DeJarnette's Tavern

DeJarnette's Tavern
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
DeJarnette's Tavern, Halifax County, in 2005.
Location:	4080 Stagecoach Rd. Halifax County, Virginia
Built:	about 1780
Governing body:	Local
NRHP Reference#:	[1]
Added to NRHP:	May 2, 2007

DeJarnette's Tavern, also sometimes called DeJarnette House, Daniel DeJarnette Tavern, or Staunton River Hunt Club, is a nationally registered historic place near Nathalie, Halifax County, Virginia. This wooden structure with stone foundations and chimneys was built in the late eighteenth century, perhaps about 1780, and consists of one and one-half stories, with a supra-attic and cellar. Most of the first floor was occupied by a large tavern room.^[2]

History

The tavern served as a stagecoach station, and perhaps as a mustering location for Revolutionary War soldiers. It is named after Daniel DeJarnette, who was the son of Revolutionary War captain, James Pemberton DeJarnette. ^[3] Several accounts indicate that Daniel DeJarnette may have won the tavern in a contest of strength or wrestling. ^{[4] [5]}

According to a 1980 newspaper story:

“

The DeJarnette tavern is believed to have attracted a sports minded clientele – those interested in horse racing, card playing, cock fighting and the like. One rumor about the house that has been passed down through the generations is that a Yankee peddler was killed and buried there. One version of the legend has the peddler buried under the house, and another has him lying under the large rocks which go out from the front porch toward the highway.[6]

”

References

1. ^ National Register Information System entry for DeJarnette's Tavern, 7 February 2009 http://WWW.NR.NPS.GOV/iwisapi/explorer.dll?IWS_SCHEMA=NRIS1&IWS_LOGIN=1&IWS_REPORT=100000044
2. ^ National Register of Historic Places registration form for DeJarnette's Tavern. http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Halifax/041-0067_DeJarnettesTavern_2007_NRfinal.pdf
3. ^ National Register of Historic Places registration form for DeJarnette's Tavern. op. cit.
4. ^ Cathey, Lucy. Daniel DeJarnette House: Won in a Wrestling Match, The Union Star (Brookneal VA), 21 August 1980.
5. ^ Ginther, Herman. Remarkable Couple Remembers Old Times: J. D. DeJarnette Has Lived 91 Years on Staunton River. Watched Soldiers Go Home From Appomattox. The Union Star (Brookneal VA), 20 June 1947.
6. ^ Cathey, Lucy. op. cit.