Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

With further reference to the agenda item for the reconstruction of the above-noted building and Mr. Riley's memorandum to you of May 19, Mr. Frank and I offer the following comments.

It is certainly unfortunate that the historical research has not uncovered more definite information concerning this building. However, as at several other sites in Williamsburg, archaeological and architectural evidence has revealed information about buildings which existed in the 18th century, but which are not supported by documentary evidence. This is particularly true of the sites which were in James City County where records were lost during the Civil War.

In a number of instances of this kind we have deferred the reconstruction of buildings hoping that more evidence would be discovered as time goes on. However, in this instance, there are a number of reasons why it would be desirable to reconstruct this building now. 1.) It would tend to define the corner of an important 18th century axial street - i.e., South England Street. 2.) This building, located on the set-back line of the Bracken House and the Office and Laundry of the Tyler property would be a link in defining the limits and extent of the Market Square. 3.) This building and its landscaping would provide screening of the vast modern parking area and hotel development south of this site.

As to the evidence for the building, the foundations clearly indicated the size of the building and the fact that it had a chimney with diagonal fireplaces to serve two rooms at the south end of the building. No chimney at the north end of the building indicates a shop or office type of use, similar to that found at a number of other places in Williamsburg. The bricks and mortar joints are typical of those found in mid-eighteenth century buildings. The archaeological fragments indicate a building of this period also. The foundations of the north side of this building are on line with the established colonial set-back line of the buildings on the south side of Francis Street.

Superimposed on this foundation were the brick walls of a later building nearer Francis and South England Street lines. These later foundations did not conform to the colonial set-back line. Hence, it may be deduced that this building was the one which appears on the insurance policies plats of 1815 and later. This later building may have been the one which Mr. Charles referred to as having been moved to Fort Magruder during the Civil War. However, his expression, "...On the northwest corner of this 2 square there was built in 1860 a law office... This house was moved to Fort Magruder..." would leave some doubt as to the date of this later building foundation.

All of these facts were reviewed when preliminary sketches of this building were submitted for possible inclusion on the capital program of work, and at that time it was decided that the positive evidence of the foundations and the conventional form of them were sufficient for us to proceed with the development of plans for the reconstruction of this building.

The name of this building has not been established by the House Naming Committee. The term "Tenement" was used in a general sense because it may have been a necessary adjunct for the manage of such a large place of six lots, for use as an office or a residence, or a combination of both uses. Since it is fairly well separated from the other buildings, it might conceivably have been a rental unit for the above purposes or a shop. Rental properties were sometimes referred to as a "Tenement" in 18th century records of property in Williamsburg.

ALLEN-BYRD TENEMENT RECONSTRUCTION

DRAFT
Agenda
CWI

Working plans and specifications have now been completed for the reconstruction of the Allen-Byrd Tenement and related landscape features on the property at the corner of Francis and South England Streets just to the west of the Allen-Byrd House.

Archaeological research completed in 1958 revealed brick foundations near the northwest corner of the property for a modest story-and-a-half building 24' x 34½', with the long axis running parallel with England Street -- a common 18th century shop form or expression. The foundations also included evidence for a chimney on the south side with double fireplaces on the first floor and probably on the second floor also.

There is a dearth of records regarding this property, probably due to the fact that it is situated in what was the James City County part of Williamsburg and most of those records were destroyed in the Civil War period.

The earliest known historical record is the Virginia Gazette advertisement of 1770 in which Col. William Allen offered for sale "A Square of 8 lots with … a new brick dwelling house [the Allen-Byrd House] … with every other house necessary for a family…". The property was purchased by William Byrd III, and upon his death in 1777 was again offered for sale in an advertisement describing it in similar terms.

As neither of the advertisements mentions a structure which would conform with the foundations, and as the Frenchman's Map of c. 1782 does not show one in this location, it is believed that the building had disappeared prior to 1770 and almost certainly before 1782. However, 2 Col. Allen was not only a wealthy landowner and a Burgess for Surry County, 1758-1761, but his wife was from near Williamsburg. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that he bought the property prior to 1770, including the "Tenement," for his use and convenience while in Williamsburg.

That the structure dated from about the middle of the century is indicated by the foundations of architectural details popular at that time, such as the single chimney for double fireplaces on each floor, and by the gambrel (instead of "A") roof, structurally the most feasible type of roof for a building of this depth.

The size and location of the foundations so near the corner of the two streets and the location and type of chimney were major considerations in designing the exterior of the reconstruction of a large-sized shop for rent (18th century "Tenement"). The north facade will feature a simulated entrance which would have been the entrance to the shop or storeroom, but the actual entrance will face west on England Street as this will be more convenient for guest house use. This west door would have been the tenant's entrance to the counting room and quarters.

Because the building will be so convenient to the Allen-Byrd House, the Inn and the new conference facilities at the Lodge, the interior has been designed for hotel guest use because of its income potentialities. Each floor will have a complete luxury suite of a living room with open fireplace, a bedroom, bath and kitchenette. The bedrooms and living rooms will have individual controls for both heating and air conditioning.

The landscape plans include a small formal pleasure garden, brick walks, fences, a necessary house and a well, and are designed to relate to the landscape features of the Allen-Byrd House.

The Allen-Byrd Tenement occupied a very prominent position on the colonial scene. Its reconstruction will complete the restoration on the south side of Francis Street between South England and Colonial Streets, as well as the important vista looking south across Market Square.

Exterior elevations, floor plans and a perspective showing the relation of the property to other nearby structures will be available at the meeting.

The Officers recommend appropriation of $_____ for reconstruction of the Tenement, $_____ for landscaping and $______ for outbuildings so that work can begin this summer.