•Taxes were being enforced (Stamp Act,
Intolerable Acts, etc.)
•Boston Tea Party
•Anger from the colonists towards the
British

Boston Tea Party not the only colony to rebel against Tea Taxes.
On the 25th of October 1774 Mrs. Penelope
Barker arranged a meeting of 51 women to debate the use of British products.
All women signed an oath outlining their promise to stop from using British products.

“Maybe it has only been men who have protested the king up to now.
That only means we women have taken too long to let our voices be heard. We are signing our names to a document, not hiding ourselves behind costumes like the men in
Boston did at their tea party. The
British will know who we are.”
Mrs. Penelope Barker,
(about the signing of the oath)

‘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.’
Full pledge of the 51 Edenton Ladies,
25th October,1774

Once the news of the Edenton Ladies had reached Britain, they poked fun at the ladies. One example of this was the picture of the meeting (next slide).
In America they were thought of as strong and heroic characters

“The only security on our side … is the probability that there are but few places in
America which possess so much female artillery as Edenton.”
Arthur Iredell, 1774

"No more shall my teapot so generous be
In filling the cups with this pernicious tea,
For I'll fill it with water and drink out the same
Before I'll lose liberty that dearest name."
American Newspaper celebrating the Edenton Tea Party

Memorial bronze teapot in Edenton to celebrate the 51 ‘Edenton Ladies’

You’re Invited!
To exhibit your understanding of the
Edenton Tea Party, you will create an invitation to this historical event. Your invitation must contain accurate information about the
Edenton Tea Party presented in a creative, artistic way. Your invitation must include:
• The name of the event
• Who is hosting the event
• The date, time and location of the event
• A detailed description of the event
• Creative, time-appropriate decoration

1. What was unusual about the Edenton Tea
Party?
2. How many women gathered, and what did they do?
3. Although no tea was involved why was it called a tea party?
4. How did England respond to the tea party?