_The Taverns, Shops, and Schools_
With ships arriving and departing and the land travel passing from North
to South and back again, besides the country gentlemen coming to town to
sell their crops and tend to other business, there was need for many
taverns, and plenty of them there were in George Town.
According to Mr. O. W. Holmes of the National Archives who has recently
written a fine article on the Colonial Taverns of Georgetown for the
Columbia Historical Society, which he read before the Society on January
16, 1951, the earliest tavern of which there is record was kept by
Joseph Belt who was granted a license by the newly created Frederick
County Court in August, 1751 "to keep a Public House of Entertainment at
the Mouth of Rock Creek."
Previously Thomas Odell had petitioned for such a "Lyssance" in 1747 to
Prince George's County for one year--but we hear no more of him so are
not certain that he continued in business. But Joseph Belt did and in
the _Maryland Gazette_ (Annapolis) for March 19, 1752, is this
announcement:
Notice is hereby given that the Land appointed by Act of Assembly to
be laid out into a town, by the name of Georgetown, adjacent to the
warehouse at the Mouth of Rock Creek, in Frederick County, is
accordingly laid out, and the lots will be sold the 4th Monday in
March, being the 23 of the month at the House of Joseph Belt, living
in the said Town in ten of the Clock before noon.
Per order of the Commissioner
Alexander Beall, Cl.
In 1760 Mr. Belt bought two of the most desirable lots in town at the
southeast corner of Water Street (Wisconsin Ave.) and Bridge (M) and
apparently built on the southernmost one of them a tavern where real
estate sales took place frequently--and again in the _Maryland Gazette_
for September 19, 1771, is this insertion:
Frederick County, Sept. 8, 1771
The Subscriber continues to keep a House of Entertainment in George
Town, at the Kings Arms, and as he is provided with Good
Entertainment, Stabling, and Provender for Horses, would be obliged
to all Gentlemen travelling and others for their customs and they
may depend on kind usage, by their Most Humble Servant,
JOSEPH BELT
So it is quite possible that it was still here and that General
Braddock's soldiers attracted by the name and sign stopped to slake
their thirst before continuing their long march to the West.
This Joseph Belt appears to have been the nephew of Col. Joseph Belt,
the original patentee of Chevy Chase. He was a highly respectable man
and well thought of.
Another tavern of that period was kept by John Orme who in his petition
for a license promised as did others of that period "to keep Tavern in
George Town, to keep good Rules and Orders and not suffer the loose and
disorderly persons to Tipple, Game, or Commit other disorders or
irregularities within his aforesaid House."
In the _Maryland Gazette_ in September in 1760 is a notice of horse
races to be held at George Town, the horses "to be Entered the Day
before Running, with Messrs. Joseph Belt and John Orme in George Town."
The same notice again in 1761. I wonder where the races took place. John
Orme was the son of the Rev. John Orme, a Presbyterian minister who
served as pastor at Upper Marlboro from 1720 until he died in 1758.
His tavern was apparently on the northeast corner of the present M
Street and Wisconsin Avenue, where the Farmers and Mechanics Branch of
Riggs Bank now stands.
In the _Maryland Gazette_ of September 29, 1768, Thomas Belt offers for
sale "At the house of Mr. John Orme, in George Town ... part of a Tract
of Land, called Chevy Chace, containing 200 and 300 acres about 5 miles
from said Town."
After the death of John Orme in 1772 his widow inserted a notice in the
paper--and added, "N. B. The Executrix will continue to keep Tavern for
ready money only. Lucy Orme."
But they were not left in straightened circumstances, and the three Orme
daughters married very well.
There is mention of a Cornelius Davies and also of John Wise keeping
tavern for short periods. This may have been the same John Wise who
later opened a tavern in Alexandria which became the well-known Gadsby's
Tavern.
Also there was Christian Boncer, during the Revolution who like John
Orme, before him, was likewise running a ferry over the Potomac.
And then in October, 1779, John Beall is referred to as occupying the
home where Joseph Belt formerly kept tavern.
In November 1782, Mr. Beall announced that he was moving "into the large
Stone House near the Square, the best calculated house in town for
entertaining Gentlemen, Travellers, and Others."
And then Mr. Ignatius Simpson moved into the "House formerly occupied by
Mr. John Beall," and the next year, 1783, the Commissioners record
meeting at the "House of Mr. Ignatius Simpson." And in 1784 Mr. Simpson
had no license issued and the Commissioners met "at the House of Mr.
John Suter." It would seem that this same house had been a tavern ever
since Joseph Belt built a house there.
From then on Suter's Tavern became the best-known meeting place in town
and even the birthplace of the District of Columbia for there was signed
the agreement with the proprietors of the land for the Federal City.
Christian Hines says in his little book _Early Recollections of
Washington_ that Suter's Tavern was a one-story frame and stood on High
Street, between Bridge and Water Streets, a little east of the canal
bridge. Christian Hines as a youth of fifteen was an apprentice living
with the Green family just across the street from this building, and
although he wrote his Recollections when he was an old man, it is a
well-known fact that old people remember happenings of their youth
better than those of last month or last week.
It was a rather small building, a story and a half high, according to an
old print, and had a large Inn Yard at the side and back for the
accommodation of the coaches, wagons and steeds of its patrons.
John Suter was a Scotsman who had been living out in Montgomery County
but apparently from 1784 until his death in 1794 his tavern was a very
busy place. Here it was that General Washington stayed when he was
passing through.
This notice shows John Suter's standing in the community:
Georgetown, August 21, 1790
All persons having claims against the Estate of John Cornne,
deceased, are desired to bring them in legally attested. Those
indebted to make speedy payment to
John Suter, Administrator
From the _Times and Potowmack Packet_:
Meeting at Mr. Suter's Tavern in George Town, 14 December, 1790, for
erecting a New Warehouse contiguous to the Old Inspection on Col.
Normand Bruce's property in George Town.
Edward Burgess
Bernard O'Neill
For Sale. On Monday the 3d of January next will be offered for sale
at the House of Mr. John Suter in George Town that Lot or _Acre of
Ground_ whereon the _Old_ Warehouse formerly stood.... A good title
will be given agreeably to the last Will and Testament of Thomas
Hamilton deceased of Prince Georges County.
December 11, 1790 Andrew Hamilton
Then there is this little item from the same paper:
The subscriber has for sale, by the Box, a small supply of fresh
Lisbon LEMONS, imported in the Potomack Planter.
Capt. James Buchanan
George Town Sept. 7, 1790 John Suter
Fresh fruit was evidently an event.
After Mr. John Suter's death, his son John Suter, Jr., took over the
tavern and ran it until he moved to the Union Tavern.
It had been built in 1796 at a cost of $16,000, according to a newspaper
of the day advertising it for sale: "It is a handsome substantial brick
building of three stories, fronting 60 ft. on the most public street in
town (Bridge Street), and running back 63 ft. on a wide and commodious
street (Washington). The house is admirably calculated for a tavern."
The advertisement tells the number and size of the rooms, cellars,
passages and cross passages, and ends thus: "There are stables
sufficient for the accommodation of 50 horses with commodious sheds for
carriages ... and not twenty yards from the kitchen is a copious and
never failing spring of most excellent running water." The main building
differed but little from others, but north of this and running north
upon Washington Street to the next street, was a wing, one or two
stories high, and one room deep, the doors opening into a covered
corridor supported by brick arches, beyond which was a large courtyard
paved with stone. The rooms along this corridor were occupied entirely
by gentlemen, many being planters from the lower river counties of
Virginia and Maryland. They came up on the old _Salem_, which made
weekly trips and stopped at all the river landings. On the opposite side
of the courtyard was a large building in which was a fine ballroom known
as Pompean Hall. This room must have been used for the following event:
Birthnight Ball. The Ladies and Gentlemen of George Town and its
vicinity are informed that there will be a Ball at the Union Tavern
on Friday the 22nd instant (Feb. 22, 1799), in honor of
Lieutenant-General George Washington. At request of the Managers.
John Suter, Jr.
In addition to this very historic ball, the George Town Assemblies used
to be held here. Mrs. William Thornton has recorded in her diary that on
Monday, January 1st, 1810:
A very crowded assembly at the presidents. We staid about two hours.
President and Lady went to Georgetown Assembly. Chariot broke at
night.
These august guests at the assembly were, of course, James Madison and
the charming Dolly.
When Mr. Suter opened the Union Tavern in March, 1799, Francis Kearns
put this notice in the paper:
Sign of the Ship. The subscriber begs leave to inform his friends
and the public that he has rented the tavern formerly occupied by
Mr. Suter, called The Fountain Inn, where he has all kinds of
liquors accounted necessary for travellers. Add to this a well of
water not to be surpassed in Town. I am determined to spare no pains
to render this situation agreeable and flatter myself from a desire
to please that I shall meet with encouragement. I also will
accomodate 6 or 8 gentlemen boarders on reasonable terms. A livery
stable will be kept for a few horses.
June 31, 1800 Francis Kearns
Francis Kearns having taken over the Union Tavern from John Suter, Jr.
Again, in 1802 this building changed hands, for in _The Washington
Federalist_ is the announcement of reopening, and assurance of best
liquors, and begins: "Anchor Tavern and Oyster House (late the Fountain
Inn), George Pitt, Proprietor of former Eagle Tavern."
Then there was the City Tavern, kept by Charles McLaughlin. Benjamin
Lacy rented two brick houses from Charles Beatty on Water Street and
called his The Sailors' Tavern. John Tennally had a tavern (from him
came the name of Tennally Town). Joseph Semmes's Tavern at the Sign of
the Indian King, was very well known. It seems to have moved several
times. In advertisements for houses for rent or for sale, they seemed
always to be next door to or across the street from Semmes's Tavern or
Dr. Magruder's.
From _The Museum_, January 1, 1802:
The Subscriber begs leave to inform his friends and the public that
he has removed from his late dwelling in the main street to that
large and commodious three story new BRICK BUILDING, Sign of the
Indian King, adjoining the Bank of Columbia, which he has fitted up
at considerable expense for the accomodation of travellers. He
embraces this opportunity of returning his grateful thanks to those
gentlemen who have heretofore favored him with their custom and
hopes by a faithful discharge of his duty to merit the countenance
and support of the public.
George Town, Joseph Semmes
_The Museum_, 28th of January, 1802:
To be sold at Union Tavern, The BRICK HOUSE formerly occupied as a
Tavern by Mr. Semmes.
Philip Barton Key
William Thornton
Do you suppose that Mr. Semmes had his tavern in this place for only one
month?
Jane White advertises that she intends to continue her "house of
entertainment" (Mrs. White's Tavern) on a more enlarged plan, asks for
settlement of debts. Nov. 27, 1790.
George Stevens announces he has removed to the place lately occupied by
Mr. William King, Merchant, of this place (the house where Col. William
Deakins has lived for many years past).
There are still, to this day, William Kings in business in Georgetown.
Mr. George Stevens also advertises:
Any gentleman wanting to buy Ginseng may by giving a few days notice
find a supply from said Stevens from One to Five Thousand weight.
And this from the _Times and Potowmack Packet_, April 21, 1790:
Charles Fierer & Co.
Gentlemen may have their Coats of Arms or other devices cut on Glass
and fancy pieces executed by sending their orders.
Also these items:
Doctors Beatty and Martin have just received from Philadelphia and
Baltimore: Opium, Mercury, Jolap, Ipecacoanha, Nitre, Glanker Salts,
Gum Kino, Columbo root, assorted vials, carts, etc. Red and other
Bark.
Dr. Magruder has lately received an elegant supply of most
fashionable paper hangings--and his usual Assortment of Drugs and
Medicines.
He catered to various tastes of his patrons:
Dr. Cozens has just opened a general assortment of Drugs and
Medicines in the house formerly occupied by Mr. Andrew McDonald in
Water Street, opposite to Mr. James King's Wharf, which he means to
sell at a moderate price. He likewise offers his services to the
public as a practitioner of physic, surgery and midwifery. Mrs.
Cozens also informs the ladies that she practices Midwifery and from
her experience and universal success she flatters herself she shall
give satisfaction to all those who favor her with their commands.
Mr. Gardette, Dentist, respectfully informs the public that he is
arrived in George Town, where he proposes staying two weeks or
thereabouts. He has taken lodgings at Mr. Semmes' Tavern.
Another poor soul who was in trouble inserted this advertisement:
It is terrible to my feelings, but I am compelled to give notice
that I intend petitioning the next General Assembly for an act of
Insolvency in my favor.
A few months later he advertised thus:
Having taken the house in this place lately occupied by Mr. James
Clagett, between the College and the River, a pleasant and healthy
situation, I will take four or five boys as boarders at the usual
rates, paid quarterly.
So let us hope he got "on his feet" again.
John Stevens, merchant, advertised himself thusly:
My weights are good, my measures just,
My friends I am too poor to trust. July 15, 1780.
Apparently they had plenty of newspapers. In 1789 _The Times and
Potowmack Packet_; in 1790 _The Weekly Ledger_ (an appropriate name for
this town of counting houses); in 1796 _The Sentinel of Liberty_, a more
high-flown name; in 1801, _The Museum_, and a great many more as time
went on.
The first bank was the old Bank of Columbia, organized in 1793. Then,
there was the Union Bank. I have seen a great many of its checks,
smaller than the ones of today and very simply printed.
Business notes in those days were written on any scrap of paper,
apparently. Many that I have seen had torn edges, but always the writing
was regular and even, if sometimes hard to read. Very often it looked
like copperplate engraving. The English pound was used as late as 1796.
Plenty of schools there seem to have been. One famous man (he was
William Wirt, the author of _The British Spy_ and Attorney-General of
the United States for twelve years under James Monroe and John Quincy
Adams) was sent to George Town for his early training, and has written
thus: "In 1779 I was sent to George Town, eight miles from Bladensburg
to school, a classical academy kept by Mr. Rogers. I was placed at
boarding with the family of Mr. Schoofield, a member of the Society of
Friends.... I passed one winter in George Town and remember seeing a
long line of wagons cross the river on the ice, attached to troops going
South."
Thomas Kirk, an Irish gentleman, kept a school first on Washington
(30th) Street, later at High (Wisconsin Avenue) and Cherry Streets.
Reverend Addison Belt, of Princeton, had a school on Gay (N) Street,
between Congress (31st) and Washington (30th) Streets. Christian Hines
says: "In 1798 I went to school to a man named Richmond who kept school
in a small brick house attached to the house of Reverend David Wiley,
graduate of Nassau Hall, who had come in 1802 from Northumberland on the
Susquehanna. He was a better mathematical than classical teacher. He was
mayor, librarian, merchant, teacher, preacher and keeper of the post
office at the same time."
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Wiley advertised their "Boarding School for Young
Ladies at George Town in the Vicinity of Washington." In the same year
E. Phillips had "A School for Young Ladies on the north side of Bridge
Street, nearly opposite the Printing Office." There were several
teachers of French who advertised in the paper; Monsieur A. L.
Jancerez, Monsieur Caille, "a French gentleman wishes to teach drawing,
etc." To supply all these schools was "John March, Stationer and
Bookseller, next door to Mr. Semmes's Tavern."
And you see they could buy pretty baubles and delectable foods, for
Dinsmore and Francis advertise their "New Grocery, Wine and Liquor
Store, nearly opposite Burnet and Rigden's, Watchmakers and Jewelers."
Another well-known merchant said his new line of spring clothing had
just arrived. And John Dabney "had received and had for sale at his
cabinet and chair factory a large quantity of Windsor chairs." West
along Bridge Street, before 1790, William Eaton had "mahogany ware,
chairs and tables, beds, etc., finished and unfinished." Another
cabinet-maker was Mr. Schultz. James Welsh, cabinet-maker from London,
opened a shop in 1790 and advertised for an apprentice. And there was a
well-known silversmith, for S. Kirk and Sons, of Baltimore, have
identified a tea service as having been made by Charles C. Burnett, who
worked as early as 1793. Another silversmith who had a shop on Bridge
(M) Street in 1833 was R. H. L. Villard.
Glass Store. The subscribers have opened and have for sale at their
house next door to Captain Richard Johns a complete assortment of
Window and Hollow Glass Ware, manufactured in this State and equal
in quality and cheaper than that imported from Europe.
Charles Frierer and Co., 1790
Thomas Beatty and Company called their store "The Sign of the Golden
Fan."
Manufactory of Tobacco. Henry Brand & Co. Respectfully inform the
Public that they have removed from New York to this Town.
George Town Academy. Madame de la Marche has for sale waters for
sore eyes and various salves.
There were public pumps here and there for common use, but many
householders had springs or cisterns.
In 1803 the first fire engine was purchased. Every house owner was
obliged to have as many leather fire buckets kept in the house as there
were stories to his home, to contain not less than two and a half
gallons of water each. The little oval metal placques one sees now and
then affixed to houses in Georgetown were, in those days, put only on
the houses of the members of the volunteer companies to denote that
"here lives a fireman." Later, in 1817, _The Vigilant_, a new fire
engine, was bought. Its house is still on High Street, just below
Bridge. Set in the wall down near the pavement is a stone with this
inscription:
BUSH
THE OLD FIRE DOG
DIED OF POISON
JULY 5TH, 1869
R. I. P.
Someone who remembers him tells me that he was a collie, and that he
went to every fire along with the engine. I think the men whose
companion he was, and who evidently loved him when they inscribed the
"R. I. P.," must have believed, as I do, that like the Jim in the poem
of that name by Nancy Byrd Turner, he would meet them joyously "on the
other side."
Of course, the fire engines in those days--1817, I mean--were drawn by
hand, and the old bucket-passing system was in vogue.
Farther uptown, on the corner of Gay and Market Streets, was the home
of The Potomac Fire Engine Company. There was great jealousy between the
two. While the fire was raging, both worked together beautifully, but as
soon as it was over, there was usually a fight.
South of the canal on High Street stood the Debtors' Prison. This was
the only prison in the lower part of Montgomery County, although the
county court was held at Rockville, and there the cases were tried. At
one time the town clerk of George Town got tangled up in his money
matters and was placed in this prison where he languished until his
friends made good his debts. A report was made to the Town Council that
he could not perform his duties because he was in jail! Nothing now
remains but a part of the old stone wall.
Here is a description of some of the houses offered for sale:
Together or separate, 2 handsome dwelling houses, situated in George
Town on Potomack, they contain 5 rooms with fire place, four bed
chambers, two closets, and have two handsome piazzas. A kitchen near
the house, a bake house, two rooms for domestics, a stable, coach
house, a beautiful (falling) garden, ornamented with terraces, well
grassed, a large fish pond, a well and a spring of water, 150 young
fruit trees, the whole finished and done in the neatest manner under
a handsome and excellent enclosure containing three lots and a half,
extending 170 ft. on Fayette Street and 192 on Third Street. Apply
to John Threlkeld.
Here is one of the business places advertised:
The warehouse and wharf on Water Street, lately occupied by the
Naval Agent (this was in 1802). There are four floors in this house,
with a room on the second and third with a fire place in each, one
intended for a compting room and the other for a lodging room.
W. S. Chandler.
Evidently a clerk had to sleep on the premises as guard.
There were architects and builders to put up these fine and commodious
houses, for these advertisements appear:
William Lovering, Architect and General Builder--Begs leave to
inform his friends and the public, that he has removed from the City
of Washington to Gay Street, the next street above the Union Tavern
in George Town, where he palns to estimate all manner of buildings,
either with materials and labor, or labor only. Specimens of
buildings suitable for the obtuse or acute angles of the streets in
the City of Washington may be seen at his home. May 1, 1800.
Henry Carlile, Architect, Carpenter and Joiner. Respectfully informs
his friends and the Public in general, that he proposes to undertake
all kinds of buildings, as formerly he hath done in Europe and this
country; on the lowest terms, with or without material, as he has
learned the theory under the first architects in Europe, also
practice in first buildings there, and hath finished elegant
buildings in Europe, with and without materials, and in this country
hath always had the good fortune of having the patronage and
friendship of his employees, and hopes by attention to please and to
execute, that he will meet with the encouragement of a generous
public. He also begs leave to return his sincere thanks to his
worthy employers in this Town and Country, for the encouragement he
hath met with since coming to this Town, and assures them nothing
shall be wanting on his part to merit a continuance of their favors.
George Town, September 8, 1790.
Wm. Pancost--Architect and Carpenter, can by the asistance of David
Willers, pump maker, late from Philadelphia, serve the public by
supplying them with pumps, cove logs or girders, for any purpose on
the shortest notice.
George Town, near the Lower Ware Houses, Jan. 29, 1799.
Then in 1800, James Hoban, who was the architect and builder of the
President's House, put this in a paper:
$2.00 per day will be given for good carpenters and joiners, at the
President's House and in proportion for those less skilful, to be
paid daily or weekly, as may be required.
Imagine! Now when the White House is being rebuilt hiring "good
carpenters and joiners for $2.00 per day!"