In early American history, tarring and feathering a person to
humiliate him was a common practice. This occurred before the
exploitation of petroleum and the use of *tar* as we know it today.
What substance was the *tar* used in those times?

Hello.

Originally, tar was made from trees.  

See:
"Tar, what it is and how it is made?"
http://www.puuvene.net/phuhta/artikkelit/tar.html


As such, pine tar was the preferred adhesive for tarring and feathering.

"Back when tar and feathering was the punishment du jour, the
preferred materials were pine tar and goose feathers."
source: RANDOM KINDS OF FACTNESS, syndicated column by Erin Barrett & Jack Mingo
http://www.bathroomcompanion.com/format.html

Also see:

"Tarring and feathering (pine tar and goose feathers) became the
classic Whig treatment of the Tories, and the British Government
believed there was "no better proof of Loyalty" than suffering this
punishment. A famous instance of it occurred in Boston on January 25,
1774, and is worth recounting in some detail."
source:
"The Good Americans by Wallace Brown. Copyright 1969 by Wallace Brown."
Cited in this document:
http://teachers.hlpusd.k12.ca.us/~dschmus/coursefiles/Articles/Unit%202%20Articles/Social%20War.doc


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search strategy:
"originally tar was"
pine tar feathering

I hope this helps.

Thanks, Juggler...as always, your research is great.
monroe22

This may interest you.
http://www.maritime.org/conf/conf-kaye-tar.htm

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