HISTORY OF BUTTS TAVERN

The actual date of the erection of Butts Tavern, built where two Colonial Trails, the Halifax Road and the Fort Road, came together to cross the Meherrin River, has never been established. We do know, however, that it ante-dates Greensville County by a number of years.

Colonial Governor Spotswood, on a trip to Fort Christiana in 1763, speaks of the Tavern and calls it "the Mansion in the wilderness." General Nathaniel Green in his diary tells of spending the night at the Tavern and speaks of being kept awake at night by cock-fighting and revelry. General Washington, in 1791 on a trip to Halifax, N.C., tells in his diary of coming through Hicksford and speaks of the Tavern.

In the Brunswick County records, dated 1776, William Edwards left to his son Isaac Edwards "when he gets 21 years of age, part of my land whereon is the tavern and store." In the Greensville County records dated 1797 Isaac Edwards deeded to Belfield Starke (founder of the town of Belfield) "Land on the North side of the Meherrin River containing the tavern and store as left to Isaac Edwards by his father, William Edwards."

Since that time the Tavern has had many owners and varied occupancies. The first court in Greensville County was held at the Tavern in 1781. John Avery was the owner in 1804. He was an importer of fine horses in Greensville County and was associated with the Belfield race track. In the latter part of the 19th century it became "Belfield Seminary for young Ladies and Children," the forerunner of the public school system in the county.

In November, 1951 the Woman's Clubs of Emporia bought Butts Tavern and began restoration. Much had been done toward achieving this objective when on the night of February 10, 1965 the building was greatly damaged by fire.

By Lucille Grigg Goodwyn