Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

A HISTORY OF THE PRENTIS HOUSE
Colonial Lot #51
Block #17 - Site #11
September 20, 1938

A house was erected on this site between 1712 and 1714 by John Brooke, who had acquired the lot in 1712 with a building clause:

March 13, 1712

Feoffees
to
Brooke, John
Consideration: 5 shillings

One certain lot of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 51.

Shall within 24 months begin to build according to Act of Assembly Oct. 23, 1705.

(Vol. II - Deeds, Bonds York County, Virginia ^{p. 416})

^{John Brooke "Lycence to keep a ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburg"
Jan 17, 1714 (#105)
Mar. 19, 1715 (#1072)
(#1090)
Lycense (#1102)}

On March 18, 1724 he sold a small house on the lot to his son-in-law, William Prentis, for £20. The property was described in the deed:

...All that messuage of house standing and being on lot No. 51, which house fronts the West, being 25 foot by 16 foot beside the shedd, with the ground which the said house covers and running a direct line North on the said lot the breadth of the said house to an old stable standing on the said lot... (Deeds & Bonds, Vol, III, York County, Virginia ^p446)

Brooke continued to live on the lot until his death in 1729, as there is no record of his owning, any other property in York County, and his will and inventory were recorded there that year. He disposed of his property to William Prentis: ^{[illegible] Prentis from Brooke - Aug. 16, 1725 Book 16 - Orders, Wills, p. 352} 2

March 3, 1726

Brooke, John - will
Williamsburg

As to my houses and lots in Williamsburg, I give and bequeath the same unto my loving wife during her natural life, and after her decease unto my daughter Mary Prentis and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and in defaults of such heirs unto the said William Prentis and his heirs forever.

Wife Anne Brooke appointed executor.

Probated
Nov. 17, 1729.

(Book 17 - Orders, Wills. York County, Virginia)

By this bequest, Brooke's house on the same lot must have been bequeathed to his son-in-law.

John Brooke's inventory, made at the time of his death follows:

Brooke, John-Inventory

1 large copper

2 brass kettles

1 fish kettle

1 chocolate & 1 coffee pot

1 brass skillet

1 coffee mill

2 brass sauce pans

1 brass skimer

1 flesh fork

1 hursling pan

2 frying pans

4 iron pots and hooks

3 pot racks

3 spits, 2 jacks

1 pr. and irons

3 fenders

3 pr. tongs

2 flat irons

4 tin cannisters

2 funnels

2 dish covers

12 patty pans

3½ doz. pewter plates

11 pewter dishes

3 pewter basons

1 large trunk, 6 chests

A parcel tubs, pails & lumber

1 ax - 1 half bushel

2 sifters

1 close stool and pan

1 pr. brass scales and weights

1 pr. money scales

1 pr. stilyards, 5 stone jugs

7 milk pans

3 delft plates, 3 saucers

2 mugs

1 box iron and heaters

1 coffee roaster and spit

1 iron oven pan (?)

1 chopping knife

6 iron skewers

1 grid iron

1 warming pan

6 knives, 6 forks

6 stone butter pots

3 earthern butter pots

10 china cups, 6 saucers

3 china punch bowls

3 delft punch bowls

8 drinking glasses

3 decanters

3 glass salts

3

3 pr. brass candlesticks

1 pr. snuffers and stand

13 gallons rum

1 brass cock

1 pt. pot, ? pt. pot

¼ pound bark

6 towels

7 table cloths

2 doz. napkins

9 pr. sheets

12 pillow cases

About 1 doz. bottles

About 100 lbs. brown sugar

19 pictures and prints

1 Prayer Book, 2 Bibles

A parcel of other books

1 silver tea pot

4 tea spoons

9 silver spoons

1 large silver soup spoon

1 set silver castors

2 silver salts

6 feather beds, bolsters and pillows

6 bedsteads

1 quilt

6 blankets

5 pr. window curtains

1 servetose (?) (servitoir)

3 chests of drawers

3 large looking glasses

5 oval folding tables

8 sugar tables

1 corner cupboard

2½ doz. chairs

List of slaves

2 silver tankards

4 rugs

2 counterpains

4 suits curtains

1 iron pot, 1 frying pan

1 tub, 1 pail, 2 milk pans

2 screens

1 small looking glass

1 oval card table

1 doubloon, 1 incobus

8 pistols, silver 10 shillings

2 glass sconces

List of clothes

Recorded Feb. 6, 1729

(Book 17 - Orders, Wills York County, Virginia)

When William Prentis died in 1765 he left to his wife "That part of the lot whereon I now live, which was conveyed to me by my father-in-law Mr. Brooke," and the remainder of his property he left to his sons:

May 4, 1765

Prentis, William - Will.

I, William Prentis, of the city of Williamsburg, merchant...
I devise to my beloved wife Mary Prentis, that part of the lot whereon I now live, which was conveyed to me by my father-in-law Mr. Brookes, and her and the heirs of her body.
Item. I give and devise to my wife all my lands and slaves except those hereafter particularly mentioned.
Item. I give to my said wife the use of my chariot during her natural life and after the death of my wife to my daughter Sarah Waters.
I appoint Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas, Guardian of my son Joseph.
I appoint my son John Prentis, and my friend Mr. Benjamin Waller and Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas executors of this my last 4 will.

Presented at Court
August 19, 1765

(Book 21 Wills, Inventories York County, Virginia)

This residue must have included the larger residence, because the inventory of his estate indicated a much larger building ten 16 x 25 "fronting the west." His inventory, recorded in the York County records on October 21, 1765 follows:

In the Hall

a Large Oval Mahogany Table, A Card Table, A round Tea Table, A Walnut square--, A square do.--, 12 Mahogany--, A chimney--, A sconce G[lass?], 12 Fruit P[ieces],--, A Tea board, 7 cups and saucers, 2 tea pots, 1 milk pot, 2 Red and white china bowls, 1 Blue and white do., 1 large old china bowl, 1 old red and white pint do., 1 new do., 1 blue and gold bowl, 5 blue and white coffee cups, 5 red and white do., 2 old chocolate do., 9 ribbed custard cups, 5 tea cups, 5 odd saucers, 3 Pudding dishes, 2 do. - 1 do., 12 Soup plates, 27 flat do., 2 tea pots, 1 old mug, 8 Wine, 10 Beer Glasses, 2 Butter boats, 1 sugar dish, 10 Wine, 9 Jelly glasses, 1 Cruit, 2 tumblers, 1 broken do., 2 odd salts, 2 old salvers, 1 Tureon, 18 stone plates, 6 mugs, 1 jug, 1 tea pot, 1 mustard pot, 1 milk pot, 1 small bowl, 1 broken do., 2 earthern dishes, 1 case Ivory--Forks, A tea ch--, 4 salts - 6 Oz., 2 Salvers - 14 Oz., 1 do 16 oz., 1 Tea Pot and milk pot 19 oz., 10, 1 Pint Can 12 oz. 19, 1 Beaker - 6 oz. t, 1 Two quart tankard, 45 oz. 8, 1 Pr. Candlesticks, stand and snuffers - 47 oz. 5, 1 little Candlestick - 4 oz. 2, 1 little cup 3 oz., 1 punch strainer - 2 oz. 13, 1 punch ladle, 1 Soup spoon, 10 Tea spoons, 3 old table do., 11 Table spoons, 1 marrow do., 27 oz., 6 Tea spoons and sugar tongs, a set of castors - 33 oz.

In John Prentis Room

1 Easy chair, 1 dressing glass, 1 Gilt Glass, 1 pr. dogs, a low chair, 2 window curtains, 3 rods, A bed, bedstead, cord, hide, bolster, 4 pillows & Cases, 1 Quilt, 1 pr. blankets 1 mattress

In the little Room

1 close stool chair and pan, a Corner cupboard--, 1 pr. stilyards--, 1 square walnut table, 2 Brooms, 1 brush, 1 dry rubber

5

In Chamber

A warming pan, Bed Wrench, old sword, Bed, bedstead, cord, hide, Quilt & Bolster, 1 pr. iron dogs, Window curtains and rod,

In Daniels Room

a Chest drawers, 2 chairs, 1 looking glass, 1 bed, bolster, pillow and case, cord, bedstead, hide and quilt.

In Dining Room

1 large glass and sconce, 13 pictures, 7 horn knives, 10 forks, 15 ivory forks, 4 small do., 1 small knife, 9 large knives, 13 chairs, 2 low do., 1 oval mahogany table, 1 do., 1 plate basket 7/6, 1 screen 25/ a cabinet, 1 whisk, 2 brushes, 2 window--, 1 table 2/6, 1 Elbow Chair, 1 low chair, a bed, bedstead, cord, hide, bolster & counterpane.

In the Nursery

2 beds, bedsteads, cords, hides, quilts, counterpins, 2 pillows & cases, 7 pillows and cases, 1 square table, A Tinecred--do and Dressing Glass, 3 Pictures, 1 pr. dogs, 5 chains, 4 glass Pots and covers, 2 pair candlesticks 10/ -2 pair do. 6/, 5 pairs snuffers, 1 extinguisher.

In Mr. Prentis's Room

3 beds, bedsteads, cords, hides, bolsters, 1 mattress, 2 quilts, 3 pillows and cases, 1 counterpin, 1 pair blankets, 1 Walnut square table, 4 chairs, 1 elbow chair, 1 pair dogs, 6 pair tongs, 5 shovels, 1 poker, 5 tin cannisters, 2 sugar pots, 1 Picture of St. Pauls.

In the little closet

a Chest of Drawers, A dressing glass--, 3 trunks--, 1 brass lock, 2 brooms--, 1 quilting frame and stand, A sacking bottom bedstead and curtains, a set of green bed curtains, a bedstead, curtains and window curtains, 1 old trunk, 10 pair plaid, 6 pair yarn hose, 2 pictures 1/3, 47 yards plain 94/, 13 yards kersey 32/6, 8½ yards Allopn 17/, 73 Elles Ozenbrigd 1/3, 1 carpet, 1 wilton do., A parcel earthen and stone ware, old bottles and spoons, 1 old looking glass, 1 lantern, A parcel of odd buttons and thread grogs, 1 moth eaten breeches pattern, 1 hat, 1 bell, 1 broom, 2 brushes, 1 old chest, 2 old shairs, old drawers,

In kitchen and Wash house

1 copper kettle, 1 tea kettle, 1 small dutch oven, 1 large do., 5 flat irons, 2 bell metal, 1 iron, 2 brass skillets, 1 pair tongs and sp--tables, 1 cloaths--kettle, 4 trays--, 1 stew pan and cover, 3 trivets, 1 ax, 3 old kitchen dogs, 1 spit, 2 mortars and pestles, 3 doz. good plates, 20 do. not so good, 3 basins, 2 fish dish, 8 dishes, 5 do. 1 bason, 24 plates, 53--old pewter, a large pine table, 4 jars in the smoak house.

6

In the Meal House

a search sifter, meal chest and can.

In the Cellar

Wines etc. Linens, --4 pair sheets, 1 pr. do., 1 old do., 18 pillow cases, 10 do., 17 towels 10/7½ - 8 towels 8/ - 14 towles -6/ 1 Virginia Counterpin, 2 English Counterpins, 1 blue and white Virginia Counterpin, 1 quilt, 2 pair witney blankets, 1 pair blankets 25/ - 3 pair blankets 67/6, 1 pair blankets 12/6, 1 pair blankets 80/, 1 single blanket, 3 odd blankets.

At the store

5 old casks, 100--hops, A parcel of lumber, a bed, bedstead, cords, hide sheets, 2 pillow and cases, a ships stove, 1 quilting frame.

Store Room at house

a parcel old lumber, 5 hoes 1-adze, 2 axes,--

In Out house, yard, etc.

a single chair, a double chair, 1 old chest, old little cart... An old chest, old chariot harness, 1 old hand mill, a parcel old lumber, a small parcel wheat, a runner and tackle, a parcel of garden tools, 4 hammers, 1 pair dogs, 1 lanthorn, 1 cross cut saw, 1 Garden reele, a Bird cage, an old chest, 1 Quilting frame, 1 still, 1 grindstone, 1 Wheel barrow, 57 lbs. old copper, 22 lbs. old brass, 97 lbs. old pewter, 46 lbs. old copper and brass, 35 lead and tin.

This inventory indicates the number of rooms in the house, which ones had fireplaces, and gives some clue to the number of windows. It mentions, in addition, several outbuildings..

The estate was advertised for sale on July 28, 1768:

To be SOLD at PUBLIC AUCTION, to the HIGHEST BIDDER, on Monday the 8th day of August, at the DWELLING-HOUSE of the late Mr. William Prentis, in the city of Williamsburg, and pursuant to his will,
EIGHT valuable house SLAVES,
and sundry kinds of household and kitchen furniture, such as plate, china, table, chairs, pictures, looking-glasses, beds, quilts, blankets, table and bed linen, a couch, clock, dumb waiter, chest of drawers, bureau, cooler, two suits of fine bed curtains and bedsteads, a large quantity of pewter, &c. A single chair, a cart, and several horses, a pipe of fine old Maderia wine and several dozen of bottled wine, also two tracts of land in the county of York, each containing 250 acres more or less and adjoining the 7 lands of Mr. Willis and Mr. James Bates; also a water grist mill in the same county within 2 miles of the said lands. Credit will be given for all sums above twenty-five shillings till the 25th of April next, bond and approved security being given to the executors. The above estate is to be sold for the benefit of Mr. PRENTIS'S children; and the sale is to continue till every thing is disposed of.

The sale to begin at 11 O'clock

(Virginia Gazette, William Rind, Ed.)

Part of Prentis's estate was sold at public auction, but Mary Prentis continued to live on a portion of the property until her death which was announced on April 14, 1768, in the Virginia Gazette ^{Purdie & Dixon}:

Last Saturday morning died in the 58th year of her age, Mrs. Mary Prentis, relict of the late William Prentis, a Lady of examplary piety, and most affable disposition.^#667

Her will probated shortly after her death, bequeathed all of her "cloaths" to her daughter, Sarah, wife of William Waters; her cabinet to her daughter, Elizabeth; £20 to Ann Walker; and the residue to her four sons, John, Daniel, Joseph and William. ^{#1481 York County Records Book 21 - Wills Inventories [illegible]}

^[illegible]

Her inventory, made August 9, 1768, lists only the following:

Prentis, Mary -Inventory

1 cabinet	4/0/0
1 easy chair	6/0/0
1 side saddle	3/10/0
Her stock in trade	1035/0/2

(Book 21 -Wills, Inventories, York County, Va.^#1483)

John Prentis, the eldest son, lived in the house after his mother's death and probably owned it when the following notice appeared in the Gazette on November 2, 1775:

^{Purdie Nov 3, 1775
D & H, Nov 4, 1775}

...Died, after a lingering illness JOHN PRENTIS, of this city, Merchant (Virginia Gazette, John Pinkney, Ed. ^#2103)

The inventory of John Prentis's estate was recorded from this house on November 20, 1775.

Prentis, John
of Williamsburg.

List of slaves - List of stock - 6 hoes - 3 axes -^{not checked verbatim}
1 2x, 1 rake and hoe - 1 warming pan - 15 lbs. old copper at 10d.-
^{bw(1)iv6 - Will of (Col.) John Prentis of the city of Williamsburg [illegible]} 8 46 lbs. old brass at 7½ d. - 42 lbs. wool at 7½ d. - 80 lbs. hops at 6 d. - 100 bushels of coal at 15 d - 12 lbs. rotten stone at 9 d. - 25 lbs. umber at 9 d.- 2 lbs. Prusian blue at 27/ - 56 lbs. starch at 9 d - 25 gallons linzed oil at 6/6 - 12 bags ground white lead - 1 piece Russia sheeting - 5 yds. ditto 1 new counterpane - 1 bed pan - 1 close stool chair and pan 1 pewter pan - 3 new quilts at 30/ - 2 pr. cotton cards - 10 bed cords - 1 doz. vinegar crewits - 1 desk and book case - Dressing table - 1 ditto - Dressing glass - 1 easy chair 1 old Finierd Table - Parcel of books - 8 pr. sheets - 11 damask napkins - 6 diaper table cloths - 4 ditto 30/, 3 dowlas do. 22/6 - 4 damask ditto - 1 counterpain - 1 do. and quilt - 1 pr. blankets - 9 pillow cases - 4 do. 2/6, 2 do. 1/6 - 11 chairs with brass nails - 50 yds. Irish linnen 6/ - 50 yds. ditto at 3/ - 1 umbrella - 1 looking glass and sconcers - 1 chimney do. and do.-12 pictures - 1 do. - 2/6, 11 do. 30/ - 12 mahogany chairs - 2 elbow do. - 2 square tables - 1 tea table - 1 tea tray - 1 japand do. - 1 sett table china - 1 sett tea china - 1 broken sett do - 4 dishes - 1 bowl 5/, 1 do. 1/ - 2 do. - 4 salts - 2 decanters - 6 beer glasses - 3 tumblers - 2 tea potts - 1 plate warmer - 1 hand bell - 1 card table - 1 couch - 12 windsor chairs - 1 pipe wine - 5½ doz. ditto - List of other wines and liquors - 1 liquor case - 13 groce corks at 2/6 90 ells rolls at 9 d - 78 ells ozenbrigs at 16 do - 44 yds. cotton at 2/6 - 12 yds. plains at 2/6 - 1 cask currants 56 lbs. - 6 mo. 6 do nails at 5/6 - 7 mo. 8 d. nails 7/6 2mo. 10 d. nails at 8/6 - 1½ mo. 20 d. nails at 12/6 - 200 cypress boards - 1 marble mortar and pestle - 1 brass do. - 1 dutch oven - 1 fish kettle - 2 skillets - 1 stew pan - 6 iron potts - 3 stone potts - 1 dripping pan - 1 frying pan - 1 grid iron - 3 spits 10/, 1 jack 30/ - 1 skimmer ladle - 3 pot racks - 8 new pewter dishes - 3 new soop plates - 6 flat do. - 26 old do. - 12 dishes - 1 brass kettle - 1 pr. dogs - 5 pales, 1 tub - 1 cloaths horse 3 flat irons - 1 passage lanthorn - 1 small iron grate - 1 large do. shovel etc. - 1 pair dogs - 3 carboys - 1 hogshead - 1 do - 20 doz. bottles at 30/ - 1 mop broom, brush and dry rubber - 1 bed, bedstead, bolster and pillows - 1 do. - 1 do. - 1 do. - 1 do. £ 3, 1 do. £ 3 - 1 do. £ 4, 2 mattrasses 85/ - 3 pair sheets £ 3, 1 pair do. 25/ - 4 pair do at 25/ - 1 pair blankets - 1 pair do. 3 pair dp £ 3, 1 pr. do 25/ - 2 odd do. - 1 counterpain - 1 do. 1 quilt - 1 do. 10/, 1 do/ 7/6 - 2 do. 15/, 2 pillow cases 1/3 - 8 towels 5/, 2 do. 1/3 - 3 do . 1/3, 2 chairs 5/ - 2 table cloths - 3 dowlas do - 1 furniture cheek teaster and curtains with bedstead - 1 green Durance do. - 1 easy chair - 1 table 5/, 1 stand 5/ - 1 pine do. 3/9 - 1 walnut do - 1 do. 10/ - 1 mahogany tea table - 1 dining do. - 1 do. - 6 chairs - 10 do. - 1 carpet 6/, floor cloth 22/6 - 1 screen - 1 cooler - 1 pr. bellows - 1 old chest drawers - 3 doz. panes glass - 1 pr. andirons, tongs, shovel and fender - 1 pr. andirons, tongs, shovel and trivet - 1 coal skuttle and shovel - 1 tea kettle 5/ 1 do. 10/ - 1 case knives and forks - 1 basket knives and forks - 1 china plate basket - one plate do. tinned - 2 chaffing dishes - Parcel glass ware - Parcel Queens china - 3 waiters, candlesticks and 3 pr. snuffers - 12 new tablespoons - 7 old table spoons, 1 soop spoon, 11 tea do. - 1 pr. tongs, 1 qt. tankard, 1 beaker, 4 salts - 1 rim crewits - 4 salt shovels - 1 pr. candlesticks, snuffers and stand - 1 table cross - 3 vinegar casks 9 List of stuff at Quarters in James City.

(Book 22 - Wills, Inventories York County, Virginia ^#1548)

There are only fragmentary records of the property after Colonel John Prentis's death, these seem to indicate that Daniel Prentis^{(his brother [illegible]} owned ^had the property ^[illegible]which he conveyed to Mathew Anderson between 1791 and 1797. Mathew Anderson insured it (see blue print of tracing of policy), and he in turn conveyed it to Rachel Anderson who insured it in 1806 and 1810 ^{& 1815}(see policies)^{see attached blueprints}.

Rachel bequeathed the property to Robert Anderson, in 1826.

^{pol. 669
pol. 1013
pol. 1510}

Robert Anderson had extensive holdings in Williamsburg, and probably rented his property to tenants. In 1842, two of Robert Anderson's Williamsburg buildings were destroyed by fire, according to the tax records. Whether this was one of them, or not, according to Mr. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg," the house had burned before the outbreak of the War Between the States:

"At the southwest corner of the square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Nicholson, Botetourt and 'Blair' streets, were, at the earliest recollections of the writer, the brick walls forming ^{what had been} the cellar or basement of a big building that had been destroyed by fire. The^Thiscellar was filled in when the streets were paved a few years ago."

In recent years a service station which had been erected on the property was razed by the Williamsburg Restoration. Foundations of the buildings and outbuildings were excavated and a reconstruction of the Prentis House is now being completed.

PRENTIS HOUSE
Block #17, Colonial Lot #51

Prepared in connection with report of September 20, 1938

A house was erected on this site between 1712 and 1714 by John Brooke, who had acquired the lot in 1712 with a building clause:

March 13, 1712

Feoffees
to Brooke, John
Consideration: 5 shillings

One certain lot of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 51.

Shall within 24 months begin to build according to Act of Assembly Oct. 23, 1705.

[York County Records, Book II - Deeds, Bonds, p. 416]

John Brooke was granted a "Lycense to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburg" on January 17, 1714, and again the next year. As we do not know that he had other property in the city, it may be that he conducted the ordinary here.

On March 18, 1724, he sold a small house on the lot to his son-in-law, William Prentis, for £20. The property was described in the deed:

... All that messuage of house standing and being on lot No. 51, which house fronts the West, being 25 foot by 16 foot beside the shedd, with the ground which the said house covers and running a direct line North on the said lot the breadth of the said house to an old stable standing on the said lot... [York County Records, Book III - Deeds, Bonds, p. 446]

Brooke continued to live on the lot until his death in 1729, as there is no record of his owning any other property in York County, and his will and inventory were recorded there that year. He disposed of his property to William Prentis:

March 3, 1726

Brooke, John - will
Williamsburg
As to my houses and lots in Williamsburg, I give and bequeath the same unto my loving wife during her natural life, and after her decease unto my daughter Mary Prentis and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and in defaults of such heirs unto the said William Prentis 2 and his heirs forever.

Wife Anne Brooke appointed executor.

Probated Nov. 17, 1729.

[York County Records, Book 17 - Order, Wills, p. 6]

By this bequest, Brooke's house on the same lot must have been bequeathed to his son-in-law.

When William Prentis died in 1765, he left to his wife "That part of the lot whereon I now live, which was conveyed to me by my father-in-law Mr. Brooke," and the remainder of his property he left to his sons:

May 4, 1765

Prentis, William - Will.
I, William Prentis, of the city of Williamsburg, merchant...
I devise to my beloved wife Mary Prentis, that part of the lot whereon I now live, which was conveyed to me by my father-in-law Mr. Brookes, and her and the heirs of her body.
Item. I give and devise to my wife all my lands and slaves except those hereafter particularly mentioned.
Item. I give to my said wife the use of my chariot during her natural life and after the death of my wife to my daughter Sarah Waters.
I appoint Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas, Guardian of my son Joseph.
I appoint my son John Prentis, and my friend Mr. Benjamin Waller and Mr. Robert Carter Nicholas executors of this my last will.

Presented at Court
August 19, 1765

[York County Records, Book 21 - Wills, Inventories, p. 241]

This residue must have included the larger residence, because the inventory of his estate indicates a much large building than 16 x 25 "fronting the west." This inventory indicates the number of rooms in the house - the hall, the little room, John Prentis's room, the chamber, Daniel's room, dining room, nursery, Mr. Prentis's room, little closet, kitchen and wash house, meal house, cellar, store, store room at house, outhouse, yard, etc. - as well as mentioning several outbuildings. It also gives some clue to the number of windows, and indicates which rooms had fireplaces. This inventory was recorded in York County on October 21, 1765.

3

The estate was advertised for sale on July 28, 1768:

To be SOLD at PUBLIC AUCTION, to the HIGHEST BIDDER, on Monday the 8th day of August, at the DWELLING-HOUSE of the late Mr. WilliamPrentis, in the city of Williamsburg, and pursuant to hiswill,
EIGHT valuable house SLAVES,
and sundry kinds of household and kitchen furniture, such as plate, china, table, chairs, pictures, looking-glasses, beds, quilts, blankets, table and bed linen, a couch, clock, dumb waiter, chest of drawers, bureau, cooler, two suits of fine bed curtains and bedsteads, a large quantity of pewter, &c. A single chair, a cart, and several horses, a pipe of fine old Maderia wine and several dozen of bottled wine, also two tracts of land in the county of York, each containing 250 acres more or less and adjoining the lands of Mr. Willis and Mr. JamesBates; also a water grist mill in the same county within 2 miles of the said lands. Credit will be given for all sums above twenty-five shillings till the 25th of April next, bond and approved security being given to the executors. The above estate is to be sold for the benefit of Mr. PRENTIS'S children; and the sale is to continue till every thing is disposed of.
The sale to begin at 11 O'clock. [Virginia Gazette, William Rind, Ed.]

Although part of the estate was sold at public auction, Mary Prentis probably continued to live on a portion of the property, as it was not sold until after her death. On April 14, 1768, her death was announced in the Virginia Gazette:

Last Saturday morning died in the 58th year of her age, Mrs. Mary Prentis, relict of the late William Prentis, a Lady of examplary piety, and most affable disposition.

[Purdie and Dixon, Eds.]

Her will, probated shortly after her death, bequeathed all of her "cloaths" to her daughter, Sarah, wife of William Waters; her cabinet to her daughter, Elizabeth (who died October 11, 1770, according to the Virginia Gazette); £20 to Ann Walker; and the residue to her four sons, John, Daniel, Joseph, and William [York County Records, Book 21 - Wills, Inventories, p. 410.]

Her inventory, made August 9, 1768, list only the following:

1 cabinet	4/0/0
1 easy chair	6/0/0
1 side saddle	3/10/0
Her stock in trade	1035/0/2

[York County Records, Book 21 - Wills, Inventories, p. 457]

4

John Prentis, the son, died in 1775 [Virginia Gazette, John Pinkney, Ed., November 2, 1775; Alexander Purdie, Ed., November 3, 1775; Dixon and Holt, Eds., November 4, 1775], and his extensive inventory indicates that he had inherited the property. In November his will was probated - the "will of (Col.) John Prentis of the city of Williamsburg...[was].. proved November 20, 1775." [William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. VI (1), p. 126]. The Virginia Gazette indicates that he was a colonel of the militia:

The Militia of this City, are required to meet decently cloathed on Tuesday next at the parade, at three o'clock precisely, with 4 charges of powder each, and their arms clean, and in good order-
John Prentis, Colonel

N. B. No drum will beat.

[William Rind, Ed., March 3, 1768]

An advertisement appears in the Virginia Gazette, according to which "Captain William Prentis" lived "next Door to Mr. Spurr's, below the Capitol":

For SALE, and to be entered on immediately,
THE HOUSE in which the late Captain William Prentis lived, next Door to Mr. Spurr's, below the Capitol, in Williamsburg. Inquire of
JOHN PRENTIS. [Purdie and Dixon, April 29, 1773; William Rind, May 6, 1773, Supplement]

^{Feb. 18, 1773
Died Mr. Wm Prentis}

This location is entirely at variance with our other information of the Prentis House. The most plausible explanation might be that he rented his house and lived on the other side of the Capitol; he might have given or let the house to John, his son, and he himself moved next to Mr. Spurr's; or there may have been another William Prentis. In regard to the last supposition, we have no other record ^of his being a Captain, but we do know that he had a son, John, as well as one named William. This Captain William Prentis could not be the son, for we have evidence that ^{the latter}he was living after this date, 1773 - for example, a letter directed to William Prentis in September, 1775, signed by Lord Dunmore and sealed with the Dunmore crest. [Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. III, p. 314]

5

Another brother, Daniel, is mentioned in Colonel William Prentis's will and inventory, as well as in Mrs. Mary Prentis's will, and he seems next to have acquired the "Prentis House." In 1783 he was listed as the owner of a lot in Williamsburg [William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 11, (1), p. 115], and in 1791 the tax records show him as a property owner.

At some time between 1791 and 1797 the property was conveyed to Mathew Anderson. [See Williamsburg Land Tax Book]. The contemporary maps - that of Bucktrout and the unknown draftsman - cite "M. Anderson" as owner of the lot bounded by Duke of Gloucester Street, Nicholson Street, Botetourt Street, and the lot of "Russell." In Anderson's will, August 10, 1803, he provided:

In the name of God, Amen. I Mathew Anderson of the City of Williamsburg being sick of body, but in sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this writing as and for my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made.

I desire that all my just debts be paid - After payment of my debts, I give, devise and bequeath unto my two sisters, Sally and Rachel Anderson who now live with me, all my estate whether it be real, personal or mixt, to them and their heirs forever...

[Robert Anderson's Account Books, etc. Manuscript in the possession of Virginia Historical Society]

Mathew had filed a Declaration for Assurance No. 123. Rachel Anderson insured it in 1806, 1810, and 1815. [Policies No. 669, p. 3, No. 1013, p. 2, and No. 1510, p. 3.] [Tracings of insurance sketches accompany this report.] The property was "situated on Duke of Gloucester & Nicholson streets between a cross street and a lot of William Russells…" [p. 2.]

Robert Anderson was the next owner, for in his Account Books, Etc. he quotes Rachel Anderson's will:

In the name of God, Amen. I Rachel Anderson of Williamsburg,.. give and bequeath to my nephew Robert Anderson and his heirs and assigns forever, all my lands, lots and houses.. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand.. this thirteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five. [p. 75]

6

The Williamsburg Land Tax Records in the Virginia State Library Archives note the following transfers and property notes:

1821 - Robert Anderson -1- The interest of Rachel Anderson and Sarah Anderson in this house and lot lately conveyed to Mathew Anderson.
1824 - Robert Anderson - 1 via Sarah and Rachel Anderson.
1826 - Robert Anderson - 1 devisee of Rachel Anderson, decd.

Robert Anderson had extensive holdings in Williamsburg, and in 1842 two of Robert Anderson's Williamsburg buildings were destroyed by fire, according to the tax records. Perhaps this was one of them. According to Mr. Charles' Recollections of Williamsburg, the house had burned before the outbreak of the War Between the States:

At the southwest corner of the square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Nicholson, Botetourt and Blair streets, were, at the earliest recollections of the writer, the brick walls forming the cellar or basement of a big building that had been destroyed by fire. The cellar was filled in when the streets were paved a few years ago. [p. 44]

In the report of September, 1938, it is stated that "in recent years a service station which had been erected on the property was razed by the Williamsburg Foundation. Foundations of the buildings and outbuildings were excavated and a reconstruction of the Prentis House is now being completed."

16.