Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

I am sending herewith the report which we have prepared on the Vaiden House Site (colonial lot No. 55).

VAIDEN HOUSE SITE
Block 17, Colonial Lot #55

The first definite reference found to the ownership of the Vaiden property (colonial lot #55) was made in 1735 when Thomas Jones and William Robertson, the executors of Susanna Allen's estate, sold the property to John White, a glazier. The York County deed states:

November 16, 1735.

Jones, Thomas )
Robertson, William )
to
White, John

Executors of Susannah Allen, Spinster

Consideration: 100 Pounds

Conveys to John White and wife Jane, (formerly Jane Cunningham, heir of Susannah Allen) All that lot of ground lying and being on the North side of Gloucester Street, described in the plan of the said city by the No. 55 being the lot or lots whereof the said Susannah Allen died seized...
With all houses, buildings. (York County, Va., Book 4 - Deeds)

Although the deed by which Susanna Allen acquired it does not give the lot number, it seems certain that the property which she purchased from Jacob Flournoy, January 31, 1712, is the same as that mentioned above. That deed is as follows:

Flournoy, Jacob - Goldsmith
to
Allen, Susanna - Spinster

Consideration: 61 Pounds, 1 shilling, six pence
88 Pounds, 8 shillings, 6 pence secured

All that lot or half acre of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the North side of the street called Duke of Gloucester Street and bounded on the South by ye said street, on the East by the lot late of Richard Wharton, dec'd, on the North by Nicholson Street and on the West by the land of John Serjanton, together with all and singular ye houses, buildings. (York County, Va., Vol. II - Deeds, Bonds)

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We have no earlier deeds to colonial lot #55 which would disclose how Flournoy acquired the property, but it is possible that he received the land as a grant and built the houses mentioned in the subsequent deeds.

In her will, Susanna Allen mentions only one house, undoubtedly one of those which stood on lot #55 in the early eighteenth century, and it must have been in this building that she conducted a tavern for many years. The following license recorded in York County describes the business conducted by Susanna Allen:

Allen, Susannah - License.
Know all men by these presents that we Susannah Allen, Jacob Godwin, and Tho. Hansford of ye County of York, are held and firmly bound with our Sovereign Lord George, by ye Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, etc., in ye sum of 10,000 Pounds of Tobacco convenient in ye said county. To which payment well and truly to be made to our Sovereign, Lord and King, his heirs or successors, we bind ourselves and every of us, and every of our heirs, executors and administrators jointly severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seal dated this 18th day of March, 1716.

The condition of this obligation is such that whereas ye above boundeth Susannah Allen hath an order this day granted her for a lycense to keep an ordinary at her now dwelling house in Williamsburg, in York County, for the year next ensueing. Wherefore ye said Susannah Allen doth constantly find and provide in her said ordinary, good wholesome and cleanly lodging and dyat for travelers, and stabbleage, fodder and provender or pasturage and provender as ye season shall require for their horses from ye date hereof, for and during ye term of one year and shall not suffer or permit any unlawful gaming in her house or on ye Sabbath Day suffer any person to tipple or drink more than is necessary. Then this obligation to be void or else remain in full force.
Susannah Allen - Jacob Godwin - Thos. Hansford.

(York County, Va., Book 15 - Orders - Wills)

The same day that John White, mentioned above, acquired the property, November 16, 1735, he sold the eastern portion of it to John Peter Wagnon, a perukemaker and the deed given by him describes the section sold as follows: -3-

November 16, 1735.

White, John - Glazior
Jane, his wife
to
Wagnon, John Peter - Perukemaker

Consideration: 15 Pounds.

A certain dividend of ground containing 480 square feet, being part of the lot lately belonging to Susannah Allen on the Duke of Gloucester Street, in the said city of Williamsburg and numbered in the plan of the said city by the figures 55, beginning in the Southeast corner of the said lot and measuring ______ twenty feet on the front line and twenty four feet backwards to include the said quantity. (York County, Va., Book 4 - Deeds)

The following year Wagnon sold the portion of lot 55 he had acquired to Andrew Anderson, a wigmaker. Since Wagnon was a wigmaker himself and since he built on that part of the lot before it was sold in May, 1736, it would seem probable that he ran a wig shop there for a short time. The York County records contain the following deed of Wagnon's sale of his property to Andrew Anderson:

Wagnon, John Peter - Peruke Maker
to May 17th, 1736.
Anderson, Andrew

Consideration: Forty Pounds.

A certain piece or parcel of land containing 480 square feet, being part of a lot lately belonging to Susannah Allen on the Duke of Gloucester Street in the said City of Williamsburg, and numbered in the plat of the said city by the numbers 55, beginning in the Southeast corner of the said lot and measuring thence 20 feet on the front line and 24 feet backwards, to include the said quantity together with one messuage or tenement on the said piece or parcel of land lately erected and built. (York County, Va., Book 4 - Deeds)

Anderson conducted a wig shop in this building for a number of years, during which time he advertised in the Virginia Gazette:

September 26, 1745.

Just imported by the Subscriber, living in Williamsburg, in the Neptune, Capt. Dansie, from London,
A Choice Parcel of Best Hairs, and other Materials, for making all Sorts of Wigs, &c. prepared by the best Hands in London -4- Any Gentleman or others, may depend on being faithfully served, after the newest Fashions, and as reasonable as from London, by
Their very humble Servant,
Andrew Anderson. (Virginia Gazette, Wm. Parks, Ed.)

September 25, 1746.

Just imported, by the Subscriber in Williamsburg, in the Ship Hamilton, Capt. Seaton, from LONDON,
A Choice Parcel of best Hairs and other Materials for making all sorts of wigs, prepared by the best Hands in England. Any Gentlemen or others may depend on being faithfully served, after the newest Fashion,
By their very humble Servant,
Andrew Anderson. (Virginia Gazette, Wm. Parks, Ed.)

John White sold the remaining, or western portion of colonial lot #55, on November 21, 1737, to John Pasteur, who like Wagnon, was also a barber and perukemaker. The deed conveying the property to him states:

November 21, 1737.

White, John - Glazior
Jane, his wife
to
Pasture, John - Barber & Peruke maker

Consideration: 40 Pounds.

All that lot of ground lying on the North side of the Main Street in the City of Williamsburg, number 55, which formerly belonged to Susannah Allen and since purchased by the said John White of the executors of said Susannah Allen. With all houses ... Except a certain part of the said lot at the Southeast corner thereof which the said White lately sold to John Peter Wagnon and by the said Wagnon conveyed to Andrew Anderson. (York County, Va., Book 4 - Deeds)

On January 15, 1738, Pasteur sold the western portion of lot #55, which he acquired from White, to Gabriel Maupin and Mark Cosby and the following deed was recorded:

Consideration: 40 Pounds.

All that lot of ground lying on the North side of the Main Street in the City of Williamsburg, numbered in the Plan thereof by the figures 55, which said lot of ground -5- was lately purchased by the said John Pasteur of John White and Jane, his wife ...except as in the aforementioned deed is excepted. (York County, Va., Book 4 - Deeds)

In June, 1752, Anderson advertised for sale his shop on the eastern portion of the lot:

TO be Sold, on Wednesday the 16th Instant, to the highest Bidder.

A House, situate on the main Street in Williamsburg, where the Subscriber now keeps Shop; also two Lots of Land near the Capitol, adjoining to Mr. JOHN COKE'S. Six Months Credit will be allowed, the Buyer giving Security; as usual to
ANDREW ANDERSON (Virginia Gazette, Wm. Hunter, Ed.)

On July 8, 1752, the deed of sale to William Peake of Yorktown was recorded:

July 8, 1752.

Anderson, Andrew - Barber & Wig maker
Mary, his wife
to
Peake, William - Barber of Yorktown

Consideration: 100 Pounds.

All that messuage or shop situate and being on the Main Street in the city of Williamsburg with the ground there unto belonging, it being the same shop wherein the said Andrew Anderson for many years last past hath carried on his business of Barber and Wig maker.

Also two long tables, sink and cistern.

(York County, Va., Book V - Deeds)

Peake advertised the establishment of his business in conjunction with one James Currie in the Virginia Gazette for August 21, 1752:

The Subscribers having settled in the Shop lately belonging to Mr. Anderson, in Williamsburg, gives this public Notice, That they shall be glad to serve all Gentlemen and Others, that are pleas'd to favour them with their custom; where they may depend on being supplied with good brown Wigs, Ties, Grizles, Greys, Bobs, or Cues, of all Sorts, (as reasonable as can be imported from London) at the lowest Price, with the allowance of 5 per Cent. on prompt Payment...
William Peake
James Currie (Virginia Gazette, Wm. Hunter, Ed.)

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Mary Catton, a widow of Warwick county, negotiated for the purchase of this property and on November 20, 1752, a deed from Peake to Mary Catton, securing the payment of 92 pounds was recorded in York County:

All that messuage or shop situate and being on the Main Street in the city of Williamsburg with the ground thereunto belonging. It being the same shop which the said William Peake purchased of Andrew Anderson, with two long tables one Sink and one Cistern now in the said Shop and purchased therewith from the said Andrew Anderson. (York County, Va., Book V - Deeds)

Apparently Mary Catton was never able to meet the payments on this property for it was sold later to Alexander Craig, by William Peake:

Jan. 20, 1755.

Peake, William - Barber, Wigmaker
Abigail, his wife
to
Craig, Alexander - Sadler

Consideration: 87 Pounds.

All that messuage or shop situated on Main Street in the City of Williamsburg with the Ground thereto belonging which the said William Peake purchased of Andrew Anderson, and Mary his wife, July 8. 1752. (York County, Va., Book 6 - Deeds)

Gabriel Maupin who still owned the western portion of colonial lot #55 sold his property to Alexander Craig August 28, 1771, thus placing the entire lot in possession of one owner for the first time since Susanna Allen conducted her ordinary on this site:

August 28, 1771.

Maupin, Gabriel - Tavern Keeper
Dorcas, his wife
to
Craig, Alexander - City Sadler

Consideration: 500 Pounds.

All that lot or half acre of ground lying and being in the city of Williamsburg in the Parish of Bruton, County of York, and bounded on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the North by Nicholas Street, on the East by the lot of Mr. Joseph Scrivenor and on the West by the lot of Mr. James -7 - Southall, and is denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 55, which said lot the said Gabriel claims under the last will and testament of Mark Cosby, deceased and as heir at law of Gabriel Maupin, his father, deceased, except a small part thereof purchased by the said Alexander of William Peake and Abigail his wife. (York County, Va., Book 8 - Deeds)

In his will probated in York county February 19, 1776, Alexander Craig left a house "next to Mr. Robert Nicolson's." Nicolson owned colonial lot #56 about this time. Craig's will states:

...I desire of them to pay all the debts I owe as soon as can be, first from the debts due to me, stock in trade and whatever personal estate may be thought by them most eligible to be first sold and so afterward any other part of my real estate may be sold till all debts are paid, excepting that part which my beloved wife may choose for her third part. If she should choose that House next to Mr. Robert Nicolson's belonging to me, I likewise desire it should be put in good repair with the kitchen, garden etc. and she shall have my negro named Judy with necessary household furniture for her life. If she does not choose that house, I then leave it to my executors and herself to fix upon her residence with the same addition to her third part as of the above negro and furniture. (York County, Va. Book 22 - Wills, Inventories.)

It does not appear what part of this property Craig's wife chose for her third. John M. Galt and Gabriel Maupin, executors for the estate of Alexander Craig advertised Craig's property for sale on February 14, 1777, in the Virginia Gazette as follows:

TO be SOLD, on Tuesday the 4th of March, at 4 o'clock in the Afternoon, to the highest Bidders, the Lot and Houses on the main street in Williamsburg, adjoining the Raleigh Tavern, where Mr. Alexander Craig formerly lived.
John M. Galt
Gabriel Maupin

Since this portion of York County was annexed by James City County early in the nineteenth century, the records for this property during the later years of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries were destroyed by fire during the Civil War. The ownership during this period is unknown.

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The Bucktrout Map of 1800 and the town plan map made by an unknown draftsman and dated by Lyon G. Tyler as being made about 1790, indicate that it was owned at that period by some member of the Galt family.

The Frenchman's Map of c. 1782 shows several buildings located on colonial lot #55.

Mr. John S. Charles describing this property in his Recollections of Williamsburg ^{in 1861} states:

...There are only two houses now standing on this square 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 was burned, except that in the eastern end of this house Mr. John H. Barlow, the owner, conducted a general merchandise store...

Between the Barlow and Cogbill [Lee house] houses stood, up to a few years ago, a small one-and a half story frame house with dormer windows and a shed on the back. This was an old structure and was known as the King house.

Mrs. Victoria Lee in her notes, Williamsburg in 1861 says of this property:

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 step 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.

To the west of this cottage was the Barlow house, a very large, square frame building, the present Vaiden home. This had no porch then, and the door was not in the center as now, but in the eastern or right end of the house.

It seems probable that the small house which stood between the present Vaiden and Lee homes, and which was described as a story and a half cottage by both Mr. Charles and Mrs. Lee, was the same house built by Peter Wagnon. ^{Scrivener House?}

November 1, 1940
Notes on a Conversation with Miss Vaiden
Vaiden House, Block 17, Bldg. 5

This afternoon I talked to Miss Vaiden, who told me several facts about the house as it was in her girlhood.

• 1.The stair at that time started further south on the second floor, close to a doorway which is shown by present uncovered framing. This stair decended and had winders at the south front wall. A cut in the studding at approximately this point bears out this theory. The first riser occurred near the entrance door, which was the door now numbered 5 on the measured drawings. This door has been cut down one panel in height.
• 2.

  To the east of this same partition her grandfather conducted a store or shop. This store was, to the best of her memory, sheathed throughout with wide flush boards. These boards were found on the west wall when the plaster was taken off. The partition forming the north wall of the dining room was put in after the time of the store, and the plate at that time was carried on tow or more "posts" which she remembers.

  The "counting room" was the space to the north of the store, which her grandfather added for the shop, and was also sheathed inside. This room is #19 on the measured drawings.

• 3.Miss Vaiden said that her mother, as a girl, remembered a great storm which blew down the top portion of the south chimneys, which were rebuilt, using common bond instead of English bond. The north chimney was repaired, and the top portion rebuilt because of the masonry falling down.
• 4.Miss Vaiden said that there was a window at the foot of the earlier steps next to the front door.

Vaiden House Site [Sept 1947]

The Vaiden House lot (Colonial lot #55) is first associated with mentioned in the records in 1735 when Thomas Jones and William Robertson, the executors for the estate of Susanna Allen, sold the property described as "that lot of ground lying and being on the North side of Gloucester Street, described in the plan of the said city by the no. 55.....with all houses, buildings. (York County, Va., Book 4-Deeds). There is noth There is the natural question whether the "houses, buildings" mentioned in the deed could have continued in existence, down to the 19th century.

It is probable that the houses mentioned were built by Jacob Flourney, Goldsmith.

In her will Susanna Allen mentions only one house, believed (see Vaiden House Site Report, Dept. of Research and Records) to the building which she conducted a tavern for many years.^{not dated in Research Report. see Bk 15-orders, wills.}

[small sketch - no digital image available]

described as a very large Vaiden square frame building, the present Vaiden home. no porch then . . Door not in center but on eastern or right end of the house.