Boston Tea Party

  • tea act

    parliment passes the tea act retaining a three pence per pound tax on tea sold in the American colonies
  • selection of tea consignees

    he East India Company announces the selection of tea consignees, those merchants who will be allowed to sell tea. Seven are chosen from Boston, all are Loyalists.
  • The Dartmouth

    he Dartmouth, the first of the tea ships, arrives in Boston Harbor. Twenty days from this date the cargo must be unloaded and the tax paid or the ship and cargo can be seized by customs officials.
  • The Body of the People

    he “Body of the People” meet at the Old South Meeting House. This meeting is not an official town meeting, but instead includes participants from outlying towns as well. The large meeting moves from Faneuil Hall to the Old South Meeting House. The meeting resolves the tea must not be unloaded, but instead sent back to England.
  • Boston learns that tea consignees in Philadelphia and New York have resigned.

  • Between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M. 342 chests of tea are destroyed and thrown from the tea ships into the harbor.

  • King George III receives first news of the Boston Tea Party. Parliament decides to punish Boston.

  • Boston Port Bill

    The Boston Port Bill, closing Boston to ocean traffic until the destroyed tea is paid for, is passed by Parliament.
  • Town meeting held in Boston.

    Those attending vote to refuse to pay for destroyed tea
  • Justice Bill,

    Parliament passes Justice Bill, effectively placing province under martial law.
  • First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia.

  • General Gage orders British soldiers to destroy weapons depot in Concord

  • Battle at Lexington and Concord.