The 'Drunkard’s Friend' who hoped to turn Blackburn teetotal

Elizabeth Ann Lewis is not a name that the majority of folk in East Lancashire will ever have heard of and yet she was known to Prime Ministers and politicians, helped to change the law affecting women and changed the lives of thousands of people across East Lancashire and beyond.

Known both as The Temperance Queen or The Dunkard’s Friend, she made it her life’s work to steer working folk away from the dangers of drink. In Victorian times Blackburn was known as ‘the drunkest town in England’ . In the 1881 census more than 600 establishments were licensed to sell alcohol when the population was around 129,000 - equivalent to one beer shop or pub to every 34 houses.

Elizabeth Ann Lewis, who was born in the Midlands in 1848 moved to Blackburn with her husband. They bought the old Methodist hall at the corner of Mincing Lane and St Peter Street - the ground floor was used for her husband’s coachbuilding business and the top floor became a Temperance mission.

Jennie Cook, who will be giving the talk at the library, has researched Elizabeth Lewis’s life.

“She was a remarkable woman,” she said. “She was effectively the town’s social worker who just loved helping people.”

Having settled in Blackburn and with the Blue Ribbon Mission established, her goal was to get as many people to ‘sign the pledge’ promising to give up drink as she could.

It’s estimated that in just three weeks in 1892, around 19,000 pledges were taken at the mission. But getting people to sign up was merely the start of her work.

“She would meet workers at the mills at lunchtime and at the end of the day and ensure they went home without going to the pub,” said Jennie. “There are reports of her waiting outside the Griffin pub asking people to sign the pledge. “She would often go an visit many of those who had signed up at their homes.

“These were often in the most deprived areas where there was a lot of poverty. I think she was most concerned about the children as she realise the effect drunk parents could have on families.”

The Blue Ribbon Mission became known around the country and it was funded by subscriptions.

To help in her work, Mrs Lewis employed a full-time missionary - a Mr Kilshaw.

He was 15 years her junior and rumours began to be circulated about their relationship - possibly inspired by publicans who naturally disapproved of her work.

At the time a woman’s reputation could not be defended in law. Legal experts told Mrs Lewis that she could do nothing of the rumours, but she persisted, employed a QC and eventually saw the law changed via the Slander of Women Act 1891.

Not a natural speaker, Mrs Lewis at first steered clear of addressing crowds.

“She did try to give a speech at Belthorn School which left her in floods of tears,” said Jennie Cook, “but she persisted and got more confident. She would address gatherings in Witton Park putting forward the Temperance cause.

Another first for women came in 1909 when Mrs Lewis was permitted to address the prisoners of Lancaster jail. The Governor’s wife persuaded the powers that be that the prisoners would be helped by Mrs Lewis and so it proved. Many signed the pledge and she visited all the women in their cells.

The late Victorian and Edwardian era was a time of great change and the Suffragette movement was gaining attention. Mrs Lewis supported the cause of votes for women and allowed leaders of the movement to use Lees Hall free of charge.

She is quoted as saying: “Taxation without representation is tyranny. I am opposed to all tyranny and object as a woman to be classed for voting purposes with lunatics and criminals.”

But it was the Temperance movement and the well-being of families in Blackburn which were most dear to her.

Although she did not achieve her ultimate goal of making Blackburn a teetotal town, her campaigning led to the number of premises selling alcohol to be reduced and thousands of people had turned to abstinence with her help.

“Elizabeth Lewis was just one of those people you occasionally come across in Victorian times who was quite remarkable,” said Jennie Cook.

“She came from a Temperance family and was also a vegetarian which was very unusual at the time. She was just committed to improving the lives of people.”

The King and Queen visited Blackburn in 1913 and Mrs.Lewis was the last of the many dignitaries to be presented to the royal couple.

When she approached the platform outside the town hall, the crowd gave a great cheer showing the respect and affection in which she was held.

She dies in 1924 aged 76 and was buried at Blackburn Cemetery.

Her headstone was paid for by well-wishers and bears the inscription: “In as much this stone was erected by loving admirers in all parts of the world to The Drunkard’s Friend who devoted over forty years of her life to spreading the blessings of teetotalism and training the young to walk in wisdom’s way.

She went about doing good”

As a footnote, Mrs Lewis’ brother John also played a major role in life in Blackburn.

He was one of the founders of Blackburn Rovers and later became a vice-president of the Football Association and the Football League.

Jenny Cook’s talk on the life of Elizabeth Ann Lewis is at Blackburn Library on Thursday, June 15 at 2pm. Admission is free