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
Mr. Palmer’s Assortment of Teas for America
Index: Tea Leaves - A Collection of East India Co. Letters, 1773
| blank | Boston. | So. Carolina. | New York. | Philadelphia. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohea, | l. chts. | 268 | 182 | 568 | 568 | 1586 |
| Congo, sml | do. | 20 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 70 |
| Singlo, | do. | 80 | 50 | 80 | 80 | 290 |
| Hyson, | do. | 20 | 10 | 20 | 20 | 70 |
| Souchong, | do. | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
WEIGHT OF TEA EXPORTED TO AMERICA.
| blank | lbs. | |
|---|---|---|
| Bohea, | 562,421 | |
| Singlo, | 22,546 | |
| Hyson, | 5,285 | |
| Souchong, | 2,392 | |
| Congou, | 6,015 | |
| ——— | ||
| Total lbs., | 598,659 | |
The Hayley, James Scott, is now ready to sail, & I mean to dispatch her 15th Augt. The Dartmouth, James Hall,[38] will be here about 14 days longer. These two are constant traders to Boston.
I have no connection with the Carolina trade, but I understand the London, Curling, belonging to Greenwood & Higginson, is now ready for sailing, and is a constant trader. Mr. Settle will please to inform the Comtee of the above & thereby oblige,
His humble servant,
George Hayley.
East India Ho 10 Augt 1773.
To Grey Cooper, Esqr., or Jno. Robinson, Esqr.
Sir:
By order of the Court of Directors of the United East India Compy, I transmit you the enclosed petition, with their request that you will be pleased to lay the same before the Right Hon'ble the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.
I am, very respectfully, sir,
Your most obedt & hum. sert
Peter Mitchell, Secy.
To the Right Hon'ble the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury.
The humble Petition of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies.
Sheweth:
That by an Act passed in the last session of Parliament, it is among other things enacted, "That it shall and may be lawful for the Commissioners of his Majesty's treasury, or[247] any three or more of them, or the High Treasurer for the time being, to grant a licence or licences to the said United Company, to take out of their warehouses such quantity or quantities of tea as the said Commissioners of the Treasury, or any three or more of them, or the High Treasurer for the time being, shall think fit, without the same having been exposed to sale in this kingdom, and to export such tea to any of the British colonies or plantations in America, or to foreign parts discharged from the payment of any of the customs or duties whatsoever."
That the said United Comny have agreed to export to the British colonies or plantations in America a quantity of teas, equal in weight to 1700 large chests of Bohea tea, which quantity will not in the whole exceed six hundred thousand pounds weight. And your petitioner having in the affidavit hereunto annexed shewed unto your lordsps that after the taking out of their warehouses the said quantities of teas so intended to be exported, that there will be left remaining in the warehouses of the said United Company a quantity of tea not less than ten millions of pounds weight, as by the said Act is directed.
Your petitioners therefore pray your lordships to grant them a licence to take out of their warehouses the quantities of teas above mentioned, not exceeding in the whole six hundred thousand pounds weight, without the same having been exposed to sale in this kingdom, and to export such tea discharged from the payment of any customs or duties whatsoever.
By order of the Court of Directors of the said Company.
P. Mitchell, Secy.
East India Ho. 19th April, 1773.