Hudson, who had so long abstained from the bewitching infusion as to almost forget its joyous qualities. The information that now came from the direction of Bedford brought back their old appetites. Their thoughts hovered about Bohea throughout the

thirty females the precincts of Weckquaskeck (Dobbs Ferry), Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and Sing-Sing, all on horseback, assembled, eager for the enterprise. As captain of their company, they unanimously made choice of Jonas Orser’s better half, a woman

Amazonian mistress was ready for them, and “laughed a siege to scorn” having previously barricaded the doors and windows of the lower story, and armed herself, her sisters and retainer with tongs, pokers, spits and broomsticks. The assailants, having

refused. Instead, the commander of the post held out to the besiegers the promise that when the master returned home, he would positively sell them what tea they wanted, provided they would now peaceably withdraw from the premises. After

unshaken (and their ability to capture the place by storm was undoubted), they were yet unwilling at present to resort to bloody extremities. The bold dragoons concluded, therefore, to accept the proposition made by Dame Arthur, whereupon they raised

They determined once more to enjoy the “liquor they loved” by coming down upon the ex-grocer Arthur for the needful material. A rendezvous was consequently agreed upon, at the most convenient place. At the appointed time upon an autumnal…

ferocious aspect, who was—or had been—a slave. Having warned his helpmate of the approaching danger, Arthur (himself a man of peace and averse to feminine broils) quietly withdrew. When at length the enemy appeared, and surrounded the house…

their siege and retired. Soon after, according to the treaty stipulation, they were furnished with a large quantity of the much-loved Bohea, and during the whole ensuing winter of that difficult year, their hearts were gladdened by its sprightly

English tenant farmers. But his research disproved this theory, when he discovered a letter from the British Museum, responding to a 1931 query from the New-York Historical Society. “I have made a search of the various gazetteers, old and…

to abstain from a decoction that was deemed unpatriotic and had become unpopular; but their wives longed for the forbidden beverage and not infrequently enjoyed it. During the summer of ‘76, tea became scarce in the interior of the country…

stock in trade; among which was a quantity of Bohea tea. During the month of August, 1776, a cavalcade of about one hundred Dutchess County women had suddenly appeared at Fishkill, where the riders paraded before the house of Colonel…

extensive country merchant. They “insisted,” as the old newspapers report, “on having tea at the lawful price of six shillings per pound.” They scolded so long and threatened so fiercely that the gallant militia officer was glad at length to…

peace by surrendering to them one chest from his store, upon the terms they proposed. The Amazons then withdrew, but Colonel Brinkerhoff dreaded their return, and a few days afterward sold out his entire stock of tea to some New…

of undaunted resolution, who ruled her own household and influenced her neighborhood. (The Orser family lived on the shores of the Hudson, above Sing-Sing.) Placing herself at the head of her forces, Madam Orser at once put them in…

most men would have been, for the females of his own household were numerous and also warlike. Four of them were remarkable for their prowess and personal strength: Dame Arthur, her two maiden sisters, and an African girl with scarred…

They determined once more to enjoy the “liquor they loved” by coming down upon the ex-grocer Arthur for the needful material. A rendezvous was consequently agreed upon, at the most convenient place. At the appointed time upon an autumnal…

ferocious aspect, who was—or had been—a slave. Having warned his helpmate of the approaching danger, Arthur (himself a man of peace and averse to feminine broils) quietly withdrew. When at length the enemy appeared, and surrounded the house…

possessed a stock of the article held it fast, in expectation of a great rise in its value. This led to female insurrection in several of the counties that bordered upon the Hudson River. Storehouses containing the coveted Bohea, at…

the only kind of tea in general use, were besieged by thirsty housewives, sometimes for several days in succession, and for the most part successfully; the owners being at length compelled to sell by retail at reasonable prices. It was…

in consequence of the revolutionary troubles, to break up his establishment and remove to a sequestered place in Westchester County, on the borders of the town now known as New Castle. He brought with him some articles of merchandise, part…

possession sundry chests of the delectable leaf. But by some means, it became whispered about that such was the case. This news was carried from farmhouse to farmhouse, until at length it reached the good housewives along the manor lands…

and unable to proceed with any certainty. In this state of perplexity, they pulled up at a place where the road forked, and awaited the approach of someone who might point out the proper route. Presently, a mounted traveler was…

been refused admittance and set at defiance, proposed a parley, whereupon an upper window was opened. A demand for a box of tea (with promise of future compensation) was rejected. A similar requisition (upon payment of a just and proper…

English tenant farmers. But his research disproved this theory, when he discovered a letter from the British Museum, responding to a 1931 query from the New-York Historical Society. “I have made a search of the various gazetteers, old and…

to abstain from a decoction that was deemed unpatriotic and had become unpopular; but their wives longed for the forbidden beverage and not infrequently enjoyed it. During the summer of ‘76, tea became scarce in the interior of the country…

stock in trade; among which was a quantity of Bohea tea. During the month of August, 1776, a cavalcade of about one hundred Dutchess County women had suddenly appeared at Fishkill, where the riders paraded before the house of Colonel…

extensive country merchant. They “insisted,” as the old newspapers report, “on having tea at the lawful price of six shillings per pound.” They scolded so long and threatened so fiercely that the gallant militia officer was glad at length to…

peace by surrendering to them one chest from his store, upon the terms they proposed. The Amazons then withdrew, but Colonel Brinkerhoff dreaded their return, and a few days afterward sold out his entire stock of tea to some New…

of undaunted resolution, who ruled her own household and influenced her neighborhood. (The Orser family lived on the shores of the Hudson, above Sing-Sing.) Placing herself at the head of her forces, Madam Orser at once put them in…

most men would have been, for the females of his own household were numerous and also warlike. Four of them were remarkable for their prowess and personal strength: Dame Arthur, her two maiden sisters, and an African girl with scarred…