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| The Letters of Sarah Lathrop by Caitlin M |
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December 13,1773
Dearest Elizabeth,
Today was an upsetting time. When I awoke today I heard a noise
and was relieved to find out that it was only my sons, John and Samuel,
as they ran around the rooms. My personality is changing because
of my husband George. I am more into my sewing and not as
adventurous as I used to. I have no time to myself and I don’t
have the freedom like I used to. My husband George was still
asleep in the other room. As I made breakfast my daughter,
Victoria, woke up her father. My sons went to school and George
went to work on his precious ships. He said people are waiting to
set sail soon, so he has to get the ships built.
Victoria and I were cleaning the house. As we cleaned we washed
the cups and plates very carefully. We lit the candles to put
some light in the salt box which is our house. The dog was
roaming
the yard sniffing everything and the horse was in the shed. The
carriage sat in the yard. My sewing was put in the cupboard very
neatly.
When I made lunch my sons got home and ate it all up so I had to make
more. After that George got home and I waited awhile before I made
dinner. We all sat down to eat. George started to talk
about what he heard at the docks while he was at work. He said we
will go to service this Sabbath. I dare say that the Patriots are
not very happy. Trying to break out of the Crowns hold makes me
smile and glow with pleasure.
He talked about the British tea boycott and talked about the merchants
that are caught smuggling tea into Boston from Holland. George
talked about the ships in the harbor that have the British tea on it,
and how the people at the docks will not unload the tea even though the
Governor wants it unloaded. There are armed ships threatening
Bostonians that they will force the tea on to the
land. The British soldiers that are living in the
Common are now forcing their way into houses. It is time we stop
these un honorable soldiers before the city goes into chaos .
Your dearest sister,
Sarah Lathrop
December 16, 1773
Dearest Elizabeth,
When I made breakfast I thought about what George had said last
night. My sons have gone to school and George has left for
work. Victoria went out to the well to get water for tea and a
wash. I went to the Market to get cloth, food, drinks,
needles, and thread that I needed. I purchased these from our
favorite merchant, John Peters. All he talked about was
Phillis Wheatly. He talks about her because he wants to marry
her.
I can feel the unrest in the streets as I walk down them. In the
air you can feel the tension. Everyone is spoiling for a
fight. We made our lunch while the boys came walking in
singing some songs they had heard on the streets.
Alas, I can not stop them from walking the streets because they need to
get to school and home again.
George came home all happy about the meeting Samuel Adams had
held. He said Samuel had tried to be nice, but no one would
listen. So Samuel said that the meeting can do no more to save
our country. George said he thought he saw a few people leave the
meeting but the place was packed with hundreds of people, so he was not
sure. George was on his way home when he heard splashes. He
ducked behind a barrel and watched for awhile. He said he saw
people dumping crates into the water. They looked like Mohawk
Indians. Then he ran for home.
It was the destruction of the tea. Some people are happy
that people destroyed the tea. Other people are not so happy
about it. The destruction of the tea made the loyalists very
angry. I love tea and now I cannot get any. Victoria also
likes tea so she is in one of her rages. I glow and smile because
I believe in the Patriot cause.
Your dearest sister,
Sarah Lathrop
June 1774
Dearest Elizabeth,
Everyone has gone to do what they like. Victoria is out riding,
John is playing with the dog, Sam is out fooling with his friends and
George is at the Green Dragon Tavern listening to people talk.
Victoria has come in and is making dinner as I am writing to
you. John and Samuel are in the yard as they run with the dog.
George is coming in all mad.
He yells to the boys and they come running in. We all sit down at the
table to eat when George gets up and said we have to move. The
boys groan and Victoria whimpers. I ask why and he says he heard
people saying that the King is going to close Boston Harbor. That
means no food and no supplies.
He might lose his job. He will have to go make ships for other
people in New Port because no one will buy a boat in a closed harbor
that they cannot get out. He has no shop so we can not sell
it for money. If the Boston Harbor closes most people will have
to move away from their birthplace. So I guess we are moving
closer to you my dear sister. George says New Port is best because we
have friends and family there, so I may see you in a fortnight. I
worry that the children will not take this matter lightly. I am
uncertain about this move. These problems we have are very
upsetting and I do not smile. I frown and sulk. Our life is
suddenly harsh.
Your dearest sister,
Sarah Lathrop . |
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Historical References:
Bibliography:
Saari Peggy, Colonial America Almanac The Gale Group, United
States, 1999.
The Boston Tea Party. Page 1. 4-25-06.
<www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/teaparty.htm>.
The Tea Party. Page 1. 4-25-06.
<www.kidport.com/RefLib/usaHistory/AmericanRevolution
/TeaParty.htm.
The Boston Tea Party/The Boston Port Act. Page 1. 4-27-06.
<library.thinkquest.org/3803/Events/tparty.htm>.
The Shipbuilder. Page 1. 4-3-06.
<http://www.pocanticohills.org/trademen/shipbuilder.htm>.
The Men of the Boston Tea Party. Page 1. 4-28-06.
<members.tripod.com/~sbenoit/tea party.html>
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Historical Terms
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Fortnight
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Loyalist
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Boycott
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Spoiling
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Patriot
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Alas
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About the Historian
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Caitlin
Millett goes to King Middle School in Portland ME. She loves
animals but she mostly like horses. She like art and social
studies. She has 1 dog, 1 cat, and 1 fish. She like to
write
stories so this was sort of simple.
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