The Sons of Temperance was a Protestant fraternal order similar to the Freemasons, dedicated to temperance-the first of several such fraternal temperance orders. The order was founded in the early 1840’s, and by the late 1840’s, had attracted more membership than older societies such as the Masons and Odd Fellows. The Sons of Temperance continued well after the Civil War, and after the war, half-heartedly attempted to implement policies of racial inclusion, with the result that some of its lodges admitted blacks. An affiliated society for women, the Daughters of Temperance, also existed.

From the Florence Gazette, Saturday, January 11, 1851, p. 3.

Sons of Temperance.

The following are the Officers elect of MORNING LIGHT DIVISION, No. 10, Sons of Temperance for the 1ts [sic] quarter commencing January 5th, 1851.

B. B. BARKER, W. P.	JOHN A. PORTLOCK, T.? Y.?
Wm. P. PRICE, W. A.	Wm. PATTON, G.
R. H. GRIFFITH, R. S.	Wm. B. BARTON, A. C.
DA[N]’L HARMON, A. R. S.?	J. M. C. HOOKS, O. S.?
___________ F. S., __. __.

The following is a correct list of the members in good standing, of “MORNING LIGHT” Division No. 10, Sons of Temperance, at the beginning of the present quarter:

By order of the Division.
R H GRIFFITH, R. S.

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