The Boston Tea Party was not solely a response to a tax on tea but was deeply rooted in broader political and economic issues. The Tea Act of 1773, which imposed taxes on tea and granted the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies, was perceived by the colonists as an infringement on their rights and a consolidation of British control.
The protest was fueled by a combination of factors, including the resentment of taxation without representation, the desire to resist the perceived overreach of British authority and the economic interests tied to the struggling East India Company. The East India Company was a significant player in English commerce, and the British government sought to rescue it from financial troubles by providing it with a monopoly on the tea trade in the American colonies.
The events leading up to the Boston Tea Party culminated on December 16, 1773, when colonists gathered in response to the arrival of a large shipment of tea in Griffin's Wharf, Boston. Governor Thomas Hutchinson insisted that the tea be unloaded and customs duties paid, but the colonists, already agitated, were determined to prevent this. A meeting was convened, a committee was formed to approach the governor, and when he failed to provide a satisfactory response by the appointed time, the colonists took matters into their own hands.
On the night of December 16, disguised as Mohawk Indians to conceal their identities, a group of colonists boarded the three tea ships – the Dartmouth, the Eleanor, and the Beaver. They proceeded to throw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor as a symbolic act of resistance against British policies. This act of protest marked a significant moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution, reflecting the growing tension between the American colonies and the British government over issues of taxation, representation, and governance.
One of the participants that night was Robert Sessions, born on March 15th, 1752, in Pomfret, Connecticut. His involvement in the act of protest against British taxation was one among the 116 documented participants, a chapter in the larger narrative of colonial resistance. Born in the heart of Connecticut, Sessions found himself entwined with the tumultuous times of the American Revolution.
Beyond his role in the Boston Tea Party, Sessions dedicated himself to the cause of independence by serving in the Revolutionary Army. His commitment and contributions were acknowledged as he ascended to the rank of lieutenant, reflecting the valor and dedication displayed on the battlefield during the struggle for freedom.
Notably, Sessions left behind a valuable account of his experience in the Boston Tea Party. Regrettably, the manuscript detailing his perspective on the events of that night has been lost to the annals of history. However, the dissemination of his account during his time provided valuable insights into the motivations, actions, and sentiments of those who participated in the iconic act of defiance.
Robert Sessions was living in Boston at the time, in the family of Mr. Davis, a lumber merchant, and worked as a common laborer.
On that fateful evening, as Mr. Davis returned from the town meeting to the humble abode in Boston, a query about the destiny of the tea escaped the lips of a curious Robert Session. who dwelled within his household. "They are now throwing it overboard," came the swift reply. With granted permission, Robert Sessions hastened to the illuminated scene where the orchestrated act of defiance unfolded.
Under the glow of lamps and torches that turned night into day, the wharf stood aglow, revealing every minute detail. A decision was made to be part of the unfolding events, and this common laborer ventured on board, willingly offering his hands for the task at hand. Unlike those who had been appointed to disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians, he was a volunteer—a young man, hailing from Connecticut, within the residence of a lumber merchant in Boston.
While the appointed group, comprised largely of Boston's men of family and position, proved insufficient for the swift execution required, other young men joined the effort. The chests of tea were methodically hoisted by a tackle—individuals working in tandem to draw them from the hold, loop ropes around them, and lift them to the deck before ferrying them to the vessel's edge. Systematically, the chests were unsealed, their contents spilled into the harbor, and the emptied crates cast overboard. Remarkably, an eerie silence enveloped the wharf despite the presence of numerous onlookers—no clamor, no conversations. It was a meticulous operation focused solely on the tea in the ship's hold.
Upon completing the emptying of the hold, the deck underwent a thorough cleansing. Every item found its designated place, and an onboard officer was summoned to ensure that no harm befell anything other than the targeted tea. The act of defiance, executed with precision and discipline, left the ship bereft of its taxed cargo, marking a pivotal moment in the broader narrative of colonial resistance to British authority.
The composition of the individuals who participated in the Boston Tea Party reflects a diverse cross-section of society during that era. The act of dumping tea into Boston Harbor brought together men from various backgrounds, highlighting a mix of occupations, ethnicities, and ages.
Approximately one-third of the participants belonged to skilled artisan professions, such as carpenters, masons, and shoemakers. A smaller contingent included individuals from more diverse vocations like merchants, doctors, and clerks. However, the majority of those involved were likely apprentices and common laborers, representing a broader spectrum of the working class.
The Tea Party was not confined to a specific ethnic or cultural group; rather, it saw the collaboration of men with diverse origins. Participants included individuals of English, Irish, Scottish, French, African, and Portuguese descent. This diversity underscores the widespread discontent with British policies and taxation across various segments of the population.
Additionally, the Boston Tea Party was notably characterized by the involvement of young people. Two-thirds of those with known ages were under 20, with 16 teenagers actively participating. Conversely, only a small number, nine individuals, were 40 years old or older. This emphasis on youth highlights the energy, passion, and fervor of a generation deeply engaged in the revolutionary spirit.
While a significant number of participants hailed from Boston and its vicinity, the Tea Party drew individuals from more distant locations, including Western Massachusetts and other New England Colonies. The collective effort to resist British policies united men from different places in a common cause.
The list of named patriots involved in the Tea Party is a testament to the secrecy surrounding the event. Some participants chose to carry the details of their involvement to their graves, adding an air of mystery to the historical record of this seminal act of defiance.
Robert Sessions' life continued beyond the American Revolutionary War, and he made a significant impact in Western Massachusetts. Settling in what was then Wilbraham and is now Hampden, Sessions became an integral part of the local community. His contributions spanned various roles, showcasing his commitment to public service.
In the post-war era, Sessions served in multiple capacities, reflecting his dedication to the well-being of the town. He held positions such as justice of the peace, town clerk, treasurer, and town meeting moderator for Wilbraham. His versatility and active participation in different roles underscored his commitment to local governance and the community.
The Sessions family continued to be a prominent presence in Wilbraham and Hampden for generations, with succeeding members making substantial contributions to the town and the state of Massachusetts. Their legacy carried forward, with each generation contributing to the growth and development of the community.
The Sessions' family home at 300 Wilbraham Road, where Robert Sessions likely played a role in shaping local affairs, stands as a historical testament to their enduring presence in the region. This residence serves as a tangible connection to the past, preserving the memory of a man who played a part in the foundational years of the United States.
Robert Sessions eventually passed away in 1836, leaving behind a legacy of service and community involvement. His final resting place at Old Cemetery in Hampden serves as a marker of the historical significance of his contributions and a reminder of the enduring impact individuals like Sessions had on the shaping of local communities in early America.
The legacy of Robert Sessions, a participant in the Boston Tea Party, was honored and perpetuated through a commendable act of restoration and recognition. Unfortunately, his original marble gravestone, popular in the 1830s, had succumbed to the passage of time, crumbling into irreparable pieces. It was in this state that Molly Pruitt, a 93-year-old descendant of Sessions residing in Texas, stepped forward to ensure the preservation of her ancestor's memory.
Motivated by a sense of familial pride and historical reverence, Molly Pruitt funded the replication of Robert Sessions' monument. The new gravestone served as a testament to the enduring connection between generations and the commitment to preserving the history of those who contributed to the early shaping of the United States.
The culmination of this effort came to fruition on June 25, 2023, at the Old Hampden Cemetery on Chapin Rd. On this day, a grave marker was erected at Robert Sessions' final resting place by the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This act of commemoration acknowledged Sessions' role in the historic events of December 16, 1773, when he participated in the Boston Tea Party.
The installation of the grave marker not only recognized Sessions' contribution to the struggle for American independence but also symbolized the ongoing effort to preserve and honor the legacies of those who played pivotal roles in shaping the nation's history. Molly Pruitt's dedication to this cause ensured that Robert Sessions' memory would endure, and future generations could reflect upon the significance of his actions during a crucial moment in American history.
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