Tavern Lot

The Brentsville Tavern relied on people working in numerous buildings and stood on a three-acre lot adjoining the public square. In 1828, it was offered at public auction as the well-known tavern stand "The Bentsville Hotel," with a comfortable main building, every necessary outbuilding, and livestock, wagons, carts, farming utensils, and provisions. On May 1, 1870, tavern owner George Godwin leased a small section of the land to local lawyer and Commonwealth Attorney James Clark, who wanted an office near the courthouse. Near the tavern and the town's main street, the law office gave clients an easy place to meet a lawyer before court. After Clark's death in the jail, the building became the offices of a joint attorney group serving Prince William and Fauquier counties, with the sign reading: "Wm. H. Payne, Warrenton-Elisha E. Meredith, Brentsville, Attorneys at Law."

Virginia · United States