Archibald Diddep Shop Historical Report, Block 2 Lot 255Originally entitled: "Archibald Diddep Shop, Block 2 - Colonial Lot 255"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1054
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
ARCHIBALD DIDDEP SHOPBlock 2 - Colonial Lot 255
NOTE:
The House Name Committee has not yet decided on a name, but it seems from the evidence that the most likely name to use is "Archibald Diddep Shop." Therefore, I suggest that we use that name until the House Name Committee does meet again.
A. P. M.
Mr. Knight has not been able to furnish the architectural drawing from the Frenchman's Map as yet, but it will be included as soon as it is prepared.
M. A. S.
7/6/51
Block 2 - Colonial Lot 255
| LOCATION: | This report concerns a lot on the south side of Francis Street near the Capitol. It is marked "Semple" and "255" on the College Map. | |
| OWNERS: | ||
| Diddep: | Ownership of this lot before 1773 is unknown. It appears that Archibald Diddep, tailor, was living at this location from 1773-1785 where probably he carried on his tailor's shop. | |
| Byrd: | John Byrd was the owner from 1788-1793. John C. Byrd was listed as owner from 1794-1797. | |
| Semple: | James Semple appears to have owned the lot ca. 1800. | |
| Bucktrout: | The Bucktrouts (Benjamin and Richard M.) were owners of the property from ca. 1812-1865. Their descendants held the lot until 1898. | |
| Spencer: | Robert L. Spencer held the lot in 1898, conveying it to Edgar H. Morris the same year. The Morris family held the property until 1946 when Elmer D. Messick became the owner. | |
| Morris: | ||
| Messick: | ||
| EXCAVATIONS: | Excavations on this lot are not completed. However, those uncovered so far are foundations (26 by 24 feet) of a house on the eastern side of the lot flush to Francis Street. There is evidence of a chimney and pieces of stone and bricks which may have been steps. Other foundations to north of lot: one - 8 by 8 feet; another - part of a larger foundation to the rear (probably a stable). Also, something which may have been a forge is near the southern part of the lot. At the west front of the lot are foundations of a smaller house. | |
| DESCRIPTION: | Mr. John S. Charles describes a house to the east of the "present home of Mr. Peebles" as he recalls it during the Civil War period thus: "...there was a story-and-a-half frame house with dormer windows. The front door was close to the ground and opened out on Francis Street; and was used as a residence by Mr. Bucktrout until the `Macon' house was built. There were then no other houses between the house just described and the 'Peyton Randolph' [Semple] house." | |
| APPENDIX: | Illustration #1--Maps | |
| Illustration #2--Accounts of Humphrey Harwood | ||
| Illustration #3--Williamsburg Land Tax Records |
A detailed history of the site follows.
Mary A. Stephenson
June, 1951
Block 2 - Colonial Lot 255
LOCATION:
The lot, known as colonial lot 255, lies on the south side of Francis Street in Williamsburg near the Capitol. It is marked "Semple" and "255" on the College Map. (See Illustration #1.)
HISTORY:
Records for James City County and this section of Williamsburg were destroyed in 1865; hence it is difficult, if not impossible, to get a clear title to the property. However, from the few available records it appears that Archibald Diddep,1 a tailor, was the owner from 1773-1788; and prior to 1773 nothing is known about the ownerships.
In May, 1773, Archibald Diddep, tailor, notified his customers that he had taken a "House contiguous to Doctor Pasteur's":
[May 13, 1773]
ARCHIBALD DIDDEP, TAILOR, Williamsburg TAKES this Method of informing the Publick that he has removed from his former Habitation to a House contiguous to Doctor Pasteur's, where he carries on his Business in all its different Branches. He returns his most grateful Acknowledgments to all those who have hitherto been pleased to favour him with their Custom, and hopes for a Continuance of it, as they may rely upon their Work being executed with the greatest Care and Punctuality, and on the most reasonable Terms.
Also he makes Ladies RIDING HABITS in the neatest and most genteel Manner. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds. May 13, 1773.)
A "House contiguous to Doctor Pasteur's" could be on lot 255. Pasteur was owner and was, obviously, living on lot 257 at this date, and previous to this the property was held by Benjamin Harrison. As Diddep's only claim to 2. ownership of lot 255 lies in his boundary-relationship to Pasteur, it will be necessary to revert to earlier titles in order to place Pasteur on lot 257.
In 1705, it appears from a proviso in Hening's Statutes, III, p. 430, that Benjamin Harrison had been allotted (ca. 1699) four lots or half acres in the Francis Street section of the city:
Though this provision does not locate Harrison's lots, there are subsequent references which give this clearly. In 1753, two lots of Philip Johnson were described as "...two lots on Frances Street between the lots of Benjamin Harrison and Benjamin Waller."1 (Ibid. VI, pp. 412-416.) In 1769, an act in Hening's Statutes indicates that Dr. William Pasteur had come into Harrison's property: "...two lots on Francis Street between William Pasteur and Benjamin Waller" were held by Philip Johnson.2Ibid. VIII, pp. 460-464.) Also, a Virginia Gazette notice of October, 1771, advertising the house of Colonel Philip Johnson, states that Johnson's "two lots on Francis Street, between the lots of Mr Waller and Doctor Pasteur" were for sale. (Purdie & Dixon, eds., October 3, 1771.)[October 1705]
...
XXX. And be it also enacted, That the four lots, or half acres, which at the first laying out of the land for the said city, were laid out and appropriated for the buildings then erected on the same, by Benjamin Harrison, jr. esq. shall remain and continue to the use of the said Benjamin Harrison, his heirs and assigns, and shall not lapse for want of other buildings thereon; any thing in this act to the contrary, notwithstanding.
...
As Johnson's two lots represent the Francis Street entrance to the present Bassett Hall property, Harrison's four lots would begin, according to 3 the plats of the city, with lot 600 to be followed by 258, 257, and 256 - all west of Johnson's two lots. (See College Map.) It seems reasonable to state that Harrison's four lots in 1753 (described above) were the same lots which Dr. Pasteur held in 1769 and 1771 (above noted). If such reasoning is correct, Archibald Diddep, tailor, was the owner of lot 255, immediately west of Pasteur's property.
Diddep continued his business as tailor for some years. A notice in 1776 in the Virginia Gazette, signed from "FRANCIS STREET," thanked his customers for past services and announced that he remained "the publick's most obedient humble servant." (Purdie, ed., January 26, 1776.) Other notices in 1776-1777 advertised for journeyman tailors and for an apprentice who had absconded. (Purdie, August 23, 1777; November 28, 1777; Dixon & Hunter, December 26, 1777.)
In 1779 and 1780, Humphrey Harwood made repairs to a house belonging to Diddep. Such items as repairing cellar steps, building a wall in cellar to support trimmer and hearth, laying a hearth and repairing the chimney, plastering, lime, etc., are listed in Harwood's account book. (See Illustration #2 for complete statement of Harwood's work). We only find record of Diddep's owning one house in Williamsburg, so the house on lot 255 must have been the building Harwood repaired.
The Williamsburg Land Tax Records, which begin in 1782, throw some light on Diddep's ownership of property in Williamsburg. From 1782-1785 Archibald Diddep owned 1 lot evaluated at £2. In 1785-1786 Diddep's estate is charged with 1 lot valued at £5. And in 1788 a John Byrd is charged with 4 lots valued at £32 "of Wm. Finnie & Archd Diddup." (See Illustration #3 - microfilm of land tax records in Research Department - copied from Virginia State Archives.)
In 1787, Diddep's estate, through the sheriff, was offered for sale: 4
May 3, 1787.
To be Sold,
Pursuant to a decree of the court of James City county, at public AUCTION, On Friday the fourth of May, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon,
THE HOUSES & LOTTS,
In the City of Williamsburg, belonging to the estate of ARCHIBALD DIDDIP, deceased.
The sale will be on the premises, where the said Diddip lived. (The Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Nicolson, ed.)
From the land tax records above noted, it appears that John Byrd was the purchaser in 1788. Byrd was taxed for 4 lots valued at £32 in 1788; 4 lots valued at £21 from 1789-1793; and John C. Byrd was taxed for 4 lots valued at £21 from 1794-1797. (See Illustration #3 for complete land tax accounts.) John Byrd died in 1796 according to the Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser of December 12, 1796. Byrd's location was described by James Galt thus:
November 4, 1789.
To be SOLD; or RENTED the ensuing year, THE HOUSE at present occupied by Mr. Smith, fronting Francis Street, and joining the Capitol square, nearly opposite to John Byrd, Esq... (Virginia Independent Chronicle and General Advertiser, Augustine Davis, ed.)
The Frenchman's Map of Williamsburg (1782) shows a small house flush to the street at the eastern boundary of what appears to be lot 255. (See architect's drawing of this section from the Frenchman's Map - Illustration #1.) The lot to the east has a house flush to the street, a little larger building than the house on lot 255. The next lot to the east (lot 257) shows a long house flush to the street. This house is interpreted to be the present Semple house, probably in the eighteenth century, Doctor Pasteur's property.
In 1790 John Byrd ordered a few minor repairs on his property. Harwood was paid £1.1.6 for 12 bushels of lime, taking down the old bricks and stones of the porch and relaying them. (See Illustration #2.)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE:
At this point it may be well to give archaeological evidence recently discovered by Colonial Williamsburg. According to James M. Knight of the 5 Architectural Department, foundations have been uncovered of a house on the eastern side of the lot flush to Francis Street. The dimensions of the foundation are 26 ft. x 24 ft. There is evidence of a chimney and pieces of stone and bricks which may have been steps. There are other foundations to the rear: one is 8 ft. x 8 ft., and a portion of another to the north is of larger dimension. Also, something which may have been a forge was found near the southern part of the lot. To the west-front of the lot are foundations of a smaller house. Excavations are not as yet completed for the entire lot.
HISTORY CONT.:
Late eighteenth and early nineteenth century maps, College Map (1791?), Bucktrout Map (1803), and Galt Map show "Semple" on lot 255. (Copies of maps in Research Department.)
It is not known when James Semple came into possession of the lot. The information in the Williamsburg Land Tax records concerning the Semple lots in the city is very confusing. Undoubtedly there were two James Semples in Williamsburg at the same time, and each owned property. The first indication in the tax records showing James Semple as owner of property in Williamsburg was in 1798: James Semple.....2 lots.....valuation $10. This notation is the same for Semple until 1801 when two James Semples appear on the tax records thus: James Semple.....2 lots.....$10 and James Semple Attny.....4 lots.....$70.
It is known that James Semple, attorney, was owner of lot 257 in 1801. (See James Semple House History, Research Department. An insurance policy with drawing identifies the house as the present Semple House on lot 257.) The College Map (1791?) shows "Semple" on lots 600, 258, 257, 255, and "[256]This Street sold to J. Semple." It is impossible with the scant evidence available to identify the two Semples (both named James) or to know which owned the two 6 lots and which owned the four lots above cited in this report.1
It is not known how the property got into the hands of the Bucktrouts. We do know that Richard M. Bucktrout held the property in 1865. The Land Book for Williamsburg for that year states that Richard M. Bucktrout held a house and lot used as his residence, and other property. We know, also, that Richard M. Bucktrout was the son of Benjamin Bucktrout and Mary Bruce. As Benjamin Bucktrout - according to the Williamsburg Land Tax records - held 8-1/4 lots in the city in 1812, it is not unreasonable to believe that the son inherited his share of the father's property. The Land Tax records list Richard M. Bucktrout as holder of 1 lot.....$600 value of buildings; $975 value of lot and buildings "Heretofore charged to Mary Bucktrout." (Mary Bucktrout was Richard's mother.) Bucktrout died in September, 1866 leaving his widow, Celestia Bucktrout, and children - Horatio, Delia A. Braithwaite, and Mary Elizabeth Wooten - as heirs. The lot (255) is described thus:
...another lot, a part of which is in the said city, containing 15 acres, more or less, and bounded north by the said Back Street, east by lots of James W. Custis2 and Goodrich Durfey,3 and west by estate of Lemuel J. Bowdin, deceased... (Recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book, V, p. 24.)
This property above described was divided equally between Delia A. Braithwaite and Mary Elizabeth Wooten - Braithwaite taking the western half, and Wooten the eastern half- in fee simple. (Williamsburg Deed Book, V, p. 24.)
7By deed of February 12, 1898, Delia A. C. Carpenter and Ennes T. Carpenter, her husband, conveyed to Robert L. Spencer with covenants of general warranty property described as "fronting 104 feet...on Francis Street to the western line of the lot known as the 'Custis lot'; thence along line of said Custis lot; thence in an easterly course to the line of Mrs. Israel Smith; thence in a southerly course along the line of Mrs. Israel Smith; thence at right angles in a westerly course to the line which separates it from the land now in possession of Delia A. Braithwaite...the said lot being the same property descended to Mary E. Bucktrout from her father, R. M. Bucktrout and said Mary E. Bucktrout who intermarried William Wooten...to the grantor, she being the only heir at law of the said Mary E. and William Wooten." (Williamsburg Deed Book, III, p. 222.)
In October 1898, Spencer conveyed to Edgar H. Morris the property, "...Fronting 42'10" on Francis Street and running back a distance of 283'11" and bounded as follows: on north by said Francis Street; east by the lot of the grantor; south by the lands of R. M. Smith and Delia A. Braithwaite, and west by said Delia A. Braithwaite's lot, being one-half of a lot reserved from a sale to Mrs. R. M. Smith by the grantor of this property, conveyed to said Spencer by deed from Delia A. Carpenter and husband, dated February 12, 1898..." (Ibid., Book IV, p. 42.)
The property remained in the Morris family until 1946 when Ida Vivian Morris conveyed same to Elmer D. Messick. (Ibid., Book XX, p. 544.) Further details of the property from 1865 to 1951 can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.
Mr. John S. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg as It Appeared at the Beginning of the Civil War" (p. 60 - typed copy in Research Department), gives a description of a house on this lot:
Not far to the east of this old church [a Methodist church once but used then by Dick Bucktrout as a coffin shop] there was a story-and-a-half frame house with dormer windows. The front door was close to the ground and opened out on Francis Street; and was used as a residence 8 by Mr. Bucktrout until the "Macon" house was built. There were then no other houses between the house just described and the "Peyton Randolph" which in 1861 presented much the same appearance as at present. [The Semple house was erroneously called the "Peyton Randolph House."]
Mary A. Stephenson Research Department June, 1951
Footnotes
Another James Semple, who occupied the house on lot #257, was the son of James Semple, minister of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, and was born in 1768. He married Ann Contesse Tyler first and then Joanna McKenzie. He was elected Judge of the General Court in 1810. In 1819, Judge Semple was appointed Professor of Law and Police at William and Mary College. Judge Semple died in 1834.
Illustration #1
PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE WILLIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMSBURG, THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER
Illustration #2
Mr Archibald Diddup Dr 1779 th October 16 To 8 bushs lime a 12/. 385 bricks a 30/. & 2 days labour a 20/. £ 12 10 - To Repairing Celler Steps 120/. 6 0 - 1780 th Januy 14 To 7 bushs of lime a 9d 50 bricks 1/5 & 2 days labour 4/ 10 6 To building a wall in Cellor to support trimer & harth 7/6 7 6 To laying a harth & Repairing Chimney 6/ 6 0 March 18 To A load of wood £15.0.0 15 0 0 Octobr 16 To 3 bushs of lime a 54/. & hair 30/. & mendg plasterg 180/ 18 12 0 (insolvent)
[Ledger of Humphrey Harwood - B, p. 32]
[Ledger of Humphrey Harwood - C, p. 39]
John Byrd Esqr Dr Cr 1790 th June 12 To 12 bushels of lime a 9d £ - 9 - To taking down the old Bricks & stones of the portch & relaying them 12/6 - 12 6 rd Octor 23 By Cash in full £ 1 1 6 £ 1" 1" 6 £ 1" 1" 6
Illustration #3
| No. Lots | Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1782 | Archibald Diddip | £ | S | D | |
| through 1784 | 1 | 2 | - | - | |
| 1785 | Archibald Diddep Estate | 1 | 2 | - | - |
| [1786?] | Archibald Diddup Est. | 1 | 5 | - | - |
| 1788 | John Byrd of Wm. Finnie & Archd Diddup | 4 | 32 | - | - |
| 1789 | John Byrd | ||||
| through 1792 | 4 | 21 | - | - | |
| [1793?] | John Byrd | 4 | 21 | [sic] | |
| 1794 | John C. Byrd | 4 | 21 | - | - |
| 1795 | John Custis Byrd | 4 | 21 | - | - |
| 1796 | John C. Byrd | ||||
| through 1797 | 4 | 21 | - | - | |
| 1798 | James Semple | ||||
| through 1800 | 2 | $10 | |||
| 1801 | James Semple | 2 | $10 | ||
| James Semple Attny law | 4 | $70 | |||
| 1802 | James Semple [torn] | — | — | ||
| James Semple Atty [torn] | — | — | |||
| 1803 | James Semple Lawyer | 4 | $70 | ||
| Benj. C. Waller-Semple | 2 | $10 | |||
| 1804 | James Semple Layr | 4 | $70 | ||
| 1811 | Benjamin Bucktrout | 8-1/4 | $80 | ||
| 1814 | Mary Bucktrout - life | 8-¼ | $100 |
| Value of Building | Value of Lot & Building | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1834 | Richard M. Bucktrout | 1— | $600 | $975 | Heretofore charged to Mary Bucktrout |
| 1861 | Richard M. Bucktrout | 1— | $1200 | $2000 |