Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

Colonial Lot 58 is located on the north side of Duke of Gloucester street near the Capitol. On early nineteenth century plats of Williamsburg, it is marked "Meade" and "58".

IN SUMMARY:

On May 16, 1713, trustees of Williamsburg granted two lots on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street to Francis Sharp, with the stipulation that a house or houses must be erected on the two lots, 57 and 58, within twenty-four months or the lots would revert to the city. Sharp, evidently, did not build as the trustees again granted these lots to Sharp in 1717 with the same understanding. Sharp built on the lots. He may have used both lots himself. When he died in 1739 he refers to the "lot of Land House and Appurtenances ... that Mr. Burdet now liveth upon Adjoining to the Capitall Square..." Burdett, an ordinary keeper, leased the building on Lot 58 from Sharp (until his death); still occupied it when Thomas Pattison owned it; and continued there until his death (1746), it is thought. Pattison, an ordinary keeper, died in 1742. In his inventory was listed "The sign of Edinburgh Castle with the irons etc." In Burdett's inventory (1746) was listed "The remains of an old Sign with the Iron Work." It is believed that Burdett bought many items at Pattison's sale and among them was "The sign of Edinburgh Castle with the irons etc." This assumption seems reasonable as in 1755 Robert Lyon, tavern keeper and wig maker, advertised in the Virginia Gazette that he "kept tavern at the Sign of the Edinburgh Castle, near the Capitol." Lyon had "a dwelling and shop with good pasturage and stablage for horses." In 1757 Benjamin Waller who had acquired the property via Pattison's heirs in 1754, conveyed it to John Pearson Webb, the consideration named being two hundred and seventy five pounds current money: "being the Messuage House and Lot late in the Tenure and Occupation of John Burdett with the Appurtenances except thirty five feet Square laid off out of the East end of the said Lot which now belong to Nathaniel Walthoe." Following Webb's death in 1764, the property fell to the widow, Mrs. Frances Webb. By 1774 John Webb was the owner. He advertised his property in Williamsburg thus: "For SALE, THAT valuable and well situated Lot in Williamsburg where the Coffeehouse is now kept;" It was, evidently being called "the Coffeehouse" in 1769 as owners of property across the street (Lot 27) described their location as "at the brick house opposite the coffee house." In 1767 Richard Charlton, tavern keeper and wig maker, advertised "THE COFFEE-HOUSE IN THIS CITY BEING now opened by the subscriber as a Tavern he hereby acquaints all Gentlemen travellers... that they will meet with the best entertainment and other accommodations..." It is possible that Charlton was referring to the English Coffee House once in operation at Lots 25 and 26 and at this date inactive; but it seems more probable that he was located on Lot 58 from other descriptions, (above quoted and to follow). In 1772 Mary Dickinson, milliner, announced her location in the city thus: "she had removed to the Store above the Coffeehouse, near the Capitol" and "next Door above the Coffee House." In 1777 Webb advertised for sale "My house and lot in Williamsburg, at present the COFFEE HOUSE." The Frenchman's Map of Williamsburg (1782) shows a large rectangular building facing south on the lot. A gap occurs in the title until 1782 when David Meade was the owner until 1809 when the western part of Lot 58 was conveyed to Robert Anderson. Sometime between 1809 and 1817 James Thomson was owner. He was followed by Joseph Hague who conveyed in 1817 to David Chalmers. Chalmers insured his property in 1817 and 1822 stating that it was located "between George Morrison on the east and Robert Anderson west, dwelling and store 30 feet by 27 feet." In 1830 George Morrison purchased the property from Chalmers. During Morrison's ownership it was insured four times stating that it was a dwelling and store and giving the names of renters. Chalmers and Morrison were retail merchants and the renters were also merchants. In 1853 Robert Blassingham became the owner via Morrison's heirs. He, too, was a merchant, and insured his dwelling and store as had other owners. In 1872 the property came into the ownership of John C. Timberlake until his death in 1888. His widow held the larger part until 1896. In 1893 Mrs. Timberlake conveyed the smaller part toward the north to S. E. S. Baker, who sold to E. W. Maynard in 1900. Chester Evans owned it in 1916 who conveyed to Peninsula Realty Corporation. In 1921 Robert E. Donegan became owner. The part of the lot facing upon Duke of Gloucester Street was conveyed by Mrs. Timberlake in 1896 to Eudoxie Donegan and R. E. Donegan. In 1928 Donegan and other heirs conveyed the entire lot to W. A. R. Goodwin, representing the interests of Williamsburg Restoration.

BURDETT'S ORDINARY

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

LOCATION:

Colonial Lot 58 is located on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street near the Capitol. On Tyler's adaptation of late eighteenth and nineteenth century plats of the city of Williamsburg the lot is designated as "Meade" and also "58". See: map on opposite page.

HISTORY:

On May 16, 1713 Trustees for building the City of Williamsburg granted two lots of land on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street to Francis Sharp.¹

[May 16, 1713]

THIS INDENTURE made y^e 16^th day of May in y^e twelfth Year of y^e reign of y^e Sovereign Lady Ann by y^e grace of God of Great Brittain, France, & Ireland Queen defend^r of y^e faith &c And in y^e Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & Thirteen BETWEEN y^e Feoffees or Trustees for y^e Land appropriated for y^e Building & Erecting y^e City of Williamsburgh of y^e One part & Francis Sharpe of y^e County of York of y^e Other part WITTNESSETH that whereas y^e s^d Francis Sharpe by One Lease to him y^e s^d Feoffees or Trustees bearing date y^e day before y^e date of these Presents is in [blur] & peaceable possession of y^e premisses hereon hereafter granted,... but more Especially for & in consideration of Thirty Shillings of good & lawfull money of England to them in hand paid at & before y^e Ensealing & delivery of these Presents... HAVE granted, bargained, Sold, remised, released & confirmed, & by these Presents for themselves, their heirs & Success^rs... do grant, bargain... unto y^e s^d Francis Sharpe Two certain Lotts of Ground lying on y^e North side of y^e Duke of Gloucester Street in y^e s^d City of Williamsburgh designed in y^e Plott of y^e s^d City by these figures 57 & 58 with all Woods thereon growing or being together with all Profits, Commoditys, 2 Emoluments & Advantages whatsoever to y^e Same belonging or in any wise appertaining TO HAVE & TO HOLD y^e s^d granted Premisses & Every part thereof with y^e Appertenances unto y^e s^d Francis Sharpe & to his heirs for Ever,... under y^e limitations & reservations hereafter mentioned: That is to say that if y^e s^d Francis Sharpe his heirs & Assigns shall not in y^e Space of Twenty four months next Ensuing y^e date of these Presents begin to build & finish upon Each Lott of y^e s^d granted Premisses One good dwelling house or houses of Such dimensions & to be placed in such manner as by One Act of Assembly made at y^e Capitol y^e 23^d day of October 1705 intituled an Act continuing y^e Act directing y^e building y^e Capitol & City of W^msburgh &c... Then it shall & may be law-full to & for y^e s^d Feoffees or Trustees & their success^rs y^e Feoffees or Trustees for y^e Land appropriated for y^e building and Erecting y^e City of W^msburgh for y^e time being into y^e s^d granted Premisses & Every part thereof with y^e Appurtenances to Enter & y^e Same to have again as of their former Estate... In Wittness whereof Jn^o Clayton & W^m Robertson Gentt Two of y^e s^d Feoffees or Trustees have hereunto sett their hand & seals y^e day & Year above written

John Clayton Seal
Wil Robertson Seal

Signed, Sealed & Delivered in y^e Presence of
Mich^l Archer
C Jackson

May 16^th 1713 Then received of Francis
Sharpe y^e Sum of Thirty Shillings.....
pr Wil Robertson

…

At a Court held for York County 21 Sept^r 1713 W^m Robertson Gentt One of y^e Feoffees or Trustees for y^e Land appropriated for y^e building & erecting y^e City of W^msburgh Presented & acknowledged y^e within Deed of Release for Two Lotts of y^e s^d Land to Francis Sharpe & on his mocon they are Admitted to Record Test Phi: Lightfoot Cl Cur Truly Recorded
Test Phi: Lightfoot Cl Cur.

¹

Evidently, Sharpe failed to comply with the building clause in the deed--that a house be erected on each lot within 24 months--for the lots reverted to the trustees. The same lots were again conveyed to Sharpe in 1717: 3

[May 2, 1717]

[Trustees of the City of Williamsburg
to
Francis Sharp of York County
Consideration: 30 shillings money of Virginia]

... Two certain Lotts of Ground in the City of W^msburgh designed in y^e Platt of y^e s^d City of the figures 57 and 58 with all Woods thereon growing or being... [must build within 24 months upon each lot one good dwelling house or houses according to Act of Assembly of October 23, 1705 or trustees will enter same as of their former Estate]

John Clayton (Seal)
Wil Robertson (Seal)

¹ [Recorded
York County Court
May 20, 1717]

Sharp built on the lots within the prescribed time for the property was still in his ownership at the time of his death (1740).

In 1718 Sharp was granted a license to keep an ordinary in Williamsburg.² It is believed that he kept an ordinary in his house on Lot 57 (See: Research Report on The Red Lion, Block 17, Lot 57). What use Sharp made of his house on Lot 58 at first is not known. He may have leased it, or possibly kept an ordinary in one house and occupied the other with his family before his removal to Surry County where he died. Sometime prior to Sharp's death, the house on Lot 58 was leased to John Burdett. (Account to follow chronologically)

Sharp made his will on August 14, 1739 leaving the house and lot to his son, Francis Sharp, Jr., with the exception of a strip to be laid off of the eastern end of the lot.³ Sharp's will follows: 4

[August 14, 1739]

In the Name of God Amen I Francis Sharp of the parish of Lawnes Creek in the County of Surry...I Give devise and bequeath in Manner and form following Imprimis, I give and devise to my son ffrancis Sharp the Lot of Land House and Appurtenances in the City of Williamsburg that Mr: Burdet now liveth upon Adjoining to the Capitall Square (Excepting thirty five feet to be laid off out of the East end of y^e said Lot)... [and also land in Isle of Wight County] to my said Son his Heirs and Assigns for ever... I give unto my said Son William Thirty five feet out of the East End of Y^e Lot given to my Son Francis whereon M^r Burdet in Williamsburg now lives and also what timber he shall want towards the building and Repairing upon the said Lot...to him his Heirs and Assigns for ever...¹

In the will above, "Mr. Burdet" is mentioned as living on Sharp's property. John Burdett (the usual spelling) was a tavern keeper. Little is known about Burdett, an ordinary keeper, except that he lived on the property some years and became involved in a suit of encroachment. (Details will follow in the report).

Sharp's son, Jacob Sharp, was named sole executor of the will. No deed conveying Lot 58 has been found in the York County Records; but reference was made to its sale in a deed concerning the adjoining lot to the west, Lot 57. According to this deed, Jacob Sharp, executor of the will, sold Lot 58 to Thomas Pattison prior to 1742:

[October 1, 1742]

[John Sharp - Planter of Surry County
to
Henry Wetherburn, Ordinary Keeper
Consideration: 80 pounds current money of Virginia]

...All that messuage, tenement Lott and half acre of land... lying & being upon the Duke of Gloucester Street... bounded on the East by the Lott lately purchased by one Thomas Pattison of Jacob Sharp, Brother of the said John Sharp, on the South by 5 the said Duke of Gloucester Street...now in the tenure and Occupation of one Thomas Penman, and marked in the plan of the said City...with the Number 57 and all houses...¹

John Burdett, who occupied the house on Lot 58 at the time Francis Sharp wrote his will, still occupied it when Pattison purchased it and continued there until his death in 1746. (See: history to follow).

In 1743 Burdett was defendant in a suit pertaining to his boundary line. Seth Seekright, lessee of Thomas Penman, (who had occupied Lot 57 in 1742), sued Burdett for trespass:

[May 16, 1743]

[Seth Seekright - Plaintiff
Lessee of Thomas Penman
vs
John Burdett - Defendant]

In the Ejectione Firma bro^t by Seth Seekright Lessee of Tho^s Penman against John Burdett; The s^d Defendt by Bedford Davenport his Atty came into Court & pleads the General Issue, Confesseth Lease Entry & Ouster &c And its orderd that the Surveyor of the City of W^msburgh [blurred] on Monday next if fair, if not, the next, fair day, survey & lay out the Lott of Land in dispute, as each party will have it; and that he refuse [sic] a Certificate of the Survey thereof and plott to the next Court And it's further order'd that the sherif attend the s^d Surveyor to remove force if any shall be offered.²

In the Ejectione Firma between Seth Seekright Lessee of Thomas Penman, Plt and John Burdett Defendt; This day came the parties afores^d by their attornies and waived the Tryal by Jury and submitted the Matter to the Opinion of the Court which is that the black line in the Surveyors Plott returnd in this Cause is the bounds of the Plts Land in dispute. And that the Pl^t hath sustain'd one shilling damage by Occasion of the Trespass and Ejectment afores^d. And it's Consider'd by the Court that the Plt recover against the Def^d his Term yet to come of and in one Messuage one Tenement and one Lott or half Acre of Land with Appurts Situate lying and being on Duke of Gloster Street in the City of W^msburgh as in the deed mention'd--together with his damages afores^d And also his Costs by him about his suit in this behalf expended. And the s^d Defendt in Mercy &c.

6

And it's order'd that his Majesty's Writ of Habere fac^s posessioness [sic] issue to put the Pl^t in possession of the premes.
And it's order'd that the Surveyors Plott & Certificate ret^d in this Cause be recorded, and they are recorded as foll^s:

[Drawings of lots 57 and 58 with houses thereon]

[Surveyors Note:]

In obedience to an Order of York County Court dated the 16^th of May 1743 I have Survey'd the Lott in dispute between Seth Seekright Lessee of Tho^s Penman Pl^t and John Burdett Defendt as each party directed that is to say The Lott No 57 claim'd by the Pl^t and the Lott 58 claim'd by the Defendt according to the above plan; by w^ch it appears that the Body of the Defendt's house stands about 8 feet on the plts Lott. The prickt line A shews the bounds of Burdetts Lott as held by Mr. Kerr taking in all 14 feet from Penmans Lott: and the prickt line B taking about 4 feet more, was lately a line of pales of Burdettes.
Jos Davenport - Survey^r City W^msg.¹

In the Action of Trespass between Tho^s Penman Pl^t and John Burdett Defendt, This day came the parties afores^d by their Attornies and thereupon came a Jury to wit Andrew Anderson, Edw^d Baptist, John Goodwin, Jno Wynn, Edm^d Dobson, Edm^d Curtis, W^m Fuller, Edward Peters, Edward Potter, James Goodwin, George Holloway & Hugh Orr, good & lawfull Men who were elected, tryd & duly Sworn to say the Truth of the Matter in Issue and upon their Oaths they say that the Defendt is Guilty of the Trespass in the declaration mention'd and they assess the damage of the Pl^t by Occasion thereof to five pounds.
Therefore it's consider'd by the Court that the Pl^t recover against the s^d Defendt his damage afores^d by the Jurors aforesaid in form afores^d Assess'd And also his Costs by him about his Suit in this behalf expended And the said defendt in Mercy &c.²

A plat of encroachment is on opposite page as copied from the York County Records.

Burdett was still in occupation of Pattison's property when the latter made his will. The most important clause which relates to Lot 58 reads: 7

[November 17, 1742]

[Thomas Pattison - Ordinary Keeper Will of:]

I also give unto my said wife [Anne Coke Pattison] my houses and lot in the city of Williamsburg now in the occupation of John Burdett during her natural life and after her decease I give and devise the same to my beloved son Thomas Pattison of the Kingdom of Great Britain who was born about four miles from the city of Durham and to his heirs and assigns forever.¹

Pattison had quite an extensive establishment. From a survey of his inventory we can see that he had 50 pairs of knives and forks, 23 spoons, 31 drinking glasses, 44 chairs, 12 table cloths, 13 beds, 2 backgammon tables, a quantity of liquors and decanters, punch ladles and sillibub pots, with a creditable amount of furniture, pictures, prints and window curtains. His inventory shows also an item: "The Sign of Edinburgh Castle with the irons &c." The total appraisement amounted to £412.5.4 ½:²

[February 21, 1742/3]

[Pattison, Thomas - Inventory and Appraisment of Williamsburg, Va. - Ordinary Keeper.]

	£
4 pewter water plates 5/ 7 dozn & 7 pewter plates at 1/	5/11/ 0
21 pewter dishes 9 abt 60 wt a 14d	3/10/ 0
2 pewter Salvers, 1 pewter Cullender, Do. Bedpan, 1 Tin funnell	0/ 9/ 0
1 Copper Tea Kettle, 1 Copper Tea Kitchen, 1 Copper Chocolate pot, 1 old Copper stew pan, 1 Copper Dutch oven, & 1 large copper Kettle	7/ 0/ 0
2 Bell Metal skillets, 2 Bell metal Mortars, 2 Iron pestles 1 Brass Mortar & 1 Iron pestle	4/ 0/ 0
1 small brass Kettle, 1 Brass pastry pan, 1 brass flower box, 1 Tin fish Kettle, 1 Copper still, & head Tub, & worm & 1 Brass warming pan	4/ 7/ 0
5 Iron pots 2 iron pot hooks	3/ 0/ 0
8
3 pr. Tongs, 1 Shovel, 1 poker, 1 loggerhead, 1 Coffee roaster 2 frying pans, 1 Grid Iron, 1 pr. of large racks, 2 spits, 3 pot racks, and one flesh fork all Iron	3/ 0/ 0
1 old pewter Still-head, 3 flat Irons, 10 brass Candle-sticks 3 Iron Snuffers, 30 Tin patty pans, 1 Tin Coffee pot	2/10/ 0
1 China Dish, 9 China plates, 4 Delph Dishes, 15 Delph plates 3 earthern Wash Basons	1/15/ 0
6 Earthern Milk pans, 3 Butter Dishes and 1 pipkin	0/ 6/ 0
2 Tables, 5 pales, Several Trays and other Wooden Lumber	0/10/ 0
2 Spades, 3 Axes, 1 hoe, 1 Garden rake	0/ 5/ 0
6 Ivory handled Knives & 6 Do. forks, 6 Do older	1/ 0/ 0
39 black handled and Buck handled Knives and forks	0/12/ 0
mops, house brushes, Brooms, and 2 sifters	0/ 6/ 0
1 Side Saddle with blue Cloth Cover	1/11/ 0
2 horses 1 Chair & harness for 2 horses	35/ 0/ 0
4 Cows £6 6 Butter pots 10s. 6 Wine pipes & 2 Whls 20/	7/12/ 0
1 large leaf for a Table 10s., 8 gross empty bottles 26s.	10/18/ 0
20 bottles Cordial Drams containg abt 5 Galls a 10/ [List of molasses, vinegar etc.]	10/ 0/ 0
100 Gallons of rum at 3/6 £17.10.- pipe of Madera Wine £20	37/10/ 0
	£151/ 1/ -
. . .
1 Feather Bed, Bolster, Blanket, Quilt, Field Bedstead & Curtains	6/10/ 0
1 Feather Bed, Bolster, Rug, Quilt, Bedstead, Curtains, Blankets	10/ 0/ 0
1 Feather Bed, Bolster, Blanket, Rug, Counterpain, Bedstead and Curtains	6/ 0/ 0
1 Table, & 3 chairs, & 2 window Curtains	0/10/ 0
1 Feather Bed, Bolster, Pillow, 1 pr. Sheets, 2 Blankets, 1 Counterpain, Curtains, Bedstead, &c	8/ 0/ 0
1 Do. with furniture	7/10/ 0
1 Table, 1 Dressing Glass, 4 Chairs, 3 Window Curtains	2/10/ 0
1 large oval Table, black walnut	2/ 5/ 0
1 Small Do. 1 Press bed Case 6/ 1 Skreen 15/, 12 Leather Chairs 60/	5/ 0/ 0
1 pr. hand Irons & Tongs 20/, 2 Callico Window Curtains & Vallens & Iron Rods.	1/15/ 0
7 large framed prints 40/, 2 Backgammon Tables, Men, boxes, &c 40/	4/ 0/ 0
1 small black walnut table, 12 leather chairs	6/15/ 0
1 Black Walnut Desk 85, 1 large Oval Table 25/	6/ 5/ 0
1 large looking glass, 1 Small Do. 15/ with Sconces, & 1 Chimney Glass	8/ 0/ 0
10 framed prints 50/, 2 callico window curtains, Vallens & Iron rods	2/15/ 0
2 pr. of hand Irons, fire Shovel, & Tongs.	2/15/ 0
1 Cloaths press 20/, 1 Desk 40/, 1 small black Walnut Table 18/	3/18/ 0
3 oval and 2 Square Tables 37/, 12 Leather Chairs 30/	3/ 7/ 0

9

1	looking Glass 20/, 1 corner Cupboard 20/, 12 pictures 30/	3/10/0
3	window Curtains 15/ & rods 10/, 7 china Bowls	4/0/0
12	Earthern bowls 15/, 10 Salt Sellers 6/, 5 Vinegar Cruits	1/4/17
1	Coffee Mill 6/, 5 qt. Decanters, 3 pts Do. 1 half pint	1/7/0
	Sullibub pot, 1 qt. Dicanter, 1 qt. Mugg crakt glass	0/7/0
1	Gallon pot, 1 pottle Do. 1 qt. Do., 2 half pints, 3 jill pots 1 Tin funnel, 1 pewter Do.	1/5/0
31	Drinking glasses	0/15/6
1	old Table, Jugg 2 hammers, 1 pr. pinchus, 1 bottle brush, 1 punch ladle, 2 old Sclates and pail	0/8/6
3	Qt. Earthern Muggs, 1 pt. Do. and 1 pottle jugg	0/3/9
40	1bs. pot Sugar 25/, 6 Loaves of double refined Sugar 42/	3/7/0
2	pr. Money Scales & weights, & 2 Cloaths brushes	0/6/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, Counterpain, Bedstead, etc.	2/10/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, 1 Blanket and Counterpane, Bedstead, etc.	5/0/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, 1 Blanket, Counterpane, Bedstead, etc.	4/0/0
1	Feather Bed, 1 pr. sheets, counterpane, bedstead, etc.	5/0/0
1	small Square Table, 5 Chairs, 2 Window Curtains, & 15 Earthern Chamber pots	1/10/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, 1 Blanket, 1 Rug, Counterpane, Bedstead etc.	5/0/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, pr. Sheets, Quilt, Counterpane, Bedstead etc.	5/0/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, Blanket, Rug, Counterpane, Bedstead etc.	5/0/0
17	pillows and Pillow bears 4/	3/8/0
		£291/17/10
1	Small Table, 5 Chairs, & 2 window Curtains	0/15/0
7	fine sheets £7, 2 pr. sheets 50/, 3 pr. Do. 45	11/15/0
1	looking Glass, & 1 Corner Cupboard, 4 pictures	1/1/6
8	Leather Chairs, 2 Tables, 1 pr. Bellows, & 1 pr. And Irons	4/2/0
1	parcel of China Cups, Saucers, Slop bowl, & 2 window Curtains	1/4/0
1	Lamp, 1 Lanthorn & 2 small Bells	0/12/0
	The Sign of Edinburgh Castle with the Irons &c.	2/0/0
1	Feather Bed, Bolster, 1 pr. sheets, 1 Blanket, rug, Bedstead	4/0/0
8	Diaper Table Cloths	2/0/0
1	large Damask Table Cloath, & 12 Damask Napkins	5/0/0
3	Coarse Table Cloaths, 8 Towels	0/5/0
1	Chest of Drawers, & a corner Cupboard, 1 Trunk and Table	2/13/0
	A parcel of books 50/, a parcel of Table Cloaths, Napkins, & Towels £5	7/10/0
	A parcel of Silver Consisting of 1 punch Ladel, 1 Strainer, 11 Tablespoons, 12 Teaspoons, 1 pr. Tea Tongs, & in all 29 oz.	7/5/0
	[List of Slaves. 6]	110/5/0
		£472/5/4 1/2

[Recorded March 21, 1742^/3]

Apparently, John Burdett continued to live here until his death in 1746. Prior to his death he offered a billiard table and other equipment for sale:

[January 23, 1745/46]

A Very Good English-made Billiard Table, cover'd with green Cloath; the Frame strong, true, and well-season'd, with Balls; and Masts for French Billiards: Also Port and King, with Sticks of Lignum Vitae tipt with Ivory, and Balls, for English Billiards. Enquire of Mr. John Burdett, in Williamsburg.¹

In his will--written August 30, 1745--Burdett terms himself "Innholder". He devises to his wife, Mary, a slave; to his daughter, Christiana, a slave; and to his daughter Mary Virstilly forty pounds sterling. The rest and residue of his estate he bequeathed to his wife, and daughter, Christiana:

[August 30, 1745]

[Will of John Burdett:]

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I John Burdett of the City of Williamsburgh Innholder being of perfect Mind and Memory do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following hereby revoking all other and former Wills by me made. Imprimis I recommend my Soul to Almighty God hoping through the Merits of Jesus Christ to enjoy eternal Happiness. ITEM I Give unto my well beloved Wife Mary my Negro Man Slave named Torrington & my Negro Woman Slave Named Jenny with her future Increase to her and her Heirs forever. And It is further my Will and desire that these slaves be Valued or Sold and that my Wife shall have and receive out of my Estate Two hundred Pounds Sterling Including the said Negros or value of them in the same.

ITEM I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Christiana my Negro Man Slave named Shropshire and Negro Woman Slave named Bell with her Child and Increase and it is further my Will and desire that these Slaves be Valued or Sold And that my said Daughter shall have and receive out of my Estate Three hundred Pounds Sterling Including the said Negros or value of them in the same to her and her Heirs.

ITEM I Give unto my Daughter Mary Virstilly forty Pounds Sterling to her and her Heirs.

11

ITEM in case my Estate after Debts paid shall be sufficient to pay all the Legacies before given over and above the sum of thirty eight Pounds two shillings and two Pence Currency lodged by me in the hands of M^r Nathaniel Walthoe and a Debt of forty two Pounds Sterling due to me from M^r Richard Jasper Then and in that case I further give the said last mention'd two Sums to my said Daughter Christiana and her Heirs But in case my Estate should not be of that Value besides the said two last mention'd Sums in that case it is my Will and desire that the said two last mention'd Sums or somuch thereof as shall be wanting be apply'd towards the Paiment of the Legacys before given And after all my Debts and the Legacies aforesaid are paid I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Estate whatever equally to be divided between my said Wife Mary and my said Daughter Christiana to them and their Heirs forever.

AND LASTLY I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my friends M^r William Prentis and M^r Nathaniel Walthoe of the City of Williamsburgh
Executors of this my last Will and Testament IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirtieth Day of August One thousand seven hundred and forty five.
John Burdett (LS)

Sign'd Seal'd Published &
Declared by the said John Burdett to be his last Will
& Testament in Presence of
Nath^l Walthoe
William Nimmo
Robert Crichton

At a Court held for York County the 18^th Day of August 1746.
[Nathaniel Walthoe declined to act as one of the executors and the other is out of the Colony] On the motion of Christiana Burdett... Certificate was granted her for obtaining Letters of Administration on the Estate of the said Decedent with his Will annexed She the said Christiana together with W^m Nimmo and Ebenezer Campbell her securities having enter'd into and Acknowledg'd Bond in the Penalty of fifteen hundred Pounds for her due Admon of the said Estate and Performance of the Will.
Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:¹

The writer is inclined to think that Christiana Burdett married Ebenezer Campbell and was the famous "Mrs. Christiana Campbell" who operated a coffee house in Williamsburg for some years. Christiana Burdett qualified as administratrix of her father's estate and Ebenezer 12 Campbell and William Nimmo were her securities.

Since Burdett was the late occupant mentioned in a deed of 1757 for Lot 58: "being the messuage house and lot late in the tenure and occupation of John Burdett" -, it seems reasonable to conclude that at his death he was still at Lot 58. Also, it would seem to follow that the advertisement and inventory of his estate referred to the household goods used at Lot 58. Both, therefore, are included in the body of the report:

[August 27, 1746]

[Inventory and appraisement of the estate of John Burdett]

1 pr stilyards 7/6 1 Field Bedstead 12	£0/19/ 6
1 Garden Pott 1/ 2 Wooden Benches 1/	0/ 2/ 0
1 Brass Kettle 50/ 6 Delf Soop Plates 2/	2/12/ 0
15 flatt Delf Plates 3/ 5 Dishes 4/	0/ 7/ 0
3 Tea Potts 1/6 4 Baking Pans 1/ 5 small Bowls 1/6	0/ 4/ 0
A Parcel Crackt Earthern Ware	0/ 1/ 0
9 China Bowls sorted	2/ 0/ 0
4 Crackt Do 7/6 12 Breakfast Cups 6/	0/13/ 6
6 China Plates 12/ 2 butter Basons 2/	0/14/ 0
3 dozen Wine Glasses 18/ 2 Beer Glasses 1/6	0/19/ 6
5 Glass Rummers 2/6 11 Decanters sorted 25/	1/ 7/ 6
2 Large Crackt China Bowls 5/ 3 Earthern Do 3/9	0/ 8/ 9
6 Earthern Plates 1/6 6 salts & 1 Mustard Pot 2/6	0/ 4/ 0
2 Cruits and 1 Tumbler	0/ 1/ 6
2 Tea boards & 1 bottle Stand	0/10/ 0
4 pr brass Candlesticks & 2 pr snuffers	0/14/ 0
13 China Coffee Cups	0/ 5/ 0
2 pr brass Sconcers & 3 odd Do	0/10/ 0
2 qt 1 pt Mugs 1 Milk Pott & 1 Butter Bason	0/ 2/ 0
2 Glass Lanthorns 5/ 1 Close Stool pan 7/6	0/12/ 6
14 Flag bottom Chairs 20/ 1 Salver 1/ 1 Fender 2/6	1/ 3/ 6
2 Cases Buckhandle knives and forks	0/14/ 0
13 Knives & 3 forks 5/ 9 Ivory Do & 3 forks 3/	0/ 8/ 0
1 Warming Pan 6/ 1 hand Bell 1/6	0/ 7/ 6
2 Umbrellows 5/ 6 Pewter soop Plates 10/	0/15/ 0
33 flatt Plates 20/ 1 old Fiddle 2/6	1/ 2/ 6
1 doz. hard metal Do 22/ 1 Pewter Cullender 2/	1/ 4/ 0
9 Pewter Dishes 25/ 6 old Do 6/ 10 lb. old Do 5/	1/16/ 0
8 White Chamber Pots & 2 Wash Basons	0/ 5/ 0
1 Lead Tobacco Dish 8/ a Parcel long Pipes 3/	0/ 6/ 0
1 Gallon & 1 Pottle Gorge 3/6 3 Potting Pans 1/6	0/ 5/ 0
1 Table & 1 hand Brush 1/6 Tin Sconcos 3/	0/ 4/ 0
13
3 old Funnels 3/ 3 house Bells 5/ 1 Painted Candle Box
1 Pipe stand 1 Tinder Box and a Toaster	0/18/ 0
1 doz: Pattipans 2 Iron Candlesticks and 1 Grate	0/ 3/ 0
1 Copper Coffee Pott 5/ 1 Copper pott and Chopping Knife 2/	0/ 7/ 0
1 stew Pan & 2 old sauce pans 6/ 1 Coffee Mill 2/	0/ 8/ 0
1 Copper Fish Kettle 10/ 1 slate 6d	0/10/ 6
2 Copper sauce pans	0/ 8/ 0
1 dozen Candle Moulds 18/ 1 folding Grid Iron 7/6	1/ 5/ 6
1 small Grid Iron 1/6 1 Iron Pott 5/ 1 Do 14/	1/ 0/ 6
5 Brass Cocks & 1 Gimblet 10/ 1 pr Farrier 1 Toaster	0/ 1/ 3
1 Plate Warmer 7 ½ 3 bridles 5/	0/ 5/ 7 1/2
4 pr Money scales 12/6 & 1 frying Pan 1/	0/13/ 6
2 Tea Kettles 3/ 6 Wine Measures 14/	1/ 2/ 0
1 Chafing Dish 2/ 1 pr brass Scales & Weights 3/	0/ 5/ 0
2 flesh forks 1/3 1 waiter 1/ 1 small & Bell 1/6	0/ 3/ 9
1 Dutch Oven 15/ & 1 saddle Housing 30/	2/ 5/ 0
1 Dripping pan 1 Trivett 1 shovel 1 Hatchet 2 pr Garden Sheers & 1 pr tongs	0/10/ 0
1 Tin Cannister 1/6 3 square Tables 7/6	0/ 9/ 0
1 Scrubbing Brush 1 Broom 1 Mopp	0/ 2/ 0
1 Marble Mortar 12/6 1 Portmantua 2/6	0/15/ 0
2 spitts 1 Ax 1 spade	0/10/ 0
3 old Canes 1 pr Foils 3/ 4 butter Potts 1 gorge 15/	0/18/ 0
3 straw Cushions 1/ 2 screens 26/ 1 Elbow Chair 20/	2/ 7/ 0
1 meal Trough 2/6 1 large Oval Table 26/	1/ 8/ 6
1 small Oval Table 10/ 1 Do 7/6	0/17/ 6
1 chimney Flower Pot 10/ 1 Passage Bench 1/	0/11/ 0
1 Oval Oak Table 10/ 1 large Do 20/	1/10/ 0
2 pair Backgammon Tables	1/ 0/ 0
1 pair Tongs 2/6 9 old Glass Windows 10/	0/12/ 6
1 Billiard Table with sticks Balls &c	12/ 0/ 0
1 Case of Bottles with Brandy and Gin Drams	2/ 0/ 0
4 Benches 10/ 1 Trussel & Bed 12/6	1/ 2/ 6
1 Iron Pot Damaged 1/ 1 Jar with Tamarines 1/6	0/ 2/ 6
1 Gauging Rod 2/ 1 Wine Glass 1/	0/ 3/ 0
1 Glass 2/6 1 Feather Bed 2 Blankets Bolster 1 set field Curtains 1 Counterpin Bedstead and Cord	5/ 0/ 0
1 Field feather Bed 2 Blankets 1 Bolster 1 Counterpane &c	5/ 0/ 0
1 Bed 2 Blankets Bolster 2 Pillows Counterpain Bedstead Cord & Hide	3/ 0/ 0
1 Bed Bolster 2 Pillows 1 Blanket Bedstead Hide and Cord	2/ 0/ 0
1 Bed Bolster 2 Pillows 1 Blanket Bedstead and Cord	1/15/ 0
1 Bed 1 Blanket Bedstead and Cord	1/15/ 0
1 Bed Bolster 1 Rugg 2 Pillows Bedstead & Cord	1/15/ 0
1 small Bed and Quilt	1/ 0/ 0
12 China Cups	0/ 3/ 0
2 pair fine Holland sheets	6/ 0/ 0
1 pair sheets 20/ 1 pr Do 12/ 1 pair Do 12/	2/ 4/ 0
1 pair Do 12/ 1 pr Do 20/ 1 pair Do 7/6	1/ 19/ 6
2 pair Do 24/ 1 pair Do 5/ 1 pair Do 12/ 1 pair Do 7/6	2/ 8/ 6
1 Counterpain 35/ 1 Do 20/	2/15/ 0
5 Breakfast Cloths 15/ 3 damask Table Cloths 20/	1/15/0
1 Desk 50/ 7 Diaper Cloths 50/	5/ 0/ 0
14
12 Damask Napkins 20/ a Parcel of odd Curtains	1/10/ 0
4 bound Magazines 4/ a Parcel Books 10/	0/14/ 0
12 Roman Emperor Prints	0/ 2/ 6
1 doz: Leather Chairs 70/ 1 Cane Couch 10/	4/ 0/ 0
1 small Oval Table 5/ 1 Pipe stand and 1 Wine Crane 2/	0/ 7/ 0
13 Carboys Rum abt 65 Gallons a 3/6	11/ 7/ 6
1 Pipe Madeira Wine	25/ 0/ 0
10 dozen Madeira Wine a 22/ pr doz	14/ 6/ 0
1 Quarter Cask Wine	5/ 0/ 0
10 dozen English Cider a 10/	5/ 0/ 0
19 Bottles strong Beer a 10/	0/15/10
8 doz: Yorkshire Ale a 9/	3/ 0/ 0
3 Gallons Arrack 20/	3/ 0/ 0
1 Iron Pott	0/15/ 0
3 Pails 1 Tin Kettle 1 Trivett 8 Earthern Pans 1 Lanthorn	0/10/ 0
2 old Tables and 3 Potracks	0/15/0
3 Flasks Florence Wine 1 Do of Oyl	0/ 6/ 0
1 Jug Oyl 6/ 5 Wine Pipes 10/	0/16/ 0
1 Chair & Harness	10/ 0/ 0
1 Horse called Spott	6/ 0/ 0
7 silver spoons & 1 Tankard wt 44 oz. a 6/ pr oz.	13/ 4/ 0
The remains of an old Sign with the Iron Work	2/ 0/ 0
1 long Table 4/ 1 safe 7/6 1 Chimney Glass and Sconces 20/	1/11/ 6
Sir Richard Steels Pictures 15/ 1 looking Glass 6/	1/ 1/ 0
1 Looking Glass 10/ a parcel of Mapps & Prints 30/	2/ 0/ 0
1 large Looking Glass 30/ 2 Pictures 10/	2/ 0/ 0
30 Prints and Mapps 30/ 16 bird Bottles 3/	1/13/ 0
5 Loaves Do Sugar wt 30 lb at 2/	3/ 0/ 0
2 Earthern Pans 1 Egg slicer & 2 Trays	0/ 2/ 0
11 pr Dice at 2/6	1/ 7/ 6
4 Cows at 35/ 1 Horse £3 1 Do £5	15/ 0/ 0
Shropshire a Negro Man	40/ 0/ 0
Torrington Do	40/ 0/ 0
Bell a Negro Woman & 2 Children	50/ 0/ 0
Jenny an Old Woman	15/ 0/ 0
	£384. 3. 2 ½

¹ [Recorded York County November 17, 1746]

The appraisement of Pattison's and Burdett's personal property amounted to about the same amounts. It is probable that Burdett bought many items at Pattison's sale. Both listed "backgammon tables" and both stocked quantities of good liquors with decanters and glasses for serving &c. Burdett's inventory listed 11 beds while Pattison's listed 13. One item in Burdett's inventory was: "The remains of an old Sign with the Iron Work." If Burdett did purchase items from Pattison's sale, he may have bought "The sign of Edinburgh Castle with the irons etc".

No advertisements have been found for Burdett's Ordinary under any name at all in the Virginia Gazette. However, it looks as though--following Burdett's death--property was rented by the Pattison estate to Robert Lyon, a tavern keeper, barber and wigmaker. Certainly, Lyon was located there by 1755 when he advertised that he "kept tavern at the Sign of the Edinburgh Castle, near the Capitol." (Given chronologically in the report).

Prior to Burdett's sale, Christiana Burdett, administratrix, had advertised in the newspaper concerning it:

[September 4, 1746]

On Wednesday the 19th of this Instant, will be Sold to the highest Bidder, (next door to Mr. Prentis's, in Williamsburg,) all Sorts of Household Goods, and Kitchen furniture also Horses, Cows, a good Billiard Table, well furnish'd with Sticks and Balls, a Quantity of choice old Madeira Wine, and old Barbados Rum, Ale Arrack, and several other Sorts of Liquors. Likewise a very good Two-wheel'd Chaise, with Harness for two Horses; it being the personal Estate of Mr. John Burdett, Deceas'd
Christiana Burdett, Administratrix.¹

Lyon seems to have been living in Williamsburg from early 1749 through 1767 at least.¹ A Manuscript Account Book of the Virginia Gazette carries charges against Robert Lyon from April, 1751 through December, 1764.² The York County Court records and the items in the Virginia Gazette indicate that Lyon was a barber and wigmaker of note.

We do not know just when he began occupancy of Lot 58. He advertised as a wigmaker in February, 1751, and in April, 1752³; no location was given in either case. In June, 1753 Lyon gave a mortgage to John Hood of Prince George County for £100 to secure Benjamin Waller. This mortgage mentions Lyon's "Dwelling House⁴ and Shop" and lists in an attached schedule the mortgaged items amounting to the large sum of £813.7.3:

[June 7, 1753]

[Robert Lyon, barber of Williamsburg
to
John Hood of Prince George County, Virginia, merchant,
Consideration: £ 100 to secure Benjamin Waller]

... He the said Robert Lyon HATH Bargained Sold and Delivered and by these Presents DOTH Bargain Sell Assign and Deliver unto the said John Hood all those his four servant Man Goods Wares Tools Utensils of Trade and Merchandizes particularly named mentioned and expressed in a Schedule hereunto annexed which said servants Goods and Chattels are all now in the Possession of the said Robert Lyon in or about his Dwelling House and Shop 17 in the said City TO HAVE AND TO HOLD... unto the said John Hood [until default in payments of Robert Lyon] ... AND LASTLY It is agreed between the said Parties that until breach of the said Proviso the said Robert Lyon shall and may quietly hold and Possess the said Servants Goods and Chattels without the interruption of him the said John Hood...
Rob^t Lyon (L.S.)

...
[Recorded in York County Court
June 18, 1753]

The Schedule annexed.

£	oz	d		£
1	12	5	best Gray Hair a 22/ pr oz	30.16.-
4	9	-	best Grizzle Hair a £6 pr oz	27. 7. 6
-	4	-	best Horse and Goat 7/ pr oz	1. 8. -
2	8	-	2d Goat Hair 6-/	7.10. -
-	11	-	2d Horse Hair a 2/6 pr oz	1. 7. 6
12	8	-	Black Brown & Pale Hair 50/ pr oz	31. 5. -
3	4	-	Black Brown & Pale Crown 28/ pr oz	4.11. -
-	8	-	Wove Crown 5/ pr oz	2. -. -
1	6	-	Brown Horse Hair 2/6 pr oz	2.15. -
-	13	-	Black Horse Hair 2/6	1.12. 6
6	3	9	Dark Brown Hair 50/ pr oz	15. 9. 9
21	-	-	Brown & Black Hair not prepared 41/ pr oz	43. 1. -
5	-	-	Brown Crownes not prepared 28/	7. -. -
19	-	-	Persian Goat not prepared 37/6 pr oz	35.12. 6
7	-	-	Moyhair Crown not prepared 21/	7. 7. -
-	9	-	Coarse Moyhair Crown Curled 2/6	1. 2. 6
-	6	-	Fine Moyhair Crown Curled 3/9	1. 4. 6

60	Yards Narrow Wigg Ribon	1. 7. 6
72	Yards broad Do	1.12. 0
25	Wigg Cauls	1.13. 4
22	Oz: Ballandine Silk	0.10. 2
26	Wigg Roses	1.19. -
8	oz Purple Thread	1. -. -
22	Brown Wiggs a 26/	20.12. -
7	White Wiggs a 78/	27. 6. -
10	Grizzle Wiggs a 52/	26. -. -
7	Brown Albemarle Wiggs 32/3	18.14. 3
8	Oz: Raw Silk 3/9 pr oz	1.13. -
2	Ledger Books A:B. with the several Accounts in them to the amount of	336.10. -
12	large Wooden Box's a 2/6	1.10. -
6	Band Box's a 1/	0. 6. -
7	Leather Bottom Chairs	1. 2. 6
1	Copper Kettle	3. -. -
1	Tin Screen 6/6 1 Wooden Stove 23/	1. 9. 9
2	Working Tables	1. 8. -
1	Glass Show Case with Drawers	8.12. -
18
1	large Leaden Cistern & Sink	4. -. -
1	small Leaden Cistern	0. 5. 9
11	Mounting Blocks	5. 5. 9
1	Large Mounting Block	1.10. 0
4	Block Stands with 2 Dressing Blocks	0. 7. 6
1	pair Drawing Brushes 7/6---- 2 Hones 17/6	1. 5. -
2	Mixing Cards 20/ 1 Powdering Trough 10/	1.10. -
6	sets of frame Pins	0.15. -
1	pair Money Scales 10/ 5 Shaving Basons 12/6	1. 2. 6
1	Copper Water Pot 4/ 2 Pewter Do 12/	0.16. -
12	Razors 30/ 4 Pair Scissors 2/	1.12. -
2	pr Brass Candlesticks 10/ 5 Iron Do 5/	0.15. -
5	feather Beds and furniture	20. -. -
16	Shaving Cloths 25/ 6 Pounds hard soap	1.11. 6
125	lb fine flour a 13/	1. 2. 6
2	Iron Vices 10/ 1 pair Topee Irons 3/9	0.13. 9
2	Cards & Brush	0.16. 6
3	Nests of small Box's with Drawers	1. 7. 9
20	Groce of Curling Pipes 1/9	1.15. -
2	pair Drawing Brushes 10/3	1. 0. 6
2	pair Drawing Cards	1. 7. 6
10	Barrels of Corn a 10/	5. -. -
1	Desk	5. -. -
2	Chests 10/ 2 Tables 10/	1. -. -
6	Rush Bottom'd Chairs 9/ 4 doz: Bottles 10/	0.19. -
1	Bottle Case with 8 Bottles	0.14. -
1	Servant Man Named William Duncan	17. 4. -
1	Do Do named George Ridley	14.10. -
1	Do Do named John Ashwell	14.10. -
1	Do Do named Thomas Hewet	17. 4. -
1	Gun 21/6 1 Cutlash 30/	2.11. 6
		£813. 7. 3

Exam^d
Rob^t Lyon.

¹ [Recorded June 18, 1753
York County]

On April 4, 1755 Lyon advertised in the Virginia Gazette that an Irish servant man named John D'Anvers, who "pretended to be by Trade a Barber Surgeon," had run away from him in Williamsburg. He offered a reward to anyone who would return the servant to him.²

In August, 1755 Lyon advertised again. This time he listed some of the Wigs and equipment which he had on hand for sale, and mentioned his location: "at the Sign of the Edinburgh-Castle, near the Capitol":

[August 1, 1755]

Just Imported by the Subscriber in WILLIAMSBURG, A CHOICE Assortment of very fine Hairs, and other Materials, from London, for making all Kinds of Wigs, viz. Tie Wigs, Brigadier Wigs, Bag Wigs, Bags, Albemarle Wigs with Roses, Que Wigs, with Ribbon, Bobs, Scratches, Cuts, &^c &^c Gentlemen may depend on being expeditiously served, after the neatest Manner, and good Allowance made for ready Money, by
Their humble Servant,
Robert Lyon.

N.B. As I intend to settle my Affairs in October next, I desire all Persons indebted to me to make immediate Payment, that I may be enabled to fulfil my Promises to the Gentlemen I am indebted to.--- And those Gentlemen that fail to pay or send their respective Ballances to me before that Time, may depend on being immediately sued, let their Pretences to the contrary be what they will.--- I now keep Tavern at the Sign of the Edinburgh-Castle, near the Capitol; where Gentlemen may depend on very good Pasturage and Stablage for Horses; also the best Accommodations in my Power.
Robert Lyon.¹

We do not know how long Lyon remained on this property.²

In 1757 Benjamin Waller (who had acquired the property via Pattison's heirs in 1754) conveyed to John Pearson Webb. No deed of 1754 has been located but from the deed below quoted we find that Waller had been owner since that date: 20

[March 25, 1757]

[Benjamin Waller
Martha, his wife,
to
John Pearson Webb, Gent.
Consideration: 275 pounds current money of
Virginia]

... One Messuage House and Lot of Land lying and being in the said City of Williamsburgh bounded on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street on the East by the Capitol Square and on the North by Nicholson Street and on the West by the Lot late of John Sharp now belonging unto Henry Wetherburn, being the Messuage House and Lot late in the Tenure and Occupation of John Burdett with the Appurtenances except thirty five feet Square laid off out of the East end of the said Lot which now belong to Nathaniel Walthoe Esq^r which said Messuage House and Lot were Sold and Conveyed to the said Benjamin Waller by Thomas Pattison Son and Devisee of Thomas Pattison dec^d by Indenture dated the first day of May, Recorded in the General Court And all Houses...
Ben Waller (L.S.)
Martha Waller (L.S.)

[Recorded June 20, 1757]

¹

John Pearson Webb and Frances, his wife, had been running a combined mercantile and millinery business in Williamsburg.² Following the purchase of Lot 58, Webb seems to have run the business alone as Mrs. Webb notified her customers that she "had removed into the country" and desired all "who have any Demands against her to apply to the said WEBB for Payment, in Williamsburg."³

Webb died sometime prior to August, 1764 leaving a mortgage debt to Benjamin Waller. In order to pay off the remaining £150, Mrs. Webb leased the house and lot to James Hunter--the deed stipulating that the rents arising out of the lease should go towards freeing the debt: 21

[August 5, 1764]

[Frances Webb, widow of
John Pearson Webb, dec'd.
to
James Hunter, merchant.]

... WHEREAS the said John Pearson Webb at the time of his death was indebted to Benjamin Waller of the same City Gent: in the Sum of one hundred fifty pounds in part of the Consideration Money for a Messuage House and Lot of Land in the said City great part of which said Sum still remains due and unpaid... and also by his last Will and Testament did devise the said House & Lot to the said Frances Webb for her Life who is willing and desirous that the Debt due to the said Benjamin Waller should be secured and paid out of the Rents arising out of the said House and Lott... [rents the above to James Hunter for the term of seven years from August 31st in order to pay off indebtedness] ... and the said John Pearson Webb by an Indenture made the - Day of August 1756 did Mortgage the said House and Lot to William Webb and others who are securities to the said Benjamin Waller for the Consideration Money aforesaid ... [Frances Webb assigns the Yearly Rent of Thirty Pounds current Money until the Debt due be fully paid] ...

MEMORANDUM
The above parties agree that the said Frances Webb is to put the said House and Lots in Tenantable repair and to keep and sustain the same in such repair against all Natural Decay and the said James Hunter is to repair at his own charge all other Waste or Damage done to the said House and Lots during the said Term...
F. Webb (L.S.)
James Hunter (L.S.)

Mrs. Webb had died by 1766. No records have been found to indicate that she had a will. However, William Waters of Williamsburg, was her administrator:

WILLIAMSBURG, August 29, 1766.

ALL PERSONS INDEBTED TO THE estate of Mrs. FRANCES WEBB, deceased, are desired to make payment, and those who have any demands against the same to apply to WILLIAM WATERS, Adm.²

Research has failed to discover much about John Pearson Webb or his wife, Frances, other than that he was a merchant and she had a millinery business. From the meager sources available, it looks as though John Pearson Webb and wife had a son, John Webb, who was an attorney in Halifax, North Carolina. He must have come into the property at the death of his mother, Mrs. Frances Webb. At any rate, a John Webb was owner in 1774. He advertised in the Virginia Gazette that the property which he called "the Coffeehouse" was for sale:

[October 13, 1774]

For SALE,
THAT valuable and well situated Lot in Williamsburg where the Coffeehouse is now kept, which may be entered upon the 1^st of April next---Also a Tract of Land in Nansemond County, within three Miles of Suffolk upon which is a good Stream for a Mill. . . It likewise may be entered upon the first of April next.---For Terms apply to David Meade, Esq; at Maycox; Mr. Joseph Prentis, Attorney, in Williamsburg; Mr. Wills Cowper, Merchant, in Suffolk; or to the Subscriber, in Halifax Town, North Carolina. JOHN WEBB.¹

Webb, evidently, was calling the property "the Coffeehouse" in 1769. In that year Benjamin Bucktrout advertised that he would arrange "The lease of the large and commodious BRICK HOUSE, opposite to the Coffee-House and nigh the Capitol."² John Minson Galt may have taken up the Bucktrout's lease, for about six months later he published this notice: "The subscriber intends opening shop at the brick house opposite the coffee house, as soon as he gets his utensils fixed..."³ "The BRICK HOUSE" was the house now known as the "Palmer House" located on lot 27. (See: Plat opposite page 1.) A Coffee House had been operated on 23 lots 25 and 26 for some years, but at this date it had ceased and was owned by a merchant. Another Coffee House was being operated behind the Capitol by Mrs. Vobe at this date (1769). (See: House Histories of Lot 25 and Lot 21, Research Department).

An interesting notice appears in June, 1767 in the Virginia Gazette:

WILLIAMSBURG, June 25, 1767.
THE COFFEE-HOUSE IN THIS CITY BEING now opened by the subscriber as a Tavern he hereby acquaints all Gentlemen travellers, and others, who may please to favour him with their company, that they will meet with the best entertainment and other accommodations, such as he hopes will merit a continuance of their custom.
RICHARD CHARLTON.¹

From the wording, it is impossible to ascertain whether Charlton was referring to the English Coffee House once in operation at Lot 25 and 26 and at this date inactive--, or whether he was referring to the Coffee House on Lot 58 which was owned by the Webb family and so called in John Webb's advertisement of 1774 quoted above (page 22). Research has established the fact that Charlton could not have been located at the Coffee House (Lot 21) behind the Capitol as Mrs. Vobe was there. (See: House Histories of these lots.) If Charlton kept his tavern in the Coffee House on lot 58--then, it was there that Washington often lodged, dined and attended the clubs from 1767-1774.²

In April, 1772 Mary Dickinson announced in the newspaper that "she had removed to the Store above the Coffeehouse, near the Capitol."³ In October, 1773 Miss Dickinson advertised a long list of millinery and other goods describing her location as "next Door above the Coffee House."⁴

In September, 1777, John Webb again advertised his property for sale. As before, he noted it as "the Coffee House":

For SALE,
MY house and lot in Williamsburg, at present the COFFEE HOUSE.
For terms apply to me in Halifax, North Carolina,
JOHN WEBB.¹

All court records for York County covering the period from 1777-1789 have been searched for deed of conveyance by Webb to this property. Nothing was found. So, a gap occurs in the chain to title from 1777 to ca 1782 when we know that David Meade was then the owner. See: deed of conveyance to Lot 57 below:

[July 10, 1789]

[Henry W. Nicholson and wife of James City
to
Samuel Crawley of Williamsburg
Consideration: 20 [200] pounds current money of Virginia]

…All that piece or parcel of land lying and being in the Parish of Bruton, City of Williamsburg County of York bounded as follows: On the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street on the West by the lot of William Nicolson on the North by Nicolson Street and on the East by the Lot of David Meade, and denoted in the Plan of the said City by the figures 57 which said lot is at present in the occupation of Ebenezer Ewing and Joseph Bryan...²

From this indication that Meade was owner of Lot 58, we checked into the Williamsburg Land Tax records to find that David Meade was in possession of this property from 1782 [the year the Land Tax Records begin] until 1809 when the lot was divided into two lots. One half was conveyed to George Morrison by Meade;³ the other half was conveyed to Robert Anderson. (This was the western half and the subject of this report.) The 25 Frenchman's Map (1782) of Williamsburg indicates a large house of rectangular shape facing upon the main street south.

Meade was the son of David Meade and Susannah Everard Meade of Nansemond County. He was born in 1744. In 1768 he married Sarah Waters, daughter of William Waters of Williamsburg. In 1769 he represented Nansemond County in the House of Burgesses. In 1774 he had moved to "Maycox" on the James River in Prince George County opposite "Westover." In 1796 Meade and his family moved to what is now the state of Kentucky.¹

As referred to above, Meade sold the western part of Lot 58 in 1809 to Robert Anderson. Land Tax records so indicate: "Robert Anderson-------1/2 lot $5 via Meade."²

Sometime between 1809 and 1817 James Thomson seems to have been owner though the land tax records do not give any record, but a conveyance in 1817 so indicates: "David Chalmers----1 lot----$70 Via Joseph Hague. House and lot in said city formerly the property of James Thomason and THOMSON charged with $1.20 tax, on the main street adjoining Morrison's & Robert Anderson's lots."³

Chalmers was a merchant. He paid a retail license of $20 from 1817-1824, according to the Personal Property Tax list for Williamsburg. 26 Hague was also a merchant. He paid license in 1815.

Chalmers proceeded to have his property insured by the Mutual Assurance Society. He stated that the property was in Williamsburg, York County on the main street, that it was "now occupied by myself and situated between Robert Andersons lot on the west and George Morrisons lot on the East. The Dwelling & Store was valued at $825 and was of wood one story high 30 by 27 feet."¹

In 1822 Chalmers again insured his property. It was described as "my building on the main street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the George Morrison's lot on the East, Robert Anderson's lot West and streets otherwise... Dwelling and store $640."²

In 1830 George Morrison purchased this lot from Chalmers: "George Morrison---1 lot $500; buildings $400 Via Jesse Cole trustee for David Chalmers."³ Morrison insured the property describing it as "on the main street in Williamsburg now occupied by William Lee situated between another lot of mine on the East, Andersons lot on the West, and streets otherwise on the N & S... Dwelling and store 31 by 27 with valuation $700."⁴ Lee was a merchant.

Morrison had been in possession of the eastern portion of Lot 58 from 1804. See: House History of the Walthoe Storehouse, Research Department.

Morrison was a merchant. He paid a retail license from 1825 to 1833, according to the Personal Property Tax List for Williamsburg.

The land tax valuation of the property changed from $500 for house and lot in 1830 to $900 for house and lot in 1840.¹

In 1746 the estate of George Morrison insured the property thus: "that the said property is at present owned by the estate and children of the said George Morrison residing at Williamsburg and is occupied by John M. King That it is situated on the main street in Williamsburg on the south, having another lot of the estate on the east & a lot of Robert Anderson on the west... The Dwelling and Store $600."²

By 1853 Morrison's heirs had sold to Robert Blassingham: "the lot formerly charged to George Morrison's estate"--the property was valued at $800.³ Blassingham insured the property stating that it was "occupied by himself and situated between The Lots of George Morrison's Estate on the East and on the West by that of ------."⁴

In 1855 Blassingham advertised that he kept a store on "the Main Street, Williamsburg, where he sold dry goods and groceries."⁵

Blassingham [Jr] insured the property in 1860 thus: "My Building on the North side of Main street now occupied by myself situated between a Lot of the Estate of Geo. Morrison on the East and that of ------- on the west... Dwelling and Store $500."⁶

During Morrison's ownership the property was insured as "Dwelling and Store." In 1834 it was occupied by William Lee. In 1839 it was 28 "occupied by Peter H. A. Bellett." In 1846 it was occupied by John M. King. (Lee, Bellett and King were merchants. Lee and King paid retail licenses.) When Blassingham purchased it in November 1853, he stated in the insurance policy that it was occupied by himself. He repeated this assertion in 1860. In September, 1853, King had this notice in the Virginia Gazette:

FOR RENT, HAVING determined on leaving Williamsburg, I offer for rent... my house and lot where I now reside... The dwelling house has three large rooms and passage on the first floor, and two upstairs, with convenient outbuildings... Also for rent, the house where the subscriber occupied as a store...
JOHN M. KING¹

As Blassingham stated in November, 1853, when he insured the property that he was living thereon himself--, we infer that King's house and store prior to 1853 was on this lot and he wished to sub-let. The writer could not locate any property owned by King in the city. He had owned a lot which he sold in 1840 to John H. Barlow (Lot 56). In September 1855 he advertisement in the newspaper stated that he was a merchant on the main street in Williamsburg and sold groceries, tinware, hardware, confectioneries &c.² In September 1855 Blassingham advertised in the same issue that he sold "Dry Goods, Groceries on the Main Street." It looks as though King moved to some other location prior to Blassingham's ownership and occupancy of the property, as both were merchants.

In 1871 there was a suit: Peter T. Powell vs Robert & John Blassingham in the Chancery Court of Williamsburg. The commissioners advertised that they would sell "on the 12th DAY of February 1872, before the courthouse at Williamsburg to the highest bidder, TWO LOTS on which are buildings 29 and improvements, on one of which is a good storehouse, in the city of Williamsburg... Williamsburg, Dec. 20, 1871."¹

The two buildings on Lot 58 (Walthoe Storehouse--later owned by George Morrison or heirs, on the eastern portion of the lot; and Burdett's Ordinary--the subject of this report to the west of lot) were described by late citizens of Williamsburg in reminiscences of Williamsburg ca. 1861, as follows:

...
The last house on the square facing on Duke of Gloucester street was upon the present site of Mrs. D. Armistead's residences, and was known as the Morrison house. This was a story-and-a-half frame house, with dormer windows. There was a porch along the street; but was high from the ground at the back. This old domicile was evidently also one of the originals, and being worn out in service, it was pulled down in 1883.²

Across the street from this [Kerr] house, on the site of the present Armistead home, stood a large, frame, story-and-a-half house. This house was owned and lived in by Miss Morrison and her bachelor brother's [?] - and so called the Morrison house. The premises surrounding this house were beautiful. The present Armistead house is built on the foundations of this old house.

To the west of the old Morrison house was a tiny, frame, story-and-a-half cottage, occupied and owned by the Blassinghams. The Red Lion Inn, a story-and-a-half house, stood a few yards west of the Blassingham house....³

In the period 1859-1872 Blassingham or his heirs gave two deeds of trust on the property.⁴ On April 1872 it came into the hands of John 30 C. Timberlake who held it until his death in 1888.¹ In 1893 Missouri F. Timberlake, widow, conveyed a portion of the lot towards the north to S. E. S. Baker. In 1900 Baker conveyed this part of the property to E. W. Maynard.² Maynard sold to Chester Evans in 1916³ who conveyed the same year to Peninsula Realty Corporation. In 1921 the last named owners conveyed to Robert E. Donegan.⁴

In 1896 Missouri F. Timberlake conveyed to Eudoxie Donegan and R. E. Donegan that portion of the lot which faced upon Duke of Gloucester Street and was inherited by the will of her husband, John C. Timberlake in 1888.⁵ In 1928 Donegan and other heirs conveyed the entire lot to W. A. R. Goodwin, representing the interests of Williamsburg Restoration.⁶

Illustration #1

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

Illustration #2

Illustration #3

Illustration #4

This memo, based on some information unknown when these reports were written about forty years ago, corrects and clarifies conclusions in the reports but also leaves some points unanswered and unanswerable due to incomplete records.

A Summary of Known Eighteenth-Century Owners, Occupiers, and Building Uses for the Eastern and Western Portions of Lot 58: