According to eighteenth-century newspaper advertisements, taverns thrived at natural choke points in the primitive travel network of rivers and roads, notably, at busy crossroads and at river landings, ferries, fords and bridges, where land and water routes intersected. They also sprouted at convenient intervals along much frequented routes of travel and where steep changes in elevation required rest and recuperation for man and beast. Trade was also good in proximity to county courthouses, churches and meeting houses, ironworks, gristmills and markets. Given by Deborah Powell this presentation is based on work by the late historian Kevin Wright.

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