Kilkenny man, Thomas White was among the colonists protesting against the British for imposing “taxation without representation” in Boston Harbour.
On Sunday last, Mr. White was honoured in Kilkenny for his role in the Boston Tea Party. Thomas White was the only Irishman to partake in the watershed moment of US history 250 years ago.
Over a hundred people gathered at Rothe House, where a ceremonial white rosebush was planted in Thomas White’s honour in the first official acknowledgement of his accomplishments.
A commemorative plaque was also presented to Mr Fonsie Mealy, a director of Rothe House Trust and President of Kilkenny Archaeological Society.
The plaque will be installed in the gardens of Rothe House.
In attendance were members of the Boston Tea Party reenactors group, who travelled from America for the event, The Great Kilkenny war memorial committee, Historic Kilkenny, and members of Rothe House and Kilkenny Archaeological society.
Also in attendance was Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny Conty Council Cllr. Michael Doyle and Mayor of Kilkenny city Cllr Joe Malone.
The Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773 came about as a political protest by American colonists against the British Parliament’s tax on tea. Under the Tea Act of May 1773, the British East India Company could sell tea from China in American colonies without paying taxes apart from those imposed by the Townshend Acts.
The Kilkenny Observer newspaper will carry a more detailed account with photos in next week’s edition.
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