James Moir House Historical Report, Block 8 Building 29 Lot 3Originally entitled: "The Moir House, Block 8 - Capitol Square"

Mary A. Stephenson

1949

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1125
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library

Williamsburg, Virginia

1990

February 7, 1950
To: Mr. Middleton
From: M. E. Campioli
Re: John Carter House Block 8

I am attaching herewith copy of a memo written by Mr. Henderson of this department dated January 18, 1950, on the above referenced project, which I think you may want to add to your department files.

We are also attaching a print of a sketch made on the basis of Mr. Henderson's discussion with Mrs. Lee.

We are now progressing with the working drawings on this project and would be pleased to discuss this project with you if you so desire.

M.E.C.
[initialed]

Enclosure
January 18, 1950
To: Mr. Campioli
From: J. W. Henderson
Re: Carter House Block # 8

Yesterday, I talked with Mrs. E. M. Lee regarding the above house. Mrs. Lee said that she remembered it very well, although not in detail, as much of her youth was spent there. She described it as a long, very low building with two dormer windows. She said that the end was much the same as the house she now lives in (The Pitt-Dixon), that is, there was a lean-to on the back. She also remembered that it had three chimneys, two on the east and one on the west, and two windows on each side of the front door. She was not sure as to the number of dormers on the front. She remembered very well the little addition to the northwest and described it as a sort of family sitting room. It was heated by a stove.

She described the interior as having a narrow center hall from front to back with a back door and two rooms on each side. The front room on the right or east was the dining room and the one back of it was the kitchen. At the front on the other side (west) of the hall was the living room with a chamber back of it. She remembered that there vas a door connecting the living room and this chamber and thought there was a door from the hall to this room but was not sure. The stairs to the 2nd floor began toward the back of the hall and ran toward the front to the 2nd floor without a turn. The door from the hall to the kitchen was very close to the bottom of these stairs.

Mrs. Lee remembered very little of the interior detail except that it was rather simple. She described the mantels as high with very narrow shelves and thought that the living room mantel was panelled to the ceiling.

She said that there were a number of outbuildings but all were in very bad condition almost ready to fall down.

She believes that the main house gradually deteriorated to such a point that it was pulled down to make room for a shall modern residence.

I then showed her the picture from the Coleman collection and she said that it was a very good picture of the house as she knew it.

J.W.H.

RR112501 Figure 1
Carter House - Block 8

THE MOIR HOUSE
(Block 8 Capitol Square).

LOCATION:On Francis Street near the Capitol
HISTORY:Chronological account from 1745 to present - pp. 1-11
SUMMARY:pp. 11-13
APPENDIX: Illustration #1 - Maps
Illustration #2 - Accounts with Humphrey Harwood and others
Illustration #3 - Insurance policies
Illustration #4 - Williamsburg land tax records

MOIR HOUSE
(Block 8 Capitol Square)

LOCATION:

The house known as the "Moir House" was located on Francis Street, facing south. Early maps of Williamsburg indicate the name "Draper" on the lot to the east and the "Moir" lot is marked "Carey." (See Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, illustration #1 of the appendix.)

HISTORY:

Little information has been discovered relative to this property adjoining the Capitol Square until about the middle of the eighteenth century. It is probable that the "Caret'" lot may have been held for some years by one John Carter, an innkeeper. Between 1745 and 1800 there were several John Carters who were residents in Williamsburg: John Carter, the innkeeper; John Carter, the merchant; John Carter, the jailer; and John Carter, the sadler. In April 1745, John Carter, the innkeeper, advertised his place "near the Capitol in Williamsburg" as follows:

April 18, 1745.

The Subscriber, who lives near the Capitol in Williamsburg, having obtain 'd a License to retale Liquors, gives Notice to all Persons who are desirous of cheap Entertainment, that they may be supply'd with a good Pasture, consisting of a large Quantity of Harsh and Old-field, well fenced. Also good Lodging, either private or publick. He also has a good travelling Chair, with a Top to it in case of Rain, to hire…
John Carter.

(Virginia Gazette, Parks, ed.)
It seems probable that John Carter remained at his location "near the Capitol" for at least twenty-four years. In 1769, two notices in the Virginia Gazette (Rind, ed.) located a John Carter "next door to Mr. Ayscough's"1 and "in the 2 back street, Williamsburg," respectively:

May 2, 1769.

MR. B. GRYMES presents his compliments to his creditors, and requests that they meet him on Monday evening, the 8th instant, at John Carter's, next door to Mr. Ayscough's, on business of very great importance to them. He begs to be excused for not attending on Friday the 5th, as he could not spare the time from business.

November 30, 1769

THE creditors of Benjamin Grymes are desired to meet at John Carter's, in the back street, Williamsburg,, on Thursday the 14th of December, at six o'clock in the evening, to settle matters of importance relative to the estate made over to them, which renders their attendance very necessary…

It would appear that Carter rented his property to one Matthew Holt,1 merchant in Williamsburg, prior to April 1772:

April 23, 1772.

MATTHEW HOLT begs heave to acquaint the Publick, and his Friends in particular, that he has opened a Store, on the south Side of the Capitol, next Door to Mrs. Ayscough's, where both dry Goods and Test India Commodities may be had upon very reasonable Terms for Cash, or short Credit. He would be very much obliged to those who are indebted to him to pay off their Accounts, &c. this April Court, as Indulgence cannot be granted any longer. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)
Holt evidently did not continue in business "next Door to Mrs. Ayscough's" very long. On February 4, 1773, John Holt advertised for sale the "remains of Matthew Holt's store":
To be SOLD, on the 10th instant (February) THE remains of Matthew Holt's store, with credit till April next, by virtue of an assignment to me, together with his book deists &c.
JOHN HOLT.(Virginia Gazette, William Rind, ed.)

After Matthew Holt had left Williamsburg, John Carter rented the lot-for s short time to a tailor, John Logan: 3

December 13, 1776.

GOOD Encouragement will be given to two journeymen TAILORS, who understand their business, by applying to me at John Carter's, south side of the Capitol.
JOHN LOGAN(Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed.)
Here we see that John Carter is situated on "the south side of the Capitol."

At this point in the history of the lot, it may be well to mention several maps of the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. First, the Frenchman's Map (1782) indicates that there were two rectangular structures facing on Francis Street, with three smaller buildings in the rear. (See copy of Frenchman's Map in illustration #1.) A second map of Williamsburg, made by an unknown draftsman and now known as the "College Map" (1791?), shows the lot now called "Moir" was in possession of "Carey." To the east is a lot marked "Draper." (See illustration #1.) The third map of Williamsburg is designated the "Bucktrout Map" (1803). This map shows the lot now called "Moir" held by "Carter." Contiguous to this lot on the west is the "Bucktrout-Lacey" property, and on the east is the lot marked "Draper." The Carter lot extended lengthwise from Francis Street to the street or driveway entering the Capitol grounds from taller Street. (See copy of Bucktrout Map, Research Department.)

On February 14, 1777, James Moir,1 tailor, advertised that he was living "on the south side of the Capitol," and that his shop was located "above Cdr Robert Nicholson's."2 (Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed.) Several months later, June 6, 1777, James Moir advertised, noting "the south side of the Capitol" as his location:

GOOD encouragement will be given to a journeyman tailor 4 by the subscriber, living on the south side of the Capitol.
JAMES MOIR(Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed.)

Insurance policy #120 of James Moir's with the Mutual Assurance Society for the year 1796 indicates that Moir did own axed occupy the Carey (Carter) property. Such policy will be given later in the report and a copy is filed in illustration #3 of the appendix. It seems logical to give Moir's relationship to the property chronologically; hence the changes made by him to the property covering the years 1779-1792 will follow and the insurance policy will be inserted later.

In 1779, James Moir was debtor to Humphrey Harwood.. Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, for sundry repairs to his shop rooms and outhouses. Changes were made such as setting up a grate, lathing, "plastering your Shop" and "Whitewashing Shop Room." In 1782 through April 1784, Harwood made changes and repairs for James Moir such as lathing.. plastering, building chimney, underpinning smoke house, building well hole in smoke houses repairing well, whitewashing 2 rooms, 1 passages 2 closets, etc. From May 1784 through December 1785, similar repairs were made such as bricking up under the stove, working up jambs to chimney, whitewashing 4 rooms and a passage, laying hearth and repairing kitchen wall, pulling down chimney and cleaning bricks, building chimney, laying two hearths and "trimmer," etc. In 1786 work was done by Harwood on 4 rooms and a passage, and repairs were made to kitchen wall and oven.1 In 1787 and 1788, a dormer window was lathed and plastered, a pair of steps was built, repairs were made to chimney breast, and work was done on hearths and upstairs. In 1789 work was done to cellar cap wall, as well as mending, underpinning and cutting and working in window frame. In 1790, the fireplace in the house and kitchen was mended, and a room, passage, ceiling and closet were whitewashed. In 1792 and 1793, whitewashing, plastering, etc., was done. (Copies of Moir's accounts with Harwood found in illustration #2 of the appendix.) From the repairs made by Harwood for 5 Moir, one notes a four-room house with up-stairs, cellar, closets, outside chimneys and outbuildings - smoke house, kitchen and well house.

James Moir's name appears in the personal property tax list for Williamsburg in 1784 as owner of 3 slaves, 2 cattle and 2 horses. By 1803 Moir was taxed for "4 whites over 16 years of age, 7 slaves, and 1 horse." (Personal property lists, Research Department.)

In 1786, Moir described his property in a newspaper advertisement:

WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 5, 1786.

THE subscriber takes this public method of informing those gentlemen who have sons to send to the Grammar School in this city, under the direction of Mr. Maury, that he has furnished his house to accommodate eight or ten with the greatest degree of conveniency. It adjoins the Capitol square, which renders it still more convenient. He proposes to lodge, board, wash and mend for them, at a very low price.
JAMES MOIR.(The Richmond Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Jan. 7, 1786, Richmond: printed by Thomas Nicolson)

In 1796, in an insurance policy (#120) of the Mutual Assurance Society, Moir describes his property thus: "My wooden Buildings on Francis Street at Williamsburg now occupied by Mrs Saunders situated between the Lotts of Carey and that of Mrs Draper1 its the county of James City...dwelling house [valued] at $180." Diagram on policy shows a wooden dwelling house 32' x 20'. (See illustration #3 for copy of policy.)

The Williamsburg Land Tax Accounts begin in 1782. James Moir is charged with one lot valued at £2. In 1786, the valuation of the lot has increased to £11. In 1799, Moir's lot is valued at $26.67. In 1800, Moir's name does not appear on the tax list, but in 1801 he is charged with 2 lots. (At this date James Moir had bought two lots on Duke of Gloucester Streets numbered 41 and 42. )

From subsequent land tax records, it seems certain that Wilson Miles Cary was the next opener of the lot under consideration.2 In 1801 Gary is charged 6 with "1 ¾ lots" valued at $40. (Williamsburg Land Tax Records, illustration #4.) In 1811, Edmund Briggs is charged with 1 ¾ lots valued at $80., "via Cary." As the College Map (1791?) designates the name "Carey" on the lot and the names "Bucktrout-Carey" on the lot to the west (Ayscough) it seems reasonable to believe that Moir sold his lot to Carey (Cary) and the ¾ portion of lot to the west came into Carey's possession also.1

In 1816, the property was assessed in the name of Robert McCandlish.2 It was valued at $80 in the land tax accounts, per tax rate of $2.40, with' explanatory remarks, "Via William Lee and wife. House and Lots in Williamsburg which said Lee purchased of Edmund Briggs." (Illustration #4.)

In 1817, McCandlish's lot is valued at $100, per yearly tax rate of $3, with the notation that "This lot charged formerly with $2.40 tax."

In an insurance policy of October 22, 1817, Robert McCandlish declared that he resided at Williamsburg in the county of James City and he described his property thus: "my buildings on my own lots now occupied by itself and situated between Lees lot on the East, Bucktrouts lot West, a street on the South and the Capitol square North...The Dwelling marked A [valued] at $1200 The Kitchen marked B [valued] at $150," making a total of $1350 insurance. The dwelling is described as "of wood & covered with wood one story high 40 x 30," and the kitchen "of wood & covered with mood one story high 18 x 12." (See illustration #3 for copy of policy.)

Another insurance policy (#5030) of McCandlish is noted in 1823 by the Mutual Assurance Society. McCandlish describes his property as "my buildings on my own lots now occupied by myself and situated between the, Lot of 7 Bucktrouts representative west., and streets otherwise in the county of James City & York." Total amount of $2450 insurance was distributed as follows: dwelling marked A...$2000; kitchen marked B...$100; laundry marked C...$150; stable marked D...$200. The dwelling is noted as being "of wood and covered with wood 90 x 20/28," and the kitchen, laundry and stable are of "wood entire." The diagram of buildings insured; included in the above policy, shows that the dwelling house (90 x 20/28) has a passage-way, about 20 x 10, which joins the two wings, approximately 30 x 30 each. (See illustration #3.) In 1820, the acquisition of the house to the east "via Whitaker Lee" made it possible for McCandlish to join the buildings by a covered way or passage.1 See sketch below: sketch

In 1820 a different system of evaluating property was adopted. Hence there is a noticeable difference in the appraisement of McCandlish's lots in 1816 and in 1820.

8

In the Robert McCandlish Ms. Papers, William and Mary College, are several accounts in 1833, 1534 and 1$35, showing that McCandlish paid both Richard M. Bucktrout, carpenter, and James Guthry, carpenter, for building and repair work to his property in Williamsburg. Tot all of the many items can be attributed to work done on a dwelling-houses but some of the items seem to indicate that such work was for McCandlish's dwelling in the city. In the Bucktrout accounts, of especial interest are items such as butting on brass hinges, rending wardrobe, making clothes racks with pins, hanging double gates, putting in panes of glassy furnishing "locus" posts for arbors in garden and frames for culvert. In the Guthry accounts there are charges for store repairs, and building and repairing a house or houses of some kind. The total bill for the latter amounted to $164.71. It included such items as sills, planks window casings, posts, porch, shingling, moldings, sixpanel door, window seat, shutters, cellar doors, chair boards flooring; and repairs such as mending sills in dormers, "cheaking dormers," and patching weather boarding. (Full accounts copied in illustration #2 of the appendix.)1

In another policy (no number) for 1836, McCandlish describes his property thus: "in the county of James City... any buildings on Frances Street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself and situated between Sanders' lot on the west and streets is every direction..." Insurance was distributed as follows: the dwelling marked "A" at $1400; the covered way marked "B" at $100; the office marked "C" at $900; the kitchen marked "D" at $200; and the laundry marked "E" at $175. The house faced on Francis Street and the diagram of buildings insured, included in the policy notes "A" as being dwelling of wood 9 and covered with wood one story 30 x 30 with shed; "B" as being covered way 20 a 8 joining A and C; and "C" as being an office of wood entire, one story 30 a 20. (See illustration #3 for copy of policy.)

Robert McCandlish died in 1859. In his will, made November 1855 with codicil October 1857, he stated that "My dill is that my estate shall remain and be held together for ten years from the time of my death... At the expiration of the period of ten years from my death... I desire my Executors to proceed in the distribution and settlement. of my estate." Children named were: Elizabeth Jones, wife of John J. Jones; Rebecca Overton, wife of William M. Overton; Thomas P. and Archibald C., sons. His wife, Rebecca McCandlish, was named as Administrator. (Williamsburg and James City Court Records, Will Book I, 42-43.)

In 1873 there was a sale of the personal property of Mrs. Rebecca McCandlish by Thomas P. McCandlish, executor. (Ibid., 539.)

In speaking of the McCandlish property as it appeared in the period 1861-65, Mr. John S. Charles made the following comments:

The McCandlish home consisted of several buildings; the one on the west was a two story frame house with one story annex on the western end, which had dormer windows. This two story house teas connected with another two story house to the eastward by a colonnade about ten feet high and thirty feet long, with windows on both sides, and a door opening on the street. The main entrance was in the western two story part, the door opening on the street, and nearly on a level with it, and no porch. These premises were just as described when the Par began and for some years afterwards. ("Recollections of Williamsburg 1861-65," Research dept.)

From Mr. Charles's description one can see that the joining of the two houses to form one dwelling corresponds with the description in the insurance policies of 1823 and 1836.

Eliza Baker, an old negro citizen of Williamsburg, when asked about certain lots in the city as she recalled them during her early woman- 10 said about the McCandlish property that "Mr. McCandlish had an Ice House1 on the knoll (opposite Bassett Hall.)." (Memoirs of Eliza Baker, Research Department.)

By 1885 settlement of McCandlish's estate - after long chancery suit proceedings - was made. On July 7, 1885, "W. T. Robins, Spl. Comr. in the chancery suit of McCandlish vs McCandlish and Barlow vs McCandlish, then pending in the Circuit Court of Gloucester, Virginia, conveyed to Thomas B. Mahone, a certain piece of real estate the property of the late R. M. McCandlish in Williamsburg..." The deed recites the decree of May 19, 1882, in which the commissioners were given the right "to sell the real estate of the late Robert M. McCandlish...decree of November 20, 1882 confirming said sale." (Williamsburg and James City Court Records, Deeds No. 2, 199.)

In the period from 1885 until 1928, when it came into the possession of Williamsburg Restoration, the property changed hands several times. Complete title and descriptions can be found in the chain of tile, Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.

In a photograph book in the Architectural Department are pictures made of this area after archaeological diggings had been made in 1931. Photographs #N6356-59, #6416, and #N6425 of foundations uncovered seem to dovetail, largely, with evidence from source material in this research report, indicating that the Moir dwelling house and outbuildings - dairy, smoke house, kitchen, "cooling house" (ice house?) - occupied the middle section of lots in this area. Photograph #N6816 shows an old house (standing in 1931) "on the 3rd colonial foundation from Waller Street facing on Francis Street" and designated by the architects as "McCandlish or Carter House." Photographs #N5445-48

11

show interiors of this house. This must have been a sing of the dwellinghouse of Robert McCandlish in the nineteenth century and the colonial dwellinghouse of dames Moir.

In 1933 Robert M. Hughes, a former William and Mary student, when speaking on the subject, "Sixty Years Ago," makes note of the property as it was in 1872. The McCandlish house was owned by Thomas P. McCandlish., a professor at the College at this period:


The department of Latin and French was in charge of Professor Thomas P. McCandlish... He was in declining health, and often had his classes to come down to his house, where they were cordially received. It was nearly opposite the residence called the Peyton Randolph house1 until recently. The McCandlish house has long since disappeared. He died at the end of my second session; that is, the summer of 1872.

(William and Mary Quarterly (2) XIII, 196.)

IN SUMMARY:

The earliest owner or occupant of the "Moir" lot (located on Francis Street facing south and "near the Capitol") appears to have been John Carter in 1745 who offered liquors for sale and provided "cheap Entertainment" for those desirous; also "good Pasture ...well fenced." Carter remained, most probably, on this location for at least twenty-four years. IM-1769 Carter was "next door to Mr. Ayscough's" and "in the back street, Williamsburg." It is known that Carter rented to Matthew Holt, ca. 1773, who was followed by John Logan, tailor, in 1776. The Frenchman's Map (1782) indicates that there were on this lot two rectangular structures facing on Francis Street, with three smaller buildings in the rear. On the College Map (1791?) the lot (now known as "Moir") is marked "Carey." The Bucktrout Map (1803) notes the name "Carter" on the lot. In 1777 dames Moir, tailor, was living "on the south side of 12 the Capitol...above Mr Robert Nicholson's." In 1796 an insurance policy of Moir's shows that Moir owned the "Carey" lot. He described the property as "My wooden Buildings on Francis Street at Williamsburg now occupied by Mrs Saunders situated between the Lotts of Carey and that of Mrs Drapers plot to the east is marked "Draper"] in the county of James City..." Land tax records for the city from 1782-1800 list Moir as owner of only one lot, ranging in value from £2 to $26.67. Humphrey Harwood,, carpenter and brick mason of Williamsburg, in 1779 and in the years 1782 through 1793 made the usual repairs such as whitewashing, lathing, plastering, underpinning, etc., for Moir. From the itemized accounts, one can see a four-room house with up-stairs, cellar, closets, outside chimneys, and outbuildings as smoke house, kitchen, cell house, etc. In the early 1800's the property passed out of the hands of the Moir family and was possessed by Wilson Miles Cary who sold it to Edmund Briggs in 1811. In 1816 the property was assessed in the name of Robert McCandlish and valued in the tax records at $80, with the explanatory remarks, "Via William Lee and wife. House and Lots is Williamsburg which said Lee purchased of Edmund Briggs." Several insurance policies of McCandlish for 1817, 1823, and 1836 describe the houses and lots in detail, indicating changes made from year to year. Of special note are the drawings in the policies of 1823 and 1836 Which show two buildings joined by a covered way or passage. The McCandlish family held the property until 1885. Mr. Charles described the McCandlish property as he recalled it during the 1861-65 period. His description corresponded largely with that of the insurance policies of 1823 and 1836 which showed two houses joined by a passage way. The difference noted was that Mr. Charles recalled the two wings as tyro story houses, while the insurance policy of 1836 noted the wings as being one story. It is possible that such changes were made in the period intervening. From 1885 to 1928 the lot changed hands several times. In 1928, though the house had long since disappeared, 13 the property came into the ownership of Williamsburg Restoration. Further history can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg, and in the archaeological findings of the Architectural Department.

Mary Stephenson
Research Department
(Report prepared by Mary A. Stephenson, Research Assistant)

March, 1949

Footnotes

^1 Christopher Ayscough in 1768 advertised that he had "opened Tavern fronting the south side of the Capitol, Williamsburg." (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Oct. 6, 1768.) See house history of the Ayscough Shop for detailed history.
^1 Holt was a merchant in Williamsburg in July 1770. His name appeared among those of the merchant's association. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.) In May 1771, Holt's shop was mentioned as being "near the college. (Ibid., Rind, ed.)
^1 James Moir in 1773 advertised at Cobham, Surry County, for a journeyman tailor. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon., eds., Oct. 28, 1773.)
^2 Robert Nicholson held lot #27 on York Road, just five lots below the Moir lot. (See map in illustration #1.)
^1 In January 1787 Harwood credited Moir with some old bricks: "By Old Bricks in the Play House ...£6.0.0" (Ledger B, p. 88, accounts of James Moir.) The old playhouse had been across the street from the Blue Bell Tavern on Waller Street, facing west
^1 Mrs. Draper, it is assumed, was the widow of John Draper, owner of the lot to the east since 1780. (See house history of the Draper lot, Research Dept.)
^2 Cary came into possession of lots 192-6, 200-204 (present Court House site) in 1793 and held the block until 1817. (See house history of James City Court House Site.) Cary lived on this property in Williamsburg after he left his seat. "Ceeleys" near Hampton.
^1 Land tax records for 1791 show that Benjamin Bucktrout was charged with ¼ lot in the city, valued at £6. It is possible that this ¼ lot was a part of the ¾ lot above mentioned. (See house history of Ayscough Shop, Research Dept.)
^2 McCandlish was judge of the high Court of Chancery in Williamsburg. He lived in the city many years. McCandlish was on the Board of Visitors at William and Mary College.
^1 Williamsburg land tax records show that McCandlish owned three lots - all contiguous: 1 lot acquired in 1816 via William Lee; 1 lot acquired in 1820 via Whitaker Lee; and 1 lot acquired in 1820 via Draper's estate. The lots are taxed as follows:
1816 - Robert McCandlish - 1 lot in fee - value $80 - Via William Lee and wife. House and Lots in Williamsburg which said Lee purchased of Edmund Briggs. [In 1820 value of lot $600 - sum added to lot on account of bldgs. $525.]
1820 - Robert McCandlish - 1 lot - value of lot $1000 - sum added to lot on account of bldgs. $925 - via Whitaker Lee
1820 - Robert McCandlish - 1 lot - value of lot $200 - sum added to lot on account of bldgs. $100 via George Irvine this property gas charged heretofore to John Draper's estate. (See illustration #4.)
^1 In the Southall Papers, folder 193, William and Mary Archives, are accounts of Robert McCandlish with Richard T. Booker, carpenter, for the years 1826-28. Repairs to a house included such items cellar frames, shutters, fence rails, and putting up a fence between McCandlish's property and Judge Brown's lot. This work was done on other property of McCandlish's in the city (probably on east Nicholson Street).
^1 In a photograph book of excavations made in 1931 by the Architectural Department of this area, remains of what appeared to have been an ice house were uncovered. According to fragments of china and iron found in the filly its use was discontinued about the middle of the nineteenth century.
^1 The Semple house was erroneously called the "Peyton Randolph House."

Illustration #1
Moir Lot

RR112503 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE WILIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMSBURG THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER

RR112504 From Frenchman's Map 1782?

p. 1

Illustration #2

Mr James Moir Dr
1779 th
May 27To Whitewashing 2 Rooms & Necesary House a 30/£ 4.10.0
Novr 20To 26 Bush lime a 15/. 170 bricks [illegible] Seting up A Grate & layg a harth31.3.0
To 1 Do [bushel] of hair 20/. 230 larthes 42/ 300[?] Nails 60/. & 3 days labr at [?][?]
To Larthing & plastering your Shop £18"0"018.0.0
Decemr 9To whitewashing Shop Room 60/3.0.0
Received the above Feby 22d 1780£ 68.[?].0
(Harwood Ledger, B, f. 1)
Mr JAMES MOIR Dr
1782 th
Novemr 14To 10 Bushs of lime a 1/6 & hair 1/6. & 20 larthes 9d£ ".17.3
To 60 Nails 2/6 & Repairing larthing & plastering 20/1.2.6
1783th
March 5To labours Work 6/. (for up Stares)-.6.-
TO 14 bushels of Lime a 1/61.1.-
To 1 bushel of Whitewash 3/. & 70 Bricks a 5/-.6.6
To building up the Brest of Chimney 15/-.15.-
To Whitewashing 2 Rooms 1 passage & 2 Closets a 5/61.7.6
To 12 Days Labour a 3/. & hair l/. & mending plasterg 5/-.10.6
To mending underpining to Smoke House 2/6-.2.6
29To 2 bushs of Lime 3/. & I Day labour 1/6-.4.6
To Building well Hole in Smoke House 3/. & Repair, Well 1/6-.4.6
........
........
1782
[insertion mark for date being out of order]
Decemr 31To 15 bushels of lime a 1/6 1.2.6.
To Repairing Larthing & Plastering Down Stairs and Larthing & plastering 2 Closets & 8 Days labour 66/ 3.5.-
To ½ bush of hair 1/3 & 3 Days labour a 4/13.3
1784 th
April 9To 6 bushs of Lime 6/. & Repairing plastering 5/. & 1 1/2 days labr at 2/6-.14.9
To setting up a Grate 7/6 & whitewashing 1 Room & a passage a 4/6-.16.6
To ½ Bushell Whitewash 1/1"
May 28To 1 ½ bushs of Lime 1/6 & repairing 2/6-.4.-
Octor 22To 2 ½ bushs of Corn 10/-.10.-
To 40 bricks ¼ & 1 bushl of lime 1/-.2.4
To bricking up under the Stove 2/6-.2.6
1785 th
May 9To 3 bushels of lime a 1/. & repairing plastering & working up Jambs to Chimney 3/-.6.-
To whitewashing 4 Rooms & a passage a 4/61.2.6
To 1 ½ bushel of whitewash a 2/. & 30 bricks 1/-.4.-
th
Augt 9To 6 bushels of lime 6/. & 200 bricks 6/.-.12.-
To 1 ½ days labr a 2/6 & contracting Chimney 7/6-.11.3
To laying at Harth 3/. & repairing Kitchen Wall 3/.-.6.-
p. 2
[1785]
December 3To 300 lb of oats a 7/61.2.6
To 80 bushels of lime a 1/ & 1900 bricks a 3/6.17.-
To 9 days labour a 2/61.2.6
To pulling dorm Chimney & cleaning Bricks 22/61.2.6
To carting 6 loads of sand a 2/6-.15.-
18To 1400 Bricks a 3/. & 5 days labour a 2/62.14.6
20To 550 do a 3/. & 4 days labour a 2/61.6.6
To building Chimney £5.0.0, & layg 2 Harths & trimmer 9/5.9.-
22To 6 bushels of lime 6/. & hair 9d & 75 larthes 1/-.7.9
To 70 bricks 2/. & repairg larthg & plasterg 12/. & labr work 4/.-.18.-
1786 th
January 14To 12 bushels of Lime Repairing Kitching wall, & Oven 22/2.8.-
To 3 days labour a 2/6-.7.6
February 15To 4 bushels of lime 4/. 100 bricks 3/ & Seting up A Grate 7/6-.14.-
To 1 Days labour 2/6. (16th) to 20 bushels of Oates a 2/62.12.6
st
June 1To 4 ½ bushels of lime a 1/. & hair /6d-.5.-
To repairing Larthing & plastering 10/.-.10.-
14To 3/4 of a Bushel of Whitewash 1/6-.1.6
To White-washing 4 Rooms & a passage a 4/61.2.6
Octor 20To last lent 41/42.1.4
1787 th
May 19To 3 ½ bushels of lime 3/6 & 100 Laths 1/3-.4.9
To ½ days labour 1/3 & lathing & plastering a Dormant Window 4/6. & Hair /3d-.6.-
June 6To 2 ½ bushels of lime 2/6 - & 166 Bricks 4/10-.7.4
To labours Work 1/6 & building pair of Steps 5/.-.6.6
15To 2 ½ bushels of Wheat at 6/.-.15.-
1788
February 4To 3 barrels of Corn a 15/2.5.-
16To 2 ½ bus of lime 2/6 hair 4d & Repairing plastering 2/6-.5.4
March 20To 2 bushels of Oats 6/.-.6.-
April 12To 12 do lime 1/6. hair 4d & Repairing plastering 2/6 & Wht washg 1 Room & pass & [illegible] Jamb-.4.4
August 5To 1 bushel of Wheat 5/-.5.-
7To 8 bushels of lime 8/. & 500 bricks 15/.1.3.-
To 2 days labour a 2/6 & building up Jambs to Chimney & repairing the breast of do 10/.-.15.-
To laying an Hearth 3/. & pointing up Stairs 2/.-.5.-
12To 2 ½ bushels of Wheat a 5/.-.12.6
Octor 7To 2 ½ do of Corn 7/6-.7.6
13To 12 bricks 3d & ½ bushel of mortar 6d-.-.9
To mending Back 1/. & whitewashing Ceiling 2/6-.3.6
20To 8 lb of Beef a 2d 1/2-.1.8
Decr 10To 4 bottles of Claret a 2/6 pr Bottle-.10.-
To 4 barrels of Corn a 10/.2.-.-
1789
Jany 14To 2 bushels of lime 2/. & 106 Bricks 3/ & setting up a Grate 5/-.10.-
Harwood Ledger B, 46, 64, 88) p. 3
Mr James Moir Dr
1789 nd
May 2To 1 barrel of corn 12/. (lent)£ -.12.-
July 22To 12 bushels of lime a 9d & 420 Bricks 12/1.1.-
To working up cellar cap Wall - mending & underpining and cutting and working in window frame 12/-.12.-
Sept 17To 2 bush. of Wheat a 4/6 by S. Hatton-.9.-
To an order on me in favr of Matt: Pearson-.16.9
£ 3.10.9
Decr 30To cash to ballance7.6.-
To a deduction of his acct-.16.3
£ 11.13.-
(Harwood Ledger C, 11)
Mr James Moir Dr
1790 th
March 26To 2 bushels of oats a 2/3 (lent)£ -.4.6
April 8To mending the fire place in the House & Kitchn back-.3.6
28To ½ bushel of whitewash 9d-.-.9
To whitewashing a Room & passage 7/6-.7.6
July 11To do a Ceiling & Closet 3/. & whitewash 4 1/2 d-.3.4 ½
1791
January 6To Hire of waggon 10/-.10.-
26To 10 barrels of Corn5.-.-
June 18To quarter of Shoat 2/-.2.-
July 27To quarter of mutton 3/6-.3.6
Octor 10To 6 bush: lime a 9d & setting up a grate & mending plaistering 7/6-.12.-
Decr 6To 300 bundles of Fodder a 2/6-.7.6
1792
Jan: 10To 200 bundles of fodder a 2/6-.5.-
Febry 21To 10 barrels of Corn a 10./5.-.-
March 3To cash won at Cards at Mr Travis'-.14.6
July 16To 8 bush of lime a 9d - Hair 7 ½ d - & mending plaistering &c 8/-.14.-
To 5 pecks of whitewash 1/7. & whitewashing 3 Rooms 1 Closset & passage 11/.-.12.7
To scantling in May.-.3.2
th
Decr 7...£ 10.9.0 ½
15To 450 lb of Fodder at 5/.1.2.6
1793 th
Jany 4To 7 Barrells Corn a 15/.5.5.-
th
Novemr 25To 8 Barrells Corn a 15/.6.-.-

March 17th 1797. This day I have settled the above Accot with Mr Moir and recd full satisfaction for the above Acct
H

Vide H. Harwoods acct Led; D Folio 9th

(Harwood Ledger C, 35, 66. 74) p. 4
Mr James Moir Dr
1792 st
Augt 1To 1/3 won at Lambsquinnet [lansquenet] at Hughes-.1.3
To setting up Grate 5/ & 4 Bushs Lime a 9d-.8.-
To setting up Stoave 3/ & 2 Bushls Lime a 9d-.4.6
st
Octor 1To Plastering Grate 1/. & 15/. Fee via Whiteaker-.16.-
1793 th
Jany 25To 2/. won at at Mr Davis's at Whisk-.2.-
To 1/. won at Lambsquinnet [lansquenet] at do-.1.-
To 9d advanced for Porter-.-.9
1793 d
April 3To 1/2 days Hire of Jerry a 9/ & ½ Bushl Lime at 9d-.2.4 ½
th
July 9To Whitewg 1 Room & Passage a 3/9-.7.6
To Closet 1/6 & 1/2 Bushl Whitewash a 2/.-.2.6
To do in 2 Rooms a 3/9-.7.6
To ½ Bushl Whitewash a 2/-.1.-
To 5 Bushls Lime a 9d & Plaistering-.6.9
d
Decr 23To 2 days Hire of Jerry a 4/. & 5 ½ Busls Lime a 9d-.12.1 ½

By Settlement
March 17, 1797 I have this day
settled the above Accot in full
H

(Harwood Ledger D, p. 9) p. 5
Colo. Ro. McCandlish Dr
To Jno A Deneufville Jr
1832
DecrTo Building corn house complete$15.00
[To] putty up Body Rafters &c of corn house10.00
1834
JulyMaking Refrigerator20.00
1835
JuneMaking Wardrobe$35.00
$80.00
(Robert McCandlish Papers William and Mary College)
Colo Robert McCandlish to
[pasted in scrapbook:] Richard M. Bucktrout Dr
1833 th
January 14...
April 3to furnishing & putting on 1 Brass hinge & mending 2 other on wardrobe.50
to opening closet door taking off lock & fixing same.25
July 12to 2 cloath racks with pins at 37 ½ ct each.75
August 23to 308 ft of white pine at Mrs Bowers at 2 ½ cts p ft$7.70
to 28 ft scantling at 2 ½ cts.70
to 5 lbs of miles at 8 ct.40
to putting up 3½ pannells of planking at 37½ at$1.31-¼
to making a sect of double gates at $1.50 ct each$3.00
to hanging same - 50 cts put post in the middle hooks & staples$1.00
Septr 21to cutting & putting in 26 new pains glass & 3 old ones at 6-¼ ct $1.00.81-¼
Octr 16to taking off & putting in a lock in storeroom.25
th
25to putting on a lock at Mrs Bowers.25
th
Decr 12to taking off the rockers to Cribb & firming same.25
...
(Robert McCandlish Papers, Group 2, William and Mary College)
Mr Robert McCandlish to James Guthry Dr
1834 thcts
August 4to furnishing 576 feet of fetherage plant at 2 cts p foot$11-52
to 32 feet of clear bode at 3 cts per foot96
to 40 feet of plank for casings at 2 cts per foot80
to prating under 58 feet of till at 122 cts p. foot7-25
to casing door75
to puting in 4 window tills at 75 cts each an timber3.00
to 2 corner hods 25
to casing one window on the out side and head peace37
to 3 square and 20 feet of wether boding at 7$ p. sqr.3-20
to splicing post and sleeper25
to puting up post and slats round porch5-00
to casing porch plate36
p. 6
[1834]
to 67 feet of Cornish at 4 cts per foot2.68
to 100 feet of plank at 2 cts per foot2-00
to 20 feet of 1-¼ plank at 3 per foot-60
to mending floor2-50
to 52 feet of wash and clear bode1-6
to puting on hanging stiles-50
to splicing window Jambs-12 ½
to 5 sills in dormants and timber at 75 cts each24-00
to hanging all door18-00
to 24 squar of shingling at 1$ pr squar-50
to 188 feet of valy and hip at 10 cts per foot1-25
to mending checking of dormants on north side3-00
to puting moldings on 5 windows at 25 cts each-25
to making one-six panel door3-00
to fiting and hanging the same-25
to checking three dormants at 75 cts each2-25
to puting in door sill and peace under it-75
to patching wether boding1-50
to 54 lits of sash at 10 cts per lite5-40
to glasing 84 lits of sash at 4 cts per lite3-36
to patching checking on frount of house-12
to taking of ruff of closet and puting on one new rafter1-50
to 200 feet of plank at 2 cts per foot4-00
to 20 feet of barge bode at 2 cts per foot-40
to 30 lb of shingling hales at six pence2-50
to one knew window seat-25
to peacing three others-25
to 3600 shingles hot of R T Booker at 4$ and 50 cts per thousand16-30
$132-72
$ cts
to 80 feet of inch plank for shutters and cellar doors at 2 cts per foot1-60
to 8 feet of scantling for cellar windows at 2 cts p foot-16
to making one panel door2-50
to making, 2 cellar doors at 1$ a peace2-00
to fiting and hanging the same75
to making 3 pare of batern shuters at 75 cts each2-25
to fiting and hanging the same75
to puting in 6 heeds strips25
to 94 feet of sill at 8 cts per foot7-56
to 130 feet of large scantling at 3 cts p foot3.91
to 32 feet of small scantling at 2 cts p foot64
to 220 feet of plank for porch at 2 cts 2 p foot5-50
to 1 squar and 50 feet of framing sleepers at 75 cts pr square1-12 ½
to 1 squar and 50 feet of floring at 2p squar3-00
31.99 ½
132.72
$164.71

Recd payment from
R McCandlish
this 10th Jany 1835.
James Guthry

Note
Robert M Martin

(Robert McCandlish Papers, William and Mary College) p. 7
Mr Robert Macandlish
to James Guthrey
1835 th$ cts
[torn] 12[torn] 112 feet of planks for celar doors
" for gutter at 2 cts ¼ p foot2.52
[fi]nishing 21 feet of scantling for celar frame at 3 cts foot.63
[torn] celar frame1.50
[?]ing the same1.00
[torn] two batern doors at 1$ a peace2.00
[torn] and hanging the same.50
[torn] 2 lb of rought nales.37 ½
to furnishing 3 lb of cut nales.25
to making guter 42 feet long at 121 cts p foot5.25
to making 7 feet of spout at 122 Cts p foot.87
to furnishing paste and pasting guter50
to making celar window frame and timber1.00
to mending colar beem12 ½
to taking down chimney peace and puting it up25
$16-79 cts

4th Jany 1836.
Recd payt of the above in full
James [X] Guthrie

(Robert McCandlish Papers, Williams and Mary College)
Robert McCandlish to James Guthry Dr
1835 th
August 12[store repairs of all kinds]$45.91
18
(Robert McCandlish Papers, William and Mary College) p. 8
Colo Robert McCandlish to
Richard M. Bucktrout Dr
1835 th
January 17to putting a knew rail in Carriage window sash of black walnut & glued the walnut on1.00
th
April 11to 8 locus post for Arbours in garden at 25 ct2.00
to hewing 8 post squar A 12 1/2 ct each1.00
to 48 ft of plank for slats & arch at 2 1/2 cts a ft1.20
to 1 lb of nailes for Do8
th
July 9to framing & put up arch2.00
to frames for Culvert & furnishing timber at 75 cts each 1.50
th
Octr 31to furnishing & putting in 1 pair glass in china press.20
to 21 ft of scantling to go over Arbour at 3 cts a ft.63
th
Novr 4to furnishing & putting in 4 pains glass at home at 12 ½ cts.50
5to furnishing & putting in a pair of glass at Mrs Bowers.12 ½
6to furnishing 8 screws at 1 ct each.8
to putting on 4 brass bords to window curtains for.50
$10.81 ½

9th Novr 1836
Recd payt in full
Richard M. Bucktrout

(Robert McCandlish Papers, William and Mary College)

Illustration #3 Moir Lot

Mutual Assurance Society-Insurance Society Policy #120-1796, April 20th

I the underwritten James Moir residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance ... My wooden Buildings on Frances Street at Williamsburg now occupied by Mrs Saunders situated between the Lotts of Carey and that of ors Drapers in the county of James City...

The Dwelling House marked...A at...$180

Insurance Plat

Mutual Assurance Society Policy No.--
1817, October 22nd.

I the underwritten Robert McCandlish residing at Williamsburg in the county of dames City do hereby declare for assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society... my buildings on mar own lots now occupied by myself and situated between Lees lot on the East, Bucktrouts lot Vest, a street on the South and the Capitol ware North in the County of James City and York...

The Dwelling marked A at$1200
The Kitchen marked B at150
$1350

Insurance Plat

1823, April 28

Mutual Assurance Society Insurance Policy #5030 Revaluation of buildings, formerly declared for Assurance by Robert McCandlish per Declaration No.--

I the underwritten Robert McCandlish residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society... my buildings on my own lotsnow occupied by myself and situated between the Lot of bucktrouts representatives west, and streets otherwise in the county of James City & York...

The Dwelling marked A at 2000
The Kitchen marked B at 100
The Laundry marked C at150
The Stable marked D at200
$2450

Insurance Plat

Mutual Assurance Society Policy No. ---
1836, March 9th

I the underwritten Robert McCandlish residing in Williamsburg in the county of dames City do hereby declare for assurance in the Mutual Assurance society... my buildings on Frances Street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself and situated between Saunders' lot on the west and streets W every other direction in tyre County of James City and York...

The Dwelling marked A at 1400
The Covered waymarked B at100
The Officemarked C at900
The Kitchen marked D at 200
The Laundrymarked E at175
$2775

Insurance Plat

Illustration #4
WILLIAMSBURG LAND TAX RECORDS

1782James Moir1 lot£ 2 value
1784James Moir1 lot£ 3 value
1785James Moir1 lot£ 2 value
1786James Moir1 lot£ 11 value
1787James Moir1 lot£ 11 value
1789James Moir1 lot£ 8 value
1790James Moir1 lot£ 8 value
1791James Moir1 lot£ 8 value
1792James Moir1 lot£ 8 value
1798James Moir1 lot$26.67 value
1799James Moir1 lot$26.67 value
1800Wilson M Cary¾ lot$26.67 value
1801Wilson M Cary1-¾ lot$40 value
1802Wilson M Cary1 lot$20 value
¾ lot$40 value
1806Bathw yates1-¾ lot$50 valuevia Carey
1807Bathw Yates1-¾ lot$80 value
1809Wilson M Cary1-¾ lot$80via Yates
1811Edmund Briggs1-¾ lot$80 valuevia Cary & Ed Briggs via Coke 1-¼
1813S Edmund Briggs1-¾ lot$80 value
1814Edmund S Briggs1-¾ lot$100 value
1815Edmund S Briggs1-¾ lot$100 value
1816Robert McCandlish1 lot$80 valuetax $2.40 Via William Lee and wife. House and Lots in Williamsburg which said Lee purchased of Edmund Briggs.
--Whitaker Lee1 lot$70 valueVia Edmund S Briggs, and one House and Lot in the city of Williamsburg and bounded by the lots of William Lee, by Armistead Lots, and by the street.
1817Robert McCandlish1 lot$100 valuetax $3 This lot charged formerly with $2.40 tax.
--Whitaker Lee1 lot$70 value
1820Robert McCandlish1 lot in fee$1000value of lot via whitaker Lee
$925sum added on account of buildings
1 lot in fee$600value of lot
$525sum added on account of buildings
1 lot in fee$200value of lot
$100sum added on account of buildings Via Alexander D. Irvine for himself & also in part for his brother George Irvine this property was charged heretofore to John Draper's estate.
1838Ro: McCandlish1 lot in fee$1000value of lot including buildings
Wmsbg$925value of buildings
1 lot in fee$600value of lot including buildings
$525value of buildings

[Note: Under "Assessment of the Lots in Williamsburg that lie in the County of James City" is the following note: "...neither can there be found any evidence that the Lots were ever numbered in the city."

[continued]

[Williamsburg Land Tax Records - cont.]
1839Rob: McCandlish Wmsb1 lot in feeJas City $1000value of lot including buildings
$925value of buildings
1 lot in feeTaken in City $600value of lot including buildings
$525value in buildings
1 lot in fee$100value of lot
1861Robert McCandlish5 lots in Williamsburg
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RECORDS, WILLIAMSBURG
1815Edmund-Briggs1 white, 7 slaves, 1 horse, 2 cattle, 1 chair, 2 Venetian blinds &c
Whitaker Lee1 white, 5 slaves, 6 Mahogany chairs, 1 chest drawers,
1816Robert McCandlish1 white, 16 slaves, 1 stud horse, 4 horses
1829Ro: McCandlish1 white, 13 slaves, 3 horses, 1 gig & harness $80
1831Ro. McCandlish3 whites, 11 slaves, 3 horses, gig & harness $50
1835Ro. McCandlish1 white, 10 slaves, 2 horses, gig $125, 4-wheel carriage & harness $500
1850.Ro. McCandlish 2 whites, 8 slaves, 5 horses, 4-wheel carriage $200, 2-wheel carriage $30
1853Ro. McCandlish 1 white, g slaves, 3 horses, 2 cattle, household furniture appraised at $1000, 2 carriages
1858Thos. P. McCandlish1 white, 1 horse, 1 cattle
Rebecca McCandlish1 white, 3 slaves, 1 horse, 1 carriage
1860[Robert McCandlish not listed]
Thos. P. McCandlish1 white, 1 horse, 1 cattle
Rebecca McCandlish1 white, 3 slaves, 1 horse, 1 cattle
1861Thos. P. McCandlish1 white, 1 horse, 1 cattle
Rebecca McCandlish1 white, 3 slaves, 1 horse, 1 cattle

November 30, 1950


To: The Administrative Officers
From: The Committee on Names of Houses
Re: Establishment of Names for New Buildings

At our meeting on Friday, November 24, 1950, we unanimously approved the names "Carter-Moir House" and "Moir Shop" for the house and shop to be reconstructed on the south side of Capitol Square between the Ayscough and Draper Houses, and recommend approval by the Administrative Officers.

B. W. Norton
A. E. Kendrew
S. P. Moorehead
A. P. Middleton

ACTION:
Approved
Disapproved

Date: Dec. 19, 1950

B. W. Norton