ISSUE 33, VIRGINIA, Part 2: Public Hospitality Begins
A record of the first taverns, inns, coffeehouses, and restaurants
Early Virginia Hospitality, 1785-1830
ALEXANDRIA
Mrs. Ball’s “Coffee-House and Tavern” In Major Brown’s House on Market & South Streets Persons “accommodated in the best manner” Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser 12-1-1785, P1
John Campbell’s Eating House--Capt. Abel Willis’s house on Prince Street “OYSTER SUPPERS” “best of liquors”. Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser 1-8-1787, p1
Nicholas Hannah’s “Coffee-House” 3 story house on Fairfax Street “between King and Prince streets” boxes & apartments “will also take in private boarders” Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser 1-8-1787, p1
Paul Arnold Cherui’s Pastry Shop-Fairfax-Street, Nearly opposite the house of the late Dr. Brown= “all kinds of Pies, Tarts, Cakes, Macaroones, Marchpanes, Pound Cakes, and French Biscuits-Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette 3-10-1793, P3.
John Wise “City-Tavern, Sign of the Bunch of Grapes” “New and elegant Three-Story Brick House fronting the West End of the Market-House” 20 well-finished Rooms “a large Stock of good old Liquors” Virginia Gazette and Alexandria Advertiser 3-14-1793, P1 [tavern 4 years old]
John Abert’s “House of Entertainment” “noted and commodious Dwelling, lately occupied by Mr. John Wise” “Cook, who has for many years been employed as such by the President of the United States”—“very particular in the choice of his liquors, and selecting his provisions of every kind.” Virginia Chronicle March 23, 1793
John Gadsby & Charles Davis’ “City Tavern and Hotel” [same as Wise/Abert] “choicest liquors, and the table furnished with the best provisions the market and season will afford” Times, and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser (Alexandria) 9-21-1797, P1.
John Stavely’s Cakes and Confectionary Shop Corner of Prince & Royal Streets “Beef Steak, Mutton, Veal and Chicken Pies, and Tarts hot every day at 1 o’clock.” “Ice Cream kept constantly” Alexandria Times, and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser, 5-18-1798, P1
Samuel Hilton’s “Union Tavern” “OYSTER SUPPERS as usual, and has an ORDINARY every day, at half past one o’clock and WHITE BACKS, when they can be procured” Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette 10-24-1799, P1
John McLeod’s “Beer House” with Draught Beer - Royal Street Below King Alexandria “Oysters, Beef Steaks, Relishes” -Times; and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser (Alexandria, Virginia) 12-4-1799, p4
L. Gleises “House” Commodious House in King Street “ice Creams, Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, Pastry, Preserves, Wines, Cordials, Lemonade, Punch, Sweet Cakes. He keeps every day a Boarding Table for Breakfast, Dinner, and Supper. Times, and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser 4-5-1800, P4
John Cunningham’s “New Boarding House”Union Street near King Street 5 or 6 gentlemen Times; and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser 4-20-1801 P1
Bogan & Shuck “Tavern and Oyster House”-Corner of Duke and Water Streets “a constant supply of the BEST OYSTERS and RELISHES of every description” Alexandria Daily Advertiser 10-2-1805 P3
William Caton’s “City Tavern and Hotel” [formerly Gadsby’s] “one of the best in the Union” with “an assort of the best liquors and good waiters” Alexandria Gazette 11-15-1808
Mrs. Mary Ann Martin’s “Boarding House” On Union Street near Marsteller & Young’s Wharf Seeking Sea-faring gentlemen as boarders-Alexandria Gazette 6-2-1810 P4
James Gullatt’s “Indian Queen Tavern” Formerly occupied by John Hodgkin “constantly furnished with the best Liquors a& Refreshments that the market can afford. The dining-room has been lately enlarged, so as to be capable of accommodating at least forty persons-Alexandria Gazette 5-29-1811 {4
Randolph Mott’s “Washington Tavern” King Street “supplied with the best liquors that the town can afford” Alexandria Gazette 10-22-1812 P3
Thomas Shields’s “Tavern” [also ran the Alexandria Public Bath House since 1813] “Turtle Soup” “Ice, Lemonade”-Alexandria Herald 6-24-1818 p3
Lionel Larkin’s “Spring Garden” [formerly T. Shields’s] Elegant retreat “The best of Liquors will be kept on hand” Alexandria Gazette 7-29-1817 p3
Hannah C. Spear’s “Boarding House” South side of Prince Street next door corner of Pitt. Two dollars and Fifty sense a week boarding- Alexandria Gazette 6-13-1820 p3
Mrs. Ann Nelson’s Boarding House Royal Street opposite Alexandria Gazette. Five or six genteel boarders. Alexandria Gazette 9-2-1820 P3
Araminta Webster’s “Society Hall” [name given Alexandria Gazette 6-4-1822, p3] Corner of Queen and Royal Streets “Lobsters, pickled oysters, hard and soft crabs, sheeps-head, turtle soup, &c. Pickles Sturgeon noted in 1822-Alexandria Gazette June 13, 1821 P3
John Hepburn’s Confectionery Royal Street opposite the new market. “First rate French Cook” cakes, pastry, and candies made fresh eery day. All kinds of foreign and domestic jelleys and seet meats; dry citron, fruits in brandy, olives, cocoa and nuts of all kinds; a variety of fruit. All kinds of superior catsup will be made during the winter when commanded. . . . Pastry made into pyramids-Alexandria Herald 11-29-1822, p3
Eli Legg’s “Indian Queen Tavern” Corner of King & St. Asaph Street. “His BAR will always be stocked with the best of liquors—his table furnished with all the excellencies of the seasons which the market affords” Alexandria Gazette 3-11-1823
Dominy Bearcroft’s “Oyster & Beef-Steak House” Camerson Street opposite the Old Market House. “Oyster suppers and dinners, in a superior style. Beef-steaks, relishes, and pleasing delicacies of the season,” [Later purchases 2nd hand clothing besides supplying oysters; pickled oysters 1826; crabs advertised 1829] Alexandria Gazette 10-11-1823
Robert Sands “Oyster House” On King Street opposite the Washington Tavern “oysters of the best quality the market affords, and serve them up in any manner directed”-Alexandria Gazette 11-6-1823, p4
Mrs. Margaret Garner’s “Boarding House” Commodious House on Prince Street next door to Farmer’s Bank. “She intends being provided with all the delicacies of the season” -Alexandria Gazette 7029-1824 P3
Mrs. Berry’s “Genteel Boarding” Fairfax Street between King & Prince. “able to give satisfaction-Alexandria Gazette April 24, 1826 p4
J. Morris’s “Union Tavern” [taking over as proprietor from A. Rhodes] Union Street near the wharf-“the subscriber will take six or eight genteel boarders-Alexandria Gazette 11-19-1830
CENTREVILLE
John Bronaugh’s “Centreville Hotel” Turnpike Road from Alexandria to Fauquier Court House= “choice selection of liquors” Alexandria Gazette 12-1-1819, p3
AUGUSTA SPRINGS
Erasmus Striblings “Inn at Augusta Springs” Eastern base of the North Mountain 18 miles N. W. from Staunton 100 boarders “good music and a good pack of hounds will be provided” Richmond Enquirer 7-28-1826 P1
CHARLOTTESVILLE
George Garnett’s “Jefferson Hotel” Three story brick building situate on Court House Square. “The Table will be supplied with the best and the earliest that the market affords”-Charlottesville Virginia Advocate 1-26-1828, P4
FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE
John Maddox “Brick Tavern at Fairfax Court House” 4 year lease. “He is well provided with stableage, provender, good beds, and the best of liquors.” Alexandria Herald 11-6-1811 P1
FREDERICKSBURG
Tunstall Banks’s “The Farmers’ Hotel” [Formerly The Columbian Inn] “His Cooks are inferior to none in the State-his Table will be constantly supplied with the best the markets afford-a choice supply of Liquors always kept on hand” Fredericksburg Virginia Herald 11-22-1817
GREENBRIAR
William Herden’s “White or Bowyer’s Sulphur Springs.” “A good tavern will at all times be kept open for the reception and accommodation of travelers” Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 7-25-1810 P1
HAMPTON
Marshall Parks’s Hygeia Hotel-Old Point Comfort. “Table with the choicest delicacies of the season, market & neighborhood afford. Richmond Enquirer 1-1-1829 P4
HANOVER COURT HOUSE
John Thornton’s “Tavern” “good beds, liquors and diet for the accommodating of the public” A house unconnected with the Tavern will be appropriated to the Use of Families. Richmond Enquirer 12-19-1812 P4
LEESBURG
Nicholas Peer “Peer’s Tavern” [operating in 1811]. Main Street Mutton Chop [see poem in Leesburg Genius of Liberty 7-6-1819, P4.
Samuel M. Edwards’s “Leesburg Hotel and Coffee House” On Main Street leading from Winchester to Alexandria. “Liquors of the best quality” good bedding, Oats Leesburg Genius of Liberty 1-6-1818
Sarah Foley’s “Mansion Hotel” Convenient to the Court House Leesburg. “Her bar is stored with the best liquors, and her table shall constantly be suopplied with the best the market can afford”-Alexandria Gazette 2-11-1826 P2
NORFOLK
William Smith’s “The Borough Tavern & Inn” Situated on Main Street. “Oysters of the best kind provided as usual.” Norfolk and Portsmouth Journal 1-30-1788 P4
Adam Lindsay’s “Lindsay’s Hotel” Between the County-Wharf and Naval Office, in Water Street. “A Public Room is fitting up for the accommodation of Mercantile gentlemen”-Norfolk and Portsmouth Journal 1-7-1789, P2.
Matthew Bousquet “Union Coffee House” Shutting down Norfolk & Portsmouth Chronicle 10-24-1789, p1
James Dickinson’s “Sign of the Eagle” [House of Entertainment]. Large and commodious House, belonging to Mr. Rothery opposite to the Hotel. Best liquors, and good accommodations-Norfolk and Portsmouth Chronicle 12-3-1791, P4
Henry Benbridge’s “Norfolk Hotel,” formerly Navy Tavern 123 Main Street Norfolk “Dinners, Suppers, Relishes at the shortest notice”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 10-16-1804 p1
T. Gibbons’s “Boarding House”-In the rear of the Ledger Office, opposite the Exchange Coffee House-Norfolk Gazette and Public Ledger 2-2-1807, P4
Daniel Goulden’s “Indian Queen Tavern” [formerly Norfolk Hotel]-“his TABLE and BAR shall constantly be supplied with the best provisions the market affords, and the most choice liquors to be had in Norfolk”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger March 4, 1812, P1
Nathaniel Childers’s “Union Inn” [formerly the Military Hotel] Mrs. Livingston’s White House, on Main Street, opposite Commerce Street. “He is determined to furnish his bar with the best Liquors the town affords—his table with the provisions the market admits” a “quiet, orderly house”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 12-24-1814, P3
Thomas West’s “Steam-Boat Hotel and Boarding House”-Elegant Four Story Brick House over Mr Matthew Cluff’s Store, on the East-Side of Market-Square” “prepared to accommodate Ladies with genteel boarding by the year, month, or shorter period” 8 to 10 good FEATHER BEDS-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 6-13-1816, P3
Gersham Moore’s “Old Borough Tavern” Opposite the Town-Hall. “Relishes or Oysters Suppers, and his Bar is well supplied with the best Liquors”-Norfolk American Beacon 2-5-1817, p1
“Steam Boat Hotel and Merchants Coffee House” [no location] SOUPS and RELISHES Will be prepared at the ordinary table, every day from the hour of 11 o’clock A.M. until 1 P. M. at the following rates:
Mock Turtle Soup, per plate $00.37
Gravy $00.25
Beef-Steak $00.37
Venison-Steak $00.50
Opened Oysters $00.25
Fried Oysters $00.37
Stew’d Oysters $00.37
Spirits of any kin, per ½ pint glass $00.12
Norfolk American Beacon 3-13-1817, P3
Albert Laperose “Sycamores Summer Retreat” That Beautiful Situation, well known “Ice Creams and Punch, and such other refreshments as are usually to be found at places of entertainment. Relishes and Dinners prepared at short notice.” Norfolk American Beacon 4-5-1817, P3
William Goss’s “Liberty Hall”. Corner of Main and Church Streets”-“Oysters, Beef Steaks, Coffee, &c. at the shortest Notice”-Norfolk American Beacon 3-11-1819, P1.
Asa Rogerson’s “Navy Hotel” Commodious Brick Building #45 Main-Street, 35d from the corner of Market Street. “His Table will be provided with the best fare that the markets afford; his BAR well stored with the choicest liquors.” Norfolk American Beacon 9-30-1818, p1
Spencer Pierce’s “Phoenix Hotel” [formerly Old Borough Tavern] Opposite Town-Hall “bar with the best liquors, and his stables with excellent provender”-Norfolk American Beacon 7-23-1819, P1
Mrs. Davis “Boarding House” [former Exchange Coffee-House” “Always supplies with the best the market affords, and Liquors of the first quality. Norfolk American Beacon 10-21-1819, P3
Mrs. Barnard’s “House on Colley’s Bridge”. Refreshments suitable to the present and approaching season. Relishes, Ice Punch and Lemonade, Wine, Porter, &c. furnished to single persons or parties- Norfolk American Beacon 5-16-1820, P1
Daniel Schelling’s “Restorative” The fire proof house belonging to Mr. Arthur Taylor, the third door above the Post Office. “superior COFFEE, early in the morning.—SOUP will be prepared every day, by eleven o’clock A.M. and Beef Steaks. Oysters, or other relishes, may be had at any time until 10 o’clock P.M. Norfolk American Beacon 9-4-1820
Mrs. Bryan’s “Genteel Boarding” Corner of Main and Fayette Streets, George Murray previous resident “Having some experience” Ladies & Gentleman-Norfolk American Beacon 9-18-1820 P1
J. Mitchel & Co. “Confectionary Store” Corner of Main and Church-Street”-“Sugar Plums, Almonds, Barley Sugar, Candies” Norfolk American Beacon, 12-23-1820
Henry Carr’s “Carr’s Hotell” John Johnson’s House on Main Street, a few doors from Market Square. “Good Table, Beds and Liquors of a superior quality”-Norfolk American Beacon 3-24-1825 P2
PETERSBURG
E. G. Blake’s “Boarding House and Private Entertainment” House opposite Doctor Wm Moore’s. “The best and all the variety of Provinder, and good stabling, will be furnished”-Petersburg Intelligencer 7-29-1808, P3
John Worsham’s “Virginia Inn” [formerly the Double Inn] “his bar . . . will furnish them with genuine Liquors agreeable to their wishes.” Petersburg Daily Courier 3-1-1815 P4
Alexander Clark’s “Beef and Porter House” Petersburg-“A fresh supply of excellent pickled oysters and scotch herrings”-Petersburg American Star 9-16-1817 p4
“Bollingbrook Beef Steak and Oyster House” Turtle Soup. Petersburg American Star 10-14-1817, p3.
PORTSMOUTH
Carlavan & Phillips “Coffee-House” “large brick house by the river side” all vessels visible. “genteelest treatment; as good servants are provided. Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser 5-21-1785, P1.
Mrs. Mushrow’s “Boarding House” In Portsmouth Entertains Travellers as Usual Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 7-24-1813 P3
RICHMOND
Gabriel Galt “Galt’s Tavern” [Anderson’s Tavern]. Shockoe Hill. Notice of availability of two year lease. Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, 3-30-1786, P1
Robert Anderson’s “Anderson’s or The Union Tavern” West end of the City. Rebuilt, each room with fireplace, “An elegant and commodious BALLROOM, which will be furnished as a COFFEEROOM, where gentlemen may find it convenient for amusement or transaction.” Stables-Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser 8-27-1787, P4.
Thady Kelly’s “Bird in the Hand Tavern” In the city of Richmond. “He intends supplying oyster and beefsteak suppers during the season.” Virginia Independent Chronicle 10-10-1787, P4
Thomas Scott’s “Exchange Coffee-House and Tavern” “Breakfast and dinner will be got on the shortest notice, at any time of the day.” “A commodious large room with two fire place it in, called the EXCHANGE ROOM, up one pair of stairs . . .” for gentlemen to “transact business” Virginia Independent Chronicle 10-10-1787, p#
John Moss’s Tavern Opposite Mr. Richard Bowlers. “He wishes to take ten or twelve gentlemen to board.” Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser April 6, 1793, P3
William Radford’s “Eagle Tavern” [long established] In the City of Richmond-Main Street. “Best accommodations for themselves and horses”-Virginia Argus 6-13-1795, P4
Francis Philpotts’s Tavern [Old City Tavern; Galt’s Tavern] “having the best liquors of every kind, beds, &c, &c” Richmond Observatory, or A View of the Times 7-19-1798, P4
George Watson’s “Oyster and Porter House” Near the Basin of the Canal in this City Virginia Argus 12-4-1798 P4
William Carter’s Boarding House John Scott Pleasant’s House near the Bridge “OYSTER SUPPERS &c. furnished on the shortest notice”-Virginia Argus 10-230-1801, P1
Robert Crouch’s “City Hotel” Main Street leading to the Governor’s Announcement that the partnership with Webster dissolve-Richmond Virginia Argus 8-18-1802
Nathan Bell’s “Bell Tavern” [at the Sign of the Bell] [at the centre of the city, formerly Bowler’s Tavern]. Ready for the reception of twenty-five or thirty-Virginia Argus 12-25-1802, P1
George Watson’s “Cook Shop, and Oyster House” First cross street above the Eagle tavern, leading to the basin “Having procured a good French cook, he will furnish good Soup, Beef Steaks, Mutton Chops, &c. &c. &c. and the best OYSTERS that can be procured in Richmond. Richmond Impartial Observer 12-2-1806
James Vaughan’s “City Hotel” Main Street [taking over from R. Crouch] “twelve to fifteen regular boarders” Staunton Eagle 12-25-1807 p1
Mrs. Judith Nelson’s “Boarding House” Tenement belonging to Mr. William Price “She has excellent servants”-Virginia Argus 7-29-1808 P2
Anna Byrd’s “Boarding House”-Commodious and conveniently situated house, formerly occupied by James Gibbon, on the main-street opposite to Harris’s brick building. No exertions shall be wanting on her part to give satisfaction-Richmond Enquirier 9-30-1808, P3
Paul G. G. Jones’s “Boarding House” Maj. Wm. Austin’s house neat the Basin. “Oysters, Beef Steaks, &c.” Virginia Argus 12-20-1808, P1
Benjamin Dennis’s “Boarding House” Near Swan Tavern, within 200 yards of the Capital. Families, Travelling members of the Assembly and resident individals-Richmond Enquirer 11-9-1810
William B. Page’s “Swan Tavern” [Formerly Moss’s Swan; formerly Union Tavern] Shokoe Hill.Two excellent detached Houses as well. Virginia Patriot 11-30-1810 p3
Edward J. Jones “Poplar Grove Boarding House” One mile south of Shokoe Springs “for the accommodation of Ladies and Gentlemen frequenting Springs”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 6-10-1811
John Field’s “Oyster House” One House above the Globe Tavern, Richmond-Richmond Enquirer 12-24-1812, P4.
Mrs. Ann Rhodes’s “Genteel Boarding House” 24 Catharine Street, “a few door above the Virginia Bank”-“the best of everything that the season affords”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 5-26-1813, p4
William Deford’s “Union Coffee House”-Two doors above the Exchange, on Main Street-“His Table shall be supplied with the best the Market affords, and his Bar furnished with good Liquors”-Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 5-26-1813, p4
Henry Parmelle’s “New Coffee House” [formerly Watson’s Oyster & Porter House] On the Capitol Square-“the best Beer, Porter, Wines and Liquors—cold or hot Relishes-Oysters.” Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger 10-9-1813, P3
Henry Butler’s “Bank House Public House”-Corner of E & 19th Streets “a well stored larder, old fine flavored and choice liquors”-Virginia Patriot 5-23-1817, P1
Overton Seawell’s “Virginia Inn” Mrs Hawkins House situated at the front of the Capitol Squar & within 50 yards of Main Street. “His table will at all times be supplied with the best fare, and his bar with the best Liquors”-Richmond Commercial Compiler 6-2-1818 P1
Jonathan B. Seawell’s “Oyster House” Opposite the Eagle Hotel. “The best of OYSTERS, with every delicacy and lusury of the season. Richmond Enquirer 2-2-1826, P1
UNION
William Vass’s “Mountpelier, White Sulpher Springs” Monroe County. “the most delicious viands, the best pastry, good liquors, a happy temperature of climate.” Staunton Eagle 6-20-1810 P#
WILLIAMSBURG
P. R.DeNeufville’s “New Boarding House” On Market Square in the center of the city, [Mrs. Maupin’s Tavern formerly.” Proposes to taken in about 12 boarders. Richmond Enquirer 9-29-1809 P1
Anna Byrd’s “Boarding House & Private Entertainment” Resides in Williamsburg Seeks Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Richmond Enquirer 8-31-1810 P1
WINCHESTER
William Newby’s “Boarding House” Winchester. “A few genteel boarders” Winchester Philanthropist 5-13-1806
E. E. Russell & William Peck’s “Tennessee & Kentucky Coffee-House and Hotel” [formerly Henry Bush’s “Tavern Stand]” Loudon Street, Winchester. BEST LIQUORS & GOOD STABLES. Winchester Republican Constellation 3-14-1818, P3