Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

CHARLTON HOUSE
Block 9, Lot #22

Lot #22 is one of the lots on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street for which the eighteenth century records are scanty and inadequate. The early history of the lots that apparently include lot #22 is as follows: In 1716 Richard Bland deeded lots #20 and #21 to Nathaniel Harrison: [abstract]

May 23, 1716

Bland Richard
to
Harrison, Nathaniel
Consideration: 100 Pounds

All those two lots or half acres of land situate, lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, denoted in the plot thereof by the figures 20 and 21, together with all houses, gardens, orchards, on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street where he lately lived. Book 39 Deeds and Bonds
York County Records
Page 119

Although there is no record yet found of the ownership of lot #22 by Nathaniel Harrison before 1738, at that date his son, Benjamin Harrison, deeded lot #22 and lot #21 to Henry Wetherburn:

January 15, 1738.

Harrison, Benjamin
to
Weatherburn, Henry
Consideration: 150 Pounds

All those two lots or half acres of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street, designed in the plan of the said City by the figures 21 and 22 which lots were received by virtue of a devise made by the Hon^ble Nathaniel Harrison Father decd to the said Benj^a his son together with all Houses Orchards Gardens and all other Improvements. Book 4, Deeds
York County Records
Page 540

This deed of 1738 is the first record of lot #22. The deed of 1716 indicates that Bland's dwelling house stood on lots #20, or #21, or perhaps partly on both. It is not known what buildings were standing on lot #22 when Wetherburn acquired it, however the law required the grantee who received it from the city to put up a building within two years after the grant. Therefore it is certain that buildings of some sort stood on lot #22 at this time.

There is some evidence that William Byrd, II, of Charles City, came into possession of lot #22 between this date, 1738, and 1749. From a deed of 1749 given in abstract below, it is evident that Byrd owned three contiguous lots on the south side of Duke of Gloucester opposite the Raleigh. The Unknown Draftsman's Map shows lots numbered 22, 23, and 24 as the lots most directly opposite the Raleigh. Lots #21 and #25 were owned in 1749 by Wetherburn and Marot's heirs respectively (See the Bland-Wetherburn House report of 1943 and the English Coffee House report of 1942). Byrd had acquired lot #24 with one good dwelling house thereon and appurtenances in 1707 (York County Records, Book 2, Deeds, Bonds, Page 234). It is not yet known when or from whom Byrd acquired the other two lots nor what use he made of the three. While in Williamsburg to attend the Council or General Court, Byrd had "chambers" or "lodgings", and often speaks of ending the day by going home (Williamsburg), but he never categorically records being at his own house in the capital. He sometimes entertained visitors, both men and women, in his quarters in the mornings before going to the Capitol on official business. Once before quitting Williamsburg he left "the direction of his house" to Mr. Bland (See index to William Byrd's Secret Diary 1709-1712, under "Williamsburg").

Before 1749, Byrd had transferred his three lots to James
Crosby who at that date deeded them to a company of Glasgow merchants. This deed, in abstract, is as follows:

February 26, 1749.

Crosby, James, Merchant of Glasgow
to
Buchanan, Alexander, Archibald & Co.
of the same city
Consideration: not mentioned.

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 No^s [not given] which belonged to the late Colonell William Byrd of Charles City County - Book 5 - Deeds York County Records
Page 393

If these lots were #22, 23 and 24, and a dwelling house stood on lot #24 as in 1707, then only a warehouse and stable stood on lot #22 in 1749. On the other hand, the dwelling might have been located on lot #22. Archaeological findings may clear up this uncertainty.

Buchanan & Co. employed John Hyndman and Hugh Blackburn as its attorneys (York County Records, Land Causes, 1754-69, Pages 96-106). In that capacity, apparently, Hyndman inserted a notice in the local gazette announcing that he had property:

TobeLet, 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, July 3, 1752

Lot #24 was bought by Dr. Kenneth McKenzie (York County Records, 4 Land Causes quoted above). Not until 1761 do the records throw any light upon lot #22. At that date, it is evident that the lot was a part of the real estate of Henry Wetherburn, deceased.

A reference to the Bland-Wetherburn house report will show that Wetherburn provided for his wife, Anne, to have a part of his land, tenements, and slaves, which property at her death was to go to his nephew, Edward Nicholson and his heirs (York County Records, Book 21, Wills, Inventories, Page 23). In accordance with the will, Wetherburn's wife, Anne, was allotted "the Dwelling House Outhouses and two Lotts of Land N^o 21 & 22 in the City of Williamsburgh excepting the Tenement in Possession of James Martin Barber... (York County Records, Judgments, Orders, Vol. 3, 1759-63, Page 216).

The Frenchman's Map (c. 1782) shows two houses in the lot believed to be colonial lot #22. It is impossible to know which tenement, if on lot #22, was occupied by James Martin Barber. It is quite possible that Martin remained in Wetherburn's tenement until his death c. 1767 (York County Records, Book 21, Wills, Inventories, Page 303). When his household and kitchen furniture was offered for sale in 1769 the remaining four years of his lease on the houses he occupied were advertised. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, May 4.)

Between the allotment of lot #22 to Anne Wetherburn in 1761, and 1779, the year in which the next record of the lot in question appears, there is a gap of eighteen years which cannot be filled with any degree of certainty. Earlier house reports have located Richard Charlton's Tavern at lot #22. The strongest evidence, which is a very unsatisfactory one, is the deed in 1779 by its owner and occupant, Edward Charlton, of lot #22 to Richard Charlton's heirs. (York County Records, Book 6, Deeds, 1784, Page 207.) John Carter's announcement that his 5 shop was "near Mr. Charlton's" only adds confusion to the location of Richard Charlton. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Feb. 23, 1769.) A John Carter was located at lot #23 from c. 1760 to 1772 (York County Records, Book 6, Deeds, Page 301; Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, February 6, 1772). In this connection it must be remembered that a John Carter or other John Carters had properties in at least three other locations in Williamsburg; at lot #53, near the Magazine, and south of the Capitol (See report on lot #53; Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Nicolson, April 9, 1779; Ibid., W^m. Rind, May 4, 1769 and Alex. Purdie, December 13, 1776).

In view of certain facts about the property on lot #22, it seems advisable not to eliminate Richard Charlton as a possible occupier and perhaps part owner in lot #22. The rather unusual deed in which Edward Charlton vests the right to lot #22 in Richard Charlton's heirs implies some sort of claim -- possibly through legal title, business dealings, or close personal ties - of Richard Charlton to the lot. The names of Richard Charlton's children, Edward and Jane, which are also the names of the grantors of the lot -- seems more than a coincidence. It will be seen that when a house on this lot was insured in 1806, it was large enough for a tavern. Although there is much more evidence against locating Richard Charlton's tavern at lot #22 than in favor of it, the important facts about Richard Charlton's tavern are given in this report.

In 1767, the following announcement of Richard Charlton's appeared in the Virginia Gazette:

Williamsburg, June 25, 1767.

THE Coffee-House in this city being now opened by the subscriber as a TAVERN, he hereby acquaints Gentlemen travelers, and others, who may please do^to?favour him with their company, that they will meet with the best entertainment and other accommodations, such as he hopes will merit a continuance 6 of their custom. Purdie & Dixon Eds., June 25, 1767

References to the use of Charlton's tavern or "Mr. Charlton's" for the sale of opera tickets, (Purdie & Dixon, May 26, 1768) for the safekeeping of returned strays (Dixon & Hunter, April 27, 1776; Alex. Purdie, October 11, 1776) appeared in the Virginia Gazette.

George Washington and sometimes his family stayed at Charlton's when in Williamsburg during the years from 1768 through 1774 (Washington's Diaries I&II, passim. See also, Fitzpatrick, George Washington, Colonial Traveller).

A Richard Charlton of Williamsburg engaged in a craft which a tavern-keeper would have found a useful accessory to tavern-keeping — that of barber and wig-maker. In 1770 Landon Carter mentioned£4 which he had paid Richard Charlton for a wig (William and Mary Quarterly XIII 1, Page 52). In 1776, Charlton & Nichols advertised for a "journeyman BARBER, who is a steady light shaver" (Virginia Gazette, Alex Purdie, June 14, 1776). This partnership came to a speedy end as James Nichols begged leave to inform the publick "that ever since the 22d of April 1776 Mr. Richard Charlton has not been concerned in the shop carried on by the subscriber in this city, notwithstanding the advertisement since the above date which did signify we were in partnership, but he, not coming up with any part of his agreement, causes the partnership to be void. Therefore desire all who are indebted to the shop since the above date to pay only to me, or my order". Virginia Gazette, Alex.
Purdie, Nov. 22, 1776

There is some evidence that a Richard Charlton lived on a back street. He undoubtedly did in 1777. In 1775, Robert Gilbert, shoemaker, 7 advertised that he had "opened Shop in the back Street, at the Place where he formerly lived, opposite to Mr. RichardCharlton's" (Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, Jan. 7) Charlton had a pasture in connection with his tavern-keeping (Ibid., Alexander Purdie, October 11, 1776), and it is quite possible that Gilbert could more accurately have advertised his business as opposite the back of Mr. Charlton's lot. On the other hand, the next reference to a Richard Charlton establishes him in residence on the back street. An unknown person advertised "Seven neat rooms, in the house, occupied by Mr. Richard Charlton, in the back street, opposite to Mrs. Starke's" for "those gentlemen who choose to live private and furnish their own rooms". The property had a good stable belonging to the premises. (Virginia Gazette, Alexander Purdie, October 10, 1777.)

The last reference yet found to Charlton's tavern was an advertisement for lost cloth and appeared in the Virginia Gazette(Alex. Purdie) on June 6, 1777. It is possible that Charlton had given up tavern-keeping before October of that year at which time he was located on the back street. Nothing appears in the records on hand about a change in the location of his tavern. Apparently Charlton's furniture shown in his inventory to be extensive, was not in use in the house on the back street, if seven rooms had to be furnished.

The Williamsburg news for October 2, 1779 contained the notice that "Mr. RICHARD CHARLTON of this city, after a lingering illness, last Monday died at Richmond, on his way from the Springs" (Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Nicolson, October 2, 1779).

In his will, Charlton named as his executors his wife, Sarah, and his friends, Dr. John Galt and Robert Prentis. These friends were to act as guardians of his three children, Edward, Thomas, and Jane 8 during their minority. Regarding his estate, Charlton ordered

"I desire that my whole estate both real and personal be sold except such part thereof as in the discretion of my executors may think most for the benefit of my children to keep together. And the money arising from the sale thereof to be put to interest, and the said interest applied to the maintenance of my wife and children."¹

The inventory of Richard Charlton's personal estate shows that he had adequate furniture for keeping a tavern. In view of the fact that there is some uncertainty about his location at lot #22, the reader is referred for the inventory of his personal effects to York County Records, Book 22, Wills, Inventories, Page 469. Card 1571 in the York County records of the Research Department.

A month after the death of Richard Charlton, Serafina Formicula announced that he had "opened tavern in the house lately occupied by Mr. Richard Charlton, deceased … (Virginia Gazette, Clarkson & Davis, November 20, 1779). According to Marquis J. F. Chastellux, Formicula was a Neapolitan brought in by Lord Dunmore as the latter's "maitre d'hotel". (Travels in North America in the Years 1780-82, II, London, 1787, Page 153.) The records show only that Formicula was in Williamsburg as early as 1773². Although he owned or occupied a lot in the city, his announcement in 1779 does not indicate that he had already been operating a 9 tavern in Williamsburg. He merely stated that "Gentlemen who favour him with their custom may depend on his endeavours to give satisfaction". Tavern keepers of long standing often included in their notices of a new location, some such statement as "He returns Thanks to those Gentlemen who have formerly frequented his House and hopes to merit a Continuance of their Custom". (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, March 7. 1771.)

No further evidence of Formicula's tavern in Williamsburg has yet been found. In 1781, he was running a tavern in Richmond (Chastellux, Travels, English translation, New York, 1828, Pages 275-6)

The connection of Edward Charlton with lot #22 in 1779 is undoubted. How much earlier he occupied or owned the lot is not known but apparently as early as 1774. An Edward Charlton "late from London" was in Williamsburg in April, 1752. He was taken into partnership with Richard Gamble, wigmaker, whose shop was next door to the Raleigh Tavern (Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, April 30). It is possible that this was the Edward Charlton who married Jane Hunter (Virginia Gazette Purdie & Dixon, York County Records, October 10, 1766, Book 7, 1795 Deeds, Page 171). Edward and Jane Charlton were importing and selling goods in 1774 (Virginia Gazette Clementine Rind, Sept 22; John Pinkney, Nov. 4).

On November 3 [4], 1774, Edward Charlton advertised his house for sale:

The subscriber intending for England, would be glad to dispose of the house he now lives in, with the lot and other improvements thereon; the situation is in the most public part of the city, and the house well calculated for any business .......... Virginia Gazette,
John Pinkney

Apparently, there was no purchaser, for in nine months, Charlton, 10 this time with his wife J[ane], advertised:

The Subscribers intending to leave the Colony as soon as they can settle their Affairs, once more earnestly entreat the Favour of those that are indebted to them to discharge their Accounts at the ensuing Meeting of the Merchants. The GOODS they have on Hand will be sold cheap for Cash; and as their Continuance here is uncertain, it makes such a Notice necessary. The HOUSE they live in, which is situated in the most public Part of the City, and well calculated for any public Business, to be sold on long Credit,…

The advertisement contains no reference to a store apart from the house. Probably a part of the house was used as a store.

Edward Charlton a third time offered his house and lot for sale. On May 15, 1778, he inserted the following notice in the Virginia Gazette:

To be rented or sold, the HOUSE and LOT, with the other improvements thereon, belonging to the subscriber, situate on the most public part of the main street, in the said city, well calculated for any business, and in good repair .... Ed. Dixon & Hunter

If these are advertisements of the house on lot #22, Edward Charlton makes no reference whatsoever to its use as the Richard Charlton tavern. This omission raises a doubt about the location of Charlton's tavern there.

On September 4, 1779, Edward Charlton announced that he intended to "remove from this State shortly" (Ibid., Dixon & Nicolson) . The Virginia Gazette that carried the announcement of Richard Charlton's death, also contained Edward Charlton's advertisement of

A VARIETY of household and kitchen furniture, among which are handsome looking-glasses, a mohogany desk and book case, ditto chest of drawers, do. dressing table, and other tables of different kinds, chairs, a handsome suit of curtains with a walnut bedstead, ivory handled knives and forks, silver ditto, Queen's china plates and dishes, with a great many other useful articles, Likewise two horses, one of them an exceeding fine saddle horse, a chair and harness 11 for two horses, two milch cows. Also a small collection of books. Dixon & Nicolson,
October 2, 1779.

Before learning the terms of Richard Charlton's will, Edward Charlton made out a trust deed to lot #22, in 1779, leaving it for Richard Charlton's heirs. The trustee named by Edward Charlton five years later transferred his trust to John Minson Galt, named by Richard Charlton as one of his executors and as one of the guardians of his children. This deed of 1784 quotes the deed of 1779, and is the basis for the belief that the lot belonged to, and was occupied by, Edward, but not Richard Charlton:

March 13, 1784.

Trebell, William, James City
to
Galt, John Minson
Consideration: 5 shillings.

Whereas Edward Charlton and Jane his wife, by their certain indenture bearing date the day of October, 1779, proved in General Court did for the consideration therein mentioned Grant, bargain and sell unto said William Trebell, his heirs, and assigns, One lot or half acre of land lying in the said city on the Main Street thereof and noted in the plan of the said city by the numbers 22, being the same whereon the said Edward Charlton lived and all and singular its appurtenances, to have and to hold the said lot, etc... to William Trebell, his heirs, etc IN TRUST, nevertheless, to and for the uses, intentions, and purposes following to-wit: To convey the same to the person or persons who should thereafter appear to be entitled thereto under the Last Will and Testament of Richard Charlton, dec'd., therein mentioned in case any such Will should thereafter be established in the same manner as the person entitled thereto could or might have claimed the same under such Will and Testament, had the legal estate thereof been vested in the said Richard Charlton in fee simple at the time of his death, or in case no such Will and Testament should thereafter be established then to convey the same to the heirs at law of the said Richard Charlton subject to the dower of Sarah Charlton, his widow and relict and to his heirs in the same manner as the same would have descended had the said Richard Charlton died intestate seized in fee simple estate of the said lot or half acre.

Book 6, Deeds, 1784
York County Records Page 207.

The remainder of the deed conveys lot #22 and the houses on it to John Minson Galt and heirs in trust for Richard Charlton's heirs.

In the accounts of the Williamsburg carpenter, Humphrey Harwood, there is a bill dated April 12, 1783, for lime and hair used on "Mr. Charltons House". Apparently this was used for repairing the plastering which took one day's labor (Ledger B, Page 24). In 1788, Harwood again engaged in repair work on "Richard Charltons Estate". He charged Dr. Galt for 300 bricks and 8 bushels of lime. Apparently this material was used in repairing the chimney and grate (Ibid. Page 93). Harwood had accounts with Mrs. Sarah Charlton (Ledger B, Page 36, C. Page 73) and with Edward Charlton (B. Page 94, C. Page 14), but it seems impossible to establish these latter bills as work done on the Richard Charlton estate.

In 1785, Richard Charlton's estate was taxed for one lot, of unknown value (Williamsburg Land Tax Records. The photostat copies are torn here; and in 1791, the part of the record which might have included Charlton's name is folded in). The tax transfers (Original in Virginia State Library) show that William Russell had come into possession of one lot from Richard Charlton's estate by 1795.

The Unknown Draftsman's Map (date unknown, but probably late eighteenth or early nineteenth century) shows the name Russell in lot #22, between "Rowsey" in lot #21, and "Moody" in lot #23. This ownership of the three contiguous lots is confirmed by the information found in the insurance policy taken out by William Russell in 1806. Russell insured his three buildings - a dwelling house, an office and a kitchen - and described them as being "on the Main street in the Town aforesaid now occupied by myself situated between the Lotts of William Rowsay on the West and Philip Moody on the East in the county 13 of York". A copy of the plat which showed the property Russell insured and the location of this property with reference to the streets that bound it is here included:

A comparison of the plat with the Frenchman's Map of 1782 shows there was a much larger house between the "Bland-Wetherburn" and "Charlton's" on the Frenchman's Map. It is quite possible that the house and office that Russell insured in 1806 were not the same ones shown on the Frenchman's Map. But it is also quite possible that the Frenchman's dimensions are not entirely trustworthy. The 14 two buildings are very close together on the Frenchman's Map, as they are shown to be in the plat of Russell's buildings.

Russell died sometime before 1812, as the two lots were listed as his "estate" in the Williamsburg Land Tax Records for that year. From 1815 to 1819, Catherine Russell was taxed for two lots estimated at $100 annual value. In 1819, Leonard Henley was taxed for two lots of this value. These he obtained "via Catherine C. Russell, a certain house and lot late the residence of said C. C. Russell". In 1820, the houses on the lot were valued at $1500, houses and lot at $1600. In 1828, Henley was taxed for a second lot on which there appears to have been no house.

After the death of Leonard Henley c. 1832¹, the property was taxed in the name of Harriet Henley. Her name appears in the tax records down through 1861. On the second lot, - referred to above, location unknown - on which there appears to have been no building before 1859 when a building on this lot was assessed at $250, lot and building at $650. The tax records give as a reason for the increased value of the second lot a "new Building assessed by the commissioners". Although the Henley lot in the late nineteenth century was described as a large one (see Abstract of Titles), there is nothing in the records to show that this second lot adjoined the one on which the dwelling house stood.

The value of Harriet Henley's property increased greatly during the years 1859-61. The houses valued at $1800 during the years 15 1840-59 were increased in value to $2500 in 1859-61; the house and lot from $2000 to $3000. There was a general appreciation of property valuation in the tax records in the 50's, therefore it is impossible to explain all of the increased valuation in terms of repairs, additions or new buildings.

In the 1920's, citizens who could remember the appearance of Williamsburg at the time of the Civil War thought the Henley house in the twentieth century unchanged in its main features from its aspect in 1861. Mr. Charles recalled "an attractive little storehouse" which had stood east of the Henley house. This had been used as a drugstore by a Dr. Henley. This store house was removed to Fort Magruder during the War [First World War?]. (Recollections of Williamsburg, Pages 51-52. Typed mss. in the Department of Research)

Mrs. Victoria Lee thought the restoration of this house c. 1930-31 was a faithful one "with the exception of the west lean-to and the front steps. The steps led up to the porch from the side, instead of straight up from the street". (Ibid. Page 75)

In summary: it seems impossible to make any very definite statements about lot #22 before 1779 when the property was in the possession and occupation of Edward Charlton. It appears that he and his wife, nee Jane Hunter, carried on a mercantile business there. Since, however, it has been impossible to locate Richard Charlton's tavern which was an important one for the ten years 1767-1777, it seems wiser not to disregard the earlier theory that he kept his tavern in the house at lot #22. Though a Richard Charlton lived on a back street in 1777, in a house large enough to contain seven unfurnished rooms for rent, the reasons back of Edward Charlton's grant of lot 16 #22 to Richard Charlton's heirs indicates that the latter had some sort of claim on the lot. Furthermore, if the house in which Richard Charlton lived in 1777 was unfurnished, and this Richard Charlton was the tavern-keeper, the large amount of furniture revealed in his inventory remained in some other house. The house at lot #22 insured in later years by William Russell was a large one - 44' x 32' and two stories high - large enough to be used as a tavern.

Charlton's Inn
Block 9

Mutual Assurance Society Policy # 7590 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Leonard Henley per declaration
#5029
1830, May 20th
Leonard Henley the underwritten residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare for assurance at Williamsburg my buildings on the main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lots of Martha Magill on the West, Jacob Sheldon on the East, and street otherwise in the county of York.

Mutual Assurance Policy #5029 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for Assurance by William Russell per declaration #618
Leonard Henley
1823, May 21,
"...I the underwritten Leonard Henley residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare for assurances ... my buildings on the Main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lot of William McCandlish on the East, Francis Powell's lot on the West, and Streets otherwise in the county of York...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy # 11,005 revaluation of buildings declared for assurance by Leonard Henley as per declaration #7590
1839, April 24th
The underwriters have revalued the buildings heretofore declared for assurance by Leonard Henley as per his declaration #7590 That the said buildings at present are owned by Leonard Henleys heirs and are occupied by Harriet Henley residing at Williamsburg that they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg on the north, Francis street south Martha Magills lot west and Richard E Bucktrouts lot East...