The Boston Tea Party Chapter NSDAR was founded by a fascinating woman: Anne von Rydingsvard, born Anna M. Davis. For a time she was known as Baroness Anne von Rydinsvard, having been introduced thusly in error while at a society party with her then husband, Karl von Rydinsvard. She is the descendant of Revolutionary War patriots: Joshua Davis, Sr. of Massachusetts, Lieutenant John Lund of New Hampshire, Lieutenant Joel Parkhurst of Massachusetts, and Private Eleazer Flagg Poole, Sr. of Massachusetts, among many others. 

She studied in Boston, refining her education in music, art, and languages. She thoroughly studied Latin, French, German, Italian, and Swedish. She received her degree from the Normal Art School in Boston, supervised art in the schools of Philadelphia, and lived abroad. She studied under the best portrait painter in Dresden, and then came back to the United States to teach at the Normal Art School. There she met Baron Karl Arthur von Rydinsvard, a handsome sculptor, singer, and wood carver who she would marry.

She had a beautiful contralto voice and decided to join the Cecelia Society. In 1898, she sang in a quartet of “The Creation” given by the Handel and Haydn Society and accompanied by the great soloist, Madame Nordica.

Along with her artistic skill, her language skills were put to use. She translated King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway’s 89 verses on the marvel of creation called “Treklang.” This translation took place during a private audience during which she would translate the verses as the King read them to her.

After an extensive search on her ancestors, she discovered she was related to the Barons of Runnymede. She joined the Order of the Crown in America and the Colonial Dames. On May 28, 1895, during one of her regular meetings with the distinguished ladies at her home of Exeter Chambers, she enterprised to create a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. As for the name of the chapter, she chose the most explosive, decisive, and dramatic incident in all American history: citizens dressing as Mohawk Indians and dumping the tea from Griffin’s Wharf into the sea. How better to immortalize the chapter than to name it Boston Tea Party and forever celebrate the December 16 anniversary!

In a matter of a few months, Lady Anne had to resign the regency of the Boston Tea Party Chapter NSDAR to become State Regent. She then organized 22 chapters of the DAR. In 1897, during the Sixth Continental Congress, Lady Anne was beckoned to become Vice-President General.

The Daughters of the American Revolution remodeled the Massachusetts State House, set up markers, kept historical records, and held their meetings in Faneuil Hall. With Lady Anne’s efforts then, it is completely understandable that the Boston Tea Party Chapter NSDAR is flourishing today.

From a paper prepared by a past regent for Tea Party Day, December 16, 1975 with revisions in 2018.