Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

Lots 263, 264 and 265 are located on the north side of Nicholson Street in Williamsburg. See: Tyler's adaptation of the nineteenth century plats of Williamsburg. Lots 263 and 264 are marked "Ferguson" and lot 265 is marked "Jackson."

HISTORY:

The first reference to colonial lots 263, 264 and 265 appears in two deeds (of lease and release) from the trustees or feoffees of Williamsburg to Edward Ripping. These deeds were dated December 11, 1717:

[December 11, 1717 Release deed]

[Trustees of Williamsburg
to
Edward Ripping of York County
Consideration: 45 shillings current money]

THIS INDENTURE made the Eleventh day of December in the fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the faith &c and in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & Seventeen BETWEEN the Feoffees or Trustees for the Land appropriated for the building & erecting the City of Williamsburgh of the One part & Edward Ripping of the County of York of the other part WITNESSETH that whereas the Said Edward Ripping by One Lease to him by the Said Feoffees or Trustees made bearing date the day next before the date of these presents is in the actual possession of the premises herein after granted to the intent that by vertue of the Said Lease and this Release for transferring use into possession he may be the better enabled to accept of a Grant & Release of the Reversion & inheritance thereof to him and his heirs for ever the said Feoffees or Trustees for divers good Causes & considerations them thereunto moving but more especially for & in Consideration of forty five Shillings Current money of Virginia to them in hand paid at and before the ensealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof and themselves 2 fully Satisfyed & paid they do hereby acknowledge HAVE Granted bargained Sold remised, Released & Confirmed & by these presents for themselves their heirs & Successors as far as in them lyes and under the Limitations and Reservations hereafter mentioned they do Grant, bargain, Sell, remise Release & Confirm unto the Said Edward Ripping Three certain Lotts of Ground in the Said City of Williamsburgh designed in the Plott of the Said City by these figures 263, 264 & 265 with all woods thereon growing or being together with all profits Commoditys... whatsoever... TO HAVE & TO HOLD the Said Granted premises... unto the Said Edward Ripping his heirs & Assigns... for ever To have & to hold of our Sovereign Lord the King in free & Common So cage YIELDING & PAYING the quitt Rents & legally occostomed to be paid for the Same under the Limitations & Reservations hereafter mentioned & not otherwise that is to Say that if the Said Edward Ripping his heirs or Assigns Shall not with in the space of Twenty four months next ensuing the date of these presents begin to build & finish on each Lott of the Said Granted premisses One good dwelling house or houses of Such Dimensions & to be placed in Such Manner as by one Act of Assembly made at a General Assembly begun at the Capitol the Twenty Third day of October 1705... then it shall & may be lawfull to & for the Said feoffees or Trustees & their Successors... to enter and the same to have again... as if these presents had never been made IN WITNESS whereof John Clayton Esq^r & William Robertson Two of the Feoffees or Trustees have hereunto Set their hands & Seals the day & year above written.
John Clayton Seal
Wil Robertson Seal

December the 11^th 1717 Received of
Edward Ripping forty five Shillings
Current Money being the Consideration within mentioned by me
John Clayton ¹

[Recorded York County Court January 20, 1717/18]

Five days later (December 16, 1717) Ripping released the lots to Henry Gill:²

[December 16, 1717]

[Edward Ripping of Williamsburg
to
Henry Gill of Williamsburg
Consideration: £10 Current Money]

3

THIS INDENTURE made the Sixteenth day of December in the Fourth year of the Reign of our sovereign Lord King George &c Anno Domini One thousand Seven hundred & Seventeen BETWEEN Edward Ripping of the City of Williamsburgh of the One part & Henry Gill of the Same City of the other part WITNESSETH that the Said Edward Ripping for & in Consideration of the Summ of Ten pounds Current money to him in hand paid at & before the ensealing & delivery of these presents, the Receipt whereof & himself therewith fully Satisfied & paid he doth hereby acknowledge HATH bargained, Sold, aliened, Enfeoffed & Confirmed & by these presents for himself his heirs &cc he doth bargain, Sell, alien, Enfeoff and Confirm unto the Said Henry Gill Three Certain Lotts or half acres of Ground lying and being in the Said City of Williamsburgh denoted in the Plann of the Said City by these figures 263, 264, 265, with all houses buildings Yards Gardens Orchards, Lands, Woods, waters, &c also all and singular profits Privileges Advantages & Appurtenances... TO HAVE TO HOLD the Said Three Lotts or half Acres with all other the before bargained premisses unto the Said Henry Gill his heirs & Assigns, to the only proper use of him the Said Henry Gill his heirs & Assigns for ever AND Said Edward Ripping for himself his heirs Exc^rs doth Covenant promise & agree to & with the Said Henry Gill his heirs & Assigns & every of them in Manner following That is to say that he the Said Henry Gill his heirs & Assigns & every of them YIELDING and PAYING the Quitt Rents due & of Right to be paid for the Said bargained premisses shall peaceably & quietly hold & Enjoy the Same without the Lett, Trouble, Eviction or Molestation of any person whatsoever; & also that he the Said Edward Ripping at the time of the ensealing & delivery hereof is & stands lawfully siezed of the before mentioned Three Lotts and all other me premisses of a Good Sure absolute & indefeisible Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple & hath therefore full power & authority to Sell & dispose of the Same as hereby he hath done; And further he the Said Edward Ripping Shall & will when thereunto Required acknowledge this present Deed in the Court of York County in Order to be entered on the Records of the Said Court, And also that Mary the Wife of the Said Edward shall also Relinquish all the Right she has whether by Dower or Otherwise in the before mentioned premisses or any part thereof. And Lastly the Said Edward Ripping the above bargained premisses & every part thereof with the appurtenances unto the Said Henry Gill against the Claim of him the Said Edward Ripping his heirs & Assigns and all other persons whatsoever shall & will warrant & for ever Defend by these presents IN WITNESS whereof the Said Edward Ripping hath hereunto Set his hand & Seal the day & year first above written.
Edward Ripping Seal

Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of
Tim: Sullivant
Joseph Davenport
Elizabeth Davenport

Memorandum On the 16^th day of December full & absolute possession Livery of Seiz in all & Singular the within bargained premisses was made & delivered by the within named Edward Ripping unto the
4 within named Henry Gill according to the True intent & meaning of the within written Indenture.¹

[Recorded: January 20, 1717/8]

In order to comply with the stipulations in the deed from the trustees, a house or houses must be erected within twenty four months after acquisition. Gill was the builder.

Gill died in 1720. In his will he mentions in different items two lots and three lots. The first property mentioned (2 lots) is interpreted as lots 49 and 50 on Duke of Gloucester Street.² The second list of property mentioned (3 lots) is interpreted to mean lots 263, 264 and 265 on Nicholson Street:

[December 16, 1720.]

[Will of Henry Gill]

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Henry Gill of the City of Williamsburg, County of York ...
...after my Just debts are paid, I give and bequeath unto my Son John Gill, and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever, Two lotts whereon I now dwell with all edificies, buildings etc. to be kept in good repair till he comes to the age of Twenty one years, and if my Son John Gill die without issue, then I Give & bequeath the Two lotts aforesaid with all Improvements aforesd to my daughter Elia Gill & the heirs of her body... if my daughter Eliz^a Should happen to die without issue, then I Give the Two Lotts with the housing aforesaid to my living wife, Margaret Gill, her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give my Tann Yard with the Lotts thereunto belonging & my Negroe man named Will, equally between my Son Jn^o Gill and my loving wife Marg^t Gill during her natural life, & after her decease to be & Remain wholly to my Son John Gill... should my son John die without issue, then I give these Lotts & Tanyard to my daughter Elizabeth, and if my daughter Elizabeth should die without issue then I give the Lotts and Tanyard to my loving wife Marg^t, her heirs and assigns forever.
Item....
Item. I Give and bequeath the three lots with housing and improvements thereupon (being where Mr. Lewis Holland now keeps store) to my loving wife Margaret Gill during her natural life 5 and after her decease I give and bequeath the same to my daughter Elizabeth and her lawful issue, but if my daughter Elizabeth should die without issue and my wife Margaret should happen to survive I give the said lots and housing to my wife Margaret and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give unto my daughter Elizabeth when she doth come of age or married 50 Pounds Current Money.
Item. my will is that my son John shall live with his mother till [he] come of age to possess his estate.
Item...
Item. I give all the rest and residue of my estate to my loving wife Margaret and her heirs forever and do hereby appoint my loving wife sole executrix ...¹

[Recorded June 19, 1721]

Let us note that on the block of three lots, Gill mentions "housing" and a "store" kept by Lewis Holland.

We know from records that John Gill, the son, died in 1725.² Margaret Gill, evidently, promptly married John White. She was dead by 1729.³ Elizabeth Gill, the daughter of Henry Gill and Margaret, was under age when her mother died. An entry in the court records on November 17, 1729, states that Margaret Gill had married John White, that she was now dead and left one daughter whose estate is now in the hands of John White. There was a plea that Archibald Blair and Lewis Holland be appointed guardians of Elizabeth until she come of age.⁴ Nothing further could be found about Lewis Holland's occupancy of the property. In May 1731, Elizabeth Gill came into court and chose Archibald Blair as her guardian.⁵ On May 17, Blair was officially appointed guardian of Elizabeth Gill.⁶

6

From the will of Gill and from items listed as to the deaths of John and Margaret Gill, we see that Elizabeth Gill inherited all of the Gill estate. A search into the court records has failed to establish when Elizabeth came of age or when she married. The writer pointed out in the house history of lot 49 (Holt Shop) that it was probable that Elizabeth Gill married John Gladist. (Sometimes spelled "Gladish.") It seemed reasonable to assume this as Gladist and his wife, Elizabeth, conveyed lots 49 and 50 to Robert Davidson in 1737.¹ A study of Lot 262 (Tayloe House) indicates that John Gladist owned property east.² This would place Gladist in 1740 on Lots 263, 264, and 265 (which had been owned by Gill or his estate). If John Gladist had become the husband of Elizabeth Gill after 1731 and before 1737, then, Gladist, upon marriage, would come into legal possession of his wife's entire property.³ His ownership of lots 49 & 50 and lots 263, 264 and 265 is explainable via his marriage.

Gladist's possession of the property in May 1740 is explained thus:

[MAY 31, 1740]

[William Roscow to John Collett]

... All that lot or half acre of land whereon the said John Collett now dwells lying and being in the city of Williamsburg on the north side of Nicholson street joining on the East to the lots in possession of John Gladist, and is marked and denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 262...⁴

7

Nothing further could be discovered about John Gladist. By 1744 a John Wall was living on the property. A deed to lot (2620 establishes this fact:

[February 15, 1744]

[John Collett and Susannah, his wife, to Benjamin Waller]

...All that lot or half acre of land whereon the said John Collett and Susannah his wife now live, lying and being in the said City of Williamsburgh on the North side of Nicholson Street, joining on the East to the lotts in the possession of John Wall.¹ Gent, and is noted or marked in the plan of the said city by the Figures 262, conveyed unto the said John Collett by William Roscow, Gent., by indenture of bargain & sale, York County, July 21, 1740...²

Wall conveyed two of the lots in October, 1745, to Thomas Everard,³ clerk of York County. The deed was recorded in the General Court records.⁴ No transaction has been located in the York County records. However, reference to this conveyance is found in a deed from Everard to Anthony Hay,⁵ cabinet maker, in 1756, conveying Lots 263 and 264:

[August 28, 1756]

[Thomas Everard, & Diana, his wife, to Anthony Hay, of Williamsburg, Consideration: 200 pounds current money of Virginia]

... He the said Thomas Everard HATH Granted Bargained Sold 8 Aliened Enfeoffed and Confirmed and by these Presents DOTH Grant Bargain Sell Alien Enfeoff and Confirm unto the said Anthony Hay and to his Heirs and Assigns forever ALL that Dwelling House and two Lots of land which he the said Thomas Everard purchased of John Wall by Indenture of Bargain and Sale recorded in the General Court the seventeenth day of October One thousand seven hundred and forty five as by the record may appear lying and being in the City of Williamsburgh in the County of York and described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 263 and 264 together with all Buildings Yards Gardens Woods Ways Waters Water Courses Profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances to the said House and Lotts of Land belonging or appertaining and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Right Title Interest Use Property Claim and Demand of him the said Thomas Everard of in and to the said House and Lotts of Land and every part and parcel thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said House and Lotts of Land and all and singular other the Premises with the Appurtenances herein before mentioned, or intended to be hereby Bargained & Sold, unto the said Anthony Hay his Heirs and Assigns To the only use and behoof of him the said Anthony Hay his Heirs and Assigns forever, And the [torn] Everard for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators doth Covenant and A [torn]ee to and with the said Anthony Hay his Heirs Executors Administrator [torn]nd Assigns in manner and form following that is to say that he the said [torn]mas Everard at the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents is and stands seised of a good sure absolute and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance in Fee Simple of and in the above granted Premises and every part thereof and also that he the said Anthony Hay his Heirs and Assigns shall and may forever hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold use occupy possess and enjoy the said hereby granted Premises with the Appurtenances and every part thereof without the lawful Let Suit Eviction or Molestation of him the said Thomas Everard his Heirs or Assigns or any other Person or Persons whatsoever having or claiming or that shall or may have or claim any Estate Right Title or Interest from or under him the said Thomas Everard his Heirs or Assigns or any other Person or Persons in or to the said Premises or any part or parcel thereof And that the said House and Lotts of land with the Appurtenances are free and clear from... all other incumbrances whatsoever AND LASTLY the said Thomas Eberard for himself and his Heirs the said Granted Premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Anthony Hay his Heirs and Assigns against the Title Claim and Demand of him the said Thomas Everard his Heirs and Assigns and all other Persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents IN WITNESS whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their hands & seals the day and Year first above written.
Tho^s Everard (L. S.)
Diana Everard (L. S.)

Sealed & Delivered in Presence of
Geo: Gilmer
W^m Waters
James Carter.

9

Received this twenty eighth day of August 1756 of the within named Anthony Hay the Sum of Two hundred Pounds Current Money being the Consideration within mentioned
Tho^s Everard

Witness
Geo: Gilmer
W^m Waters
James Carter

At a Court held for York County the 20^th day of September 1756. This Indenture and the receipt endorsed were Acknowledged by Thomas Everard party thereto and together with the Commission annexed and the Certificate of the Execution thereof Ordered to be recorded.
Teste
Thos E[torn]erard C1:Cur:¹

William Waters and John Prentis came into court and swore that

"Thomas Everard Gent and Diana his Wife by their certain Indenture of Bargain and Sale bearing even Date with these Presents have Sold and Conveied unto Anthony Hay the Fee Simple Estate of a certain Dwelling House and two Lotts of land lying and being in the City of Williamsburgh in the County of York and described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 263 and 264 And WHEREAS the said Diana cannot conveniently travel to the Court of our said County to make Acknowledgment of the said Conveyance THEREFORE We do give unto you or any two of you power to receive the Acknowledgment which the said Diana shall be willing to make before you... WITNESS Thomas Everard Clerk of our said Court the twenty eighth Day of August In the thirtieth Year of our Reign

Tho^s Everard
BY VIRTUE of the within Writ We did Personally go to the within named Diana Everard and examined her privily and apart from Thomas Everard her Husband and before us she did Acknowledge the Indenture hereunto annexed to be her Act and Deed and declared that she did the same freely and voluntarily without his Persuasion or Threats and that she was willing the same should be recorded in the Court of York Of which we do Certify our Lord the King in his said Court under our Hands and Seals this twenty eighth day of August 1756

Geo: Gilmer (L. S.)
Exam^d W^m Waters (L.S.)"²

What happened to Lot 265? The writer has found no further reference to this lot by number.

Within nine years the valuation of the lots--with buildings--changed from 45 pounds to 200 pounds. This would seem to indicate that Everard 10 made considerable changes or building thereon. The £200 was the same valuation given to Lot 262 in 1752. This would mean that Everard's property must have been equally as large or valuable as Tayloe's which was next door to the west.

Tyler¹ states that Anthony Hay was first in Williamsburg sometime between 1740 and 1750. By 1751 he had married Elizabeth Penman and had a daughter and son (according to Bruton Parish Register). In a Ms Virginia Gazette Day Book (May 1751 to June 1752), Hay carried a running account at the Printing Office. Hay bought glue, day books, ledgers, alphabets, books, pencils, slates, paper, quills, sand box, indentures &c. He also advertised in November 1751 for a journeyman.²

At one time Hay was in the cabinet-maker's business with Christopher Ford.³ In 1755 Ford and Hay advertised in the Virginia Gazette that they were selling tools of all kinds:

[March 21, 1755]

Just Imported, and to be SOLD, by the Subscribers in WILLIAMSBURG, A LARGE Assortment of Carpenters, Joiners, and Cabinet-Makers Tools, consisting of Whites Steel Plate Saws of all Sorts, Glue Jointers, long Planes, Bench Planes, Tooth and Smoothing ditto, Moulding Planes of all Sorts, Plane Irons, Chissels, Formers, Scribing Gouges, Rasps, files, Turkey Oil-Stones, German Slates, and a Variety of other Things.
Christopher Ford, Jun.
Anthony Hay⁴

Research has not discovered at what time Hay began to operate his cabinet shop on Nicholson Street on this site. He may have leased the 11 shop from Everard.

In May, 1755, Hay had made 1 dozen chairs for William Lightfoot;¹ also, from 1757 to 1761, Hay made 2 small tables, did other shop work and made a writing desk for Lightfoot.²

In June 1755, James Wilson, carver from London, advertised that he was at Anthony Hay's plying his trade:

[June 20, 1755]

JAMES WILSON Carver, from LONDON, MAKES all Kinds of Ornaments in Stuco, human Figures and Flowers, &c &c Stuco Cornishes in Plaster, carved or plain, after the best Manner; likewise Stone finishing on Walls; he likewise carves in Wood, cuts Seals in Gold or Silver; and is to be spoke with at Mr. Anthony Hay's, Cabinetmaker, in Williamsburg.³

It is not known whether Hay was renting the shop from Everard prior to his buying the property in 1756. It is highly possible.

In 1764 and 1765 the Virginia Gazette Day Book carried a running account with Hay. There were items such as stationery, school books for his son, Thomas. &c. In 1764 and 1765 the items for Hay were purchased by "Edmund Dickeson."⁴

In September, 1765, Hay made a "Mathematical Chair" and advertised it in the Virginia Gazette.⁵

Anthony Hay purchased the Raleigh Tavern from William Trebell on January 1, 1767.⁶ From that time until his death in 1770, Hay operated 12 the Raleigh Tavern but continued to live on Nicholson Street with his large family. He turned over his cabinet-making shop to Benjamin Bucktrout.¹

WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 6, 1767.

MR. ANTHONY HAY having lately removed to the RAWLEIGH tavern, the subscriber has taken his shop, where the business will be carried on in all its branches.
He hopes that those Gentlemen who were Mr. Hay's customers will favour him with their orders, which shall be executed in the best and most expeditious manner. He likewise makes all sorts of Chinese and Gothick PALING for gardens and summer houses.

N.B. SPINETS and HARPSICORDS made and repaired.
BENJAMIN BUCKTROUT.²

Bucktrout rented the Hay cabinet shop from January, 1767, to ca. January, 1771. Nothing further has been discovered about his business on Nicholson Street during this period except one notice by Bucktrout which appeared in the Virginia Gazette in 1769:

[September 7, 1769]

WANTED,
JOURNEYMEN CABINET MAKERS, who, if they understand their business, will meet with good encouragement from
BENJAMIN BUCKTROUT.³
WILLIAMSBURG, ^August, 31, 1769.

By January 1771, Edmund Dickinson, [sometimes spelled Dickeson] cabinet-maker, had moved into the shop formerly kept by Hay and leased by Bucktrout:

[January 3, 1771]

EDMUND DICKINSON,
CABINET MAKER, WILLIAMSBURG, INFORMS the publick that he has lately opened the SHOP formerly occupied by Mr. Anthony Hay, where may be had all Sorts of CABINET WORK. Those Gentlemen who please to favour him with their Orders may depend on their Work being well and punctually executed.
*_** He has for SALE two Hundred and fifty ACRES of WOODLAND, within seven Miles of Petersburg, which he will sell for Cash, or short Credit.⁴

13

In November, 1771, Dickinson advertised for journeymen cabinetmakers:

WILLIAMSBURG, November 14, 1771.
JOURNEYMEN CABINET MAKERS, who understand their Business well, will meet with good Encouragement by applying to
EDMUND DICKINSON.¹

Dickinson, evidently, was interested in surveying. In May, 1772, he gave notice that he could supply surveyors with "Mr. Thomas Marshall's² new invented Instrument for finding the VARIATION of the NEEDLE..."³ Hay died in December 1770:

[December 13, 1770.]

ON the 4th instant died, of that painful and lingering disorder a cancer, Mr. ANTHONY HAY, master of the Raleigh tavern in this city. He underwent several severe operations, in his lip and face, for the disorder, at home; and at length went (unhappily too late) to Prince Edward, where he was some time under the care of Mrs. Woodson,⁴ famous for the cures she has made. His death is a heavy loss to a large family, to whom he was a tender husband and kind parent; and he is regretted by his acquaintances, as being a good citizen and honest man.⁵

Hay's will--written on January 20, 1770--was recorded in York County on December 17, 1770:

[January 20, 1770]

[Hays, Anthony - Will]

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I, Anthony Hay of the City of Williamsburgh being weak in Body, but of sound and perfect 14 Mind and Memory (blessed be God) do this 20th day of January, 1770, make and Publish this My last Will and Testament in Manner and form following, viz:

FIRST. I desire that my Body may be buried in a Plain black pine coffin, that my funeral be attended with no Expense, and that none of my Family put on Mourning, unless my Dearly beloved Wife should insist upon it as to herself.

SECONDLY Whereas my Eldest Son Thomas Hay is more amply provided for by the Will of his Grandfather Thomas Penman late of this City, than I can Provide for any of the rest of my Children, I do give unto my said son Thomas, the sum of Ten Pounds, as a Pledge of my Parental Affection for him Assuring him----that tho' he receives no further part of my Estate, he shares my Affections equally with the rest of all my Children.

Thirdly I do give unto my Executors (hereafter to be named) all my Estate both real and Personal of every kind for the sole purpose of paying my Just debts, and trust they will Discharge those in the most Effectual Manner for the benefit of my Estate, and the Interest of my Creditors.

Fourthly: I do give unto my Affectionate and beloved Wife Elizabeth Hay, the whole of my Estate of every kind (after the payment of my Debts) for her life, to use and Dispose of as she shall think most Prudent for the sole Purposes of or support and the maintaining and Educating the Children I have by her, and after her Death I direct that the whole Estate be divided between the Children I have by her Share and Share Alike, I have given the whole of my Estate to my Wife for her Life in trust and Confidence, that she will never Marry again but employ her time and her Estate so left her wholly in bringing up her Children and Maintaining and Educating them in the best manner torn the Circumstances of my Estate. If she should marry [torn] and worthy friends John Greenhow, Matthew Davenport, William Trebell and Robert Nicholson Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hoping that they will Jointly with my Wife will undertake the Execution of it and aid and Assist her with their best advice and most friendly endeavours.

IN TESTIMONY whereof I have subscribed my hand and Affixed my seal the day and year above Mentioned.
Anthony Hay (LS)¹

SIGNED sealed and published in presence of
Fred Bryan
Thos. Skinner
James Hubard

[Rec: December 17, 1770]

Elizabeth Hay, Anthony's widow, was not satisfied with her husband's bequests to her and promptly renounced the will: 15

[March 20, 1771]

...
Whereas my said late husband did make his last will and testament in writing, bearing date the 20th day of January, 1770, and thereby among other things give and devise unto me the whole of his estate of every kind after the payment of his Debts for my Life to use and Dispose of as I shall think most prudent for the sole purposes of my support and maintaining and Educating my Children; and after my Death he directed the whole Estate to be divided between my Children and of his said Will appointed his friends John Greenhow, Mathew Davenport, William Trebell and Robert Nicholson, Executors, as in the said Will proved and recorded in the Court of the said County of York more fully is contained.

AND WHEREAS I am not satisfied with the provisions made for me by my said Husbands Will.

THEREFORE, KNOW YE, that I the said Elizabeth do hereby Declare that I will not accept, receive or take the Legacy or Legacies aforesaid to be given or bequeathed or any part thereof, and that I have renounced and by these presents do renounce all Benefit and advantage which I may or can claim by such his last Will or Testament of my said late Husband Anthony Hay deceased and will stand to the provision which the Law in such Cash [sic] hath directed and appoin[blur] for me----IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal the Twentieth day of March 1771-
Eliza Hay LS¹

SIGNED SEALED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
in the presence of
John Tazewell
Will Russell
Thomas Russell
Will^m B. Davies.

[Rec: April 15, 1771]

In the settlement of Hay's estate, dated April 16, 1773, Elizabeth Hay is credited with £156.10.0 "for House and Lotts." Her dower is put down at £359.8.4.² From these items it would appear that Mrs. Hay decided to take her dower and life right to the property in lieu of the bequest in her husband's will. Hay had many debts. When the estate was finally settled in 1786-, the balance--after all debts and bequests had been paid--amounted to only £35.3.9¼.³

16

Humphrey Harwood, Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, made certain changes to the property for Mrs. Hay from 1775-1786. Such things as whitewashing a room, repairing grate, work on well &c were done. See: Illustration #4 for full copy as taken from Harwood's Ledger.

Dickinson may have continued to rent the shop from Hay's estate. If Dickinson was there after Hay's decease, he probably hired George Hamilton, carver and gilder, in the shop:

WILLIAMSBURG, July 28, 1771.

GEORGE HAMILTON, CARVER and GILDER, just from Britain, and now in this City, hereby informs the Publick that he intends carrying on his Business in all its Branches, viz. Looking-Glass Frames in Burnish or Oil Gilding Girandoles, Ornaments and Decorations for Gentlemens Houses, Chimney Pieces, Door and Window Cornices, Mouldings and Enrichments, Hall and Staircase Lanthorns, Picture frames black and gilded, ladies Toilet and Dressing Glasses; all the above after the new Palmyrian Taste.--- Any Gentleman wanting Designs of the above Articles may be furnished either at their respective Houses in Town or Country, or at Mr. EdmundDickinson's, Cabinet Maker; where old frames may be regilded, and Glasses new silvered, History and Portrait Paintings (though much defaced) cleaned and renewed to their former lustre, also Chairs and Chariots gilded.¹

This was the same type of service offered by Hay in his shop in 1755 when James Wilson, carver, was associated with Hay.

Dickinson died in 1778. An appraisement of his personal property contains tools, drawing instruments, marking devices, Chippendale's Designs, craftsmen books &c.²

Mrs. Hay held the two lots on Nicholson Street until her death in 1787.³ Her estate held the property until 1798 when Joseph Ferguson, became the owner.

17

Williamsburg Land Tax records beginning in 1782, carries "Elizabeth Hay---2 lots valued at £2" until 1788 when "Elizabeth Hay's Estate---2 lots valued at £7." This valuation continued for her estate until 1798 when Ferguson is charged with "2 lots valued at $23.34."¹

MAPS: The Frenchman's Map (1782) shows two buildings on what appears to be these lots.² The Bucktrout Map (1803) has the name "Ferguson" on lots 263 and 264 and "Jackson" on lot 265.³ The College Map (1791?) has "Ferguson" on the two lots above cited.⁴ The writer could find no record of transfer of lot 265 to Jackson.

Little could be discovered about Joseph Ferguson. He had a store in the city, from ca. 1786-1796. Humphrey Harwood, Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, charged Ferguson in 1786 with such items as "setting up a Grate", "mending plastering", "underpining the Front of store", "whitewashing 1 Room" &c.⁵

In 1790-91 Ferguson's account with St. George Tucker, debtor, indicates that he had a general store.⁶ Its location is unknown.

Whether Ferguson rented the Hay property after Mrs. Hay's death up to the time he bought the lots, could not be established from records.

In 1801 Ferguson's property is given as a boundary to William Tazewell's lot: "a certain house and lot of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and County of York, on the North side of the street 18 running from Palace Street to the Jail opposite to the lots of William Lee, bounded on the East by the lot or lots of Joseph Ferguson..."¹

Williamsburg Land Tax Lists give Ferguson as owner of 2 lots from 1798 to 1820; and 1 lot from 1820 to 1827.²

In 1827 when Samuel S. Griffin obtained title to the property, it was in the name of "Joseph Ferguson's Estate: Via Sidney Ferguson and charged heretofore to Joseph Ferguson Estate."³

Griffin owned the lots to the west of this property. He was the son of Judge Cyrus Griffin, who married Lady Christina Stuart, a daughter of the sixth earl of Traquair in Scotland. Samuel S. Griffin was born in Philadelphia on January 6, 1782. He attended William and Mary College in 1801-1802 and the University of Edinburgh in 1804-1805. He practised medicine in Yorktown with his uncle, Corbin Griffin, prior to coming to Williamsburg to live in 1861. He lived in this city about forty years.⁴

Prior to 1813 Robert P. McCandlish had acquired the property:

...Also all the estate, right, title & interest, at law and in the said Samuel S. Griffin, of, in, and to, all those certain lots of land and buildings thereon, lying and being in the City of Williamsburg, at present held and occupied by the said Samuel S. Griffin as his residence, bounded North by the land of Thomas G. Peachy; South, by Nicholson street, East by the lot of Robert McCandlish; and west by the lots of Thomas G. Peachy, containing five acres more or less ...⁵

The exact date when McCandlish got the lot in fee simple is not known. 19 A suit in the same court records: McCandlish et als. vs. Robert McCandlish's Executrix, et als. which was pending in the Circuit Court in 1869 and 1869 and in which suit Thomas P. McCandlish was appointed special commissioner" to sell a certain lot known as the "Bowers" lot of which Robert McCandlish died seized.¹ "The Bowers lot" was lot 268. See: House History of this property.

McCandlish conveyed the property to William W. Vest in 1860.² In 1887 M. R. Harrell became the owner via Vest.³

In 1904, by will, Harrell bequeathed the property to his nephews by the name of Potts. A partition was made which resulted in Eugene J. Potts acquiring the property in entirety.⁴ A plat indicated that the lot was 100 feet wide and 150 feet in depth.⁵

In 1905 Potts conveyed the entire property to Joanna B. Harris.⁶

In 1907 Joanna Harris conveyed to Theodore M. Harris the western half of the lot.⁷ After several owners, in 1923 Robert Smith was owner via E. M. Draper.⁸ The lot is described thus:

… Beginning at the north west corner of the intersection of Nicholson and Botetourt Streets and fronting on Nicholson Street 50 feet, bounded on the north by the lot of the Union Baptist Church; on the East by Botetourt Street; on the south by Nicholson Street; and on the west by the lot of W. T. Crump...

20

The eastern half of the lot was conveyed in 1909 to John Boyd.¹ Boyd's heirs sold to T. K. Geddy who in 1923 conveyed to Robert Smith. Thus, Smith had become owner of both parts of the original lot. In 1927 Smith conveyed to Peter Epes and Epes sold in 1932 to Gardiner T. Brooks. In 1934 Brooks conveyed to Williamsburg Restoration. For further details of title: see, Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.

In 1928 Mr. John S. Charles, an old citizen of Williamsburg, was asked to recall Williamsburg as he remembered it ca. the Civil War period. He described the property thus:

On Nicholson street next to the colored school, there was an old frame house which in recent years was remodeled and improved. Between this lot and the lot on which the colored school now stands, ran a road which led to the "butcher house" not far away, where cattle were for many years slaughtered and dressed for the local market.²

There are no insurance policies on this property.

Illustration #1
Lots 263-264-265

[Map]

Illustration #2
Lots 263-264

Williamsburg Land Tax Lists:

1782	--Elizabeth Hay --------------	2 lots --	[£]2
1783	--Elizabeth Hay --------------	2 lots --	2
1784	--Elizabeth Hay---------------	2 lots --	2
1785	--Elizabeth Hay---------------	2 lots --	2
1786	--[not listed]
1787	--[not listed]
1788	--Elizabeth Hay's Est --------	2 lots --	7
1789	--Elizabeth Hay's Est --------	2 lots --	5
1790	--Elizabeth Hay's Est --------	2 lots --	7
1791	--Elizabeth Hay's Est --------	2 lots --	7
1792	--Elizabeth Hay's Est --------	2 lots --	7
1795	--Elizabeth Hay's estate------	2 lots --	7
1797	--Elizabeth Hay's estate------	2 lots --	7
1798	--[not listed]
1798	--Joseph Ferguson ------------	2 lots --	$23.34
1799	--Joseph Ferguson ------------	2 lots --	23.34
1801	--Joseph Ferguson ------------	2 lots --	23.34
1802	--Joseph Ferguson ------------	2 lots --	23.34
1803	--Joseph Ferguson Estate------	2 lots --	23.34
1804	--Joseph Ferguson Estate------	2 lots --	23.34
1806	--Joseph Ferguson Estate------	2 lots --	23.34
1807	--Joseph Ferguson Estate -----	2 lots --	50.00
1813	--Joseph Ferguson Estate------	2 lots --	50.--
1814	--Joseph Ferguson estate------	2 lots --	40.--
1819	--Joseph Ferguson est---------	2 lots --	40.--
1820	--Joseph Ferguson Est --------	1 lot --	$300 Sum added for $325 [value of lot & buildings]
1820	-1827 [property held as of 1820 with same valuations]
1828	--Samuel S. Griffin-----------	1 lot --	$300 [value of lot & buildings]
1828-1839	-[property held with same valuations]
1839	--Samuel S. Griffin-----------	1 lot --	$200 [value of lot & buildings]
1851	--Samuel S. Griffin ----------	1 lot --	150

Illustration #3
Lots 263-264-265

Illustration #4

Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, p. 18
Original in Archives, CWI

1775	Mrs Elizabeth Hay	Dr
May 3rd	To Whitewashing a Room 3/9	3.9
Octobr 12	To 4 bushels of lime 3/. & bricks 1/3. & Repairing_ a Great 3/9 the Jewlrs 1/3	9.3
1752
Decembr 23	To Seting up a Grate 12/. & 1 days labr 4/	16.-
1785
Novemr 5	To 10 bushels of lime 10/. & Labouriers work 3/9	13.9
To Repairing well, & underpining to House & plasterg	-.10.
1786
Novemr 5	To 8 bushels of lime 5/. & 120 bricks 3/7 & 1 days laber 2/6	11. 1
	To Seting up a Grate 7/6 £3.11.4	7.6

Ledger of Humphrey Harwood, B, p. 103
Original in archives, CWI

	Mr Joseph Furgusson	Dr
1786
Novemr 20th	To 7 bushels of lime at 1/ & ½ days Labour 3/9	£--.10.9
	To setting up a Grate 7/6 & mending plastering 1/6	9.-
	To underpining the Front of store 5/	5.-
1787
July 27	To white-washing 1 Room 4/6- & white wash - 6	5.-
1788
Novr 20	Mr Furgusson thinking proper to affirm that ye works, charged in ye Third line was not done by his Direction--I was from want of money obliged to deduct that & ye lime & labourers work proportionally- wch would ye account 21/5- charging only 5 bushs of lime & 1 days labour.-- W.H.
		£ 1.9.9

Tucker-Coleman Collection Uncatalogued, folder #101 Colonial Williamsburg Archives

Illustration #5
Lots 263-264 265

[Running Acct, May 22, 1751 to June 29, 1752, Anthony Hay.]

Virginia Gazette Ms Account Book Williamsburg May 22, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr To Binding ---------- For 30 wt Glue----a lld--------------	1.7.6
Ibid. Williamsburg June 8, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr to Binding ------------ For a Day Book 8/. Leger 15/. Alphabet 2/.-----	.1.5
Ibid. Williamsburg June 28, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr To Bought Books For 3 Vols Lives of the Convicts 15/. 4 Vols Tatlers 18 2 Vols Guardian 9/ ----------	2.2.-
Ibid. Williamsburg July 9, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr To Bought Books. for 8 Vols Spectators--------------------------[27 July, 1751 (See last page)]	1.7.-
Ibid. Williamsburg August 6, 1751	Anthony Hay Dr To Stationary For a Slate and Pencils --------------------	.1.3
Ibid. Williamsburg September 4, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr to Stationary For Sand Box ---------------------	.1.6
Ibid. Williamsburg October 7, 1751	Anthony Hay Dr to Stationary For 1 quire of Paper 1/3. 25 quills 1/3------	-.2.6
Ibid. Williamsburg October 11, 1751	Anthony Hay Dr to Benja Franklin For may Order on him payable to John Black---	7.15.4
	To Postage ---------------------------	-.1.8
Ibid. Williamsburg November 7, 1751	125 Cash Dr to Anthony Hay ------------	£ 7.15.4
Ibid. Williamsburg November 27, 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr to Stationary For 1 qr Paper ---------	-.1.3
Ibid. Williamsburg November 7, 1751	125 Anthony Hay For advertising a Journeyman 7/ Do for a servant -----4/ -------	-.11.-
[Dec 31, 1751 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg February 27, 1752	297 Anthony Hay Dr To 1 qr Pro Patria-----------	-.2.6
Ibid. Williamsburg March 25, 1752	297 Anothony Hay Dr To Paper For 1 qr Pro Patria 1/6 1 qr Pott 1/3 ----	-.2.9
Ibid. Williamsburg April 25, 1752	Household Expenses Dr To Anthony Hay for 6 Chairs @ 15/ -------	4.10.-
[April 25, 1752 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg May 30, 1752	297 Anthony Hay Dr to Blanks For 1 pair of Indentures 7 ½
[May 30, 1752 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg June 29, 1752	297 Anthony Hay Dr to sundry Accounts viz Stationary For an Ink Stand 2/ File 9d------	-.2.9
	Binding--For an account book----------------	-.5.-
	Cash ---------------------------------------	5.-.- 5.7.9

[Running Acct. March 26, 1764-December 7, 1765]

Ibid. Williamsburg March 26, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr Self 1 quire Paper -------	.2.-
Ibid. Williamsburg March 28, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr son Tho. 1 Lilly's Grammar --------	.3.9
Ibid. Williamsburg April 16, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr son Tho. 2 black lead Pencils------------------------	-.2.-
Ibid. Williamsburg June 7, 1764	242 Anthony Hay Dr Joseph Royle 753 For a Cart and Harness -------------------	11.11.3 ½
Ibid. Williamsburg June 13, 1761	242 Anthony Hay pr self 1 quire Pro Patria ----------	-.1.6
Ibid. Williamsburg August 7, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr Edmd Dickeson 1 quire small Post----	-.2.-
Ibid. Williamsburg September 18, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr self 5 quires of Demy Outsides --------	15.
Ibid. Williamsburg September 21, 1764	242 pr Wiltshire 1 Dyches Spelling --------------	-.2.-
[October 13, 1764 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg October 16, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr son Tho. Clarke's Introduction--------------------	-.5.9
Ibid. Williamsburg January 15, 1765	242 Anthony Hay per son Joe 1 Common Almanack ----------------	-.-.7 ½
[January 28, 1765 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg March 20, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr son Joe 2 Lilly's Grammars ------------	-.7.6
Ibid. Williamsburg March 30, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr Wiltshire
	1 quire Paper--------------	-.1.6
Ibid. Williamsburg May 3, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr Edmd Dickeson 1 quire Paper---------	-.1.6
[June 13, 1765 - see last page]
[July 25, 1765 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg August 2l, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr son Thomas 1 Lilley's Grammar---------	-.3.9
[August 30, 1765 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg September 13, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr Wiltshire 1 Quire Paper --------	-.1.6
[Oct. 5, 1765 - see last page]
[Oct. 29, 1765 - see last page]
Ibid. Williamsburg November 9, 1765	242 pr son Thomas 1 Lewis' Catechism ----------	-.1.3
Ibid. Williamsburg December 7, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr son Thomas 1 quire Paper -----------	-.1.6
27 July 1751	125 Anthony Hay dr to Bought books for 1 complete Housewife ----	2
Dec 31 1751	125 Anthony Hay Dr To Blanks For a pair of Indentures --------	7 ½
	To Cash ----------------------3.7.0 ½	3.7.8
125	Sundry Accounts Dr to Anthony Hay for His Account Viz
171	Household Expenses	£6.12.9
	Bought Books	3.19.7
April 25, 1752 297	Anthony Hay Dr To Cash -----	4.7.1
May 30, 1752	297 Anthony Hay Dr To S: Bist's C.B. For the Life of the D: ot Argyle 0/ ------------	9
October 13, 1764	242 Anthony Hay pr son Tho. Clarke's Cordery --------	3.9
	Lewis Catechism --------- 1.3	" 5 "
January 28, 1765	242 Anthony Hay pr Edm & Dickenson 1 quire paper	" 1 6

Lightfoot, Acct. Book (Colonial Williamsburg Archives) (1742-1764)]
[William Lightfoot in account with Anthony Hay, p. 130]

Dr	ANTHONY HAY (of Williamsburg)	Cr
1775	1775
May lst...	May 1st By his Acct pr 1 doz. Chears	18.-.-
1757	16 By a Tennat Son	-.14.-
April 26,	1756
June 15	August By his Acct of this Date deld in	5.5.0
1762		£23.19.0
April 1st
	1757
	June 15 By 2 Small Tables @ 30/	3.--.-
	1759
	June 20 By Cash shop Work pr Bala	5.14.6
		£ 8.14.6
1762
	April 19 By a Writing Table	4.--.-
	June 28 By his Acct for Mending Chair	2. 5.-
		£ 6.5.-

[York County Records April 16, 1773]
[Wills and Inventories, Book 22, p. 168 (1760-1771)]

1771	Settlement of Estate of Anthony Hay Decd in Acct with William Trebell and Robt Nicolson	Dr
	...
	To David Douglass Account	3.2.6
	To Mrs Elizabeth Hay her Donner	359.5.4
	To John Carter for Judgment & Rent	19.8.0
		£ 5058.16.6 ¾
		Cr
	Elizabeth Hay for House and Lotts	156.10.0
		£ 5058.16.6 ¼
		Cr
	Cash remaing in the hands Robert Nicolson to be accounted for at a future day	19.8.7 ¼
		£ 5199.19.4 ½
	[Rec : May 17, 1773]

[York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 23, pp. 133-34 (final settlement)]

The estate of Anthony Hay dec'd in account with William Trebell & Robert Nicolson Exors.

Dr
1773	Aprl 17th
Cr ...
	[Balance of £35.3.9 ¼ (all left of Estate after debts were paid)]

[Recorded Dec. 18, 1786]

[York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 22, p. 401]

THE APPRAISEMENT of the Personal Estate of Major Edmund Dickeson decd taken this 20th July 1778.

Dickeson
appe	81 Planes of different sorts	£14-2-.6
	1 large framed.saw	£5 19.2.6
	1 small framed saw 30/. 1 Whip saw 60/.
	1 Tenant 1 Panel 1 handsaw 74/	8.4 -
	3 dove tailed 1 Bow and 1 Sash Saw 30/. 47 Carving Chissels & Gouges 94/	6.4.-
	1 Stock and 20 Bitts 60/. 6 Morticeing Chissels 20/	4.-.-
	2 Iron holdfasts 30/. 1 large Cramp 40/. 1 small Do 20/	4.10.-
	1 bench Vice 30/, 2 Oyl Stoves bedstead Keys 28/	2.18.-
	1 Hatchet 2/6 2 Squares Bevels & Gages 6/ 1 Tool Chest 30/	1.18.6
	1 pr Pinchers pr Nippers Saw Sett and Punches 0.12.- part of case of Drawing Instruments 10/ 2 Irons 5/	0.15.-
	1 black leather trunk 30/ Grey cloth coat and Waistcoat 40/ [list of clothing]	3.10.-
	1 case drawing Instruments 40/ 1 Tea Kettle 40/ 1 Pewter Plate 30/	5.10.-
	[furniture-bedstead &c]
	... The Preceptor 2 vols £1-10	31.10.-
	Jenning's Dictionary 15/ Boyers French Dictionary and Grammar 44/	2.19.-
	Spectators 8 vols and Tatlers 4 vols	3.7.6
	Age of Lewis 15th 2 vols 18/ Wises Companion 6/	1.4.
	Universal Gazetteer 12/ British Merchant 18/	1.10.-
	Commisseur 14 vols 24/ Quintissence of Poetry 18/	2.2.-
	Essay on health 5/ Longimns on the Sublime 4/	0.10.-
	Types for marking Linnen 15/ Chippendales Designs £6	6.15.-
	Gold Apparel 12/ silver stock buckle 15/	1.7.-
	Masons Apron 30/ New Rifle Gun £6	7.10.-
	Emmersons Machanicks	2.12.-
		£ 164.6.6

Humphrey Harwood
Wm. Goodson
Benja Bucktrout

[Recorded York County August 17, 1778]