Edenton Tea Party Primary Source
The boston tea party.
Edenton tea party primary source. In the late 19th century a local edenton historian re invented the actions of the edenton women as a tea party. Following his discovery citizens tried to piece together what they believed must have happened in edenton in 1774. It was a bold demonstration of patriotism and a unique example of political organization by colonial women. The king home was too small for such an assembly.
Explain to students that this image represents the edenton tea party an event that took place in edenton north carolina in 1774. The edenton tea party was a political protest in edenton north carolina in response to the tea act passed by the british parliament in 1773. Powell north carolina through four centuries chapel hill 1989. The tea belonged to the british east india company which had been granted a monopoly over tea imports into the colonies by the tea act of may 1773.
Kerber women of the republic. Elizabeth king fifty one women in edenton north carolina. Penelope barker organized at the home of mrs. Protesters in boston disguised themselves to remain anonymous but these women boldly owned up to their actions and beliefs by signing their real names on their petition.
On october 25 1774 mrs. See richard dillard historic tea party of edenton in the north carolina booklet vol. Lou rogers wehlitz tar heel women raleigh 1949. The edenton tea party transcript source.
Since then it has remained known as the edenton tea party although it very likely did not involve tea or a party. The move was made in response to the 1773 tea act passed by parliament which gave the british east india tea company a monopoly in the colonies and was the last in a series of taxes and policies that colonists fiercely resented. Extract of a letter from north carolina oct. One year after the famous boston tea party a group of north carolina women held a different kind of tea party.
Intellect and ideology in revolutionary america chapel hill 1980. The edenton tea party was one of the earliest organized women s political actions in united states history. One of the primary errors is the belief that there was in fact a party of 51 women gathered at the home of mrs. A loyal patriot of the american revolution penelope barker organized the famous edenton tea party the first recorded women s political demonstration in america.
The edenton tea party 4. Give students an overview of the edenton tea party such as. Barker rallied 50 women in edenton north carolina to sign a resolution boycotting british tea. On december 16 1773 over one hundred american colonists dressed as native americans boarded three merchant ships in boston harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea valued at approximately 1 7 million in today s currency into the water.
Reprinted by the edenton woman s club in historic edenton and countryside the chowan herald 1959 pp. Letter of unknown author printed in the morning chronicle and london advertiser january 31 1775.