Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

FOR SALE,
The following Tracts or Parcels of Land,
NINE hundred acres of exceeding good tobacco land, in Brunswick County, lying on one branch of Meherring river, well watered and timbered; it will be shewn by the overseer residing thereon. Also eight lots of land in the City of Williamsburg, whereon stands a large two story brick dwelling house, with four rooms on a floor; its situation is esteemed one of the most pleasant in the City, lying on the back-street near to the market, and will be shewn by Captain Reid of the said City. Also one lot of land in the Town of York, on which are two store-houses, one of brick, the other of wood; it is situated on the main-street, and about the center of the Town. The terms will be made known by the subscriber, living in Caroline County, about five miles from the Bowling Green.
PHILIP LIGHTFOOT.

3-14-75/PG/q

Photostat Copy of the Williamsburg Plat in "Williamsburg, the Old Colonial Capitol" by Lyon G. Tyler

ALLEN-BYRD HOUSE
Block 3 Francis Street

LOCATION:

The lots and property which are the subject of this history are located on the south side of Francis Street facing upon Market Square. On the late eighteenth century plat known as the "College Map," there are eight lots bounded by Francis Street on the north, Queen Street on the east, England Street on the west and Ireland Street on the south. These lots are designated on the map as "Bracken." See: copy of the map (1791?) on the opposite page.

HISTORY:

The Frenchman's Map (1782) of Williamsburg shows a large rectangular house with a smaller house to the east situated on what appears to be the central lot of the block. The house is set back on the lot and not on a line with other residences on the street called by the Frenchman "Sud Street,"¹ On the "Galt" map of Williamsburg, the "Bucktrout Map" and Tyler's adaptation of the "College Map," the eight lots are marked "Bracken."²

Apparently, the rectangular house with dependency as drawn by the Frenchman, is the same building owned and probably built by Colonel William Allen³ of Surry County, sometime prior to 1770. On March 29, 1770 Allen advertised the property in Williamsburg for sale: 2

"SURREY, March 26, 1770.

To be SOLD at seven years credit, or longer if required, A Square of 8 lots in the city of Williamsburg, with the following improvements, a new brick dwelling-house, with four rooms below and three above, a good kitchen, grainery, and stables, with every other house necessary for a family, also a well of good water. The lots are all inclosed, and the garden well paled in; the situation is near the College, and very pleasant. The premises may be seen by applying to Dr. James Carter, and may be entered upon the 1st of May next. The price will be made known by WILLIAM ALLEN"¹

Allen was a Burgess (1758-1761) for Surry County and wealthy landowner via the will of his uncle, John Allen of Surry who had married Elizabeth Bassett and left no children.² A William Allen was justice of the peace of York County in 1754.³

It is entirely probable that Allen who was a burgess for nearly four years, wealthy and married to Mary Lightfoot of near Williamsburg, could have built the fine brick dwelling house in the city for his use and convenience. Though research has been made into Surry County court records for any indication of Allen's business affairs in Williamsburg, nothing has come to light, nor have any accounts with carpenters, brick masons & such-like artisans, been found relating to the building of this property by Allen or any one else. Location in the James City part of Williamsburg may explain the dearth of records somewhat as most of these records and those of the General Court were destroyed in the Civil War period.

From subsequent notices it is apparent that the next owner of the property was William Byrd III¹ of "Westover." Byrd, by a will made July 6, 1774, stated that certain provisions should be made as to his "house in town":

"…My will is also that my house in town be sold & a thousand pounds of the money be applied to pay Mr. William Allen for it, and the overplus to the payment of my Debts…" ²

From the Ms Ledgers of George Washington we learn that William Byrd III rented Washington's "Houses & Lotts in Williamsburg" at £40 p^r year from October 1762 to ca. 1769.³ At this time, Byrd was a member of the Council. As many other Burgesses and Councillors, he needed a town house for use during the sessions of the Assembly.⁴

According to the previously quoted Virginia Gazette advertisement of March 26, 1770, Allen planned to give possession of the property to the new owner by May 1, 1771. Allen wished to sell the property "at seven years credit, or longer if required."

Apparently, Byrd had bought the property and was occupying it in 1771 for "Col. Byrds" was noted in the will of John Blair dated October 25, 1771:

"…Item…I likewise give to my son James those two lots which I hold in the City of Williamsburg opposite to Col. Byrds, to him and his heirs forever…" ⁵

In 1772 "Colonel Byrd's Lot" in Williamsburg was noted as the place at which Joseph Faulks would perform in horsemanship for the public.¹

In the Ms Account Book of Benjamin Weldon of James City County, are items which show that William Byrd was furnished by Weldon with loads of wood, corn, fodder, straw &c from April, 1771 to April, 1776. Byrd was always in debt to Weldon for unpaid accounts--so, in 1776 (the last item), he owed £52.19.9.² (Weldon furnished wood to many families in Williamsburg for some years.)

Colonel Byrd died on January 1, 1777. Obviously, when he made his will in 1774, he had not paid William Allen in entirety--probably because the new owner would be allowed seven years or longer to complete payment. In March, 1777 the executrix, Mrs. Mary Willing Byrd, placed the following notice in the local newspaper:

"[March 14, 1777]

To be SOLD, agreeable to the last will and testament of the Hon. William Byrd, esq; deceased, on Thursday the 24^th of April, at Westover, in Charles City county, about 25 miles below Richmond town, ONE hundred Virginia born SLAVES…
THE EXECUTRIX

N.B. The executrix has also for sale a good brick house, situated in the city of Williamsburg with four rooms on each floor, lately occupied by the said William Byrd, esq; and at present by the reverend mr. Bracken.³ The dwelling-house has all convenient out houses, and several enclosed lots adjoining. Also the very valuable library of the said deceased, consisting of near 4000 volumes. The house and library⁴ will be disposed of either by private or publick sale, as may be most agreeable to the purchasers."⁵

Again, in 1777, the executrix advertised the Williamsburg property for sale-this time at auction:

"[May 16, 1777]

To be SOLD by auction, before the Raleigh door in Williamsburg, agreeable to the last will and testament of the late Hon. William Byrd, esq; on the 20th instant, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, A BRICK house in the said city with four rooms on each floor, now inhabited by the reverend mr. Bracken, together with all convenient outhouses, and six lots adjoining enclosed, The premises are in good tenantable repair, and will be shewn to such persons as incline to become purchasers, any day till the sale. The terms of the sale are for ready money, but those who have demands against the estate, by bill of exchange protested, or judgment, will have the same allowed by
The EXECUTRIX"¹

The property advertised for sale "by auction," evidently, was bid in by the executrix. Again, on May 15, 1778 the property was advertised for sale for "ready money":

"[May 15, 1778]

TO be sold on Thursday the 29th instant (May) at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, before the Raleigh door in Williamsburg, agreeable to the last will and testament of the late Hon. William Byrd, Esq; for ready money, the dwellinghouse of the decedent, in Williamsburg, together with the lots adjoining. The premises are so well known, and have been already advertised particularly, that a further description is unneccessary.
THE EXECUTRIX."²

From the three notices by Mrs. Byrd a clear description of the house, rooms and dependencies is given. The descriptions of Byrd's houses and lots in the city as noted by his executrix, correspond in large degree with William Allen's description of March, 1770. In each case, enclosed lots, outhouses, brick house, four rooms on the lower floor are mentioned. With regard to the upper floor, there is a slight difference in the three advertisements, as Allen noted three rooms on the upper floor, 6 while Byrd's executrix placed the number at four.

A suit: "Murdock & Co. vs William Byrd's executrix," was studied and copied for its value in the history of Byrd's Williamsburg property.¹ The estate accounts run from April 21, 1777 to September, 1790. On July 10, 1778, on the DR side of the ledger is this item: "To ditto [cash] p^d W^m Allen for House in Williamsburg sold to pay a Mortgage to Thompson----------£1152.15.7."² On July 15, 1778 "To ditto [cash] p^d Tho^s M. Randolph balance due on house above mentioned----------£629.18.9."³

In the period from 1778 until 1786 (when the property was in the ownership of the Rev. John Bracken) little could be found about the property (to follow in the report).

From the notice of Mrs. Mary Byrd (March 14, 1777 above quoted), we note that the Reverend John Bracken, minister of Bruton Parish, had been renting the property. Mr. Bracken continued to rent for some time.⁴

Around 1779 the Grammar School at William and Mary College was abolished and Mr. Bracken set up a small school at his home to teach boys. In 1780-1783 Bracken was paid by Humphrey Harwood, local carpenter and builder, for teaching the Harwood boys.⁵ In 1784 he advertised in the Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser that he was undertaking "the tuition of five or six boys, who may also live with him. As his attention 7 will be entirely confined to so small a number, the terms for board and tuition will be forty guineas per ann."¹ The same year Bracken paid Byrd's estate £46.16.0 for rents.²

In April, 1779 "the very Valuable LIBRARY and PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS of the Rev. John Camm³ at the house of the Rev. John Bracken in this city" was advertised for sale.⁴

From Mrs. Byrd's accounts (1784) we learn that Robert Hyland, of Williamsburg, was paid "for crying a House in W^msburg----------£5.-.-"; and John Dixon, printer, was paid "for Printing 250 Copies of a Catalogue of Books &c, printing Hand bills and advertizing a House in W^msburg----------£29.5.0."⁵

Tax records for Williamsburg in 1786 give: "William Lightfoot to John Bracken----------8 lots----------£18."⁶ We cannot state conclusively that Lightfoot was not owner of the property but it looks as though he was acting as trustee for Mrs. Byrd who apparently was owner of the property. It was not unusual for a trustee to pay the taxes on property though it was still in possession of another.

In 1787 the tax records give: "John Bracken----------6 lots----------£16.10. Mr. Bracken has only six lots But has been charged with Eight: 8 H. Harwood."¹ There is some confusion in the number of lots assigned to Bracken. The tax records give him as owner of six lots, and the College Map (1791?) and others assign him eight lots (entire block), with "Bracken" also noted on the small lots, 241 and 242 nearby.² Such differences may be explained as being due to a careless copyist or to a misinformed cartographer.

During the years 1785-1794 Humphrey Harwood, carpenter and brick mason, filed the following bills or accounts for repairs and building materials against Bracken:

1785
…
Novr 26	To 2 bushels of mortar 2/. & repairing plastering 2/6	£ 4 6
Decemr 9	To 3 bushs of Mortar 3/. 40 larthes 7 ½d & 150 Nails 9d	4 4 ½
	To Repairing Larthing & Plastering 3/9	3 9
1786	…
Decemr 10	To Repairing plastering in 2 Rooms, & passages, & do a Cealing	2 5
	To 6 Days labr a 2/6	15
1787 th
Jany 20	To 8 bushels of lime 8/. & 895 Bricks a 3/. pr C	1 14 10
	To larthing & plastering 96 yds a 6d in Kitchen	2 8
	To Repairing do up Star 15/. & 8 days labr a 2/6	1 15
	To Ditto Kitchen Chimney & Oven 24/. & laying harth 3/9	1. 7 9
March 24	To White-washing 8 Rooms & 2 passages a 4/6	2 5
	To do 4 Rooms to Kitchen a 4/	16
	To 5 ½ bushels of White-wash a 4/	11
Novemr 16	To 2400 Bricks a 30/. & 14 days labour a 2/6	5. 7.
	To building a Chimney to Landary 50/	2 10
	To underpining......... do & smoke House 30/	1.10
	To laying 4 Hearths a 2/6. & repairing 2 do - 2/6	12.6
	To do ... do to Landary 3/6 & floor 12/6	16
	To plastering 2 Chimnies 5/. & to 4 days labr 10/	15
	To repairing Back-steps 10/	10
23	To underpining stable 15/. & laying ye Dairy Floor 6/	1. 1
	To lathing & plastering 56 y ds in Landary a 6d	1. 8.
	To 5 days labour a 2/6 & 2 bushels of lime pr 2/	14.6
Decr 1	To building a Store 12/6 & 2 days labr 5/	17.6
	…

(Humphrey Harwood Ledger B, pp. 78, 121.)

The accounts mention "kitchen chimney, oven and hearth, laundry chimney and floor, laundry underpinning, laundry, lathing and plastering, smoke house, underpinning, stable and dairy floor." It notes, also, "up stairs, whitewashing 8 rooms & 2 passages, 4 rooms to kitchen, back steps and building a store[house]."¹

It cannot be stated with certainty that such building and repair work done by Harwood was on Bracken's property on the six or eight lots noted above. It seems altogether reasonable to think that it was, as 8 rooms and 2 passages, upstairs, and numerous outbuildings --all would indicate that the establishment was large and extensive. This would bear out Mrs. Byrd's description of the property when she was offering it for sale in 1777.

In 1796 Bracken insured the property in the Mutual Assurance Society thus: "My Buildings on the Market Square at Williamsburg now occupied by myself bounded by & situated between Francis Street England and Ireland Streets in the county of James City...The Dwellinghouse marked A at $1500...Brick Dwellinghouse Two Stories high 44 feet by 35 feet."²

In March, 1799 Mr. Bracken's house in Williamsburg is noted as being in a rather bad state of repair. Lucy B. Randolph, in writing to St. George Tucker made this comment: "She [Lucy's aunt] requested me to tell you she prefers Mr. Carters House to Mr. Brackens, as she thinks the necessary repairs of the latter will make it as dear as the former, she leaves decision entirely to you…."³ It is possible that this reference to repairs to Bracken's house may have been for the house bought by him 10 in 1794 from Richard Crump.¹

In 1801 the lot of Reverend Bracken is noted on an insurance policy of Wilson Miles Cary.² It (Cary's house) was "situated between the Lot of John Bracken and the Hospital for Lunatics in the county of James City."

In 1804 Bracken wrote Mr. Ash, representative of the Mutual Assurance Society, relative to the policy on his house:

"[Aug 16, 1804]

Sir,
Chancellor Tyler³ is the present Occupant & Proprietor of the house formerly insured by me in this City. It was sold by me two years ago to M^rs Dixon of Gloster, & by her to M^r Tyler. They both had knowledge of the circumstances. I request therefore you will forbear to send in future any letters on that Subject to -----------
Your hble Servt
John Bracken

W^msburg
16 Aug. 1804"

⁴

Mrs. Dixon,⁵ evidently did not hold the property but a very short time as no tax records or insurance policies indicate that she owned property in the city. In 1806 both tax records and an insurance policy give Samuel Tyler as owner. In 1810 Tyler is charged in the Williamsburg Land tax records with "8 lots-----$100."⁶ In 1820 there was a different 11 way of recording property in the city. Tyler's estate is charged with "1 lot-----$2400; Sum added to lot on account of the buildings $2000"¹

In 1830 Charles L. Wingfield had come into the property as "1 lot-----$2400; buildings $2000 Via Elizabeth B. Tyler widow of Samuel Tyler dec^d"²

In 1831 Jacob C. Sheldon³ had acquired the property from Wingfield at same tax valuations. Sheldon held it until 1850 when John Coke became the owner.⁴

In Illustration #3 are copies of several insurance policies for the property extending from 1796 to 1860. In brief they contain the following information:

Policy #107 April 18, 1796:
John Bracken, owner--"Buildings on the Market Square at Williamsburg now occupied by myself…& situated between Francis Street England and Ireland Streets in the county of James City…The Dwellinghouse…A at $1500" 44 by 35 feet, brick.

Policy #707 June 1, 1806:
Samuel Tyler, owner--"Building on the South side of Francis Street…now occupied by myself and situated between the Lott of Col: Wilson M. Cary West and the Lott of Elizabeth Carter East…The Dwelling House…A at $7000" 44 by 34 with porch 21 by 10.

12

Policy #1527 June 9, 1815:
"Elizabeth B. Tyler¹ and George Loyall² representing the estate and the heirs of Samuel Tyler dec^d residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City…building on the Court house Square & Francis Street now occupied by Elizabeth B. Tyler situated between Streets on every quarter in the county of James City…Dwelling…A at $2500" 44 by 34, kitchen, stable, & office.

Policy #5043 March 28, 1823:
Heirs of Samuel Tyler, owners--building occupied by Elizabeth Tyler--"The Dwelling…A at $2800."

Policy #7608 May 21, 1830:
Charles L. Wingfield, owner--"buildings on the Court House square in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the Court house square on the north and streets in every other direction in the county of James City…Dwelling…A at $2600." 36 by 40, two stories.

Policy #10998 May 3, 1839:
John Coke, owner--"building on my own land now occupied by myself situated between streets on the East, West, North and South in the City of Williamsburg…Dwelling…A at $4000." 36 by 40, two stories, kitchen, stable & office.

Policy #14402 October 3, 1846:
John Coke^{former owner3} and Christopher J. D. Pryor⁴, owners--"That the said Building is at present owned by Christopher J. D. Pryor residing at Alabama and is occupied by Turner Christian." The building

"situated on a Square of lots, fronting on Court house Square, and streets otherwise in the County of James City…."

dwelling: brick, two stories; office, ice house, kitchen, stable and wood building. "dwelling…A at $3000." office, ice house, kitchen, stable &c.

13

Policy #17627 November 1853:
John Coke, owner--"Building on Frances Street now occupied by myself situated between Streets on all four sides in the county of James City…Dwelling…A at $3500" office, kitchen and three wood buildings.

Policy #21321 1860 [no month or day]:
John Coke, owner--"Building on Frances Street now occupied by Myself situated between said Frances Street on the North and cross Streets on the East & West in the said City of Williamsburg…in the county of James City…Dwelling…A at $3000." brick, two stories.¹

Coke died in 1865. On March 10, 1871 W. W. Coke, executor of John Coke, conveyed the property to Mary E. Motley: "the whole block known as Coke lot."²

On May 7, 1880 Mary E. Motley conveyed the aforesaid property to E. M. Lee.³

On October 4, 1880 E. M. Lee contracted to sell four and half acres known as the "Coke House" within two months, to Jerome Titlow, or any partners as he shall designate.⁴

In June, 1881 E. M. Lee and Victoria Lee, his wife, conveyed the aforesaid "Coke House" to Hetty Titlow.⁵

Following several deed of trusts, on April 25, 1885 Jerome Titlow and Hetty H. Titlow, his wife, conveyed the aforesaid property to Thomas Tabb to secure Anna J. Phoebus in the sum of $500.⁶ Another deed of trust in March, 1885 secured the property or part of it to George M. Peek.⁷

On September 22, 1890 Tabb as trustee and George M. Peek, trustee, conveyed the property consisting of four acres, more or less, to Elizabeth Ruffin Henley.¹

Elizabeth Ruffin Henley held the property until December 27, 1917 when she conveyed to Robert H. Jackson thus:

All that certain lot piece or parcel of land, situate in the City of Williamsburg, State of Virginia, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, more particularly bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the south side of Francis Street, fronting ninety-four (94) feet, more or less, on said Francis Street, and running back between parallel lines a distance of one hundred and fifty-two (152) feet, more or less, to an alley; bounded on the north by the said Francis Street; on the east by the land of Viola H. Ware; on the south by said alley; and on the west by the land of Stella A. King. The same being the unsold portion of the "Coke Lot," fronting on said Francis Street, together with a full uninterrupted perpetual right of way, by, through and over the alley bounding said property on the south.²

On March 7, 1928 Robert H. Jackson, unmarried, conveyed to W. A. R. Goodwin, the property so described above, also all of the antique rugs and furniture of antique design, now located in the dwelling, but expressly reserved the right to Mrs. K. J. Moore, Mrs. Lelia D. Dufey and Mr. Z. G. Durfey to have exclusive possession and right to occupy the above described property during their joint lives and during the life of the survivor of them. Mr. Jackson covenanted that so long as the property was possessed by the aforesaid parties, or either of them, that he would pay the insurance on the real estate and personal property, the taxes on the aforesaid property, and that he would maintain and keep in repair the said property.³

Following the acquisition by Williamsburg Restoration Inc., 15 the house was restored. For further details of ownership, see: Chain to Title, Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.

In 1928 Mr. John S. Charles, an old citizen of Williamsburg, described the city as he remembered it during the Civil War period. His description of "the square" owned by John Coke is given thus:

The square bounded by Francis, England, Queen and Ireland streets was owned by Mr. John Coke. On the northwest corner of this square, there was built in 1860 a law office of Octavius Coke.¹ This house was removed to Fort Magruder during the War to provide shelter for officers of the northern army, while its owner was serving without shelter in the southern army. There was only one dwelling in this square, and that is the one now there, and known as the Coke House, now owned by Mr. Jackson and is in better condition than ever was.²

Another citizen of Williamsburg recalling the city in 1861 had the following to say about the Allen-Byrd House as it is now known:

East of the Bright house, in the next block, there was only one building. This was a large, square, brick house owned by the Cokes. At that time it had a small box porch in front. Tremendous gardens surrounded the house. I recall especially the beautiful crape myrtles and pomgranate bushes. This estate was one of the largest in Williamsburg, but from time to time the property has been sold off in small lots.³

Illustration #1

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?

Illustration #2

1865---Eliza Coke, widow of John Coke
1876---Mary E. Motley, daughter of Coke
1880---E. M. Lee via Mary E. Motley

Illustration #3

Policy No. 107, Mutual Assurance Society,
April 18, 1796 "I the underwritten John Bracken residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire…
My Buildings on the Market Square at Williamsburg now occupied by myself bounded by & situated between Francis Street England and Ireland Streets in the county of James City…
The Dwellinghouse marked A at 1500 Dollars"

Policy No. 707, Mutual Assurance Society, Revaluation of Building insured per declaration No. 107.
June 1, 1806 "I the underwritten Samuel Tyler residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City…declare for assurance my one Building on the South side of Francis Street in the city of W^msburg now occupied by myself and situated between the Lott of Col: Wilson M. Cary West and the Lott of Elizabeth Carter East in the county of James City
The Dwelling House marked A at $7000"

Policy No. 1527, Mutual Assurance Society, Revaluation of a Building formerly declared for Assurance by Samuel Tyler per declaration No. 707.
June 9, 1815-- "We the underwritten Elizabeth B Tyler and George Loyall representing the estate and the heirs of Samuel Tyler dec^d residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City…declare…our building on the Court house Square & Francis Street now occupied by Elizabeth B Tyler situated between Streets on every quarter in the county of James City
The Dwelling marked A at $2500"

Mutual Assurance Policy #5043 revaluation of building declared by Samuel Tyler as per declaration #1527
1823, March 28th "That the said building is at present owned by the heirs of said Samuel Tyler residing at Williamsburg & elsewhere and is occupied by Elizabeth Tyler that it is situated on the Court house square north and streets otherwise…
The Dwelling…marked A at $2800"

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #7608, revaluation of building formerly declared by Samuel Tyler per declaration #5043
1830, May 21st. …Charles L. Wingfield residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare…My buildings on the Court House square in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the Court house-square on the north and streets in every other direction in the county of James City
The Dwelling…marked A at $2600

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #10998 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Charles L. Wingfield per declaration #7608.
1839, May 3, "I the underwritten John Coke residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance...my building on my own land now occupied by myself situated between streets on the East, West, North and South in the City of Williamsburg in the county of James City…

The Dwelling	marked A at $4000.
	$4000"

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #14402 revaluation of building declared for assurance by John Coke and Christopher J. D. Pryor as per declaration #10998
1846, October 3, "We, the underwritten Robert Anderson Special Agent, and John M. Maupin and Goodrich Durfey Appraisers, do hereby certify that we have viewed and revalued the Building heretofore declared for Assurance... by John Coke and Christopher J. D. Pryor as per Declaration for Assurance #10998 That the said Building is at present owned by Christopher J. D. Pryor residing at Alabama and is occupied by Turner Christian That it is situated on a Square of lots, fronting on Court house Square, and streets otherwise in the County of James City…

The Dwelling	marked A at $3000
	$3000"

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #17627 revaluation of building formerly declared by Christopher J. D. Pryor per declaration #14402.
No date [November 1853] "I the underwritten John Coke residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance…my Building on Frances Street now occupied by myself situated between Streets on all four sides in the county of James City…

The Dwelling	marked A at $3500
	$3500"

I desire to increase the insurance of my dwelling to full four fifths of its value.

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #21321 revaluation of building formerly declared by John Coke per declaration #17627
1860, [no month or day] "I the underwritten John Coke residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance…My Building on Frances Street now occupied by Myself situated between said Frances Street on the North and Cross Streets on the East & West in the Said City of Williamsburg in the county of James City…

The Dwelling	marked A at $3000
	$3000"

Illustration #4

"Murdock & Co. vs. Wm. Byrd's Extx, 1797
Acc^t Estate of Col^o Wm. Byrd
with
Mary Byrd Executrix
Made Sept. 29th, 1790

…

Agreably to an Order of the Court of Charles City County we the subscribers have stated and examined the account of the Executrix of the Honorable William Byrd decd, and find a balance on the Executrix of four thousand six hundred and sixty four pounds seven shillings & four pence half penny, after correcting the errors in the former Account returned to Court, which Account is taken in full, in this. GIVEN under our hands this 29^th day of September 179.

W^m Royall
Stith Hareyman
Samuel Demovill
(A Copy)

N.B.
a copy Teste Otway Byrd cc

[Endorsed]

Murdock & C^o } Capias
vs.
Byrd's Executrix

On a Bond for Money
A Ronald pg

Service acknowledged
fee & 25 miles $3.25
L. G. Adams D. AT.

I acknowledge the service
M. Byrd"
Charles City

[Will of Mary Willing Byrd
a copy for Jn^o Page esq.

daus:
Maria Rosmander Page
Evelyn Taylor Byrd Harrison
Ann [Nelson]

sons:
John Page [in law] of Frederick Co.
Thomas Taylor Byrd
Charles Willing Byrd (West Union, Ohio)
William P. Byrd [Gloucester Co.]
Richard Willing Byrd (of Smithfield)]

Dated:
1813, Dec. __,
Rec: Charles City Co.,
1814 April 21,
Rich W. Byrd, one of exors,
others:
John Page
Wm. Page
Benj Harrison of Berkeley

Illustration #5

Illustration #6

THE LIGHTFOOT HOUSE

^{house history - orig.}

Architectural evidence indicates that this house was built about 1730 as a two-and-a-half-story double tenement and altered to its present form during the 1750s. Such substantial changes at mid-century were probably made to convert the building from a rental property to a townhouse. The owners, the distinguished Lightfoot family, stayed here while in Williamsburg for business and pleasure.

Early in the eighteenth century Colonel Philip Lightfoot, a wealthy merchant and planter from Yorktown, owned the main dwelling, its outbuildings, and all eight lots of this block (bounded by Francis Street to the north, Ireland to the south, Queen to the east, and England Street to the west).

In 1783 Philip Lightfoot of Caroline County announced the property for sale. His advertisement describes the main building as "a large two story brick dwelling house with four rooms on a floor; its situation is esteemed one of the most pleasant in the City, lying on the back-street near to the market." The Reverend John Bracken, rector of Bruton Parish Church, bought the house and lots in 1786.

This fine residence, an excellent example of Flemish bond brickwork, is unusual in having a second floor as high as the first. The exterior boasts a robust string course in molded brick and a wrought iron balcony similar to the balcony at the Governor's Palace. The decorative fence along Francis Street shows Chinese influence; the fence to the east, separating the orchard from the service area, is a wattled fence of vines. The outbuildings were reconstructed on colonial foundations. The Lightfoot Kitchen and Laundry are guest houses operated by the Williamsburg Inn.

The mansion has been tastefully furnished with fine antiques and equipped with modern conveniences to serve as a guest house for distinguished visitors to Williamsburg. Since 1962 over fifty foreign heads of state and many United States dignitaries have stayed overnight at the Lightfoot House.

Formerly called the Allen-Byrd House, this property was renamed in 1975 as a result of continuing research.

<sup>Errors
1. Report on Block 3, Francis St p. 3
Byrd died Jan. 1 1777
2. notes from [faded] 1778 [faded]</sup>

In response to an inquiry by the Virginia Gazette, a CW spokesman said:

The Allen-Byrd House is being renamed the Lightfoot House as a result of continuing research analysis.

As the Allen-Byrd House, it has served as the official VIP residence for Colonial Williamsburg since June 1962, with nearly 50 foreign government leaders staying overnight en route to Washington for official state visits. As the Lightfoot House, it will continue to be used for that purpose whenever appropriate.

Research is a lengthy and never-ending process, and Colonial Williamsburg's efforts to be as authentic as possible have led in recent years to some other changes. These include other house names, altered building designs, moved fences and buildings, modified gardens and other changes as research provided new information.

The house dates from the 1730s and has survived as one of Williamsburg's most impressive townhouses. The Allen-Byrd name was selected in 1932 on the basis of available evidence that pointed to 18th-century ownership first by Col. William Allen, a wealthy Surry County planter, and later by William Byrd III of Westover.

Subsequent research on the house gave rise to a suspicion that the 1932 name might be incorrect. Court records of James City County and the City of Williamsburg -- which could have shed light on the subject -- unfortunately were destroyed during the Civil War.

A re-evaluation of the City of Williamsburg's tax records, York County records and the Virginia Gazette pointed to a more probable conclusion that the house owned by Messrs. Allen and Byrd was and is now located on Francis Street near the College of William and Mary. It is known today as the Griffin House.

Information now available reveals that the property, formerly known as the Allen-Byrd House, was advertised for sale by Philip Lightfoot III in 1783 and sold by his brother, William Lightfoot, who inherited the house, to the Rev. John Bracken in 1786. Architectural evidence indicates that the house was originally a 2-1/2 story double tenement constructed about 1730 and renovated during the 1750s to its present form. This is considered a change substantial enough to suggest its use by the Lightfoots as a townhouse rather than as a property to be rented.

The consolidated evidence leads, therefore, to the conclusion that this property was in Lightfoot ownership from the time of its original construction until its sale to Bracken.

In addition to the name change of the two-story brick house from Allen-Byrd to Lightfoot, the dependencies and adjacent guest house on the corner of Francis and South England Streets will assume the same new designation. To avoid confusion the Lightfoot property on the Duke of Gloucester Street will be re-titled the William Lightfoot House and Kitchen.

Philip Lightfoot I, grandfather of Philip III and William Lightfoot, was born in 1680, the son of a surveyor-general of Virginia and grandson of a barrister at law in Northamptonshire, England. His father had been living in Gloucester County, Virginia, and also owned three tracts of land at Sandy Point in what is now Charles City County.

Colonel Philip Lightfoot I became a wealthy merchant in York County and owned plantations in York, Charles City, Surry, Goochland, Brunswick, New Kent and Hanover Counties. He was clerk of York County from 1707-33, when he was appointed a member of the Governor's Council, a position he held until his death in 1748.

A British traveler in 1736 gave an inkling of Lightfoot's wealth when he described the councilor's Yorktown house as "equal in Magnificence to many of our superb ones at St. James." No such descriptions are known to exist concerning his Williamsburg property, but the York County records show that in 1747 Lightfoot willed to his son John all of his "Lots and Houses in the City of Williamsburg" as well as "the Furniture in the House at Williamsburg."

The change in the name of the house from Allen-Byrd House to Lightfoot House will be made gradually as guidebooks, maps and other Colonial Williamsburg publications are reprinted.

Preliminary Report by Raymond Townsend
Block 3, Francis Street

Block 3, located on Francis street, south of the Market Square, has on it an eighteenth-century brick building. Architectural evidence dates the structure before 1747, with alterations to the front and interior sometime prior to 1770.

The assumption that this building and lots were the property of William Allen and subsequently of William Byrd is based on an advertisement of Allen's in the Virginia Gazette, March 29, 1770:

"SURREY, March 26, 1770.

To be SOLD at seven years credit, or longer if required,
A Square of 8 lots in the city of Williamsburg, with the following improvements, a new brick dwelling-house, with four rooms below and three above, a good kitchen, grainery, and stables, with every other house necessary for a family, also a well of good water. The lots are all inclosed, and the garden well paled in; the situation is near the College, and very pleasant. The premises may be seen by applying to Dr. James Carter, and may be entered upon the 1st of May next. The price will be made known by
WILLIAM ALLEN"

Three statements made in Allen's advertisement indicate that it is not the brick house situated on Block 3, but the brick house located on Block 5, indicated on Tyler's adaptation of the College Map as "Griffin."

First, it is "near the College." Which the "Griffin" house is and the house on Block 3 is opposite Market Square, some distance from the College. The Market Square was certainly one of the landmarks of Williamsburg.

Second, Allen advertises a "…new brick dwelling-house," clearly indicating a newly constructed house. As noted above, the brick dwelling on Block 3, was built prior to 1747. p. 2 Third, the advertisement states that the house has "…four rooms below and three above…" The house on Block 3 has four rooms below and four rooms above. It may be, that by 1777, when Mrs. Byrd, executrix of William Byrd, again advertised the house, another room may have been added, as the advertisement reads, "4 rooms on each floor…"

In order to clarify the house on Block 3, it is necessary to briefly study the lot history of Block 5, designated as the "Griffin House."

Nothing is known concerning these lots prior to the advertisement of William Allen, March 29, 1770, already quoted. William Byrd eventually purchased the house and lots.

Byrd was a member of the Council, and needed town residence for use during the sessions of the Assembly. He rented Washington's "Houses & Lotts in Williamsburg" from October 1762 to ca. 1769. William Allen, in his advertisement of 1770, stated he would give possession of the property to the new owner by May 1, 1771.

It is not known when Byrd bought the Allen property. There is evidence to believe he did purchase it in 1771. The will of John Blair, dated October 25, 1771, reads:

"…Item…I likewise give to my son James those two lots which I hold in the City of Williamsburg opposite to Col. Byrds, to him and his heirs forever."

John Blair owned Lot L, Block 14, which, although not exactly opposite the Griffin house, is but a short distance. Blair's two sons, John and James, executors of his estate, advertised November 12, 1771, "…we purpose…to sell…four Tenements near the Church…and another adjoining the lot of the late Mrs. Blaikley, on the South…" Mrs. Blaikley, occupied lot 350, Block 14, which is located due north of lot L. Blair, p. 3 in referring to Col. Byrd would not have meant the house on Block 3, nearly three blocks away.

William Byrd died on January 1, 1777. He left a will made in 1774 in which he mentions his "house in town." No mention was made to any other property in Williamsburg. Byrd had not paid William Allen in full for the property. Mrs. Byrd, his executrix, advertised the house and property for sale at the request of the will of Byrd. In a suit, "Murdock & co. vs William Byrd's executrix," an account dated July 10, 1778, on the debit side of the ledger is, "To ditto [cash] p^d W^m Allen for House in Williamsburg sold to pay a mortgage to Thompson…£1152.15.7." On July 15, 1778, "To ditto [cash] p^d Tho^s M^. Randolph balance due on House above mentioned…£629.18.9."

Mrs. Byrd sold the house and property to Samuel Griffin. A marriage agreement executed on December 10, 1778, between Samuel Griffin and Elizabeth Braxton, daughter of Carter Braxton, Griffin assigned "all those lots of land, and the house and other improvements [illegible] lying and being in the city of Williamsburg in the state of Virginia which the said Samuel Griffin purchased of Mary Byrd widow and executrix of the late Honorable William Byrd, esquire…" The Pennsylvania Evening Post of January 1, 1779, under the caption, "Williamsburg Dec. 11th [1778]" announced the marriage of Samuel Griffin to Betsey Braxton, daughter of Carter Braxton. The Williamsburg Land Tax list, gives Samuel Griffin or his estate through 1816.

When Mrs. Byrd advertised the house for sale in 1777, she mentioned, "now inhabited by the reverend mr. Bracken…" After the sale to Griffin it is doubtful that Bracken continued on as a renter but probably moved to the brick house on Block 3.

THE "ALLEN-BYRD" HOUSE

My conclusion is that this designation resulted from assumptions made in a 1932 research report by Helen Bullock that were insufficiently tested by Mary Stephenson in her house history (1948) and in her revision of the house history ten years later.

The assumptions stem from this advertisement in the Virginia Gazette that was dated March 26, 1770:

"SURREY, March 26, 1770

To be SOLD at seven years credit, or longer if required.
A Square of 8 lots in the city of Williamsburg, with the following improvements, a new brick dwelling-house, with four rooms below and three above, a good kitchen, grainery, and stables, with every other house necessary for a family, also a well of good water. The lots are all inclosed, and the garden well paled in; the situation is near the College, and very pleasant. The premises may be seen by applying to Dr. James Carter, and may be entered upon the 1st of May next. The price will be made known by WILLIAM ALLEN"^(*)

At the instance of the House Naming Committee in 1961 Mr. Buchanan and Miss Stephenson were directed to continue research on the property because of a strong suspicion that previous research had not included the possibility that the property referred to in the 1770 ad might be another house, namely, the one known as the Griffin House in Block 5.

In 1962 this additional research was included in a review of the situation written by Mary Stephenson. In this review, the suspicion was not only confirmed but the evidence then pointed very firmly to the conclusion that the house referred to in the original ad was in fact the Griffin House.

• 1) The "Allen-Byrd" House was probably built during the 1730s and altered sometime before 1770. It could in no way be called a new brick dwelling house in 1770.
• 2) The "Allen-Byrd" House had four rooms on each floor (and in fact originally had a third half-story and dormers). The Griffin House had four rooms below and three above.
• 3)The Griffin House is obviously nearer the College than the "Allen-Byrd"; it was not unusual in the eighteenth century for properties near the center of town to be described as near to the College or to the Capitol but Market Square, being the principal
  2 visual open space in town, frequently figured in the description of properties located adjacent to it. It would have been far more likely for the "Allen-Byrd" to have been located near Market Square than "near the College."

We know nothing about the Griffin property prior to the 1770 advertisement of William Allen. That advertisement stated that the property would be ready for occupancy by May 1. Hence there was ample time for Byrd to have purchased the property and for it to be known as his when John Blair made his will in October 1771 giving his son two lots "opposite to Colonel Byrd's." These two lots were in Block 14 diagonally opposite the Griffin House. Sometime in 1778 Samuel Griffin bought the Griffin House from the widow of William Byrd III. The Reverend John Bracken had been renting the property from Mrs. Byrd. (In her accounts, he paid her £46 rent in May 1784; in view of Bracken's reputation for delinquency, this could have been a late payment or he could have continued to rent another property from Mrs. Byrd before purchasing the "Allen-Byrd" from Lightfoot.)

In 1783 Philip Lightfoot advertised for sale "a large two-story brick dwelling house with four rooms on a floor … lying on the back street near to the market. …" The Reverend John Bracken bought this house in 1786. We have no way of knowing how long the property had been in the Lightfoot family (the loss of James City County records, in fact, impedes investigation into both the "Allen-Byrd" and Griffin properties).

We can assume from York County wills that Lightfoots were living in Williamsburg from very early in the eighteenth century.