Honorary Order of the Ivorites

In 2005, the National Welsh-American Foundation formally adopted an honorary Ivorite "Red" degree. This milestone has been established to recognize noteworthy individuals whose personal activities bring honor to the overall Welsh tradition and heritage, most especially those that reflect efforts exemplifying the motto of the first Ivorites; Friendship, Love and Truth. Upon nomination and election by the board of directors of the National Welsh-American Foundation, these recognized individuals will be celebrated and distinguished by public acknowledgment and elevation to the honorary American Ivorite "Red Degree".

In Wales, the Ivorites were known by the original name: "The Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites." This order was one of the many Friendly and Mutual Societies that sprang up in Wales during the nineteenth century. Self-help groups like this were the forerunners of our modern insurance companies and building societies. The Ivorite Order, whose motto was: 'Cyfeillgarwch, Cariad a Gwirionedd' (Friendship, Love and Truth), was established in Wrexham in 1836 by Thomas Robert Jones ('Gwerfulyn', 1802-1856) and was the only society which was exclusively Welsh.

The Ivorites were named after Ifor Hael (Ivor the Generous) who was the patron of Dafydd ap Gwilym (David son of William), the 14th century poet, who lived at Bassaleg, Monmouthshire.

The Ivorites had firm rules for its members regarding morals and behavior; it also nurtured the Welsh language, and during its golden years between 1840 and 1870 there was hardly a year without an Ivorite Eisteddfod. This cultural activity puts the movement in a special category, indicating that assisting the poor and needy was not its only purpose.

The "Order of Ivorites" did a great deal towards the fostering of Welsh literature by giving Eisteddfod prizes and holding events to encourage and showcase native talent. The Ivorites’ interest centered in the development of Welsh intellectual & moral character, as well as social improvement. The following description of the Llandeilo Ivorites in 1840 gives an idea of the Order’s idealistic and moralistic motives: "While the aims of the Ivorites Order were partly that of a conventional Friendly Society, namely to foster unity and fraternity and to assist one another in sickness and adversity, they also took on another important role by promoting the practice of speaking and writing the Welsh language. Their primary purpose may have been to provide burial, accident and sickness benefits for their members, but in naming themselves after the patron of Wales's greatest poet, Dafydd ap Gwilym, they clearly wished to emulate Ifor Hael's great service by extending their patronage to the Welsh language and literature."

In America, Benjamin Hughes (1824-1900), took such sentiments to heart. He became one of the most important figures in the history of Scranton Pennsylvania’s Hyde Park section. Benjamin Hughes was thought of as the father of the American Ivorites, credited with organizing the Ivorites’ Society in Scranton, and was its first American Grand President. In the Order of Ivorites, there were three degrees; Blue, White and Gold. Benjamin Hughes served faithfully as the American Grand President for nine years. To all who knew him, he was ‘more father than friend’. Possessed of exceptional executive ability and foresight, thousands profited by his benevolence. Benjamin Hughes was not only a champion of the Welsh; he had the confidence of those of other nationalities as well. He was held in highest esteem by all.

Although no active lodges are known to exist today, local lodges of the Order of Ivorites were actively working throughout the United States into the late 1900's. With the establishment of the NWAF honorary Ivorite "Red Degree", the National Welsh-American Foundation commemorates and pays homage to the ideals of our Welsh forebears and seeks to foster that same spirit in our own time.

Honorees

May 1, 2010

  • Sian Frick
  • Catrin Brace
  • Don and Ruthann Robinson

February 27, 2010

  • Mary Williams-Norton
  • Ginny R. Grove
  • Jeanne Jones Jindra
  • Phyllis Jones
  • William & Eirlys Lewis
  • Warren Watkins
  • James Cassarino

May 16, 2009

  • John Prytherch
  • Rev. Richard Baskwill
  • Lorena Bennett
  • William Reese
  • John Jones Reinhart

May 3, 2008

  • Russell Williams
  • William Griffith Jones
  • Alan Upshall
  • Meredydd Williams
  • William P. VanBuskirk
  • Daniel O. Williams
  • Hywel Davies
  • Cheryl Mitchell
  • Rev. Richard Baskwill
  • Glenn Grove

May 3, 2008

St David's Society of Pittsburgh - Welsh Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning.

2007 August – Awarded in Wales

Douglas Bassett Ph.D.

2006

Dr. Edwards Memorial Congregational Church, Edwardsville, Pennsylvania

November 9, 2006

Slatington, Pennsylvania Gymanfa Ganu, observing its 50th year in existence

2005

  • Olwen Joyce Anderson, NWAF Past President
  • Wilfred O. Greenway