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5 Myths of Tarring and Feathering
Journal of the American Revolution ^ | 12/13/2013 | J.L. Bell

Posted on 10/07/2014 7:57:28 AM PDT by Textide

1. Myth:

Tarring and feathering could be fatal.

Busted:

The notion that hot tar caused severe, sometimes fatal burns is based on the assumption that “tar” meant the asphalt we use on roads, which is typically stored in liquid state at about 300°F (150°C). But in the eighteenth century “tar” meant pine tar, used for several purposes in building and maintaining ships. As any baseball fan knows, pine tar doesn’t have to be very hot to be sticky. Shipyards did warm that tar to make it flow more easily, but pine tar starts to melt at about 140°F (60°C). That’s well above the ideal for bathwater, but far from the temperature of hot asphalt.

Pine tar could be hot enough to injure someone. The Loyalist judge Peter Oliver complained that when a mob attacked Dr. Abner Beebe of Connecticut, “hot Pitch was poured upon him, which blistered his Skin.” But other victims of tarring and feathering didn’t mention severe or lasting burns among their injuries. Rioters probably applied the tar with a mop or brush, lowering its temperature. Sometimes they tarred people more gently over their clothing.

(Excerpt) Read more at allthingsliberty.com ...


TOPICS: Education; History; Society
KEYWORDS: fedup; tarandfeather
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An interesting article about the history of tarring and feathering. Some light reading for a Tuesday. Here's a link to the full article:

http://allthingsliberty.com/2013/12/5-myths-tarring-feathering/

Here are the 5 myths:

1. Tarring and Feathering could be fatal
2. Rebellious Bostonians invented the tars-and-feathers treatment.
3. Pre-war mobs attacked high-class royal officials with tar and feathers.
4. Towns displayed tar barrels and bags of feathers on Liberty Poles.
5. Tarring and feathering ended with the Revolution.

1 posted on 10/07/2014 7:57:28 AM PDT by Textide
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To: Textide

I guess this article is posted here as a how to just in case we finally get fed up with our politicians?


2 posted on 10/07/2014 8:04:38 AM PDT by dblshot (I am John Galt.)
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To: dblshot

It’s always good to know such things.


3 posted on 10/07/2014 8:05:28 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: Textide

America was much more civilized when “uncivilized” acts like this were more common and not punished by authority.

Actually, it usually was done TO “authority” when they stepped out of line.

Now that authority will use deadly force on citizens in order to continue their lawless acts against them.


4 posted on 10/07/2014 8:08:05 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: Textide

As the fellow said in the Mark Twain story, after being tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail, “If it weren’t for the honor, I’d just as soon have walked.”


5 posted on 10/07/2014 8:08:12 AM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: Textide

In College, my fraternity would tar (honey) and feather members when they turned 21. First they tied up the member in front of his favorite sorority.


6 posted on 10/07/2014 8:09:19 AM PDT by aimhigh (1 John 3:23)
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To: Textide

Get Harry Reids naked ass over here now.


7 posted on 10/07/2014 8:13:37 AM PDT by longfellow (Bill Maher, the 21st hijacker.)
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To: MrB

Yeah, I imagine today it would be considered ‘assault’.


8 posted on 10/07/2014 8:13:59 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: Textide

Asphalt is not stored at 300 degrees

Its heated before transport and application

Like Bunker C...its cousin used for ship’s fuel.... heated before it goes to the diesels

You’ll note sometimes roofers reheat the pitch before applying on a tar roof

You can buy unheated asphalt at Lowes in bags to compress into potholes unheated

The bottom of the cracking tower.


9 posted on 10/07/2014 8:17:10 AM PDT by wardaddy (Ferguson MO...but i thought blacks went north to escape the racism of mean ol southerners)
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To: Textide

Technology has improved since the Rev-War days. Now, one could use Gorilla-Glue at room temp instead of heated tar/pitch. From experience, if you get gorilla-glue anywhere on you, within just a minute or two it will not wash off. It just has to wear off over time...


10 posted on 10/07/2014 8:18:33 AM PDT by jaydee770
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To: Textide

A time-honored tradition, badly in need of resurrection.


11 posted on 10/07/2014 8:20:42 AM PDT by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician. Some assembly required.)
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To: longfellow; tx_eggman
Sometimes they tarred people more gently over their clothing.

Please, for the love of all that is good and humane and kind...

Read the article fully!
12 posted on 10/07/2014 8:24:04 AM PDT by SpinnerWebb (IN-SAPORIBVS-SICVT-PVLLVM)
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To: jaydee770

That’s a sensible and affordable substitute.

How about a substitute for the feathers? I’m thinking a modern malcontent might use those sprinkles from doughnuts or perhaps confetti in lieu of feathers.


13 posted on 10/07/2014 8:27:06 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: MrB; Kenny Bunk
Egads! Tarring our noble, selfless leaders?

blackface photo: Blackface Blackface.gif

That's Racist!
14 posted on 10/07/2014 8:32:15 AM PDT by golux
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To: golux

Looks like photobucket vetoed your pic...


15 posted on 10/07/2014 8:33:22 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: MrB

Actually, the article states that it was done to the working class people and not to the gentry.


16 posted on 10/07/2014 8:35:13 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (The cure has become worse than the disease. Support an end to the WOD now.)
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To: golux
Yep, "tar" might be construed as "racist".


17 posted on 10/07/2014 8:35:21 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: Textide
To paraphrase a Freepers comment a few days ago-

Tar, feathers, politician.
(some assembly required)

18 posted on 10/07/2014 8:36:13 AM PDT by CrazyIvan (I lost my phased plasma rifle in a tragic hovercraft accident.)
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To: MrB
The System of Doctor Tarr and Prof. Fether
19 posted on 10/07/2014 8:47:35 AM PDT by NorthMountain
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To: NorthMountain

Always loved that story. Poe had quite a gift for irony.


20 posted on 10/07/2014 8:50:34 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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