Career
He was a prominent Freemason, and was instrumental in the founding of the and the Order of the Amaranth. He also founded what may be the largest Masonic publishing, regalia, and supply house currently active, Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Company. He spent most of his life in that business and in in New York City.
In 1849, he started a Masonic supply and publishing business, which, under the name, Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Company, is still in active operation.
Macoy was initiated in Lebanon Lodge Number. 191 in New York City, January 20, 1848, passed, January 27, and Raised February 3 of that year.
On August 15, 1855, he withdrew to affiliate with Adelphic Lodge Number. 348. He was elected Deputy Grand Master of New York in June, 1856 and reelected in 1857.
He was exalted in Orient Chapter Number.
150 on December 24, 1855. He was also affiliated with Union Chapter Number. 180, Americas Chapter Number.
215, and De Witt Clinton Chapter Number.
7, Royal and Select Masters. He was elected Grand Recorder of the Grand Council on June 4, 1855.
He was also knighted in Palestine Encampment Number. 18 of New York City, in February, 1851, and in March withdrew to join Morton Encampment Number.
4. On April 28, 1874, he affiliated with DeWitt Clinton Commandery Number.
27 Knights Templar, where his membership continued for 20 years. He received the Scottish Rite degrees sometime prior to December 9, 1850, for on that date he received the 33rd Degree, Sovereign Grand Inspector General. lieutenant has been reprinted.
Before 1860 Macoy became interested in Morris" efforts to promote an organization for female relatives of Masons.
Morris had formed "Constellations" - also the "Family System" in conferring degrees, but these proved too elaborate and cumbersome. Morris turned over his books on "Adoptive" Masonry to Macoy in 1868.
Macoy published his first Adoptive Rite for the Eastern Star in 1869 having organized the work into the Chapter system and it is from Macoy"s rite that all Eastern Star rituals used today have been taken. In 1883 Macoy founded at New York the Order of the Amaranth in connection with the Eastern Star.
The First Order of Eastern Star was Alpha Chapter northern
1 which is located in New York City, which meets at the Grand Lodge of State of New York, Free and accepted Masons. Alpha is the oldest chapter of The Order of Eastern Star.
