Introduction | Agency History | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The records of Jackson Temple #309, Pythian Sisters, Hoytville, Ohio, consist of 1 linear foot of minutes, cashbooks, ledgers, membership cards, rolls of officers, a state-wide "black book" (rejections, suspensions, and expulsions), and a constitution of the Rathbone Sisters, a parallel organization, covering the period from 1910 to 1961.

The collection was transferred to the Center for Archival Collections during April 1988 from the Wood County Historical Museum. This register was prepared by Marilyn Levin son, Curator of Manuscripts, Center for Archival Collections, May, 1989. No restrictions exist on the use of this collection.

Agency History

The Pythian Sisterhood was founded as a secret society for female relatives of Knights of Pythias in February, 1888. The objects of the Order were both social and charitable, including ministering to the sick and needy, sitting at the bedside of the dying, and paying tribute to the dead.

The Rathbone Sisters, a parallel organization open to both men and women, had as its objects the moral, mental, social and physical elevation of its members. Also founded in 1888, it was originally known as the Pythian Sisters, but changed its name in 1894 to Rathbone Sisters.

Jackson Temple #309 of Hoytville, Ohio was founded 23 January 1907, with 19 charter members, as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters. In 1932 Deshler Temple #204 merged with Jackson Temple #309. The first record book in the collection is a ledger dating from 1910; the last is a cash book from 1959-1961.

Scope and Content

The records of the Jackson Temple #309 of Pythian Sisters of Hoytville, Ohio, covers the period from 1910 until 1961. The Order was founded in 1907, as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters.

The bulk of the collection consists of minute books for 1921-1934, and 1948-1956. The volumes of minutes are fairly standard in content, including reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, lists of officers and members present, and other business. There is more membership information in the roll books of officers and in the individual membership application cards.

One of the more interesting volumes in the collection is a "Black Book" of statewide reports of membership rejections, suspensions, expulsions, and reinstatements, including the reason for action. The offenses ranged from misconduct, malicious misrepresentation of the Order, and conduct unbecoming a Sister, to birth of a child by an unmarried member, and being intimate with men other than her own husband.

Series Description

PROCEEDINGS.

MINUTES.
1921-1934, 1948-1956.
Including lists of officers and members present, reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, and other business.

ROLL OF OFFICERS.
1921-1927, 1949-1956.
Listing of officers present at each meeting, giving name and office held.

BLACK BOOK.
1903-1914.
Statewide report of membership rejections, suspensions, expulsions, and reinstatements, including reason for action.

MEMBERSHIP RECORDS.
1904-1931
Individual membership applications, includes jurisdiction information, date, relationship with member of another Lodge, names of recommendations, and report of investigating committee.

CORRESPONDENCE.

PYTHIAN SISTERS OF OHIO CORRESPONDENCE.
1907
Dispensation, giving permission to institute Jackson Temple #309 at Hoytville. Includes listing of charter members.

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS.

LEDGERS.
1910-1927, 1926-1944, 1944-1949, 1959-1961.
Ledgers and cashbook; lists receipts and expenditures, dues, fees, and assessments, by member.

PRINTED MATERIAL.

BOOKLET.
1900.
Constitution of the Rathbone Sisters of Ohio. Revised.

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Minutes, 1921-1923
2. Minutes, 1923-1925
3. Minutes, 1925-1927
4. Minutes, 1927-1929
5. Minutes, 1930-1932
6. Minutes, 1932-1934
7. Minutes, 1948-1949
8. Minutes, 1949-1950

Box 2

Folders

1. Minutes, 1950-1951
2. Minutes, June 1951-Feb. 1952
3. Minutes, 1951-1953
4. Minutes, 1954-1956
5. Roll of Officers, 1921-1927
6. Roll of Officers, 1949-1956
7. Black book (Rejections, suspensions, expulsions and re-instatements), 1903-1914
8. Membership application cards, 1921-1943
9. Dispensation founding Temple #309, 23 Jan. 1907
10. Cash book, 1959-1961

Box 3

Folders

1. Ledger, 1910-1927
2. Ledger, 1926-1944
3. Ledger, 1944-1949
4. Constitution of the Rathbone Sisters of Ohio (Pythian Sisters), 1900

Manuscripts by Subject | Women's Studies Collections