Person:Sarah Gee (8)

This is almost certainly the "famous" Sarah "Sally" Gee. She was born in 1742 in Eastchester, Westchester County, New York and reportedly died in Orange County, date unknown.

The History of Orange County NY (Philadelphia 1881) relates a story of "Aunt Sally" who didn't want the hated redcoats to have her tea. Sarah Gee, aka "Sally" was a Revolutionary War patriot and at least six of her brothers were veterans of the war. Several histories relate the incident in which "Aunt Sally" Gee had 1/2 pound of tea, which was forbidden during the Revolutionary War. When Fort Montgomery was set afire announcing a British victory, Sally resolved to have her final cup of tea before abandoning her home. Being determined not to let the tea fall into the hands of the Redcoats she grabbed an old teapot and hastily dumped in all of the tea; the tea turned out so strong she couldn't drink it. The following poem was found among manuscripts at the Putnam County Historical Society, Cold Springs, New York:

Aunt Sally Gee

"Aunt Sally Gee had half a pound of tea
On the day the British stormed Fort Montgomery.

The beacon's fires flare, created such a scare
The women were aware they must at once prepare.

In case I have to flee my house, said Sally Gee,
I will not leave my tea to be drunk by the enemy!'

So in her pewter pot she quickly dumped the lot
Filled up with water hot and down in the chair she sot.

So bitter was the brew, was nothing she could do
But throw the stinking brew out where the daisies grew.

Good folks should be warned by the tale of Sally Gee,
To measure out the tea and keep from gluttony."

1. ↑ Find A Grave.

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