DearMYRTLE - What is the SB Association?

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What is the SB Association?
See also: READERS' RESPONSE: SB Association

From: Rhonda
DearMYRTLE,
Can someone shed some light on the old fraternal association referred to as the SB Association? In October, 1863, my great-grandfather was awarded an impressive certificate which made him a Colonel in the SB Association. It was signed by the National Secretary, John Trimble, Jr. This was during a period when my GGF was a Captain in the Union Army, stationed at Memphis, TN. Would you happen to know anything about this organization?

DearRHONDA,
You get 2 columns with your input this week. I guess since he served in the Union Army, we can rule out "southern bankers association." Just kidding.

Ol' Myrt here googled for SB Association, and discovered a lot about Spina Bifida, but your ancestor could hardly have served in the military with this medical history.

When I Googled for fraternal organizations, I came across a site http://www.phoenixmasonry.org that listed abbreviations including:

SB Sons of Benjamin
SB Star of Bethlehem
SB Spartan Band
SB of A

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF THE SONS OF BENJAMIN "This Jewish men's fraternal order was first established in New York City in 1877. It utilized a secret ritual form of initiation for new members, and was headquartered in New York City. It was founded by members of the Order of B'rith Abraham, the Masonic Fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and incorporated some of their ceremonial into their order. The order also established lodges strictly for women. The order is now defunct." From Denis P. McGowan's history of this order: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/jewish_orders.htm

ANCIENT & ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM Wheaton College has a collection, cataloged online as "National Christian Association Archives (SC-29)" with manuscripts about this fraternal organization. See: http://www.wheaton.edu/learnres/ARCSC/collects/sc29/subjectfiles.htm

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We're going to need some reader input here, to assist Rhonda. Got any more ideas gang?

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
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