Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

THE ENGLISH COFFEE HOUSE
Colonial Lot #25 and Western Portion of Colonial Lot #26)

sometime prior to the middle of the eighteenth century there had been erected on this property a large, roomy structure, which was known as the ENGLISH COFFEE HOUSE. The records show that there were in this building a large hallway, a parlour, a billiard room, a bar, a "garden room", a "chamber", a "Cuddy", a closet, an upstairs and a cellar. A number of "outbuildings" or offices stood about the building. Among those mentioned in the records were a kitchen and "kitchen shed", "the quarter", probably for housing servants, a milk house, a building in which there were sleeping quarters, a small shop, and a stable. A paling stood about the house. The evidence seems to indicate that these houses had been erected during the early years of the century and had been utilized for a coffee house during most of the intervening years.

The first known document relating to this property is a deed found in the York County records, by which James Sheilds conveyed lot #25 to "John Marott" on January 24, 1707. [York County Records, Deeds, Bonds, vol., II, p. 262] that certain structures were already standing on this lot is indicated by the fact that the deed conveyed to Marot "all houses, buildings" on it. The following year William Robertson, owner of lot #26, sold forty feet of that lot lying contiguous to lot #26 to Marot. [York County Records, Deeds, Bonds, vol. II, p. 295] Marot may have wished to extend his building onto lot #26, or it may have been that he merely wished to gain more elbow room. A definitive answer to this question necessarily awaits excavation of this area.

Jean or John Marot had come to Virginia as a Hoguenot refuges in 1700. [Virginia Historical Collections, vol. V, p. 24] By the year 1704 he was in the employment of William Byrd I of Westover, probably as a secretary. He was at that time about twenty-seven years old. [Virginia Historical Magazine, vol. 35, p. 241] Marot soon became active in the life of Williamsburg. Sometime prior to 1707 he had obtained a license to keep an ordinary there. On the same day that he purchased colonial lot #25 from Shields in 1707, he renewed his license to keep 2 an ordinary in the city. Marot served as constable of the city from 1707 to 1709, and he soon acquired a number of other lots in the town. [York County Records, Orders, Book 14; Deeds, Bonds, Book II, p. 413; Ibid, Book III, pp. 91-92] Marot doubtless maintained friendly relations with the family at Westover after he came to Williamsburg, for about (three months after) ^{May of year before} he acquired the English Coffee House property, William Byrd II, purchased the dwelling house adjacent to it on lot #24, as a town residence. Byrd had been made Receiver General of the colony a few months before this time.

Though Marot continued to own the English Coffee House property until he died in 1717, the records are not clear at this period, and they seem to indicate that he did not himself operate an ordinary on it immediately following its purchase. It seems probable that he may have rented it for a period to others for the purpose, and himself continued keeping tavern where he had previously done so. The York County Records reveal that Marot secured licenses in the following years as indicated

1707	… "to keep an ordinary in Williamsburg."
1708	… "to keep an ordinary at his house in Williamsburgh."
1709	… "to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburgh."
1711	… "to keep an ordinary in Williamsburgh in this county."
1712	… "to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburgh."
1713	… "to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburgh."
1715	… "to keep ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburg."
1716	… "to keep an ordinary at his dwelling in Williamsburg."

Though a deed of 1717 from the attorneys of William Wharton, who sold lot #56 to Marot at that time, seems definitely to establish Marot as living on the English Coffee House property in that year, there are other records that seem to indicate that he had perhaps rented the property at times, and that others had operated it as a coffee house. William Byrd II, now a member of the Council, frequented "the coffee house" situated near the capitol when he was in the city during the years 1710 and 1711. That this coffee house visited by Byrd was in the same general vicinity of the English Coffee House property is apparent from 3 Byrd's remarks about it. On one occasion in November 1711, when Byrd had been prevented for several hours from leaving the Capitol by a heavy downpour of rain, he at last "ran through it to the Coffee house, where I sat an hour before anybody came."[Byrd Diary, I, p. 433]

At this period "the coffee house" was a notable rendezvous for the councillors, the burgesses and other important personages in the city. Frequenting it almost daily when in the city, Byrd occasionally mentions visiting "Marot's" after he has left the coffeehouse. He sometimes dined at the coffee house, but more frequently dropped in at various hours of the day or in the evening to converse with friends and enjoy light refreshments. Here he also often played at cards or dice, usually recording his winnings or his losses in his diary.

Marot, thought to be murdered by Francis Sharpe, died in 1717. By the terms of his will, made that year, the "English Coffee House" and the other property he had acquired in the city were bequeathed to his wife and daughters, his wife receiving a one-third share, and his daughters a two-thirds share of it, with the reversion of their mother's third at her death. (See will in York County Records).

The deed of 1717 referred to above makes it obvious that Marot was living and keeping an ordinary on the English Coffee House property at the time he was murdered. The inventory of his household goods provides certain information regarding the character of the house and confirms the impression that it was a large one. Twenty-three beds and a large amount of other furniture and furnishings are listed:

January 16, 1717

1 bed and furniture	6/ 0/0
1 do.	6/ 0/0
7 Cane chairs	1/ 3/0
1 chest, a table and some duck	1/ 0/0
1 pr. hand irons	0/ 5/0
2 cottail beds and 2 feather beds	5/10/0
2 feather beds and furniture	13/ 0/0
1 table, chairs and broom	0/ 8/6
To sundry goods in the cuddy	5/10/0
4
1 feather bed and furniture	7/ 0/0
8 pr. winder curtains	2/ 0/0
1 trussel bed and furniture	3/ 0/0
16½ Ells holland	4/ 0/0
1 bed cord	0/ 1/6
1 bread basket	0/ 1/6
2 chests	0/12/6
5 leather chairs	0/12/6
3½ ells of sheeting canvass	0/ 7/6
1 looking glass	2/ 0/0
2 tables	0/17/6
1 press and several things in it	4/15/0
List of Sugar
1 pr. hand irons	1/ 0/0
3 pictures	0/ 5/0
1 bell	0/ 3/6
2 sugar pots	0/ 2/6
1 box iron and heaters	0/ 3/0
1 table and chest	1/ 2/6
4 tables	5/10/0
1 napkin press	1/ 5/0
14 leather chairs	3/10/0
1 large looking glass	2/10/0
A parcel of earthern ware	0/12/0
1 pr/ hand irons	0/16/8
1 fire shovel and tongs	0/ 2/0
1 mug and pictures	0/ 7/0
1 bed and furniture	3/10/0
2 guns	0/15/0
1 spinning wheel	0/10/0
1 table	0/ 8/0
1 Serton	0/15/0
1 table and wood horse	0/ 3/0
4 chairs	1/ 4/0
2 beds, furniture and trussel	4/10/0
1 set curtains, vallens and box	3/ 0/0
1 old duro and box	1/11/0
1 dagger	0/ 5/0
to Sundry things in a Duro	1/10/0
1 Japaned chest of drawers, table, bed, looking glass, chairs	25/ 0/0
1 bed and furniture	8/ 0/0
1 trussel	0/ 7/6
2 tables	2/ 0/0
1 pr. hand irons, shovel and tongs	0/15/0
1 parcel of earthern ware	0/14/0
Glasses and china cups	0/ 7/6
40 Ells Virginia Cloth	3/ 0/0
2 pc. Cherry Derrys	2/10/0
3 pc. Callico	2/12/6
1 press bed	1/10/0
1 doz. new cane stools	1/10/0
2 old chairs	0/ 1/3
1 bed and furniture	7/ 0/0
4 chairs	0/16/0
5
2 Mopps	0/ 3/0
1 table	0/ 5/0
1 brush	0/ 1/6
1 black walnut table	0/18/0
1 couch bed	1 /2/0
1 bed	1/ 5/0
2 pr. blankets	2/ 4/0
1 bed	2/ 0/0
1 rug	1/ 0/0
1 bed	4/ 0/0
1 bed and bedstead	4/10/0
1 bed and furniture	6/ 0/0
1 chest of draws	4/ 0/0
1 dressing glass	0/ 7/6
2 tables	2/10/0
1 carpet	1/ 0/0
6 cane chairs	1/10/0
1 couch and squob	1/ 5/0
1 tea table and furniture	1/15/0
2 pr. money scales	0/17/6
1 trunk	0/ 2/6
1 pr. dogs, fire shovel and tongs	0/15/0
To sundry goods in the closet	11/ 4/0
1 desk and several things in it	2/10/0
To do.	0/ 9/0
to do.	0/ 3/0
1 bed and furniture	9/ 0/0
3 trunks	1/10/0
1 chest of draws	1/ 0/0
7 pr. Ozn. sheets	2/ 3/9
2 chests and boxes	0/15/0
4 chairs	0/ 7/0
1 cotton hammock	0/17/6
2 parcel of new goods	3/ 5/6
53 pillowbers	1/13/1½
Towels	1/ 2/0
to do.	0/11/3
Table cloths and napkins	37/ 3/6
Sheets	23/ 3/0
1 pr tongs and bellows	0/ 3/6
256 Oz. of plate	70/ 8/0
1 fire shovel and tongs	0/ 4/0
1 looking glass and basket	0/11/6
4 oz. burnt silver	0/16/0
List of wines and liquors
1 punch bowl	0/ 1/6
Currants, raisens, lumber	5/ 0/0
4 doz. candle moles	4/ 0/0
Hemp	0/ 3/0
3 runletts	0/ 3/0
3 jugs of oyle	0/ 4/0
4 stone jugs	0/10/0
2 pr. Tarriers 1 bottle crane	0/ 4/0
2 iron pots	0/17/6
4 narrow hoes	0/ 5/6
6
1 set iron wedges	0/ 5/0
2 beds	0/15/0
1 pail	0/ 2/0
1 close stool, 1 bed pan, 4 plates	0/15/0
2 oz. plate	0/ 9/0
Bottles	0/ 9/0
1 copper	8/10/0
3 doz. drinking glasses	6/ 8/3
List of horses and carts, cattle, harness
1 warming pan	0/10/0
1 table	0/ 7/6
2 stills	21/11/0
1 trevett	0/10/0
lumber	0/ 5/0
1 iron pot	0/13/4
13 bushels of salt	1/ 1/8
2 brass kettles	2/10/0
To sundrys in the milk house	3/ 9/0
Lumber in the yard	0/10/0
To sundry goods in the billiard room	3/ 0/0
1 new brass kettle	5/11/8
100 lbs. old pewter	3/ 6/8
8 doz. plates	4/16/0
192 lbs. new pewter	8/ 0/0
1 Jack	1/ 0/0
3 " brass	2/ 2/6
3 skillets	2/ 2/6
3 copper pots	0/10/0
1 brass sauce pan	0/ 4/0
109 lbs. new brass	5/ 9/0
41 of old do.	1/ 0/6
1 tea kettle and trevett	0/12/6
1 pestle, mortar, and chafing dish	1/ 0/0
2 grid irons and other irons	0/ 8/0
3 pr. candlesticks and snuffers	1/ 2/6
4 pr. old candlesticks	0/10/0
2 doz. knives and forks	0/ 3/0
1 doz. small patty pans	0/ 2/6
3 brass candlesticks	0/17/6
5 spits	3/ 0/0
The iron work in the Kitchen chimney	3/ 0/0
4 pr. pot hooks	0/ 4/0
2 iron pots	0/ 8/3
3 ladles and scuers	0/ 8/3
1 iron kettle	0/ 7/0
1 turn dish and turn plate	0/ 7/0
1 choppin knife	0/ 7/6
3 frying pans	0/ 3/0
To sundry goods kitchen shed	1/ 8/0
To sundry things in kitchen shed	1/ 7/6
Knives and forks old	0/ 3/0
List of Slaves
	904/11/1

[York County Records, Orders, Wills, Book 15, pp. 242-246]

7

Marot's widow, Anne, who was remarried a short time after his death to Timothy Sullivant, apparently continued without intermission to live in the "English Coffee House" and to operate, with her new husband, Marot's business as an ordinary keeper. (See William and Mary Quarterly, series one, vol. V, p. 117). Timothy Sullivant secured a license to operate an ordinary in the city on March 17, 1717. [York county Records, Orders, Wills, Book 15, p. 249] When William Robertson, who owned lot 27 and part of lot 26, deeded 50 feet of his property to John Brown in 1718, he referred to this property as being bounded "by Sullivants pales to his corner on the Main Street."[York County Records, Deeds and Bonds, Book III, p. 267] In another deed of 1723, Robertson referred to his property as bounded "on the West by the lots late of said John Marot and now in the tenure and occupation of Anne Sullivan."[Ibid, Deeds, Bonds, Vol. III, p. 411]

In 1824 ¹⁷²⁴ Anne Sullivant obtained a license in her own name to "keep an ordinary at her now dwelling house in Williamsburg."[Ibid, Orders, Wills, Book 16, p. 306] She apparently continued this business until 1732. As the following advertisement from the Virginia Gazette of September 1, 1738 indicates, she had removed from Williamsburg by that time and John Taylor had undertaken to carry on a "Public Business" in her house:

MRS Sullivane, of Williamsburg, having left off Public Business, and retir'd to the Country, the Subscriber hath taken the same House, and now carries on Public Business, where Gentlemen may depend on kind Treatment and good Accommodations for themselves, and extraordinary Pasturages and Stabling for their Horses …" John Tyler

Taylor seems to have conducted this ordinary for a number of years. By 1745, however, it was being operated by Marot's son-in-law and daughter, James Sheilds and Anne Marot Ingles Sheilds as the "English Coffee House." On May 4, 1745 Sheilds purchased the property from one of Marot's other daughters and her husband, Edith and Samuel Cobbs. The deed by which the property was 8 conveyed referred to it as the "lots whereon the said James Sheilds now lives."

Cobbs, Samuel - Gent. Amelia County
Edith, his wife
to
Sheilds, James - Ordinary Keeper
Consideration: 5 shillings

A parcel of ground situate lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, whereon the said James Sheilds now lives. Also all that part of a lot now in the possession of the said James Sheilds, distinguished in the plan of the said city by the figures 56, containing by estimation 30 feet in breadth, bounded Southwardly by the Duke of Gloucester Street aforesaid, Eastwardly by two posts at each end of the said lot, Northwardly by Nicholson Street, and Westwardly by the land of Andrew Anderson, and is opposite to the above mentioned lots whereon the said James Sheilds now lives., All which ground formerly belonged to John Marott.
And all houses, buildings

Sheilds continued to operate the ENGLISH COFFEE HOUSE until his death, which occurred sometime prior to January 21, 1750. On that date the inventory of his personal property was filed in York County. The large amount of household furnishings and the various apartments mentioned confirm the impression that the English Coffee House was a large building and provide interesting information regarding the character of its rooms:

January 21, 1750

Shield, James - Inventory

In the Parlour.
2 oval tables, 1 square table, 8 leather chairs, 1 chest of draws, 1 looking glass, 1 corner cupboard, 5 old pictures.

In the Hall.
2 looking glasses, 20 pictures, 1 corner cupboard, 4 china chocolate cups, 6 earthern tea cups, 1 glass bowl, 3 china bowls, 1 pottle decanter, 1 desk and book case, 15 leather chairs, 3 oval tables, 2 square tables, 2 backgammon tables, 1 tea chest, 1 doz. silver handled knives, 9 silver table spoons and case, 11 silver handled knives and 12 forks, 1 case for do., 1 doz. ivory handled knives and 3½ doz. china plates, 1 basket for do. 2 french servers, 1 clock, 3 pint silver cans, 1 pottle silver tankard, 4 silver salts, 2 silver butter boats, 1 silver soop spoon, 1 silver punch Ladle, 1 french sugar castor, 4 brass candlesticks, 3 waiters, 2 chafing dishes, 9 1 pottle stone mug, 28 wine glasses, 1 plate basket, 22 books, 8 pr. scissors, 1 load stone, 1 flash brush, 1 pr. money scales 1 pr. doggs, 1 pr. tongs and shovel

Upstairs
1 plate warmer, 1 pewter cistern, 1 case of surveyors instruments.
1 mans saddle, 1 iron mill, a parcel old iron,
14 new leather chairs, r sickles, 2 sets chair harness, 1 bucket
1 cloaths brush.

In the lower room.
1 looking glass, 2 beds and furniture,
2 pictures, 2 small tables, 5 chairs,
1 old iron dog and 2 stone chamber pots.

Upstairs.
1 looking glass, 2 beds and furniture
2 chamber pots, 1 small table, 1 cane chair

In the shed.
1 chest, 6 brass candlesticks, 3 iron do.
1 pair stilyards, 2 pr. flat irons, 1 pr. iron dogs,
1 corner cupboard, 12 china saucers, 6 cups and 9 books

In the Barr.
4 empty carboys, 1 case and bottles, 1 square table,
1 old fiddle, 1 old Hautboy, 1 tin funnel, 1 old gun lock
1 old qt. pot, 1 copper can, 2 large butter pots, 1 bird cage, 1 pr. large money scales.

In the garden room.
1 large looking glass, 2 old pictures, 8 rush chairs,
1 large table, 2 beds and furniture, 3 pair window curtains, 1 pair iron dogs.

In the chamber and kitchen.
2 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 1 brass candlestick, 1 old trunk, 1 pair dogs, 2 quart decanters, 7 pair snuffers, 5 glass salts, 1 wine glass, 1 old pair money scales, 1 pair large brass scales, 1 chafing dish, 4 chairs, 3 earthern bowls, 2 coffee pots, 1 chocolate pot, 1 pewter bason, 1 turene, 1 tin dish cover, 24 pewter dishes, 1 doz. deep plates, 4½ doz. flat do. 3 earthern dishes, 1 tea kettle, 1 trivet, 2 box iron etc., 1 grater, 1 silver punch strainer, 1 silver punch spoon, 2 sugar boxes, 1 tea board
A parcel china, 5 silver tea spoons,
1 marbel mortar, 1 bell mettle mortar and dutch oven, 2 doz. candle moulds, 2 stew pans, and stoppers, 3 iron pots, 1 bell mettle skillet, 1 large copper and 1 brass kettle 1 jack, 1 coffee mill, 1 silver watch, 2 iron spits, 1 pair dogs, 4 pails, 4 tubs, 2 large butter pots, 2 frying pans, 1 fish kettle, 3 potracks, 1 grid iron, 1 dripping pan, 2 old pewter dishes, 7 old ivory handled knives and 1 warming pan, 10 2 old square tables
3 butter pots.

Upstairs.
6 beds and furniture, 1 square table, 1 looking glass, 1 chair, 2 rush chairs, 1 elbow chair, 2 trunks and 1 screen

In the closet.
1 old cupboard, 1 large jug, 1 pair lime squeezers
1 pint, 1 half pint and 1 gill pot
1 gallon pot, 2 pair new shoes, 1 chair, 8 potting pots, 1 beer cask, 1 brass cock.

In the cellar.
41 Rennish, 6 brass cocks, 1 powdering tub, 2 old pewter dishes 11 table cloths, 32 napkins, 2 dozen towels, 11 pair sheets, 12 pillowbees
3 pr. window curtains
4 milk pans,
1 billiard table and balls, 1 new cloth for do
3 half pint decanters, 1 pint do.
69 wine glasses, 82 jelly do., 6 sweet meat do., 29 sullibub do. 17 earthern dishes, 3 china do., 3 china butter plates
22 pye moulds
1 wood tea board, 11 quires paper,
Parcel old brass, 1 box pipes, 6 glass servers,
2 new narrow hoes, 1 new spade
10 groce qt. bottles, 3 jars, 1 waggon, 1 cart, 2 chairs,
1 wheelbarrow
8 horses.

At the quarter.
List of Stock
A parcel of carpenters tools
A parcel of coopers tools

[York County Records, Book 20, Wills, Inventories, p. 198]

By the terms of Sheilds' will his houses and lots in Williamsburg were given to his wife during her widowhood, to revert to his son James on her death or remarriage. [York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 20, p. 195] His wife, Anne, was made sole executrix of his estate.

Mrs. Sheilds was remarried on July 11, 1751 to Henry Wetherburn, who apparently thus became the administrator of James Sheilds' property. [William and Mary Quarterly, Series One, vol. IV, p. 30] Within the year Wetherburn advertised for Sheilds' creditors to pay their debts to the estate. [Virginia Gazette, March 27, 1752] on August 8, 1751, he advertised the English 11 Coffee House for rent as follows:

To be Let, and entered on immediately,
The Tavern lately kept by Mr. James Sheilds in Williamsburg with all convenient Out-houses. Enquire of
HENRY WETHERBURN[Virginia Gazette, August 8, 1751]

Daniel Fisher, a dealer in tea, coffee and wines, who had come to Williamsburg about a year before, soon leased the Coffee House, and opened it as a tavern. On October 3, 1751 Fisher inserted the following advertisement in the Virginia Gazette:

To the Publick,
The Tavern lately kept by Mr. James Sheilds, near the CAPITOL, in Williamsburg, will be opened, by the Subscriber, on Monday next: Such Gentlemen who are pleased to favor me with their Company, shall be sure of the best Accommodation in my Power.
DANIEL FISHER

Early the next year Fisher determined to abandon his business as a tavern keeper, and to confine his activities to his business as a dealer in wines, coffee, tea, etc., and the renting of several apartments into which he decided to divide the Coffee House. On February 20, 1752 he inserted the following advertisement in the Virginia Gazette:

Several Difficulties and Impediments in the Business I so lately undertook, subjecting me to the Necessity of giving it over; I thought it incumbent on me to give this Notice thereof.

I have divers Rooms or Apartments to let, also a large Stable with Stalls for about Twenty Horses.
DANIEL FISHER

Fisher continued his business as a merchant and rented out apartments in the Coffee House for several years. Lewis Hallam, the English actor, lately arrived from London, appeared to have occupied one of these apartments in 1752. (See advertisement in Virginia Gazette, August 21, 1752). Finally in 1752 the Coffee House was damaged by a fire which originated in a neighboring dwelling and shortly thereafter Fisher left Williamsburg for Philadelphia. His family continued to occupy the building for a time, but it is not known when they vacated it.

12

The following excerpts from a manuscript diary kept by Fisher (erroneously ascribed to George Fisher) provide interesting data regarding the location of the coffee House, the character of the building and the uses to which it was put at that period:

… In less than a year after we came to Williamsburg, a large house near the Capitol became vacant known by the name of the English Coffee House, and that which we lived in lying much out of the way … I thereupon consulted my good friend Mr. Walthoe, who showed no aversion to the thing, but said … apply himself to Mr. Wetherburn (the Person who had the letting of it) ° and Mr. Wetherburn and I in his presence came to the following agreement. I to take a Lease of the House for Three years certain at a rent of Forty pounds a year

Being soon tired of this Public Business … I … quitted it, and stuck to my dealing in Coffee, Tea … proposing too as my house was large and in front particularly, to divide and let it out in several distinct Tenements …

… we went on extremely well, and as I had forseen, I let out into Tenements as much as amounted to Forty-Six pounds a year, receiving [reserving?] also much the better and larger part for my own use.

… on Saturday the 24th of April, 1754, about 8 in the Evening, I being just got to bed My Daughter alarmed me with the cry of Fire at a neighbor's house, one Mr. Palmer, an Atty; there was our good friend Mr. Walthoe's only between which of us, the apartment where the fire began was a back room or counting house joining to a store next Mr. Walthoe's, which was let to a merchant (Mr. Osborne) who was gone to England to fetch over his Family …

Between the east end of Mr. Walthoe's house and this in flames, was a void space of about Thirty foot … But the explosion of the Gun Powder, (the roof then all in a blaze) scattered firebrands upon Mr. Walthoe's house … set his house also instantly in a blaze. … The Capitol, tho' more than 200 feet distant, was by its eastern situation in great danger of being burnt a second time, the shingles catching several times …

Between the West end of Mr. Walthoe's and the East end of my house, was a void space of no more than about four foot …

… in a moment my doors which I had locked or barred, were all broke open … My cellar in particular being so crowded, that they could hardly stand one by another. Every room in my house was also full, breaking open all my chests of Drawers, Trunks, Boxes, Desks, etc.…

…It is likewise to be noted that Mr. Weatherburn's rancorous proceedings in not allowing the ruined part of my house to be repaired or the Pailing made good, whereby I lay open and exposed to many injuries

… As I lay in a separate Building, detached from the rest of our Habitation and alone; It was easy for me to remove 13 without disturbing any Part of my Family. On Monday May the 12th, 1755, at Day Break, about half an hour after Four in the morning, I left Williamsburg to proceed by God's permission to Philadelphia …

[See "Narrative of George Fisher", William and Mary Quarterly, series one, vol. 17, passim.]

It is not known to what purposes the English Coffee House was put during the next several years. By 1770, however, it appears finally to have passed out of the descendants of the Marot family. On August 27, 1770, William Goodson, a merchant, referred to the property as on he had "lately purchased of Mr. James Sheilds."[York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 76] On that date Goodson rented an apartment or "tenement' on the west side of the building to John Drapor, a farrier. A blacksmith shop had apparently been equipped in one of the outbuildings at the rear of the house at this time:

Goodson, William - Merchant
to
Drapor, John - Farrier & Blacksmith
Consideration: Yearly Rent

All that part of a messuage or tenement which he at present occupies in the West end of the House and Ground lately purchased of Mr. James Sheilds of the Parish of Bruton, County of York, Planter, situate on the main street in Williamsburg between the lot belonging to the estate of Mr. John Palmer, deceased, on the East, consisting of two rooms, a kitchen and a shed on the ground floor and two rooms above stairs with a blacksmith shop behind the same, also one half of garden etc., and one half of one of the cellars under the house.

[York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 76]

In 1772 Goodson rented an apartment on the east side of the building to John de Sigueyra:

June 18, 1782

Goodson, William
to
Sigueyra, John de
Consideration: 5 shillings. (rental)

All that part of the lot lately purchased by the said William Goodson of James Sheilds now in the possession and occupation of the said John de Sigueyra, lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, with all those three rooms thereon which are to the East end of the large dwelling house on the said 14 lots and adjoin the small shop now occupied by Thomas Craig with the cellar under the same, except one room thereof not in the use of the said John de Sigueyra, and the rooms above with the passages, and every part of the house of aforesaid which lies to the Eastward of the rooms aforesaid or any of them or above them … and all houses, kitchens and buildings except the small shop …

[York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 236]

William Goodson died apparently late in 1781. In his will probated on June 17, 1782, he bequeathed all his property to his wife for her lifetime, providing that at her death it should be equally divided between his daughter, Ann, and his sons, William and Samuel. The records show his wife, Mary, died only a few months after her husband. In her will made on December 17, 1781, and probated on June 17, 1782, she directed that, should it be necessary to dispose of any of her real estate to satisfy claims against her deceased husband's estate or her own, land out of "that part situated on the Main Street above the Capitol" should be sold. [York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 22, p. 513]

The English Coffee House apparently remained a part of the estate of Mrs. Mary Goodson for a number of years. The ledgers of Humphrey Harwood, who was one of the two executors of her estate, indicate he repaired and made improvements on the Coffee House in 1787, 1788 and 1790. From these accounts it appears that apartments were still being rented in the building. The items in Harwood's ledgers appear to relate to work done at the Coffee House and are given below:

Mrs. Mary Goodson's Est. Dr.

1787
May 24
	To 4 bushels of lime 48/ & 72 Bricks 2/
	To working Wall to Cellar Cap & repairing pillars
	to porch & steps- & underpinning
	To 1 days labour 2/6 & do. Doctr Seguerai 6/
	To 2 bushels of lime 2/ & labours Work 1/6
July 11	To 7 bushels of lime 7/ & hair 1/3
	To labours work 2. & repairing plastering 7/6
	To 1 bushel of Whitewash 2/.
	To whitewashing 1 Room/ & passages a 4/6
15
Septr. 5	To 3 bushels of lime 3/ & 65 bricks 1/9
	To reparing Top to Chimney 10/. & labour 3/6
Octr 17	To 4 bushels of lime 4/. & setting up a Grate upstairs 2/6
	To mending Back & Jambs of Grate below 2/.
	To 1 bushel of lime 1/. … for Mrs. Singleton's

[Harwood Ledger B, p. 110]

1790
April 8	To lime & sundry work at Doctr. De Seguera's … 8-
May 12	To 1 bush: of lime d[/9] & 3 pecks of whitewash 1/.
	To whitewashing the large Room (at Mrs Singleton's ) 5/
	To do passage & Stairway 3/9
June 7	To whitewash P 5 & whitewashing a Room 3/6 (Doct. Seguera's)
25	To whitewash d 7½ & whitewash a ceiling & passage (illegible) 8 3½
July 20	To - whitewash 39- & … do 3 Rooms (at Mrs. Singleton's)
	(illegible) 12 -
Octr. 25	To 2 bush: of lime 1/6 & 1½ days work of Nat 6/ …

The list of tithables of York County for 1801 reveals that Mary Goodson's estate had not been settled at that time. Both the Unknown Draftsman's map of c. 1790 and the Bucktrout map of 1803 show the property in the possession of a person or persons named Goodson. By the year 1809 the Coffee House property had come into the possession of John Coke, who insured the buildings on it at that time with the Mutual Assurance Society. According to this policy the buildings standing on the property then were a wooden dwelling house, 64 feet long and 26 feet wide, a detached wooden kitchen, 34 feet by 16 feet, a smoke house, a stable of wood, 15 feet by 16 feet, and another small outhouse. It should be pointed out that while both the dwelling and kitchen are described in this policy as being one story buildings, the term was frequently employed to describe structures of a story and a half. Coke put a valuation of $2,100 on the three principal structures: the dwelling, the kitchen, and the stable. A tracing of this policy accompanies this report.

The records for the remainder of the nineteenth and the early twentieth century yield little further information regarding the property. Mr. John S. Charles, who lived for some years across the street from it stated that an old story and a half structure, with dormer windows stood on the site as late as 16 1858, at which time it was destroyed by fire. His description makes it appear that the building burned at that time was the original English Coffee House. Modern structures were built on the site shortly afterwards. Speaking of the property, Mr. Charles said:

On the lot between the old house just described Tillege and the "Vest" (Christian) lot, there stood up to 1858, when it was destroyed by fire, a long one-and-one-half story frame building, with dormer windows. The front door was close to the ground with just two stones for steps down to the street.

To the windows on the lower floor of the Colonial structure, there were double "Shutters" made with panels like most of the houses of that day.

This old house is well-remembered by the writer, who lived across the street from it when it was burned. After the fire the house now owned by Mr. Roberts was built and occupied as a residence by a Mr. Moss, who erected on the site of the old dwelling, two large two story shops, in which he manufactured carriages, buggies, wagons, etc.

These houses were there when the Union host marched past, the bands playing "Yankee Doodle", and "On to Richmond", and when Gen'l McClelland made his headquarters in the "Vest" house, which presented then very much the same exterior appearance as it does today.

[Charles, Recollections, p. ]

^{Dr. Farish
Summer - Fall, 1942).}