Manuscript document. Signed by Clerk John Cary (1645-1721). Bristol, [Massachusetts], 13 April 1703. 1 page, 7 x 8 3/8 in. Docketed to verso

A very early Common Inn and Spiritous Liquor License for Benjamin Carpenter (1658-1727), proprietor of an inn "commonly known by the Carpenter Arms Sign." Penned during the American colonial era during the reign of Queen Anne. The license prohibits any form of gaming or gambling, specifying that it "shall not permit suffer to have any playing of dice, card tables, quoits, loggotts, shuffleboard, ninepins, billiards, bowlows, or other unlawfull [sic] game or games in his said house, yard, garden [or] backside".

Most notably, the document specifies against serving alcohol along both race and class lines: "Nor shall sell any strong drink wine or liquors to any apprentices, servants, Indians or Negroes nor suffer to remain in his house any person or persons there tipping." 

A very early American tavern document. 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]

Short separation along old folds. Very minor toning. Period ink spots.