Show pioneers in movement for total abstinence the year 1332 1032 marked the centenary ot of the seven men of preston lancashire these men were pion pioneers aers of the modern total abstinence movement joseph livesey drafted the first total abstinence pledge in england in september 1832 and its terms and those who signed their names to it are as follows we agree to abstain from all liquors of an intoxicating quality whether ale porter wine or ardent spirits except as medicines john gratrix edward dickinson john broadbelt john smith joseph livesey david anderton john king these are the historic seven men bien of preston to preston also belongs the origin of the word teetotal at one of LIve meetings an intemperate illiterate man dick turner wandered in and before the meeting ended had signed the new pledge he became an evangelist and a popular advocate ot of the cause speaking at a meeting in the celebrated preston cockpit he coined a new word to suit his purpose saying ill be reet down and out t t total for ever the phrase immediately caught on and the name for U the ie new movement was born |