Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

We all know George Washington as the stoic general who famously rode through Greenwich along the Post Road during the Revolution, stopping at Knapp's Tavern (Putnam Cottage), and eventually becoming our first President. As it turns out, the Father of Our Country also knew exactly how to throw down when the work was done.

During the war, Washington famously refused a military salary in exchange for an open-ended expense account, setting a cultural standard where every single shilling spent on food, booze, and supplies was meticulously recorded. Because of this obsession with paperwork, we have incredible records from the era—including the legendary receipt from a 1787 farewell party thrown in Washington's honor just days before the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

The Historic Bill

According to the surviving tavern bill, the bar tab included:

• 54 bottles of Madeira wine

• 60 bottles of claret

• 8 bottles of whiskey

• 22 bottles of porter

• 8 bottles of hard cider

• 12 bottles of beer

• 7 large bowls of alcoholic punch

Between the Lines: Here is the kicker: The party only had 55 attendees. It puts a whole new spin on the phrase "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness!"