Shining a Social Light

By Karen Foley

Much has been said and written about Penelope Barker and her courageous organization of the Edenton Tea Party in 1774. The women’s protest group was mocked by the British in its 1775 satirical illustration of how Barker’s gathering was viewed.  

While the British chuckled, Barker was laying the foundation for Edenton’s future. Her lifelong work and contribution to the town is apparent today in Edenton’s deep rooted history. Barker laid visionary bricks in town long before modern day clay was engraved and planted along the walkways of her preserved, historic home, gracing the harbor at the end of Broad St.  

Penelope Padgett was born in 1728 to a well-know, prominent Chowan County family and faced numerous challenges throughout her life. She was married three times, losing her first two husbands to death. Her third husband, Thomas Barker was an agent for the North Carolina  Colony and left for England in 1761 but could not return until 1778, due to the British blockade of American ships.

Tea was at the time a sign of prosperity for colonial Americans, however for colonists like Penelope Barker, the British crossed the line with the Tea Act of 1773. The Boston Tea Party, held the previous December was the inspiration for Barker to organize the protest.  

Barker went door to door encouraging the town’s women to support the boycott of tea and clothing.  Barker’s efforts inspired 50 other women to to meet on October 25, 1774 to drink tea brewed from mulberry leaves and sign a letter later published in a London newspaper.

The proclamation read, ‘We the ladies of Edenton do hereby solemnly engage not to conform to ye pernicious Custom of Drinking Tea or that we, the aforesaid Ladys, will not promote ye wear of any manufacture from England, until such time that all Acts which tend to enslave this our Native Country shall be repealed."

The other women aside from Barker, that signed the proclamation are Abigail Charlton, F. Johnstone, Margaret Cathcart, Anne Johnstone, Margaret Pearson, Penelope Dawson, Jean Blair, Grace Clayton, Frances Hall, Mary Jones, Anne Hall, Rebecca Bondfield, Sarah Littlejohn, Elizabeth P. Ormond, M. Payne, Elizabeth Johnston, Mary Bonner, Lydia Bonner, Sarah Howe, Lydia Bennet, Marion Wells, Anne Anderson, Sarah Mathews, Anne Haughton, Elizabeth Beasley, Mary Blount, Elizabeth Creacy, Elizabeth Patterson, Jane Wellwood, Mary Woolard, Sarah Beasley, Susannah Vail, Elizabeth Vail, Elizabeth Vail, Mary Creacy, Mary Creacy, Ruth Benbury, Sarah Howcutt, Sarah Hoskins, Mary Littledle, Sarah Valentine, Elizabeth Crickett, Elizabeth Green, Mary Ramsey, Anne Horniblow, Mary Hunter, Tresia Cunningham, Elizabeth Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts.

Penelope Barker died in 1796 at the age of sixty-six and is buried, along with her husband, in the Hayes Plantation cemetery. Her famous tea party is remembered with a huge bronze teapot mounted on a cannon west of Village Green. It has become a symbol of Edenton and its revolutionary women.

BTW, personally engraved bricks are available for sale and placement at the Penelope Barker house.  

If you're wondering what all those turquoise bags are on local homes, It's the annual Scouting for Food Drive time and Edenton Cub Scout Pack 164 was out in force on Saturday readying for the task of placing empty  bags on neighborhood  doors . Scouting for Food takes place on two consecutive weekends. On the first weekend, Scouts distribute bags and/or door hangers to let their neighbors know about the drive. On the second, Scouts revisit those houses to pick up bags full of canned food, cereal, pasta, peanut butter, juice, and other nonperishable items.

Most units will participate February 22-23, 2025 for the first weekend and March 1-2, 2025 for the second weekend. Please donate to support our scouts and those facing food insecurities.

"We are thrilled to welcome Provalus to Edenton as their 11th location. This investment in our community is a testament to the strength of our workforce, the vibrancy of our downtown, and the bright future ahead. Provalus’ presence will not only bring new job opportunities but also further energize our local economy. We look forward to welcoming Provalus into the community and continuing to show them why our residents and visitors love Edenton and Chowan County." Executive Director Ches Chesson

Main Street Edenton, the Town of Edenton, Chowan County, and the Edenton  

Chowan Partnership jointly announced today that Provalus, an IT services company, will open  

new offices located in downtown Edenton at 211 South Broad St. This strategic investment will  

bolster the local economy by creating 155 new jobs over the next five years and will add  

numerous high-tech job opportunities for residents in Edenton and Chowan County. Job  

opportunities will range from customer support, network operations, and cyber security, to  

administration and management roles.  

A Collaborative Vision for Economic Growth  

The successful collaboration between our local economic development nonprofits and local  

leadership has been instrumental in attracting Provalus, a forward-thinking, 100% US-based IT  

outsourcing company that is committed to innovation and community development. By choosing  Edenton as the home of its 11th location, Provalus underscores the region’s strategic advantages  and the shared vision for a robust, diversified local economy.  

“This new Center of Excellence represents more than just business growth; it’s a testament to our  commitment to empowering communities and unlocking potential. We are proud to bring our  mission to Edenton and look forward to creating lasting opportunities for the people and 

businesses here. It’s a reflection of our belief in the region’s talent and the promise of its future,"  said Mike Keogh, President, Provalus.  

“Provalus’ decision to locate in Edenton and create 155 jobs over a 5-year period,will bolster the  economy of Chowan County and Edenton. Provalus is unique to our area and will fortify the  

downtown retail economy,” commented Hackney High, Mayor of the Town of  

Edenton. “Additionally, Provalus’ location on Broad Street is a powerful example of adaptive  

reuse of a vacant downtown building that would have otherwise remained vacant.”  

Bob Kirby, Chairman of the Chowan County Board of Commissioners commented, “Time and  

again, I’ve stressed that smart investments are the lifeblood of our community. With Provalus  

coming to 211 S Broad St, we’re not only creating high-quality jobs but also igniting the broader  

economic growth that I’ve long advocated for. As I’ve mentioned before, responsible and  

intentional development is key to ensuring every resident in Chowan County can thrive. We're  

excited to welcome Provalus to Edenton and Chowan County and look forward to seeing the  

impact it will have on our community.”  

Economic Impact and Community Benefits  

  Job Creation: Provalus has committed to creating 155 new jobs over five years. This will generate over $6.5M in payroll to local employees and increase  downtown retail spending by an estimated $1.2M.  
 Diverse Employment: As an IT services company, Provalus will expand and diversify the local job market, providing opportunities that range from customer support, network operations, and cyber security to administration and management roles.  
 Economic Vitality: Located in the heart of Downtown Edenton, Provalus will contribute  to the adaptive reuse of 211 S Broad St., bringing new life and purpose to a vacant building.    Community Integration: Provalus will work with the local schools to develop talent. Across many Provalus communities, the organization has partnered with local school systems to provide opportunities for younger members of the community to strengthen their STEM skills and empower them with skills necessary to pursue a career in technology.  
Building a Stronger Future Together  
This partnership highlights the collective commitment of local leaders to foster an environment where businesses can thrive, and residents can look forward to sustainable economic development. The joint efforts of Main Street Edenton, the Town of Edenton, Chowan County, and the Edenton Chowan Partnership, together with Provalus leadership, have secured a significant investment from The Innovate Fund through a $7M New Market Tax Credit allocation. This allocation has been leveraged to produce investment from the Town of Edenton, Chowan County, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  
“The Town of Edenton is thrilled to welcome Provalus to our community. Provalus is dedicated to creating technology job opportunities in small-town America, and we are excited that our residents will have access to well-paying positions in this growing field. Beyond providing excellent job opportunities, Provalus has a strong reputation as a valuable community partner, and we look forward to their presence here in Edenton,”   said Hackney High, Mayor, Town of Edenton.  

"This expansion is a reflection of the tremendous collaboration between our organization and  

Edenton’s community leaders. Together, we are creating a hub of opportunity and innovation  

that will uplift the region for years to come. It’s a partnership grounded in trust, shared goals, and  a commitment to excellence," said Will Ruzic, Vice President of Facilities and Operations,  

Provalus.  

About Provalus  

Founded in 2017, Provalus is a 100% US-based outsourcing organization dedicated to creating technology opportunities in areas where few traditionally exist. By creating talent in rural, veteran-heavy American communities, Provalus is generating a dedicated and superior workforce while fueling a new era of tech-proficient talent equipped to strengthen America’s future. This home-grown approach delivers a remarkable experience for their employees, clients, and end-users alike.  

About Main Street Edenton  

Main Street Edenton is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides leadership to preserve, promote, recruit for, and enhance Historic Downtown Edenton through cooperative efforts–all with the goal of revitalizing and spurring economic development while safeguarding the town’s unique charm and intentionally preparing for future growth.  

About Town of Edenton  

The Town of Edenton is committed to fostering a welcoming, vibrant community that supports economic development, cultural enrichment, and quality of life for its residents.  

About Edenton Chowan Partnership  

The Edenton Chowan Partnership is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting, preserving, and enhancing the vitality of Edenton and Chowan County through collaborative efforts aimed at driving economic progress and strengthening community ties through strategic investments and innovative development projects.  

About Chowan County  

Chowan County is focused on sustainable and intentional growth and community development, supporting initiatives that create job opportunities and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.