I always have a number of topics I’m researching at any given time. It takes time to gather information, details, and facts. One of the things which was a large part of our community back in the 1800’s were fraternal organizations. They appeared to reach their zenith around 1900. Some still are active today.

Everyone had their own proprietary rituals only the initiate knew. Some had various levels, or degrees of honor. We had many in our area, like the Order of Owls, which I’ve previously written about, but this week I’d like to cover another, The Sons of Temperance.

This brotherhood of men originated in New York City in 1842, with their first official meeting held on September 29th, quickly spreading nationwide and even to Great Britain, Ireland and Australia. By 1850, there were over 5,000 chapters! The membership was highly restrictive, requiring anyone wishing to become a member to be nominated by an existing member, or brother. The next step was an investigation of the person by three additional brothers to verify the applicant was worthy of membership. If accepted, a two-dollar initiation fee was required, which at that time was roughly a week’s pay! Weekly dues were six cents. As with others, The Sons of Temperance had secret rituals, signs, passwords, handshakes, and regalia.
Originally the ladies were only accepted as guests, with an early woman’s auxiliary, The Daughters of Temperance, created in England. Eventually the concept crossed the pond to our side. They had their own lodges and collaborated with The Sons of Temperance but were not governed by them. Well, at least not until June 21st, 1866, at the 22nd Annual Session in Montreal when they were admitted to full membership.

One of the main provisions of The Sons of Temperance was that they pay $30.00, to cover the burial costs of any brother who passed on. A payment of $15.00 was required to be given for the funeral costs of a member’s deceased wife. Any brother suffering an illness required fellow brothers to visit at least once daily. One of the main orders of business at their meetings was to identify who was under the weather. It’s easy to see this was the beginning of a form of insurance for families.

Their mission statement, “Love, Purity, Fidelity”, says it all. These are goals to live by. They abhorred the use of any intoxicating beverages and toasted using clear, cold water. They didn’t exclude liquor dealers from their soirees, and while not being approved of, they were not abused. The Sons of Temperance sadly slipped away quietly in 2012 and are no longer active.

The first meetings of the Newburgh chapter were held in the People’s Hall, which was on Second Street, in the mid 1860’s. This was an oak framed building, filled in with brick, originally built in 1834 for the First Methodist congregation. The congregation moved to a new building in 1861, and the structure was controlled by John Haskins, Samuel Gibb, and J. N. Weed who named it “People’s Hall”. This venue hosted lectures, concerts, and more. In 1862, the People’s Hall was sold to George Shafer. The hall did not fare well and declined until Jacob Brown purchased it in 1863. He removed most of the old pews and converted the galleries to an elevated seating arrangement to better view the new, enlarged stage. The seating capacity was now approximately 1,100. It opened for business on September 15th, 1863.

Well, I’ve now laid out the premise for an upcoming article. To quote Paul Harvey, stay tuned for the rest of the story!