Boston Tea Party Genealogy: How to Trace Your Revolutionary Ancestors

The Boston Tea Party remains one of the most iconic acts of defiance in American history. On the night of December 16, 1773, a group of colonists, driven by the rallying cry of “no taxation without representation,” boarded three British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. This pivotal protest against the Tea Act was the spark that ignited the flame of the American Revolution. Looking at the Boston Tea Party through a family history lens invites an intriguing question: could one of the participants have been your ancestor?

Key points about Boston Tea Party genealogy

• Secrecy as a barrier: Because the act was treasonous, participants kept their involvement secret for decades, meaning no official “muster rolls” exist to verify names.
• Obituaries as vital records: Mid-19th-century death notices are premier sources for researchers, as newspapers often highlighted “Tea Party” involvement once the threat of British prosecution had passed.
• Participant identity: Between 100 and 150 men participated: they wore Mohawk-style disguises to hide their identities and symbolize a break from British citizenship.
• Verification methods: To confirm a connection, genealogists should cross-reference lineage society databases (like the DAR) with pension applications, land grants, and DNA testing.

The challenge of Boston Tea Party genealogy

Tracing the genealogy of those involved in the Boston Tea Party presents a significant research challenge. Because the participants were committing an act of treason against the British Crown, many kept their involvement a closely guarded secret for decades, often taking their stories to the grave. While several lineage societies, such as the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum’s Descendants Program or the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), work to preserve these connections, their comprehensive databases are not always easily accessible to the public. Furthermore, official “muster rolls” for the event do not exist in the traditional military sense, making it difficult to verify membership in these exclusive historical associations.

Sources for tracing Boston Tea Party ancestors

Beyond specialized databases, researchers must look to a variety of historical documents to piece together the lives of these patriots. Pension applications from the Revolutionary War, land grants, town records, and personal journals often provide valuable clues. However, some of the most poignant and detailed accounts are found in obituaries and death notices. As the “Last Survivors” of the Revolution began to die in the mid-19th century, newspapers took great care to highlight their participation in the Tea Party as a source of pride.

5 obituaries of Boston Tea Party participants

1.  David Kinnison

The passing of David Kinnison, as recorded in the February 1852 edition of The Ottawa Free Trader, marks the end of a living connection to the birth of the American Republic. Reported to have died at the extraordinary age of 115, Kinnison was celebrated as the final surviving member of the Boston Tea Party. His death in Chicago prompted a grand military tribute, reflecting the nation’s deep desire to preserve the legacy of the “Revolutionary fathers.” Learn more in the obituary of David Kinnison.

2. Adam Beals 

Adam Beals was a notable figure of the Revolutionary era whose life concluded on July 21, 1834, at the age of 79. Born in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1754, Beals was a skilled cabinet maker and participant in the 1773 act of defiance. His extensive military service included the Battles of Quebec and Three Rivers. He remains a celebrated DAR Patriot Ancestor, remembered for his early bravery in Boston Harbor and his dedication to the young nation. Learn more in the obituary of Adam Beals.

3. James Starr 

James Starr was a veteran of the Revolutionary era who died in Jay on January 5, 1831, at the age of 90. He is historically distinguished as a participant in the Boston Tea Party, having helped destroy British tea. His role in this pivotal act of colonial defiance was recorded in the “DIED” column of the Eastern Chronicle. Learn more in the obituary of James Starr.

4. Robert Sessions, Esq.

Robert Sessions died in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, at the age of 79. His death was noted in the January 1831 edition of the Eastern Chronicle, which identified him as one of the few surviving members of the Boston Tea Party. Learn more in the obituary of Robert Sessions.

5. Samuel Hamond 

Samuel Hamond was a notable figure of the Revolutionary era who died on January 4, 1842, at the age of 93. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1748, Hamond is primarily remembered as a participant in the Boston Tea Party. His longevity made him a rare living link to the nation’s founding, and his passing was widely noted in regional newspapers as the loss of a “Tea Party” veteran. Learn more in the obituary of Samuel Hamond.

Did your ancestors participate in the Boston Tea Party?

Discovering a connection to the Boston Tea Party is like finding a direct link to the birth of American liberty. If you suspect your ancestors were involved in the Revolution or lived in Massachusetts during the 1770s, their stories might be waiting for you in MyHeritage’s historical records.

You can also build your family tree to explore your own connections to the American Revolution and beyond. Even if you can’t find written records, a DNA test might help uncover links to revolutionary ancestors.

FAQs about tracing Boston Tea Party ancestry

How many people participated in the Boston Tea Party?

Historical estimates suggest that between 100 and 150 men participated in the event. However, because participants wore disguises and maintained secrecy to avoid prosecution for treason, the exact number and a definitive, complete list of names remain subjects of ongoing historical research.

Why did participants dress as Mohawk people?

The participants dressed as Mohawk people primarily as a disguise to protect their identities from British authorities. Symbolically, it also signaled that the colonists identified more with the American spirit and their own land rather than as subjects of the British Crown.

Are there any female participants recorded in the Boston Tea Party?

While there are no historical records of women boarding the ships to dump tea, many women were integral to the movement. They organized tea boycotts and “spinning bees”: communal gatherings where women met to spin yarn or thread, to produce homespun cloth and avoid buying British textiles.

What is a “DAR Patriot Ancestor”?

A DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Patriot Ancestor is an individual who provided military service, civil service, or patriotic material aid to the cause of American Independence. Many Boston Tea Party participants are recognized as ancestors by the DAR for their early revolutionary actions.

Where can I find a list of known Tea Party participants?

Lists have been compiled over centuries by historians and organizations like the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. However, for genealogists, searching historical newspapers, obituaries, and town records remains the most effective way to confirm an individual’s specific involvement in the event.