Leasburg Tavern (Leasburg, North Carolina)

After this photograph was taken, Carolyn Moore Upchurch Thomas repaired the roof. Eventually, the Tavern was purchased from a later owner by a lady in Virginia. Her plan was to reconstruct it as a home. She purportedly took everything, including the bricks from the chimneys. So, the old tavern may still be "standing" somewhere in Virginia.

Photograph courtesy James B. Upchurch, Jr. Click image to see a larger version.

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That the following newspaper item is referring to the above tavern in Leasburg has not been confirmed. However, based upon dates on bricks in both chimneys, the tavern was built in 1809.

Note also the reference to part of the property having been conveyed to Nicholas Thompson. This may add support to the "Tavern" being the old Leasburg tavern because that structure stood on the northwest corner of the Leasburg property owned by Nicholas Thompson.

Valuable Possessions For Sale and Lease

Will be offered at Public Sale & Lease at Leasburg, Caswell County, on Friday the 28th instant, the Subscriber's Store-House and Lot No. 40 -- and Lot No. 41 on which is a House 18 by 16 nearly new, occupied as a Tailor's shop -- and Lot No. 59, on which is a new and large set of Stables laid off in stalls sufficient for a large number of horses. The above lots having 1/2 acres of wood lands appertaining to the same, all lying attached together. And will also offer for Least for the term of three years from and after the 1st of March next ___ [number in text not clear] acres or thereabouts of valuable Lands, together with the large and spacious Dwelling or Tavern House in said town, with other requisite Houses and Lots thereunto attached -- with some other detached Houses and Lots; there being on the premises valuable Orchards of both early and late fruit and an excellent Distillery Seat, where such has heretofore been carried on -- and will also be sold with the house a parcel of valuable house Furniture of different descriptions, and some Stock of different kinds, including a Yoke of valuable young Oxen and a Cart, with some Plantation Tools, Corn, Fodder, &c. and a ten-plate Fire Stove.

The Store-House having lately undergone new repairs and being immediately in the center of the place and a corner house fronting to the street on two sides, gives it a decided preference as a Stand for Business, and as to the advantages as a place for a Tavern or House of Entertainment they are at once manifest from there being no other kept at the place and its being a place of uncommonly great public resort by both neighborhood and travelling custom, which makes the acquisition of such well worth the attention of those wishing to engage in business in either or both of the above lines, and which may not so easily be procured after the present stress of Limits subsides, which is now on the ebb.

Terms for Houses and Lots (for sale) Notes made negotiable and dischargeable by usual bank instalments in the State of Newbern Banks -- and for other property, terms ____, and possession on or before the 10th of January next.

J. G. Wilson

Leasburg, 5th Dec. 1821

PS Part of the above Property having been conveyed to Nicholas Thompson, Esq. and Jeremiah Dixon for certain purposes, the same is offered under their control and consent. J.G.W.

Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, NC), 14 December 1821.