1. The Edenton Tea Party

2. A map of Edenton from 1769

3. Background Seven Years War (1756-1763) left England in a lot of debt
Tea Act of 1773
Intolerable Acts of 1774
North Carolina Provincial Congress- August 25-27, 1774
71 delegates met in New Bern
Resolved to stop all imports from and exports to Great Britain and the East India Trading Company
England decided that they were going to get out of their debt by taxing the colonists but still refusing them representation in English government

4. Penelope Barker Husband- Thomas Barker
Colonial Agent for 17 years in England
Penelope left in charge of estates and businesses while Thomas was away
Knowledgeable about taxes
Leader of Edenton Tea Party
“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.”
Thomas Barker spent 17 years in England and left Penelope in charge of all of their estates and business which was extremely rare in that time
Quote source: National Women’s History Museum

5. Edenton Tea Party October 25, 1774
Show support for North Carolina Provincial Congress
51 women signed a petition vowing to no longer drink tea or use British goods
Women involved in politics was unheard of
They risked their lives in signing the petition

6. Edenton Tea Party Meeting at Elizabeth King’s house in Edenton, NC
Teapot sitting upon a cannon now stands where the house used to be
Picture:

7. Proclamation
“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.”

8. Reactions Arthur Iredell letter
Wrote to his brother, James Iredell, in Edenton
“Is there a female congress at Edenton, too? … The only security on our side to prevent the impending ruin, that I can perceive, is the probability that there are but few places in America which possess so much female artillery as Edenton.”
Arthur was in England
Arthur wrote sarcastically – England didn’t take the women’s actions seriously

9. “A Society of Patriotic Ladies”
Analyze the cartoon- key points:
Women appear very masculine
Baby on the floor
Dog peeing on floor and licking baby
Portrayed as bad mothers
Scene looks very chaotic