Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

The house now known as the "John Blair House", is situated on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg about the center of the block, between Henry, Nassau, Prince George and Duke of Gloucester Streets. On early maps of Williamsburg it is designated as "lot 36".

HISTORY:

From records now extant it is known that John Blair Jr. ¹ lived on the property as above located. (See: History of the lot which follows in this report). Whether his father, John Blair Sr. used this property as his dwelling lots at any time is a mooted question. ² Probably John Blair Jr. accepted as his residence the houses and lots which his father was occupying at the time of his death and devised to his son. In the will of the senior Blair (written October 25, 1771; probated November 18, 1771, York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book 22, page 44) the son, John Blair, Jr., was bequeathed "all those lots and houses where I now live, and also the four lots whereon my store-house stands with all their appurtenances to him and his heirs forever". The phrase, "where I now live", is open to two interpretations: (1) it may mean that the senior Blair had lived elsewhere in Williamsburg but was living on this property [Colonial Lot 36] at the time of his death; or, (2) it may mean that the elder Blair was living on the lots held by him since 1739 on the Market Square. "The garden of John Blair" on the Market Square is cited 2 in deeds as a boundary until 1762. ¹ Then, ^{In 1767} the phrase changed from "garden of John Blair" to "the lots of the Hon. John Blair, Esq."^{[illegible] 1771 "adjoining the Lots of the Honorable John Blair"} Mention of a garden would imply, naturally, a residence at the lots. Yet, when the younger Blair advertised as executor of his father's estate that the personal property would be sold at the dwelling house of Blair senior, nothing was said about the sale of the house nor was the garden noted. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Sept. 2, 1773) This fact would seem to indicate that the dwelling house was not for sale and had been devised (as the record shows). The existing evidence is not strong enough to establish without doubt where John Blair Sr. was living at the time of his death. Hence, the history of lot 36 (now known as the "John Blair House") will begin in this report with the first definite reference indicating that John Blair Jr. was the owner.

A notice in the Virginia Gazette of January 7, 1773 establishes John Blair Jr. on the above mentioned lot:

"To be SOLD by publick Auction… THE HOUSES and LOT, on the main Street in the City of Williamsburg, where the late Mrs. Catherine Blaikley, deceased, lived, adjoining the Lots of Mr. Charles Taliaferro, and opposite those of John Blair, Esquire…" (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon.)

Throughout 1779 various advertisements and deeds emphasize that John Blair's lots adjoined or were opposite to certain property:

WILLIAMSBURG, AUGUST 21, 1779.

"THE subscriber, at his store in the upper end of this city, opposite the Hon. John Blair's Esq.; purposes taking in goods on commission, to sell...
SERVERINUS DURFEY" (Virginia Gazette, Clarkson & Davis, August 28, 1779)

WILLIAMSBURG, JULY 2, 1779

"To be sold to the highest bidder, on Wednesday the 7th instant, for ready money, the houses and lot on which the subscriber now lives, in the back street near the church adjoining the Hon. John Blair..."
JAMES INNES" (Virginia Gazette, Clarkson & Davis, July 3, 1779)

Joseph Thompson purchased Innes's lot and transferred to James Wilson, gardener of William and Mary College c., Feb-June, 1780:
"All that lot of ground and houses situate lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and bounded on the South and West by the lots of Hon. John Blair, Esq., whereon the said Joseph now lives and which were purchased by the said Joseph of Col. James Innes." (York County Records, Book VI, Deeds, p. 101)

MAPS:

The Frenchman's Map (1782) indicates a house of rectangular shape in the center of this block. To the west of the main house and near it is a small square house. East of the main house near the extreme eastern part of the block on the Duke of Gloucester Street, is a long narrow rectangular building. (Drawing from Frenchman's Map, Illustration #1, Appendix)

The College Map (1791?) [but undoubtedly of later date], shows "Andrews" on lot 36. Andrews owned this lot later.¹ (See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, copy in Illustration #1)

HISTORY (continued)

Certain repair work done on the property of John Blair from 1789-1792 was recorded in the M^s Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, a Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason. Among the items listed are "mending plaistering in 7 Rooms & 4 passages, building up the Jambs of the library Chimney, mending underpinning of the outhouses, brick work of the well, taking down the marble mantlepiece, laying hearths,..." (Complete copy from Ledger, in Illustration #5, Appendix)

By 1796 the property had come into the possession of Robert Andrews. An insurance policy of the Mutual Assurance Society #185 described the buildings a "on the main street at Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lott of M^rs Cocke¹ and the Church Square in the county of York." The dwelling house was 64 feet by 29 feet with an office 24 feet by 16 - both of wood. (Illustration #3, Appendix, copy from photostat in Department of Research)

Williamsburg Land Tax accounts indicate that Robert Andrews held 6 lots with a value of $50 in 1799. (Illustration #2, Appendix for copy) ^{see. Ill. # 5 new data}

Another insurance policy of the same company of date September 5, 1809, show that the policy #989 was a revaluation of #185, that the houses were "now owned by Robert Andrews' widow and children and are now occupied by Mary Andrews... situated on the main street - having on the north a street which divides Prenti lots - on the West Cockes lots - on the south the main street and on the east a open space which divides the church..." a dwelling of wood 64 by 28 and an office of wood 24 by 16 feet are insured, and a kitchen and a laundry are listed. Cocke's house on the west was 42 feet distant. (Illustration #3, Appendix, copy from photostat in Department of Research)

Mary Andrews, representing the estate of Robert Andrews^[2], continued to insure the property. Policy #2090 - with the Mutual Assurance Society - described the property in 1815 thus: "my building on the main street in Williamsburg situated between Cocke's lot on the west and streets otherwise..." dwelling of wood 64 by 28 feet with office 24 by 16 - both contiguous to three wooden buildings. (Illustration #3, Appendix for copy)

In 1820 a change was made in the method of keeping the Land Tax Accounts for Williamsburg. Heretofore, apparently, each lot was listed separately. In 1820, one or more contiguous lots appear to be enumerated as one, and the value of the buildings on the lots and also total value of lots and buildings, was estimated. The property of Robert Andrews' estate from 1820 through 1842 was listed thus: "1 lot... value of buildings $1200; value of buildings and lot $1500". (Illustration #2, Appendix, from photostats in Department of Research)

After the death of Mary Andrews, widow of Robert Andrews, (ca 1820) the property was insured by the heirs under policy #5011 (March 23, 1823) and policy #7576 (May 20, 1830). These policies were revaluations of previous policies; in 1823 the property was occupied by George W. Banks.¹ In 1830 the property was owned partly by the children of Robert and Mary Andrews, deceased, and partly by John B. Peachy² and John Page.³ The property was occupied by Mrs. Saunders ⁴ and E. Adams. The dwelling had become two stories with dimensions 30 by 62 with an office 16 by 14. (Illustration #3, Appendix for copies of policies)

The property continued to be insured under the Mutual Assurance Society by heirs of the Andrews estate. In April 1839 policy #10993 (revaluation of #7576) noted the property as "occupied by Mrs. Matilda Cabaness... with the lot of the late Mrs. Cocke on the west... A- dwelling of wood one and a half stories 30 by 62 [with] B- office of wood 16 by 14 and a kitchen to the east." (Illustration #3 Appendix for copy) While Mrs. Cabaness rented the house, students of William and Mary College boarded with her. (William and Mary Quarterly, series 2, volume 3 & 4)

From the insurance policies for the property, it is apparent that the house remained practically the same in dimensions from 1796 (64 feet by 29 feet), and the office (24 feet by 16 feet) seems to have lost a few feet in size by 1839 (16 feet by 14 feet). The buildings were of wood entire and the dwelling-house was a story and a half, although it was erroneously noted as "one story high" in one policy and "two stories" in a subsequent policy.

The property continued in the name of the heirs of Robert Andrews and wife, Mary, until 1843 when George Taylor, husband of Andrews' granddaughter, Catherine Randolph, became the owner. Land Tax records indicate that Taylor had come into "1 lot via John Coke Comm^r formerly to the Estate of Robert Andrews". (Illustration #2, Appendix for copy)

In 1847 John T. James appears in the tax records as owner of "a lot with buildings valued at $1200 and lot and buildings valued at $1500 transfer in 1846 from Geo. Taylor formerly estate of Ro: Andrews". (Illustration #2, copy) An insurance policy of 1846 (#14,396) declared the "dwelling - all wood, and contiguous to two other wood buildings". (Illustration #3)

In 1854 James' property was reassessed and the value arrived at is listed: "1 lot ... buildings $2600; lot and buildings $3000". The property was insured in 1853 (#17,641) as "Dwelling of wood 1 ½ stories and not within thirty feet of any other building, valuation $2000". "A new wood Dwelling" is noted east of the house with "R. H. Armistead's lot East". (Illustration #3)

According to Mr. John S. Charles in "Recollections of Williamsburg" about the time of the Civil War, James had built "a house east of the old Blair house prior to the War". This statement of Mr. Charles' seems to be in agreement with a notice which appeared in the Virginia Gazette, Richmond, Norfolk and Williamsburg Advertiser, January 3, 1856 (J. Hervey Ewing, editor) in which John T. James offered for sale Two-Story House in which he resided situated on Main Street between the Episcopal Church & William and Mary - 8 rooms. Another advertisement of the property above appeared in the August 14th issue of the Williamsburg Weekly Gazette: "Robert Saunders, agent, offers for sale two dwelling houses owned by John T. James. One is new and both are large with all the appurtenances necessary for the comfort of a large family."

James insured his dwelling in 1860 (#21,332 revaluation of #17,641). The dwelling marked "A is wood 36 ½ feet front". This appears to be a half of the building as a similar wing to the west and attached is "28 ½ feet front" and called "Moses R. Harrell's Tenement". Adding the dimensions of the lots together we have 65 feet. Note that these dimensions are about the same dimensions given for the building from 1796 to 1839. (See: insurance policies, Illustration #3) The policy of 1860 notes that the dwelling insured is "contiguous to 6 Wooden buildings". This would indicate that some new buildings of wood had been built nearby after 1846 and before 1860, and would bear out Mr. Charles' statement as to a new house near the James house.

On June 1, 1867 James and wife conveyed the property to George W. Garrett:

"Upon the petition of George W. Garrett to set up and reestablish a deed of bargain and sale which had been lost or destroyed, it appeared to the court from the report of the Special Commissioner William R. C. Douglas and the evidence returned therewith that in the year..., John T. James and wife made and executed a deed of bargain and sale to George W. Garrett and James E. Small,¹ a certain 8 lot and the house thereon known as the Andrews property and situate on the north side of Main Street and that said deed was duly recorded in the Clerk's office of the Hustings Court of this City and has been lost or destroyed, it is therefore ordered that the said deed bargain and sale and hereinbefore described be set up and re-established...." (This deed, obtained from the James City Court House, is in the Abstract of Titles 1,013-Block 22, No. 5 in possession of Colonial Williamsburg, Accounting Department)

Loss of the James City County and the city of Williamsburg court records during the Civil War made it necessary, doubtless, to institute suit in order to obtain clear title to the property.

Mr. Charles states that "the old Blair house... in 1861 presented very much its present appearance. For many years before, during and after the war, it was used by various persons, and for various purposes. Just preceding the War it was used as a dwelling; a two family house, as they are now called. The uptown end was occupied by a man whose family lived there and he conducted a bake shop in the basement, which had steps leading up the street. In 1861 it was occupied by a man who conducted a harness shop in the uptown-end". According to Mr. Charles, a bake shop oven was in the back yard, and during the War the Federal soldiers baked bread to furnish the army wagons enroute to Fort Magruder where troops were stationed. Mention is also made by Mr. Charles of "an old wooden kitchen of ample proportions in the yard of the old Blair house." ("Recollections"... Page 18)

Mrs. Victoria M. Lee, another older citizen of Williamsburg, recalled the "Blair House" ca 1860 as presenting the same appearance as at the present time. Mrs. Lee remembered that the house was occupied at the time of the Civil War by two families. (Ibid, p. 82)

In May 1884 George W. Garrett and wife conveyed the property to C. P. Bailey. (Deed Book 1, p. 93, James City County and the City of Williamsburg Court Records)

Further title to the property can be found in the Accounting Department of Colonial Williamsburg, owners.

IN SUMMARY:

The property was owned and occupied by John Blair Jr. before 1773. It appears that John Blair Sr. may have lived on these lots as he devised his dwelling house and lots to his son, John Blair Jr., but absolute proof that Blair Sr. was living at this lot when he died has not been established from court records or other source materials. Following John Blair Jr.'s ownership the property came into the possession of Rev. Robert Andrews who had married the daughter of Blair. From 1796 to 1846 the property was held by Andrews, his widow or heirs. During that time the property was insured in the Mutual Assurance Society. Descriptions in the insurance policies indicate that few changes were made to the houses during the years. The dwelling-house remained practically the same in dimensions from 1796 (64 feet by 29 feet) of wood entire and a story and a half in pitch. There seems to have been slight changes in dimensions to the office.

The Frenchman's Map (1782) of Williamsburg shows the number of buildings on the lot, approximate dimensions and relative locations to each other. The College Map (1791?) indicates the name "Andrews" on lot 36 and 35 and the five lots to the rear of these lots, namely: 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Land Tax Records for Williamsburg show that Andrews or his estate held "6 lots valued at $50" from 1799 to 1802; and "7 lots valued at $200" from 1814-1820. From 1820 to 1846 the Andrews family held "the lot and buildings valued at $1500". During the ownership of John T. James 1847 -- ca. 1867, the property was insured. Certain changes in the dwelling-house were made and a new wood dwelling erected on the eastern part of the lot. Mr. John S. Charles in "Recollections of Williamsburg" during the period of the Civil War, and Mrs. Victoria M. Lee, also recalling this period -, both state that the outward appearance of the dwelling has remained 10 unchanged for over a half century. These citizens were writing their reminiscence about 1930. The property at the present time is owned by Colonial Williamsburg Incorporated.

Research Department
(Report prepared by Mary A. Stephenson,
Research Assistant)

Prepared- June, 1948
Typed-November, 1949
Mary A. Stephenson

Illustration #1
John Blair House
Block 22

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?

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

Illustration #2
Lot 36 Block 22

NOTE: A complete tax record by years is available in photostat in the Department of Research. Only changes in lots or valuations are copied above.

Illustration #3
John Blair House Lot 36 Block 22

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #185

Robert Andrews residing at Williamsburg in the couty of York...
1796 April 21st.

"... My wooden buildings on the main street at Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lott of Mrs Eliza Cocke and the Church Square in the countyof York....

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #989 Revaluation of buildings declared for assurance by Robert Andrews as per declaration #185
1809 September 5th

"Robert Andrews ... residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare ... We also certify that the said buildings are now owned by Robert Andrews' widow and children and are now occupied by Mary Andrews that they are situated on the main street- having on the north a street which divides Prentis lots- on the West Cockes lots- on the south the main street and on the east are open space which divides the church-...

Mutual Assurance Society Insurance Policy 2090

Mary Andrews representing the estate of Robert Andrews dec^d residing at Williamsburg in the county of York...
1815, June 15th.

"... do hereby declare for assurance... my building on the main street in Williamsburg situated between Cockes lot on the west and streets otherwise in the county of York...

1823, March 28th.

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #5011 revaluation of building declared by Mary Andrews for the representatives of Robert Andrews dec^d as per declaration #2090

"That the said buildings at present owned by the representativeso of the said Robert Andrews dec^d residing at various places and are occupied by George Banks That they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg south-- a cross street north and another east, and by Cockes lot and a street west in the county of York...

Mutual Assurance Society Insurance Policy #7576 revaluation of buildings declared by the heirs of Robert Andrews as per declaration #5011
1830, May 20th

"... That the buildings at present owned by John B. Peachy-John Page, and other the heirs distributers and assignees of Robert Andrews dec^d and are occupied by Saunders, and by E. Adams &^c That they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg, and between the lot of Cocke in part on the west and by streets on the South, East and North in the county of York...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #10993 revaluation #7576 Robert Andrews, heirs of 1839, April 24th

"That the said buildings are at present owned by the heirs of said Robert Andrews and the assignees and transfers of some of them residing at Williamsburg and elsewhere and are occupied by Mrs. Matilda Cabaness That they are situated on the main street in Williamsburg & other streets on the north, east and south, and with the lot of the late Mrs. Cocke on the west...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #14, 396 revaluation of buildings formerly declared for assurance by the Heirs of Robert Andrews per declaration #10993
1846, October 3rd.

"I the underwritten John T. James residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare for Assurance... my Buildings on my own land on M in street in Williamsburg now occupied by myself situated between the lot Cocke's estate on the west and streets otherwise in the county of York...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #17641 Revaluation of Building formerly declared for Assurance by John T. James per Declaration #14396
1853, November 14,

"I the underwritten John T. James residing at Williamsburg in the county of York do hereby declare for Assurance... my Building on the main street now occupied by William Lindsey situated between the lot of Edwin H. Hurt on the west and R.H. Armistead on the East in the county of York...

Mutual Assurance Society Policy #21332 Revaluation of Building declared for Assurance by John T. James as per Declaration #17641
1860, December 31st.

"We the underwritten Walker W. Vest and Parkes Slater Appraisers, do hereby certify that we have viewed and revalued the Building heretofore declared for Assurance,...as per his [James'] Declaration for Assurance #17641 Thatpart of the said Building is at present owned by George W. Garrett and is occupied by residing at That it is situated on the North side of Main Street, between a lot of R.H. Armistead on the East and the adjoining tenement of Moses R. Harrell on the West in the City of Williamsburg and in the County of York...

Illustration #4
Lot 36 Block 22