March 1791

The first Congress of the United States passed a tax on distilled spirits – “Whiskey”. It was the first tax ever enacted on a domestic product.

Rural farmers, struggling for survival on the frontier, were opposed to the tax, while people who lived in the cities along the seaboard supported it.

July 1791

The first formal meeting of those opposed to the tax took place at Fort Redstone in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

September 1791

Formal elections were held in Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland Counties, Pennsylvania to choose delegates.  According to Hugh Breckenridge, these meetings “adopted . . . a violent nature with regard to the law. . .”

The chosen delegates met at the Sign of the Green Tree Tavern on Water Street in Pittsburgh.  The assembly lasted for three days and adopted a petition declaring the tax and those that sought to enforce it  “. . .contrary to the interests . . .” of the area.

October 1791

A mob attacked tax collector Robin Johnson near Pigeon Creek in Washington County. Johnson was robbed, tarred, and feathered.

Another mob attacked John Connor, who was trying to arrest Robin Johnson’s attackers. Connor received the same treatment as Johnson.

Tax collectors continued to be intimidated until shots were fired at Bower Hill in Scott Township, Allegheny County on July 16, 1794. The battle of Bower Hill continued the next day, when Revolutionary War veteran Jame McFarlane was killed.

August 14, 1794

The Rebels mustered about 7,000 men to march on Pittsburgh. While some damage was done, the march was the end of the violence.

October 1794

President George Washington takes command of an army of 12,000 at Carlisle and leads them into Western Pennsylvania. 150 Rebels were arrested, of which 20 were convicted of treason. All were subsequently pardoned by President Washington.

1802

The Whiskey Tax was repealed after it had become impossible to collect.