Until the coming of the railroads in the 19th century, Port Royal on the Rappahannock River was the commercial center of what is now Caroline County, Virginia. Like many ports, it was a raucous place with a disproportionate number of taverns, including the Fox Tavern. In 1755, Captain William Fox obtained a tavern license, one of 90 issued in Port Royal, and while he was often away at sea, his wife Ann ran the establishment. The Fox Tavern became the most renowned in Port Royal and drew many colonial notables. When it was sold in 1795, one of its selling points was its elegant billiard table. George Washington spent the night there on January 14, 1760, for five shillings, and the receipt books record at least three later visits, including one when he spent the night, ate supper and breakfast, bought stableage and feed for his horse, and paid a total bill of 13 shillings 4½ pence. He also gave a 100 percent tip on his two shilling ferriage across the river.