18th Century Earthenware Teapot Owned by the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts

This is an eighteenth century earthenware (or creamware) teapot that I always enjoy visiting whenever I stop at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The teapot was manufactured about 1766 at the Cockpit Hill Factory in England to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act.

According to Salem State University, "Many colonists were against the Stamp Act largely because it was imposed upon them; formerly, colonial governments passed their owns Acts to raise funds as required. The colonial response was to organize, protest the Act, and confiscate the stamps.

In Boston, one group mobilized and forced the stamp distributor, Andrew Oliver (1706-1774), to resign. Crowds hanged Oliver's effigy, ransacked his home, and tore down the Stamp Office. One of the goods taxed by the Stamp Act was tea; it is not surprising, then that teapots were one of the means for expressing political thought.

Amidst the colonial protest, politics in Britain were also turbulent. George Grenville (1712-1770) was dismissed (as Prime Minister in Britain), and in March 1766, the Stamp Act was repealed. Colonists rejoiced. The broad protest and success in repealing the Stamp Act was an early moment of unity among the American Colonies. 

This British-made teapot is imprinted to convey the repeal of the contentious legislation, and reveals the strength and continuity of ties between Great Britain and her American Colonies."

Note: Here is a link to a related earthenware teapot that is owned today by the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian, which is also believed to have been made at the Cockpit Hill Factory in England, circa 1766-1770. Inscribed on one side of the teapot is "No Stamp Act" and on the other is "America. Liberty Restored." Here is also another link that describes the history of the teapot owned by the Smithsonian, which had previously been owned by William Guthman in Connecticut before the museum acquired it from Northeast Auctions in New Hampshire in 2006.

Teapot Acknowledging the Repeal of the Stamp Act

18th Century English Earthenware Teapot

Attributed to the Cockpit Hill Factory in England

Imprinted "Stamp Act Repeal'd

Circa 1766

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, MA

Cartoon Depicting the Repeal of the Stamp Act

18th Century Cartoon Depicting the Repeal of the Stamp Act

Circa 1766

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress

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