The Death Of The Fox Inn was built in 1727 in Clarksboro, New Jersey. Its name came from what it did: provide drink and sustenance to members of the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club after their hunts. Founded in 1766 by a group of Philadelphia gentlemen as a coffeehouse, it was the first organized hunting club in the New World. From 1766 to 1818, the club thrived.
During the Revolutionary War, the inn was used by the Continental Army as a recruiting center, military headquarters and also to quarter soldiers. Many of the hunting club’s members became officers in the Continental Army, including Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr.*
Legend has it that a Tory was hung on a walnut tree that stood in front of the inn.
For the next hundred years through the early 1900s the building was a popular inn for travelers.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing the now private residence; it has been beautifully renovated back to its original state.
I would have loved to go in. Since I couldn’t, I imagined looking in one of the windows and seeing men in riding attire, military uniforms and everyday citizens on their way to or from somewhere. Its name contains the word “death” but this inn has lived a lot of life.
Sister Rain Note:
To learn more about Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr. click here to read my story, “A German Doctor’s American Dream“.
asterisk To read my story about Dr. Bodo Otto, Jr., click here. #sisterrain #alittlesightalotofheart #legallyblindwriter #writer #writersofinstagram #ushistory #history #americanhistory #usa #america #unitedstates #americanrevolution #clarksboronj #gloucesterfoxhuntingclub #deathofthefoxinn
