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| History |
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On Tuesday, August 29, 1899, eighteen representatives from
nine of the thirteen original Eastern Star Chapters in Georgia met in Savannah
for the purpose of organizing themselves into a Grand Chapter of the Order of
Eastern Star for the State of Georgia.
It was a dreary day, raining continuously throughout the day, but this did not
dampen the spirits of those noble Pioneers who has seen the Star in the East
and had come to set in motion an organization that would perpetuate its
existence in Georgia.
Leaders at this momentous occasion were the Honorable Brother W. E. Terry, Most
Worshipful Grand Master and the Honorable Sol C. Johnson, Right Worshipful
Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Union Grand Lodge Free and
Accepted Masons of Georgia.
Officers elected to serve for this first Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern
Star for the State of Georgia and Jurisdiction were: Brother W. E. Terry,
Worthy Grand Patron; Sister Mary L. Sellers (Ayers), Grand Associate Matron;
Sister Annie L. Babcock, Grand Conductress; Brother L. F. Burgess, Grand
Lecturer.
The thirteen original Chapters were:
Electa No. 1, Savannah, 100 members
Martha No. 2, Ashburn, 14 members
Adah No. 3, Baxley, 21 members
Lydia No. 4, Darien, 15 members
Rachel No. 5, Darien, 23 members
Bethany No. 6, Hasty, 17 members
Mary No. 7, Willacoochee, 26 members
Shiloh No. 8, Sandersville, 22 members
Rebecca No. 9, Evergreen, 40 members
Sarah No. 10, Valdosta, 18 members
White Star No. 11, Tifton, 23 members
Kings Daughters No. 12 Hazlehurst, 34 members
Queen of Sheba No. 13, Cordele, 17 members
The following Brothers and Sisters have served as Worthy Grand Patron and
Worthy Grand Matron respectively:
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| Bro. W. E. Terry, WGP, 1899-1900 |
Sis. D. Edwards, WGM, 1899-1902 |
| Bro. Sol C. Johnson, WGP, 1901-1951
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Sis. Viola Hart Felton, WGM, 1902-1933 |
| Bro. George W. Smith, WGP, 1952-1961
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Sis. Mary H. Jones, WGM, 1935-1940 |
| Bro. Robert J. Walters, WGP, 1961-1970
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Sis. Ruth V. Cobb, WGM, 1941-1945 |
| Bro. Earnest McIntyre, WGP, 1971-1994
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Sis. Minnie DeVaughn, WGM 1946 |
| Bro. Willie V. Coleman, WGP, 1994-1998
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Sis. Mary L. Ayers, WGM, 1947-1952 |
| Bro. Felton L. Hudson, WGP, 1998-2005
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Sis. P. B. Eichelberger, WGM, 1953-1954 |
| Bro. Aaron Kent, WGP, 2005-Present
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Sis Marie B. Cooper, WGM, 1955-1963 |
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Sis. Lillian E. Blake, WGM, 1964-1977 |
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Sis. Florence M. Hogan, WGM, 1977-1992 |
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Sis. Ruby C. Clayton, WGM, 1992-1997 |
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Sis. Belle S. Clark, WGM, 1997-2002 |
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Sis. Vashti G. Pullen, WGM, 2002-2007 |
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Sis. Marilyn Moore, WGM, 2007-Present |
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During its 103 years of service to humanity, the Prince Hall Grand Chapter,
Order of the Eastern Star for Georgia and Jurisdiction through its members has
taken an active part in every worthwhile endeavor that tended to elevate
mankind to higher heights. We shall continue to practice the lessons taught by
the Five Heroines of Our Order and shall continue to follow the Star of
Bethlehem through the Mazy Labyrinth of Human Life to the Celestial City
promised by the Master.
From 1899-1953 the name of our body was Grand Chapter of Georgia.
From 1958, the name has been Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of
Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Georgia.
In its one hundred three years of existence the
Grand Chapter of Georgia has met every year except in 1945 during World War II.
It has grown to more than 500 Capters in the twenty-first century.
Our past has been a long glorious one and our future promises to be even
brighter.
Prayer of “Jabez”
Oh’ that you would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my coast,
and that thine hand might be with me
and that thou would keep me from evil,
that it may not grieve me!
And God granted him that which he requested
1 Chronicles 4:10
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