Drinkin' and Makin' America — The ABV Network

It wasn’t so long ago (and, hopefully, not too far from being there again) that the bar scene in America is one of singles having a night out on the prowl, sports bars filled with televisions showing dozens of games simultaneously, and pay-per-view MMA. Occasionally, you'll find an announcer with a microphone spouting trivia questions to drunken patrons using their smartphones to win prizes. Groups gather in bars for their fantasy football drafts in much the same way men had assembled in taverns to shape the foundation of our nation.

Alcohol was an essential part of life in early America, but where you drank, was even more significant. More than 250 years ago, men gathered at their local tavern for various reasons. According to the US Postal Service, local Taverns not only provided a way for the public to collect and send mail, but they were also a means to distribute town and county information to the general public. Postings of the King's speeches and militia's responses hung on walls while pamphlets and propaganda filled the patrons’ senses. Meetings were often held where literate men would read the news of the times to the beer-drinking listeners sitting nearby.

Taverns allowed like-minded individuals across the counties to meet and plan; argue and debate. With the increase of taxes and the oppressive thumb of their British roots pressing down, they drank pints of molasses beer from a flagon, sipped whiskey from their silver cups, and set out to build this Nation. Men called others to action against the crown. It was in many a Tavern and Inn that word-of-mouth became a passion and battle cry for Independence. Thankfully so.

Town meetings became more and more significant as militias and recruitment of such occurred there. It's believed that the Sons of Liberty not only formed but planned the Boston Tea Party at a tavern meeting. Is there any surprise knowing that a few drunken men decided to dress up, start a ruckus, and throw tea in the harbor? Maybe that's where the "Hey, Watch This!" originated. I’d like to think so.

Growth of our Nation happened over time, and many a pint was drunk in the Ordinary of the day. (An ordinary was a bar that served full meals and sometimes offered a room, as well.) My 6th Great Grandfather was licensed to run such an Ordinary in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in 1763. Documents found at the Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington D.C., also refer to his Ordinary as a "Roadhouse." For me, the term Roadhouse frames a picture of old Great Gramps looking a little like Patrick Swayze, with his powdered wig tucked under his tricorne hat. Being nice to patrons until it was time to "not be nice." But I digress.

Taverns became the breeding ground of many societies and clubs. Some are in full force today. The famous Tun Tavern in Philadelphia gave us two significant groups back then that we know and celebrate now as the Freemasons and the United States Marine Corp. It's incredible what men in a bar can accomplish if they put their minds to it. "Semper Fi!"

Once at war, the taverns served another purpose: to aid the Patriot efforts. An essential role for the men serving, the Inns provided food and shelter, and of course, the ever-important alcohol.

Today, there are societies that you can become a member of if you can prove lineage to a direct line Patriot. Besides the DAR, as mentioned above, there is "Sons of the American Revolution," and the lesser-known "Flagon & Trencher Society," and dozens more. The Flagon & Trencher Society covers Colonial America Tavern and Innkeepers licensed before July 4th, 1776, like my 6th Great Grandfather. I have found that there is pretty much a group for anything. I have seen numerous organizations that I qualify for just based on this branch of my family tree; I simply need to spend the time and money to join if I want.

It's interesting how we mirror our ancestry now as many of us become members of the Stave and Thief Society, hometown Whiskey Societies, and even the ABV Network. Like our forefathers, we seek like-minded individuals, come together in groups, and accomplish great things when we sit around a bottle.