Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Colonial House
"Redwood Ordinary"
(Block 27 - Colonial Lots 272, 273)

John Redwood seems to have been the first owner of lots 272 and 273. Redwood was employed to look after "ye Capitoll & publick prison" as early as March 31, 1703. In April, 1703, Redwood was employed "to take care of the Capitol & ye furniture and to be Goaler of ye Country prison." As "Goal Keeper" he received an annual salary of thirty pounds sterling. When Redwood resigned as keeper of the goal before November 1710, he hired Thomas Jones to collect what was due him. (See Journal of the House of Burgesses, 1702-12, page 254.)

A deed dated June 12, 1719, York County, shows that Redwood had been owner of four lots in Williamsburg granted unto him on April 28, 1707: "...four certain lots or half acres of ground lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 61, 62, 272 and 273..." (York County Records - Deeds & Bonds, III, p. 286.) It is obvious from a deed a year later that Redwood sold the four lots. Also, it is clear that his dwelling house was at that time located on lots 61 and 62 rather than on lots 272 and 273, on which latter lots the colonial house now standing was built. (Ibid., II, p. 305.) From the records, it is also apparent that Redwood's ordinary or tavern was conducted in his dwelling house: "John Redwood hath renewed his lycense to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburgh..." (Ibid., Deeds, Orders, Wills, XIII, p. 110.)

The history of lots 272 and 273 from 1708-1719 is not at all clear from the records. Evidently, Redwood did not comply with the building clause for lots 272 and 273, as the trustees of Williamsburg conveyed unto Bridget Menetrie the two lots on April 3, 1719. (Ibid., p. 299.) In a few months Bridget Menetrie had sold the lots to Lewis Delony. The fact that she, rather than the trustees, sold the lots points to her as the first builder on the lots.

In May 1739, Andrew Anderson, barber and peruke maker was occupying the house on lots 272 and 273 (Ibid., Wills, Inventories, XVIII, p. 494). Anderson acquired the lots by deed within two months afterwards (Ibid., Deeds, IV, p. 557). 2 Records show that Anderson kept his shop on Main Street but maintained his dwelling on Nicholson Street (location of above named lots).

By foreclosure of a mortgage, Nathaniel Walthoe on November 15, 1751, gained possession of a portion of lots 272 and 273 owned by Andrew Anderson, peruke maker (Ibid., Deeds, V, p. 457). The price paid was £107 10 Shillings current money; the house and lot was 20 by 24 feet (Ibid). Anderson's widow married Joshua Morris. In 1757, she signed away her dower right in the property to George Davenport for twenty pounds (York County Records, Deeds, VI, 106). The lots, except that part belonging to Walthoe, changed hands several times between 1757 and 1770. (See House History, lots 272 and 273, Department of Research, for further details.) In March, 1772, the heirs of Nathaniel Walthoe sold the property "where Nathaniel Walthoe lately lived together with the piece or parcel of ground thereunto adjoining and belonging lying and being on the North side of Nicholson Street in the city of Williamsburg, which said messuage or house was sold and conveyed unto the said Nathaniel by Andrew Anderson and Mary, his wife ...and by said Nathaniel devised to the said Henrietta [Marmillod], Mary and Martha [Hart] by his last will." (York County Records, Deeds, VIII, p. 210.) Such property was conveyed to Elizabeth Balsom who sold same in March 1775 to Blovet Pasteur.

It is of interest to mention that Sarah Hallam gave dancing lessons at Blovet Pasteur's house (Virginia Gazette, Pinkney, ed., August 17, 1775).

The College Map (1791) shows the name "Pasture" on lots 272 and 273. (Photostat copy of College Map attached.) The Bucktrout Map (1867) shows "Pasture" with one lot between Scovemont and White. Tax records for 1785 give Blovet Pasteur with 2½ lots. The name disappears from the record in 1810. Further study of this area through the Southall Papers may clear up gaps in the title to the property, both before and after the above recorded history.

Note: The foregoing facts were taken from the history of Colonial House Block 27-Colonial Lots 272 and 273 previously prepared in the Department of Research.

College Map 1791