Learn lots more about Franklinville by following these links !

Introduction
Early History
Death Records 1860-1894

Pioneers
Early Settlers
Joseph McClure
Pardon T Jewell
Marvin Older
Delos E Lyon
Curtis Brothers
Searl and Storrs
Doctors
William McNall

Park Square and Fairs
The Story
The Trial
The Wedding
Franklinville Fair
Bands

Postal History
Introduction
Post Office
Postmasters

Hotels and Inns
Globe Hotel
Hotel Lester
Bard Hotel
Brown Eagle Hotel

Businesses and Industry
Bartholomew's Pharmacy
West Park Square Drug Store
Quality Bakery
Cutlery Industry
Mercantile
Dairy Industry
Firehouse Liquors
Blount Plow

Churches and Buildings
Baptist
Other Churches
Presbyterian
Methodist Episcopal
Amusement Hall
The Miners Cabin

In the Public Trust
Newspapers
Chronicle-Journal
Fire Department
Mt Prospect Cemetery
Public Works
Railroads

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By 1829, on the so called road which led from Franklinville to
Ellicottville, there were four taverns. Today's definition of a tavern
is closely associated with a bar. In those days the connotation was
really closer to an inn. Keeping in mind the distances people were
moving, balanced off against their slow moving modes of transportation,
one can easily see the need for the provision of places for people to
lay their heads at night. .... that is for those who could afford to pay
for this luxury. Many, many people on the move slept in or under
wagons.

One of these taverns was originally named the Brown Eagle Hotel and
sometimes called the Eagle Tavern. It is thought, but not documented,
that the Eagle Tavern may have been built by a John Patterson about
1830. Situated about one mile west of this village, it was in 1834
owned by Jarvis and Fanny Stone.

We know that because an obituary reciting the death of Mary Elizabeth Stone Adams on Tuesday, April 29, 1902 tells us that she was born in The Brown Eagle Tavern in the narrows on April 7, 1834. (N.B. "the narrows" was the way this area was .... and is .... referred to by local residents) It is also mentioned that, at
the time of her birth her father was also a prominent merchant, buying
furs etc., and having considerable property.

On October 25, 1855 Mary Elizabeth Stone married Russell Hubbard Adams who had been born in Farmersville, one of 22 children. His obituary, written following his death on Tuesday, March 3, 1903, recites an interesting passage about his life before he married Mary Elizabeth. We quote from that obituary:

"He was but a young man 21 years of age when the gold excitement of
California broke out. Going to New York wit a flock of sheep he sold
them and decided to try his luck in the new Eldorado. He shipped on a
sailing vessel that was bound for Panama. Crossing the isthmus on foot,
he took a boat on the other side and completed the journey, remaining in
California six years, but not meeting with very good success in his
search for the precious metal."

The obituary goes on to relate that upon his return he married Mary
Elizabeth and that he then ran the Brown Eagle for several years.

Mary Elizabeth and Russell Adams were the undisputed biological
parents of the following children: Mrs. Fannie Rogers, Mrs. R. L. Damon
and Jarvis W. Adams. There is one interesting thing to be noted here
however. Mr. Adams's obituary also list Eugene Adams as an adopted son
of theirs. Mrs. Adams's obituary does not mention him. Eugene Adams
was a very well known local businessman.

On Thursday, February 26, 1891, The Chronicle reported:

"The old tavern known as The Brown Eagle Hotel situated about one
mile west of this village was destroyed by fire shortly after midnight
last night. It was a two story frame building, and was built over half
a century ago, being used as a tavern for upward of twenty five years
after it was built. During the last quarter of a century the building
has been used as a residence by various families, and was last occupied
by Mr. Alonzo Phillips. For some months past, however, the building had
been vacant. The property was owned by Mr. C. W. Phillips and in an
interview with a Chronicle representative this morning he stated that he
had no knowledge of anyone being inside the building during the past two
weeks. As there were no fires of any kind in the house, the origin of
the blaze is a complete mystery. The loss will probably amount to $500
on which there is said to be no insurance. The fire was seen by many
people about the village, but as it appeared to be out of town no effort
was made to get to it."

And so the Brown Eagle came to an inglorious end.