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The Admiral Vernon Tavern.
This tavern stood on the lot of land at the corner of Main and Swan streets, opposite the Central Fire Station, upon land purchased by
Mr. Aaron Cleveland in the year 1717 of
the Hon. John Usher.
It was a part of
Gov. Winthrop's Ten Hills Farm.
As
Mr. Cleveland was granted an innholder's license in the year 1720, this house must have been built prior to that date.
Mr. Cleveland was the landlord of this tavern from the year 1720 to 1738, both inclusive.
In the latter year he sold the estate to
Colonel Isaac Royall, senior.
After the death of
Colonel Royall in the year 1739, his son,
Colonel Isaac Royall, junior, came into possession of the property.
From the year 1739 to 1743, both inclusive, the landlords of this tavern were
Messrs. John Reed,
Abraham Skinner, and
Captain Samuel Wade.
Under date of December 26, 1743,
Colonel Royall advertised as follows: ‘any person beforehanded so as to lay in a good stock of liquors and other necessaries for a Tavern, may meet with proper encouragement from
Isaac Royall Esq.’
(from
Brooks'
History of Medford.) This advertisement was answered by
Mr. John Bradshaw, who was a few years prior to this date the owner and landlord of the
Royal Oak Tavern.
Mr. Bradshaw was landlord of the
Admiral Vernon from the year 1744 to about the middle of the year 1750, when he removed back to
Medford.
He was succeeded by
Messrs. William Peirce,
William Jones, and others.
In the year 1768
Mr. Moses Billings was licensed as an innholder and took charge of the
Admiral Vernon, where he remained until the year 1777.
In the year 1778,
Mr. Edward Walker took charge of this tavern.
He was succeeded by
Mr. Benjamin Shaw and others.
Mr. James Tufts was licensed as an innholder at the
Admiral Vernon in the year 1792, and was its landlord from that year to 1800, both inclusive.
At the close of
Mr. Tufts' term as landlord, this house became a private dwelling, and so continued until it was
