Forgotten Taverns

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Colonial Boston

Nurseries of Idleness

Nurseries of Idleness

“It is notorious, the Number of Taverns, Ale-houses, and Dram-shops, have encreased beyond all Measure or Necessity. They that are placed so near each other, that they ruin one another: and Two Thirds of them are not merely useless, but are become a Pest to Society.” … Many Bills have been

Post Road Connections

Post Road Connections

Early roads expanded upon Native American paths, accommodating both walking and horseback travel while gracefully maneuvering around obstacles. Enhancing and upkeeping these roads held immense significance for the town's wellbeing and trade. Unlike today, where the federal or state government funds road repairs, back then, the responsibility rested

Rum and the Revolution

Rum and the Revolution

When I began delving into the history of the Molasses and Sugar Acts of the 1700s through the lens of taverns, I gained a newfound appreciation for the significance of molasses and rum in the events leading up to the Revolution. It's intriguing how our education primarily focused

17th Century Drunks

17th Century Drunks

Is everyone drunk in the 17th century? In 1658, Mr. Sergeant John Steven found himself facing charges of intoxication and was summoned to court. His servant, Lovejoy, testified against him, stating that he had observed Mr. Steven “reele [really] coming to me”. Lovejoy further explained that Stevens was so intoxicated

17th C Rum, Trade, and Infrastructure

17th C Rum, Trade, and Infrastructure

It's truly fascinating to think about the extent of international trade that occurred during the 17th century, even in a town like Andover. This frontier town rapidly emerged as a thriving hub of trade with the West Indies. However, along with this trade and growth, there was an

Landing in Boston

Landing in Boston

In 1637, the Chandler family, consisting of William Chandler Sr., Lady Annis Agnes Bayford Parmenter Alcock (William's parents), and their four children (Thomas, Hannah, John, and William), arrived in Boston, Massachusetts. They settled in the town of Roxbury, located adjacent to Boston, and built a modest home at

Welcome to the first edition of Forgotten Taverns!

Like many of you, I missed going out to eat or having a drink at my local bar during COVID - sitting at the bar and chatting with my neighbors. I began to wonder how the 17th, 18th, and 19th century predecessors enjoyed their local bars or taverns, and how