The Robert and Sarah Morriss Story

ECS

Banned
Mar 26, 2012
11,639
17,694
Ocala,Florida
Primary Interest:
Other
http://geni.com/people/Robert-Morri...claration-of-Independence/5107009272950044292
NOTE: Robert Morris Sr had two "partners" Elizabeth Murphat (Jr's mother) and Sarah Wise (Oxford, Maryland) , the mother of Thomas Wise Morris.
Thomas Wise Morris, while born in Oxford, Maryland, died in France, 1778, and from the posted genealogy, unmarried and childless.

The history of Robert Morris, Jr, who came to Maryland at age 14, in 1748;
http://dsdi1775.com/signers-by-state/robert-morris

Adam Mitchell and Susannah Morris Mitchell:
http://ancestry.com/genealogy/records/susannah-morris_91758193
It appears that Thomas Morris and Sarah Gardner Morris has only one child, Susannah.

This should straighten out some of the genealogy confusion. :thumbsup:
By all accounts, the Robert Morriss character was not related to Robert Morris Jr, a signer of the Declaration Of Independence.
 

OP
OP
G

Garry

Sr. Member
Apr 19, 2009
256
496
You guys have been busy!:laughing7:

I wanted to revisit a puzzle, for me, from the Beale Phamplet. Please don't let me derail your discussion.

There are three similar references that indicate different boarding houses, with which Robert Morriss was involved when Thomas Beale showed up in 1820. I have seen references to the Washington Hotel, the Washington Inn, and the Washington House.

From the Beale pamphlet we find the following;

“It was in the month of January, 1820, while keeping the Washington Hotel, that I first saw and became acquainted with Beale. In the company of two others, he came to my house seeking entertainment for himself and friends.”

Later in the pamphlet our “unknown author” offers the following.

“Thrown upon his own resources, by the advice of his wife, he leased for the term of a few years the Washington Hotel now known as the Arlington on Church Street, and commenced the business of hotel keeping.”

From the 1885 Lynchburg City Directory, we find; Arlington Hotel, corner of 8th Street and Church.

The 1860 Blackford Map on the lynchburghistory site identifies the exact location of Washington House and by extension the Arlington Hotel. Corner of 8th and Church.

I personally have never found any reference of the Washington Hotel in Lynchburg other than the reference in the Beale Pamphlet.

Carl Hammer writes the following:
My reading of the Lynchburg (Va) Press began with the 26 December 1816 issue and ended with the 5 April 1822 issue.
From 31 Mar 1820 on through 5 Apr 1822, there was no advertisement in the Lynchburg (Va) Press by a Washington Hotel; no mention of Robert Morriss’ association with a Washington Hotel or with any other hotel……

It becomes clear that the “unknown author” is referring to Washington House instead of the Washington Hotel in the pamphlet.

I believe that the reference to a Washington Hotel was probably just an error by our unknown author. Not a big deal but there was apparently never an establishment known as the “Washington Hotel.”

We know there was a Washington Inn in Lynchburg in 1820.

Lynchburg and its People - W. Ashbury Christian (Page 76-77)

"Buildings of a public nature were rapidly increasing in the place. A new theatre was built in 1820, on the site of the old colored Baptist church, on Court Street, near 5th. It was a plain, one-story building, that looked more like a stable than an opera house. And as to taverns, why this was tavern-town."

The chapter continues and names the taverns in this time period. The author states he used the nomenclature of 1900 to identify the streets. Otherwise they would have been located using the alley names. By the way, in this time period the Taverns were also an establishment in which a room could be rented.

Franklin Hotel (Corner of Main and 11th Street)
City Hotel (Corner of Main and 6th Street)
Eagle Tavern (Corner of Main and Water Street)
Bell Tavern (I didn’t identify the location of this tavern)
Indian Queen Tavern (I didn’t identify the location of this tavern)
Cross Keys Tavern (Corner of Main and 12th)
Western Tavern ((5th and Madison)
Paulettes Tavern (12th Street where the Payne Building now stands [1900])
Washington Inn (“and last but not least the Washington Inn on the Corner of Church and 7th Street with a large round sign on which was painted an heroic size picture of General Washington”.)

“Many were the happy hours spent in these taverns in the days that are past and gone.”

This begs the question, was the Washington Inn and Washington House one and the same? Simply renamed?

While at first glance this may appear to be a likely conclusion but we know the location of Washington House was at the corner of 8th and Church while “Lynchburg and its People” gives the location of the Washington Inn as the corner of 7th and Church.

Is this simply a mistake in “Lynchburg and its People” or were there two different boarding houses?

More later,

Garry
 

ECS

Banned
Mar 26, 2012
11,639
17,694
Ocala,Florida
Primary Interest:
Other
...
I personally have never found any reference of the Washington Hotel in Lynchburg other than the reference in the Beale Pamphlet…

It becomes clear that the “unknown author” is referring to Washington House instead of the Washington Hotel in the pamphlet.

I believe that the reference to a Washington Hotel was probably just an error by our unknown author. Not a big deal but there was apparently never an establishment known as the “Washington Hotel.”
...
This is only one of several references in the Beale Papers that is not quite right, to give a sense of familiarity to buyers in 1885 Lynchburg with the claimed "authentic statements" but slightly changed to maintain that the narrative is, after all, a story and not to taken as fact.

The buying public of 1885 would have been aware of these minor "purposeful discrepancies", which many today consider to be "just an error" made by the "unknown author".
 

Last edited:
Dec 12, 2016
118
35
Florida
Detector(s) used
Don't have one yet
Primary Interest:
Shipwrecks
This is only one of several references in the Beale Papers that is not quite right, to give a sense of familiarity to buyers in 1885 Lynchburg with the claimed "authentic statements" but slightly changed to maintain that the narrative is, after all, a story and not to taken as fact.

The buying public of 1885 would have been aware of these minor "purposeful discrepancies", which many today consider to be "just an error" made by the "unknown author".

many or a few? we just need to look at what a tavern was vs an inn vs a hotel for that time of 1820 vs 1885. just that simple.
 

Rebel - KGC

Gold Member
Jun 15, 2007
21,680
14,739
HISTORICAL FACT in Lynchburg, Va.; Washington HOTEL built/established in 1823. YES, Robert & Sarah MORRIS "boarded" ppl in their home PRIOR to the Washington HOTEL; it was know as Washington HOUSE (for FOOD) & Washington INN (for LODGING). It was at the HEAD of MAIN STREET (& 5th Street). YES, Robert MORRIS was manager of Washington HOTEL, & a few years later... the Franklin Hotel (FACTS!).
 

Last edited:

ECS

Banned
Mar 26, 2012
11,639
17,694
Ocala,Florida
Primary Interest:
Other
HISTORICAL FACT in Lynchburg, Va.; Washington HOTEL built/established in 1823. YES, Robert & Sarah MORRIS "boarded" ppl in their home PRIOR to the Washington HOTEL; it was know as Washington HOUSE (for FOOD) & Washington INN (for LODGING). It was at the HEAD of MAIN STREET (& 5th Street). YES, Robert MORRIS was manager of Washington HOTEL, & a few years later... the Franklin Hotel (FACTS!).
"It was in the month of January, 1820, while keeping the Washington Hotel, that I first saw and became acquainted with Beale"
THE BEALE PAPERS as told by Robert Morriss to the "unknown author".
A purposeful discrepancy, one of many.
"nuff said. :icon_thumright:
 

OP
OP
G

Garry

Sr. Member
Apr 19, 2009
256
496
In my last post, I said, ”More later”. At that time, I had hopes of some more pieces of the puzzle falling into place using available references. As is usually the case, “the devil is in the details” and basically the same questions remain.:icon_scratch:

Ashbury had another reference to the Washington Inn, which I hoped would shed additional light but it seems to conflict with his earlier statement that the Washington Inn was on the corner of Seventh and Church street.
It only raises questions. I hope some will at least find the story interesting regarding debtors. :) Our Robert Morriss escaped this ignominious fate.

Lynchburg and its People - W. Christian Ashbury (Page 69-70)
The last event of this decade that claims our attention was that which took place December 6, [1819] an act of humanity in enlarging the prison metes and bounds. It was the custom at this time to imprison men for debt, and, to relieve the unfortunate persons from contact with the prisoners and confinement in the jail, they were allowed to go at will within certain bounds fixed by law. The bounds were rather narrow, so at this time they were enlarged so as to take in the Methodist meeting-house, as many taverns as the law allowed, the post office, and Mason’s Hall. The bounds as enlarged were as follows: Beginning at the jail, the line ran on the east side of Ninth street [Water St], across Court and Church Streets to the middle of the square, thence across the square to Tenth street, up the street by Friend’s’ Warehouse to the south side of Church, down Church to the Methodist meeting-house, across the street to the opposite side of Church, thence back to Tenth street and down the middle of the square, thence across the square to the east side of Eleventh street, thence down to the curb-stone on the south side of Main, past the Franklin [Hotel], thence up Main to the post office, corner of Seventh street, thence up Seventh to the south side of Church, down Church past Bell Tavern, Washington Inn, and Mason’s Hall, thence up the western side of Ninth street to Clay to the jail.

Within these 10 acres the prisoners for debt were allowed to go, but if they overstepped the bounds they were confined in the jail. About the close of the next ten years this law was abolished and men were no longer imprisoned for debt.

I haven’t tried to identify the complete perimeter of this 10 acre confinement, as our primary interest is the portion mentioning the Washington Inn.

Note: There was no establishment known as Washington House in the 1819-1820 period. That apparently comes later.

Ashbury’s description must have come from an actual document of a law passed by the Lynchburg city officials. From the description is appears that the boundary goes up Seventh Street, turns left on Church street, passes Bell Tavern then the Washington Inn and the Masonic Hall before turning right on Ninth street to the Jail.

I’m inserting a portion of the 1860 Blackford Map of Lynchburg. While it is 40 years after our time period, it does show 1 building from that period and allows us to get our bearings.

Washington Inn Location.jpg

Ashbury didn’t locate Bell Tavern directly as he did many of the sites and the following is a rather circuitous path.

Lynchburg and its People - W. Christian Ashbury (Page 56)
Soon General Andrew Jackson, sitting in a four-horse vehicle by the side of Mr. Jefferson, entered the town, and was escorted to the Town House, or courthouse, where Mr. Jefferson, the mayor and some of the aldermen, in short speeches, welcomed him to Lynchburg. [April 1815] From here they proceeded to Bell Tavern, which stood where Dr. Daniel Langhorne now lives, and which was afterwards moved to Madison street, near Eighth.

In the 1900 census, Dr. Daniel A and Virginia P Langhorne were living at 706 Church Street which is where the Bell Tavern stood. The 706 address was a relatively recent identifier in 1900. The 700 block of Church street was between Seventh and Eighth street with the even numbers being on the same side of the street on which Mason’s Hall stood and the numbers getting larger as we move from Seventh toward Eighth street. The Arlington Hotel (Washington House) location carried a 720-726 street number designation in the 1900 street directory (Lynchburg City Directory) The addresses on this side of Church street between Seventh and Eighth street were numbered from 702 to 726. If the Washington Inn did indeed sit on the corner of Seventh and Church, and within the debtor boundaries, as Ashbury describes, the modern day address for the Washington Inn would have been 702 or if two lots were involved both 702 and 704. (adjacent to the Bell Tavern) This would fit except if Ashbury was listing the buildings in the order they would be encountered if walking down Church street. The Washington Inn would be encountered first and the Bell Tavern second. But from the description, it appears that the Washington Inn would be encountered after the Bell Tavern and therefore the modern day street address would be somewhere from 708 to 726.

We are now stuck with three possibilities for the location of the Washington Inn.
1. It was located at the Corner of Seventh and Church as Ashbury describes it, next to Bell Tavern (702-704 Address)
2. It was located between the Bell Tavern (706 Address) and Washington House (708-718 Address)
3. It is the same location as Washington House (720-726 Address)

Note: It does appear that the Washington Inn name may disappear about the time the Washington House begins operation.

Why is all of this relevant? If the Beale story contains some substance regarding his meeting of Robert Moriss. It seems to me that he would have been staying at the Washington Inn in 1820 and Robert Morriss would have been involved in its operation.

Furthermore, if the unknown author has the story right and it was the present day (1885) Arlington house in which Beale stayed, it follows that he was staying in the Washington House and by extension,the 1819 Washington Inn. (Both the same place??)

The “unknown author” doesn’t even hint that Beale stayed in Robert Morriss’ “home” unless we surmise that it went by the name of the Washington Hotel and the author’s reference to the Arlington Hotel in the pamphlet is completely bogus.

It doesn’t work both ways!

I believe the answers are out there, most likely in the deed records, but until we have them in hand, it seems to me we can’t make many factual declarations.

Garry
 

Last edited:

franklin

Gold Member
Jun 1, 2012
5,036
7,168
Detector(s) used
Garrett ADS-7X, Fisher Two Box M-Scope, Mother Lode Locator, Dowsing Model 20 Electroscope, White's TM808, White's TM900, Inground Scanners
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
In my last post, I said, ”More later”. At that time, I had hopes of some more pieces of the puzzle falling into place using available references. As is usually the case, “the devil is in the details” and basically the same questions remain.:icon_scratch:

Ashbury had another reference to the Washington Inn, which I hoped would shed additional light but it seems to conflict with his earlier statement that the Washington Inn was on the corner of Seventh and Church street.
It only raises questions. I hope some will at least find the story interesting regarding debtors. :) Our Robert Morriss escaped this ignominious fate.

Lynchburg and its People - W. Christian Ashbury (Page 69-70)
The last event of this decade that claims our attention was that which took place December 6, [1819] an act of humanity in enlarging the prison metes and bounds. It was the custom at this time to imprison men for debt, and, to relieve the unfortunate persons from contact with the prisoners and confinement in the jail, they were allowed to go at will within certain bounds fixed by law. The bounds were rather narrow, so at this time they were enlarged so as to take in the Methodist meeting-house, as many taverns as the law allowed, the post office, and Mason’s Hall. The bounds as enlarged were as follows: Beginning at the jail, the line ran on the east side of Ninth street [Water St], across Court and Church Streets to the middle of the square, thence across the square to Tenth street, up the street by Friend’s’ Warehouse to the south side of Church, down Church to the Methodist meeting-house, across the street to the opposite side of Church, thence back to Tenth street and down the middle of the square, thence across the square to the east side of Eleventh street, thence down to the curb-stone on the south side of Main, past the Franklin [Hotel], thence up Main to the post office, corner of Seventh street, thence up Seventh to the south side of Church, down Church past Bell Tavern, Washington Inn, and Mason’s Hall, thence up the western side of Ninth street to Clay to the jail.

Within these 10 acres the prisoners for debt were allowed to go, but if they overstepped the bounds they were confined in the jail. About the close of the next ten years this law was abolished and men were no longer imprisoned for debt.

I haven’t tried to identify the complete perimeter of this 10 acre confinement, as our primary interest is the portion mentioning the Washington Inn.

Note: There was no establishment known as Washington House in the 1819-1820 period. That apparently comes later.

Ashbury’s description must have come from an actual document of a law passed by the Lynchburg city officials. From the description is appears that the boundary goes up Seventh Street, turns left on Church street, passes Bell Tavern then the Washington Inn and the Masonic Hall before turning right on Ninth street to the Jail.

I’m inserting a portion of the 1860 Blackford Map of Lynchburg. While it is 40 years after our time period, it does show 1 building from that period and allows us to get our bearings.

View attachment 1450096

Ashbury didn’t locate Bell Tavern directly as he did many of the sites and the following is a rather circuitous path.

Lynchburg and its People - W. Christian Ashbury (Page 56)
Soon General Andrew Jackson, sitting in a four-horse vehicle by the side of Mr. Jefferson, entered the town, and was escorted to the Town House, or courthouse, where Mr. Jefferson, the mayor and some of the aldermen, in short speeches, welcomed him to Lynchburg. [April 1815] From here they proceeded to Bell Tavern, which stood where Dr. Daniel Langhorne now lives, and which was afterwards moved to Madison street, near Eighth.

In the 1900 census, Dr. Daniel A and Virginia P Langhorne were living at 706 Church Street which is where the Bell Tavern stood. The 706 address was a relatively recent identifier in 1900. The 700 block of Church street was between Seventh and Eighth street with the even numbers being on the same side of the street on which Mason’s Hall stood and the numbers getting larger as we move from Seventh toward Eighth street. The Arlington Hotel (Washington House) location carried a 720-726 street number designation in the 1900 street directory (Lynchburg City Directory) The addresses on this side of Church street between Seventh and Eighth street were numbered from 702 to 726. If the Washington Inn did indeed sit on the corner of Seventh and Church, and within the debtor boundaries, as Ashbury describes, the modern day address for the Washington Inn would have been 702 or if two lots were involved both 702 and 704. (adjacent to the Bell Tavern) This would fit except if Ashbury was listing the buildings in the order they would be encountered if walking down Church street. The Washington Inn would be encountered first and the Bell Tavern second. But from the description, it appears that the Washington Inn would be encountered after the Bell Tavern and therefore the modern day street address would be from 708 to 726.

We are now stuck with three possibilities for the location of the Washington Inn.
1. It was located at the Corner of Seventh and Church as Ashbury describes it, next to Bell Tavern (702-704 Address)
2. It was located between the Bell Tavern (706 Address) and Washington House (708-718 Address)
3. It is the same location as Washington House (720-726 Address)

Note: It does appear that the Washington Inn name may disappear about the time the Washington House begins operation.

Why is all of this relevant? If the Beale story contains some substance regarding his meeting of Robert Moriss. It seems to me that he would have been staying at the Washington Inn in 1820 and Robert Morriss would have been involved in its operation.

Furthermore, if the unknown author has the story right and it was the present day (1885) Arlington house in which Beale stayed, it follows that he was staying in the Washington House and by extension,the 1819 Washington Inn. (Both the same place??)

The “unknown author” doesn’t even hint that Beale stayed in Robert Morriss’ “home” unless we surmise that it went by the name of the Washington Hotel and the author’s reference to the Arlington Hotel in the pamphlet is completely bogus.

It doesn’t work both ways!

I believe the answers are out there, most likely in the deed records, but until we have them in hand, it seems to me we can’t make many factual declarations.

Garry

I see you are going over fields that I have already plowed. I have the Deeds in hand and I am presently going over them. As a matter of fact, I looked at them for about two hours starting today. So far I have not found anything. But the maps you have posted and the logic you have posted I have already reviewed and made copies of this past year or two. I am presently attacking from two angles I am trying to locate a Deed when Robert Morriss leased the Washington Inn. I am also trying to find a Deed and the location of James Beverly Risque's Hunter's Hill.

In a letter that TJB sent RM from St. Louis, MO. He did say, "Ever since leaving my comfortable quarters at your Home." So was he talking about RM's Home at the Upper End of Main or was it like the "Author" quoted RM saying he stayed at the Washington Hotel.

I also mentioned several times about the directions of the "Debtor's Prison" but we must remember to say was that her thoughts in 1858 or was that what she copied from a legal document. We do not know. But the search continues.

The Bell Tavern was the center of lot #23. It was divided into three lots with lots of 50 feet and 55 feet on either side. Maurice Langhorne lived in the Bell Tavern later before it was torn down in 1857. Before the name Bell Tavern it was called Ward's Tavern.
 

Last edited:

cw0909

Silver Member
Dec 24, 2006
4,365
3,222
Primary Interest:
Other
it rained all day, so was bored, decided to look through the 1860
census for all lynchburg pgs & morris/iss. i did not see our Mr M
i could have missed him, i dont think so,but could have
just scroll per # of pgs or until its a new town

lynchburg from reel 1335. Bedford
1 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n85/mode/1up
5 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n91/mode/1up
2
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n137/mode/1up
5
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1338unix#page/n220/mode/1up
roll 1335
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n11/mode/thumb


lynchburg from reel 1338. Cabell, Campbell Counties
18 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1338unix#page/n226/mode/1up
16
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1338unix#page/n263/mode/1up
101
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1338unix#page/n328/mode/1up
roll 1338
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1338unix#page/n11/mode/thumb

got these too while looking,did not look for Mr M in these

from reel 1335. Bedford
1860 bufords depot 11 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n32/mode/1up


peaks of otter 3 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n12/mode/1up

liberty pgs
2pg
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n17/mode/1up
1pg
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n20/mode/1up
1pg
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n23/mode/1up
3 pg
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n46/mode/1up
6 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n50/mode/1up
6 pgs
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n56/mode/1up
4
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n87/mode/1up
1
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n96/mode/1up
13
https://archive.org/stream/populationschedu1335unix#page/n142/mode/1up

1860 all of va
https://archive.org/details/genealo...ect:"Virginia"&and[]=collection:"1860_census"
 

Last edited:
OP
OP
G

Garry

Sr. Member
Apr 19, 2009
256
496
I see you are going over fields that I have already plowed. I have the Deeds in hand and I am presently going over them. As a matter of fact, I looked at them for about two hours starting today. So far I have not found anything. But the maps you have posted and the logic you have posted I have already reviewed and made copies of this past year or two. I am presently attacking from two angles I am trying to locate a Deed when Robert Morriss leased the Washington Inn. I am also trying to find a Deed and the location of James Beverly Risque's Hunter's Hill.

In a letter that TJB sent RM from St. Louis, MO. He did say, "Ever since leaving my comfortable quarters at your Home." So was he talking about RM's Home at the Upper End of Main or was it like the "Author" quoted RM saying he stayed at the Washington Hotel.

I also mentioned several times about the directions of the "Debtor's Prison" but we must remember to say was that her thoughts in 1858 or was that what she copied from a legal document. We do not know. But the search continues.

The Bell Tavern was the center of lot #23. It was divided into three lots with lots of 50 feet and 55 feet on either side. Maurice Langhorne lived in the Bell Tavern later before it was torn down in 1857. Before the name Bell Tavern it was called Ward's Tavern.

Franklin,

I certainly have no illusions about where I am in my searches relative to many others. Thanks for the addiontional information! I like to think I'm disking the plowed ground for my own clarification. :laughing7:

I haven't seen "one" image of an actual deed record related to The Robert Morriss story yet, so you can tell just how far I have to go.

Right now, I believe, the single deed that would clear up the most for me, would be the date of transfer (to a new owner) of the Robert Morriss home at the corner of Main and Fifth! :icon_scratch:

We could then move on an try to determine where he was residing after leaving his large home. (I always suspected he was living in the Washington House, Franklin Hotel, etc.)

Regarding the reference in Beale's letter to Morriss about boarding with Morriss in his home; I completely missed that. Thanks! This appears, to me, to be a serious misstep by our unknown author. This wouldn't fall into the category of a simple error, misinterpretation, memory lapse, etc. The best spin I can put on it for the author would be that he was taking some poetic license in his narrative and overlooked the details in the alleged letter?

The Block 23 reference to the location of the Bell Tavern confuses me further. (What's new!) From your description it sounds like the Bell Tavern was located adjoining the Washington House? I have a ways to go to get my arms around all of this.:tongue3:

I took the debtor's prison story from W. Christian Ashbury. It sounds like you are speaking of a second reference from Margaret Cabell in her 1858 book? I would bet good money that this was an actual law in the cities records at one time. Certiainly nothing made up from whole cloth by the authors.

Keep up the good work and I look forward to anything you feel comfortable sharing,

Garry
 

Rebel - KGC

Gold Member
Jun 15, 2007
21,680
14,739
I see you are going over fields that I have already plowed. I have the Deeds in hand and I am presently going over them. As a matter of fact, I looked at them for about two hours starting today. So far I have not found anything. But the maps you have posted and the logic you have posted I have already reviewed and made copies of this past year or two. I am presently attacking from two angles I am trying to locate a Deed when Robert Morriss leased the Washington Inn. I am also trying to find a Deed and the location of James Beverly Risque's Hunter's Hill.

In a letter that TJB sent RM from St. Louis, MO. He did say, "Ever since leaving my comfortable quarters at your Home." So was he talking about RM's Home at the Upper End of Main or was it like the "Author" quoted RM saying he stayed at the Washington Hotel.

I also mentioned several times about the directions of the "Debtor's Prison" but we must remember to say was that her thoughts in 1858 or was that what she copied from a legal document. We do not know. But the search continues.

The Bell Tavern was the center of lot #23. It was divided into three lots with lots of 50 feet and 55 feet on either side. Maurice Langhorne lived in the Bell Tavern later before it was torn down in 1857. Before the name Bell Tavern it was called Ward's Tavern.
WB, franklin! I live here in Lynchburg, Va. and can do a "walk-a-bout" of downtown, etc. The ARLINGTON still exist as a building with about 4 BIG apartments on Church Street; Lynchburg Police Department is "down the street". At one time, I think it was a HUGE hotel (Washington Hotel) that went down to COURT Street), Thus, 8th Street & Court Street. The ROOM that "TJB" stayed in was Washington Inn/House, where Robert & Sarah MORRIS "let" out ROOMS in their big old house; it was at the HEAD of Main Street (and 5th Street) where Biz Rt. 29 Bridge from Madison Heights "comes from"; back in early 80's, it was the ONLY way to get into Lynchburg, Va. I KNOW b/c I had to come down from Charlottesville, Va. to give a "presentation" at McGurk House on Tate Springs Road, near the L'burg Hospital. "farnklin" is CORRECT about the 1822 letter to RM from TJB... a ROOM is RM's HOME. IF... the letters are BOGUS, it doesn't matter. I DO NOT know about the "Debtor's Prison"... :coffee2:
 

Last edited:

Rebel - KGC

Gold Member
Jun 15, 2007
21,680
14,739
From the "Line Drawings" that I have seen of the WASHINGTON HOTEL, the MAIN ENTRANCE was on COURT Street; then it "sloped" upward towards Church Street (where the ARLINGTON is today).
 

Last edited:

Rebel - KGC

Gold Member
Jun 15, 2007
21,680
14,739
There IS a "line-drawing" of the WASHINGTON HOTEL "on-line"; I will see if I can find the "addy"... NOPE! May have been in a book...
 

Last edited:

Rebel - KGC

Gold Member
Jun 15, 2007
21,680
14,739
Hmmm... in SKETCHBOOK OF LYNCHBURG: A Story As Told In 1887 (unknown author), pg. 36-37, there is a "line-drawing" of the "sloping" NORVEL-ARLINGTON HOUSE... "a leading HOTEL"; it "fronts on Church Street & goes down to COURT Street. 1887, ppl! "Centrally located on Church & Eight Streets" (p. 36). R.S. Terry, Proprietor. VERY nice "line-drawing", "slope" & all!
 

Last edited:
OP
OP
G

Garry

Sr. Member
Apr 19, 2009
256
496
The Beale Tresure Story Web site (Common Misconceptions) (Matyas)

"Most people believe and mistakenly say that during Beale's two visits to Lynchburg he stayed at the Washington Hotel operated by Robert Morriss. That is incorrect. But, if one rewords the statement slighltly to to say that according to the Beale Papers Beale stayed at the Washington Hotel operated by Robert Morriss during his two visits to Lynchburg, that would be factually correct. The Beale Papers does say that Beale stayed at the Washington Hotel operated by Robert Morriss, but this is factually incorrect. Actually, Mr. Morriss leased the Washington Hotel in the fall of 1824. Up to that point, he took in boarders at his own house, which can be substantiated on the basis of advertisements in the Lynchburg Press. See BTS I, pp. 252-256. The anonymous author of the pamphlet was responsible for this editorial mistake."

Does anyone have a personal copy of Matyas' book? If so, has Matyas shared an actual image and date of the advertisement. What does the it say? What is the date of the advertisement and does it show that Morriss was taking in boarders at his home?


The only librarys where I could find a copy of the book was in Libraries at Roanoke and Lynchburg. (Nothing outside of Virginia)

Thanks in Advance,

Garry
 

cw0909

Silver Member
Dec 24, 2006
4,365
3,222
Primary Interest:
Other
were there 2 dif Arlington hotels in lynchburg ?


700 Court Street
https://goo.gl/maps/8d4yc2xA2HT2

old postcard
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Rr4AAOSwqu9VUrOP/s-l1600.jpg

The Arlington, a 21-unit apartment building at
700 Court Street in downtown Lynchburg
Sale of downtown Lynchburg building again highlights scarcity of low-income housing | News - Local, State, US & World | newsadvance.com



this post card says Arlington hotel,and looks completely dif
than the 700 court st.
: Hotel Arlington jg ? Lynchburg History
 

ECS

Banned
Mar 26, 2012
11,639
17,694
Ocala,Florida
Primary Interest:
Other
...The Beale Papers does say that Beale stayed at the Washington Hotel operated by Robert Morriss, but this is factually incorrect. Actually, Mr. Morriss leased the Washington Hotel in the fall of 1824. Up to that point, he took in boarders at his own house... The anonymous author of the pamphlet was responsible for this editorial mistake...
There are several "purposeful discrepancies of plausible facts" throughout Ward's 1885 Beale Papers to be just "editorial mistakes".
In addition to the Washington Hotel, there are the deposit dates that match the Adams-Onis Treaty signing and ratification (Ward's grandfather Risqué had an interest in this treaty), the "J" added to the Thomas Beale name, with what currency did the Beale Party purchase all that was needed in a hostile to gringos Spanish Santa Fe, the mention of William Witcher (died 1803) and Issac Coles (died 1813)Rev Charles Green Coles who gave the benediction at a banquet hosted by Risqué and other Lynchburg businessmen for Andrew Jackson("among his guest and devoted personal friends"), Pascal Buford and Thomas Jefferson were also in attendance creates an acceptance of the story with these "plausible facts".
Remember, the Beale Papers was originally published to be sold for 50 cents in only Lynchburg, and after the price reduction to 10 cents (seems that the people of 1885 Lynchburg did not believe the treasure story), the unsold copies burned in stoves.
While actual names of people and locations are mentioned, some with out of time or place slight discrepancies, was purposefully placed, as well as the "disclaimer", giving the purchaser of the pamphlet insight that the "authentic statements" are not necessarily depicting true events.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Discussions

Top