Near Auburn in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Neavil's Ordinary

Photographed by John Otten, February 15, 2023

1. Neavil's Ordinary Marker

Inscription. George Neavil, a planter and land speculator, acquired land in this area in 1731 and for decades operated Neavil's Ordinary, which provided lodging and refreshment to travelers in Virginia's backcountry. The ordinary was well situated near major roads that linked Pennsylvania to the Carolinas and connected eastern tobacco ports with the Shenandoah Valley. In March 1748, 16-year-old George Washington stopped here with George William Fairfax on their journey across the Blue Ridge to survey portions of the vast land grant controlled by Thomas, 6th Lord Fairfax. The town of Auburn developed around the ordinary.

Erected 2021 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number BX-7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1731.

Location. 38° 42.232′ N, 77° 41.582′ W. Marker is near Auburn, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is at the intersection of Old Dumfries Road (County Route 667) and Taylor Road / Old Auburn Road (County Route 670), on the right when traveling north on Old Dumfries Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Catlett VA 20119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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 within 3 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Neavil’s Mill (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battle of Coffee Hill (approx. half a mile away); Second Battle of Auburn (approx. half a mile away); Stuart's Bivouac (approx. one mile away); St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Grapewood Farm Engagement (approx. 2.3 miles away); Vint Hill Farms Station (approx. 2.8 miles away); Christ's Chapel on Baldwin Ridge (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Neavil's Ordinary (has been replaced with this marker).

Regarding Neavil's Ordinary. One of the most important businesses in early America was the 'ordinary,' also called a tavern, a public house of entertainment, or an inn. In the earliest days of the colonies, the 'ordinary,' which stuck around longer in the south, by the end of the 17th century the word tavern displaced 'ordinary' along the eastern seaboard.

Colonial travel, whether by foot, horse, cart, wagon, or riding chair proved difficult and tedious. For people who lived nearby, the ordinary became a place to gossip, exchange news, transact business such as selling land, hold auctions for livestock, pick up mail, and talk politics. It might even be a place to scheme about independence from England.

Related marker.

Photographed by John Otten, February 15, 2023

2. Neavil's Ordinary Marker

Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Neavil's Ordinary".

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2023, by John Otten of Casanova, VA, Virginia. This page has been viewed 865 times since then and 128 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2023, by John Otten of Casanova, VA, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.