Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The house known as "Tazewell Hall" was moved from its original location some years ago. Its original site was at the end of England Street facing north. Early maps of Williamsburg have indicated the form of the house; insurance records of a later date bear out the drawing of the house as given on the early maps; and archaeological excavation has located the original foundation walls.

HISTORY:

Before 1732 it is difficult to trace the chain of title to the lots on which Tazewell Hall originally stood. At that date, Sir John Randolph¹ came into possession of certain Bray lands to the south of Williamsburg 2 and adjoining the town. After some litigation, in May of 1732, an agreement was sought whereby the respective rights to certain lands, whereof David Bray the elder had died seized, could be claimed. These lands were then owned by Thomas Bray; and "John Randolph, also claimed the revertion...in the one hundred and ninety acres of land aforesaid, the estate tail being extinct." ("Act to confirm and establish an Agreement...between Thomas Bray, gent. and John Randolph, Esq. May 1732" - Taken from Hening's Statutes, IV, 370-376, Illustration #1, Appendix.) It was agreed between Randolph and Bray that Randolph should receive from Bray (in addition to two other tracts) "fourteen acres more or less which is part of a tract of two hundred and ninety acres, devised to the said Thomas Bray, by his uncle Thomas Bray, deceased, being that parcel of inclosed land, in the occupation of Thomas Jones,¹ gentleman, adjoining to the land of the said John Randolph." (Ibid., Illustration #1, Appendix.) Thus, Randolph's newly acquired property adjoined land already possessed by him before 1732.

Several letters of John Custis, written during this period, are significant in locating the land of Sir John Randolph. Custis dubbed himself "neighbor of Sir John Randolph" in one of his letters. Another letter, dated "7 b^r 1732" follows:²

"7 b^r 5 : 1732
Jn^o Randolph
Dear S^r: May this find you safe arrived at your desired 3 port and in health Athletick...I have bin lately over all yo^r plantations, this side York River; and gave y^e needfull directions; y^e rains has much injur^d your Tob: by makeing it come in to house too soon...I shall faithfully take all y^e care I can of your Colledge landing Y^e fence being so bad, I have given y^e Nigros effectual orders, to keep out those forefooted pyrats; who must dy unless they reform...
Yo^r most faithful friend and most obedient sev^t
J C"
("Letter Book of John Custis," Library of Congress)

In a letter dated "Xbr 4 : 1732" John Custis adds further information about Randolph and his family life:

"S^r
I write to you by y^e Micajah & Philip; this being y^e last opportunity that I know of by which I can pay my respects to you, your plantation business goes on tolerably well...Mrs. Randolph I suppose will write to you by this opportunity and will give you a particular account of your immediate domestick affairs; she has bin sick but is tolerably well as to health at present; wee are now makeing all y^e force wee can to carry on your building having met with some unavoydable disappointmts..." ("Letter Book of John Custis," Library of Congress)

Both of these letters were addressed to Randolph in England. Custis mentions Randolph's plantations on College Landing; the poor condition of the fences; and a building program. It is quite possible that the building referred to by Custis was to be on the tract (later known as Tazewell Hall) recently acquired by Randolph from Bray. One cannot be sure.¹ The fact that Sir John mentioned in his will three sites on which there were buildings; namely, the lots in Williamsburg, the college landing plantation, and the plantation lying near and adjoining the town upon Archer's Hope Creek, bears out this theory:

"...my said houses and lots in Williamsburg and at the college landing and the said plantation and 4 lands lying near or adjoining to the town upon Archer's hope creek which I purchased of the said Thomas Corbin and Thomas Bray and my household servants and slaves and slaves belonging to the said plantation allowing her to take firewood from the land for the use of the house..." (From the Will of Sir John Randolph. See Illustration #4, Appendix.)

Sir John Randolph died on March 6, 1736/37.¹ Governor William Gooch reported the death of Sir John Randolph in this fashion: "My Neighbor S^r J. Randolph is dead, a great loss to this Country, which has no other effect upon me than my concern for the Publick." (Letters of Governor William Gooch, Virginia, 1727-1751.) Certain bequests were made in his will to Lady Susannah Randolph, his wife, and to his sons and a daughter:

"...I also give her [Lady Randolph] during her life the use of all the furniture of my house in Williamsburgh of what kind soever my plate and linnen of all Sorts all the goods which are or shall be provided for the use of my several plantations and the liquors and other things laid in for my housekeeping and all the stocks of cattle and sheep upon the said plantation allowing her to take firewood from the said land for the use of the house. I also give her forever my coach chariot and chaise with every thing that belongs to them and my coach horses riding horses mares and colts which are kept in town also all her own wearing apparel rings jewels... I also give her the profits of all my other plantations and negros or other slaves until my several sons shall respectively attain the age of twenty four years or if any of them should die until that time would have been accomplished if they had lived if she should live as long...And my will is that the profits of my estate be received by my wife in trust for her better support and the maintenance and education of my children. After her death I give all my said houses and lots in Williamsburg and at the college landing and the said plantation and lands lying near or adjoining to the town upon Archer's hope creek which I purchased of the said Thomas 5 Corbin and Thomas Bray and my household servants and slaves belonging to the said plantation and other the premises before given to my wife during her life to my son Peyton Randolph and to his heirs and assigns forever...."
(Will of Sir John Randolph. See Illustration #4, Appendix.)

A codicil dated December 3, 1735, was presented in the General Court on April 28, 1737, by executors of Randolph:

"...I give to my son Peyton a parcel of land I lately purchased of colonel Custis and his son adjoining to my land at Archers hope also the warehouses and land thereto belonging which I purchased about twelve months ago of the executors of John Holloway Esqr deceased..." (Will of Sir John Randolph. See Illustration #4, Appendix.)

An apothecary account now in the Department of Research gives a list of medicines used by Sir John Randolph from January 27, 1736/37 to March 7, 1736/37. As Sir John died on March 6, this account is of especial interest. (Manuscript Apothecary Account Book, p. 233, Department of Research.) Lady Randolph's account appears in the same book running from July, 1739, to April, 1741. Nothing in the accounts designates the location of the Randolph residence at that date.

In May, 1740, Susannah Randolph made the following petition to the Burgesses:

"A Petition of Susannah Randolph, Guardian to Peyton Randolph, Proprietor the Public Warehouses at the College Landing, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That since the last Session of Assembly, the Warehouses, at the Place aforesaid, being too small to receive the Tobacco brought there, another Warehouse 40 Feet long and 20 Feet wide, was obliged to be built at a considerable Expence. And praying some Allowance for the same, and an Increase of the Rent of the said Warehouse." (Journal of the House of Burgesses-May 26, 1740, pp. 399-400.)

An attempt has been made to establish the residence of Lady Randolph after the death of her husband, Sir John Randolph. Byrd, the Diarist, visited 6 in her home frequently during 1740 and 1741. Though Byrd called often upon Lady Randolph, nothing can be gleaned from his diary to clear up the location of her home - she could have been living on Nicholson Street as easily as on England Street:

1740 Apr.17	"...then walked to Lady Randolph's and had tea."
25	"...I walked and called at Lady Randolph's..."
Aug.28	"...then walked to Lady Randolph's, and then to Mr. Barradall's..."
29	"I walked to several places and made several visits and about 2 dined with Lady Randolph and ate chicken pie..."
Oct.23	"...I went to Lady Randolph's and from thence to the Governor's..."
Dec.11	"...After dinner Dr. Mollet and I walked and in the evening I went to Lady Randolph's, played cards till 9..."
1741 June10	"...then to Lady Randolph's and had tea; then walked to Wetherburn's..."

In 1745, a notice in the Gazette refers to the "Quarter" of Lady Randolph's on College Landing:

"Stray'd away, the 12th of August Last, from the College Landing, Williamsburg, a small Grey Horse... Whoever brings him to me, at the Lady Randolph's Quarter, near the said Landing, shall have Half a Pistole Reward.
William Newell" (Virginia Gazette, Parks, ed., Sept. 19-26, 1745.)

The year 1745/46 found Peyton Randolph arrived at the age of twenty-four. According to his father's will, he would come into his portion of the estate at this age. His mother would receive one-third of the profits from Sir John's estate as her rightful dower. An alphabetical list of persons who had slaves baptized in 1750 at Bruton Parish records that Lady Randolph had two slaves baptized. In 1754, "Lady Randol" is recorded again as owner of two slaves who were baptized. Peyton Randolph, son of Lady Randolph, is listed as having seventeen slaves baptized in the Parish from 1748 to 1768. John Randolph is listed from 1763 to 1768 as having five slaves baptized in Bruton. (Goodwin's Bruton Church, 157.) These facts about Lady Randolph and 7 her sons in the period 1745-1754 are cited to show that Lady Randolph owned the College Landing Quarter in 1745 (which quarter Sir John had died possessed of in 1737) and that she still maintained and kept slaves in 1750 and 1754.

Peyton Randolph came into possession of his estate in 1745, according to provision of his father's will. According to the chain of title to Tazewell Hall as traced in 1848 and recorded in the Southall Papers,¹, Peyton Randolph² deeded this tract of land in July, 1758, to John Randolph,³ his brother:

"...
This tract of Land, on which are situated the buildings, was originally the property of Peyton Randolph, and was then estimated to contain ninety acres. By his deed dated the 8th of July 1758, and recorded in James City County on the 10th July 1758, he conveyed it to his brother John Randolph, by the following discription, viz: 'All that tract of land lying in James City County, containing, by estimation, 90 acres, more or less, bounded as follows, "on the North by a street called _____ in the City of Williamsburg, East by the line of Philip Johnson, Esq. West by the bottom running from Mr. Powers' spring, including the whole bottom, and on the South by Mrs. Custis's Mill Pond."' " ("Southall Papers." Deposited in Library, College of William and Mary.)

In November, 1762, ten acres of this property were added to the City of Williamsburg:

"...
II. And whereas John Randolph, Esquire, hath laid off ten acres of his land, adjoining the southern boundaries 8 of the City of Williamsburg, fronting England Street, and bounded on the east and west sides by a water-course, and to the south by a direct line to be run from the water-course on the east to the water-course on the west side, so as to include the said ten acres into lots, and hath lately built and made considerable improvements thereon: Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said ten acres of land be, and the same are hereby added to, and made part of, the said city; and that the said John Randolph, and all and every other person or persons whatsoever, to whom he may at any time hereafter sell or dispose of any of the said lots, as soon as they shall build on and save the same, according to the conditions of their deeds of conveyance, shall then be entitled to, and have and enjoy, all the rights, privileges and immunities, granted to and enjoyed by the freeholders and inhabitants of the said city, and shall be subject to the same jurisdiction, rules and government." (Hening's Statutes, VII, 598-599.)

The ten acres faced - or fronted - upon England Street; and there were houses erected thereon. This is the first mention in any known record of houses fronting upon England Street. It is also the first mention of any building project. According to the Southall chain of title to this property, "John Randolph by deed dated the 9th May 1771, recorded in James City County on the 11th November 1771, in order to secure a legacy of 1700 pounds stg given by the will of Edmond Jennings Esq. of Maryland to Edmond Randolph, son of John and Ariana Randolph, and to indemnify the Exor. of said Jennings for paying over the said legacy to the said John Randolph, he the said John Randolph, conveyed the said tract of land in trust." The trustees named were: John Syme, Bernard Moore, Burwell Bassett and William Fitzhugh. The property was described: "All that Messuage or tenement standing and being in Williamsburg aforesaid, and the lands thereunto belonging, containing by estimation 100 acres more or less, and now in the possession of the said John Randolph."¹

When the Revolutionary War seemed inevitable, John Randolph, the Attorney General, fled to England with his family:¹

" September 9, 1775
Yesterday morning, John Randolph, Esq, his Majesty's Attorney General for this colony, with his Lady and daughters, set out from this city, for Norfolk, to embark for Great Britain." (Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, eds.)

The following month on the 14th of October the Gazette carried this notice:

" October 14, 1775
TO BE SOLD,
At the next Meeting of the Merchants, in Williamsburg, by Virtue of a Deed of Trust made to the Subscribers,
THE Estate of John Randolph, Esq. his Majesty's Attorney General, consisting of his late DWELLING-HOUSE within the said City, and the LAND adjoining, of several very valuable FAMILY SERVANTS, and a Variety of FURNITURE. A Year's Credit will be allowed the Purchasers, they giving Bond, with good Security, to
PEYTON RANDOLPH
JOHN BLAIR
JAMES COCKE"
(Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, eds.)

On November 30, 1775, another notice appeared regarding the sale of the Attorney General's property:

" WILLIAMSBURG, November 28, 1775. THE trustees of the attorney general [John Randolph] having been hindered by an unfortunate occurence from making sale of his estate on the 25th of this ^{death of Peyton Randolph} month, as lately advertised, have determined to sell the same, at all events, the 11th day of the next month. For all sums exceeding five pounds a years credit will be allowed, the purchasers giving bond and good security." (Virginia Gazette, John Pinkney, ed.)

By a subsequent trust deed, dated 25th August, 1775, and recorded in the James City County Court on the 11th August, 1777, in order to secure the 10 payment of his debts, the said John Randolph conveyed the said land &c. to John Blair, Peyton Randolph and James Cocke, Trustees, by the following discription, viz: "The house wherein the said John Randolph now dwelleth, in the City of Williamsburg, together with one tract of land adjoining the said House, part of it lying in the City of Williamsburg, and the remaining part in the County of James City, containing, by estimation, 100 acres, more or less, which land was granted to the said John Randolph by the said Peyton Randolph &c." ("Southall Papers," William and Mary College. A copy of the Deed of Trust of date, Aug. 26, 1775, with inventory in Illustration #3, Appendix.) Nothing seems to have been done towards the sale of the property of John Randolph until July 17, 1778. At this time an advertisement appeared in the Gazette:

"Pursuant to a deed of trust from John Randolph, Esq; late Attorney General, the subscribers intend, on Monday the 10th day of August next, at 4 o'Clock in the afternoon to expose to sale, by way of auction, the very elegant dwelling house of the said John Randolph in this city, together with about ninety acres of land adjoining, a small part of which is a meadow. The sale will be on the premises, which are to be delivered to the purchaser the 1st day of October next, for ready money. The whole is under Mortgage to several gentlemen, who will join in the conveyance, or do any other act the purchaser may require for exonerating the subject.
John Blair.
James Cocke."
(Virginia Gazette, Dixon & Hunter, eds., July 17, 1778.)

Probably John Tazewell purchased this property at auction. At any rate, on the 15th of October, 1778, the surviving trustees united in conveying the said lands of Randolph covered in the two trust deeds above mentioned and sold to John Tazewell of Williamsburg.¹ The boundaries of said land 11 were, viz:

"...all that aforesaid tract of land lying in the County of James City and part thereof in the City of Williamsburg, containing by estimation 100 acres, more or less, and bounded as follows, to wit: on the North by the street which divides the said land from the lots of William Hunter & Elizabeth Dawson, East by the lands of John Hatley Norton, on the South and West by the lands of John Greenhow, including in the land hereby granted the whole meadow land on the west side thereof, and the bricked spring on the East side thereof &c..."
("Southall Papers," Illustration #3.)

According to the Southall Papers, John Tazewell came into possession of "the very elegant dwelling house of the said John Randolph in this city..." on October 15, 1778. The advertisement in the Gazette of July 11, 1778, told that "the sale will be on the premises, which are to be delivered to the purchaser the 1st day of October next, for ready money. The whole is under mortgage to several gentlemen, who will join in the conveyence, or do any other act the purchaser may require for exonerating the subject." Beginning on October 2, 1778, John Tazewell entered into account with Humphrey Harwood, carpenter of Williamsburg. (Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, p. 18.) The account ran through October of 1778. There were repairs to steps, laying hearths, mending arches, mending "larthing," plastering, whitewashing 10 rooms, 200 lathes, 600 bricks and 40 bushels lime. Whitewashing was used in 6 passages, 10 rooms, 9 closets, and the "Sheloon."¹ All of these repairs were made before October 15th on which date Tazewell came into possession of the property of Randolph. It seems reasonable to state that these repairs, in all probability, were made to John Tazewell's newly acquired property. However, the records have not cleared up this point. In July, 1779, Harwood charged Tazewell with "2 bush^s of Mortar 12/. & Repairing Spring 15/.....£1.7." (Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, 18 - Illustration #7, Appendix.)

Southall in the chain of title to Tazewell Hall shows that "John Tazewell, by will dated the 27th December 1780, and recorded in James City County Court on the 9th April 1781, devised to his wife during her natural life, the use of the said land &c. describing it by these words, viz; 'my houses and land in and adjoining the City of Williamsburg,' and at her death devised the same to his son James Tazewell, but empowered his Exors. or the survivors of them, in case of the death of his wife before his son James came to age, or sooner if his wife desired it, to sell the said land and houses and purchased other property for the benefit of his said wife and son, according to the interest devised to them respectively. The records do not show any sale or conveyance of this land by the executors, so far as I can see." ("Southall Papers," Illustration #3, Appendix.) According to Southall, John Tazewell, the testator, at the date thereof, had five children, viz; Littleton, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, and James. Southall seems to think that Sarah and James had died at an early age, unmarried and intestate. Elizabeth Tazewell married Samuel Griffin of Williamsburg. She died early in life. The title of the Tazewell lands passed by descent to the two surviving brothers, Littleton and William Tazewell. (Extracts from Will of John Tazewell, see "Southall Papers," Tazewell Hall Chain of Title, Illustration #3.)

The James City Land Tax for 1787 gives John Tazewell's estate as owning 90 acres. The Williamsburg Tax List beginning with 1782-1818 lists John Tazewell or his estate as owners of 20 lots; valuation not exceeding $100. (Illustration #5 of the Appendix.) Twenty lots of half-acre size would make 10 acres. This is obviously the same 10 acres which were incorporated into the city in 1762. (See page 7 of this house history.)

MAPS:

In ca. 1780 a map made by Browne shows the Tazewell Lands marked, "Tazewell's." The tract is not inclosed. The house with two wings, fronts, 13 apparently, on England Street; and the land of Colonel Philip Johnson lies to the east, the Hornsby lots to the northeast, and the Burwell lots to the west.

The Rochambeau Map of date September, 1781, entitled, "Camp at Archer's Hope," shows the Tazewell house with two wings within an inclosed lot. Another map by Rochambeau done in 1782 - "des environs de Williamsburg en Virgenie" - gives the same picture of the Tazewell house. The lot is not inclosed in the drawing. (Map Book, Department of Research, pp. 2, 6.)

On the Frenchman's Map¹ (ca. 1782) the Tazewell house with two wings facing apparently north towards the Powder Magazine, is located within a rectangular inclosed lot. The size of the inclosed area seems about the same as on the Rochambeau Map. The Frenchman's Map shows, also, on the northwest and northeast corners of the Tazewell lot are placed two out-houses. The out-house on the northwest corner is larger and longer than the out-house to the northeast. There may be other out-buildings in the rear of the inclosed section. The map would suggest such buildings, and perhaps a well or spring.

The College Map, sometimes called the Unknown Draftsman's Map, (ca. 1791) gives a drawing of the Tazewell house without wings, apparently facing on England Street, with Hornsby's lots to the northeast and Burwell's lot to the northwest. The lots are not inclosed.

The Bucktrout Map (ca. 1803) shows the Tazewell house, marked "Tazewell," facing upon England Street. There are no wings to the house on this map. Hornsby's lots are to the northeast front and Burwell's lot to the west front.

INSURANCE POLICIES:

The first insurance policy located on the Tazewell house was carried 14 with the Mutual Assurance Society of Richmond, No. 592, February, 1802:

"The underwritten Sarah & Littleton Tazewell residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do declare...my one building on the south side of the s^d Town now occupied by ourselves situated between the Land of Burwell Bassett and that of Sam^l Griffin in the county of James City...
The Dwellings marked A at 5000 Dollars..."
Signed: Littleton Tazewell
Sarah Tazewell (Insurance Book, p. 55, Department of Research.)

In 1809 policy No. 592 was renewed in policy No. 972, as follows:

"...the building heretofore declared for assurance by Littleton and Sarah Tazewell then residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City in the Mutual Assurance Society...We also certify that the said building is now owned by Littleton Tazewell and that it is situated in the city of Williamsburg on the south of the Magazine and is bounded on the East South and West by the plantation land of the said Littleton Tazewell...The Dwelling A 5000 Dollars" (See Illustration #4 for drawing of this policy.)

By his will made the 19th of March, 1807, and recorded in the Hustings Court of Williamsburg on November 27, 1815, Littleton Tazewell bequeathed to his wife, Catherine Tazewell "the use of one half of his property during her natural life, with the power to despose of one thousand pounds in ffee simple." Another clause gave his daughter, Sally Bolling Tazewell "the residue of his Estate in fee simple." His brother, William Tazewell, and his wife, Catherine Tazewell, were appointed Executor and Executrix of his will. A codicil, dated July 12, 1807, provides: "Instead of giving half my property 15 to my wife as stated within I wish no division should be made until the marriage or arrival at age of my daughter. The whole of my property to be kept together under the direction of my Exor. and Exix. for the use of my wife and daughter." ("Southall Papers.") According to Mr. Southall, Sally Bolling Tazewell, soon after her father's death, intermarried with William O. Goode.

A newspaper notice (no date given), copied by Mrs. Sue Garrett Nelson, and given to the Research Department, contains the information:

"William and Catherine Tazewell offer for sale the house and plantation adjoining the city of Williamsburg, late the residence of Littleton Tazewell. If not sold before March 12, next, will be offered to the highest bidder before the door of the Raleigh Tavern, in Williamsburg." (Files, Department of Research.)

A further study of the Williamsburg Tax Records shows that the estate of John Tazewell was taxed for 20 lots until 1818. Also, that Littleton Tazewell or his estate paid tax on 34 lots from 1804 to 1819.^x Changes occurred in 1819 at Tazewell Hall - evidently, in building. Tax records for Williamsburg show a change in the property of Littleton Tazewell's estate from 36 lots valued at $90. to 1 lot valued at $1600. The latter notation is recorded under Littleton Tazewell's estate until 1840. At this date, the valuation changes to $2400. By 1844, the valuation is shown as $2600. which rate remains the same until 1848. To understand exactly the tax records on this property from 1782 to 1848, in the light of insurance policies and other source material, is confusing. Indefinite descriptions and a lack of explanations are responsible for this difficulty. One cannot be sure as to the date of changes of ownership during the period from 1780 to 1848.

About 850 acres, more or less, in James City County adjoining the Williamsburg lots of Tazewell are listed in the footnote on the next page. They apply only indirectly to the Tazewell Hall lots in the city but make up the 16 large tract acquired by the Tazewell family in James City County.¹

The "Southall Papers" in 1837 mention Tazewell Hall Farm in connection 17 with assault and battery case of Drake vs. Galt:

Drake (James J.) estate. 1845-1847. 14 pieces
[Galt, Dickie
1837, June 16]

James J. Drake vs. Dickie Gaelt. Trespass &^c Memo. [made by Southall]

"On friday night, 16^th June 1837, at Tazewell Hall Farm, Ja^s City C^o Deft with two negro men, owned or Employed by him, came to door of Plt's house & called him up. When he opened the door deft seised him & presented loaded pistol to his breast, and said, Damn you, have I got you now? I mean now to tie you up & give you two Lashes &c directed negroes to seise plt & bind him to a tree, which they did, and then he, the deft, with a cowskin, flogged plt most cruelly & unmercifully — Dead hour of night — Loaded pistols & cowhide — no witnesses, but negroes —"

[Endorsed on back]
James J. Drake's memo

(Mss. Library, College of William and Mary. "Southall Papers," Folder 138. Legal Cases and Estates, James City County.)

In November of 1839, Galt, in defence of the action of trespass for assault and battery, brought five witnesses on his behalf before the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for James City County and the City of Williamsburg. In February of 1840, Dickie Galt paid to James J. Drake one hundred dollars as quit claim action of trespass for assault and battery in the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of James City and the City of Williamsburg. ("Southall Papers," Folder 138.)

William Tazewell, executor and heir of Littleton Tazewell (after the death of the wife and daughter), is supposed to have lived at Tazewell Hall after his brother's death. William Tazewell died between October, 1840, and June, 1841. (A deed, dated June 15, 1841, and acknowledged by the wife of Tazewell, is the basis for this statement. See "Southall Papers.")

From the abstract of title to Tazewell Hall (in the Accounting Department) it seems that Joshua Walker had come into possession of this tract, lying in James City County and in the City of Williamsburg, about 1846. A deed of trust on this property, Tazewell Hall tract, of date January 1, 1851, [cut off] 18 recorded August 28, 1854, embraced the Tazewell Hall tract and other small tracts. (Deed Book No. I, pp. 45-47.)

From 1851 to 1854 Walker and wife were involved in legal tangles and litigation about Tazewell Hall. (Deed Book No. I, pp. 55-56.) By deed of June 19, 1855, the heirs of Joshua Walker (named in the deed) conveyed to John B. Christian all their right, title and interest in the said land, ratifying and confirming the conveyance made by Joshua Walker by a prior deed. (Deed Book No. I, p. 99.)

According to the chain of title (copy in the Accounting Department), Christian had a will but it was doubtless lost in 1865 in the destruction of the James City County Court Records. However, it appears from references in other deeds that John B. Christian left the Tazewell Hall tract to his daughter, Mattie (Martha) Christian, who afterwards married John M. Mitchell. At the time of Christian's death there was a deed of trust of $12,750. on the property.

In 1863 by a deed dated December 2, 1863, and recorded in Deed Book No. II, p. 202, John M. Mitchell and Martha M. Mitchell, his wife, conveyed the Tazewell Hall tract, then containing 305 acres, to John D. Munford.¹ It is recorded that the land had passed to Martha Mitchell under the will of her father, John B. Christian. (Chain of Title in Accounting Department.)

Descriptions of Tazewell Hall during the period around the Civil War are given by several citizens of Williamsburg:

"At the southern line of the `Neale' house property (now owned by Judge Smith of Yorktown) was then the southern terminus of England Street. Back in an extensive yard and facing squarely across England Street stood the imposing `Tazewell Hall.' This old house was some years ago sold and removed to its present site, and is now owned by Mrs. Nelson. `Tazewell Hall' was a splendid old home and was owned when the War began, and for several years there-after, by Col. John D. Munford, one of the most courtly old gentlemen that ever graced, with his presence, the streets of old Williamsburg, of which he was once the honored Mayor." (Recollections of Charles, p. 57, Research Dept.)

"Tazewell Hall stood in the center of the road, facing north, not far from its present site. It looks today exactly as it did then, excepting the change of location. This house was then owned and occupied by Colonel Munford."
(Recollections of Mrs. Victoria Lee, p. 6, Research Department.)

"Miss Dickie Galt lived at Tazewell Hall . . . " (Recollections of Mrs. Martha Vandergrift, Research Department.)

In October, 1880, J. D. Coles, executor of the last will and testament of John D. Munford, conveyed to Mary E. Hamlin, wife of E. S. Hamlin, the Tazewell Hall tract. This deed covered all the tract except the portion conveyed to the Eastern Lunatic Asylum by the deed set out August 30, 1879 (Deed Book No. III, pp. 500-502).

Various deeds of trust, mortgages and release deeds were recorded by W. W. Hamlin and Mary E. Hamlin from 1880 to 1901, when Mary E. Hamlin conveyed to Andrew J. Barnes and wife the Tazewell Hall tract containing 305 acres. (Deed Book No. V, pp. 706-708.) The said Barnes and wife conveyed in April, 1906 the said land to the Colonial Extension Company, Incorporated, for $12,000. (Deed Book No. X, pp. 276-277.) A map and survey of the said land was made in May, 1906, dividing same into lots, streets and alleys, which plat 20 is recorded in the Clerk's office of the Circuit Court of Williamsburg and County of James City in Plat Book No. 2, p. 4. Many lots were sold from this tract from 1906-1908. In 1908 by deed dated June 9, 1908, recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book No. V, p. 289-290, "the Colonial Extension Company Inc., conveyed to William W. Gray 28 acres of the Tazewell Hall tract, . . . including blocks 1, 2, 13-17 inclusive, and all other property west of England Street, except blocks 4-8 inclusive, 10 and 11, and the streets, avenues and alleys bounding same . . . "

By deed of date, October 18, 1910, recorded in Deed Book No. VI, pp. 34-35, William W. Gray and wife, conveyed said land to Susan Garrett Nelson, the grantee assuming payment of the deed of trust set out in deed of June 9, 1908. Mrs. Nelson was the owner of the lots until 1927 when she and her husband, Peyton R. Nelson, conveyed to William A. R. Goodwin the property as described in the abstract of title given below:

"ALL that lot, piece or parcel of land situated on the west side of England Street in the City of Williams-burg, Virginia, together with the dwelling house and other improvements thereon, generally called 'Tazewell Hall,' the said land fronting on England Street three hundred (300) feet and extending back between parallel lines the distance of five hundred and eighty (580) feet, more or less, to the property of the Eastern State Hospital. The said property embraces all of blocks 1 and 2 on the plat of Colonial Extension, recorded in Plat Book No. 2, page 4, including also that portion of what was formerly an alley in Block 2. The property hereby conveyed is bounded on the north by the property of Sydney Smith; on the east by England Street; on the south by Tazewell Hall Avenue, and on the west by the property of the Eastern State Hospital. Being all of the property conveyed to said Susan Garrett Nelson by deed from William W. Gray and wife, dated October 18, 1910, and recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book No. 6, pp 34-6, except the portion thereof heretofore sold and conveyed by the grantors, by the following deeds: A deed to F. R. Savage, dated August 7, 1912, recorded in James City Deed Book No. 13, pp 392-3, and by a deed dated May 3, 1915, to Eastern State Hospital, recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book 6, pp 295-6, the latter being corrected by a deed of correction dated June 23, 1915, to Eastern State Hospital, recorded in Williamsburg, Deed Book No. 7, page 7." (Williamsburg Deed Book No. 12, pages 187-8.)

A deed dated June 14, 1929, from Dr. Goodwin and wife to Williamsburg Holding Corporation, recorded June 4, 1929, conveys the property. (Deed Book No. XIII, pp. 486-87.)

In the Land Book for the City of Williamsburg for 1927, page 12, Susan G. Nelson, of Williamsburg, is charged with fee as owner of this property. On line 20 the charge is for a house and lots 1-6 inclusive in block 2 of Colonial Extension; the lots being assessed at $1200 and the buildings at $3000, making a total assessment of $4200. On line 21 Mrs. Nelson is charged with 67/100 of an acre adjoining the Eastern State Hospital in Colonial Extension, the valuation being $100, and with no buildings.

In 1936 the Williamsburg Restoration, Inc., conveyed the property to John D. Rockefeller, Jr. by deed, dated December 12, 1936. (See Folder 1279-A, item 2.)

In 1939 Mr. Rockefeller conveyed it to Williamsburg Restoration, Inc., by deed, subject to life tenure. (See Folder 1279-B, Deed No. 1, item 1.)

For a detailed report of the property after 1854 refer to the Chain of Title as made December 14, 1927, by C. M. Hall, Attorney at Law, of Williamsburg, Virginia, for Dr. William A. R. Goodwin, of Williamsburg, Virginia. (Copy in Accounting Department.)

SUMMARY:

Before 1732 the lots facing upon England Street, known later as "Tazewell Hall" were part of the lands of David Bray. In May, 1732, Sir John Randolph came into possession of fourteen acres more or less which were a part of a large tract owned by the Bray family. These fourteen acres adjoined land already in the ownership of Randolph. By 1758 Peyton Randolph deeded certain lots and buildings, which he had received by the will of his father, to his brother, John Randolph, the Attorney-General. It seems reasonable to state that these acres included the fourteen acres bought by Sir John Randolph 22 from Bray. Ten acres of this property fronting on England Street...with buildings were added to the city in 1762. In October, 1778, after advertising in the Virginia Gazette at intervals (October, 1775; November, 1775; July, 1778) the trustees of John Randolph's property in Williamsburg and James City County conveyed the "very elegant dwelling house of the said John Randolph in this city, together with about ninety acres of land adjoining..." to John Tazewell. Early maps of this property show a house with wings. Insurance policies (1802 and 1809), in the name of Littleton and Sarah Tazewell, confirm this form of house. Around 1815, Tazewell Hall and other property fell to Littleton Tazewell, son of John Tazewell; and subsequently, became the property of William Tazewell, another son. Because of the burning of James City County records in 1865, the chain of title is not altogether clear from Littleton Tazewell's ownership to about 1846, when Joshua Walker came into possession. From Walker to the present day, the chain of title has been traced. Such evidence is on record in the Accounting Department of Colonial Williamsburg.

Illustration #1

An Act to confirm and establish an Agreement therein mentioned, made between Thomas Bray, gent. and John Randolph, Esq. for the settlement of their respective rights to certain Lands, whereof David Bray, the elder, gent. deceased, died seised; and for other purposes therein also mentioned.

I. WHEREAS David Bray, the elder, late of the parish of Bruton, in the county of James City, gent. deceased, was in his lifetime seised in his demesne, as of fee, of several messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, lying and being in the counties of James-City, Charles-City, York, and New-Kent; and was also seised in fee-tail, with the revertion in fee expectant thereon, of a tract or piece of land, lying and being in the counties of James-City, and York, containing one hundred and ninety acres, more or less, by virtue of the last will of his mother Angelica Bray; and by his last will and testament in writing, bearing date the twenty first day of October, in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and seventeen, devised all his lands to his son David Bray, the younger; & thereby declared his will & meaning to be, That if his son David should live 'til he came to the age of twenty one years, and should not have issue of his body, lawfully begotten, that he should not sell or dispose of any of the said lands until he had such issue; but if he should live to have such issue of his body, and attain the age of twenty one years, if both these things should happen, he gave his said son, all his lands, to him and his heirs for ever; but in case he should die before he had lawful issue, he gave all his said lands to his brother James Bray, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten; and in default of such issue, his will was, that all his said lands should be equally divided between the heirs of his said brother James, and the lawful heir of his late deceased sister, Anne Ingles, late wife of Mongo Ingles, as by the said will more fully may appear, and died so seised: After whose death, the said David Bray, the younger, entered into the tenements aforesaid, with the appurtenances, and was thereof seised: And the said David Bray, the younger, was also seised in his demesne, as of fee, of one messuage, plantation, piece or parcel of land, commonly called and known by the name of Tuttie's Neck, containing by estimation, three hundred acres, more or less, lying and being in the parish of Bruton, in the county of James-City, which was purchased by Judith Bray, the mother of the said David Bray, the younger, of one Frederick Jones; and also of fourteen acres of land, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the parish of Bruton, in the county of James City, aofresaid; which the said David Bray purchased of one Bryan, and his wife: And by his last will, bearing date the fourth day of June, in the year one thousand seven hundred and thirty one, among other things, devised the residue of all his estate, both real and personal, and all revertions and remainders thereof, to John Randolph, esq. and his heirs, for ever, upon certain trusts therein mentioned, as by the said last mentioned will more fully doth appear; and died without issue: After whose death, several disputes and controversies have arisen between Thomas, Bray, gentleman, who is son and heir of the said James Bray, and the said John Randolph, concerning their respective rights, to the messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, whereof the said David Bray, the elder, at the time of his death was seised in fee: the said Thomas claiming the same under the will of the said David Bray, the elder, and the said John Randolph insisting, that as the said James Bray died in the life-time of the said 2 David Bray, the younger, the said Thomas could take nothing by the said will; but the said John Randolph, claimed the same under the will of David Bray, the younger; and the said John Randolph, also claimed the revertion in fee, in the one hundred and ninety acres of land aforesaid, the estatetail being extinct.

II. Whereupon, it was agreed between them, for the final ending, settling, and determining the said disputes and controversies, That the said Thomas would convey to the said John Randolph, and his heirs for ever, all and singular the lands, thenements, and hereditaments, with the appurtenances, lying and being in Martin's-Hundred, in the county of James-City, aforesaid; which the said David Bray, the elder, purchased of Aristotle Grice, John Thorp Grice, Edward Grice, Thomas Grice, William Fuller, and Charles Barret, or of any other person within that neck, called Barret's-Neck: Also one messuage and plantation, piece or parcel of land, commonly called Hick's, containing by estimation, one hundred acres, more or less, lying and being in the parish of Bruton, in the county of York, aforesaid; which was purchased by the said David Bray, the elder, of one Mary Whaley: And all that piece or parcel of land, containing fourteen acres, more or less, which is part of a tract of two hundred and ninety acres, devised to the said Thomas Bray, by his uncle Thomas Bray, deceased, being that parcel of inclosed land, in the occupation of Thomas Jones, gentleman, adjoining to the land of the said John Randolph: And that the said John Randolph should convey to the said Thomas Bray, and his heirs for ever, all that messuage and plantation, piece or parcel of land called Tuttie's-Neck; also all that piece or parcel of land, formerly the land of Angelica Bray, aforesaid; and also all that piece or parcel of land, purchased by the said David Bray, the younger, of Bryan, and his wife, with their and every of their appurtenances: And also release all his right and pretensions, to all the lands, tenements, and hereditaments, with the appurtenances, of which the said David Bray, the elder, was seised in fee, at the time of his death; except what is before mentioned to be conveied to the said John Randolph, as aforesaid.

…

IV. And whereas, the said Thomas Bray, and John Randolph, have applied to this general assembly, for an act, to confirm and establish the said agreement, having made publication of their design, three Sundays successively, in the churches of the parishes where the premises respectively lie: And forasmuch as the same is very just and reasonable,

V. May it please your most excellent Majesty, For preventing all future disputes between the said Thomas Bray, and John Randolph, and their families, touching the premises, at the humble suit of the said Thomas Bray, and John Randolph....

Illustration #2
Tazewell Hall

February 23, 1934.

REPORT ON TAZEWELL HALL OLD FOUNDATION WALLS.
For: Research Department Files.

A trench cut along side of England Street during excavations for undergrounding wires etc. showed about four feet below grade a foundation wall running east and west on a line about two feet south of and parallel to the main axis of Tazewell Hall and a similar wall running in same sense almost opposite southern end of Tazewell Hall. The bricks were large, looked old and had a lime shell mortar. The wall was one stretcher and two headers thick. The distance from outside of wall to outside of wall was 26'10".

Illustration #3

Illustration #4
Tazewell Hall

Illustration #5

Illustration #6
Tazewell Hall

From Frenchman's Map 1782

Mutual Assurance Policy #1529 Revaluation of Buildings A formerly declared for Assurance by Littleton Tazewell per declaration #972
June 28, 1815

"... my building on a street in the South part of Williamsburg situated between the landing road west and Bassetts lands on the East in the County of James City and occupied by myself
The Dwelling House marked A at &4875

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #5038 Revaluation per declaration #1529 Littleton Tazewell
March 28, 1823

"... That the said building is at present owned by the heirs of siad Littleton Tazewell residing at Mecklenburg County and is occupied by William Ball-overseer The Dwelling marked A at $2340"

1830, May 20th.

Mutual Insurance Policy #7601 Revaluation of Building declared for Assurance by Littleton Tazewells heirs as per Declaration #5038 by Littletons Tazewells heirs

"... That the said Buildings are at present owned by the heirs of the said Littleton Tazewell residing at Mecklenburg County and are occupied by — That they are situated on a cross street on the north, and by plantation lands in other directions in the county of James City...

The Dwelling & Wings

marked A at

$1500"

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #8338 Revaluation of Buildings formerly declared by Littleton Tazewell per declaration #7601

Dickie Galt residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City
Jan. 22, 1836

"my buildings on my own land in the City of Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lands of Burwell Bassett on the East and Jesse Cole on the West

The Dwelling House	marked A at	$2500
The Kitchen Luandry	&c. B at	400
		$2900

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #14391 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Dickie Galt per declaration #9214

1846, October 3rd.

I the underwritten Dickie Galt residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance... my Buildings on my own land now occupied by myself situated between a cross street on the North and my own lands on the East, South and West in the county of James City...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #17655 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by [Dickie Galt] per declaration #14391

1853, November 14,

I the underwritten Joshua Walker residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance... my buildings on my own land in Williamsburg and adjoining thereto now occupied by myself situated between a street fronting them in Williamsburg on the North and my own lands otherwise in the county of James City...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #21340 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Joshua Walker per declaration #17655 1860, [ no month or day]

I the underwritten John D. Munford residing at Williamsburg in the county of James City do hereby declare for assurance... my buildings on my land adjoining the city of Williamsburg now occupied by Myself situated between a Street on the North and my own land otherwise and in the county of James City...

Illustration #7

Illustration #8

• 1Stairway in Tazewell Hall, Williamsburg, Va. (Mr. Kocher's Office)
• 2Tazewell Hall as it was at end of Little England Street before being moved...(#291 Coleman Collection, Department of Research.)
• 3Tazewell Hall, front view - printed on post card. (Department of Research)
• 4Tazewell Hall, back view - kodak print. (Department of Research)
• 5Tazewell Hall, side view to east - kodak print. (Department of Research)
• 6Tazewell Hall #966. (Department of Research)