Hawkins-Davison House

The Hawkins-Davison House was well known for many reasons in the eighteen century town of Frederica.

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Accessible Sites, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

Fort Frederica’s officers and gentlemen came through Samuel Davison’s door to relax in the most respected drinking establishment in town. By law, Davison could serve beer and wine - nothing stronger. The Georgia Trustees banned rum and other spirits, though their use was not at all unknown here.

The foundation with middle wall helped archeologists determined that this was a duplex. The Davisons' neighbors on the right, Dr. and Mrs. Hawkins, possessed some wealth here on the frontier: Dr. Hawkins was the regiment’s doctor, Frederica’s bailiff, and a successful farmer. But many of his neighbors found him and his wife quick-tempered and quarrelsome. Though Davison and Hawkins shared a wall - or maybe because they did - their feuding entertained Frederica for years. 

The remains of a well at the back of the Hawkins house became a tremendous resource to archeologists. Abandoned wells were used as trash pits, and several artifacts were recovered from this well: a tankard from the tavern, and an ointment jar from the doctor’s apothecary shop - what we would today call a pharmacy.

At Davison’s, as in taverns of every place and time, raising several glasses elevated the general expertise on all subjects.