Virginia Pythian History

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       The Pythian Order was founded by Justus Rathbone in Washington DC in 1864 in response to the anger and hatred brought on by the Civil War.

       Proximity to  D. C. made VA an obvious area of expansion..  In 1865 Dr. John D King Jr. started Alexandria Lodge #1.  This lodge lasted only five months since most of its  officers  moved (They had been stationed aboard a ship. ) It was not until 1868 when six new lodges were started that the Order gained a foothold in the “Old Dominion”.  The number of lodges continued to increase until  it reached 81 in  1903.  It remained at about this number until 1924  At that date a gradual decrease in the number of lodges began, dropping off gradually until today only 12 lodges remain.  Some interesting  membership statistics include:

·          A membership drive in 1918  brought in 227 new members.  The drive cost $1405.

·          In 1919 a total of 1165 men were initiated in Virginia.

·          In 1923-4 Roanoke #133 gained 259 new members bring its total membership to 1000.  Osceola #124 brought in 126 men making its total membership  1094.  The following year these lodges increased their membership to 1136 and 1269 respectively.  In 1927 Roanoke #133 Had 1667 members

·          In 1936 Fredericksburg Lodge # 22  gained 134 members.  An even 100 of these were signed up by  H. T. Ballard.

·          In 1945, twelve percent of Virginia’s knights were serving in the military (840 men)

·          In 1943  the largest lodges were Charity #10 with 1633 and Roanoke #133 with  1133.

·          In 1986 the Grand Domain had an increase in membership

·          In 1992, Beach Lodge  #169 was instituted by Grand Chancellor Dave Mead.

·          In 2006, Sir David Mead became the 3rd Virginia Pythian to be elected Supreme Chancellor.
Text Box: Samuel Hines, A True VA Pythian Hero and the Hines Memorial Home Samuel Hines was born in January, 1836 in Milton N. C. At the beginning of the Civil War he entered the Confederate Army as a Private. He soon became a Captain, and after the Battle of Gettysburg was assigned to command the brigade of Sharpshooters, a position of importance as well as great danger. His skill and bravery earned him praise from his commanding general. In May of 1864 he was taken prisoner and spent time in several Union prisons. Shortly after the close of the War, he was released and moved to Richmond, Virginia. It was there that he was initiated into Old Dominion Lodge # 4 where he was instructed in the story of Damon and Pythias , a lesson that he obviously learned well. On Christmas Eve, 1870 Hines and a fellow Pythian, Erasmus W. Ross (who had fought for the Union Army) were staying at the Spotswood Hotel , a five story brick and stone landmark in Richmond. In the early morning hours fire broke out in the hotel and spread rapidly. Extreme weather hampered fire fighting efforts, but it appeared that all residents had managed to exit safely. Then Hines realized that his Pythian Brother was still inside on one of the upper floors. Ignoring the warnings, Samuel reentered the building determined to save his friend. Unfortunately, both men perished. The story of the fire was widely reported in the Richmond newspapers. The heroism of Samuel Hines was much discussed especially in Pythian Lodges of VA. Talk of erecting a memorial to honor this brave Brother which extended from the Grand Lodge to the Supreme Lodge. Sporadically, for the next three decades, money for this memorial was raised, but no specific plans for the memorial were proposed. Finally, after lengthy debate over what form this memorial should take, the Hines Memorial Pythian Home for children was build in New Market VA was built with the funds raised to for the Hines Memorial. It was dedicated in 1927. By 1928 it already housed 18 children which increased to 37 by 1933. In 1951 the home was moved to Bedford, VA. By 1953 it was obvious that the home no longer needed, so the Grand Lodge decided to sell the property and invest the proceeds. An elected Hines Memorial Pythian Home Board is now administers this fund. They may never spend the principle and must add at least 10% of the interest to it annually. Fifty percent of the interest may be donated to medically needy Virginian children for whom application has been made. Since this fund has been in existence, donations of over $268,671. have been made. This is truly a lasting and meaningful memorial to our true Virginian Pythian hero, Samuel H. Hines!