Christopher Ayscough and his wife Anne ran a tavern in Williamsburg on Francis Street near the capitol. Christopher announced the opening of the tavern in the 6 Oct. 1768 issue of The Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon; Williamsburg). The advertisement reads that Ayscough "has opened TAVERN fronting the south side of the Capitol, WILLIAMSBURG . . . he is provided with the best LIQUORS, and Mrs. Ayscough very well understands the COOKERY part . . ." Christopher announced in the 20 Sept. 1770 issue of The Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon; Williamsburg) that he intended to soon "leave off tavern keeping". GW had dined at the tavern in May 1769 (see Ledger A, 290).

Prior to the opening of the tavern, Christopher had worked as a gardener at the governor's palace in Williamsburg.