Father Mathew

• Rev. Theobold Mathew, or Father Mathew (1790-1856), was an Irish temperance reformer who founded a mission in Cork, Ireland. The Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society, almost exclusively made up of Irish, was to encourage males to abjure alcohol. He encouraged wholesome social activities, including picnics, dances and sporting events. Within 9 months, no less than 150,000 people had enrolled and took his abstinence pledge. His movement was also successful in Liverpool, Manchester and London.

• Despite ill health, Father Mathew, known as the "apostle of temperance" lead a successful campaign across the United States. For two years he made his way across the U.S., visiting President Taylor in the White House and making a visit to Salem in Sept. of 1849.

Father Mathew Statue in Salem

• The Salem chapter of Father Mathew Catholic Total Abstinence Society was organized in 1875 and purchased its headquarters, the Tucker estate, in 1896. A statue of Father Mathew was erected in 1887 Salem in his honor. In 1916, the statue was moved from Central and Charter Street to its present location, the corner of Derby and Hawthorne Boulevard (also known as Bertram Park.) There are other statues of this charismatic figure, in the cities of Dublin, Cork, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

See Also

• Postcard Photograph courtesy of CardCow.com

• Vertical File in Salem Collection - Father Mathew

• Visitor's Guide to Salem Essex Institute, 1953 ed., p.174 & 1937 ed., p. 201

• Annual Report of Associated Charities 1910 ed. , p.74-5

• "Wine women and Woe: Salem in the 1880's" The Sextant; the journal of Salem State College, by Joan M. Maloney, p.16