Membership Records (1898-1912) from The Improved Order of Red Men (I.O.R.M), the "Occoneechee Tribe" No. 16; a historically white fraternity. In 1834 the Improved Order of the Red Men was established exclusively for white men. The Membership Record of "Occoneeche Tribe" No. 16 Improved Order of the Red Men (1898-1912) is not associated to the Occaneechi Nation or any other Indigenous Nation. Local chapter No. 16 was headquarterd in Raleigh, North Carolina and would hold meetings there, as well as in New Bern, North Carolina. The "all-white clause" was not removed until the 1970's allowing women and people of color to join. The record book includes names, dates, ranking, session locations, and deaths of members.
The Improved Order of Red Men is one of the oldest historically white fraternal organizations in the United States and can be traced back to the Sons of Liberty. The original group was comprised of members from the Sons of Liberty and the Sons of St. Tamia, both groups of white men that split because of differences. In 1834 the Improved Order of Red Men came to be and was exclusively for white men only. The national fraternity is chartered by the United States Congress.
The fraternity is a social, insurance, and political society that mimics Indigenous customs and traditions. The IORM held public events copying sacred indigenous traditions.
The Membership Record of "Occoneeche Tribe" No. 16 Improved Order of Red Men (1898-1912) is not associated to the Occaneechi Nation or any other Indigenous Nation. Local chapter No. 16 was headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and would hold meetings there, as well as in New Bern, North Carolina. Because of the membership requirements and the "all white clause," members of the "Occoneeche Tribe" No. 16 Improved Order of Red Men consisted of white men. The "all-white clause" was not removed until the 1970's allowing women and people of color to join.
The record book is a single bound notebook kept by the Improved Order of Red Men. The IORM records book has names of members who participated in the historically white fraternity as well as their ranks, session times, date of deaths, and withdraws from the group.
Gift of Mr. John E. Byrd.
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