Fraternal Symbols on Tombstones
The following are symbols of some fraternal organizations that might be found on tombstones. Scroll down for pictures of some of the regalia of these organizations.
The National Society of
the Sons of the American Revolution was organized on April 30, l889—the l00th
anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President. We
have used the acronym SAR to identify ourselves for over l00 years. The SAR was conceived
as a fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of the men who wintered
at Valley forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the
American Revolution, served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise
supported the cause of American Independence. The National Society was chartered by an Act
of the United States Congress on June 6, l906. The charter was signed by President
Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR. The charter authorizes the granting of
charters to societies of the various states and territories and authorizes the state
societies to charter chapters within their borders.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890, is a volunteer women's service
organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing
America's future through better education for children.
As the most inclusive lineal society in the country, DAR boasts 170,000 members in 3,000
chapters across the United States and internationally.
The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was a creation of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
which was formed in 1866. Wanting to pass on its heritage, the GAR in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
created a Corps of Cadets in 1878 which later became the Sons of Veterans of the United States
of America (SV). The SV units functioned much as National Guard units and actually served along
with state militia during the Spanish American War. In 1904, the SV elected to become a patriotic
education society and in 1925 changed its name to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW).
However, to keep the military aspect alive, the SUVCW created within the organization the Sons of
Veterans Reserve (SVR) which was carried on the Army rolls as a Reserve contingent. Some SVR
units served with the Army during World War I. After World War I, the SVR was listed as a training
company of the U.S. Army. In more recent years, the SVR's mission has become historic, ceremonial,
and commemorative. Prior to disbanding and before the death of its last member, the GAR officially
designated the SUVCW as its successor and heir to its remaining property. The final Encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 and the last member,
Albert Woolson died in 1956 at the age of 109 years.
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War: Five young women, Harriett Knapp,
Frances Merwin, Olive Howard, Eva Merwin, and Bertha Martin, stood at the edge of the
Massillon, Ohio cemetery while Memorial Day services were held. They watched as their
brothers and other young men, members of the Sons of Veterans, honored their fathers
who had so valiantly fought for the Union Cause in the Civil War. They decided to form
a group of daughters of Union Veterans so that they too could honor their fathers and
other Union Veterans. They agreed to meet June 3, 1885 at the home of Eva Merwin. These
young ladies were aged 15 and 16. It was from this beginning that The Massillon Daughters
of Veterans grew to be Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, Inc.,
a national, federally chartered, organization.
Freemasonry, a worldwide fraternal organization, often calls itself "a peculiar system
of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Its members are joined together
by high ideals, of both a moral and metaphysical nature (and, in the majority of branches,
by a common belief in a Supreme Being). Freemasonry is an "esoteric art," in that certain
aspects of its internal work are not generally revealed to the public. Masons give numerous
reasons for this, one of which is that Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to
explore ethical and philosophical issues, and this system is less effective if the observer
knows beforehand what will happen.
The Order of the Eastern Star, an appendant body of the Freemasons, is open to both
men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted
Freemason, but was only adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity
n 1873. The order is based on some teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all
religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and
approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter.
The Independant Order of Odd Fellows became the 1st national fraternity to include both
men and women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. This degree
is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible, and was written by the Honorable Schuyler
Colfax who was Vice President of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows
and Rebekahs were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior
members and for orphaned children.
Woodmen of the World (WOW) was one of the first fraternal benefit societies in the United
States. Founded in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 6, 1890, by Joseph Cullen Root, the Society had
set out to protect members from financial disaster. The Latin motto, "Dum Tacet Clamat"
translates as "Though Silent, He Speaks."
Royal Neighbors of America was the ladies' auxiliary to the Woodmen. It was one
of the first organizations to offer insurance to women (starting in 1895) and to
children (starting in 1918).
The Improved Order of Red Men fraternal organization was founded in 1765 and was
originally known as the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities
and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and liberty in the Early Colonies.
They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Indian nation and its democratic
governing body, which had been in existence for several centuries.
The Knights of Pythias is a social brotherhood founded in Washington, D.C. in 1864
to promote the principals of friendship, charity, and benevolence (FCB). These principles
are adhered to very strongly through contributions of money, time, efforts, and supplies
to Pythians and non-Pythians alike. The eventual aim and goal is the betterment of mankind.
Regalia
Three gentlemen in their fraternal regalia:
The photos of the Woodsman of the World and the Mason were contributed with permission by Dave from his site at Phoenixmasonry Masonic Museum. The photo of the Knight of Pythias was contributed by Harris Hill with special permission and is not to be reproduced in any way.