Advertisement

William Mayes II

Advertisement

William Mayes II

Birth
Death
28 Sep 1723 (aged 49–50)
Burial
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
History of the White Horse Tavern in Newport RI, states In 1673 William Mayes Sr. acquired the residence of Francis Brinley and William Sr. converted the home to a tavern. In 1702, William Mayes Jr. succeeded his father as innkeeper.

The White Horse Tavern is the "oldest operating restaurant in the U.S." and is acknowledged as the 10th oldest in the world. The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673.

The tavern is serving a high-end menu as of July 2022. It is located at 26 Marlborough St., Newport, RI 02840

More details of the White Horse Tavern history follows.

History of the White Horse Tavern Source: https://whitehorsenewport.com

1652 The White Horse Tavern was originally constructed as a two-story, two-room residence for Francis Brinley.

1673 It was acquired by William Mayes, Sr. and converted to a tavern. For almost 100 years, this large and comfortable tavern was the meeting place of the Colony's General Assembly, Criminal Court and City Council.

1702 William Mayes succeeded his father as innkeeper and was granted a license to sell "all sorts of strong drink." William was a notorious pirate that operated in the Red Sea and returned to Newport with his bounty. Openly welcomed and protected by the townspeople, the privateer caused much embarrassment to officials of the British Colony. Mary Mayes Nichols, William's sister, and her husband, Robert, shortly followed as innkeepers and for the next 200 years, with one brief interruption, the Tavern remained in the Nichols family.

1708 The Tavern became "home of the businessman's lunch" as councilors dined here and charged their meals to the public treasury.

1730 Jonathan Nichols became tavern keeper and gave the White Horse Tavern its name.

1776 Walter Nichols, the new proprietor, moved his family out of the Tavern and out of Newport rather than live with the Hessian mercenaries billeted there by the British. When he returned after the war ended, he added the gambrel roof and addition.

1954 The Tavern showed years of use and neglect. Through the generosity of the Van Beuren family, the property was acquired by the Preservation Society of Newport County and was meticulously restored. This helped to save the structure from demolition.

1972 The Tavern was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1981 O.L. Pitts of Fort Worth, Texas and three partners purchased the Tavern. As sponsors of the America's Cup, they continued the tradition of good fellowship, food and cheer. On his 90th birthday, O.L. Pitts turned the stewardship over to Paul Hogan, a Newport native.

2014 A Newport-based group acquired the property and became the ninth owner in the over 350-year history of the Tavern.
History of the White Horse Tavern in Newport RI, states In 1673 William Mayes Sr. acquired the residence of Francis Brinley and William Sr. converted the home to a tavern. In 1702, William Mayes Jr. succeeded his father as innkeeper.

The White Horse Tavern is the "oldest operating restaurant in the U.S." and is acknowledged as the 10th oldest in the world. The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673.

The tavern is serving a high-end menu as of July 2022. It is located at 26 Marlborough St., Newport, RI 02840

More details of the White Horse Tavern history follows.

History of the White Horse Tavern Source: https://whitehorsenewport.com

1652 The White Horse Tavern was originally constructed as a two-story, two-room residence for Francis Brinley.

1673 It was acquired by William Mayes, Sr. and converted to a tavern. For almost 100 years, this large and comfortable tavern was the meeting place of the Colony's General Assembly, Criminal Court and City Council.

1702 William Mayes succeeded his father as innkeeper and was granted a license to sell "all sorts of strong drink." William was a notorious pirate that operated in the Red Sea and returned to Newport with his bounty. Openly welcomed and protected by the townspeople, the privateer caused much embarrassment to officials of the British Colony. Mary Mayes Nichols, William's sister, and her husband, Robert, shortly followed as innkeepers and for the next 200 years, with one brief interruption, the Tavern remained in the Nichols family.

1708 The Tavern became "home of the businessman's lunch" as councilors dined here and charged their meals to the public treasury.

1730 Jonathan Nichols became tavern keeper and gave the White Horse Tavern its name.

1776 Walter Nichols, the new proprietor, moved his family out of the Tavern and out of Newport rather than live with the Hessian mercenaries billeted there by the British. When he returned after the war ended, he added the gambrel roof and addition.

1954 The Tavern showed years of use and neglect. Through the generosity of the Van Beuren family, the property was acquired by the Preservation Society of Newport County and was meticulously restored. This helped to save the structure from demolition.

1972 The Tavern was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

1981 O.L. Pitts of Fort Worth, Texas and three partners purchased the Tavern. As sponsors of the America's Cup, they continued the tradition of good fellowship, food and cheer. On his 90th birthday, O.L. Pitts turned the stewardship over to Paul Hogan, a Newport native.

2014 A Newport-based group acquired the property and became the ninth owner in the over 350-year history of the Tavern.


Advertisement

  • Created by: Scout
  • Added: Jan 14, 2014
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123396728/william-mayes: accessed ), memorial page for William Mayes II (1673–28 Sep 1723), Find a Grave Memorial ID 123396728, citing Common Burying Ground, Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, USA; Maintained by Scout (contributor 47319613).