Sons of Neptune facts for kids

The Sons of Neptune was a group of colonial sailors who were active before and during the American Revolution. They were closely connected to the famous Sons of Liberty, and some historians think the Sons of Liberty might have even been inspired by them! Important members included John Lamb, John Morin Scott, and Issac Sears.

These sailors started to stand up for themselves against strict rules about trade that the British government was putting in place. They played a big part in major events like the Stamp Act Crisis, the Townshend Acts, and the famous Boston Tea Party.

Who Were the Sons of Neptune?

The Sons of Neptune were mainly made up of sailors and others who worked on ships in the American colonies. In the 1700s, sailing was a huge part of life, especially for trade. These sailors spent their lives on the ocean, bringing goods to and from different places. They knew firsthand how important free trade was for the colonies to grow and be successful.

When the British government started making new laws that limited trade and taxed goods, these sailors felt the impact directly. They saw their livelihoods threatened and believed these new rules were unfair. This made them want to fight for their rights and for the freedom of the colonies.

Important Members

Several key figures were part of the Sons of Neptune:

• John Lamb: He was a merchant and a leader in New York. He became a general during the American Revolution.
• John Morin Scott: A lawyer and politician from New York, he was a strong supporter of colonial rights.
• Isaac Sears: Known as a "King Sears," he was a merchant and a very active leader in New York's protests against British rule.

These men, along with many other sailors and citizens, worked together to challenge what they saw as unfair British policies.

Why Did They Form?

The Sons of Neptune formed because they were upset about new rules and taxes from the British government. After the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War), Britain needed money. So, they started to tax the American colonies more and put strict rules on trade.

These rules meant that colonists couldn't trade as freely with other countries. They were often forced to buy goods only from Britain, even if they were more expensive. This made many colonists, especially those involved in shipping and trade, very angry. The Sons of Neptune believed these actions were hurting the colonies and taking away their freedom. They wanted to protect their ability to trade and earn a living.

What Did They Do?

The Sons of Neptune were involved in several important events that led up to the American Revolution. They used protests, boycotts, and sometimes even direct action to show their unhappiness with British policies.

The Stamp Act Crisis

One of the first big challenges was the Stamp Act in 1765. This law said that colonists had to pay a special tax on almost all printed materials, like newspapers, legal documents, and even playing cards. To show the tax was paid, a special stamp had to be put on the item.

The Sons of Neptune, along with the Sons of Liberty, strongly opposed this act. They saw it as "taxation without representation," meaning they were being taxed without having a say in the British Parliament. They organized protests, sometimes stopping ships that carried the stamps from docking. Their actions helped make the Stamp Act so unpopular that the British government eventually had to cancel it.

The Townshend Acts

After the Stamp Act was repealed, the British government tried again with the Townshend Acts in 1767. These acts placed new taxes on goods like glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea that were imported into the colonies.

The Sons of Neptune continued their protests. They encouraged colonists to boycott (refuse to buy) British goods. This put pressure on British merchants, who then pushed their government to change the laws. The boycotts were very effective and showed the British that the colonists were serious about their rights.

The Boston Tea Party

Perhaps the most famous event the Sons of Neptune were involved in was the Boston Tea Party in December 1773. The British government had passed the Tea Act, which gave a British company a special advantage in selling tea in the colonies. This hurt colonial merchants and was seen as another unfair tax.

In response, a group of colonists, many of whom were members of the Sons of Neptune and Sons of Liberty, dressed up as Native Americans. They boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and threw hundreds of chests of tea into the water. This bold act was a powerful protest against British taxes and control. It greatly angered the British government and led to even stricter laws, pushing the colonies closer to war.

Their Legacy

The Sons of Neptune played an important role in the growing resistance against British rule. By standing up for their rights as sailors and traders, they helped to unite colonists and show that they would not accept unfair laws. Their actions, alongside other groups like the Sons of Liberty, helped set the stage for the American Revolution and the fight for independence. They showed that ordinary people could make a big difference in shaping history.