Eleanor Finch
The Founding Fathers of the United States of America were known for their heavy drinking. Two days before signing the Constitution, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention partied at a tavern, drinking 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch. Alcohol was a means of staying hydrated when drinking water could be deadly, and taverns were a place to discuss politics. The Founding Fathers' drinking habits were so well-known that a French dignitary once professed shock at the extent of their alcohol consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates at the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26-81 |
| Alcohol consumed by the Founding Fathers two days before signing the Constitution | 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch |
| Average alcohol consumption of Colonial Americans compared to modern Americans | 3 times as much |
| Alcohol consumed by George Washington in a single night | 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of Claret, and 7 full bowls of punch |
| Percentage of income spent by George Washington on alcohol while in office | 7% |
| Amount spent by Thomas Jefferson on wine during his first year as President | 1/3 of his salary |
| Number of bottles of wine consumed by Thomas Jefferson between 1822 and 1824 | 1,200 |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers' drinking habits
Alcohol was a central and essential part of colonial life in America. Drinking water was often unsafe, so alcohol was a safer alternative. The Founding Fathers, like most colonists, were fans of alcohol. In fact, the average American during the Colonial era consumed many times more beverage alcohol than contemporary Americans. Getting drunk, but not losing control, was simply socially accepted.
The Founding Fathers had a night of heavy drinking at a tavern in Philadelphia before signing the Constitution. The bar tab from that night in 1787, two days before they signed the Constitution, shows that the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch. That's more than two bottles of wine, plus a few shots, and a lot of punch and beer, for every delegate.
Some of the Founding Fathers were particularly well-known for their drinking habits. John Adams, the second president of the United States, began every day with a draft of hard cider with breakfast and ended every day with three glasses of Madeira. He was known to be a generous host, with a French dignitary once commenting on the extent of his drinking. George Washington was also known for racking up sizable tabs after buying drinks for friends. On one occasion, he ordered 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of Claret, and seven full bowls of punch. Thomas Jefferson was a true oenophile, drinking Portuguese Madeira by the truckload in his youth and spending a third of his salary on wine in his first year as president. He was the first to stock the White House with wine and convinced the Secretary of Treasury to lower the duty on wine. James Madison was known to consume a pint of whiskey a day, and Benjamin Franklin, the most storied Founding Father, was also a heavy drinker.
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The number of Founding Fathers who signed the Constitution
There are differing opinions on who can be counted as a Founding Father of the United States. Some scholars regard all 55 delegates to the 1787 Constitutional Convention as Founding Fathers, whether they approved the Constitution or not. This number includes the 39 delegates who actually signed the Constitution.
Others limit the Founding Fathers to those who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. The National Archives refer to these three documents as the "Charters of Freedom".
The Founding Fathers also included certain military personnel who fought in the Revolutionary War, and others who greatly assisted in the nation's formation. The list of Founding Fathers is often expanded to include individuals who later approved the U.S. government, such as the first five US presidents: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.
The Founding Fathers were known to be heavy drinkers, with alcohol being safer to consume than water at the time. Two days before signing the Constitution, the 55 delegates to the convention drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch.
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Alcohol as a means of staying hydrated
Alcohol was a common feature of colonial life in America, and the Founding Fathers were no exception. In fact, they were known to drink a lot, with records showing that they often drank excessively. Two days before signing the Constitution in 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention consumed 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight bottles of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch. This was not an isolated incident, as the Founding Fathers were known to rack up large bar tabs and host extravagant drinking parties.
The prevalence of alcohol in colonial America can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, potable water was often scarce and contaminated with harmful diseases such as smallpox, lockjaw, and cholera. Drinking water could be life-threatening, so alcohol became a means of staying hydrated. The process of brewing and distilling kills harmful bacteria, making alcohol a safer alternative to water. This belief was so widespread that even children drank "ciderkin," a combination of hard cider and molasses.
Taverns, where alcohol was consumed, played a vital role in colonial life. They served as places for social gathering, negotiation, and the exchange of political ideas. For the Founding Fathers, taverns were spaces to discuss political agendas and gather information about their adversaries. Ben Franklin, for example, was known to use taverns as a tool of diplomacy, employing "eating, drinking, and gossiping" as negotiation tactics. The social acceptance of drinking was also evident, with getting drunk considered acceptable as long as one did not lose control.
While the Founding Fathers' drinking habits may have been influenced by the cultural norms of their time, it is important to note that their alcohol consumption also had a significant impact on their health and decision-making processes. Alcohol was believed to provide "liquid courage," and the Founding Fathers often deliberated and celebrated with alcohol. However, excessive alcohol consumption can impair judgment and decision-making abilities, which may have had consequences for the formation of the Constitution and other important documents.
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Drinking as a tool of diplomacy
Alcohol was a significant part of colonial life in America. In the absence of clean drinking water, which could carry harmful diseases, colonists often opted for alcoholic beverages to stay hydrated. This included children, who drank "ciderkin", a combination of hard cider and molasses. Taverns, where alcohol was consumed, played a vital role in colonial life. They served as gathering places for socialising, political discussion, and the exchange of news and ideas.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, was known to use taverns as a "tool of diplomacy". He believed that "eating, drinking, and gossiping" were effective negotiation tactics. Franklin understood that social settings, lubricated by alcohol, could facilitate the exchange of ideas and the formation of revolutionary concepts. The Founding Fathers, through their frequent tavern visits and substantial alcohol consumption, contributed to this culture of diplomacy and negotiation.
The Founding Fathers' drinking habits were well-documented, and they were known to consume significant amounts of alcohol. Two days before signing the Constitution in 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered at a tavern in Philadelphia and drank a substantial amount of alcohol, including 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight bottles of whiskey, and more. This was not an isolated incident, as the Founding Fathers were known for their lavish spending on alcohol and their frequent tavern visits.
While the Founding Fathers' alcohol consumption may have been influenced by the cultural norms of the time, it is important to note that they also recognised the potential negative consequences of excessive drinking. Thomas Jefferson, for example, viewed whiskey as a "scourge of drunkenness" and worked to lower the duty on wine to promote its consumption instead. Overall, while alcohol may have played a role in the social and political life of the Founding Fathers, they also understood the importance of moderation and the potential risks associated with excessive drinking.
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The impact of alcohol on the Founding Fathers' decision-making
Alcohol was a central and essential part of colonial life. In the absence of clean drinking water, it was a means of staying hydrated. The Founding Fathers, like most colonists, were fans of alcohol. In fact, the average American during the Colonial era consumed much more alcohol than contemporary Americans. Getting drunk was socially accepted, as long as one did not lose control.
The Founding Fathers were known to have one of their "hell of a night" sessions at a tavern in Philadelphia before signing the Constitution. The bar tab from that night included 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight bottles of whiskey, 22 bottles of porter, eight bottles of hard cider, 12 bottles of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch. This was consumed by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, which is more than two bottles of alcohol per delegate.
Benjamin Franklin, the most quotable of the Founding Fathers, used taverns as a tool of diplomacy. For him, "eating, drinking, and gossiping" were negotiation tactics. It was in taverns that the Founding Fathers, "emboldened by liquid courage", likely discussed the concepts contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
While it is difficult to ascertain the impact of alcohol on the Founding Fathers' decision-making, it is clear that alcohol played a significant role in their social and political lives. It is possible that alcohol helped to facilitate open discussion and negotiation, leading to the development of the concepts contained in the Constitution. However, it is important to note that the Founding Fathers were also critical of each other and had strong differences of opinion, which alcohol may have helped to smooth over.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Founding Fathers drank a lot. In fact, they drank much more than the average American today. They also used taverns as a tool of diplomacy and a place to discuss politics.
Yes, the Founding Fathers drank before signing the Constitution. Two days before signing the Constitution, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention partied at a tavern and drank 54 bottles of Madeira, 60 bottles of claret, eight of whiskey, 22 of porter, eight of hard cider, 12 of beer, and seven bowls of alcoholic punch.
While there is no evidence to suggest that the Founding Fathers drank while writing the Constitution, they did drink a lot during the famous summer of 1787 when the Constitution was being deliberated.
Yes, after the Founding Fathers signed the Constitution, they drank to celebrate.
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