An English-made teapot ca. 1766-1770 commemorates the repeal of the Stamp Act
Historical Period
The American Revolution and A New Nation
contributing partner
English manufacturers, worried about losing the American market, welcomed the repeal of the Stamp Act in March of 1766. The creamware teapots produced to commemorate this repeal are primarily adorned with the phrases "No Stamp Act" and "America Liberty Restored," suggesting they were created after the Act was repealed, rather than as a protest against it. Colonial Williamsburg's teapot bears the inscription "No Stamp Act" on both sides, and its similarity to other known examples strongly indicates it was also made after March 1766.
Date Created:
1766-1770
Format:
Artifact
Materials and Measurements:
Lead-glazed earthenware (creamware)
Point of Origin:
Staffordshire, England; H: 5 1/4", W: 7 1/2", D: 4 1/4"
Object Identifier #:
1953-417,A&B
Foster inquiry and understanding with these source-specific questions, designed to be accessible even for those with limited background knowledge.
say hello to the source
1.
Have you seen something similar to this before?
2.
Are there any unusual features that stand out to you or that you’re curious about?
3.
What would you like to know about this object?
make observations
4.
Describe this object as if you are explaining to someone who can’t see it.
5.
What do you notice about the spout and handle?
interpret what you see
6.
This teapot was made between 1766 and 1770. What was happening at the time it was created?
7.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was the first direct tax on American colonists by the British Parliament, leading to widespread protests and its repeal in 1766. English manufacturers celebrated the repeal, as shown by this commemorative teapot, made in Staffordshire, England. Why might English manufacturers have celebrated the repeal of a tax they didn’t have to pay?
use it as evidence
8.
Who might have used, bought, or wanted this? Why do you think that?
9.
The Stamp Act was a tax on paper products. Why then would someone put “No Stamp Act” on a teapot?
10.
After the repeal of the Stamp Act, the conflict between the colonies and British Parliament continued, ultimately leading to the outbreak of the American Revolution nine years later. How might a colonist, frustrated by British policies, have felt when looking at this commemorative teapot in 1775?
Use these related vocabulary terms to build students’ understanding and support more meaningful discussions and learning outcomes in your classroom.
Definition
refusing to buy, use, or participate in order to change something
Example
The customers decided to boycott the store until they started to use more recycled products.
Definition
to bring goods from one country into another country for sale
Example
The furniture store imports Turkish rugs to sell to their clients.
Definition
words written or engraved on the surface of an object or a page of a book
Example
The inscription on the book held by the Statue of Liberty includes Roman numerals that represent “July 4, 1776.”
Definition
the official act of revoking or withdrawing a law or tax
Example
We celebrated when Congress repealed the unpopular law.
Definition
money paid by people to the government
Example
The government has announced that they will increase taxes in order to pay for new infrastructure.
There’s even more for Beta Users
Get Access to Everything
More Primary Sources In:
artifact
Landing of General Lafayette
poster
Prospect Hill. Bunker's Hill.
artwork
British Surrender at Yorktown, 1781
artwork
Washington and His Generals at Yorktown
artifact
Bushnell Submarine Turtle
document
Paul Revere Deposition of the Midnight Ride, 1775
document
A Plan of Boston, and its Environs Shewing the True Situation of His Majesty's Army
poster
A List of the Names of the Provincials who were Killed and Wounded in the late Engagement with His Majesty's Troops at Concord, &c.
artifact
Relief Ellery's teaspoons
poster
Early Broadside of the Declaration of Independence
artifact
Punchbowl
map
A Plan of the Battle, on Bunkers Hill Fought on the 17th of June 1775
artifact
The New Game of the American Revolution
artwork
State Street, 1801
map
A Plan of the Operations of the King’s Army
map
Plan of the Investment of York and Gloucester
artwork
Needlework Picture of The Washington Family
artifact
Artifacts from Monticello
map
Theater of War in America Northern Including the Gulf of Mexico
artwork
A Correct View of the Late Battle at Charlestown, June 17th, 1775
document
Petition for Freedom (manuscript copy) to the Massachusetts Council and House of Representatives, [13] January 1777
artifact
Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial Preliminary Figure
document
Certificate: Payment to Caesar Black
artifact
George Washington’s Dentures
artwork
Portrait of Elizabeth Freeman
document
Legal Notes by Chief Justice William Cushing, about Quock Walker's Court Case (1783)
Edit this item
Move to an Existing folder
Create a new folder
Export this item
Select a grade band for your exports