Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The lot is located on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street between Lot 44 marked "Paradise" to the east and a part of the Market Square to the west. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?) on opposite page.

HISTORY:

In 1700 Lot 43 on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street having a part of the Market Square as a western boundary was granted along with 44 and 45 to Philip Ludwell by the trustees of Williamsburg. Lots 43 and 44 reverted to the trustees and were granted in 1718 to Ambrose Cobbs. In 1725 a deed from Robert Cobbs to John Blair cites that Robert Cobbs had been granted these lots by the trustees in 1720 — which would mean that the lots had reverted a third time to the trustees. Prior to 1739 William Shields was owner of lots 43 and 44, though deed has not been found, nor is there a deed from Shields to anyone conveying Lot 43. However, a 21-year lease to John Blair in 1746 from the trustees or directors of the city locates it on "The Market place" and bounded on the east by John Taylor's ordinary. The same year the lease was enlarged. Thomas Bennet, who had a shop, rented the southeastern part (48' x 80') from Blair. Following his death his widow lived thereon until October, 1751, when a new tenant (name unknown) came in. Haldenby Dixon, merchant, was there in 1769. In all probability Graham Frank, merchant, operated a store on this location as early as 1757. Frank and Dixon were owners of the property in 1779 when Frank's half (sequestered in the Revolution) was offered for sale; also, the other half of the store was to be sold at the same time. The city, evidently, reclaimed title to the entire lot as an integral part of the Market Square ca. 1780/81, and kept it until ca. 1853, when Samuel S. Griffin was the owner. In 1854 J. Bunting, merchant, rented one of the new store rooms erected by Griffin. Subsequent records convey the information that Griffin bought the property from the Corporation of Williamsburg, holding it until ca. 1865. Prior to the Civil War and a few years following, the Williamsburg Male Academy was located on the northern part of the lot. Among the nineteenth century owners were: Charles Gallagher, Cyrus A. Branch, Thomas H. Haynes, Edward Kirby, Bushrod W. Bowry, and Virginia H. Dickinson. By 1900 J. B. C. Spencer had acquired the three parcels of the lot. He held it until 1923, when it became the property of W. A. Bozarth. In 1927 Bozarth conveyed to W. A. R. Goodwin representing the Restoration. In 1939 it became the property of Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated.

Further details of ownership can be found in the text to follow.

LOCATION:

The lot is located on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street between Lot 44 marked "Paradise" to the east and a part of the Market Square to the west. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?).

HISTORY:

The earliest information concerning Colonial Lot 43 in Williamsburg appears in a deed of lease, dated September 23, 1700:

[September 23, 1700]

THIS INDENTURE made this twenty third day of September in y^e twelfth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the third by the Grace of God of England Scotland ffrance & Ireland King Defender of the ffaith &c &c in the Year of our Lord 1700 between the ffeoffees or trustees for the land appropriated for the building & Erecting the City of WilliamsBurgh of the one part and Coll Phillip Ludwell of the County of James City of the other part WITNESSETH that y^e Said ffeoffees or trustees for divers good Causes conseideracons them thereunto Moving but more Especially for conseideracons of one shill: of Good and Lawfull Money to therein in hand paid att & before the onsealing & Delivery of these presents the receipt whereof and themselves therewith fully contented & paid they do hereby acknowledge have granted bargaind Sold Demised & to farm letten unto the said Phillip Ludwell three certain lots of ground in the said City of Williams Burgh Designed in the plott of the Said City by these figures 43: 44: 45 bounded as followeth Viz begining at the Market place on y^e North side of Duke of Gloster Street running East a quarter North along Duke of Gloster Street 10 poles ¾ thence North a quarter West 16 poles to Nicholson Street thence W ¼ S 17 poles to the Market Place where Nicholson & 2. Scotland Street crosseth each other thence South ¼ East 11 poles along the Market place thence East ¼ North 6 poles along the Market place thence South ¼ East 5 poles along the Market place to the Duke of Gloster Street the place first began att with all Pasturage Woods and Waters... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ... unto the Said Phillip Ludwell. . . for ever. . .
B Harison Junr his Seale
Mongo Ingles his Seale¹ [Recorded York County Court, June 24, 1702]

Ludwell's property was platted in this way according to Paul Buchanan of the Architectural Department: DIAGRAM OF PROPERTY

Two of the lots must have reverted to the trustees, for in June, 1718, Ambrose Cobbs of York County was granted Lots 43 and 44:

[June 14, 1718]

[Trustees of Williamsburg
to
Ambrose Cobbs of York County
Consideration: 1 pound 10 shillings current money of Virginia]

THIS INDENTURE made the fourteenth day of June in the fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George... & in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & Eighteen BETWEEN the Feoffees or Trustees for the land appropriated for the building & Erecting the City of Williamsburgh of the One part & Ambrose Cobbs of the County of York of the other part WITNESSETH that whereas the sd Ambrose Cobbs for One Lease to him by the s^d Feoffees or 3. Trustees bearing Date the day next before the Date of these presents is in actual & peacable possession of the premisses ... & in consideration of One pound ten Shillings Current Money of Virginia to them in hand paid... HAVE GRANTED bargained Sold... unto Ambrose Cobbs certain Lotts of Ground in the sd City of Williamsburgh designed in the Platt of the s^d City by these figures 43: 44 with all woods thereon growing & being together with all profites ...belonging... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD... for ever under the Limitation & Reservations hereafter mentioned ...That is to Say that if the Said Ambrose Cobbs his heirs & Assigns Shall not within the Space of Twenty four months next ensuing the Date of these presents begin to build or finish upon each Lott of the sd Ground premises One Good dwelling house or houses of Such Dimensions & to be placed in Such manner as by One Act of Assembly made at the Capitol the Twenty third day of October 1705... Then it Shall & may be lawfull to & for the s^d Feoffees or Trustees...to enter & the Same to have again as of their former Estates...
John Clayton seal¹

[Recorded York County Court June 16, 1718 Lease recorded June 13, 1718 (p. 243)]

From the above deed, it is evident that there were no houses on the land.

In 1725 a deed from Robert Cobbs to John Blair conveys the information that Robert Cobbs had been granted the said two lots by the trustees in 1720.² This would indicate that the lots had again reverted to the city.

[December 11, 1725]

[Robert Cobbs of Bruton Parish, County of York
to
John Blair³ of Williamsburg - merchant
Consideration: 18 pounds current money of Virginia]

THIS INDENTURE made the eleventh Day of December in the twelfth year of the Reign of our Sovereign 4. Lord George . . .and in the year of our Lord God 1725 BETWEEN Robert Cobbs of the parish of Bruton in County of York of the one part and John Blair of W^msburgh Merch^t of the other part WITNESSETH that...in Consideration of Eighteen pounds Cur^rt money of Virginia... he doth hereby acknowledge HATH granted bargained Sold... two lots of Ground in the City of W^msburgh designed In the Plat of the said City by the figures 43, 44 with all Pasturage Woods and Waters thereon together with all profitts Commoditys Emoluments & advantages whatsoever to the Same belonging ... TO HAVE & TO HOLD... for ever... which said two lots of Ground were formerly granted to the s^d Robert Cobbs by the Feoffees or Trustees for the land appropriated for the building & directing the City of W^msburgh by Deeds of Lease and Release bearing date y^e fourteenth & fifteenth of June in the year of our Lord 1720 & duly recorded in the Secretary^s office...
Rob^t Cobbs Seal¹

[Recorded York County Court July 18, 1726]

Though buildings are not mentioned in the above deed, the consideration named, £18, would indicate that some changes had enhanced the value of the property since 1718.

Prior to 1739, William Shields was the owner of these two lots.² Basis for this statement is found in a deed of May 20, 1745 (to follow in the report). This deed (May, 1745 - Thomas Hornsby to James Bird) states that Shields conveyed two lots to John Blair in October, 1739.³

The deed from Hornsby to Bird - to follow - indicates that Hornsby was conveying "that one Lott of Ground in the said City adjoining to the Garden of John Blair Esq: on the East Side thereof being the Eastermost one of the two Lotts wch the said Blair purchased of Wm Shields sometime in the Month of October that was in the Year MDCCXXXIX 5. and by the said Hornsby purchased of the said Blair as appears by Indenture of Bargain & Sale bearing date the XXX day of April MDCCXL ... " Such description would seem to indicate that Hornsby had become the owner of Lot 44 and that Lot 43 was owned by Blair without buildings thereon:

[May 20, 1745]

[Thomas Hornsby, tailor, of Williamsburg
to
James Bird, blacksmith, of Williamsburg
Consideration: £95 current money of Virginia]

THIS INDENTURE made the Twentieth day of May in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second of Great Britain France & Ireland King &c and in the Year of our Lord Christ MDCCXLV Between Thomas Hornsby of the City of Williamsburgh Tailor the one part and James Bird of the said City Blacksmith of the other part Witnesseth that the said Thomas Hornsby for & in Consideration of the Sum of Ninety five pounds Curr^t money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said James Bird the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge Hath granted bargained Sold Alien'd released & confirm'd ... unto the said James Bird his heirs & Assigns for ever All that one Lott of Ground in the said City adjoining to the Garden John Blair Esq: on the East Side thereof being the Estermost one of the two Lotts w^ch the said Blair purchased of W^m Shields sometime in the Month of October that was in the Year MDCCXXXIX and by the said Hornsby purchased of the said Blair as appears by Indenture of Bargain & Sale bearing date the XXX th day of April MDCCXL now in the Tenure & Occupation of the said James Bird With all Houses Outhouses Edifices Buildings Yards Gardens Orchards [illegible] Waters Water Courses profits Commodities Hereditaments & appurtenances whatsoever to said Lott of ground... Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders Rents Issues & profits... Estate Right Title... for in and to the same To have & to hold the said Lott of ground & premises with the Appurtenances unto the said James Bird his Heirs & Assigns... for ever... in Fee Simple
Thomas Hornsby Seal¹

[Recorded York County Court May 20, 1745]

[SMALL SKETCH IN MARGIN - No digital image available]

We interpret the Hornsby lot to be Lot 44 on the College Map. From this point on, we leave the history of Lot 44 (except in relationship to Lot 43).¹

In 1746 land granted to John Blair in a 21-year lease locates it on "The Marketplace" and bounded on the east by "John Taylors ordinary":

[June 2, 1746]

At a Court of Directors for the City of W^msBurg held the 2^d day of June 1746
Present
John Harmer Esq^r Mayor
Benjamin Waller Esq^r Recorder
George Gilmer, Walter King and
John Amson Esq^r Aldermen

On The Motion of John Blair Esq^r a Lease for 21. years is granted him of a piece of ground in The Marketplace To beguin at the East end of The ground leased To Mathew Moody² and to Extend 48. feet along The Main Street Easterly Towards John Taylors³ ordinary, and Runing from The beguining place aforesaid Northderly [sic] 80. feet Near a Road Which lyes about S.E. Thence To The Said Road, Thence along the Road til a S. Line will hit The end of The Said 48. feet, at The Yearly rent of 25 s Curr^t Money.⁴

Blair's lease would seem to be placed thus in relationship to Moody and Taylor: 7. Map with plots

In December, 1746, the above grant was enlarged:

Dec^r 2^d 1746.
At a Court of Recorders for the City of W^msBurg held 2^d Decr 1746.
Present
George Gilmer Esq^r Mayor
Benjamin Waller Esq^r Recorder
William Parks, W^m Prentis and
Peyton Randolph Esq^rs Aldermen

On application of John Blair Esq^r The grant Made 2^d of June last of a piece of ground in The Marketplace is agreed To be enlarged and That The Bounds Thereof be as follows: viz; beguining on The Main Street at The East corner of The ground leased To Mathew Moody, Thence Northerly paralell To The Common Course of The Town Lots 92. Feet, Thence Easterly by a Rectangular Line 48. Feet, Thence Southerly by a line paralell to The first 92. feet to The Main Street, and Thence 48. feet To The beguining, he agreeing To pay The Yearly Rent of 30 s and a lease is granted him for 21. years.¹

The first lease (June 2, 1746) mentions "John Taylors ordinary" as an eastern boundary; and John Blair as east of Moody. The lease to Dr. Dixon (July 3, 1749) seems to place Thomas Bennett as occupant of John Blair's lot:

July 3^d 1749.

On The application of Doct^r John Dixon, a Lease is granted him for 21. years of apiece of ground in 8. The Marketplace, on The South Side The Main Street, opposite To and of The Same dimensions With That granted The Hon^ble John Blair and now in The Occupation of Thos Bennett and for The Rent of 30s per-Annum; with usual Conditions.¹

An inventory of Bennett's estate made in November, 1750, seems to point to the fact that Bennett kept a shop in which were many children's toys: whistles, toy boxes, dolls, copper toys, pewter furniture, tin trumpets, dogs, horses, tops, thongs, tennis balls, etc. Also listed are 14 biscuit pans, 33 patty pans, 60 pounds of candles, 60 pounds of tallow, 6 dozen tea pots, 23 fine gilt tea pots, and 120 pounds of butter. Bennett's estate was appraised at £107.4.0 by John Holt.²

The Diary of John Blair (1751) contains references to Bennett's tenantship; and to Mrs. Bennett's occupancy following his death. Such items as [1751 March 4] "M^rs Bennet cast in £5 to Coulthard," [March 20] "attach^d Mrs Bennet for Rent." [March 21] "Mr Holt promised to secure Mrs. Bennets rent to me £12, the 25th of Oct^r next, or till she leave it," [October 28] "Mrs. Benet going out," [October 29] "Settled acc^t Q^t rts Benet gone"³ seem to place Bennett on this location.

On October 30, 1751, Blair wrote into his Diary: "My New Tenant came in in Bennets Room, having clean'd the House y^e 29^th." Unfortunately, Blair failed to record who the new renter was.

There is a gap in the ownership and renters (if any) of the lot until about 1769, at which date Haldenby Dixon,¹ merchant, had a store thereon. (Source material for this statement will follow chronologically.)

It is possible that Graham Frank, merchant, who a little later was in partnership with Dixon, operated a store on this location as early as 1757.²

In 1761 Frank put a notice in the newspaper indicating that he was leaving soon for England:

WILLIAMSBURG, January 2, 1761.

WHEREAS I intend for England in a few Months, I desire all Persons indebted to the Estate of Mr. Thomas Thorpe to pay their respective Accounts to me in this City, or to Mr. David Ker, Attorney at Law, in King and Queen County; and those indebted to me, or to the Store of Frank and Dixon, are desired to settle their Accounts, to prevent Disputes after my Departure.
Graham Frank.³

It is probable that when Blair's 21-year lease elapsed in 1767, Frank and Dixon bought or leased the property from the Corporation. Such deeds, if any, have not been located in the records. The 10. burning of the General Court records in 1865 may have been the answer to this gap in the title.

In 1764 "Graham Frank & Haldenby Dixon plts" entered suit against Abraham Cole, defendant. Judgment allowed was £.18.8.¹

Frank and Dixon's partnership was dissolved in 1764. Joseph Royle, editor of the Virginia Gazette of June, 1764, made this charge in his Day Book against Haldenby Dixon:

"June 1764
275
Hald^y Dixon
D^o [advertises] Partnership dissolved-- £-.7.-"

In 1767 the court ordered: "Haldenby Dixon to collect for Dixon & Co £19.11.0" on a mortgage against Alexander Finnie.²

Frank was in England, evidently, from 1761, plying his trade as a merchant.³ Correspondence with William Nelson and Thomas Nelson, merchants at Yorktown, indicate that Frank sent goods to the Nelsons and received tobacco shipments in payment.⁴

In 1769 an Act by the Assembly of Virginia to annex part of the county of York to the county of James City mentioned Dixon's lot thus:

[November, 1769]

1. WHEREAS it hath been represented to this general assembly that the justices of James City county have 11. entered into an agreement with the mayor, recorder, aldermen and common council, of the city of Williamsburg to build a new court-house at their joint expence, and for their common use and benefit, but it so happens that no convenient place can be found, whereon to erect the said court-house, except on that part of the market-square which lies on the north side of Duke of Gloucester-street, in the said city, and which by the present dividing line between the said county of James City and the county of York, is contained in the said county of York; Be it therefore enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Burgesses of this Present General assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That so much of the said market-square as lies on the north side of the said street, as far as Nicholson street, and between the line of Hugh Walker's¹ lot, on the west, and the paling where, Haldenby, Dixon's store stands, on the east, be, and the same is hereby added to and made part of the said county of James City; any thing in any former law, contained to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding.²

In 1770 Dixon advertised an assortment of goods for sale:

[May 24, 1770]

Just imported from LONDON, by the subscriber, in the Elizabeth, Capt. Howard Esten,
AN Assortment of GOODS suitable for the season, and to be sold cheap for ready money.
H. DIXON.³

WILLIAMSBURG
May 24, 1770.

In May, 1771, under Williamsburg news, there appeared this item in the Virginia Gazette;

[May 2, 1771]

Last night Mr. Haldenby Dixon's store, on the main Street of this City, was broke open between eight and nine o'Clock, and the Cash Drawer taken off, in which were between seven and eight Pounds; and had not the Storekeeper luckily come in at about the Time, it is probable the Thieves would have got a great Deal more Plunder.⁴

Another account was given by Rind's newspaper:

[WILLIAMSBURG, May 2, 1771 Thursday]

Last night between 8 and 9 o'clock, Mr. Haldenby Dixon's store was broke open, and a drawer taken out with cash to the amount of about ten pounds. The many daring robberies of this kind, that have been committed, call loudly for the interposition of justice; and it is to be hoped that the Gentlemen of the corporation will make some provision for the appointment of a watch. The general utility of it is so fully evinced, where it has been put in practice, that it cannot be doubted but every inhabitant would cheerfully contribute towards the support of an office the good effects of which must very soon be sensibly felt by the whole community.¹

From the above sources, we see that Graham Frank and Haldenby Dixon were owners of the property though records have not revealed when or how they acquired it.

Dixon may have moved from Williamsburg in 1773 when he offered his residence for sale:

[April 15, 1773]

TO BE SOLD,
The House wherein I now live, in the City of Williamsburg, with four Lots of Land, and all convenient Outhouses thereon. For Particulars inquire
HALDENBY DIXON.²

Obviously, this property could not be Dixon's storehouse.

Frank became a loyalist following the outbreak of war with Great Britain. According to an Act of the Virginia Assembly of October, 1777, British property in Virginia was ordered sequestered and put into the control and management of two commissioners. If there was a joint tenancy or ownership with a British subject, the 13. Virginia citizen could proceed to obtain partition by suit in the general court or high chancery court.¹

According to law, an inquisition for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Escheator of York County was filed in Williamsburg on the thirtieth of September, 1779, stating that:

Graham Franks is a subject of the King of Great Britain and that he the said Graham Franks, is seized and in part of a House in the City of Williamsburg adjoining the market square on the North side of the main street now in possession of Bartlett Williams² Esq^r being only one half of the said house and lot belonging to the said Graham Franks the other half belonging to M^r Haldenby Dixon, which said part of the house and lot, the said Graham Franks holds in his Demesne as of Fee. They do also further say that the said Graham Franks is now in possession of an Negro Slave named Betty now in the possession of Doctor John Galt and that therefore agreeable to a certain Act of Assembly of the last Session held for the said Common Wealth at Williamsburg on the third day of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine entitled an Act concerning Escheats and Forfeiture from British subjects the said half and the house are now become Escheated and the said Negro Slave are now become forfeited to the said Common Wealth...
James Southall LS³

In December, 1779, the Virginia Gazette carried a notice of property to be sold by the Escheator of York County:

[December 25, 1779]

To be sold, by the Escheator of York county, on Thursday the 6th of January next, beginning at 12 o'clock before the Raleigh door in Williamsburg, 14. ... Also half of a very convenient store and part of a lot, where Bartlett Williams, Esq; now lives, opposite the house of Mr. Maupin¹, and near the market in this city, lately the property of Graham Frank. Likewise 11 negroes... late the property of Andrew Sprowl, John Earnshaw, and Graham Frank.
WILLIAM A. ROGERS
JOHN DICKESON Commissioners.

N.B. The other half of the above-mentioned store will be sold at the same time and place.²

Private ownership of Lot 43 may have ended sometime ca. 1780. Research has not discovered the owner following Frank and Dixon. The College Map (1791?) indicates that the city had reclaimed title to the entire lot as an integral part of the Market Square. The Bucktrout Map (1807) shows the same situation.³

Certainly, by 1843 the lot had become a part of the Market Square owned by the Corporation. A deed of trust to property to the east (Lot 44) indicates that this was true:

[Samuel S. Griffin - deed of trust to George W. Southall]

1843,
... bounded N by Nicholson street, South by the main Street or Duke of Gloucester street, East, by the Lot of James Lee, formerly Mrs. Paradises; and West, by a street, ^or a part of the public square of said City ... ^{4check orig.}

From this description, we are led to believe that there were no buildings standing at this date.

The city seems to have kept this part of the Market Square until ca. 1853, when it was conveyed to Samuel S. Griffin: 15.

1854 Samuel S. Griffin-- 1 lot valued $600 lot & buildings $2200 Assessed by the Commissioner. No Deed yet made by the Corporation.¹

An interesting comment about what had happened to the "Public Grounds" appeared in the Virginia Gazette of March 29, 1855:

TRESPASSING.
ON THE PUBLIC GROUNDS OF THE ANCIENT METROPOLIS OF THE OLD DOMINION.
Mr. Editor:-- Sir, it is strange, though true, what little value is placed upon the Public lands of this old and time worn city. Within the last ten years there has not been less than five or six acres of the public street and greens applied to individual purposes and not one cent has this easy and good natured old Commonwealth received for its use. Happy am I to find that her Council and Street commissioners are so kind and benevolent that they do not wish to raise disputes and strife among its worthy citizens, but, would rather see the ornamental greens and public streets so encompassed by private individuals as to render both the pathways and roads impassible. Having thrown out these suggestions more to awaken the Common Council and street commissioners to a sense of their duty, than to interfere with private individuals, I am with the highest respect and esteem. Yours,
"A Good Citizen."

In 1855 J. Bunting, merchant, had rented one of the new store rooms erected by Griffin:

GREAT BARGAINS!
AS I have rented one of the New Store Rooms erected by Dr. S. S. Griffin, and shall open there, early in the Fall, and wish to open with an entire new stock of goods, I have concluded to sell out at COST for CASH, and cash only, my present stock...
J. BUNTING.²

In 1857 Griffin gave a deed of trust to Charles Gallagher to secure debt due G. Durfey: 16.

Sale made by consent of all parties in writing on 25^th Dec^r 1865. Property: Lot of Land in the City of Williamsburg bounded on South by main Street, West by Court house green, North by lot of W^msburg Male Academy & East by a cross Street with the house Price $3020 1/3 cash. 1/3 in one & 1/3 in two years bearing interest.¹

Another description of the property appears in a deed of 1869, confirming Griffin's purchase from the Corporation, though the exact date of the sale is not given:

[Trustees deed from Griffin to Charles Gallagher]

... All that lot of land in the City of Williamsburg which the said Griffin (Samuel S. Griffin) purchased from the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City bounded on the South by the main street, west by the Courthouse Green, north by the lot of the Williamsburg Male Academy, and east by cross street, with all the houses on the said lot.²

Another source which gives information as to the buildings on the lot erected by Griffin, and of the building standing prior to the Civil War, is John S. Charles's "Recollections of Williamsburg":

When the War came on, the building now known as the Colonial Hotel and the house next to it, were there, having been built by Dr. Griffen [sic?] not many years before. These houses present somewhat a changed appearance, as the hotel had no porches, either on the front or side. This house was always regarded as an oddity in construction, having two large rooms in front, with two flights of narrow stairs, one on each side of a partition leading from a front platform to rooms above. The house next door was much in appearance as it is now, except the front room on Duke of Gloucester street was the highest, and was reached by several stone steps.

On the site of these buildings now standing, there were two old buildings, razed many years before the War. These old buildings were under the ninety-nine year lease, which expired during the occupancy of the parties then holding the lease. An effort was made by the lessees to have 17. the lease renewed. This was opposed by some of the leading spirits on the city council. A hot contest was waged; but by some measures, or for some reason not then known but revealed by subsequent events, the lessees lost, and had to move bag and baggage to other quarters, and the old houses were pulled down, in order, it was said, to extend the Green to Queen street, its legitimate eastern boundary. These facts were learned from a source which the writer believes to be absolutely reliable.

To the north of the hotel premises just described, there was a lot fifty feet wide and extending from the Green back to Queen street. On this lot was a very large frame building known as Pyron's [Pryor's?] School House. The front door of this house was on the Court House Green, with a rear door opening into a small yard on Queen street, and a close fence shut out the view of the curious on the Nicholson street side. In this house there were two class rooms, one for the assistant, and the other in which "Old Kit" presided. He was a big man and had a big school, and was well known far and wide for his forceful way of imparting knowledge and of enforcing discipline. This well known school house, being vacant during the War, went the same way as all the rest of the vacant frame buildings.¹

Mr. Charles - long recognized as very accurate in memory - confirms sources used in this report: that there was a long-time lease by Private parties, that the corporation took over the property and later conveyed in fee simple.

Pryor's School - referred to by Mr. Charles - was Williamsburg Male Academy, whose principal was Christopher J. D. Pryor in 1855-1859.²

Mr. Charles made other mention of the hotel on the lot:

Opposite Mr. Waller's, or the Market Square Tavern, was a large, frame house, now known as the Williamsburg Inn. A lodging house was kept 18. here by Mr. Harrell. The building has been added to and changed so often since then; that it does not resemble its former appearance in the least.

The United States troops who were left in Williamsburg after McClellan passed through on the way to Richmond, used this building as a commissary. A large flag - a United States flag, of course, was placed in the front of this building, so that it hung out over the sidewalk; and the girls of Williamsburg, to avoid walking under it, used to walk out in the road...

To the east of this building was a small, frame, one story building. An old man, Mr. Hofheimer,¹ kept a store here.

In 1866 Cyrus A. Branch, trustee, and John H. Barlow, mayor of Williamsburg, conveyed to Thomas H. Haynes the northern part of this property [Lot 43]:

... All that lot or parcel of land situate in the city of Williamsburg, upon which a certain building known as the Williamsburg Male Academy formerly stood, said lot or parcel of land being about ninety feet in length and forty feet in width, and located as follows: in rear of the lot or parcel of land lately purchased by Chas. Gallagher from the estate of Dr. Samuel S. Griffin, and fronting west upon the courthouse green, on the north by a street running parallel with main street, and on the east by a cross street, together with all and singular its ways, alleys, privileges and appurtenances...²

The above deed recites that Cary Wilkinson, on the --- day of ----- 1860, conveyed to the said Cyrus A. Branch, trustee of the Williamsburg Male Academy lot, and gives this information:

WHEREAS further, the said lot or parcel of land was donated by the Corporate Authorities of the said City of Williamsburg to certain persons for the purpose of education, and Whereas further, a doubt has arisen whether the original grant of said lot or parcel of land was in fee or subject to limitation - the record of said grant having been destroyed - and, Whereas further, the Corporate Authorities of the said City, for the purpose of removing said doubt and assuring to any purchaser at a sale of said lot or parcel land under and by virtue 19. of the trust deed of the trust deed aforesaid such title as is vested in the City aforesaid, have by an order entered upon the records of the proceedings of the Common Council for the said City of Williamsburg, directed John H. Barlow, the Mayor of the said City, to unite with the trustee aforesaid in such deed as he may execute to any purchaser of said lot or parcel of ground, in order to grant to such purchaser whatever right, title, interest or estate that the said city of Williamsburg may have in and to said lot or parcel of land ... ¹

In April, 1888, Haynes conveyed to J. B. C. Spencer:

All that lot of land situate in the City of Williamsburg, known as the "Academy Lot", bounded as follows: on the North by ----- Street; on the West by the Courthouse Green; on the south by the lot of T. B. Mahone and J. B. C. Spencer and V. H. Dickinson; on the East by a cross street.²

The southern part of the property [Lot 43] was conveyed by William S. Peachy, trustee, on April 27, 1869, to Charles Gallagher:

... All that lot of land in the City of Williamsburg which the said Griffin (Samuel S. Griffin) purchased from the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the said City, bounded on the South by the main street, west by the Courthouse Green, north by the lot of Williamsburg Male Academy, and east by cross street with all the houses on the said lot ... ³

In August, 1872, Gallagher conveyed to Edward Kirby:

All the property situated in Williamsburg, James City County, State of Virginia, known as "Gallagher property" bounded on the south by Main Street, West by the Courthouse Green, North by the land of Williamsburg Male Academy, and East by a cross street, with all houses on said lot ... ⁴

Following the death of Edward Kirby in 1878, the property fell to Kirby heirs who sold the property to Bushrod W. Bowry on January 1, 1885: 20.

... A certain lot of land with the buildings thereon situate, lying and being in the said City of Williamsburg, State of Virginia, bounded as follows: On the North by the land of the Williamsburg Male Academy, on the East by a house and lot this day sold V. H. Dickinson; on the South by Duke of Gloucester Street, and on the West by the Courthouse Green, which said lot of land with the buildings thereon was conveyed to said Edward Kirby in his life time by Charles Galleghar and ... wife, on the 5th day of August in the year 1872, by deed...¹

The south part of the lot was divided in 1885 thus: the eastern part to Virginia H. Dickinson; and the western part to Bushrod Bowry.²

In March, 1888, Bowry conveyed to J. B. C. Spencer and Thomas B. Mahone.³ In April, 1888, Mahone conveyed to Spencer his one-half interest in said lot.⁴

In March, 1886, Bowry ran a long notice in The Williamsburg Gazette and James City County Advertiser, referring to his hotel business:

Williamsburg, Va.
Wednesday, March 31, 1886.
City Hotel, Williamsburg, Virginia - by B. W. Bowry - who founded the same in 1875.

Having opened my New Hotel on Main Street and fronting the beautiful and historic Court Green and immediately on the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Depot (only about two hundred yards distant), the Good Will and Fame of my old house I take with me, being the result of kindly attention and courtesy to the travelling public, and hope to deserve the continued patronage of the same. The new City Hotel is large and airy, Furnished in the most modern and comfortable style and can be secured to parties in Suites of Rooms or otherwise adapted to large or small families.⁵

In Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, dated March 19, 1887, there are Williamsburg, Virginia, scenes. One shows a two-story house with dome. A door faces upon the Court House Green. The house is on the same location as the City Hotel described by Bowry above.¹

A photograph taken by C. W. Coleman in 1888 or 1889 shows the City Hotel with dome.² This dome-like part to roof was still evident when the restoration of Williamsburg was begun.³

In 1900 Virginia H. Dickinson conveyed to J. B. C. Spencer the eastern portion, south, of the lot. At this date all three parcels of the lot were in the name of Spencer.⁴

In 1923 Spencer conveyed all the lot (all three parcels) to W. A. Bozarth.⁵

In 1927 Bozarth conveyed the property to W. A. R. Goodwin. It was described thus:

... All that certain lot ... together with all and singular the buildings ... situate on the North side of Duke of Gloucester Street, in the City of Williamsburg, Virginia, and bounded and described as follows: On the North by Nicholson Street, on the East by Queen Street; on the West by Courthouse Green, and on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street; being all of the real estate commonly known as the "Colonial Inn" property, and being the same real estate as that conveyed to the said W. A. Bozarth by deed from J. B. C. Spencer, dated July 16, 1923 and recorded in Williamsburg Deed Book 10, p. 6O,...⁶

In 1929 the property was conveyed by Dr. Goodwin to the Restoration of Colonial Williamsburg,¹ and in 1939 by Mr. Rockefeller to Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated.²

I am sending you herewith one copy each of two new house histories, Colonial Lot 43 - Block 19 and Colonial Lot 44 - Block 18, prepared by Miss Stephenson.

I have just received a letter from Robert Charleston giving what details he can find on Andre Simon's frontispiece. I quote from his letter:

"I went round the other day to see Andre Simon and the engraving from which his frontispiece in "Bottle-Screw Days" was taken. Unfortunately it contains no evidence of who engraved it, but it does have on the margin the words "Published as the act directs, 1773". In the top righthand of the plate is the number 37, so presumably this was one engraved from a set. The subject would be good enough to pass on this information, for what it is worth, to Ed. Alexander."