Teetotal advocate and Wesleyan Methodist, born on the Isle of Man to John and Jony Teare, where he received a meagre education in Ramsey and became a cobbler and Wesleyan Methodist. At nineteen he went to Liverpool with the intent of emigrating but on visiting his brother in Preston, Lancs, he decided to remain. Here, by 1833 he was actively involved in the teetotal movement and won his spurs at the Preston Race Week mission in 1833. On returning to the Isle of Man, from 1835 to 1836, he encouraged people to sign the pledge; four Manx brewers went out of business and in one parish alone thirty-two public houses closed. On Monday, 4 April 1836 he set out to introduce the country to teetotalism. His greatest triumphs were in the west in Cornwall, being invited by his fellow Wesleyan, Mudge, Dr Henry. Teare’s appearance in St. Ives, Cornwallin 1837 led to a temperance society being formed and ultimately to the Teetotal Wesleyan Methodists secession. On his death it was found that he was comfortably well-off; he left a legacy to support a temperance essay prize.

Entry written by: DCD
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