& Ladies of the Maccabees Knights of the Maccabees Variously
known as the Knights (and Ladies) of the Maccabees, Maccabees of
the World, Macabees, Womens Benefit Association. The original
early biblical Maccabees were a priestly family of Jews who
organized a successful rebellion against the Seleucid ruler
Antiochus IV and reconsecrated the defiled Temple of Jerusalem.
In 1896, the Knights of the Maccabees had a membership of
209,831. The Knights of the Maccabees were a fraternal and
benevolent "legal reserve society." Families of deceased members
received benefits in the form of legal-reserve insurance. All
white persons of sound health and good character, from birth to
70 years of age, were eligible for membership. Their name comes
from the Biblical Maccabees. The order was founded in London,
Ontario in 1878 and reorganized in 1883. Before 1914, it was
known as the Knights of the Maccabees. Subsequent to 1914, it
has been simply been called "The Maccabees". At one time, about
one third of membership was in