Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOT No. 255

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This lot is shown as a part of the Semple property on two maps, the Unknown Draftsman's and the Robert A. Lively copy of the Benjamin Bucktrout map of 1803. In the Lively copy, this lot is unnumberd but it is marked "J. Semple." The lot apparently remained an integral part of the "Semple" property which passed through the hands of many owners in the nineteenth century. Finally at the turn of the nineteenth century, it was deeded as a separate lot of ninety-seven feet by Mrs. Hansford to L. W. Lane, Sr. Subdivided by its next owner, Mrs. M. F. Timberlake, who retained the eastern part but sold the western portion, the lot was again consolidated by Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated, which purchased the western portion in 1928, and the eastern portion in 1935.

One archaeologist believes that the present Semple house, in part, was standing when the Frenchman made his map (See Herbert Ragland's report on the Peyton Randolph house, August 3, 1931, p. 8). In the first lot west of the "Semple" house, a house is shown flush with the street. On the boundary between this lot and the second lot west, a smaller house is shown also flush with Francis Street. The location of these three houses is indicated below:

At present it is impossible to say who were the owners of these three houses on the south side of Francis Street in the eighteenth century. Tyler's statement that the "Semple" house was the residence of Peyton Randolph in the eighteenth century has been exploded (Williamsburg, p. 254; see report on the Peyton Randolph House). No other evidence than Tyler's that Judge Hugh Nelson lived there (Williamsburg, p. 254) has yet come to light. Nor is it clear how James Semple came to own the property in the early nineteenth century. He married Anne Contesse, eldest daughter of Judge John Tyler (Tyler's Historical Quarterly, Vol. II, p. 282; Vol. VIII, p. 142). His second wife, Joanna McKenzie, Semple married in 1803 (Ibid., Vol. VIII, p. 142).

In 1801, Semple owned two lots in Williamsburg valued at £10 annual rent, and four lots at £70 annual rent; in 1806, 42 lots, value £70 annual rent (Williamsburg Tax Records). Semple insured his property in 1801 and again in 1806, naming Benjamin Bucktrout as his neighbor on the west (Insurance Policies Nos. 486, 670, pp. 48-49). In 1810 Semple's name does not appear on the tax records. In 1813 he was taxed for 1 lot "via Maigill"; in 1815 for 5½ lots, value £200. In 1820 when all taxpayers seem to have a number of lots credited as 1 lot, regardless of how many they might have had listed in the tax records of 1817, 1818, and 1819, Semple was taxed for 1 lot. His buildings continued to be valued at $1,800, his houses and lot at $2,050 from 1820 to 1838. In 1838 the property was charged for taxes to "James Semple's estate,"indicating that he had died, (apparently August, 1834. Tyler's Historical Quarterly, Vol. VIII, p. 142). This property continued to be taxed as Semple's "estate" until 1853, when the Semple name disappears from the tax records, but the name John B. Christian appears in that year. As will appear later -3- John S. Christian owned the Semple property prior to 1853. It is impossible to state with certainty that Christian's property in the tax records was "the Semple Property." His buildings were valued at $2,300, his houses and lots at $2,600. In addition he had another lot, the value of which, with houses, was $1,200. John Christian had married Martha, Judge Semple's daughter (William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. IX, series 1, p. 49.). It is possible that he acquired the right to dispose of the property through that marriage. He had deeded the property in 1853 to George Scarburgh, as will appear below (Williamsburg Deed Book, I, p. 19), although this transfer was not apparent in the Williamsburg tax records until 1856. (See Williamsburg Land Tax, Virginia State Library Archives.)

At the time of the Civil War, the lots along the south side of Francis Street appeared as follows:

Not far to the east of this old church [Methodist church, used later as a coffin shop by Dick Bucktrout] 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" house, which in 1861 presented much the same appearance as at present. There was then a one-and-a-half story frame house, with dormer windows, that was a short distance from this historic old dwelling and on line with the east end of it, and nearer the street, with entrance at the west end. This house was used as a kitchen and servants' quarters and was moved a few years ago to the rear of the lot. (John S. Charles, Recollections, p. 57)

Clara Southall and her husband, James W. Custis, the next owners of the property after Scarburgh, conveyed the "Semple" property to John R. Custis in 1866:

April 13, 1866
James W. Custis & Clara H, his Wife, now of York Co.
to
John R. Custis of Accomac Co.

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… the said James W. Custis and Clara H. his wife do in consideration of the sum of one thousand Six hundred dollars (being the highest bid for the property herein after conveyed at a sale this day made at public auction to the highest bidder) do grant unto the said John R. Custis all that lot of land in the City of Williamsburg with the buildings thereon. the property of the said Clara H. containing about three & one half acres and adjoining the lots of Goodrich Durfey & Richard M. Bucktrout, being the same lot conveyed by George P. Scarburgh & wife to the said Clara H. (then Clara H. Southall) by deed in the year and by deed from John B. Christian to said Scarburgh, in the year 1853. both of which deeds were of record in the Clerk's office of the Hustings Court of the City of Williamsburg. the said lot is known as the old residence of Judge James Semple.

(Williamsburg Deed Book, I, p. 19)

In 1870 the property was deeded to Catherine^* W. Custis:

August 1, 1870
John R. Custis of the Co. of Accomack
to
Catharine W. Custis of the City of Williamsburg

Consideration $2000

… doth sell: all that lot of land, with the buildings thereon, Conveyed to him by James W. Custis and Clara H. his wife, by deed bearing date on the 13th of April 1866, being the lot of land conveyed by George P [or B] Scarbough & wife to the said Clara H. when Clara H. Southall, and by John B. Christian to said Scarbough. and Known as the residence of the late Judge Semple. Contains about Three and Three fourths Acre of land, adjoining the lands of Richard Bucktrout's heirs on the West. and South by the lands, lately belonging to Goodrich Durfey's Estate, but now Israel Smith, and on the North in Front by the Street…

(Williamsburg Deed Book, I, p. 275)

In her will in 1891, Katherine Custis, who had never married, willed her Williamsburg property to her sister, Mrs. Margaret Hansford.

Last Will and Testament of Kate W. Custis, written Jan. 21, 1891.
I bequeath to my sister Margaret, Mrs. Hansford, the house and lot now owned by me in Williamsburg to be under her control, this though, the property I mean must be held until all my debts are paid. The house and lot can be rented out until the debts are satisfied…
Probated Oct. 10, 1892, in James City and Williamsburg. (Williamsburg Will Book, II, p. 3)

Mrs. Hansford began to sell off the land around the "Semple" or "Custis" house in 1898 (see Hansford to Eugene W. Morris, Williamsburg Deed Book, III, p. 213). On January 21, 1898, Mrs. Hansford sold 97 feet fronting Francis Street, to L. W. Lane, Sr. This is the present "Lot 255" belonging to Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated.

January 21, 1898
Margaret C. Hansford to L. W. Lane Sr.

Consideration $250.
Doth grant "all that lot of land with the buildings thereon situated in the said City of Williamsburg and bounded as follows on the North by Francis Street on the East by the lot of W. E. Morris and on the South and west by the Braithwaite property this lot commencing at a point fifty feet west of the Northernmost corner of the yard fence of the old Custis mansion running west fronting on said Francis Street Ninety seven feet to the Braithwaite line, being a portion of what is known as the Custis lot."

(Williamsburg Deed Book, III, pp. 214-5.)

It will be noticed that this deed indicates that there were buildings on the lot. Apparently the buildings had disappeared by 1903, for the lot is referred to as "unimproved,"^* when Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Lane transferred it to Mrs. M. F. Timberlake, widow.

March 16, 1903
L. W. & Mattie S. Lane, wife, of Wmsburg
to
M. F. Timberlake (widow)

Consideration: $500
Grant an unimproved lot of land, bounded as follows, "On the North by Francis Street, on the East by the lot of E. W. Morris, on the South by the lot of Hugh S. Bird and on the West by the Braithwaite property. This lot commences at the Northwest corner of the Morris lot runs west along said Francis Street ninety seven feet to the Braithwait line, being the same lot of land conveyed to the grantor by one Margaret C. Hansford by deed dated -6- 21st. day of January 1898, which deed is duly recorded in D. B. no. 3, pp. 214-215 (Clerk of James City Co. & City of Wmsburg)"

(Williamsburg Deed Book, IV, p. 268)

Apparently Mrs. Timberlake built two houses on "Lot 255," the western one of which with adjoining land she sold to F. R. Savage in 1917.

April 7, 1917
M. F. Timberlake (Widow) to F. R. Savage
Consideration $1900

doth grant "all that certain lot with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate, lying and being on Francis Street, in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, and bounded as follows; On the North by Francis Street, on the East by the lot of M. F. Timberlake, on the South by the lot of Edith M. Smith (formerly known as the Braithwaite lot). This lot commences at the North west corner of the M. F. Timberlake lot on said street, running west, fronting on said Francis Street about forty (40) feet to the Edgar Morris line, running south between parallel lines about two hundred and ninety-six (296) feet to the lot of Edith M. Smith. The same being the western portion of the lot of land conveyed to the grantor by L. W. Lane and wife by their deed bearing date the 16th day of March, 1903, which deed is recorded in deed book No. 4, page 268, (for the City of Williamsburg) to which reference is here made for a better description. The eastern line of said lot hereby intended to be conveyed running from Francis Street, South, divides the well now upon this lot and the lot of M. F. Timberlake, and is to be used as a joint well for the use of the owners of both lots."

(Williamsburg Deed Book, VII, p. 544)

In 1920 Mr. Savage sold this lot to Powell Mahone and his wife, Marjorie D. Mahone:

June 4, 1920
F.R. Savage & Lorna D. Savage to Powell Mahone & Marjorie Mahone

Consideration $500 and other good and valuable considerations

Doth convey all of that certain lot or parcel of land, together with the improvements thereon, situate on Francis Street in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, and bounded and described as follows:

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On the North [by Francis Street, on the east] by the lot of M. F. Timberlake, on the South by the lot of Edith Smith (formerly known as the H. S. Byrd [Bird?] lot), West by the lot of Edgar Morris. Said lot commences at the north-west corner of M. F. Timberlake's lot on Francis Street, runs west along said street and fronting thereon about Forty (40) feet and extends south between parallel lines about two hundred and ninety six (296) feet. The eastern line of said lot runs from Francis Street south through a well so as to leave one half of said well on the lot of W. F. Timberlake and one half on the lot hereby conveyed and said well to be for the joint use of the owners of the lot hereby conveyed and the owners of the lot of M. F. Timberlake.

(Williamsburg Deed Book, VII, p. 550.)

On June 11, 1925, Powell Mahone and Marjorie Mahone, in order to borrow $1,50 on the lot, deeded it to C. M. Hall, trustee:

June 11, 1925
between Powell Mahone & Marjorie D. Mahone, husband and wife of City of Williamsburg, and C. M. Hall, of said City and State, who is hereby appointed Trustee, party of the second part…

All of that certain lot or parcel of land, together with the improvements thereon, situate on Francis Street in the City of Williamsburg, Va. and bounded and described as follows: On the North [by Francis Street; on the east] by the lot of M. F. Timberlake; on the South by the lot of Edith Smith (formerly known as the H. S. Byrd lot) West by the lot of Edgar Morris. Said lot commences at the Northwest corner of M. F. Timberlake's lot on Francis Street, runs west along said street and fronting thereon about forty (40) feet and extends south between parallel lines about two hundred and ninety six (296) feet. etc.

(Williamsburg Deed Book, X, p. 526)

A year later, Powell Mahone deeded the lot to his wife, Marjorie. The reason for this transfer was her agreement to pay off the note, as is proven by the following clause:

The grantor [grantee?] expressly covenants that she assumes the payment of the deed of trust dated June 11th, 1925 to C. M. Hall, trustee, executed by the parties hereto which secures the payment of the sum of $1500⁰⁰ as evidenced by note held by the Peninsula Bank and Trust Company, the current renewal of which matures on December 11th, 1926; and -8- the grantee unites in the execution of this deed of trust for the purpose of evidencing her assumption of said deed of trust. (Williamsburg Deed Book, XI, p. 459)

Mrs. Mahone transferred the property to her father, Horace W. Dana:

May 23, 1928
Between Marjorie D. Mahone and Horace W. Dana (her father)

Consideration: $10 & other presents [the grantee assumed responsibility of the deed of trust]

doth convey: All that certain lot of land together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated on the South side of Francis street, and fronting on the said Street 40 feet, more or less, running parallel south, 296 feet, more or less. bounded on N. by Francis Street, on the east by the lot of M. F. Timberlake; on the South by the property of W. A. R. Goodwin formerly owned by Edith M. Smith, and on the west by the lot of Edgar Morris:

(see Deed Book VIII, pp. 550-551;XI, pp. 459-460;XII, p. 425)
(Williamsburg Deed Book, XII, p. 517)

On June 5, 1928, Horace W. Dana, and his wife Martha M. Dana deeded the property to W. A. R. Goodwin.

June 5, 1928
Horace W. Dana & Martha M. Dana his wife
to
W. A. R. Goodwin

Consideration & other presents
doth convey "All that certain lot of land together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated on the south side of Francis Street in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, and fronting on said street forty (40) feet, more or less, and thence running south between parallel lines two hundred and ninety six (296) feet, more or less, being bounded on the north by Francis Street; on the east by the lot of Timberlake; on the south by the property of Wm. A. R. Goodwin, formerly owned by Edith M. Smith, and on the west by the lot of Edgar Morris, being the same property conveyed to Horace W. Dana by deed from Marjorie D. Mahone, dated May 23, 1928, and recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book, XII, pp. 517-518.

(Williamsburg Deed Book, XII, p. 538)

The note of $1,500 was paid on June 12, 1928 (Williamsburg Deed Book, X, p. 526).

The eastern portion of Lot 255 was deeded in 1936 to Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated, by Mrs. Virginia Blanchard, daughter of Mrs. M. F. Timberlake. Mrs. Blanchard had been made executrix of the Timberlake estate by the will of Mrs. Timberlake. The clause in the will reads:

I hereby appoint Virginia Blanchard my Executrix with full power to sell any and all of my property at any time and re-invest the proceeds arriving therefrom as she may see best for the interest of my said estate…
(February 23, 1923; probated February 23, 1928). (Williamsburg Will book, IV, pp. 147-149.)

The deed by which the eastern end of Lot 255 came into the possession of the Williamsburg Restoration reads:

June 28, 1935
between Virginia Blanchard, Executrix of the estate of M. F. Timberlake, deceased, Williamsburg Restoration Corporation; Mary Louise Timberlake, single; J. S. Timberlake & Rebecca R. Timberlake, his wife; Frances Timberlake Torregossa & M. F. Torregossa, her husband, of McDowell Co., West Virginia, being sole children and heirs at laws and the consorts of the same, of the said M. F. Timberlake, deceased, parties of the third part.
… doth grant "All that certain lot of land, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, located on the South side of Francis Street, in the City of Williamsburg, Va. bounded on the North by Francis Street, on the East by the property of Jeannette T. Morris, et als, on the South by the property of Williamsburg Restoration, Inc. formerly the property of Edith M. Smith, and on the West by the property of Wmsburg Restoration, Inc. formerly the property of H. W. Dana. The said lot fronts on Francis Street fifty seven (57) feet and runs South between approximately parallel lines the distance of 277 feet more or less and being a portion of the same property as that conveyed to the said M. F. Timberlake by the deed from L. W. Lane & wife, March 16, 1903, & recorded in D. B. No. 4, p. 268, & is the same real estate of which the said M. F. Timberlake died seized & possessed."
(Williamsburg Deed Book, XVI, p. 231)

Prepared by: M. E. McWilliams
18.16