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Q&A With Charles Harris
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d u g t h i s token and can’t find any information about it. The front reads “JAMES B. NICHOLSON GRAND SECRETARY 1869 - 1901.” The back says “INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.” There is an eye with sun rays and the letters “FLT” each in its own circle. Randy Plyer This is an interesting medal that you found. It is for the IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows). Like so many of the fraternal organizations, they were originally formed with charitable goals in mind. They were secret organizations with very strict religious type formalities, degrees and rituals. The IOOF’s motto was F-L-T, which stood for the three links of fraternity: FriendshipLove-Truth. The IOOF was one of the earlier fraternities in America, having been formed in Baltimore, Maryland on April 26, 1819. This was their founding date on the North American continent, so evidently they were actually formed in England in the 1700s, where it was odd to find people that were organized for the purpose of helping others, especially those who were in need. Thus, the
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“Odd Fellows.” Thomas Widley and four others who had been members of the Order in England instituted Washington Lodge Number 1 and it received its charter from the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England. Interestingly this was the first fraternity to include both men and women. This took place with the adoption of the Rebekah Degree on September 20, 1851. The Degree is based on teachings in the Holy Bible and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who became the vice president of the U.S.A. under President U.S. Grant. The Odd Fellows and the Rebekah were also the first of the fraternal organizations to establish homes for senior citizens and orphaned children. James B. Nicholson was General Sire of the IOOF from 1862-1864 and Grand Secretary of the national IOOF from 1869 through 1901. He was evidently quite a lecturer and traveled all over the U.S. During his term as General Sire there were problems growing in some of the lodges such as Davis, San Francisco, Hayward and elsewhere. Grumbling comments were heard, such as “They are social or service clubs and are not a fraternity.” “They don’t utilize IOOF Ritual and don’t carry out the principles of Friendship, Truth and Love.” As a retort to these accusations, Nicholson commented,“None but Odd Fellows can destroy the majestic fabric that the Odd Fellows have reared and naught but internal divisions and internecine (mutually destructive; or fatal) strifes can sap our strength or destroy the influence arising out of the example of a united, a grand, a glorious fraternity.” (Originally published in Volume 12, Issue 1)
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an you give any insight into this piece? It was found in New Jersey at an early colonial site and is made of solid silver. Pete Schichtel Although I liked this eagle piece and thought it was early military, finding conclusive information was a challenge. With the help of American Digger® consultant and author Michael O’Donnell, we can now verify that it is an insignia for U.S. Marines, circa 1814-1830 era. The marine emblem of an eagle perched on an anchor came about in the very early 1800s and, with a few modifications, is still in use today. Mike’s book, American Military Headgear Insignia, shows a very similar device stamped into an oval plate. However, the one you found is most likely a jeweler-made piece rather than stock military issue, a common practice of the time for wealthy officers. The same eagle perched on an anchor was also displayed on Marine Corps officers’ two-piece waist belt plates during the 1820s and 1830s. (Originally published in Volume 12, Issue 2)