The Fraunces Tavern,
at 54 Pearl Street, corner of Broad Street. Photo published in 1900 in
the book Early New York Houses 1750-1900, by William Smith Pelletreau
(1840-1918), Introduction signed by Pelletreau in June 1, 1900.
The Edw. Michels Hotel was operating in the building. The "Fraunce's Tavern" signs on the Pearl and Broad streets front replaced the old signs of "Washington's Head Quarters".
Another photo about 1900 shows a renovated building with the Charles & George Hotel in place of the Edw. Michels Hotel.
The original building was constructed in 1719 as a residence for de Lancey family. Samuel Fraunces owned the property from 1762 to 1785 and operated a tavern on the place. Below, some text from Pelletreau' book:
This building, on the southeast corner of Pearl and Broad streets, has doubtless attracted more attention than any other in the lower part of the city. The site on which it stands is part of a water lot, granted by the city to Col. Stephanus Van Cortlandt, November 19, 1686. What is now Pearl was then " Dock street," and the south line was the shore of the river. On April 11, 1700, Col. Van Cortlandt and his wife Gertrude, gave to Stephen De Lancy, "their well-beloved son-in-law, all that certain corner lot or toft of ground, containing in length on the north side fronting Dock street, 51 feet, and in breadth fronting the Broad street, 36 feet 6 inches, and bounded east by Philip French and south by the lot they had given to Samuel Bayard." On this place Stephen DeLancy built his home.
On January 15, 1762, Oliver DeLancy, Beverly Robinson and James Parker sold to Samuel Francis, "inkeeper," the " dwelling house and lot of ground thereto belonging," for the sum of £2,000, Samuel Francis, the inkeeper, came from the West Indies. He was probably a mulatto, for his dark complexion is evidenced by his nickname of "Black Sam," by which he was popularly known. Here he kept the most popular "inn" in the city, but its fame is derived from the fact, that here in 1783, General Washington took leave of His fellow officers, who under him had brought the Revolution to a successful close. Before the war, the inn was known by the sign of the "Queen's Head," but this was speedily dropped and it was known as "Fraunces' Tavern." In its "Long Room,'' the meetings of the Chamber of Commerce were held and it was frequented by the most famous men of the time.
"Black Sam'' evidently became tired of tavern keeping and made a change, for on April 23, 1785, we find that "Samuel Fraunces, late of the City of New York , innkeeper, but at present of the County of Monmouth, New Jersey, farmer, and Elizabeth his wife," sell to "George Powers, butcher, of Brooklyn," all his dwelling house and lot bounded as above. The price was £1,950, which indicates that real estate has not recovered its former value. George Powers sold it to Dr. Nicholas Romaine, April 30, 1795. At that time prices had risen, for he obtained £2,200, or $5,500. Dr. Romaine in turn sold to John S. Moore, June 24, 1800. He only kept it a short time and on June 22, 1801, h e sold it to Thomas Gardener, for $7,500. It was then described as bounded "north by Pearl street, formerly Dock street." In the division of the estate of Thomas Gardener, it fell to His son John Gardener. He left two daughters, Mrs. Malvina Kettletas, and Mrs. Jane McCarthy. In the division of estate it fell to the latter, who afterward married Count de Dion. She has since deceased, and it is now owned by her children who are living in France. Fraunces' Tavern, was originally but two stories in height, but in later years three more were added. The " Long Room,, on the second floor remains practically unchanged since the days before the Revolution. The present indications are that the " march of improvement" will not long spare this interesting relic of the past.
