Boston Tea Party

As part of the SAR's Decade of the American Revolution, we have focused on themes and celebration of these important events including:

  • 1773–2023 The Boston Tea Party
  • 1774–2024 The First Continental Congress
  • 1775–2025 The Battles of Lexington and Concord
  • 1776–2026 The Battle of Princeton and Valley Forge
  • 1777–2027 The Battle of Saratoga
  • 1778–2028 The French Alliance
  • 1779–2029 The Siege of Vincennes or Fort Sackville Battle of Kettle Creek
  • 1780–2030 Battle of Kings Mountain
  • 1781–2031 Siege of Yorktown
  • 1782–2032 Battle of Blue Licks
  • 1783- 2033 Treaty of Paris

The Impact of the Boston Tea Party on Virginia

Virginia played an important role in establishing the resistance and response to the British rule at the time.  Throughout Virginia, numerous "Committees of Correspondence" or "Committees of Observation" were formed at the county level.  The delegates of these committees often created a series of "resolutions" (subsequently termed as "Resolves") in response to the tyranny of the British forces and to show an act of solidarity with the colonists of Boston, Massachusetts.  

Commemorative events held include:

  • Fairfax Resolves (Jul 18–20, 2024) - Fairfax Resolves Chapter as Sponsor
  • Dunmore and Frederick Resolves (Jun 8, 2024) - Colonel James Wood II Chapter as Sponsor
  • Loudoun Resolves (Jun 15, 2024) - Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter as Sponsor
  • Culpeper Resolves (Jul 7, 2024) - Culpeper Minutemen Chapter as Sponsor
  • York County Resolves (Jul 18, 2024) - Thomas Nelson Jr. Chapter as Sponsor [link]
  • Fincastle Resolutions (Jan 20, 2025) - Fincastle Resolutions Chapter as Sponsor

Honoring our Boston Tea Party Participants in Virginia

While many of those participants who joined in the Boston Tea Party remained in the colonial New England area, some traveled south and migrated to Virginia.  Those known individuals include:

  • Samuel Cooper (1755–1840)—published one of the few written accounts of his experience that is extant today; he is buried at Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery in Alexandria, Va.; see SAR PRS biography at Patriot P-138621.  Local chapter story at GWSAR.org.
  • Thomas Porter (1754–1800)—he became personal friends with George and Martha Washington; buried at Old Presbyterian Meeting House Burial Ground in Alexandria, Va.; see SAR PRS biography at Patriot P-272199.

During 2023, chapters around the Commonwealth celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with re-enactments, grave markings, wreath laying ceremonies, and other patriotic, educational and historical programs.

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