Let's Drink to Liberty Teas!
by Robyn Young
"If attention is not
paid to the ladies, we are
determined to forment our
own rebellion."
Abigail Adams
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Teatime, to colonial women in the 1770's was far more than the much needed opportunity share time with friends and neighbors. Women of this era felt they had a political right to protest and they wanted to be considered “nationly,” to show their support for their country going to war with the powerful empire of Britain. They met over the tea hour to discuss their part in the upcoming revolution.
The Daughters of Liberty, a spin-off of the Sons of Liberty that had operated loosely since 1769, became an official organization in 1774, becoming the first time women formally organized for the political purpose of taking actions of resistance.
In 1774, in Edenton, South Carolina, 51 women signed the “Edenton Proclamation” refusing to buy British tea (as well as linen, silk, sugar, glass, and wine). Anti-tea leagues sprang up that refused to purchase or partake of tea. Women for “the Cause” planted strawberry, sage, thyme, mint, lavender and other native teas to protest the high price of taxes on the imported teas. These teas could be bitter and drinking them without sugar, also boycotted, was a real sacrifice for some!
Because china was scarce,
a colonial woman in the 1770's carried her
own cup, saucer and spoon in a special
cloth bag that might be embroidered with
political statements such as “No Stamp
Act." |
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While these Daughters of Liberty sipped their sometimes bitter homegrown teas, they also discussed how to make and wear homespun cloth. In those days, if you wanted a silk dress, you had to import the silk cloth from France. But, the cloth was first shipped to Britain and taxed before being shipped to the colonies to be taxed yet again. This became unacceptable to the Daughters of Liberty and homespun clothing, even though it was not of the latest Paris fashion, was worn proudly. Wearing “homespun”proclaimed your support of the Patriots.
Gradually, Americans refused to buy any British goods. Although people began to again import tea immediately after the war, it would take years before British tea regained found it's former place in the states.
Further Reading:
To read a poem written about the Daughters of Liberty, click here.
Founding Mothers: Women of America in the Revolutionary Era, 1975, Linda Grant DePauw, Houghton Mifflin Co.
Women and the American Revolution, 1974, Compiled by Mollie Somerville, published by The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution
Robyn Young is the owner of Hera’s House, A Traveling Women’s History Show. She's also Founder and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Women’s History Project. Robyn can be reached at P.O. Box 157, Atglen, PA 19310, by email at herashouse@yahoo.com or at 610-453-4075.