TILLETT HOMEPLACE HISTORY
The Homeplace was lovingly built in 1891, by my grandfather Timothy O. Together they had 13 children, 12 of which were born in the suite guest bedroom between l892 and l914. Timothy O. Tillett was born in 1869 to Josiah "Joe" Holly Tillett and Levenia Tillett in Nags Head Woods. The Tillett Family lived for generations in Nags Head Woods and traces their heritage back to
the early 1700's. Timothy's great grandfather received all of Nags Head Woods from sound to sea by land grant from the Lord's Proprietors of North Carolina. There are four Tillett Family Cemeteries in Nags Head Woods that bear our family names and dates. Shortly after Timothy's parents were married in 1858, Joe Holly was appointed assistant keeper of the Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head from l859 to l860; Joe Holly resigned to take care of the family and the homeplace in Nags Head Woods. Timothy was 1 of 12 children born to Joe Holly and Levenia. About 1885, sometime after the death of his parents, Timothy traded a large share of his land from sound to sea, which was a large portion of Jockey's Ridge, for 2 shad boats to seek work on the Ben Daniels Farm in the fishing village of Wanchese. Timothy was an experienced waterman, skilled carpenter and excellent farmer. Numerous stories are told about the amazing farming skills Joe Holly taught his children. A budding romance developed between Ben's daughter Calcedonia and Timothy. Timothy and Calcedonia were married in April l890 and began building the Tillett Homeplace in early l891. The land on which the Homeplace stands was originally a tract belonging to the Daniels family that encompassed the entire southern one-half of Roanoke Island. The land has been in family hands continually since 1736. The Homeplace was always the center of activities. Every Sunday after church all the family gathered for a fried chicken dinner. After dinner they all met on the front lawn for a game of horseshoes and croquet. Often the schoolteacher joined the family and friends. The children invited their friends and the older girls brought their boyfriends. A grand time was had by all. Timothy and Calcedonia slept in the downstairs master bedroom. The parlor adjacent to the center hall was known as the "courting parlor" and was always filled with laughter and games. Our barns and the "tater house" were filled with fresh vegetables and cured meats. Fruit trees, grapevines and fig trees provided an array of fruit for the family and neighbors. Timothy could not have farmed the homeplace lands or built this home if it were not for faithful "Bob" the family horse. Timothy loved Bob for 25 years…..everybody loved Bob! My Dad, Alfred Timothy was the last sibling born in l914. Dad inherited the Homeplace after the death of his father Timothy in l938 and his mother Calcedonia in l943. In those days, the youngest child inherited the Homeplace. In 1933, my Dad drove his 1931 Ford convertible with a rumble seat to Washington D.C. to visit his sister Helen Stokely. Helen met and married Edward Stokely while he was stationed at the Nags Head Beaches working for the WPA, a federal government program to stabilize the dunes along the Ocean. My Uncle Edward's job took him back to Washington D.C. Dad traveled to Washington D.C. to visit his sister, Helen, and while there a romance developed with his sister's next door neighbor Helen Griffith. Dad and my mother Helen Griffith were married in May 1936. My Mother told me that when she first saw Dad he stepped over the car door near the rumble seat and was barefooted. My, he was so handsome and all sun tanned. My Mother never saw anyone going barefooted in the city, much less driving a car barefooted! I was born in Washington, D.C. My Dad always came to Wanchese to visit his family. As a young girl I loved coming from the city to Wanchese. It was so dark at night! The bugs and mosquitoes were really bad. We used oil lamps for light to make our way upstairs to bed. I will always remember those wonderful featherbeds and pillows, and waking up to the roosters crowing all over the neighborhood. The open windows invited the rush of country salt air blowing the curtains. Today, my bedroom upstairs is that same bedroom with all those memories. After living in Washington D.C. for 45 years, my parents moved to Wanchese and spend more than one year restoring the Tillett Homeplace. In Commemoration of my Dad's 100th Birthday in 2014, the Timothy O. Tillett Homeplace opened its doors to continue the Tillett Family hospitality. I trust you will enjoy your stay with us and explore the charming village of Wanchese and Historic Roanoke Island. POLICIES OF TIMOTHY O. TILLETT BED & BREAKFAST
BOOKING AND RESERVATIONS
For couples only. A three room suite with private outdoor porch in the west wing of The Homeplace. A two‐night minimum stay. A memorable breakfast is served in the parlor at your convenience, an afternoon dessert and unlimited coffee, tea and bottled water is provided To book contact the Innkeeper at 252‐216‐7702 or email [email protected]. A deposit of one night stay will be charged to your at credit card at the time of reservation. Rates are quoted per night excluding 12.75% state and local taxes. Reservations are subject to availability with advance reservations recommended, especially during peak season months (April thru December) we gladly accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover Cards. CHECK‐IN AND CHECK‐OUT
We will be awaiting your arrival between 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. Please call if you are delayed. Check‐out is 11 A.M. We are sorry but late check‐outs are not permitted due to housekeeping and arrival of other guests. CANCELATION POLICY:
Making a reservation at a Bed and Breakfast is not the same as a hotel reservation. Cancellations will be accepted up to 7 days prior to your date of arrival. Due to our small size cancellations affect us significantly. A last minute cancellation gives us little chance of rebooking the suite. For this reason we uphold our strict cancellation policy:
a. The one night deposit will be refunded less a $25.00 administrative fee if you cancel 7 days prior to the arrival date. If you choose to cancel without giving at least a 7 days’ notice you are responsible for full payment of the reservation and your credit card on file will be charged at that time. You must e‐mail us your cancellation request. Your cancellation is not confirmed until you receive a cancellation confirmation number from us. Should you elect to prepay the entire reservation and choose not to give at least 7 days’ cancellation notice the entire prepaid amount is not refundable. c. Any reservations rescheduled within our cancellation period will be charged in full and held for your new arrival date. If the rescheduled reservation is subsequently cancelled, no refund will be made; any further changes are at the innkeeper’s discretion. d. Reservations paid for with gift certificates are subject to the same cancellation policy and MUST be booked by phone. e. Early departures/late arrivals are considered cancellations and are subject to the same cancellation policies. f. Our cancellation policy may change at any time for any reason, at the innkeepers’ discretion. Typically, our cancellation policy will only change for special promotions, holidays, weekends, or other special events. g. Unclaimed Accommodations, Non‐Arrivals, No‐Show: Full charge for the entire reservation will be charged to the reservation credit card for unclaimed accommodations, non‐arrivals and no‐show on the dates of the confirmed reservation. If your reservation is paid in full when the reservation is made and you choose to cancel
without giving at least 7 days notice then the entire amount paid is non‐refundable. SMOKING AND CANDLE BURNING
No smoking or guest candles within the inn. Smoking is limited to the grounds or porches. NON‐REGISTERED GUESTS AND PETS AT TIMOTHY O. TILLETT BED AND BREAKFAST
Guests’ visitors are only permitted on the property with prior innkeeper approval. If you would like to have your guest join you for breakfast there is an additional charge of $15.00 per person and advanced notification is required. Pets are not permitted. Service animals are, by law, welcome. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered. Damage caused by a service animal will incur a minimum $100 charge for repair/cleaning, up to the total amount required to restore the room to prior condition. DAMAGE TO TIMOTHY O. TILLETT PROPERTY
While reasonable wear and tear is anticipated negligent damages found to be the responsibility of a guest will be assessed and charged to the guest. Please report spills and other damages to the innkeeper immediately. SECURITY AT TIMOTHY O. TILLETT BED AND BREAKFAST
All valuables such as travel documents, credit cards and personal property are the full responsibility of the individual guest. The bed and breakfast is not responsible for loss of any money or valuables while staying at The Timothy O. Tillett Bed and Breakfast. Management is not responsible for damage to any auto or loss of contents in the auto while parked at the Inn. See website for full policy details:
www.timothyotillett.com
