. Scott -
Grand Senior Warden and Bro. T. W. Jones-Grand Lecturer, all of the Grand
Lodge of Illinois, with representatives of seven of the Courts of the State -
Shiloh Court of Springfield; Esther Court of Chicago; Charles Sumner Court of
Cairo; St. Mary's Court of Peoria; Queen Esther Court of Moline; Mt. Olive
Court of Galesburg and Queen Elizabeth Court of Brooklyn, called a Convention
in September, 1877 in the City of Chicago to form the Grand Court Heroines of
Jericho.
Bro. Benjamin S. Rogers
served as the first Grand Superintendent, Bro. W. T. Scott was elected the
First Grand Superintendent, Bro. T. W. Jones was elected the first Grand
Worthy Joshua. The office of Superintendent was abolished when the By-Laws
were revised in 1883. September 13, 1883, a resolution submitted to locate Grand Court
permanently in Chicago
was tabled. October 8, 1885 a resolution was submitted by Bro. R. E. Moore
that Grand Court
make application to Grand Lodge for adoption as a protection. September 13,
1887 the age limited was fixed at 50 years. September 12, 1888 a resolution
was submitted by Bro. E. P. Moore that Subordinate Courts elect in September
and install in October. Sixty (60) Courts were organized (1863-1929) in the
Illinois Jurisdiction and Anna E. Dunmore Junior Heroines in December, 1933.
The Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, State of Illinois
joined the General Conference of Grand Courts, Heroines of Jericho, United
States of America, Prince Hall Affiliation sometime after 1926; and the Grand
Court of Illinois is among the oldest, if not the oldest of Grand Courts on
the roster of the General Conference of Grand Courts. Illinois has sent many of her sons and
daughters to service in the General Conference. Some of those who have served
as elected and honorary General Conference Most Ancient Grand Matrons, Most
Worthy Grand Joshuas and Vice Grand Matrons, General Grand Secretaries. The Illinois Grand Court can also boast
among its membership Past Grand Masters of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Illinois Most Worshipful Brothers James H. Black, Sr., Henry
G. Fort, John Perkins, Alto Clark, Archie C. Senter, Melvin Frierson,
Clarence Trotter, Willie B. Evans, Sr., James Gayles and James Gavin.
The Heroines of Jericho, State of Illinois and Its Jurisdiction completed
their 130th Annual Communication in August of 2006.
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