April 22, 2026
Introduction: In this article – a continued celebration of Patriots’ Day – Melissa Davenport Berry writes about Coolidge Tavern, where George Washington dined and lodged. Melissa is a genealogist who has a website, americana-archives.com, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.
President Calvin Cooldge’s earliest American ancestor, John Coolidge, emigrated from England and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Here is a photograph of Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace visiting the graves of his ancestors on Arlington Street in Watertown in 1905.
The Coolidge Tavern
A branch of the Coolidge line very closely linked to President Coolidge operated a tavern during the American Revolution, and records reveal that before and after the Battles of Lexington and Concord the minutemen were fed and provided spirits at the tavern.
The Coolidge Tavern, located on the south side of Charles River on the corner of Galen and Watertown Streets in Watertown, was remodeled in 1840 by John Brigham.
In January of 1775 a militia company was formed in Watertown and Samuel Barnard was appointed captain. Each man received four coppers for refreshments in exchange for attending weekly drills.
At the March Town Meeting the townspeople voted that tavern keeper Dorothy Coolidge would be allocated funds under a warrant article calling for the town “to do anything relating to the encouragement of the military.”
This article reports:
Watertown had its public house on the bank of the Charles River at Galen Street. It was opened in 1764 by Nathaniel Coolidge [son of Nathaniel and Grace (Bowman) Coolidge] and was at the height of its popularity in revolutionary times. After Nathaniel’s death [in 1773], his widow Dorothy [nee Whitney, one of 15 children born to Daniel and Dorothy (Tainter) Whitney] continued to manage it. It proved the nearest place for safety of the Provincial Congress in 1775, and many of the revolutionary notables were lodged there.
It is recorded that the citizens of the town, in regular town meeting, authorized the treasurer to pay to “Widow Dorothy Coolidge” the sum of twelve shillings and eight pence “for rum for the men in the Lexington battle, April 19, 1775,” and two pounds two shillings and three pence for “her other account for training expense.”
George Washington dined there several times in July 1775, and on one occasion is reported to have praised Mrs. Coolidge’s johnnycakes [cornmeal flatbread, similar to a pancake].
Here are some receipts for the Coolidge Tavern that I found in the FamilySearch archives.
A receipt for Dorothy Coolidge for men dining and lodging on 5 July 1775, plus 25 bowls of punch: 7 pounds 15 shillings and 8 pence. It was approved by the Provincial Congress and “paid out by the Publick Treasury of this Colony.”
Here is another receipt paid out for 23 bottles of wine, 7 bottles of Madeira, 6 pounds of cheese, and 4 dozen crackers.
And in 1778 this public notice was posted, announcing what occurred at the Town Meeting held at the Coolidge Tavern:
At a Publick Town Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of Watertown that were 21 years of age that are free, held at the publick House of Mrs. Dorothy Coolidge, on Monday the 8th day of June AD. 1778, Dean Nath Stone was chosen moderator…
In 1789 the Watertown Selectmen met at the Coolidge Tavern, and in that meeting renewed her license to run her tavern and inn.
As far as General George Washington and the story of him fancying her “johnnycakes” – he may well have, but we only have one record of him commenting about his stay at her establishment, on a visit in 1789.
First, here is a news clipping announcing that Hon. George Washington, who had just been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, came through Watertown in July 1775.
I cannot find evidence from Washington’s letters or diaries about his breakfast that year, but an entry in his diary from 5 November 1789 Washington writes:
“We lodged in this place at the House of a Widow Coolidge near the Bridge, and a very indifferent one it is.”
Perhaps he wished for more of what he had in 1775. Despite all this it can be said that Coolidge Tavern was a popular resort. Sadly, it was demolished in 1918.
Here is an article that still professes the widow Coolidge was known for excellent johnnycakes, and Washington praised them.
However, this article adds a few new tidbits to the story of the tavern. William Williams, a shipbuilder, built the structure in 1740. A sign hung of the likeness of George III, later replaced by a portrait of Washington.
All that remains of the Coolidge Tavern is this stone marker with the inscription:
The Coolidge Tavern. Famous for its hospitality during the American Revolution, stood on this spot. Here many leaders of the Patriot cause, including George Washington, John and Samuel Adams, found lodging and refreshment. The Great and General Court met here briefly in the winter of 1775-1776.
Another famous visitor believed to have tarried one night was General Lafayette when he came through Watertown on his way from Hartford to Boston.
According to an announcement of the historical marker’s unveiling, “On October 15, 1784, General Lafayette was feted in Watertown by fellow Revolutionary War officers as he traveled from Hartford to Boston. After enjoying a meal and much camaraderie with his hosts, Lafayette resumed his journey east.”
The only man from Watertown to fall in the Revolutionary War’s first battle on 19 April 1775 was Joseph Coolidge. Check back for that story.
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Note on the header image: Coolidge Tavern. Credit: Watertown Free Public Library via Digital Commonwealth.
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