NUTLEYJOURNAL

Honored by the Jaycees

Author looks at local historical taverns

Joe Ungaro Editor

Taverns in New Jersey have a long and interesting history that includes Gen. George Washington during his flight from the British, Benjamin Franklin making a lifelong friend and Nutley’s own Old Military Hall, where former Revolutionary War soldiers shared stories over cider, beer and rum.

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“Taverns back in those days, they were very important hubs of any village or town,” said Michael Gabriele, author of “Colonial Taverns of New Jersey –Libations, Liberty and Revolution.” “All kinds of activities went on in the taverns. They would vote, get their mail. The tavern was really an important place in the colonial years.”

Gabriele, a Nutley resident, will present his book, which has just been published by The History Press, on Friday, May 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St. The book-launch reception, sponsored by the Nutley Historical Society, is free and open to the public.

New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution” and as battles raged, colonial taverns played a big part in the unfolding drama of a colony transitioning into statehood.

New Jersey had about 400 colonial taverns, most along well-traveled routes between New York and Philadelphia.

One old Tavern story that has made its way through time is about a young Benjamin Franklin, having left his brother’s employment in Boston, making his way to Philadelphia and stopping at a tavern in Bordentown owned by Dr. Joseph Brown.

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Franklin had taken a ferry to South Amboy and was walking on what was probably called The Upper Road when he stopped at the tavern and began talking with Brown. The two tested each other, at first, with questions about religion and politics but eventually formed a lifelong friendship, Gabriele said.

Tavern food at the time would have included rabbit or beef stew, venison or other game, and fish if the establishment was close to the shore. Rum was the favorite beverage and many places brewed beer but in New Jersey hard cider was very popular.

“Newark was renowned for having the best cider because they had the best apple orchards,” Gabriele said.

Washington stopped at a Newark tavern to pen an urgent letter to John Hancock after the Continental Army was drubbed by the British in New York and New Jersey in 1776.

Throughout the war, Washington used taverns as headquarters, where he drafted many letters and planned strategy with his generals. They were the “seedbeds” for the revolution, strongholds for political activities, beacons for travelers, and venues for entertainment, merriment, and libations, Gabriele said.

“Both patriots and loyalists often met at the same tavern,” Gabriele said. “I think they did this to hide in plain sight. They didn’t want the British to think they were having secret meetings. They would sit in one corner and they would have their own codes or secrets.”

New Jersey’s General Assembly, meeting in September 1777 at a tavern in Haddonfield, declared New Jersey to be “a state, not a colony,” in effect, joining the See IMPORTANCE, Page 2