Finished in 1848, the Farnsworth House sits on a 300-acre farm with a family cemetery. The house was built for James Farnsworth, brother of Daniel D.T. Farnsworth, the second governor of West Virginia. A tavern was built to feed and house travelers, a toll house stood here to collect turnpike fees, and there was also a cattle weighing station for drovers moving animals for sale in Weston. In addition to moving the stage safely across mountainous terrain, the driver also acted as baggage master, conductor, and express man. Along the route, he was hailed and handed money with a request to purchase some article in the city. Proper handling of the horses and the coach was an art that required much practice, experience, and courage.