Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Restored

Sometime prior to June, 1767, William Carter, apothecary, sold the southern or Francis Street portion of his "Brick House" lot (lot 19) to James Anderson, blacksmith. It is not known whether the house stood on the property at that time; by 1782 a house and kitchen had been erected. The house was purchased by Dr. Philip Barraud-probably about 1782 or 1783 when he came to Williamsburg. He insured it in 1796 with the Mutual Assurance Society.

Philip Barraud of Norfolk graduated in Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, and began practice in Williamsburg c. 1782. In 1783 he married Anne Hansford, sister of Dr. Cary Hansford. They lived it Williamsburg until 1799, when Dr. Barraud moved to Norfolk to become superintendent of the Marine Hospital, continuing the practice of medicine in Norfolk until his death in 1830. While in Williamsburg, Barraud was a visiting physician and member of the Board of Directors of the Asylum; and he became a member of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary in 1791. He was an intimate friend of the St. George Tucker family. Correspondence has survived between the two families which gives interesting details of life in Williamsburg.

In 1801, Dr. Barraud sold his Francis Street house to Mrs. Anna Byrd, who owned it for many years. Richard Coke had purchased it by 1823, and continued to own it until 1843. The property passed through a number of hands (Anna Field, George W. Southall, Helen M. Southall, Elizabeth S. Bright, and Jean Sinclair Bright who married John L. Mercer) before it was purchased by the Ryland family from the Mercer heirs in 1924.

The house, which was deeded to Colonial Williamsburg by Dr. and Mrs. Archie Ryland in 1940, has been restored.

[MG Oct 1950 For Mrs. Southworth for 1951 Garden Week hostesses]

LOCATION:

Colonial lot No. 19 South lies in the city of Williamsburg. It is bounded as follows: Francis Street to the south; Botetourt Street to the east; the eastern part of lot 18 towards the west; and a part of lot 19 to the north.

HISTORY:

The early title to the lot is vague and altogether uncertain. Later records signify that Dudley Digges of York owned the lot and that it was conveyed to William Withers,¹ merchant, before 1761. (See deed below.) It is impossible to obtain a complete legal history of the lot because the court records for Williamsburg and James City County were destroyed during the War Between the States.

The first deed which describes lot 19 specifically was recorded in York County in 1761. In the deed two lots were conveyed:

March 16, 1761.

Withers, William--Merchant
Williamsburg.
to
Carter, William²-Apothecary.
Consideration: 375 Pounds.

All that piece or parcel of ground situate lying and being on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street in the said city and bounded as followeth on 2 the North by Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by a cross street running from Duke of Gloucester to Francis Street, on the South by Francis Street and on the West by the ground sold by the said William Withers to William Holt, merchant, and is the remaining part of those two Lotts or half acres of Ground purchased by the said William Withers of Dudley Digges of the town of York Gent...
And all houses…

(York County Records, Deeds, VI, 333.)

Sometime before June 1767 William Carter had divided lot 19. The deed to the property, as given below, shows that the part facing upon Francis Street had already been conveyed to James Anderson,¹ blacksmith:

June 27, 1767.

Carter, William
Williamsburg
to
Carter, James-Surgeon
Carter, John-Merchant
Consideration: 130 pounds due to Thomas Moore-
grantees are bondsmen.

All those four lots of ground in Palace Street in the city of Williamsburg whereon the said William now lives, and also all that piece or parcel of ground situate on the South side of Duke of Gloucester Street in the said city, bounded on the North by the last mentioned street, on the East by a cross street running from the said street to Francis Street, on the South by the ground sold by the said William to James Anderson, Blacksmith and on the West by the ground sold by William Withers to William Holt, and is part of the two lots purchased by the said Withers of Dudley Digges.(York County Records, Deeds, VII, 300.)

In 1770, James Anderson advertised as follows:

WILLIAMSBURG, September 26 [27], 1770.

Just IMPORTED from LONDON, Andtobe SOLD ata reasonable Advance, for ready MONEY only COMPLETE Sets of BOTTLES, and STAFFORDSHIRE WARE fit for the Faculty. Likewise PICKLING JARS OF ALL Sorts for 3 Family Use. They may be viewed at any Time, by applying to Mr. JamesAnderson, Blacksmith, in the Back Street.¹(Virginia Gazette, Rind, ed.)

A deed, dated October 20, 1770, in York County, indicates that James Anderson came into possession of lot 18 via William Holt and wife. (York County Records, Deeds, VI, 121.) Anderson held the entire lot at this date.² From the deed it is evident that Anderson was owner of the entire lot (#18) and of the southern part of lot #19 in 1770:

…
on south side of the Main Street denoted in the plan of the City by the Figures 18 and also part of the Lott next adjoining the East side thereof to wit Two Foot and a Half in Breadth extending Eastwardly into the said adjoining Lott on the said street and from the street Line to be run thro the said Lot to the end thereof on the back Street…

MAPS:

On the Frenchman's Map (ca. 1782) two structures are indicated on the site (southern part of lot 19). This leads one to believe that a house and kitchen were probably standing on the lot at that time. (See Illustration #1.) Despite the fact that the College Map (1791) shows that lot 19 was in possession of some member of the Byrd family (see Illustration #1), Barraud's letters and the letters of some of the Tuckers show that the Byrds did not own the lot until 1801. (A study of the Barraud and Byrd ownership will be taken up chronologically in this report.)

It is not known just when the lot passed from the ownership of James Anderson or his heirs to Dr. Philip Barraud. There are certain 4 evidences which lead one to believe that Dr. Barraud was in Williamsburg in the early 1780's and owned property in the city:

• (1)Philip Barraud was taxed in 1782 for½lot valued at£10.10. Barraud acquired the lot via Susanna Reid (Williamsburg Tax records). Nothing could be found about Susanna Reid.
• (2)"Returning to this country [from Edinburgh] he [Dr. Barraud] married on July 23, 1783, Anne Hansford, a sister of Dr. Cary H. Hansford. He first practiced medicine in Williamsburg. There he served on the Board of Visitors of William and Mary College in 1791 and was a visiting physician at the asylum for four years and a member of the Board of Directors for one year."(Wyndham B. Blanton, Medicine in the Eighteenth Century, p. 343-- material taken from the 131st Annual Report of the Eastern State Hospital.)
• (3) An account against Dr. Barraud is recorded in the ledger of Humphrey Harwood, carpenter, in Williamsburg. The account begins in November 1783 (the year in which Dr. Barraud married), and continues through October 1792. Such accounts are for whitewashing rooms, laying hearths, rebuilding cellar steps, plastering, etc. (See full accounts in Illustration #2A of the Appendix.)
• (4)Another account with Harwood (1787-88) was against Drs. Galt and Barraud for mending plastering, building furnace, setting up grate, whitewashing rooms, etc. (See Illustration #2A.) On April 24, 1788, a notice in the Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser appeared, stating that "the term of Copartnery between the subscribers will expire on the first of June…" One cannot be certain as to the location of the shop used by the doctors, but it is clear that Dr. Barraud was living in Williamsburg then.

From the foregoing it seems quite. possible that Dr. Barraud moved immediately upon his marriage to Anne Hansford, daughter of William 5 Hansford of York County, to Williamsburg and bought a home there.¹

Maria Rind, in writing to St. George Tucker from Williamsburg on August 26, 1791, remarked: "Dr. Barraud[²] is very ill with a fever..."(Tucker-Coleman Papers, Uncataloged.)

From a Mutual insurance policy (declaration #108) it is obvious that Dr. Philip Barraud was living on the Francis Street property in April 1796. Barraud insured his "two Buildings on Francis Street at Williamsburg… situated between the Cross Street and that of James Anderson in the county of James City ...The Dwelling marked A [valued] at 1000 Dollars £The Kitchen marked B at 160 Dollars." (See Illustration #5 of this report.) Dr. Barraud stated in the policy that the buildings were "now occupied by myself."

Dr. Barraud's letters to his intimate friend, St. George Tucker, add information as to conditions in Williamsburg during this period. A section of one letter is given below:

Williamsburg, Octo. 12, 1796.

…
The World has run mad with us for Bargaining & swapping — You'll find the old Squire perfectly at Home in Hornsby's House — Dick Randolph in the Squire's late Home — Littleton Tazewell master of Squire's Farm & for ought I know 'ere long, of our Friend Dumbarton's too — She³ talks of breaking up the concern at Chelsa & selling the Land, by Otway's advice.-

(Letters of Dr. Philip Barraud 1791-1827, p. 8a typed from mss. in possession of Colonial Williamsburg.)

James Greenhow of Virginia, in making the graduating address at the University of Edinburgh in 1797, included two dedications; "one very laudatory to Dr. Philip Barraud, of Williamsburg, and the other to the author's brother, Robert Greenhow." (William and Mary Quarterly, 6 Series 1, XXIII, 70.)

In April and August of 1798 Dr. Barraud's account with James Anderson,¹ carpenter and wheelwright of Williamsburg, shows that Barraud had Anderson mend his "sugar chist," repair a jack and cart wheels, make hooks and staples for "window shetters." (See Illustration #2B of the Appendix.)

A letter of Dr. Barraud's written to St. George Tucker from Norfolk on December 11, 1798, gives directions with regard to the former's house in Williamsburg:

…
Do make Robin take the measure of our Sitting-Room-Hearth & send it me by the next Post - I want to get a Fender to protect us from Danger of burning the House & ravishing the lovely carpet.
Say whether the measure includes the blocks of the wood work or is taken within them…(Barraud Letters, p. 19, Department of Research.)²

On December 29, 1798, Dr. Philip Barraud was charged with 11 pounds of large wire (James Anderson Account Book, p. 2, Virginia Historical Society-- photostat copy in Department of Research).

In 1799, Dr. Barraud accepted the place as superintendent of the Marine Hospital in Norfolk. A letter of Henry St. George Tucker of Williamsburg to his father. St. George Tucker, then at Sweet Springs said: "…[Dr. Barraud] intends moving to Norfolk..."(Tucker-Coleman Collection, Department of Research.) Soon after Dr. Barraud's move to Norfolk, he wrote St. George Tucker:

Norfolk 22 Jan^y, 1800

My Dear Friend,
I am already inlisted in a decent, daily occupation; with a respectable portion of private practice, for my standing; and with my public duties at this place - 7 Yet I feel not as if I were at Home & frequently take a squint towards one dear, old Habitation at the prominent point of my wishes. This will not seem odd either from the affections w^ch will ever live in my Heart, for the Scenes & the persons we have quitted; or from the state of Visitation, which we yet are in; & to which we must submit & endeavor to enjoy for two months to come. We shall not get into our House in a shorter Time…(Barraud Letters, p. 21 - typed from Mss. in Dept. of Research.)

In 1799 Dr. Barraud owned other property near his lot on Francis Street. James Wright and Eva, his wife, in an indenture, conveyed to Dr. Philip Barraud a lot described as being "on north side of the South street…bounded on the west by lot of Mr. Charles Lewis,[¹] on the South by said Street, on the East by Lots of M^r James Anderson Dec^d, on the North by lot of Miss Polly Stith…" The deed was evidently a trust deed or lien as the final papers were executed some years later, November 24, 1812 (Ms. Deed, Tucker-Coleman Letters, Department of Research). The lot described appears to be the southern part of lot 17, though the number of the lot is not specified. (For location of lot 17, see College Map in Illustration #1.)

In the case of "Anna Byrd vs. Mutual Assurance Company," the information is given that Philip Barraud conveyed his Williamsburg property by deed to Anna Byrd² in April 1801. The case states that Barraud insured the property with the Mutual Assurance Society on April 18, 1796. Policy #108, written for Philip Barraud in April 1796 (as cited on page 5 of this report), insured two buildings on lot 19. This would indicate that the property conveyed in the above deed was lot 19. The Mutual Assurance Society, in this case, sought judgment against Anna Byrd for the payment of premium 8 which became due on the policy on June 1, 1805. The Circuit Court of James City County adjourned the case. (A Collection of Cases Decided by the General Court of Virginia, 1789-1814, Philadelphia: 1815, pp. 170-171.)

Williamsburg Tax Records for the period lend little information to the history of Barraud's lot or lots. In 1797, Barraud was owner of½lot valued at£12. In 1801, Barraud held 2 lots valued at $50. The tax records for 1806 show that Anna Byrd was the owner of 2 lots valued at $50. (See Illustration #6 of the Appendix.)

One of Barraud's letters from Norfolk throws light on the situation by suggesting the removal of Mrs. Byrd to Williamsburg:

Norfolk Feb 13, 1801.

My Dear Tucker,
…
On the subject of Otway's affairs I have much to congratulate you with — An unremitting attention to settlements of this Business by able Agents, has brought to bear a far different prospect of Things than had been anticipated. There appears a decided Balance of 6000 dollars in her favor — if not more. This conclusion tallies with Every Thing I had been told by our lamented Friend & delights the very bottom of my Soul. Mr. Munford is now closing the great outlines of this important affair & will be with us some days longer. His presence has contributed materially to the adjustment. This favorable Result of Mrs. Byrd's Finances has changed her whole plans of future Life. Instead of going into her Brother's Family, which I never gave into, it is determined she shall become a member of your Town where she will not only bring her young Family forward more to her wishes but where on her Income she can live among persons of all others she most loves & wishes to be near.(Barraud Letters, p. 37 - typed from Mss. in Dept. of Research.)

Some of the problems Mrs. Byrd was to encounter in Williamsburg are reflected in a letter (from William Munford, Richmond, to St. George Tucker, Williamsburg) as given below:

Dec. 22, 1805

…I will take the liberty to trouble you again with a request on behalf of my Sister Byrd — Doctr John Adams has sent by a Vessel to Williamsburg three hundred bushels of Coal for her and you will oblige her and myself if you will receive it and have it taken care of, until her arrival, which I expect will be in a 9 short time. She has determined to remove to your old City to live, and to take in boarders for her support. You kindness, in giving information of her intention to such persons as you may know are disposed to send their daughters to Town, for the purpose of Attending M^r Anderson's school, might also be of great service to her…(Tucker-Coleman Mss., Uncataloged, Folder #105, Department of Research.)

In June 1806 Anna Byrd insured her property in Williamsburg. Policy #711 was a revaluation of policy #108. The two buildings insured are described by her as "on the North side of Francis Street …now occupied by myself and situated between the Lott of James Anderson West and that of Frances Powell East in the county of James City…The Dwelling House marked A [valued] at $1500 and The Kitchen marked B at $160." Front and back porticoes of wood were attached to the dwelling which was a wooden structure, one story high 47 by 33 feet. (For plat of buildings insured in this policy see drawing in Illustration #5 of the Appendix.)

From 1810 to 1820 Anna Byrd's property is taxed with a valuation of $80. In 1820, Ann Byrd of Lynchburg is taxed as owner of two lots in Williamsburg: one valued at $1075; and one lot valued at $100.¹ (See Illustration #6.)

Mrs. Byrd's venture at taking in boarders apparently did not prove successful. A letter (written by St. George Tucker from Williamsburg to Mrs. Ann Byrd of Lynchburg on January 5, 1817) indicates her desire to dispose of her Williamsburg property: 10

My dear Aunt Nancy-
…It will not be in my power to do any thing for you either to wards renting or selling your house under my present situation — You had better write to some person, (suppose Roscoe Cole or Rob. Anderson) to act for you…(Tucker-Coleman Mss., Uncataloged, Folder #111, Department of Research.)

On February 17, 1817, Robert Anderson in a letter to Mrs. Byrd said: "…It may be well to apprize you that, except the west side, there is not a post, rail, or pole on the lot used as a garden; and that the buildings and the enclosures about them, are very defective and much less valuable than when you left them …."(Robert Anderson Account Books, Letter Book #1.)^{Richard Coke bought in 1822 (John-Thompson Brown Papers, WMC 75: 3 Letter MS) [illegible] Tucker Feb 22, 1822)}

The exact date at which Richard Coke became the owner of the property is not known. However, on April 9, 1823, the Mutual Assurance Society allowed a policy to "Richard Coke Jr. residing at Williamsburg in James City." The policy number was given as "no 5015 a revaluation per declaration No 1514 by Anna Byrd." The buildings were described as "on Francis Street in said city between the lot of Nancy Camp on the West Thomas Sands on the North and streets otherwise." The valuation given was $1500 for the dwelling house and $200 for the kitchen (see Illustration #5).

In 1826, Richard Coke is charged with property in Williamsburg. Two lots "via Anna Byrd," valued at $1075 and $100 respectively, are charged to him (see Illustration #6). In August and September 1826, Richard Coke is charged by Richard T. Booker, carpenter in Williamsburg, with repairs and carpenter's work on a house. Booker put up "pails to frontyard," made "gait for front yard," hung "gait" and made latches, put in "pains of glass" and "beed to window," etc. (See Illustration #2C for detailed accounts as given in Southall Papers, College of William and Mary.) In view of the fact that Coke evidently came into possession of the property in 1823, it 11 seems reasonable to believe that the repairs might have been made on his newly acquired property. Examination of the tax records for the city show that Coke owned only two lots at this time. This fact strengthens the theory that the carpentry work was done on the newly acquired property.

Another account against Richard Coke was rendered by Booker. This account ran from January 1, 1828, to January 20, 1829. In 1828, Coke made more extensive repairs to his house. He used 740 feet of plank, 3000 shingles, 250 feet of sheeting and weather boarding, 40 feet of slepers, 56 feet of sills, 14 posts, framing for summer house, and 100 feet of scantling, etc. (See Illustration #2C of the Appendix for full accounts as given in Southall Papers, College of William and Mary. Copy in Department of Research.)

In 1830, tax records for Williamsburg charge Richard Coke, Jr. with two lots. In 1835, 1838, 1840 and until 1843 the same valuation holds in the tax records against Richard Coke, Jr.^*** In 1843 the property was conveyed to Anna Field¹ (of Gloucester). Mrs. Field is charged with two lots, valued at $1075 and $100, "Via Rich Coke Jr." In 1847 the same tax assessment is made against Anna Field Estate. (See Illustration #6 of the Appendix.)

Though the property is taxed in the name of Anna Field's Estate in 1847, records disclose that steps were taken to settle the estate in 1846. John W. C. Catlett, as executor of Ann W. C. Field's estate, received from George W. Southall on September 21, 1846, a payment of $417, "being second payment for purchase of House & Lot in W^msburg..."(Southall Papers, 12 Folder 338, Business Accounts.) On April 17, 1847, George W. Southall completed payment on the property by remitting to "John W. C. Catlett, Exor of Ann C. Field dec^d Three Hundred & Seventy nine 51/100 dollars, in full for purchase of House & Lot."(Southall Papers, Folder 344, Business Accounts.) The tax records for Williamsburg assess Southall in 1850 with two lots, valued at $1075 and $100 respectively. Southall held the property from 1850 to 1854. The tax records for Williamsburg show, that Helen M. Southall held one lot from 1854 to 1861, valued at $1800, "formerly G. W. Southall's." (See tax records, Illustration #6.)

Without access to the James City County records which were destroyed during the Civil War, it is impossible to get a clear chain of title from the tax books alone. However, the Land Tax Book for Williamsburg for the year 1865, page 6, line 24, indicates that Helen M. Southall, of Williamsburg, is charged a tax fee for residence assessed at $1800. (This record also in chain of title to the property, Accounting Department.)

On July 11, 1872, a deed was recorded in Williamsburg stating that Helen M. Southall had conveyed certain property, with general warranty, to Elizabeth B. Bright for $1800. From the description of the deed that follows, it will be noted that the location of the property conveyed fits the location of lot #19 south, subject of this report:

All that lot of land in the City of Williamsburg, where the said Helen M. Southall now resides and which was allotted to her in partition of the real estate of George W. Southall, deceased, bounded on the South by Francis Street, East by Botetourt Street, North by the lots of Robert Anderson purchased by Richard Barron, and west by the lot of Robert Anderson purchased by said Barron, lying about two hundred and twenty-eight feet on Francis Street and one hundred and two feet on Botetourt Street.(Williamsburg Deed Book No. 1, p. 298.)

By the will of Elizabeth B. Bright, dated March 17, 1872, and 13 probated on August 11, 1873, her property was devised:

All my property, real, personal, or mixed, of which I shall die possessed …I bequeath and give to my daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Edloe and Jean Sinclair Bright ….¹(Williamsburg Will Book No. 1, p. 243. )

It is known that Jean Sinclair Bright Mercer died intestate but left three children: Jean Christine Mercer, Mary Waller Mercer Lightfoot, and Thomas Hugh Mercer. In April 1888, John L. Mercer conveyed, with general warranty, to Robert A. Bright, Trustee, the property described as follows:

…
A certain house and lot in the City of Williamsburg, now occupied by the said John L. Mercer as a residence, and bounded as follows, to-wit: South by Francis Street, East by Botetourt Street, North by lot of J. Allston Cabell and west by a lot now owned by said John L. Mercer, formerly belonging to the Estate of Ro. Anderson, deceased ….(Williamsburg Deed Book No. 2, pp. 265-266.)

Certain provisions (not given in this history) indicate that the above deed was a trust deed from John L. Mercer, who, by courtesy as the husband of Jean S. Mercer, was entitled to the possession of said real estate for and during his lifetime. A note in the chain of title (filed in the Accounting Department) states that John L. Mercer died intestate several years prior to the death of his wife, leaving his three children as heirs of the property joined with his wife's interest. The land book for 1923 records the property as charged in the name of R. E. Bright, Trustee, and designates the property as the "residence of J. L. Mercer, East Francis Street, the lots being assessed at $1200.00 the buildings at $2600.00, 14 making a total amount of $3800.00…."(See chain of title.)

In May 1924, after some legal tangles were cleared, it was found that the heirs of Jean Sinclair Mercer's heirs; namely, Jean C. Mercer, Thomas Hugh Mercer and wife, and Mary Waller Lightfoot and husband, Herbert Lightfoot, had a clear title to the property and were able to convey to Mary Boyd Ryland with covenants of general warranty the foregoing described property. (Williamsburg Deed Book No. 10, p. 270.) The western boundary line between the Ryland and Shewmake property was fixed and determined in 1930. (See chain of title, Accounting Department.)

By deed, dated July 25, 1940, Mary Boyd Ryland and Archie G. Ryland, her husband, conveyed to Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, with covenants of general warranty covering the following described property:

All that certain piece or parcel of land, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated at the northwest corner of the inter section of Francis and Botetourt Streets, in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, and more particularly bounded and described as follows: Beginning at the northwest point of intersection between Francis and Botetourt Streets; thence running in a westerly direction along the north line of Francis Street a distance of 234.03 feet to a point; thence in a northerly direction 108.41 feet to a point; thence in an easterly direction 234.17 feet to a point on the western line of Botetourt Street; thence in a southerly direction along the western line of Botetourt Street 109.36 feet to the point of beginning… The property hereby conveyed is bounded on the north by the property of Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, on the east by Botetourt Street, on the south by Francis Street, and on the west by the property of Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, formerly the property of Lela B. Shewmake….Being the same property conveyed to Mary Boyd Ryland by deed from Jean C. Mercer and others dated May 12, 1924, recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book No. 10, page 270, subject, however, to the adjustment of the boundary line between the property hereby conveyed and the property formerly owned by Lela B. Shewmake by a certain agreement dated June 24, 1930, between Mary Boyd Ryland and Archie G. Ryland and Lela B. Shewmake recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book No. 14, page 320, to which reference is here made.

The sellers, however, reserved and retained by this deed a life tenure to the residence and that portion of the property fronting on Francis Street, being a distance of 155.76 feet eastward from Botetourt Street and extending northward the entire depth of the lot for and during the natural life of the sellers and the survivors of them. (Williamsburg Deed Book No. 18, p. 309.)

SUMMARY

The first record which describes lot 19 specifically is dated March 16, 1761, when William Withers, merchant of Williamsburg, conveyed to William Carter, Apothecary, a piece or parcel of ground part of two lots purchased by Withers of Dudley Digges. On the Frenchman's Map two buildings are indicated on the southern part of what seems to be lot 19. Sometime about 1782-3 Dr. Philip Barraud of Norfolk moved to Williamsburg where he established himself as a physician and bought a house and lot. An insurance policy of 1796 shows that Dr. Barraud at that time was owner of two buildings on Francis Street between the Cross Street and the lot of James Anderson. Here he lived until his removal to Norfolk in 1799. In 1801, Dr. Barraud conveyed to Mrs. Anna Byrd his Williamsburg property (lot 19). About 1823 or before Richard Coke had come into possession of the Barraud property. In 1843 Coke sold the property to Anna Field of Gloucester County. When her estate was settled the property passed to George W. Southall and it is assessed in his name in the tax records of 1850. In 1854 Helen M. Southall is charged with one lot formerly the property of George W. Southall. Mrs. Southall evidently held the lots until 1872, when, by deed the property was conveyed to Elizabeth B. Bright. The period of the Civil War has made a gap in the records from 1861 through 1870. Elizabeth B. Bright devised the property to her daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Edloe and Jean Sinclair Bright.

John L. Mercer, by marriage with Jean S. Bright in 1888 conveyed the said property to Robert A. Bright, trustee. In 1924 the heirs of Jean Sinclair Bright Mercer sold the property to Mary Boyd Ryland who conveyed the described property to Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, on July 25, 1940, the sellers retaining a life tenure to the residence.

Illustration #1
Barraud House

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?

PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE WILLIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMBURG, THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER

Illustration #3
Barraud House

Illustration #5

May 20, 1830
Mutual Assurance Policy #7579 Revaluation of buildings declared for Assurance by Richard Coke Jr. as per Declaration #5015 by Richard Coke Jr.

"///That the said Buildings are at present owned by Richard Coke Jnu^r and are occupied by himself residing at Williamsburg that they are situated on Frances Street on the South-between Sands lot north and Camps lot South, and a cross street fast in the county of James City...

The Dwelling marked A at	$1650
The Kitchen marked B at	200
	$1850"

Illustration #6
Block 10 Lot 19

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #7579 revaluation of buildings declared for assurance by Richard Coke Jun^r as per declaration #5015
1830, May 20th.

"We the underwritten Robert Anderson Special Agent, and Thomas Sands and William M. Moody Appraisers, do hereby certify that we have viewed and revalued the building heretofore declared for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society... by Richard Coke Jun^r as per his Declaration for Assurance #5015 That the said Buildings are at present owned by Richard Coke Jun^r and are occupied by himself residing at Williamsburg That they are situated on Frances Street on the south-between Sands lot north and Camps lot south, and a cross street East in the county of James City...

The Dwelling.......	Marked A at $1650
The Kitchen........	Marked B at 200
	$1850

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #10997 revaluation of buildings declared for Assurance by Richard Coke Jun^r as per Declaration #7579
1839, April 24th.

We the underwritten Robert Anderson Special Agent, and Lucius F. Cary and Albert G. Southall Appraisers, do hereby certify, that we have viewed and re-valued the Buildings heretofore declared for Assurance, in the Mutual Assurance Society... by Richard Coke Jun^r as per his Declaration for Assurance #7579 That the said Buildings at present owned by Richard Coke Jun^r residing at Williamsburg and are occupied by Richard Coke Jun^r That they are situated on Frances Street on the south, a cross street east, the lot of Thomas Sands north &ad the lot of Nancy Camp west...

The Dwelling ....	Marked A at $2000
The Kitchen . ...	Marked B at 350
	$2350

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #14 375 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Richard Coke Jun^r and Mrs Field per Declaration #10997
1846 October 3rd.

I the underwritten Robert Anderson residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on my own land in Williamsburg now occupied by John J. Jones situated between Frances Street on the south a cross street East. a lot of Thomas Sands' estate north, and another lot of the said Robert Anderson on the West in the county of James City

The Dwelling.........	Marked A at $2000
The Kitchen..........	Marked B at 350
	$2350

Mutual Asiurance Society Policy #17651 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Robert Anderson & George W Southall per declaration #14375
1853 November 29th.

I the underwritten Helen M Southall residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on Frances and a cross street now occupied by myself situated between the said streets south, & east and lots of Robert Anderson on the north and west in the county of James City...

The Dwelling.........	Marked A at $2000
The Kitchen..........	Marked B at 350
	$2350

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #21344 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Helen M. Southall per declaration #17651
1860 Decmeber 31st.

I the underwritten Helen M. Southall residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance...my Buildings on the north side of Francis Street now occupied by Mrs. Anderson & Miss Southall situated between a lot of the Estate of Ro: Anderson on the West and a cross Street on the East in the said City of Williamsburg and it the county of James City...

The Dwelling...........	Marked A at $1500
The Kitchen............	Marked B at 350
	$1850