Peyton Randolph House Historical Report, Block 28 Building 6 Lot 236-7-207BOriginally entitled: "Randolph-Peachy House Block 28 #6 Colonial Lots #236-7-207B"
1938
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Research Report Series - 1539
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
RANDOLPH-PEACHY HOUSE
Block 28 # 6
Colonial lots # 236-7-207-8
RANDOLPH-PEACHY HOUSE
Block 28 #6
Colonial lots #236-7-207-8
July 26, 1938
On November 11, 1714, the first deed to the property on Nicholson Street, now called the Randolph-Peachy house, was recorded at Yorktown. The Trustees of the City of Williamsburg deeded 8 lots to William Robertson with a clause providing that he finish one or more good dwelling houses on each of the lots in 24 months or they would revert to the city. These 8 lots were 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 207, 208; the entire square bounded by Nicholson, England, Scotland and Queen Streets. These are shown on the Bucktrout map at the College of William and Mary. Robertson sold lots 236, 237, 207 and 208 to John Holloway on December 12, 1723, for £80 with houses and a wind mill.
From these four lots Holloway deeded to John Randolph Hall that "all that messuage, lot or half acre of land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg adjoining to the lot whereon the said John Randolph now lives which the said John Holloway purchased of Wm. Robertson", on July 20, 1724. for 30 £.
Though not specified, it is evident that John Randolph received one of the four lots (236, 237, 207 and 208) purchased by Holloway from Robertson. The lot already owned by John Randolph was within the same square of lots because his newly purchased lot was adjacent to the lot on which he was living in July, 1724. By subsequent deeds it is possible to eliminate other Holloway and Robertson lots from John Randolph's lots in the square and place his two lots on the corner of Nicholson and England Streets.
2"Two lots of ground lying on the North side of the Market Place, # 233 and # 234" had been deeded by William Robertson to Philip Ludwell on on December 19, 1715. These Ludwell lots were held by that family throughout the eighteenth century and after Philip Ludwell's death were inherited by William Lee (husband of Fanny Ludwell) and John Paradise (husband of Lucy Ludwell). This meant that throughout the eighteenth century two of the four lots facing Nicholson Street were owned by the Ludwells, the other two by the Randolphs. This point is important in many subsequent records of the properties.
Sir John Randolph died March 9, 1737, and his will was recorded in the General Court. Although the original was burned in 1865, a copy had been made from the original which made the following disposition of his property:
For the maintenance and support of my dear and most beloved wife who for her ffaithfulness affection and prudence deserves to be remembered in the first place I make the following provision I give and devise to her during her life all my houses and lots in the city of Williamsburgh and the plantation and lands adjoining to the town of Mr. Thomas Corbin and Mr. Thomas Bray with the appurtenances and also my household servants and slaves and the slaves living and residing upon the said plantation. I also give her during her life the use of all the ffurniture of my house in Williamsburgh of what kind soever my plate and linnen of all sorts all the goods which are or shall be provided for the use of my several plantations and the liquors and other things laid in for my housekeeping and all the stocks of cattle and sheep said land for the use of the house. I also give her forever my coach chariot and chaise with every thing that belongs to them and my coach horses riding horses mares and colts which are kept in town also all her own wearing apparel rings jewels and other paraphenalia also all the pieces of money whether gold or silver which I have given her and one hundred pounds sterling. I also give her the profits of all my other plantations and negros or other slaves until my several sons shall respectively attain the age of twenty fours years or if any of them should die until that time would have been accomplished if they had lived if she should live as long. And after that my will is that she shall receive of my sons one3
third part of the profits of my said plantations and slaves for her dower. And my will is that the profits of my estate be received by my wife in trust for her better support and the maintenance and education of my children. After her death I give all my said houses and lots in Williamsburg and at the college landing and the said plantation and lands lying near or adjoining to the town upon Archers hope creek which I purchased of the said Thomas Corbin and Thomas Bray and my household servants and slaves and slaves belonging to the said plantation and other the premises before given to my wife during her life to my son Peyton Randolph and to his heirs and assigns forever. I also give unto my said son Peyton his heirs and assigns all my lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances lying and being in Martin's hundred in the county of James City and all the slaves horses hogs cattle sheep and other goods and chattels belonging to the said lands or at the time of my death living residing or being upon the same.4
I also give unto my said son my whole collection of books with the cases in which they are kept hoping he will betake himself to the study of the law: But if he dies before he comes to the age of twenty four years, I give the same to my son John if he lives to be of the age of twenty one; otherwise I leave them to my residuary legatee.
I give and bequeath to my said son John all my plantations lands tenements and hereditaments with the appurtenances lying and being in the Parish of James City, upon Chickohominy river in the county of James City which I purchased of Robert Porteous Esqr and all the slaves horses hogs cattle sheep and other goods and chattels belonging to the sane or living residing or being upon the said plantations to hold to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter one thousand pounds sterling when she attains the age of twenty one years or marries but if she dies before I give the same to my residuary legatee.
Whereas my negroes Peter and Hull do not live constantly at any plantation I give Hull to my son Beverley and Peter to my son John. I also give unto my son Beverley the mulatto boy Billy and all the rest of my estate both real and personal. Appointing my wife, brethren William Randolph and Richard Randolph and Henry Whiting Esqr. my executors and guardians to my children. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to every page of this my will containing five pages and affixed my seal the 23rd day of December MDCCXXXV.
Published an declared to be my last will and testament in the presence of these witnesses.
John Randolph L. S.
Chas. Bridges
Philip Ffinch
Virginia Sc./
Memorandum that on the XXVIIJth day of April MDCCXXXVIJ--this Will was presented in the General Court by William Randolph Esq. Richard Randolph and Henry Whiting Gent executors therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same was proved by the oaths of Charles Bridges and Philip Ffinch the witnesses to it and ordered to be recorded.5
Teste. Matt. Kemp Clk.
... I give to my son Peyton a parcel of land I lately purchased of colonel Custis and his son adjoining to my land at Archers hope also the warehouses and land thereunto belonging which I purchased about twelve months ago of the executors of John Holloway Esqr deceased to hold to him and his heirs forever and I give him a mulatto boy called Lewy my will further is that all the money outstanding and due to me be placed out at interest upon such securities as my executor shall approve and if it shall happen that any of the securities for money I have already placed out should be suspected of insufficiency I desire the same may be called in and the money placed out upon better security and I do appoint the interest arising from such loan to be applied to the better maintenance and education of my children until my son Peyton comes of age yet I do not intend that the paiment of my Daughter's portion should be delayed in case of her marriage before that time but shall be paid as soon as the money can be called in. I also desire that a fair catalogue may be made of my books and that they be carefully preserved in the presses where they now are so far as they can contain them and I desire that these presses be fully repaired and have new locks and keys and that one other mahogany press be provided for the better keeping the rest of the books. Lastly my will is that an inventory be made of my estate without any appraisement or security to be given for the admonas--of it trusting entirely to the ffidelity and kindness of my executors. And I do appoint my worthy and honest ffriend John Carter Esqr. one of the guardians of my children. In testimony where of I have signed and sealed this writing this seventeenth day of February 1736 publishing and declaring the same to be a codicil to and part of my last will before mentioned. Signed sealed published and declared our names in the presence of the Testator
John Randolph L. S.
Will. Stith
Joshua Ffry
William Dawson
John Symmer
Benj. Needler
Virginia Sc./
[Virginia Historical Magazine Vol. 36, pages 377-380. Copy the will dated December 23, 1735]
Peyton Randolph was Speaker of the House of Burgesses from 1766 to 1775 and was often referred to as "Mr. Speaker." This is significant because in the division of the Ludwell properties, lots 233 and 234 were divided between Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Paradise. The records of the division of the estate are on file in the Virginia Historical Society.
In 1770 Mrs. Lee was given, with other properties, the houses and lot called Warrington where Col. Ludwell lived in town. This lot was the corner lot on Queen and Nicholson Street and is marked "Lee" on three town plans. At the same time Mrs. Paradise was given the "tenement adjoining the Speaker's" and on the town maps the lot next to the two Randolph lots is marked "Paradise."
In the Virginia Gazette of September 23, 1773 (edited by Purdie and Dixon) the brothers of William Lee advertised for sale the lots inherited from the Ludwell estate through his wife, including "the large wooden House, on the Back Street, next door but one to Mr. Speaker's..." Between the Speaker's and Lee's was the house which had fallen to Paradise in the division.
Peyton Randolph died on October 23, 1775, in Philadelphia. His will was probated November 20th, of that same year and is on record in Yorktown. The following reference to his dwelling house is from the will:
"I give and devise unto my beloved wife my dwelling house, lots and all outhouses thereto belonging, in the city of Williamsburg with the furniture of the same and also my chariot and horse, all her wearing apparel, rings and jewels. All which estate real and personal I give to her and her heirs..."
His inventory, recorded in Yorktown January 5, 1776, lists furniture in his dwelling house:
6Inventory of Peyton Randolph,
Williamsburg, Virginia Jan. 5, 1776.
7
12 mahogany chairs £ 15, 2 mahogany tables £ 8 23/0/0 1 card table £ 2, 1 marble table £ 2 4/0/0 1 side board table 20/ 1 carpet 20/ 2/0/0 4 looking glasses £ 20, 1 pr. endirons £ 2 22/0/0 5 china bowls £ 5, 5 china mugs 15/ 5/15/0 8 doz. red and white china plates £ 6, 22 do. dishes L 5 11/0/0 1 blue and white chine tureen 20/, 11 blue and white dishes 5/0/0 4 blue and white china sauce boats 10/, 2 do. potting pans 1/5/0 21 custard cups and patty pans 10/, 6 scollop shells 15/ 1/5/0 12 egg cups 6/, 13 blue and white coffee cups & saucers 10/ 0/16/0 18 blue and white chine plates 22/, 5 beer glasses 5/ 1/7/0 4 fruit baskets 20/, 1 Queen china mug & sugar dish 2/ 1/2/0 1 marble bowl 15/, 15 water glasses 30/ 2/5/0 10 wine glasses 12/, 5 punch do. 5/ 0/17/0 1 mahogany tray 10/, 9 decanters and 4 baskets 25/ 1/15/0 1 do. case containing 2 bottles 25/ 1/5/0 1 round mahogany table 26/, 1 plate warmer 12/ 1/18/0 492 oz. plate at 7/6 184/10/0 1 plate basket and 2 knive do. 10/, 3½ doz. knives & forks 5/10/0 1 mahogany tea board 7/6, Japand waitors 10/ 0/17/0 List of horses, carriages, etc. 11 frying pans 1/13/0 25 bushels salt 3/15/0 A parcel of lumber in the storehouse 1/0/0 1 bedstead 0/15/0 10 old jacks 5/, a parcel of tallow 25/, a pr. stilliards 12/6 2/2/6 48 table cloths £ 46-15, 36 towels £ 2/11 49/6/0 9 napkins 18/, 11 pr. sheets £ 16/10, 2 pr. Va. do. £ 2 19/8/0 6 pr. pillow cases 15/, 2 side board cloths 5/ 1/0/0 A parcel Queens chine ware and sundry articles sent to Wilton 5/0/0 A sett of ornamental china 20/0/0 1 doz. mahogany chairs 24/0/0 2 fire screens £ 5, 1 card table £ 2 7/0/0 1 wilton carpet £ 10, 1 tea table 20/, 1 do. 30/ 12/10/0 1 sett china and tea board £ 3, 1 ditto and do. 40/ 5/0/0 1 looking glass £ 10, 1 pr. tongs, poker, shovel & fender 11/0/0 1 black walnut press £ 3 3/0/0 5 flax wheels, 2 check reels, 2 common reels 5/0/0 A dressing table and glass £ 5, a desk and bookcase £ 7 12/0/0 6 old chairs £ 3, 1 easy chair 20/ 4/0/0 A small cabinet and a parcel of old china 2/0/0 A fender and pr. tongs 0/3/0 1 sett old blue damask curtains 30/, 2 pr. window do. 30/ 3/0/0 Sundry articles in Mrs. Randolphs closet 3/0/0 1 warming pan and pr. scales and weights 10/, 2 spinning wheels 1/5/0 1 coal skuttle 5/, 8 pewter dishes 40/ 2/5/0 2 doz. pewter plates £ 3, a parcel old pewter 20/ 4/0/0
8
3 copper kettles £ 15, 8 copper stew pans £ 5 20/ 0/0 1 safe 30/5 pales 10/, 2 fish kettles and covers £ 3 5/0/0 1 bell mettle skillet 15/, 1 marble mortar 20/ 1/15/0 1 small marble mortar 5/, 1 brass mortar 5/ 0/10/0 1 grid iron, 2 dripping pans, 2 frying pans 25/ 1/ 5/0 3 iron potts 40/, 1 tea kettle 15/, 1 do. 15/ 3/10/0 1 jack, 2 spits and a pr. kitchen dogs 5/ 0/0 8 stone butter pots, 7 milk pans, 1 stone jug 1/10/0 1 iron ladle, 1 chopping knife and flesh fork 0/ 5/0 23 candle moulds 23/, a parcel old copper and tin ware 20/ 2/ 3/0 11 chamber pots, 3 wash basons, 35 wine and beer glasses 2/10/0 2 dish covers, 3 tin kettles, 3 sauce pans, 5 cake moulds 1/10/0 A parcel of brooms and brushes 20/, 4 spades 2/ 0/0 35 yds. green cloth 10/, 40 yds. cotton £ 5 17/10/0 7 dutch blankets £ 3/10, 10 yds. crimson cloth £ 7/10 11/ 0/0 About 30 yds. green planes 2/9, 20 ells ozn. 25/ 5/ 7/6 7 sifters, 4 pr. coarse shoes, 3 jack lines 2/ 2/0 6 flat irons and a pr. broken dogs, 1 pine table 0/15/0 4 jugs 8/, 1 butter pot 2/, 11/2 boxes candles 3/10/0 List of household supplies such as oyl etc. 6 mahogany book presses at 30/ 9/ 0/0 1 do. writing table £ 3, 1 large mahogany 8/ 0/0 1 round table 15/, 1 paper press 10/ 1/ 5/0 1 chaffing dish 5/, l dry rubbing brush 3/ 0/8/0 1 clock £ 5, 1 pr. backgammon tables 10/ 5/10/0 1 old pine table 3/, 6 mahogany chairs 40/ 2/ 3/0 1 lanthorn 0/10/0 1 dressing table glass and toilet 2/10/0 6 mahogany chairs £ 6, 1 bed table £ l/10 7/10/0 1 china bason and bottle 20/ 1/ 0/0 1 bedstead and suit cotton curtains 15/ 0/0 1 do and do. Virginia cloth do. 10/ 0/0 4 pr. window curtains 40/, 1 old carpet 10/ 2/10/0 1 sett calico curtains 50/ 5 quilts £ 5 7/10/0 1 chintz bed cover £ 3 3/ 0/0 8 feather beds, 7 bolsters, 9 pillows 40/ 0/0 4 hair mattrasses £ 6, 10 counterpanes 18/ 0/0 3 wool do. £3, 6 pr. new blankets £ 9, 7 old do £ 4 16/0/0 51 yards Irish linnen 2 5/, £12/15, 25 yds. a do. £ 6/5 19/0/0 1 ps. Fustian dimity 25/, A parcel syllabub and jelly glasses, 4 salvers, 8 water glasses 22 wine do, 3 glass candlesticks 3/0/0 1 corner cupboard and a parcel of physick 5/0/0 1 japaned tea board 5/, 3 globe candlesticks 30/ 1/15/0 1 screen 30/, a trussell and 4 old trunks 20/ 2/10/0 4 mahogany chairs £ 4, 1 dressing glass 30/ 5/10/0 1 carpet 5/, 1 old fender, shovel and tongs 3/ 0/8/0 1 bedstead and suit Virginia curtains and window curtains 10/0/0 A mahogany press £ 3 3/0/0 1 pine table and looking glass 15/, 3 old chairs 15/ 1/10/0
[Inventory of Peyton Randolph, Williamsburg Book 22 - Willss and Inventories
2 bedsteads 15/, 1 fender 5/, 3 chairs 15/ 1/15/0 1 bedstead 10/, 1 old chest of drawers 15/ 1/5/0 1 pine table 5/, 1 floor cloth 20/, 1 passage do. 8/ 1/13/0 A library of books as per catalogue 250/0/0 List of farming implements List of slaves
York County, Virginia]
Mrs. Betty Randolph continued to live in this house after her husband's death. In September, 1779, when John Paradise's lot was confiscated because of his supposed loyalism, one of those siezed by the Commonwealth was "on the North side of the Market Square adjoining the lot of William Lee..." This is the same relation of lots as given on the three town maps.
During the Revolutionary war this house was used as headquarters by Rochambeau. It is marked "Rochambeau" and "quartier general" on various war maps of the city.
On September 15, 1781, St. George Tucker wrote from Williamsburg to his wife Frances Bland Tucker, of the arrival of George Washington in that city. The following reference to Rochambeau's headquarters indicates that "Aunt Betty" was Betty Randolph. The use of the term "aunt" was justified by both Frances and St. George Tucker's kinship with Betty Randolph, although she was not their aunt. "His [George Washington's] quarters are at Mr. Wythe's house. Aunt Betty has the honor of the Count de Rochambeau to lodge at her house."
Mrs. Betty Randolph had a building account with Humphrey Harwood for repairs to her property. The account in his manuscript Ledger is as follows:
9
| 19 | Mrs Betty Randolph | Dr | |
| 1777 | |||
| August | 23rd | To Mortar and pinting Shead 3/ | £ 3.-- |
| 1778 | |||
| June | 3 | To 125 Bricks 7/.2/6 5 bushs of lime 7/6a9d 500 Nails 15/.8/2 100 larths, 2/6 | 1.12.-- |
| To Mending larthing & plasterg in Kitching & Covered way 15/.8/9 & hair 9d | 15.6 | ||
| To Building Steeps to back door 6/.3/. & 2 days labr 8/.4/ | 14.-- | ||
| To White-washing Kitching, Closet, & Covered way 24/10/ | 1. 14.-- | ||
| October | 2 | To 73 brick 4/6,2/3 2 bushs of Mortar 3/.1/6 Rubg & laying a harth 10/6/1 | 17.6 |
| To Mending Cellar wall 2/6. & 1 Days labour 6/2/ | 8.6 | ||
| Decr | 2 | To Repairing marble Chimney Piece 12/3/. & plaster of Parris 3/1/ | 15.-- |
| To Mortar 1/6d. & ½ days labour 4/1/. | 4.-- | ||
| 1781 | |||
| Novemr | 7 | To lime 9d & Working in A Cellar Door frame 3/ | 3.9 |
| Specie | £ 3.10.6 | ||
| Per Contra | Cr | ||
| 1784 | |||
| July | 25th | By Cash in full from Benn Harison Esqr through the Hands of Mr Thomas Dawson | £ 3.10.6 |
| £ 3.10.6 |
Mrs. Betty Randolph's will was probated in York County in February, 1783. It provided, among other things, that "the House and all the lots in Williamsburg given me by my dear Husband, together with the furniture not particularly given away, chariot, wagon and horses in town, and all the estate" be sold at public sale and the proceeds divided among her legatees.
Her executors accordingly advertised her house in the Virginia Gazette of February 1, 1783:
To be SOLD at Public Auction, In Williamsburg, on Wednesday the 19th of February next,11
THE HOUSES and LOTS of the late Mrs. BETTY RANDOLPH, deceased together with a quantity of Mahogany Furniture, consisting of chairs, tables, mahogany and gilt frame looking glasses and desks, a handsome carpet, a quantity of glass ware and table china, and a variety of other articles; also kitchen Furniture compleat. The above mentioned House is two stories high, with four rooms on a floor, pleasantly situated on the great square, with every necessary out-house convenient for a large family; the garden and yard well paled in, stables to hold twelve horses and room for two carriages, with several acres of pasture ground. Twelve months credit will be allowed for all sums above five pounds, on giving bond with approved security, to carry interest for the date if not punctually paid.
THE EXECUTORS.
The house was sold soon after this advertisement appeared on February 21, 1783, by:
Benjamin Harrison, Sr.
Harrison Randolph February 21, 1783.
Benjamin Harrison, Jr. Executors
Betty Randolph - widow of Peyton Randolph
to
Joseph Hornsby,
Consideration: 1800 Pounds
All those lots or half acres of land with the tenaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, whereon
the said Betty Randolph lately resided, and bounded by the lot of John Paradise and Lewis Burwell on the East side, by the street denoted and called ------- in the plan of the said city ------- and dividing the tenement of John Blair now in the occupation of James Madison from the said lots on the West, by the street called and known by the name of Scotland Street on the North and by the Market Square on the South side, ...
[York Records, Book VI - Deeds - Page 169.]
The following account from Harwood's Ledger in Joseph Hornsby's name, may or may not be for work on this property, but it is for the period of his ownership, as he owned it from 1783 to at least 1797:
12[Humphrey Harwood, Ledger B, P. 73 Manuscript, Research Department]
73 Mr Joseph Hornsby Dr 1784 Novr 4th To Cash (from Ledge A, Folio 141) £ 16.17.6 To 18 Bushs of lime at 1/ 18.- To cuting out & putg in 5 window frames at 3/ 15.- 5 To 4 bushs of lime 4/. & hair 1/. & 8 days labr of boys at 1/3 15.- To repairing larthing & plastering to Dary 15/ 15.- Decr 13 To 22½ bushs of lime at 1/. & 100 bricks 3/ 1.5.6 To 1 bushell of hair 2/. & laying an harth 1/6 3.6 To setting up a Grate 7/6 7.6 To larthing & plastering 41 yds at 6d 1.0.6 1785 To 3 days labr at 2/6, & working cellar door 3/ 10.6 August 8 To 19 bushels of lime 19/. & 1334 bricks at 3/. pr Centum 2.19.- To 2 Days labour 5/. & underpining Granary 24/ 1.9.- 19 To 22 bushels of lime at 1/ 1.2. - To 668 bricks at 3/. & 2 days labr at 2/6 & repairg Wells 15/ 2.- - £ 30.17.11 Per Contra Cr 1785 August 8th By 80 Bricks £ 2.- 1786 February 11th By His Account to This day 28.2.10¾ By Cash to Ballance 2.12. ¼ £30.17.11
From Hornsby the property passed to Thomas Peachy in whose name it appears on three mps of about 1800 and in the Williamsburg tax books for the years from 1801 to 1858.
Mrs. Mary Monroe Peachy, widow of Thomas G. Peachy, was living in this house in 1824 when Lafayette visited Williamsburg. From all the houses which were available for Lafayette it was fitting that the home of Peyton Randolph and his widow Betty Randolph which had been Rochambeau's headquarters should have been selected for Lafayette's Williamsburg residence.
From papers and records written at the time of Lafayette's visit, there are several references to Mrs. Peachy's house being Lafayette's headquarters and being called at that time the Peyton Randolph house:
Richmond Enquirer13
Oct. 26, 1824
A description of LaFayette's visit to Williamsburg in Oct. 20th-
"He was conducted to the house where Peyton Randolph, the first President of the old Congress once lived... When he left the tavern nearly all the company followed to his quarters at Mrs. Peachy's, where a number of ladies assembled to see him."
Robert D. Ward
An Account of General LaFayette's Visit to Virginia 1824-25. Richmond: 1881.
"General LaFayette's Movements--Reception at Williamsburg... He was conducted to the residence of Mrs. Mary Monroe Peachy, which bad been volunteered for his accommodation by that patriotic lady..."
Extracts of the Voyage of General LaFayette to the United States of America in 1824; A Paris.. L'Huillier, Editeur, 1824.
"... We shall not give any details of the ceremonies which took place; we shall merely recall that he visited the College of William and Mary, and that he was given as place of residence the house of Peyton Randolph, who was the first President of American Revolutionary Congress..."
[Translation: W. Dawson]
After the death of Mrs. Mary Monroe Peachy the property passed to Thomas G. Peachy and then to Archibald C. Peachy.
In Deed Book I of the city of Williamsburg on file in the town Court House a deed of trust from Richard W. to Charles C. Hansford is recorded on February 24, 1868:
Deed of Trust.14
Richard W. Hansford
& Feb. 24 1868.
Charles C. Hansford
All those lots of land with the houses thereon in the said city of Williamsburg, Virginia now held and occupied by the said Richard W. Hansford, conveyed to him by Archibald C. Peachy and Mary L. Dwight and James L. C. Griffin by deeds which were duly recorded in the Clerk's office of the Hustings Court of the city aforesaid, bounded on the north by the lands of Robert H. Armistead west by a street leading to the court house Green, South by the said Green, and East by a lot now owned by said M. L. Wright and J. L. C. Griffin [The Grave Yard on the "Peachy lot" was reserved to said A. C. Peachy, when he sold to said R. W. Hansford]. Also all the Household and kitchen furniture.
[To secure $ 3658.37 to Wm. W. Vest security for said Richard to Robert F. Cole, etc.]
[Williamsburg Deed Book I - Page 123]
From then on the property can be traced by deeds and court records on file at the Court House in Williamsburg as follows:
R. W. Hansford to Moses R. Harrell at Public Auction - July 14, 1884.
Moses R. Harrell to John Dahn - May 31, 1893.
John Dahn to E. W. Warburton - August 3, 1897.
Letty G. Warburton (by inheritance).
Letty G. Warburton to Williamsburg Incorporated Feb. 7, 1920.
Williamsburg Inc. to Mary Proctor Wilson - July 1, 1921.
Mary Proctor Wilson to Merrill Proctor Ball - Aug. 3, 1927.
This record traces both ways with few gaps. It is significant that Peyton Randolph's will and inventory were recorded in York County and that his father John Randolph owned the Nicholson Street property.
With the exception of the Tazewell Hall tract which Peyton Randolph deeded to his brother John as mentioned and Martin's Hundred, Peyton Randolph and Mrs. Betty Randolph owned no land or lots in James City County which appear in any existing records.
This is further substantiated by a manuscript account book of Edmund Randolph, 1767-l806, in the Manuscript Division of Library of Congress dealing with the settlement of the estate of Peyton Randolph.
15STABLE
The large stable on Scotland Street, to which John S. Charles referred in his Recollections of Williamsburg as it was at the time of the Civil War, was no doubt the Randolph stable and not the Palace stable, as he believed. This is covered fully in the Palace report and by extensive York records. The stable is shown on the Frenchman's Map.
Note: Mr. B. D. Peachy said there were no materials in his family papers pertaining to their residence in the house.
Helen Bullock, Archivist
Department of Research and Record
10:28
Copies to
Mr. Kendrew