William Smith

 

William Smith arrived in the colony early in the 1660’s and went to work as a builder, innkeeper, and a merchant. In 1666, when development of the capital was underway, he secured a 31 year lease from the colonial government with provisions that he build and operate an ordinary there, plant an orchard, and fence the property”. An ‘ordinary’ is so named because any traveler, with the means to pay, could secure food and lodging there. Locals frequented ordinaries, as well. They provided a place to meet and socialize. Smith didn’t live to see his ordinary populated, though. He died before construction was complete.