Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Title to central section lot #56 1760-1806

William Pasteur, surgeon, continued to own the central section of lot #56 until 1778.¹ During that period Dr. Pasteur advertised at intervals in the Virginia Gazette goods and drugs for sale at his shop. An advertisement 10 of Dr. Pasteur's which appeared in the December 18, 1766 edition (Purdie and Dixon, eds.) follows:

Just imported from London, in the Argyle, Capt. Cocke, and to be sold on reasonable terms by the subscriber, at his shop in WILLIAMSBURG,
A COMPLETE assortment of MEDICINES. Also SPICES of all sorts, Capers, Olives, and Walnuts, Saltpetre, Currants, Figs, Prunes, White and Brown Candies, Sallad Oil, Best Durham Flower of Mustard, Elixir Bardana, Essence of Water Dock, Turlington's Balsam, British Oil, Godfrey's and Freeman's Cordials, Stoughton's, Bateman's, and Jesuits Drops, Pectoral Balsam of Honey Smelling Bottles, Lancets, Black Lead Pots, Crucibles, &c.
William Pasteur.

This advertisement is typical of others run in the Gazette by Dr. Pasteur.

On April 15, 1775, a partnership had been formed between Dr. Pasteur and Dr. John M. Galt,¹ of which the Gazette carried notice:

The Subscribers having this Day entered into Partnership, beg Leave to acquaint the Public in general, and their Friends and Neighbours in particular, that they intend practicing Physic and Surgery to their fullest Extent; and that they intend also, as soon as the Situation of the Times will admit, to keep full and complete Assortments of Drugs and Medicines, which they will endeavour to procure of the very best in Quality, and will take Care to have them fresh by making several Importations in the Year.

It is proposed that John M. Galt shall pay his particular Attention to Surgery, to whom our Friends are desired to apply on all such occasions but will be advised and assisted by W. Pasteur, in all difficult Cases. They both desire to make their most grateful Acknowledgments to their Friends and Customers for the many Favours and Civilities they have received, and hope, by this Union, they will be enabled to carry on their Business to the entire Satisfaction of their Friends; as, on their Part, the strictest Assiduity and attention shall be observed.

PASTEUR & GALT (Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter, eds.)

At the time of this partnership Dr. Galt was thirty years old. His partner, Dr. Pasteur, was the elder. On October 31, 1778, the business partnership 11 of Galt and Pasteur expired. In the three years the firm had advertised continually in the Gazette. Terms or conditions of settlement were printed in the Gazette of November 27, 1778:

The partnership of PASTEUR and GALT having expired on Saturday the 31st of October last, it becomes necessary to have the transactions of the said partnership settled as soon as possible. We have therefore authorized and empowered Mr. JOHN ROWSAY, of this city, to collect and settle the same. Those who have any demands against the said partnership are desired to call on Mr. Rowsay for payment. Long credit being very unusual at present, we hope our customers will discharge their respective balances without further notice.
WILLIAM PASTEUR J. M. GALT (Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter, eds.)

A few days before the above notice appeared in the Gazette, Dr. Pasteur conveyed by deed the property "whereon the shop...stands" to his partner, Dr. Galt:

November 12, 1778.

Pasteur, Dr. William
Elizabeth, his wife
Williamsburg
to
Galt, Dr. John Minson
Consideration: 1650 Pounds.

All that parcel or part of a lot of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the North side of Duke of Gloucester Street, whereon the shop belonging to the Partnership of Pasteur & Galt now stands, being part of the lot denoted in the Plan of the said city by the number 56, purchased by the said William Pasteur of Henry Wetherburn and Ann, his wife, by indenture bearing date July 15, 1760, recorded in the County Court of York.
And all houses, buildings, palings etc... (York County Records, Deeds, Book VI, p. 17.)

It is interesting to observe that the consideration recorded when Dr. Pasteur acquired the property in 1760 was 200 pounds. In 1778, when Dr. Galt acquired the same property (less the eastern part of lot 56), the consideration given was 1650 pounds. As the eastern section sold for a consideration of £135 total when Pasteur transferred it in 1760 (see pp. 7 and 8), the indication is that considerable building or repairs were made on Dr. Pasteur's lot in the eighteen years from 1760-1778.

12

The Frenchman's Map (1782) seems to show three buildings standing on this area of the property facing on the Duke of Gloucester Street. (See Illustration #4 for photostat of Frenchman's Map of this area and for drawings from excavations made by the Architectural Department.) Williamsburg Land Tax records for 1782 list John M. Galt as owner of one lot with a tax valuation of 5 pounds, ten shillings. (See Illustration #3.)

In June 1783, the account of Dr. John M. Galt with Humphrey Harwood, carpenter and brick mason, shows work done on the shop:

1783 June 21 To 6 bush^s of lime at 1/. & Repair^g plaister^g in Shop—8 ——£-.14.-
(Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, p. 24.)

In October, Harwood credits a payment made by Galt on an order of Mrs. Ann Craig:¹

1783 October 7 To an Order accepted on M^rs Ann Craig for the ballance of my Account £7.19.6 on account of Doct^r Barraud² £-.7.19 (Ibid., p. 24.)

In July 1785, Galt again pays Harwood for work done for Mrs. Craig:

July 24 To 4 bush^s of lime 4/. hair & Repair^g plaster^g 2/6 (for M^rs Craig)——£-.7.- (Ibid., p. 24.)

13

In 1786, Harwood charged the account of Dr. John M. Galt as follows:

1786 Octo^r 27 To pointing y^e Shop Chimney & House & repair^g plaistering 8/9.....£-.8.6
(Ibid., p. 93.)

Williamsburg Land Tax records for 1791 and 1797 give John M. Galt as owner of "¼ lot" taxed for 15 pounds. (See tax records, Illustration #3.)

The College Map (ca. 1791) and the Bucktrout Map (1803) indicate the name "Galt" on lot #55 and "Greenhow" on lot #56. This is confusing. Either the map is incorrect, or there was a sub-division of the lot-sections. Insurance policies and other data which are given below seem to bear out this latter theory.

First—John M. Galt's lot was contiguous to the lot of Robert Nicholson:¹ Insurance policy of Robert Nicholson, dated April 19, 1796, "My Store Buildings on the Main Street at Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the Lot of John M Galt and that of John Crump"²
(Mutual Assurance Society Policy No. 112, copy, Department of Research.)

Second—Location of the shop of John Minson Galt, April 16, 1798:
Galt, John Minson- Dr.
to
Galt, Alexander Dickie
Consideration: $1.00
One undivided moiety of that parcel or part of a lot of land situate lying and being in the Parish of Bruton, city of Williamsburg on the North side of the Duke of Gloucester Street whereon the Shop of the said John Minson Galt now stands, being part of the lot denoted in the plan of the said city by the number 56, it being the parcel or part of a lot of land purchased by the said John Minson Galt of Dr. William Pasteur, who purchased the same of Henry Wetherburne... (York County Records, Deeds, Book 7, p. 256.)

Third—Dr. John M. Galt married Judith Craig, daughter of Alexander Craig. Craig was owner of lot #55. In his will, probated 14February 19, 1776, Craig bequeathed a house "next to Mr. Robert Nicolson's belonging to me..." (York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 22, p. 322.)

Fourth—Insurance policy #666 (1806) issued by the Mutual Assurance Society on the Raleigh Tavern mentions its eastern boundary as "the Lott of Doc^r Galt." (Insurance Book, p. 40, Department of Research.) ¹

From the above material, it seems plausible to believe that the boundary lines of lots #55 and #56 were shifted sometime in the latter part of the century. John M. Galt or his son, Alexander Dickie Galt, may have inherited the Alexander Craig lot (#55) or a part thereof, as son-in-law and grandson, respectively. Dr. Galt was already in possession of the central section of lot #56. In all probability, the Galts bought the western section of lot #56, on which Joseph Scrivener lived until his death in 1772, and which was advertised for sale immediately after Scrivener's death. Unfortunately, existing records do not give the legal transfers of these lot or lot-sections.

Another insurance policy, #645 of the Mutual Assurance Society, issued to Robert Greenhow on May 12, 1806, describes his property as: "... My two Buildings on the Main Street in Williamsburg situated between Doct^r Galts shop and John Crumps Tavern in the county of York." (Copy of policy to be found in Illustration #2.) The two buildings were: "Wooden Store and Dwelling house 34 feet by 60 feet marked A" and "Shop in yard length 30 feet breadth 20 feet marked B." "A" faced on Main Street; "B" bounded Nicholson Street. "A" was 10 feet from Crump's dwelling (on lot #57) and 20 feet from Dr. Galt's shop on the west. This policy definitely fixes Greenhow on the eastern part of lot #56. (See page 17 of this report for further development.)

Tax records for 1806 list John M. Galt as owner of 1¼ lots, valued 15 at $90. From 1810-1819 John M. Galt's Estate is charged with 1¼ lots, assessed at $100.

Title to east section lot #56
1760-1815

On pages 7 and 8 of this report, we noted by deeds that the 30-foot section of the eastern end of lot #56 had come into possession of two merchants. The part facing on Duke of Gloucester Street was held by Robert Miller & Company; the rear part by William Holt, merchant.

On January 16, 1761, the Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon, eds.) published the following notice concerning the store and business of Miller's:

Just Imported in the Elizabeth, Capt. Thompson, and to be Sold for Cash or short Credits, at the cheapest Rates, by the Subscribers, at their store in Williamsburg, next Door to Doctor William Pasteur's, A large and complete assortment of European and India Goods.
Robert Miller, and Co.

In 1773, the eastern section was again united under one title:

May 12, 1773.

Holt, William - Merchant, James City
Mary, his wife
to
Nicolson, Robert
Consideration: 50 Pounds.

All that piece, part or parcel of ground situate, lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the West corner of Henry Nicolson's¹ lot on Nicolson Street, thence to extend up the said street and along the line thereof 30 feet to William Pasteur's lot, thence Southwardly along the said Pasteur's lot 177 feet and to butt against the Northwest corner of the ground sold by _____ Sproule, Charles Turnbull, Thomas Yuille and Robert Miller to the said Robert Nicolson, bearing even date with these presents, thence running Eastwardly along the line of the said Nicolson 30 feet equal to and parallel with the first line to the lot of the said Henry Nicolson, thence along his lot to the beginning, being part of the ground purchased by William Pasteur of Henry Wetherburn, and Ann his wife, and by the said Pasteur sold to William Holt.
With all houses...
(York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 316.)

16

Robert Nicolson kept the part of lot #56 conveyed in May 1773 by William Holt until 1779, at which time he gave deed for same to William Nicolson:

April 17, 1779

Nicolson, Robert
to
Nicolson, William¹ (son)
Consideration: 100 Pounds.

All that lot or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the North side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, numbered in the Plan of the said city by the figures 56, bounded on the North by Nicolson Street, on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by the lot of Henry Nicolson and on the West by the lot of Dr. John Minson Galt, lately by him purchased of William Pasteur, being the lot or parcel of land purchased by the said Robert Nicolson of Andrew Sproule, Robert Miller, William Holt and Mary his wife.
And all houses, buildings...
(York County Records, Deeds, Book 6, p. 36.)

Accounts of Humphrey Harwood, brick mason and carpenter, indicate that William Nicolson had made certain repairs to his shop. The location of the shop is not given, but there is reasonable evidence to assume that the shop repaired was the shop on the east part of lot #56:

MR. WILLIAM NICOLSON

1779 Octobr ...
Novemr 13	To 60 bushls of lime 12/ & 3900 bricks a £16.10, & 12 days labr a 24/.	£114.15.-
	To Carting 3 loads of Sand a 20/ To pillering Shop £10.0.0	13. 0.-
	To building Shop Chimney	36. 0.0
1782 May 9	To Whitewashing 2 Rooms 15/ in Shop	-.15.-

(Ledger B, p. 15.)

William Nicolson seems to have been in possession of the property in 1789 when a sale of lot #57 by Henry W. Nicolson to Samuel Crawley mentioned "the lot of William Nicolson, on the West." (York County Records, Deeds, 17 Book 6, p. 427.)

From the insurance policy given below it appears that Robert Nicolson held perhaps a deed of trust to the property of William Nicolson. At least, Robert Nicolson held the title in April 1796, for at that time the Mutual Assurance Society issued policy #112 to him, in which he described his property as "...My Store Buildings on the Main Street at Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the Lot of John M Galt and that of John Crumps Estate in the county of York... The Store house marked A [valued] at $750 The Shop marked B at $250 [total] $1000." The store was 34 feet by 20 feet; the shop 27 feet by 20 feet. Both were two-story buildings. (See Illustration #2 of this report for copy of policy.)

In 1800, Williamsburg Land Tax Transfers list Robert Greenhow as owner of one lot "late Nicholson." Insurance policy #585, describing John Crump's property (on lot #57) on February 19, 1802, notes that his property was "between Robert Greenhow and that of J. W. Dixon." (Insurance Book, Department of Research.)

In a policy of Robert Greenhow's with the Mutual Assurance Society, May 12, 1806, his property is described thus:

...My two Buildings on the Main Street in Williamsburg situated between Doct^r Galts shop and John Crumps Tavern in the county of York... The Store House marked A at $1200 The Shop marked B at $700. (Copy in full, Illustration #2 of this report.)

The store and dwelling house was 34 feet by 20 feet; the shop to the rear, near Nicholson Street was 30 by 20 feet.

Mention is made of Greenhow's property in May 1815. Robert Anderson (who owned lot #57 at this time), in writing to John B. Clopton on May 3, 1815, referred to "One House and lot on the main street in Williamsburg between Greenhow's lot on the West and Hagues lot on the East..." (Robert Anderson Account Book #3, Virginia Historical Society, copy in Department of Research.)

18

The Greenhow lot and houses are clearly defined in insurance policy #1521, written by the Mutual Assurance Society on June 21, 1815, which declared that "...the said Buildings are at present owned by Robert Greenhow residing at Richmond and are occupied by Peter Desverges. That they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg between Galts lot on the West and Teagles lot on the east in the County of York... The Store House marked A [valued] at $1200 The store or Lumber House marked B [valued] at $500 [total] $1700." The store house was 34 feet by 20 feet and the lumber house was 30 by 20 feet. (Copy of policy in Illustration #2 of this report.) In this policy, which includes a diagram of buildings insured, Galt's lot lies to the west.

In 1819, Williamsburg Land Tax Accounts indicate that John M. Dupree was in possession of "1 lot [valued at] $100 via Robert Greenhow houses and lot on the north side Main Street." In 1820, Dupree is charged with one lot and buildings valued at $700. (Tax Accounts, Department of Research, copy in Illustration #3.) While it cannot be stated absolutely that the above lot is the Greenhow lot, occupied by Peter Desverges in 1815, it seems reasonable to believe that it is.

At this point it seems wise to turn to the history of the extreme western section of lot #56, beginning again in 1745 when James Shields came into possession of this section from Samuel Cobbs and wife.

Title to extreme western section lot #56
1745-18—.

On page 3 of this report there is record that James Shields, ordinary keeper, held a part of lot #56, the western side by estimation 30 feet wide. In July 1762, Shields and wife sold to Joseph Scrivener, merchant, one third of lot #56 "whereon is a store house and other outhouses, now in 19 the tenure and occupation of the said Joseph Scrivener":¹

July 30, 1762.

Shields, James Gent.
Susannah, his wife
to
Scrivener, Joseph Merchant
Consideration: 350 Pounds.

All that one third part of a certain lot or half acre of ground denoted in the Plan of the said city by the figures 56, situate, lying and being on the North side of the Main Street in the said City whereon is a store house and other outhouses, now in the tenure and occupation of the said Joseph Scrivener, to begin at the Southeast corner of the ground belonging to [Alexander] Craig,² and to extend thence Eastwardly along the Main Street—feet and one third, being one third part of the breadth of the said lot, thence North thro' the said lot to the street called Nicolson Street, thence Westward a line parallel to the first line, and thence Southwardly to the beginning.
And all houses, outhouses, buildings...
(York County Records, Deeds, Book 6, p. 471.)

In a deed to lot #55 in 1771, mention is made to the "lot of Mr. Joseph Scrivenor" as being on the east. (York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 174.) Scrivener was a merchant. It is thought that he kept store on the lot until his death in 1772. In his will, Scrivener requested that his entire estate be sold. (Copy of will in Illustration #7 of this report. An inventory of goods kept in Scrivener's store and other items owned at the time of his death found in Illustration #7.)

The Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon, eds.) ran the following notice regarding the sale of Scrivener's estate in Williamsburg:

August 20, 1772.

To be SOLD pursuant to the last Will and Testament of Mr. Joseph Scrivener, deceased, at his Late Dwelling-House in Williamsburg, on Wednesday the9^th of September,
ALL his STORE and other GOODS, four valuable NEGROES, 20 a CART and five HORSES, a RIDING CHAIR, and his HOUSE and LOT, on which are some valuable Improvements. The Purchasers will have twelve Months Credit, for all Sums above five Pounds, upon giving Bond and Security; and such as fail to discharge their Bonds punctually must expect to pay Interest from the Time they become due....
WILLIAM TREBELL)
ROBERT NICOLSON) Executors. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds.)

Scrivener's estate was not entirely settled by September 1774. The Gazette (Purdie and Dixon, eds.) carried notice from the executors on September 8, 1774, asking all persons owing money to the estate to settle their accounts.

Unfortunately, the transfer of Scrivener's lot is not recorded in the court records. At least, no records have been found. It looks as though Dr. John M. Galt came into possession of the property either by lot-transfer or through the inheritance of his wife, who was a daughter of Alexander Craig. (See: chain of title to central section of lot #56, pp. 9-15 of this report.) Nothing further has been located on the western section of lot #56 other than data found in the above written chain of title.

In nineteenth century records there is a wide gap in the chain of title to lot #56. The Southall Papers, Anderson Papers, and Tax Accounts furnish some evidence but such data is scant and not altogether satisfactory.

It appears from the Williamsburg Land Tax Records, transfers for 1834, that a lot then owned by Frances Foster had been in the possession of John M. Galt: "Frances Foster... 1 lot via Archibald Foster Dec^d purchased of the heirs of John M. Galt dec^d."

The Southall Papers indicate that there was a suit in chancery to establish the rightful title to the lot after John M. Galt's ownership expired. For some ten years or more the suit was pending.

On July 24, 1832, after the death of Archibald Foster, the heirs of John M. Galt (William Browne and Sarah his wife and Alexander D. Galt and 21 Mary his wife - two children of John M. Galt) conveyed two undivided thirds of the land and buildings to Frances Foster, widow, and children to be held and enjoyed by them according to the provisions of the will of Archibald Foster, decd. In July 1833, William C. Galt, another child and heir of John M. Galt, by deed conveyed to the Foster widow and children his title to the said lot and buildings. (Excerpt from Southall Papers, Foster Estate, Folder 292, William and Mary College.) A suit in chancery occurred over the settlement and legality of the property. In 1838, Peter Bellett had bought from Mrs. Frances Foster buildings and a lot of land on the northern side of Main Street for $1400. Bellett paid $400 in cash, and gave bond to Frances Foster for the rest. The same month, December 1838, Bellett and Frances Foster joined in a deed of trust of said lots and buildings to Robert McCandlish for the payment of $1000 payable in one and two years. On March 28, 1842, the property was advertised by the trustee, McCandlish, at public auction: "...the said trust property is most eligibly situated in the said City for a residence and store, & the main building consists of a dwelling house, and store house attached, being well arranged for the accommodation of two families, and therefore calculated to rent to great advantage..." (Ibid.)

In 1843 and 1847 Williamsburg Land Tax Accounts seem to indicate that Christopher J. D. Pryor¹ was the owner of a lot in Williamsburg (undoubtedly lot #56): "Christopher J. D. Pryor... 1 lot... buildings $2000... lot and bldgs $2400." (Tax Records, Photostats, Department of Research.)

In 1851, the tax transfers indicate: "Thomas G. Cogbill...[²] 1 lot 22 formerly C. J. D. Pryor."

Cogbill was on lot #56, evidently, by 1845 as renter, perhaps. Robert Anderson noted in his Day Book #16 (page 7) an entry for Sept. 2, 1845: "Rented my tenement, next to Cogbill's at $40 a year from Monday the 29th inst. to Allen Walls - Quarterly payments."

By holographic will dated July 16, 1853, Thomas O. Cogbill devised all of his estate, real and personal, to his wife, Eleanor E. Cogbill. (Williamsburg Will Book #1, p. 13, recorded December 29, 1858.)

In 1859, Eleanor Cogbill paid tax on a house and lot noted as follows: "Eleanor E. Cogbill... 1 lot - building and lot valued at $2200 ½ formerly charged to Thomas O. Cogbill & ½ to Eleanor Donnelly."¹ (Williamsburg Tax Accounts, p. 134, copy in Department of Research.)

In 1861, Eleanor E. Cogbill is charged with same lot and house assessed for the same value (Ibid., p. 142).

Mrs. Victoria Lee² in her recollections, "Williamsburg in 1861," says:

My home, the appearance of which is unchanged, was owned by the Cogbills; but a Presbyterian minister, Mr. Blain, made his home here.

Between my home and the present Vaiden house, was a very small story and a half cottage. This house, which had no porch had one stone steps before at the east end of the house. This house was the home, years later, of my son, and it was pulled down by Mr. Vaiden, to whom he sold it.

(Copy of manuscript in Dept. of Research - page 73.)

Mr. John S. Charles, in writing his "Recollections of Williamsburg," referred to the Cogbill property:

...There are only two houses now standing on this square 23 and facing on Duke of Gloucester street that were there when the Raleigh Tavern burned. The one now owned and occupied by Miss Vaiden, the other now owned and occupied by Mrs. Lee. The former presents much the same appearance that it did when the Raleigh burned, except that in the eastern end of this house Mr. John H. Barlow, the owner, conducted a general merchandise store...

The other one of these houses was then in good repair, with porch and flower yard in front, and was owned by Mr. Thomas Cogbill, who was clerk of one of the courts until his death about 1858.

Between the Barlow¹ and Cogbill houses stood, up to a few years ago, a small one-and-a-half story frame house with a dormer window and a shed on the back. This was an old structure and was known as the King² house.

(Copy of manuscript in Department of Research.)

Mrs. Lee, in a footnote, made the following statement about her house:

...Old Mr. Bob Armistead and old Mr. Peter Powell³ said that they had heard all of their lives that the Cogbill house (my present home) was used by Lafayette as his headquarters. But there were, and still are, four or five other houses that claim the distinction. ("Williamsburg in 1861," p. 86.)

The chain of title to lot #56 from 1861 to the present time has been prepared by John L. Lewis, Jr. It can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.

Evidently there were architectural changes on the houses on the lot after the Civil War. According to Judge Armistead, now living in Williamsburg, as told to M. W. Nelson, "the house was built before his time, but that he had heard others (including Capt. Lane) say that second-hand materials were used in the construction. This construction, however he said, may not have been from the ground up, but may have been in the nature of additions to a 24 smaller house then standing." (M. W. Nelson, March 19, 1940 - memorandum to Research Department. See also, Illustration #8 for memorandum of H. R. Shurtleff, March 1, 1934.)

APPENDIX

Illustration #1	- Excerpt of will of John Marot
Illustration #2	- Insurance policies
Illustration #3	- Tax records
Illustration #4	- Maps
Illustration #5	- List of photographs in regard to Lee House
Illustration #6	- Biography of Dr. John M. Galt
Illustration #7	- Will and inventory of Joseph Scrivener
Illustration #8	- Memorandum re Lee House