There are times in life when history visits, leaving an impression that might last for centuries. This sometimes happens in obscure places and is not known by people living within the same town. Such is the case with our very first tavern here in Concord. This tavern was quite the center of social interaction for our ancestors, bringing people together from near and far and allowing time to interact with people that would not have normally been available to meet with common people.
Our very first tavern witnessed many famous people and sheltered the weary as they traveled the roads passing through our town. This tavern is the Osgood Tavern and it was owned by a gentleman named James Osgood a very long time ago. Of particular interest is the fact the tavern actually hosted royalty one time back in the very late days of the eighteenth century.
The Prince de Talleyrand was in Concord and lodged at the Osgood Tavern for a week after he was exiled from France during the period 1793 to 1795. He stayed in the Osgood Tavern functioning like most of the regular people that frequented the establishment, engaging in conversation and consuming spirits much like the other people within the tavern. Aside from his French accent, it is likely he would have gone unnoticed by others at the tavern.
Known as the first public house in Concord, the Osgood Tavern actually started out as the Osgood Garrison and was located on the east side of Main Street just south of the intersection with Depot Street. The Garrison was part of a series of fortifications established by the very first residents of our town for protection and shelter. As the years progressed and the community grew the need for local garrisons was no longer valid and the old fortifications were either dismantled with the materials being used for other projects or they lived on, in this case as a tavern.
John Osgood passed away in 1757 and his widow managed the tavern in the old garrison. Osgood’s widow also kept a tavern at another location in Concord location until 1798. Her reputation and management of the Osgood Tavern was one of hospitality and success. The first Osgood Tavern that hosted the original Osgood Garrison burned on Aug. 17, 1845.
Concord hosted many taverns over the years. Taverns were a welcome refuge for the weary traveler, a place to board your horse and stay for the evening, purchase a meal and, most importantly, enjoy spirits and conversations with local people.
Politicians were known to frequent taverns and stand on top of a box for a commanding position to speak to the surrounding people. Our community has hosted many people over the years and taverns were a part of their travel. People such as Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were known to have visited Main Street in Concord.
You never knew who you might encounter when you visited a tavern two centuries ago, you just might have been enjoying a social drink with a future president or perhaps the Prince de Talleyrand.