OUR MISSION
Honor the rich history of tea.
Oliver Pluff is an all-American company preserving the tradition of time-honored teas and early American coffee blends. The tradition of tea and coffee spans American history in its entirety. Our teas and coffees honor this history through flavors, ingredients, and more.
OUR PROMISE
Sip a Cup of History
A cup of Oliver Pluff tea or coffee is a toast to superior quality of ingredients, and a tribute to the American story. We would love to share a cup of history with you!
Owner and Tea Blender
Darren Hartford
Darren was born and raised in Smithfield, Maine. Darren spent over 28 years in the Air Force where he had the opportunity to travel the world and experience many different tea and coffee cultures. He and his family settled in Charleston and he is enjoying sharing the story of Early American Beverages!
Our Team
Assistant Warehouse Manager
Victoria Velez
Graphic Designer
Brandon Frye
The Warehouse and Production Team
Charleston Tea Party
First Charleston Tea Party - December 3, 1773
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Before the Boston Tea Party, on December 16, 1773, the ship London arrived in Charles Town carrying 257 chests of tea. A meeting was called in the Great Hall of the Exchange regarding “UNCONSTITUTIONAL purposes of raising a revenue up us, WITHOUT OUR CONSENT”. The tea was confiscated and stored in the Exchange. No payment of tea taxes was made. Satisfied, the citizens allowed the tea to remain in Charles Town, only if locked away. |
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| The Exchange Building where tea was held in 1773. Image credit: George N. Barnard, 1865. | ||
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The Events of the First Charleston Tea Party were recorded in the South Carolina and American General Gazette -published December 17, 1773 |
Second Charleston Tea Party - November 1, 1774
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On November 1, 1774, the ship Britannia arrived in Charles Town captained by Samuel Ball, Jr. of the British East India Company. The South Carolina Gazette reported that the “Minds of the People appeared to be very much agitated” by the arrival of seven chests of East Indian tea. An inquiry ensued with a refusal to unload the stowaway tea. Captain Ball did not deny “having the mischievous Drug on board”. In his defense, Capt. Ball confessed that “his Mate had received them in his Absence”. The tea merchants were then induced to dump the chests overboard into the Cooper River as a sacrifice to “NEPTUNE”. As the tea was destroyed, many stood on the shore watching, and immediately dispersed after the dumping of the tea, “as if nothing had happened.” |
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| The HMS Britannia carried 7 chests of tea to Charles Town in 1774. Image credit: painting by George Hyde Chambers, 1834 |
The South Carolina Gazette reported on events relating to the 1st Charleston Tea Party, published December 17th, 1773.