"By which so much happiness is produced": an analysis of the seventeenth-century Kirke Tavern at Ferryland, Newfoundland

Abstract

The arrival of David Kirke and his family in 1638 marked a decided change in focus at the Ferryland colony. It evolved from a colony attempting to monopolize primarily on the fishing industry, under the direction of Lord Baltimore starting in 1621, to one focusing on trade, provisioning, and the fishery (Pope 2004). The seventeenth-century site of Ferryland, Newfoundland represents an opportunity for a large-scale archaeological study of life in colonial Newfoundland, as it is one of the earlier colonies in North America. One aspect of the colony that has yet to be closely examined is the seventeenth-century tavern operated by the Kirke family. There is potential to learn not only about how David Kirke operated this important part of the family business, but also more about the merchants, sailors, and colonists that frequented the establishment. It is also an opportunity to learn about how this tavern relates to others in comparable contexts across North America during the seventeenth century. My research will explore how the archaeological remains associated with the Kirke tavern can reveal information regarding tavern activities, the proprietors behind them, and the Kirke tavern’s place in a tradition of taverns and tippling houses in seventeenth-century British North America. Artifacts typically uncovered in these contexts indicate that taverns were not just a place of drinking, but also one of social interaction, networking, and relaxation (Crompton 2001). The clay tobacco pipes, gaming pieces and cooking and serving vessels reveal that other activities were present at the Kirke tavern. The glass bottles and ceramics help archaeologists distinguish what types of wares would have been used in a tavern setting, and to some extent where they originated from, helping to determine the social interaction, socioeconomics, and the trading networks behind these consumption patterns.