Introduction to the UK
The first information about the Sons of Temperance which came to England was from a temperance newspaper published in St John, New Brunswick and which fell into the hands of one J Thomas given him by an American seaman visiting Mr Thomas's business in Liverpool. The work of the Order and its influence in the temperance movement became a matter of mutual interest; and the suggestion being made that there would be no difficulty in obtaining a Charter to institute a Division, this became their goal.
Many members of the Order in America, sailing between there and Liverpool, would be glad of a suitable place to spend their evenings in port. After consulting with some temperance friends a meeting was convened in the Temperance Hall, Bond Street, Liverpool. Thus from the docks of Liverpool in the drink sodden district of 'Old Gory' – so named from the frequent fights of the sailors – was formed on 17th November 1849 the Queens No 1 Division. Early in the following year were instituted several more Divisions in Liverpool and in Manchester.
Grand Divisions having subsequently been formed in Liverpool and Manchester, the National Division of Great Britain and Ireland was organized on 6th April 1855 amidst great happiness, harmony and good feeling among the representatives from all Divisions. The Charter issued by the Order of the Sons of Temperance National Division of North America reads as follows:
Love, Purity and Fidelity
National Division of Sons of Temperance of North America
To all whom these shall come, Greeting:
Know Ye, That we, the National Division of North America, have granted, and do grant, unto Brothers P.G.W.P., Thomas Jones, P.G.W.P., James Vickers, P.G.W.P., Robert Harvey, G.W.P., Edward Mundy, P.G.W.A., John Holmes, and G.W.A., John Lonsdale, this Charter, fully constituting them a National Division of the Order of Sons of Temperance for the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with plenary power to grant Charters for Grand and Subordinate Divisions within said Kingdom and its dependencies, and to perform all the offices, and to enjoy all the prerogatives appertaining to a National Division of the Order; provided, that said power shall not extend to the country of North America, or to the original issue of the Passwords of the Order or of Visiting and Withdrawal Cards, or to any alteration of the Pledge of the Sons of Temperance as at present published in the Ritual of the Order of the Sons of Temperance of North America.
In witness whereof, we have caused this to be signed by our Most Worthy Patriarch and Most Worthy Scribe, and the Seal of the National Division to be affixed thereto in the city of Fredericton in the Province of New Brunswick, this first day of January, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five.
Samuel L Tilley, M.W.Patriarch
Frederick A Fickardt, M.W.Scribe