Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is a non-political, non-sectarian international fraternal order of Odd Fellowship. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Wildey in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Evolving from the Order of Odd Fellows founded in England during the 18th century, the IOOF was originally chartered by the Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity in England but has operated as an independent organization since 1842, although it maintains an inter-fraternal relationship with the English Order. The order is also known as the Triple Link Fraternity, referring to the order's "Triple Links" symbol, alluding to its motto "Friendship, Love and Truth".
Seal of the IOOF Sovereign Grand Lodge.
British–American Thomas Wildey (1782–1861) founder of the Washington Lodge No 1
Oddfellows' Hall in Streetsville, Mississauga, built in 1867. The building was sold in 1972.
Seal of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the IOOF, from certificate (1871).
Odd Fellows is an international fraternity consisting of lodges first documented in 1730 in London. The first known lodge was called Loyal Aristarcus Lodge No. 9, suggesting there were earlier ones in the 18th century. Notwithstanding, convivial meetings were held "in much revelry and, often as not, the calling of the Watch to restore order." Names of several British pubs today suggest past Odd Fellows affiliations. In the mid-18th century, following the Jacobite risings, the fraternity split into the rivaling Order of Patriotic Oddfellows in southern England, favouring William III of England, and the Ancient Order of Oddfellows in northern England and Scotland, favouring the House of Stuart.
The triple links, a recurring symbol among Odd Fellows internationally, connoting the motto of "Amicitia Amor et Veritas"; English: "Friendship, Love & Truth".
John Wilkes (1725–1797), initially a young radical journalist, then gradually more conservative; one of the first documented odd fellows.
Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet (1726–1784), an odd fellow who famously advocated civil liberties and reliefs in the United Kingdom, including Catholic emancipation. Subsequently, the odd fellows became religiously and politically independent.
Prince George the Prince of Wales, later King George IV of the United Kingdom (1762–1830), admitted in 1780, was the first documented of many odd fellows to also adhere to freemasonry; both societies remained mutually independent.