EDENTON TEA PARTY, NSDAR

The Edenton Tea Party Chapter, NSDAR, recognized area students and the JROTC Outstanding Cadet from local schools. The award presentation took place on Feb. 12, 2025, at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall with over 50 in attendance.

Judges for the Good Citizen Essay were Bob and Marie Steinburg and Gary Roth, Judges for the American History Essay were Dick Mayer, Bonnie Pierce and Emma Tynch.

Each year, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution sponsors a national essay contest in the categories of American History and Good Citizen and each local Chapter engages schools and students in composing essays on a preselected topic.

The topic of the essay changes each year and this year was exceptional as the national topic was concerning the signing of the Edenton Resolves, later recognized as the Edenton Tea Party. Essay writers were requested to compose essays based upon this topic and it can be said that our students had the edge when it came to this topic.

Linda Davenport serves as the Chair for the American History Essay and Leatha Fischer serves as the Chair for the Good Citizen Essay.

The Chapter also recognizes at this annual event, the Outstanding JROTC Cadet as recommended by the JROTC at John A. Holmes High School, led by Lt. Col. (retired) Neil Parks. Dr. Susan Hudson serves as the Chair of the local DAR JROTC award and served as the Emcee for this year’s awards presentation.

 While attending JROTC Leadership Camp in the Summer of 2023 at Massanutten Military Academy. Cadet Cortezano was recognized as Superior Cadet out of close to 200 other Cadets for her leadership and physical abilities. Cadet Cortezano is also a star athlete setting school records in both indoor and outdoor track as well as representing the school at state level her last two years.

Cadet Cortezano hopes to either attend the US Military Academy at West Point or a 4-year university to run track and join ROTC where she ultimately hopes to be commissioned as an Officer in the US Army.

Emma and her friends saw a need and started Equip-the-Kids providing slightly used and new sports equipment to students in need. Emma has earned Principal and Honor Roll Honors in 9-12th grades as well as Regional Heart of a Champion and earned NC Athletic Association Scholar Athlete for all sports 9-12th grades.

Emma will be attending Eastern Carolina University in the Fall. Her essay was titled: Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It. Her essay, along with the other essays mentioned in this article, appear below.

The American History Essay Contest is issued to Grades 6, 7, and 8. Over 25 students participated in this year’s essay contest across two schools. The National essay question was “Would you have participated in the Edenton Tea Party, or supported your mother or sister in their participation?”

This year’s sixth-grade award recipient, Violet Pollock, a student at Perquimans Middle School. She was selected as the Chapter and was also the District Award recipient. Violet is the daughter of Sam and Sarah Pollock of Hertford.

The recipient of the 7th grade American History Essay contest was Anne-Marie Shook, daughter of Katy and Ryan Shook.

The recipient of the 8th grade American History Essay contest was Aubryn Bunch, daughter of Dawn and Adam Bunch.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War.

Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over 1 million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, contact Bonnie Henn, Chapter Regent, at bonnie.henn.dar@gmail.com

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Emma Parish: Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It

Focus Question: Service is an essential attribute of a good citizen. Discuss how service can foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American identity.

What is service? Service is an essential attribute of a good citizen. Serviceship can foster a strong sense of community and strengthen our American identity by creating a sense of oneness. Helping is an action word that can often be reciprocated. By helping others I gain a sense of purpose and create a world in which kindness is paid forward. This is, in my opinion, the American way.

Engaging in acts of service through volunteering, helping neighbors, or participating in community projects contributes to the well-being of society. This also brings a sense of unity within the community. While working together to reach goals or overcome challenges, a sense of pride is present, and the community grows together and strengthens. Service not only benefits the immediate community but also shapes our American identity.

We have a long history of people coming together to support each other in times of need. Take for instance Hurricane Helene – thousands of people around the United States have come together to help support and get the
people of Western North Carolina back on their feet. By engaging in service, people not only pitch in to help their communities thrive but also champion the principles that shape our identity. Service can foster a strong sense of community by bringing people together that you may not have otherwise been afforded the opportunity to know. For example, different races, different socioeconomic statuses, or different age groups. Community service helps bring people together as one for the same cause.

This helps with communication throughout the community and brings a sense of belonging. In my experience with mentoring within my community, I would not have had the chance to meet six amazing elementary age girls that are from a very different background than my own.

While working with these students, I have seen their identities positively change and I have seen my growth as a person. Through mentoring and service, I have learned the importance of understanding other differences and adapting to changes. Being a part of a community service, such as volunteering and supporting the ones who need it, helps share compassion and empathy. Through service, people from different backgrounds come together and work as a team to reach goals that help build connections.

Service helps make a positive impact and shows justice through Americans. Service not only strengthens communities but also helps show that people play a part in building a stronger and more united America.

In conclusion, America stands for a diverse society where people all come together to celebrate their differences and work together to accomplish common goals. I am very blessed to be a part of a small community in which everyone is willing to help each other and come together as a whole. As I branch out and move away from my small town, I am going to still strive to
hold my community together and provide service to make a better environment for everyone around me.

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It was October 1774, and we were about to do something that would change everything. My name is Penelope Barker. I could sense the women around me all relying on me. Our beliefs and excitement were identical in all of us. We were about to change history and our lives, but no one knew that. The stirring events of the Boston Tea Party have added some anger to us all, convincing those across the colonies to rise in resistance against the British. But here in Edenton, North Carolina, we also feel the prick of unfair work by the Tea Act and its taxes, which appear to be nothing else than the British striking their will on us.

I believe that the time has come for action, particularly for us women, to boldly show our need for liberty. We greatly hope that our courageous stand will echo to others, inspiring them to unite with us in this noble cause. I first thought of this idea while I was sitting quietly at home, trying to figure
out what to do next. Men often have to face big challenges like battles, but we women have our special ways to make a difference and help others. I reached out to my friends and fellow patriots, and it didn’t take long before we had a group of 51 women, all of us ready to declare our boycott of British tea and cloth.

We met in the living room of Elizabeth King’s house. It was a cozy and friendly place where we came up with big ideas that could change everything. The room was full of energy as we came together. We were sewing, but we were also thinking about something important we needed to do. We decided to write a statement saying we would stop buying things from Britain. Every woman signed her name, which was a small but important way to show we were standing up for ourselves.

I felt a little nervous when I signed my name, but I knew it was the right thing to do and I felt strong inside. Word about our meeting got around fast,
and soon people from our town and even other places were talking about it. The Edenton Gazette, which is a local newspaper, shared what we decided to do.

The news even made it to England! Some British newspapers made fun of us, drawing silly pictures that tried to make us look bad. But instead of feeling upset, their teasing made us even more determined. We knew we were doing the right thing, and we felt proud to stand up for what we believed in. After we decided to take action, things got tough. Some people in our town, who didn’t like the idea of women getting involved in politics, were upset with us. They didn’t like that we were stepping up to make changes.

But lots of others were supportive and cheered us on. We got tons of letters from people in other places, saying they admired our bravery and wanted to help us with our plans. As the months turned into years, our small act of resistance became a symbol of the wide struggle for American independence.

The Edenton Tea Party was a movement, some evidence of the power of collective action and the invincible spirit of women. We continued to meet, plan, and support the cause in any way we could, knowing that our efforts contributed to a larger fight for freedom. Looking back now, I am filled
with pride and accomplishment. The Edenton Tea Party was a crucial moment inthe American Revolution, a reminder that every voice, no matter how small, can make a difference. We stood up not just for ourselves, but for future generations, proving that courage and conviction know no gender.

Our actions on that crisp October day in 1774 were the best ones we have ever made. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

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Let me set the scene for you, taxation without representation. The French and
Indian War ending in 1763 put Britain in need of 70,000,000 dollars. Where were they going to get this money? Colonists, in 1764 the Currency Act was passed by the British Parliament, “prohibiting the printing and issuance of
paper money by Colonial legislatures”.

This forced the colonists to pay their taxes and debts in British pounds sterling. Shortly after in 1765, the Stamp Act was passed, “the act required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards.”

This also had to be paid in British sterling, making it even harder for the colonists to keep up with these acts. However, the Tea Act that caused the famous Tea Party was passed in May 1773. This was passed to help the British East India Company avoid financial problems.

This was also trying to cut down on smuggled tea into the colonies. This smuggled tea was usually Dutch so Britain wasn’t making money.
The “East India Company was a key actor in the British Economy.” This taxed the Colonists for tea imported straight to the colonies. All of these taxes placed on the colonies kept taking a bigger and bigger toll but the whole time the colonists wasn’t represented in the British government. This Act caused many riots or “tea parties”.

Drinking tea was something that was held to such a high standard and drank at least twice a day. In all of the taxes and the events between the colonies and Britain, someone who was least expected to show up and make a statement was, The Women.

Edenton is a town just flowing with history and stories waiting to be told. Sometimes that can be taken for granted in the quick-paced 21st century.
Women had to support each other then, if they didn’t, they were easily missed and never talked about. Sometimes it can feel like that even in today’s modern age.

“The Edenton Tea Party was one of the earliest organized women’s political actions in United States History. This showed a lot about the women willing to be a part of this tea party. They were bold, willing to make change, fearless, and independent. In this ‘Tea Party’ 51 Women made a promise to each other that they would boycott all British goods, mainly tea, and ‘they pledged to support the actions and resolutions of North Carolina’s Provincial Congress. ‘”

News of the Tea Party quickly reached Britain. During the 1770s, political resistance was common. But an organized women’s movement was not. This just shows how shocking and unlikely this tea party is, these colonies were being formed and figuring out how to function in an only “taxation without representation” world.

These Women made a pivotal move in saying something causing this news to
travel fast.

My answer is yes, I would join these Women. This was a good decision because: They stood for what it meant to be noticed. To live outside of a simple life where they could have been at home “focusing on their roles as wives and mothers.”

But to them they could do both, to stand up for what they believe in and be women in a world where women were seen as bystanders. They were defined by how they kept the house and family, not the political affairs they held. These women broke that spectrum entirely making way for a new generation to be nurtured and held without being quiet. No one would have made this move if they didn’t straight up because no one had the guts to. You can easily tell if you’ve ever been slightly associated with being a woman that we long to be seen as so much more than what we do. But by the legacy we produce and the mark on the world we make. This tea party opened doors that this society didn’t even think were there, forever.

“A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

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January 3, 1774 Today, I heard about something really great that has happened.

Last month, over in Boston, they had what they called a tea party. They were tired of Britain and the taxes, so they decided to take action. When I found out what they did, I almost screamed. I was so happy and proud of my fellow colonists…They dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor! Isn’t it great that someone is brave enough to stand up for their beliefs!

June 4, 1774 Britain is making me more and more mad each day. Today I got the horrible news that the British Parliament just passed the Quartering Act which means that British troops have the right to come and sleep/stay at my house, I would like for a soldier to come and try it one time…All of this has come into effect after the Boston Tea Party, yes I think that the tea party was a great idea and was wonderful but now every colonist is having to suffer the consequences. I just wish we could declare our freedom from Britain already so we can stop having to deal with this type of stuff.

October 4, 1774 Today while I was in town shopping for goods produced right here in the colonies, I heard some interesting news. I heard a dear friend of mine, Penelope Barker, say that she was fed up with Britain and the intolerable acts. She was so upset at how Britain had raised the prices and taxes of so many goods. I agreed with her but said what can we do? We are women and no one cares for what we have to say. Penelope was even more
furious when I said that she stormed off saying she was going to figure out a way for us to be heard.

October 9, 1774 After church today Penelope came up to me very excited,
saying that she had thought hard on what we could do and thought of the best idea ever, we could write and sign a letter stating that we would protest British tea and goods. But the most interesting thing that she said is that it would be all women. Penelope went on to tell me where and when this event would take place and that I should invite as many women that I could think of to make this event successful.

October 22, 1774, Of course, I am a tad bit nervous because this is a big event that is going to make a lot of people happy, but it will also make a lot of people mad. Though there could be some consequences for this statement, I could not imagine not participating in this big protest, I love my colony, and my so called government does not care about me or what is best for us on
this side of the world, so hopefully this document that we are going to sign in a few days will either help Britain realize they have been unfair or it will help lead us closer to freedom.

October 24, 1774, Today Penelope and I went to Elizabeth King’s house to set up for the gathering/protest tomorrow. Penelope has even made her own tea so that we can drink that instead of British tea. I think that tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day and that we will have a ton of women to show up and help us show Britain that we are tired of them and want a change.

October 25, 1774, I arrived early to Elizabeth King’s house to help her and
Penelope set up. Soon after everything was set up and ready, women started to arrive. I was so impressed by the amount of women that were walking in, this really made me happy inside to know that others feel as strongly about this topic as I do. Penelope soon started by thanking everybody for coming and supporting this matter. Then she got straight to the matter of why we were there, which was to start our protest of British goods and most importantly tea. We all put our heads together and wrote the letter that we were going to send to Britain. As Penelope was passing around the letter for everyone to sign I got everyone’s attention and stated why I thought this was so important and how everyone was so important and brave for showing up and not
being afraid of the consequences.

I was the last person to sign the paper, so I was able to count all of the names on the paper. There were 51 women there to support and protest the British goods. I think that is amazing. As everyone left, I stayed back to help clean up and get Penelope’s opinion on how it went. Penelope said that it turned out better than she could have imagined. She also told me that this gathering needed a title which was Edenton Resolves. I thought that name was a great idea.

January 6, 1775, It has been a few months since The Edenton Resolves and even though I have heard that the British did not take us seriously because we were women, I think that it was a great idea to sign that paper and send it to Britain and I do not have one regret about it. I know that what we did was important and will be remembered by our fellow colonists for years to come because it had a big impact on them. I also know that some in Britain may not have taken us seriously but I know some did take us seriously and some saw a
different viewpoint on what was going on from that letter.