The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 525
According to Mackey's Encyclopedia, it is a side or honorary degree. When a
man receives the degrees, he is called a Knight of Jericho. 1473
It is difficult to trace back the rite's origin, as there is a confusion of several
degrees, named "True Kindred," "Heroines of Jericho," "Martha Washington
Degree," "Good Samaritian," "Royal Companion," "Knights and Ladies of the
Cross," and "Master Mason's Daughter," which have been worked at different
times and in different regions, and of which no writer has authored a concise
history. They all apparently were related to the claims of female relatives to
Masonic assistance. 1474 It is not possible any more to ascertain whether one of
these degrees included some of the others, or, vice versa, formed a part of such.
According to Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia, David Vinton, who was a
prominent Masonic lecturer, possibly founded the "Heroines of Jericho" in the
time of 1815-1820. There was also a ritual of that order published by Avery
Allyn in 1831. Furthermore, Denslow describes an androgynous degree limited
to Royal Arch Masons and their wives and daughters, being popular in 1840-50:
The name of Royal Companion would seem to fit it. It supported to give
those relatives of Royal Arch Masons signs and words by which they
could make themselves known to a Royal Arch Mason. The sign was
called the plumbline, and the ritual provided for reading the 2 nd chapter
of the Book of Joshua. 1475
In 1872, there was a ritual of the Court of Heroines of Jericho published in
Kansas City, Mo., containing three degrees called "Master Mason's Daughter,"
"True Kinsman," and "Heroines of Jericho." 1476 Another ritual contains the three
degrees of "True Kindred," "Royal Companion," and "Knights and Ladies of the
Cross." 1477
It has also been claimed that the True Kindred degree or degrees originated
from the family of Degeer Gilmore of Toronto, Canada, being introduced into
the U.S. in 1894 at the foundation of the Supreme National Conclave of True
Kindred. This rite has been reorganized in Chicago in 1905, and in 1922, a new
ritual was adopted. Here, the degrees consisted of "True Kindred," "Hero or
Heroine of Jericho," and "Good Samaritan or Knight and Lady of the Cross." 1478
About the middle of the 19 th century, but with possibly a much earlier origin,
there were degrees called "Mason's Wife and Daughter;" it has been of no avail
to verify whether they were combined or separate degrees. Denslow also lists
"Mason's Daughter" and "Mason's Wife," stating that the former was created on
a legend connecting Mary, the sister of Lazarus, with Jesus' triumphal entry into
Jerusalem. The signet of this order bore the letters AMRY (i.e., Mary), encircled
1473 Cf. EOF, p. 323.
1474 Ibid.
1475 Cf. EOF, p. 323.
1476 Ibid.
1477 Ibid.
1478 Cf. CME, p. 13.