Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

I am sending herewith the report we have prepared at your request on the "Sign of the Kings Arms", (Block 9, Colonial Lot 23?).^{bldg 29A}

H. D. F.
20:15
^{(McWilliams, 1941)}

Edmund Pendleton at Mrs. Vobe's on evening of November 6, 1775. See: Mays' Edmund Pendleton, vol. 2, p 362.

Tucker-Coleman Uncatalogued Mss, folder 2, (bottom file box-right)

	St George Tucker Esqr To J: Vobe	Dr
1777
Decr 30th	To Arrack Punch	£ 7.10.-
	Recd the above in full Jane Vobe.

FOODS, drinks

"SIGN OF THE KING'S ARMS"
Block 9, Colonial Lot 23?

It is difficult to understand why the records for this lot are so scanty and uncertain, since it was located in York County. [See Policies #125 and #667 with the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, pp. 38 and 41, photostat copies in the Department of Research and Record.] One contributing factor to the scantiness of the records was the concern of the Williamsburg dwellers with advertising only for their contemporaries. Everyone in the locality in 1772 would know where the building "opposite the Raleigh Tavern" stood, and would be familiar with its appearance. Another confusing practice was the habit of the eighteenth-century entrepreneurs of advertising their places of business with high-sounding names, i.e. the Sign of the King's Arms, the Sign of the Golden Ball, the Sign of the Dial, Harp & Crown, and so forth. Unfortunately, residents and travelers found it much simpler to speak of "Mr. Hay's" or "Mrs. Vobe's"; it was unusual for such a name as "Raleigh Tavern" to stick, and even that short name was used interchangeably with the name of its proprietors. Only in Jane Vobe's announcement of opening tavern at the "Sign of the King's Arms" in 1772 was that impressive name for her establishment found in the written records.

It appears that the first owner of colonial lot #23 - the probable location of the "Sign of the King's Arms" was James Shields (sometimes spelled Sheils). In 1707 James Sheils deeded lot #24 to William Bird. Seven months later (Old Style Calendar) when he deeded lot #25 to John Marott, he located the latter next to "the lot formerly sold by the said James Sheils to William Bird, Esq." [York County Records, Book II - Deeds, Bonds, pp. 234, 262.] It is evident from a deed of 1749 that three contiguous lots (numbers unknown) "on the south side of the Main Street opposite 2 to the Rawley Tavern" had "formerly belonged to the late Colonell William Bird of Charles City County." It seems reasonable to assume that James Shields sold all three to Bird since he certainly sold #24, according to his own word. The three contiguous lots, then, must have been #22, #23, and #24.

James Crosbie or Crosby, merchant of Glasgow, deeded the three lots mentioned above to "Andrew Archd Buchanan's & Company Merchants in Glasgow." The deed (in abstract] reads:

"Three Lots of Land containing half an Acre in each Lot (upon one of which Lots there is built a Dwelling House & Kitchen upon the Middle Lott is a Storehouse and upon the other Lot there is a Warehouse & Stable all lying Contiguous in the City of Williamsburgh on the South side of the Main Street opposite to the Rawley Tavern which said Lots are marked in the Plan of the said City by the Nos [not given] which formerly belonged to the late Colonell William Bird of Charles City County) To have and to hold the said lots…" [York County Records, Book V — Deeds, p. 393, February 26, 1749.]

It appears that John Hyndman's advertisement of July 3, 1752 refers to one of these lots. It reads:

"To be Let, and entered on immediately, The Houses and Lots opposite to the Raleigh Tavern, lately possessed by the Subscriber, from whom the Terms may be known." [Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, Ed.]

The history of Hyndman's connection with Williamsburg seems to be as follows. Francis Jerdone, in a letter dated May 12, 1749, mentioned a John Hyndman and William Millar who had arrived from "Glasgow with large cargoes & have some thoughts of fixing here at Wmsburg." [William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. XI (1), p. 155.] A Mr. John Hyndman, merchant in Williamsburg, invited gentlemen to consign their tobacco to the "Snow Dennistown, Capt. Patrick Carnegy" going to Bristol. [Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, Editor, June 27, 1751. ] John Hyndman and Hugh Blackburn were attornies for Andrew, Archibald Buchanan and Company, merchants of Glasgow, and sold one of their lots to Mr. Kenneth McKenzie on November 20, 1753. Because of their failure to deed the lot outright, and because of 3 the indebtedness of Kenneth McKenzie, Hyndman appeared as a witness or defendant in a lawsuit in the York County Courts in 1757-58. In the final settlement of the case, Joanna McKenzie, widow, bought the lot and house at the public sale. [Land Causes, 1764-1769, pp. 96-106.]

Although it takes a long chain of titles and advertisement to establish the facts, a mortgage of 1760 indicates that at that time John Carter occupied lot #23, the property west of Joanna McKenzie:

June 1760.

McKenzie, Joanna - widow
Williamsburg
to
Carter, James - Surgeon

Consideration: 216 pounds secured to George
Washington, Esq.
(James Carter bound with said Joanna)

All that Lott or half Acre of Land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on the South Side of Duke of Gloucester Street bounded on the North by the said Street on the West by the Lott of Mr John Carter on the South by Francis Street and on the East by a Lott of Mr. James Sheilds and all houses Buildings Yards Gardens Privileges Profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever... (York County Records, Book 6 - Deeds, p.301]

John Carter announced his intention of leaving the colony in 1769. He put a notice to this effect in the local Gazette, called on his debtors to pay and added the usual threat that he would call in a lawyer to collect if necessary. The story of a robbery of which he was a victim establishes him as a merchant. John Ferguson was to be in charge of his store during his absence. Apparently on his return, he offered his imported goods for sale. These facts are found in the following notices in the Virginia Gazette:

February 23, 1769.

The subscriber, intending for England immediately after the June Court, is under a necessity of desiring all those who are indebted to him to pay off their respective balances by that time, or he must put their accounts into an attorney's hands; and, as he has a 4 large assortment of goods in his store, that he may get rid of them if possible by the last of June, he is determined to sell them very cheap, for ready money only.
John Carter.

N. B. The Shop near Mr. Charlton's is to be rented.

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, February 23, 1769]

WILLIAMSBURG, April 5, [1770]

On Monday night Mr. John Carter's store, in the most publick part of the main street of this city, was broke open and robbed of sundry goods; and some time before Mr. Joseph Scrivenor's store, likewise on the main street, was robbed of a considerable sum of money, by the thieves entering at his cellar window and getting up through a trap door. We hear likewise of several smokehouses having been stripped of their useful contents, by undermining, &c. So many robberies, one might imagine would put our rules in mind to fall upon some scheme to prevent them; and we humbly conceive that a set of watchmen, under proper regulations, would answer that desirable end, who might likewise be of infinite service in the case of fire. Many of the inhabitants, we are well assured, are ready and willing to contribute largely to the support of such an useful institution, whenever it is adopted, which cannot be too soon. [Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon]

0NCE M0RE
SHALL be obliged to those indebted to me, if they will endeavor to settle their accounts this court, as I intend for Britain next month. Mr. JOHN FERGUSON will attend in the store, whom I have impowered to act for me. I shall likewise sell on Saturday the 28th instant, sundry books, to the amount of 200 £ sterling, on twelve months credit, giving bond and security to
JOHN CARTER. [Virginia Gazette, William Rind, Ed., April 19, 1770]

WILLIAMSBURG., November 29, 1770.

Just IMPORTED in the Two Sisters, Capt. Taylor, from London, and to be SOLD very cheap for ready money, at the subscribers store,
A LARGE assortment of GOODS for the season, viz. woolen, linens, cambricks, muslins, lawns, callicoes, damask table cloths, striped and plain lustrings, flowered sattins, crimson, white, and black sattin cloaks white silk hats and bonnets, India and English persians, sarcenets and modes, India dimothies, wide and narrow figured dimothy, a variety of fashionable figured 5 and plain ribbands, millenery, and jewellery, mens, womens, girls, and boys leather gloves, womens white and black silk gloves and mits, mens, womens, and childrens sattin callimanco, and leather shoes and clogs, hyson and bohea tea, double and single sugar, best jar raisins and currants best sallad and barber's oil, French olives, capers, anchovies, mustard, hartshorn shavings, rotton stone, salt-petre, black pepper, copperas, powder and shot, playing cards, a variety of Latin books, and other books for children, also a variety of glassware, and Queen's china, &c. &c.
JOHN CARTER.

During these latter years - certainly from 1752 [Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, April 17, 1752], Jane Vobe, the future occupier of the "Sign of the King's Arms" was running a tavern on York Road, near Benjamin Powell. [Ibid., Purdie and Dixon, January 15, 1767]. Her tavern was frequented by "all the best people," including "Colonel Burd, sir paton skiper, Capt. Russel, Capt. le fore, and others," [Photostat copy of the Diary of an unknown French Traveller, 1765, in the Department of Research and Record] and often patronized by George Washington for "clubs" or supper [John Fitzpatrick, George Washington, Colonial Traveller, see index for "Mrs. Vobe's".]

In 1771, without letting the public into her reasons and purposes, Mrs. Vobe advertised her real estate for sale:

July 25, 1771

To be SOLD by JOSEPH KIDD, Auctioneer, &c. &c. on Monday the 12th of August, being JAMES CITY Court Day, at the Dwelling house of the Subscriber, in the City of Williamsburg,
All her HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, consisting chiefly of severall very good Feather Beds and Furniture, Mohogany and Walnut Tables and chairs, several Looking-Glasses of the most fashionable Frames and Sizes, a neat plain Gold Watch, Riding Chairs, both double and single, with Harness new and complete, a small Tumbrel, two Carts, nine very good Cart Horses, with Harness, several Mens Saddles and Bridles, two large new Carpets of the best Kind, a Stock of very good Liquors of all Kinds, also a Negro Woman, and 6 many other Articles too tedious to mention. Credit will be allowed until the 20th of April next for all Sums above fifty Shillings, the Purchasers giving Bond, with approved Security, … [Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Editors.]

A few months later, she declared her willingness to pay up her indebtedness, and made the customary threats to turn over the accounts of her debtors to a lawyer:

The Subscriber intending to leave the Colony in a few Weeks, desires all Persons that have any Demands against her immediately to apply for Payment; and those indebted to her are requested to make Payment before her Departure, otherwise their accounts win be left in the Hands of Mr. John Tazewell to Commence Suits against them.
JANE VOBE. [Virginia Gazette. Purdie & Dixon, Eds., September 12, 1771.]

The following February, she settled down at the house "lately occupied by Mr. John Carter" and solicited customers for her tavern:

I BEG Leave to acquaint my former Customers, and the Publick in General, that I have just opened Tavern opposite to the Raleigh, at the Sign of The King's Arms, being the House lately occupied by Mr. John Carter, and shall be much obliged to the Gentlemen who favour me with their Company. [Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Eds.]

The place of Mrs. Vobe's establishment is the activities of Williamsburg may be partially traced by the attempts of her patrons through the columns of the Virginia Gazette to recover lost articles, to secure pupils of their arts, or purchasers of their wares, and to hold meetings. The most pertinent of these notices are as follows:

Mr. PRATT.,
PORTRAIT PAINTER
Lately from ENGLAND and IRELAND
But last from NEW YORK., Has brought with him to Williamsburg a small but very neat Collection of PAINTINGS, which are now exhibiting at Mrs. Vobe's, near the Capitol; among which are, first, a very good Copy of Corregio's ST. JEROME, ... esteemed to be one of the best Pictures 7 in Italy, and ranks next to RAPHAEL'S TRANSFIGURATION, Secondly, VENUS and CUPID, the only Copy from an original Picture by Mr. West, whose rising Reputation has already done great Honour to America. Thirdly, a HOLY FAMILY. Fourthly, a Copy of GUIDO'S JUPITER and EUROPA, from the Original in the Collection of a Gentleman who travelled through Italy with Lord Northampton. Fifthly, FLORA, a Companion to the above. Sixthly, a very fine FRUIT PIECE. The above Pictures are to be disposed of at the Prices to be fixed on each Picture, on Saturday the 13th Instant, with a Number of choice PRINTS. Mr. Pratt has a few Copies of some of Mr. Wests' best Portraits, to be seen with the above every Day from ten o'clock till five. [Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds., March 4, 1773.]

LOST, in the Garden at Mrs. Vobe's, on the 3d. Instant, a plain SILVER WATCH with a Steel Chain, the Impression out of the Seal, William Glover, Liverpool, No. 126. Whoever brings the said Watch to the Bar of the said Mrs. Vobe shall be handsomely rewarded. [Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds., May 6, 1773.]

The subscriber, who is an inhabitant of Virginia, and just returned from England (where he has been for these 18 months past, on purpose to make himself acquainted with the culture and preparation of several dyes) has brought in with him the seeds and roots of MADDER, WOAD, and WELDE (commonly called Dyers weed) which are the fundamental dyes of all colours, either in the linen, cotton, or woollen manufactures, with a view to propagate them, and makes no doubt of being able to afford them full as cheap as they are sold in England. He has likewise brought in the seeds and roots of the ARANATTO, which dyes yellow and pompadour colours; also the genuine RHUBARB and LICORICE plants, with some thriving OLIVE TREES, &c. &c. But as the cultivation of them all is too much for him to undertake, he offers to supply any gentleman, or company of Gentlemen, in Virginia, with seeds and roots, and to instruct them how to prepare them for the manufactures; and as the utensils for preparing the different articles for market are to be had in the country, at a small expense, nothing else is required but the labour of one hand for every five acres. MADDER sells in England, according to the quality, from l0d. to 2 s. and 5 s. per pound; woad from 18£ to 20£ a tun, four or five crops of which may be made yearly in Virginia, and Welde is worth 5 s. a sheaf, but, for the convenience of exportation, it is intended to manufacture it as they do indigo.

He also offers to instruct one or two ingenious spinning-wheel makers, that may be appointed by any 8 county committee, to make a machine, or wheel, for spinning cotton, with which one hand may spin from 15 to 30 threads at a time; and he expects no farther recompense than as the merit of the machine may appear to deserve.

All persons who intend applying to him must be expeditious, as the land for the cultivation of the above articles ought to be prepared this fall. He may be spoke with at Mrs. Vobe's, for these eight or ten days, afterwards at Winchester, in Frederick County; and all letters for him may be left at the constitutional Post-Office in this city, directed to the care of Mr. Alexander Wodrow, merchant in Falmouth.

[Virginia Gazette. Alex. Purdie, Ed., September 15, 1755 [1775], (Supplement)

Came to my house, the 30th of September last a man who said his name was Fraser, brought with him a small dark bay Horse, and went off the third instant, since which time I have heard nothing of him. This is to inform him, that if he does not pay his account before the 1st of November, his horse will be sold to pay charges due to
JANE VOBE. [Virginia Gazette, Alex. Purdie, Ed., October 24, 1777.]

A MEETING of all the Members of the OHIO COMPANY residing in Virginia and Maryland in desired on Monday the 18th day of May next, at the house of Mrs. Jane Vobe in Williamsburg, on business of the greatest importance. [Virginia Gazette, Alex. Purdie, Ed., May 1, 1778.]

A new business, not yet well known in Williamsburg found it convenient to establish its location by mentioning its proximity to Mrs. Vobe's:

WANTS EMPLOY
One that is well acquainted with the SLAVONIAN, RUSSIAN, FRENCH, LATIN, and some other learned languages, who is willing to act in either a publick or private capacity, and may be spoke with at Capt. Laporte's store, next door to Mrs Vobe's in this city. [Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Nicholson, Editors, June 26, 1779.)

GARNIER and HUBAC, MERCHANTS in WILLIAMSBURG,
BEGS leave to inform the inhabitants that they have for sale several kinds of dry goods at their store, lately 9 occupied by Capt. Laporte, and next door to Mrs. Vobe's tavern … They have also one stage waggon, three horses, and two new harness, for sale. [Virginia Gazette, Clarkson & Davis, Eds., October 21, 1780.]

When in Williamsburg, Washington continued to sup or dine by club with Mrs. Vobe at her new location. On November 4, 1772, he dined at the speaker's and supped at Mrs. Vobe's, and on June 1, 1774, he "Went to Church and fasted all day." Evidently, that evening he ate at Mrs. Vobe's with a group of men as he recorded, "By Club at Mrs. Vobes 5/3". (Fitzpatrick, George Washington, pp. 324, 355.)

From the accounts of the Williamsburg carpenter, Humphrey Harwood, it is evident that Mrs. Vobe's house was a large one consisting of fourteen rooms, and had four passages, a bar and two porches. It is also clear that whitewashing the rooms was an annual affair. The account running over a period of eight years is given below:

Harwood, Humphrey - Ms. Ledger
B-11.

	Mrs. Jane Vobe	Dr.
1777, August 11.
	To 310 bricks 9/. 10 bushels of lime 10/ & mending plastering 12/6	£1. 11. 6
	To Whitewashing 14 Rooms, 4 Passages, Barr & 2 poarches a 5/	5. 5: 0
August 23.	To 25 bushs lime 25/. 350 larths 4/41/2 & 3 days labr 7/6 for store house	1: 16; 10 ½
	To larthing & plastering 15/. 40 bricks 1/3 & layg harth 3/6 & white ng 4 Rooms 20/	1: 19: 9
October 8-	To 500 bricks 15/20 bushs lime 20/ to plastering store 12/6	2: 7: 6
	To mending kitching chimney 3/9 & 2 days labour 5/	0: 8: 9
1778, Septemr 18 -
10
	To 800 bricks a 5/6, 10 bushels of Lime 15/ & pilloring Seller 24/ 0: 8: 9	0: 8: 9
	To 2 Days labour 12/½ & mending well 6/ ...	0: 18: 0
Sept. 22 -	To 2 bushels of lime a 1/6 mending Kitching Back & harth 8/6 . . .	0: 10: 6
1778, Octobr 2-	To whitewashg 12 Rooms, & 3 Passages 2 7/6 & front porch 15/	6: 7: 6
1779, March 20.	To building an Oven 150/ & Repairg Stove 12/ & Do to underping Shop 6/	7: 16: 0
May 11 -	To 200 bricks 40/.8 bushs lime a 6/ Mendg kitchg back 22/6 . . .	5: 10: 0
	To whitewashing 13 Rooms 4 Passages, & 2 Stare-ways a 30/	28:10: 0
	To mending plastering 15/ & Repairing 4 fier places in House 40/	2: 15: 0
May 14 -	To 2 Days labour at 15/ & whitewashing front porch 60/	4: 10: 0
1780, February 28	To 1950 bricks a 110/ & 32 bushels a 36/ & 4 Days laber a 80/.	180: 17: 0
	To building up Celler walls £50	50: 0: 0
		348:10: 9
May 6 -	To an allowance for the Depreciation of Money	632:14: 3
		981: 5: 0
July 6-	To Whitewashing 14 Rooms, 4 passages a 3/9	3: 7: 6
	To mending Plastering 6/ To mending Kitching back 3/9	0: 9: 9
	To Contracting Laundry chimney 10/	0:10: 0
1783, August 21.
	To reparing well 7/6 & laborers work 2/6	0: 9: 6
11
1784, June 12 -
	To Whitewashing 9 Rooms & 2 passages at 4/6	2: 9: 6
	To do 4 Rooms, & 2 passages below a 4/6 & 2 days labr at 2/6	1: 3: 0
	To Repairing kitching Chimney 6/ & do Laundry & harth 5/	0:11: 0
1784, February 26 -
	To 6 Bushs of Lime at 1/ & mending Plastering in House 3/	0: 9: 0
	To mending Stove in Kitchen 6/ & 1 Days labour 3/	0: 9: 0
B - page 79 -	Mrs Jane Vobe	Dr
1785, April 29 -
	To 2 days labs 5/ & building cellar steps 10/	0:15: 0
	To repairing the under-pinning to ye porch 2/6	2: 6
	To repairing the well & Stove 3/9	0: 3: 9

Jane Vobe was one of the Williamsburg tavern-keepers who furnished food and drinks and other services to the American troops during the Revolution. (See report on the Coke-Garrett House.) On February 4, 1777, a warrant was issued to her for £3. 2. 6 "for Cart hire to the Caroline Comp'y Volunteers". [Virginia Magazine. Vol. 15, p. 92.] On April 7, 1780, she was issued a "Gen. Warrt for balance her Acct. for the board of Col. Legras Maj. Lintot & others from the Illinois… £5331:1:0". [Auditor's Account Book, 1780, No. 5, p. 62. See Misc. file, Williamsburg Taverns.] Major General Baron Steuben had an account of $288.60 with her for lodging, board and drinks. A sampling of this long account will indicate the nature of its contents:

	Majr. Genre Baron Steuben To Jane Vobe,	Dr.
1781		Dolls.
March 6	To 4 Suprs 160. Cydr & Ale 60. 6 Serv Suprs 180	4.00
	To Grog 60. 7th 3 Lodgs & Brs 150. 7 Servs Brs. 210.	4.20
12
7	To 2 Brs 80. 1 Dinr 60. 7 Servs Dinrs 210. Grog 110.	4.60
	To Ale 60. 6 Suprs. 240.8 Servts Suprs 240. Grog 60	6.00
8	To 4 Lodgs 40.8 Servs, Brs 240. Rum 20.	3.00
	To 10 Dinrs 600. 3 Bottles wine 300	9.00
	To 9 Servs Dins. 2.70 Grog 80. Ale 60. 6 Suprs 240.	6.50
	To 9 Servs Suprs 270. Grog 40. 9th 5 Lodgs & Brs 250	5.60
	9 To 1 Lodg & Br. 50 Rum 20. 9 Servs Brs 270.7 Dins 420	7.60
	To 2 Bottles Wine 200. 10 Servs Dinrs 300	5.00
	To Grog & Cydr 80. Ale 45. Rum 10. Grog 10.	1.45
	To 2 Suprs 80.9 Servs Suprs. 270. Grog 80. dram 15.	4.45
10	To 5 Lodgs & Brs 250. Cydr 10. 10 Servs Brs 300	5.60
	To Cydr 10. 8 Dinr 480. 2 Bottles Wine 200. 10 Servs Dins 300	9.90
	To Grog 50. Cydr & Tody 90. 7 Servs Sups 210. Grog 60.	410

[Steuben Papers, Vol. 14, New York Historical Society, See Misc. File, Williamsburg, History.]

In an advertisement of 1783, it is evident that the owner to the east of Mrs. Vobe had been a Thomas Cartwright. An attorney offered the latter's property or part of it for sale as follows:

BETWEEN the hours of two and three o'clock in the afternoon, on the second Monday in January next, before the Raleigh-Tavern door (if not before that time disposed of at private sale) by virtue of a power of attorney from Thomas Cartwright to the subscriber, the said Cartwright's L 0 T and H 0 U S E S in Williamsburg, viz. a large commodious dwelling-house, with four rooms on a floor, a kitchen stable, and other convenient outhouses, situate on the main street, between Mrs. Vobe's and the capitol. One half the purchase money to be paid at the sale, when a title will be made; the other half at the ends of six months, on giving bond with approved security to
ALLEN JONES. [Virginia Gazette or The American Advertiser, James Hayes, Editor, October 18, 1783.]

This property went to James Davis. [York County Records, Book VI 13 -Deeds. p. 301.]

February 17, 1786.

Jones, Allen,
Lucy, his wife.
Moss, Sheldon Mary, his wife
to
Davis, James,
Williamsburg.

Consideration: 400 Pounds.

All that piece parcel or Lott of Ground situate lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street, and bounded as follows, on the East by the Lott belonging to the Estate of William Goodson, deceased, On the North by the Duke of Gloucester Street on the West by the Lotts of Jane Vobe, and on the South by Francis Street, which said Piece, Parcel or Lott of Ground was sold and conveyed by the said Allen Jones to the said Sheldon Moss by Deed proved and recorded in the worshipful court, pursuant to a power of Attorney, given and granted to the said Allen Jones by Thomas Cartwright.

This lot was designated as the "Lott of James Davis" as late as 1796. (See Insurance Policy No. 125 below.)

Jane Vobe was proprietor of a lot in Williamsburg in 1783, (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol . XI, (1) p. 115) and the owner of six slaves and two free negroes in that year, [Ibid Vol. 23 (1) p. 140.]

She died sometime between 1783 and 1785, as her property in the latter year was charged to "Jane Vobe's estate." [Williamsburg Land Tax Records.]

Her personal property was offered for sale in 1789 as the following notice shows.

T0 BE S0LD,
To the HIGHEST BIDDER, on Friday the 17th day of
July next, all the
PERSONAL ESTATE of Mrs. Jane Vobe, deceased;
Consisting of two FELLOWS, and a BOY about 17 years old. Also sundry HOUSEHOLD and KITCHEN FURNITURE, Six months credit will be allowed on all sums not exceeding five pounds. Bond with approved security 14 will be required. [Virginia Independent Chronicle, and General Advertiser, Augustine Davis, Ed., June 24, 1789.]

The real estate seems to have passed to Philip Moody. Jane Vobe's relationship to him is unknown. However, in a deed of 1764, she was designated as "Jane Vobe alias Moody". [York County Records. Book VII -Deeds, p. 18.]

On the unknown draftsman's map, (a comparison of this map with the Bucktrout map of 1803 in the possession of Miss Estelle Smith seems to indicate that the former is a copy of the Bucktrout map, or vice versa,) the lots under discussion, and those adjoining on the south side of the Duke of Gloucester Street are arranged and designated as follows:

No explanation, as yet, can be furnished for the Moody's ownership of both lots 23 and 24. On Robert H. Lively's copy of the Bucktrout map the same names appear on similarly placed but unnumbered lots.

Philip Moody insured the property, the establishment was now called "Eagle Tavern", in 1796. He described his property as "My Wooden Buildings on the main Street at Williamsburg now occupied by John power situated between the Lott of James Davis and that of William Russel in the county of York." He estimated the value of the buildings as follows:

The Eagle Tavern	Marked A at	1120 Dollars
The Barber Shop	do B at	120 do
The Kitchen	do C at	140 do
The Stable	do D at	120 do
		$1500

The plan of the buildings as given on the policy is copied: 15

16

In a revaluation of the declaration as given in 1796, it is evident that Moody was occupying the property in 1806. (Insurance Policy No. 667, p. 41.) He insured his "four Buildings on the south side of the Main street now occupied by (himself] situated between the Lott of John Coke on the East and the Lott of William Russell on the West in the County of York."

		Dollars
The Dwelling House	A at	3000
The Barber Shop	B at	200
The Kitchen	C at	250
The Stable	D at	250

It should be noted that either the draftsman who made the plat apparently confused the easterly and westerly directions in indicating the cross streets between which these buildings stood, or, what seems more likely, the plat, as copied on the policy, was traced from as original copy in such a way as to confuse the direction in which the cross streets were located and the relationship in which the buildings stood to each other.

17

Mr. Philip Moody died in 1807.

Died--It Williamsburg, Mr. Philip Moody, proprietor of the mail stages from Hampton to Richmond, and for many years keeper of the Raleigh Tavern, Williamsburg. [Virginia Argus, October 10, 1807.]

The tax history of the property seems to be that given below. (Philip Moody owned property on the northern side of Duke of Gloucester Street, therefore, the statement above is subject to some qualification.)

			No. of lots	Annual rent of lots	Amount of tax 5% per annum
	1785	Jane Vobe's Est:	1	£45	£2.5 . .
	1791	Jane Vobe's Est:	1	£45	£2.5 . .
	1797	Philip Moody	1	£45	£2.5 . .
	1801	Philip Moody [Page folded in]
(1)	1806	Moody, Phill	1	$100	$1.56
	1806	Moody, Phill via Charlton	¼	$ 60	.94
	1810	Moody, Phill estate	1 ¼	$160	$2.50
(*)	1812	Lightfoot Willim estate	2	$100	$1.56
	1812	Moody Phill estate	1 ¼	$ 60	.94
	1815	Moody Philip's Est	1 ¼	$ 60	$2.18.1 [sic)
	1817 - name disappears

From 1817 on, no trace of this property could be located. In the year 1817, a marginal note in these tax records showed that Henry P. Guthrie had "the small house and lot, 16 feet front, purchased by John Coke of Philip Moody" and John Goodall had received "1 via William Crump: a house and lot in Williamsburg formerly the property of Philip Moody and charged to him at $1.80 tax; bounded by the lots of Rachel Anderson & Millers lots." William Crump married Maria, daughter of Philip.

Referring to the appearance of the property in this vicinity, Mr. John S. Charles, an aged resident, in his description of "Williamsburg in 1861" said:

On the site now of the small stucco house just east of the Henley house, now owned by Miss Servant, stood, in 18 1861, a one story building used as a drug store and owned by Dr. Henley. This attractive little storehouse was removed to Fort Magruder during the War.

The big dwelling known then as the Bucktrout house, now called the Macon house, was just as it is on the exterior today, but the front porch was a little differently constructed.

On the lot adjoining the Macon house, on the site of the present home of Mrs. Tilledge, there stood a very old story-and-a-half frame house, with dormer windows. This old house was built on a brick foundation about four feet high and had a small porch on the front.

On the lot between the old house just described 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 stone 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 was 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.

Additional information: "The Sign of the King's Arms."

The following York County Records, arranged chronologically, definitely establish Kenneth and Joanna McKenzie's lot at colonial lot #24. It supplies confirmation to the theory advanced in the report on "The Sign of the Kings Arms" as to the location of that tavern on colonial lot #23.

February 20, 1767

Carter, James - Executor
Joanna McKenzie, - widow, dec'd.
to
Purdie, Alexander - Printer

Consideration: 300 Pounds.

All that messuage tenement and lot of ground lying and being on the south side of the Duke of Gloucester Street in the city of Williamsburg and numbered 24.

Being the same land which was purchased by the said Joanna McKenzie under a decree in a suit brought by the creditors of her late husband Kenneth McKenzie, deceased, and by her last will and testament ordered to be sold at public auction.

[York County Records. Book VII - Deeds, p. 309.]

July 20,1767

Purdie, Alexander
Purdie, Mary, his wife
to Miller, James

Consideration: 5 shillings.

One lot of ground with the appurts. situate on the Main Street of Williamsburg whereon the said Alexander now lives and purchased of Dr. James Carter, executor pursuant to the last will and testament of Joanna McKenzie, deceased. [York County Records, Book VII - Deeds, p. 305.]

August 27, 1770

Goodson, William - Merchant
to Drapor, John - Farrior & 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 Shields of the Parish of Bruton, County of York, Planter, situate on the main street in Williamsburg between the lot belonging to Mr. Alexander Purdie on the West and the lot late 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 together 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, Book 8 - Deeds, p. 76.]

February 21, 1780.

Galt, John Minson -) Executors
Anderson, Robert )Alexander Purdie, dec'd.
Williamsburg, Va.
to
Cartwright, Thomas Same Place.

Consideration: 5225 Pounds.

All that lot or parcel of land in the city of Williamsburg on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, whereon the said Alexander Purdie in his lifetime resided and bounded on the East by the lot of William Goodson, on the North by the Duke of Gloucester St., on the West by the lot of Jane Vobe and on the South by Francis Street, denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 24. Which above property belonged to Alexander Purdie and was by his last will and testament ordered to be sold to the highest bidder at public auction. [York County Records, Book VI - Deeds., p. 92.]

December 1, 1783.

Cartwright, Thomas
Colony of Nova Scotia
to Moss, Sheldon
County of Elizabeth City.

Consideration: 400 pounds.

All those houses, tenements and lot of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, denoted in the Plan of the said city by the figures 24, bounded as follows: On the East by the lot of William Goodson, dec'd, on the North by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the West by the lot of Jane Vobe and on the South by Francis Street, which said house and lot were sold and conveyed unto the said Thomas Cartwright by the executors of Alexander Purdie, dec'd, as will fully appear by a deed proved and recorded in York County Court. (The above is the same piece of ground and house sold by Allen Jones to Sheldon Miss under power of attorney from Thomas Cartwright, April 10, 1784.)
[York County Records, Book VI - Deeds, p. 330.]

April 10, 1784.

Jones, Allen - Attorney for
Cartwright, Thomas
to Moss, Sheldon.

Consideration: 400 Pounds.

All those lots of land and houses situate lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on Main Street of the said city called Duke of Gloucester and bounded as follows: On the South by Francis Street, on the West by the lot and houses belonging to Jane Vobe, on the North by the said Street called Duke of Gloucester, and on the East by the store and lot belonging to the estate of William Goodson, dec'd, which said lots and houses were purchased by the said Thomas Cartwright of the executors of Alexander Purdie." (The above sold by Jones as Attorney for Thomas Cartwright of Great Britain - )
[York County Records, Book VI - Deeds, p. 248]