Dumfries in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary
Photographed By Kevin W., November 1, 2007
1. Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary Marker
Inscription.
Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary. . Williams Ordinary is believed to have been built in the 1760s, although the exact construction date is unknown. The building’s symmetrical façade features header bond, a brick pattern rarely found in Virginia. This building was one of the most prominent structures in colonial Dumfries and reflected the port town’s importance and wealth., While the building is known as Williams Ordinary, records are unclear as to whether local tavern keeper George Williams occupied this structure during the 1700s. The building’s name has changed to indicate various owners or uses. It has been called Love’s Hotel, Old Love’s Tavern, the Brick Tavern and the Stagecoach Inn. Research on the building is ongoing. , (caption of picture, lower left) , Williams Ordinary was called Albert’s Hotel when this photograph was taken in the early 1930s. , Courtesy of the Library of Congress, (caption of picture in center) , This detail from a 1751 map illustrates how important tobacco was to colonial ports such as Dumfries. From Peter Jefferson’s and Joshua Fry’s Map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Colonial Dumfries, Founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, Dumfries’ port rivaled those in Boston and New York. Dumfries became the Prince William County seat in 1759. Sailors, slaves, merchants and members of the influential Lee, Fairfax, Mason and Washington families frequented the town. By 1763, falling tobacco exports and silt clogging the port began Dumfries’ slow economic decline. , What’s an Ordinary?, The term ordinary was common in Europe and early America. These establishments provided travelers with an ordinary meal and sleeping space. Such places were also called taverns or inns. Ordinaries were the social centers of a community where patrons met and exchanged news. Many taverns operated in Dumfries, but those operating in this building were likely among its finest. , (caption of picture, lower right) , Ordinary patrons danced, gamed, drank and visited, as artist John Lewis Krimmel (1786-1821) showed in this c. 1820 watercolor of an American country tavern. , Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Williams Ordinary is believed to have been built in the 1760s, although the exact construction date is unknown. The building’s symmetrical façade features header bond, a brick pattern rarely found in Virginia. This building was one of the most prominent structures in colonial Dumfries and reflected the port town’s importance and wealth.
While the building is known as Williams Ordinary, records are unclear as to whether local tavern keeper George Williams occupied this structure during the 1700s. The building’s name has changed to indicate various owners or uses. It has been called Love’s Hotel, Old Love’s Tavern, the Brick Tavern and the Stagecoach Inn. Research on the building is ongoing.
(caption of picture, lower left)
Williams Ordinary was called Albert’s Hotel when this photograph was taken in the early 1930s. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
(caption of picture in center)
This detail from a 1751 map illustrates how important tobacco was to colonial ports such as Dumfries.
From Peter Jefferson’s and Joshua Fry’s Map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. Courtesy
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of the Library of Congress
Colonial Dumfries
Founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, Dumfries’ port rivaled those in Boston and New York. Dumfries became the Prince William County seat in 1759. Sailors, slaves, merchants and members of the influential Lee, Fairfax, Mason and Washington families frequented the town. By 1763, falling tobacco exports and silt clogging the port began Dumfries’ slow economic decline.
What’s an Ordinary?
The term ordinary was common in Europe and early America. These establishments provided travelers with an ordinary meal and sleeping space. Such places were also called taverns or inns. Ordinaries were the social centers of a community where patrons met and exchanged news. Many taverns operated in Dumfries, but those operating in this building were likely among its finest.
(caption of picture, lower right)
Ordinary patrons danced, gamed, drank and visited, as artist John Lewis Krimmel (1786-1821) showed in this c. 1820 watercolor of an American country tavern.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Erected 2007.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
Photographed By Kevin W., November 1, 2007
2. Closeup of center picture on "Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary" Marker
Location. 38° 34.13′ N, 77° 19.401′ W. Marker is in Dumfries, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is at the intersection of N. Main Street (U.S. 1) and Colonial Street, on the right when traveling south on N. Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dumfries VA 22026, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. See nearby "Dumfries - Love's Tavern" marker for additional information and links.
Regarding Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary. The Williams Ordinary,
Photographed By Kevin W., November 1, 2007
3. "Colonial Dumfries - Williams Ordinary" and "Dumfries - Love's Tavern" Markers
Williams Ordinary / Love's Tavern is in the background.
once a private residence, was purchased by Prince William County in January, 2007.
Photographed By Kevin W., November 1, 2007
4. Williams Ordinary
The front façade features header bond, a rare building feature in colonial Virginia.
PWC Public Library System, 1919
5. Route 1 in 1919, with Williams Ordinary in the Background.
This is how it was in 1919 for travelers between Richmond and Washington along what later was to become US Route 1. Shown is the Dumfries area in Prince William County...
circa 1930s
6. Route 1 in the 1930s, with Williams Ordinary in the background.
This photograph was taken some time in the 1930s. Note the road has been paved since the previous 1919 photograph, making traveling a bit easier.
Library of Congress, circa 1935
7. Love's Tavern - Williams Ordinary
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.va0847
Photographed By NPS - National Register
8. Love's Tavern - Williams Ordinary, c. 1969
Photographed By K G W
9. Inside Williams Ordinary today
Photographed By K G W
10. Inside Williams Ordinary today
Photographed By K G W
11. Inside Williams Ordinary today
Photographed By K G W
12. Inside Williams Ordinary today - stonework
Photographed By K G W
13. Inside Williams Ordinary today - stonework
Photographed By K G W
14. Inside Williams Ordinary today - stonework
Photographed By Kevin W.
15. An example of "Header Bond", as used on the Williams Ordinary facade.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,701 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 4, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6. submitted on November 22, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 7, 8. submitted on November 1, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on November 30, 2009, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 15. submitted on November 4, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.