Near Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Brown's Tavern Site

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021

1. Brown's Tavern Site Marker

Inscription. A tavern originally known as Florance's Ordinary was established in this vicinity and operated by Joseph Florance in 1773 on land originally granted to John Florance in 1725. By 1786 it became known as Gaines' Tavern, being operated by William Gaines. Joseph Brown was granted a license to operate it in 1800. Thomas Jefferson paid many visits here, the most notable being a stop on November 26, 1800 while en-route to Washington, D.C. prior to being elected President. References to this tavern appear in his personal papers between 1792 and 1808, wherein he describes it as "A poor house but obliging people." Taverns such as this served travelers of the day by furnishing food, drink, and lodging while providing the community with a gathering place for the communication of news including mail delivery and dispatch prior to the wide-spread establishment of post offices.

Erected 2014 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included

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in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia, Prince William County Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1800.

Location. 38° 42.726′ N, 77° 28.017′ W. Marker is near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Brentsville Road 0.2 miles south of Dumfries Road (Virginia Route 234), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8825 Brentsville Rd, Manassas VA 20112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 12, 2021

2. Brown's Tavern Site Marker

within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Freedmen's Legacy (approx. 0.7 miles away); Manassas School #8 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Clover Hill Farm (approx. 1.9 miles away); Haislip-Hall House (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Gallows (approx. 2.3 miles away); Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre (approx. 2.3 miles away); Brentsville (approx. 2.3 miles away); Brentsville Jail (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Another marker is no longer nearby. John W. Hall Home (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,113 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.