General Wayne Inn
Encyclopedia
The General Wayne Inn located at 625 Montgomery Ave in Merion, Pennsylvania
is a tavern on the National Register of Historic Places
. Established in 1704, it was previously named the William Penn
Inn, Wayside Inn, Tunis Ordinary, and Streepers Tavern before being renamed in 1793 honor of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne
who had once stayed there. There is a legend that the building is haunted by numerous ghosts, including a handful of Hessian soldiers. Edgar Allan Poe
was a frequent visitor of the inn and carved his initials in one of the window sills in 1843. Jim Webb, one of the more recent owners of the inn, was found murdered there in his office in 1996, a year after having purchased the business. His murderer turned out to be his business partner Guy Sileo, who killed him for life insurance money and to prevent him from shutting down the inn and ending their partnership. Sileo ended up convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison. Felicia Moyse, a 20-year-old assistant chef at the inn (and witness in the Jim Webb murder), committed suicide on February 22, 1997. Her suicide was never solved but it is believed that as she was used as an alibi in Jim Webb's murder, she may have realized it and been unable to live with it.
Recently it has been purchased by Chabad
of the Main Line, and has been converted into a synagogue and Center For Jewish Life.
Merion, Pennsylvania
Merion Station is an unincorporated community in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is contiguous to Philadelphia and is also bordered by Wynnewood, Narberth, and Bala Cynwyd...
is a tavern on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Established in 1704, it was previously named the William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
Inn, Wayside Inn, Tunis Ordinary, and Streepers Tavern before being renamed in 1793 honor of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne
Anthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
who had once stayed there. There is a legend that the building is haunted by numerous ghosts, including a handful of Hessian soldiers. Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
was a frequent visitor of the inn and carved his initials in one of the window sills in 1843. Jim Webb, one of the more recent owners of the inn, was found murdered there in his office in 1996, a year after having purchased the business. His murderer turned out to be his business partner Guy Sileo, who killed him for life insurance money and to prevent him from shutting down the inn and ending their partnership. Sileo ended up convicted of the crime and sentenced to life in prison. Felicia Moyse, a 20-year-old assistant chef at the inn (and witness in the Jim Webb murder), committed suicide on February 22, 1997. Her suicide was never solved but it is believed that as she was used as an alibi in Jim Webb's murder, she may have realized it and been unable to live with it.
Recently it has been purchased by Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
of the Main Line, and has been converted into a synagogue and Center For Jewish Life.
Famous people
Famous people who visited here include:- William PennWilliam PennWilliam Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
- Anthony WayneAnthony WayneAnthony Wayne was a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony.-Early...
- George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
- Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
- Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette