White Horse Tavern (Boston, Massachusetts)

The White Horse was a tavern on Washington Street in Boston, Massachusetts in the 17th and 18th centuries. A well-known gathering place in colonial Boston, it "had a large square sign projecting over the footway, on which was delineated a white charger."[1] Located near Boylston Street, the White Horse was frequently mentioned as a wayfinder to other establishments nearby.

Several taverns were clustered on old Newbury Street in the 18th century: Lamb Tavern, Liberty Tavern, and Red Lion.[2] For at least some years of its existence, possibly around 1798, the White Horse building "was of wood and of two stories,"[3] with 26 windows.[4]

Prior to 1700, the White Horse was owned by the William Colburn (aka William Colburne) family.[5] Under the ownership of Thomas Brattle (1700-ca.1740), the tavern was managed by Thomas Chamberlain (licensed in 1717), and William Cleeres (licensed in 1718). After Brattle, the tavern was owned by Jonathan Dwight (1740-ca.1765?). Managers included Mrs. Moulton (licensed in 1764). The next owner was Joseph Morton (1765–1791). In May, 1787, Israel Hatch of Attleboro took over as manager of the tavern.[6] Subsequent owners included Joseph Morton's son, Perez Morton (1791-ca.1798); and Aaron Emmes (1798).[7]

The White Horse is featured in a scene in the novel The Rebels: Or, Boston Before the Revolution by Lydia Maria Child (1850).

References

  1. ^ Samuel Adams Drake. Old landmarks and historic personages of Boston. James R. Osgood and Co., 1873; p.392-393.
  2. ^ Edwin Monroe Bacon. Washington Street, Old and New: A History in Narrative Form of the Changes which this Ancient Street Has Undergone Since the Settlement of Boston. Macullar Parker Co., 1913.
  3. ^ Bostonian Society. The old town-house of Boston. 1892; p.23
  4. ^ Samuel Adams Drake, Walter Kendall Watkins. Old Boston Taverns and Tavern Clubs. W. A. Butterfield, 1917; p.23
  5. ^ Drake. 1917; p.23
  6. ^ Frederic James Wood. The turnpikes of New England and evolution of the same through England, Virginia, and Maryland. Marshall Jones company, 1919; p.88.
  7. ^ Drake. 1917; p.23. Repeated in: Annie Haven Thwing. The crooked & narrow streets of the town of Boston 1630-1822. Marshall Jones Company, 1920; p.170.