Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Tarpley's Store
Block 9, Lot 20
No. 38, 1940 Map

It is impossible to learn from the records, some of which are lost, the date of the building of a store on the Bland-Wetherburn lots, and the number of occupants or owners of the store today called Tarpley's. Since James Tarpley and Thomas Knox, merchants, bought or leased the lots 163, 164 and 169 on Palace Green on April 13, 1759, and were at that date already "in the tenure and occupation of those lots, except so much of the lots as the court house was built upon", (York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, pp. 184-85) it may be tentatively assumed in view of the lack of more definite information that the announcement given below found them on the Palace Green rather than at lot #20. It reads:

October 10, 1755

Just Imported, and to be Sold, by Wholesale or Retail, very cheap for ready Money, by the Subscribers, at their Store in Williamsburg,
A Choice Assortment of European Goods; also a very good Assortment of Linens, to be sold by Wholesale, at a low Advance, for ready Money, consisting of Oznabrigs, 7-8 Garlix, brown Hollands, long Lawns, clear and flower'd ditto, white Oznabrigs, Princes Linens, 7-8 and Yard-wide Irish Linen of all Prices, Linen and Cotton Checks, strip'd Ginghams, check'd Handkerchiefs, Bed Bunts, printed Linens, brown Roles, &c. &c.
Those Persons who have been indebted to the Subscribers, longer than the usual Time of credit, will certainly be sued if they do not immediately discharge their Accounts. We likewise sell choice Rum, Sugar and Molasses.
TATE AND TARPLEY

(Virginia Gazette, Hunter, October 10, 1755)

On August 23, 1759, Tarpley bought part of lot #20. The use of the phrase "and all buildings" and failure to mention a store, coupled with the fact that all future deeds mention a store house seems to indicate that Tarpley 2 built the store after getting the lot, and that the only buildings on that part of the lot were outhouses. The deed from Henry Wetherburn, tavern-keeper, to James Tarpley, merchant, reads:

Consideration: 120 pounds.

A certain part or piece of a lot of ground belonging to the said Henry Wetherburn situate, lying and being on the south side of the Main or Duke of Gloucester Street in the said city of Williamsburg, denoted in the plan of the said City by the figures [?] 20, to begin at the Northwest corner of the said lot and thence to run eastwardly and along the line of the said lot on the said main street forty feet for front, thence southerly into the said lot 56 feet by a line parallel to the street marked in the Plan of the said city by the letter L thence westerly 40 feet a parallel line to first course and thence northwardly along the west side of the said lot to the beginning.
And all buildings . . . (York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, page 212, August 23, 1759)

Since Tarpley on December 20, 1760, sold his right in lots 163, 164, and 169 to his old partner, Thomas Knox, it seems that his partner in lot #20 was John Thompson. A later record found in this report seems to point to a group of men banding together for the purpose of buying and selling.

Soon James Tarpley bought, perhaps for purposes of investment rather than for his own store, lot #147 (called today Chowning's Tavern) "adjoining the Garden of the Honourable John Blair, Esq." He rented this in 22 days to Rebecca Bird, Spinster, and in 1762 to Daniel Hoye, Wheelwright. (See report on Chowning's Tavern.)

Tarpley died sometime before 1764. (York County Records - Deeds - Book VII, p. 71, August, 1764) It is possible that Thompson, Tarpley's partner continued to run the store at lot #20 and that the references that follow are to that store:

May 2, 1766

Jonathan Prosser, Tailor, from London, humbly begs leave to inform Gentlemen, and others, that he has lately 3 opened shop near Mr. Thompson's store in Williamsburg … Ladies riding habits and Gentlemen's huzzar dresses, neatly made. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon)

February 19, 1767

To be SOLD, by PRIVATE SALE,
A VERY handsome and convenient STORE-HOUSE, on the Main Street in WILLIAMSBURG. It has every advantage from it's Situation, either for a Merchant or a Tradesman. The House is in excellent good Repair, having been built but a short Time. The Credit will be agreed on at the Day of Sale. The Purchaser must give Bond and Security to
JOHN THOMPSON, & CO. (Ibid., William Rind)^{also P & W 12 F 6 7}

Thomas Everard and David Jameson, executors of James Tarpley, sold the store and lot for 1450 ^{wrong - 450}pounds to Halcott, John and James Pride:

May 18, 1767

A piece of a lot of ground lying on the South side of the Main or Duke of Gloucester Street in the city of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures [sic] 20 beginning at the Northwest corner of the said lot and thence to run eastwardly and along the line of the said lot on the said Main Street 40 feet for front, thence southerly into the said lot 56 feet by a line parallel to the street marked in the plan of the said city by the letter L, thence westerly 40 feet a parallel line to the first course and thence northwardly along the west side of the said lot to the beginning, which was sold and conveyed to him by Henry Wetherburn and Ann, his wife, August 23, 1759, with the storehouse thereon . . . (York County Records - Deeds - Book VII, p. 284)

Few facts could be learned about the Prides. John and Halcott Pride held land in Henrico County in 1715. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. I, p. 184) A secondary source gives James Pride as the naval officer of the York River c. 1767. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. VII (2), p. 144) John Pride had a contract for furnishing a part of 50 beeves and 70 barrels 4 of flour for the troops at York in 1782. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. III, p. 370)

A Mrs. Elizabeth Tarpley died before August 13, 1772 as the following announcement proves:

To be SOLD, pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Mrs. Elizabeth Tarpley, deceased,
Her late Dwellinghouse, and Lots, in this City. The Sale will be on James City Court Day in next Month, and the Purchasers will have six Years Credit, on giving Bond, with approved Security, and paying Interest from a Year after the Sale. All Persons who are indebted to the Estate are desired to make speedy Payment, and such as have Demands against it are requested to make them known, without Delay, to
JOHN BLAIR )
) Executors.
JAMES COCKE ) (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, August 13, 1772)

It cannot be said with certainty that she was wife of James Tarpley^{she was his mother}, nor that the dwelling house and lots were those under discussion.

Some light is thrown on the firm of merchants, of which Tarpley was one, by the announcement of its attorney, John Tazewell:

WILLIAMSBURG, March 1, 1773

I HAVE lately received a power of attorney from Messieurs John Thompson and Walter King, of Bristol, Merchants, and surviving partners of Tarpley, Thompson and Company, to collect the debts due to that company, with directions to commence suits, without loss of time, against debtors who delay payment. The situation of this concern (which has proved an unfortunate one to these Gentlemen) makes a speedy settlement thereof absolutely necessary: This consideration therefor, as well as the very long indulgence the debtors have already received, will, it is hoped, induce them to make speedy payments; if not, I shall most certainly observe my instructions, however disagreeable they may prove to the persons concerned. (Virginia Gazette, Rind, March 4, 1773)

The desire to settle the estate was probably responsible for the announcement of Richard Brown of Yorktown that the house and store of Tarpley 5 was for sale. The advertisement reads:

October 14, 1773

FOR SALE
The Commodious and well situated HOUSE and STORE on the Main Street in Williamsburg, formerly the Property of Mess. Tarpley and Thompson, and at present occupied by Mr. James Hubard. For Terms inquire of the Printer, or of the Subscriber [Richard Brown] in Yorktown. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon)

James Hubard or Hubbard was a well-known merchant in Williamsburg. He and Jerman Baker had dissolved partnership before August 27, 1767 (Ibid., Purdie and Dixon) but Hubard continued to advertise goods for sale:

November 9, 1769

Just imported in the Neptune, Capt. Cocke, from London, A Choice assortment of GOODS for the winter season, which will be sold by the subscriber at his store, as soon as they can be opened, at 75 per cent, for ready money only, or tobacco. (Ibid., Purdie and Dixon; Ibid., Rind, November 9, 1769)

It may be assumed, in view of ^{the lack of information about another location and} the fact that Hubard was located at Tarpley's and Thompson's in 1773, that he was located there as early as 1769. In a general meeting of the merchants on November 20, 1772, he was appointed one of the 28 gentlemen who served as a Committee of Trade with power to discipline the local merchants. (Ibid., William Rind, November 26, 1772)

Whether or not Brown found a purchaser in 1773 or 1774 cannot be established by the records. However, it does appear that the next business to be carried on here was that of the jewelry and clock making of Robert Bruce who inserted his announcements in the Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon) as follows:

June 2, 1774

ROBERT BRUCE, WATCH and CLOCK Maker, is removed from Mr. Craig's, at the Golden Ball, to the opposite Side of 6 the Street, the House above Mr. Robert Anderson's, where he intends carrying on his Business, and will be much obliged to those who may please to employ him.

July 21, 1774

ROBERT BRUCE,
WATCHMAKER,
At the House above Mr. ANDERSON's Tavern, MAKES and REPAIRS all Sorts of WATCHES and CLOCKS, and will be much obliged to those who please to employ him. He returns his most grateful Thanks to his former Customers, and begs a Continuance of their Favours.
WATCHES sent from the COUNTRY shall be done with Expedition, and returned with Care. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon)

Alexander Purdie, printer, had his ambitions set on a dissolution of his partnership with John Dixon and his establishment in the popular Tarpley and Thompson store, as he informed the public:

December 1, 1774

Immediately after Christmas, I shall begin doing Business for myself, and intend to print a GAZETTE as soon as I am furnished with moderate Number of Customers; for which Purpose I have sent Subscription Papers into all public Places of the Country, and hope to have them soon returned, that I may be enabled to go to Work and serve the Publick in my Profession. Such as live convenient will please to favour me with their Commands by Letter, and those in this City who incline becoming Subscribers will be kind enough to leave their Names at my Office, which is the House formerly occupied by Mess. Tarply, Thompson, & Co. on the main Street, and adjoins Mr. Robert Anderson's Tavern.

…
Meanwhile, I have opened a large and valuable Collection of NEW BOOKS, amongst them a great Variety for the Use of Schools; which, together with a well chosen Parcel of MUSICK, for the Harpsichord, Violin, &c. and a Number of STATIONARY ARTICLES, will be disposed of on the easiest and very best Terms. I shall be exceedingly obliged to the Publick for their Favours, and intend presenting them with a Catalogue of all my Books, &c. as soon as I possibly can . . .

I am the Publick's much obliged and obedient Servant
ALEXANDER PURDIE

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon)

7

It appears from the confusing and conflicting evidence that Alexander, and possibly James Purdie may have had some rights to this property. Alexander Purdie died in 1779, and his son James in 1780, according to secondary sources. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. VII (1), p. 15; Vol. XII, p. 28) The deeds to the property in 1782 are quoted below in the hope that a study of the originals at Yorktown or a new interpretation may clear up the confusion. At present, it appears that the real owner was James Pride on September 17, 1782, but that Purdie had meant to buy it; failing to finish the payments, it was necessary for his executors to buy, or sign the deed in order to complete the sale to Samuell Beall. The abstracted deeds are as follows:

September 17, 1782

Pride, James
James City County
to
Galt, John Minson ) Executors
Anderson, Robert ( Alexander Purdie
Consideration: 600 Pounds

All that piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the County of York, on the Duke of Gloucester Street in the City of Williamsburg, bounded as followeth: On the North by the said Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by the lot of Henry Nicholson, on the South by the said Nicholson's lot and on the West by _____ Pump Street, being part of that lot or parcel of land denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 20, which said piece or parcel of land was sold by Henry Wetherburn formerly of the city of Williamsburg to Messrs. Tarpley & Thompson, merchants of said city and by the said Tarpley and Thompson sold to James Pride.
All houses, etc.

(York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, p. 139)

September 30, 1782

Galt, John Minson ) Executors
Anderson, Robert ( Alexander Purdie
to
Beall, Samuel - merchant
Williamsburg

Consideration: 3000 Pounds.

8 All that piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the County of York, City of Williamsburg, being part of the lot or half acre of land denoted in the plan thereof by the figures or numbers 20, and bounded on the North by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by the lot of Henry Nicholson, on the South by the said Nicholson's lot, and on the West by Pump Street, being the parcel of land now in the possession of the said Samuel Beall, which was sold and conveyed by Messrs. Tarpley and Thompson, merchants to James Purdie , and by the said Purdie to John M. Galt and Robert Anderson, September 17, 1782.
All houses, buildings … (Ibid., p. 140)

There was a firm of merchants in Williamsburg called Norton & Beale in 1777. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie, August 1, 1777; August 29, 1777; December 12, 1777) In an advertisement for a lost horse on November 6, 1778, the owner offered a reward for its return to be paid at Mr. Beall's store. (Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter) In 1779 and 1780, Beall advertised the goods at his store as follows:

April 2, 1779

FOR sale, best brown sugar, French rum and coffee, by the hogshead, or bag, blue cloth suitable for Negroes, a few pipes of wine - I will give cash for bills on France, Holland, England, or the West India islands. Any Gentlemen that have money due them and cannot ascertain the amount, I will take their bills conditionally, and charge no damages on protests. Goods will be exchanged at a moderate price, for a few hundred pounds of new feathers.
SAMUEL BEALE (Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Nicolson)

July 24, 1779

FOR SALE,
BROWN sugar of the first quality, by the hogshead or barrel. I will purchase bills of exchange payable in any part of Europe or the West Indies . . .
Samuel Beall (Ibid.)

9

[This announcement indicates that Beall had moved from his old store -- location unknown and that Delaporte had taken it:

October 30, 1779

Captain Delaporte, acquaints the publick, that he has opened store, on his own account, in the house lately occupied by Mr. Beall, where he has for sale, rum by the gallon, sugar, tassia, a genteel assortment of English cloths, of the most fashionable colours, with the necessary linings, &c linen of various kinds, cambrick, mens and womens gloves, handkerchiefs of several sorts of English manufacture, worsted stockings, English made mens shoes, womens do. of calimanco, &c and a variety of other commodities, all of which he sells at the most reasonable rates. (Virginia Gazette, Clarkson & Davis)]

November 13, 1779

Just imported from Holland and the West Indies and will be sold by the package or piece, a large assortment of Irish linens, sheeting, coarse linen, cambrick, lawn, gauze, chintz, calico, variety of silk and linen handkerchiefs, window glass 8 by 10, knives and forks, penknives, needles, mens shoes and saddles, China tea cups and saucers, ivory and horn combs, -- nails, buck-skin gloves, mens hats, corded dimity, silk stockings, ladies superfine cotton stockings, table cloths, cotton counterpanes, spermaceti candles, brown sugar, and bar iron.
SAMUEL BEALL (Ibid.)

December 18, 1779

To be sold by the Package or piece, West India rum, brown and loaf sugar, hyson and bohea tea, Irish and course linen, cotton and silk handkerchiefs, chintz do., calico, chintz, coarse cloths, lawn, muslin, cambrick, ribands, silks for winter gowns, mens and womens shoes, knives and forks, penknives, china cups and saucers. -- I continue to buy bills of exchange on England, France, Holland, or the West Indies.

N.B. I want to charter two prime Sailing vessels for the West Indies.
SAMUEL BEALL

(Ibid., Dixon and Nicolson)

October 21, 1780

TO be Sold, WHOLESALE or RETAIL,
FINE Lisbon wine by the pipe, hogshead, or quarter cask, 10 lump sugar, coarse cloths, shalloon and trimmings, flannels, green and blue hair shag-Irish poplin, linen do., sheeting, osnabrugs, a large assortment of cottons and printed linens, silk India gauze, and lawn handkerchiefs, plain and flowered gauze and lawn, kenting, corded dimity, table cloths, napkining, men and women's shoes, coarse hats, metal buttons, _____________ pins, shoe buckles, ivory and horn combs, ______ spectacles, cutteaus, 6d. 8d. 10d. and 20d. nails, alum, salt, bohea tea, jesuits bark, &c. &c.
SAMUEL BEALL (Virginia Gazette, Clarkson and Davis)

The phrase "now in the possession of the said Samuel Beall" used in the deed transferring the store from Galt and Anderson to Beall in 1782 is the basis for interpreting the announcements above as applying to Tarpley's store.

All of lot #20 on which the tenement stood as well as lot #21 passed to Henry Nicholson as the following deed proves:

September 5, 1783

Nicolson, Henry
Planter - Williamsburg
Sara, his wife
to
Davis, James - Taylor
Same place.
Consideration: 90 Pounds

All that messuage or tenement now in the possession of the said James Davis, situate standing and being in the city of Williamsburg, aforesaid adjoining to the store of Samuel Beall, Esq., on the West, and to another tenement belonging to the said Henry Nicolson on the East. (York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, p. 173)

Humphrey Harwood had accounts with Samuel Beall. Some parts of these accounts refer to the store, believed to be Tarpley's. They are given below:

May 4, 1780	To Sundary Work Done at the Store to amount	£26.11.9
August 4, 1780	To 2 bus lime 1/6 & Repairing Store Steps 6/ & labours work 2/	. 9.6

(Humphrey Harwood's Ledger, Book B, page 22)

11 (It is impossible to say with certain that ^whether the references in Harwood's Ledger to bricks, lime, hair etc. apply to his plantation house, ^{or to the store} but the definite references ^{to the store} alone have been included.)

Ann Beall "spouse of Mr. Samuel Beall" died on September 10, 1786. (Virginia Gazette and Petersburg Intelligencer, September 21, 1786) Samuel Beall died sometime before December 6, 1793, as the announcement of the sale of his property proves:

Friday, December 6, 1793 (No. 565)

To be Sold,
Situate in Williamsburg
The House and Plantation
late the property of Mr. Samuel Beall, dec. The Land contains about 400 acres, part meadow, the remainder fit for the culture of tobacco, corn or any kind of grain.

The House is very commodious, replete with out Houses for servants and all convenient and useful offices, near it are springs producing excellent water in great abundance. The garden is large, abounding with fruit and vegetables. Situate in an excellent neighborhood, this estate comprises a profitable and delightful residence for a genteel family.

For particulars apply to Benjamin Waller, Esq; in Williamsburg.

(Virginia Gazette & Weekly Advertiser, Thomas Nicolson)

All of lots 20 and 21 ^{except the store} were in the hands of William Rowsay [jeweler ? — John and William Rowsay advertised their jewelry etc. next door below Anderson's tavern on April 28, 1774 in the Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon] as his will shows:

All my estate both real and personal either at public or private sale in their best judgment for the purpose of paying my Debts, except the Lott and House which I purchased of Samuel Beall adjoining store whereon I now live which I give and bequeath unto my affectionate wife Frances Rowsay for and during the term of her natural life as the said Lott stands now inclosed, to wit running a due South course from the East end of the Storehouse on the said Lott to the Back Street including all the improvements thereon which said Lott and Houses I desire may at the expence of estate be repaired and rendered comfortable for my family. After the death of 12 my said Wife I give and bequeath the said Houses & Lott purchased as aforesaid of Samuel Beall to my son John in Fee Simple . . . And if the payment of my Debts in the opinion of my Executors should not require the sale of my Lotts and Houses whereon I now dwell which I purchased of Henry Nicholson then I give and bequeath the said Houses & Lotts to my son John in Fee Simple he paying to each of my Daughters one third part of what my executors may judge the said Tenement to be worth . . . (Proved in a Court of Hustings for the City of Williamsburg, February 5, 1787)

From the records, it appears that part of lot #20 on its northwest corner was sold to Tarpley in 1759; that at that time, there was no store on it, but that Tarpley built one there within two years, at least, according to the legal requirements. Sometime before 1761, Wetherburn built a tenement on his part of lot #20. In his will, he excepted the tenement in possession of James Martin, barber, from his wife's life ownership of his property. (York County Records - Judgments and Orders, No. 3, 1759-1763, p. 216) The deed to James Davis in 1783 definitely establishes three different houses - a store, a tenement and Henry Nicholson's house on the two lots.

It is impossible to say at this stage of research what became of the store after the death of Samuel Beall. It was not offered for sale by Beall's executor in 1793. This may mean that Beall only leased it. Rowsay does not include the store in the property he wills to the members of his family in 1787, yet the two maps, the unknown draftsman's and the Bucktrout-Lively, show all of lot No. 20 in the hands of a Rowsay.

Corrections on the Report on Tarpley's Store

^obsolete