Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

At our meeting on Friday, November 24, 1950, we unanimously approved the name "Bracken-Carter House" for the house to be reconstructed on the south side of Francis Street between the Bracken House and the Quarter, and recommend approval by the Administrative Officers.

LOCATION

The lot designated "Js Carter" on the College Map (1791?) is located between lot #242 west, end "Orrill" east on the south side of Francis Street in Williamsburg. (See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, Illustration #1, Appendix)

HISTORY

The only records as yet discovered justifying the ownership of the lot as James Carter's are found on the College Map (1791?) and the Galt Map (drawn by Browne ca 1780?). On these maps the lot is designated, "Js Carter." The Bucktrout Map (1803) has no name on the lot. None of these maps have numbers to designate the lot. The Frenchman's Map (1782) shows no buildings on the above noted lot.

The Williamsburg Land Tax Records from 1788-1796 indicate that a James Carter held three lots valued at from £9 to £12. From 1797 through 1816, James Carter's estate is charged with three lots valued at from $40 to $80. These three lots listed in the tax records as James Carter's or his estate (from 1788-1816), are the only lots charged to a James Carter in this period, and have been identified as #165, #166 and #172 adjoining the Palace property on the east.¹ (See: Brush-Everard House History, Research Department for further study.)

According to the Bruton Parish record of baptisms there were several James Carters in Williamsburg. A James Carter, son of John Carter, was baptized in 1760; a James Carter, son of William and Rebecca Carter, was baptized in 1766. (Record of Bruton Parish, pp. 149, 151) However, we are unable to identify the "Js Carter" indicated on the maps as owner of the lot in question - beyond eliminating Dr. James Carter as a possibility. Elizabeth Carter seems to own the property at one time.

In 1804, the land tax records show that Elizabeth Carter¹ had come into "1 lot via Bracken."² The valuation of the lot was given as $33.34. This property is listed under "Elizabeth Carter" from 1804 to 1807 (valuation $33-34; and in 1807 "Elizabeth Carter estate" is listed with 1 lot valued at $40. This listing and valuation is the same through 1809. (Illustration #2, copy from land tax records)

Another reference to this property is noted in an insurance policy of Samuel Tyler (then owner of the present Allen-Byrd property). In 1806, it (#707 policy Mutual Assurance Society) gives Elizabeth Carter as "East of the lot of Samuel Tyler."³ The Carter property is noted in the Account Books of Robert Anderson 1806-1808 (Virginia Historical Society): "Merchandise Cr. to John Bracken for his lot of about half an acre situated on the back street between Carters & Pearsons lots⁴ purchased of his this day at £10. This lot was acquired from Anderson, as trustee, by John Orrill, and in now the property on Francis Street known as the "Orrill House." (See: Orrill House History, Research Department) From a tax transfer of 1810, it looks as though George Lang came into the Elizabeth Carter lot: "1810 George Lang via Carter - 1 lot - $40."

Destruction of the James City County Court records by fire during the Civil War period has made the tracing of a clear title to property on Francis Street difficult. In the case of this lot, the land tax records, apparently, do not indicate the ownership from ca. 1810 to the 1850's. (See: Illustration #2 for detailed tax records) A Deed bearing date April 25, 1851, and one for September 16, 1852 whereby William H. Lee gave a deed of trust to Henry H. Lee: "a certain lot of land in the city of Williamsburg, on the South Side of Francis Street and bounded on the North by the said street, on the East by a lot the property of Robert McCandlish, on the South by a part of the lot last mentioned and on the west by a lot owned by Margaret Parsons..." (James City County and the City of Williamsburg Court Records, Deed Book I, p. 150) It is significant in that it gives Margaret Parsons as owner of the property on the west. This would probably take in what is now known as the "Quarter" and the "Js Carter" lot.

Margaret Parsons was living in 1864 and owner of property described as a boundary of a lot to the east (then under a deed of trust of William H. Lee): "a certain lot on the south side of Francis Street and bounded on the north by said Francis Street on the east by a lot, the property of Robert McCandlish on the south by part of the lot last mentioned, and on the west by the lot owned by Margaret Parsons." (Ibid, p. 151) In 1867 Margaret Parsons had died and her heirs conveyed to Rosa E. Gilliam "That said lot of land on the south side of Queen Street, adjoining the lots of Joseph Walthall¹ and the lot of Gilliam, being the property of which Peggy Parsons died, seized and possessed..." (Ibid, p. 151) In 1870 William P. Wright and wife (Rosa E. Wright) conveyed to Elizabeth Gilliam (mother of Rosa Wright) the above described lot "bounded by the lots of Joseph Walthall and the said Elizabeth Gilliam, together with all the buildings improvements, privileges,... thereto belonging." (Ibid, p. 239) The Gilliam family or their relatives kept 4 the property until 1891 when it was conveyed to Maggie G. Sanderlin. (Ibid, Deed Book 2, p. 399) In 1895 the Sanderlins conveyed to J. T. and W. W. Christian "One house and lot, situated in the town of Williamsburg, County of James City, State of Virginia, on Francis Street in said town,..." (Ibid, p. 605) In 1897 James T. Christian came into the entire lot via Willie W. Christian (Ibid, Deed Book 3. p. 159) The property on February 8, 1928 was conveyed by Christian and wife to W. A. R. Goodwin. (Ibid, Deed Book 12, pp. 322-23) On April 30, 1929, the property was conveyed to Williamsburg Holding Corporation representing the colonial restoration of Williamsburg.

Mr. John S. Charles in "Recollections of Williamsburg" during the Civil War period.. makes no mention of a house on this lot, nor does Mrs. Victoria M. Lee in "Williamsburg in 1861." (See: copies in Research Dept.)

In June 1949, foundations were uncovered by archaeological excavation on this lot. These foundations, according to Mr. James Knight of the architectural department, appeared to be eighteenth century in character. The size of the foundation uncovered was 30 feet by 18 feet. It was 40 feet east of the present Bracken house and 6 feet west of the present Quarter. Foundations uncovered to the rear west of the house were probably a kitchen and dependencies to the larger house.

IN SUMMARY:

The only records yet discovered which indicate that James Carter was owner of the lot, subject of this report, are the College Map (1791?) and the Galt Map drawn by Browne (1780?). On these maps the name "Js Carter" appears. In 1804 the Williamsburg Land Tax records show that Elizabeth Carter had come into "1 lot via Bracken." The property is listed under Elizabeth Carter from 1804 to 1807 with valuation $33.34. In 1807 through 1809 Elizabeth Carter's Estate is charged with "1 lot valued at $40." An insurance policy of 1806 in the name of Samuel Tyler gives Elizabeth Carter as "East of the lot of Samuel Tyler," 5 and a notation from Robert Anderson's Account Book 1806-1808 refers to a half acre "between Carters & Pearsons." As the court records for this part of Williamsburg were destroyed by fire in 1865, it is difficult with existing records to trace a clear title to the property from ca 1810 to the 1850's when Margaret Parsons, apparently, came into the lot. There are no insurance policies to help complete the wide gap as to the ownership. Following Margaret Parson's ownership2 the property came into the Gilliam family and heirs. In 1895 the Sanderlins conveyed to J. T. and W. W. Christian. In 1928 J. T. Christian conveyed the property to W. A. R. Goodwin, who, on April 30, 1929, gave deed to Williamsburg Holding Corporation representing the colonial restoration of Williamsburg. Neither Mr. John S. Charles nor Mrs. Victoria M. Lee in their reminiscences of Williamsburg during the Civil War period make any mention of a house on this lot. Foundations uncovered in June 1949 by Colonial Williamsburg architectural department appear to be eighteenth century in character. The size of the foundation uncovered was 30 feet by 18 feet with smaller foundations in the rear. The larger foundation is 40 feet east of the present Bracken house and 6 feet west of the present Quarter.