The former John Tears Inn, located near the intersection of Goshen Turnpike and Midland Lake Road, was an early rest stop for stagecoach travelers using the turnpike. The property includes other historically significant outbuildings and structures, further contributing to the cultural importance of this landmark. The site is the only historic building in Scotchtown that is listed on both the State and National Register of Historic Places.

The inn occupies a 20.3 acre parcel of land which also features a woodshed (circa 1840), privy (circa 1840), carriage barn (circa 1840), milk house (circa 1880), chicken coop (circa 1880), two stone carriage steps (circa 1824), stone field walls (circa 1820), the ruins of a spring house, (circa 1840) and a stone-lined well with pump (circa 1880). Gooseberries, blackberries, currants, grapes, raspberries and hops are also found on the property and local tradition indicates these crops were used in the operation of the inn. [1]

The Tears family emigrated from Germany to the colonies in the mid-eighteenth century according to the records of the German Reformed Church in Montgomery. By 1772 Daniel Tears was living in the vicinity of the inn. In 1793 his son, John Tears, purchased the inn property from a New York City merchant named John Taylor. The deed mentions a house and “outbuildings.” Tears continued to purchase adjoining farmland throughout his lifetime. Daniel Tears died in 1824 [2] and in that same year John received a tavern license. It is most likely that the high style Federal addition was added to the simple dwelling at that time. [3]

As built circa 1790, the design and layout of the original building is characteristic of the mid to late eighteenth century architecture of this region. As altered in the 1820s, the dwelling reflects the persistence of this early house type although adapted to reflect the popular tastes of the period. The introduction of a finely crafted Adam style entrance, delicate interior moldings and faux marble fireplaces indicate the level of prosperity that had been achieved by the Tears family. [4]

After the death of John Tears in 1840 the inn and farm were left to his sons, Charles and Andrew. In his will he provided life tenancy for his wife in the two formal west parlors of the circa 1824 section of the house. [5] He also provided that she was to be supplied with enough firewood for her needs. Records show that Charles sold his portion of the property, which included the parcel, to John McWilliams in 1844. Andrew died in 1850. [6] In 1894 the property was sold by McWilliams’ widow to Clarkson Bird. During the first three decades of the twentieth century the property went through a series of owners. In 1936 it was leased by the Trimmer family. They purchased the farm in 1950 and it remains in the family to this day. [7] In 1974, the original wooden sign for the inn, which was a version of the seal of the United States, was discovered largely intact in the attic of the house. [8] Leona Trimmer currently operates the Stepping Stone Antique Shop in the old barn.

Recently, the potential for large-scale development near the site has raised some eyebrows in town government [read more].

Copyright © 2007 ScotchtownHighlander.com

Black and white photo courtesy of Leona Trimmer. Color photo by Daniel Case (2007).