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Colonial Taverns of New Jersey

Presented by Michael Gabriele

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Colonial Taverns of New Jersey, published by The History Press, is the newest book on New Jersey history by author Michael Gabriele. New Jersey was the “Crossroads of the American Revolution,” and as battles raged, colonial taverns formed the social network that held the state together. Taverns were the main stage for the unfolding drama of a colony transitioning into statehood and making decisions about declaring a war of independence.

Taverns—the hub of colonial villages—were the places where the voices of history took shape. A haven for Patriots and Loyalists alike, colonial taverns were the “seedbeds” of the Revolution, strongholds for political activities, beacons for travelers, and venues for entertainment, merriment, and libations. George Washington often commandeered taverns as his temporary headquarters during the war.

Colonial village government councils typically met at local taverns to discuss business and issue proclamations and ordinances. New Jersey’s General Assembly, meeting in September 1777 at a tavern in Haddonfield, passed a resolution that declared New Jersey to be “a state, not a colony,” joining the call for revolution and independence, and a break from British rule. In effect, the tavern in Haddonfield (today known as the Indian King Tavern) is the place where New Jersey became a state.

New Jersey had many colonial taverns (an estimated 400) along well-traveled routes), due to the demand for carriage and stage wagon travel between New York and Philadelphia—transporting people and commercial goods--typically an arduous three-day journey. Taverns, in effect, served as hospitality rest stops, creating opportunities for the exchange of ideas regarding politics, business and current events, leading up to the Revolution.

This is Michael C. Gabriele’s fifth book on New Jersey history, all published by Arcadia Publishing/The History Press. A lifelong Garden State resident, he is a 1975 graduate of Montclair State University and has worked as a journalist, freelance writer and author for more than 40 years.

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