Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

^{Brick House Tavern}
DR. CARTER'S BRICK HOUSE
Colonial Lot #19.
Block 10 - Site #10 February 23, 1938

^{1st copy - obsolete}

Colonial lot # 19 yeas the corner lot on Duke of Gloucester and Botetourt Streets and like other lots on the main street had 82 ½ front feet. The earliest deeds to the lot were not recorded at Yorktown. From the evidence of later deeds it seems apparent pat Cole Digger owned the lot about 1723 at which time there was a building on it.

In July 21, 1755,\Dudley Digger, then owner of the lot (and of lot #18, the lot west of it) made the following agreement with James Curries

Consideration 5 shillings and yearly rent, of 2 pounds.

Whereas the said Digger did license and permit one Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, decd, to set s tenement or shop on his lots in the city of Williamsburg with liberty to remove the same at any time, which shop the said James Currie hath purchased.

Whereas the said Dudley Digges and James Currie have come to the following agreement that he the said Dudley Digger will grant a lease of the ground whereon the said shop stands with an addition of ten feet more for the whole length thereof for the conveniency of building a shed to hold to the said James Currie or assigns for 14 year.

In 1760 William Withers owned the two lots, which he had acquired by purchase from Dudley Digges at some time prior to that date. The first deed to this specific property was recorded in 1761 and was for such a substantial consideration £375, that it is certain to have involved a large, substantial brick house in excellent condition.

Book 6 - Deeds.

March 16, 1761

York County, Virginia
Withers, William - Merchant Williamsburg.
to
Carter, William - apothecary.
Considerations 375 Pounds.

All that piece or parcel of ground situate lying 2. and being on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by a cross street running from Duke of Gloucester Street 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 lots or half acres of ground purchased by the said William Withers of Dudley Digges.
and all houses ....

Dr. Carter sub-divided the property and recorded a plat of the first floor and cellars. The deed for this subdivision follows and the blue print accompanying the report has been made from a tracing from the original:

Book VII - Deeds

February 16, 1761.

York County, Virginia
Carter, William - Surgeon
Rebecca, his wife
to
Walker, Hugh
Consideration: 300 Pounds.

One half the large cellar under the brick house of the said William situate on the South side of Duke of Gloucester Street in city of Williamsburg, denoted in the plan of the said house hereto annexed by No. 3, the two rooms on the lower floor of the said House No. 4, and the two rooms on the second floor above No. 6 being over the two rooms below No. 6 as denoted in the said plan ...... the said William or assigns may at any time have the privilege to inclose a small piece of ground adjoining his or their back door and at his own or their own expense build a cellar cap to the East End of the said Williams cellar No. 6, and a cellar cap in front to the said Hughes cellar No. 3, and stop up the present cellar cap to the said cellar and also erect a brick partition dividing his cellar No. 3 from the cellar No. 4

Map of house on page 16.

Book VII - Deeds.

August 8, 1764.

York County, Virginia
Carter, William - Surgeon
Rebecca, his wife
Williamsburg.
to
Anderson, Robert - Surgeon
Same city.
3. Considerations 225 Pounds

One half the large cellar under the Brick House of the said William Carter, situate on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street in the said city, denoted in the plan of the said house annexed to a deed from the said William and Rebecca to Hugh Walker, No. 4, the two rooms in the lower floor of the said house No. 6 being at the East end, thereof ....with the use and privilege of all ways, steps and stairs leading to and from the same ..... and that the passage to the Back Yard and the eight feet wide passage across the said William's lot as denoted in the said plan shall remain and be in common for the use of the said Robert Anderson and William Carter.

Some time prior to 1767 William Carter sold James Anderson, the blacksmith, the lot and house facing Francis Street. The wooden shop south of the large Brick House, facing Botetourt Street was rented or sold to various persons during the remaining year of the eighteenth century.

The advertisements from the Virginia Gazette show the importance of this Brick House as a tavern mercantile establishment housing various kinds of shops. These advertisements contain class to the arrangement of the shops. Evidently the corner store eras the largest and most desirable.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, eds.

April 27, 1769.

Freer Armston, Chandler and Soap Boiler, is Norfolk; For the better convenience of supplying the town of Williamsburg, has opened a shop between Mr. Carter's great brick house and Mrs. Rathell's, where may be had TALLOW CANDLES as good as any on the continent; the present price by the box 11d. paying freight from Norfolk, Best HARD SOAP at 6d. by the box, or 7d. half penny small quantities…

Virginia Gazette
William Rind, Ed.

March 29, 1770

The subscriber begs leave to inform the Public in general, and her friends in particular, that she has 4. removed from Lester's ferry, and rented Dr. Carter's large brick house, on the Main street in Williamsburg; where she proposes to accomodate Ladies and Gentlemen with private lodgings. She has 12 or 14 very good lodging rooms, with fire places in most of them, which will hold two or three beds in each; she is willing to rent out some of them yearly to such as may incline to find their own beds and furniture. The rooms above are convenient for Gentlemen, those below for Ladies; the house consisting of two parts, and divided lengthwise by a brick partition. She has also another house on the lot, separate from the first, with two rooms and fire places below, very suitable for a family. Her terms will be entirely regulated by her friends. She is NOW tolerably prepared for the reception of lodgers and horses, but hopes to be more completely so by the ensuing April court.
MARY DAVIS

N. B. Any Ladies that may chose to spend a few weeks, in private times, whether for pleasures or education, may do it here both reasonably and conveniently.

(Same in Purdie & Dixon, March 22, 1770)

Virginia Gazette
William Rind, Ed.

Thursday, May 2, 1771.

Williamsburg, the Brick House, April 15, 1771.

THE public is informed that our stables are new done up and properly divided, with great additions; that a very large pastore, remarkable for good grass and water, adjoining the town, and intirely new fenced in this spring, is engaged for Gentlemen's horses.
RICHARD Dims.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, Editors

June 20, 1771.

MARGARET HUNTER, MILLINER, Williamsburg.

Hereby informs her Friends and Customers that she is removed to the Corner Store in Doctor Carter's 5. Brick House, where she carries on the Millinery Business in all its Benches; also makes Ladies Hats, Bonnets, Cloaks, and Cardinals, and Mounts Fans in the neatest Manner. _____ She has for Sale a great Variety of MILLINERY, TOYS, Strasburg, Rappee, Weston's, and Scotch SNUFF &c. &c. &c. Orders from the Country will be faithfully and punctually executed, on the most reasonable Terms.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, Eds.

January 23, 1772.

A DRAB coloured GREAT COAT, almost new, with a Velvet Cape, was taken out of Mrs. Davis's, in Williamsburg, on Saturday the 30th of October last, and wore, it is imagined by some Gentleman, to his Lodgings (the Night being rainy) where he left it. It will be taken kind of any Person who has got it to send it to Mrs. Davis, or to the Post Office.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, Eds.

October 29, 1772.

For Fear it should have been reported, from some late Transactions here, that this House was broke up, I put an advertisement in Mr. Rind's Gazette, to inform all my former Customers that they might depend upon being accommodated with their Lodgings and Entertainment as usual, and begged a Continuance of their Favours; but by receiveing Letters since from some of the Gentlemen, inquiring whether the House will be continued, induced me to believe that my Notice was not generally observed, and therefore insert this to assure them all that they nay depend upon Lodgings, &c. as usual.
RICHARD DAVIS.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon

December 17, 1772

To be RENTED, and entered on immediately, for the Remainder of my Term, being four Years 6. from the first of January next,
The large BRICK HOUSE on the main Street, in Williamsburg, together with the WOODEN STORE and other Improvements thereunto belonging. The whole Rent I am under. Obligation to pay to Doctor Carter is sixty Pounds a Year, and the above mentioned store rents for fifteen Pounds
RICHARD DAVIS.

Virginia Gazette
William Rind, Editor

January 14, 1773.

RICHARD HUNT SINGLETON, having taken the BRICK HOUSE TAVERN on the Main Street, Williamsburg, lately occupied by Mr. Richard Davis, returns thanks to all his old customers, and begs a continuance of their favours, as also of those Gentlemen who frequented the above Tavern, &c. as he is determined to keep the best of Liquors and endeavour, in every other respect, to give satisfaction.

Good STABLAGE and PASTURAGE for horses, &c.

Virginia Gazette Alex. PURDIE, Ed.

October 27, 1775.

JAMES NICHOLS, peruke-maker sad hair-dresser, begs leave to inform the publick, that he has opened shop is the corner room of the brick house where Mrs. Singleton lives, and intends carrying on his business in all its branches. Those who favour him with their custom may depend on being faithfully served, and duly attended, by their humble servant,
JAMES NICHOLS.

Virginia Gazette
Alex. Purdie, Ed.

June 7, 1776.

Now selling by the subscriber, in Williamsburg, for 7. ready money, at the corner store of doctor William Carter's brick house, the following articles, viz.
RUM, Geneva, Cordials of different sorts, Philadelphia steel, sole leather, calf skins, fine and coarse hats, fine and coarse linens, brown do. coarse woollen cloths, and coffee
ADAM EKART.

Virginia Gazette
Alex. Purdie, Ed.

July 5, 1776.

Just arrived from Philadelphia,
A LARGE and complete assortment of every useful article to be had in these times, which will be sold as low as possible, wholesale and retail, viz. White and brown linens, calicoes and printed linens, white and brown sugar, rum, coffee, mens and womens shoes and pumps, leather of various sorts, hats, and bonnets, many kinds of summer wear, &c. &c. &c.
HUGH WALK & C0.

Virginia Gazette
Alex. Purdie, Ed.

July 13, 1777.

The sieur de Glovay begs leave to inform the publick, that he draws accurate plans of cities, counties, and gentlemens seats. All those who please to favour him with their custom may depend on being served in the best manner, and on having their plans executed agreeable to their desire. He may be spoke with at doctor William Carter's brick house in Williamsburg.

8.

Virginia Gazette
J. Clarkson & A. Davis, Eds.
[Printed in Williamsburg]

August 19, 1780.

THOMAS BREND,
BOOKBINDER and STATIONER,
Has for SALE at his shop at the corner of Dr. Carter's large brick house, Testaments, Spelling Books, Primers, Ruddeman's Rudiments of the Latin Tongue, Watt's Psalms, Blank Books. Quills, Sealing Wax, Pocket-Books, and many other articles in the Stationery way. Old books rebound; and any Gentlemen who have paper by them and want it made into Account Books, may have it done on the shortest notice.

A small shop in the rear was used for various purposes, including a riding chair makers establishment:

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, Eds.

March 21, 1766.

We the Subscribers in Williamsburg, have opened shop at the back of Doctor William Carter's brick building, and purpose carrying on the RIDING-CHAIR'S business, in all its branches; and likewise make carts, and all kinds of wheels. Gentlemen who shall please to favour us with their custom may depend on having their work well done in the best manner, and newest fashion, by Their humble servants,
William Cosby.
Filmer Moore.

Virginia, Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, Eds.

December 18, 1766.

…
The partnership of Cosby and Moore being to dissolve the 1st day of January next, this is to inform the publick that the business will be carried on in the usual manner by the subscriber, who hopes for encouragement …
William Cosby

9.

In 1770 Hugh Walker deeded to William Krill his portion of the brick house:

Book 8 - Deeds

June 8, 1770.

York County, Virginia
Walker, Hugh
Catherine, his wife
to
Acrill, William - Gent
Consideration: 200 Pounds

One half of the large cellar under the brick house called Doctor William Carter's, situate on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street in the City of Williamsburg, denoted in the plan of the said house duly recorded in the County Court of York by No. 3,9 the two rooms on the lower floor of the said house No. 4, and the two rooms on the second floor above No. 6 being over the tyro rooms below No. 6 as denoted in the said plan being the rooms conveyed the said Hugh Walker by the said William Carter.

Robert Anderson sold his portion of the Brick House back to Dr. William Carter:

Book VI - Deeds

June 12, 1783.

York County, Virginia
Anderson, Robert
Anne, his wife
Williamsburg
to
Carter, William
Surgeon - Same City.
Consideration: 160 Pounds

One half of the large cellar under the Brick House of the said William situate on the South side of Duke of Gloucester Street, in the said city, denoted in the Plan of said House annexed to a deed from the said William to Hugh Walker, recorded in York County Court, by No. 4, the two rooms on the lower floor of the said house No. 6, being at the East end thereof, and all the estate, right, title and interest of them the said Robert Anderson and Anne, his wife, of in and to the same with the use 10. and privilege of all ways, steps and stairs leading to and from the same.

And that the passage to the back yard and the back yard and the 8 ft. passage across the said William's lot as denoted in the said plan, shall remain and be in common for the use of the said William Carter, his heirs and assigns to pass and repass as they shall have occasion reserving always the liberty to enclose a small piece of ground adjoining their back door so as not to prejudice the owner or owners of the next room to them.

Plat copied on file under Wm Carter's house.

^*

The records after this date are so fragmentary that only certain isolated facts are known about the Brick House. Levy Anderson acquired it (probably from James Anderson in 1803) before 1806. In 1807 Simon Block insured the western half of the property.

In 1817 Thomas Sands acquired the whole building on lot #19 and insured it. [This policy is not available.] In 1821 he owed Robert Anderson $15.68 for "steps, shingling, & repairs, gate &c"^**.

In April 1842 a disastrous fire destroyed practically all the buildings in this block including the main buildings on the front part of lots #19 and #18. The end of the history of lot #19 is found in a promissory note of Robert Anderson dated December 14, 1846 to sell Thomas Sands lot in a suit Piggott vs Sands "being for purchase of old Brick House lot in Wmsburg, Main street."

Mr. Charles in his Recollections of Williamsburg refers to the ruins standing before the War Between the States:

"...There were, when the War began, no more houses on thin square fronting on Duke of Gloucester Street, but instead there were immense brick gable-ends of houses that had long since been destroyed by fire. These foundations were often filled with water that afforded the small boys rare sport-boating in the summer and skating in the winter." (Charles, John S.; Recollections of Williamsburg, page 43.)

11.

The accompanying blue prints have been traced from the original records and are identified in red pencil.