Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The lot known as 352 is located on the southeast corner of the Duke of Gloucester Street and Nassau Streets in the James City County part of Williamsburg. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?), Illustration #1.

HISTORY:

The earliest record relating to this property appears in a deed of trust, December 15, 1724, in which deed the lot number, 352, is noted and the owner's name, Thomas Creas: ¹

December 15, 1724.

Creas, Thomas - Gardener
Mary, his wife
to
Keith, William
Ferguson, Patrick
Consideration: 5 shillings

All that messuage or dwelling house wherein the said Thomas Creas, and Mary, his said wife, now live and all that lot or half acre of land described in the plot of the said city by the figures 352, situate, lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, and all kitchens, stables thereto belonging. (York County Records, Deeds, Bonds, III, p. 439.) ²

The above deed of trust was acknowledged on January 18, 1724/5.
(Ibid., Orders, Wills, Book 16, p. 317.)

The activities of Thomas Creas in Williamsburg are noted in the Virginia Gazette of January 1737/8 and May 1739 thus:

Jan. 13, 1737/8

GENTLEMEN and others, may be supply'd with good Garden Pease, Beans and several other Sorts of Garden Seeds; Also, with great Choice of Flower Roots; likewise Trees of several Sorts and Sizes, fit to plant, as Ornaments in Gentlemen's Gardens, at very reasonable Rates, by Thomas Crease, Gardener to the College,in Williamsburg. (Virginia Gazette, Parks, ed.)

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May 4, 1739

Notice is hereby given, That the Subscriber, Now living in Williamsburg, designs to leave this Colony, in order to go to Great-Britain ——. It is therefore desired of all Persons who are indebted to him, to come to his Shop, or to the House of Mr. Thomas Crase, in Williamsburg, and pay their just Debts
Hugh Orr¹ (Virginia Gazette, Parks, ed.)

From the above quoted deed one sees that Thomas Creas held lot 352 in the city in 1724, and that the lot had a dwelling house, kitchens, and stables thereon. From newspaper notices it appears that Creas was a gardener to the College, who also had a shop to supply seeds, plants and trees to the citizens.

^*

In a lease given by John Custis² to James Spiers, joyner and cabinetmaker, on October 26, 1744, a lot is described as "one lot of ground, with the houses and garden thereunto belonging, it being the house next to Thomas Craze's, . . ." (Photostat, Custis Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Copy in Research Department.) From this lease, we can see that Creas was still living on lot 352.

In his will, dated February 26, 1756, and probated January 17, 1757, Thomas Crease, gardener, living in Williamsburg, appointed Thomas Hornsby, his brother, and Hugh Orr executors, but he does not state where he lived at the time. (York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 20, p. 414, Copy of will and estate of Thomas Crease, decd. in Illustrations #6 and #6a in appendix.)

There is a gap in the title to the property until 1773 when Charles Taliaferro³ apparently, was occupying the lot.⁴

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The earliest reference (1761) to Charles Taliaferro being a resident of Williamsburg and carrying on a chair-making business appears in a Ms. Day Book supposed to have belonged to Alexander Craig, city saddler. No name appears on the Day Book but there is every evidence to believe that the book belonged to Craig. Craig furnished Taliaferro with supplies such as skirt leather, livery lace, braces for a chair made by Taliaferro, leather for wings of a chair, harness, cow hair, calf skin, black grain leather &c. See: Illustration #4 for complete list.

Another reference to Charles Taliaferro being a resident of Williamsburg appears in the Virginia Gazette of March 24, 1768:

WILLIAMSBURG, March 24, 1768.

As I intend to leave the colony, for a few months, some time this summer, I think it necessary to acquaint the publick that my business of CHAIRMAKING, in all its branches, will be carried on at my shop as usual; where those Gentlemen who please to favour me with their custom may depend on having their work done on the most reasonable terms, expeditiously, and warranted to be good. — I request the favour of all persons indebted to me to pay off their accounts in April General Court, and those who have bespoke Riding Chairs of me to apply for them by that time. — I have for sale all sorts of materials for Chair and Harness making, for cash only. — I expect, in a short time, to be able to furnish Gentlemen with four-wheel carriages of my own make, of any sort, and hope to meet with encouragement. — I generally have Riding Chairs by me, which I will sell very cheap, for ready money, or bills of exchange.
CHARLES TALIAFERRO. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

Noting the above advertisement one would say that Taliaferro had established himself in the city in the chair-making business long enough to have riding chairs for sale, to have secured orders for riding chairs, and to have made sales not yet paid in full. Taliaferro's advertisement in the newspaper of November 22, 1770, emphasized the fact that he had for sale, "A VIRGINIA made light single Chariot, to go with shafts or a pole, and harness for a pair of horses." (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

Taliaferro, obviously, was well known and respected in Williamsburg. 4 In 1768 Taliaferro paid tax on 6 tithes. (Personal Property, James City County records, photostat in Research Department.) In 1769 "The Rev'rend W^m Bland" paid 112 W Tab to Cha^s Taliaferro." (Ibid., p. 63.) In 1769 muster fines indicate that Cha^s Taliaferro paid £2 to the corporation. (Ibid., p. 58.) Perhaps the most interesting reference to Taliaferro in 1769 comes from Anne Blair. Writing to her sister, Mrs. Braxton, in September 1769, she said, ". . . but hold: a little as to Business, M^r Taliaferro will make you a Wooden p^r of Steps- . . ." (Letter from Anne Blair, found in Blair, Banister, Braxton, Horner, Whiting Ms. Papers, William and Mary College.)

In 1769 Taliaferro offered for sale through the Virginia Gazette six lots on which was located a new dwelling house and a fine spring:

DECEMBER 7, 1769

To be SOLD by the subscriber, on five years credit, SIX LOTS in the city of Williamsburg, whereon is a new dwelling-house, with four rooms and two closets, and a good brick cellar, also as fine a spring as any in the county not far from the house, the purchaser giving bond, with good security, to
CHARLES TALIAFERRO.

Who will sell, for cash only, a variety of materials proper for coach and chair makers, with genteel furniture for harness; also oil, paint, and gold leaf, fit for limning or drawing, and smith files of all sorts. By nest spring he expects to have finished a few light POST CHARIOTS, which he will sell cheaper than any can be imported from Britain.

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

As the town plan maps show six adjoining lots owned by a "Taliaferro," and a spring is indicated on the property (Bucktrout Map 1803) - it is reasonable to believe the six lots were colonial lots 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and 77. These lots are south of the hospital for the insane and are south of Ireland Street. (See: College Map, Illustration #1.)

In the October 31, 1771 issue of the Virginia Gazette, there is an account of the destruction by fire of an outbuilding on one of Taliaferro's lots on which was, evidently, situated his shop: 5

WILLIAMSBURG, October 31,

About eight o'Clock last Monday Night Mr. Charles Taliaferro of this City, Coach and Chairmaker, had the Misfortune to have an out Building of his consumed by Fire; owing, as it supposed, to a Spark from his Forge getting into the Fodder Loft, which, with the Stable, in which was a valuable Horse, were under one Roof, and all consumed together. A new Chariot, and a considerable Quantity of Timber, likewise underwent the same Fate... (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

In 1773 further mention is made in the Virginia Gazette of lots owned by Charles Taliaferro, and it may be that the following advertisements, mentioning his lots as a boundary, refer to property on the block to the west (especially if the Bryan house on lot 351 was standing at the time).

To be SOLD by publick Auction, on the Premises, on Wednesday the27th of January, pursuant to a Decree of the County Court of James City, THE HOUSES and LOT, on the main Street in the City of Williamsburg, where the late Mrs. Catherine Blaikley,¹ deceased, lived, adjoining the Lots of Mr. Charles Taliaferro, and opposite those of John Blair² Esquire. Six Months Credit will be allowed the Purchaser, on giving Bond, with good Security, to
THOMPSON SWANN (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, ed. Jan. 7, 1773.)

SEVERINUS DURFEY, Tailor, WILLIAMSBURG,
BEGS Leave to inform his Friends and Customers, and the Publick in General, that he has removed to the House lately occupied by Mrs. Catherine Blaikley, nearly opposite to John Blair, Esquire's, and next Door to Mr. Charles Taliaferro's, where he hopes for a Continuance of their Favours, as they may depend on their Work being done in the best Manner … (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds., April 8, 1773.)

In June 1776, John Moody, smith and farrier, announced in the Virginia Gazette "that he has opened shop in this city, opposite to Mr. Charles Taliaferro's, near the Church, where he professes to shoe horses…" (Purdie, ed., June 28, 1776.)

In addition to his chairmaking business and warehouse, Taliaferro seems to have had other interests. In November 1778, Taliaferro advertised for sale "Two well built Sloops ... as good as new. One carries about 1,500 bushels, and the 6 other 2,000. They have convenient cabins and are well decked … Also for sale, two or three tenements in Williamsburg. The subscriber will give good encouragement to any person well skilled in the business of POTTER, provided he comes well recommended …" (Dixon & Hunter, eds., Virginia Gazette, November 27, 1778.) In 1779 Taliaferro advertised that he had begun a warehouse, flat and boat business and brewhouse at the College Landing in addition to his chairmaking:

A CONVENIENT HOUSE is just built at the College Landing, ¹ on the Creek that runs into James River, for storing any Kind of Goods; where are to be sold (on low Terms, for Cash) Salt, Tar, barrelled Pork, Hogs Lard, Bacon, good barrelled Shads and Herrings, Coal ² for smiths and Grates, Pine Plank, Cypress Boards, Pails, Shingles, &c. Flats to be hired at the same Place. Mr. James Jordan lives at the said Landing, will take in Lodgers, and keeps Carts to hire.
CHARLES TALIAFERRO.

N.B. My Business is carried on as usual, by good Hands. I make for Sale light POST CHARIOTS, which will be sold as cheap as can be imported. The last of my Make, I am informed, turn out very well. — I have a good Harness for Sale. The subscriber is in want of a quantity of good BARLEY for his brewhouse at the College Landing …

(Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Nicolson, eds., December 4, 1779.)

Taliaferro continued to advertise his chairmaking business. In April 1780, this notice appeared in the Virginia Gazette:

April 1, 1780.

I HAVE for sale, for country produce, a light new CHARIOT: and would be glad to purchase a small tract of LAND, between 10 and 20 miles from this city, either on Chickahomany, or the North side of James river for which I will give tobacco or cash.
CHARLES TALIAFERRO. (Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Nicolson, eds.)

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The first definite reference that Taliaferro had a store in Williamsburg (though we know that he must have had one in order to sell his coaches &c.) appears in a letter from Jesse Cole,^{[July 18, 1780]} Williamsburg, to Sir Peyton Skipwith, Hog Island, regarding a transaction about a mare. The postscript said: "The Money is Redy at any time By applying to M^r Taliaferro's Store." (Skipwith Ms. Papers, uncatalogued, 1760-1783 folder, William and Mary Archives)

An advertisement in January 1782 by Taliaferro not only offered chariots and harness for sale, and "strong and small BEER" but also assorted line of merchandise "at his store opposite the Church wall." This is the first time Taliaferro's store in Williamsburg is mentioned in the Gazette:

WILLIAMSBURG,
January 23, 1782.

THE subscriber will have finished, and for sale, for ready money only, in three weeks, a LIGHT CHARIOT and one pair of HARNESS. Also a few double and single CHAIRS. — He brews for sale, strong and small BEER—He has also for sale at his store opposite the Church wall, an assortment of lines, shoes, saddles, bar iron, a few boxes of candles, nails and brads, and a large SEINE almost new.
CHARLES TALIAFERRO. (Virginia Gazette or Weekly Advertiser, No. 5, p. 3, Jan. 26, 1782.)

Taliaferro, evidently, was operating a store before 1782. In October 1779, Williamsburg Masonic Lodge paid Charles Taliaferro for cloth ... £25:5:-. (Treasurer's Book, Williamsburg Masonic Lodge, p. 109, Photostat in Research Department.)

On the Frenchman's Map (1782) on what appears to be lot 352, a large rectangular house is placed on the southeast corner of the main street and a cross street. Four other smaller buildings appear to the rear of the dwelling house. Three of the outbuildings are inclosed in a square area or yard. (See: Illustration #1 for copy from the Frenchman's Map.)

By 1782 Taliaferro is known to have fourteen lots in the city, valued at £18. (Illustration #2 for copy from Williamsburg Land Tax Records.) Taliaferro continued to hold the fourteen lots until 1798. His estate is charged 8 with the lots until 1803. (Illustration #2 for complete records.)

From the following items, there seems to have been some business connection between Charles Taliaferro and Jesse Cole. As Taliaferro and Cole each offered chairs for sale, probably, they formed a partnership in this business for a short time -, whereupon Taliaferro sold out to Cole. This seems plausible in view of the fact that Taliaferro sold the property on which the shop obviously, was located to Cole in 1804. ¹ Sources to strengthen the above statements follow:

1786 - Charles Taliaferro & Jesse Cole —— 10 slaves 3 cattle 4 horses. (Williamsburg Personal Property Tax Lists, Photostat, Research Department, Original in Virginia State Library)

December 6, 1787.

To be Sold
A new LIGHT CHARIOT
COMPLEAT
With one set of Harness;
Likewise a very LIGHT PHAETON,
Of the newest Fashion,
With a pair of HARNESS,
BOTH just finished,
And will be warranted for good materials, and sound workmanship. £75 ready cash is EXPECTED for the CHARIOT; And £60 for the PHAETON. INQUIRE OF
JESSE COLE. (Virginia Gazette & Weekly Advertiser, Nicolson.)

Several items appear in the Ms. Day Book of Galt and Barraud, physicians in Williamsburg in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Taliaferro is charged with several visits: August 5, 1784; September 26, 1784; and May 17, 1789 and April 20, 1790. (Ms. Day Book of Galt and Barraud - October 8, 1783 - May 30, 1790 - on loan to Research Department.)

August 19, 1789.

FOR SALE,

FOR CASH, part INTEREST WARRANTS, or CERTIFICATES, A NEAT LIGHT Post chariot, with one pair of harness for £70. A light new fashioned PHAETON, with a crane neck. 9 Several light single CHAIRS, which are hung on Braces, with harness and a box to them for £15 — which will be warranted sound.A new well built, fast sailing BOAT, well fitted with sails, anchors and cables, has a good cabin, and will carry about 200 bushels. Also several FERRY BOATS, which draws a very small draught of water.

I have also for sale, a tract of very level LAND, containing about 117 acres, lying near Williamsburg, which I will sell on long credit. For terms apply to
JESSE COLE.

(Virginia Independent Chronicle, and General Advertiser, Davis, ed.)

There is evidence that Taliaferro mended a chair for Humphrey Harwood, Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, in partial payment of an obligation due Harwood. Harwood's records give this transaction:

1790	st		Mr Charles Taliaferro	Dr
Novr	21	To	3½ days work of Nat at 2/6 pr day b agrt	£ - 8 9
	28	To	5 do of — of do — at 2/6	- 12 6
				£ 1- 1- 3
			Per Contra	Cr
1790	th
Novr	29	By	a quarter &c of mutton 3/9 - & mending my Chair & sale of fish to balance 17/6	£ 1 -1 - 3
				£ 1 -1 - 3

(Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, C, p. 21; Copy in Research Department.)

The College Map (1791?) and the Bucktrout Map (1803) indicate "Taliaferro" on "Lot 352." (Illustration #1, for Tyler's adaptation of the College Map.)

In April 1796, Taliaferro insured his property in the Mutual Assurance Society (No. 115 Policy). They described his property as: a dwelling house of wood, two story, 28 by 22 feet; a wood store 16 feet by 16 feet; wood kitchen 42 by 15 feet and a blacksmith's shop 50 by 19 feet. Valuations: dwelling $500; store house $160; kitchen $100; shop $200 - $960. (See Illustration #3 for complete copy from photostat in Research Department.) The location is given as between William Bryan and Hartwell Perry on the main street in Williamsburg. Perry occupied Lot 353 and Bryan was on Lot 351. (See: College 10 Map, Illustration #1.)

Taliaferro's lots were sold by his estate in 1804 thus: "Jesse Cole [via] Taliaferro - 1 lot valued at $50; Jesse Cole ¹ [via] Taliaferro . . . 6 lots valued at $20; George Mason [via] Taliaferro — 6 lots valued at $23.34." (Williamsburg Land Tax Records) The other lot (making up Taliaferro's 14 lots) was sold to George Mason in 1801. (Ibid.)

In 1809 Cole's property was again insured with the Mutual Assurance Society noting that the buildings were formerly declared for assurance by Charles Taliaferro under policy number 115. The policy (#991) states that the property was owned jointly by Jesse Cole and Leigh Ware and occupied by Cole and Ann Goodall, with Timberlake's lot on the east, Bryan's on the west and Cary's lot on the south. The dwelling was two stories of wood, 22 feet by 28 feet with a porch 22 x [?] to the south. There was a one story storehouse, 16 by 18 feet, with a shed 16 by 12 attached and a kitchen attached, 12 by 48 feet. The shop of wood to the rear of the dwelling had a brick wall as one partition. As the valuation changes from $960 to $2533 1/3, evidence is that building or repairs had been made on the property. (Illustration #3 for copy of the policy.) Policies No. 1516, July 1815 and No. 5018, April 1823, bear out the dimensions as given in policy No. 991. (Ibid.)

According to a report of the Taliaferro-Cole house prepared in 1946 by Lawrence Kocher and Howard Dearstyne, architects of Colonial Williamsburg, the house indicates two periods. The first period continued beyond 1815. During this period the dwelling was 28 by 22 feet. By 1830 the dwelling was 27 by 36 with changes to the store and kitchen. (See: Copy of report in Architectural Department; also copies of insurance policies, Illustration #3.)

Cole was postmaster in Williamsburg sometime around 1809. (See Illus. #5 for accounts of Jesse Cole found in Galt Ms. Collection.) From a description of C. De La Pena, professor at William and Mary College, it seems that Cole combined store keeping, dispensing of drugs with keeping the post office, and a boarding-house 11 for college students as a means of livelihood:

Williamsburg Novr 3rd 1827.

… I have reached the post office which stands in the center of Main St. It is one of the curiosities of this place. I which I could describe it to you, but such thing is entirely out of my power, and I defy Walter Scott himself to do it, notwithstanding his astonishing imagination, but as to enable you to form an incorrect idea of this superb establishment I will tell you that there is not article whatever in the world which could not be found in it. It is a Book Seller's store in which you will find hams and french brandy; it is an apothecary's shop in which you can provide yourself with black silk stockings and shell oysters; it is post office in which you may have glisters, chewing tobacco & in a word it is a museum of natural history in which we meet every afternoon to dispute about the Presidential election, and about the quality of irish potatoes.

…
Now I must speak in honest. The few persons I know here have paid me every kind of attention in their power and Doct. Cole's family in which board is a very agreeable and interesting one …

(William and Mary Quarterly, Series 2, III, pp. 164-5)

Faculty Minutes of the College of William and Mary for April 21, 1826, indicate that Jesse Cole had borrowed $2000 from the College to secure a deed of trust to Edmund Christian "on the Houses and Lots in the City of Williamsburg at which the said Cole resides, and the Houses and Lotts next above at present occupied by M^r James as the Tenant of the said Cole . . ." (Book of the Proceedings of the Society of William and Mary College, pp. 224-225.)

Jesse Cole at his post office-shop in 1830-1831 furnished postage, newspapers, almanacs, alcohol, soda, wax &c. to customers. (Ms. Papers of Jacob Sheldon, William and Mary College, Folder 2.) Cole furnished a long list of drugs to Samuel P. Byrd of Gloucester County in 1828. (Catalogued Ms. Papers, Research Department, Account of Byrd with Jesse Cole, May 28, 1828.)

A water color showing the Taliaferro-Cole house in 1834 was done by Thomas Millington. This sketch coincides with the form of the house as it continued to exist to the date of the restoration in 1940 according to the Kocher-Dearstyne report. (The original sketch is at William and Mary College.)

In 1835 according to an insurance policy (#8319) of Jesse Cole's on this property-, the store house had been sold to Albert G. Southall; and a stable 12 and carriage house 54 by 22 feet had been built on the location of the former blacksmith's shop recently blown down. (Illustration #3, Copy of Policy.) Southall, under policy #8321 (1835) insured the store house valued at $700. (Illustration #3, Copy of Policy.) Williamsburg Land Tax records show that Jesse Cole held the lot valued at $1900 for lot and buildings - "Part sold to A. G. Southall¹ and balance reassessed" (Illustration #2, Copy from records.)

In 1838, Cole's insurance policy #11,000, a revaluation of #7582, gives the dwelling as of wood two stories high 27 by 36 adjacent to John T. James and Albert G. Southall on the east. (Illustration #3, Copy of Policy.) Also, in 1839, Cole insured his house in the Aetna Insurance Company under policy #1889 dated January 18, "his Two Story Wooden Dwelling House about 27 by 36 feet situated at the corner of main & Cross Streets detached from all other Buildings within the City of Williamsburg, as per Survey of R. Anderson on file in this Office. There is a previous Insurance on the above property of $1420 with the Mutual Assurance Society, which with the above $1380 does not exceed 4/5 the actual value." (Copy in Cole Papers, William and Mary College.)

On January 1, 1844 Jesse Cole and Elizabeth B. Cole, his wife, conveyed to Robert F. Cole:

… that certain piece or parcel of Land and Tenement, lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and State of Virginia, and bounded as follows, - to wit, on the north by the Duke of Gloscester or main Street - on the south by Francis Street, on the West by a cross street and on the East by the property of Jno. T. James formerly owned by F. Timberlake which included the House called the Post Office, and now occupied as such, Together with all and singular, the rights, improvements, hereditaments and appertenances whatsoever thereto belonging… (Cole Ms. Papers, William and Mary College)

Jesse Cole died in 1845. His will made on January 31, 1844 states that he had heretofore given property and money funds which he estimated at forty 13 thousand dollars to his son, Robert F. Cole. A clause states that "If W. W. Vest and his son Robert F. Cole continue to carry on the business in partnership it is my desire, that they retain the above mentioned $30,000 above mentioned." Cole held bonds of W. W. Vest & Co. for $30,000 interest paid to wife. (Copy of will in Cole Papers, William and Mary College.)

Williamsburg Land Tax Records for 1845 state that Robert F. Cole came into property "via Jesse Cole." In 1846 Robert F. Cole insured his property under policy #14,384 a revaluation per declaration #8319. The dwelling, store, new kitchen, stable and carriage house, servants quarter, dairy, smokehouse, and shed are named in the policy with valuation given at $5100. (Copy of policy in Illustration #3.)

The Coles seemed to have had the post office in Williamsburg from around 1827 to the time of Robert F. Cole's death in 1886. In 1853 Cole insured his property in the Mutual Assurance Society under policy #17628 revaluation of policy #14384, thus: dwelling at $3500, post office and printing office at $700, kitchen at $400 and stable and carriage house at $500. (Illustration #3 for copy of policy) Cole described the property as "on the Main street now occupied by myself situated between the lot of Goodrich Durfey on the East and Streets otherwise in the county of James City." (Ibid.) In 1859 Cole's property was insured in the Virginia Fire and Marine Insurance Company under policy #9461 with valuation at $1380 "on his Two Story Wooden Dwelling House about twenty seven by thirty six feet, situated at the corner of Main and Cross Streets in Williamsburg, Va. - and detached from other Buildings. $1420 insured by the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia." (Cole Papers, William and Mary College) By 1860 the post office building on Cole's lot was being used as a schoolhouse. (See: copy of policy #21322, Illustration #3.) In 1868 Cole insured his property with the Mutual Assurance Society under policy #21887 declaring a "Two story frame and shingle Dwelling, occupied by myself . . . and a one and a half story frame and shingle Store, occupied by Mr. Robert R. Cole as a Grocery, 14 Situated on the Southside of Main Street between the property of G. Durfy on the East and a Cross Street on the West..." (Cole Papers, William and Mary College.)

According to court records of June 1884, Robert F. Cole is charged with encroaching upon Francis street by building thereon:

Complaint being made that Robert F. Cole has encroached upon the Street in this city called Francis Street, by building thereon. It is ordered that unless the said Robert F. Cole shall remove the said obstruction within sixty days after a service of a copy of this order, then the sergeant of said city do proceed to clear said street of said obstruction. (Minutes of the Council of Williamsburg, II, p. 100, June 20, 1884, Mss. in Court House of James City County and the City of Williamsburg.)

Robert F. Cole died in 1886. A copy of his will with inventory is on file in the Cole Papers at William and Mary College. The property was bequeathed by Robert F. Cole to his son, Henry Denison Cole "in fee simple my dwelling house situate lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, together with and including all the outhouses post office and store buildings and the lot ... on which the said dwelling and other houses are situate including the yard and garden..." (Will of Robert F. Cole, 31st August 1886, Copy at William and Mary College.)

A description of the property as it looked in the period 1861-65 appears in the "Recollections of Williamsburg," by John S. Charles thus:

…
The Cole residence presents very much the same appearance that it did years before the War. The fence enclosing the flower garden on the street was very much higher.

At the east end of the house there was a porch without a roof. The addition to the south is of recent construction. Inside of the back yard there was, in 1861, a row of outhouses on the Nassau Street side, — kitchen, wood-house, stable and carriage-house. On the eastern side were two small buildings, afterwards removed. The very old house used as a "News Shop" and headquarters of the "Pulaski Club", is just as it was when the armies passed by in 1861-62, except the front of the news office was the same shape as the end of the house instead of the square top front as now. In the shed room of the house the "Virginia Gazette" was once published, and the post office was once in H. D. Cole's news office 15 and also once in the shed room. On the white painted facing of the front cellar door, on the street, may now be seen the sign "London Porter," in script letters, six inches high, perfectly legible, placed there by the merchant doing business there certainly over three quarters of a century ago...

(Copied from typescript of "Recollections of Williamsburg")

Another citizen of Williamsburg, Mrs. Victoria Lee, describing Williamsburg as it existed in 1861, stated:

...Both the Cole paper shop and the Cole residence are unchanged; and both of these buildings were owned then, as they are now, by the Coles.

Eliza Baker, a slave before the Civil War in Williamsburg, in her "Memoirs of Williamsburg" (recounted in 1933) says: "I used to go up to the First Baptist Church, colored. When I first went there `twas nothin' but an old carriage house, given us by Mr. Cole's grandfather ¹..." (copy in Research Department.)

Another former resident of Williamsburg, Mrs. Vandergrift, in her "Recollections of Williamsburg" in by-gone days, states that: "I went to school in Williamsburg in the west end of Bruton to Mr. Hodges, ² then in the basement of the Rectory. Mr. Cole lived right next to Mr. Hodges. He was Mr. Dennison Cole's father. When Mrs. Saunders (the President's wife) went back to Williamsburg to visit, she said that Mr. Robert Cole ³ owned one-half of the town and Mr. Vest the other." (Mrs. Vandergrift's "Recollections of Williamsburg", p. 14, Copy in Research Department.)

In December 1938 and January 1939 Mrs. Carrie Dudley Lane Cole, widow of Denison Cole, conveyed the property known as the dwelling house lot, and the part known as the Office lot to Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, 16 with certain limitations and restrictions. Further title to this property can be found in Block 13, No. 35 and 40, Cole Property, Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.

IN SUMMARY

The earliest available records as to ownership of the property appear in a deed of trust on December 15, 1724 from Thomas Creas, gardener, and wife, to William Keith and Patrick Ferguson. The lot number 352 is cited and a dwelling house, kitchen and stables are named in the deed as standing at that date. From 1724 to 1773 there is a gap in the chain to title to the lot so far as court records are concerned. However, the activities of Thomas Creas in Williamsburg as noted in the Virginia Gazette until his death in 1757 show that Creas was living in the city. One reference (1744) indicates that Creas (Craze) was in the house next to James Spiers, then renting from John Custis at lot 353. In 1773 the Virginia Gazette in advertising the property of "the late Mrs. Catherine Blaikley" cited a lot owned by Charles Taliaferro as adjoining. Another reference in the Virginia Gazette establishes Taliaferro on the lot: "SEVERINUS DURFEY, Tailor, ... nearly opposite to John Blair, Esquire's, and next door to Mr. Charles Taliaferro's ..." Taliaferro operated a carriage making shop in Williamsburg possibly near the Blaikley lot or on lot 352 though this is not certain from available records. By 1782 Taliaferro was operating a store "opposite the Church wall" where chariots, harness and chairs as well as an Assortment of lines, shoes, saddles, bar iron, a few boxes of candles, nails and brads, and a large seine almost new were offered for sale. The Frenchman's Map (1782) shows on what appears to be lot 352 a large rectangular house placed on the southeast corner of the main street and a cross street. Four other smaller buildings appear to the rear of the dwelling house. Three of the outbuildings are inclosed in a square area or yard. The College Map (1791?) and the Bucktrout Map (1803) indicate "Taliaferro" on "Lot 352." Taliaferro insured the property in 1796 with the Mutual Assurance Society describing the property as "A dwelling house of 17 wood, two story, 28 by 22 feet; B wood Store, 16 feet by 16; C Kitchen, wood, 42 feet by 15 feet; D Blacksmiths Shop, 50 feet by 19; total valuation $960." In 1804, Taliaferro's estate sold the property to Jesse Cole. From 1809 to 1838 Jesse Cole insured the property with the Mutual Assurance Society six times. The store part of the lot was used by Cole also as a post office in 1827-28 according to an account of C. De La Pena, professor at William and Mary College. It seems that Cole combined a general store with dispensing of drugs, boarders and a post office. According to a report of the Taliaferro-Cole house prepared in 1946 by A. Lawrence Kocher and Howard Dearstyne, architects of Colonial Williamsburg, the house indicates two periods: the first contined beyond 1815 with dimensions of the dwelling given as 28 by 22 feet; the second from 1830 when the dwelling dimensions had increased to 27 by 36 feet with changes to the store and kitchen. In 1844 Jesse Cole and wife conveyed to their son, Robert F. Cole, the property bounded as follows: "on the north by the Duke of Gloucester or main street - on the south by Francis street, on the west by a cross street and on the East by the property of Jno. T. James formerly owned by F. Timberlake which included the House called the Post Office, and now occupied as such, Together with all and singular, the rights, improvements, hereditaments and appertenances whatsoever thereto belonging..." Robert F. Cole owned the property until his death in 1886. Cole insured also with the Mutual Assurance Society. He continued to have the post office at the former site. By 1860 the post office building was used as a schoolhouse, and in 1868, it was used as a grocery store. Robert F. Cole bequeathed the property to his son, Denison Cole, in the bequest "my dwelling house situated lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, together with and including all the outhouses post office and store buildings and the lot...on which the said dwelling and other houses are situate including the yard and garden..." Mr. John S. Charles in "Recollections of Williamsburg" has described the house and dependencies.

18

Mrs. Victoria Lee wrote of the property as it existed in 1861: "...Both the Cole paper shop and the Cole residence are unchanged; and both of these buildings were owned then, as they are now, by the Coles." Since 1939 the property has been in possession of Colonial Williamsburg under certain life right restrictions to the Cole family.

Illustration #1
Taliaferro-Cole House
Block 13

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

Thomas Millington's view showing Taliefero-Cole House 1834

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?

Taliaferro-Cole House
Illustration #2

Williamsburg Land Tax Records (Copy, photostat, Research Department)

1782 - Charles Taliaferro	14 lots	valuation £18
1803 - Charles Taliaferro estate	14 lots	valuation $55
1804 - Jesse Cole [via] Taliaferro	1 lot	valuation 50
Jesse Cole [via] Taliaferro	6 lots	valuation 20
1845 - Robert F. Cole	1 via	Jesse Cole in 1843 (Tax transfers)
1836 - Jesse Cole	1 lot	$1700 bdgs; $1900 lot & bldg Part sold to A. G. Southall and balance reassessed.
1838 - Jesse Cole	1 lot	$2000; $2400
A. G. Southall	1 lot	$ 800; $1000
1839 - Jesse Cole	1 lot	$2500; $2700
William W. Tyler	1 lot	$ 800; $1000 Via Albert G. Southall
1841 - Robert F. Cole	1 lot	Via Jesse Cole in 1841
Jesse Cole	1 lot	$800; $1000 via Wm. W. Tyler
1844 - Robert F. Cole	1 lot	$2500; $2700 via Jesse Cole
	1 lot	$ 800; $1000 via Jesse Cole

[The land tax record in Research Department give the accounts through 1861. Robert Cole was holding the property in 1861]

Illustration #3 [Lot 352]

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #115

April 19, 1796

I the underwritten Charles Taliaferro residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings... My Wood Buildings on the main street at Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lott of W^m Bryan and that of Hartwell Perry in the county of James City...

The dwelling-house	marked	A at 500	Dollars
The Store house	do	B at 160	do
The Kitchen	do	C at 100	do
The Shop	do	D at 200	do
		960
…

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #991 revaluation of buildings declared for assurance by Charles Taliaferro as per declaration # 115

September 5, 1809

We the underwritten, Robert Anderson special agent and Francis Timbulake & Hunter Royle appraisors do hereby certify that we have viewed and revalued the buildings heretofore declared for assurance by Charles Taliaferro then residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City ... We also certify that the said buildings are now owned by Jesse Cole and Leigh Ware, that they are now occupied by Jesse Cole and Ann Goodall that they are situated on the main and a cross streets in the said City having on the north the main street, on the east Timbulakes lot, South Cary's lot and West Bryans and Coles lots...

The dwelling house marked	A at	$1333 1/3
The store House	B at	400
The Kitchen	C at	300
The Shop	D at	500
		2533 1/3

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #1516 Towns Revaluation July 5, 1815

I the underwritten Jesse Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance in the Mutual Assurance Society against fire on buildings... my buildings on the main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between Francis Timbulakes lot on the East and streets on the East, West and North in the county of James City...

The Dwelling marked	A at	1100 Dollars
The Store	B at	400
The Kitchen	C at	150
The Shop	D at	400
		2050

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #5018 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Jesse Cole per Declaration #1576

1823, April 8th

"I the underwritten Jesse Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my buildings on my own lot now occupied by myself situated between the lot of Francis Timbulake East and street otherwise

The Dwelling—marked	A at	$2000
The Store—marked	B at	375
The Kitchen—marked	C at	200
The Shop—marked	D at	300
		$2875"

Mutual Assurance Society Insurance Policy #7582 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for assurance by Jesse Cole per declaration #5018

1830, May 20th.

I the underwritten Jesse Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance ... My buildings on the Main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between Francis [illegible] lot on the East and streets otherwise in the county of James City...

The Dwelling marked	A	at	$2800
The Store marked	B	at	550
The Kitchen marked	C	at	300
The Shop & Stable marked	D	at	250
			$3900

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #8319 Revaluation of Building formerly declared for Assurance by Jesse Cole per Declaration #7582 1835, August 12th

I the underwritten Jesse Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my building on my own land situated between streets on the North, West and South and bounded by Richardson's ,formerly Timberlakes lot, and Southall's lot on the East in the county of James City... and occupied by myself

The Stable Carriage house &c marked D at $500

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #8321 Revaluation of Building formerly declared for Assurance by Jesse Cole per Declaration #7582 1835, August 12th.

I the underwritten Albert G. Southall residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my building on my own land situated between Jesse Coles lot on the South and west, Richardsons lot on the East, and the Main street North in the county of James City and now occupied by myself...

The Store....marked B at $700...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #11,000 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Jesse Cole per Declaration #7582

1838 December 31st.

I the underwritten Jesse Cole residing At Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance ... my buildings on my own land in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lots of John T. James, and Albert G. Southall on the East and streets on the North, West, and South in the county of James City...

The Dwelling...marked A at	$3500
The Kitchen...marked B at	400
	$3900

Mutual Assurance Policy #14,384 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Jesse Cole and Albert G. Southall per Declaration #8319, 8321, 11000

1846, October 3d.

I the underwritten Robert F. Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on the Main Street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lot of Goodrich Durfy on the East and streets otherwise in the county of James City...

The Dwelling...marked A at	$3500
The Store...marked B at	700
The Kitchen...marked C at	400
The Stable & Carriage house...marked D at	500
... *	$5100

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #17628 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Robert F. Cole per Declaration #14384

1853, November 14,

I the underwritten Robert F. Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on the Main street now occupied by myself situated between the lot of Goodrich Durfy on the East and Streets otherwise in the county of James City...

The Dwelling...marked A at	$3500
The Post Office& Printing Office...marked B at	700
The Kitchen...marked C at	400
The Stable & Carriage house...marked D at	500
	$5100

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #21322 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared for Assurance by Robert F. Cole per Declaration No. 17628 1860, December 31st.

I the underwritten Robert F. Cole residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on the South side of Main Street now occupied by Myself situated between the lot of Goodrich Durfey on the East and a Cross Street on the West in the said city of Williamsburg in the county of James City...

The Dwelling.....marked	A	at	$3000
The School room..marked	B	at	700
The Kitchen.....marked	C	at	300
The Carriage house
& Stable..marked	D	at	500
			$ 4500

Illustration #4
Taliaferro-Cole House

Items relating to Charles Taliaferro picked from Ms. Day Book no name of owner thereon] loaned by Mrs. Kirby. It is very probably the Day Book belonging to Alexander Craig, City Saddler in Williamsburg. The period covers 1761-1763 - pages are not numbered.

[Wmsburg]
"1761	Mr Chas Tolliaferro	£	S	D
	To 4 & lb of Skirt Leather _____
Apl 20	Mr Chas Talliaferro
	To a crupper 15d Stirrup Leaths 1- a best Surcingle 4/6 a Double		3	3
	girth 2/ _____		6	6
Septr	Chas Talliaferro
	To Coupling Reins & head Call to a Chain Bridle _____		7	6
21	Mr Chas Talliaferro
	To harness for a Single Chair _____		4	10
29	Mr Chas Talliaferro
	To 4 yds of Broad Livery Lace _____		10	-
	To 1 1/9 Narrow Do _____		2
Novr	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To harness & Braces for a Pole-Chair -		12	-
13	To 1 ¼ yd of Blue Duffel 6 sq yds of Broad Livery Lace & making 2 Saddle Clothes _____		1	6
7	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 2 ½ Yds Broad & 1 ½ Livery Lace		8	1 ½
25	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Braces for a Chair for a Chair made by Chas Taliaferro for Yr friend	2	-.	-
30	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 1 hide of Leather — 18/ _____	-.	18.	-
Decr 14	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a Large hide of Leather _____	1.	-.	-
18	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To making a Chair Apron _____	-.	6.	-
23	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a pr Harness for a Shaft Chair —	8.	-.	-
1762 Feby
19	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Leather for Wings, Checks & Rein Barr of a Single Chair _____	-.	10.	-
March
19	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a pr of Long & Side Braces _____	2.	-.	-
April
7	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To long Braces _____	2.	-.	-
May
3	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a pr of Side Braces _____		2.	6
	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Harness for a Pole Chair	10.	-.	-
	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 1 hide of Black grain leat	-.	16.	-
24	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Harness for Majr Taliaferro decd
	March 12, 1762 _____	4.	6.	-
25	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Leather for a Chair Wing _____	-.	3.	6
June
5	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a pr of Shaft Harness _____	8.	-.	-
16	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 1 hide of Black Grain Leathr _____	-.	16.	-
July
22	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a pr of Harness for Shaft Chair _____	8.	-.	-
	To Side Braces _____		2.	6
28	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 8 Yds Narrow Lace at 1/ _____		8.	-
	To 42 Do Do _____	2.	2.	-
	To 10 Do broad 2/6 _____	1.	5.	-
	To 21 Narrow Do a 6d _____	-.	10.	6
	To 25 Broad Do a 2/ _____	2.	10.	-
	To 15 Do a 2/ _____	1.	10.	-
	By Cash Augt 16th 3 £
	£	8.	5.	6
Augt	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Harness for a Single Chair _____	5.	-.	-
	To Long Braces shater [?] & narrower than common _____	1.	10.	-
30	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a Best Sadd wt Sursangle _____	3.	-.	-

	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Long Reins & Coulping Do ——	-. 9. -
Oct
13	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Leather for a Chair Wing ——	2. 6
Novr
8	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 10 bushels of Coal ——
Novr
26	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To ½ bushel of Cow hair ——	-. -. 8
30	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To strap to a Crupper, Do to belly band —	1. 6
Decr
23	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To Harness for a Boys Horse before Single Chair without a Saddle ——	2.-. -
1763
March	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 50 bushels of Coal @ 13d ——
April
25	To Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To a Calf skin ——	-. 7. 6
June
21	Mr Chas Taliaferro
	To 1 hide of Black grain Leatr ——	-.18. -

Illustration #5

Illustration #6