===================================================================== Match: Bowles Source: [email protected] From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [VAHANOVE] Smith's tavern in Hanover County, Va This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: karlharrelson1 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.hanover/2445.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Al, In response to your query about Smith's Tavern in Hanover County, this tavern is better known as Merry Oaks. It appears to have been built in the 2nd half of the 18th century. Today, the crossroads where it stood is being encroached by development. Hanover County recently received a grant to conduct an archaelogical study of the site. It was pivotal in it's relation to the road system as it was built wherre the Mountain Road crosses the Stage Road to points North and South. A description of the building from an insurance policy dated April 29, 1801 reads as follows: "The wooden tavern was 68 ft. long and 18 ft. wide, one-storey, brick basement, with stable and carriage house. I an letter dated 1929, Miss Effie Bowles Kelly describes it as having a brick English basement (above ground) and the balance was framed with wood clapboards. The roof was Dutch-style (a gambrel, or barn-style roof). The rooms were very large and the stables were of log construction. Last owned by the Perrin family, it was torn down around 1915. Hope that helps. Let me know if you would like to know more. Karl Harrelson Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. =========================================