Blackburne’s
Old Inn
Historic old building' in
Stokes County lias had an in¬
teresting' history ever since
its construction before the
War for Independence.
Bi; HARRY Z. TI CK CIS
Blackburne’s Inn, located on the highway between
Walnut Cove and Danbury. Much of the build¬
ing is still in its original form.
Everybody seem* interested in
old inns these days. especially in
early American inns, and whole
books have 1 . . written on tin* sub¬
ject. But in a recent publication of
celebrated inns of the I'nited States,
only about three North Carolina inns
were mentioned. It lies to reason that
the author did very little research
work in coiiiiectiou with the early
taverns of North Carolina.
The Old North State has had many
famous inns, some of tlo-m dating hark
to 1750.
One of the historic old taverns of
the colonial period, .-till .'funding, is
picturesque Blackburnc's Inn. situated
on the highway between Walnut Cove
and Danbury, in Stokes County. The
building is very interesting indeed, not
alone for its spacious rooms and high
ceilings, nor for its good lines and
quaint appearance, hut for its history,
as well.
Built in Revolutionary Days
Blackburnc's Inn. a heritage of the
past, was built by Ambrose Black-
hurne about the time of the Revolu¬
tionary War. The inn is two and one-
half stories high. Taxes were once
paid in North Carolina in accordance
with tin* number of stories halt-
stories did not count.
On the interior are old carved
mantles, high wainseoating and other
huud-niadc decorations. The inn
boasts of n ‘‘haunted room"; a “secret
closet,” and on the premise is a large
burying ground, where not only the
old inn-keepers are buried, hut where
two or three travelers, who died at the
old inn. found a last resting place.
The grounds were once terraced.
The drive-way approach was along
an avenue bordered by great locust
trees.
Ambrose Blaekhtirne was a man of
importance in the wilderness country
along the upper Dan River during the
War for Independence. And, since he
was an ardent patriot, he often hail
clashes with rile Tory element along
the Dan. who were numerous and
faithful to King George, as history
records.
Visited by Tories
It was here, in February, 17s I. that
the Tories paid Blaekburiu* a noc¬
turnal visit. They called him from a
warm Ih*iI to the door of bis home,
and then coerced him into coming out
into the yard. Pinioning hi- arm-,
the Tories «tripped their host of all
his clothing, except bis shirt. Other
Tories hastened into the house to
hunt for money and other valuables.
They also took every piece of Black-
burne's clothes.
When the Tories had looted the inn
to their satisfaction, they told Am¬
brose Black hurtle that he uitist die.
But their leader, a Captain Stanly,
knowing that the keeper of the inn
was a prominent planter and citizen,
hesitated. lie was aware that tin*
people of the Dan River Valley held
all Tories in opprobium. and he feared
taking the life of so prominent a
I at riot.
While the men in the yard debated
as to what they should do with their
prisoner, a dog light ensiled. The
contest was between the dog of Black-
hurin* and one lidonging to the Tories.
Blaekburite ehi*i*red his own dog; the
Tories yelled for t heir's. The light
proved to he a vicious one; and the
visiting dog wa« found to he in* match
for Blackburnc's canine.
“You dirty Tories see what my dog
has done to your yellow enr!" Blaek-
burne told them. “Well, in just that
manner, or worse. I intend to punish
you ! I shall punish you. not alone
for what you have done to me tonight,
hut for the many robberies and burn¬
ings and murders you have committed
in the Dan River Valley in the past
two years!"
With a vile string of epithets the
Topics went away, leaving Ambrose
Blaekhtirne «landing in the yard with
only a shirt on. Draping a blanket
about his body, he immediately set
out across Town Fork Crook to the
house of his neighbor. Colonel Joseph
Winston. In less than twelve hours
the Tories were apprehended, and
fifteen men had been put to death all
of the Tory gang except the leader.
Captain Stanly, whose life had l*oon
saved at the intercession of Black-
hurne.
Turning to the Tory leader, Colonel
Winston said. "Stanly, your life has
been saved. But you shall !■* kepi a
prisoner of war until exchanged."
Change in Ownership
After the dentil of Ambrose Biack-
hiiruc the old inn wa« run for a while
by Reul>en Golden, a prominent
Stokes County citizen, who ran an
iron forge on Dan River, and who was
a leader ill manufacturing in his
county. After the death of Golden, the
inn came into the possession of Colonel
Matthew Covington, who figured
prominently in the Confederacy. It
was here that supplies of the Southern
Army were stored, and were doled
out to hungry women and children
bv ( 'olonel Covington during the
Civil War.
Always a busy center. Blackburnc'-
( (.'onllnuril on iMge lwfHh
Гию)
a
