| Member of the Boston Board of Selectmen |
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| In office March 13, 1767 – 1769 |
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| Member of the House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay |
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| In office 1766–1766 |
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| Personal details | |
| Spouse(s) | Hannah Speakman |
John Rowe (1715–1787) was a property developer and merchant in 18th century Boston, Massachusetts, USA. As a merchant, John Rowe's most famous cargo was the tea that played a starring role in the Boston Tea Party. As a developer, his name is remembered to this day in the name of Rowes Wharf, a modern development in downtown Boston on the site of his original wharf.[1]
Rowe was born in Exeter, in the English county of Devon, but emigrated to Boston with his brothers at an early age. He married Hannah Speakman in 1743 and lived in Boston for the rest of his life. His diaries are kept by the Massachusetts Historical Society and include many valuable observations about people, events, and daily life in Boston.[3] He held various posts in Boston, including serving on the Boston Board of Selectmen.
Rowe was evidently a very active smuggler, avoiding British trade regulations by trading with forbidden ports.[4] He joined protests against tightening restrictions of colonial trade, and helped incite the anti-Stamp Act riot in 1765 that destroyed Chief Justice Thomas Hutchinson's home.[4] During the era of the American Revolution, Rowe avoided commitment to either side, and instead looked out after his business interests.[4]
Rowe was the owner of one of the tea ships, the Eleanor, involved in the Boston Tea Party. According to some accounts, at the Old South Meeting House before the Tea Party, he uttered the famous words, "perhaps salt water and tea will mix tonight," but according to his own diary, he was unwell and was not present during the meeting or the Tea Party.[4] Because several sources placed Rowe at the meeting, his diary entry may have been an attempt to conceal his participation in the events leading to the Tea Party.[5]