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various groups leading up to prohibition, during the prohibition era, and ending with the 21st amendment in 1933, which repealed the 18th amendment from 1919 prohibiting the manufacturing, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors.
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Items in this collection

Circular. The strong conviction of the great good which has resulted the past year from the experiment of aiding Mr. ...

Walter Channing, Edward Winslow, Samuel Johnson, Moses Grant, R.W. Bayley, J.A. Andrew, Geo. G. Channing, committee ... Date inferred from account of Augustus's work given in his A report of the labors of John Augustus, for the last ten years (1852), in which see p. 28, quoting a memorial to the Massachusetts legislature, dated 17 Feb. 1845, noting that "within a few months, a number of 'merchant princes,' and other eminent philanthropists of Boston, have given Mr. Augustus a substantial testimonial of their respect": a date of late 1845 or early 1846 would be consistent with this circular's statement that "the above is the result of but one year of the labor of Mr. Augustus, aided by a small subscription, though it is well known that he has been for several years engaged in this work at much personal cost and sacrifice". Brown University copy addressed to Samuel K. Lothrop, acquired together with four circulars of the Boston Washington Total Abstinence Society, dated 1841 to 1845, also addressed to Lothrop. Walter Channing was active in that society, which engaged in related work with alcoholics and the indigent. Concludes with three printed columns to be filled in with subscribers' names, residences, and amount.

Circular. Sir,--Your attention is respectfully asked to the following report of a meeting of citizens held on the 22n...

By your friends and servants, Walter Channing, Henry Edwards, Benj. Howard, Wm. B. Spooner, Geo. W. Bond, G.F. Thayer, Henry Rice, Hiram Wheelock, J.F. Flagg, Stephen Fairbanks, committee. Boston, October, 1841. Concludes with report of the meeting of 22 Sept. 1841, signed by Jas. C. Converse, secretary, and George Bond, chairman (p. [1]-[3]).

Circular. Dear sir: The subscribers have been appointed a committee to present the objects and wants of the Parent Wa...

Walter Channing, No. 198 Tremont Street, opposite Tremont House. Samuel F. Holbrook, No. 115 Purchase Street. Samuel A. Walker, No. 45 Kilby Street. William R. Stacy, president of the Society, No. 9 Scott's Court. E. Sewall Price, secretary of the Society, 75 Court Street, at the Society's hall. Concludes with financial report of the "officers of the Parent Washington Total Abstinence Society of Boston" (p. [1]-[2]). Brown Univ. copy dated in manuscript "Feby 1. 1845."

Circular. Boston, April 25, 1844. Sir--At a large meeting of Washingtonians recently held in Boston, at which were pr...
Circular: To the officers and members of the several Temperance Associations, in connection with the Rhode Island Sta...

Complains about lack of enforcement of liquor laws and announces annual meeting of state temperance society Tuesday, Dec. 1 in Providence. Complains about lack of enforcement of liquor laws and announces annual meeting of state temperance society Tuesday, Dec. 1 in Providence. Pages [2]-[4] blank. Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line. Type-signed at end: In behalf of the State Society, T.T. Waterman, Corresponding Secretary. Publication date suggested because the R.I. State Total Abstinence Society was founded in 1841 and T.T. Waterman left Rhode Island in 1852; Dec. 1 fell on Tuesday in 1846. Providence directory for 1847-48 lists Rev. Thomas T. Waterman as corresponding secretary of the Rhode-Island State Total Abstinence Society.

Circular: Providence, November 10th, 1842

Invitation to send a delegation to the annual meeting of the Rhode Island State Temperance Society in Providence on Dec. 6, 1842 Invitation to send a delegation to the annual meeting of the Rhode Island State Temperance Society in Providence on Dec. 6, 1842 Floral ornament below title. At head of text: Mr. [blank] Secretary of [blank] Temperance Society. Type-signed at end by A.C. Barstow and two other members of the Committee of Arrangements.

Circular

Circular

Brown University

Announces meeting of the Rhode Island State Temperance Society Jan. 6, 1847 and includes eleven questions about numbers of temperance advocates and ill effects of drunkenness in each town Announces meeting of the Rhode Island State Temperance Society Jan. 6, 1847 and includes eleven questions about numbers of temperance advocates and ill effects of drunkenness in each town Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line. At head of text: Providence, December 29th, 1846. Type-signed at end: T.T. Waterman, Corresponding Secretary.

Circular

Circular

Brown University

Calls for delegation to meeting in Providence Dec. 2, 1845, and for answers to questionnaire about society membership and effects of drunkenness in each town Calls for delegation to meeting in Providence Dec. 2, 1845, and for answers to questionnaire about society membership and effects of drunkenness in each town Pages [2]-[4] blank. At head of text: Providence, October 15th, 1845. Type-signed at end: T.T. Waterman, Corresponding Secretary.

Christy Allyn

Christy Allyn

Brown University

By Kruna. At head of title cut of woman and little girl. Caption title. In upper right corner of page [1]: No. 21. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Christian watchman

Christian watchman

Brown University

Gospel hymn; without music. Also published under title: Zion's trumpeter. Also attributed to "Mrs. Nancy J. Smith, a servant of the Lord," under title: Hymn. Cf. Brown University record. Version in 7 stanzas, without quotation marks around dialog. Printed area: 19.5 x 9.6 cm. Printed within ornamental border. First line: One day as I was weary walking a lonesome road.

Christian watchman

Christian watchman

Brown University

Gospel hymn; without music. Also published under title: Zion's trumpeter. Also attributed to "Mrs. Nancy J. Smith, a servant of the Lord," under title: Hymn. Cf. Brown University record. Version in 7 stanzas, without quotation marks around dialog. Printed area: 18.2 x 10.2 cm. Printed within ornamental border; bow-like decoration below title. First line: One day as I was walking along the lonesome road.

Christian leadership needed

General Secretary of the World League Against Alcoholism, speaking before the faculty and students of DePauw University

Charge of the L.T.L.

Charge of the L.T.L.

Brown University

by B.F.M. Sours. To be sung to the tune: Hold the fort. Text of hymn in four four-line stanzas with four-line chorus beginning: L-T-L's be strong, go forward. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence; possibly T.L. in title stands for Temperance League.