Our First Grand Patron

Daniel Seagrave

 Daniel Seagrave was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts on September 5, 1831 and grew up in the Worcester area.

As a young man found employment as a printer and soon became a partner in the firm of Tyler and Seagrave, Printers in Worcester.

The degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star as organized by Dr. Robert Morris were conferred on selected Masons in isolated places and in the late 1860's Daniel Seagrave was one of these Masons. In 1870 he conferred the degrees on several persons and he and this group organized Stella Chapter in 1871 with Daniel Seagrave as its first Worthy Patron.

There were only eight Chapters in Massachusetts at the beginning of the year 1876. Daniel Seagrave had the foresight to see that a Grand Chapter was necessary and sent letters to all the Chapters suggesting a meeting of the principal officers of the Chapters.

This resulted in meetings which formed the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts and Daniel Seagrave was elected the first Grand Patron. At this time the Grand Patron was the First Officer and the presiding officer.

Brother Seagrave served as Grand Patron from 1876 to 1879. He was, of course, a Past Patron of Stella Chapter. He served two years as Fraternal Correspondent and was Grand Secretary from 1881 to 1903.

Daniel Seagrave was a tall man who carried himself erect. In his late years after his hair was white he wore a short white beard. In his duties as Worthy Patron and Grand Patron he dressed in black, always wearing a Prince Albert coat.

He had a vibrant personality, was a fine speaker and a man of strong convictions. He must be remembered as the principal organizer, not only of Stella Chapter but of the Grand Chapter.

He held a strong influence in the Eastern Star and was the guiding light of the Order from 1870 until his death in November of 1903.