Isaac purchased the 130-acre portion of his father’s estate that contained the “mansion house” and promptly began converting it to an inn. On August 21, 1821, he petitioned the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County for a liquor license. That petition was not granted despite the petitioners’ insistence that “the public in general, labour under inconvenience for want of a Public House, on the Downingtown and Ephrata turnpike Road, between the Public House Commonly called the Blue Ball, and the Swobestown Tavern, the distance being four and half miles…” Among the petitioners were uncles David and Jonas Witwer, and cousin Noah Witwer. (TAV 1821 F08 105, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On November 19 of that same year, Isaac again petitioned the Court. In part, that petition read as follows: The petition of Isaac Witwer of Earl Township in the County of Lancaster humbly showeth – That he hath fitted up his house in which he now dwells, for the convenient entertainment of waggoners, travellers, and others on the Downingtown & Harrisburgh turnpike Road about half way between the blue ball tavern and Hinkletown there being no tavern between these places, and has provided every thing necessary to keep a tavern. The petition was signed by his uncles, David and Jonas Witwer, and his brother, Daniel, among others. However half-brother John did not sign, perhaps reflecting his stricter views on such matters. Despite the assurances of the twenty-four signers that Issac was “a suitable person to seek a public house and that he would preserve order and sobriety in the same,” the petition was denied. (TAV 1821 F08 104, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On April 15, 1822, Isaac petitioned again, insisting that since there was no tavern between the blue ball and Swobestown, he was “frequently called on to provide entertainment for waggoners and travelers.” (TAV 1822 F09 108, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In April of 1823, Isaac Miller petitioned to operate a public house in “that commodius stone house in Earl Township situate on the Downingtown & Ephrata turnpike in which a publick house has been formerly kept by M. Isaac Witwer.” One of the petitioners was Isaac Witwer. This petition was granted. (TAV 1823 F08 112, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In 1824 another petition was filed stating that Isaac “has returned to his house on the Downingtown and Harrisburg Turnpike, which was occupied and kept as a public house up to the time of your petitioner’s returning thereto by Isaac Miller, and that your petitioner has provided himself with liquors and all other necessaries proper for the entertainment of man and horse.” This petition was granted. However, none of his relatives were signatories. (TAV 1824 F08 111, Lancaster County Historical Society)
A few months later, on April 4, 1824, Isaac and his wife sold the homestead to a relative, Isaac Holl. In the same year the Spread Eagle Tavern was noted on Joshua Scott’s map of Lancaster County.
In 1830 Isaac requested a tavern license for a “Public stand on the west side of the Welch Mountain.” (TAV 1830 F01 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) On August 21, 1831,, another petition mentioned that he was running that “well known tavern in Caernarvon Township, Sign of the White Horse.” (TAV 1830 F03 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) Just six weeks later, on September 27, 1831, Isaac died at 40 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
He was survived by six children: Leah, Daniel, Susan, George, Isaac, and Barbara. His wife, Franey, purchased a small lot along the turnpike on the east side of Witwer’s run and resided there with her unmarried daughters, Leah and Barbara.
Isaac's father's death at the onset of the Panic of 1819 probably placed Isaac in a tight spot. He inherited the property, but land prices had been driven down by the Panic. In addition, five of his siblings were minors, requiring support.
No one had any money to buy the property, so it appears that Isaac tried to convert it into a tavern to make a living. He was just 28 when his father died.
---bio by Denise Witwer Lahr
On November 19 of that same year, Isaac again petitioned the Court. In part, that petition read as follows: The petition of Isaac Witwer of Earl Township in the County of Lancaster humbly showeth – That he hath fitted up his house in which he now dwells, for the convenient entertainment of waggoners, travellers, and others on the Downingtown & Harrisburgh turnpike Road about half way between the blue ball tavern and Hinkletown there being no tavern between these places, and has provided every thing necessary to keep a tavern. The petition was signed by his uncles, David and Jonas Witwer, and his brother, Daniel, among others. However half-brother John did not sign, perhaps reflecting his stricter views on such matters. Despite the assurances of the twenty-four signers that Issac was “a suitable person to seek a public house and that he would preserve order and sobriety in the same,” the petition was denied. (TAV 1821 F08 104, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On April 15, 1822, Isaac petitioned again, insisting that since there was no tavern between the blue ball and Swobestown, he was “frequently called on to provide entertainment for waggoners and travelers.” (TAV 1822 F09 108, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In April of 1823, Isaac Miller petitioned to operate a public house in “that commodius stone house in Earl Township situate on the Downingtown & Ephrata turnpike in which a publick house has been formerly kept by M. Isaac Witwer.” One of the petitioners was Isaac Witwer. This petition was granted. (TAV 1823 F08 112, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In 1824 another petition was filed stating that Isaac “has returned to his house on the Downingtown and Harrisburg Turnpike, which was occupied and kept as a public house up to the time of your petitioner’s returning thereto by Isaac Miller, and that your petitioner has provided himself with liquors and all other necessaries proper for the entertainment of man and horse.” This petition was granted. However, none of his relatives were signatories. (TAV 1824 F08 111, Lancaster County Historical Society)
A few months later, on April 4, 1824, Isaac and his wife sold the homestead to a relative, Isaac Holl. In the same year the Spread Eagle Tavern was noted on Joshua Scott’s map of Lancaster County.
In 1830 Isaac requested a tavern license for a “Public stand on the west side of the Welch Mountain.” (TAV 1830 F01 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) On August 21, 1831,, another petition mentioned that he was running that “well known tavern in Caernarvon Township, Sign of the White Horse.” (TAV 1830 F03 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) Just six weeks later, on September 27, 1831, Isaac died at 40 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
He was survived by six children: Leah, Daniel, Susan, George, Isaac, and Barbara. His wife, Franey, purchased a small lot along the turnpike on the east side of Witwer’s run and resided there with her unmarried daughters, Leah and Barbara.
Isaac's father's death at the onset of the Panic of 1819 probably placed Isaac in a tight spot. He inherited the property, but land prices had been driven down by the Panic. In addition, five of his siblings were minors, requiring support.
No one had any money to buy the property, so it appears that Isaac tried to convert it into a tavern to make a living. He was just 28 when his father died.
---bio by Denise Witwer Lahr
Isaac purchased the 130-acre portion of his father’s estate that contained the “mansion house” and promptly began converting it to an inn. On August 21, 1821, he petitioned the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County for a liquor license. That petition was not granted despite the petitioners’ insistence that “the public in general, labour under inconvenience for want of a Public House, on the Downingtown and Ephrata turnpike Road, between the Public House Commonly called the Blue Ball, and the Swobestown Tavern, the distance being four and half miles…” Among the petitioners were uncles David and Jonas Witwer, and cousin Noah Witwer. (TAV 1821 F08 105, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On November 19 of that same year, Isaac again petitioned the Court. In part, that petition read as follows: The petition of Isaac Witwer of Earl Township in the County of Lancaster humbly showeth – That he hath fitted up his house in which he now dwells, for the convenient entertainment of waggoners, travellers, and others on the Downingtown & Harrisburgh turnpike Road about half way between the blue ball tavern and Hinkletown there being no tavern between these places, and has provided every thing necessary to keep a tavern. The petition was signed by his uncles, David and Jonas Witwer, and his brother, Daniel, among others. However half-brother John did not sign, perhaps reflecting his stricter views on such matters. Despite the assurances of the twenty-four signers that Issac was “a suitable person to seek a public house and that he would preserve order and sobriety in the same,” the petition was denied. (TAV 1821 F08 104, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On April 15, 1822, Isaac petitioned again, insisting that since there was no tavern between the blue ball and Swobestown, he was “frequently called on to provide entertainment for waggoners and travelers.” (TAV 1822 F09 108, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In April of 1823, Isaac Miller petitioned to operate a public house in “that commodius stone house in Earl Township situate on the Downingtown & Ephrata turnpike in which a publick house has been formerly kept by M. Isaac Witwer.” One of the petitioners was Isaac Witwer. This petition was granted. (TAV 1823 F08 112, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In 1824 another petition was filed stating that Isaac “has returned to his house on the Downingtown and Harrisburg Turnpike, which was occupied and kept as a public house up to the time of your petitioner’s returning thereto by Isaac Miller, and that your petitioner has provided himself with liquors and all other necessaries proper for the entertainment of man and horse.” This petition was granted. However, none of his relatives were signatories. (TAV 1824 F08 111, Lancaster County Historical Society)
A few months later, on April 4, 1824, Isaac and his wife sold the homestead to a relative, Isaac Holl. In the same year the Spread Eagle Tavern was noted on Joshua Scott’s map of Lancaster County.
In 1830 Isaac requested a tavern license for a “Public stand on the west side of the Welch Mountain.” (TAV 1830 F01 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) On August 21, 1831,, another petition mentioned that he was running that “well known tavern in Caernarvon Township, Sign of the White Horse.” (TAV 1830 F03 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) Just six weeks later, on September 27, 1831, Isaac died at 40 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
He was survived by six children: Leah, Daniel, Susan, George, Isaac, and Barbara. His wife, Franey, purchased a small lot along the turnpike on the east side of Witwer’s run and resided there with her unmarried daughters, Leah and Barbara.
Isaac's father's death at the onset of the Panic of 1819 probably placed Isaac in a tight spot. He inherited the property, but land prices had been driven down by the Panic. In addition, five of his siblings were minors, requiring support.
No one had any money to buy the property, so it appears that Isaac tried to convert it into a tavern to make a living. He was just 28 when his father died.
---bio by Denise Witwer Lahr
On November 19 of that same year, Isaac again petitioned the Court. In part, that petition read as follows: The petition of Isaac Witwer of Earl Township in the County of Lancaster humbly showeth – That he hath fitted up his house in which he now dwells, for the convenient entertainment of waggoners, travellers, and others on the Downingtown & Harrisburgh turnpike Road about half way between the blue ball tavern and Hinkletown there being no tavern between these places, and has provided every thing necessary to keep a tavern. The petition was signed by his uncles, David and Jonas Witwer, and his brother, Daniel, among others. However half-brother John did not sign, perhaps reflecting his stricter views on such matters. Despite the assurances of the twenty-four signers that Issac was “a suitable person to seek a public house and that he would preserve order and sobriety in the same,” the petition was denied. (TAV 1821 F08 104, Lancaster County Historical Society)
On April 15, 1822, Isaac petitioned again, insisting that since there was no tavern between the blue ball and Swobestown, he was “frequently called on to provide entertainment for waggoners and travelers.” (TAV 1822 F09 108, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In April of 1823, Isaac Miller petitioned to operate a public house in “that commodius stone house in Earl Township situate on the Downingtown & Ephrata turnpike in which a publick house has been formerly kept by M. Isaac Witwer.” One of the petitioners was Isaac Witwer. This petition was granted. (TAV 1823 F08 112, Lancaster County Historical Society)
In 1824 another petition was filed stating that Isaac “has returned to his house on the Downingtown and Harrisburg Turnpike, which was occupied and kept as a public house up to the time of your petitioner’s returning thereto by Isaac Miller, and that your petitioner has provided himself with liquors and all other necessaries proper for the entertainment of man and horse.” This petition was granted. However, none of his relatives were signatories. (TAV 1824 F08 111, Lancaster County Historical Society)
A few months later, on April 4, 1824, Isaac and his wife sold the homestead to a relative, Isaac Holl. In the same year the Spread Eagle Tavern was noted on Joshua Scott’s map of Lancaster County.
In 1830 Isaac requested a tavern license for a “Public stand on the west side of the Welch Mountain.” (TAV 1830 F01 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) On August 21, 1831,, another petition mentioned that he was running that “well known tavern in Caernarvon Township, Sign of the White Horse.” (TAV 1830 F03 103, Lancaster County Historical Society) Just six weeks later, on September 27, 1831, Isaac died at 40 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
He was survived by six children: Leah, Daniel, Susan, George, Isaac, and Barbara. His wife, Franey, purchased a small lot along the turnpike on the east side of Witwer’s run and resided there with her unmarried daughters, Leah and Barbara.
Isaac's father's death at the onset of the Panic of 1819 probably placed Isaac in a tight spot. He inherited the property, but land prices had been driven down by the Panic. In addition, five of his siblings were minors, requiring support.
No one had any money to buy the property, so it appears that Isaac tried to convert it into a tavern to make a living. He was just 28 when his father died.
---bio by Denise Witwer Lahr
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