Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

COLONIAL LOT # 6 - CAPITOL SQUARE
"Blue Bell Tavern"
Block 8, # 12
June 22, 1932

COLONIAL LOT # 62 - CAPITOL SQUARE
"Blue Bell Tavern"
Block 8, # 12
June 22, 1932

A large building on this valuable site in the Capitol Square was operated as an ordinary by John Redwood in 1707. It was built shortly after April of that year.

John Redwood was a goaler to the colony and caretaker of the Capitol for several years including 1703 to 1705. In 1708 he sold the lots on Capitol Square with the tavern and outhouses to Philip Ludwell of Green Spring:

May 4, 1708.

Redwood, John
Elizabeth, his wife
to
Ludwell, Phillip of Green Springs
Consideration: 150 Pounds.

All that two lots or half acres of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on the Northeast side of the Capitol Square, designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 61 and 62, being the lots whereon the dwelling house and outhouses of the said John Redwood do stand.

Also two other lots or half acres of . ground lying in the said city and designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 272, 273, together with all houses.

(York Records - Book II - Deeds, Bonds.)

2

The death of one of the trustees of the city of Williamsburg who had deeded the lot to Redwood raised question as to the legality of the title. On June 12, 1719, Philip Ludwell to secure title to the valuable Capitol Square lots paid the city 30 shillings to confirm the title and released the two vacant lots on Nicholson Street to the trustees.

For years it has been supposed erroneously that a building on lots # 272 and 273 was Redwood's Ordinary. He sold his ordinary to Ludwell and the Nicholson Street lots were vacant until Bridget Menetrie erected a house on them about 1720. She hard been given the two vacant lots on Nicholson Street by the trustees in 1719 for 30 shillings on the condition that one or more dwelling houses be erected on each within 24 months.

Ludwell leased his well located tavern to various tenants during the eighteenth century. Among those who advertised their tavern or shop were the following:

March 17, 1768.

The subscriber hereby informs his friends and the public, that Gentlemen may be provided with good lodgings for themselves, and good stables for their horses, at his house, fronting the plug house.
William Page. (Virginia Gazette - William Rind, Ed.)

3

July 28, 1768.

The subscriber having removed from the Market Square, to. a house opposite the play-house, has upon hand the following articles, to sell at a low . advance, for corn, or ready money only, a large quantity of Irish linens, woollens, cottons, oznabrigs, calimanco shoes, silk hats and bonnets,…
Thomas Brammer. (Virginia Gazette - William Rind, Ed.)

May 25, 1769.

William Willis, Gunsmith from Birmingham, Hereby informs the publick that he carries on his business, and does all the nice articles in the blacksmith trade, at his shop below the Capitol. Those who please to employ him may depend upon having their work done expeditiously, on very reasonable terms, and in such a manner as he hopes will give satisfaction. (Virginia Gazette — Purdie & Dixon, Eds.)

August 30, 1770.

As William Willis, gunsmith, is gone from this city and has left some GUNS and GUN LOCKS with me, the owners may have them on paying the repairs; and if not very soon taken away I shall put them up at, vendue.
THOMAS BRAMMER. (Virginia Gazette — Purdie & Dixon, Eds.)

The forges and other traces of William Willis's gunsmith shop were excavated and the Capitol heating plant erected on them.

After Ludwell's death his property was divided between his heirs; the Blue Bell tavern, valued at £ 250 being 4 Allotted to William Lee. In a letter to William Lee on July 7, 1770 his brother Richard wrote of the building that it was "... the Blue Bell, a large house just behind the Capitol."

In 1773 William Lee advertised his share of the Ludwell estate for sale:

September 23, 1773.

The Three following TENEMENTS in the City of Williamsburg, which formerly belonged to the Honourable Philip Ludwell and are now held by William Lee, Esquire, of the City of London, in Right of his Lady;… and the House called the Blue Bell, below the Capitol, opposite to the Playhouse, and in which Mr. Brammer formerly lived, together with all the Lots and their Appurtenances . …
RICHARD HENRY LEE
FRANCIS L. LEE
RO. C. NICHOLAS. (Virginia Gazette — Purdie & Dixon, Eds.)

During the Revolution the Blue Bell tavern was taken over by the commonwealth and Lee's agent petitioned the House of Delegates for damages:

Friday, May 22, 1777.

A petition of John Ellis, agent for William Lee, Esq. of London was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that several valuable buildings and improvements belonging to the said Lee in the City of Williamsburg have been occupied by the soldiers as barracks and hospitals, by which they have been damaged 5 to the amount of more than 500 £ as will appear by an estimate made by several honest workmen, and praying such relief as shall be thought just and reasonable. (Journals of House of Delegates 1777-1780 Page 29.)