International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor facts for kids

The International Order of Twelve Knights and Daughters of Tabor was an important African-American group. It was a fraternal organization, which means its members shared common goals and helped each other. This group is most famous for creating the Taborian Hospital.

The Order was started by Moses Dickson in 1846. Moses Dickson was an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. He was also a soldier and a church leader. At first, the group was called the International Order of Twelve. It was an antislavery society, working against slavery in the United States.

In 1872, the Order was re-organized in Independence, Missouri. It became a fraternal organization. By the 1890s, the group grew very large. It had about 100,000 members! These members lived in many US states, the West Indies, England, and Africa.

The organization welcomed both men and women. However, men and women met in separate local groups. Men's groups were called "Temples." Women's groups were called "Tabernacles." Men in the Order were known as Knights. Women were known as Daughters. There were also groups for younger members called "Tents." Young boys were called Pages of Honor, and young girls were called Maids.

Taborian Hospital

After 1938, more and more people joined the Order. This happened because Perry M. Smith, a leader of the group, had a great idea. He convinced the Mississippi part of the Order to build a hospital. This hospital would be in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, a town built by and for African Americans.

To pay for the hospital, each member paid money every year. This money went into a special hospital fund. Perry M. Smith also traveled around Mississippi. He visited farmers and workers on plantations to raise more money. This effort helped create the important Taborian Hospital.