Deerfield Temperance Society was organized
April 26^th, 1834, and the following Constitution
adopted ---
Art 1^st This Society shall be called the Deerfield
Temperance Society, and its members agree, that
they will not use distilled spirit as drink, nor
provide it for others, and that they will discourage the
use of it in the community.

Art 2^nd Any person may become a member of this Society
by giving his name to this Constitution, and may
withdraw from it by giving notice to the Secretary

Art 3^d The Officers shall be a President, Vice President,
Secretary, and Committee of four, who shall be chosen
annually, and together constitute the Executive
Committee. They shall manage the concerns of
the Society, and make annual report of their
doings

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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label levels:

There is currently no available "Beginner" label. The following is the default level label: Up until the early nineteenth century, liquor was commonly consumed by Americans. In New England, hard cider was found on the table at meals and drunk by people of all ages. Gin, rum and whiskey were additionally consumed by men once in the morning and once in the afternoon to help them through the workday, and alcohol was found at all social engagements. By the 1820s, possibly in response to economic and social upheavals following the Revolution, the per capita consumption of alcohol reached a peak of four gallons of pure alcohol annually, which contributed to many social problems.
The first rumblings of the temperance movement in America began in New England as early as 1810 but the movement did not become visible until the late 1820s. The Deerfield Temperance Society was organized in 1834, and required all members to refrain from "distilled spirit as drink" and prohibited them from serving it to others. They were also obliged to discourage use of it in the community. Through the efforts of men and women in the temperance movement, by 1840 per capita consumption of alcohol had dropped to one half gallon annually.

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