Knights of Pythias in North Hampton
The Knights of Pythias in North Hampton
While inventorying our collection, we came across several items relating to the Knights of Pythias that had belonged to Fred Leavitt and Earl Spear. I had never heard of the Knights of Pythias before but the name “pythias” rang a bell.
Turns out it relates to the Greek legend of Damon and Pythias. Dionysius, the ruler of Syracuse was about to put Pythias to death for supposedly plotting to kill the tyrant. Pythias asked to be allowed to go home to settle his personal affairs but Dionysius refused. Damon, Pythias’ best friend, then offered to take Pythias’ place in prison and be executed if Pythias did not return.
Pythias experienced a series of delays during his return journey but got back just in time to prevent Damon’s execution. Dionysius was so impressed by the bond between these two friends that he pardoned them both. This legend was told over the centuries with the Roman Cicero’s description being one of the most famous, illustrating that true friendship requires honesty, sacrifice, and absolute trust.
The Knights of Pythias organization was founded in Washington, DC in February 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone. It was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter authorized by the U.S. Congress. According to Wikipedia, Rathbone was inspired by a play by John Banim about the Greek legend. The organization’s guiding principles were "Toleration in religion, obedience to law, and loyalty to government.”
Curious about the 1864 date – the year the Civil War ended, I found on the Knights of Pythias website this quote:
President Abraham Lincoln, being advised of the contents of the ritual and its teaching, said: "The purposes of your organization are most wonderful. If we could but bring its spirit to all our citizenry, what a wonderful thing it would be. It breathes the spirit of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. It is one of the best agencies conceived for the upholding of government, honoring the flag, for the reuniting of our brethren of the North and of the South, for teaching the people to love one another, and portraying the sanctity of the home and loved ones. I would suggest that these great principles be perpetuated and that you go to the Congress of the United States and ask for a charter, and so organize on a great scale throughout this nation, and disseminate this wonderful work that you have so nobly started. I will do all in my power to assist you in this application and with your work."
I could not determine the founding date for the North Hampton chapter of the K of P but it definitely existed before 1913. Lisa Mausolf in preparing the application for our Town Hall’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places wrote in her historical sketch that in 1913 a petition warrant article on the Town Meeting warrant proposed “to raise the building, put an assembly room on the ground floor for town purposes and finish the second floor as lodge for the Knights of Pythias.” While the warrant apparently failed, it suggests the Knights had some dedicated members. Based upon the artifacts we have, the Lodge still existed in the late 1920s. By the way, in doing this research, I discovered that Governor Alvan T. Fuller was a member.
Based upon the artifacts we have, the Lodge still existed in the late 1920s and met, where else but at Centennial Hall, the location in town for clubs, organizations, and community activities in the floors above the school classrooms.
While the records of some NH Knights of Pythias lodges have survived and been donated to local historical societies and the New Hampshire Historical Society, our only possessions are a few artifacts. If anyone comes across a membership list or other records of the organization, or knows the names of any other members – I believe there may have been an Order of Pythian Sisters - please share with us.
