The Greenwich New Jersey Tea Burning 1974; Greenwich Tea Party

On December 12th 1774 the brig Greyhound anchored here at the foot of a great street in Greenwich New Jersey on this sheltered curve of the coherency river. Captain Allen decided to unload a cargo of English tea. Having been assured that the inhabitants of this town were quiet and peaceful citizens. However his decision triggered a series of events which culminated in the now famous tea burning affair of Greenwich. I may be difficult to imagine but on this spot two hundred years ago events unfolded which were in direct and open defiance of the authority and rule of Great Britain which at that time controlled the colonies. On a December day probably not much different from today. The men of this area defied the British by removing that maybe stealing it is a better word from the cellar where it was stored. Taking it to a field not far from here and burning it. That's making New Jersey like the famous Boston Tea Party. One of the many colonies that had a tea party in the NS and all.

For. The historic village of Greenwich New Jersey celebrated the 200 anniversary of the tea burning of 1774 on October 5th and 6th 1974 12000 visitors came to enjoy the pageant and witness the event. The re-enactment drama was rehearsed and videotaped during the day of October 5th and various locations along the Great St.. The purpose of videotaping the rehearsal before those that are is it the Saturday night reenactment total view of the pageant. That's all right. I'm sorry can I help. Oh yeah. Yeah. Right. OK. I'm right.

The pageant was directed by Mr. Marx. He wrote the script and produced the play. The entire script was pre recorded on audiotape playback over loudspeakers located all over town. The actors merely had to mouth their prerecorded lines when performing. I am. A festival it was folk dancing costumes and children's programs walking tours of old homes for all the activities were being conducted for the entertainment and enlightenment of the visitors to the pageant. I'm. A Presbyterian church of Greenwich playhouse to the Trenton State

singers led by Dr. Gordon Myers college students perform their abayas in tiny all musical Yankee Doodle for here. When a certain great king was initially his G's shop or stamps upon paper and hopes to drink tea when these folks burned his teeth and stamped paper like stuff. You may guess that this king then coming to trouble that was no lady left over the sea she was in Ireland. We don't often come free with an ocean of water between the young lady's pockets were full of gold. So as you call it. This performance and many others such as the singing ambassadors a recorder concert and the sweet Adeline's took place throughout the two day celebration. I am ready

to go Oh and a seat and a seat he was going to sing record I am I am and that I am weak oh ok I won't be your team you are and just was. Two of the most important scenes for the rehearsal and video taping that were to take place at the DOC site at the foot of a great street. These scenes called for a sloop to represent the original Greyhound to the press that was chosen to originally take part in the event. You know where to be found and did not arrive in time for the taping. Or for rehearsal and video taping. Came to

a halt. But the wait for the Greyhound was not an eventful waiting on the temporary dock constructed for these scenes. It collapsed and sent the crew into the Clancy river for a cooling off. One wonders at the free 100th anniversary of the tea burning here in Greenwich. Whether the celebrants will add to the pageant the day of the great dock and cruise splash of 1974 a replacement for the missing sloop Greyhound was brought and then the rehearsal tape being continued. Pageant attract a craftsman of the East Coast who demonstrated their cramped.

The rehearsal and video taping continued till late in the afternoon tea burning scenes were the last to be done. It was finally time for the Indians to act out their role in this pageant. T-Bone or Henry's Danks was caught by the

British in 1774 and was searched and to his disappointment it was found that he had stolen his teeth his clothing and raised taxes gone down to him straight from the stacks to. The great street was transformed that evening into a street of magic along a great street. Television monitors were set up so visitors can see the pageant as it progressed to video taping playback and rehearsal or synchronised so that. Dramatic scene taking place somewhere along the route could be seen by any visitor who is not within a distance of that same. All I needed to do was look at the nearest TV monitor and watch the pre recorded video tape version. Of.

This monument marks the spot where that British tea was put to the torch and burned. Now I don't know because I haven't been to that many Bahrainis lately but the aroma of all that might have been pretty hard for most people to take. But those patriots It must have been the sweet smell of Justice itself. Because their act of defiance in its own way led to the founding of our. Governor Brandenburg and two of his young children were present on October 6 to celebrate bicentennial passion along with the people of Greenwich in Cumberland County. It was greeted by the representatives of the people in which incumbent County. Professor Thomas Brown. And Mrs Newman Watson represented the Cumberland County Council and Heritage Commission. Along with the members of the commission. The originators and were responsible for the pageant to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice.

The governor dedicated a reef to the memory of the tea burners. The wreath was made of materials indigenous to Cumberland County such as marsh grass and wild bird feathers. Thank you. Thank you and I want to say that it's nice to be in Cumberland County. It's nice to be here and it's nice to participate in the commemoration. Of the. Tea burning and baggage and as a token of the significance of this event. I have prepared a proclamation and would like to sign that proclamation here as the governor then read and sign the proclamation. Handed down to me and those mementos of this great event. Thank you. We will now have a reading on the names of the

original Tea burners as the name is called the name of that the standing of the tea burner will be called this the Senate will please come forward and plant a flag in front of the monument T-Bird there's Christopher Elmer his descendant Christopher Elmer. T Bernard. Timothy Elmer this and Nancy. T-Bird or James Ewing is they send Matthew Ewing. With the formal proceedings over the great parade began taking shape at the other end of the village. After signing autographs Governor Ben took his place at the head of the parade. No cars were allowed to come into the town of Greenwich except on official business. A large visitor's parking area was made on the outskirts of town. After parking their cars the visitors could walk into town for Hopper ride on a bus available to the

back. At two o'clock that Sunday is Sunday October 6. The colossal parade of several marching units Fife and bugle corps floats and fire engines moved down the great street. The old stone schoolhouse to the T burning monument. Right. Right which way to. Run. And I take any.

Money. Here. I am. Free. We. Are and.

I am. I am. I am. I am sure. I am. I am. I am. I am. I am the pageant was a bicentennial effort by the people. The rain which in Cumberland County. It was their celebration support it created and acted out by themselves. A little help from the state Bicentennial Commission in the form of a grant. I am. I am. What better way to end the bicentennial celebration than with a beautiful fireworks display.

This open the field is empty now and quiet and about all that remains of that celebration are. Memories for some people and. Maybe a better appreciation of our history for other people. Or the people of the town. They'll go on living in rats from time to time talking about the teen burning affair of 1974. But for the next 100 years this affair will probably be relegated to a few pages in the history books and Museum Archives but it will continue to be relived in the minds of those fortunate enough to have participated in the creation of this event and also for those who were fortunate enough to witness it. One can't help but wonder if the. Tri centennial celebration in 20 74 will be as enjoyable.