George Robert Twelves Hewes

The Shoemaker and The Tea Party by Alfred F. Young

      George Robert Twelves Hewes had a very challenging life. Born in 1742, he became an orphan at an early age. Consequently, this small, framed man began an apprenticeship as a shoemaker. In Boston, Massachusetts, there were approximately sixty to seventy shoemakers, so it was a very poorly paying occupation. He did marry at age twenty-six and was happily married for seventy years. (p.26) Boston was a community of approximately sixteen thousand people and four thousand British soldiers arrived in the area. How frightening this must have been. One soldier did not pay Hewes for the work he had done, so he reported it to the British. The soldier was severely punished. Had he known the consequence for the soldier's action, Hewes would have not reported the crime. Later, he tells of the death of an eleven-year-old boy, Christopher Seider and ten days later, the Boston Massacre occurred. (p. 37) There was great unrest in the colony. After that, 

The Boston Tea Party occurred and the Whigs recruited ordinary folks to be involved seizing and overthrowing the tea. Hewes and others were dressed as Native Americans. The Whigs did not want to be recognized or associated with this event.

      Hewes' life reflected an ordinary man who experienced important revolutionary war events and became he political. His recollection of these events at age nineties is hopefully accurate. 

Hewes life story is an example that encourages me to strive for these character qualities. This man's life reveals to me that mankind is not perfect. However frail we are or feel, difficult and challenging situations occur. They are aggravating, however, loyalty, community, and commitment rise to the top for the good of the people. Perhaps that's why our constitution begins with "We the people.” This man's life also encourages me to pay attention to history in the making of our country now. Upholding the constitution is still important and I need to support these words today, "We the people"!

Biographies and Autobiographies

I have learned that people always have a story to tell their family/friends. It is each person's individual history. As a parent, relative and teacher and a student of this class, I am reminded how important journals, diaries, letters, birth, death, baptism, wedding certificate are as primary sources. Newspapers articles or cartoons are also helpful as possible primary sources. Interviews need to be carefully documented. Alfred Young compared information gathered by James Hawkes and Benjamin Bussey Thatcher. Hawkes embellished Hewes story by writing conversation. If it has not been accurately documented, this taints history.  Thatcher questioned the memory of Hewes at the age of nineties, as he told his life story and the events of the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, tarring and feathering of John Malcolm. 

     The life of George Robert Twelves Hewes as reported by Alfred Young showed me how valuable it is to speak to people about their experiences in life. It has reminded me how important it is for my biological children to know the history of our family members. As a teacher, I want to encourage my second graders to talk to their parents and other family members about their lives and family history. Certainly, each one of us recalls important events throughout life, however, sometimes we take life for granted and do not interview people. As Young investigated James Hawkes and Benjamin Bussey Thatcher's recordings of this shoemaker in his nineties, who lived in Boston during the Massacre, The Tea Party, and the tarring and feathering of John Malcolm, (p. 33), it shows me how important it is to have accurate documentation.

     Having a journal or diary helps keep history more accurate. Biographies/autobiographies are written with the writer's interpretation and perspective. As one wise friend told me, perspective does not mean it is true. Primary sources are vital to complete the person's history and keep it accurate. Our own personal history can reveal what daily life is like during national and international events that are taking place in the world.