Forgotten Founding Father Richard Varick Approves Early New York Tavern License With Conditions

Offering an 8 ¾ x 12 ¾, one-page, document signed by the forgotten Founding Father and Mayor of New York City RICHARD VARICK acknowledging tavern license obtained ABRAHAM VAN ALSTYNE and the conditions he must abide by in order to continue the license.

“...Whereas the said Abraham Van Alstyne...hath obtained a license to keep an Inn or Tavern for retailing strong or spiritous liquors in his dwelling-house, in said City, from the date of the said license until the first Day of March next.

“Now, the Condition of this Recognizance is such, That if the said Abraham Van Alstyne do not during the time that he shall keep an Inn or Tavern keep a disorderly Inn or Tavern, or suffer or permit any Cock-fighting, Gaming or Playing with Cards or Dice, or keep any Billard-Table...or Shuffle-Board within the Inn or Tavern by him to be kept within any Out-House, Yard or Garden belonging thereunto; then this Recognizance to be void, else to remain in full Force...”

VARICK (March 15, 1753-July 30, 1831) was a military officer, the 45^th mayor of New York City who served 11 consecutive terms and who has been referred to as “The Forgotten Founding Father.”

Varick and Samuel Jones codified New York state’s first statutes after the American Revolution.  During the Revolutionary War, Varick served as George Washington’s aid-de-camp and private secretary.

Varick was a founder of the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Bible Society and was a slaveholder.

Toning, folds. Fold breaks repaired with archival tape.  Great to find a document signed by this forgotten Founding Father, especially one dealing with the owning of a tavern.

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