1890 Improved Order of Red Men Certificate

Today the U.S. recognizes Columbus Day. Some scattered places like my own home town are also having the alternative/parallel celebration of Indigenous People’s Day. I thought this was a good time to post this find from my mother’s basement.

I’ve learned that one of my ancestors was a Sachem in the Improved Order of Red Men, one of the many fraternal organizations that flourished in the 19th century. The order’s myth is that it descends from the Revolutionary War Sons of Liberty, who dressed as Indians when they dumped tea into the Boston harbor. Actually the Order of Redmen was founded in 1813, but had to be disbanded after it gained a bad reputation for drunkenness and carousing. The “Improved Order” began in 1834.

The order’s stated purpose was to “to perpetuate the beautiful legends and traditions of a vanishing race and to keep alive its customs, ceremonies and philosophies.” Not surprisingly, as 19th century organization for white men only, it was extremely patronizing, if not downright insulting.

The certificate says my ancestor was a past “Sachem”, the Algonquian word for the head of a tribe. In other words, he was the president of the local lodge. The “Sawquehanna Tribe” was the local lodge membership and “Hunting Grounds of Newville” was the town it was in. The order had its own calendar, so the date has to be deciphered. All the names of the month were changed to pseudo-Indian names, and the year was numbered from Columbus’s discovery of America (of course!). “30 Sun, Corn Moon, GDT 398” translates as 30 September 1890. “3 Sun, Traveling Moon” was 3 October.

As the Sachem, my ancestor would have dressed up as the white man’s idea of an Indian Chief, and begun the meeting by reciting “The primitive Red Men ever recognized a Supreme Being controlling the destiny of their Tribes. No important matter was ever undertaken without an invocation for its guidance and protection. We, as improved Red Men, wisely follow their example and imitate their reverence. Therefore, Brothers, you will now rise while our beloved Prophet invokes the Great Spirit on our behalf.” At that point another white guy wearing fanciful Indian garb would have an opening invocation and the meeting would be opened by lighting the Sacred Fire.

The order still exists. It removed its white only requirement in 1974. Its headquarters are in Texas, and its website states “We are a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring a greater love for the United States of America and the principles of American liberty.”