Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

POWELL-HALLAM HOUSE

This house formerly stood on Lot #30 on the northern side of the street called York and sometimes Woodpecker in the l8th century. It is now known as the Newport News Road. This house was located in the18th century several blocks beyond Mr. Cogar's house.

The name "Powell" was chosen because a new house was built upon Lot #30 around 1767 while it was in the possession of the Powells. It is possible that it was built by Benjamin Powell who was entrusted with the building of the Bruton Church steeple and Eastern State Hospital.

There is a tradition that Mrs. Sarah Hallam, former English actress who later taught dancing in Williamsburg, lived her latter years in the house. People whose parents had known Mrs. Hallam said that as an old lady she lived in this house.

The house was moved to Francis Street in October, 1930, and its restoration was finished in June, 1931.

THE POWELL-HALLAM HOUSE

In 1930, this eighteenth century house was moved to its present location from its original site on York Road. The land on which it was first erected was purchased by Benjamin Powell in 1753, and he probably built the house shortly thereafter.

Benjamin Powell was a carpenter. In 1769 he was selected to build a new steeple and repair the Church. He repaired the Palace, the Capitol, and the Public Gaol. In 1770 he agreed to build the Lunatic Hospital in Williamsburg. In 1777-78, he was city marshall.

Benjamin Powell sold the property to his brother, Seymour Powell, in 1760. In 1767 the property was deeded by Lucy Powell, widow of Seymour Powell, to their son, Thomas. About 1772 the property was added to the city as Lot #30; and in May, 1772, it was sold by Thomas Powell, Surgeon, to William Prentis. William Prentis died within a year of his purchase, and the property went to his brother John, who offered it for sale in 1773. It was purchased by William Hornsby in July, 1773, for 285 pounds. In 1777, Hornsby sold the property to Ambrose Davenport, a tailor, who sold it to Augustine Davis, a printer, in 1782.

There is a tradition that Sarah Hallam occupied the house in her latter years. Sarah Hallam was a popular actress in 1771. She taught dancing in Williamsburg in 1775. Of Mrs. Hallam, a citizen of Williamsburg wrote:

"As late as the year 1839, in a modest home on York Street, lived a very aged lady, wife of an ante-Revolutionary comedian. Though possessing no visible means of support, it was a well-.known fact that Mrs. Hallam 'fared sumptuously every day.' A wealthy planter provided her with servants, and being the only person on whom the citizens of Williamsburg could lavish their attentions, they vied with each other in supplying her with comforts and luxuries. The ladies of Bruton Church were in the habit of holding weakly prayer meetings in her chamber, where she sat enthroned in state in her 'old arm chair.'"

POWELL-HALLAM HOUSE,
formerly on Block #2 , Lot 30

The early legal, transactions concerned with this piece of land are not available. From later deeds found in the York County Records it is evident that Benjamin Waller, prominent lawyer of Williamsburg bought the land out of which lot 30 was carved sometime before 1753 from Mann Page of "Rosewell", Gloucester County. (York County Records, Deeds, book VIII, p. 219, May 13 1772)

In 1753, Benjamin Powell, classified in occupation as a wheelwright, bought the lot from Waller for £10. The fact that the deed contains a building clause shows that Waller had not yet built a house on lot 30. The abstracted deed reads:

November 19, 1753

Waller, Benjamin
Martha, his wife
to
Powell, Benjamin - Wheelwright
Consideration: 10 Pounds

All that piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being on the North side of the Main Road leading from the said city towards Yorktown in the Parish of Bruton and county of York, bounded as followeth, to-wit: Beginning at the said Main Road on the Southeast corner of Page Street, thence along the said street North ½ degree East 11 poles to a corner, thence South 89½ degrees East 9 poles to a corner of the lot number 31, thence along the said lot Southwardly 14 poles to the Main Road aforesaid, thence up the said road North 53 degrees West 4 poles to first station, which said lot is denoted in the plan thereof annexed to a deed from the said Waller to Stephen Brown.
(with a building clause) (York County Records, Deeds, Book V, p. 565)

Benjamin Powell was one of the most active of the people who owned the lot in the eighteenth century. As a carpenter, he was selected as one of a committee of five to enlarge Bruton Parish Church and to install the organ in 1752. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. III (1), p. 177) In 1769, the 2 vestry of the church agreed to pay Powell £410 to build a steeple and to repair the church. (Bruton Parish Church notes, p. 89, in the Department of Research and Record) In 1770, he agreed to build the Lunatic Hospital for £1,070. (Lyon G. Tyler, Williamsburg, p. 242) He and James Southall were ordered by the Committee of Safety to examine the furniture and set aside that which General Charles Lee might want for his headquarters during his stay in Williamsburg. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. VIII, p. 150, April 3, 1776) During the Revolution he was paid £590-2-10 for work done "on the Barracks & for the Troops in Williamsburg". (Virginia Magazine, Vol. XXXI, p. 329)

Some idea of the democratic spirit ^{or the opportunity to rise socially} that existed for a long time in Williamsburg may be imagined from the fact that Benjamin Powell, carpenter and wheelwright, in 1774 was chosen a member of a Committee of Williamsburg along with such gentlemen as Peyton Randolph, Robert Carter Nicholas and George Wythe. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, December 22, 1774) In 1777-78, Powell was city marshall. (Ibid., Purdie, April 4, 1777 and July 10, 1778)

He repaired the Palace, the Capitol and the Jail. (See the indexes of the source books on those three buildings in the Department of Research and Record, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.)

In 1760, Powell and his wife, Hannabella, sold lot 30 to Powell's brother, Seymour, for £150. The difference between the value of the lot in 1753 and 1760 proves that a house or houses had been built on the lot, as the deed indicates:

November 14, 1760

Powell, Benjamin
Hannabella, his wife
to
Powell, Seymour
Consideration: 150 Pounds

3

All that piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being on the North side of the Main road leading from the said City towards York Town, in the Parish of Bruton and County of York and bounded as followeth to-wit:

Beginning on the Main Road on the Southeast corner thence 44 feet up the said street, thence westwardly 158 feet and a half to the Northwest corner of said lot denoted in the Plan thereof by the Figures 30, thence South 89½ degrees East 134 feet to a corner, thence along a straight line to the beginning.

(York County Records, Deeds, Book V, p. 299)

Although the will of Seymour Powell is not available -- perhaps because it was probated in the General Court the records of which have been lost or destroyed -- it is evident from the abstracted deed given below that, Powell made one. In it, he provided that his wife was to have the use of his property. On her death or re-marriage, their son, Thomas, was to inherit the property. The reference to "a new dwelling house" on the lot throws some doubt on the belief formerly held that Benjamin Powell built the house although "new" may refer to one built seven years before. (See report on Powell-Hallam House, November 2, 1932) For the nominal fee of 5 shillings, Lucy Powell deeded the property to her son:

April 17, 1767

Powell, Lucy - widow
to
Powell, Thomas - son of Lucy
Consideration: 5 shillings

The lot and houses in the said city whereon the new dwelling house stands next house to Mr.Samuel Spurrs purchased by Seymour Powell, dec'd of his brother Benjamin Powell and devised by the said Seymour to his wife the said Lucy for her life or widowhood and afterwards to his son the said Thomas Powell. (York County Records, Deeds, Book VII, p. 274)

The next deed is interesting for three reasons: the clauses describing the lot as "Lately added to the city", the increased value of the property and the dimensions of the lot. Part of lot 30 went to a merchant, 4 William Prentis, through the terms of the following deed:

May 1, 1772

Powell, Thomas - Surgeon
To
Prentis, William - Merchant
Consideration: 250 Pounds

All that parcel of lot of ground lying and being in City of Williamsburg on Page Street, being part of the land purchased by Benjamin Waller of Mann Page and lately added to the city, and is denoted in the plan of the said addition by the figures 30, and bounded as follows:
Beginning at the S. E. Corner of the lot now in the possession of John Lamb, thence up the street 44 feet, thence Westerly 158½ feet to the N. W. corner, thence S. 89½ Degrees E. 134 feet to a corner, and thence along a Straight line to the beginning, which said lot was conveyed to the said Thomas Powell in fee simple by his mother Lucy Powell, to whom the same was devised by her husband Seymour Powell.
With all houses, … . (Ibid., Deeds, Book VIII, p. 219)

Portions of lot 30 and 31 went to John Lamb, a carpenter. The right by which Seymour Powell disposed of part of lot 31 is not clear from the records. John Powell and his mother, Lucy, for £200 granted to John Lamb:

August 15, 1772

Powell, Thomas - Surgeon
Powell, Lucy - widow of Seymour Powell
to
Lamb, John - Carpenter
Consideration: 200 Pounds

All that piece, parcel or lot of land lying and being on the North side of the Main Road leading from the said city towards York Town, in the parish of Bruton, County of York, bounded as followeth, to-wit: beginning on the Southeast corner of the lot lately sold by Thomas Powell to William Prentis thence down the road 82 feet, thence Northwardly parrallel to the Eastern bounds of the said Prentis lot 14 poles to W. Benjamin Waller's line, thence along his line Westwardly 82 feet to the said Prentis lot, and thence along his line Southwardly 14 poles to the beginning, and is part of the lot described in the plan of the said city by the numbers 30 and 31, which said lot of land was devised to the said Lucy by the last will and testament of Seymour Powell for her natural life or widowhood, and then to the said John.
With all houses, buildings. (Ibid., Deeds, Book VIII, p. 275)

5

This sub-division of the two lots accounts for the narrow width of the lot that came to the Prentises. William Prentis died within a year of his purchase. (Virginia Gazette, Rind, February 18, 1773) His brother John, a prominent merchant, inherited the property, and soon inserted an advertisement for its sale in the Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon:

April 29, 1773

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.

Prentis soon found a purchaser in William Hornsby, who paid £285 for the lot and all houses:

July 5, 1773

Prentis, John - merchant
to
Hornsby, William
Consideration: 285 Pounds.

All that lot or parcel of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on Page Street, being part of the land purchased by Benjamin Waller from Mann Page, and lately added to the city and denoted in the plan of the said addition by the figures 30, and bounded as follows: beginning at the South------ corner of the lot now in the possession of John Lamb, thence up the street 44 feet, thence Northernly 158½ feet to the North------ corner thence South 89½ degrees East 134 feet to a -------, thence along a straight line to the beginning, which said land was conveyed to William Prentis merchant, by Thomas Powell . . . . . .and from the said William Prentis dec'd to the said John Prentis, his eldest brother.
With all houses. (York County Records, Deeds, Book VIII, p. 335)

By April 28, 1775, Hornsby was ready to sell his property either on his former lot or on lot 30, as he advertised in the Virginia Gazette (Purdie):

For SALE, on long credit, the House and Lot in the city where Mr. William Hornsby lately lived. For Terms, inquire of the Printer.

6

Two years later, Hornsby found a purchaser for lot #30 in Ambrose Davenport, tailor, who for £600 bought the property. The large price paid shows the early depreciation of colonial money:

April 14, 1777

Hornsby, William
to
Davenport, Ambrose - Tailor
Consideration: 600 Pounds

All that lot or parcel of ground lying in the city of Williamsburg on Page Street, being part of the land purchased by Benjamin Waller from Mann Page, and added to the said city, and denoted in the plan by the figures 30, and bounded as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of Mr. Lambs lot, thence up to the street 44 feet, thence Northernly 158½ feet to the northwest corner, thence South 89½ degrees East 134 feet to a corner, and thence along a straight line to the beginning. Which said lot was conveyed to the said Hornsby by John Prentis. (York County Records - Deeds - Book VIII, p. 527)

Two days later for 5 shillings Davenport completed the transaction:

April 16, 1777

Davenport, Ambrose
Williamsburg
to
Hornsby, William
Consideration: 5 shillings

All that lot or parcel of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on Page Street, being part of the land purchased by Benjamin Waller from Mann Page and added to the said city and is denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 30. (Ibid., Deeds, Book VIII, p. 528)

On May 30 and June 27, Davenport advertised the large assortment of goods he was selling at his store on Waller Street:

To be Sold by the Subscriber in Waller Street, Williamsburg, a large Assortment of Goods, consisting of the following Articles, viz.

Bombaseen, Poplin Hat Crape	Gilt and Plain Buttons, Shoe
Womens Clogs, Mens Mourning	Buckles, Hat Ditto, a neat Ink
Buckles, Girls Satin Shoes	Stand, Saddle Lace, Stoughton's
Ribands, Wine Glasses, Beer do.,	Bitter, Indigo, Paint Brushes,
Jelly do., Necklaces, Sleeve	Tooth Pick Cases, Dutch Ovens,
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Buttons, Womens Laced Hoods,	Warming Pans, Brass Chaffing
Marking Silk, Sewing do. Twist	Dishes, Tea Chests, Tea Boards and
of different Colours, Cruel,	Tea Pots, Copper Chocolate Pots,
Osnabrugs, Starch, Coarse Broad-	Barbers China shaving Basons
cloths, needles, Pocket Books,	Queen's China Strawberry Dishes,
Mens Boots, Stone Knee Buckles	and Stands, Red and White China
Womens Silk Hats of different	Dishes, Fish Kettles, Punch Ladles,
Colours, Ladies Fans, Hair	Cork Screws, Brass Dog Collars,
Combs; Childrens Cotton	Money Scales, Cheese Toasters,
Stockings, mens white and black	Hinges of various Sorts and Sizes,
Gloves, white and coloured	Cross Cut Saws, Hand ditto, Sets of
Thread, Enamelled Snuff Boxes,	Coopers Tools, Augers, Gauges,
Common ditto, Tobacco ditto,	Grubbing Hoes, Hasps and Staples,
Knitting Needles, Allspice,	Fire Shovels, Two-penny Brads,
Black Pepper, Stock Tape,	Coal Sifters, Plaistering Trowels,
Mourning Fans, Sifter Bottoms,	Paints of Various Colours, Well
Watch Keys and Strings, Tape,	Chains, Gun powder &c. &c. &c. &c.
Fishing Lines, Lilly's Grammars,
Binding of various Colours,
Prints, plain Gold Rings.

AMBROSE DAVENPORT (Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter, June 27, 1777)

It appears that Davenport had a house on Page Street but he carried his business on Waller Street.

Davenport moved his residence and took up the business of tavern keeping in 1779:

September 25, 1779

The subscriber begs leave to inform the publick in general, and his friends in particular, that he has opened TAVERN in the house formerly occupied by Captain Robert Anderson. Gentlemem who favour him with their custom, may depend on his utmost endeavours, to give satisfaction.
AMBROSE DAVENPORT (Ibid., Dixon and Nicolson, September 25, 1779)

He was evidently a renter of the tavern, and ready to sell his personal property and his real estate on York Street in 1780:

August 9, 1780

To be SOLD to the highest bidder, for ready money, at the subscriber's house in this city, on Monday the 21st of August,
8 SOME household and kitchen furniture, consisting of a number of good beds, bedsteads, sheets, counterpanes, chairs, tables, looking glasses, &c. a billiard table and balls. Also three horses and two riding chairs, Likewise a likely young negro fellow, about 20 years of age, and a neat tenement in the lower end of the town, leading to York.
AMBROSE DAVENPORT

All persons who have any demands against me, either by bond or otherwise, are desired to apply for payment; and those indebted are requested to come and pay off immediately; those who do not may expect to have their accounts put into a lawyer's hands.

(Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Nicolson)

He found a purchaser of his lot #30 in the printer, Augustine Davis, husband of Martha Davenport. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. V (1), p. 272. It is impossible by the available records to establish any connection in kinship between Martha and Ambrose Davenport.) In 1782, Ambrose Davenport and his wife, Mary, deeded this property to Davis for £600:

May 14, 1782

Davenport, Ambrose
Mary, his wife
of York County.
to
Davis, Augustine
York County.
Consideration: 400 Pounds.

All that lot or parcel of land situate lying and being in the Parish Bruton, County of York, on the North side of York Street, in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 30, and bounded as follows, to-wit: On the North by the land of Hon. Benjamin Waller, on the East by the lot of John Lamb, on the South by York Street, and on the West by Page Street, being the lot or parcel of land which the said Ambrose purchased of William Hornsby, April 16, 1777.
All houses, buildings, etc. (York County Records, Deeds, Book VI, p. 137)

Humphrey Harwood recorded the following accounts for work done for Augustine Davis:

M^r Augustine Davis D^r.
9

l782
Septr 26	To 4 bushels of lime a 1/ & hair 6d	£ 4.6
	To repairing plastering 6/ & labours work 2/6	8.6
	To Whitewashing 4 Rooms & a passage a 7/6	1.17.6
		£2.10.6

(Harwood's Ledger, Book B, p. 31)

1792
Augt 16th	To 1 ¼ bush. of whitewash 1/10½	£ 1.10½
	To whitewashing 4 Rooms & passage upstairs a 3/9	15.0
	Do 4 Cielings a 1/6	6.0
	To 18 panes of glass a 1/	18.
	To paid for glazing &c	7.
	To 3 curbs for Steps a 5/	15.
	To lime & putting them on 3/	3.
	To 2 pad locks a 2/6 & stock lock for cellar 8/	13.

(Ibid., Book C, p. 69)

Davis, with John Clarkson as partner, continued the Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg part of the years 1779-80. Then he followed the capital to Richmond where he printed the Virginia Independent Chronicle and General Advertiser (1786-1790); The Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser (1790-1800); the Virginia Gazette and the Richmond and Manchester Advertiser (1793-1794). (Information in Check List of Eighteenth Century American Newspapers, p. 324) The Virginia Magazine (Vol. IX, p. 5) says that in 1809-10, he printed the Virginia Patriot. For several years he received commissions from the state to print the laws and a code. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. V, p. 43; Vol. VII, p. 67; Vol. VIII, p. 276)

In 1782, an Augustine Davis was listed as the head of a family in Williamsburg with three whites and one black. (First census of the United States Heads of Families)

In the list of land taxes paid in Williamsburg in James City County Records, the following facts are shown:

NOTE

Humphrey Harwood's Ledger, Book B, p. 83, has on the debit side

Mr. John Carter	Dr
1787
February 23d To 3/4 of a bushel of
lime /9 & repairing Top
to Mrs. Hallam's Chimney
3/6 & labours work 1/	£ .5.3

Per Contra	Cr
1785
December 20th By Mrs. Sarah Hallam
order	£ .4.7

10

	Lots	Yearly Rent	Tax
1785 - Augustine Davis	1 ¾	£18	18s.
1791 - Augustine Davis	1 1/3	£10	10s.
1797 - Augustine Davis	½	£10	10s.
1801 - Augustine Davis	½	33.34	.53 (1)

Williamsburg Land Tax Book (Virginia State Library), which frequently shows transfers, in 1803, records a transfer of 1¼ lots from a Davis to Moody. The only other Davis on the James City County Tax Records was a James Davis, who had only one lot. It cannot be established that this was the property owned by Augustine Davis.

If Sara Hallam occupied the house on lot 30, that fact cannot be definitely established by the records at hand. One Sara Hallam was a very popular actress in Williamsburg in 1771. Hudson Muse wrote to his brother, Thomas Muse of Dorchester County, Maryland on April 19, 1771, saying that he considered Miss Hallam "superfine". (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. II (1), p. 241) In 1775, Sarah Hallam opened a dancing school at Blovet Pasteur's. The price of lessons was 20s, entrance fee, and £4 for the year. (Virginia Gazette, Pinkney, August 17, 1775) Pasteur was located on Nicholson Street on lots 272 and 273 in 1759. (See report on Colonial House number 55; now on new number 107)

Humphrey Harwood in his Ledger has recorded two accounts with Mrs. Sara Hallam. The first, in the years 1776, 1777, and 1780, is with "Mr. John Lewis (by M^rs Hallam".)

1776
Novemr 11th	To 250 bricks 6/101/2, 6 bushels of lime 4/6, & 11/2 days labr 3/.	£ .14.41/2
	To Contracting 2 Chimneys 6/. Mending Kitching Chimney 3/9	. 9.9
1777
October 9	To 125 tile 10/6; 100 bricks 3/. & laying harth 2/6. & mendg kitchg floor 4/6	1. 0.6
	To Mendg well 2/9. & labours work 2/6	5. 3.
1780
March 29	To 80 bushels of lime a 9d. & 5 Days Cart Hier a 12/6 Carting Bricks lime &c from Phillips	6. 2.6
11
April 7	To building a Chimney to Store 85/. & 14 Days labr a 2/	£ 4.13.
May 4	To 7500 bricks a 27/6 pr M[?] 110 bushs of lime a 9d.	14. 8.9
	To Carting 2 loads of Sand a 2/. & 13 days labr a 2/	1.12.
	To building Kitching Chimeny 70/	3.10.
6	To 8 bushs of lime a 9d. 1 3/4 Days labr a 2/. Turng 2 trimars & layg 2 harth 10/	.19.6
June 2	To 48 Do. Lime a 9d. 3 bushs of hair a 1/6 & 7 days labr a 2/.	2.14.6
	To larthing & plastering 70 yards a 5d pr yd up stares to underping trimn clayg harth 6/3 & 1 days labr kitchg
7	To 400 bricks a 2/9 & 8 bushs of lime 6/ & buildg apn Steps 12/6. & 1 days labr 2/.	1. 0.6
	To Repairing larthing & plastering in Store Room 12/6	.12.6
		£40.11.6½

The above Account at 50 for one £2000.11.6

(Harwood's Ledger, Book B, p. 3)

John Lewis was a merchant who had a store both in New Kent County and in Williamsburg. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, September 10, 1767) He also had a lot in York County west of the main road leading to Capitol Landing as the following deed proves:

September 6, 1768

Cobbs, Thomas - Carpenter
Prentis, John - merchant
Williamsburg
to
Lewis, John - merchant
New Kent County
Consideration: 166 Pounds

All that piece or parcel of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, Parish of Bruton, County of York, bounded Westward and Southward by the lands of John Bell, Eastward by the Main Road leading to the Capitol Landing and Northward by the land of Matthew Tuell, and is part of an acre of land sold to the said Thomas by Matthew Moody, and mortgaged by the said Thomas to John Prentis.

(York County Records, Deeds, Book VII, p. 421)

In the record of the land taxes in Williamsburg, John Lewis's estate is shown to have 1¼ lots in 1785. It is impossible to say with certainty that the repairs on Harwood's Ledger are for Lewis's house, occupied by Mrs. Hallam, although that is a reasonable explanation.

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The account of Harwood for repairs in 1782, 1785, 1786 and 1787 is made directly to "M^rs Sarah Hallam, dancing Mistress":

1782
Novemr 14th	To 2 Bushs of lime 3/. & 30 bricks 1/3, & laying Harth 5/.	£ . 9.3
	To Repairing well hole in Smoke House 2/. & labr 3/.	. 5.
1785
May 27	To 1/2 bushel of whitewash 1/. & whitewashing 2 rooms & a passage a 4/6	.14.6
July 9	To Cash 48/. (26th Novemr) & Cash 36/	4.18.
Decr 20	To your order to Mr John Carter on me for £4.7.0	4. 7.
1786
February 21	To 200 lb of oats a 7/6	.15.
March 9	To 218 lb of Oats a 7/6	.15.
June 20	To 3/4 of a Bushel of White-wash 1/6	. 1.6
	To White-washing 2 Rooms, a passage & Closet a 4/6	.13.6
1787
April 20	To 1 Barrel of Corn 18/	.18.
	To Cash to Ballance 4/.	. 4.
		£14. 0.9

(Humphrey Harwood's Ledger, Book B, p. 48)

On the credit side of the page is the following account:

1786
January 14th	By 6 Monthes dancing of Billy, & 6 do of Humphrey at 100/. pr Year	£7. 0.
1787
April 24	By your account to this day	7. 0.9
		£14. 0.9

(Ibid., p. 48)

The item on Dec^r 20, 1786 "To your order to M^r John Carter on me for £4.7.0" may refer to the price of dancing lessons as that amount is about the sum named in her announcement of dancing lessons in 1775.

In the first United States Census (taken in 1782) she was listed as a head of family with a household of 3 whites and 1 black. For purposes of revenue, Sarah Hallam was taxed for 2 slaves, Nancy and James in 1783. (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXIII (1), p. 136) Her name does not appear on 13 the tax records as the owner of a lot in Williamsburg.

The basis for locating Mrs. Hallam in the house at lot 30 is the statement in the report on this property in 1932, that

"..... tradition says that Mrs. Sarah Hallam lived there. This house was associated with Mrs. Hallam by children of those who used to call on the old lady years ago." (Page 3)

Mrs. Randolph Harrison of Williamsburg remembered the following facts about Mrs. Hallam: (²)

"As late as the year 1839, in a modest home on York Street, lived a very aged lady, wife of an ante-Revolutionary comedian. Though possessing no visible means of support, it was a well-known fact that Mrs. Hallam "fared sumptuously every day." A wealthy planter provided her with servants, and being the only person on whom the citizens of Williamsburg could lavish their attentions, they vied with each other in supplying her with comforts and luxuries. The ladies of Bruton Church were in the habit of holding weekly prayer meetings in her chamber, where she sat enthroned in state in her "old arm chair." Happy were the children who were allowed to attend these services -- not that they developed unusualy [sic] evidences of early piety, but "visions of sugar plums danced through their heads." Not only were they feasted with dainties on their arrival, but on leaving, each child was presented with a paper bag of good things to take home. Making these bags seems to have been Mrs. Hallam's sole occupation, and the pockets around her chair were kept filled with them. When this dear old lady was gathered to her fathers there was universal mourning in the community, the ladies feeling that "Othello's occupation was gone," and the juveniles that they had lost an indulgent and devoted friend." (William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. XVII (1), pp. 66-67)

Mrs. Martha Vandegrift, who visited Williamsburg in the 1840's, writes of Mrs. Hallam:

I think it was a pity that they ever changed the name of the road that goes down toward Yorktown. It was always called "Woodpecker Lane". Old Mrs. Hallam lived down there. She was the widow of an actor. I don't remember anybody else who lived on Woodpecker Lane. Mrs. Hallam used to have prayer meetings on Sunday afternoons. She always passed around cakes after prayer meeting. Mrs. Hallam was an English woman. (Williamsburg in 1844, page 92)

NOTE:

This house, now called the "Powell-Hallam House" originally stood on the York Road (Block 7). It was moved into the "restoration area" after it came into the possession of the Williamsburg Restoration. In 1928 it was moved from York Road to Francis Street, where it was restored on a lot marked "Byrd" on early Williamsburg plats -- no colonial lot number noted -- on Block 2. Its restoration on the new site began in August 1928, and was completed in February, 1929 -- although our work authorizations do not indicate that it was completed until 1931. Walter Macomber, resident architect, occupied the restored house in the summer of 1929. MG

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The Frenchman's map shows three houses on this lot. The largest one was located on the southwest corner of the lot, apparently fronting York Road with the side view on Page Street. One small building faced Page Street; the other was set back from York Road near the boundary between lots 30 and 31.

Bucktrout's map and that of the Unknown Draftsman show the lot with the name "Davis" written in it. To the east is a lot designated as Lamb's. On the west, Page Street separates this lot from "Spler's" at 29 on Bucktrout's map. On the unknown draftsman, the name "Spur" is written into 28 and 29.

The authorization for the removal of this house to its present location , Francis Street, was issued on October 25, 1930. The house was declared finished June 5, 1931. (Information furnished by James Knight, Architectural Department)

Mrs. Victoria Lee has described this house in her recollections, "Williamsburg in 1861":

The Lucas House, a Dutch colonial roofed building stood to the east of the Dye place. A family of Lucases owned and lived in this house. Now it has been moved to Francis Street and except for the addition of the east wing looks very similar to its former appearance. (Page 9)