Food consumed at the Octagon came from a variety of sources. Local markets sold an array of fruits and vegetables as well as butchered meat and fresh fish, some of which was gathered or raised by slaves who lived on farms and plantations near the city. General merchants sold basic commodities like flour, sugar, and tea. Fancy goods, such as prepared sweets and imported fruits and nuts, could be purchased from confectioners who specialized in more elaborate fare. The Tayloes, like many wealthy families in the city, owned a farm in the nearby countryside. Meat and produce from the farm were brought into the Octagon. In addition, the outbuildings at the Octagon included a cow stable, and the Tayloes, like many of their city neighbors, may have raised chickens in the stable yard. The combination of all these sources kept the Tayloes’ table supplied with a wide range of seasonal, preserved, and imported foodstuffs.
