Experience the American dream with today’s Patriots of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.
It’s July 9, 1768. I’m in the home of Benjamin Franklin’s son, William Franklin, the governor of New Jersey. We are visiting with Susan Boudinot, a freedom lover.
JG: “Susan, are you aware you’re drinking English tea?”
SB: “What? This is English tea? Why, I shall not drink it any more. Out the window it goes. Mr. Governor, you should be ashamed of yourself serving us English tea. The king taxes our tea, our businesses, and homes. We must not support that tyrant.”
Susan Boudinot and thousands of lady patriots across America inspired many to fight for freedom.
Susan was only nine years old when this incident took place. The following is an account by Jane Boudinot who claimed Susan told her the story personally:
“‘It was this young girl, when nine years of age, having a cup of tea pressed upon her while visiting at Governor Franklin’s, proclaimed her rebel principles by only raising the cup to her lips and then, suddenly crossing the room, throwing the contents from the window.'”
John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.
