Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The lots marked "G. Carter" lie on the south side of Francis Street in Williamsburg with "Ewing 604" to the west. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791 ?) opposite page.

HISTORY:

The earliest definite information about these two lots above noted is found on early maps of the city. The Frenchman's Map (1782) shows no buildings thereon. The Galt Map drawn by Browne (1780 ?), the Bucktrout Map (1807), and the College Map (1791) all designate the two lots as "G. Carter." Copies on file in the Research Department.

It is most probable that George Carter was the son of Robert Wormeley Carter. At his death in 1797 Robert Wormeley Carter by will devised to his son, George Carter, -2- "all my lands in York and James City commonly called Rippon Hall, my lots in Williamsburg, and stocks, slaves..."¹

Robert Wormeley Carter was owner of 2 lots valued at £4 in 1782.² He continued as owner of 2 lots in the city until 1794 when only 1 lot is charged to him. This continued thus until 1800 when his name disappears from the Williamsburg Land Tax records.³ George Carter was owner of 4 lots in 1785 to 1797.⁴ In 1798 George Carter was owner of 9 lots. In 1800 no George Carter appears in the Land Tax list.⁵ From 1795-1801 George Carter paid taxes on personal property in Williamsburg on slaves, horses and wheels.⁶

Destruction of the James City County and Williamsburg court records by fire in the Civil War period has made it very difficult to clear title to any property located on Francis Street.

George Carter, evidently, was not a man of business. Following the acquisition of property by the will of his father, he gave deeds of trusts on all this devise. In June 1799 "George Carter of Williamsburg and Sally his wife," gave a deed of trust to Littleton Waller Tazewell on 1004 acres in York County known as Rippon Hall with its water grist mill; and on January 3, 1801 he gave a deed of trust to Benjamin C. Waller of 1005 acres a part of Rippon Hall.¹ And, on August 10, 1799 there was a similar transaction between T. G. Peachy and George Carter:

August 10, 1799 gave my Bonds to

Samuel Tyler	1 payable April 15, 1800 at	£290
	2nd payable Octr 15, 1800 at	290
		£580

These Bonds given as a consideration for the Lotts & Houses in Williamsburg--purchased by him for me of George Carter, the House wherein Carter now lives & wch were formerly John Byrds--also for a 151 acres in York County 2 or 4 miles from Wmsburg, wch Carter purchased of John Coke.

This transaction with Peachy, evidently, was the same property of 9 lots of Carter's which were acquired by Peachy in 1801 according to the Land Tax lists.¹

In August, 1799 George Carter advertised in the Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser that his property in the city was for sale:

[August 16, 1799]

[After advertising Rippon Hall for sale, Carter adds]
I will also sell, A House and Lot, In the City of Williamsburg, Situated in a very healthy and retired part of the town, and sufficient repair for the reception of a genteel family. The house and lot may be immediately delivered to the purchaser, and the land as soon as the present crop is off. The premises will be shewn, and the terms made known on application to
George Carter²

Up to this point, neither the lots of Robert Wormeley Carter or the lots of George Carter are clearly located. Consulting Tyler's Map one sees 8 lots marked "Peachy" and numbered as "178-184"; 4 lots marked "Peachy" and 2 lots marked "Peachy" in the block bounded by -5- Nicholson, Queen, Scotland and England Streets. They total 13 in all which would correspond with Peachy's total lots charged in the Land Tax lists. One lot, "186" is marked "Peachy via Prentis." (Doubtless this was acquired later.) It does not look as if these apply to the G. Carter 2 lots on Francis Street. However, by 1801 Philip Moody was occupying the G. Carter lots on Francis Street.¹

In 1802 Anthony Robinson was recommended to take the place of George Carter on the Council of Directors of the Insane Hospital.²

In 1806 the Land Tax records indicate that Anthony Robinson had come into 6¼ lots via Moody. And, in 1809 Robinson came into 2 lots via Carter valued at $10.³ As Robinson's property⁴ adjoined G. Carter's, the last 2 lots cited appear to be the George Carter lots on Francis Street still held by Carter in 1809.

In 1815 Williamsburg Land Tax records show that John Bracken was taxed for 8 ¼ lots which he had acquired "via Anthony Robinson and Elizabeth, his Wife." Bracken held this block of lots (6 ¼ and 2) until 1817 when he died. Following his death the Carter lots were sold to Thomas Sands. Land Tax records indicate: "John Bracken -- 7 ¼ lots valued at $137. 1 acre charged to Thos Sands Sr." And the same source gives for 1818: "Thomas Sands -- 3 ½ lots valued at $245. 1 Via John Bracken, one acre of land on the south side of Francis street."¹

Sands held the property from 1818 to 1837. In that period certain changes were made thus:

In 1837 Lucius F. Cary had come into the property "Via Thomas Sands." The valuations were the same as of 1830 in the name of Sands. Cary insured his property under policy #8586 in the Mutual Assurance Society. It was described as "my building on Frances Street now occupied by Henry Johnson situated between the lands of George McCandlish on the East and Ebenezer Ewings estate on the West in the County of James City... The Dwelling House of Brick covered with wood 26 by 18 two stories high shed & Porch to Dwelling of wood entire 18 by 11. one story high ... Dwelling House marked A at $900..."¹

The property changed ownership twice in the next few years. In 1839 tax transfers show that Scervant Jones held "1 lot via Lucius Cary In fee $800 added for buildings $975."² In a policy of Ewing's heirs (#11122) dated June 1, 1840 Richard Graves is located on this property thus: "Richard Graves on the East ...."

In 1846 Graves insured his building (policy #14392) thus: "...my Building on my own land in Williamsburg now occupied by myself and A. W. Lee -8- situated between the lot of Richard Bassett on the West, lots of Lemuel J. Bowden on the East and Francis Street North in the county of James City ... The Dwelling at $800 ... Brick Dwelling, saddlers shop and kitchen on the lot."¹

In 1840 Richard H. Graves had come into "1 lot --- $1000 buildings; $1500 lot and buildings Via Scervant Jones."²

In 1853 Graves insured his property under policy #17,634 revaluation of building declared for Assurance per declaration #14, 392 thus: "My Building on Frances Street now occupied by myself situated between the lots of Richard Bassett's estate on the West and Lemuel J. Bowden on the East in the county of James City ... The Dwelling marked A at $1000 of Brick covered with wood contiguous to eleven wooden buildings Shop, wood and wood kitchen..."³

In 1860 Graves insured the property under policy #21,333 revaluation of building formerly declared for Assurance per declaration #17,634 thus: "My Building on -9- the South side of Frances Street now occupied by Myself situated between the lots of Richd Bassett's est. on the West and that of Lemuel J. Bowden on the East in the Said City of Williamsburg and in the county of James City... The Dwelling marked A at $800 Walls- Brick Roof - Wood contiguity - 11 Wooden Buildings..."¹

The Land Tax records provide an unbroken title of Richard H. Graves during the years 1841 to 1902. In 1902 the heirs of Graves conveyed the property to Henry K. Graves. In June 1928 Henry K. Graves and wife conveyed the property to W.A.R. Goodwin representing Williamsburg Restoration.²

Mrs. Victoria M. Lee in her recollections of Williamsburg in 1861 describes the Graves property as follows: "The Graves owned and occupied a small brick house that was next to the present Sweeny house. This house has been added to so often and a large front porch has taken the place of a small platform entrance, that it does not -10- look the least bit now as it did during the War."¹

Further details concerning this property to date can be seen in the Chain to Title in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg, or in the Architectural Department.

[1837]
New (No. 8586)

I the underwritten Lucius F. Cary residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against fire on buildings of the State of Virginia, my building on Frances Street now occupied by Henry Johnson situated between the lands of George McCandlish on the East and Ebenezer Ewings estate on the West in the County of James City the Dimensions, Situation, and contiguity to other Buildings or Wharves, what the walls are built of, and what the Building is covered with, are specified in the hereunto annexed Description of the said Building on the Plat signed by me and the Appraisers, and valued by them, as appears by their Certificate hereunder, to wit:

I do hereby declare, and affirm, that I hold the above mentioned building with the land on which it stands in fee Simple and that it is not, nor shall be insured elsewhere, and that I & my heirs and assigns will abide by, observe and adhere to the constitution, rules, and regulations, which are already established, or may hereafter be established by a majority of the insured, present in person, or by representatives, or by the majority of the property insured, represented either by the persons themselves, or their proxy duly authorized, or their deputy, as established by law, at any general meeting to be held by the said Assurance Society; or which are or hereafter may be established by the standing -14- committee of the Society.---Witness my hand and seal this 29th day of August 1837
Teste
Ro: Anderson Special Agent. Lucius F. Cary (Seal)

WE the underwritten, being each of us freeholders, declare and affirm, that we have examined the above-mentioned building of Lucius F. Cary and we are of opinion that it would cost in cash one thousand dollars to build the same, and that now (after the deduction of one hundred dollars it is actually worth Nine hundred dollars in ready money, as above specified to the best of our knowledge and belief. As witness our hands this 29th day of August 1837
Jno M. Gregory
Richard M. Bucktrout
Residing in Williamsburg

I the undersigned do hereby certify that I verily believe the building herein described is not overvalued.
Ro: Anderson Special Agent

I the underwritten Richard H. Graves residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia, my Building on my own land in Williamsburg now occupied by myself and A. W. Lee situated between the lot of Richard Bassett on the West, lots of Lemuel J. Bowden on the East and Francis Street North in the county of James City the dimensions, situation and contiguity to other Buildings or Wharves, what the walls are built of, and what the Building is covered with, are specified in the hereunto annexed description of the said Building on the plat signed by me and the appraisers, and is valued by them, as appears by their certificate hereunder, to wit:

I do hereby declare and affirm, that I hold the abovementioned Building with the land on which it stands in fee simple and that it is not, nor shall be insured elsewhere, and that I and my heirs and assigns will abide by, observe and adhere to the constitution, rules and regulations, which are already established, or may hereafter be established by a majority of the insured, present in person, or by representatives, or by a majority of the property insured, represented either by the persons themselves, or their proxy duly authorized, or their deputy, as established by law, at any general -16- meeting to be held by the said Assurance Society; or which are, or hereafter may be established by the Standing Committee of the Society. WITNESS my hand and seal this third day of October 1846.
R. H. Graves (seal)
Teste,
Ro: Anderson Special Agent.

We, the underwritten, being each of us freeholders, declare and affirm, that we have examined the above-mentioned Building of Richard H. Graves and we are of opinion that having regard to its local situation, state of repair, and the present cost of building, it is now actually worth Eight hundred dollars in ready money, as above specified, to the best of our knowledge and belief. As witness our hands.
G. Durfey
Jno M Maupin
Residing in Wmsburg

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I verily believe the Building herein described is not overvalued.
Ro: Anderson SPECIAL AGENT.

I the underwritten Richard H. Graves residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia, my Building on Frances Street now occupied by myself situated between the lots of Richard Bassett's estate on the West and Lemuel J. Bowden on the East in the county of James City the dimensions, situation and contiguity to other Buildings or Wharves, what the walls are built of, and what the Building is covered with, are specified in the hereunto annexed description of the said Building on the plat signed by me and the appraisers, and is valued by them, as appears by their certificate hereunder, to wit:

I do hereby declare and affirm, that I hold the abovementioned Building with the land on which it stands in fee simple and that it is not, nor shall be insured elsewhere, and that I, and my heirs and assigns will abide by, observe and adhere to the constitution, rules and regulations, which are already established, or may hereafter be established by a majority of the insured, present in person, or by representatives, or by a majority of the property insured, represented either by the persons themselves, or their proxy duly -18- authorized, or their deputy, as established by law, at any general meeting to be held by the said Assurance Society; or which are, or hereafter may be established by the Standing Committee of the Society. WITNESS my hand and seal this 28th day of November 1853
R. H. Graves (Seal)

Teste,
Ro: Anderson Special Agent.

We, the underwritten, being each of us freeholders, declare and affirm, that we have examined the above-mentioned Building of Richard H. Graves and we are of opinion that having regard to its local situation, state of repair, and the present cost of building, it is now actually worth one thousand Dollars dollars [sic] in ready money, as above specified, to the best of our knowledge and belief
As witness our hands.
Wm. S. Peachy
Jno A Deneufville
Residing in Wmsburg

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I verily believe the Building herein described is not overvalued.
Ro: Anderson SPECIAL AGENT.

I the underwritten Richard H. Graves residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia, my Building on the South Side of Frances Street now occupied by Myself situated between the lots of Richard Bassett's est on the West and that of Lemuel J. Bowden on the East in the Said City of Williamsburg and in the county of James City the dimensions, situation and contiguity to other Buildings or Wharves, what the walls are built of, and what the Building is covered with, are truly specified on the annexed plat of the said building valued by the appraisers, as appears by their certificate hereto attached, to wit:

I do hereby declare and affirm, that I hold the abovementioned Building with the land on which it stands in fee Simple and that it is not, nor shall be insured elsewhere, and that I and my heirs and assigns will abide by, observe and adhere to the constitution, rules and regulations, which are already established, or may hereafter be established by a majority of the insured, present in person, or by representatives, or by a majority of the property insured, -20- represented either by the persons themselves, or their proxy duly authorized, or their deputy, as established by law, at any general meeting to be held by the said Assurance Society; or which are, or hereafter may be established by the Standing Committee of the Society. WITNESS my hand and seal this 31st day of December 1860.
R. H. Graves (SEAL)
Teste,
W. S. Peachy (SEAL)
SPECIAL AGENT. (SEAL)