Recorded by Lawrence Doran of Norristown, Pennsylvania, this ledger documents the members of the Father Mathew's Total Abstinence Society from 1872 to 1912. From 1879 to 1912, Doran also maintained a longhand journal that primarily discussed his finances and construction business.

Lawrence James Doran was born on August 21, 1852 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Irish immigrants, Patrick Doran (1826 – 1889) and Elizabeth Lawler Doran (1830 – 1898). Lawrence was one of five children; he had two sisters, Catherine and Elizabeth, and two brothers, William and Patrick.

In 1879, Lawrence married Mary Cecilia Kennedy Doran (1856-1933). The couple had four children; Elizabeth, Mary, John and Thomas.

Lawrence worked as a plastering contractor.

On February 29, 1944, Lawrence passed away at his home in Norristown at the age of 91.   

Recorded by Lawrence Doran of Norristown, Pennsylvania, this ledger documents the members of the Father Mathew's Total Abstinence Society from 1872 to 1912. Doran included an index to names at the beginning of the ledger, followed by recordings of society members' names, who members were recommended by, where they lived, their occupations, age when initiated, the investigation committee, and an accounting of their paid dues. From 1879 to 1912, Doran also maintained a longhand journal that primarily discussed his finances and construction business. Doran recorded each property that he owned, worked on, sold, and how much he made for each transaction, in addition to the building supplies used.