If you would like two striking documents from the Revolutionary War that are real “conversation” pieces, these are for you!  Both documents are beautifully framed measuring 11 x 16 inches each.  The British document is matted in red and gold and the Continental document is matted with blue and gold.  What they are represents one of America’s most “colorful” businesses: running a tavern (or as they called it back then an Ordinary)!  Stated in the license the business must provide “good, wholesome, and cleanly Lodging and Diet for Travellers, and Stableage, Fodder and Provender, or Pasturage and Provender, as the Season shall require, for their Horses, for and during the Term of one Year from the Day of the Date of these Presents…”

Both of these documents are filled out in nice dark ink with the tavern owner’s name(s) and other officials. 

THE BRITISH DOCUMENT IS DATED JULY 5, 1773 AND HAS THE MOST FLOWERY BORDERING ON RIDICULOUS HOMAGE TO “OUR SOVEREIGN LORD, KING GEORGE THE THIRD.”

THE CONTINENTAL DOCUMENT IS DATED MAY 4, 1779 AND ALL THE LINES REFERRING TO KING GEORGE HAVE BEEN CROSSED OUT.  IN HIS PLACE, IS WRITTEN IN: “PATRICK HENRY ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR AS CHIEF MAGISTRATE OF THE COMMONWEALTH”.  

Both documents are in excellent condition and tell a real story!

#EL21 - Price for the pair $795