Sons of Temperance

City: New York

State: New York

Founded in New York City on September 29, 1842, the Sons of Temperance was an organization of men whose purpose was to shield its members from the evils of intemperance, provide mutual support and assistance in times of sickness, and to elevate the moral character of its members as men. The organization grew steadily in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain in the 1840s and 1850s, reaching its height in 1851, with thirty-six grand divisions, 6,097 subordinate divisions, and 238,903 members. Membership gradually declined in the 1850s, reaching 94,213 in 1860. The Civil War furthered this downward trend, with members at 57,207 in 1865.

Samuel F. Cary, Historical Sketch of the Order of the Sons of Temperance: An Address Delivered at the Fortieth Annual Session of the National Division, Held at Halifax, N.S., in July 1884 (Halifax, NS: W. Theakston, 1884), 3-8.