A Place Commonly Called Old Well

Hall's Tavern is rumored to be one of the oldest buildings in County, dating back to as early as 1750. In its day, Hall's Tavern was a familiar stopping place for weary travelers to relax and rejuvenate by the fire. Located on the significant Three Chopt Road that stretched from the State Capital of Richmond to the agriculturally rich Shenandoah Valley, it is thought that many important historical figures stopped there regularly.

Before its relocation, the tavern stood on a land grant to Charles Lyntch, which was acquired by George Roberson of Pittsylvania County.Roberson evidently allowed Henry Martin to reside on the property, and he eventually acquired ownership of the land from Roberson heirs in 1800. In 1813 Henry Martin, and his wife Susanna K. Martin, sold the 509 acres commonly called "Old Well" to Benjamin Hackney.

Hackney's Old Stand / Hackney's Tavern

In 1814 Benjamin Hackney applied for and secured a license to operate an ordinary from his home, and continued to renew his license every year until his death. The license was secured by Richard Hackney in 1823. Elizabeth Hackney took over in 1827 and operated the tavern for many years. An 1832 deed of trust states that Ms. Hackey resided there.

In the 1840s Elizabeth married a Mr. McCauley and in 1847 deeded the tavern, now known as "Hackney's Old Stand", to her son-in-law, Reuben E. Bullock who had married Frances Hackney.

Hall's Tavern

In 1850 Mr. Bullock contracted to sell the old tavern to Meredith Hall. She secured a license to operate the tavern in 1854 and managed it until 1875, during which time it came to be known as "Hall's Tavern."

In 1875 the property was sold by court order to Confederate soldier Andrew. B. Dabney and his family. Seven years later he died, leaving a widow and seven children. On the original property, approximately 100 yards behind the house, are two boxwoods that surround a single marked grave. The carved stone marker reads, "Andrew B. Dabney, Company E, 1st Virginia Engineers C.S.A, Aug.28, 1828 – Mar. 24, 1882".

The Hall's Tavern residence remained in the Dabney family for a number of years. In 1937 it was owned by Miss Elva Dabney, Mr. John Dabney and Mrs. W.R. Loving. In 1960, Ms. Elva Dabney and the surviving Dabney heirs sold the home to James Otis Loving who restored it, adding rear and side expansions. Mr. Loving rented to tenants, including Mr. and Mrs. James C. Martin, the most recent residents.

A Modern Dilemma

In January 2006 the Louisa County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning of the Xroads, LLC. property to allow for an industrial business park. Hall's Tavern had to be relocated or it would have been demolished and its historical significance destroyed.

Thanks to the generous work of Paul and Diane Manning, a part of our history will remain intact for generations to come. The tavern was relocated to their property in the Green Springs Historic District in May 2008.

Sources: Old Home Places of Louisa County, Claudia Anderson Chisholm & Ellen Gray Lillie; The Bulletin of the Fluvanna County Historical Society; "Picking Up History", Janet Caggiano, Richmond Times-Dipatch, Virginia Department of Historic Resources Reconnaissance Level Survey, DHR Id#: 054-0034.