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| Cooper Witnesses Boston Tea Party by Sebastian L |
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November 15, 1773
Dear Ellen,
Much unrest has befallen this beloved city. I live in the North End not
far from Faneuil Hall. The soldiers no longer occupy Boston but
they still affect our daily lives. The Townsend Acts have been
repealed
except for the Tea Act. The East India Company has monopolized
the
tea trade, and they only sell it to seven loyalist merchants in Boston.
Because of this, other merchants are going out of
business.
My son, William, is going off to apprenticeship for
a blacksmith. I am a cooper which is not an easy job, but it pays. I
make barrels for merchants,store owners,and others. I have attended a
meeting at Faneuil Hall earlier in the day. We Patriots can do nothing
to repeal the Tea Act at the moment. I Must leave for work. I wish you
good luck
Your loving brother
George H. Ludlow
17 December 1773
Dear Ellen,
We have defied Parliament in such a way that they are bound to repeal
the Tea Act. Yesterday a large group of Bostonians including
myself went to Faneuil Hall for a meeting. We were forced to adjourn
and go to the meeting house to continue. Those darn Loyalists fought
back saying the tax was a mere three pence. Indeed it is, but we have
no representation in Parliament. We Patriots have no say in this
matter. I was a bit confused at first. We asked the captain of the
Dartmouth to ride to governor Hutchinson to ask for permission to
leave. He returned after several hours with “No” as a response from the
governor. Samuel Adams, a loyal patriot and friend said, “this meeting
can do nothing more to save our country”.
We returned two hours later dressed as Mohawk
Indians. I was trembling with excitement. We arrived at Griffins
Wharf,seized the ships and then opened the cargo hold. The chests
were so heavy we had to use the ships winches to lift the tea out of
the holds. I used a borrowed hatchet to break open a chest of tea.
Since the tide was low, we had to push aside tea that had accumulated
in piles on the side of the ship. We swiped the decks clean and made
our way home. Last night was quite the night for the Sons of Liberty.
Tis getting late and I must go to bed. Oh and wish you a merry
Christmas.
Sincerely your
brother,
George H.Ludlow
June 3,1774
Dear Ellen,
Life is well in Boston for the most part. Warships from England
sailed into the harbor and closed it a few days ago. How am I supposed
to export my product without the harbor? To make matters worse they
also landed infantry to counter the rioters. I’m going out of business
because my Loyalist customers learned that I dumped tea. Sadly, I
have learned that in recent weeks my wife in Philadelphia has died of
pneumonia. Jacob, my younger son, has also fallen ill with scurvy. My
friend says to give him fruit. Since the destruction of the tea, I am a
target for the British soldiers so I’m thinking of moving to the town
of Concord for the safety of myself and the boys. Several Sons of
Liberty have made similar moves. I am terribly tired and my son calls
for me. I wish you much luck.
Sincerely your brother,
George H.. |
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Historical References:
Http://www.let.rugnL./usa/E/teaparty/boston xx.html april 26 2006
Collier, Christopher The American Revolution 1763-1783 copywrite
1998 April 2006
www.u-s-history.com/pages/h646.htmL April 26 2006
World Book contributor: Pauline Maier, Ph.D,william,R. Kenan, Jr,
Professor of history, MIT. April 26 2006
http://countrysites.us/united-states/history-25 htm
www.malonesean.i-p.com/apprenticeship.html
“A boys life in colonial times” www.ifcw.org/colonial.htm march
2006
“Colonial Life in America” World book
encyclopedia
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