GREENWICH, NJ — On December 22, 1774, the Greenwich Tea Party marked a significant yet often overlooked moment in the early stages of the American Revolution. In Greenwich, a small community in Cumberland County, New Jersey, colonists expressed their defiance against British rule in a dramatic act of rebellion.
This event was the last of six similar tea parties that occurred during this period. The Tea Act, which had incited widespread anger among American colonists, led to boycotts and the destruction of tea as a symbol of resistance. In Greenwich, refusing tea became a statement of allegiance to the American cause.
The incident involved the ship Greyhound, captained by J. Allen, who diverted the vessel from Philadelphia to Greenwich to avoid confrontations over its tea cargo. The tea was secretly stored in Dan Bowen’s cellar, a British sympathizer. However, the townspeople discovered the hidden cargo and decided to take action. They possibly disguised themselves as Native Americans, broke into the cellar, seized the tea, and set it ablaze.
Several participants in the Greenwich Tea Party later played notable roles in American history. Richard Howell, one of the tea burners, became the third governor of New Jersey. His granddaughter, Varina Howell, married Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. Ebenezer Elmer, another participant, served in the U.S. House of Representatives. James Erwin, also involved, became the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey, and Andrew Hunter pursued a career as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Many others served in the military during the Revolution.
In 1908, the Cumberland County Historical Society erected a monument in Greenwich Township to commemorate this act of rebellion. Located at Main Street at Market Square, the monument’s namesake list, recalled by Ebenezer Elmer in his later years, may not be entirely accurate, as he recounted these names six decades after the event.
The Greenwich Tea Party remains a source of local pride. The community annually celebrates this act of defiance with reenactments and events like the Tea Burner Race, a charity 5k run. The 100th anniversary of the monument in 2008 was marked by a special weekend celebration, highlighting the enduring legacy of this revolutionary event in American history.