The origin of Tun Tavern

On January 5, 1681, William Penn was granted 40,000 square miles from Britain for his father's services. This territory would become Pennsylvania, and Penn invited Quakers and other religions to come to the New World and worship according to their faith. Samuel Carpenter took him up on his offer and purchased 5,000 acres in Pennsylvania. For such a large purchase, William Penn rewarded Samuel Carpenter with one of the best pieces of land in the city. Joshua Carpenter accepted the invitation as well, and Samuel sold his brother a piece of his property.

Taverns were making a lot of money at the time, and both brothers decided to jump on that bandwagon. Joshua built a tavern on the cartway leading to Carpenter's Wharf, and he named it Tun. The cartway leading to the tavern would eventually be known as Tun Alley. Samuel Carpenter's wharf brought in ships, which lured merchants, traders, sailors, and dockworkers. All of these men would meet and discuss business opportunities at Samuels and Joshua's public houses.

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