Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

It is probable that most of the furniture in the Wythes' home was of the ca. 1755 period, or earlier. The year 1755 is the accepted date for the marriage of George and Elizabeth (Taliaferro) Wythe, and for their occupancy of the Palace Street house. Wythe had reached the peak of his financial success at about that time—he was a well established attorney, had served in 1754 as attorney-general for the Colony, and was a member of the House of Burgesses.⁵⁰ Also, in 1755, Wythe inherited his family's plantation, "Chesterville," in Elizabeth City County.⁵¹ As he left the care of the plantation to an overseer, and resided in Williamsburg, it is probable that he brought pieces of the Wythe family furniture to Williamsburg, some of which might have dated back to the late seventeenth century. His young wife, daughter of a prosperous plantation owner and "architect," may have brought things of her own into their home, which it is reasonable to assume would have been suitably and adequately furnished. We have found no record of any of the purchases made at the time of their marriage. Subsequent household purchases from John Norton & Sons in London, between the years 1768 and 1772, only included the types of furnishings which would require replenishing from time to time: china, glassware, household linens, 25 etc. Wythe apparently found himself short of funds in 1772; for in June of that year he wrote John Norton canceling an order placed in 1771 for china and glassware for his Williamsburg home, and also for some building supplies for his Elizabeth City County plantation.⁵²

Lacking information as to the Wythe House furnishings during the period of Wythe's occupancy (ca. 1755-1791), the inventories of some of his local contemporaries of similar social and economic status may be of assistance. Fashion in furniture was far more restricted at that time than it is today, so it is not surprising that the following inventories seem much the same.

Ahead of the several contemporary inventories for each room, any of the few Wythe items known, or thought, to have been there will be noted:

THE DRAWING ROOM OR PARLOUR

Wythe purchased "1 large Turkey Carpet" for £5 from the sale of Francis Fauquier's personal estate at the Palace.⁵³ 26 This could have been used in the Wythe Parlor--but could, of course, have been used in any other of the rooms downstairs.

Inventories of Drawing Room or Parlor furniture in the homes of William Hunter, John Randolph, Peyton Randolph, and Thomas Nelson follow:

"In the Parlour" of William Hunter's Williamsburg home (1761):

"2 Large Looking Glasses (valued at)	£ 10:--:--
1 Chimney Glass with Sconces	5:--:--
1 Grate Fender Tongs Shovel and Bellows with a Poker	5:10:--
12 Mahogany Chairs two of them Armed	20:--:--
1 Square Maho. Table £4 - 2 Card Tables £5 1 Round Table £1:15	10:15:--
1 Tea Chest 18/ 1 Large Carpit £4 - 1 Sea piece in a Gilt Frame 15/	5:13:--
19 Prints with Glass in Frames £3 1 Fire Screen £1:10	4:10:--54

"IN THE DRAWING ROOM" of John Randolph of Williamsburg, 1775:
"Ten handsome Mahogony Chairs, two Mahogony Settees, two Mahogony Card Tables, one plain black Walnut Table, one Japan Table, one handsome wrought Tea Table, one round carved Mahogony Tea Table, one Mahogony Stand for a Tea-Kettle, two worked Fire Screens, one Japaned Tea Board, one Grate and Fender handsomely Wrought, one pair Tongs and Shovel, one large Pier Glass with gilt Frame, one Chimney Glass with Ditto, one Print of the King, one Ditto of the Queen, two Dutch pieces of 27 painting, one compleat Set of Nanquin Tea China, two handsome Ornamental China Branches, five Flower Pots and six small China Figures on the Chimney Piece, two handsome Crimson Silk Curtains, one handsome large Turkey Carpet."⁵⁵

Furniture listed in inventory of the estate of Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg, 1776, which--though not separated by room—would seem to have been in a PARLOR or DRAWING ROOM:

"1 doz: Mahogany Chairs [valued at £]	24:--.--
2 fire Screens £5 1 Card table £ 2	7:--.--
1 Wilton Carpet £10 1 Tea table 20/
1 Do 30/	12:10: --
1 Sett China & Tea Board £3 - 1 Ditto & Do 40/	5: --. --
1 Looking Glass £10 1 pr Tongs Poker Shovel & Fender 20/	11: --.--
1 Black Walnut Press £3	3:--.--
..."56

"In the Drawing Room" of GEN. THOMAS NELSON'S House at Yorktown, 1789.

2 Arm & 1 Dozen Mahogony Chairs with leather Bottoms	[£] 22: --. --
1 Round Mahogony Tea Table 40/ 1 Cherry ditto 40/	4:--:--
2 Mahogony Tea Boards 15/	-:15:--
1 Looking Glass £5. 1 Chimney Ditto 50/	7:10:--

1 pair And Irons shovel and tongs brass heads	2:--:--
1 Scotch Carpet	5:--:--"57

THE BYRD FAMILY "Drawing-Room" at "Westover," 1783:

We have no inventory of the furniture in this room, but the following description by Thomas Lee Shippen, who visited "Westover" in December, 1783, is of interest:

"The room marked c is the drawing room of the same size of the last mentioned (the dining room) and both of the dimensions of my chamber [upstairs guest room]. The furniture here is more rich, being silk damask and in the other room (dining room) a yellow stuff-but has a handsome marble slab, which the drawing room has not. The pictures too are better than in the dining room..."[Shippen MS. Library of Congress. See page XXI of Appendix for illustration of "Westover" layout from letter of Thomas Lee Shippen, December 30-31, 1783.]

ENTRANCE HALL

As will be noted from descriptions of Entrance Hall furniture here quoted, such halls contained "Globes for Candles" or "Lanthorns," as well as tables, chairs, and pictures:

ROBERT CARTER'S House on Palace Street in Williamsburg, 1762:

In 1762, Robert Carter of "Nomini Hall," who then occupied the house now known as the "Carter-Saunders House," wrote to Thomas Bladon in London, for wallpaper and other furnishings for his Williamsburg house, including "Paper proper to hang a Passage & Stair Case" and "Two glass Globes for Candles to light a Stair Case."

[Ms. Letterbook of Robert Carter, Colonial Williamsburg Archives, pages 18-20. Also on Microfilm M-114.]

JOHN RANDOLPH's House in Williamsburg, 1775:

"In the Balloon one large glass Lanthorn, four Girondoles,⁵⁸ twelve Mahogony Chairs, two square Mahogony Tables."⁵⁹

AT THE PALACE - "In the HALL & PASSAGE BELOW" - 1770: [Botetourt's Furniture:]
"2 Mahy red damask Elbow chairs covered with checks
8 chairs of the same
10 large globe lamps" 31 [Standing Furniture:]
"Arms & Colours.
2 looking Glasses ... [fire buckets, ladders.]"⁶⁰

AT "WESTOVER" - 1783:

"The letter N [on an attached drawing] which is put there for North is also the front door, which leads thro' a very wide entry, beautifully adorned with pictures and furniture of different sorts, and an elegant staircase, is very high and stocoed at the top. The 1st room on the left after you enter the N door marked d is the common dining room... The room marked c is the drawing room..." [See APPENDIX, page XXI for complete description and photograph of rough sketch of layout from letter of Thomas Lee Shippen to his father, December 30-31, 1783.]

THOMAS NELSON'S YORKTOWN HOUSE, 1789: "In the PASSAGE":

"1 Glass Lanthern £6. Looking Glass £3:10
1 ps Carpeting £2:6	£11:16: - ."61

PIECES RECOVERED IN EXCAVATING (1939) THE "WYTHE HOUSE" LOTS--ALL FOUND, IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE PROPERTY, NEAR THE ORIGINAL KITCHEN [Area 21A1]

• 1. & 2. Rim fragments of green glass bell jar--similar to examples found at the Palace and elsewhere in Williamsburg. Date: Ca. second half of 18th century.
• 3. Neck of large bottle, green glass, probably of pottle capacity. Ca. 1740-70.
• 4. Stem of wine-glass, opaque lace-twist with single outlining thread. Ca. 1750-80.
• 5. Stem of wine-glass with solid based bowl, stem solid supporting heavy annulated knop. The latter roughly tooled up to bowl base, a small ball knop at base of stem. Ca. second quarter of 18th century.

THE DINING ROOM

Linen, china, glass, and pewter, were ordered from London by George Wythe between 1768 and 1772. In his will of 1806, Wythe mentioned silver cups and silver ladle, tablespoons and teaspoons. There are today several items at "Monticello" which are alleged to have been given to Thomas Jefferson by George Wythe, or to have once belonged to George Wythe, although conclusive proof of the Wythe connection, except in the case of two silver cups, has never been found.

As all of this data may be of interest in connection with the dining room at the "Wythe House," we present it ahead of contemporary dining-room inventories.

FURNISHINGS ORDERED BY GEORGE WYTHE, which may have been in the Dining Room:

On May 9, 1768, George Wythe ordered "two large damask table cloths , and four small huckaback " from John Norton & Sons, merchants in London."⁶²

On August 18, 1768, Wythe wrote John Norton in London that he had written James Buchanan & Company for "an elegant set of table and tea china , with bowls of the same of different sizes, decanters and drinking glasses , an handsome service of glass for a dessert , four middle-sized and six lesser dishes , and three dozen plates of hard metal ."⁶³

FRAGMENTS FROM AREA IMMEDIATELY TO THE WEST OF THE TWO ORIGINAL "WYTHE LOTS," ABOUT TWENTY FEET FROM CHURCHYARD WALL [Area 21A5].

While not found on George Wythe's property, this could have been in fill used from his property by later owners, who also owned the additional lot. In any event, the fragments are typical of the period of Wythe's occupancy of the house. [See back of this page for identification of fragments by Mr. Noël-Hume].

IDENTIFICATION OF FRAGMENTS ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF PAGE SUPPLIED BY MR. NOËL-HUME (See Memo. to Mrs. Goodwin of December 26, 1957).

• 1.Rim sherd of thin-walled tankard of English "scratch-blue" salt glaze ware ...edge of Georgian medallion surviving on fragment. Ca. 1740-60.
• 2. & 3.Base and rim fragments of salt-glaze tankards the smaller with brown slipped band rim, indicating early date, the handle small and grooved on the spine. Both fragments have yellowish cast to surface and pale brown body. Ca. first quarter 18th century.
• 4.Two rim fragments of salt-glaze plates decorated with fern scrolls enclosing blank cartouches, and flanked by zones of open-weave designs with stars or dots in alternating panels. Ca. 1760-70.
• 5. Rim fragment of salt-glaze plate decorated with foliate scroll ornament, etc. Ca. 1750-60.
• 6.Fragments of English "scratch-blue" salt-glaze bowl of good quality, ...decoration in form of frond groups alternately erect and inverted. Ca. 1740.
• 7.Rim and lip fragment of transfer-printed cream-ware, the decoration under glaze in a medallion to the left of the spout showing a woman spinning. Liverpool Ca. 1780-1800.
• 8.Section of small cream-ware tankard, plain handles glaze much crazed... Ca. 1700-1800.
• 9.Section of cream-ware soup plate, petal edge of "Queen's" ware but without moulded lines extending across rim, base slightly rising. Ca. 1780.

On July 18, 1771, Wythe wrote John Norton for some building materials, including "flywire," for his Elizabeth City County plantation near Hampton; and also for a "set of tea china " and "3 dozen wine glasses & one dozen beer glasses and four wine decanters " to be sent to him at Williamsburg.⁶⁴ Most of this order may not have been filled, for Wythe wrote Norton on June 17, 1772, canceling it, stating that "the articles exceed what I can afford; and therefore I shall content myself without most of them, if not all."⁶⁵

ITEMS MENTIONED IN GEORGE WYTHE'S WILL which may have been in the Dining Room:

In a codicil to his will, dated February 24, 1806, Wythe left his "friend, Thomas Jefferson," his "silver cups and gold-headed cane"; and his friend and executor, William DuVal, a "silver ladle and table and teaspoons."⁶⁶ delivered to Jefferson's representative "the two Cups & gold headed Cane," as well as other bequests of books and philosophical apparatus, in July, 1806.⁶⁷

FURNITURE ALLEGED TO HAVE BELONGED TO GEORGE WYTHE now at "Monticello":

Table:
According to Mrs. Marie Kimball, who wrote a pamphlet on The Furnishings of Monticello (Charlottesville: 1954), the table in the Monticello dining-room once belonged to George Wythe. We have found no record of the gift, but Mrs. Kimball states:
"The most interesting of the Chippendale pieces (at Monticello is the drop-leaf table in two parts, with CHIPPENDALE DINING TABLE AND HEPPLEWHITE CHAIRS IN DINING ROOM AT "MONTICELLO." SAID TO HAVE BELONGED ORIGINALLY TO GEORGE WYTHE. [Illustration from Marie Kimball's The Furnishings of Monticello (Charlottesville: 1954) page 15.] ONE OF THE HEPPLEWHITE CHAIRS IN DINING ROOM OF "MONTICELLO," SAID TO HAVE ONCE BELONGED TO GEORGE WYTHE. (From photo- 34 claw and ball feet, now standing in the dining-room. It was given Jefferson by his old friend and teacher, George Wythe, of Williamsburg, and descended to Jefferson's great-great-grand-daughter, Jane Randolph Harrison Randall. On her death, in 1929, it was returned to Monticello and given in her memory. The legs of this table retain their original finish, but the top seems to have been done over, one part more drastically than the other." [Ibid., pages 14-17. See picture of table opposite page.]

In a letter written September 19, 1957, by Mr. James A. Bear, Jr., the curator at "Monticello" (in answer to a request for information from the Research Department of Colonial Williamsburg) the table is again described as a Wythe item:

"Table, Chippendale style, circa 1760-1770, primary wood mahogany; secondary wood beech, A drop-leaf table of two parts and probably of English origin. The provenance of this: It descended to Jefferson's great-great-granddaughter, Jane Randolph Harrison, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson Randolph and Jane Hollins Nicholas, who married Alexander B. Randall... The table came to Monticello in 1929 as a gift from Alexander B. Randall... There is nothing to support this provenance except that it comes from a family well-steeped in such matters." [Letter in CW files.]

Chairs:
Mrs. Kimball also mentioned the dining-room chairs as follows: "Eight of the Heppelwhite chairs so modestly described by Jefferson as '12 leather Bottomed chairs' are once more back in the dining-room at Monticello where they did such staunch service in Jefferson's lifetime. Mention is made of them by a visitor from Boston in 1814...
Among the dining chairs some seem to be slightly inferior in workmanship to the others and were, perhaps, copies made by Jefferson's cabinet makers to enlarge the set."[The Furnishings of Monticello, pages 22-23.]

Mr. Bear also mentioned chairs listed in an inventory of furniture made at "Monticello" in 1826, after Jefferson's 35 death: "7 old mahogany chairs given by Mr. Wythe, [in] sitting room ."⁶⁸ Mr. Bear enclosed a photograph of one of these chairs (see photograph opposite page 34). It seems to be one of the chairs described by Mrs. Kimball, and shown in the picture of the Wythe dining-room table. However, Mrs. Kimball did not mention a Wythe connection in her description of the chairs, quoted above.

Silver Cups:
We know (see page 33) that George Wythe left Thomas Jefferson (1806) two silver cups. In 1814, a visitor at "Monticello" described ten cups "of silver, marked G.W. to T.J." It has been assumed that Jefferson had the two cups copied, and added the inscription. Eight of the ten cups have been traced to their recent owners, and one of these has been returned to "Monticello," by William Meikleham, a descendant of Septima Randolph, Martha Jefferson's youngest daughter. The cups that have been seen bear the maker's mark "J. L'T"--John LeTelier, a Philadelphia silversmith of the late eighteenth and nineteenth century. No one seems to have been able to identify the two original Wythe Cups .⁶⁹ 36 If they were not made prior to 1791, when Wythe left his Williamsburg house, they are of no interest insofar as the "Wythe House" dining room is concerned.

Creamer:
Mr. Bear lists a "Creamer, Silver, about five inches high" as being among the Wythe items at "Monticello," having been purchased in recent years for "Monticello" from a Jefferson descendant, Frances L. Meikleham. It bears the London Hallmarks "Date Letter 'B.' 1758-59; Standard mark, Lion Passant; Warden's mark, Leopard's Head Crowned; Maker's Mark 'W.R.' with a pellet between a shaped cartouche, not listed."⁷⁰ He gives no information as to how it was identified as a Wythe item.

Inventories of the dining-room furniture of some of Wythe's contemporaries in Williamsburg and the vicinity follow:

"In DINING ROOM" of William Prentis's House in Williamsburg, 1765:

"1 large Glass and Sconces [valued at]	[£] 8:--:--
13 Pictures	3:--:--
7 horn Knives, 10 forks, 15 Ivory forks, 2 small do, 1 small Knife, 9 large do	-:15:--
37
10 Chairs, 2 low do	4:--:--
1 Oval Mahogany Table	1:10:--
1 do	1:--:--
1 Plate Basket 7/6, 1 Screen 25/	1:12:-6
a Cabinet	4:--:--
Whisk, 2 Brushes -----------[ms. torn]	-:-2:--
2 Window -------------[Ms. torn for 3 following lines]..."71

"IN THE DINING PARLOUR" of John Randolph of Williamsburg, 1775:

"Ten Mahogony Chairs, one Mahogony side Board Table, one round Mahogony Tea Table, one Pier Glass gilt Framed, Five Pictures, two prints of the King and Queen, one pair handsome green Worsted Window Curtains, one pair ornamental China Branches, seven Pieces Ornamental China, one pair Tongs and Shovel,---[half line illegible] ----Chimney glass, gilt Framed, one handsome Wilton Carpet, one old Ditto."

"IN THE SMALL DINING PARLOUR" of John Randolph, 1775:

"One Pier glass, eleven black walnut Chairs, three Calico Window Curtains, one Wilton Carpet, one pair Tongs, Shovel, Fender and Hooks, one Harpsichord, one Card Table, one Writing Table, one black Walnut Table, one Epergne Cut-glass containing twelve Branches, twelve Baskets, twelve Ornaments, six Cream Glasses, six Syllabub Glasses, six Jelly Ditto, large Salver to turn round, one glass Branch and a 38 large Cut-glass for the top (prime Cost seven Guineas) forty seven cut-Jelly Glasses, twenty two cut Syllabub Glasses, twelve cut Glass Baskets, four large handsome cut-glass Candlesticks, eleven large glass pickle plates, thirteen ditto, small, three glass Cruets, two flowered glass Bowls one glass Dish seven white Glass gallon Bottles, one glass Still, one compleat Set blue and white China, containing, one Turene and Dish, twenty Dishes, three doz. shallow plates, one doz and an half doz Ditto, eight Salt Sellers, four Sauce Boats, fifteen old China Dishes, ten Plates Ditto, one red and white China Turene and Dish, nine red and white China Dishes, fourteen Plates ditto, eight red and white China Dishes, four red and white China Potting Pots and Dishes, two blue and White China Ditto, seven blue and white China Scollop Shells, two China Dishes, one China Cauliflower and plate, three China Bowls, two pint China Bowls and Plates, twelve Pickle Bottles, five China Mugs, two Jugs, Queens Ware, two earthen Ditto, five flower Potts, five China Chocolate Cups and eight Saucers, three Butter Prints, one lead Still, two pair Bellows, one warming Pan, one Cindar Pan, one Box Spermerity Candles, one box Soap, two Brooms, one plate Warmer twelve Butter Potts, two more ditto, one Tea Box, one Tea Chest, two Cases silver-handled Knives and Forks, one Copper Tea Kettle, one Copper Tea Kitchen, two handsome Jacks with Weights &c., two Brass chafing Dishes, one Bell Harp, six Canisters, eight best pewter Dishes, two doz and nine pewter plates, five milk pans, ...."⁷²

Peyton Randolph House, Williamsburg 1776:

"12 Mahogany Chairs £15. 2 Mahogany tables £8. [valued at]	£ 23:--:--
1 Card Table £2. 1 Marble Table £2	4:--:--
1 Side Board Table 20/ 1 Carpet 20/	2:--:--
3 looking Glasses £20. 1 pr End Irons £2	22:--:--
5 China Bowls £5. 5 China Mugs 15/	5:15:--
8 doz: red and White China Plates £6. 22 Do Dishes £5	£ 11:--:--
39
1 Blue and White China Tureen 20/ 11 Blue & White dishes £4	£ 5:--.--
4 Blue & White China Sauce boats 10/. 2 do potting pots	1: 5:--
21 Custard Cups & Patty Pans 10/. 6 Scallop Shells 15/	1: 5:--
12 Egg Cups 6/. 13 Blue and White Coffee Cups & Saucers 10/	-:16:--
18 Blue and White China Plates 22/. 5 Beer Glasses 5/	1: 7:--
4 Fruit Baskets 20/ 1 Queen China Mug & Sugar dish 2/	1: 2:--
1 Marble Bowl 15/. 15 Water Glasses 30/	2: 5:--
10 Wine Glasses 12/ 5 Punch Do 5/	-:17:--
1 Mahogany Tray 10/ 9 Decanters and 4 Baskets 25/	1:15:--
1 Do Case containing 2 Bottles 25/	1: 5:--
1 round Mahogany table 26/ 1 plate Warmer 12/	1:18:--
492 Oz Plate at 7/6 [silverware]	184:10:--
1 Plate Basket and 2 knives Do 10/ 3-1/2 doz: knives & forks £5	5:10:--
1 Mahogany tea Board 7/6. Japand Waitors 10/	-:17: 6
A parcel Queens China Ware & Sundry Articles sent to Wilton	5:--:--
A Sett of Ornamental China	20:--:--"73

"DINEING ROOM" at Thomas Nelson's House at Yorktown, 1789:

"1 Dozen green Windsor Chairs [valued at]	£ 4:16:--
2 Mahogony Dineing Tables	11:--:--
1 black walnut side Board	3:12:--
1 ditto writing Table	1:10:--
1 large Turkey Carpet	13:10:--
1 pair And Irons and Tongs	--:18:--
1 fire Skreene	1: 5:--
1 large Looking Glass with sconces £5 Ditto Chimney with Sconces £3:10	8:10:--
40
3 blue and White China Bowler (not sound)	£ 1:5 :--
3 Enamil'd ditto (one cracked)	2:10:--
1 Tea board 2 Tea Pots 7 Coffee Cups 7 Tea ditto, 8 Sauces & 1 Bowl	1:10:--
3 Tumblers, 5 Crewitts & 4 Glass Salts & 1 Glass Mustard pot with a spoon	-:15:--
15 Queens China Dishes 40/. 18 Plates 4/6	2: 4: 6
1 Doz do Wash Basons	-:10:--
1 Mahogony Tea Board, 2 Sliders & 2 Japan'd waiters	-:12:--
1 dozen Shallow and 7 deep blue and white China plates	-:18:--
1 China blue and white Tureen	1:10:--
1 Tea Kettle and Trivit 12/6. 1 Japaned plate warmer 12/6	1: 5:--
6 Brass flat Candlesticks 18/. 2 high ditto 10/	1: 8:--
6 high fluted brass Candlesticks	2: 8:--
7 pair Steel snuffers 10/. 1 Tin Cheese toaster 1/6	-:11: 6
2 Knife Trays lined with Tin	-. 5:--
2 dozen Ivory handle Table knives and forks	2:10:--
26 knives ditto smaller & 50 Forks	1:15:--
1 Silver Soup spoon 40/. 10 tablespoons and 1 marrow spoon	8:10:--
1 dozen Desert spoons 96/. 13 Tea spoons 40/	6:16:--
1 Tankard 3 Waiters, 1 Salver, 1 porringer in pint can & Pepper-box Weight 108 oz 16 at 7/6	40:15:--
2 ps Carpeting side Board	-: 6:--
1 Silver mounted Fowling piece	6:--:--
1 pair Silver Capt Pistols 30/ 1 pair Brass Barrel ditto 30/	3:--:--
1 black Walnut Desk £3 1 Backgammon Table 24/	4: 4:--
1 Shaving Glass Mahogony Case.	-: 3:--"74

STUDY and BACK PARLOUR OR LIBRARY:

If, as has been suggested, the two western rooms on the first floor of the "Wythe House" are furnished as a STUDY and a BACK PARLOUR or LIBRARY, the books and small apparatus could be divided between the two rooms, as they doubtless were in the eighteenth century.

Many eighteenth century inventories included furniture which, though not listed by rooms, may well have been in a study or library. For example, the personal effects of Lt. Gov. Fauquier (d. 1768) at the Palace included a library table and stool, four "smoaking chairs," a "reading desk," a "large chest of stationary," a "letter case," pewter ink stands, desk and bookcase with glass doors, card tables, backgammon tables, chess men and board, a microscope, spyglass, telescope, etc., any or all of which may have been in his study or library. The few inventories we have found for rooms specifically named will follow brief notes on Wythe's books; on bookcases; and on Wythe's philosophical apparatus:

UPSTAIRS HALL OR PASSAGE:

"In the PASSAGE up STAIRS" at the Palace, 1770:

• "3 large Roman Catholick Pictures
• 1 glass Lanthorn
• 1 large looking Glass
• 1 pr Steps in the Passage closet ...
• 4 very old black Leather chairs."¹⁰⁵

"IN THE PASSAGE" upstairs in John Randolph's House, 1775:

• "Eight Mahogany Chairs, one Cup-Board, one Glass Lanthorn."¹⁰⁶

"IN THE PASSAGE UP STAIRS" in Thomas Nelson's Yorktown house, 1789:

"2 pair Globes £3 1 large Leather Trunk brass nails 30/	[£] 4:10:--
a parcel of Books	30:--:--"107

BEDROOMS:

We have suggested that the four bedrooms on the second floor of the "Wythe House" be furnished as follows: the southwest room as George Wythe's bedchamber; the southeast room as Mrs. Elizabeth Wythe's bedchamber; the northwest room as a student's room; and the northeast room as the best guest bedchamber.¹⁰⁸

No mention of bedroom furniture in the "Wythe House" has been found in the sources which have been searched for Wythe data. The references to the beehive outside Wythe's bedchamber window quoted on page 18 of this report, and a student's statement that George Wythe left fruit on a table in his room (see page 11 ^{note 24}) are the only times bedrooms were mentioned in records which have come to light to date.

George Wythe wrote to London from time to time for articles of clothing for Mrs. Wythe and for himself,¹⁰⁹ and for "some 53 best razors," some "sheeting linen," "irish linen for shirts," "bundles of best quilt," "pieces of blanketing," and "rolls for servants."¹¹⁰ He purchased dowlas, and twelve-and-a-half yards of "printed cotton" from Governor Fauquier's estate in 1768.¹¹¹ But we find no orders for bedroom furniture, and assume that most of the furniture was purchased or brought to the house at the time the Wythes moved into it.¹¹²

George Wythe may have had some books and a desk or reading table in his bedroom; and Mrs. Wythe, who was ill and probably confined to her room for some time prior to her death in 1787, may have had a tea service in hers. It is probable that the student's room was rather simply furnished. The best guest bedchamber was doubtless handsomely furnished, as were guest rooms in other Virginia gentlemen's homes. In 1783 (several years after the death of William Byrd III of "Westover," and after his library and some other possessions had been sold to help pay Byrd's debts), young Thomas Lee Shippen, a student at William & Mary College, 54 visited "Westover," and described his bedroom. Although "Westover" was more elaborate than most Virginia houses, Shippen's enthusiastic, description of his bedchamber is of interest:

"...Imagine then a room of 20 feet square, and 12 feet high wainscoated to the ceiling, hung with a number of elegant gilt framed pictures of English noblemen and two of the most beautiful women I have ever seen (one of whom opposite to the bed where I lay) and commanding a view of a prettily falling grass plat ...about 300 by 100 yards in extent an extensive prospect of James River ...I must tell you too as I am now only introducing you to my chamber, that on the floor is seen a rich scotch carpet, and that the curtains and chair covers are of the finest crimson silk damask, my bottle and bason of thick & beautiful china, and my toilet which stands under a gilt framed looking glass, is covered with a finely worked muslin." [He also described the drawing room which was] "...of the dimensions of my chamber ...and it commands the view which I told you I enjoyed from my chamber, which is the room above it."¹¹³

In the inventories of other of Wythe's contemporaries, the following bedroom furniture is listed:

BEDROOMS (downstairs & upstairs) in WILLIAM HUNTER'S¹¹⁴ Williamsburg house, 1761:

"IN THE CHAMBER" [a downstairs room--probably Hunter's own bedroom]:

1 Bed Bedstead Curtains Bolster and Fillers	[£]13: 5:--
6 Chairs with Hair Bottoms	3:18:--
1 Writing Table 10/ - 1 Mahogany Desk £7	7:10:--
1 Book Tea Chest 15/- 1 dressing Glass 15/ 1 Carpet £1	2:10:--
55
1 Grate Shovel Tongs and Poker £1:5 - 1 Bellows & Harth Brush 5/	[£] 1:10:--
1 Landscape in a Frame	-: 5:--
1 Piece the Ruins of Rome in a large Gilt Frame	3:--:--
1 Small Piece in a Gilt Frame	-:15:--
2 Small do with Glasses and Frames	-: 2:--
Books in a Closet valued by Mr Hunter	28:--:--"

"Upstairs" (--obviously a bedroom):

"1 Large Mahogany Table £4:10 1 Large Elboe Chair £2	6:10:--
1 Bed bolster Pillow Bedstead and Curtains £7- 4 chairs £2	9:--:--
1 dressing Table and glass £2.15- 1 Card Table £3:10	6: 5:--
7 Prints in Frames with Glasses 7/- 1 Side bed Carpet 10/ 1 old Scots do 5/	1: 2:--
1 pr hand Irons Tongs and Shovel £1 Night Table £3	4:--:--
1 Stand Bason and Mugg 20/..."

BEDROOMS in WILLIAM PRENTIS'¹¹⁵ Williamsburg house, 1765:

"In Mr Prentis's Room"

"3 Beds, Bedsteads, Cords, Hides, Bolsters, 1 Mattross, 2 Quilts, 3 Pillows and Cases, 1 Counterpin, 1 pair Blankets	[£] 17:12: 6
1 Walnut square Table	-:15:--
4 Chairs 1 Elbow do 30/. 1 pair Dogs 10/.	2:--:--
6 pair Tongs 5 Shovels 1 Poker	1:10:--
5 Tin Cannisters 2/ 2 Sugar Pots	-: 5:--
1 Picture of St. Pauls	-: 5:--"

["In the little Closet," evidently off of Mr. Prentis' room there was "a Chest of Drawers" and "A dressing glass," and a few other items which are illegible in the inventory.]

"In John Prentis's Room" - [son of William above]:

"1 Easy Chair 40/. 1 Dressing Glass 30/	3:10:--
56
1 Gilt Glass 5/- 1 pr Dogs 10/ a low Chair 5/	[£] 1:--:--
2 Window Curtains, 3 Rods	-: 7: 6
a Bed, Bedstead, Cord, Hide, Bolster, 4 Pillows & Cases, 1 Quilt 1 pr Blankets, 1 mattross	8:15:--"

BEDROOMS in JOHN RANDOLPH'S¹¹⁶ Williamsburg home, 1775:

"In the Bed Chamber--
Two Beds and Bed-steads, six work bottomed Chairs, two low straw bottom Chairs, one gilt frame looking Glass, one Mahogony Cabinet with Glass Doors, one Dressing Table with Drawers, one Dressing Box one small Looking Glass, six work bottomed Stools, one Pair And Irons with Brass Tops, one pair Tongs and Shovel with Ditto."

"In the Upper Chamber--
Two Bedsteads, six Chairs, two dressing Tables with Drawers, one Desk and Book Case one Chest of Drawers, one Bed-Carpet, one small deal Table, one Mahogony Horse for Cloaths."

BEDROOM in PEYTON RANDOLPH'S¹¹⁷ House in Williamsburg, 1776:

"1 Dressing Table Glass and Toilet	[£] 2:10:--
6 Mahogany Chairs £6- 1 Bed Table £1:10	7:10:--
1 China Bason and Bottle 20/	1:--.--
1 Bedstead and Suit Cotton Curtains	15:--.--
1 Do and Do Virginia Cloth Do	10:--.--
4 pr Window Curtains 40/ 1 old Carpet 10/	2:10:--"

BEDROOMS in THOMAS NELSON'S¹¹⁸ Yorktown house, 1789:

"In the Chamber" [--apparently a downstairs bedroom]:

"1 Bed Matrass boulster Bedstead and suit yellow Morrain Curtains	[£] 25:--:--
6 Mahogony Chairs £9 1 dressing Table and a Glass £6	15:--:--
1 large ditto Desk £10 1 ditto spice press 30/	11:10:--
1 Mahogony sugar box 40/ 1 Carpet 15/	2:15:--
1 pair And Irons Tongs and Bellows	1:--:--"

"In the Chintz Room" [--probably upstairs.]:

"2 Beds boulsters & Bedsteads @ 90/	9:--:--
5 black walnut Chairs 50/. 1 ditto Table 6/	2:16:--
1 dressing Glass £3. 1 pair And Irons 7/6	3: 7: 6
1 set Table China... [listed]	20:--:--
1 compleat set Tea China	6:--:--
1 China bason and bottle 15/. 1 Glass bowl and plate 6/.	1: 1:--

...[there follows list of wine and beer glasses, etc. and "1 Glass Epern"— all of which must have been in closet or cupboard in room.]"

"IN the Room over the Drawing Room"

"1 Bed boulster Matrass 7 Pillows Bedstead & a suit blue morrain Curtains	[£] 20:--:--
1 Table and glass 20/. 2 Mohogany and 2 Windsor Chairs 60/	4:--:--
2 small Carpets 10/. 1 pair And Irons Tongs and Shovel 12/	1: 2:--"

"In the Room over the Chamber"

"3 Bedsteads with Beds @ £5	15:--:--
5 leather bottom Chairs 30/. 1 pine Table 5/	1:15:--
1 pair And Irons Tongs and Shovel	-:15:--

58

"In the Room over the Dining Room"

"1 Bed boulster, 2 pillows, 1 Matrass, Mahogony Bedstead with a suit of red Morrain Curtains	[£] 28:--:--
1 Mahogony low Bedstead Bed boulster and 2 Pillows	12:--:--
1 Black walnut Bedstead Bed boulster and 2 ditto	10:--:--
1 Bed Oznabrigs Tick with 1 pillow	2:--:--
6 Mahogony Chairs £12. 1 Wash Stand 20/	13:--:--
1 Table and Dressing Glass £3. 1 Carpet 25/	4: 5:--
2 Bed Carpits 6/. 1 pair And Irons Tongs and Shovel 40/	2: 6:--"

... [There follows a list of blankets, linen, etc., including "5 pair best Bed Blankets £10"; 21 pair "Sheets different qualities @ 30/">; "2 Mersails Quilts £6." "4 patch Callico Quilts £8," "6 White Counterpins £7:10 - 8 Chex Ditto £4"; and pillow cases, towels, "16 Damask Table cloths different Qualities @ 20/"; napkins, etc. all probably in closet or cupboard.]

BED AND WINDOW CURTAINS

The inventory-makers did not always list bed and window curtains when taking inventory of the furnishings of a house; and when they did mention them, simply referred to them as a "pair" or "set" of curtains, more often than not. However, we can be grateful to the few who did mention color and/or fabric. In John Randolph's Williamsburg home (1775) there were "two handsome Crimson Silk Curtains" in the Drawing Room; "one pair handsome green Worsted Window Curtains" in the large "Dining Parlour"; and "three Calico Window Curtains" in the "Small Dining Parlour." No curtains were noted for the bed chambers, or "Salloon" and "Gallery," in John Randolph's house.¹¹⁹ Peyton Randolph's furnishings were not listed by rooms in 1776, but "old blue Damask" bed and window curtains, a "suit Cotton [bed] Curtains," several pairs of "Virginia cloth" bed and window curtains, and "1 Sett Callico Curtains" at 50 shillings were listed in his inventory.¹²⁰

In Thomas Nelson's house at Yorktown one bedchamber was known as the "Chintz Room." Others were listed as having 60 "yellow Morrain Curtains," "blue morrain Curtains," and "red Morrain Curtains." Curtains were not inventoried for Nelson's Drawing Room, Dining Room, or Back Parlour--possibly they were removed when Nelson moved to his Hanover County plantation.¹²¹

In February, 1762, Wythe's neighbor on Palace Street, Robert Carter of "Nomini Hall," ordered from London for his Williamsburg house "Yellow Silk & Worsted Damask festoon Window Curtains fr a Room 10 Feet pitch," and also "yellow silk & worsted Damask to ye Seats of 18 comon Chairs."¹²²

A glance at our index to the Williamsburg abstracts from the York County, Virginia, records,¹²³ shows that references to bed and window curtains appear in Williamsburg wills and inventories, with the following accompanying descriptive phrases:

BED CURTAINS: Blue, blue and white, blue check, blue laced with yellow, cotton, calico, check, damask, diaper, durance, flowered, gauze, gingham, green, green China, green durance, Holland, "linsey woolsey," mohair, plaid, red damask, red striped, striped Holland, Virginia cloth, worked, yellow, yellow printed cotton, etc.

61

WINDOW CURTAINS:
Blue, blue worsted, callico (lined and unlined), check, cotton, crimson, damask, gingham, green, red worsted, "stuff," Virginia cloth, worsted, etc.

BED COVERINGS AND COUNTERPANES:

In the inventory of William Prentis of Williamsburg (1765) a list of household linens included "1 Virginia Counterpin" valued at £1, and "2 English Counterpins" valued at £2. Also "1 Blue and White Virginia Counterpin" valued at 15 shillings, a quilt, "2 pair Whitney Blankets" valued at £3, and six other pairs of blankets ranging in value from 12 shillings sixpence a pair to eighty shillings, or £4, a pair.¹²⁴

No bed covers or counterpanes were mentioned in John Randolph's inventory (1775); and only "1 Chintz Bed Cover £3," and "10 Counterpanes" valued at £12 were listed in the inventory of Peyton Randolph (1776).¹²⁵

Thomas Nelson of Yorktown had (1789) among his linens, etc.: "2 Mersails Quilts £6. 4 patch Callico Quilts £8. 6 White Counterpins £7:10. 8 Chex Ditto £4"; as well as "5 pair best Bed Blankets £10. 5 pair old ditto £4."¹²⁶

In the index to the Williamsburg abstracts from York County wills and inventories there are numerous references to counterpanes (counterpains" or "counterpins") without accompanying 62a description. There are, however, references with the following descriptive phrases:

COUNTERPANES:
Blue and white, check, cotton, couch, "easternshore," embroidered, English, linen, Manchester, sear sucker, striped and chex, turkey, Virginia cloth, white, wool, etc.¹²⁷

CARPETS AND FLOOR-COVERINGS

George Wythe purchased (ca. 1768-69) "1 large turkey carpet" for £5, from the effects of Lt. Gov. Fauquier at the Palace.¹²⁸ We have no information as to other carpets in Wythe's house. The inventories of his contemporaries listed Turkey carpets, Wilton carpets, Scotch carpets, and simply carpets and "carpeting." Any of these may have been in the "Wythe House."

John Randolph of Williamsburg had (1775) Wilton carpets in both of his "Dining Parlours." Peyton Randolph's inventory (1776) listed carpets, and one Wilton carpet valued at £10. Thomas Nelson (1789) had carpets in the bedrooms of his Yorktown house, a piece of carpeting valued at £2:6:0 in his entrance hall, and "1 large Turkey Carpet" valued at £13:10:0 in his "Dineing Room." William Hunter's inventory (1761) mentioned carpets, and "1 old Scots" carpet in his Williamsburg house. In 1783, Thomas Lee Shippen described the guest bedchamber he occupied at "Westover" as having "a rich scotch carpet" on its floor.¹²⁹

Wilton, Turkey, and Scotch carpets seem to have been used most frequently in Virginia homes. Some were ordered direct from England, and others were purchased in Williamsburg. In 1751, John Mitchelson of Williamsburg advertised items for sale "of 64 the newest Fashions, London make," including "Turkey Carpets."¹³⁰ In 1769, Joseph Kidd, "Upholsterer, in Williamsburg," gave notice that he fitted "carpets to any room with the greatest exactness."¹³¹ In 1772, John Carter's advertisement of goods just imported included Wilton Carpets, "to be sold very cheap" at his Williamsburg store.¹³² Allan & Turner of Williamsburg offered for sale "Scotch Carpets, and Carpeting, of almost all Sizes," in 1773.¹³³ In 1777, furnishings in a house on Market Square were advertised for sale, including "...green Passage Chairs, Carpets and Carpeting."¹³⁴

Our index to abstracts of Williamsburg wills and inventories from the York County Records includes numerous references to Carpets; and also includes references to Kilmarnock, Scotch, Turkey, and Wilton carpets (more references to Wilton carpets than to the other varieties). The index also includes three references to "Floor Cloths."

CELLAR

We do not know what use was made of the cellar at the "Wythe House" during George Wythe's occupancy. Possibly one or two house servants occupied a room in the basement. Part of the basement may have been used as a store-room and wine cellar. In 1768, Wythe ordered "eight or ten gallons of the best arrack in carboys properly secured"; and in 1772 he wrote John Norton that he would draw upon him "soon for the cost of two pipes of Madeira wine."¹³⁵ He doubtless kept on hand rum and other liquors for making punch, as well as a supply of Madeira and other wines.

In the inventory of William Prentis (1765--see note 71) of the "Prentis House" in Williamsburg, the following items were listed:

"In the Cellar

5 empty Casks	[£] 1: 5:--
a Pipe of Wine 5 Inches Ullage	45:--:--
4 Jugs Brandy	---
3 Carboys, 1 Jug Rum	---
16 empty Jugs and Carboys	---
390 Bottles Wine	---
18 Doz empty Bottles	---
old Lumber	---
2 Safes & a parcel old Pots &c	--:10:--
--Gallons Rum in a Hhd	---"

After Mrs. Wythe's death in 1787, when George Wythe opened 66 a school at his house and took several of the young students to room and board with him, he may have used a basement room as a laboratory for philosophical experiments. One of the students wrote that in that year Wythe obtained "a very complete electrical machine together with a fine air pump and several other philosophical apparatus. And when this arrived most of our leisure moments were employed in making philosophical experiments,"¹³⁶ -- a rather hazardous activity for a Study, Back-Parlour or Library.

However, the above suggestions are based entirely on conjecture--we have found no reference to the basement of the house in the Wythe material which has been assembled to date.

KITCHEN

The kitchen was probably in the southeastern outbuilding during the Wythe occupancy of the house on Palace Street (See APPENDIX, pages XXIII-XXIX.)

We have found no orders by George Wythe for cooking utensils or other kitchen equipment, although he ordered china, glass, and pewter from England. In 1768, Wythe wrote John Norton in London:

"I wrote many months ago to messrs. James Buchanan and company for an elegant set of table and tea china, with bowls of the same of different sizes, decanters and drinking glasses, an handsome service of glass for dessert, four middlesized and six lesser dishes, and three dozen plates of hard metal... "¹³⁷

As many kitchen inventories listed dishes and pewter among the articles in the kitchen, it is possible that some of the above "middlesized" and "lesser" dishes and pewter plates were kept in the Wythe Kitchen. Wythe purchased (ca. 1768) from Lt. Gov. Fauquier's personal estate at the Palace "1 hair broom and bottle brush"¹³⁸--articles which may have been kept in a kitchen or scullery.

As before, for a list of suitable furnishings for the "Wythe House" Kitchen, we must turn to the inventories of Wythe's contemporaries:

In the inventory of William Prentis' estate (1765) at the house now known as the "Prentis House" in Williamsburg, the following list was included:

"IN KITCHEN & WASH-HOUSE.

1 Copper Kettle £6. 1 Tea Kettle 12/6	[£] 6:12: 6
1 small Dutch Oven	-:15:--
1 large Do 70/ 5 flat Irons 10/.	4:--:--
2 Bell Metal, 1 Iron, 2 Brass Skillets	1:10:--
1 pair Tongs and----[torn] 2 Tables 10	1:--:--
1 Cloaths --- [torn] Kettle 1/3	-:11: 3
4 Trays 5/ -------[torn] 5/	-:11:--
a parcel---------------[torn]	1:--:--
-----[next 6 lines torn and illegible]
1 Stew Pan and Cover	-: 7: 6
3 Trivets 1/10-1/2 1 Axe 1/3	-: 3: 11/2
3 old Kitchen Dogs
1 Spit 2/6 2 Mortars and pestles 7/6)	-:10:--
3 dozen good Plates	2: 5:--
20 do not so good	1:--:--
3 Basins 2/ 1 fish Dish 10/	-:12:--
8 Dishes	1:--:--
5 do 1 Bason & 24 Plates, 53 lb old Pewter @ 6d	1: 6: 6
a large Pine Table	-: 7: 6"139

The following kitchen utensils were listed in the inventory (1768) of the personal estate of Richard Ambler of Yorktown:

"1 large Copper Kettle	7:--:--
1 Smaller Do	2:--:--
1 old x Cut Saw	-: 7: 6
1 Brass wire Safe	4:--:--
26 Pewter Plates	2:--:--
2 very large Dishes	1:--:--
69
2 deep Dishes	-:15:--
5 Shallow Dishes	1:15:--
6 Smaller Do	1:10:--
3 old Dishes 6/ 4 do 12/	-:18:--
2 Pewter Tureens 20/ 2 Water Plates 5/	1: 5:--
1 Fish Dish 20/ 4 Dish Covers 40/	3:--:--
1 Copper Kettle	6:10:--
1 Stew pan 7/6. preserving pan	-:15:--
3 old Dish Covers 10/ a Pastry Pan 5/	-:15:--
Bell Mettle Skillet 6/ Cheese Toaster 1/3	-: 7: 3
2 small Kettles 10/ 1 Fish Kettle 15/	1: 5:--
1 large Skillet 20/. Marble Mortar £5	6:--:--
1 Bell Metal Mortar 6/ Copper Still 40/	2: 6:--
5 Naple Biscuit Pans 7/6 6 Spits 30/	1:17: 6
1 Grid Iron 5/ 2 Spit Racks 40/	2: 5:--
1 Pewter Still 40/ 3 Pot Racks 30/	3:10:--
pr And-Irons & Tongs 10/. 4 Pots and 3 pr Hooks 25/)	1:15:--
Warfles Iron 20/. Pewter Cullender 7/6	1: 7: 6
1 Table 7/6 Coffee Mill 5/	-:12: 6"140

The inventory of Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg (1776) included the following utensils--evidently in the Kitchen of the Peyton Randolph House on Nicholson Street:

"1 Coal Skuttle 5/ 8 Pewter dishes 40/	[£] 2: 5:--
2 doz. pewter plates £3 A parcel old Pewter 20/	4:--.--
3 Copper Kettles £15 8 Copper Stew Pans £5	20:--:--
1 Safe 30/ 5 pales 10/ 2 fish Kettles and Covers £3	5:--:--
1 Bell Mettle Skillet 15/ 1 Marble Mortar 20/	1:15:--
1 Small Marble Mortar 5/ 1 Brass Mortar 5/	-:10:--
1 Grid Iron, 2 drypping pans & 2 frying pans 25/	1: 5:--
70
3 Iron Potts 40/ 1 Tea Kettle 15/ 1 Do 15/	3:10:--
1 Jack, 2 Spitts and a pr Kitchen Dogs	£ 5:--:--
8 Stone Butter Pots, 7 Milk pans, 1 Stone jug	1:10:--
1 Iron Ladle, 1 Chopping knife and flesh fork	-: 5:--
23 Candle Moulds 23/ a parcel old Copper and) tin Ware 20/	2: 3:--
11 Chamber Pots 3 Wash Basons, 35 Wine and Beer Glasses	2:10:--
2 dish Covers, 3 tin Kettles, 3 Sauce pans 5 Cake Moulds & a Cullender	1:10:--
A parcel of Brooms and Brushes 20/ 4 Spades	2:--.--"

...[a list of hoes, chopping knives, sugar, coffee, box of glass, green sloth, cotton, dutch blankets, crimson cloth, coarse shoes, etc. follow--probably in outhouse other than kitchen.]¹⁴¹

Articles in THOMAS NELSON'S Kitchen at Yorktown, 1789:

"IN THE KITCHEN"

"9 Pewter Dishes 7/. 3 pewter dish covers 15/.	[£] 4: 7:--
6 Tin dish covers 18/. 1 pewter & 1 Tin cullinder	1: 8:--
2 Copper Fish Kettles 60/. two ditto stewpans 40/	5:--:--
1 preserving Pan and cover	-:15:--
Forks Skimmers, Ladles and Graters 10/	-:10:--
3 bell mettle Skillets 60/. 1 Spice Mortar 7/6	3: 7: 6
6 Iron Pots & 1 Dutch Oven with Hooks and hangers	3:--:--
3 Spitts 15/. 2 Frying pans 8/. 2 Grid Irons 8/	1:11:--
1 pair And Irons Tongs and Shovel 50/. 1 dripping pan 1/.	3:--:--
1 large Kitchen Pine Table	-:10:--
2 Coppers & 2 Iron Kettles £12. 6 Tubs and Pails 12/ 12:12: --"

¹⁴²

LAUNDRY

In general, eighteenth century laundries or wash-houses contained low pine tables or stools for tubs; pine or deal tables or boards for ironing; large iron or copper kettles for heating water; washing tubs and pails; irons (smoothing irons, flat irons, box irons, etc.); and sometimes clothes baskets, and clothes horses or racks for drying indoors.

As some of the Kitchen inventories just quoted indicate, Kitchen and Laundry equipment were often listed together--possibly because the Laundry often adjoined the Kitchen, using the same chimney.

The "Kitchen & Wash-House" mentioned in the inventory of William Prentis' effects (1765) included several pine table, which were probably in both Kitchen and Laundry. Unfortunately several lines in the manuscript inventory are illegible just where the Laundry equipment appears to be listed:

"1 Cloaths ------ [torn--possibly clothes horse]
--- Kettle 1/3 4 Trays 5/ -----" [Illegible for next 6 lines.]"¹⁴³

Following Richard Ambler's cooking and kitchen utensils (1768) the following items were listed:

"1 Copper Kettle	[£] 4:--:--
72
Parcel Tubs and a -----[torn]	-:17:--
pr And-Irons 25 -----[torn]	1:15:--"

¹⁴⁴

In Thomas Nelson's inventory (1789) the following items were listed as "In the Kitchen":

"2 Coppers & 2 Iron Kettles £12. 6 Tubs and Pails 12/."¹⁴⁵

The most complete list of furnishings that we have found for a separate "Laundry," appears in the Lord Botetourt Inventory (1770) of furnishings at the Palace:

In 1770 the Palace "Laundry" contained:

"5 Flat Irons, 2 Box Irons, with one Heater to each,
2 Iron Stands, 1 pr of Tongs, 1 Large Boyling Copper,
1 Long Stool, 2 pine Tables, 1 Linnen Horse, 1 Mangle,
1 Large Iron pot, 1 Brass Skillet, 2 Linnen Baskets,
3 Washing Tubs, 2 pails, 1 piggin, 4 Mangle Cloaths,
2 Ironing Cloaths, 1 Wooden Funnel, 1 Hair Sieve,
3 Rensing Tubs (1/3 part of a Barrel of Lamp Oyl,...)"

¹⁴⁶

DAIRY

Dairy equipment was seldom listed separately in inventories. Items such as the "8 Stone Butter Pots, 7 Milk Pans, 1 Stone jug" valued at £1:10:0 in the Peyton Randolph inventory,¹⁴⁷ may well have been in a Dairy. Churns and milk pans (both earthen and tin) were often listed in the York County inventories; as were butter pots (brown, earthen, and stone), and butter tubs. Articles in the Dairy at the Palace were listed in the Botetourt Inventory of 1770, with a turkey coop thrown in for good measure:

"Dairy 5 Tin pans, 5 Earthen pans, 1 Small Chern, 1 pail, 1 piggin, 1 Small Brass Kettle, 1 Tin Do 1 Large Double Turkey Coop."¹⁴⁸

SLAVE QUARTERS

As George Wythe paid taxes on as many as eighteen slaves (about half of them children under sixteen) in Williamsburg,¹⁴⁹ adequate quarters must have been provided for them on the property. It has been suggested that one or two house servants may have occupied a room in the basement;¹⁵⁰ and it has also been suggested that other quarters may have been provided at the north of the property, with access to and from the side street—Prince George Street.¹⁵¹

Slave Quarters were usually furnished with cast-off pieces from the main house, or with inexpensive pine furniture made on the plantation or purchased locally. Such furniture probably included beds and bedding, tables, chairs, and possibly a chest, cupboard, or press; a few cooking utensils; pewter spoons, etc.; and cheap metal or earthenware dishes, mugs, and plates. As such furniture was considered of little value, it was seldom inventoried; although the number of slaves owned was, of course, carefully noted.

When a cook and her family occupied a room adjoining or above the main Kitchen, she and her family doubtless used the Kitchen cooking utensils there provided. But when slaves occupied a separate Quarters—and the number of slaves at the "Wythe House" would make at least one such Quarter seem necessary—each Quarter would include its own kitchen-fireplace, where the occupants could be cooked for and fed.

As an example of a cook's quarters over or adjoining the main Kitchen, we note that in the inventory (1751) of James Shield (who operated the English Coffee-house at the house now known as "Marot's") furniture in "The Chamber & Kitchen" was listed together. Under this heading, besides the usual earthenware, china, kitchen utensil "2 Beds and furniture 2 Tables 1 Brass Candlestick 1 old Trunk" 76 were inventoried.¹⁵²

In the inventory of William Prentis, merchant of Williamsburg, no furniture was listed for his slaves in Williamsburg; but some furniture was listed, along with hoes, spades, carpenter's tools, saws, plough shares, and stock, "At the Quarter in James City."¹⁵³ Scattered in with the tools, etc., were:

"a Bed, Bedstead, Cord, Hide, Rug, Blanket 1 pair Sheets, 1 Pillow and Case	£ 3:--:--
1 old Table	-:10:--
[...80 Barrels of Wheat and 37 of corn]	---
1 Chest Cupboard	-: 2: 6
[hoes, spades, etc . ...]
2 old Iron Pots 1 Tin Pan	-: 2: 6
1 old frying Pan, 1 pair Pot Hooks	-: 2: 6
2 Pails 1/3 3 Hides 5/	-: 6: 3
..."

¹⁵⁴

There is record that Doctors Galt or Barraud of Williamsburg attended some of the Wythe slaves in the years 1782-1789. Visits to the Wythes' "cook," and to slaves Hannah, Dinah, Lydia, Charles and Betty, Fanny, and Jamie were noted in the account 77 books of Drs. Galt and Barraud in those years.¹⁵⁵

George Wythe ordered "two pieces of blanketing and as many of rolls for servants" from London in 1768;¹⁵⁶ but he probably purchased most of the clothing and supplies for his slaves in Williamsburg, as we do not find other purchases for slaves mentioned in his correspondence with John Norton. Wythe's neighbor on Palace Street, Thomas Everard, ordered for his negroes such fabrics and articles as:

"3 ps. Oznab[rug]s. and 2 ps. Hempen Roles [or Rolls] 1 ps. blue Plains, 1 ps. dark Fustian, 1 ps. Rushia Drab 2 doz: pair Strong Yarn hose for men... ½ doz: pr. Strong Worsted for Negro Men... 1 doz: pair Strong Shoes for Negro Men..."¹⁵⁷

COACH-HOUSE and STABLE

When the "Wythe House" lots were excavated, no foundations were uncovered for a stable or coach-house. It is to be doubted that such structures often had foundations. It is probable that the stable was at the rear of the lot, with access from Prince George Street.¹⁵⁸ We do not know whether the coach-house adjoined it or was separated from it.

According to the Williamsburg Personal Property Tax Records, George Wythe owned a maximum of two horses and five cattle,¹⁵⁹ so his Stable had to provide accommodations for that number.

Wythe was taxed for six wheels¹⁶⁰ --probably a two-wheeled chair, and the "well built handsome post-charriott" he ordered from London in 1768, with his "cypher" or arms painted on it.¹⁶¹ He had disposed of the four-wheeled vehicle by 1786, and of all 79 his cattle, horses, and wheels by 1788, after which the coach-house and stable may have fallen into disrepair.

In 1769, Wythe ordered through John Norton of London a "genteel Mans Saddle, bridle & blue housing to be made by Pennyman."¹⁶² Wythe purchased from Alexander Craig, Williamsburg saddler, other items which may have been in his Stable or Coach-House: bridles, snaffle bridles, whips, saddles, web halters, saddle cloths, martingales, surcingles, etc.¹⁶³

To supply further information as to what might have been kept in a stable or coach-house, we quote from the Lord Botetourt inventory (1770) at the Palace, and from the William Nelson inventory (1789) of his stable at Yorktown. Botetourt, of course, had many more horses, cattle, and wheels than George Wythe owned, and William Nelson also had more. However, the inventories may be of interest here:

"The Out-Houses" at the Palace - 1770:

"1 State Coach & Harness for a pair of Horses.
1 Post Chaise, with Harness compleat for four Horses & a Leather
Trunk in the Store Room
1 Post Coach with Harness compleat for Six Horses & two draw
Boxes (in the Store Room)
80 1 Green park Chair
1 Setter and Grease Box
1 New Waggon & a Cart, with Harness for Six Horses with
Leather Collars & Iron Traces
1 Roller, 1 plough, & 1 pair of Harrows, & 1 Bush Frame,
and 1 plough paddle.
5 Grey Coach Horses, & 1 Mare
2 Grey Saddle Horses, & 1 Mare, & 1 Bay Filly
4 Cows, 1 Bull, 5 Stears, and 3 Calves ...
1 Stack of Hay
1 Large Wheel Barrow
23 Bushels of Indian Corn
47 ½ Bushels of Oats
23 Bushels of English Wheat."¹⁶⁴

"At the Stable" at the Nelson House at Yorktown - 1789:

"a Wagon and Gear £25. 5 M--- @ £15. £75	100:--:--
a Charriot and Harness for 4 horses	60:--:--
4 Charriot Horses @ £25. £100. a bay Mare £8	108:--:--
12 Milch Cows £36. 1 saddle & 2 bridles 40/	38:--:--
a saddle (newer)	3:10:--
1 Tumbrill £3:10 1 old ditto with one Wheel 30/	5:--:--"

¹⁶⁵

DEEDS:

No deed has been found to the Palace Street lot on which the "Wythe House" stands, in the York County portion of Williamsburg,ⁱ although a deed to what appears to be the second or back lot was recorded in York County in May, 1748.

It was customary for an original deed to one or more of Williamsburg's half-acre lots to be recorded in the court of the county in which the lot stood, but proper recording was sometimes overlooked, either because of failure of the persons involved to notify the county clerk of the transaction, or because of carelessness on the part of the county clerk or an assistant.ⁱⁱ The Feoffees or Trustees for the City of Williamsburg would grant a II half-acre lot to a purchaser for the small fees of five shillings for deed of lease and fifteen shillings for deed of release, with the proviso that a house of specified minimum size be erected on each lot within the space of twenty-four months, or the lot would revert to the City. By 1705, a clause had been added to the act directing the building of the City allowing a house of larger size, with cellars and chimneys, to hold two lots.

No deed from the Feoffees for the City to Richard Taliaferro for the lot on which Taliaferro erected the brick house was recorded in York County; nor is a recognizable deed to any earlier purchaser on record there (see page I, ^{note ii}). If originally granted to someone other than Taliaferro, and sold to Taliaferro before it reverted to the City, the second deed may have been recorded in the now missing records of the General Court or the City of Williamsburg (see page I, ^{note i}). In any event, it is apparent that Richard Taliaferro owned and built on the lot about the middle of the eighteenth century.

The only deed to a Williamsburg lot granted or sold to Richard Taliaferro which is recorded in York County, is dated May, 1748. On May 10, 1748, the Feoffees or Trustees for the City granted Richard Taliaferro "of the County of James City Gent.," a lot of land "designed in the Plan of the said City by the figures 43,"ⁱ for the usual fees (twenty shillings in all) and with PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE WILLIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMSBURG, THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER III the usual proviso that a house be erected on the lot within twenty-four months. It is more than probable that this lot "43" was the lot back of the Palace Street lot on which the house itself stands.ⁱ It is also probable that Taliaferro obtained this second lot at about the time, or soon after, he obtained the front lot, to provide sufficient space for the house he intended to build. The brick house would have been of sufficient size to hold the two lots, and the second lot could then have been used--as we know it was--for outbuildings and gardens, without reversion to the City.

Following this reasoning, it would appear that Taliaferro either built the brick house before he obtained the second lot in IV May, 1748, or within the required twenty-four months after he obtained it. The date 1748-1750 is not too far out of line with the usually accepted "circa 1755" date applied to the house.

NUMBER OF LOTS:

The surviving information on the lots owned by Richard Taliaferro, and occupied by his son-in-law George Wythe from ca. 1755 until September, 1791, proves that only two lots were involved--the two half-acre lots numbered 245 and 243 on the attached plat (see plat, page III-a). Although at some undetermined time in the nineteenth century additional land to the west was acquired by a nineteenth century owner of the "Wythe House" property, the property stood on one acre of ground during the Taliaferro-Wythe period.ⁱ Tax records and transfers, and deeds V to the lots adjoining lot 243 to the west prove this statement.

In his will, written some years after George Wythe moved into the Palace Street property,ⁱ Richard Taliaferro mentioned the life right granted his daughter and son-in-law to his "House and Lotts in the City of Williamsburg, situate on the West side of Palace Street, and on the North side of the Church yard." This proves that more than one lot was involved. In the Williamsburg City Land Tax Records, which begin in 1782, George Wythe was taxed for two city lots, and continued to be so taxed throughout the remainder of his occupancy of the property. After Wythe's removal to Richmond in September, 1791, the property was advertised for sale at public auction, and in 1792 it was transferred on the tax records from George Wythe to James Madison, President of the College, as two lots. In 1793, Madison sold the property to the Rev. John Dunbar as two lots. Dunbar's widow, Elizabeth Hill (Byrd) Farley Dunbar, continued on the property, and in December, 1799, married Henry Skipwith. From 1800 through 1806, Skipwith VI was taxed for the property as two lots.ⁱ After 1806 (although the Skipwiths owned the property until Mrs. Skipwith's death in 1819, and her heirs owned and rented it to various occupants until 1841), the property was referred to in tax records as one lot.ⁱⁱ

Thus the eighteenth century tax records establish the fact that the Taliaferro-Wythe property included two city lots.

The fact that the original Taliaferro-Wythe property could not have extended further, or encroached on the lot numbered 241 is further established by deeds recorded in York County in 1772 and 1774. What were obviously lots 239 and 241, back of the churchyard and west of the Wythe-Taliaferro property, were owned by John Blair prior to 1769. Although we cannot find the original deed or deeds to John Blair for these two lots, he had divided them into four "Tenements" and was renting them to four tenants by 1769. Two of the tenants, John Warrington and Joseph Kidd, evidently occupied lot 241-- probably prior to 1769 and until ca. 1771-72. Possibly John Warrington, a tailor, VII occupied the front portion of lot 241. Joseph Kidd, who lived elsewhere, operated a "LEAD MANUFACTORY, behind the church" in 1769.ⁱ Lot 239, or part of it at least, was leased by Blair to John Holt prior to 1769. John Holt, who was then in New York, doubtless subleased his portion of the lot. In 1771, after John Blair's death, the lots and tenements were advertised for sale at public auction, and both lots were sold—lot 239 in two parts, and lot 241 to one purchaser. An analysis of the deeds to these two lots follows.

Although the deeds to the property adjoining the Taliaferro-Wythe lots, and back of the churchyard, are worded in a most confusing manner-- the chief confusion seems to be the fact that they speak of each lot which had been subdivided by Blair as "lots" rather than "lot." This obviously confused the person who put Holt's name on lot numbered 239 and Hyland's name on lot 241 on the attached plat.ⁱ Holt and Hyland evidently occupied portions of the same lot (239) at the time the deed to Holt was made. Both portions of the lot (241) which had been leased and occupied by Warrington and Kidd, as two "tenements" ca. 1769-1771, were deeded to James Gardner in January, 1772.

On November 21, 1771, John and James Blair, executors for the estate of their late father, John Blair, published the following notice in the Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon):

"PURSUANT to the last will of our deceased Father, we purpose, on the 11th Day of next Month, to sell to the highest Bidder four Tenements near the Church, in the said City, and another adjoining the lot of the late Mrs. Blaikley [of the "Blaikley-Durfey House"], once South. There are Tenants in all of them at present, but we will deliver them to the Purchasers at Christmas next, except one of the said four, which Mr. John Holt is to possess till the 22nd Day of next July…"

Although no deed to Robert Hyland is found in the York County Records, lot 239 was evidently sold in two portions to Robert Hyland and to John Holt, who doubtless purchased the section he was leasing from John Blair. It is the only way to explain the following deeds to lot 241, both sections of which IX were purchased by James Gardner, who allowed Robert Hyland a right-of-way on the lot from the "northwest corner of the Church Wall" to what must have been the northern half of lot 239. There must have been a lane or road along the west side of the church wall from Duke of Gloucester Street, which continued along the west side of lot 241 for 96 feet.

The deed from John Blair's executors, dated January 5, 1772, to John Holt, who purchased at public auction for £90 current money, the portion of the lot which he had been leasing, described it as:

"all that Lot of Land ...now in the Possession of the said John Holt as aforesaid and bounded on the NORTH by the Lot lately purchased by Robert Highland on the WEST by Nassau Street on the SOUTH by the Church Square on the EAST by the Lots [lot 241] of James Gardner and Denoted in the plan of the said City of Williamsburg by the figures ...329 [sic--evidently transposed figures for 239 . Lot 329 was included in the square of lots which was sold in the same year by William Carter to Elkanah Dean. SeeYork County Records, Deeds VIII, pages 207-08 for above cited deed dated January 5, recorded March 16, 1772, See ibid., pages 239-41 for Carter to Dean deed.]

As already noted, no deed has been found for Robert Hyland,ⁱ but as we know the two lots formerly owned by John X Blair had been divided into "four tenements," and as Hyland's lot (or portion of a lot) was described as north of Holt's and, in the following deed to Gardner for lot 241, west of Gardner's lot, it could only be the northern half of lot 239. (See additions in red on attached drawing from archaeological map.)ⁱ The description of the right-of-way allowed Hyland by Gardner in the following deed further confirms this.

On January 18, 1772, the executors for John Blair, deeded to James Gardnerⁱⁱ "of the City of Williamsburg Joiner," the "lots" [241] he purchased at public auction for £133 current money,-evidently both sections of the lot formerly leased and XI occupied by Warrington and Kidd. As will be noted, the purchase price for the larger lot (the two portions) was considerably more than John Holt paid (£90) for his half-portion of lot 239. The deed to Gardner described the lot as:

"...all those Lotts [both sections of 241] of Land... lately occupied by the sd John Warrington and Joseph Kidd ...bounded on the NORTH by Coland[sic.--must mean Prince George Street] on the WEST by the Lots of Robert Hyland and John Holt on the SOUTH by the Church Wall and on the EAST by the Lots of George Wythe, esquire . .and all Houses..."
[The deed further stipulated that Gardner was to allow Robert Hyland, or any person legally entitled to "... the Lot adjoining the Lots hereby conveyed ...egress and regress on Ninety Six feet in length and twelve feet in breadth part of the Lots hereby conveyed [to Gardner] from the Northwest corner of the Church Wall to the lot lately purchased by the said Robert Hyland..." [York County Records, Deeds VIII, pages 186-188. Deed dated January 18, recorded January 20, 1772.]

On December 12, 1774, James Gardner sold lot 241 (both portions) to James Wilson,ⁱ for £133 current money--the same sum he purchased it for at public auction from John Blair's executors two years earlier. The deed described the lot as XII before, and included the right of egress and regress to Robert Hyland or his successors on adjoining property. It located the lot conveyed from Gardner to Wilson as being:

"...bounded on the NORTH by Coland (sic-Prince George) Street on the WEST by the Lots of Robert Hyland and John Holt on the SOUTH by the Church Wall on the EAST by the lots of George Wythe Esquire ...." [York County Records, Deeds VIII, page 466. Dated December 12, 1774, recorded January 16, 1775.]

On October 16, 1778, James Wilson, gardener at the College, advertised the property for sale, noting that it was then occupied by Richard Collins:

"To be SOLD for ready money , at publick auction, on the premises,… the 27th Instant (October) The houses and lots [both sections of lot 241] back of the church walls [sic] in Williamsburg , at present occupied by Mr. Richard Collins . Whoever wishes to purchase the said houses and lots, by private bargain, may apply to the subscriber, at William and Mary college , before the day of the sale. Possession to be had on the 1st day of January 1779— The subscriber intending to leave this state shortly, desires those who are indebted to him to make immediate payment …JAMES WILSON."[Virginia Gazette, Purdie.]

We know nothing of Richard Collins,ⁱ nor can we find XIII record of the Wilson's sale of the property. The York County Records contain no deed from Wilson to a purchaser of the lot in question. If sold at public auction as advertised, or if sold at some later date in the following decade, the deed must have been recorded elsewhere.

The nineteenth-century records concerning the property in the square are even more difficult to produce than the earlier records. Most Williamsburg city deeds were then recorded in the city rather than the county court records; and the Williamsburg city records prior to 1862 were destroyed in the Civil War. We know from the surviving tax records that the "Wythe House" property continued to be taxed as two lots through 1806 (see pages V-VI ), and after that it was always taxed as one lot —regardless of the number of original lots it contained. At some time in the nineteenth century (evidently after 1806 and possibly prior to 1866) most of lot 241 was acquired by owners of the "Wythe House" property, and is owned today by Colonial Williamsburg (see hatching around property on attached archeological drawing.ⁱ) After the death of Mrs. Skipwith in 1819, the "Wythe House" property passed to her heirs, who leased it to various tenants until 1841, when it was sold to Professor John Millington of the College. The deed of sale is not extant; but the deed of sale by Millington to Mary King Sherwell in 1866 is on record in the Williamsburg City Deeds. [Williamsburg Deed Book No. 1, pages 28-29.] The western boundary of the XIV "Wythe House" property was then described as "the lots now in possession of Mildred Bowden."ⁱ This same property was conveyed by Mary King Sherwell to the Marshall Foundation, Inc. in 1926, the western boundary then described as:

"...the Armistead property, which was formerly the Bowden property. The property hereby conveyed is the same property conveyed to the said Mary King Sherwell by deed from John Millington …dated April 2, 1866 …."

Concerning the square bound by Duke of Gloucester, Nassau, Prince George and Palace Street, Mr. John S. Charles wrote in 1928:

"The square occupied partly by 'Old Bruton' Church, presents now more nearly its pre-war appearance than any square in the city. On the west side of the north wing of the church was a wooden structure sheltering the steps which then led up to the negro gallery . …

The 'Bowden' house now owned and occupied by 'Judge Armistead' is just as it looked in 1861, except that in place of the present outside tin gutters there was XV originally a broad inside gutter; and under it were large hand-carved brackets forming a very attractive cornice. The house being unoccupied a great deal of the war period, the gutters and cornice went to decay and after the War had to be removed.

The house recently used as a 'parish house' was originally the kitchen to the 'Bowden' house…

The only house once on this square, that has been removed within the memory of the writer, (which covers a period of nearly seventy years), was a small one-and-a-half story frame building standing not far in the rear of the 'Bowden' House.ⁱ This quaint little house with its dormer windows, front and back porch, and shed room attached, together with a vegetable and flower garden in which there were many choice fruit trees, was the home of 'Mrs. Mildred Bowden,' mother of Lemuel J. Bowden, the eminent lawyer, who lived in the mansion right in front of it. This old residence was razed not long after the War.

The vehicular entrance to the 'Bowden' lot was from Prince George Street upon which stood the carriage house and stable.

Just in the rear of this 'Bowden' lot in the street there was a 'boiling spring,' which furnished water for these premises and for others. This spring is spoken of as the 'Ferguson Spring.' The first recollection that the writer has of this spring, it boiled up inside of the partly decayed trunk of a huge willow tree. When this tree blew down, the spring 'broke out' a few feet away, but still was in the street. This spring furnished water for the writer's family for several years; and about the time that prohibition, local option, etc. was rampant throughout the state and nation... quietly changed front and 'went dry.'"ⁱⁱ

It will be noted that Mr. Charles did not mention the "Wythe House" property—used as the Parish House for Bruton XVI Parish Church at the time of his writing. Another late citizen, Mrs. Victoria Lee wrote of it briefly:

"The George Wythe house, facing Palace Green, has not been changed with the exception of the entrance. This house then had the small porch that it had before its restoration. A family named Jones lived here.ⁱ

Mrs. Lee also mentioned the "present Armistead house" built by:

"...a Virginia Yankee named Bowden, whose mother, because of his Northern sympathies, refused to live with him. She lived in a small, frame, story and a half, house, which is now gone, on the rear of this lot. The small, brick, building, which was later used by the Episcopal Church as a Parish House, was the Bowden's kitchen . ..."

Apparently, no buildings other than the Wythe House and out-buildings, the little old house occupied by Mildred Bowden, and the Bowden Armistead house and kitchen stood on the square at the time of the Civil War. The buildings on lot 241, and on the Prince George Street portion of lot 239 had disappeared--the latter lot being used for the Bowden-Armistead carriage house and stable.

SOUTHEASTERN OUTBUILDING (recently used as a Spinning House):

Only one outbuilding for the Wythe House was shown on the From Frenchman's Map 1782? XXIV Frenchman's Map of 1782. This was a small building to the south of the main house, near the Palace Street line. A row of dots on the Frenchman's Map, along the north side of the lot, might indicate lesser buildings, although the Frenchman did not usually include outbuildings such as stables, dairies, smokehouses, etc. on his map. (See scale drawing of Frenchman's Map opposite page XXIV.)

No sign of this southeastern outbuilding had survived, nor was it shown on insurance policies for the property--the earliest of which was dated July, 1801. However, excavation in the southeastern corner of the Wythe House lot uncovered foundations of a building (evidently of frame as the foundations were only nine inches thick) with a large chimney--evidently a kitchen fireplace chimney. Between this outbuilding and the main house a well, which had been filled in, and another small foundation, thought to be that of a dairy, were uncovered. Fragments of brick paving were scattered throughout the area. [See small drawing of excavations on opposite page.] The archaeologist stated that the foundations of the southeastern outbuilding were of the same date as the main house, and he believed the building to be the original kitchen on the property . The Well and Dairy foundations further substantiated this, although there was some variation in brick size in the foundations thought to be the Dairy. An original Dairy could have been repaired at some later period with old and new bricks. (A dairy is shown in this general area on an Photocopy of Insurance Policy — Page 1 XXV 1815 insurance policy.) In any event, archaeological evidence in 1938-39 seemed to point to a Kitchen of the date of the main house with a well, dairy, and paved area in the southeast yard. (Archaeological report on "Wythe Lot, Block 21, Area A", pages 7-8, dated August 31, 1939.)

The north side of the lot would seem to be the logical place for a Stable and Coach-house, with entrance from the side street. However, the original Stable may have been a bit back from this north street line, along the west or back line of the Wythe property, as indicated on the 1801 insurance policy (see policy No. 494, on opposite page) where a Stable is shown, but not insured. This policy shows a wooden Kitchen, with a small building between it and a wooden Laundry, and a wooden Lumber house, all along the north (Prince George Street) lot line; and it gives dimensions of buildings and the distances between them. However, these dimensions and distances were evidently stepped off and were not exact, as they varied on successive policies. (See policy No. 706, opposite page XXVI.). The distance between the east corner of the north Kitchen and the west corner of the Lumber house, as indicated on policy No. 494, totaled 142 feet-plus the width of the small wood house (illegible) which stood between the Kitchen and the Laundry, at a distance of ten feet from each.

The value placed on the outbuildings shown on policy No. 494 would indicate that they were all--with the exception of the stable—new or newly repaired. The value decreased in each Photocopy of Insurance Policy — Page 2 XXVI of the two revaluation policies which followed (see No. 706 opposite page XXVI, and No. 1525 opposite page XXVII). On policy No. 1525, dated 1815, a stable is indicated along the north lot line just west of the Lumber house; a Dairy is shown in the southwest yard of the property; and a Smoke-house appears between the north Kitchen and the Laundry.

It seems probable that at sometime after the Taliaferro-Wythe ownership and occupancy of the property, the southeastern Kitchen area was discarded, and a new Kitchen was built to the north of the house where it is indicated on the 1801 insurance policy. Colonel Henry Skipwith, who came into the property through his marriage to the Widow Dunbar in December, 1799, evidently "improved" the property during his ownership. Besides changes in outbuildings, he added a portico to the main house by June, 1806 (see policy No. 706). He may have cut a door where the north window is in the northwest room (there is evidence that a door was cut there) when the Kitchen was moved to the north side of the house.

If the house is to be furnished as of the Taliaferro-Wythe period (ca. 1750-1791), we recommend that the Southeastern Kitchen area be reconstructed. The Southeastern outbuilding now has a door at its east end, placed there because of remnants of brick paving found at that end of the foundations. Similar paving may have disappeared from the west end, as it had evidently disappeared from much of the area. We suggest that a door be added Photocopy of Insurance Policy á Page 3 XXVII to the west end of the southeastern outbuilding, as a service entrance. Two doors so arranged were not uncommon in colonial kitchens; would provide a through draft in summer; and also a service entrance away from Palace Street. Entrance to the main house could be through the bulkhead under the south window of the southeast room (suggested as the Dining Room during the Wythe occupancy), and up the cellar stairs to the south of the basement--a situation not unlike that provided at the "Tayloe House." A walk from a west door of the southeastern outbuilding to the back door of the main house could also be provided. The Well and a Dairy, with a paved area, would complete the south Kitchen service yard.

OTHER OUTBUILDINGS:

We further suggest that the present reconstructed kitchen of ca. 1801 be turned into Slave Quarters. The present building, according to the archaeological report of 1938-39, stands on nineteenth century foundations, under which were evidences of earlier brickwork. Slaves quarters at about this site, with entrance from the side street, would seem logical. The slaves would have had their own kitchen, with sleeping quarters above.

Along this north lot line a Well, Laundry, Smokehouse, and Coach-house (which might also have served as a storehouse or lumber house) may have stood , with the Stable for cattle and horses on the west or back lot line.

The following points support our belief that the southeastern outbuilding was the Kitchen during the Wythe occupancy, and that the north Kitchen was erected after 1791, and probably circa 1801:

• 1.The Southeastern outbuilding is the only outbuilding shown on the Frenchman's Map of ca. 1782 (see drawing from map, opposite page XXIV). Had the present reconstructed north Kitchen (the larger of the two buildings) been standing in 1782, it is probable that the Frenchman would have indicated it.
• 2.A Kitchen Area in the southeastern yard would have removed it from a Stable area in the northwest portion of the lot—which would have been desirable. It would have been also at some distance from Slave Quarters, which were probably to the north of the lot, on the side street.
• 3. The Archaeological Report on excavations made in 1938 on the Wythe House property states that the Southeastern Outbuilding, and much of the brickwork around it, was of a date with the main house [ca. 1750-55]; and that the presence of a well, of a small foundation (probably a dairy), and of a good many paving fragments, in addition to the size of the chimney of the Southeastern outbuilding, indicates that this was the original Kitchen Area for the property. The report further states that the present reconstructed North Kitchen, and the other outbuildings on the north lot line, were based on information from the 1801 Mutual Assurance Society policy. Fragments of early fireplace brickwork were uncovered on the site of the present north Kitchen, indicating an earlier building, possibly on a different axis. The other foundations on the site of the present north Kitchen were admittedly late. No archaeological evidence was found for the rest of the out-buildings shown on the policy of 1801—the small building [dairy, wood house, smokehouse?] between the Kitchen and Laundry, or the Laundry, or the Lumber house. No stable foundations were found on the property, but it is unlikely that a stable would have had foundations. [Note: See pages IV-XVI for data on present site of reconstructed Stable, which is on lot not part of the Wythe House property in the eighteenth century.]
• XXIX
• 4.If the Southeastern Outbuilding was the Wythe House Kitchen in 1782 (when it was shown on the Frenchman's Map), there is nothing in the known activities of the Wythes to have brought about a need for a change in the Kitchen Area (which would probably include moving the Dining Room, etc.) Mrs. Wythe died in 1787; and during the following winter George Wythe attempted to have a few grammar students live in the house, but gave up the project at the end of the school session. (See body of report, footnote 24.) He had disposed of all but two of his adult slaves, and his cattle and horses, by the time of Mrs. Wythe's death or shortly thereafter. After the Revolution he, like many Virginians, was short of funds, and would hardly have undertaken needless expenditures.
• 5. After Wythe's removal to Richmond in 1791, the property, which reverted to the Taliaferro family, was offered for sale at public auction, by the executors of the estate of Richard Taliaferro III, who had recently died. It is to be doubted that money was spent on repairs at that time. The property was sold to the Rev. James Madison, president of the College, who lived at the President's House; who sold it in 1793 to the Rev. John Dunbar. It is to be doubted that President Madison improved property which he hoped to dispose of promptly. The Rev. John Dunbar occupied the property with his wife, the former Elizabeth Hill (Byrd) Farley; but died about a year after moving to it. His widow continued on the property, but it is to be doubted that she would have had funds for improvements. In December, 1799, the Widow Dunbar married Col. Henry Skipwith of Cumberland, who moved to his wife's Williamsburg house. They occupied the property until they died—Henry Skipwith in 1815 and his wife in 1819. We know from the Mutual Assurance Society Policies (1801, 1806, and 1815), that Henry Skipwith made changes in the property. It is obvious from the valuations first placed on the outbuildings (see Policy 494, 1801) that they were either new or in an excellent state of repair. It would also seem reasonable for a man who took over his wife's property to feel he should improve and repair it if financially able to do so--which Skipwith seems to have been.

Aeolipile:

As shown on page 47 of this report, in 1755 Wythe ordered an "aelolipyle a receiver and wood cup for a shower of Mercury to be had of Naime and Blunt"—obviously Messrs. E. Nairne and Blunt, instrument-makers of London. No picture can be found in available sources to illustrate an "Aeolipile," which E. Chambers described as "an hydraulic instrument, consisting of a hollow metalline ball, with a slender neck, or pipe, arising from it. This, being filled with water, and thus exposed to the fire, produces a vehement blast of wind."ⁱ

Mathematical Instruments:

Wythe ordered a set of mathematical instruments for a student living in his house in 1772 (see page 48). A common case of mathematical instruments contained "several compasses, a sector, scale, drawing pen, and protractor."ⁱⁱ

Telescope and possible other instruments:

In 1772, Wythe ordered from London "A telescope...eight or XXXI ten guineas ...a light stand to keep it steady upon" (see pages 47-48). He also had other astronomical apparatus such as globes (see page 48); and he may have had such instruments as quadrant, sector, and sphere among his apparatus. Illustrations of eighteenth century telescope, quadrants, sector, and spheres follow on pages XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV.

Celestial& Terrestrial Globes:

It is apparent that Wythe owned the above globes, for in 1806, when his philosophical apparatus (which he left Thomas Jefferson in his will) was turned over to Jefferson's representative, Wythe's executor explained that the "Terrestrial Globe is missing." (See page 48.) For illustration of eighteenth century Globes, see page XXXVI following.

Air Pump:

When he opened a school in his home for teaching the higher Latin and Greek Classics, English, and some Mathematics in 1787, one of the students wrote that Wythe purchased "a fine air pump and several other philosophical apparatus." (See page 48.) Illustration of an eighteenth century Air Pump, and an explanation of its use follows on page XXXVII, and of another Air Pump, and other Pneumatic apparatus on page XXXVIII.

Electrical Machine:

In 1787 Wythe ordered from England "a very complete XXXII electrical machine" for the students he taught at home (see page 48).

Illustrations of such eighteenth century machines may be seen on pages XXXIX and XL following.

Microscope:

Although there is no record that Wythe owned a microscope, it is more than probable that he did. Other Williamsburg inhabitants owned them (among them Wythe's friend, Governor Fauquier, whose microscope was purchased after the governor's death—1768— by Wythe's neighbor, Thomas Everard, for £2:2:6.)ⁱ

Illustrations of a variety of eighteenth century microscopes follow on pages XLI and XLII.

Other Apparatus:

As one of Wythe's students noted in 1787, Wythe then had an electrical machine "…a fine air pump and several other philosophical apparatus." We do not know what this other apparatus included—it may have included any of the additional apparatus depicted--an astronomical quadrant, sector, and spheres (see pages XXXIV and XXXV following); or any of the apparatus for experiments in Pneumatics depicted on page XXXVIII following.

TELESCOPE
Illustration from I. Bernard Cohen, SOME EARLY TOOLS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1950), op. page 90.

QUADRANT
Illustrations of Quadrants above from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. I, (London: 1786), under Astronomy, Tab. IV. See the volume for description and uses.

SECTOR AND SPHERES
Illustration of Sector and Spheres from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. I, (London: 1786) under Astronomy. Tab. IV--lower half of page. See the volume for description and uses.

CELESTIAL AND TERRESTRIAL GLOBES
Illustration from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. I, (London: 1786) under Astronomy, Tab. III. See text in volume for details.

>Pneumatics:
AIR PUMP
Illustration and text from I. Bernard Cohen, SOME EARLY TOOLS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE (Harvard University Press: 1950), Appendix, "Pneumaticks Plate II," and pages 141-142.

AIR-PUMP AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR EXPERIMENTS IN PNEUMATICS.
Illustration from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. III (London: 1781) under Pneumatics-P1. 1. See text in volume for explanation of apparatus.

ELECTRICAL MACHINES
Illustration from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. II (London: 1779) under Electricity, Tab. II. See text in volume for explanation of machines.

ELECTRICAL MACHINES (Cont'd.)
Illustrations from E. Chambers, CYCLOPAEDIA; OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. II (London: 1779) under Electricity, Tab. III. See text in volume for explanation.

MICROSCOPES
Illustration from I.B. Cohen, SOME EARLY TOOLS OF AMERICAN SCIENCE (Harvard University Press: 1950) Appendix III, illus. 41, 42, and 43. No. 41 "Early Microscope," was at Harvard ca: 1727; No. 42, the "Chest Microscope" was made in London by E. Nairne. It was presented to Harvard by some benefactor in 1792. Its brass tube was 7-1/2 inches long, and stand was 91/2 inches high. The "Solar Microscope" was probably at Harvard prior to 1765. See Ibid., pages 169-170 for descriptions of instruments depicted.

MICROSCOPES (Cont'd.)
Illustration from E. Chambers CYCLOPAEDIA: OR, AN UNIVERSAL DICTIONARY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, Vol. III (London: 1781) under Optics, Tab. IV. See volume for description of various microscopes depicted.

LIST OF BOOKS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN IN GEORGE WYTHE'S LIBRARY.

Law Books:

• Andrews, George REPORTS OF CASES ARGUED AND ADJUDGED IN THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH... (London: 1754) Folio Calf-bound. In Thomas Jefferson's library in 1815, noted as being from "the library of George Wythe." [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 348-349.]
  Wythe ordered "Andrews' reports" from John Norton in London on May 7, 1770. [Norton MS.^**]
• Atkyns, John Tracy REPORTS OF CASES ARGUED AND DETERMINED IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHANCERY... (London: 1765-68) 3 vols. 8vo. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 206. Source not noted.]
  Wythe ordered "Atkyn's reports" from London, May 7, 1770.^**
• Blackstone, Sir William COMMENTARIES ON THE LAWS OF ENGLAND (Oxford: 1769-70) 4 vols. 4to. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 228. Source not noted.] lst ed. 1765-69.
  In E. Hemphill's dissertation^*** on George Wythe, XLVI he mentioned later law students' general use of Blackstone--so a copy was doubtless in Wythe's library. [Hemphill, page 122.]
• Bracton, Henry de ... DE LEGIBUS ET CONSUETUDINIBUS ANGLIAE... London edition of 1640, 4to, calf-bound in Jefferson's library. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 212. Source not noted.]
  Wythe ordered "Bracton" from London on May 29, 1772.^**
• Britton. [John Le Breton, died 1275] The Second Edition (London: 164[?} 8vo. edited by Edm. Wingate. In Jefferson's library—no source given. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 214.]
  "Britton" ordered from London by Wythe on May 29, 1772.^**
• Burnbury, William REPORTS OF CASES IN THE COURT OF EXCHEQUER... (London: 1755) Folio. Calf-bound. In Jefferson's library. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 205-206.]
  Wythe ordered "Benbury's reports" from London on May 7, 1770.^**
• Burrow, Sir James REPORTS OF CASES ADJUDGED IN THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH... [1st ed. London: 1766-1780] 5 vols. 8vo. In Jefferson's library. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 351.] Jefferson had a 1785 edition.
  Wythe ordered "Burrow's reports" from London on May 7, 1770^**—doubtless what had been published until that time. He probably completed the set when possible.
• CASES ARGUED AND DECREED IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHANCERY... Third edition, 2 vols. Folio. (London: 1735) Noted in Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 202, as from Wythe's library—having marginal notes in Wythe's handwriting.
• Coke, Sir Edward INSTITUTES OF THE LAWS OF ENGLAND-in four parts:
  Part one on Littleton, London: 1639 edition.
  Part two (two copies in Jefferson's library, London: 1662 and 1681 editions)
  XLVII Part three London: 1670 edition.
  Part four London: 1648 edition.
  [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 217-219.] Wythe must have had Coke in his library, as he recommended a thorough understanding of it to Jefferson when studying law under Wythe's direction. [See E. Hemphill ^***, pages 115, 126.]
• Croke, Sir George THE (first, second, and third part] REPORTS OF Sr GEORGE CROKE Kt... (London: 1683.) 3 vols. Folio Calf-bound. Contains bookplate of George Wythe in volumes 1 and 2. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 336-337.]
• Dalrymple, Sir John AN ESSAY TOWARDS A GENERAL HISTORY OF FEUDAL PROPERTY IN GREAT BRITAIN (London: 1758) 8vo. Calf-bound. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 317-318—no source noted.]
  One of the works Jefferson studied under Wythe's guidance, so Wythe must have owned a copy. (See Hemphill^*** page 127.)
• DEBATES OF THE PARLIAMENT OF IRELAND [Ordered by Wythe from London on August 3, 1769.^**]
• Fleta FLETA SEU COMMENTARIUS JURIS ANGLICANI SIC NUNCUPATUS... (London: 1647) 4to. Calf-bound. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, pages 213-214. No source noted.]
  Wythe ordered "Fleta" from London on May 29, 1772.^**
• Fortescue, Sir John DE LAUDIBUS LEGUM ANGLIAE 2nd ed. (London: 1741) Folio, calf bound. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 214-215. No source given.]
  Wythe ordered "Fortescue's reports" from London on May 7, 1770.^**
• Foster, Sir Michael A REPORT ON SOME PROCEEDINGS ON THE COMMISSION OF OYER AND TERMINER...FOR THE TRIAL OF THE REBELS IN THE YEAR 1746... (Dublin: 1767) 8vo. Calf-bound. [Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 295. No source noted]
  XLVIII Wythe ordered "Foster's reports" from London on May 7, 1770.^**
• Glanville, Ranulf de TRACTATVS DE LIGIBUS ET CONSUETUDINIBUS... (1st ed. London n.d. ca. 1554.) 8vo. rebound in calf. Also a London: 1673 ed., bound in sheep 8vo. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, pages 211-212.]
  Wythe ordered "Glanville" from London on May 29, 1772.^**
• Hale, Sir Matthew THE HISTORY OF THE COMMON LAW IN ENGLAND 2 vols. in one. 8vo. (London: 1739) [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 226. No source noted.] Used for study by Jefferson under Wythe's guidance, so a copy must have been in Wythe's library. [See Hemphill's^*** dissertation, page 127.]
• Kames, Lord [Henry Home] HISTORICAL LAW-TRACTS (2nd ed. London & Edinburgh: 1761) [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 319. No source noted.]
  Mentioned by Hemphill^*** (page 127) as being used by Jefferson when studying under Wythe's guidance, so probably in Wythe's library.
• THE LAW OF ACTIONS ON THE CASE FOR TORTS AND WRONGS... (London: 1741) 8vo. calf, gilt lettering. Contains bookplate of George Wythe. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II. pages 308-309.]
• Levinz, Sir Creswell LES REPORTS DE Sr CRESWELL LEVINZ (London: 1702) Folio two volumes. Bookplate of George Wythe. Was rebound into one volume, with bookplate inlaid in new end-papers. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 343.]
• Littleton, Sir Thomas LES TENURES DE MONSIEUR LITTLETON (London: 1621) 8vo. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 217.] Doubtless a copy in Wythe's library. See Hemphill^***, page 151.
• XLIX
• "Melmouth's reports" ordered from London by Wythe on May 7, 1770.^** Cannot identify this—not listed in Sowerby.^* Possibly the "Reports" of William Melmoth (d. 1743) which were never completed or published. (See Dict. Nat. Biog.— Melmoth).
• Pigott, Nathaniel NEW PRECEDENTS IN CONVEYANCING... (London: 1742.) Folio — calf-bound. Contains bookplate of and notes by George Wythe. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 292.]
• Plowden, Edmund LES COMMENTARIES, OU REPORTES DE EDMUNDE PLOWDEN... (London: 1578-79) Folio. Rebound in calf with bookplate of George Wythe preserved in volume. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 325.]
• Plowden, Edmund THE COMMENTARIES, OR REPORTS OF EDMUND PLOWDEN, OF THE MIDDLE-TEMPLE, ESQ:… (London: 1761) Folio, three parts in one volume—rebound in calf with notes of George Wythe in margin. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 326.]
• Raymond, Sir Thomas REPORTS OF DIVERS SPECIAL CASES ADJUDGED IN THE COURTS OF KING'S BENCH, COMMON PLEAS, AND EXCHEQUER... (London: 1743) Folio- calf-bound. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 341.] Mentioned in Hemphill^*** (page 126) as recommended to Jefferson when studying law under Wythe's guidance, so probably a copy was in Wythe's library.
• Salkeld, William REPORTS OF CASES ADJUDGED IN THE COURT OF KING'S BENCH: WITH SOME SPECIAL CASES IN THE COURTS OF CHANCERY, COMMON PLEAS, AND EXCHEQUER... 3 vols. 8vo. (Dublin: 1791) [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, pages 345-346.] Mentioned in Hemphill^*** (page 126) as studied by Jefferson under Wythe's guidance, so Wythe probably had an earlier edition in his library. First edition published in 1717.
• Shower, Sir Bartholomew CASES IN PARLIAMENT RESOLVED AND ADJUDGED... (London: 1740) Folio, calf-bound. [See L Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 343. No source noted.]
  Wythe ordered "Shower's cases in parliament" from London on May 7, 1770.^**
• Shower, Sir Bartholomew THE REPORTS OF SIR BARTHOLOMEW SHOWER, Knt OF CASES ADJUDG'D IN THE COURT OF KING'S-BENCH... (London: 1708, 1720) 2 vols. Folio. Contains the bookplate and notes of George Wythe. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 342.]
• Siderfin, Sir Thomas LES REPORTS DES DIVERS SPECIAL CASES ARGUE & ADJUDGE EN LE COURT DEL BANK LE ROY… (London: 1683-4.) Two parts in one— rebound with Wythe's bookplate preserved. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 339.]
• Vernon, Thomas CASES ARGUED AND ADJUDGED IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHANCERY (London: 1726-28) 2 vols. Folio. Calfbound. Wythe book-plates and notes in both volumes. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 203.]

Although not actually law books, the following journals ordered by Wythe would have been used in connection with the law:

• JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA. The journals, were kept in Ms form until ca. 1729, were printed in Williamsburg from 1730 until 1780 and thereafter in Richmond and were sent to England each year by the governor. On June 13, 1768, Wythe wrote John Norton^** in London asking Norton, to try to get him duplicate copies which might be available. He doubtless had as complete a set of the printed journals of the House of Burgesses as he could obtain--and also the various compilations of THE ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA, which were published from time to time. Acts of the General Assembly, 1776- 1783, containing Wythe's signature on the fly-leaf, are now in the Virginia State Library.
• JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. [On May 15, 1768, Wythe wrote Norton^** to "send me the printed journals of the LI house of commons from September 1766, until which I have them compleat, and of every future session so soon as they are published."

Miscellaneous Books:

• Barclay, Robert AN APOLOGY FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN DIVINITY... (Birmingham: 1765) 4to. Bound in original sheep. Notes in Wythe's handwriting in volume, so obviously from Wythe's library. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 126.]
• Bryant, Jacob A NEW SYSTEM, OR, AN ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY... 3 vols. (London: 1775-76) 4to. bound in sprinkled Calf. Notes in Wythe's handwriting, so from his library. [See Sowerby^* Vol. I, page 21.]
• Clarke, Samuel A BRIEF CONCORDANCE TO THE HOLY BIBLE... (London: 1696) 12mo. Notes in Wythe's writing, so apparently from his library. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. II, page 107.]
• CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA [ed. 1641] Folio. Greek and Latin texts in parallel columns. Notes in volume in Wythe's writing—doubtless part of his collection of Greek and Latin classics. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 144.]
• "Common prayer in greek." [Wythe ordered this from London on May 29, 1772. Norton MS^** We do not know what edition he obtained.]
  Delany, Patrick THE DOCTRINE OF ABSTINENCE FROM BLOOD DEFENDED (London: 1734) Sheep-bound 8vo. Notes in Wythe's handwriting. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 162.]
• "Erasmus's adages" — ordered from London by Wythe on May 29, 1772.^** We do not know what edition Wythe obtained.
• "Fawkes 's Theocritus" ordered from London by Wythe on May 15, 1768.^** We do not know what edition he obtained. Probably Francis Fawkes, who did translation of the work.
• "Franklin's Pamphlet" was purchased from the Williamsburg Printers by Wythe in Feb. 1764. Possibly Benjamin Franklin's LII COOL THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, which he printed and distributed in Philadelphia ca. 1763. [MS Daybook of Williamsburg Printing Office-Photostat CWI]
• "Glasses' Cookery" purchased by Wythe from Williamsburg Printing Office in March, 1764. Undoubtedly Mrs. [Hannah] Glasse, THE ART OF COOKERY... Probably the 7th edition published in London in 1760. [Ms Daybook, Williamsburg Printing Office, 1764. Photostat CWI]
• HERODOTUS (Glasgow: 1761) 9 vols. 8vo. In Calf, gilt backs. Greek and Latin texts on alternate leaves. Probably from Wythe's library according to Sowerby^*, Vol. I, page 7.
• Homer HOMERI ILIAS GRAECE ET LATINE (London: 1754) 2 vols. 4to. Greek and Latin texts in parallel columns. [See Sowerby^* Vol. IV, pages 412-414. Jefferson had six editions of Homer—none identified as Wythe's-- but we know that an edition was in Wythe's library.]
• Homer HOMERI ODYSSEA GRAECE ET LATINE (London: 1740) 2 vols. 4to. Greek and Latin texts in parallel columns. Not identified as Wythe's, but a copy of the work was undoubtedly in Wythe's library. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. IV, pages 415-416. Jefferson had three editions of the work.]
• "Lamb eirenarcha" Not identified [possibly Sir Matthew Lamb] Ordered from London by Wythe on May 29, 1772.^**
• Nelson, Robert A COMPANION FOR THE FESTIVALS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND... (London: 1720) 2 parts in 1 vol. 8vo. in panelled calf. [See Sowerby^* Vol. II, page 163. No source noted.] Wythe purchased "Nelson's Festivals" from the Williamsburg Printing Office. for 12/6 in 1764. [MS Daybook photostat CWI]
• "Odes of Anacreon, Sappho, and Alcaeus", a 1757 edition, once LIII in the library of George Wythe. (Hemphill, page 90.^***) [Sowerby^* Vol. IV, pages 478-479, lists "Anacreon. ANACREON TEIUS" (London: 1721) 12mo. in Greek and Latin--not attributed to Wythe's library.]
• Sallustius Crispus, Caius. C. SALLUSTII CRISPI OPERA OMNIA... (London: 1746) 8vo. With book plate and notes by George Wythe. [See Sowerby^*, Vol. I, page 27.]
• Stewart, Sir James [later took name of Denham] INQUIRY INTO THE PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. 2 vols. (London: 1767) See D.N.B. In May, 1768, Wythe ordered from London "a treatise concerning money-matters (I think the title is 'Of civil oeconomy') written by Sir James Stewart..."^**
• THEOPHILUS--2 vols. 4to. (The Hague: 1751). On May 29, 1772 Wythe ordered from London "The works of Theophilus in greek and latin, two volumes in quarto, published at the Hague in 1751, by Gul. Otto. Reitz."^**
• Von Puffendorf, Samuel INTRODUCTION A L'HISTORIE GENERALE DE L'UNIVERS... (New ed. Amsterdam: 1732) 4 vols. 12mo. [See Sowerby^* Vol. I, page 74 for copy in Jefferson library.] In July, 1751 Wythe purchased "Puffendorf's Introduction" 2vols. for £1 from the Williamsburg Printing Office. [MS Daybook.]

Note: The above titles were ordered or purchased by Wythe, or survived in the Jefferson collection from Wythe's library. Other titles not identified as having been owned by Wythe doubtless appear in Sowerby's Catalog.^*

As already stated, Wythe was known to own a substantial law library, and a rather complete library of Latin, Greek, and English classics, as well as works in French, Italian, and works on Mathematics, etc. If a number of additional books are to be purchased to complete an approximation of the Wythe library, titles under the proper headings in the Jefferson library of 1815 can be supplemented, as listed in Sowerby.^* Also the catalog of the library of Robert LIV Carter of "Nomini Hall"(who was said to have a complete classical collection, and most of the "modern authors"), and a catalog of the Byrd library at "Westover," are appended--the latter divided into categories. These can also provide additional titles which would be suitable for the Wythe library. Under "Law, Tryals &c"(pages 417-422 of the photostated Byrd catalog appended) and under "Classicks & other Latin & Greek Authors" (pages 431-435) titles are given which could supplement the rather few Latin and Greek classics, etc. which are listed above. MG.

CATALOG OF LIBRARY OF ROBERT CARTER OF "NOMINI HALL"- 1774.

From Hunter D. Farish, ed., THE JOURNAL AND LETTERS OF PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN, 1773-1774 (Williamsburg: 1943), Appendix, pages 285-294.

285

286

287

288

289

290

291

292

293

294

CATALOG OF THE BYRD LIBRARY AT "WESTOVER"
MADE IN 1777, AFTER THE DEATH OF WILLIAM BYRD III.

From John Spencer Bassett, ed., THE WRITINGS OF WILLIAM BYRD OF WESTOVER IN VIRGINIA, ESQ. (New York: 1901) Appendix, pages 413-443.