Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1382
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
This lot #50 until the time of the Revolution transferred with colonial lot #49 the next lot west. The trustees deeded the two lots to Henry Gill on May 3, 1707 with a building clause. A house was erected on the lot some time after 1709.
This house was evidently a handsome house with a shop adjoining it on the east of the same lot. It was the residence of Robert Davidson, a chemist and physician who had a shop near his house with a business partner, Thomas Goodwin. On February 2, 1738 when Davidson died, it was announced in the Gazette that he was a Practitioner in Physick and Mayor of the City.
His inventory, entered in the York County records on March 17, 1739 indicates that the house was fairly large and very well furnished. This inventory is available in the research department. The following items abstracted from the inventory may suggest architectural features:
| In the Hall |
|---|
| 5 tables ( various sorts and sizes), 13 chairs, china ware (listed), 1 pr. iron dogs and tongs. |
| In the chamber (evidently on first floor) |
| 10 chairs, 3 tables, bed, floor cloth, iron dogs, tongs, fender, 2 pr. Window curtains & rods, etc. |
| Upstairs |
| 8 chairs, dressing table, 4 beds, 1 pr. iron dogs, 2 iron window rods, etc... Kitchen: (may be in house) |
| Closet |
| china, glassware, utensils, etc. |
Davidson's estate was sold by his executors according to the following advertisement in the Virginia Gazette:
1739 - April 6 (William Parks, Ed.)A Considerable Parcel of Medicines, of the late Doctor Davidson's, with a Still, and some Mortars, &c. and his Books, to be sold in the Time of the General Court, either in Wholesale or in Parcels, at reasonable Rates. Also, at his late Dwelling-House, will be sold, by way of Out-cry, all Sorts of Household Goods, Negroes, Horses, Cart, and Harness, &c. at Twelve Months Credit, the Buyer giving Security as usual... and any Person desiring to buy the House and Lots of the said Doctor Davidson's, may treat with the Subscriber in Williamsburg.
John Blair.
John Blair, as administrator, sold lots 49 and 50 to John Holt, a merchant,on March 18, 1744. Holt mortgaged the lots for £ 800 to Peyton Randolph on December 31, 1753 and the mortgage was foreclosed. On December 13, 1754 Peyton Randolph deeded the two lots to William Waters, gentleman, for £ 300.
William Waters lived in the large dwelling house on the corner of lot #50 and rented or sold the shops on lot #49 [See separate report, Colonial lot #49]. When he died he bequeathed the house and lots 48 and 49 to his widow, Sarah, in trust for his daughter, Sarah. His inventory, entered in the York Records on August 21, 1769 is available in the research department and like Davidson's inventory it indicates that the house must have been fairly handsome since its furniture and furnishings were so elaborate.
Although the property was advertised for sale in the Virginia Gazette several times after Waters' death his widow evidently remained in the house on lot #50 and rented the shops on lot #49 to tenants.
3On May 8, 1771 she mortgaged the lots to William Prentis for £ 500 but paid off the mortgage on June 25. In 1782 the property was still owned by Sarah Waters. At the time of her residence she had the following repairs made to the house. 1784 - Humphrey Harwood's Ledger
| July 23- | |
| To 4 bushels of lime 4/. & setting up a Grate 7/6 & 11/2 days lar 3/9 | 0:15: 3 |
| August 11- | |
| To 2 bushels of lime at 1/ & repairing Well 3/9 & labrs work 1/3 | 0: 7: 0 |
William Coleman owned this house in the beginning of the nineteenth century and insured it. At that time there was a small shop east of the house, which may or may not have been erected by William or Sarah Waters. A tracing of this policy accompanies this report.
[See also report on Colonial Lot #49.]
Harold R. Shurtleff, Director
Department of Research and Record.
Report by: Helen Bullock.
ab
cc: P. S. & H., Boston and Williamsburg.
Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin.
A. A. Shurcliff.
Dwelling house:
Built between 1709-1736. Gambrel roof. 42 x 33 feet. Back porch in 1806, 12 x 8. Four fireplaces. One full inventory 1737 available giving furniture of Hall, Chamber, Upstairs. Another complete inventory, 1768. House so elaborately furnished that it must have been architecturally elaborate. See insurance policy 1806.
A large gambrel roofed house built between 1709 and 1736 stood on the western portion of lot # 50. The eastern corner of the house was about 42 feet from Botetourt Street. In 1738 when Robert Davidson died an inventory of the house was taken. The complete inventory is on file. The rooms listed in the inventory were:
The Hall (a fireplace, desks, tables, 14 chairs, etc). Chamber (on first floor, a fireplace, two windows, a bed and a large amount of other furniture); Upstairs, two or more rooms, containing 4 beds, two fireplaces and lots of other furniture). A kitchen, (probably outside) a closet (containing china, glass, etc.) either to kitchen or main house.
In 1744 the house was sold by Davidson's executors to John Holt and by Holt to William Waters in 1754. After his death in 1767 the house was again inventoried.
The inventory is not arranged by rooms but there are four fireplaces and four beds; apparently two rooms on the first floor and perhaps four on the second. This inventory is on file.
Sarah Waters, William's widow, and their daughter Sarah, lived here for the entire eighteenth century. At the beginning of the nineteenth century William Coleman owned and 2 insured the house. A tracing of this policy accompanies this report.
Department of Research & Record
Harold R. Shurtleff, Director
Report by: Helen Bullock
HB/vbl.
cc: P. S. & H., Wmsburg & Boston
Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin
A. A. S.
enc: