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Newburyport in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
 

Market Square Tea Burning

 
 
Market Square Tea Burning Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2017
1. Market Square Tea Burning Marker
Inscription.
When the British Parliament in 1773 imposed a tax on tea imported into the American Colonies the act was widely resented. In indignation tea was brought by the people to Market Square and burned. To commemorate the incident this tablet was erected in 1910; a few persons living at this later date testifying to having heard the story from eye witnesses to the event.
 
Erected 1910.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1773.
 
Location. 42° 48.674′ N, 70° 52.205′ W. Marker is in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It can be reached from the intersection of Merrimac Street and Market Square, on the right when traveling east. Marker is a metal tablet mounted at eye level, near the northwest corner of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Market Square, Newburyport MA 01950, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore, in Greater Boston, and in the Merrimack Valley. It is also in the American Northeast, in
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New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mrs. Elizabeth Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); Newburyport Firehouse Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Watts' Cellar (within shouting distance of this marker); The Memory of the Officers and Men (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coast Guard Bicentennial Marker (about 700 feet away); Newburyport Custom House (about 700 feet away); Fighting for “Double Victory:” Newburyport's Black Soldiers and Sailors (about 700 feet away); Newburyport Sailor's Memorial (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newburyport.
 
Also see . . .  An answer to question about Joseph Little.
Joseph Little was born on April 21, 1730, and died on Feb. 1, 1792. Joseph’s home on Merrimac Street was near Unicorn Street. Joseph’s
Market Square Tea Burning Marker (<i>wide view; marker visible left of window</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2017
2. Market Square Tea Burning Marker (wide view; marker visible left of window)
wife Elizabeth Hazen Little told her grandchildren of watching the burning tea in Market Square. I do not know if this was before or after the Boston Tea Party.Joseph’s home on Merrimac Street was near Unicorn Street. (Submitted on March 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.) 
 
Inn Sreet Mall building (<i>wide view; marker visible on wall, far left</i>) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2017
3. Inn Sreet Mall building (wide view; marker visible on wall, far left)
Inn Street Mall Plaque image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2017
4. Inn Street Mall Plaque
This plaque (mounted in a different location on the same building) is unrelated to the marker, but rather acknowledges construction and redevelopment of the surrounding commercial area in 1975.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 25, 2026