Marines

The birth of a Corps?

31 Oct 2000 | Sgt. Bobbie J. Bryant Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

It's known that Marines come from diverse backgrounds and their knowledge and experience vary. However, ask most of them about Tun Tavern and the reply may be quicker than a drill instructor's bark."Tun Tavern, that's the Corps' birthplace!" they'll probably say. What most Marines don't know is there's no actual proof that John Adams and the Naval Committee met in the tavern Nov. 10, 1775. There's nothing officially stating the tavern was the original meeting place that called for the organization of two Marine battalions.What is known is that Capt. Robert Mullen, the Corps' first recruiter and proprietor of the tavern, kept an account book and used it to log the names of recruits who signed up during recruiting efforts held in and around the tavern's vicinity. This is why many associate Tun Tavern with the Corps' birthplace.Historically, the tavern is regarded as the first 'Brew House' in Philadelphia and was built by Samuel Carpenter in 1685 with the purpose of attracting business to the waterfront.In colonial days, and later during the Revolutionary War, the tavern was known as a place visited by many prominent people to include Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Samuel Adams.The original tavern burned to the ground in 1781, and today Interstate 95 passes over the original location. Montgomery Dahm, a former active-duty Marine, continues the 'Tun' name with Tun Tavern in Atlantic City, N.J. Offering award-winning cuisine and handcrafted brews, as well as live entertainment, the brewpub celebrates the birthday in traditional fashion.