John Rowe (Boston Selectman)

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.cite web | url = http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/thingstodo/?aid=5 | publisher = The Boston Harborwalk | title = Learn about history | accessdate = August 22 | accessyear = 2006]

John Rowe was born in the city of 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.cite web | url = http://www.masshist.org/cabinet/july2002/rowe.htm | publisher = Massachusetts Historical Society | title = From Our Cabinet:Declaration of Independence | accessdate = August 22 | accessyear = 2006]

He is most famous for his role during the Boston Tea Party when he uttered the famous words, "Who knows how tea will mingle with salt water?" John Rowe was the owner of one of the tea ships, the Eleanor.

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