Edward Compton Howe Boston Tea Party Participant

(1742 – September 21, 1821)

A ropemaker living in Boston, Massachusetts, it’s no surprise that word of the “destruction of the tea” would have been circulated among the men who worked on the waterfront, like Edward Compton Howe.

Prior to his participation in the Boston Tea Party, Howe joined Samuel Adams and other would-be participants on November 17, 1773, to petition for clarification about the soon-to-be-imported tea from the East India Company Consignee, Richard Clarke & Sons.

Howe continued his career as a ropemaker with his son John for most of his life. According to Francis S. Drake in his 1884 book Tea Leaves, Howe’s rope walk was one of seven on the west side of Pearl Street, all of which were destroyed in the July 1794 fire. Edward and his son John dissolved their partnership in the ropewalk business, with John taking sole ownership on August 18, 1800.

Edward Compton Howe died in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 21, 1821. He is buried in Boston’s Central Burying Ground.

Spouse:
Margaret Neals (1747 – July 23, 1776)

Children:

Edward Howe (May 31, 1767 – Died young)
Thomas Howe (July 31, 1768 – Unknown)
Edward Howe (August 5, 1770 – August 5, 1817)
Joseph Neals Howe (April 5, 1772 – February 28, 1847)
John Howe (April 17, 1774 – June 22, 1816)

Edward Howe (May 31, 1767 – Died young)
Edward Howe (August 5, 1770 – August 5, 1817)
John Howe (April 17, 1774 – June 22, 1816)

Thomas Howe (July 31, 1768 – Unknown)
Joseph Neals Howe (April 5, 1772 – February 28, 1847)

Spouse:
Abigail Harris (October 20, 1739 – February 1, 1825)

Children:

Nabby Howe (May 10, 1778 – December 1812)
Compston Howe (March 13, 1783 – Died at sea 1806)

Nabby Howe (May 10, 1778 – December 1812)

Compston Howe (March 13, 1783 – Died at sea 1806)

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