THE GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS
IN
AMERICA AND JURISDICTION
Our Story
We are the oldest and longest established of all the traditional branch-friendly societies, with a proud record of helping our members and their families stretching back over 200 years. Today, our organisation reaches into all four corners of the world, with branches in America, Africa, Australia, the West Indies and Europe.
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The first lodge in America of The Grand United Order of Oddfellows is known as
PHILOMATHEAN LODGE NO. 646
From early dawn of civilization, man has always sought companionship and fellowship with each other. But in many cases find that this has been accomplished only by time, patience and perseverance. The beginning of the 18th century, produced such men and approximately thirty-four of them, who were very ambitious, had great Ideas, and the desire for knowledge, organized among themselves a literary and debating club, and named it the Philomathean Literary and debating Society. The Society was organized about the closing of 1829 and the beginning of 1830. From then on the brethren made rapid progress in utility as well as membership.
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Peter Ogden, a Mariner, born in the Island of Jamaica, West Indies, traveled from Jamaica to Liverpool, where he joined the S.S. Patrick Henry as a Stewart then plying between Liverpool and New York.
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In the year 1842, illustrious Brother Peter Ogden, a member of Victoria Lodge No. 448 of Liverpool, England, disembarked on the shores of New York. Peter Ogden visited Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, where he became acquainted with this body of men, and, learning of their desire to become Oddfellows, made himself known to them as such, and offered his service to obtain a charter for them through his Lodge. These men were extremely glad and accepted willingly, and immediately empowered him to procure it. On his return to Liverpool, he applied through his Lodge Victoria Lodge No. 448, to the Committee of Management and the same was granted on January 6th. 1943.
A Committee of five Grand Masters and a Noble Father was appointed to constitute a Lodge in the City of New York to be known as the Philomathean Lodge No. 646, Grand United Order of Oddfellows.
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This Committee arrived in New York City on Sunday, February 27, 1843 and convened Wednesday, March 1, 1843.
On March 1, 1843, On Elm Street in the City of New York and State of New York, Philomathean Lodge was instituted at 12 noon with 48 members.
At the installation of the first offices of the Lodge, Peter Ogden delivered to the Noble Grand all Books and paraphernalia belonging to the new lodge.
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Past Grand Master Joseph Jones, District Secretary of Liverpool, England, and member of Victoria Lodge No. 448, Grand United Order of Oddfellows, delivered the oration. Brother James B. Field, Noble Grand of Philomathean Lodge No. 646 responded most eloquently, and also called upon his staff of officers to express their gratitude to the delegates from England.
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In December 19, 1843, Philomathean Lodge No.646, Grand United Order of Oddfellows, received the authority to establish a Sub-Committee of Management of the Grand United Order of Oddfellow of England, subject to the resolutions and under the control of the Committee of Management of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, England to carry out the extension of the Order in granting dispensations.
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