Pythian Sisters, Jackson Temple #309 (Hoytville, Ohio) records

The records of the Jackson Temple #309 of Pythian Sisters of Hoytville, Ohio, covers the period from 1910 until 1961. The Order was founded in 1907, as a Temple of Rathbone Sisters.

The bulk of the collection consists of minute books for 1921-1934, and 1948-1956. The volumes of minutes are fairly standard in content, including reports on sick members, committee reports, applications for membership, bills presented, lists of officers and members present, and other business. There is more membership information in the roll books of officers and in the individual membership application cards.

One of the more interesting volumes in the collection is a "Black Book" of statewide reports of membership rejections, suspensions, expulsions, and reinstatements, including the reason for action. The offenses ranged from misconduct, malicious misrepresentation of the Order, and conduct unbecoming a Sister, to birth of a child by an unmarried member, and being intimate with men other than her own husband.