Colonial America Rum

pirates carrying rum shore purchase slaves depicted in pirates own book charles ellms

after rum s development in caribbean, drink s popularity spread colonial north america. support demand drink, first rum distillery in british colonies of north america set in 1664 on present-day staten island. boston, massachusetts had distillery 3 years later. manufacture of rum became colonial new england s largest , prosperous industry. new england became distilling center due technical, metalworking , cooperage skills , abundant lumber; rum produced there lighter, more whiskey. rhode island rum joined gold accepted currency in europe period of time. estimates of rum consumption in american colonies before american revolutionary war had every man, woman, or child drinking average of 3 imperial gallons (14 l) of rum each year.

to support demand molasses produce rum, along increasing demand sugar in europe during 17th , 18th centuries, labor source work sugar plantations in caribbean needed. triangular trade established between africa, caribbean, , colonies support need. exchange of slaves, molasses, , rum quite profitable, , disruption trade caused sugar act in 1764 may have helped cause american revolution. in slave trade, rum used medium of exchange. example, slave venture smith, history later published, had been purchased in africa 4 gallons of rum plus piece of calico.

the popularity of rum continued after american revolution, george washington insisting on barrel of barbados rum @ 1789 inauguration.

rum started play important role in political system; candidates attempted influence outcome of election through generosity rum. people attend hustings see candidate appeared more generous. candidate expected drink people show independent , republican. in 1833 mississippi state senate election, 1 candidate, judge edward turner, poured drinks , socialized people. more personal , appeared if going win. other candidate, methodist parson named dick stewart, announced not pouring drinks , have as wanted; dick stewart won.

eventually restrictions on sugar imports british islands of caribbean, combined development of american whiskey, led decline in drink s popularity in north america.