Nathaniel Gordon (1763–1820), tavern keeper, was born in Lancaster County. In 1787 he purchased a 1,350-acre plantation in Orange County, and within a few years he was operating a public house there along the stage route. TJ visited Gordon’s establishment often between 1793 and 1813, and in 1802 he termed it “A good tavern.” Although consisting of little more than his residence and the inn, the crossroads was being referred to as “Gordonsville” as early as 1813. Gordon also served as postmaster at Newville, 1802–03, and Gordonsville, 1813–20 (William H. B. Thomas, Gordonsville, Virginia: Historic Crossroads Town [1971], 3–11; MB description begins James A. Bear Jr. and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum Books: Accounts, with Legal Records and Miscellany, 1767–1826, 1997, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series description ends , esp. 2:903n, 1293; PTJ description begins Julian P. Boyd, Charles T. Cullen, John Catanzariti, Barbara B. Oberg, James P. McClure, and others, eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, 1950– , 42 vols. description ends , 37:534; Axelson, Virginia Postmasters description begins Edith F. Axelson, Virginia Postmasters and Post Offices, 1789–1832, 1991 description ends , 146; Orange Co. Will Book, 5:355–7, 6:272–9, 7:76–80; gravestone inscription in Maplewood Cemetery, Gordonsville).