Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Lots 26 and 27, located near the eastern end of Duke of Gloucester Street, and bounded by Duke of Gloucester Street on the north anal Francis Street on the south, were deeded by the trustees appointed to develop the City of Williamsburg to William Robertson,¹ one of the trustees of the city,² in 1707:

January 22, 1707^/08

Feoffees
to
Robertson, William, of James City County

Consideration: 30 shillings of good & lawful money of England.

Two certain lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 26 and 27 with all woods thereon growing or being together with all profitts To be had & hold of our Sovereign Lady the Queen in ffree & common soccage yielding & paying the Quitrents.

Shall build within 24 months one or more good dwelling houses according to Act of Assembly 1705.

(York Count Records, Deeds, Bonds, II, p. 268.)

It will be noted that the deed refers to "woods." Apparently there were no houses yet on the lots. According to the act of 1705 directing the building of the City of Williamsburg, the owner of a lot must build a house of given dimensions within twenty-four months or the property would revert to the trustees.

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Robertson began at an early date to subdivide his two lots by sale or by lease. A year after he was granted the lots, he sold the northwest corner to John Marot¹ who was already established at lot 25: (York County Records, II, Deeds, Bonds, 262).

May 24, 1708.

Robertson, William
to
Marott, John

Consideration: 5 Pounds current Money

One certain piece of land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg, on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, containing forty foot square, being part of that lot of ground in the said city described in the plat thereof by the figures 26, and bounded on the North by the said street on the West by the lot of ground belonging to the said Marott and on the South and Fast by the said William Robertson his Lotts

And also that he the said William Robertson his heirs [etc]...shall & will at any time hereafter during the space of three Yeares next Ensueing the date hereof at the Reasonable Costs & Charges in the Lair of the Said John Marott make such further Conveyance & Assurances for the better assuring of the said granted premisses...

At a Court held for York Go. July 24, 1708.

(York County Records, II, Deeds, Bonds, 295)

The language of the deed indicates that this plot of ground transferred to John Marot had no house upon it. There is no evidence in the available sources of the use made by Marot of the land added to lot 25 from Robertson's lot.

Robertson sold part of lot 27 in the second subdivision of his property. In 1718, he sold the portion of lot 27 that joined Duke of Gloucester Street and 3 the Capitol Square. This time, the part of the lots that he sold had houses on them:

November 10, 1718.

Robertson, William
to
Brown, John

Consideration: 50 Pounds current money

All that parcel of ground lying and being the City of Williamsburg, (being part of the said Robertsons lots whereon he now lives,) Beginning at that corner of hot 27, which joins on Duke of Gloucester Street and the Capitol Square and running thence South 1/4 of a degree East 12 poles thence West 1/4 South 2 poles 6 links to a stake standing about 4 foot from the corner of the said Robertsons milk house thence North 12 degrees 5 minutes West 8 poles to the third post of the garden pales a little above the upper corner of the Barbers shop Thence West's 1/4 South 3 poles 22 links thence North a 1/4 West along Sullivants¹ pales to his corner post on the Main Street 4 poles and thence along the street to the place where it began.

With all houses.

(York County Records, Deeds & Bonds, III, 267) [See Illustration 1, for architect's plat]

This deed is the first indication that Robertson's dwelling house stood on these lots. It also shows the types of other buildings that stood on the lots. The deed establishes the location of the milk house, and the approximate place on the lots of the barber shop. No evidence of where Robertson's dwelling house stood appears in this deed. It is clear from the. deed transferring the house and lots that Robertson dwelt on the lots, and that his garden was enclosed.

Five years after this second subdivision of his lots, Robertson sold his dwelling house to John Grymes.

December 12, 1723.

Robertson, William - Gent
to
Grymes, John - Esq.
of Middlesex

Consideration: 200 Pounds Lawful money of Great Britain

All that dwelling house with the outhouses thereunto belonging 4 wherein the said William Robertson lately dwelt together with the Garden Yard & appurtenances, being part of two lots of ground denoted in the plan of said city by the figures 26 and 27, bounded on the South by the Street called Francis Street, on the East by the Capitol Square, and part of the said lots formerly sold to Dr. John Brown on ye North by other part of lots sold to said Brown and to John Marot, decd, and on the West by the lots late of said John Marot and now in the tenure and occupation of Anne Sullivan together with all buildings Yards Orchards; proffits,...

(York County Records, III, Deeds, Bonds, 411)

An important fact found in this deed is the mention of Francis Street as the first boundary. In Robertson's earlier subdivisions of lots 26 and 27, the deeds mentioned the Duke of Gloucester Street first as a boundary. As the Duke of Gloucester Street had been mentioned first as the boundary in the earlier transfers, the location of this property on Francis Street seems important.

At this point there is a gap in the records of nine years during which time no information has been found about these lots originally owned by William Robertson.

The lots of John Grymes appeared in a deed of 1732 as the southern and western boundaries of property bounded by the Duke of Gloucester and Capitol Square:

July 1, 1732.

Willis, Henry, County of Spotislyvania Gent
Mildred, his wife
formerly wife of John Brown
Holloway, John of Williamsburg, surviving Executor of the last.
Will of John Brown, of said City, deceased- to
Kerr, Alexander

Consideration: 100 pounds (Current)
(Money)

All that messuage Garden & outhouses or dwelling house with the garden or piece of ground thereto belonging lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, bounded on the North side by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by the Capitol Square, on South by part of the lots of John Grymes, Esqr and on the West by the Lotts of the said John Grymes and that Piece of Ground lately sold by the sd executors to John Stott, watchmaker of said city.

(York County Records, Deeds, BK, 4, 150, 151)

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Although Grymes¹ was in possession of a dwelling house and lots 26 and 27 in 1723 and again in 1732, the records do not show clearly that he lived there when he was in Williamsburg. The position of John Grymes in the colonial government would have kept him in Williamsburg a part of every year. Grymes was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1718. (Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1712-14, 1715, 1718, 1720-22, 1723-26, p. 175). He was appointed Receiver-General of the Colony. (Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, 1721-1739, IV, 10-11) Grymes's commission as Councillor was dated Feb. 4, 1725/6, and he was sworn in on May 3, 1726. (Ibid, 99)

In September, 1736, John Grymes, William Byrd and John Robinson were appointed by Governor Gooch as commissioners to lay out boundaries of the Northern Neck which lay between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. (The Proceedings of the Commissioners Appointed to Lay out the Bounds of the Northern Neck ...Anno 1736, bound with William Byrd, History of the Dividing Line and Other Tracts, II, 83-139 (Richmond, 1866), 87). In this commission Grymes was referred to as "John Grymes of Brandon in the County of Middlesex." In the expense accounts for the survey of the Northern Neck boundary a "Honorable John Grymes" was referred to in one bill as "Col. Grymes". In many of the records Grymes bore the title, "Colonel". In a letter of July 5, 1735 Governor Gooch wrote to his brother: "The bearer thereof is eldest son of Col. Grymes Rr General of this Colony and my particular friend. He comes to Trinity Hall [England] ...to study Law..." (Letters of Governor William Gooch, 1727-1751, Typed copies in the Research Department) .

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A house in Williamsburg was designated as "Col. Grymes"¹ house by a tailor in his advertisement of 1738:

George Charleton, Taylor, lately arriv'd from London, now lives in Williamsburg, at the next House to Col. Grymes's (late Mr. Clayton's) by whom Gentlemen may have Cloaths made, after the newest and most fashionable Manner... (Virginia Gazette, Parks, Sept. 1, 1738)

During the period, 1739-1741, William Byrd was a frequent visitor to Colonel Grymes's in Williamsburg. Byrd's diary shows that Mrs. Byrd and daughters often stayed at Colonel Grymes's while Byrd lodged elsewhere. However the record of the visits as set down by Byrd are so vague that it is impossible to know whether Colonel Grymes owned his house or rented:

[1739] Dec. 12. "...After dinner we went to Mr. Kemp's funeral and from thence walked with Colonel Grymes to visit Mr. Needler who was sick..." (The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover 1739-1741, p. 18)

[1740] April 15. "...I waited on the Governor and about 10 went to court and sat till 3 and then dined with the Governor and ate boiled turkey. After dinner I went to Colonel Grymes's and from thence home..." (Ibid., p. 57)

Oct. 27. "...After dinner walked to Colonel Grymes's where I found my wife. just come to town..." (Ibid., p. 106)

Oct. 28. "My son [...] about 10 o'clock at Colonel Grymes's to see my wife and then went to Council..." (Ibid., p. 106)

Oct. 31. "....I visited my wife at Colonel Grymes's and then went to court, sat till 3, and then dined with Mr. Attorney..." (Ibid., p. 107)

Nov. 3. " About 10 I went to Colonel Grymes's and from thence to court then dined with Wetherburn..." (Ibid., p. 108)

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[1741] April 17. "...I prayed and had tea with my daughters at Mr. Grymes's, then [about] 10 walked to several places and then to the capitol..." (Ibid., p. 150)

April 20. "...After dinner we sat till the evening when I walked to Colonel Grymes's, stayed there till 9, then went home and prayed." (Ibid., p. 151)

April 24. "...I prayed and breakfasted with my daughters at Colonel Grymes's...About 10 went to the capitol...dined with Wetherburn and ate roast veal; then we walked to the College..." (Ibid., p. 152)

April 27. "...called at Colonel Grymes's and about 9 walked home..." (Ibid., p. 153)

May 2. "...I prayed and had tea at Colonel Grymes's ..." (Ibid., p. 155)

William Beverly writing from Blanfield, December, 1742, to John Grymes, at Williamsburg, referred to the time "when I had the honour to dine with you at W'msburg..." (Virginia Historical Magazine, XVII, 268)

In 1745 John Grymes was one of the gentlemen subscribers for the play house proposed for Williamsburg at this time. (York County Records, V, Deeds, 154-155).

John Grymes provided in his will presented to the County of Middlesex in October, 1748, that his estate was to be divided among members of his family. In this document Grymes referred to himself as "I John Grymes of Brandon in the County of Middlesex." There is no mention in the will of any property owned by him in Williamsburg. It is worthy of note that he mentioned lands which he purchased in Gloucester County from Colonel Henry Willis. (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, XXVII, 406-410)

Though there is a blank between 1732 to 1749 in the history of "Francis Street" (lots 26 and 27) property, a deed to the Stott¹ lot on Duke of Gloucester 8 Street in May, 1749, shows that William and Thomas Nelson¹ had earlier come into possession of the Grymes part of the lots.

Continuity of ownership of the southern parts of lots 26 and 27 on Francis Street by William and Thomas Nelson, Jr. is found in deeds to an adjoining lot on Duke of Gloucester Street. Three deeds to John Stott's lot on the Duke of Gloucester Street in 1749, 1750, and 1759, give the Nelson lots as a boundary of Stott's property. These deeds transferred 3968 square feet on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street to Lewis Burwell in 1749, then to Nathaniel Walthoe in 1750, and finally to John Palmer in 1759. In the third deed, 1759, Palmer's boundaries were described as the "said street Duke of Gloucester] and the lands of William and Thomas Nelson, Esq., the said John Palmer² and James Shields,³ decd, which said land was conveyed unto said Walthoe by Lewis Burwell of County James City, Gent., 21 January 1750." (York County Records, V, Deeds, 288-290, 413-415; VI, 187-188)

An Act of the Assembly, November, 1769, for ascertaining part of the boundary between the counties of James City and York locates the Nelson lots on the northern side of Francis Street. The act, in drawing up a clearer division between 9 the counties as it runs through Williamsburg is defined in this way;

" ...Be it enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That from and after passing this act the said line shall be established and continued from the main road down the middle of the main street to the eastern end of the market place, thence into the lane which divides the store-house of James Anderson, merchant, from the lots of the orphan of William Lightfoot, esq. deceased, as far as the middle of those lots, and all the other lots on the north side of Francis street, till it passes through the middle of the lots of the honourable William and Thomas Nelson; thence across the capitol square, in a straight line, through the middle of the lots of John Prentis, gentleman, and Catherine Davenport, till it falls into the street leading to the main York road."(Hening's Statutes, VIII, 405, 406)

Whether William and Thomas Nelson ever lived on lots 26 and 27 at time is a question to which there is no answer in the records. However, there is strong evidence which will be given to show that Thomas Nelson, Jr. (General and Governor) once resided somewhere in the city of Williamsburg; that a Mrs. Nelson (perhaps his mother) made her home in this city at some time (perhaps, periodically); and that the family were intimately associated with the citizens of Williamsburg after the Revolution.

William Nelson, President of the Council, father of Governor Thomas Nelson, lived in Yorktown where he carried on a large mercantile business.¹ (John Norton & Sons Merchants of London and Virginia, edited by Frances Norton Mason, 34-35, 38-40, 298-299) When ordering goods from English merchants, Nelson often headed his letters "Virginia" or "York." Through a letter written on February 27, 1765, to Mr. John Norton, the merchant, William Nelson reveals the fact that one of his sons lived nearby him:

"My Son hath been a House Keeper aft 3 Months, but my Wife hath kept on this side the street the two eldest Boys for Company...Bob Nat & Carter go to school ...& my youngest Boy Billy I must 10 send somewhere this summer to school." (Letter Book of William Nelson, 76-77, Photostat in National Park Service Museum)

Another letter from William Nelson to Mr. James Martin on July 2, 1772, shows that his eldest son, Thomas Nelson, Jr.,(afterwards General Nelson) had five boys at this date:

"My eldest Son is the Father of five promising Boys and a favorite little Girl ...my Son Hugh, who married the eldest Daughter of Mr John Page of North River hath one Daughter. They live with me at Present. My three younger Boys, Bob, Nat, & William, are at College, where the Opportunities of Improvement are very good. I am now in my sixtieth Year..." (Letter Book of William Nelson, 245, Photostat in National Park Service Museum)

In the latter part of the year 1772, .William Nelson died in Yorktown. His will signed on October 6, 1772, and admitted to probate on the 21st of December, 1772, made certain bequests to his wife and children and devised to his son, Thomas, the "Rest and residue" of his estate:

"All the Rest and residue of my Estate of what Nature or Quality soever, whether Real or personal in Virginia or elsewhere, I give, devise and bequeath to my son Thomas Nelson, to him, his Heirs and assigns for ever. I appoint my dear Brother the Hon: Thomas Nelson Esquire my dear Friend Robert Carter Nicholas Esq^r and my two sons Thomas and Hugh executors of this my Will and Guardians of my younger children during their Minority."(York County Records, Wills and Inventories, XXII, 132-136)

The part of William Nelson's estate left to his son, Thomas, is defined in such general terms in the will that it is impossible to be certain that it is through this will that Thomas Nelson came into possession of lots 26 and 27 in Williamsburg.

In 1772, a Mrs. Nelson of Yorktown received a letter from Robert Carter of Nomini Hall asking her to take possession of his house in Williamsburg. He called her "Cousin Nelson" and told her that "Very lately some Workmen were in that House who were making repairs, there, in the Chamber & the passage above Stairs." He added: "Mr. Jacob Bruce, of Williamsburg, does business for me, who will deliver 11 the Keys of my House..." (October 25, 1775, Mss. Letter Book, III, 1775-1780, p. 40, in Chauvenet Collection. Copy in Department of Research in Carter Papers.) On December 21, 1775, Carter in a letter to Robert Prentis, merchant in Williamsburg, made this inquiry: "Some time ago M^rs. Nelson of Yorktown applied to me for the use of my house in your town -- Is she living in it or who is the present inhabitant." (Mss. Letter Book, III of Robert Carter of Nominy Hall, 52, Copy in Carter Papers, Research Department) No record has been found to shorn that Mrs. Nelson occupied the Carter house.

Ten years after William Nelson's death the tax records show that General Thomas Nelson owned a lot in Williamsburg. In this year a deed to John Palmer's [Parmer?] property on the Duke of Gloucester Street gave Thomas Nelson's lots as a southern boundary:

August 16, 1782

Page, William - merchant
Elizabeth, his wife
Williamsburg.
to
Rey, Jean Lewis
Croix, Peter Dela, merchant.

Consideration: 760 Pounds A peice

"All that lot or parcel of land situate lying and being on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street in the City of Williamsburg, bounded on the North by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the West by the Lotts of William Goodson, decd, on the South by the Lots of the Hon. Thomas Nelson, esquire and on the East by the Capitol Square, it being the same Lott or parcel of Land that belonged to John Panner [Parmer. See prior deeds], deceased, and at his death descended to his children Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary Barradell and by the said children sold and conveyed to the aforesaid William Page."

(York County Records, Deeds, VI, 128-129)

Though it is not known where General Nelson lived in Williamsburg, the records for 1783 give this information: (1) General Nelson had three slaves baptized in Bruton Parish in 1783. (Goodwin., W. A. R., Historical Sketch of 12 Bruton Church, 156) (2) Under the Revenue Act of 1783 General Nelson is listed as owning six slaves in Williamsburg. (William and Mary Quarterly, Series 1, XXIII, 138) (3) Nelson was proprietor of lots in Williamsburg. (Ibid., XI, 115) (4) The same year General Nelson paid bills for repairs to Humphrey Harwood, carpenter. These bills were charged for "your Mother the Old Lady." Numerous other repairs were charged by him for work on the "nurcery," "dary," smoke house, closets, stairs, fireplace, kitchen and "landary" throughout a period of four years. (Harwood's Ledger B, 51, 65, Illustration #3 of Appendix) It is impossible with the information available to know on what house the repairs were made.

On September 1, 1783, John Blair., as one of the trustees of Williamsburg, deeded t8 Thomas Nelson, Jr. a lot on the south side of the Capitol Square. This lot had as its western boundary the lot of said Thomas Nelson, Jr. From the wording of this deed it is certain that General Nelson owned property adjoining. This lot bordering on the Capitol Square was sold with a building clause. (Mss. in Research Department)

A study of the Frenchman's Map (1781, 1782 or 1786) shows one large rectangular house and a small house on lot 26 facing Francis Street, and four small houses on lot 27. The large house is situated back from the street near the center of the lot.

A letter of William Lees from "Green Spring," January, 1784, to General Nelson gives the information that the former came to Williamsburg to see Nelson and visited Nelson at what he called "your House."

"...I wish much to have some serious conversation with you both on public & private concerns, which was the principal motive for my dreadfully cold ride to Wmsburg yesterday, when I learnt that you were not in Town, therefore did not call at your House. This I must now postpone till my return..." (Lee Letter Book, No. 5, 59; copy of card in Research Department)

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There has been only one record found which proves that General Nelson was in Williamsburg in 1781 as a boarder. At that time he was in charge of the state militia. In 1784 it was ordered that Jane Vobe, tavern keeper, "was to receive payment of a liquidated claim against the public, amounting to £91:5s:9d. being the balance of General Nelson's expenses incurred by him whilst he boarded at the petitioner's house in the city of Williamsburg during his command of the militia of this state, in the year 1781..." (Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1781-1786, 59) While Governor and Commander of Virginia forces, General Nelson maintained headquarters in Williamsburg from September 11, 1781, to September 27, 1781. (Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia, III, 38-73)

In April, 1785, a Mrs. Nelson was living at William Royle's house in Williamsburg. (Virginia Gazette and Independent Chronicle, April 9, 1785) This house had four, lots attached - 266, 267, 268 and 270 - on Nicholson Street. Joseph Royle, father of William Royle, had bought these lots from William and Elizabeth Nelson on March 25, 1763. There was a close connection between Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson and Molly Davenport, sister-in-law of Joseph Royle. In her will (1793) Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson, made this provision for Miss Molly Davenport:

"I give to the said Miss Molly Davenport-twelve pounds per annum for the several years that she shall have lived with me from the time of my last removal to York Town...The Goods which Miss Molly received since my last removal to York are only to be brought into account with the ten pounds as above stated; but not those which she received in Williamsburg prior to the said removal."(York County Records, XXIII, 504-505)

The only evidence which shows that General Nelson paid for repairs on lots 26 and 27 is the item in Harwood's account which notes "the repairs on Dr. Deguayra's well". The well was on lot 25 near the line between lots 25 and 26. In 1772, Dr. Sequayra had rented property from Mrs. Mary Goodson, widow of William 14 Goodson. "...the lot lately purchased by William Goodson of James Shields¹...being in the City of Williamsburg on the South Side of Duke of Gloucester Street... then with the small yard adjoining thereto and all Houses-Kitchens and Building except the small Shop aforesaid which are Situate on a part of the Lott aforesaid which are now in the possession of the said John De Sigueyra together with one Half of the Garden on the said Lot and the free use of the well thereon." (York County Records, Deeds, VIII, 236) In June, 1783, Harwood's account with the estate of Mrs. Mary Goodson shows: "To 6 bushels of lime 6/. & Repair to Well 7/6. (Doctr De Sequar's)...13.6." (Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, 44) General Nelson's account with Harwood for 1785 mentions this well of Dr. Sequeyra; "June 4, 1785 To labours work 2/. & repairing Doctr Sequary's Well (by your order) 7.6...9.6." (Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, 65) From these charges in Harwood's Ledger it is clear that Dr. Sequayra leased ^{part of} lot 25 (formerly the James Shields lot) from the widow of William Goodson or her estate. Because the well is mentioned in the York County Deed (Deeds VIII, 236) and once in General Nelson's account and once in the Goodson account (in Harwood's Ledger, B, 44), it is reasonable to believe that the well was used by the occupants of both lots. It fixes definitely the fact that Nelson paid for repairs done.²

Besides these charges to General Nelson for repairs to his property such as plastering, rebuilding, whitewashing, etc. is this entry: "April 8th 1783 To 150 bundles of Fother & a waggon Body full of Tops...4.6." (Harwood Ledger, B, 51) ³ In Nelsons account of March 17, 1783, there is a charge for firewood: To 1 Days work of my Waggon Carting Stocks (& fire wood) ...18." (Ibid., B, 51) Since it 15 would not appear reasonable for a carpenter in Williamsburg to furnish fire wood or to deliver fodder and tops for horses and cattle in Yorktown, one is led to wonder if these items might not have been furnished General Nelson in Williamsburg. On page 52, B, of Harwood's Ledger, General Nelson's account shows this entry: "To taking down Grate & Plastering fire Place (for the Old Lady)...2/6."

In 1786, Thomas Nelson was President of the Board of Directors of the Insane Hospital in Williamsburg. (Tyler, Williamsburg) Upon the death of General Nelson¹ in 1789 his property in Williamsburg fell, by will, to his son, Thomas Nelson:

"...I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Nelson his Heirs forever my Houses and Tenements in the City of Williamsburg, all my lands in the County of James City..." (York County Records, Wills, Inventories XXII, 171-175) (Signed, Dec. 26, 1788; Proved, Dec. 16, 1789)

Governor Nelson mentioned his wife, Lucy Nelson, and his mother in his will. He named six sons, William, Thomas, Robert, Hugh, Francis, and Philip and five daughters, Judith, Elizabeth Page, Mary, Lucy, and Susanna. In the inventory and appraisement of General Nelson's estate there is no inventory or appraisement of any Williamsburg personal property. (York County Records, Wills, XXIII, 181-186)

At the time of his death General Nelson was serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Insane Hospital in Williamsburg. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, V, 82)

The Unknown Draftsman's Map (circa 1790) shows that there were three lots 16 facing Francis Street in the name of "Nelson." The north sections of two of these lots were in the name of "Hunt." The third lot, a long narrow lot, running at right angles to the other two, bordered upon the Capitol Square and faced Francis Street.

The Tax Records for Williamsburg, 1791 and 1797, give two lots in the name of Thomas Nelson with an annual value of twelve pounds and amount of tax given as twelve shillings.

On the Bucktrout-Lively flap (1867)^{+ town plats of 1800 & 1803,} the Nelson lots appear as on the Unknown Draftsman's Map though there is some change in the size of the "Hunt" portion. The third Nelson lot (acquired in 1783) is the one which bordered on the Capitol Square and is identical with the drawing of this lot on the Unknown Draftsman's Map.

From 1806 to 1820, the estate of Thomas Nelson is taxed for two lots in Williamsburg. From 1820 through 1850 Thomas Nelson's estate was taxed for one lot. (See Illustration #2 in Appendix for valuations.) In the insurance policy of Peter Powell written with Mutual Assurance Society January 29, 1813, there is mention of Nelson on the south. Powell's lot was situated on the main street: "...building on the main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the main street on the north - Smiths lot on the East, Francis street and Nelsons lot on the South and Sands lot on the West..." (mutual Assurance Society photostat in Department of Research)

Examination of the tax records for the City of Williamsburg and James City County has failed to show how or when the Galt family acquired part of lots 26 and 27 which had been owned by William and Thomas Nelson, Jr.; later by Thomas Nelson, Jr., or his estate.¹ It seems significant that the valuations in the tax records of the Thomas Nelson lot for the year 1850, and before, ($1600), should be almost identical with the figures for the years 1854, 1859, 1861, as the assessment on the lot 17 of Dr. Alexander D. Galt's estate.¹

As early as 1812 the Galt family was negotiating with the Nelson family about renting the property. Letters from Sallie and William Browne of Williamsburg to Alexander Galt confirm this statement. (See Illustration #5.) In 1316 Robert Nelson confirmed by letter payment by Dr. Galt of-house rent to Thomas Nelson's heirs. (Ibid.) In 1817 negotiations were in process for Galt to buy the property. (Ibid.)

Williamsburg Land Tax Records for 1839 show that Alexander Galt was the owner, and that certain building and repairs had been made:

1839 Alexander D. Galt - 1 lot - last assessment $150
present value $1240
value of old Building $240
Do of new $800

(Williamsburg Land Tax Records, photostat, Research Department.)

The property was held in the name of Alexander D. Galt until 1862 (last date of the land tax records) though Dr. Galt died in 1840. In 1861 the property was valued at $3800 for lot and buildings.

From 1831-1835 extensive building and repair-work was done to the Galt property,,. and a new building was erected. (See: Illustration #5 for complete copy.)

Two citizens of Williamsburg during the Civil War period comment on the old Galt house thus:

"Diagonally across the road from the old Bowden house was the Galt House (north side of Francis). This house, including the tiny, one and half story, office, looks today exactly as it did in '61. This House was owned by Miss Sallie Galt and was occupied by refugees from Hampton." (Mrs. Victoria Lee's Williamsburg in 1861, p. 8, Research Department.)

In the Recollections of John S. Charles, mention is made of this house:

"...On the Francis Street Side of this square there were at the time 18 of which we write no houses except the old 'Galt' house and a story and a: half frame building just east of the Galt house that stood with side to Francis Street and was used as servants' quarters. Both of these buildings are there now and differ little in appearance from what they did many years ago."

(Recollections by John S. Charles, p. 55, Research Department.)

The records of James City County show that Sallie M. Galt signed the appraisement of the estate of her brother, Dr. John M. Galt, in 1869. (dill Book I, City of Williamsburg, 161.) Both Sallie M. Galt and Dr. John M. Galt were the children of Dr. Alexander D. Galt and Mary D. Galt, his wife. In her will, signed May 18, 1869, and probated September 14, 1869, Sallie Maria Galt refers to "my late Brother John M. Galt ...and my relative William Richard Galt of Norfolk."

"I give, devise & bequeath to John Minson Galt, the son of William Richard Galt of the city of Norfolk, my house & lot in the city of Williamsburg & all my household furniture in it as it stands, & my own & what was my dear Brother's Library except so much of said Library as will hereafter be disposed of." (James City County Records, Deeds, I, 339.)

On October 5, 1882, John M. Galt deeded the property devised to him in Williamsburg by Sallie Maria Galt to his mother, Mary W. Galt:

"...All of this the said John M. Galts, right, title and interest, at law and in equity, in and to all the property real and personal, devised and bequeathed to him the said John M. Galt by the last will and testament of Sally Maria Galt deceased, late of the said City of Williamsburg in the State of Virginia, duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the County of James City and said City of Williamsburg and Specially all of his right, title and interest in possession or in remainder, in and to a certain lot of land, with the improvements thereon, devised to him the said John M. Galt, by the said Sally Maria Galt, as will more fully appear by reference to her Said last will and testament. Situate in the said City of Williamsburg and adjoining the property of William W. Vest and others: this conveyance is made and accepted subject to the provisions, conditions and limitations of the said will and testament, the true intent and meaning of these presents being to grant and convey unto and vest in the said Mary W. Galt the same, right title and interest in and to the said property as passed to him the said John M. Galt, under and by virtue of the said last will and testament of the said Sally . Maria Galt deceased. [Signed] John M. Galt" (Admitted to Record in James City County and the City of Williamsburg Court, October 16, 1882, Deed Book I, 627.)

By the last will and testament of Mary W. Galt, June 29, 1896, and ordered recorded by the Corporation Court of the City of Norfolk on 24th day of August, 1900, all of her property and possessions were bequeathed to her unmarried daughters or daughter. Mention is made in this will to her granddaughter, Mary Ware Galt. In 1913, Mary J. Galt deeded her rights in above lot and property her sister Annie A. Galt. 19

Sept. 29, 1913

Galt, Mary J. [Miss]
to
Galt, Annie A.

All the right, title and interest, being on undivided one half interest therein, of the said party of the first part in and to that certain lot or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon, known as the "Old Galt House", situated on the North side of Francis Street in the City of Williamsburg, fronting -- feet, more or less, thereon, and adjoining the property, now or formerly owned by William W. Vest and others; the said property being the same that was devised to John M. Gal', by Sally Maria Galt, deceased by her last will and testament, duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of James City County, and by the said John M. Galt conveyed to Mary W. Galt, his mother, by his deed dated the 5th day of October, 1852, and duly recorded in the said Clerk's Office in deed Book 1, page 627, and by the said Mary W. Galt, given at her death to the said Mary J. and Annie A. Galt, who were her only unmarried daughters, by her will probated in the Corporation Court for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, and recorded in its Clerk's Office in Will Book 11, page 262; this conveyance is made forever, subject to all the conditions and terms contained in the said wills and deed, reference to which is hereby made.

(City of Williamsburg and County of James City Deed Book 6, p. 450)

The right vested ix: this property at the present writing came through the will of Annie A. Galt, made March 3, 1941 and duly recorded on May 6, 1941, in James City County Court Records in the City of Williamsburg:

"...Item 5: All the rest and residue of my estate real, personal mixed wheresoever situate, I give, divise and bequeath to my niece Mary Ware Galt Kirby., daughter of my dear brother, Robert Ware Gala? in fee simple." (Will Book 5 . p. 67, City of Williamsburg Court Records)

SUMMARY:

The source materials for lots 26 and 27 are not many and not always satisfactory. In 1707, the Feoffees deeded the two lots to William Robertson, who subdivided the lots, and sold part to John Marot in 1705. In 1718, Robertson sold the other portion of the lots to John Brown.

This deed of 1718 gives the first indication of a house on the lots, by 20 speaking of the place "whereon he [Robertson] now lives." In 1723, Robertson deeded the house and lot to John Grymes. In 1732, in a deed to other property Grymes was mentioned as the owner of the lots in question. After a gap of seventeen years, it is established that William and Thomas Nelson, Jr. were the owners of the lots. In 1769, they were still in possession. From 1769 to 1783, the records are vague. In 1783, Thomas Nelson, Jr. came into possession of a third lot, on the north side of Francis Street, bordering on the Capitol. This lot was contiguous to the other Nelson property. About 1790, the Nelsons were still in possession of the parts of 26 and 27 which faced Francis Street besides the third lot acquired in 1783. These three lots appear on the Unknown Draftsman's Map marked, "Nelson." On the Bucktrout-Lively Map of 1867^{Maps of 1800 & 1803}, the Nelson lots are located as on the Unknown Draftsman's Map with minor changes. It is impossible to know from the records available the exact date when the Galt family acquired this property.

APPENDIX

Illustration #1 -- Architects drawings

Illustration #2 - Tax Records

Illustration #3 -- Harwood Accounts

Illustration #4 -- Tyler Map

Illustration #5 -- Nelson Indenture 1823.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE
ROBERTSON-GALT HOUSE HISTORY

Prepared by Mary A. Stephenson
April 1951

21

Since preparing the report in 1945, new evidence has come into our hands not available at that time. This evidence strengthens the chain to title as to the Nelson ownership of the property, date of sale to the Galt family, building and repairs made to the property &c.. Such evidence is given below:

Galt Ms. Collection (on loan from Mrs. Kirby, Williamsburg, April 1951).

Letter from Sally T. Brown to her brother, Alexander Galt

Williamsburg November 8^th 1812

...

We are all m-- pleased to hear of your returning to the old City --- thing has been done with the old house, Mr M^cCandlish is very anxious to lease it, as he intends to live at the Rawleigh at Xmas, he says he will repair it immediately ...The old house is very much out of order, and [torn I think you would be much happier...

The house where Judge Nelson lived in is [torn found of it and it is now undergoing a (torn would suit you better because it is ------ family as it now is. Mr Nelson is now------ have spoken to him about it, there is-

Letter from William Browne [Williamsburg] to ----

[Nov^r 18th 1813]

Dear Sir,
We have examined the state of Judge Nelson's House & find that it is not in a state of repair for your immediate reception. I have concluded that it will be best to have it shingled before you come down. Judge Nelson has spoken to the Workmen who give assurances of its being ready in a fortnight which will be as soon as you can get here...

Your having declined taking up your abode in the old house, and the impossibility of selling it has induced me to lease it to M^r McCandlish for three years at $100 p^r A. the a^mt of which is to applied to put it in a state of repair. I hope it will meet with your approbation. Nov^r 18th 1813.

Letter from Robert Nelson to Doctor Galt W^msburg

W^msburg Feby 14^th 1816.

Dear Sir
I received your note concerning one hundred and forty three dollars on account of rent of house of Thos. Nelsons heirs and also mine & my mothers accounts. Perhaps as Tom acting for another it will be better to get some person to say what rent shall be paid for the stable...

Yours
Robert Nelson.

22

Letter from Carter Berkeley to Dr. Alexander Galt,
Williamsburg, Edge Wood, Hanover County

2 Sept^r 1817

Dear Sir
The friends of the Heirs of Maj^r Tho^s Nelson late of York, think it for the Interest of the Heirs to sell all their real property in the lower Country as none of them will probably ever settle upon it

By their advice therefore I have advertised the property for Sale which you at present occupy in the City of Wmsburg and think it right to advise you of it - I hope you may find it to your Interest to become the purchaser of the House & Lots & perhaps of some of the Land in the neighborhood I am a perfect stranger to the property and can not pretend to form any opinion of its value - You [are] acquainted with its value, and if disposed to purchase, I will gladly attend to any proposition you gay think proper to make to me on the subject - If you should not be the purchaser you will be pleased to be prepared to give possession to whom may be the purchaser on the first of Jany 1818 agreeably to the terms of the advertisement

Yours Res^plly
Carter Berkeley

Receipt-order addressed to Doct^r Alex^r Galt by Carter Berkeley 1821 February 27th:

Pay to George W. Nelson the amount due for the rent of the House and lot in Williamsburg, belonging to the Estate of Thomas Nelson dec^d of York, being eighty Dollars, up to the first of January 1821

Carter Berkeley Adm^r
Feb^y 27^th 1821

Doctor Alexr Galt

Dr A A Galt D^r to the Coll^r of Williamsburg 1821

...

To tax on Nelsons House & Lots.....1.80
W^m Bowden Coll^r
the Est of Thomas Nelson D^r to W^m Bowden Coll^r of Williamsburg to tax on House & Lot .....1.80

Received payments of A D Galt
W^m Bowden Coll^r

23

[Diary in Galt Mss. on loan by Mrs. Lee Kirby to CWI]

A. D. Galt Jr written on front cover of notebook

1840
February.....
...
March.....
...

11. Captain Robert H Armistead papas Lawyer got a Receipt in full from M^r Richard Bucktrout for money paid the said M^r Bucktrout for building the addition to this house

Illustration #1

William Robertson
To
John Marott
1708

TABULATION OF DATA FROM WILLIAMSBURG TAX RECORDS

Page No.	Year	Name	No. of Lots	Annual Value	Value of lots and buildings	Value of buildings	Tax
				£ s d			£ s d
	1782	Nelson General	1	2
2	1785	Nelson Thomas	2	18
8	1791	Nelson Thomas jr	2	12			12s
9	1797	Nelson Thomas Junr	2	12			12s
10	1801	Nelson Thomas		40			$ -63¢
11	1806	Nelson Thos estate	2	40			$ -63¢
14	1810	Nelson Thos estate	2	50			$ -78¢
15	1812	Nelson Thos estate	2	50			$ --78¢
32	1815	Nelson Thomas's Est	2	$100			$3.63.5
36	1817	Nelson Thomas est.	2	$ 80			$2.4-
40	1818	Nelson Thomas Est.	2	$80			$2.40
44	1819	Nelson Thomas Est	2	$80			----
			Lot	Value of lots	sum added for buildings	Rent	Taxes
50	1820	Nelson Thomas	1	200	$ 50	9 20	60¢
		Yorktown
50	1820	Nelson Thomas Est	1	$1100	900	$ 80	$2.40
		Yorktown	1	200
70	1825	Nelson Thomas's Est	1	$1100	$ 200	40	16¢
		Williamsburg	1	50
70	1825	Nelson Thomas Snrs Est	1	$1100	$ 900	$ 80	$1.63
		Williamsburg	1	50
77	1828	Nelson Thomas's Est	1	50		$ 20	16¢
		Williamsburg	1	1100
77	1828	Nelson Thomas Snr Est	1	$ 900	___00	$ 80	$1.63
		Williamsburg
84	1830	Nelson Thomas's Est	1	$1100	$ 900	80	$1.63
		Williamsburg
91	1835	Nelson Thomas' Est	1	$1100	$ 900	80	$1.60
		Williamsburg
98	1838	Nelson Thomas' Est	1	$ 110	$ 900	$ 80	$2.
		Williamsburg
106	1840	Nelson Thomas' est	1	$1600	____	$120	$3.75
		Williamsburg
113	1843	Nelson Thomas' Est	1	$1600	$1400	$120	$4.32
		Williamsburg
119	1847	Nelson Thomas Estate	1	$1600	$1400	$120	$2.88
		Williamsburg
125	1850	Nelson Thomas Est	1	$1600	$1400	$120	$2.88
		Williamsburg

2

Page	Year	Name	No Lot	Residence	Value of Bldgs.	Lots inc. bldgs.	Tax
125	1854	Galt's Alexander Estate	1	Williamsburg	$1200	$1500	$ 5.00
135	1959	Galt's Alexander Est	1	Williamsburg	$1000	$1600	$ 9.00
143	1861	Galt Alex. Est.	1	Williamsburg	$1000	$1600	$10.00
129	1854	Galts' Alexander Estate	1	Williamsburg	$1200	$1500	$ 5.00

Tax Transfer Williamsburg & James City: 1828, Nelson, Thomas Est. 1 lot.

(Illustration 2)

(from Original Book of the Lots in Williamsburg in James City Co by George W. Taylor, Asst. surveyor for 1828)

Illustration #3

Harwood Ledger

General Thomas Nelson

B65			Dr
1784	th	To 14 barrels & 3 bushs of Corn Lent (Corn paid)
January	14	To a load of wheat straw 15/0 by your waggon	£ "	15"	0-
March	1	To ½ Barrel of Corn 1.
May	22	To whitewashing a Room & passage 9/	"	5"	--
June	27	To 10 bushs of lime at 1/. & underpining end of the Nurcery 5/	"	15"	--
		To whitewashing 4 Rooms & passage to do. 9/	"	9"	--
		To repairing Steps 3/9, & 1 Days Labour 2/6	"	6"	3-
July	17	To 18 bushs of lime a 1/. & underpining Landary 15/	1"	13"	--
		To underpining Stables 35/. & repairing Kitchen Chimney & oven 9	2	[?]	--
		To whitewashing Dining Room & passage 9/. & closset 1/6	"	10"	6
	20	To 3 Days labour 2/6. & 20th cuts of Straw at 6/. Pr 6	4"	19"	.
August	27	To 1 bushl of lime at 1/. & ½ do of whitewash 3/	"	13.	6
		To repairing Plastering 1/3	"	4"	3
	st
Novr	1	To 12 bushels of wheat at 6/	3"	12"	--
1785
Januy	10	To lime & brick 1/3 & repairing chimney 2/	"	3	3.
	24	To 4 bushels of lime 4/. & 300 brick 9/	. . .	13"	--
		To repairing Kitchen Chimney 6/. & labrs work 1/6	. . .	7"	6
	28	To 500 bricks 15/. 7 bushs of lime 7/. & 2 days labr 5/	1	7"	--
		To Repairing Kitchen & landary Chimneys & Oven 12/Old Lady	--	12-	--
Februy	3	To A load of Wheat Straw 21/6	1	1"	6
June	3	To 8 bushels of lime 1/. & passages a 4/6	1	12"	6
		To whitewashing 5 rooms & 3 passages a 4/6	1	2"	6
		To Repairing Oven 5/. & labours work 2/. & 1 ½ busl whitewash a 2/.	"	10"	--
	4	To 150 bricks 4/6 & 4 bushels of lime 4/.	"	8"	6
		To labours work 2/. & repairing Doctr Sequeary's Well
		(by your order) 7/6	"	9"	6
	18	To white washing 1 Room a passage & stairway	"	12"	--
		To ½ bushel of whitewash 1/	"	1"	--
July	25	To 1 ½ bushel of lime a 1/. & repairing Steps 2/6.	"	4"	--
1786
May	15	To Cash to Balance (paid Augustine More)	3"	11"	1
			£ 28	14"	10
		General Thomas Nelson	Dr
1787
Nov	23	To white washing 3 Rooms & 3 passages a 4/6	£ 1"	2-	6
		To --- do --- 4 Clossets a 1/6. & white wash 3/9	. .	9"	9-
		To repairing plastering & to Lime 2/6	. .	2	6
1788
July	15	To bricks 12/7. & 16 buss lime 16/. & laying 3 harths a 3/. &
		Repairg plastr	2	1.	1
		To Repairing Back Steps 12/6. & 3 days labour a 2/6 & 1 buss WW. Wash 2/.	1	2	--
		To White washing 2 Rooms. & passages a 4/6 & 4 Clossets a 2/6	1"	3"	6.
			£6"	1"	4
51/		General Thomas Nelson	Dr
1783	th
Februy	11	To 1 Days work of my Waggon 18/-	£ --	1.8	--
	19	To 200 bundles of Fodder at 3/	. .	6.	--
	Th	To 1 Days work of my Waggon Carting Stocks (& fire wood) 18/	. .	18
March	17	To 1 bushel of whitewash 3/.	. .	3	--
		To whitewashing 2 Rooms & a passage at 4/6	. .	13.	6.
Th
April	8	To 4 bushl of Lime at 1/3 (For John Dixon's House)	. .	5.	--
		To Do Whitewash at 2/6	. .	5.	--
		To Repairing plastering 7/6 & 1 Days work 3/	. .	10.	6
		To whitewashg 3 Rooms & a passage (sides papered) 2/6	. .	10.	--
		To whitewashg 4 Rooms & 3 Clossets at 4/6	1.	2.	6
		To 150 bundles of Fother & a waggon Body full of Tops	. .	4.	6-
	19	To 16 bushels of Lime at 1/.	. .	16-	--
		To Rebuilding Oven 10/. & workg in Cellarwindow Frames 1/6	. .	11.	6
		To 2 Days labour a 3/.	..	6	--
	24	To 30 Bushs of lime a 1/. & 2 bushs of hair 3/.	1-	13	--
		To larthing & plastering 80 Yds a 6d & underpining Smoke House 20/	3.	--	--
		To 5 days labour a 3/. & laying a Harth 5/.	1-	--	--
		To underpining Dary 12/.6	..	12	6-
		To 21 bushs of lime a 1/. & 4 Days labour a 3/.
	rd
[illegible]	3	To 18 bushs of lime a 1/. & larthing & plasterg Dary 15/.	1-	13-	--
		To 2 ½ Days labour a 3/. & laying Dary Floor 12./6	1-	--	--
		To 1 bushel of Hair 2/6	..	1.	6
	27	To 37 bush. of Lime a 1/. & 8 days labour a 3/	2.	07.	--
		To repairing Celler Wall & Rebuild. Do in north End 7/6
		& underpining particion wall 36/. & buildg Celler Steps a
		To Repairing Steps to Door 7/6	..	7.	6-
June	26	To 32 bushs of lime a 1/. & 5 Days labour at 3/.	2.	7.	--
		To mending plastering plastering (for Old Lady) 2/6	..	2.	6
	28	To 3 Days labour at 3/. & 80 bushs of lime at 1/.	4.	9	--
	30	To building a Chimney to Nurcery	70/	3.	10.	--
	Rd
July	3	To turning two brimers & laying 2 harths at 2/6	..	10.	--
	th	To underpining Nurcery, & pillering Sleepers 30/	1.	10.	--
	5	To 8 Days labour at 3/. & 3 ½ bushs of hair at 2/	1.	11.	--
	7	To 600 larthes a 1/6. & 1 bushell of hair a 2/.	..	11.	--
	12	To 31 bushels of lime at 1/	1.	11
		To (Repairg larthing) & Plasterg, 210 Yds at 4 ½	3.	18.	9.
		To 8 Days work at 3/	1.	4.	--
Aug.	6	To 3 bushs of Wheat a 6/. (19th) to White washing 1 Room & Closet 5/3	1	3	3
		(Carried Over) on Dr Side	£ 46	2.	..
51		Brought forward...Dr	£ 46	2.	--
1783
	th
August	28	To 3 bushs Wheat at 6/	0	10	--
	30	To 25 do....do at 6/	7	10	--
Septemr	12	To 40 Bushs Lime at 1/. & ½ Days work 1/6	2	0	6
	17	To 5 Days labour a 3/	. .	15	--
	19	To 20 bushs of Lime at 1/. & 3 Days labour at 3/	1	9	--
	24	To taking down Grate & Plastering fire Place (for the Old Lady) 2/6	..	2	6
		To 20 bushs of Lime at 1/. & 3 Days labour at 3/	5	9	--
October	24	To 10 Barrels of Corn (lint) & 3 bushs of wheat at 6/	. .	18	--
	25	To 20 Bushs of lime at 1/. & 3 days labour at 3/	5	9	3
	28	To building a Landary Chimney 70/. & 2 days labour 6/.	3	16	--
	30	To bushs of wheat at 6/. (Novemr 3) to 4 boards & 2 bushs corn	..	18	--
Novemr	3	To repairing Ovens 2/6 & 2 bushels of lime 2/	. .	4	6
	11	To bushs of wheat at 6/	..	18	--
	27	To 5 bushs of lime at 1/. & 3 days labour at 3/9 (for your mother)	. .	14	6
		To conttracting two Chimneys at 7/6. & 3 bushs of wheat for
		(Old Lady) at 6/	1	13	--
Decemr	4	To whitewashing 1 Room and 2 passages at 4/6	..	13	6-
	8	To a load of wheat Straw 20/	1	--	--
		(Carried to Folio 65)	£72	10	3

Illustration #3

Illustration #4

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

Illustration #5 - Nelson Indenture 1823

This Indenture made this the first day of February it the year of our Lord One Thousand Fight Hundred and Twenty three between Thomas Nelson Jr of the county of Hanover George Washington Nelson of the Town of Lynchburg, William Meade and Thomasia his wife who was Thomasia Nelson of the county of Frederick of the one part and Doctor Alexander Galt of the city of Williamsburg, and all of the state of Virginia: Witnesseth: that the said Thomas Nelson, George Washington Nelson, William Mead and Thomasia his wife in consideration of Size Hundred dollars Lawfull money of this commonwealth, to them in hand paid or Secured to be paid by the said Doctor Alexander Galt at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged, Have bargained and sold and by these presents do, and each of them doth, bargain and sell unto the said Doctor Alexander Galt. a certain House and Lot in the city of Williamsburg Layed off and Numbered according to the plan of the said City Lying and being on Street together with all out houses, yards, Gardens and appurtenances whatsoever to the said House belonging or appertaining. To have and to Hold the said House and Lot with all and Singular other the premises herein before mentioned or intended to be bargained and sold unto the said Doctor Alexander Galt his heirs and assigns, forever. And the said Thomas Nelson Jr George Washington Nelson, William Meade and Thomasia his wife for themselves their heirs, the said House and Lot with all and Singular the premises and appurtenances before mentioned, unto the said Doctor Alexander Galt.- his heirs and assigns, free from the claim or claims of them the said Thomas Nelson Jr George Washington Nelson, William Meade and Thomasia his wife, or either of them, their or either of their hems, and of all and every person or persons whatsoever, shall will, and do warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof the said Thomas Nelson Jr George Washington Nelson, William Meade and Thomasia his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above. written -

Signed -
Signed Sealed and delivered
in the presence of

Thomas Nelson Jr seal
George W Nelson seal
William Meade seal
Thomasia Meade seal

Frederick County to wit.

We James Baker and David Meade - Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid, in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Thomasia Meade the wife of William Meade parties to the foregoing deed bearing date, on the first day of February 1823 personally appeared before us, in our county aforesaid and being examined by us, privily and apart from her husband, and having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Thomasia Meade acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she had willingly signed--it, sealed, and delivered the same and that she wished not to retract it Given under our hands and .seals this 13th day of Feby 1823

J. Baker seal
David Meade seal

Frederick County to wit

We James Baker and David Meade Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid and State of Virginia do hereby certify that William Meade and Thomasia Meade parties to the foregoing deed-bearing date the first day of February 1823, personally appeared before us, in our county aforesaid and acknowledged the same to. be their act and deed and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Williamsburg in order that the said deed may be recorded as to them given under our hands and Seals this 13th day of Feby 1823

J. Baker seal
David Meade seal

Hanover County to wit lie Carter Berkeley and L. W. Taylor Justices of the peace in the county aforesaid and state of Virginia do hereby certify that Thomas Nelson Jr one of the parties to the foregoing deed bearing date the first day of February 1823 personally appeared before us in our county aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the clerk of the Rustings court of the city of Williamsburg in order that the said deed nay be received as to him given under our hands and seals this 15th day of March 1823

Carter Berkeley seal
Lewis W. Taylor seal

Corporation of Lynchburg to wit

We Micajah Davis jr and John Thurman Justices of the peace in the corporation aforesaid and State of Virginia do hereby certify that George Washington Nelson one of the parties to the foregoing deed bearing date the first day of February 1823 personally appeared before us in our Corporation aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the clerk of the Hustings Court of Williamsburg in order that the said deed may be recorded as to him given under our hands and Seals this 27th day of February 1823

Micajah Davis Jr seal
John Thurmon seal

Doct. Alexander D. Galt
To R. M. Bucktrout Dr

1835
July	To 16 Square and 16 ft. Joist and Sleeper framing, including at 6/	$16.16
	the lower and second Story floor and upper ceiling of Joist at
	" 20 Square and 60 ft. Studd framing a 5/	20.60
	" 9 Square and 24 ft: Rafter framing a 4/6	6.75
	" 3 Square and 84 ft-* Collar Beams-a 4/6	2.55
	" 9 Square and 24 ft: of Sheating a 2/3	3.462
	" 52 ft: Boxing and Cornish a 1/6	13.00
	" 9 Square and 24 ft: Shingling on the new house and nearly a square on the old house, making 10 Square a,6/	10.00
	" 29 ft; of Bargeboard with a band moulding on the top edge a 4C	1.16
	" Shingling 32 ft: of Valley Gutter a 9 d	4.00
	" 40 ft: of Corner board a 2C	0.80
	" 16 Square and 20 ft: of Weather boarding. a 4/6	12.15
	" 1 Skylight window frame and timber for the same	1.50
	" Cutting out and putting in the said frame	0.75
	" 10 ½ ft: of Cant board to go in the old house against the new one a 4 1/2 d	0.65 ½
	" Shingling 10 ft' of Cant board on old house a	0.10
	" Window frames a 24/ making 15 large	60.00
	" putting down 6 ft: of Cant board around Chimney a 4 ½ d	0.37 ½
	" making a Sky light door with a sett of Casings 4/6	0.75
	" Laying 10 Square and 12 feet of Clean laid floor a 24	40.48
	" 262 ft: of Wash board a 4 ½d	16.37 ½
	" 95 ft: of Char-board down Stairs, Capt with a moulding a 9d under the Capping	11.87 ½
	" 65 ft: of Beaded Chairboard up Stairs a 4 ½ d	4.6 ¼
Novr	" 172 ft: of Shelving in 4 Closets a 4 ½ d	10.87 1.2
	" 1 Shelf in small room up Stairs with 2 brackets	0.37 ½
	Amount Carried forward	$239.13 ¾
1835	Amount Brought forward	$
Novr	To 12 ft: of Cleat in the Closet leading to the Garrett in New house a	0.24
	" making a Step Ladder with 5 Steps to go in roof at 1/6-of house a	1.25
	" Casing trap door in Ceiling up Stairs at 3/	0.50
	" making a door in Ceiling at 4/6	0.75
	" Cutting out rafters in old house, securing the ends of the same and putting in Ceiling Joist, leveling off the floor put up 5 partitions, and door post and moving ashley Studds	10.--
	" 16 ft. of Border around doorway as you go in old house a 2C	0.32
	" Putting in 2 Hooks and Staples in Sky light	0.06 ¼
	" Casing 10 Doors with Single Arichitrives on both sides a 9/	10.00
	" Casing 7 Doors with Single Architrives on both sides a 9/	10.50
	" making 246 Lights, of 10 by 12., Sash and Painting the same with 2 Coats of paint a 9d -	30.75
	" making and putting in 15 Window Buttons a 4 ½	0.94
	" making and priming over 10 Grecian Pannell Doors a 10/6	32.50
	" Fitting and hanging 10 Doors a"1.76	2.50
	" 8 Carpet Strips and furnishing plank for same a 2/3	3.00
	" Putting on 2 Locks a 1/6	0.50
	" taking off, repairing and putting on again 2 Locks	0.50
	" taking off architrive on old door-taking, hinges off the same and putting hinges and hanging same on other side	0.50
		119. 95 1/4
	Amount Carried forward	239.13 ¾
		358.79
1835	Amount Brought forward	$
Novr
	To 3 drip boards a 3/	1.50
	" 16 ft: of Corner Strip in the Corner where the new house joins the old one planed and fitted a 4 ½	1.00
	" 2 Chimney Pieces	8.00
	" 340 feet of Clear board a 3C	10.20
	"
	[This is not a part of the plank that the Window Sash was made of- this was soft white pine and thin Stuff and that of which the Sash was made was made was hard pine. I have not charged for the timber the Sash was made out of, as it was objected to because it was a little sappy.]
Decr	To a first rate pair of Steps of good 2 Inch white pine and timber for the Steps furnished	1.50
	" 1 H of 20 d Nails a 8 C	6.08
		22.28
		358.79
		$381.07
	To interest on three hundred and eighty one dollars and 7 cts	24.70
	from the first day of Jany 1836 up to the 14 day of Feby 1837 at 6 pr cent pr annum	$405.77

At the instance of Doct Alexander D. Galt and Mr Richard M. Bucktrout We have examined the work charged for in the annexed account and hereby Certify that the Work is done in a workmanlike manner and that the prices affixed in the said account are the Customary prices in the City of Williamsburg according to the best of our knowledge and belief

Williamsburg October 20th 1836.
Thomas Sands

[Endorsements] Sir Be pleased to settle the within Acct George W Jackson with Mr R. Bucktrout & oblige
A.D.Galt Feb. 14. 1837
Mr R. Armistead

Mar 1. 1837. recd from A. D.Galt by Ro H Armistead atto one hundred & fifty dollars Richard M Bucktrout

April 6th 1837 Received on the within at this time By the hand of Mr Armistead for Doctr A. D.Galt one hundred dollars

April the 8-1837 Received seventy dollars at this time

May 11th Recd of R H Armistead thirty dollars on the within for A D Galt
Richard M Bucktrout.

July 6th 1837 Recd of Doct A.D.Galt by Ro H Armistead atto fifty-five dollars & seventy cents the balance in full of the within Claim
Richard M. Bucktrout.

[enclosure]

A bill of timber

2 sills 20 ft long 8 by 10 inches

2 Do 18 ft Do 8 by 10 inches

4 Plates 18 ft long 4 by 6 in

2 Do 32 ft long 4 by 6 in

2 Do 20 ft long 4 by 6 in

22 Joist for the first second floor's 18 ft long 4 by 10 in wide

4 corner Post 4 by 8 in 20 ft long

22 Peaces for braces door Post & window sills 12 ft long 4 by 6 in

25 Peaces of scantling 11 ft long 3 by 4 in studds for the first room

10 Peaces for window Post second story 9 ft long 4 by 6 in

30 Peaces of standling for studds in second story 9 ft long 3 by 4 in

36 Peaces for rafters 14 ft long 3 by 4 in

15 Peaces for collar-beam's 8 ft long 3 by 4 in

1200 ft of flooring plank 20 ft long & 1 1/4 in think

2000 thousand feet of weatherboarding 20 ft long and 9 in wide

1200 ft of 1 inch plank for cornish & sheating

6000 thousand shingles 18 in long, to be of good quality the above timber is all to be of good quality by

18 Joist 18 ft long 4 by 8 in for rafter R M Bucktrout.

Joist

May 24th	Doctr Alexander Galt to
1831	Richard M. Bucktrout,	Dr
	to making 3 gates & furnished timber at $1:50 cts	$ 4.50
	to hanging same at 25 cts each	75
	th to making 3 latches for same at 25 at	75
June 24	to putting up $ pannells of pailes at 372 at	$ 6.75
	to making one double gate and furnished timber	$ 3.00
	to hanging same 50 at. makeing bar and fixing same	$1.00
July	to 1 pair of steps 2 steps & a sill and found timber	$1.50
th 21	to putting on 1 pair of hinges on refrigerator	.25
	to 2 dozen & 2 screws at 122 et. per dosen	27
Decr	to putting on hook & staples on Do	25
th 6	to 3 pannell shutters 4 pannells in a shutter at 3 shillings a pannell	$6.00
	to fitting & hanging same	25.07
	to furnishing 2 dozen screws at 121 at. a dozen	75
	July th to putting on 3 setts of hooks and staples at 1/6d a sett	25
9	to interest on the above sum for	25
	3 years	$4.50
July 9	to makeing table draw	50
1838
Nov 29	th to making a pair of double gates at $1:50	$ 3.00
1834	to makeing 1 single one and-furnished timber	$1.50
	to hanging the 3 above gates at 25 at. each	75
	to one long cedar Post for gate post	25
	to 30 safrass pailes for gates at 221 at.	75
	to 2 lbs of nailes at 8 ct. a pound	16
Decr
20th	to widning the seats in your[?] by request	12.25
Sept		$ 38:93
22th	to 652 [. .? . . ] pailes at 2 ½ at. cach	$16:30
1834	to 9 lbs of 8 nailes at 1/6d a pound	75
	to putting up 44 pannells of paile at 37 ½ cts	$16:50
	to 64 ft of plank at 22 at. & 5 lbs of nailes at 1/6d	2:02
	to putting up 26 pannells of Pailes between	$74:50
	Mr Vest & yourself at 372 et.	9.75
	to 77 ft 6 in of Plank for Pailes at 180 at.	1.97
	to the amount of my account for work	$86.22
	done on Mrs Powellsline between your lots and here	6.19 ¼
		$92.41 ¼
	[On back of paper]
	The within amount in my account is	$92.41 ¼
	credited by your account against me up)	9. 8
	to this time is $9.8 at. )	$83.33
	Received of the above fifty dollars part of the above account	50.00
	of Doctor Galt in an order on Colonel B. Bassett.	33.33

Richard M. Bucktrout
March 26th 1835

Received the balance of Doctr Galts account by note in full. Richard M. Bucktrout.
March 26th 1835

March 29th	Doctr A. Galt to Richard M. Bucktrout	Dr
1834	to 3 pannells of Planking btween Mrs Powells & yourself at 50 ct. per pan	$1.50
	to 12 ½ pannells of Pailes between
	Dg at 37 ½ ct. each	$4.69 ¼
		$6.19 ¼

Received the above in full March 26th 1835

Richard M. Bucktrout.

Doctor Galt to Robert Tabb	Dr
May the 5 the 1830 to 6 bushels of lime	$1 00
To four bushels of whitewash at $1 00 Per bushel	$4 00
September the 12 to furnishing one trials and Running Eight pillers under Stable	$10 50
18 to three bushels of lime and one bushel of whitewll	$ 1 50
of october to working up back of kitchen	$5 00
June the 8 the 1831 to three bushels of whitewash	$3 00
July the 11, to Repareing two fire plais	$2 50
To laying-two larths in dweling house	$3 00
August the 6 to Six bushels of lime	$1 00
To half a bushel of whitewash	$3 00
1832 April the 9 to working up back and Jams to kitchen fire plais	$7 50
To laying harth to the same	$2 50
June the 3 to three bushels of whitewash	$3 00
August the 16 to twelve yards of plastering at twenty five cents Per yard	$3 00
8 March 1838 Recd by R H Armistead atto	$48

the above amount in settlement of account
Robert Tabb

Dr A. D. Galt
1835 to Arthur Taylor Sr Dr

October 26th for 45 ½ days work made by Robert at brick work & plaistering $1.75 pr day	$79..62
50 cents allowed each Saturday night as per agreement 7 Saturday nights	3..50
to passage paid up & down in	2..00
steamBoat	$87..12

Recd Paymt

Dr Galt for Arthur Taylor

Dear Cousin above is a bill of the bricklayers at precisely what they cost me if it is not perfectly convenient to pay the whole - pay me part of it you please now & when convenient you can pay the balance
Yours Truly
D. Galt.

1834 Dr	Doctr Alexander Galt To Thomas Martin	$ cts
Novr & Decr
	To 2 Sills W.O. a a 26 ft long 8 by 10 in at 12 ½ cts pr ft	6.50
	" 2 Do Do Do 22 Do at Do	5.50
	" 2 plates 26 ft long a a 4 by 6 in at 4 cts pr ft	1.73
	" 2 Do 22 Do Do Do at Do	1.45
	" 2 Do 18 Do Do Do at Do	1.20
	" 28 Sleepers 22 Do Do 4 by 10 in at 6 cs Do	43.06
	" 24 Joists 24 Do Do 4 by 10 in at 4 ts Do	19.20
	" 4 Corner posts 20 ft long a a 4 by 6 in at 4 by 8 at 5 cts Do	4.00
	" 24 pieces for posts & Braces 11 ft logn a a 4 by 6 a 4 cts Do	8.80
	" 30 pieces of Scantling 11 ft long 3 by 4 in at 2 cts	3.85
	" 40 Rafters 15 ft long each 3 by 4 in at Do	7.00
	" 20 Collar beams 12 ft long 3 by 3 at Do	2.44
	" 14 posts 4 Braces for a second story 9 ft long 4 by 6 a 4 cts	4.20
	" 40 peices Scantling a a 9 ft long 3 by 4 at 2 cts	4.20
	" 75 Garden Rails 16 ft long at 20 cts pr rail	15.03
	" 556 ft of plank at $18.00 pr M	10.00
1835
Apr 5	" One load of plank, 70 in No 30 of them 14 ft ong aa
	" & the remaining 40 plank 10 ft long a a 8 in wide
	" 546 feet at $18.00 pr M	9.82
6	" One Load containing 61 plank 8 of them 12 ft long 12
	" Do 10 ft long & the remaining 41 plank 14 ft long a a 8 in
	" wide 528 ft at $18.00 per M	9.50
7	" One load containing 63 plank a a 12 ft long & 8 in wide 504 feet at
	" $18.00 pr M	9.07
8	" One load Do containg 59 planks W.B. 46 of them 12 ft
	" long & the remg 13 of them 10 ft long a a 8 wide 454
	" & 4 plank for sheathing inch thick 12 ft long & 12
	" in wide making 48 ft amty together to 502 ft at $18.00	9.03
9	" One load of inch plank in No 44 plank 34 of which
	" were 12 ft long & 12 cu wide & the remaining 10 of them 12
	" ft long & 8 in wide 488 ft at $18.00 pr M	8.79
11	" One load of plank containing 472 ft Weather board
	" & 108 ft of inch plank at $18.00 pr M 580 ft	10.44
		$ 194.78

Errors Excepted
Thos Martin
$194.78
To amount brought over $194.78

1835 Supre Cr
Sepr
By Wm Hewlets a/c 16.75
Balance due debt $178.03

Oct 23rd 1835 Recd this day one hundred & fifty dollars towards the within
account Wm Martin for Tho Martin
$178.03
150.00
28.03

Paid Decr 23rd 1835 Twenty eight dollars & three cts in full of the above a/c
Thos Martin Jr for
Thos Martin

1830	Doctor A D Galt
	To W Edloe	Dr
March 31	to 1 days hire of Hack	$3.00
July 29	"1 1/3 dozen oranges	1.00
1831
Feby 13	" Hack to JasTown	2.00
16	" Do ----- Do -----	2.00
27	" Do ----- Do -----	2.00
May 10	" 32 garden Rails double Length @ 20	6.40
June 8	" 28 feet of scantling	..56
	" 192 ft of Plank	3.84
10	" 1 ½ seat from JasTown	1.56
1832
Jany	" This amount paid Wm B Morecock	6.00
March	Do -------- Do for 1 Large Box	1.80
1833 5	" 1 days hire Hack	3.00
Jany 1	1 seat to JamsTown for servant	1 00
March 12	1 Do Do	1 00
1834
Nov 30	" Cash...[illegible]
Dec 14	2 seats to JsTown	2.00
1835 19	2 Do from Do	2.00
Dec 11	3 Load of Pine wood	1 50
	$[tear]...	43
	Cole & Edloe's account	2..00
		83 41
1835
Augt 8	" 4400 Bricks a 70 Cents per 100	$30.80
12	" 3400 Do Do	23.80
13	" 6800 Do Do	4.20
21	" 800 Do Do	5.60
		64..40
		147..80

Recd paymt in full
W Edlow
Dr Galt will Please examin the above

Since preparing the report in 1945 new evidence has come into our hands not available at that time. This evidence strengthens the chain to title as to the Nelson ownership of the property, date of sale to the Galt family, building and repairs made to the property &c. Such evidence is given below.

Galt Ms Collection (on loan from Mrs. Lee Kirby, Williamsburg, April 1951)Letter from Sally T. Brown to her brother, Alexander Galt
Williamsburg November 8th 1812

...

We are all m-- pleased to hear of your returning to the old City---thing has been done with the old house, Mr McCandlish is very anxious to lease it, as he intends to live at the Rawleigh at Xmas, he says he will repair it immediately. . .The old house is very much out of order, and [torn] I think you would be much happier...

The house where Judge Nelson lived in is [torn] found of it and it is now undergoing a [torn] would suit you better because it is ---- family as it now is. Mr Nelson is now---- have spoken to him about it, there is---

Letter from William Browne [Williamsburg] to ----

[Novr 18th 1813]

Dear Sir,
We have examined the state of Judge Nelson's House & find that it is not in a state of repair for your immediate reception. I have concluded that it will be best to have it shingled before you come down. Judge Nelson has spoken to the Workmen who give assurances of its being ready in a fortnight which will be as soon as you can get here...

Your having declined taking up your abode in the old house, and the impossibility of selling it has induced me to lease it to Mr McCandlish for three years at $100 pr A. the amt of which is to applied to put it in a state of repair. I hope it will meet with your approbation.
Novr 18th 1813.

Letter from Robert Nelson to Doctor Galt Wmsburg

Wmsburg Feby 14th 1816.

Dear sir
I received your note concerning one hundred and forty three dollars on account of rent of the house of Thos. Nelsons heirs and also mine & my mothers accounts. Perhaps as Tom acting for another it will be better to get some person to say what rent shall be paid for the stable...

Yours
Robert Nelson.

Letter from Carter Berkeley to Dr. Alexander Galt, Williamsburg,
Edge Wood, Hanover County

2 Septr 1817

Dear Sir
The friends of the Heirs of Majr Thos Nelson late of York, think it for the Interest of the heirs to sell all their real property in the lower Country as none of them will probably ever settle upon it

By their advice therefore I have advertised the property for Sale which you at present occupy in the City of Wmsburg and that is right to advise you of it-I hope you may find it to your Interest to become the purchaser of the House & Lots & perhaps of some of the land in the neighborhood-I am a perfect stranger to the property and can not pretend to form any opinion of its value-You [are] acquainted with its value, and if disposed to purchase, I will gladly attend to any proposition you may think proper to make to me on the subject- if you should not be the purchaser you will be pleased to be prepared to give possession to whom may be the purchaser on the first of Jany 1818 agreably to the terms of the whom may be the purchaser on the first day of Jany 1818 agreably to the terms of the advertisement

Yours Resplly
Carter Berkeley

Receipt-order addressed to Doctr Alexr Galt by Carter Berkeley 1821 February 27th

Pay to George W. Nelson the amount due for the rent of the House and lot in Williamsburg, belonging to the Estate of Thomas Nelson decd of York, between eighty Dollars, up to the first of January 1821

Carter Berkeley Admr
Feby 27th 1821

Doctor Alexr Galt

Dr A A Galt Dr to the Collr of Williamsburg 1821
...

To tax on Nelsons House & Lots 1.80
Wm Bowden Collr

the Est of the Thomas Nelson Dr to Wm Bowden Collr of Williamsburg to tax on House & Lot 1.80

Received payments of A D Galt
Wm Bowden Collr

[Diary in Galt mss on loan by Mrs. Lee Kirby to CWI]
A.D. Galt Jr written on front cover of notebook

1840
February...
...
March...
...

11. Captain Robert H Armistead papas Lawyer got a Receipt in full from Mr Richard Bucktrout for money paid the said Mr Bucktrout for building the addition to the house