The Order of the Eastern Star was first formed in 1730, in France.  Closer to home, the first Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star was organized in Washington, North Carolina 150 years later.

Robert Morris and Robert MaCoy have been credited with beginning the Order of Eastern Star. It was Morris' feeling that Masonry should be a family affiliation. Members who considered women inferior to men and who did not approve of Morris' plan met Morris' steps to make that dream a reality with fierce resistance.

Morris soon realized that he would have to develop another strategy.  Finally, he created the Eastern Star Degree.  Rights to the Eastern Star Degree were transferred to Macoy when Morris journeyed to the Holy Land.

By 1880, the first (Black) Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star was formed in Washington, NC. A year later, a Grand Chapter was held in Raleigh, NC. Chapters in Fayetteville, Smithfield and Warrenton followed.

When the Adoptive Rite was first introduced in North Carolina, it was comprised solely of the Eastern Star Degree. Later Robert MaCoy, who gave to Robert Morris the credit of being the founder of the Adoptive Rite, wrote the ritual for the "Queen of the South." The, ritual was received by the Grand Chapter in NC directly from the author, by the Grand Patron and Grand Master J. W. Hood.

MaCoy later wrote the Ritual of "The Amaranth" in order to give a greater diversion to the work, which completed his purpose to improve upon the plan of the original author of the Adoptive Rite. This Ritual was written to include symbolic representations of the highest and purest principles of morality and religion. The added degrees contributed greatly to a rapid growth of the Eastern Star and many new chapters were started.

While the newly established order grew, in 1910 a change of name, and a deviation from the landmarks caused confusion and eventually the order was reorganized, assuming its former name, Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, Affiliated with the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North Carolina Free and Accepted Masons. (Excerpts are from the History of the Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star.)