Alcohol, Temperance & Prohibition

The digitized items in the Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition Collection are from the Alcoholism and Addiction Studies Collection, as well as from various collections in the Brown University Library — broadsides, sheet music, pamphlets and government publications. The items have been collected at Brown for over three centuries for researchers and scholars at Brown and worldwide interested in American history, including the history of alcoholism, how the media was used for spreading ideas and information, and in how the arts presented various movements. The purpose of this digital collection is to give researchers and interested individuals a glimpse into the rich and diverse resources at Brown's library. All of the digital items are in the public domain. The digitized pamphlets were published by various groups leading up to prohibition, during the prohibition era, and ending with the 21st amendment in 1933, which repealed the 18th amendment from 1919 prohibiting the manufacturing, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

Temperance songs

Temperance songs

Brown University

Poetry. Printed in two columns divided by single line within border of type ornaments. In lower margin, outside border: Advocate Job Office, Claremont, N.H.--J. Weber, Proprietor. Date from dates of newspaper, Claremont Advocate, and appearance of item.

Temperance songs

Temperance songs

Brown University

Poetry. Words of songs printed in three columns divided by single lines; short multi-line divider at head of text. At end of text: Printed and for sale at the Morning Star Office. There was a newspaper called The Morning star and temperance advocate in Boston in the 1840's; internal evidence supports an 1840s publication date.

Temperance song: Our forefathers - Heaven bless them!

Title from caption and first line. Poetry in ten stanzas printed within border of type ornaments. At head of text: Published by J. Adams. Double printing with identical text but differing type ornament borders; meant to be separated. Separated, the broadsides would measure 30 x 12 cm; the printed areas measure 26.6 x 9.0 and 26.7 x 8.9 respectively. Possible range of dates suggested by borders.

Temperance song: Our forefathers - Heaven bless them!

Title from caption and first line. Poetry in ten stanzas printed within border of type ornaments. At head of text: Published by J. Adams. Printed area measures: 26.2 x 9.0. Possible range of publication dates suggested by border of type ornaments. Copy same edition as second broadside on sheet of two broadsides with same title, meant to be separated, in Brown University's Broadsides Collection (cf. HB22516)

Temperance song

Temperance song

Brown University

In seven stanzas. At end of text: Timothy Coughlin, East Cambridge. Tune: Air, Father Tom O'Neil. Printed area: 20 x 5 cm. First line: The Father Mathew Temperance Men.

Temperance ode

Temperance ode

Brown University

Poem in four numbered seven-line stanzas with varied two-line chorus usually beginning: O, ne'er may the sons of Columbia deplore. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Temperance hymns: Bring this sheet of hymns to all temperance meetings

Broadsheet. Poetry. Printed in three columns. Place from description of first song; date from appearance of item and because Washingtonian Temperance Society mentioned was founded in 1840. Cold water melodies compiled by J. Pierpont, 1842 ascribes Shall e'er, cold water be forgot to Pierpont and The drink that's in the drunkard's bowl to H. Reed. First line of first hymn: Friends of Temperance, one and all.

Temperance hymns

Temperance hymns

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Printed in four columns. At head of text: [Be particular to bring this sheet of hymns to all temperance meetings you attend. Contains 12 songs. First song: The Temperance Reform, as sung by the Washington Total Abstinence Society at Temperance Hall in Concord, N.H. First line: What means all this great commotion, motion, motion.

Temperance hymns

Temperance hymns

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Printed in four columns. At head of text: [Be particular to bring this sheet of hymns to all temperance meetings you attend.] Contains 12 songs. First song: The Temperance Reform, as sung by the Washington Total Abstinence Society at Temperance Hall in Concord, N.H. First line: What means all this great commotion, motion, motion.

Temperance hymn

Temperance hymn

Brown University

Within ornamental border. At head of text: Dedicated to the New Testament Total Abstinence Society.

Temperance hymn

Temperance hymn

Brown University

To be sung to the tune: Auld lang syne. Poetry. Within border of type ornaments. Poem in six stanzas. Date from appearance of item. First line: Can we forget the gloomy time.

Temperance campaign song

To be sung to the tune: Prohibition, or Going home. At head of text: The following lines are dedicated to Major Edward J. Jones, Chief of Constabulary of the Commonwealth .... Text of song in five four-line stanzas with four-line chorus beginning: Then shout, shout, your voices ring! Type-signed at end of text: P. Stowe. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence and author's death date.

Temperance ball

Temperance ball

Brown University

Invites Whigs and Democrats to join the Cold Water Army in the temperance cause. Invites Whigs and Democrats to join the Cold Water Army in the temperance cause. By Mr. J.M. Newson, of Lancaster, Pa. To be sung to the tune: Rosin the bow. Text of song in eleven four-line stanzas with varied four-line chorus beginning: And roll on the Temperance Ball. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.