Bedingfield Inn

The Harrell Family

Benjamin Franklin Harrell (1849-1910) and Margaret Adelia Yarbrough (1847-1923) were united in marriage on November 9, 1873. Both families were pioneer settlers of Stewart County, the Yarbroughs coming to Lumpkin in 1842 and the Harrells settling in that part of Stewart County that later formed Webster County, in 1836.

Benjamin F. Harrell was the oldest son of Josiah and Louisa West Harrell. Margaret Adelia Yarbrough was the youngest daughter of Mary Adelia Livingston and John Yarbrough. Their children were:

George Yarbrough Harrell (1874-1952)
David Benjamin Harrell (1876-1966)
Margaret Adelia Harrell (1878-1962)
Loverd Bryan Harrell (1882-1976) Benjamin and Margaret Harrell bought the Bedingfield Inn after their eldest sons were born. Margaret (Mamie) and Loverd Bryan were born in the Bedingfield Inn.

Mary Livingston Yarbrough, mother of Margaret Yarbrough Harrell, after John Yarbrough’s death and after the closing of the Yarbrough Hotel, in her declining years made her home in the Inn. Mary Aramita, her daughter, came with her. Mary died in 1888 as a result of a fall. On a late Sunday afternoon thinking she was going behind the door to place a bolster upon the table, she fell out the open door which led to the kitchen area hitting her head on the rail of the steps. She lived only a few hours.

The eldest son of Margaret and Benjamin, George Yarbrough Harrell and Birdie Estelle Wright were married on December 15, 1898, in Jackson, Georgia. Birdie Wright was the youngest daughter of Young Frederick Wright, a pioneer settler of Stewart County, and Sarah Elizabeth Morgan. George and Birdie Harrell made their home in the Bedingfield Inn. Three of their eight children were born in the Inn.

Bedingfield Inn was never operated as an inn during the ownership of Benjamin and Margaret Harrell. Benjamin Harrell practiced law and Margaret operated a millinery shop, located in the north side of the Inn. The kitchen, set apart from the house, was used during their ownership. The home was furnished with early American furniture. Some of the lovely hand-carved walnut pieces are still in excellent condition and are used today by decedents of the third generation.