Jacob G. Bergen's Tavern License Application

The French Arms Tavern, where Congress met in November and December of 1784, was periodically the subject of petitions by local tavern keepers who were required to apply to the Hunterdon County Court of General Quarter Sessions for a license to operate a public house. This petition from Jacob G. Bergen on May 6, 1783 received the support of several subscribers, among whom were many prominent Trenton citizens. Witnessed by their signatures are Benjamin Yard, Charles Axford, Jacob Benjamin, John Yard, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Higbee, Abraham Hunt, Archibald Yard, Isaac Collins, James Ewing, William Houston, A. Manaquis and Peter Crolius.

[credit: New Jersey State Archives, Division of Archives and Records Management]