Knights of Father Mathew
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The Knights of Father Mathew was a Catholic temperance society that originated in Ireland and promoted complete abstinence from intoxicating liquors.
It was founded in Cork in 1838 by Theobald Mathew, a Capuchin friar - generally known as Father Mathew. The organization spread throughout Ireland, though it was badly disrupted by the Irish potato famine of 1846 to 1849. Father Mathew also travelled in England and Scotland (1842) and in the USA (1849 to 1851) to preach temperance. It is estimated that 7,000,000 took the pledge of abstinence under his influence.
Some members were buried with KFM or K. of F. M. - Knights of Father Mathew - or LAKFM - Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Father Mathew on their tombstones.
