TEA FOR – TWO PARTIES?

A Reflective Paper with Lesson Possibilities
Mary Anne Jusko, Summer 2009

LET’S START WITH WHAT WE KNOW!

Did you know that there were (at least!) two tea parties? One for the men, and yes, one for the women, as well!

We have all heard and read about the Boston Tea Party, that most infamous event on the night of December 16^th, 1773 when men dressed as Indians boarded three British ships and dumped almost 100,000 pounds of tea overboard! (Robert J. Allison, 2007)

This very strong reaction was not foreseen by Parliament, as documented in the records of Parliamentary discussions in 1773. The reaction that this tax would have on the colonists was merely mentioned. After all, the Regulars were withdrawn from Boston after the Boston Massacre, and the Townshend duties were repealed. Just one minute detail - a minimal tax - was left in place - a “symbolic tax on tea so small that the British ministers believed even Boston might be willing to swallow it”. (D. Hackett Fischer, 1994, p. 25)

Wow, did the British ever miscalculate! The reaction by the colonists was fierce and swift. The men were organized into secretive groups, and according to Fischer, only two leaders were actually named - Dr. Joseph Warren and Paul Revere. After the dumping of the tea, in the streets of Boston could be heard a street ballad being sung that included both of their names.

The Rallying of the Tea Party

“Rally Mohawks! Bring out your axes,

And tell King George we’ll pay no taxes

On his foreign tea…

Our Warren’s there, and bold Revere

With hands to do and words to cheer

For liberty and laws.”

(D. Hackett Fischer, 1994, p.25-26)

TASK: Analyze image of the Boston Tea Party. Fill out a photograph (sketch) analysis worksheet

http://dc-mrg.english.ucsb.edu/WarnerTeach/E172/

(scroll down to find the image of the Boston Tea Party)

WOMAN’S SPHERE PERCOLATES! The Edenton Tea Party

TASK: Analyze transcript of Petition Signed by 51 Women in Edenton, North Carolina (found at the end of this paper.) Fill out a document analysis worksheet.

In the summer of 1773 John Adams went on a circuit as a lawyer to make money for his family. In September he was due to begin his work as a delegate to the Continental Congress. One of his trips was a long, hot, journey to what is now Portland, Maine. He was looking forward to a refreshing cup of tea. He asked the lady of the house, Mrs. Hutson: “Madame, is it lawful for a weary Traveller to refresh himself with a Dish of Tea provided it has been honestly smuggled, or paid no Duties?”

“No, sir, we have renounced all Tea in this Place. I can’t make Tea, but he make you coffee.” (She was pointing to her husband!) (Allison, p.61).

Tea was gaining steady in popularity by 1773, but Adams was happy to note that Americans now thought it their “patriotic duty” to stop drinking it. News of the Boston Tea Party was spreading quickly.

Down in North Carolina, a unique event was unfolding a few months after the occurrence of the Boston Tea Party. One of the very first times that women ever gathered and signed a petition could be found in Edenton, North Carolina, in 1774. Here, a group of 51 women gathered at Elizabeth King’s house. They agreed to stop drinking English tea, and chose to brew raspberry leaves instead. As these women made their own clothes, they also agreed to stop using English fabrics. (Hakim, 2005, p.88)

Today in Edenton there is a shiny gold teapot on the green and a notebook on the courthouse in remembrance of this important occasion.

eHeBRITISH RESPONSE TO EDENTON TEA PARTY

TASK 1: Analyze image of the Edenton Tea Party. Fill out a photograph (drawing) analysis worksheet.

http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/viewer.aspx?id=hea

Interesting things to think about: This image captured the way some British viewed the Edenton ladies, and in general all of the women in the colonies at this time. Notice in particular, under the table, the child being bitten on the ear by the dog, who in turn is urinating on the box of tea. Shouldn’t these women be taking care of their children and households instead of signing petitions! As well, the male character sitting at the table is found in many cartoons and documents in England. He is the butt of many jokes and is seen as a buffoon, and the fact that he was added to the group of Edenton women immediately disavows any importance or seriousness to this meeting. As well, the words themselves to the petition were not honored, and were changed by the artist.

TASK 2: Analyze letter written by a man in London to his brother. Fill out a document analysis worksheet.

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-revolution/4305

Think about it: How does this letter reflect the thinking of some British men towards the colonial women?

IN TRUTH, A PLETHORA OF TEA PARTIES!

“Timelines Help Put things in Perspective” (Robert J. Allison’s Chronology, p.vii-x, 2007)

Of interesting note is the portion of Allison’s timeline that spans the dates Jan. 1770, when “Boston merchants agree to abstain from use of tea until Townshend duties repealed” through October 25, 1774, when the “Women in Edenton, North Carolina, pledge not to use any tea.” As we can see, this resistance was composed of many individuals, small groups, and larger groups of people expressing their protest in a variety of ways from personal abstinence of products, to more aggressive, even violent physical demonstrations.

It was not the Boston Tea Party alone, or the Edenton Tea Party, but many incidents, “parties” and events of support and protest over time throughout the colonies that finally created change.

Interesting things to think about: How did men react and behave in response to the tea tax vs. how women reacted to the same? What do these reactions and behaviors tell us about the status, expectations, and daily lives of both men and women of this time period? In situations where something is not fair or people want something, and some sort of action is required, are behaviors and expectations of men and women different today? If so, how?

SOURCES

Website for all graphic organizers:

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/

The Boston Tea Party, by Robert J. Allison (2007)

A History of US, From Colonies to Country, by Joy Hakim (2005)

Paul Revere’s Ride, by David Hackett Fischer (1994)

Edenton, North Carolina Petition

Extract of a letter from North Carolina, Oct. 27.

The Provincial Deputies of North Carolina having resolved not to drink any more tea, nor wear any more British cloth, &c. many ladies of this Province have determined to give a memorable proof of their patriotism, and have accordingly entered into the following honourable and spirited association. I send it to you, to shew your fair countrywomen, how zealously and faithfully American ladies follow the laudable example of their husbands, and what opposition your Ministers may expect to receive from a people thus firmly united against them:

Edenton, North Carolina, Oct. 25, 1774.

As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion that appears nearly to affect the peace and happiness of our country, and as it has been thought necessary, for the public good, to enter into several particular resolves by a meeting of Members deputed from the whole Province, it is a duty which we owe, not only to our near and dear connections who have concurred in them, but to ourselves who are essentially interested in their welfare, to do every thing as far as lies in our power to testify our sincere adherence to the same; and we do therefore accordingly subscribe this paper, as a witness of our fixed intention and solemn determination to do so.

* Abagail Charlton

* Mary Blount

* F. Johnstone

* Elizabeth Creacy

* Margaret Cathcart

* Elizabeth Patterson

* Anne Johnstone

* Jane Wellwood

* Margaret Pearson

* Mary Woolard

* Penelope Dawson

* Sarah Beasley

* Jean Blair

* Susannah Vail

* Grace Clayton

* Elizabeth Vail

* Frances Hall

* Elizabeth Vail

* Mary Jones

* Mary Creacy

* Anne Hall

* Mary Creacy

* Rebecca Bondfield

* Ruth Benbury

* Sarah Littlejohn

* Sarah Howcott

* Penelope Barker

* Sarah Hoskins

* Elizabeth P. Ormond

* Mary Littledle

* M. Payne

* Sarah Valentine

* Elizabeth Johnston

* Elizabeth Cricket

* Mary Bonner

* Elizabeth Green

* Lydia Bonner

* Mary Ramsay

* Sarah Howe

* Anne Horniblow

* Lydia Bennet

* Mary Hunter

* Marion Wells

* Tresia Cunningham

* Anne Anderson

* Elizabeth Roberts

* Sarah Mathews

* Elizabeth Roberts

* Anne Haughton

* Elizabeth Roberts

* Elizabeth Beasly