Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

COLONIAL LOT # 47 - "PITT - DIXON".
Block l8, # 4.
June 16, 1932.

Small portion of house with cellar probably built 1718 on eastern portion of lot. Extended by 1719 to the west house with 3 entrances, eastern end to shop, other two to main house. Had a cellar, kitchen, dairy, chair-house (for riding chairs) smoke-house, well and garden.

See Coleman photographs. Steep pitched roof, dormer windows, 3 inside chimneys. An apothecary shop in this house was called, "The Sign of the Rhinoceros."

COLONIAL LOT # 47 - "PITT - DIXON".
Block l8, # 4.
June 16, 1932.

Between 1717 and 1719 a small building was erected on this site which sold for £ 10, an addition, or another building erected in the same year sold for £ 131.

The house transferred to four different owners between 1719 and 1729 when Richard Packe acquired it for £ 115 allowing 30 feet, across the northern end of the lot containing a building to Samuel Hyde a former owner. Packe also purchased this building and portion of the lot in 1729.

His widow Sarah Packe was a milliner, and in addition to a fully-stocked millinery shop rented rooms to various lodgers. She married Dr. George Pitt the apothecary who advertised her property for sale in the Virginia Gazette:

November 7, 1754.

To be Sold, in the City of Williamsburg,
A very good Dwelling-House, situate next Door to the Printing-Office, with a good Kitchen and Cellar underneath, Stable and Chair-House, Smoak-House, a good Well, and a Store adjoining, with a good Cellar underneath. For Terms enquire of the Printer. (Virginia Gazette - William Hunter, Ed.)

April 22, 1757.

To be Sold at public Auction, before Mr. WEATHERBURN'S Door, on Tuesday the 26th Instant,
An House and Lott, in the City of Williamsburg, very well situated, wherein - 2 - Mr. GREEN, Merchant, now lives, late belonging to Mrs. PACK; with a Kitchen, Dairy, Outhouses, and garden; also a Store, with a Cellar, and several other very good Conveniences. The Purchasers will have Credit for one Half till October next, and the other Half till April following, on giving Bond and Security to
GEORGE PITT.

(Virginia Gazette - William Hunter, Ed.)

The second advertisement suggests an explanation of the first sale prices of the house. A small shop with a cellar beneath it was probably the first unit built; the long dwelling house was added in the next year, and it may be possible that the shop was separate from the house although adjacent to it.

After Sarah Packe married Dr. George Pitt he kept his apothecary shop in the eastern portion of the building, calling it "The Sign of the Rhinoceros". This name was one that was very common in 18th century England, the rhinoceros being a symbol of strength.

Dr. George Pitt tried to sell his drugs and apothecary shop equipment in order to go to England, and Sarah Pitt opened a millinery shop in the eastern portion of the building. Sarah took into her stock in trade part of the apothecary's articles. She died in 1772.

In 1774 Dr. Pitt sold the houses and lot to John Dixon guardian of young William Hunter for £ 650. At this time a lane west of the house is mentioned. It is very probable that the lane was constructed just a few years previous to this date.

- 3 -

John Dixon immediately transferred the lot to William Hunter, who owned the printing office on the lot adjoining on the east, # 48.

William Hunter had the following account with Humphrey Harwood for both these lots:

Harwood Ms. Ledger
Ledger B - page 2.

Mr William Hunter Dr.

1776,	October 23.
	To 500 bricks 13/9. 20 bushs of lime 15/. a Grate wt 74½ lb a 7½d	£ 3:15: 3¾
	To altering a Grate 6/3 by R. B. to laying a harth & setting up a Grate 10/	16: 3
	To mend, Larthing & plastering 22/6 & 5 days labour a 2/	1:12: 6
	To Whitewashing Chamber & parlor 7/6 & 4 Rooms & a passage a 3/9	1: 6: 3
	To Mendg & Oven & Ash House 2/.	5: 6
	Nov. 25,
	To half a Dozen Walnut chairs 90/ & a mahoganey tea table 30/0	6: 6
1777,	February 1.
	To 8 days labour a 2/ cleeng bricks (8th) 15 days labour 30/ digg ciller	2: 6
	February 15.
	To 22 do labr at 2/ Cartg 4 loads of Sand 8/. 140 buss lime at 9d	7:17
	To 3750 bricks a 27/6 (20th) to 4000 Do a 27/6 & Carting load of Sand 2/	10:13:1&
	February 20.
	To building Celler walls 100/ & 9 days labour a 2/& Carting a load of Sand 2/	6: 0: 0
	March 22.
	To building kitching Chimney & Oven 65/ & build Do to Dwelg House 80/	7: 5: 0
	May 11.
	To turning 2 trimers & laying 2 harth 10/ & 1 Days labour 2/	0:12: 0
- 4 -
	May 15.
	To Larthing & plastering Chamber below 70 yds a 6d	£ 0: 1:15
	June 29.
	To 2000 larthes 25/. & larthing & plaistering 101 yards at 6d	3:15: 6
1778
	June 10 -(Wm Bartram, Tenemt)
	To 2-½ bushels of Mortar 4/6 & mending Plastering 5/ & labr 2/ & whitewashing House, 3 rooms & a passage 37/	2: 7: 0
	July 2.
	To 4600 bricks, lime & laying them in wall at the office a 100/	23. 0: 0
	July 26
	To 2500 Well bricks at 70/	9:15: 0
	August 26.
	To 15 bushs of lime a 11/6, to bricking up top of well 18/ & labr 6/.	2: 6: 6
1779
	April 17.
	To underpining paleing 40/ & 1 days labour 18/	2:18: 0
	June 24.
	To 2 bus lime 12/ & Repairing front Steps	3: 2: 0
B- page 37
1780,	May 30.
	To whitewashing a Room a 3/9 a passage, & 2 Closets a 3/9	0:11: 3

Being a loyalist all his property was confiscated by the Commonwealth during the revolution, as he had acted as a spy and had finally joined the army of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

He placed the following claim with the British Government for his losses in the King's cause:

Claim, Public Record Office, London. Endorsed by Cornwallis, August 30, 1784. Losses totalling £5l35 Virginia including these items:

1 Home and Lott in the city of Williamsurg.	# 47 ... - 650/
1 Do	# 48 ... - 650/
- 5 -
1 set of printing materials	350/
Household and Kitchen furniture		500/

Mr. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg" says:

"On the southwest corner of the square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Nicholson, Colonial and Botetourt there was a long rambling two story frame dwelling with three doors opening out upon Duke of Gloucester Street. The upper story of this house had a very low pitch and the door at the western or uptown end had a railing around it, with steps down to the street; the other two doors were reached by steps directly from the street. To the east of the house just described and separated from it by a very narrow alley was ... the printing office. . ."

A photograph from the Coleman Collection taken about 1888 substantiates all this data.

This building and most of the others in that block were destroyed in a fire about 1896.

COLONIAL LOT #47
Block 18, East of Site 5
January 6, 1932.

(Superseding report issued October 11, 1930)

A long frame building built some time during the year 1719 stood on colonial lot #47 until it was destroyed by fire in March 1896. A photograph of this house is in the Coleman collection.

That the house shown in the Coleman photograph stood on lot #47 is easily established. It is also possible that the brick apothecary shop was part of the same lot but this is a point that is very difficult to determine. The inference from the deeds is that the brick store sold with the house on lot #47 as the consideration involved is too great to have been paid for just a frame house.

The chain of title from the York records is given briefly:

1717	- September 3
	Trustees of City of Williamsburg to Samuel Hyde lot #47 for 15 shillings. Shall begin to build one or more good dwelling houses within 24 months or property would escheat.
1719	- March 9
	Samuel Hyde to Joseph Freeman lot #47 and all houses and outhouses. Consideration £10.
1719	- June 15
	Joseph Freeman to Thomas Jones lot #47 between the storehouse now in tenure of Archibald Blair and the house of Henry Gill and all houses and outhouses. Consideration £131. (Deed of Trust)
1721	- February 7
	Same Deed. £135.
Page 2
1722	- August 4
	Thomas Jones, Merchant, to Christopher DeGraffenreid lot 47 between the storehouse in tenure of Archibald Blair and the house in tenure of Michael Archer. All houses and outhouses, buildings. £130.
1728	- June 12
	Christopher DeGraffenreid to John White, Glazier. Lot 47 all houses and outhouses. £115.
1729	- January 7
	John White to Richard Packe. #47 the dwelling house and outhouses. £115.
1729	- December 15
	Samuel Hyde to Richard Packe. Lot 47. £6. [Title in fee simple]
	NOTE: After the death of Richard Packe and until 1757 the lot was the property of Mrs. Sarah Packe, widow. There is no deed from Mrs. Packe to anyone but the next deed is from George Pitt and Sarah, his wife, doubtless the same.
1758	- November 20
	Dr. George Pitt and Sarah, his wife to Benjamin Bailey. "Messuage or dwelling house and storehouse thereto adjoining with lot thereto belonging... next adjoining the printing office." Consideration £5. (Deed of trust).
1759	- October 10
	Dr. George Pitt to his apprentices. Deed of Trust.
1774	- August 17
	George Pitt to John Dixon. Lot #47 bounded east by William Hunter's printing office and west by a small lane. All houses. £650.
1775	- February 13
	John Dixon to William Hunter. Same. £650.
1782	- July 20
	William Hunter to Joseph Davenport. (A trust deed). £1. All of #47 and #48.

Having established the various owners of the lot through this chain of title, it is possible to relate the following data from the Page 3 Virginia Gazette to the building or buildings (if the brick store is inclulded) on this lot:

1746 - March 27 (William Parks, Ed.) The Subscriber purposing to give his Attention, as a Practitioner of the Law, at the next General Court, in April, gives this Notice thereof; and that all Persons who have Occasion, may apply to him at his Lodgings at Mrs. Packe's next Door to the Printing-Office, in Williamsburg, during the Time of the Court, and a few Days before and after.
Edmund Pendleton.

1754 - November 7 (William Hunter, Ed.) To be Sold, in the City of Williamsburg, A very good Dwelling-House, situate next door to the Printing-Offices, with a good Kitchen and Cellar underneath, Stable and Chair-Houses, Smoak-House, a good Well, and a Store adjoining, with a good Cellar underneath. For terms enquire of the Printer.

1757 - April 22 (William Hunter, Ed.) To be Sold at public Auction, before Mr. WEATHERBURN'S Door, on Tuesday the 26th Instant,
An House and Lott, in the City of Williamsburg, very well situated, wherein Mr. GREEN, Merchant, now lives, late belonging to Mrs. PACK; with a Kitchen, Dairy, Outhouses, and garden; also a Store, with a Cellar, and several other very good Conveniences. The Purchasers will have Credit for one Half till October next, and the other Half till April following, on giving Bond and Security to
GEORGE PITT.

1762 - February 12 (J. Royales and Company, Eds.) Just Imported, a fresh Assortment of Drugs and Medicines, By the Subscriber, at the Sign of the Rhinoceros, next Door to the Printing Office, Williamsburg.
GEORGE PITT.

1767 - October 29 (Purdie & Dixon, Eds.) ... I will dispose of my Stock of Drugs, Medicines, and shop utensils, on reasonable terms.
GEORGE PITT.

Page 4

1767 - November 12 (Purdie & Dixon, Eds.) The Subscriber has imported in the Argyle, from London, a valuable assortment of Millinery, and other goods, which she sells at a low price. . .
Sarah Pitt.

1774 - September 15 (Clementina Rind, ed.) THE subscriber, who is immediately going for England, desires all persons indebted to him, by bond or otherwise, to pay what they owe to Mr. Robert Prentis, of this city, who is properly empowered as attorney for
George Pitt.

John Dixon who purchased the lot on February 13, 1774 was the guardian of William Hunter, junior, son'of the printer William Hunter, and purchased it for him and transferred it. Young Hunter owned this lot and lot #48 on which the printing office stood and during the years 1775 to 1782 had the following work done to this property by Humphrey Harwood. Since Hunter was a loyalist and joined the forces of Cornwallis during the Revolution the account must refer to the dwelling house and its outhouses on lot #47 rather than to the printing office on #48.

1776	- October 23
	To Whitewashing Chamber & parlor 7/6 & 4 other Rooms & passage a 3/9	1: 6: 3
	To Mending Oven & Ash House 2/	0: 5: 6
	November 25-
	To half a Dozen walnut chairs 90/ & Mahogany tea table 36/0	6: 6: 0
1777	- February 1
	To 8 days labour a 2/. cleeng bricks. (8th) 15 days labour 30/, digg Cellar	2: 6: 0
	February 20-
	To building celler walls 100/.	6: 0: 0
	March 22-
	To building kitching Chimney & Oven. 65/ & build Do to Dwelg House 80/.	7: 5: 0
Page 5
	- May 11-
	To turning 2 trimers & laying 2 harth 10/.	0:17: 0
	May 15-
	To Larthing & plastering chamber below, 70yds a 6.	1:15: 0
1780	- May 30-
	To Whitewashing a Room a 3/9, A passage & 2 closets a 3/9	0:11: 3
1782	- March 9-
	To bricks & Repairing Chimney for Mrs. Hunter 5/	0:17: 0

William Hunter's property was confiscated by the state because of his loyalist activities, and he filed a claim with the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's treasury for his losses. In this claim (Public Record Office, London, A. O. 13. Bund. 31) he claimed the following among other things:

1 Home and lot in the city of Williamsburg No. 47	£ 650
Household and Kitchen Furniture in value about	£ 500

There is no insurance policy on this property but Mr. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg" describes it as it was before it burned in 1896:

"On the southwest corner of the square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Nicholson, Colonial, and Botetourt there was a long rambling two story frame building with three doors opening out upon Duke of Gloucester Street. The upper story of this house had a very low pitch and the door at the western or uptown and had small platform with railing around it, with steps down to the street; the other two doors were reached by steps directly from the street.

"To the east of the house just described and separated from it by a narrow alley was a very old story and a half frame house with dormer windows and two doors opening on Duke of Gloucester Street and on a level with it. Tradition has it, and it seems now to be regarded