Among the many lineage societies dedicated to preserving America’s colonial history, few are as distinct—and as evocative—as Flagon and Trencher. This hereditary society is dedicated exclusively to the descendants of licensed tavern keepers of colonial America, celebrating a class of citizens who played a pivotal role in the social, political, and cultural life of early American communities.
More than just purveyors of food and drink, colonial taverners hosted political debates, town meetings, militia musters, and even court sessions. With mugs in hand and minds engaged, colonists built the foundations of American democracy in these lively establishments. Flagon and Trencher, named for the classic drinking vessel and wooden plate, honors this unique heritage.
The Founding of Flagon and Trencher
According to the Flagon and Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers website, the organization was started during a speech on “Genealogical Sources of the Philadelphia Area” delivered at the National Genealogical Society in March 1962 when Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., remarked that there seemed to be lineage societies for all kinds of ancestors except tavern keepers. Kenn Stryker-Rodda suggested from the audience, “Let’s found one.” Enough people heard of the idea to prompt Kenn’s sending a letter dated 1 September 1963 suggesting “an annual dinner at an old inn, with colonial menu (solid and liquid) spiced with learned and witty addresses on suitable topics, as the focus for the Society.”
From its inception, the society has operated as a lineage-based hereditary organization, open to men and women who can trace direct descent from a person licensed to operate a tavern, inn, public house, or ordinary in colonial British America before July 4, 1776.
Because of the size of the Society’s membership, as well as other important factors, in late 2023, the Society was reorganized to make it fall more in line with societies of similar size.
Purpose and Mission
Flagon and Trencher was founded with the following goals:
- To identify and honor colonial tavern keepers and their descendants.
- To publish and preserve records related to early American tavern licensing and operations.
- To encourage genealogical scholarship and raise awareness of the tavern keeper’s historical significance.
- To foster camaraderie and connection among descendants.
The society has produced a growing registry of qualified ancestors, contributed to scholarship in the field, and engaged in educational outreach through publications and member events.
Membership and Qualifications
To become a member of Flagon and Trencher, applicants must provide:
- Documented, lineal descent from a colonial ancestor who held a license to keep a public tavern or inn prior to July 4, 1776;
- Proof of the license, often drawn from colonial court records, town meeting minutes, or early American newspapers;
- Supporting genealogical documentation, including birth, marriage, and death certificates for each generation linking to the ancestor.
Acceptable licensed occupations include tavern keepers, innkeepers, and ordinaries in the 13 British colonies (including what are now the United States and parts of Canada). Tavern owners who operated without formal licenses are generally not accepted unless evidence of sanctioned operation exists.
The Society maintains a published Registry of Approved Ancestors, which is frequently updated as new members and records are verified.
Publications and Scholarly Contributions
One of Flagon and Trencher’s most significant contributions is its published series of genealogical books, known as the Tavern Keeper Ancestor Series. These volumes contain meticulously researched biographies of qualified ancestors, genealogical lineages of members, and contextual information about tavern life in colonial America.
The society also publishes a newsletter that highlights newly discovered records, member stories, and historical features related to the culture of early American public houses.
The Importance of Colonial Taverns
In colonial times, the tavern was not just a place to eat and drink—it was often the center of civic life. Taverns functioned as:
- Meeting places for town councils, freemen, and political clubs
- Inns for travelers and couriers
- Stages for musical and theatrical performances
- Venues for courts, auctions, and elections
- Bulletin boards for news, proclamations, and notices
Famous revolutionary figures such as Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and George Washington spent considerable time in taverns debating policy and rousing public opinion. The Boston Caucus met in the Green Dragon Tavern, often referred to as “the headquarters of the Revolution.”
Conclusion
The Flagon and Trencher Society offers a unique window into a vibrant corner of colonial life. By preserving the memory of tavern keepers—those early entrepreneurs, hosts, and community leaders—it reminds us that history happens not only in battlefields and capitals, but also across dinner tables, in smoky common rooms, and beneath the low beams of a bustling public house.
For those who proudly raise a glass to their colonial roots, membership in Flagon and Trencher is more than a genealogical achievement—it’s a tribute to the spirit of early American community and hospitality.
Sources
- Flagon and Trencher Official Website
- Colonial Tavernkeepers Qualifying Ancestors of Flagon and Trencher Members
by Harriet Stryker-Rodda (Editor) - The Colonial Tavern, Crucible of the American Revolution (blog) by Salvatore Colleluori, April 17, 2015
- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation – “Taverns and Public Life in Early America”
Lineage Society History 
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