Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The lot on which the "storehouse" of Dr. Archibald Blair was built is situated on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street and is numbered 46 on early plats of Williamsburg. (See Illustration #1 for copy of plat.)

HISTORY:

Lot #46 is among the earliest lots to be deeded by the Trustees of Williamsburg to a private party. Its history begins in 1700. Unfortunately, one has to rely on the York County Records almost entirely for early information on lot #46, as the Virginia Gazette was not in existence until 1736, and journals and diaries of this early period are rare and uncommunicative about this area of Williamsburg.

The first owner of lot #46 was Dr. Archibald Blair¹ who received 2 the lot from the Trustees on November 18, 1700:

"To Archibald Blair
"From Trustees of Williamsburg
"Consideration: 15 shillings

"One Lot of ground in the city of Williamsburgh designed in the plot by the figures 46, bounded as followeth: Lying upon the North side of the Duke of Gloster Street, beginning upon the Street and running along that street E ¼ N 5 poles to ——Lane, thence along that Lane N ¼ W 16 poles to Nicholson Street thence along that street W ¼ S 5 poles, thence S ¼ E 16 poles to the place begun att…with all woods…

"Shall build within 24 months- Dwelling house 30 foot in length 20 foot in width, of such pitch and placed in such manner as by An Act of Assembly April 27, 1699.

"Admitted to record, Nov. 24, 1702."

(York County Records, Deeds, Bonds, II, p. 60.)

Apparently Dr. Blair failed to comply with the Act of Assembly of 1699 which required that an owner build within twenty-four months a dwelling-house or other buildings of suitable size on a city lot; for the title lapsed and the City held the lot on March 16, 1715, when William Timson was granted the property by the Trustees of the City. (Further study of Timson will follow later.)

From the following we know that Dr. Blair leased or rented a store-house in Williamsburg after his lot (#46) had escheated to the City and before a building had been erected thereon:

"Ffeby: ye 24, 1704.

"…If you please to Cover Your letter to Mr. Charles Chiswell, at Ye Secretary's Office, or Walter Cromley, at Dr. Blair's store, in Williamsburg, it will come safe to me."

(Letter of Philip Ludwell to Rev. Mr. Grace; copy in W. A. R. Goodwin's The Records of Bruton Parish Church, Richmond: 1941, p. 23.)

3 The location of the store referred to in the foregoing quoted letter is not known. It is significant in that it places Dr. Blair as a merchant in Williamsburg by 1704.

By 1719, Blair's "storehouse" was located on lot #46 and the buildings thereon seem to have been erected between 1715 and 1717. (See deeds on p. 4 following.)

In eighteenth century Virginia, medical practitioners dispensed their own medicines. Often these doctors engaged indentured servants or young men as helpers in their shops. Frequently, the early doctor had several "callings" or means of livelihood. In many instances it was convenient, as well as profitable, to operate a general merchandise store in the same building occupied as an apothecary shop. Numerous instances in the Virginia Gazette indicate that an apothecary was also a doctor in the community; and of necessity he ordered his drugs from merchants in London.¹

Unfortunately, no source material has come to light which proves that Dr. Archibald Blair sold drugs at the building located on lot #46. However, the source material copied below indicates that Blair operated, during the period 1704-1729, a general merchandise store in Williamsburg, where doubtless he sold medicines, and that at some time after 1718 he was located on lot #46.

1704, Feb. 24: (See reference to Williamsburg store on p. 2 of this report.)

1709, Feb. 6: The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover 1709-1712, fn. p. 1, states that Daniel Wilkinson, then serving Byrd, was 4 later a storekeeper for Dr. Blair.

1710, Feb. 8: Ibid., p. 139, "Dr. Blair came...to buy some of the medicine…"

1711, Nov. 15: Journal of the House of Burgesses 1702-1712, p. 309, "The Claim of M^rArchibald Blair for goods furnished by the Governours order for the Battery on Point Comfort" was presented.

1711, Dec. 20: Ibid., p. 342, "The Claim of M^rArchybald Blair of £4:0:8 for nailes furnish^d for the Battery at point Comfort ought to be paid…"

1714, June 21: York County Records, Orders, Wills, Book 14, p. 339, "On the petition of Archibald Blair agt. Selathiell Quinny… Judgmt. is granted the petr. for the Sum & Costs, an attacmt. being returned Executed on a horse of the sd. Quinny's…it is ordered that [the appointed appraisers] meet some time before the next Court at the sd. Blair's store and appraise the sd. horse- deliver him to the petr. and make report thereof to the next Court."

On March 17, 1715, the lot (#46) once in the possession of Archibald Blair was granted via a deed of release by the Trustees of Williamsburg to William Timson for a consideration of 45 shillings:

"…three certain lots of ground in the city of Williamsburgh denoted in the platt of y^e s^d City by these figures (323, 46 & 47)…
"That if y^e s^d W^m Timson his heirs or assignes shall not within y^e Space of Twenty four months next Ensueing y^e date of these Presents begin to build & finish upon Each Lott of y^e s^d granted premisses one good dwelling house or houses of Such demensions & to be placed in Such manner as by one Act of Assembly made at y^e Capitol y^eTwenty Third day of October 1705..."
Recorded March 19th, 1715.
(York County Records, Deeds & Bonds, III, pp. 109-110.)

On May 31, 1717, William Timson mortgaged lot #46 with other lots to James Shield, a tailor:

"Timson, William
to
"Shield, James, taylor
Consideration: 300 Pounds

"All those three lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the city by the figures 46, 47 & 323, which three lots were granted unto William Timson by the Trustees of City of Williamsburg, together with the houses thereon."

(York County Records, Deeds, Bonds, III, p. 185.)

5 Between 1715 and 1717 Timson built, evidently, on the lots as the consideration changes from 45 shillings in 1715 to 300 pounds in 1717.

In the period from 1717 to 1729 there are numerous references to Dr. Blair's storehouse or store. It is not known when James Shield disposed of lot #46, but certain court records and references in letters covering the period seem to indicate that Dr. Archibald Blair repurchased or leased the lot in 1718 or 1719. Such circumstantial evidence is found in the following letter and in subsequent information:

June 24th 1718.
To the Board or Trade.

"…
"…the publick money was Ordered to be put into the hands of Mr. Arch'd Blair...This Gent., now a Member of the House of Burgesses, is brother to Mr. Com'ry Blair, one of the Council, and they are in Partnership with Colo. Ludwell^[1] and are concerned in one of the most considerable Trading Stores in this Country…."

(Letters of Governor Alexander Spotswood, Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Virginia 1710-1722, Vol. II, p. 278, printed as one of a series of Virginia Historical Collections.)

Nothing could be discovered in available records about the Blair-Ludwell store other than the above reference.

Deeds to adjoining lot #47 (covering a period of ten years, 1719-1729) indicate that Dr. Blair was closely identified with lot #46 as renter, if not 6 owner. Blair's store is referred to in various ways in deeds to lot #47, which is described as: "adjoining the storehouse^[1] of Mr. Archibald Blair"; "between the store house of Mr. Archibald Blair…"; "adjoining on the Great Street between the Storehouse of Mr. Archibald Blair and the house of Henry Gill"; and "between the storehouse now in the tenure^[2] of Archibald Blair…"

An example which indicates that Dr. Blair was a practicing physician in Williamsburg in 1719 is given in the depositions made by several individuals concerning the will of Mary Baker:

"Elizabeth Bevins, wife of William Bevins, near the Town of Queens Creek, Mary Lyons…and John Anderson°severally make oath that they were all together present with Mary Baker, late widow dec'd…when she lay on her death bed and they believing her to be dangerously ill, and Dr. Blair having that morning been with her and declared he thought she would not live…." (York County Records, Orders, Wills, Book 15, p. 557.)

On June 19, 1721, Dr. Blair's store is mentioned in the court records relative to a robbery:

"John Hope committed to the Goal of this County on suspicion of felony and burglary in breaking and robbing the store of Dr. Archibald Blair in Williamsburg…" (York County Records, Orders, Wills, Book 16, p. 47.)

This reference to Dr. Blair's store is followed by another in the report of a recurring robbery:

"At a Council held at the Capitol June 7^th 1722
"…A Memorial being presented to this Board by W^m Roscow Execut^r of James Roscow Esq^r dec^d setting forth that the sum of £254.18.9 received by the said Roscows Dep^ty for 7 his Majt^ys Q^u R^ts in the Year 1721, was Stolen out of the Store of M^r Arch^d Blair Merch^t in Williamsburg…" (Executive Journals, Council of Colonial Virginia, Vol. IV, p. 17.)

On August 4, 1722, Archibald Blair's storehouse is cited in a deed to lot #47 given by Thomas Jones to Christopher Degraffenried. The location of lot #47 is described as "adjoining the Great Street between the storehouse now in the tenure of Archibald Blair and the house now in the tenure of Michael Archer…" (York County Records, Deeds & Bonds, Vol. III, p. 385.)

Blair apparently was present at a public sale of John Davis' estate on April 25, 1728, at which time Blair bought "1 pr. scales and weights, 1 pr. money scales, chain for a carry log, 23 clamps and pins...£1/10/0." (York County Records, Orders, Wills, Book 16, p. 543.)

On December 15, 1729, another deed to the adjoining lot (#47) mentions the Blair lot and storehouse: "between the storehouse of Mr. Archibald Blair and the house of Henry Gill." (York County Records, Deeds, & Bonds, Vol. IV, p. 8.)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS:

At this point in the history of lot #46 it may be well to give the findings of the Architectural Department, Colonial Williamsburg. Recent excavations show the foundations of a large house located at about the center of lot #46. According to Mr. James Knight of the Architectural Department, there appears to be a back section to the basement which probably was used as a wine cellar. The roof to this section is vaulted. The cellar is unusually deep for a dwelling house, which makes the case more convincing that this was once the site of Dr. Archibald Blair's store.

It is Mr. Knight's theory that owners of lot #46 encroached, at some time, on the street now called "Colonial Street" as this street is only 8 21 feet in width and other side streets are in even pole widths. (Possibly this encroachment occurred when the small shop on the corner of the lot was built.) If three colonial lots 82½ feet in width (or 5 poles) are measured off beginning at lot #44 and continuing through lots #45 and #46, the eastern line of lot #46 would be about half way through the apothecary shop, and the street to the east would measure 2 poles in width which may have been the original width. (See Illustration #1 for architectural drawing and Illustration #3 for further report of architects.)

HISTORY (cont.)

Dr. Archibald Blair died in 1735 (Cary Ms., William and Mary College). From his death to 1743 there is a gap in the chain of title to lot #46 which available records have not bridged. However, evidence has been assembled to give a reasonable basis for assuming that the store of the partnership of William Prentis,¹ John Blair,² and Wilson Cary³ was located 9 on this lot by 1743, and that this firm was still there in 1765. Such evidence is given in the references following.¹

1743, September 3:	York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 19, p. 223, "In the suit in Chancery between William Prentis of the city of Williamsburg, merchant, complt. and John James Pasteur of the Borough of Norfolk, Peruke maker, Defendt…" the court decreed that foreclosure proceedings would be instituted against the defendant on his mortgaged property unless certain conditions were met.
1745, June 6:	Virginia Gazette, Parks, ed., "Carter Burwell, Executor of James Bray's Estate will meet those indebted to the estate at Mr. Prentis's Store, in Williamsburg…"
1751, March 19:	Diary of John Blair (copy in William and Mary Quarterly, First Series, Vol. VII, p. 137), "fine day. Col. Cary being here we settled ye Dividds at Store…"
1754, June 13:	Bursar's Accounts, William and Mary College,
	"By Cash to Mr Prentis Store Account	£ 8. -. -."
1755, June 4:	Ibid.,
	"By [cash] paid Mr Prentis	9.16. 9."
1755, November 18:	Ibid.,
	"By [cash] paid Mr Prentis	5. 2. 7."
1764, December 4:	Ibid.,
	"To Cash pd Mr Prentis for sundry & Pr Accts	25.18.11½."
1764, December 7:	Ibid.,
	"To Bills pd in favr Mr Wm Prentis	18.13.14."

John Prentis was the eldest son of William Prentis: "William Prentis, Gent. to John Prentis, eldest son of William…" (York County Records, Deeds, Book 6, p. 63.) John Prentis was evidently much older than his brothers and sisters as his father appointed him executor of his estate and mentioned his minor children (York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 21). John 10 Prentis seems to have been in business by 1763. From court records, it appears that John Prentis acted as manager of the company called "John Prentis & Co,"¹ composed of his father, William Prentis, John Blair, and Wilson Cary:

1762 - John Prentis & Company, merchants in Williamsburg, foreclosed a mortgage on property of Elizabeth Wyatt. (York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 501.)

1768, Dec. 1 - "... TWO LOTS... sold to discharge a mortgage
thereof to John Prentis & Co...." (Virginia Gazette, Rind, ed.)

In his will dated December 31, 1761, and proved August 19, 1765, William Prentis made certain bequests to his wife² and children and he described the copartnership with Blair and Cary: "And whereas for a number of Years I have been engaged in a Copartnership of Trade with the Honorable John Blair Esq. and Wilson Cary Esq. and by a late Settlement dated the twenty fifth day of November last and signed by the said John Blair and myself, there appears to be balance of Stock amounting to £17,391 and 3 schill of which I estimate my proportion to be £7114… My part of the said Stock shall be divided in the following Manner, I give to wife £1000 part of Stock, son John £1444, W^m Waters £670, son Joseph £1000, son William £1000, son Daniel £1000 and daughter Elizabeth £1000." He desired John to manage his children's part of the trade during their minority and to account regularly to the other executors for the profits of the children's part of the said stock and all matters relating thereto. (York County Records, Wills and 11 Inventories, Book 21, pp. 241-245.)

Evidently the settlement (referred to in William Prentis's will) between Blair, Cary and Prentis, was not completed before the death of John Blair in 1771. Blair in writing his will (dated October 25, 1771, and proved November 18, 1771), bequeathed to his daughter, Anne Blair, and to his son, James Blair, certain stock in John Prentis & Company:

"…
"Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne Blair one thousand pounds Current Money part of my Stock in trade with John Prentis and Company with the profitts thereof from the Divident made in August one Thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Nine and to my Son James Blair the like Sum of One thousand Pounds part of the said Stock with the profits thereof as to my Daughter Anne." (York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 22, p. 44.)

The death of the two partners is noted by John Prentis & Company in the Gazette:

"Williamsburg, October 13, 1773

"By the DEATH of two of our principal partners,¹ it is become absolutely necessary that all ACCOUNTS should be IMMEDIATELY SETTLED. We must therefore desire every Person indebted, whether by BILLS, BONDS, or OPEN ACCOUNTS of twelve months standing, to discharge their respective Balances without Loss of Time, as no farther indulgence can be given. The Trade will be carried on to its usual Extent, and we do not mean by this Advertisement to press such of our good Customers as have been punctual in their Dealings with their obliged humble Servants,
JOHN PRENTIS & CO."

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

The firm continued in business during 1774. On November 24, 1774, John Prentis published in the Gazette his concern "that I have incurred the displeasure of the York and Gloucester committees, and thereby the public in general, for my omission in not countermanding the order which I sent to 12 Mr. Norton for two half chests of tea; and do with Truth declare, that I had not the least intention to give offence, nor did I mean an opposition to any Measure for the public good…" (Virginia Gazette, Pinkney, ed.) On December 29, 1774, the Committee for James City County made public their decision reached in a meeting of December 12, 1774, regarding Purdie and Prentis, merchants in Williamsburg, who had received goods from Glasgow. Both were cleared of charges of disloyalty to the colony (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds).

John Prentis of the firm of Prentis & Company died in the early part of November or late October, 1775. The following notice was published on November 2, 1775: "Died, after a lingering illness JOHN PRENTIS, of this city, Merchant." (Virginia Gazette, Pinkney, ed.)

On November 4, 1775, a letter from John Blair (son of the John Blair who was a partner of John Prentis & Company) to Robert Prentis,¹ reveals his concern over the death of John Prentis and also the state of the business settlements:

"Nov^r 4^th 1775-
To M^r Robert Prentis-

"Dear Sir,
"I am truly concerned for the Death of our Part[torn] worthy Manager; and [torn]hould willingly attend his Funeral, in Testimony of my Respect, but that I am not a little disordered by a Cold—

"With Respect to the Subject on which you desire my Sentiments, I must own I know not well what to entertain, & I am as much a Stranger to M^r Cary's— I can only say, that I always had thought of you as a proper person to succeed Col. Prentis in the Management of the Partnership-Affairs-but I have had Doubts too for some time past, whether it would not be adviseable to discontinue the Trade till better Times, I m[torn] and to shut the Store, because I am apprehensive it will be impossible to continue the Trade-

"This however will depend upon the State of [words written through] & the Goods on Hand; I shall write to Col. Cary, & 13 if possible get him to come here, then the matter may be inquired into and agreed upon."

(Letter in Department of Research, Miscellaneous Letters, p. 7.)

It is obvious that Colonel John Prentis acted as manager of the John Prentis & Company firm, and that Robert Prentis had written Blair for his opinion about continuing the business. The letter also reveals beyond any doubt that the Blair and Cary families had continued their interests in the mercantile firm after the deaths of John Blair, Sr. and Wilson Cary.

No date appears on the letter to Robert Prentis from John Blair copied below, but the context dates it as December 1775:

"… I have wrote to Col.Cary^[1] to know his Opinion about shutting up the Store, or keeping it open, but have not yet had his Answer- I have some Notion the Treasure^[2] is concerned jointly with him; I think he is an Ex^or of the late Col. Cary;^[3] but if not he is concerned in Interest at least; Suppose you now ask his Opinion on that Subject—" (Letter in Department of Research, Miscellaneous Letters, p. 12.)

Another letter from Blair to Robert Prentis on December 5, 1775, shows further Blair's concern over the management of the property and its future:

Dec^r 5^th 1775.

"Dear Sir,
I return you the Inventory of the Partnership Goods-Since I saw you, I have had some Conversation with the Treasurer with Respect to the Propriety of keeping the Store open- He too is of Opinion, from the Quantity of Goods on Hand, & the Impossibility & the peculiar Risk now of increasing the Goods we have in these difficult Times that it would be more to our Advantage to discontinue the Trade- I should be glad to know the Sentiments of Col. Prentis's Exor^s on a matter in which we are all considerably interested; if they should not concur in Opinion, I think the best way would be to have a meeting, and communicate our Reasons- If the Store is to be shut up; still we shall have some Points to adjust- the collection of the Debts- in what 14 manner the Goods are to be sold, & for what Credit-whether the Partnership is to be dissolved, or suspended only; if the former, the Store Houses^[1] &c. must be sold; if the latter I conceive it would be better to keep them in Hopes of better Times; and as, if they should ever arrive, I should be desirous, my Self, to be engaged again in Trade, my own Opinion at present is only for a Suspension…"

(Letter in Department of Research, Miscellaneous Letters, p. 8.)

By December 22, 1775, the surviving partners of John Prentis, deceased, had decided upon the proper course to take in the management and settlement of the business:

"THE surviving partners of Mr. John Prentis, late manager of the trade under the firm of himself and Co. earnestly request all persons indebted to the said partnership to pay their respective balances to Mr. Robert Prentis, the present manager; and such who cannot possibly comply therewith will think it but reasonable to close their accounts, by giving bond and security to
ROBERT PRENTIS, & Co." ² (Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed.)

The next record in the form of a receipt is copied below:

"July 23^d 1777- Rec^d of M^r Robert Prentis the Sum of One Hundred & Forty Pounds advanced out of the Store Cash, also in like Manner for the Use of my Father's Estate six Hundred Pounds, for the Use of my Brother's Est^a One Hundred & Thirty Pounds, & for the Use of my Sister Anne Blair the Sum of One Hundred & Thirty Pounds-
John Blair—

Also Rec^d at the same Time the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Ten Shillings for Balance due in the Store to Norborne Thompson-
John Blair

£ 140.-.-
600.-.-
130.-.-
130.-.-
£1000.-.-
[On back]
Mr Blair's rect
for
£1100-9-10-¾ "

(Miscellaneous Letters, Department of Research, p. 10.)

As manager of the firm of Robert Prentis & Company, Robert Prentis made certain necessary repairs to the property during 1778, 1779 and 1783. 15 Such items are accounted and noted in the ledger accounts of Humphrey Harwood, carpenter, to Robert Prentis, debtor:

1778
June	30th	To Mending Arch over back door 6/. & 1 bu. Mortar & labr 2/ Painting Wall	- 9 6
July	26	To 6 bushs lime a 1/6. Hair 1/6 Repairg larths. & plastre in Store 22	1 12 6
		To 300 L Nails 11/3 & 2 days labour a 2/6 6/	1 12 6
August	27	To Whitewashing the 2 back Rooms & Stareway 12/	- 12 -
Septr.	26	To 2000 bricks at 33/. to 3 bushs. of Mortar 3/4/6 Laying a harth 3/. 5/	5 19 6
		To Altering Chimney 5/. 10/ & 1 Days labour 2/6 6/.	- 16 -
November	2	To 20 bushs. lime 20/ 30/ & Carting a load of Sand 2/4 2/	1 14 -
	5	To 12 Do 12/ 18/. 400 bricks 11/. 22/. & Carting a load of Sand 2/ 4/.	2 4 -
		To building a Chimney 40/ 60/. & 4½ days labour a 2/6 6/.	4 7 -
1779
March	11	To 20 bushs of lime a 2/6 4/6 & underpining Stable 20/ 80/ & 3 days labour a 2/6 12/.	10 6 -
	13	To 5 bushs. of lime a 4/6. hair 3/. & 80 larthes 10d 4/ & puting up Step to Store 1/6 6/.	1 15 6
		To larthing and plastering Nesacary House 24/ & 1 Days labour 2/6 12/	1 16 -
May	19	To 4 bushs of lime 6/ 24/ & underpining Paleing 10/ 60/. & 1½ Days labr at 2/6 a 15/.	5 2 9
November	13	To 80 bricks 2/6 24/ 2 bushs of lime 2/ 30/.	2 14 -
		To pillering Poarch 6/ 60/ & labours work 2/6 15/	3 5 -
		To a load of Oat straw 30/ £14.2.6
1783
Januay.	8th	To 2 Sills 21 feet long [illegible]
		To 15 Rafters 16 do long 3½ by 2½	1 5 -
		To 25 Studes 7½ Do long	- 16 3
		To 4 Posts 7½ Do long 6 by 4 25 Do a 3	- 6 3
		To 4 Braces 6 Do 6 by 4 13 Do a 3	- 3 3
		£ 19. 4. 1
		(payment refused (?) by Jo. Prentis)	£19 4 1

References to the store are to be noted in the above bills for repairs.

On November 10, 1779, the three members of the firm formerly known as Robert Prentis & Company — John Blair, Wilson Miles Cary,¹ and Robert 16 Prentis — conveyed by deed of trust to William Hornsby, for a consideration of 1000 pounds, property recognized as lot #46:

"Whereas the said John Blair for himself and as executor of his fathers estate, the said Wilson Miles Cary for himself and as one of the Executors of his fathers Estate, Robert Prentis for himself and Executor of the Estate of Mr. John Prentis, were for themselves and the aforesaid respective estates interested in a certain lot of ground in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plan thereof by the figures _____ which said lot and store houses thereon were considered as part of the joint stock in trade under the firm of Robert Prentis & Company, by a Settlement of the said stock made the 4th February, 1778,

"And whereas, it has been agreed on by the aforesaid John Blair, Wilson Miles Cary, and Robert Prentis, sole managers and directors of the said Partnership, to dissolve the same, and in order to close the account thereof it became necessary to make Sale of the said lot, the same was accordingly advertised in the Gazette, and sold to Robert Prentis the highest bidder for the sum of 1000 pounds current money

"Now this indenture witnesseth, that the parties of the first part grant, bargain sell unto the said William Hornsby… the lot and storehouses above mentioned with all appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging. In trust to and for the only proper use, and behoof of him said Robert Prentis his heirs and assigns forever…"

(York County Records, Deeds, VI, p. 79.)

"Store houses" are mentioned in the above deed. Apparently Hornsby did not pay off the mortgage and Prentis continued to own it wholly.

MAPS:

The Frenchman's Map (c. 1782) shows what appears to be an L-shaped building on lot 46; if it is not L-shaped, two buildings were joined together. Two smaller out-buildings appear on the map: one immediately to the rear and the other near Nicholson Street.

The College Map (1791?) and the Bucktrout Map (1803) show lot 46 in the possession of "Prentis."

HISTORY:

In 1786, Robert Prentis bequeathed his lot and storehouse in Williamsburg to his nephew, William Prentis. (Typed copy of will in Letters 17 of Robert Prentis, p. 5, Department of Research.)

In 1806, William Prentis rented the store to Robert Warburton. (Letters of William Prentis, p. 38, January 23, 1807, Department of Research.) Warburton had tried to buy the property on April 18, 1804 (Letters of William Prentis, p. 23, Department of Research). On October 14, 1805, William Prentis in writing to his cousin Joseph Prentis at Suffolk, Virginia, said:

"…
"With respect to the Store Lot, I received a letter two or three weeks ago from D^r Tazewell, wishing to get a part of the vacant ground on the street to build a Shop on-I wrote him that I would prefer selling the whole; that a sale of a part might injure a sale of the remainder- that my price was 600$ and that if he would join with M^r Warburton, who wished to purchase, I would prefer selling the whole at once." (Ibid.)

From this letter we see that the store lot had a vacant piece of ground on the street side. Mr. Warburton made various propositions for buying the store and lot from 1804 to March 24, 1809, when he succeeded in purchasing the property.¹ (York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 502.) Williamsburg Land Tax Records for 1809 cite: "Robert H. Warburton... 1 lot via Prentis."

Land Tax Records for Williamsburg give the following information concerning lots owned by the Prentis' and Warburton: In 1782 Robert Prentis owned 2 lots valued at 7 pounds annually. From 1783-1785, Prentis is taxed for 2 lots, assessed at 7 pounds 10 shillings annually. In 1786, Prentis' lots are valued at 10 pounds, 10 shillings. From 1787-1800 Prentis owned 1 lot valued at 20 pounds. From 1801 to 1804 Robert Prentis paid taxes on 1 lot valued at $66.67, at which time William Prentis became the owner of the lot with the same value. In 1809, the lot was transferred to Robert Warburton "via Prentis," bearing a valuation of $80. (See Illustration #2 of the Appendix for copy of Land Tax Records as found in Virginia State Archives.)

18

Prior to April 8, 1811, Warburton died. His estate was bequeathed to certain of his nephews and nieces, who were Drummonds, and their connections (York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 257). On April 8, 1811, Samuel Shields, Jr. purchased from the commissioners of Warburton's estate a part of Warburton's property described as "on the Main Street in the city of Williamsburg, bounded on the East by a cross street, on the South by the Main Street, on the West by the brick tenement occupied by Mrs. Paradise and on the North by the Back Street, which said lot Robert H. Warburton purchased of _____ Prentis." Consideration was $600. (Ibid.)

On April 18, 1814, Samuel Shield and wife (who was Maria Drummond) mortgaged the property as described below to William C. Drummond for a consideration of 217 pounds current money of Virginia:

…
"A Certain house and lot on the Main Street in the City of Williamsburg whereof the late Robert H. Warburton died seized and which the said Samuel Shield purchased at a sale made thereof by George Jackson, William T. Galt, and Robert Anderson, Commissioners appointed by a decree of the Hustings Court of Williamsburg to make sale of certain property belonging to the estate of the said Robert H. Warburton." (York County Records, Deeds, Book 8, p. 258.)

On April 18th, Drummond promptly gave a mortgage to Robert Anderson to secure Shield. (Ibid., Book 8, p. 259.)

On July 13, 1815, certain of the Warburton heirs; namely, William P. Vass and wife, William C. Drummond, and John and Martha Drummond conveyed to Samuel Shield Jr. for a consideration of $120.¹ their several shares in the house and lot commonly called the "Brick Store" and further described as: 19

"…the lot whereof is bounded on the East by the land which separates it from the house occupied by Doctor _____ Dufort^[1], on the South by the Main Street, on the West by the lot late in the occupation of Lucy L. Paradise, decd, and on the North by _____ street, and which is the same house and lot sold to the said Robert H. Warburton by William Prentis and Mary, his wife. And by the said Warburton devised to the above grantors and wife of the grantee."
(Ibid., Book 8, p. 502.)

The Williamsburg Land Tax Records show that William C. Drummond was owner of one lot from 1811-1818, with an annual value of $100. The name is sometimes given as "Cary Drummond." (Land Tax Records for Williamsburg, Department of Research.)

The Williamsburg Tax Transfers indicate that in 1818 Cary Drummond sold the lot, described as follows, to William Lee: "1 lot [value] $100 Via Cary Drummond lot and brick store on the north side of the main street, and is the same formerly the property of Robert H. Warburton, dec'd."

From 1820-1830 Lee is taxed for one lot assessed at $1000, building and lot together being valued at $1100. (Land Tax Records for Williamsburg, Department of Research.)

In the ten years, Lee's property seems to have increased in value, doubtless, because of the additional building or repairing. In the Southall Papers (Folder 193, William and Mary College) is a small account of William H. Lee, debtor, to R. T. Booker, carpenter:

"March 6th 1828	Mr Wm Lee Dr to R T Booker to building Chimney	$25.00
…
June 6th	to 16½ feet of 1¼ plank at 3 Cts	50½
	to 5 bushels of lime	84"

Another account is given in Folder 194 of the Southall Papers. No date 20 is given but Folder 194 covers the period 1818-1843:

"to 431 pine rails at 8 cts	$3.78
to 72 railes at 6	4.38
to 25 post at 12½	3.—
to putting up 24 pannells at 25	6.—
	$17:76 [?]"

Evidently there were other accounts with carpenters and masons which are not available. A new building of some kind had been added to the lot.

In 1830, Lee was owner of one lot and buildings valued at $1325, with a yearly rent of $125. An attached note explains the change in value as follows: "Reassessed; new building estimated at $225." (Land Tax Records for Williamsburg.) In 1838, Lee's lot was valued at $1175 with buildings added. (Ibid.) The lower value is explained thus: Lee had sold a part of the lot to Sheldon and Maupin, merchants of Williamsburg.¹ The Land Tax Record for 1838 lists Sheldon and Maupin as possessing "1 lot, value including buildings $500, via William H. Lee."² From subsequent records which follow in this report, it appears that Sheldon and Maupin's part of lot 46 bordered on the Paradise lot (#45) to the west. (See Southall Papers, Folder 201, May 3, 1851. This record indicates that the firm of Sheldon & Maupin sold the lot adjoining the lots of Parkes Slater³ and John Millington⁴ to William S. Peachy.)

In 1841, the eastern part of lot #46, on which the brick store was located, came into the ownership of John Millington: "1 lot via William H. Lee." (Tax Transfers for Williamsburg, Department of Research.)

21

In 1843, Millington and Griffin, mercantile firm, were charged with one lot, on which the value including buildings was assessed at $1175, "via William H. Lee—transferred in 1841." (Land Tax Records for Williamsburg, Department of Research.)

Undoubtedly, Millington kept the brick house for his own use several years but sold a part of the lot to Dr. Edward Camm in 1843. (See: Deed of Eliza Camm, Williamsburg Deeds, November 12, 1877, Department of Research.) Evidence that Dr. Camm built a storehouse in Williamsburg in 1843 follows:

"Doctr Edward Camm To J. R. Warren & Co	Dr
"1843
"August 1st For Furnishing Timber & building Store House	$250.00
"August 1st For Digging & Bricking Well	28:00
"August 1st For Furnishing Materials & building Lumber House	12.00
	$290.00"

(Southall Papers, Folder 331, College of William and Mary)

The account does not locate the storehouse of Dr. Camm's but it seems reasonable to believe that the storehouse was built on lot #46, as Dr. Camm owned no other property in the city at the time. (At least no record has been found of any other property.) Mr. John S. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg" (p. 44) about 1861-1865 describes the houses in this block as follows:

"…The next house on the east of the Paradice House was a small one story house with dormer windows used as a tailor shop^[1] in days when 'hand-me-downs' were unknown. 22 The house next on the east had about the same appearance as it has today. This was Dr. Camm's 'drug store,' built not many years before the War. The brick house, now standing on the corner and improperly called 'Red Lion,' was used as an apothecary shop, but was used for other purposes when the new 'drug store' was built."

Just when Millington conveyed the entire eastern part of lot #46 to Dr. Camm is not known. It was before 1854, for in that year Camm is charged with the lot in the tax accounts. Tax transfers for 1856 indicate that Edward Camm is assessed for a new building. On October 1, 1857, Camm transferred his business to William Camm, his son, who continued to operate the business in the brick store. (Williamsburg Gazette, Richmond & Norfolk Advertiser, November 11, 1857.) It appears that by 1860 Dr. Camm had erected a new building adjacent to the old brick drug store, to house his son's business. (Weekly Gazette and Eastern Virginia Advertiser, November 23, 1859; and Ibid., April 11, 1860.) The new building referred to above was probably the new building assessed in 1856 on the Williamsburg Land Tax Records. (See Illustration #2 of the Appendix.)

To summarize at this point: By 1860, there were two storehouses adjacent to each other on the eastern part of lot #46, both owned by Dr. Camm until his death in 1871;¹ then by his wife until 1877, at which time the property was sold to William W. Vest.² (The western part of lot #46 — owned by Sheldon and Maupin, merchants, in 1838 - was sold by them in 1851 to William S. Peachy.

23

A drawing of lot #46 in the 1838-1860 period:

The Coleman Collection of pictures, now in the Department of Research, furnishes a photograph made about 1880. Three buildings (mentioned also in Mrs. Victoria Lee's recollections, entitled "Williamsburg in 1861") are shown as standing on lot #46 at that date. They are the Brick Store (apparently used by Edward Camm as a drug store), a two-story wooden storehouse to the west of the Brick Store (apparently the house built by Camm), and a story and a half house with dormer windows on the western part of the lot immediately adjoining the Ludwell-Paradise property. (See photograph, Coleman Collection, Department of Research.) Mrs. Lee's description of these buildings follows:

"The brick building, across the street from the Barlow house, which has been mistakenly called for years, the Red Lion, closely resembles its former appearance, though the interior then, was not like it is now. Between this building and the Paradise house was a small, frame cottage. Like so many other frame buildings in Williamsburg, this was a story and a half house. A negro woman, Julia Minson owned and lived in this cottage." ("Williamsburg in 1861," p. 76.)

Apparently Mrs. Lee had overlooked the new store used for a drug store, which Camm had built between the brick store and the small cottage on the western 24 extremity of the lot.

The chain of title to lot #46 from about 1865 to the present can be found in the Accounting Department of Colonial Williamsburg.

IN SUMMARY:

In 1700, Dr. Archibald Blair of Williamsburg received lot #46 from the trustees of the city. Apparently Dr. Blair failed to comply with the Act of 1699, which required that a house be built on a lot within twenty-four months, as the lot was deeded by the trustees in 1715 to William Timson. By 1719 Blair's "storehouse" was located on lot #46. From the deeds one draws the conclusion that the buildings were erected between 1715 and 1717. No source material has come to light to prove that Dr. Blair's store was also an apothecary shop, but there is indication that medicines and drugs were very probably sold at his general merchandise store on this lot. In the period 1719-1729 several references in deeds place Blair's storehouse as adjoining lot #47. In 1743, the mercantile firm of Prentis, Blair and Cary, known under the firm name of "John Prentis & Company," is mentioned frequently in the Virginia Gazette and York County Records. Though the location of the firm's store is not definitely tied to lot #46 until later (1779), there is a reasonable basis for assuming that their store was on lot #46.

The firm of ("John) Prentis & Company," operated by William Prentis, Wilson Cary and John Blair, continued in business until the death of William Prentis in 1765. His heirs continued the business in conjunction with Blair's and Cary's heirs until 1775 when the firm name was changed to "Robert Prentis & Company." In November, 1779, the three members of the firm, John Blair (son of John Blair, one of the original partners), Wilson Miles Cary, and Robert Prentis, conveyed lot #46 to William Hornsby under a deed of trust. The sale was not completed as Robert Prentis in 1786 bequeathed his lot and storehouse to his nephew, William Prentis. The Frenchman's 25 Map (1782) indicates that an L-shaped building was on lot #46 (or what appears to be that lot) with two smaller buildings in the rear. The College Map (1791?), as well as the Bucktrout Map (1803), denote the name "Prentis" on lot #46. Robert Warburton rented the store of William Prentis' from 1806 to 1809 when Warburton bought the property. At Warburton's death the property fell to his heirs who conveyed it, in 1815, to Samuel Shield who soon transferred it to Cary Drummond, one of the heirs of Warburton. In 1818, Drummond, sold the lot to William Lee. Between 1818 and 1838 some building was done; and the western part of the lot was sold to Sheldon & Maupin, merchants in Williamsburg. In 1841, the eastern part of lot #46 came into the hands of John Millington who evidently sold a center part of the lot to Dr. Edward Camm, druggist, who erected a new building on the lot. During the period of 1861-1865 John S. Charles recalls that there were three buildings on the lot: a tailor shop, a drug store, and the brick shop on the corner once used as an apothecary shop but which was used for other purposes when the new drug store was built.

The chain of title to lot #46 from this point to the present time can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.

APPENDIX

Illustration #1	Maps
Illustration #2	Tax Records
Illustration #3	Architect's Report

Illustration #1
Lot 46

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?
SCALE-1"=100'

PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE WILLIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMSBURG, THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER

Illustration #2

LAND TAX RECORDS FOR WILLIAMSBURG
Annual Value

1782	Prentis, Robert	2 lots	£ 7. -.-
1783	Prentis, Robert	2 lots	7.10.-
1784	Prentis, Robert	2 lots	7.10
1785	Prentis, Robert	2 lots	7.10
1786	Prentis, Robert	2 lots	10.10
1787	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	20.00
1788	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	20.—
1789	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	20.—
1791	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	20.—
1797	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	20.—
1800	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	[torn]
1801	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	$66.67
1802	Prentis, Robert	1 lot	$66.67
1803	Prentis, Robert Estate	1 lot	$66.67
1804	Prentis, William	1 lot	$66.67
1805	Prentis, William	1 lot	$66.67
1806	Prentis, William	1 lot	$66.67
1807	Prentis, William	1 lot	$70.—
1809	Warburton, H. Robt	1 lot	$80.—	via Prentis
1810	Warburton, Robt	1 lot	$80.00
1811	Drummond, Cary	1 lot	$100.	via Warburton
1812	Drummond, Cary	1 lot	$100.
1813	Drummond, C. William	1 lot	$100.
1814	Drummond, Wm. C.	1 lot	$100.
1815	Drummond, Wm. C.	1 lot	$100.
1816	Drummond, Wm. C.	1 lot	$100.
1817	Drummond, Wm. C.	1 lot	$100.
1818	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$100.	via Drummond
1819	Lee, William	1 lot	$100.
1820-1830			Value of Bldgs.	Value of Lot inc. Bldgs.
	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$1000.	$1100.
1830	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$1225.	$1325.	Reassessed: new building estimated at $225
1838	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot	$ 150.	$ 500.	via William H. Lee
1838	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.
1839	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.
1839-1846
	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot		$ 500.
1840	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.
1841	Millington, John	1 lot			via William H. Lee
1842	Millington & Griffin	1 lot		$1175.
1843	Millington & Griffin	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.	(Via William H. Lee - (Transferred in 1941
1844	Millington, John	1 lot		$1175.	via Samuel S. Griffin Heretofore charged to Millington & Griffin
1845	Millington, John	1 lot		$1175.	lot & buildings formerly Millington & Griffin
1846	Millington, John	1 lot		$1175.	lot & buildings formerly charged to Millington & Griffin
1847	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot	$ 150.	$ 250.
			Value of Bldgs.	Value of Lot inc. Bldgs.
1847	Millington, John	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.	formerly charged to Millington & Griffin
1847	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$ 250.	$ 300.
1850	Millington, John	1 lot	$ 925.	$1175.	Formerly chd to Millington & Griffin
1850	Lee, William H.	1 lot	$ 250.	$ 300.
1850	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot	$ 150.	$ 250.
1853	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot		$ 150.
1853	Millington, John	1 lot		$ 200.
1854	Sheldon & Maupin	1 lot	$ 75.	$ 150.
1854	Camm, Edward	1 lot	$1000.	$1200.	Formerly charged to Ro: McCandlish
1855	Camm, Edward	1 lot	$1000.	$1200.
1856	Camm, Edward	1 lot		$1375.	reassessed for new Building

Illustration #3
Lot 46

ARCHITECT'S REPORT

According to Mr. Singleton P. Morehead, architect of Colonial Williamsburg, archaeological excavations on lot #46 have indicated that the building once situated west of the Blair Apothecary Shop was of an earlier date than the Apothecary Shop. In the process of excavation, steps were found between the Ludwell-Paradise House^* and the Apothecary Shop. Such steps were within a few inches of the western wall of the brick apothecary shop and would indicate an earlier building.