Taverns, Inns & Hotels
Traveling in colonial times was not easy. What we travel in a hour could take the colonial traveler a day or more. Therefore, taverns were an important part of colonial life. Taverns provided food for the hungry, rest for the weary and a meeting place for the locals.
The first license to operate a tavern and sell malt beer and spritous drinks in Ipswich was granted to Robert Roberts by the Court of Assistants in 1635. In 1652, Robert Payne, William Bartholomew, and Jeremy Belcher received licenses.
Since that time there have been many places for the traveler to stop. There have also been Hotels for the summer vacationer and places for the more permanent and often more indigent to stay.