White Horse Tavern (Boston, Massachusetts)

Detail of 1723 map of Boston. The White Horse Tavern stood on Newbury (later Washington Street), near Frog Lane (later Boylston Street).

The White Horse was a tavern 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.

A number of taverns were clustered on old Newbury Street in the 18th century: Lamb Tavern, Liberty Tavern, and Red Lion.[2]

Prior to 1700, the White Horse was owned by the William Colburn (aka William Colburne) family.^[citation needed] 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).^[citation needed] After Brattle, the tavern was owned by Jonathan Dwight (1740-ca.1765?).^[citation needed] Managers included Mrs. Moulton (licensed in 1764).^[citation needed] The next owner was Joseph Morton (1765–1791).^[citation needed] In May, 1787, Israel Hatch of Attleboro took over as manager of the tavern.[3] Subsequent owners included Joseph Morton's son, Perez Morton (1791–1799); and Aaron Emmes (1799[4]).[5]

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 (1873), Old landmarks and historic personages of Boston, Boston: James R. Osgood and Co., p. 392–393, OCLC 3012180, OL 6905745M
2. Edwin M. Bacon (1913), Washington Street, old and new: A History in Narrative Form of the Changes which this Ancient Street Has Undergone Since the Settlement of Boston, Boston: Macullar Parker Co., OCLC 6607720, OL 6556608M
3. Wood, Frederic James (1919). The Turnpikes of New England and Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland. Marshall Jones Company. p. 88.
4. Suffolk Co., MA, Deeds, Lib. 191, Fol. 243 (Perez Morton to Aaron Emes on 16 Apr. 1799 for $13,333.34)
5. Thwing, Annie Haven (1920), The crooked & narrow streets of the town of Boston, 1630-1822, Boston: Marshall Jones Company, OCLC 526147, OL 6629153M

42.352°N 71.063°W / 42.352; -71.063