Milton History: Bell Tavern
It appears that a tavern operated on the north side of Broad/Main Street in Milton from the early days of that town, occupying what is known as Lot #18. On this lot today sits the Edmund Dixon Thomas store (built around 1850). However, no name was seen for the tavern until the following:
Caswell County, North Carolina
Deed Book V, Page 411-413
Charles Sims of Milton to Howell L. Ridley and William M. Sneed, securities of Granville County, and to John Smith of Milton, for $10 paid by Smith, lot #18 in Milton at the corner of Main and Liberty Streets known as Bell Tavern and now occupied by Thomas Mitchell; also lot conveyed Sims by Archibald Haralson and Johathan Haralson in 1818; also deed from Richard Ogilby 1817; all the interest he purchased of Warner Williams being one-third part; excepting title conveyed by Sims to Phil H. Inge trustee to benefit Henry M. Clay security. 26 March 1821. Witnesses: George M. Penn, George Farley.
While the foregoing, which appears to be a deed of trust, is complicated, it is posted here not for the details thereof but for the reference to the Bell Tavern, apparently operated by Thomas Mitchell.
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Taverns, Inns, and Ordinaries
While there may be overlap among these establishments, during the colonial period the following definitions generally were used. And, presumably, these categories carried over, at least for a while, after independence:
Tavern = a place where you could buy an alcoholic beverage and consume it on the premises.
Inn = a commercial establishment providing, among other things, lodging and food for the public, particularly travelers.
Ordinary = an inn or tavern that served a complete meal at a fixed price.
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