White Horse Tavern (Boston, Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
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." 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. For at least some years of its existence, possibly around 1798, the White Horse building "was of wood and of two stories," with 26 windows.
Prior to 1700, the White Horse was owned by the William Colburn (aka William Colburne) family. 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. Subsequent owners included Joseph Morton's son, Perez Morton
(1791-ca.1798); and Aaron Emmes (1798).
The White Horse is featured in a scene in the novel The Rebels: Or, Boston Before the Revolution by Lydia Maria Child (1850).
Washington Street (Boston)
Washington Street is a street originating in downtown Boston, Massachusetts that extends southwestward to the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line. The majority of it was built as the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike in the early nineteenth century...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
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." Located near Boylston Street
Boylston Street
Boylston Street is the name of a major east-west thoroughfare in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Another Boylston Street runs through Boston's western suburbs....
, 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. For at least some years of its existence, possibly around 1798, the White Horse building "was of wood and of two stories," with 26 windows.
Prior to 1700, the White Horse was owned by the William Colburn (aka William Colburne) family. 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
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Attleboro is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States and is immediately north of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" for its many jewelry manufacturers, Attleboro had a population of 42,068 at the 2000 census, and a population of 43,645 as of...
took over as manager of the tavern. Subsequent owners included Joseph Morton's son, Perez Morton
Perez Morton
Perez Morton was a lawyer and revolutionary patriot in Boston, Massachusetts.-Biography:Morton was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1751, and raised in Boston. His father, Joseph Morton, worked as a tavern-keeper at the White Horse Tavern. Perez attended the Boston Latin School starting around...
(1791-ca.1798); and Aaron Emmes (1798).
The White Horse is featured in a scene in the novel The Rebels: Or, Boston Before the Revolution by Lydia Maria Child (1850).