Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Teterel Shop-No. 30
^{Block 18-Lot 49}

A "storehouse" was standing on the western portion of this lot, No. 49, by 1760. (1767 is given in the sketch of the building, upon the same evidence, however, the deed given below, that it is possible to establish the date as 176.) William Waters probably had it built, since it was "newly erected" at that date, cad the property had beers in his possession since 1754:

July 19, 1760

Waters, William--Gent
Sarah, his wife
to
Holt, William--merchant
Consideration: 300 Pounds.

All that piece or parcel of a certain lot lying and being on the North side of the Main Street in the city of Williamsburg which said lot is denoted in the Plan of the Said city by the figures 49, and to begin at the West corner of the said lot on the Main Street and to extend from thence Eastwardly and along the line of the said street 24 feet, thence to run Northwardly down into the said lot 87 feet, thence Westwardly a line 24 foot paralel to the first line and thence along the West side of the said lot being a South direction to the beginning, being part or parcel of one of the lots conveyed to William Waters by Indenture bearing date December 13, 1754, .....Together with the storehouse thereon lately erected and all other buildings.... (York Court Records, Book VI, Deeds, p. 260)

This building could not a been the same one now known the Teterel Shop, however, since an archaeological survey shows the latter to be located on the eastern 55 feet (approximately) of the lot.

Nor can it be said that William Waters once owned a house that stood to the west of either of these buildings, although he did own a lot, probably with a house on it, adjoining on the east, as well as No. 49 itself. (York County Records, Book VIII, Deeds, p. 165; Virginia Gazette, Rind, October 27, 1768)

2

The basis for the statement that the Teterel shop burned during the nineteenth century seems to be that it was standing in 1806 (Insurance Policy Book, p. 57) but that J. S. Charles states concerning the district east of the old Printing Office (Colonial Lot #48):

When the "dogs of war began to howl", there was only one other house on this square fronting on the Duke of Gloucester Street, and that was a very long two story frame building just east of the depression referred to. This house had a store in the front part and the rooms in the rear and upstairs were used as a dwelling.

(Charles, Recollections of Williamsburg, p.45) No indication has been found, however, as to whether the house was destroyed by fire or was razed.

This building has been interpreted as one standing on Lot 50. At any rate, it answers neither the description of Teterel's "storehouse" as drawn on his insurance policy, (Insurance Policy Book, p. 57) nor the archaeological drawings of the foundations of the Teterel Shop.

Illustration #1

Mutual Assurance Society Policy # #1530 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by Francis Teterel per declaration #671 1815, July 7th

Francis Teterel the underwritten residing at Philadelphia in the county or state of Pennsylvania do hereby declare for assurance … my buildings on the main street in Williamsburg situated between Robert Anderson's lot on the west and Coleman's lot on the north and the east the property now occupied by Francis Teterel jr in the county of York…

The Store House	marked A at	$1500
The Kitchen		marked B at	200
		$1700

Illustration #2
Teterel Shop

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #5040 revaluation of building declared for assurance by Francis Teterel as per declaration #1530
1823 April 23rd.

Francis Teterel residing at Philadelphia in Pa and are occupied by no person but a servant That they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg in the county of York…

The Store house	marked A at	$1334
The Kitchen	marked B at	100
		$1434