Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

CARTER'S GROVE 1964
Source: Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.
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PREFACE

Carter's Grove, James River seat of the Burwell family six miles from Williamsburg, is one of the great colonial plantations. Built between 1750 and 1753 by Carter Burwell, the mansion house is especially noted for its superb interior woodwork and exterior brickwork.

Though the architectural charm of the house has long been recognized, the plantation has never received proper attention. Miss Mary A. Stephenson, for the first time, provides a detailed history of the estate and its owners from Robert Carter of Corotoman to its recent purchase by the Sealantic Fund, Inc. This history is designed to serve as a guide for the preservation and development of the historic site, and for its interpretation to the visiting public.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many persons and institutions, all of whom I cannot name here, have assisted in the preparation of this history. To all of them I am grateful. The following have been notably helpful: Mr. George Harrison Burwell, III of Millwood; Mrs. Sally Dunlop Eddy, Mrs. Antoinette Bausher, and Miss Anne Ruffin of Williamsburg; Mr. James S. Patton of Gaymont, Caroline County; Mrs. Bower R. Patrick, Jr. of Norfolk; and Mr. Herbert M. Ganter, Archivist of the College of William and Mary. The following institutions have been unfailingly helpful in this work: the Valentine Museum, the Virginia State Library, and the Virginia Historical Society of Richmond; the Mariners Museum, Newport News; the Library of the College of William and Mary; the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C.; the Frick Art Reference Library, New York City; the Archives of the State of Delaware; the Maryland Hall of Records; and the Winchester Chancery Court, Winchester, Virginia.

I owe a special debt of gratitude to my colleagues of the Research Department, and to Messrs. Paul Buchanan and John Henderson of the Architectural Department of Colonial Williamsburg.

ROBERT (KING) CARTER
(1663-1732)
Artist: Unknown
Original at Shirley
50 by 40 inches
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I
ROBERT CARTER
(1663-1732)

The first known owner of Carter's Grove was Robert Carter of Corotoman, Lancaster County, Virginia, who purchased a tract of land in James City County which he designated as "Merchant's Hundred plantation." The date at which Carter purchased land in James City County is not known nor is it known from whom he acquired the tract.¹

Robert Carter had been known as "King Carter" as early as 1704 when Governor Francis Nicholson wrote of his character thus:

. . . This is but one of the characters of his Hon^r Coll. Rob^t Carter, a great many others, he being justly guilty of, some of w^ch are his extraordinary Pride & Ambition, his using sev^ll people haughtily, sometimes making ye Justice of ye Peace of ye county wait two or three hours before they can speak to him, &c. He is likewise fam'd for his covetousness & Cowardise, to people y^t will flatter, cajole & as it were adore him he is familiar enough, but others he uses w^th all ye haughtiness & insolence possible, in contempt of him he is 2 sometimes called King Carter & other times Robin Carter even to his face.¹

According to Bishop William Meade "King" Carter was called by that sobriquet "because he had princely possessions, numerous tenants and servants, a splendid place, and was consequently lordly, authoritative and arbitrary in his bearing and conduct, moving as a king in the Colony."²

Carter was progenitor of a large, wealthy and influential clan in Tidewater Virgini.³ At his death he is said to have been owner of 300,000 acres of land, 1000 Negroes and £10,000.⁴

The purpose or motive for buying around 1400 acres in James City County is given by Carter in two letters to his agents in London: 3

Wmsburgh. June. 16^th 1723

M^r Micajah Perry
This Serves only to accompany a bill of ladeing for 13 hhds of fine Stemd Tob^o on board Capt Bradley mark^d NCB made at a plancon of which M^r Burwell had y^e Profitt during his Life & was as reputable a crop as any he shipd to You and sold as well & I doubt not will appear to be as good now I have seen some of it myself & deserves as good a Character as any I have seen among his plan. Y^e crop dos not belong to y^e Estate of Major Burwell y^e lands are mine & so are y^e Slaves y^e Profitts of & everything Else I purchased it to give my Daughter Burwell y^e Proffitts of it dureing her life & afterwards to settle y^e Inheritance upon one of M^r Burwells sons by her by him. . .¹

Rappahannock July 31. 1731.
Alderman Perry & Comp, London.

…
I believe I have formerly Advis'd you that the Merchts Hundred Estate the lands the slaves and stocks was a purchase of mine being design'd by me the profit of it for M^r Burwell and his Wife my daughter during their lives and afterwards to go to the Benefit of one of M^r Burwells Sons him that I should think fit to order it to this was a Voluntary Purchase of mine being under no Manner of Obligation to any such thing upon my daughters Marriage There is a ballance due from y^e to this Estate [Burwell] but You have put it Under a Wrong Accounting for it is in the name of My Grandson Carter Burwell who hath no manner of equitable Right to the Profits during the life of his mother I desire you will set this matter to right holding y^r amounts with no other distinction only calling it the Merchts Hundred estate and accounting for it to me …²

The "Mr. Burwell" referred to by Robert Carter in the two letters quoted above was Nathaniel Burwell of Fairfield, Gloucester County, Virginia, who had married Elizabeth Carter, daughter of Carter, in 1709. Burwell died in 1721 leaving his wife with four minor children.¹

Carter clarified ownership and uses of the plantation in his will—written 1726—with codicils in 1728:

…My will is that all my lands, slaves, stocks of cattle & hoggs, houses, plantations and appur^ts to the said lands and real estate belonging, lying upon Merchant's hundred In James river be held and enjoyed by my Daughter Elizabeth, formerly the relict of Nath^l Burwell, Gen., dec'd, and now the wife of Doctor George Nicholas,² for and during the time of her natural life, and the profits of the s'd . . . lands, houses, slaves, appur^ts, stocks of cattle, and hoggs do go to my grandson Carter Burwell & to the heirs male issue of his Body lawfully begotten . . . and my further will is that this estate in all times to come be called & to go by the name of Carter's Grove provided alwaies & it is my will and meaning that the number of slaves that are now upon the s'd plantation shall always be kept up & that the mortalitys shall be still supply'd out of the profits of this estate, and that the number of cattle and other stocks shall always be kept up for the use and manure of the s'd plantation to the same number they are at my decease, and that the s'd plantation be always kept in good repair and that the contingent charges of the s'd estate be borne out of the profits…³

On February 3, 1727 Robert Carter made a note in his Diary: "...went to Merchts Hundred."¹ Though he made other references to Merchant's Hundred plantation in letters or in his Diary, he recorded only once that he visited it.

In 1729 there were 87,115 acres in James City County and 1,242 tithables.² Carter owned around 1400 acres.

In order to realize the legal situation regarding the plantation of Carter in James City County cited by him as "a plantation of mine...under the designation of Merchant's Hundred," it is necessary to know the part played by Nathaniel Burwell, Mrs. Elizabeth Carter Burwell and her second husband, Dr. George Nicholas. Clearing up the legal details relative to Nathaniel Burwell and Elizabeth's life together will assist in interpreting the actions of Robert Carter, executor and guardian of their children.

The Nathaniel Burwells upon their marriage went to Fair-field (Carter's Creek), Gloucester County, to live with or near to his father, Lewis Burwell. In May, 1709 Colonel William Byrd visited them there. He noted that "Mrs. Burwell is a very pretty, good-humored woman but seemed to be a little melancholy."³ 6 In 1710 Lewis Burwell died. According to his will he bequeathed to Nathaniel "all my lands in Gloucester County to him and his now wife Eliz^a for and during their natural lives but in case the said Eliz^a should Survive her sd Husband that then she to hold the sd Land no longer than during her widowhood...I give and bequeath all my afores^d Lands after the death of my Son & Daughter or her Marrying a Second Husband unto my grandson Lewis Burwell now an Infant & to the male heirs of his body Lawfully begotten forever. . ."¹

From Lewis Burwell's will it is clear that his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Carter Burwell, could hold Fairfield after the death of her husband, Nathaniel, but only so long as she remained a widow.

There is evidence in the Diary of Robert Carter that Mrs. Elizabeth Carter Burwell continued to live at Fairfield from the death of her husband, Nathaniel Burwell, in 1721 until sometime after her marriage to Dr. George Nicholas in April, 1724.² By 1725 the Nicholas family were residing in Williamsburg.³

The Letter Books of Robert Carter 1723-1724 and 1727-1728 indicate clearly that Carter managed the Burwell estate carefully 7 and meticulously. They show, also, the business troubles which came with the marriage of Mrs. Burwell to Dr. Nicholas.¹

Throughout 1723-1724 Carter as acting executor and guardian of the Burwell estate sent tobacco to Micajah Perry, William Dawkins and Thomas Colomore—all London merchants who acted as agents for the sale of Virginia tobacco.² A few items from invoices reveal his careful and responsible management. Such items as orders "for some goods Cheifly for Y^e Childrens supply what you have sent hitherto hath bin very well liked," "for goods for the Children & their familys," "it's possible to maintain the Children w^th tollerable decency out of the fruit of their peoples labour" and "M^r Richeson our Gen^rl Overseer³ handled crop" belonging to M^r Burwell's Estate.⁴

One letter of Carter's to Micajah Perry dated is from Williamsburg on June 16, 1723/quoted on page 3. Then the said Carter wrote: 8

W^msburgh. June. 16^th 1723

…she [Mrs. Burwell] consents y^t y^e crop now going home y^e Produce of it should go into y^e bulk of y^e Crops and I consign it to you as her father & her Childrens Guardian I tell you this Storey that you send me a distinct Aco^t of this crop it is under y^e Mark it always has bin &^c y^e C in y^e Middle of it put in for y^e Sake of my name…¹

Writing to Dawkins on April 16, 1730 Carter stated that he had shipped "17 hhds [tob^o]…out of James River markt NCB a choice Crop also was unsold the fee NCB were the produce of a plantation of mine the profits whereof however I design'd for M^r Burwells remains and M^r Falconar Accots for them in a particular manner under the denomination of Merchants hundred…"²

Each year Carter sent an invoice of goods desired for the Burwell children. Sometimes he stated that Mrs. Nicholas, mother of the children, had made out the invoice. Unfortunately no copy of any of these invoices of items desired has survived in the Carter papers.

Carter's letter to John Stark, one of his agents in England, is of especial interest because it shows us that Carter needed a joiner, a smith, a brickmaker and a bricklayer at once:

Rappa Sep^r 17^th 1723

…I want a good Carpenter that is Capable of framing a large building, I also want a Bricklayer & a Barber Surgeon...Your Grandfather always helped me with Tradesmen that I have wanted...he sent me sev^l good Joyners at £18 pr anno...next year I be in want of a Coachman...If You can Supply me with a Fowardly Young ffellow of a good Character, that Shall have five Years to serve, You will Oblige me A good Smith, A Carpenter A Joiner, A Taylor A Brick maker, A Brick layer are Tradesmen would very well sute my Occasions…¹

In 1727 Carter was endeavoring to keep the Burwell account intact. Writing to Perry he gave him an over-all picture of his efforts:

Rappa July 26^th 1727

In mine of y^e 3^d June I told you of Sev^l drafts I had made on you to Coll Braxton upon my own and M^r Burwells Childn Acc^ts for negroes I bought to make up our mortalitys and gave you advice thereof By y^e Bristol ship that imported y^e Slaves to witt on my own Acc^t for three hundred pounds upon y^e Acc^t of Maj^r Burwells Estate for four Negroes four score pounds upon y^e Acc^t of y^e Merch^ts hundred Estate for four negroes to be paid out of y^e money due you Acc^t Current in Carter Burwells name four score pounds.¹

I have Since drawn on you on y^e Estate Acc^t for Two hundred and fifty pounds to Dr Nicholas, Coll Page hath Sign^d y^e bills also…²

By June, 1731 Richeson, the Burwell overseer, had been replaced by William Camp. Carter referred to Camp as "General overseer of Burwell's Affaires." He complimented Camp by writing him: "you have done well in sending Bills of Lading away for y^e Lions Creek & Merchant's hundred tobaco..."³

A few months prior to his death—in July, 1732—Robert Carter wrote Alderman Perry and Company thus:

…
Rappahannock July 11, 1732

Respecting the Merchts Hundred affair I cannot doubt you will own your self in an Error in not allowing the discounts on that tobo If you will pleas to look back into your Account Curr^t of the 25 of March 1728 under the Nominal title of Carter Burwell which I have already told you was a mistake and not According to my direction and which you have since set to rights you will find a ballance there due from you of 41.2.2 in yor acct of sales of 10 hhds in the Year 1730 You give the full discounts but now in your account of the 13 hhds…I am in hopes you will take care to have Credit given for the prompt payment to this Estate the profits where of I never intend to apply any part of it to my own benefit but to the Relief of M^rs Burwell alias Nicholas and after her decease to rest upon one of M^r Burwells sons Out of the profits making good only the mortalitys…¹

The last will and testament of Robert Carter was recorded in the General Court records, Williamsburg, on October 16, 1732.² The will with codicils was fifty three sheets, naming John and Landon Carter, sons, as executors.³ On page 4 is an excerpt from Carter's will which recorded his wishes in regard to the property including lands, slaves, stock of cattle, 12 hogs, houses, and appurtenances "lying upon Merchant's hundred In James river."

It seems quite clear from Carter's correspondence with his agents (1) that the plantation which he had purchased in James City County which he designated as "Merchant's hundred" was owned by him in fee simple during his lifetime, (2) that his daughter Elizabeth was to have the entire use and income therefrom during her lifetime, (3) that never was the plantation called by any other name but "Merchant's hundred" during his life and (4) that following his daughter's death Merchant's Hundred would come into entailed ownership (via bequest) to Carter Burwell, his grandson. At that moment the plantation should be known always as "Carter's Grove."

Portrait of Mrs. Elizabeth Carter Burwell Nicholas to be inserted when available. [no image]

II
MRS. ELIZABETH CARTER BURWELL NICHOLAS
(1688-1734)

Elizabeth Carter was the eldest daughter of Robert Carter ("King") and Judith Armistead Carter. Presumably, she was born at Corotoman in 1688. In 1708/9 she married Nathaniel Burwell, son of Major Lewis Burwell of Fairfield, Gloucester County, and Abigail Smith Burwell. There were four children born to the Burwells: Lewis, born 1710; Carter, born 1716; Elizabeth, born 1718; and Robert, born 1720.¹

Nathaniel and Elizabeth Burwell lived at Fairfield or nearby during his father's lifetime. After his father's death (1710) Nathaniel continued at Fairfield until his death in 1721.

When Colonel William Byrd was in Gloucester County in May, 1709 he visited the Nathaniel Burwells. Byrd recorded in his Diary: "Then went over the river to Carter's Creek and found Mr. Burwell indisposed with a cold and his lady ready to lie in...Mrs. Burwell is a very pretty, good humored woman but seemed to be a little melancholy."² In 1720 Byrd was again in 16 Gloucester County and noted in his Diary: "After church we went to dine with Mr Burwell."¹

According to the will of Lewis Burwell, who died in 1710, provision was made for his son, Nathaniel, and his heirs thus:

… I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Nathaniel Burwell all my lands in Gloucester County to him and his now wife Eliz^a for and during their natural lives but in case the said Eliz^a should Survive her sd Husband that then she to hold the sd Land no longer than during her widowhood. Item I give and bequeath all my afores^d Lands after the death of my Son & Daughter or her Marrying a Second Husband unto my grandson Lewis Burwell now an Infant & to the male heirs of his body Lawfully begotten forever …²

Nathaniel Burwell died in 1721.³ The will of Nathaniel Burwell was written on August 21, 1721 and recorded October 25, 1721 in the General Court by the oaths of Thomas Hughes and John Holloway, witnesses. He provided for his three sons in land when they should come of age and for his 17 only daughter a large sum of money upon her maturity or marriage. The slaves were to be kept entire until each child was twenty-one but the income from the slaves should be applied to the upkeep and education of his children. He bequeathed to his wife his coach, horses and furniture and the use of the coachman so long as she remained a widow.¹ Robert Carter, William Bassett, Mann Page, Henry Armistead and Lewis Burwell were named in the will as executors. Carter was asked to be the guardian of the Burwell children. He accepted and carried out this trust faithfully until his death in 1732.

From Carter's Diary and Letter Books we have evidence that Mrs. Elizabeth Carter Burwell remained at Fairfield following her marriage to Dr. George Nicholas until ca. 1725.²

On April 4, 1724 Carter recorded in his Diary: "I recd the Acco^t of Daughter Burwells Marriage to Docto^r Nicholas Coll Pages Lett^r on good fryday Tells the particulars."³

An account of the marriage by Governor Gooch follows:

Mrs. Burwell against the advice of all her friends married a man brought up, as he says, at St. John's College. His name is Nicholas, he practises Phisick 18 here with good success, tho' I believe he never took any Degree. I have privately been told such strange stories¹ of him that I would willingly know what his real character is, for as he is Phisitian to my Family and has lately done great service for my son, and is very intimate with me, he presses me hard for Honour, and would gladly be a Councillor, which hitherto, with out an absolute denial, I have artfully warded off...

It is possible that Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Nicholas were living in Williamsburg by May, 1725. Definitely they were there by November, 1726.³

On November 9, 1724 Robert Carter, Dr. Nicholas and Elizabeth, his wife, signed necessary business papers: "Agreed with Doctor Nicolas the 7^th his wife signd the writing."⁴

Robert Carter was in Williamsburg in December, 1726 as acting Governor and President of the Council.⁵ He recorded in January- that he "went to Rippon in Dr Nicolas Chariot... dined there again"; and on February 3, 1727 he "went to 19 Mercht^s hundred" but spent the night at Mrs. Sullivans¹ in Williamsburg. While he was in town he gave his grandson, Carter Burwell—then in college—one shilling 6 pence. Back in town by 2 o'clock on the 28th Carter "dind w^th my Daughter Nicholas." On June 12, 1727 Carter "got to Town by 12 Clock dind with D^r Nicholas." On July 14 he wrote: "My Daughter Nicholas would have her fifty pounds I ow her laid out as followeth in an Eard Caudle Cup & Cover, to hold 2 qts to be sound plain Substantial plate a Coffee pot plain to hold 1 qt. & a Tea pot to hold a pint all the plate to have my Coat of Arms upon it. She will write to M^r prat about it..."²

On July 1. 1727 Robert Carter had another settlement with Dr. Nicholas: "pd 2 shs Profitts of 2 Years M^r Burwells Estate 1722-1723…all the Evening heard abundance Groans from Articles in the Acco^t w^th D^r Nicholas fully adjusted his 3^d upon the ball to £367.17.0."³

From 1726 to 1728 Richard King, joiner of Williamsburg, made repairs to a house and some outhouses for Nicholas amounting to £19.12.2.⁴ It is not certain as to the location 20 of this property. It seems reasonable to believe it was in Williamsburg as they resided there.

Dr. Nicholas, finally, won his seat in the House of Burgesses though Gooch had not endorsed him. He represented William and Mary College as Burgess from May 25, 1730 to August 22, 1734.¹

Dr. Nicholas and Elizabeth Carter Burwell Nicholas had three sons: John Nicholas, born ca. 1725; George Nicholas, born ca. 1727; and Robert Carter Nicholas, born 1728.

Both Dr. Nicholas and Mrs. Nicholas died in 1734. Gooch noted in a letter to England:

…The Doctor formerly of St. John's is dead. His Wife Mr. Burwell's Mother died about four months before him, so that young Gentleman since came over took possession of a good Estate left him by his Father, had his mother's jointure fall in, and obtained a cause in our Suprem Court against his brothers of about £400 advantage to him. `Twas happy for the Dr. that he died, he was undone by losing his wife and must have been poor and miserable, if not in a Goal, which going off could only save him from…"

In September, 1734 John Carter, one of the executors of his father, Robert Carter ("King"), wrote Edward Athawes, his agent in London: 21

Williamsburg Sept 2, 1734

Sir
I have drawn a Bill of Exch^a on you for twelve pounds ten shillings payable to M^r William Camp so much being due to him for the fourth of his Sallary as being overseer to Major Burwells Estate which now becomes a Charge on my Fathers Executors who have had the Benefit of D^r Nicholas's Dower Tobacco mortgaged by him to my Father & my Self…
John Carter¹

Two years later John Carter wrote Micajah Perry, London merchant:

W^msburg Aug 31, 1736 …If you send me Y^r Acc^t against D^r Nicholas's Estate proved as the Act of Parliament decrees, I will endeavour to pay you the money in some small Time.
John Carter²

John Carter writing to Hanbury August 31, 1738 from Corotoman requested payment in order to settle Dr. Nicholas's estate:

Corotoman Aug 31, 1738

Sir When I first began the Consignm^t of the small Crop belonging to D^r Nicholas's Estate, I did not Design that it Should be Attended with any Inconvenience;…Mess^rs Oswalds, Merch^ts of Glasgow have been very Patient in not demanding bill now A 22 Judgment they Obtained a few years ago this little Estate to £251.10 Sterling…I beg the favour of You to pay this Sum to these Gentlemen, & to be Assured that I shall think my self Obliged to repay You the Money in two Years from Christmas Next, in case you are not reimbursed in the Mean time…¹

Portraits of Carter and Lucy Grymes Burwell to be inserted when available. [no image]

III
CARTER BURWELL
(1716-1756)

According to the Abingdon Parish Register, Gloucester County, the birth of Carter Burwell is recorded thus: "1716: Carter the Son of Nath^l Burwell Esq & Eliz his wife born 8ber 25^th baptised Nov 4th."¹ His parents had been residing at Fairfield (later known as Carter's Creek) since their marriage in 1709.²

Carter Burwell was five years old at the death of his father in 1721. In the will of his father Carter Burwell received certain bequests but as the second son he was not bequeathed the Burwell plantation, Fairfield. This large ancestral acreage of ca. 3300 acres was left tail-male to Lewis Burwell, eldest brother of Carter Burwell.³

According to the will of Nathaniel Burwell his father-in-law, Robert Carter ("King"), was named as guardian of his children who were all infants under age, and one of the 26 executors of the estate.¹ Carter proved a faithful guardian of their finances as well as a loyal guardian of their welfare.

In 1723 grandfather Robert Carter paid twenty shillings to Charles Stagg, dancing master, for Carter and Elizabeth Burwell's lessons.² In April 1724 he made a note in his Diary: "Thursday 30^th Carter Burwell went to the Colledge I gave M^r Griffin a guinea for him."³ Carter Burwell was entered at the College within 25 days following his mother's marriage. Several times when Robert Carter was in Williamsburg as a Councillor or as acting Governor he gave Carter Burwell, then in College, "2 shillings six pence." Carter's brothers, Lewis and Robert, were students at the College in 1720 according to the college records.⁴

Research has not established the residence of Carter Burwell from 1734 when his mother died, until ca. 1737/38 when he took up life at Carter's Grove. Mrs. Nicholas, Carter's mother, had lived in Williamsburg in 1725-1728 according to her father's Diary. Lewis Burwell of Kingsmill was executor and guardian of the Burwell estate following Robert Carter's death. It is possible that Carter Burwell lived with his uncle Lewis Burwell at Kingsmill the three years after his mother's death. Carter's Grove was only two miles distant from Kingsmill. Perhaps Lewis Burwell allowed Carter to live at Carter's Grove with managers or overseers in order to acquaint himself with the running of the plantation which would become his as sole owner and operator in the near future. Until further source material comes to light we shall have to dwell in conjecture only as to this period of Carter Burwell's life.

When Carter Burwell was ten years old his grandfather Carter made his will in which he bequeathed to him the plantation upon Marchant's Hundred when he became of age or upon the death of his mother, and he specified in the will that the plantation "in all times to come should be called & to go by the name of Carter's Grove."

…My will is that all my lands, slaves, stocks of cattle & hoggs, houses, plantations and appur^ts to 28 the said lands and real estate belonging, lying upon Merchant's hundred In James river be held and enjoyed by my Daughter Elizabeth, formerly the relict of Nath^l Burwell, Gen., dec'd, and now the wife of Doctor George Nicholas, for and during the time of her natural life, and the profits of the s'd lands,...houses, slaves, app^urts, stocks of cattle and hoggs do go to my grandson Carter Burwell & to the heirs male issue of his Body lawfully begotten...and my further will is that this estate in all times to come be called & to go by the name of Carter's Grove...¹

A letter to Alderman Perry, London, from John, Charles and Landon Carter, sons and executors of Robert Carter, gave definite information about the new guardian of Carter Burwell:

Rappahanock Aug 27, 1732

…
Col^o Lewis Burwell² has taken possession of his Nephews Estate as surviving Executor of his brother's Will from him you may Expect Bills of Lading for that Tob^o D^r Nicholas's part in right of his wifes Dower being engaged for the security of a Considerable sum of Money advanced to him by our father. we have Consigned eight hhds of it to you in the Spotswood and four in the Macajah & Phillip & nineteen hdds of it consigned to Mr. Dawkins as he had directed a little before his Death…
John Carter
Charles Carter
Landon Carter³

No Burwell family papers have been located which could give light as to Lewis Burwell's management of Carter Burwell's plantation known as Carter's Grove during the period from 1732 to 1737 when Carter Burwell came of age.

An order recorded in York County Court records for July 16, 1737 indicates that Lewis Burwell was acting for his nephew, Carter Burwell, who was under age:

July 16, 1737 Court

It is Order'd upon the Information of Lewis Burwell gent that the Sherif Collect the County & parish Levies for the Tithables at New Quarter belonging to the Estate of Carter Burwell gent and that he account for & pay the same at the laying the next Levy.¹

Just two months following his majority Carter Burwell married Lucy Grymes, daughter of the Honorable John Grymes of Brandon, Middlesex County. The Virginia Gazette reported the marriage:

Williamsburg, January 6. [1738]

We are inform'd, That Mr. Carter Burwell, was married Yesterday, to Miss Lucy Grymes, a Daughter of the Hon. John Grymes, Esq; one of His Majesty's Council &c. of this Colony, a very agreeable young Lady, of great Merit & Fortune.²

How right the Virginia Gazette was in noting that Miss Lucy Grymes was "a...young Lady, of great...Fortune" is demonstrated later in the will of her father in 1748 when he stated that he "had given Carter Burwell & Mann Page [both sons-in-law] £250 Sterling to be in full of their Wives portions of my Estate."¹

From the accounts of King Carter's ownership of the plantation to be known as "Carters Grove" previously cited, it is evident that there were some kind of buildings thereon prior to Carter Burwell's taking up his residence there in 1737/38.²

Nine children were born to Carter and Lucy Burwell from 1740 to 1755. The births are given verbatim from the Burwell Bible and from the Burwell Bible records in the Berkeley Papers.³

It is clear from the Burwell Papers—manuscript account books and ledgers kept by Carter Burwell from 1738-1756—that he was living at Carter's Grove immediately after his marriage. He was well in residence there by 1739. Such items as "An Account of household Expences" that year show that he paid M^rs [Catherine] Blaikley, Williamsburg midwife £1.2.6; paid Samuel Bowler the Coach Maker 15/; paid Doctor Mackenzie £20.9.7; and noted that "all slaves have caps, rugs...1 rug to Molly in the Kitchen … 1 rug to Cyrus in the House." In the same year Burwell employed Thomas Wharton, a bricklayer, at 7/ per day and "M^r Sandiford's men came to work [Monday] 25 July——94,000 bricks."¹

In 1740 Burwell paid Joseph Moore, blacksmith, for 2 year's service at £18 per year, and James Bird, smith, £-.12.6; William Robinson, brickmason, was paid £22.6.0 "by his Account for Work don";; and James Davis was paid "for 4 Year's service at £18 per Year."²

In 1741-1742 John Pegram, Williamsburg carpenter was paid. "By his Account for Work done by him——£4.15.8 ¼"; 32 William Robinson "for work on a Dairy" and Leonard Holmes "£6.9.0 by John Nealands¹ Order." Elizabeth Hansford was employed as a nurse; Ann Fortune as midwife, Frances White for "nursing my Child [one Year]—£18." and rugs were furnished "to Betty in the House & to Robin, 1 to Nanny in y^e Quarter" and John Edmonds was paid for trees—£7.0.0.²

In 1744 Carter Burwell made a note under "Memorandum" which read: "Lot began to make Bricks y^e12^th of May & left off 30 of July." He continued to note down that "about the house [he furnished] A Rug to Cambridge, 1 to Tom[and] 1 to Robin." In 1745 he wrote down: "To those about the House A Rug to Wades Hannah, 1 to Juba, 1 to Patt, 1 to Sally, 1 to Richmond, 1 to Judith, 1 to little Mary, Little Betty, 1 to Cyrus in the house, A Rug to Carpenter Jack, 1 to Sancho, 1 to the Shoe Maker Jammy, 1 to old Dick." In 1745 Burwell noted in his account Book: "The Carpenters began to get the Boards for a 40.foot house on the third day of July 1745."³ In 1747 Carter Burwell shipped out 72 hogsheads of tobacco to his agents in England. He ordered £408.8.9 worth of goods sent 33 to him that year on board the Virginia Packett.¹ In the period 1740-1746 Carter Burwell was keeping accurate accounts of his operations at the different quarters. The quarters were: Merchant's Hundred, North Wales, New Quarter, Mill Quarter, Neck of Land, Foace's and Black Swamp. There were overseers at these quarters who attended to the crops of tobacco, corn, cattle and hogs.²

By 1746 oyster shells were being ordered by Burwell. He paid Robert Lennis [Tennis?] for 64 hogsheads of shells @ 2/4 per hhd, and Peter Best for 57 hhds of shells @ 2/4. Hugh Orr, Williamsburg blacksmith or hammerman, was paid for Smith Work—£5.5.4, £18.10.0 and £2.9.0 from 1743-1749. James Wray, Williamsburg carpenter, worked for Burwell in 1745. He was paid £13.0.6.³

From the above cited orders for bricks, shells, planks and payments to carpenters and brickmasons, it is evident that some sort of building was being erected. From evidence to follow we see that Carter Burwell had begun upon an extensive building plan when he realized that he would need more funds in order to complete the magnificent building which he undoubtedly had in mind to build. So, in 34 April, 1749 he petitioned the House of Burgesses to allow him to sell certain lands upon Bull-Run, Prince William County in order that it might "better enable him to make a Provision for his Daughters." He stated that he was seized in tail-male of a tract of 1400 acres known as Carter's Grove in James City and York Counties. The Petition read:

[April 18, 1749 Session]

A Petition of Carter Burwell, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner is seised, in Tail-Male, of and in a certain Tract of Land, containing 1400 Acres, or thereabouts, known by the Name of Carter's Grove, situated in the Parish of York-Hampton, and Counties of James-City and York: That the better to enable him to make a Provision for his Daughters, he is willing and desirous of docking the Intail of the said Land, and settling other Lands of greatest Value in Lieu thereof: That Notice has been published according to Law, that Application would be made to this Assembly, for an Act to dock the Intail of the said Land; and that 2000 Acres of Land, lying upon Bull-Run, in the County of Prince William, of which the Petitioner is seised, in Fee-Simple, may be settled, in Lieu thereof, to the same uses.¹

Carter Burwell was a member of the House of Burgesses from 1742-1749 and 1752-1755.² He was recommended to be elevated to Council by John Blair in January 1754: 35

[John Blair, Williamsburg to Bishop of London]

Williamsburgh Jan^y 25^th 1754

My Lord
…
I am now solicited by a worthy Friend of mine, to beg your Lordships favourable assistance, that he may Succeed to a Seat in the Council here, now vacant by the death of the Honb^le John Lewis Esq^r about a week ago. The Gentleman that begs this favour is Col. Carter Burwell, whom the Governor was pleased to recommend to the Board of Trade for such a vacancy on the death of the late Commissary. The reason why he presumed to hope for your Lordship's Assistance is, because he had certainly succeed to that honour then, if your Lop had not interposed (very properly, I must confess) in behalf of your New Commissary. I tell him that, tho' it was highly proper for your Lordship to take Care, that he that was to preside over the Clergy here should have a Seat in in [sic] the Legislature; yet your Lop would not (I imagine) care to appear publickly on this Occasion, where the Church was not directly concern'd. He said he was sure no one here could be preferred, that had a greater Regard for the Clergy than himself; and I sincerely believe him. So if your Lordship from these Considerations shall vouchsafe (tho' but in a private way) to assist him, it will be loading me with another Obligation; as he is the Gentleman I ventured to recommend to the Governor, soon after his arrival in 1751. But tho' he was disappointed in 1752; yet by the good Offices of Mr. Walpole¹ (who claims some kindred with him) and some other Friends, he then obtained a promise of the next Vacancy: so I hope there will be no great difficulty now. …
John Blair²

When Burwell offered the petition of April 18, 1749 to the House of Burgesses, he had six daughters—the eldest being under eight years old and the youngest an infant. He had no sons yet.

From 1749-1754 Carter Burwell had slaves baptized in Bruton Parish.¹

Burwell's "Cash Account" for 1749 showed that he had paid William Rand, overseer at Corotoman, "for crossing the River about my House"; "M^r Langhorn for Plank—£19.10.-"; Matt Tewell "for work done" and "David Minetree for burning my Brick—£4.6.8."² In order to get together sufficient bricks Burwell bought 360,000 brick at 3/ and 100,000 brick at 3/ from Mann Page in 1750. He bought "50 Poplar trees from Mr. Skelton—£100, paid a man for cypress boards— £7.13.6 and paid Julius Allen—£97 and £6 for plank."³

The year 1750 was a happy year for the Carter Burwells. Nathaniel Burwell, their first son, was born at Carter's Grove on April 15th which was Easter Sunday.⁴

Charles Hansford, neighbor and local poet, gave in poetic verse his estimate and regard for Carter Burwell and expressed his hopes for his new-born son, Nathaniel: 37

Had it been Carter Burwell's part or station In arms to serve his king, defend a nation; Had it been Burwell's lot in camp or field The ranks to marshal, or a truncheon wield, An army to command, or town to win— This suited to his genius would have been. I think his piercing eye, his gallant mien, Doth very much resemble Prince Eugene. Had war been his employment, doubtless he A most accomplish'd general would be; Or, were he to conduct a colony To settle in some distant country, His vigilance and foresight would be sure The place to plant, and all his men secure. May sweet and lovely Nat his father's merit, His virtues and perfections all inherit; May Burwells, Grymes's virtues in him meet And in his worthy heart erect their seat. Sweet boy, though this I must not live to see, Yet is it most sincerely wish'd by me. When I am gone may well-deserved praise Crown my dear little colonel's head with bays:¹

No doubt Carter Burwell renewed his building plans with even greater vigor after the arrival of his son and heir. Lot, the Negro brickmaker returned on April 30th for further brickmaking and David Minetree was paid "By Burning two Brick Kilns—£4.0.0."²

Early in 1751 Carter Burwell advertised in the Virginia Gazette for oyster shells. He offered to pay three 38 shillings a hogshead for any quantity delivered at his Landing.¹ In August, 1751 he advertised for bricklayers.²

In December, 1751 Carter Burwell was charged by the Virginia Gazette office with a copy of Salmon's Palladio Londinensis.³

The Fry-Jefferson Map of Virginia dated 1751 marks this property as "Burwell" but does not show any buildings thereon.¹

It is quite probable that Carter Burwell was well acquainted with The Builders Dictionary. His uncle John Carter owned one and referred to data therein to his brother Charles Carter in 1738.²

In Carter Burwell's accounts for buildings erected at Carter's Grove plantation we have listed the names of bricklayers, carpenters and blacksmiths who were employed from ca. 1739-1751. When the erection of the dwelling was decided upon, Burwell chose David Minetree,³ brickmason of Williamsburg 40 who had burned brick for him in 1749. Minetree undertook the brickwork. The contract price for the work was £115. When Minetree had completed the contract, Burwell was so pleased with the results that he made him a present of £25.¹

Minetree, of course, had other brick workers to assist him. Under his bills with Burwell are accounts with William Vanner, a bricklayer and glazier who was paid £9.4.6 and £3.13.10 ½ for his work; Thomas Wharton, bricklayer, received £3.8.-; William Wynn, bricklayer, was paid £12.10.- and £3.0.0; and two unnamed bricklayers from Gloucester County were paid £6.-.-. Minetree was paid "By Glaizing 540 Squares 41 @ 2 ½d---£5.12.6" and "By building me a brick House according to Agreement---£115 and By a Present---£25."¹

It would appear from Carter Burwell's Account Books kept in his own handwriting that Minetree had completed the brick work of the dwelling house--even finishing the glass for the windows--by 1751.

A master carpenter or joiner appears in the accounts about this date. Burwell contracted with John Wheatley, Williamsburg builder, who at the time was doing sash work for the new Capitol and repairing the Palace.² The contract price which Wheatley and Burwell agreed upon was £200 to be paid in four equal parts. Edward Hansford, Jenkins Watkins, Hollewood and Thomas Wade were named as Wheatley's artisans.³ Wheatley proceeded to do the structural carpentry at Carter's Grove in 1751-7152. Some work was done in his shop in Williamsburg amounting to £21. Sancho, a helper, was paid £12.6.6 and the total payment of £27.5.4 was "Agreed on." Wheatley was paid £17.7.1 Sterling "To Sundry Goods from England" in 1752.⁴

Building materials bought in 1751-1752 by Burwell were: 30,000 shingles of John Murray, 2805 feet plank of John Ashby, £97.9.0 worth of plank of Julius Allen, 25,000 feet of 42 plank, 15,000 laths and 40,000 shingles were furnished by John Miller. A Mr. Hansford was paid for sawing, and Thomas Miller and John Smith were paid for shells. Both David Jamieson and "the Government" were paid for sheets of lead furnished.¹

Prior to the arrival of Richard Baylis, skilled artisan, who came from England for the purpose of working on the Burwell mansion, apparently, all was ready for the inside finishing.

Baylis was brought with his family to Virginia in the Pretty Sally, Matthew Johnson, Captain.² In 1752 Burwell paid Captain Johnson £23.13.9 for passage of Baylis and his family.³ Baylis took over Wheatley's second contract.⁴ From 1752-1755 Baylis worked 477 days @ 3 shillings per day. He averaged 6 days work each week.⁵ Nothing further is known as to Baylis's background.

Baylis supervised trained workmen—some six artisans to do the wainscotting, carving and finishing the inside work 43 of the mansion. The accounts of these workmen were kept in work-days under Baylis's supervision. We find in Burwell's Ledgers that Richard Munday from 1753-1756 worked 412 days @ 3 shillings or 2/6 per day; Edward Hansford from 1753-1755 worked 375 days @ 3 shillings per day; James Powell from 1754-1755 worked 160 days @ 3 shillings per day; Henry Creighton from 1754-1755 worked 156days @ 2 shillings 6 pence per day; James Taylor from 1753-1754 worked 127 days @ 3 shillings per day and James Wood in 1755 worked 23 days @ 1 shilling 6 pence per day. Hansford and Munday did wainscotting work. An item in July, 1754 noted that Hansford had been paid "By Wainscoting ½ a Room—£8.15.9" and the same date Richard Munday was paid "By wainscoting one half a Room—£8.15.9." Mr. Wray, carpenter, was paid for painting and Mr. Richardson was paid "for his painter" and "for a Cag white Lead."¹

In June, 1753 Burwell paid Wheatley: "To paid Sumpter for turning y^e Bannisters—£13.8.-."²

In Carter Burwell's Account book dated June 14, 1751 "THE BUILDING" there follows a tabulated list of payments made by him to various workmen. Checking this list with the detailed accounts of these workmen one finds that where the accounts began in June 1751 they continue into 1754-1755.

During his ownership and management of the Carter's Grove plantation from 1738 to his death in 1756 Carter Burwell lived in the usual state of a lord of the manor typical of the times. When he came into ownership of Carter's Grove at 46 twenty-one by the will of his grandfather Carter there were several Quarters or small farms which were a part of his inheritance from Carter: New Quarter, "Foaces," Mill Quarter, Black Swamp, North Wales Quarter, Abrahams and Neck of Land.¹

Current accounts for these Quarters were kept by Carter Burwell each year from 1740 to 1756. He not only kept an account of the number of barrels of corn made at each place but kept detailed accounts for the number of "fat hogs," shoats, sheep, steers, oxen, cattle, bushels of wheat made and sold and to whom sold, pounds of pork sold to Williamsburg taverns and other residents, hogsheads of tobacco shipped out and to whom, mares and horses, and names of overseers.² Among his customers in Williamsburg who were furnished best wheat, and corn in 1748 were Lady Gooch—600 pounds of beef; The College—440 bushels of wheat, and also, pork, veal and mutton. In 1745 Burwell furnished John Collet 553 pounds of pork; James Wray 1193 pounds and Mr. Charlton 1225 pounds. In 1755 John Doncastle, tavern keeper in Williamsburg, bought 100 bushels of wheat, Anthony Hay took 25 bushels, Thomas Penman 25 bushels, 47 Mrs. Campbell 25 bushels, Major Taliaferro 7 ½ bushels, and many others.¹

There were overseers who were in charge of these Quarters. William Camp had served as "Genr^l overseer for N. Burwell's Estate" from 1731-1734 or later.² John Manning was overseer at Foaces from 1740-1742, Thomas Doswell was at New Quarter in 1749, Joseph Metre at Foaces and Merchant's Hundred in 1742-43, and Thomas Pike seems to have been in general charge of all the quarters for thirteen years (1742-1755). He received a wage of £12 to £18 per year.³

Carter Burwell was not unmindful of the education of his children. From 1748 to 1752 he employed Mrs. Ann Wager to teach or "School" his children at £10 per year.⁴ Mrs. Wager taught in the Charity School begun by Dr. Bray's Associates, at Williamsburg. She taught there from 1760 to 1774.⁵

The mansion was completed by November, 1755, judging from payments to Baylis and to Munday. The former was paid in 48 November, 1755—£4.10.- and total owed him was £64.13.-. Munday received £4.7.- on December 17, 1755 and a total of £52.15.- owed to him by Burwell. Hansford was last paid for working on September 24, 1755; James Powell was paid last in November, 1755 and Henry Creighton and James Wood left off work in the summer of 1755.¹

Let us keep in mind that Carter Burwell's eldest son and future heir to Carter's Grove was only five years old when Carter's Grove mansion was completed. Burwell was allowed only six months to enjoy this home over which he had spent so much of his substance. Doubtless he would have agreed with Ruskin: "When we build, let us think that we build for ever."²

On May 6, 1756 Carter Burwell "of the County of James City" made his will. After making certain bequests to his son, Carter Burwell, and to his daughters he bequeathed:

all the rest of my lands I give to My Dear Son Nathaniel & his heirs forever, upon condition that when he comes of age he will use his best endeavours to dock the Entail of the 2000 acres of land on Bull Run, settled by Act of Assembly in lieu of the land whereon I now live & convey the same to His Brother Carter, upon the same condition & under the same limitations as the plantation called Neck of Land is hereby given to him...Item I give and bequeath to my said Son Nathaniel all the rest and residue of My Negroes, Stocks of Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, & other 49 estate whatsoever. Item, my Will & desire is, that my whole estate, except the lands on Bull Run & on Shenandoah, be kept together till my son Nathaniel attains the Age of 21 years, & the profits arising therefrom be applyed for the payment of My debts & the maintenance of my dear Wife & Children, & the overplus, if any, to be equally divided among my daughters....

Lastly, I constitute & appoint my Honourable friends & relations my Brothers, Lewis Burwell, Wm Nelson, Philip Grymes, & Robert Burwell, & my good & honbl friend Tho^s Nelson Es^qr & my friends John Robinson, Lewis Burwell, & Mann Page Es^qr Executors of this My last Will & Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made, & I do appoint my Executors, Guardians to my Children, whom I desire may be maintained in a decent but not expensive manner. In witness whereof I have hereunto set My Hand & affixed My Seal this 6th day of May, 1756.
Carter Burwell

Witnesses
Catesby Cocke
Richard Baylis
Richard Munday

¹

A codicil under date May 14, 1756 signed by Carter Burwell bequeathed the Shenandoah lands to his son, Nathaniel, and the lands on Bull Run to son, Carter Burwell, under the same restriction and limitations as the lands in his said will devised to them respectively. Burwell stated in the codicil:

"If my Wife should die before my son Nathaniel comes of Age, I desire that my house hold furniture & such of My other 50 personal estate as my Executors think perishable, may be sold, I do constitute & appoint my Brother Robert C. Nicholas one of My Executors & Guardian of My Children. Given under My hand & Seal this 14th day of May 1756.
Carter Burwell"

Witnesses.
James Carter
Richard Baylis
Richard Munday
Proved in the General Court the 26th Oct^r 1756.

¹

Though Robert Carter Nicholas, half-brother of Carter Burwell, had been named as guardian to Burwell's children records show that William Nelson² who had married Elizabeth, sister of Carter Burwell, acted in this capacity until Nathaniel Burwell came of age in 1771.³

In Carter Burwell's Estate Accounts for 1764 there are items showing certain changes made to a building: 51

From 1764-1767 William Graves was paid £80 per year as overseer. From 1769-1772 he received £100 per year for such services.³

In 1764 Dr. James Carter was paid £68.6.8; Dr. Hay was paid £1.1.-; Dr. Sequary £24; and Dr. Pasteur £44.¹

The William Nelson Letter Book 1766-1775 gives in detail Nelson's guardianship accounts of dealings with the Burwell estate.

Carter Burwell's Estate paid to Charles Barham £17.1.10 for parish levies in 1770.²

In March, 1770 William Nelson wrote Samuel Athawes, British merchant:

...Nathaniel Burwell, the heir of Col^o C. Burwell, is drawing towards manhood...I have great hopes of this Youth proving a valuable Man, his Disposition being amiable; he applys very assiduously to his studies... ³

Virginia Dec^r 18^th 1770 Having none of your Letters to be answer'd I have now only to inclose you Invoices for Mr Nath^l & Carter, Alice & Sally Burwell their Goods which you will please to send to us as usual as M^r N. Burwell will be of Age in April, this the last Invoice I shall send you on ^Acc^t of this Estate. This young Gentleman, th^o very clever & prudent upon the whole, hath my Opinion too soon determined to enter into the Married state, with the next sister to my Daughter. She is a very good Girl; But I ffear that he as well as most other people in such Cases, hath not consider'd 53 Fortune Much. He will probably send an Invoice for Furniture, which you must send him. But you must charge them, as well as the wine, to his private Acco^t; as We have agreed that he shall have 2/3 of the Money in Yours & M^r Cary's Hands; after the Crops, including that now to be shipped shall be sold & his Brother Carter 1/3 whose Acco^t from that time must be separate & the Accot^s transmitted to me as heretofore. He will have the Neck of Land & Bull Run Estates Yearly…
W Nelson¹

Three months later—on April 15, 1771—Nathaniel Burwell became twenty-one and came into Carter's Grove according to the will of his father.

Mrs. Lucy Grymes Burwell was alive when her husband, Carter Burwell, died. Research has failed to establish the date of her decease. However, in William Nelson's accounts relating to executorship and guardianship of Carter Burwell's estate there are items such as:

	CASH	Dr
1766
Feby 3	By Cash pd Mrs. Burwell's Acct	£	1.1.-
1780
April 10	CASH due to Mrs Burwell's
	Estate in my Hands the 3 March 1780	£	265.3.10 ½
	By pd Mr Everard		8.14.0
		£	256. 9.10 ½
May 6th	By balc pd Docr Pasteur		9. 0.0
10th	By Do pd Mr Lamb—£90	£	247. -.10 ½
20th	By Do Mr. Pierce of Smithfield £214.10		304.10.-
	Due to Nath Burwell from the Estate		56.19.10 ½
54
1780		Cr
April 10th	By Cash pd the Sheriff of York _£	227.0.0
May 6th	By Cash pd Docr Pasteur	20.0.0

¹

The above would seem to indicate that Nelson was settling the estate of Mrs. Burwell. It does not indicate the date of her death other than to state that it occurred between 1766 and 1780.

Nathaniel Burwell, the son, reached his majority in April, 1771 at which time he inherited Carter's Grove. See: Chapter IV for Nathaniel Burwell's life there.

NATHANIEL BURWELL
(1750-1814)
Artist: Charles Byrd King (1785-1862)
Original owned by George H. Burwell III [no image]

IV
NATHANIEL BURWELL
(1750-1814)

Nathaniel Burwell son of Carter Burwell and Lucy Grymes was born at Carter's Grove on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1750, according to the Burwell Bible.

In a provisional list of alumni and grammar students of William and Mary College Nathaniel Burwell is noted as attending the College from 1759 to 1772.¹ He was only nine when he entered the Grammar School. By 1764 Nathaniel Burwell had reached the stage at school to study Latin. His father's estate is charged with books "for Nat Burwell" by the Virginia Gazette. In June, 1764 one copy of Lilly's Grammar was ordered. On September 20th of the same year there was an order for 1 Ovid Delph [and] 1 Caesar's Commentaries.² Jacob Bruce was paid by Burwell's guardian for "Teach^g Mr. Nat Burwell—£1.1.6."³

William Nelson acted as executor of Carter Burwell's estate. Though Robert Carter Nicholas had been named in Burwell's will to act as guardian of his children (all under age), from the Nelson Letter Book and Burwell Ledgers it appears that Nelson acted in both capacities.

In September, 1769 Nelson sent Samuel Athawes, London Merchant, "an Invoice of Goods w^ch will be wanted for Col^o C Burwell's Est^a next Spring. I also send you a Catalogue of Books for the young Gentleman Nath^l Burwell which he is very desirous to have sent by the first ship." ¹ In November Nelson ordered goods "for Nat, Carter, Alice and Sarah Burwell children of Carter Burwell, deceased." In 1770 (March) Nelson wrote Athawes:

Nath^l Burwell, the heir of Col^o C. Burwell, is drawing towards manhood…I have great hopes of this Youth proving a valuable Man, his Disposition being amiable; he applys very assiduously to his studies… ²

In December, 1770 Nelson wrote again about Nat Burwell:

Virginia Dec^r 18^th 1770 I… inclose you Invoices for M^r Nath^l & Carter, Alice & Sally Burwell their Goods which you will please to send to us as usual as M^r N. Burwell will be of Age in April, this the last Invoice I shall send you on Acc^t of this Estate. This young Gentleman, th^o very clever & prudent upon the whole, hath my Opinion too soon determined to enter into the Married state, with the next sister to my Daughter.³59 she is a very good Girl; But I ffear that he as well as most other people in such Cases, hath not consider'd Fortune Much. He will probably send an Invoice for Furniture, which you must send him. But you must charge them, as well as the wine, to his private Acco^t; as We have agreed that he shall have 2/3 of the Money in Yours & M^r Cary's Hands; after the Crops, including that now to be shipped shall be sold & his Brother Carter 1/3 whose Acco^t from that time must be separate & the Accot^s transmitted to me as heretofore. He will have the Neck of Land & Bull Run Estates Yearly...W Nelson¹

Just six weeks after the last quoted letter, Nelson wrote Athawes:

…
You have made Nat Burwell happy by the Book you sent him by D—. He seems to be absorbed in the study of Mathematics, and Gwatkins tells me that he will probably be as great a Proficient in it as any in America or elsewhere, if he would allow himself another year for study. But his constitution is so very different from yours that I expect he will marry very soon after he comes of age, which obliges me to send You the enclosed pretty long invoice of Household Furniture for him...²

Nelson was quite pleased with his ward who had become twenty-one in April, 1771. On July 8th he wrote Athawes regarding Nat Burwell: 60

...M^r Nat Burwell son of Carter is determined to pursue his Studies at College till October 1772, a most commendable Resolution, to which however he may have been inclined by a Doubt that hath been started by M^r Nicholas. Whether, by his Father's Will, the Daughters are not entitled to the Surplus Profits of the Estate & not the Sons: Tho^e I think this opinion not defensible; Be this as it will; Nath doth not chuse to marry & go to House keeping till he is sure of something before hand; which I look upon, among others, as an Instance of his Prudence & Good Sence...¹

At a William and Mary College Convocation a few days before the above date "(Mr. Nathaniel Burwell, of Martin's Hundred, and Mr. James Madison, from Augusta) were adjudged Gold Medals, and also had the Degree of Bachelor of Arts conferred on them..."²

From the letters which Nelson wrote Athawes from 1769 to April 1771 we gather that Nathaniel Burwell was a very promising student at College, and both diligent and prudent in his conduct. He seemed cognizant of the responsibilities to fall upon his shoulders when he became twenty-one and inherited Carter's Grove and many acres of lands elsewhere in Virginia. However, though his judgment and discretion according to Nelson was unusual for one of his years, it follows that Burwell was in love. So, he planned to wed Susannah 61 Grymes, daughter of the Honorable Philip Grymes of Brandon, Middlesex County.¹ The wedding was on November 28, 1772. The Virginia Gazette carried a notice:

WILLIAMSBURG, December 3.

[Marriages] NATHANIEL BURWELL, Esquire, of Merchant's Hundred, to Miss SUKEY GRYMES, a Daughter of Honourable Philip Grymes, decreased.²

A year before the happy occasion of his marriage, Nat Burwell had requested Nelson to order from Athawes certain ornamental pieces for his house;

Virginia Nov^r 19 1771

...I send you inclosed at the Request of Nat Burwell, a Draught of Chimney Pieces & Steps which he wants. If you understand it, or the statuary, it's more than I do. If you do, you will send them to him, observing to insure them...Nathaniel Burwell goes on as my Heart could wish; he & Hugh are now out on their second Trip to Shenandoe, to Settle some additional slaves on their Lands...³

Nathaniel Burwell from November, 1771 to May 11, 1772 paid Bartholomew Dandridge quite a bill for plank, of various sizes, and shingles: 62

1771
Novr 13	By 2500 foot Inch Plank @ 60/	£ 7.10.-
	By 500 foot Inch Do	2. -.-
1772
April 20	By 17450 shingles @ 12/6	10.14.1 ½
	By 2014 foot Inch & quarter Plank	8. 1.-
	By 5015 foot Inch Do @ 60/-	15. -.11
May 11	By 1000 foot Inch Do @ 80/	4. -.-
	By 2035 foot Inch Do @ 60/	5. 1.9
	By 9116 Cypress shingles @ 12/16	5.14.-
	By 3000 foot Inch Plank @ 60/	9. -.-
		£68. 1.6 ½

¹

It is interesting to know that in 1768 Governor Fauquier paid Burwell's estate £185.8.2 for turkeys, fodder, straw, corn, wheat and butter; in 1771 Lord Botetourt was furnished wheat, and corn to the amount of £39.5.3 and Lord Dunmore hired James and was supplied with straw in August, 1771.³

As late as February 21, 1772 William Nelson as executor of Carter Burwell's estate wrote to Robert Cary and Company, London merchants, regarding the division of the estate as Nat Burwell was of age: 63

Virginia Feb^y 21, 1772

...I observe also the Balance due from you to Col^o Carter Burwell's Est^a £626.7.6 besides 11 hhds Tob^o p^r Peterson. When the Sale of them is compleated I shall be Glad to have the Account, as We want to divide the Estate, the eldest Son M^r Nat Burwell being of Age. It may be worth Your while to write to this Young Gentleman as his Consignments May be worth attending to...¹

Nat Burwell continued in College as Nelson had predicted to the autumn of 1772. He won the Botetourt Medal that year.²

We have seen in the chapter on Carter Burwell that the management of his estate from 1756-1771 was in the hands of William Nelson as guardian. From 1771 young Burwell carried on this management by recording many transactions in his Ledgers from year to year as his father and guardian had done.³ In addition to managing Carter's Grove Burwell operated New Quarter, Foaces, Mill Quarter and Neck of Land Quarter.

Sarah Burwell who was thirty years old when she married the Rev. John Bracken in 1776, most probably was living at Carter's Grove with her brother, Nathaniel, and his family. Alexander Purdie, printer of the Virginia Gazette, followed the announcement of the marriage with these poetic lines: 64

"

Could I on airy pinions soar,
Where mighty poets flew before,
How would I, in unpolish'd lays,
Rehearse this happy couple's praise:

My tight-strung lyre should sing the fair,
With whom but few can well compare,
For modesty and sense combin'd,
Those valu'd qualities of mind.

Of Bracken too my muse should sing,
His praise should echo from my string;
Religion, virtue, all around,
And morals good, should loudly sound.

Such lofty themes I must resign
Such abler poets, such be thine.

"¹

Jefferson was asked to make a legal opinion or interpretation of the will of Carter Burwell which he did of date "Williamsburg, November 21, 1777."² However, in October, 1777 Nathaniel Burwell had paid already "The Rev^d John Bracken To Cash in part of his Wife's Portion—£500.0.0; and £213.19.7 ½ Sterling Money."³

A source of income for Burwell from 1775-1785 was £40 paid each year from "The Estate of the Hon^ble Philip Grymes To a Year's Interest in my Wife's Fortune."⁴

Burwell succeeded Philip Johnson as County Lieutenant of James City County in November, 1776. He paid £6.10.0 for a 65 spy glass.¹

Nathaniel Burwell was to follow out the will of his father, Carter Burwell, by paying the just debts and then he would apportion £500 to each of his sisters. Hence, in 1776 Burwell made the following notation in his Ledger:

Burwell's Ledgers and Account Books indicate that during 1776 he was paid £273 for many loads of wood furnished to the Colony of Virginia, to Mrs. Christiana Campbell, to Alexander Craig and others. He paid Dr. Sequayra, Williamsburg physician, £50 and paid Robert Anderson £40, Prentis and Company £80, Gabriel Maupin £20 and paid in full for his coach—£114.3.³ In 1778 Burwell sold butter from Carter's Grove: "Butter from the Grove—£50.0.0" He sold Benjamin Bucktrout 2 veals "from the Grove [UNK] 29.0.0." in 1778. There were itemized accounts for wool and tobacco sold. During this period John Ross was overseer at Carter's Grove.⁴ In 1780 he recorded: "1780 I made this year from 32 thousand 66 Tobacco Hills or 8 acres——335 Bushels of Wheat. Nath^l Burwell."¹

The first year in which James City County Land Tax records were listed was 1782. That year Nathaniel Burwell paid tax on 1288 acres valued for tax purposes at 12/1 per acre or £778.3.4.² He paid in Personal Property Tax on "5 tithes, 47 slaves, 20 horses, 19 cattle and 4 wheels."³

In 1784 Burwell had James Ratcliffe, a brickmason, employed who "worked on the Wine room & Kitchen 11 ½ Days at 4/ p^r day & by laying 11460 bricks at 9/3 in stable underpining."⁴

From 1778 to 1787 there were repairs made to property owned by Burwell. Burwell employed Humphrey Harwood, local brick mason to do the work for him. A full copy of Harwood's work is filed under Illustration^Appendix #9. In brief the repairs were:

[1778	80 bushels lime, 3800 bricks, "pillering" House, building chimney &c.
1780-1	Plastering, laying hearths
1783	repairing storehouse, kitchen, building steps and plastering a room in the cellar, "at the Grove."
67
1784	repairs to chimney, puttin in 6 backs, plastering overseer's house.
1785	to 2500 bricks and 28 bushels lime, building up the wall at the Mill, 50 hhds of oyster shells.
1786	4 bushels white wash, 61 bushels lime, 20 hhds shells, wood to burn 97 ½ hhds shells. Repairing kitchen and well.]

¹

An item in Nathaniel Burwell's Ledger 1779-1784 of date May 8th 1782 under "CASH" is of interest as there is a reference to a church:

	CASH	Cr
1782
May 8th
…
	By pd Mrs Badgett2 for cleaning Church£	-.1-.-
	…
	By taken to Richmond & there spent	8.0.0

³

Mrs. Susannah Grymes Burwell died at Carter's Grove on July 24, 1788.⁴ Eight children had been born to Nathaniel and Susannah Burwell.⁵ At her death six were living—two 68 infants, Lewis and William, had died in 1782. Humphrey Harwood in June 1789 was paid "£2.4.4 ½ for 12 ½ bushels of lime [UNK] 9^d & building 3 Tombs 35/."¹ Mrs. Susannah Burwell and her infants were interred at Carter's Grove.²

Nathaniel Burwell's children were ranging in years from 15 to 3 years of age. Evidently he felt the loss of Susannah and the need for another mother to his brood. At any rate, he found someone to his liking and persuaded her to become his wife on January 4, 1789. She was Lucy Page Baylor, relict of George Baylor and second daughter of Mann Page, late of Mannsfield.³ In the history of the Page family by Richard Channing Moore Page an amusing story is told about the courtship of Nathaniel Burwell and Mrs. Baylor:

Col Nathaniel Burwell first lived at The Grove, near Williamsburg, James City Co., Va., but subsequently removed to Clarke Co., Va., where he founded Carter Hall. After the death of his first wife, Susan Grymes, Col. Burwell was so afflicted that he went to Rosewell and requested Gov. John Page to send for his young and beautiful widowed half-sister, Mrs. George W. Baylor, for him to marry. The widow came, but refused to listen to Col. Burwell's addresses. The latter put it all to rights by saying: 'Lucy, you don't know what is good for you. Your brother John and I arranged it all before you came:' Their marriage took place soon. The ceremony having been performed, he said: 'Now, Lucy, you can weep for your dear George, and I will weep for my beloved Suky;'¹

Epitaphs on tombs of Mrs. Susannah Burwell, Lewis Burwell and William Burwell, Carter's Grove.¹

Here Lies
The Body of
William Burwell,
fifth Son of
Nathaniel & Susanna Burwell
He was born
on the 14^th of July
1782
and died
on the 2^nd of October,
in the same Year.

Here Lies
The Body of
Lewis Burwell
fourth Son of
Nathaniel & Susanna Burwell.
He was Born
of January
17
and died

Here Lies
the Body of
Mrs. Susanna Burwell,
Wife of
Nathaniel Burwell, Esqr.
and daughter of
Philip and Mary Grymes
of Brandon,
in the county of Middlesex.
She departed this Life
on the 24^th of July 1788
in the 37^th Year of her Age.

CARTER'S GROVE GRAVEYARD
between 1927 and 1964
Source: Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. [No Image]

Colonel Burwell and Lucy Page Baylor Burwell had eight children: Tayloe, William, Susanna, Mann, Eliza, Mary, George and Thomas H. Burwell.² Mrs. Baylor had by George Baylor: John, Lucy, Molly, Nathaniel, Eliza and Francis Baylor.³ Colonel Burwell had six living children when he married Mrs. Baylor (Carter was 16 and Robert 3).

Jefferson writing from Paris to Dr. Edward Bancroft in 1788 relative to the Paradise estate had this evaluation of Nathaniel Burwell: "...He [Paradise] has put the Virginia estate under the care of Col^o Nathaniel Burwell, one of the most skilful managers in that country, and of untainted integrity."⁴

In 1788 Nathaniel Burwell was a representative of James City County in the Convention of 1788 casting his vote 72 for the adoption of the Constitution of the United States.¹

An amusing and interesting story of a visit to Carter's Grove enroute to a wedding in the community nearby is related by Helene-Louise de Chastenay Maussion, a French woman who had followed her husband, Gaston de Maussion to America. Gaston sailed to America in April 1777 with LaFayette in the Victoire to assist the American cause. By March, 1787 his wife had come to Virginia to live. She wrote her mother-in-law in France thus:

Letter to "My dear Mother-in-Law 30th March 1787/8

…
While on our journey we stopped at a famous place called Carter Grove, near James River, one of the most elegant habitations in Virginia. It is really a beautiful house. I have tried to make a little sketch of it, which I here enclose for you to see how well-to-do people live over here. It is close to the plantation we were bound for. Mr. Carter² [Burwell] lent us his coach and advised me to dress in his house, as he feared it would be difficult for me to do it at the home of the wedding, the place would be so full of guests. I was afterward very grateful to him for this good advice.

... [detailed description of the wedding and customs of the day.]
We drove back to Carter Grove and I was glad to get into bed. But the next day we had to go 73 again to the house of the bride's parents to dine and then with them to pay a call on the young couple. More punch and good things to eat. The bride was dressed in pink and looked very pretty.

…
Your ever dutiful daughter-in-law, Chastenay Maussion."

¹

The Burwell Ledgers and Account Books from 1789 reveal little about the workings at Carter's Grove. Burwell upon his second marriage spent more time at Carter Hall.² It is not known whether Carter's Grove was left in charge of overseers until Carter Burwell, the son, became twenty-one or not. In 1792 there were "43 slaves, 8 horses, 1 chariot and 1 carriage" at Carter's Grove which indicates that there was activity there though the master had gone to Carter Hall for half the year. From 1793 to 1796 there were about the same number of slaves there. However, in 1797 the number of slaves was reduced to twenty with only 2 horses.³

In 1804 James City Land Tax records show that Carter Burwell was paying taxes on 1288 acres of land.⁴ This was the 74 same acreage which his father, Nathaniel Burwell had paid on from 1783 to 1803. In addition Carter Burwell paid tax on 107 acres "of Trebell." As there, apparently, is no deed from Nathaniel Burwell to Carter Burwell extant we assume that the father had given the land to Carter or Carter was paying tax on his father's land.¹ In 1814 Carter Burwell's property is described as "938 acres $2.01—$1885.38 tax value Tho Barham Est^a By Robert P. Taylor Baker Perkins/Tho^s Wade Jn^o M Galts Est^a & James River 8 mi (from court house) E $2.1 p^r A. total value —$1885.38; and 197 acres by Jno Bailey Jno Harth Rich^d Hansford Est^a & Thos Wade 6 ½ m SE $2.1 A. Total value—$395.97."²

In 1814 on the 29th of March Colonel Nathaniel Burwell died at Carter Hall in Clarke County. He had removed from Carter's Grove permanently about the time Carter, his son, took over in 1804 though for years Colonel Burwell had spent summers in Clarke County and winters at Carter's Grove.³ As only the children by his second marriage are named in the will, it looks as though Col. Burwell had settled with the children by his first marriage prior to the writing of the 75 of the will. See: Illustration^Appendix #1 for will.

Colonel Burwell's widow died at Carter Hall in 1843 at the age of eighty four.¹

CARTER BURWELL
(1773-1819)
Artist: Charles-Balthazar-Julien Fevret de
Saint-Memin (1770-1852)
Engraved portrait in The Corcoran Gallery of Art
Washington, D. C. since 1875 [No Image]

V
CARTER BURWELL [III]
(1773-1819)

Carter Burwell the eldest son of Nathaniel and Susannah Burwell was born at Carter's Grove on October 16, 1773.¹

In 1792 Carter Burwell was a student at William and Mary College.²

Carter Burwell married Mary Duncan. Philip Lewis Carter Burwell was the only child of this marriage. He was born c. 1817.³

Prior to 1804 little is known about Carter Burwell other than an item in the James City County Land Tax Lists which indicates that Carter Burwell paid tax on 107 acres in that county.⁴ At this date Burwell was thirty years old.

In 1804 the James City County Land tax records show that Carter Burwell paid taxes on 1288 acres, 47 acres, 78 and 107 acres of Trebell.¹ The first acreage of 1288 was the tract which his father had owned and paid tax upon from 1783 to 1804. This tract was the Carter's Grove plantation tract. It is not known—as apparently there are no deeds extant—whether Carter Burwell was given this 1288 acres by deed from his father in 1804 or whether he bought part of it.²

From 1805-1808 Burwell held 1335 acres of land in James City County. In 1809 the 197 acres was transferred to Isaac Duncan. However, Duncan never got clear title as Burwell continued to own it to his death in 1819, and his estate held it until it was sold in 1838.³

As late as 1815 Martins Hundred Road is used as a means of locating a site. Hardress Waller, a young boy of eighteen, wrote to his sister Eliza Blow of Tower Hill, Sussex County, giving her a detailed account of his cousin William Waller's⁴ wedding near Williamsburg. Carter's Grove is called the "Grove": 79

Williamsburg March the 6^th 1815

...I mean to give you all the News concerning Cousin Williams wedding. On the morning of the 23^rd of February Cousin William and myself and Cousin Bob started from this place for York when we had almost reach York cousin William stopped and began to search his pockets and lo' his Licence could not be found he then sent off a Servant to Williamsburg to look for it we waited on the road until he returned when he informed us that Uncle Ben had found the Licence and sent it to M^r Bracken¹ this brought on near seven OClock the time appointed for his Marriage We started and got to York and lo M^r Bracken alias (the Round Bellied Vicar) could not be found any where Maj^r Griffin began to be very uneasy and sent off a servant to look for him about Eight OClock he came in all covered with mud and water the greatest sight you ever saw— It seems the Worthy old gentleman with Miss Elizabeth Gatliff in the gigg with him has started from Wmsburg at eleven Oclock in the morning being in his Cups he took the Martens Hundred Road and went to the Grove before the discovered he had lost his way, he then turned Back and got almost to M^r Semples farm he there upon a dead level upset the Gigg and broke it and fell on Miss Elizabeth Gatliff and almost killed her. We had grand doings there and Maj^r Griffin gave us some Wine which he said was the age of his daughter which he had reserved for her Wedding... ²

Let us notice that young Waller did not write "Carter's Grove" but "the Grove."³

Carter Burwell's ownership of Carter's Grove lasted only from 1804 to 1819. His death is recorded in the Burwell Bible "at Carter's Grove Feb. 9th. 1819."¹ Philip Lewis Carter Burwell was a child of two or three years of age at this time.

"The widow remained at the Carter's Grove mansion in possession of everything as there had been no qualification on the Estate. On the 16th of November 1819 Mrs. Burwell married William Jones. There still being no qualification, William Jones remained on the plantation in possession of everything from the marriage until September 1821 when the estate of Carter Burwell was committed to Archer Hankins, sheriff of James City for administration."²

"In October 1821 there was a sale of the perishable Estate and the first of the following year (1822) the slaves were hired out to William Jones. At the sale of the Estate, William Jones became a purchaser to the amount of $867.63 for which he gave bond. On January 1, 1822 he hired slaves of the estate to which he gave bond."

About the end of 1824 William Jones died; his wife surviving. Scervant Jones qualified as his executor. About 1826 Mary Burwell Jones, died intestate and Scervant Jones 81 qualified as her administrator. A suit: Archer Hankins vs Scervant Jones stated that "the defendant admitted that William Jones had intermarried with Mary, widow of Carter Burwell on November 16, 1819 and thereupon became possessed of the tract of land in James City County and 14 or 15 slaves which he found in her possession at the time of the marriage. Jones' executor admitted that he had boarded, clothed and supported Philip L. C. Burwell, the only child of said Carter, from November 1819 to the last of December 1824, the probable expense of which equals $2000. That he was the only child of his father, unhealthy and much spoiled and being wealthy much expense incurred in his maintenance."¹

At the time of the death of Carter Burwell in 1819 the property was described thus in the tax records: "Carter Burwell estate James City In fee 938 acres By Judith Taylor Baker Perkins Thomas Barham Est^a Thomas Wade Jn^o M Galt's Est^a & James River 8 mi E (from courthouse) $2.1 pr A (total value) $1885.38" and "197 acres by Jn^o Bailey Jn^o Harth Richard Hansford Est^a & Tho^s Wade 6 ½ m SE (from courthouse) $2.1 A (total value) $395.97."²

Philip Lewis Carter Burwell became twenty one in 1837. In 1838 he sold Carter's Grove to Thomas Wynee.¹ He had lived with relatives in Clarke County but upon his marriage to Susan Lee of Winchester, came back to Carter's Grove to live at least a part of the year.

A clipping found in the Bible of George H. Burwell, III, not dated, but 1907, follows:

"Carter's Grove" Sold.

"Carter's Grove," owned by Col. Nathaniel Burwell previous to his coming to Clarke county and erecting "Carter Hall," was sold last week by Dr. E. G. Booth to Mr. T. C. Bislord, of New York.

"Carter's Grove" is situated eight miles east of Williamsburg, in James City county, and was used by General Tarleton as headquarters during the siege of Yorktown.

About 1792 Col. Nathaniel Burwell, having inherited valuable land in that part of Frederick county which now comprises Clarke, came here and began the erection of the "Carter Hall" house, which he named after his great-grandfather, Robert ("King") Carter of Lancaster county. When he left the "Carter's Grove" estate, he turned it over to his eldest son, Carter Burwell.

Colonel Burwell's second wife was Lucy Page, widow of Col. George Baylor, of General Washington's staff.

Colonel Burwell died at "Carter Hall" on March 29, 1814, and his remains lie in the Old Chapel Cemetery.

PHILIP LEWIS CARTER BURWELL
(1817-1878)
Artist: Unknown

SUSAN A. LEE
(1827-185?)
Artist: Unknown

VI
PHILIP LEWIS CARTER BURWELL
(c. 1817-1878)

Philip Lewis Carter Burwell was the son of Carter Burwell [III] and Mary Duncan. He was born ca. 1817 and was the only child of the marriage.

Carter Burwell [III] died at Carter's Grove on February 9, 1819 intestate. On November 16, 1819 his widow married William Jones.¹ Jones remained on the plantation in charge as there was no qualification on the estate for several years. In September, 1821 the estate of Carter Burwell [III] was committed by the court to Archer Hankins, sheriff of James City County, for administration.¹ In the tax records the estate comprised 938 acres.

During the time William Jones was in charge of the plantation of Philip Lewis Carter Burwell it was recorded by Jones's executor (1824) "that he had boarded clothed and supported Philip L. C. Burwell, the only child of said Carter Burwell, from November 1819 to the last of December 1824, the probable expense of which equals $2000. 86 That he was the only child of his father, unhealthy and much spoiled and being wealthy much expense incurred in his maintenance."¹

"The widow, administrators, committees, guardians, in-laws, stepfather, and his children, involved Carter's quite solvent estate in such a series of legal contentions over a period of years that his money, as well as his personal estate—furniture, portraits, and silver—seem to have gone with the wind."²

Philip Lewis Carter Burwell attended William and Mary College 1832-1836³. Francis Berkeley Whiting of Millwood, Frederick County, Virginia, was his guardian following the death of his mother, Mrs. Mary Duncan Burwell Jones, in 1826.

"After the death of his mother in 1826, Philip Lewis Carter Burwell spent much of his time with his relations in what is now Clarke County, Virginia. In 1826 July 17^th Philip Lewis Carter Burwell entered a school taught by the Rev. Frederick D. Goodwin in Clarke County. He was entered 87 there by his guardian [Francis B. Whiting whose wife was P. L. C. Burwell's aunt.]¹ He married Susan Ann Lee, daughter of Daniel Lee of Winchester and his wife, Elizabeth Nicholson, after which they moved back to Carter's Grove where some of their children were born. These were: Louisa Carter, born 1837, who married Dr. B. M. Cromwell of Albany, Georgia in 1866; Philip Lewis, second, born 1838, married Sarah Bastable of Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1866; Laura Lee, 1840-1887, married Spencer L. Davidson; and Robert Saunders, born 1842, who married Anna Clayton of Augusta, Ga."²

In 1838 Thomas Wynne, James City County, had acquired the plantation of 938 acres by deed from Philip Lewis Carter Burwell in fee simple. The tax records describe it as 938 acres by deed from P. C.S. [sic] Burwell fee simple By Wm. Taylor, J. Barham, R. Wynne James river; and 197 acres By Jn^o Bailey, Jane Hauth, R. Hansfords est. C. W^ade &c. By deed from P.C.S. [sic] Burwell.³ No deed has been located.

Following the sale of Carter's Grove in 1838 Philip Lewis Carter Burwell moved to Winchester. His wife died there in 1848 and was interred in the lot of her father, Daniel Lee.¹

Philip Lewis Carter Burwell married Mrs. Rieley (nee Rea) in 1866. Eight children were born to this union.²

He died in 1878 and was interred by his first wife in the Lee plot in Winchester cemetery.

VII
THOMAS WYNNE
(b. —, d. 1854)

According to the James City County Land Tax records for 1839 Thomas Wynne was charged with "938 acres by deed from P. C. S. Burwell fee simple By Wm. M. Taylor, J. Barham, R. Wynne & James river"; and "197 acres By Jn^o Bailey, Jane Hauth, R. Hansford Est., C Wade &c. By deed from P. C. S. Burwell".¹

Sometime prior to 1844 Thomas Wynne had married Ann Camm Waller, daughter of William Waller of Bellefield, York County, and Mary, sister of Scervant Jones, the noted Baptist minister.²

In 1848 Wynne petitioned the General Assembly of Virginia for permission to put the "Grove Wharf" in complete repair:

[January 10, 1848]

[Wynne stated] that he is owner of a large Tract of Land on James River, about seven miles below the City of Williamsburg, on which he Erected a wharf and Bridge a few years ago, for the accommodation of the public as a steam Boat Landing, and the same is now well Known, as the Grove Wharf, having been very extensively patronized. This 90 wharf runs out into the River rather more than an hundred yards, entirely out of the way of the ordinary River Navigation, at least two miles from the Channel. Your Petitioner runs a hack from this Point to Williamsburg & York Town, & he is now the Contractor and Carrier of the Mails from Wmsburg & York Town to the Grove wharf.

Your Petitioner proposes shortly to put the said wharf and Bridge in compleat repair, and he has lately heard it doubted by some whether he had any right to put up the said Wharf & Bridge.

To remove all doubt on the subject your Petitioner asks, that a Law may now be passed, legalizing his previous Erection of the said Bridge and Wharf or that he may have leave to rebuild the same, and if required he will introduce evidence to shew that such is the desire of the public, and that the said Bridge and wharf is a great convenience to the traveling Community. And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c.¹

Grove Wharf should not be confused with King's Mill Wharf known as Burwell's Ferry also.

Grove Wharf was a nineteenth-century name for Trebell's Wharf or Landing. Trebell's had played an interesting and important part in the Revolution when both British and American troops landed there. See: Appendix 16 for history of Trebell's Landing.² It is of interest to note that the mails came 91 to Grove Wharf in 1848 and from thence were carried to Williamsburg and Yorktown by contract.

In 1851 Wynne was paying taxes on 1135 acres (938 and 197), and a wharf built and valued at $1700 for tax purposes. Total tax value of the land and buildings was $29,825 or $26.27 per acre.¹ The plantation was called "The Grove" in these records.

"The Grove" was advertised for sale by Wynne in 1854:

[March 11, 1854]

In consequence of my feeble health I wish to discontinue farming and therefore offer for sale my farm on which I reside, known as the "Grove."

The tract contains about 1200 acres. A long credit will be given provided the purchase money be satisfactorily secured and the interest punctually paid.
Tho^s Wynne²

The property at this date was noted as 1135 acres in fee Grove Adj. Humphrey Harwood 8 miles E [from Williamsburg]—$22.02 2/3 pr. acre including building [making] a total value $25,000. This tract is assessed $1217 "On Acct of a wharf instead of $1,700 as heretofore by order of the Court."³ Wynne 92 held, also, 45 acres near William Allen's Estate, and 100 acres adjoining William Allen's estate.¹

The Virginia Gazette of May 11, 1854 carried an account of the death of Thomas Wynne, "the gentlemanly proprietor of the Grove Wharf":

DIED,
On Tuesday, the 31 day of March, Mr. Thomas Wynne, of James City County— Mr. Wynne has been long and favorably known to the public as the gentlemanly proprietor of the "Grove Wharf". It may truly be said, in the death of this estimable gentleman, the community has lost one of its best citizens.²

Wynne's son, Robert E. Wynne, advertised on May 18, 1854 that his office as Attorney at Law was at the residence of his father, at the Grove.³

Wynne had minor children at his death. In 1858 Henley L. Taylor was guardian of his infant children: Thomas, Edward C. and Nannie W. Wynne.²

In 1856 Thomas Wynne's estate sold Carter's Grove to Lewis Ellison.⁵

For twenty-nine years following the death of Thomas Wynne, his plantation called "The Grove" by him was sold six times by trustees and special commissioners as guardians of his minor children. None of these sales were ever completed and deeds of trust were taken by the Wynne representatives in each case. Because payments were not made as contracted, the plantation was taken back by the Wynne family and resold. Full history of these sales, defaults &c. are given in Chapters VIII to XIII.

See Illustration^Appendix #10 for biographical data on the Wynne family.

VIII
LEWIS ELLISON

Little is known about Lewis Ellison before he bought Carter's Grove in 1856. From his own statement one inferred that he was a native of Maryland. A check into Maryland Court Records revealed that Lewis Ellison of "NC" [New Castle?] Delaware obtained a license to wed Elizabeth W. Deputy of Cecil County, Marland on June 9, 1845.¹ A sale in 1855, Cecil County indicated that Lewis Ellison had sold cattle and hogs to William Cain.²

In a sworn statement made by Lewis Ellison in a suit: "Choles vs Branch & Peachy, Commissioners for the estate of Thomas Wynne, deceased," he averred that he "owned & lived At Grove from 1856 in the fall & took posession in the spring. I purchased from Newman³ of Maryland and purchased it as a whole which Newman had done… . 96 I occupied it from 1856 to 1869 April."¹

No deed from Wynne's executors to Ellison for Carter's Grove plantation survives. Any transactions between them have been gathered from the Chancery Suits and from newspaper notices or broadsides.

In 1856 Ellison formed a partnership with William B. Wynne. It was known as "Lewis Ellison & Co."²

On December 15, 1859 "Wynne's Administratrix vs. Wynne et als" printed a long exposition of the Ellison-Wynne problems. The defendants James M. Ellison,³ Lewis Ellison and Carter B. Ellison having agreed to pay on May 31, 1859 certain sums of money and having defaulted on such payments, Cyrus A. Branch, Lemuel J. Bowden and William S. Peachy, Special Commissioners were empowered and directed to make sale of the Grove plantation in order to liquidate the balance of the purchase money due or to become due shortly. Wednesday the 15th of February 1860 was set "to make sale upon 97 the premises of that very valuable and desirable Farm situate in the lower end of James City County, and called the GROVE":

WYNNE's ADMINISTRATRIX
vs.
Wynne et. als.

The defendants James M. Ellyson, Lewis Ellyson and Carter B. Ellyson, having been required by a decree pronounced in this cause on the 31st day of May, 1859, by the Circuit Court for the city of Williamsburg and county of James City to pay certain sums of money in said decree mentioned within the period of four months from the date of the service thereof upon said defendents, and in the event of the non-payment of said sums of money, with the legal interest which may be accrued thereon, within the period aforesaid, the undersigned being, by said decree, empowered and directed as special Commissioner to make sale of the Grove plantion, in order to liquidate the balance of the purchase money due, and to become due thereon, and the said James M. Ellyson, Lewis Ellyson and Carter B. Ellyson not having paid the several sums of money as required by the decree aforesaid, and the time, to wit: the period of four months, allowed by said decree for the payment thereof having elapsed, the undersigned, as special Commissioner, will proceed, on WEDNESDAY, the 15th day of February, 1860, to make sale, upon the premises, of that very valuable and desirable Farm situate in the lower end of James City county, and called the "GROVE." This farm is situate immediately upon James River, and there being attached to a public Wharf—the James River boats touch there daily, affording a speedy communication with Williamsburg and Yorktown by means of hacks which are always in attendance. It is unnecessary to speak of the merit of this farm in point of health, productiveness, and location, or indeed, to mention any of its recommendations, as no information could be given to those acquainted 98 with it, and it is presumed that a stranger desiring to purchase would not be influenced by a newspaper commendation, but would prefer to visit the place and examine for himself. The Commissioners, and no doubt the present proprietors, will show the place to any one desiring to purchase, and furnish all needful information.

TERMS.—So much of the purchase money will be required in cash as will pay the expenses of sale; and the sum of $4,836 96 cents. with legal interest thereon from the 1st day of January, 1859, and the sum $3,831 52 cents with interest thereon from the 1st day of January, 1859; and also the sum of $1,276 88 cents. The purchaser will then be required to execute two bonds to the undersigned, each in the sum of $8,831 51 cents, with good personal security, bearing interest from the 1st day of January, 1859, payable one on the 1st day of January, 1860, and the other on the 1st of January, 1861. And for the balance of the purchase money the purchaser will be required to execute such bond or bones [sic] as will be acceptable to to [sic] the aforesaid James M. Ellyson, Lewis Ellyson and Carter B. Ellyson.
CYRUS A. BRANCH, )
LEMUEL J. BOWDEN, ) Sp'l Com'rs.
WM. S. PEACHY. )¹

On February 10, 1860 (just ten days prior to the advertised sale of Ellison's farm) Nathaniel Taylor came to the rescue and became bound as surety for Lewis Ellison in certain forthcoming bonds or debts: a bond to H. L. Taylor guardian—$219.28; a bond to Taylor—$196.98; a bond to Wm. A. Crandel—$308.90; a bond to Isaac Hofheimer—$141.26; a bond to 99 Charles W. Coleman—$349.80 and a bond to A. Lawson—$338.62. He owed Robert M. Garrett $280 since March 20, 1858. Ann C. Deputy, mother-in-law of Ellison, went security for the Garrett bond. A trust deed made the 24th day of March in the year 1860 between the said Lewis Ellison of the one part and William H. Yerby, (Trustee) of the other part, "Witnesseth, that the said Lewis Ellison doth grant unto the said William H. Yerby (Trustee) the following property viz: four mules, four horses, sixty sheep, one hundred fifty cords of pine wood, five head of cattle, one threshing machine, two reapers and all other farming implements now in the possession of said Ellison, two stage coaches and all other carriages, buggies and harness belonging to said Ellison. In trust to secure first the said Nathaniel Taylor from all loss and damage by reason of his suretyship aforesaid [and after Taylor had been satisfied] to secure Robert M. Garrett in the said debt of $280 hereinbefore mentioned [said Ellison to remain and enjoy the property upon payment of the first security bond to Taylor] ...if payment not made, a public auction to be held at the farm known and called the Grove on which the said Ellison now resides..."¹

The fact that Ellison gave lien on two stage coaches would indicate that he operated the stage route. Wynne had advertised that he met the boats at his wharf with hacks to take passengers to and from Williamsburg and York-town.

Ellison seems to have given Taylor a lien on all his personal property in the house, stock and growing crops, also. He listed 21 horses, 15 cattle, 33 sheep and 9 hogs in this lien.¹ In 1860 Ellison gave deed of trust to Talbot Sweeney "conveying 1 yoke of oxen, 1 bay mare, 1 omnibus, beds, bedding, 24 chairs, sideboard, sofa, parlor, dining and breakfast tableware, stove, cows, and all farming implements upon Ellison's farm called the 'Grove' in James City County." H. H. Curtis Jr. and Nathaniel Taylor Jr. are his securities.²

In February, 1861 Lewis Ellison and wife, E. W. Ellison, sold to John H. Lee of James City County in consideration of $4500 "all that portion of the farm called the 'Grove' containing three hundred & twenty one acres, bounded on the north by the public road leading from Williamsburg to the 'Grove' East by the road leading from Said public road to the 'Grove Wharf' to a mulberry tree, thence to James River, South 101 by James River West by Welhan's run up to that part of the Grove land called 'BROWNE'S', Thence along the line of said land called Brownes to the Said public road from Williamsburg."¹

In March, 1861 Ellison and wife conveyed to William B. Wynne in consideration of $1200 "a portion of the land Known as the 'Grove' lying on the left hand Side of the road leading from Williamsburg Containing Sixty acres more or less bounded on the North and West by the land of said William B. Wynne called `Helicon' South by the main Road and East by the land of Richard C. Wynne conveyed to him by the parties of the first part by deed bearing even date with these presents the Said Eastern boundary having been run & Marked by the said William B. Wynne & Richard C. Wynne."²

Also, in March, 1861 Ellison and wife conveyed to Richard C. Wynne in consideration of $800 "a portion of the land Known as the 'Grove' lying on the left hand side leading from Williamsburg containing fifty acres more or less bounded on the South by the main road, East and North by the land of Rich^d C. Wynne and West by the land of William B. Wynne..."³

In 1861 Ellison paid Personal Property Tax on 7 slaves, 21 horses, 15 cattle, 16 sheep, 30 hogs, 4 carriages and 1 piano.¹

Ellison claimed that the deed given him to the property in 1856 had been lost. In 1866 the Court ordered a new deed issued to him upon receipt of which he should give a deed of trust to Wynne's commissioners to cover his outstanding debt to them still unpaid:

Saturday December 8^th 1866

…
Henley L. Taylor Plieff )
against )
Lewis Ellison, Humphrey H. Wynne ) ) In Chancery
Cyrus A. Branch and Wm. S. Peachy) Defts )

…the defendant Lewis Ellison did become the purchaser of the real estate called the "Grove" and that in further pursuance thereof a deed was executed by Cyrus A. Branch, Lemuel J. Bowden and William S. Peachy, commissioners acting under the Order of this Court to the defendant Lewis Ellison conveying to him in fee the plantation situate in this County called the "Grove" except such portions thereof as had been previously sold and conveyed by said deft Ellison to John H. Lee, Richard C. Wynne and William B. Wynne and that likewise in pursuance of said arrangement and agreement a trust deed was executed by the said Ellison to Cyrus A. Branch Lemuel J Bowden & William S. Peachy Trustees to secure the balance of the purchase Money payable by said Ellison upon his purchase of the said "Grove plantation" to Wit: a bond executed by said Ellison to Henley L. Taylor guardian of Edmund [sic] C. Wynne for the sum of three thousand and Eight Hundred and thirty seven dollars and fifty two cents also a bond executed to said Taylor as Guardian of Nannie W. Wynne for the like sum, also a bond executed to said Taylor as guardian of Thomas Wynne 103 for the sum of twenty two Hundred and thirty two dollars and seventy four cents each of which said bonds bear date the 16^th Feb /61 and carry interest from the 9^th day of April 1860 and also a bond executed by said Ellison to Humphrey H. Wynne special commissioner under an Order of this Court in trust refered to in this bill for the sum of four thousand and three Hundred and forty seven dollars and sixty One cents bearing date the 16^th day of Feby 1861 and carrying interest from date, which said deeds have been lost— The court doth now adjudge Order & deem that a lien still exists upon the said plantation called the "Grove" excepting the portions thereof sold and conveyed to John H Lee, Richard C. Wynne and William B. Wynne for the payment of the bonds aforesaid being the unpaid purchase money thereof and the court being of Opinion that the defendant Lewis Ellison is entitled to a deed for the said real estate called the "Grove" excepting such portions thereof as appear by exhibits "A B & C" to have been sold and conveyed to John H. Lee, Richard C. Wynne & William B. Wynne doth decree... that Cyrus A. Branch who is hereby appointed a special Commissioner for the purpose, execute and deliver to the defendant Lewis Ellison a deed conveying to him in fee and with special Warranty the real estate called the "Grove" not including however in said deed such portions of said Grove plantation as are included by the said defendant & wife to said Jno. H. Lee, Richard C. and William B. Wynne.

And the court further adjudge order and decree that thereupon the said Defendant Ellison execute and deliver to Cyrus A Branch William S. Peachy and John Motley a deed reconveying to them in trust the said real estate called the "Grove"...to secure the payment of the bonds aforesaid described to be payable from the said defendant Ellison to Henley L. Taylor as Guardian of Edmund C. Nannie W. and Thomas Wynne and to the said Humphrey H. Wynne as Special Commissioner which said trust deed shall provide in the usual form for the sale of said real estate called the "Grove" upon default being made in the payment of the aforementioned bonds, but this decree shall not be so construed as to authorize any 104 sale thereunder contrary to the provision of the statute entitled an Act to Stay the Collection of debts for a limited period passed March 2^d 1866.

And then the Court adjourned until Monday Morning next at 10 O'Clock
Jos: Christian¹

Ellison continued to sell off or mortgage in order to satisfy his creditors. A Bill of Sale of Personal Property was made on June 10, 1867 to V. Baker of Yorktown: "I L. Ellison of James City County and State of Virginia have this day sold to V. Baker of Yorktown, York County, and state aforesaid, all of the ship timber which is at this time cut on my farm in James City County. Baker is to pay me so much per foot as he shall receive for the same in market after deducting necessary expenses of transporting the said timber to market."²

In February, 1867 Ellison gave the deed of trust ordered by the Court in December, 1866 describing it as:

...a tract of land situate in the County of James City upon which the said Ellyson now resides, and commonly known as the "Grove" excepting and saving however such portions thereof as have heretofore been sold and conveyed to John H. Lee, Richard C. Wynne and William B. Wynne...That the said Trustees herebefore named shall permit the said Lewis Ellison to remain in the quiet and undisturbed possession of the premises hereinbefore granted until the said Henley L. Taylor guardian as aforesaid and the said Humphrey H. Wynne special Commissioner ...shall be entitled according to law 105 to demand payment of the debts mentioned to be payable to them in the said decree of the 8th day of December 1866…And if the said Lewis Ellison shall not then fully pay the principal and legal interest which may then be due and payable upon the bonds [the said commissioners or trustees] shall sell the aforesaid tract of land Called the Grove…But no sale shall be made under this Deed until a notice of sixty days be given by posting the same at the front door of the Court House of this County and at two other public places in the said County, and if required by the said Ellison shall also be published for four weeks successively in a newspaper published in the City of Richmond or Norfolk…¹

On September 21, 1868 the Trustees for Wynne's estate had Broadsides printed by R. Lively, Williamsburg editor, offering "GROVE PLANTATION" on the James River containing about 665 acres for sale:

PUBLIC SALE
OF VALUABLE Real Estate

As TRUSTEES in a deed bearing date February 22nd, 1867, and of record in the clerk's office of James City County Court, we shall, being so required by the beneficiaries named in said deed, offer for sale at PUBLIC AUCTION in the city of Williamsburg and in front of the COURT-HOUSE door of said city, on the 25th day of November next, that very valuable and desirable estate known as the
"GROVE PLANTATION."

The "Grove" is situate upon James River, in the county of James City, State of Virginia, and contains about Six Hundred and Sixty-five (665) acres.

The buildings consist of an excellent brick dwelling and the usual out houses, all of which are believed to be in good condition. A Wharf 106 is attached to the premises, at which the James River boats regularly stop, and is the source of considerable profit to the farm. This farm, the soil of which has always been regarded as excellent, is admirably located for the Fruit and Trucking business, having daily communication with the Richmond or Norfolk markets, and the most ample facilities of communication with the Northern markets.

There is now upon the premises a choice and flourishing Peach Orchard. It is presumed that a person desiring to purchase will examine for himself, and therefore it is unnecessary further to describe the premises.

The deed requires the premises to be sold for CASH, but we have no doubt that a purchaser can get reasonable indulgence for a considerable portion of the purchase money, if properly secured. The title to the premises is clear and unquestionable.
CYRUS A. BRANCH, )
JOHN MOTLEY, ) Trustees.
WILLIAM S. PEACHY.)

Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 21st, 1868.

¹

In October, 1869 the Grove had been sold to Thomas G. Stratton. See: Chapter IX for further details of his ownership.

IX
THOMAS G. STRATTON

The ownership of "Grove Farm" was transferred by deed of date April 12, 1869 to Thomas J. [G] Stratton of New York from Cyrus A. Branch, William S. Peachy and John Motley, trustees of Wynne's estate and Henley L. Taylor as guardian of Thomas Wynne; Humphrey H. Wynne and Lewis Ellison uniting in the same.¹ The consideration named was $14,000 to be paid as follows: $1000 in cash, $2000 at the expiration of six months from March 24, 1869, $2000 at twelve months from late date, $4500 on April 1, 1871 and $4500 on April 1, 1872.² According to the terms of purchase Stratton was granted "all their right, title, interest and estate whatsoever in law or equity in and to the aforementioned tract of land Called and Known by the name of the 'GROVE' Siteuate upon James River in the County of James City and State of Virginia, the same land whereon Lewis Ellyson now resides, together with all of the privileges, wharves, improvements or Appurtenances thereunto in any wise belonging."³

Stratton kept Grove Farm only ten months. On December 2, 1869 he gave a deed to Fanny Choles of New York City. The consideration named was $13000 subject to a deed of trust executed by Stratton to Branch, Peachy & Motley, Trustees, of date April 12, 1869.¹

For further details of Choles's ownership, see Chapter X.

X
YOUNG B. CHOLES and FANNY CHOLES

On December 2, 1869 Thomas J. Stratton of James City County and Mary E., his wife, sold to Fanny Choles of New York City three tracts of land known as "Grove," "Red House" and "French Ordinary or Saw Mill" comprising total acreage of 871 acres:

[Dec. 2, 1869]

THIS INDENTURE MADE the Second day of December in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and Sixty nine. Between Thomas J. Stratton of James City County and State of Virginia and Mary E his Wife party of the first part and Fanny Choles of the City of New York of the Second part. WITNESSETH: That the Said party of the first part for and in Consideration of the Sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars lawful money of the United States of America, to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged, have granted, bargained Sold aliened remised, released Conveyed and Confirmed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, Sell, alien, remise release, Convey and Confirm unto the party of the Second part and to her heirs and assignes for Ever, All those three peices [sic] parcels or farms of land Situate on James River in Said County of James City and State of Virginia. The first of Said peice is Known as the red house tract and Contains by Estimation, One hundred and Seventy One Acres more or less.- The Second peice or parcel is Known as the French Orⁿary [sic] Woods or Saw mill tract, and the other Known as the "Grove" and all three of Said tracts are generally Known as and Constitute the "Grove" and Contain Eight hundred and Seventy One acres be the same more or less. (Exclusive of those Several portions of Said Grove farm heretofore Sold and Conveyed by Lewis Ellyson, to John H. Lee, Richard C. Wynne and William B. Wynne. by Sep^erate 111 Deeds. which are recorded in the Clerks Office of James City County Court) Together with all and Singular the tenements herditaments and Appurtenances, there to belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents issues and profits thereof. And also all the Estate, right title and interest, property possession, Claim and demand whatsoever as well in law as in Equity of the Said parties of the first part of in or to the the above described premises, and every part and parcel thereof, with the Appurtenances to have and to hold all and Singular the above mentioned and described premises, together with the appurtenances, unto the Said party of the Second part her heirs and assigns forever. This Conveyance is made subject to a trust deed executed by the said Thomas J Stratton to Cyrus A Branch, William S Peachy, & John Motley Trustees &c. to Secure the payment of Thirteen Thousand Dollars bearing date on or about the 12th day of April 1869 which the Said party of the Second part hereby assumes and agrees to pay as the Consideration or purchase price above mentioned to Said Trustees.

And the Said Thomas J. Stratton, for himself and his heirs and assigns forever - the said premises in the quiet and peaciable possession of the Said party of the Second part, her heirs and assigns, against the said party of the first part her heirs and against all and every person and persons whomesoever, lawfully Claiming or to Claim the Same, Shall and will warrant and by these presents forever defend.

In Witness whereof the Said parties of the first part have hereunto Set their hands and seals the day and year first above written
Sealed and delivered )
In Presence of )
T. J. Stratton (Seal)
Mary E. Stratton (Seal)¹

[Recorded in Clerk's Office James City County and the City of Williamsburg March 29th 1871.]

Choles paid Stratton $13,000 on total purchase price of $24,000. The Conveyance was made subject to a trust deed executed by Stratton to the trustees of Wynne's estate to secure the payment of $13,000 bearing date about the 12th of April 1869.¹

Little is known about Choles at the Grove from 1869 when he moved there until 1874. In that year Fanny B. Choles and Young B. Choles were charged in Jamestown Township by the Treasurer of James City County with taxes due upon 875 acres of land, tax assessment $118.30; personal property tax $10.98 and Capitation tax $1.50 making a total of $130.78.²

From two notices advertising proposed sale of the Grove it is clear that Stratton had not paid off the $13,000 due prior to his sale to Choles which had involved Choles in a clear title to the property:

[February 21, 1874]

PUBLIC SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE IN THE COUNTY OF JAMES CITY.—

As trustees in a deed made by Thomas J. Stratton, and of record in the clerk's office of James City County Court, and being, in writing, so required to do, by the personal representative of the late Thomas Wynne, we will, on the second MONDAY, in March, 1874, offer for sale at the court-house door, in the city of Williamsburg, that well-known and 112 VALUABLE REAL ESTATE called the "Grove", situated on James river, and containing from 700 to 900 ACRES. This is a fine estate. The buildings consist of a dwelling elegantly fitted up, containing twelve rooms, two large brick kitchens and the usual out-houses found on such an estate. The land is of the finest quality and well enclosed. It is hoped that a person desiring to purchase will examine for himself before the day of sale.

TERMS: Enough cash to pay expenses of sale, and the residue of unpaid purchase money, amounting in all to about $11,000; and for balance, such credit will be given as may be prescribed by the present proprietor on the day of sale, or in the absence of directions, by the trustees.
CYRUS A. BRANCH
W^m S. Peachy.
Trustees.¹

The Grove is described as "a dwelling elegantly fitted up, containing twelve rooms, two large brick kitchens and the usual out-houses..." total amount asked for the plantation entire was $11,000.

Three months later a similar notice of proposed sale of the Grove in June would indicate that the first proposed sale was not held. In the notice below Mr. Choles is mentioned as in residence and willing to show prospective buyers the place:

[May 19, 1874]

PUBLIC SALE OF VALUABLE REAL ESTATE IN THE COUNTY OF JAMES CITY—

As surviving trustees in a deed made by Thomas J. Stratton, and bearing date April 12th, 1869, to secure the payment of the deferred purchase money 113 of the farm called the "Grove," and being required in writing by the personal representative of the late Thomas Wynne so to do, we will offer the REAL ESTATE known as the "Grove," for sale on the second Monday in JUNE NEXT, that being the County court-day for James City and the city of Williamsburg. The sale will take place in the city of Williamsburg, and at the door of the court-house. The "Grove" is beautifully situated on James river, containing about 700 ACRES OF LAND, and well adapted to the cereals, and especially suited to trucking. The dwelling is probably the best in the county, ample for the accommodation of a large family, and fitted up in elegant style. The outer buildings are in excellent condition, and the fencing of superior quality. It is of little utility to enumerate in an advertisement the various advantages and merits of a farm offered for sale, as a purchaser always perfers to examine for himself. It may, however, be said that a more desirable place in all respects cannot be found upon the Peninsular. Mr. Young B. Choles, the present occupant, will take pleasure in showing the farm to any one desiring to purchase.

TERMS: Cash enough will be required to pay the expenses of sale, and the unpaid purchase money now due and payable, which will probably be $10,000, and for any residue of purchase money such credit will be given as may be prescribed by Mr. Choles. It is very probable that the persons interested may consent to a reasonable credit for a part of the cash payment, and if so it will be announced on the day of sale.
CYRUS A. BRANCH
WM. S. PEACHY
Surviving Trustees¹

In October 1874 Young B. Choles "applied to Stephen D. Roberts and Mary A. Roberts of New York City to purchase his farm on which he then resided known as Grove, James City County." 114 He represented it as three pieces of property: the Grove proper of 386 acres, the Red House tract of 181 acres more or less and the Saw Mill tract of 337 acres. Choles stated that the Grove proper had a commodious dwelling house of great value worth with other tracts $100,000, that he had bought it in 1869 at $24,000 with the only lien upon it, a mortgage of $13,000 which he still owed as the balance of the purchase money due. In November 1874 Choles furnished Roberts with an abstract to title prepared by his lawyer.¹ See: Plat of this property furnished Roberts by Choles in 1874.²

Roberts agreed to buy the Grove from Choles. See: Chapter XI.

XI
STEPHEN D. ROBERTS AND MARY A. ROBERTS

In a suit in Chancery Court of James City County and City of Williamsburg in October 1874 the following was recorded relating to the differences between Young B. Choles and Stephen D. Roberts. It seems that Young B. Choles who resided upon the farm called "The Grove," James City County applied to Stephen D. Roberts and Mary A. Roberts of New York City to purchase his farm. The Roberts stated that "they were natives of `old England' & having lived there up to about four Years ago, when they came to this country & settled in the City of New York, bringing with them their pecuniary means, which were considerable."¹ Choles represented the farm of several tracts thus: (1) the Grove proper of 386 acres, (2) the Red House of 181 acres and (3) the Saw Mill tract of 337 acres.² He stated that there was "a commodious dwelling house of great value...[total] all together worth $100,000, that he had purchased the said farm in 1869, 116 very cheap at $24,000, & the only lien upon it was a mortgage of $13,000 which he owed as the balance of the purchase money due."

On November 9, 1874 Choles through his attorney furnished Roberts with an abstract to title¹ to the said Grove estate representing that the title to the same was good and perfect if the said $3,000 owing was paid off. Roberts agreed to purchase the "Grove proper" of 387 acres for $20,000 to pay in several installments—the last of date November 1878.

In the suit Roberts and wife complained that Choles had retained the Red House and Saw Mill tracts and he should be forced by court to sell and apply proceeds to the debt due him prior to Roberts' buying and that Roberts should not be liable.

James Hubbard, lawyer for Choles had prepared and executed the following deeds: (1) a deed of November 24, 1874 from William S. Peachy surviving trustee, H. L. Taylor guardian, H. H. Wynne adm^r, Thomas Wynne, Edward C. Wynne and Nannie W. Wynne to the said Young B. Choles by which the parties of the first part conveyed all their right, title and interest in and to the said entire tract of land called the "Grove" consisting of three separate tracts or parcels 117 as aforesaid, in consideration of the said Choles paying cash $2000 and the balance of the purchase money $8,353.29 in three installments...(2) a deed in trust bearing date with the first deed from the said Young B. Choles to William S. Peachy and the said James F. Hubbard, trustees, by which it will appear that Choles conveyed to Peachy and Hubbard "all of the entire 'Grove estate,' including the said 'Grove proper', 'Red House' tract & 'Saw mill' tract to secure the payment of the $8,353.29 payable in three installments." And (3) a deed of the same date as the first and second deeds from the said Young B. Choles and Fannie of the first part, James F. Hubbard and James S. Roberts of the second part and Stephen D. Roberts and wife of the third part. By the third and last deed it will appear that Choles and wife conveyed to Hubbard and James S. Roberts trustees only the "Grove proper", which Fannie Roberts had paid $2000 cash and gave bond for $2048 to be paid April 16, 1875; $800 second installment and gave mortgage of a house in Brooklyn valued at $7000 making a total of $11,848 paid or agreed to be paid to Choles by Mrs. Roberts.¹

On February 8, 1877 Mary A. Roberts, widow of Stephen D. Roberts, Emma M., Charles W. and James S. Roberts, 118 children of said Stephen D. Roberts—all of age, Mary A. Roberts, child under age, gave a deed of trust to John E. K. Schwenk of Union County, Pennsylvania: for the Grove containing 387 acres and bounded thus:

On the South West by the James River: North by the land of J. Henry Lee: North East by the public Road leading from Williamsburg to Warwick Courthouse: and South East by the lands of James Pancost and the Blow Estate, being the same mentioned and particularly described in the deed from Young B. Choles and Fanny his wife Stephen D. Roberts and Mary A Roberts, his wife, to James F. Hubbard and James S. Roberts, trustees, bearing date the 24th day of November 1874. and of record in the Clerk's office of the said County of James City in the State of Virginia, and also mentioned in a certain agreement made November 15th A.D. 1876 between Saml. K. Schwenk and Charles W. Roberts, and the said parties of the first part further grant convey and deliver to the said party of the Second part all stock, farming implements, interest in crops, brick machine, household and Kitchen furniture and all other personal property upon the premises.

It is particularly agreed that the said Schwenk does not assume the payment of any indebtedness whatsoever that may be due or become due from any of the parties of the first part upon the premises hereby conveyed....¹

A few months prior to the above noted deed of trust Mary A. Roberts sold her personal effects to her daughter:

[October 28, 1876]

...for $200 received & the further sum of $300 to be paid in 3 equal installments of 6, 12 & 19 mos. I, M. A. Roberts hereby sell to my daughter 119 E. M. Roberts all my furniture and effects farming tools and horse, buggy, harness, crops & all belonging to me wharfage dues and all debts due to me at the Grove Farm.
Mary A. Roberts.¹

It is obvious that the sale to her daughter was never consummated. The interest of the above business transaction is the reference to "wharfage dues."²

In the absence of court records it is impossible to know just what transactions followed. However, Roberts, being dead, and his widow involved financially, it is most reasonable to assume that she defaulted in payments to the Wynne family who still were owners by defaults of Choles, Ellison and others.

By June, 1881 Nannie W. Wynne, youngest child of Thomas Wynne who had bought Carter's Grove in 1838 from Philip Lewis Carter Burwell, became the owner. Her brother, Thomas Jr. had died. Her brother, E. C. Wynne and Lucy, his wife, for a consideration of $2598.55 conveyed their right, title and interest in "The Grove" containing 380 acres to her. Details of her ownership will be noted in Chapter XII.

XII
NANNIE W. WYNNE

The plantation known in previous chapters as the "Grove" had returned again into the hands of the Wynne heirs through default of the last owner.

On June 10, 1881 E. C. Wynne and Lucy A., his wife of James City County signed over all their right, title, interest and estate in law and equity to his sister, Nannie W. Wynne:

[June 10, 1881]

This Deed made this 10^th day of June A.D. 1881 between E. C. Wynne and Lucy A. his wife of the County of James City State of Virginia party of the first part and Nannie W. Wynne party of the Second part:

Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of Two Thousand five hundred and Ninety Eight Dollars and fifty five Cents to the Said E. C. Wynne in hand paid at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the Said E. C. Wynne and Lucy A his wife parties of the first part do by these presents grant, bargain, transfer assign and Convey unto the Said Nannie W Wynne party of the Second part. All their right title interest and Estate both at law and Equity in and to that Certain tract or parcel of land located on the James River, in the County of James City Known as "The GROVE" Containing three hundred and Eighty acres more or less.

122

Witness our hands and seals this 10th day of June 1881.
E. C. Wynne (Seal)
L. A. Wynne (Seal)¹

[Recorded in the Clerks Office of James City County and the City of Williamsburg June 27th 1881.]

Research has not discovered if Nannie W. Wynne lived at Carter's Grove from June, 1881 to November, 1883 when she conveyed through her commissioners the plantation to E. G. Booth of Philadelphia.²

At Olive Branch Christian Church, near Toano are the tombs of Nannie Waller Wynne and her brother, Thomas Wynne which read thus:

NANNIE WALLER WYNNE Age 64 Years THOMAS WYNNE son of Ann Camm & Thos. Wynne Born Sept. 18, 1845 Died March 21, 1875

The following two inscriptions are on gravestones in a cemetery near Lightfoot, Virginia, just off Route 60: 123

Dr. Edward Camm
Wynne
Son of Thomas Wynne and Ann Camm Waller
Born at
Carters Grove
Feb. 16, 1850
Died at
Newport News Va.
Aug. 27, 1924
Graduate of the
Virginia Medical
College
March 1876

Lucy A. Wynne
July 11, 1858
March 11, 1912

Carter's Grove (land side) before 1907
Source: Valentine Museum: Cook Collection [No Image]

XIII
EDWIN G. BOOTH [Sr.]

According to a note in the Brock Notebook, Virginia Historical Society, E. G. Booth purchased "The Grove" situated upon Burwells Bay in 1879:

Feb. 1879. E. G. Booth has purchased the famous estate "The Grove" situated upon Burwells Bay 6 miles from Williamsburg, which originally belonged to Rob^t Carter, Pres^dt of the Council and Acting Gov. of V^a known as "King Carter", he renovated and restored it and proposes that it shall be a place for holding celebrations of state historic anniversaries &c.¹

If Mr. Brock was correct in his statement that Booth had bought "The Grove" — such transaction was not completed or recorded in James City County Clerk's Office until 1884. The Deed was written on November 19, 1883:

[W. G. W. Farthing, Special Commissioner for Nannie W. Wynne, E. C. Wynne & Lucy his Wife to E. G. Booth of Philadelphia, Penn.]

[November 19, 1883]

[Following Chancery Cause and Causes under Thomas Wynne vs H. H. Wynne and H. H. Wynne and A. C. Nickle vs Peachy & Armistead, Trustees, the bill of sale was recorded thus:]

Whereas on the 7th day of November 1883, It was decreed and ordered by the Circuit Court of the County of James City and the City of Williamsburg, in a Certain cause or causes therein depending on the Chancery side of the said Court, under the style of Thomas Wynne vs H. H. Wynne and A. C. Nickle vs Peachy & Armistead Trustees, (that it 126 appearing to the Court, That E C Wynne and Nannie W Wynne have paid all the money directed to be paid by decrees in said Causes on the 26^th of April 1881 and May 11^th 1883) W. G. W. Farthing who is hereby Appointed special Commissioner for that purpose shall Convey by deed, duly acknowledged for record the tract of land in the proceedings in said Causes more fully described: and Known as the "Grove proper" to Nannie W Wynne, and that E C Wynne and Lucy A his wife should unite in the Said Conveyance,...

And whereas the Said Nannie W. Wynne has Sold the said tract...described as the "Grove" for the Sum of Seven Thousand, five hundred Dollars to E G Booth of the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, and whereas the whole of the purchase money, has been paid, or Secured to be paid to the Said Nannie W. Wynne and She has directed the Same to be Conveyed to the Said E. G. Booth party of the Second part.

...Said tract...situate and lying in the County of James City in the State of Virginia, Known as "The Grove" Containing by estimation Three hundred and Eighty Seven acres more or less, bounded North by the land of Henry Lee, South by the James River, East by the public highway leading to W^msburg. South East by the land of Mulford. West by James River, and the parties of the first part, the title to the said tract or parcel of land, against them, their heirs, and all persons Claiming by through or under them will forever warrant and defend....¹

Edwin G. Booth died in 1885 in Philadelphia leaving a will which was recorded there and a copy put on file in James City County, Virginia court records:

[August 21, 1885]

I, Edwin G. Booth, being of sound and disposing mind and memory and fully trusting in God for proper impulses do hereby make this as my last will and testament...

127

…
4^th I leave to my son Dr. E. G. Booth, as Trustee for his wife, and children born at the time of my death or afterwards, my large Clifton house¹ in Richmond and my Carter's grove and Beechwood farms James City County Virginia with the privilege of changing these properties whenever an bill presented to the Judge of the Circuit Court, having jurisdiction over them said Judge may affix his approval of said changing, imposing on him no responsibility of any kind…

Witness my hand and seal all in my own handwriting this 21^st day of August 1885.
Edwin G. Booth (Seal)
Samuel L. Taylor
Henry T. Wright
Daniel A. Fitzgerald

Dr. Edwin G. Booth,³ son of Edwin G. Booth, Sr., who died in 1885 had married Clara H. Thomson of Jefferson County, West Virginia in 1870. In 1885 they had five living children: Frances B. eleven years old, Henrietta nine years old, Edwin 128 seven, John five and Clara three years. William H. was not born at this date.¹

According to Dr. Lyon G. Tyler's Virginia Biography, Dr. Booth was living in Nottoway County, Virginia until 1886 when he removed with his family to Carter's Grove.

In 1890 Dr. Booth bought of Warren G. Elliot, special commissioner representing the George Blow estate property known as "Big Neck" containing 640 acres, 1 road. Eighty-two acres known as "Grices" is included in the 640 acres.²

While the Booth family was living at Carter's Grove—around 1896-1897—A. Burnley Bibb, architect, described in The Georgian Period, a book of photographs and measured drawings of Colonial work with text, his visit there. Sketches were made and a detailed description of the interior and exterior were noted:

…
An almost incredible misfortune has in recent degenerate times befallen the beautiful woodwork of this great hall: dado and panelled wainscot, swelling frieze and dentilled cornice, fluted pilaster and sculptured capital, panelled arch and noble en[t]ablature, all have been painted by some vandal 129 hand—and I hasten to absolve the present proprietor, who is guiltless of the crime—in shrieking tones of red, white, blue, and—mirabile dictu—green: Absolute justice to the artist compels me to add that he has used his green rather sparingly, but what there is of it is most relentlessly green. And yet, under all this coarseness, while it is almost impossible to get the proper value of certain members to which the harsh coloring has given exaggerated weight, one can still see the dignity of the whole scheme of decoration. ¹

An article by Augusta Owen Patterson in Town & Country, April 15, 1933 referred to the red, white and blue painting of the woodwork at Carter's Grove. According to her story it was done in 1881 in honor of the Yorktown Centennial:

…It is, perhaps, an exaggeration to say that the original house was left absolutely undesecrated during the passage of time as the splendid Virginia pine hall, in the style of fine oak halls of England, was painted red, white and blue, in honor of the Yorktown Centennial in 1881,...²

By October, 1905 Dr. Booth as trustee for his children by the will of his father entered into a contract with Piedmont and Tide-Water Land Company, Columbia, Virginia, to sell the tract. It was described as in James City County, 400 acres total, 300 of which is cleared and 100 acres flat land 130 on James River; 100 acres in woodland of oak, pine and cypress; rich soil and fine marl bank; 2 ½ miles from Grove Station, C & O railroad; fine brick mansion 80 feet by [sic] spacious basement with 2 out brick buildings, carriage house and barns and stables; 900 yards from the water situated on high bluff 100 feet above water and place noted for health for over 100 years and splendid water view. Price: $40,000 and terms easy.¹

In his effort to sell the property Dr. Booth had Sydney Smith, surveyor for York County make a plat of the tract which plat was signed by Smith on January 3, 1907.² The house is drawn with a road to it from the Williamsburg to Newport News main road; the acreage is noted as 393 40/100 and the road leading to Grove Wharf Landing is drawn in.

The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg of date December 15, 1906, carried this information about the sale of Carter's Grove by Dr. Booth:

TAKES POSSESSION IN SPRING

Mr.T.C. [P] Bisland, who recently purchased historic Carter's Grove, will probably not take possession of his estate until the early spring. Mr. Bisland is engaged in business in New York City and will spend only a portion of his time at his country place, coming down on his yacht.

131

The new owner of Carter's Grove is a native of Mississippi, but lived in New Orleans some time before going North. Both Mrs. Bisland and her sister, who was with her when the Bisland's purchased Carter's Grove are members of the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Mr. Bisland will expend many thousands of dollars in restoring Carter's Grove to its condition before war devast[at]ed it.

Dr. and Mrs. Booth have not yet decided where they will reside. Dr. Booth still owns his ancestral home "Shenston" near Blackstone, in Nottoway County…it is more than probable that he will yield to the wishes of his friends here and locate in Williamsburg.

Dr. Booth is probably better known throughout the country than any other citizen of James City. His open-handed hospitality is proverbial.¹

The deed to T. Percival Bisland was recorded January 28, 1907 in James City and the City of Williamsburg Court records.

[Jan. 28, 1907]

[E. G. Booth, Trustees & als to T. P. Bisland of New York]

[Consideration: $40,000]

[Edwin G. Booth late of Philadelphia, died testate & possessed of a tract of land herein fully described. His last will was dated August 21, 1885 & probated in Orphans Court of Philadelphia, a copy recorded in Clerk's Office of James City County and the City of Williamsburg Will Book 2, pp. 413-415, and a copy in Chancery Court of Richmond March 23, 1886. The said tract of land was devised to the said Edwin G. Booth Trustee for his wife and children born at the time of the death of the said Testator or afterwards…] …

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS DEED WITNESSETH: That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration 132 of the premises and of the sum of Forty Thousand ($40,000.00) Dollars,...do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said T. P. Bisland, his heirs and assigns forever, with General Warranty, the following described property, to wit: All that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements, rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, situate lying and being in Jamestown Magisterial District, James City County, in the State of Virginia, known as "The Grove", more recently called "Carters Grove Farm", containing, by estimation, three hundred and eighty-seven (387) acres, more or less, bounded and described as follows: On the North by the land formerly belonging to Henry Lee, now the property of Charles D. Lee, and Sarah Lee, on the South by James River; on the East by the public road leading from Williamsburg to Newport News; on the South-east by the land formerly belonging to Mulford, now the property of T. H. Stryker, and on the West by James River, the same being the land conveyed to Edwin G. Booth, Sr., by deed from W. G. W. Farthing, Special Commissioner, and others, dated November 19, 1883, recorded in the Clerk's Office of said Court in deed Book No. 4, p 436, more particularly bounded and described as follows, as shown by a plot and survey thereof made by Sydney Smith, Surveyor, as follows:¹

By March, 1907 Dr. Booth and family had moved out of Carter's Grove. An item in the Virginia Gazette stated: "Dr. E. G. Booth former owner of Carter's Grove, is storing his furniture at the home of Miss Sherwell on Palace Green."² Miss Sherwell lived in the Wythe House.

XIV
T. PERCIVAL BISLAND

In the preceding chapter the conveyance between Dr. Edwin G. Booth and Percival Bisland was noted.¹ The deed stated that "The Grove," more recently called "Carter's Grove Farm" contained by estimation three hundred and eighty-seven (387) acres.

Mr. Bisland lived only a year following his purchase of Carter's Grove. The Virginia Gazette of January 4th 1908 noted his passing:

[January 4, 1908]

After an illnes of only a few months with tuberculosis, Mr. T. P. Bisland, owner of Carter's Grove, passed away on Christmas day. Mr. Bisland came here with his family after purchasing Carter's Grove. He made many friends in his adopted home. The remains were taken to Baltimore for burial.²

It was noted in subsequent newspaper notices that Mr. Bisland had used a New York City architect in restoring Carter's Grove and that he spent between $20,000 and $30,000 134 on it. Figures as to how much Bisland spent during his life there, are not available, but, fortunately, the name of the architect, W. W. Tyrie, was filed in papers necessary in the settlement of the estate:

[July 2, 1908]

1908July 2^nd
To this amount paid R. B. Knowles, Attorney for W. W. Tyrie for services as architect at Carter's Grove, Va.——$815.00¹

Mr. Bisland had the mansion house connected to the kitchen, put in a furnace and several baths by cutting off parts of the bed rooms. He paid $225 insurance on Carter's Grove.² From depositions following his death, it seems as though Mr. Bisland went into farming on a big scale for that day and bought machinery for which local farmers had no use or need and experimented in general.

Prior to his death Mr. Bisland had deeded Carter's Grove to his wife, Mrs. Margaret Bisland:

[October 19, 1907]

…
All that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements, rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, situate, lying and being in the Jamestown Magisterial District, James City County, in the State of Virginia, known as "The Grove", more recently called "Carter's Grove Farm", containing, by estimation, three hundred and eighty-seven (387) acres, more or less, bounded and described as follows:

On the North by the land formerly belonging to Henry Lee, now the property of Charles D. Lee and Sarah Lee; on the South by the James River; on the East by the public road leading from Williamsburg to Newport News; on the Southeast by the land formerly belonging to Mulford, now the property of T. H. Stryker; and on the West by James River, the same being the land conveyed to Edwin G. Booth, Sr., by deed from W. G. W. Farthing, special commissioner, and others, dated November 19, 1883, recorded in the Clerk's Office of said Court in Deed Book No. 4, page 436, more particularly bounded and described as follows, as shown by a plot and survey thereof made by Sydney Smith, surveyor… .¹

Mrs. Margaret Bisland and Charles W. Wetmore were executors of the will of T. P. Bisland written October 9, 1907 and recorded in December 1908.²

During the spring, and summer of 1908 and 1909 Mrs. Bisland stayed on at Carter's Grove. The Virginia Gazette carried many items of local people in Williamsburg who spent week-ends at Carter's Grove: Mrs. Randolph Harrison, Miss Louise Harrison, Miss Ann Ruffin, Miss Nora Macon, Misses Garrett, Mrs. Spencer and Dr. and Mrs. W. A. R. Goodwin.¹

Fleming Brown was a butler for Mrs. Bisland for three years, according to his sworn statement.²

In June 1910 Mrs. Bisland had taken out two options for property to the west of Carter's Grove. The first on the Lee Property:

Option Taken on Farm

Mr. Charles D. Lee and wife, and Miss Sarah A. Lee, his sister, have sold their farm adjoining "Carter's Grove," to Mrs. Margaret Bisland, owner of the latter place, for $12,000. Mrs. Bisland bought the place on contract, putting up an option of $100, another payment to be made by December, 1911. The Lee farm contains 325 acres. It is currently reported that an option has been or will be secured on Mr. T. H. Stryker's 137 farm in the same section. An air of mystery surrounds these deals, but it is probable an important and far-reaching deal that may mean much to that section of the country, is on.¹

A second option was on property known as the "Red House". On the same day Mrs. Bisland signed over her interest in the Red House tract to Norvell L. Henley, trustee. She had bought this outright for $5,000.²

A few days later The Virginia Gazette carried a long article:

HISTORIC FARM SOLD
Carter's Grove the Place

According to report, the truth of which seems to be assured, Carter's Grove has been sold. Although no deed has been passed, nor any contract recorded, it is apparent that the historic farm has changed hands, the deal having been closed some time ago.

The report is that the corporation that has been securing options on lower James City farms, and which recently purchased the Whitaker Lee place, has purchased Carter's Grove for the magnificent sum of $350,000. Of this, the report says, Mrs. Bisland received $150,000 in cash and the balance, $200,000, in stock of the corporation.

Charles Hauks, of Washington, who is son-in-law of Pullman, the palace car man, has moved into Carter's Grove, and Mrs. Bisland has gone to Baltimore to live. It is said she has had built for her in that city a handsome home in which she will reside permanently.

138

Considerable handsome furniture arrived some weeks ago for the use of the Hauks' at Carter's Grove. It has been removed to that place. Mrs. Hauks has been in Williamsburg several days, going down to her new home Monday.

The purchase of Carter's Grove gives color to the reports that "something is doing" down that way, or that something is going to be done in the very near future. One of the men connected with the company has said that as much as $2,000,000 would be spent upon the development of the proposed enterprise for which land has been purchased in lower James City. It is also reported that experts found a deposit of marl on Carter's Grove worth over a million dollars.

Just how much truth there is in all that has been said, will be proven by what is actually done in the future. This much is known, somebody is spending some money evidently for big stakes.¹

Mrs. Bisland had been ill for over a year. The Virginia Gazette of September 8, 1910 carried notice of her death in Philadelphia and burial in Baltimore:

MRS. MARGARET BISLAND,

Mrs. Margaret Bisland, widow of T. P. Bisland, whose death occurred less than two years ago, died last Sunday night in a Philadelphia hospital where she had gone for medical treatment. Mrs. Bisland who was only 37 years of age, had been ill for more than a year with heart trouble. She is survived by two sisters. The funeral took place in Baltimore—her remains rest by her late husband.

Mrs. Bisland was the owner of Carter's Grove and was well known and held in the highest esteem in this county and city. Her sudden death was a great shock to her friends here.²

In October following the death of Mrs. Bisland there was a "PUBLIC SALE" of Personal Property at auction:

PUBLIC SALE:
Of The Personal Effects of the Late
Margaret B. Bisland, deceased.

Acting under a decree of the Circuit Court of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, I shall offer for sale, at public auction on the premises, at Carter's Grove, in James City county, Virginia, on Saturday, October 29, 1910, beginning at 11 o'clock, a.m. all the personal property of the late Margaret B. Bisland, consisting, among other things, of the following:

Five suites of handsome bedroom furniture, consisting of tiester [sic] bedsteads, wardrobes, bureaus etc. Drawing room, dining room, library and hall furniture, carpets, druggets, rugs, etc.; silver, china, and glass ware; kitchen furniture, cooking utensils, etc.; six horses, one colt, one pair good work mules, carriages, buggies, wagons, harness, etc. A lot of farming implements. Cows, hogs, poultry, corn, hay, fodder, etc., and many other articles too numerous to mention.

TERMS:—All sums under twenty dollars, cash; all sums over twenty dollars, upon a credit of six months, to be evidenced by negotiable note, with approved security.

Persons desiring to attend the sale should get off at Grove Station on the C. & O. Railway, which is within two miles of Carter's Grove, or take the fast trains to Williamsburg, which is only eight miles distant.
T. H. STRYKER, Curator.¹

In November, 1910 the Free Library of Williamsburg through the E. C. A. "purchased the private library at Carter's Grove, thus adding 250 volumes of the best classical and modern 140 fiction as well as valuable histories, practical works, essays and books of travel."¹ Two months later, the sister of the late Mr. Bisland, Mrs. Elizabeth Bisland Wetmore, a well-known writer increased the library by a most generous gift of 200 volumes.² Who Was Who in America (1897-1942) has this biographical sketch of Mrs. Wetmore:

WETMORE, Elizabeth Bisland, author: b. Fairfax Plantation, La., Feb. 11, 1861; d. Thomas S. and Margaret (Brownson) Bisland; ed. at home; m. Charles W. Wetmore, Oct. 6, 1891. Began with lit. work for New Orleans Times-Democrat; became one of editors of Cosmopolitan Magazine. Episcopalian. Author: A Flying Trip Around the World, 1892; A Candle of Understanding, 1902:; The Secret Life, 1907; Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, 1907; At the Sign of the Hobby Horse, 1908; Seekers in Sicily, 1909; The Case of John Smith, 1916. Died Jan. 6, 1929.³

Charles Whitman Wetmore⁴ was the husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Bisland Wetmore. "He was a lawyer, financier, graduate of Harvard University 1875. President Detroit Edison Company, Director of the Mesabi Mines, Director Bethlehem Steele Company, President Montana Power Company and a noted yachtsman. 141 He raced "Beduin" and "Psyche" in 1912."¹

On March 16, 1911 a Trustee's Sale of Carter's Grove was advertised in the local paper—such sale to be on April 10, 1911:

TRUSTEE'S SALE:
OF CARTER'S GROVE

The Old Colonial Home of Many Distinguished Virginians.

By virtue of a deed of trust made by T. P. Bisland, and Margaret B. Bisland, his wife, dated January 28, 1907, and recorded in the Clerk's Office of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, in James City deed book No. 10, pages 517-518, default having been made in the payment of indebtedness therein secured, and being required so to do by the holder of the bonds evidencing the said debt, and authorized and directed by decree of the Circuit Court of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, entered on February 21, 1911, in the chancery suit therein pending, under the short name and style of Kauser, et al. v. Dewey, et al., we will expose to sale at public auction, in front of the courthouse door in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, on
Monday, April 10th, 1911

At the recess of the court (that being court day) the following property, to-wit: All that certain tract of land, with the buildings and improvements, rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, situate in Jamestown Magisterial District, County of James City and State of Virginia, called Carter's Grove, containing by estimation three hundred and eighty-seven (387) acres, and bounded and described as follows: On the North by the land formerly belonging to Henry Lee, now the property of Chas. D. Lee and Sarah Lee; on the South by James River; on the East by the public road leading from 142 Williamsburg to Newport News; on the Southeast by land formerly belonging to Mulford, now the property of T. H. Stryker; and on the West by James River.

This elegant estate is situate fifty miles east of Richmond, in the tidewater section of Virginia, fronts several miles on James river, and immediately on the proposed sand-clay road from Newport News to Richmond; is within six miles of the ancient capital, the City of Williamsburg, and an equal distance from Yorktown, site of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.

The mansion thereon was built in 1722 by King Carter. During the Revolution the English General, Tarleton, occupied it as his headquarters, and the handrails of the staircase still show the sabre cuts made by his men. It was bought only a few years ago by the late T. P. Bisland, and the work of restoration under the supervision of a New York architect, took eight months, with an expenditure of something between forty and fifty thousand dollars. With all of its modern improvements, it is today one of the most beautiful homes in Virginia, aside from its historic associations.

There are also on this property four newly constructed frame dwelling houses suitable for employees; also large and convenient outbuildings.

A part of the land is in a high state of cultivation, a part well set in timber, and besides there is an inexhaustible supply of marl deposit, suitable for the manufacture of cement, declared by experts to be the best in this country.

Terms of Sale:
Sufficient cash to cover the costs of sale, and to pay off and discharge the sum of $18,242.50, with interest thereon from August 14, 1910, or as much more cash as the purchaser may elect to pay, the balance, if any, upon a credit of six and twelve months from the date of such sale, the credit installments to carry interest from date of sale, and to be evidenced by notes payable to the undersigned trustees, and secured by deed of trust upon the said property, said deed of trust to be executed and recorded at the cost of the purchaser.

143

At any time prior to the above mentioned sale, the undersigned trustees will entertain private offers of not less than $50,000 for the above described property, upon the terms above stated, as authorized by the aforesaid decree of said court.
B. D. PEACHY,
NORVELL L. HENLEY,
TRUSTEES.

R. L. SPENCER, AUCTIONEER.

¹

A few days following the above article The Virginia Gazette wrote extensively about the sale of Carter's Grove recently consummated:

AN HISTORIC OLD FARM
Sold at Auction for $30,000

What was probably the biggest price paid for a single estate ever sold at public auction before the courthouse in Williamsburg, was that of "Carter's Grove" which went to a syndicate of well known men last Monday afternoon. The purchasers were Messrs. R. G. Bickford, of Newport News; Simon Curtis, of Lee Hall, and Alex. Harwood, of Grove station, whose bid was $30,000. They were not the only bidders, but they seemed to be willing to pay the biggest price and naturally got the property. It was sold by R. L. Spencer, auctioneer, for B. D. Peachy and Norvell L. Henley, trustees, to settle the estate of the late Mrs. Margaret Bisland. It has been in litigation since the death in Philadelphia of the owner who left no will.

"Carter's Grove" is one of the most celebrated spots in Virginia. It was originally owned by Robert Carter, known as "King Carter." The present mansion was built in 1722 to 1730 by Carter Burwell, a grandson of old "King Carter." It is of old blue and red glazed brick and stands on a commanding eminence overlooking the broad expanse of the James for many miles. Its wide, spacious halls and rooms, 144 with their beautifully hand-carved paneling, extending to the ceiling, is the admiration of all beholders. The mansion was occupied by Colonel Tarleton and his troopers during the Revolution, and the marks of their sabers on the bannister are pointed to visitors to this day. Tarleton's men are said to have actually ridden their horses up the broad stairway.

Mr. Bisland bought the estate, which contains 387 acres, from the Booth family, and spent between $40,000 and $50,000 in restoring the mansion to its former glory. He died suddenly before the work had been completed. Mrs. Bisland followed him to the grave two years later.

It is presumed the new owners bought the property as a matter of speculation. Mrs. Bisland was offered $350,000 for the estate. It is said to be rich in marl deposits.¹

The sale was confirmed by Judge Tyler. Again The Virginia Gazette informed the public:

SALE OF GROVE CONFIRMED
Judge Tyler yesterday confirmed the sale of "Carter's Grove" to a syndicate at $30,000. There was no upset bid. The price paid fell $4,000 short of paying the second mortgage and heirs get nothing.

Credit is given to the Bislands in joining the kitchen wing to the main house with a connection used as a butler's pantry. Dr. Lyon G. Tyler in Williamsburg (1907) stated: "Carter's Grove is built in the Flemish bond, and has two detached wings."³

Miss Ann Ruffin, now a resident of Williamsburg remembers going to Carter's Grove with her grandparents, the Harrisons who lived in the Wythe House in Williamsburg at the time. She said it was the impression that Mr. Bisland made his fortune in the silver mines prior to his being in business in New York City. She recalls that the locks at Carter's Grove were silver plated.¹ Elsie Lathrop visited Carter's Grove sometime prior to 1927. She noted that "Brass locks and hinges, silver plated, are throughout the house."² Miss Lathrop noted, also, that "a recent owner painted this exquisite hall in red, white and blue, but a later owner removed this disfigurement, and restored it to its original beauty."³ She noted the book shelves lined with many books in the upper hall room. Mrs. Edith Tunis Sale in Colonial Manors of Virginia (1909) stated that "Under the stewardship of a former owner, in a burst of mistaken patriotism, the handsome wood-work of the hall was painted the national colors, and until a few years ago the mellow tones of the old walnut were lost under the blaring coating of red, white, and blue."⁴

When Curtis, Harwood & Bickford bought Carter's Grove in 1911 they prepared a brochure in anticipation of selling it. See: Chapter XV for details of their ownership.

XV
CURTIS, HARWOOD & BICKFORD

In the Circuit Court of Williamsburg and County of James City B. D. Peachy and Norvell L. Henley, trustees acting under deed of trust dated January 28, 1907 and under decree pronounced in the above cause on April, 19, 1991, reported as follows to the Court:

That on the 2d day of May, 1911, they collected from The Curtis, Harwood, Bickford Co., the purchasers of the tract of land in the proceedings mentioned, the cash sum of Twelve Thousand Dollars, and by and with the consent of Henry A. Wise, Trustee, Assignee of E. G. Booth, Trustee, they accepted as a part of the purchase price of said land a bond of the Curtis, Harwood & Bickford Company in the sum of Eighteen Thousand Dollars, secured by deed of trust on the said property, which deed of trust was recorded contemporaneous with the deed made by the undersigned trustees, which bond for the purpose of this report was treated as a cash payment, and that upon the payment of said sum of money and the delivery of said bond and deed of trust, the undersigned executed and delivered to the said Curtis, Harwood & Bickford Co. a deed conveying the said property, with covenants of Special Warranty. [Cost of sale—$1604.65; settlement with Henry A. Wise, trustee, Assignee of E. G. Booth, trustee, principal—$18242.50 plus interest and other fees making total—$19059.95; By bond of Curtis, Harwood & Bickford Co. turned in as cash—$18000; cash paid Henry A. Wise for balance—$1059.95; other fees—$27.20; Cash paid H. H. Boyesen, attorney for Chas. W. Wetmore, surviving executor under the last will and testament of T. P. Bisland, decd. and mortgagee under 148 the mortgage made by Margaret B. Bisland, dated April 30, 1908—$9308.20 making a total of $12000.]¹

This Company sometime before January, 1912 had a brochure prepared entitled "Carter's Grove Virginia" (about 25 pages with pictures exterior and interior). This brochure was done with the idea of selling Carter's Grove.² Excerpts are given below:

…
Carter's Grove is one of the famous James river plantations. The beach is very beautiful and on this property is one mile and a quarter in length, the house standing about four hundred yards from the water and one hundred feet above it. The river bending at this point, is seven miles across and has about five feet of tide. From the bluff in front of the house a distance of twenty-two miles can be seen. There is a creek which would make a fine harbor for boats, and upon the restoration of the pier the Richmond boats could be used for merchandise and travel...

The property consists of four hundred acres, two hundred and sixty being under cultivation and the rest in very valuable timber lands, part of which is a most superb beech wood. A new orchard of two hundred and ninety trees has been started, consisting of pear, peach, plum, apple, quince and fig trees; there are also berries and grapes.

The land is slightly rolling and very well drained, the house standing on a well-shaded lawn which slopes to three terraces, then ending in a large sunken garden.

The house is surrounded by large trees, and the driveway. an eighth of a mile in length. A magnificent grove of locust trees ends at the old circular stone steps at the north entrance.

149

The house is of English brick and consists of the main building and two wings. It is old Colonial in design, two stories and an attic; slate roof and very thick walls; those in the cellar are, it is said, four and a half feet through; the main floor three and a half feet and the next three feet through.

The great hall, forty by twenty-seven feet, is lighted by three large windows and has a staircase of hand-carved walnut. This staircase is famous in the architectural annals of this country.

On this floor are also four rooms, the drawing and dining rooms on the south and river front, and back of these a room used as an office and a bed room, with a large bath room.

All of these rooms are panelled to the ceiling, dark with age and of very beautiful workmanship. The panelling is heart pine, but no such heart pine as the writer has ever seen. It is magnificent: The capitals and pilasters are all hand work and of great beauty of design.

The doors on the south and north fronts are very large, and in the restoration the old outside locks were put on these, as well as on all the other doors in the house.

On the second floor there are five rooms, two large bath rooms and a hall. These are all large, the library being twenty-seven by seventeen and a half feet, and has three large windows from which there is a beautiful view of the river.

The bed rooms are nearly the same size as the library, have good closet room, and the bath rooms are seventeen and a half by six and a quarter feet, and no money has been spared in making them as attractive as possible.

The cellar is perfectly dry and very light, and has five large rooms, making an excellent place for the storing of wood and coal, one room being used as a furnace room.

The kitchen is in the east wing and is a room forty-two by twenty-three feet, and has ten windows and two doors. One end of the room is used as a laundry and has four porcelain tubs. This room is furnished in hard wood and has cement walls. It is connected to the main building by the butler's pantry and cold storage room.

150

The west wing has also been restored and contains four rooms which could be used for guests; these rooms have open fire places as have all the rooms in the house.

The roofs of these wings, like that of the main house, are slate; and the water supply, throwing a stream twenty feet above the main roof, affords excellent fire protection.

Water for all purposes of the household and barns is supplied by a spring in the woods. From a cement basin of the spring the water is pumped by compressed air to a five thousand gallon cylindrical steel tank, obscured under ground near the house. This water has been analyzed and found to be absolutely pure.

The outbuildings consist of two houses for servants, the house stable, overseer's house, chicken house, farm barn, this last having stalls for fourteen head of cattle and the same number of horses. One laborers' house, and by the river there is a house used by the fishermen—for there are quantities of fish here, particularly shad, for which the James river is famous.

This place is completely fenced with galvanized wire fencing.

The woods are well stocked with wild turkeys, rabbits and partridge.

The land is very rich and loamy with a clay subsoil, and before the planting last year the fields were well fertilized, and the production of corn and cow-pea hay from a small portion of the open land enough to feed twenty head for one year.

The work of restoration of this property was under the supervision of a New York architect and took eight months, with an estimated expenditure of something between twenty and twenty-five thousand dollars, and with all its modern improvements is to-day one of the most beautiful places in the State, and the only house of the kind for sale on the James river.

The property can be bought on very favorable terms as to time.

151

It is stated, on authority believed to be competent, that the former owner of this property refused an offer of $150,000.

Apply or write
R. G. BICKFORD, Newport News, Va.
S. R. CURTIS, Lee Hall, Va.
A. G. HARWOOD, Grove, Va.

The property was sold by Bickford and Curtis to A. G. Harwood, the third partner on January 28, 1913. See Chapter XVI to follow.

XVI
A. G. HARWOOD

The Curtis, Harwood, Bickford Company who had purchased Carter's Grove on May 2, 1911 did not continue as owners very long.

On January 28, 1913 R. G. Bickford and H. L. W. Bickford, his wife of Newport News and S. R. Curtis and Nannie L. Curtis, his wife, of Lee Hall, Warwick County, conveyed Carter's Grove to A. G. Harwood of Grove, James City County:

[January 28, 1913]

THIS DEED, Made this 28th day of January, 1913, between R. G. Bickford and H. L. W. Bickford, his wife, of the City of Newport-News, Virginia, and S. R. Curtis and Nannie L. Curtis, his wife, of Lee Hall, Warwick County, Virginia, parties of the first part and A. G. Harwood, of Grove, James City county, Virginia, party of the second part:

WITNESSETH:-That,
WHEREAS, by a certain contract date on the 10th day of April, 1911, between S. R. Curtis, A. G. Harwood and R. G. Bickford, parties of the first, second and third parts, respectively, the said parties entered into an agreement whereby they became partners in a non-trading partnership known as The Curtis, Harwood and Bickford Company, and WHEREAS, on the 10th day of April, 1911, the partnership aforesaid, purchased a certain tract of land and the buildings thereon, situate in James City County, Virginia, and known as "Carters Grove", which property is hereinafter more fully described and received a deed of conveyance therefor from B. D. Peachy and Norvell L. Henley, Trustees, dated 154 on the 2nd day of May, 1911, and recorded in the Clerk's Office of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, on May 4th, 1911, in Deed Book #12, pages 561, 2, 3, and

WHEREAS, the said R. G. Bickford and S. R. Curtis having sold their interest in and to the property known as "Carters Grove" to A. G. Harwood, and,

WHEREAS, the said A. G. Harwood hath requested the said parties of the first part to quit claim unto him all the right, title and interest which they, the said parties of the first part may have in the said property known as "Carters Grove" hereinafter described, -

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS DEED WITNESSETH:-That in consideration of the premises, and for the further consideration of One Dollars ($1.00), cash in hand paid to them, the said parties of the first part, by the said party of the second part, at and before the signing and sealing of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the said R. G. Bickford and H. L. W. Bickford, his wife, and S. R. Curtis and Nannie L. Curtis, his wife, parties of the first part, have remised, released and quit claimed, and by these presents do remise, release and forever quit-claim unto the said A. G. Harwood, his heirs and assigns forever, without warranty, all the right, title and interest whatsoever, bot [sic] at law and in equity, that the said R. G. Bickford and H. L. W. Bickford, his wife, and S. R. Curtis, and Nannie L. Curtis, his wife, may have in and to the following described property:

All that certain tract, piece or parcel of land with the buildings and improvements, rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereto belonging, situate, lying and being in Jamestown Magisterial District, James City County and State of Virginia, known as "The Grove", more recently called "Carters Grove Farm", containing, by estimation, three hundred and eighty-seven (387) acres, more or less, bounded and described as follows: on the North by the land formerly belonging to Henry Lee, Now the property of Charles D. Lee and Sarah Lee; on the South by James Riyer; on the East by the public road leading from Williamsburg to Newport-News; 155 on the Southeast by the land formerly belonging to Mulford, now the property of T. H. Stryker; and on the West by James River; the same being the land conveyed to T. P. Bisland by deed from Edwin G. Booth, Trustee, and others, bearing date on the 28th day of January, 1907, recorded in the Clerk's Office of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, Virginia.

It is agreed by and between all the parties hereto that the Curtis, Harwood and Bickford Company was dissolved on the 15th day of May, 1912.
Witness the following signatures and seals.
R. G. Bickford, (Seal)
H. L. W. Bickford, (Seal)
S. R. Curtis, (Seal)
Nannie L. Curtis, (Seal)
A. G. Harwood, (Seal)¹

[Recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Court of the City and County aforesaid, on the 29th day of March A. D. 1913.]

ARCHIBALD McCREA
MRS. ARCHIBALD McCREA
Photograph: Dementi
c. 1931 [no image]

XVII
ARCHIBALD MONTGOMERY McCREA

In the spring of 1927 Mr. and Mrs. Archibald McCrea, Mrs. Joseph Eddy (Sally Dunlop) daughter of Mrs. McCrea, Mr. Joseph Eddy, Mr. James Dunn and W. Duncan Lee, Richmond architect, visited Carter's Grove on a tour of inspection. Mrs. McCrea had dreamed for years of acquiring the old Burwell mansion, restoring it to its former grandeur and making it the McCrea home for the future. Being a collateral descendant of the Burwells gave her added incentive. Also, her daughters by a former marriage were direct descendants of Robert Carter ("King"). Through the Pleasants family of Virginia Mr. McCrea brought, too, his appreciation of Virginia life. It seemed a stroke of Fate that the old mansion so long neglected might be rescued and restored by loving hands and hearts.

The day was warm, the sunshine bright and the air fresh and balmy as Virginia spring days can be. The party spread out their picnic lunch under one of the three giant tulip poplars on the river side of the house and looked down over meadows which showed signs still of a former sunken garden. Though trees, shrubs and vines obscured clear views of the river, the James was there to beckon.

Tenants living in the house that day gave access to the visitors. Mrs. Eddy recalls that upon entering the great hall from the river side she saw dingy, dark stained panelling, a stairway even more discolored if possible, and a stove in the north hallway under which a large hole had been burned by fires. It was a most depressing sight to Mrs. Eddy. But, she recalls the remark her mother made within a few moments after the party entered: "How Magnificent!"

As the party passed from one room to another Mr. Lee pointed out the superb features architecturally: the great hall twenty-eight feet in width, the grand stairway in three runs with carved balusters and parquetry of light and dark wood on the half-landings, the nail heads on nosings covered by plugs of holly or box in three different designs, the elliptical arch, the carved brackets, the Siena marble mantel, fluted Ionic pilasters and dentilled cornices—much of it painted or stained by some former occupant. Mrs. Eddy realized that both Mrs. McCrea and Mr. Lee had seen beyond the vandalism and desolation, beyond the clucking chickens and fowls flying around in the cellars and beyond the anachronisms added by owners of less sensitive tastes. Here was something beyond the usual. Here was something which could be brought back to its rightful place in gracious living.

This day in the spring of 1927 was the day which culminated later in the near-perfect restoration of Carter's Grove. From that moment to the day of her death Carter's Grove became a passion with Mrs. McCrea. Reviving Carter's Grove out of the ashes, as it were, to "the most beautiful home in America" was a pure labor of love.

Doubtless there were many other trips to Carter's Grove prior to the signing of the deed which gave Mr. and Mrs. McCrea the acreage on which the ancient mansion house was waiting for their love and care.

On January 21, 1928 A. G. Harwood and Lucy M., his wife, of James City County, Virginia conveyed to Archibald M. McCrea of Lawrenceville, Virginia the following property known as "Carter's Grove":

[January 21, 1928]

THIS DEED, Made this 21st day of January in the year 1928, between A. G. Harwood and Lucy M. Harwood, his wife, of James City County, Virginia, parties of the first part; and Archibald M. McCrea, of Lawrenceville, Virginia, party of the second part.

WITNESSETH: That for the consideration of the sum of Ten ($10.00) Dollars, together with other valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged by the grantors, the said parties of the first part do hereby grant and convey with general warranty unto the said party of the second pary [sic] the following described real estate, to-wit:

All that certain parcel or tract of land together with all improvements thereon and all 160 rights, ways, easements, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, situate, lying and being in Jamestown Magisterial District, James City County, Virginia, commonly known as as [sic] "Carter's Grove", estimated to contain 388 1/3 acres, more or less, and more particularly bounded and described as follows:

On the north and north-west by the land formerly belonging to Henry Lee, now or formerly the property of Charles D. Lee and Sarah Lee; on the west and south-west by James River; on the south and south-east by the land formerly belonging to Mulford and more recently belonging to T. H. Stryker and on the east and northeast by the concrete state highway leading from Williamsburg to Newport News, the said parcel or tract of land being composed of the "Carter's Grove" tract abd [sic] two small parcels containing one acre and one-third of an acre, respectively, adjoining each other and abutting on the said concrete state highway and lying between said Highway and the old dirt road, which is now closed and abandoned and which [sic] prior to the construction of the said concrete State Highway constituted the eastern boundary of said "Carter's Grove"; the aforesaid two small parcels having been acquired and added to said "Carter's Grove" tract for the express purpose of giving said "Carter's Grove" tract an unbroken frontage on said concrete state highway.

The said "Carter's Grove" tract, with the exception of the aforesaid two small parcels, is more particularly described by metes and boundes by reference to a certain plat of survey made by Sydney Smith, Surveyor, in a certain deed from Edwin G. Booth, Trustee, and others, to T. P. Bisland, dated January 28, 1907, and recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, Virginia, in Deed Book 10, page 512, and is the same land that was conveyed to Curtis, Harwood and Bickford, a non-trading partnership composed of S. R. Curtis A. G. Harwood and R. G. Bickford, by B. D. Peachy and Norvell L. Henley, Trustees, by deed dated May 2, 1911, and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk's Office in Deed Book 12, page 561; and the same land in which the said R. G. Bickford and S. R. Curtis and their respective wives, conveyed 161 all their right, title and interest to the said A. G. Harwood, by deed dated January 28, 1913, and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk's Office in Deed Book 14, page 48.

The said parcel containing approximately one acre is the same parcel of land conveyed to the said A. G. Harwood by W. E. Cole, and wife, and other, by deed dated November 22, 1923, and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk's Office in Deed Book 21, page 197; and the aforesaid parcel containing one-third of an acre, more or less is the same parcel of land conveyed to the said A. G. Harwood by Effie C. Wynne, and M. W. Wynne, her husband, by deed dated December 20, 1923, and recorded in the aforesaid Clerk's Office in Deed Book 21 page 272.

Reference is hereby expressly made to all of the hereinabove mentioned deeds for a more particular and accurate descriptopm [sic] of the lands hereby conveyed. And it being expressly understood between the parties that the land hereby conveyed is sold and conveyed in gross and not by the acre.

The said A. G. Harwood covenants that he has the right to convey the said land to the grantee; that he has done no act to encumber the same, that the grantee shall have quiet possession thereof, free and clear of all encumbrances and that he will execute such further assurance of said premises as may be requisite.

WITNESS the following signatures and seals.
A. G. Harwood, (Seal)
Lucy M. Harwood, (Seal)

¹

Let W. Duncan Lee, the architect, in an article written in April, 1933 for Architecture describe "The Renascence of Carter's Grove": 162

THE RENASCENCE OF CARTER'S GROVE
On the James River, Virginia, Now the Home of
Mr. and Mrs. Archibald M. McCrea

I STARTED to head this "The Restoration of Carter's Grove," but I feel that the word "restoration" has been stretched far out of shape and I don't want to start an argument right at the beginning. An old building can be and should be faithfully restored, and left at that, if it is to be used for museum purposes solely, but if a person buys an old house, pays a lot of money for it, and intends to use it as a year-round home, he is not going to be satisfied to take his bath in a tin foot tub and go to bed with a candle in one hand and a warming-pan in the other just for archaeological reasons.

So, the job has got to be a "restoration—plus," and the plus is a great big part, like the plus in those cost-plus contracts. What is there must be brought back to its original condition. What has been destroyed must be replaced in keeping, and the whole preserved for the future. This we may call "restoration." Where enlargements are absolutely necessary, a precedent of the period should be found and followed, and while this cannot be truthfully called a restoration as applying to this building, it is still a restoration of a condition of the time as shown by other examples.

Where the building is to be adapted to modern living conditions, much equipment must be installed for which no provision was made in the original structure, and this is where the "plus" comes in. In the first place, this whole establishment contained only four bedrooms. It's true there was a large up-stairs hall, bigger than any of the bedrooms, but you just can't sleep `em all over the floor now as they did in old times. Then, too, there had to be room for some baths and closets without cutting up the original bedrooms. This wasn't so bad, though, for there was a space of twenty-five feet between the main house and the wings on each side; this had to be filled in anyhow, to bring the kitchen in touch with the dining room and to make the office of use as part of the house.

This kind of a gap between the house and wings never existed in Maryland. The houses there, of the same period as Carter's Grove, were built in 163 five units, and the idea began seeping into Virginia from the Maryland border toward the close of the eighteenth century, as evidenced in Woodlawn in 1799. If Burwell, of Carter's Grove, did not intend from the first to connect up his three units, it is very probable he would have done it eventually if he had not moved from here to Carter Hall about the time woodlawn was built.

The Burwells started their building operations just at or before the beginning of the eighteenth century, with the erection of the building which later became the kitchen wing. Some years later, the owner stepped off one hundred and twenty-two feet due west and built another building exactly like the first, and it later became the office wing. From this we believe he knew at the time just what size building he would erect between the two as his main dwelling. We might be justified in going further and assuming that when he recovered from his third building operation, he would go on and connect the three units up, as has now been done, with a stretch to the whole of a little over two hundred feet from end to end.

Anyhow, filling those gaps helped to provide much additional space, but what was still needed was all those things which man has been able to devise in the past two hundred years for his own comfort and satisfaction and which we call "modern conveniences." To provide these with the minimum of disruption to the original work and still preserve the atmosphere of an eighteenth-century house was a real problem, and something which I think we have accomplished. Even more important than the additional room and modern conveniences, however, was to make certain of the structural safety of the building, to overcome two hundred years of deterioration, to safeguard against further ravages of time, and, as far as possible, to secure protection from fire; and all done with the least possible removal and no injury to the original. Of course, this could have readily been done by taking down all panelling, removing all plaster and taking up floors, but to do this where it could be avoided seemed a sacrilege. However carefully old panelling may be removed and replaced, in the doing something is lost that cannot be recaptured.

164

The problem here, then, became one of four parts: First, enlargement; second, structural restoration; third, period restoration; and, fourth, modern equipment. The owners and I visited the property several times before the purchase was made, and since the possibility of enlargement in keeping with the period was one of the conditions of purchase, this was fully discussed and agreed upon so that the first set of sketches, with minor changes, was accepted. Thus, the first part of the problem was practically settled. On the same visits, an attempt was made to determine what structural restoration was needed, but this, so far as the main house was concerned, was impossible, since no structural members were exposed except in the cellar. The office wing, on which no repairs had ever been made, and the kitchen, were in bad shape except for the walls. A connection between the main house and kitchen had been built some twenty years ago. This we did not like and decided to replace. The examination in the cellar of the main house showed all timbers so rotten from one to three inches on the bottom that they could be pinched off with the fingers, and a worse condition where these went into the wall was suspected. But the house was such an exceptional architectural example, so adaptable to the owners' requirements, and so ideally situated, that the purchase was decided on.

As to the period restoration part, the first visit to the place settled that. Even the terrible walnut and mahogany stains, high-gloss varnish, and china-white enamel could not hide the beauty of that panelling. The detail so closely followed the Georgian oak rooms of the time that I felt convinced that the builder, brought over from England to do the work, had carefully selected his wood and did not intend it to be painted or stained. The great temptation was to order, at once, carloads of varnish remover and dozens of painters and get down to the surface of that mellow old Virginia pine that we knew was there. But somebody remembered that the plumbers and steam-fitters were yet to come, and varnish was a good protection from greasy finger prints, so this had to wait; but eventually we were rewarded with a revelation of even greater beauty than we had suspected.

165

As to the fourth part of the problem, well, there was a fair-sized family and there would be plenty of guests, so there had to be baths and lots of them—not makeshifts, but real baths with all the trimmings. Heat everywhere, two-hundred-foot run of pipes and eight floor levels, and, to save that panelling, automatic control for every radiator. Electric lights of course, `phones most everywhere, electric refrigerators, electric cooking, insulation, etc., etc. It began to look as if we had bought four walls, a roof and some lovely panelling, and somewhere under and between these we had to hide a lot of things that Burwell got along without and never missed.

In three years of slow and painstaking work, it was done, and there are eleven bedrooms, seven baths, ten other rooms, a sub-cellar heating plant and a super-attic storage space. The equipment is as complete and the house, I believe, is as structurally sound as if it had been built entirely new. No panelling was removed from the walls for the purpose and only a few floor boards taken up, but every pipe, radiator, wire, and even electric switch, is completely hidden. Except for the thermostats and electric bulbs in the fixtures, there is nothing in evidence that was not there in the early part of the eighteenth century.

The purchase of the property was made just before Christmas, 1927. Survey and plans of existing buildings were started January 2, 1928, and sketches were completed and approved January 27. Working plans were completed February 28, 1928. Before plans were completed, arrangements had been made with a builder, himself an expert mechanic and craftsman, to take charge of the work at the site on a salary basis. Work was started March 1, with a small picked force which was increased as required. All carpentry, painting, and miscellaneous work was done by selected men, all payrolls and bills for material being approved by the foreman, superintendent, and architect, and then paid by the owner. Separate specifications were prepared for each trade, and bids were taken and contracts awarded as their work was needed. This method avoided many changes and consequent extras after contracts were awarded. No sub-contractors were allowed to do any cutting into old work.

166

On completion of the three years' work, it was found that the entire amount paid out for overhead, profit, and administration on construction work was a fraction less than five per cent of the cost of the work.¹

According to Duncan Lee's statement it took three years to complete the "Renascence" or restoration of Carter's Grove. The dark stains put on by a former occupant or owner were removed. Under the stains were traces of the red, white and blue paint, which was noted in a former chapter of this report. Finally, when all layers of varnish and paint had been removed, the mellow surface of old Virginia pine was revealed. Beauty and refinement was there as in the beginning when Richard Baylis executed the superb carvings and other woodwork.

Hugh S. Morrison, architect, referred to the great hallroom thus: "This room is a masterpiece—early Georgian brought to its finest maturity. Spaces are certainly shaped and well related, details are chosen with unerring taste, and the whole composed with the sure touch of a master architect. To the writer it is the finest room in all Georgian architecture."²

Two years after the McCreas had completed the restoration of Carter's Grove a British architect of note, Arthur Oswald, visited there. His impressions were published in Country Life for December 30, 1933:

A COLONIAL HOUSE IN AMERICA
CARTER'S GROVE, VIRGINIA,
The Seat of MR. ARCHIBALD McCREA

THE old Colonial architecture of North America, which has been the subject of so much keen and painstaking investigation in the United States, is still comparatively little known in England, in spite of the number of substantial country houses and discreet Georgian churches which survive to show how closely the American colonists, in the century before the Secession, followed the architectural tastes and traditions of their cousins in the home country.

…
Carter's Grove is one of a number of commodious "seats" built at this period along the banks of the James River, Shirley, Berkeley, Westover and Lower Brandon belonging to the same regional group. Situated about seven miles southeast of Williamsburg, it stands on a bluff of high ground overlooking the broad river estuary and commanding superb views both up and down stream. The slope down to the river bank has been cut into terraces, and on the highest of these, immediately in front of the building, rise three huge tulip trees completely overshadowing its brick walls and slate roofs. In its position, guarded by these giant sentinels, as in the square mass of the main block with its great expanse of hipped roof, it is not unlike Westover, the old home of the Byrds, lying a few miles up-river on the same bank.

…
Entering the front door, one has the illusion of stepping into an English interior, so faithfully reproduced are the characteristic features of Early Georgian wall panelling and staircase design. Compared with other colonial examples, this woodwork is exceptionally refined, as might be expected where the design came direct from an English hand without 168 the intervening medium of the pattern book. Not only is the detail of excellent quality, but the general treatment shows a sure architectural sense as though Minitree¹ had had the experience of working in the office of an architect of repute. The outer hall shows a broad treatment of fluted Ionic pilasters resting on a dado and supporting a full entablature with ovolo frieze and boldly modillioned cornice. A wide elliptical arch with a "keystone" frames the narrower inner hall and staircase. This feature, though found in moderate-sized houses in many parts of England, was much used in the West Country and particularly in the neighbourhood of Bristol. The staircase at Frampton Court, Gloucestershire, and one removed not long ago from a town house in Bristol (No. 1, Trinity Street), can be quoted as close parallels, both dating from the 1730's. Though not sufficient by itself to establish the provenance of Minitree, this evidence might point to a West Country origin: Bristol, as one the principal ports through which trade and traffic with the American colonies passed, was, at any rate, one of the likeliest centers after London where Carter Burwell might have engaged his architect. Both the balustrade of the staircase and the ramped dado panelling on the wall side are executed in dark mahogany; the floors of the half-landings are parquetried. It is interesting to find that the charming design for the carved brackets reappears in almost identical form on the north staircase at Tuckahoe in Goochland County, Virginia. The turned balusters are left plain, only the newels showing spiral twists, and these are quite simply treated by comparison with later examples in America, where not infrequently a counter spiral was carved on the core of the newel running in the opposite direction to the outer coil. The ramped handrail in places exhibits several ugly gashes. These are said to have been made by the sabers of Colonel Tarleton's dragoons, who, when quartered in the 169 house during the latter part of the Revolutionary War, are supposed to have ridden their chargers up the stairs, hacking away at the handrail as they did so.

Opening off the entrance hall on the right is the finely panelled room...Here again the design of the woodwork has a refined simplicity. The fireplace feature is framed by fluted Doric pilasters supporting a triglyph frieze and dentil cornice, the metopes being filled with applied stars and paterae. A very similar treatment to this may be instanced in the dining-room of Goldney House, Clifton (circa 1730), which has been attributed to John Wood of Bath. There the woodwork is in mahogany, and stars and paterae also appear in the metopes of the frieze, but in inlaid woods instead of as carved features. So close a resemblance between two panelled rooms only a few years apart in time but separated by a whole ocean can scarcely be a coincidence, and gives added probability to the suggestion we have thrown out, that Minitree was a Bristol man.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century Carter Burwell's son Nathaniel moved from Carter's Grove to Clarke County, where he built Carter Hall. According to tradition, it was in the drawing-room that Thomas Jefferson proposed to Rebecca Burwell, and against the same background George Washington is said to have been refused by Mary Carey of Williamsburg, afterwards Mrs. Jacquelin Ambler. After Nathaniel Burwell's departure the house knew various changes of ownership until, in December, 1927, it was acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Archibald McCrea. With Mr. W. Duncan Lee as their architect, they have carefully repaired the house and introduced modern conveniences, and, as already mentioned, have brought the detached office buildings into direct communication with the main block by filling up the intervening gaps. All the old woodwork has been preserved and many layers of paint and varnish have been removed to reveal the mellow surface of the old Virginia pine. Forty years ago a writer described the pitiful state into which the entrance hall had fallen: all the woodwork had been painted "in shrieking tones of red, white, blue and—mirabile dictu—green:" It is good to know that, after many 170 years of neglect, this fine house has been rescued from the fate which has overtaken not a few of its neighbours and is once again in the hands of appreciative owners.¹

Also, in 1933 an article appeared in Town and Country by Augusta Owen Patterson. It was entitled "IN RESIDENCE AT CARTER'S GROVE". A part is quoted below:

CARTER'S GROVE has been restored, not only physically but spiritually. It is not merely a benign monument to our social history; it is, actually, a fine, dignified, comfortable country house which is lived in practically the year round by Mr. and Mrs. Archibald M. McCrea. As is the case with most old houses, it is representative of progressive building. It starts with the gift of the land by Robert (King) Carter to his daughter Elizabeth when she married Nathaniel Burwell in 1690. [sic]…It was their eldest [sic] son, Carter Burwell, who built the main house in the area which had been so justly estimated for this purpose...

…The generally accepted legends connected with the house are that Colonel Tarleton of the British Light Horse Cavalry made it his head-quarters during the latter part of the Revolution and that the saber cuts of the Colonel or his troopers remain to-day in the main stair rail. Mary Carey, of Williamsburg (Mrs. Jacquilin Ambler), is said to have refused George Washington in the drawing-room and Thomas Jefferson is supposed to have proposed to Rebecca Burwell against the same background….This sums up, rather summarily, the sentimental interest of Carter's Grove, which seems unimportant in comparison to the value of the house itself, which is so architecturally true and so significant of the point of view of Mr. Burwell, who built it, and of Mr. and Mrs. McCrea, who live in it. It is fortunate that fashion drifted away from 171 it during the years when ugliness was rampant so that its virtues were unassailed and doubly fortunate that both the owners and the architect, Mr. W. Duncan Lee, himself a Richmond man, have had so accurate an understanding of the quality of the old work that they have been able to bring whatever new work was necessary in touch with it so that there is no apparent hiatus between the centuries….

¹

Early in the 1930's Mrs. McCrea left Carter's Grove one morning en route to Richmond. Driving by old St. John's church located in the eastern end of Richmond, Mrs. McCrea noticed workmen in the yard at the old church who were loading ancient-looking flagstones^bricks into a truck. With her uncanny sense of intuition, she ordered the chauffeur to stop the car and let her out. She found out that these stones^bricks on which many notable patriots of the past, doubtless, had trod many, many times were being taken to the rubbish pile. Before the day was gone Mrs. McCrea had bought the flagstones^bricks, called Mr. McCrea at Carter's Grove to send a truck up for them and "Please reserve remarks about my latest acquisition until I arrive home near dinner." Now, any visitor can see these flagstones^bricks on which Washington, Patrick Henry, Jefferson and other Virginia patriots walked, as stepping-stones from the driveway to the Kitchen and from the driveway to the Office at Carter's Grove.

When Mr. and Mrs. McCrea moved to Carter's Grove from their summer home in Brunswick County, they brought along some of the servants who had lived on that plantation— some had been born there and never known any other life. There was Nancy the cook and John Coleman, the white-haired butler. It was John who philosophized when asked his explanation of peculiar noises: "You can't set traps for ghosts. They are slippery."

In 1930-1931 the McCreas entertained at Carter's Grove Nelson A. Rockefeller, Winthrop W. Aldrich, U. S. Grant, II, of the U. S. Army, Alexander Weddell and Mrs. Weddell, Mrs. Jessie Ball Dupont of Delaware, Hetty Cary Harrison, Carter Glass, Bishop James Freeman and many others.¹

On October 18, 1931 Mr. and Mrs. McCrea were host and hostess to some of the French Official Delegation in Virginia for the Yorktown Sesquicentennial Celebration. Those present were: General de Chambrun, great grandson of Marquis de Lafayette, Marquis de Grasse, great grandnephew of Admiral de Grasse, Marquis de Rochambeau, great great grandson by adoption of the Marshal Count de Rochambeau, Brigadier General d'Ollone, Vice President and Duc de Noailles, great grandnephew of Major General Vicomte de Noailles. These last two 173 named were delegates of Society of the Cincinnati. Also, P. Durham, French Embassy in Washington, accompanied them. Bishop James Freeman, Bishop of Washington and Charles Francis Adams were guests that day.

On April 24th, 1932, the Carter's Grove owners entertained the entire delegation of Governors of the United States and their wives.¹ John Garland Pollard was Governor of Virginia at the time.

In 1934 David Rockefeller, Vanderbilt Webb, John V. Duncan, Horace M. Albright, Michael J. McDermott, Chairman Division of Current Information, Department of State, and Michel de Buisseret, Belgium, were visitors to Carter's Grove.

Twice in 1935 (July 14th and Sept. 15th) Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior, was an over-night guest. Also Harold S. and Gertrude Vanderbilt were there.

In October, 1935 the McCreas entertained the Walpole Society—a group of some thirty.

On July 5, 1936 President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt and Harold L. Ickes were entertained at Carter's Grove by Mr. and Mrs. McCrea. Others in the party were W. Warner Moore, Senators Carter Glass and Harry F. Byrd. In August William C. Bullitt of Philadelphia and United States Ambassador to Moscow visited the McCreas.

In November 1936 Chief O. T. Custalow, Mattaponi Indian Reservation, Sweet Hall, Virginia, paid the McCreas an unexpected call at which time he brought venison and other game.¹ The Indians were in native costumes.

A group from the National Geographic Society headed by Willard R. Culver, visited Carter's Grove in September, 1937.

The McCreas, noted for their hospitality, entertained hundreds in the years from 1930 to 1937.

Mr. McCrea died on December 19, 1937. An obituary notice appeared in the New York Times, AP from Richmond, December 19th.

ARCHIBALD M. McCREA EXECUTIVE, 61, DIES

Head of Union Spring Company
Son of Ex-President of the
Pennsylvania Railroad

Richmond, Va., Dec. 19 (AP).—Archibald Montgomery McCrea, chairman of the board of the Union Spring and Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, died at Stuart Circle Hospital here today after an illness of several weeks. His age was 61.

A son of the late James McCrea of Pittsburgh, former president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Mr. McCrea was born at Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 21, 1876, and was educated at Yale University. Until his retirement from active business a few years ago he 175 was known in the business and social life of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York.

Since 1928 Mr. McCrea and his wife had lived at Carter's Grove, Virginia estate, near Williamsburg. A daughter, Miss Ada McCrea, also survives.

Through her marriage in 1911 to Mr. McCrea, the former Mary Corling Dunlop of Petersburg, Va., noted Southern beauty, forfeited nearly $2,000,000 under the terms of the will of her first husband. Mr. McCrea played football while at Yale.¹

Richmond Times-Dispatch for December 20, follows the New York Times closely but added: Archibald M. McCrea was Director of Virginia Trust Company, Director Peninsula Bank & Trust Company, Williamsburg, Member of Metropolitan Club New York City and Washington, D. C. and Commonwealth Club, Richmond. Married the former Mrs. David Dunlop of Petersburg in 1911.²

The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg added to New York Times and Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Funeral held at Carter's Grove on Wednesday [Dec. 22] forenoon, and was conducted by the Rev. Beverley D. Tucker, D.D., rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond, with many from Richmond, Williamsburg and Newport News being in attendance."³

Mr. McCrea was interred in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.

According to the Will of Archibald McCrea after certain bequests "all the rest, residue and remainder - real and personal...I do give, devise and bequeath to my wife, Mary Corling McCrea, to be her own absolutely during her life..."¹

MRS. ARCHIBALD McCREA
Photograph: Dementi
c. 1931

XVIII
MRS. ARCHIBALD MCCREA
(Mary Corling Johnston)

Mr. McCrea lived ten years following the purchase of Carter's Grove. In those years he and Mrs. McCrea had spent days—even months—with the architect and artisans; hours upon hours of planning the simple gardens and approaches to give the feeling of a typical country place of the gentry of the eighteenth century. Then, there were weeks of bringing into the mansion the family treasures such as portraits, silver and furniture from the McCrea, Dunlop, Johnston, and Spotswood families. Warehouses in New York and Philadelphia had stored for years pieces of furniture collected in England or other places on the Continent. Now, there was a mansion large enough to place these treasures to advantage, and at the same time create a home for the family.

Prior to her marriage to Mr. McCrea in 1911 Mrs. McCrea had been the widow of David Dunlop, wealthy and well-known tobacconist of Petersburg, Virginia. Through her mother, Charlotte LeMoine, she was a direct descendant—seventh in line—from Governor Alexander Spotswood¹ and the same in 180 descent from William Dandridge, great uncle of Martha Custis Washington.¹ Born in Petersburg to Charles Arthur Johnston and Charlotte LeMoine, Mary Corling Johnston attended Davis's College in Petersburg as a day pupil.² Later she was educated in a private school in Albemarle County - "Edgehill." This school was run by the grand-daughters of Thomas Jefferson.³ By marriage to David Dunlop their children descended from the Carters, Benjamin Harrison, the Signer, and the Minge family of Wyanoke, Charles City County. Thus, the Mistress of Carter's Grove brought by birth as well as by marital associations an appreciation and a feeling for the culture of Virginia. Though life at times had taken her to Philadelphia, New York City and Washington to live, her heart was always in Virginia. And so, in 1919 the McCreas moved back to a plantation in Brunswick County once owned by her former husband. In 1928 they came to Carter's Grove for the rest of their lives.

Once settled at Carter's Grove guests—many of them architects—arrived. Let excerpts from letters give their appreciation of this beautiful mansion:

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