Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

ORLANDO JONES HOUSE - #34
Block 10, Colonial Lots 16 & 17
Also Mary Stith Shop - #35^*

^{1940 - 1st copy}

At a very early date in the eighteenth century, Orlando Jones, the son of the Reverend Rowland Jones, rector of Bruton Parish, was the owner of lots 16 and 17. In his will he ordered that his house and two lots in Williamsburg be sold. The purpose of this sale was stated in his will:

June 4th, 1719.

…first I will & desite Order & Appoint my house & two lotts in Williamsburgh be sold by my Execrs hereafternamed towards payment of my debts legacies funeral Charges & out of the produce thereof I give to my loving wife Mary Jones one hundred pounds sterlg. I will & desire that when my house & lots shall be sold that if it should not produce as much as will pay the hundred pounds Sterlg & my debts that then my Tobo shiped & now to be shipped…May be appropriated for that Use…

[York County Records, Book 15 - Deeds, Orders, Wills, p. 517. Probated - November 16, 1719]

The inventory of his personal property throws some light on the number of rooms in his house and their contents:

December 15, 1719.

In the Parlor.

1 feather bed, bolster, rug, blanket, 1 pr sheets, 1 trunnel bestead, hyde and cord	5/10/0
1 falling table, 6 Rush leather chairs, 1 large looking glass	4/18/0
1 pr. end irons, 1 pr. old brass tongs, 1 brass shovel	0/15/0
1 parcel earthen ware on the mantle piece, 3 small pictures, 2 large mugs	0/ 6/9

In the closet of the same room

1 flower tub, 1 sugar box, 1 candle box, 1 comb brush, 2 combs, 2 small baskets, 1 parcel earthen ware	0/16/0
3 old silver spoons, 1 old silver snuff box, 1 silver buckle	0/15/0

In the Hall

1 old table, 6 rush leather chairs.	2/13/0
1 old box, 3 Ozn. table cloths, 13 napkins, 7 towels, and some clothes	0/17/0

2

In the closet

1 case of bottles, 1 pr. money scales, 2 pen knives, 1 old razor, 2 pr. knitting needles, 2 small baskets, 55 lbs. iron, 1 branding iron

0/18/0

In the Porch.

1 table, 9 rush bottom chairs, 3 wood do. 1 large case of bottles, 1 sun dial

2/ 0/0

In the passage.

List of saddles, whips etc.

3/ 2/0

In the chamber over the hall.

6 old leather chairs, 1 chest, 2 small boxes, 1 pr. handirons	1/14/0
2500 ten penny nails, 2 jugs, 2 mugs	1/ 3/0
2 small boxes, 1 flaskett, 1 parcel doctors means	0/ 7/0

In the kitchen chamber.

1 old chest, 1 lining, 1 wooling wheel, 3 pr. old wool cards, 2 old leather chairs	0/ 6/0
1 blanket, 1 pillow, 1 old bedstead, 6 doz. cottels, 1 smoothing iron, a parcel old tools	1/ 6/0
6 old chairs, 2 old chests	0/ 8/0
2 old towels, 3 napkins, 1 table cloth, a small remnant stuff	0/16/0

In the porch chamber.

1 feather bed, bolster and pillows, 1 blanket, 1 old bedstead, 1 looking old glass, 3 old leather chairs	3/ 2/6
In his study.
His library and a parcel books	8/ 0/0

In the kitchen.

20 pewter plates	1/ 0/0
38 lbs. half worn pewter	1/18/0
1 parcel old pewter, 1 doz. old pewter spoons, 1 tankard, 1 old pewter pot, 1 half pewter do.	1/10/3
1 old brass kettle and a parcel old brass	1/ 5/0
1 brass ladle, 1 old skimer, 6 brass candlesticks, 1 pr. snuffers, 1 warming pan	1/ 2/6
1 old bell metal skillet, 1 do. mortar and pestle	0/ 4/6
1 tin kettle, 1 cullender, 1 pepper box, 6 do. pans, 2 doz. patty pans, 1 funnel, 1 lanthorne 1 grater, 1 saucer, 2 pastry pans	0/16/6
5 iron pots, 6 pot hooks, 2 pot racks	2/ 5/0
3
2 spits, 1 dripping pan, 2 frying pans, 1 flesh forks, 1 fire tongs	0/11/0
1 old still	0/15/0
2 house brushes, 4 water pails	0/ 7/0
2 small beer casks, 1 brass cock	0/ 4/0
3 old tubs, 2 butter tubs, 1 sifting tray, 1 hair sive, 1 lawn sive	0/8/0
3 Indian pots, 1 stone pot	0/ 3/6
1 pr. small stilliards	0/ 4/0
1 whip saw, 2 carpenters rules	0/11/0
1 hand saw, 1 drawing knife	0/ 2/0
List of cattle, horses, negroes etc.

Legacys given to his wife as followeth:

2 Diaper table cloths, 13 napkins, 1 pr. holland sheets, 6 pillow cases, 13 towels, 1 holland shirt, 1 dowles do. 1 handkerchief, 1 comcom, 1 private prayer book, 3 thread laces, 3 neck clothes, 2 parcel of thread and flower silk, parcel old silver, list of bills due etc.

22/ 6/0

Legacys given to his daughter.

List of clothing, 1 carpet, 6 yds, silk drugget, 1 suit white callico window curtains, list of laces and jewels etc. 14/ 7/9
1 silver caudle cup, 6 silver spoons	5/ 8/0
1 feather bed and furniture	8/ 0/0
1 large silver tankard given to his son	12/ 0/0
	484/1/3

[York County Records, Book 15 - Deeds, Orders, Wills]

The facts about Orlando Jones that seem to be dependable show that he was born on December 31, 1681, and died on June 12, 1719. [William and Mary Quarterly Volume 5 (1), p. 192; Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 2, p. 438]. He was a scholar at the College of William and Mary in 1698. [Council Papers quoted in Virginia Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 21, p. 75]. In a letter regarding the practice of the pupils of shutting out the master of the school, Jones writes that he had been an usher of the grammar school in the years before 1702, when he left Virginia for England. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,, Vol. 8, pp. 260-261]

On the York County rent rolls for 1704, he is shown as the owner of 450 A. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,, Vol. 31, p. 71.] In that same year, Governor Edward Nott granted him land in King William County. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,Vol. 24, p. 390.] In 1714, 1715, and 1718 he was a representative in the House of Burgesses for that county. [Journals of the House of Burgesses 1712-14, 1715, 1718, 1720-22, 1723-26 pp. 92, 126, 178, 181. He lived at Timson's Neck on York River. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography,, Vol. 2, p. 438.] Through the marriage of his daughter, Frances, to John Dandridge in 1730, he became the grandfather of George Washington's wife. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 32, p. 400.] He was buried in Bruton Parish Church. [William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 5 (1), p. 192.]

After the death of Jones, his wife Mary Jones, since her co-executor, Baldwin Mathews, had "renounced the trust"[Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 2, p. 438], sold the property to John James Flourney, watchmaker.

January 16, 1719 ?[1720]

Jones, Mary, widow of Orlando Jones
to
Flournoy, John James - Watchmaker
Consideration: 100 Pounds

Two lots of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the figures 16, 17.
With all houses and buildings.

[York County Records, Book III - Deeds, Bonds]

No facts could be found about Flournoy, other than that he was a descendant of French immigrants, and that he married Orlando Jones' widow the following year, and died in 1740. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. II, pp. 84-85.]

In 1729 he sold the property to Joanna Archer, widow, but unfortunately, he fails to say on which lot the house stood:

September 13, 1729

Flournoy, John James - Watchmaker
to
Archer, Joanna - widow
Consideration: 160 Pounds

All that messuage or dwelling house wherein the said John James Flourney now dwelleth situate on the South side of the Street called Duke of Gloucester Street, also two lots of land on one of which the said messuage now stands, which lots are described in the plan of the said city by the figures 16, and 17.

From the increased price, it is clear that prices had gone up or else that additions had been made to the houses.

Joanna Archer possibly rented the house, as in the advertisement of this property after her death it is spoken of as part of her estate, and had an occupant, Doctor Kenneth McKenzie, at that time. The advertisement reads:

May 16, 1745

The Dwelling-house, Kitchen, Meat-house, Stable, and other convenient Outhouses, also a Garden, with the 2 Lots they are upon, being Part of the Estate of Mrs. Joanna Archer, deceas'd and where Doctor Kenneth MacKenzie now lives, in Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, are to be expos'd to Sale to the highest Bidder, for ready Money, on the second Tuesday in June next being the first Day of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer.

[Virginia Gazette, William Parks, Editor]

As was so often the case when property was advertised for sale or when the deed was recorded in the General Court, the title to the property is lost to the historian.

On the unknown draftsman's map, lot #16 is subdivided with Charlton's name on the division facing the Duke of Gloucester Street. There is no name in the plot in 16 on Francis Street, nor any in lot #17. On the Bucktrout 6 map the name Lewis is found in the part of lot #16 on Francis Street, Charlton on the part of lot #16 on Duke of Gloucester Street, and Stith on lot #17.

The following facts, which may have some bearing on lot #16, are found in the tax records for Williamsburg. The only Lewis who owned only a part of a lot was Charles Lewis, about whose peoperty the following facts are listed:

It is impossible from Swem's Virginia Historical Index to establish any Charles Lewis as an owner of lots in Williamsburg. Nor does his name appear in the census list of 1790 nor in the list of tithables for Williamsburg. [See York County Records, Cards 962, 963, 964, 965]

Edward Charlton probably owned the part of lot #16 on Duke of Gloucester Street. In the Williamsburg tax records for 1787, the "C's" are folded in so that it is impossible to know if he was listed. In 1797 his estate was charged for ¼ of a lot, as it was again in 1801. The name does not appear on the records in 1806.

An Edward Charlton "late from London" became the partner of Richard Gamble at his shop next door to the Raleigh Tavern in 1752. Gentlemen were asked to favour the partners in ordering wigs. [Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, Editor, April 30, 1752]. Edward and Jane Charlton imported goods, as an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette(Clementina Rind, Editor, 7 September 22, 1774) shows. He intended to go to England in 1774 and issued the following notice:

November 3 [4], 1774.

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. To any person inclinable to become a purchaser the payments will be made easy, on giving bond, and good security; or it will be sold on an annuity, as may best suit the parties.
Edward Charlton

[Virginia Gazette, John Pinkney, Editor]

He was one of a committee appointed to represent the city in 1775 [Virginia Gazette, John Pinkey, November 9, 1775] In 1778 he advertised a house and lot for sale. The wording of the announcement would seem to indicate that it was the house formerly offered for sale:

May 12, 1778.

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. The terms of payment will be made agreeable to any, who chuses to purchase, on their giving bond with such security as shall be approved of. If more agreeable, it may be had on an annuity for two lives.
EDWARD CHARLTON.

[Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter, Eds., May 12 [15], 1778]

Perhaps the reason for this sale was his intention of leaving Virginia soon. [Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Nicholson, August 28, 1779.]

In 1785 and Edward Charlton was advertising goods that had come over on the last ship from London in the Virginia Gazette and Independent Chronicle (Dixon and Holt, March 26, 1785.)

In 1787 Edward Charlton, as administrator for Mrs. Hunter's estate in Williamsburg, offered it for sale. [Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Thomas Nicolson, Editor, October 11, 1787] Jane Charlton was a 8 member of the Hunter family. [York County Records, Book VII - Deeds, page 171]

In the census of 1790 (taken 1782-1785) Edward Charlton was shown with 2 whites and 2 blacks in the family. In 1792, Edward Charlton's Estate had 3 tithables. In 1801 Jane Charlton had 2 tithables [see cards 962, 963, 964, 965 in York County Records.]

Humphrey Harwood had the following accounts with Edward Charlton:

	Mr. Edward Charlton	Dr.
1786
Sepr 29th	To 1 bushel of lime 1/. & 20 bricks 7d½	2 : 1: 7½
	To mending a Grate 2/6	2: 6
	Mr. Edward Charlton	Dr.
1787
Decr 19th	To 4 bushels of lime 4/	4:
	To cutting out 2 Window Frames & working them in 15/	15:
	To 50 Bricks 1/6 & 2 days labour 5/	6: 6
1788
January 29th	To 8 bushels of lime at 1/.&2 days labour at 2/6	13:
	To working in 2 Cellar window frames 3/6 & repairg plasterg 3/9	7: 3
	To contracting Kitchen Chimney 10/ & labourers work 2/6	12: 6
February 16	To 2½ bushels of lime 2/6 labours work 1/6	4:
	To Repairing Steps & Cellar Cap 3/9	3: 9
April 3	To 600 Larthes at 1/3 pr 20 bus lime 1½ do hare 3/. & 12 days labr 3/9	1: 14: 3
11	To 17 bus lime at 1/. 435 larthes at 1/3 & ½ bus hair 1/	1: 3: 5
	To larthing & plastering 77 yds at 6d pr yd	1: 18: 6
	To Repairing Step to kitchen, door, & Cellar 2/6, & 2 days labr 5/	: 7: 6
April 23	To Whitewashing 1 Room, & passage at 4/6	: 9:
Septemr 25	To 7 bushels of lime 7/ & lathg & plasterg door & mendg plasterg in passage 5/	: 12:
	To 3 pecks of Hair 1/6 & layg front steps 5/.	: 6: 6
		£9: 17: 2

9

Carried to E. Excd pr
Ledg C. folio 14
W J C Exor

[Humprey Harwood Ledger B - p. 94]

Dr.	Mr Edward Charlton
1789
Augs 19	To amt brt from Ledger B. fol. 94	£ 9:17: 2
April 12	To cash in pt of yr acct £1.8..	1: 8:
Augt 19	To 8 bushels of lime at 9d & 3/2 bricks 8/6	14: 6
	To mending & Brickwork of yr well & to labrs work 6/8	6: 8
	(B. delivered in)
1790
January 15	To rubbing Bricks & mending Brickwork of fire place, and lime	2:
June 1	To 1 peck of whitewash 4½d & whitewashing a passage, stairway, & one side of a Room up stairs 4/8	4:10½
Octor 19	To 1 bush: ime 9d & mending the Steps 1/6	2: 9:
Septr 8	To lime - mending fire place with rubb'd bricks & bricks 3/9	3: 9
	To whitewash 3d
1791
Jan'y 16	To 2 bushels of lime at 9d &mending, lathing & plastering 3/	4: 6
Sepr 11	To lime & mending grate &c 3/3¾	3: 3¾
Decr 27	To Cash pd as pr Receipt	6: 5:8
1792
May 12	To 3 bush of lime at 9d - mending plaistering 4/	6: 3
	To whitewash & whitewashing a Cieling 2/	2:
Nov. 29	To Cash paid to bal: at	3:19:10
		25:1:0¼

[Humprey Harwood Ledger C - p. 14]

A later owner of lot #17 seems to have been Mary Stith, for she is shown to have bought of George Reid ¼ of a public lot in 1785. [Williamsburg Land Tax Records, Virginia State Archives] Mary Stith is the only Stith whose name appears on the tax records of Williamsburg over a long period of time. The tax records show the following facts:

The insurance policy of Nancy Camp apparently establishes Mary Stith on lot #17, or a part of it, in 1810. In describing her property, Nancy Camp declared:

I Nancy Camp resideing at Richmond in the county of Henrico do hereby declare for assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society … my buildings on Duke of Gloucester [sic] Street in the city of Williamsburg and county of York which are now unocupied situated between the lot of Mary Stith on the west and of Leroy Anderson on the east in the county of York. [Policy no. 231, p. 14]

The Bucktrout may shows Sands owning a lot facing Duke of Gloucester Street, between Stith on the left and Leroy Anderson on the right.

In the list of tithables for Williamsburg in 1792, Mary Stith has 4 (slaves?) and in 1801, 2. [York County Records, Cards 964 and 965]

Mary Stith had accounts with Humphrey Harwood: 11

	Miss Mary Stith	Dr.
1785
July 28	To 16 bushels of lime a 1/	£:16:
	To building a pair Steps 15/ & labours work 2/6	:17: 6
1783
Novemr 11	To a Grate & bars 27th ¾ at 9d (This was not posted for want of Mr Nelson's account)	1: 0: 9¾
	To 2 Bushels of lime 2/ & Setting up a Grate (in out House) 7/6	9: 6
	To 1 days labour 2/6
		£3: 6: 3¾

	Miss Mary Stith	Dr.
1787
June 27th	To 1 bushel of White wash 1/	1:
	To White-washing 1 Room a passage a porch & Closet at 4/6	13: 6
1788
Sept 25	To 6 bushels of lime 6/ & setting up 2 Grates 8/9	14: 9
	To labour 2/	2:
		£1:11:3

[Humphrey Harwood Ledger B - p. 82]

	Miss Mary Stith	Dr
1789
Seper 19th	To 8 bushels of lime at 9d 580 bricks at 2/9 & mending drain & sink 10/	1:11:11½
		£1:11:11½

[Humphrey Harwood Ledger C - p. 22]

In her will, Mary Stith left her lots (or subdivisions of lots) to two slaves, Jenny Gillett and Nelly Bolling. The will is quoted in full:

In the name of God, Amen, I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg being weak in body but in perfect sense and memory, do make and ordain this writing as and for my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made. There being a sufficiency of my estate for payment of all just debts due from me, it is my desire that there be no appraisement of my property.

12

It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid. My estate which consists of my houses and lot in Williamsburg, and of two debts which are due to me, the one from Richard Randolph and the other from Robert Greenhow, I dispose of in manner and form following, to wit: All the coloured people in my family being born my slaves, but now liberated, I think it my duty not to leave them destitute nor leave them unrecompensed for past services rendered to me. As in the cause of humanity I can do but little for so many, and that little my conscience requires me to do, therefore I subject the whole of my estate to the payment of my just debts, and to the provision which I herein make for them. I give and bequeath my dwelling house and lot to Jenny the mother of the family, together with all the furniture as it now stands in the room below stairs, end one third part of all the other goods and chattels and wearing apparel as they stand in my dwelling at my decease, the whole there of to her and to her heirs and assigns forever. Moreover I give and bequeath unto said Jenny, out of the interest accruing upon the debts due to me, the sum of twenty pounds per year, until my executor shall pay to her the sum of one hundred pounds. I recommend to the said Jenny to take her two grand daughters Jenny Gillett and Patty Gillett under her protection in consideration of which I bequeath to her five pounds more per year for each of them during her lifetime. I give and bequeath to the said Jenny Gillett and Patty Gillett jointly, my house in the yard called the tin shop, together with the other two-thirds of my wearing apparel before mentioned to be divided between them as they shall agree with themselves, to them and their heirs and assigns for ever. To the said Patty Gillett I give and bequeath my bed and bedding, together with my chairs, press and dressing table. I give to the said Jenny Gillett twenty-five pounds, and to the said Patty Gillett twenty five pounds, to be paid them by my executor when he can conveniently do so. I give to Peter Gillett the sum of ten pounds to help him in his trade. I give and bequeath to Nelly Bolling and her two sister Eve and Sally, my house on the main street called Woods shop, with the use of the yard to be held by them in fee simple and by their heirs and assigns forever … It is my desire to be buried in the Southeast corner of my garden, and in a mahogany coffin without any ornaments thereon…In Witness whereof I the said Mary Stith have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 15th day of december 1813 …

[Stith, Mary - Anderson Ro., Account Books, etc., 1808-1812. Virginia Historical Society. p. 44]

After Mary Stith's death, her property seems to be listed as three lots, although these may be subdivisions of a lot. According to her will, they seem to have gone to her former slaves as follows:

Year	Name	Residence	No. of Lots	Estate	Value of Lots	Sum added to the lots on acct. of building	Yearly rent of lots	Amount of tax on lots	Remarks
1820	Nelly Bolling	Wmsburg	1	in fee	$200	$175	$30	$.90	Formerly charged to M. Styth
1825	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	.61
1828	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	"
1830	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	"
1835	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	.60
1838	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	[obscured]
1840	Nelly Bolling	"	"	"	"	"	.75
1843	Nelly Bolling	"	"	"	25	...	...	...	Building totally destroyed by fire in 1842
1844	*
1847	Robert Andersonx	"	"	"	"	...	...	.02½	via Nelly Bowling
1850	"	"	"	"	"	...	...	.02½	via Nelly Bolling

14

Year	Name	Residence	No. of Lots	Estate	Value of Lots and Buildings	Sum added to lots on account of building	Yearly rent of lots	Amount of tax on lots	Remarks
1820	Patsey Rowsey	Wmsburg	1	in fee	$175	$150	$20	$.60	Devised via Mary Stith
1825	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	.41
1828	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	"
1830	Patsy Rowsey	"	"	"	1[torn]	"	"	"
1835	Patsy Rowsey	"	"	"	175	"	"	.40
1838	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	[obscured]
1840	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	.50
1843	"	"	"	"	25	--	--	--	Building totally destroyed by fire in April 1842
1844	*
1847	[not listed]

15

Year	Name	Residence	No. of Lots	Estate	Value of Lots and Buildings	Sum added to lots on account of building	Yearly rent of lots	Amount of tax on lots	Remarks
1820	Janny Rowsey	Wmsburg	1	in fee	$550	$500	$50	$1.50	Devised via Mary Styth
1825	Beverly Rowsey	"	"	"	"	"	"	1.02	via Jane Laurance alias Jenny Rowsey
1828	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	"
1830	Beverly Rowsey	"	"	"	"	"	"	"
1835	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	1..
1838	"	"	"	"	"	"	"	1.25
1840	"	"	"	"	"	"	100	2.50
1843 1844*	Beverly Rowsey's Est	"	"	"	50	...	...[illeg]8	Buildings totally destroyed by fire in April 1842.
	Robert Andersonx	"	"	"	"	...	...	.05	via Peter Gillett devisee of Beverly Rowsey

It would seem, then, that in the middle of the nineteenth century that part of lot #17, formerly owned by Mary Stith, fell into the hands of Robert Anderson.

Since it is impossible to trace ownership of the Orlando Jones house after 1745, which may have been on either lot #16 or #17 according to the deeds, the following statement in Mr. Charles' Recollections of Williamsburg cannot with certainty be said to refer to this house, especially since there was a fire in Williamsburg in 1842.

The square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Francis, Colonial, and Botetourt Streets had, at the time the Civil War began, and for many years anterior thereto, only three dwellings on it. At. the northwest corner of this square, where Mr. Dick Braithwaite now lives, there stood a long story and a half wooden building with doors opening right on the street. This house was low to the ground, the west end of which was used as a residence and in the other end there was once a store. There were, when the war began, no more houses on this 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 winter.(Page 43)

* The report on the Nancy Camp House traces a definite series of titles to lot #17. A possible explanation of this discrepancy is that the copyist of the York County Records made a mistake. It seems probable that he should have used the number 18 rather than 17 to designate the Ravenscroft-Digges-Holt-Anderson-Nancy Camp lot.