Originally constructed in 1652 as the two story residence of Francis Brinley, “the massively framed building and quarter acre of land fenced with Pailes at the corner of Farewell and Marlborough Streets” was acquired by William Mayes, Sr. in 1673 and he converted it to a tavern. For the next one hundred years, before the Colony House was constructed, this large and comfortable tavern was the meeting place of the Colony’s General Assembly, Criminal Court and City Council. In 1702 William Mayes, Jr. succeeded his father as innkeeper and was granted a license to sell “ all sorts of Strong Drink.” William was a notorious pirate, who had just returned to Newport with his bounty. Openly welcomed and protected by the townspeople, Mr. Mayes caused much embarrassment to officials of the British Colony. Mary Mayes Nichols, William’s sister, and her husband, Robert, shortly followed as innkeepers.