Ravensportcroft Site (NB) Historical Report, Block 28 Lot 266, 267, 268Originally entitled: "Colonial Lots 266, 267 and 268 Block 28 (Nicholson Street)"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series—1556
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
COLONIAL LOTS 266, 267 and 268
Block 28 (Nicholson Street)
Photostat Copy of the Williamsburg Plat in "Williamsburg, The Old Colonial Capitol" By Lyon G. Tyler
Colonial Lots 266, 267 and 268
Block 28 (Nicholson Street)
LOCATION:
Colonial Lots 266, 267 and 268 lie on the north side of Nicholson Street in Williamsburg. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?), opposite this page.
A SUMMARY OF THE REPORT:
We know nothing definite as to the history of Lot 266 until 1745 when it was conveyed to John Holt by William Nelson, along with Lots 267, 268 and 700.
The history of Lots 267 and 268 begins in 1713/14 when Christopher Jackson acquired them via the trustees of Williamsburg. Recent excavations on Lot 267 have uncovered foundations of a small house 14' x 16'. Archaeologists and architects are inclined to believe that such foundations are the remains of an eighteenth century house. Also, excavations on Lot 268 show foundations of a larger house with a west wing.
In 1715 Jackson conveyed Lot 268 to Thomas Ravenscroft with all houses, buildings, etc. Sometime prior to 1731 Ravenscroft had sold to Dudley Digges. Digges mortgaged in 1731 to Robert Wills who foreclosed and sold Lot 268—along with two other lots—to Thomas Nelson. When William Nelson mortgaged the property to John Holt in 1745, the lots were numbered: 266, 267, 268 and 700. After several mortgages, William Nelson sold in fee simple to Joseph Royle, printer, in 1763, naming a consideration of 500 pounds current money. The lots were numbered as above. At Royle's death in 1766, the property went to his elder son, William Royle, who was under age. In 1785 William Royle advertised his "House in the City of Williamsburg, now occupied by Mrs. Nelson. This house is very pleasantly situated, and very convenient for the reception of a family, has four lots adjoining, and every convenient out-house,..."
The College Map (1791?) indicates "Jackson" on Lots 266, 267 and 268, as well as 265 and 269. The Bucktrout Map (1807) has the same description. The Frenchman's Map (1782) show a small building on what appears to be Lot 267, with a larger house on Lot 268. The owner of the lots designated as "Jackson" was George Jackson. The Williamsburg Land Tax records show that a George Jackson owned 5 lots valued at $70 in 1801. Jackson's estate was in ownership of the 5 lots in 1820. In 1821 Robert Saunders was the owner of 1 lot valued at $700 for buildings and $1000 for a lot and buildings "Via Brazure Wm Pryor, marshal of the chancery district court—that house a lot heretofore charged to Geo. Jackson." In 1831 Robert McCandlish seems to have acquired the property with the same valuations via Saunders. The records are vague in the period from 1831 to 1865. It looks as though William W. Vest acquired McCandlish's property in 1865.
In 1887 Vest conveyed to Moses E. Harrell property known as "Raleigh lots and Bowers lots." In 1904 Harrell bequeathed all this property to his nephews, T.N., E.A., H.H., and E.J. Potts. The heirs conveyed their portions to Eugene J. Potts, who in 1905 conveyed to Joanna B. Harris. The easternmost part is described as "bounded on the east by the lot of Lydia Jones." In 1906 Joanna Harris conveyed that part bordering upon Botetourt Street to Arthur D. Harris. The School Board of Williamsburg bought the corner lot (Nicholson and Botetourt Streets) in October, 1907. There were liens, judgements, etc., for several years of the Harris property north of the School Board lot. In 1939 the School Board conveyed the corner lot to Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated. Further title can be found in the Accounting Department of Colonial Williamsburg.
Pictures of the Bowers House can be found in the Appendix of this report, Illustration #6.
- CHRISTOPHER JACKSON
- 1713/14
- THOMAS RAVENSCROFT
- 1715-
- DUDLEY DIGGES
- 1731-1739
- ROBERT WILLS
- 1739
- THOMAS NELSON
- 1739-1745
- WILLIAM NELSON
- 1745-1763
- JOSEPH ROYLE
- 1763-1766
- WILLIAM ROYLE
- 1766
- GEORGE JACKSON
- 1791-1821
- ROBERT SAUNDERS
- 1821-1826
- ROBERT McCANDLISH
- 1826-1865
- WILLIAM V. VEST
- 1865-1887
- MOSES R. HARRELL
- 1887-1904
- EUGENE J. POTTS
- 1904-1905
- JOANNA H. HARRIS
- 1905-1907
- SCHOOL BOARD
- 1907-1939
- COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
- 1939
OWNERS:
- Repairs
- p.15 of this report
- Size of
-
- 50' x 24'—
- p.3 of this report
- 16' x 14'—
- p.3 of this report
- 16' x 14'—
- p.3 of this report
- Outhouses
-
- bake house—
- p. 15 of this report
- kitchen (or office)—
- p.3 of this report
HOUSES:
COLONIAL LOTS 266, 267 and 268
Block 28 (Nicholson Street)
LOCATION:
Colonial Lots 266, 267 and 268 lie on the north side of Nicholson Street. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?).
HISTORY:
Early conveyance of Colonial Lots 267 and 268 by the trustees of Williamsburg occurred in April, 1713/14:
3[April 3, 1713/14]
[Trustees of Williamsburg
Christopher Jackson1
Consideration 4 pounds 10 shillings money of England]THIS INDENTURE made ye Third day of April in ye Twelfth Year of ye reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne by ye grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland Queen Defendr of ye faith &c And in ye Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred & Thirteen BETWEEN ye ffeoffees or Trustees for ye Land appropriated for ye buildings & Erecting ye City of Wmsburgh of ye one part & Christopher Jackson of ye County of York of ye other part WITTNESSETH that Whereas ye sd ffeoffees on Trustees bearing date the ye day before ye date of these Presents is in Actuall & peaceable possession of ye Premisses here in after granted to ye intent that by Vertue of ye sd Lesse & of ye Statute for transferring use into possession 2 he may be ye better Enabled to Accept a Conveyance & Release of ye Reversion & inheritance thereof to him & his heirs for Ever ye sd Feoffees or Trustees for diverse good Causes & Considerations than thereunto moving but more Especially for & in consideration of Four Pounds Ten shillings of good & lawfull Money of England to them in hand paid at & before ye Ensealing & Delivery of these Presents ye receipt whereof & themselves therewith 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 & under ye limitations & reservations here after mentioned they do grant bargain Sell, remise, release & Confirm unto ye sd Christo: Jackson Six certain Lotts of Ground in ye sd City of Wmsburgh designed in ye Plott of ye sd City by these figures 267, 268, 172, 271,12, 43, With all Woods thereon growing or being...TO HAVE & TO HOLD...for Ever...That is to Say, that if ye sd Christo: Jackson his heirs or Assigns shall not in ye Space of Twenty four Months next Ensueing ye Date of these Presents begin to build & finish upon Each Lott of ye sd granted Premises One good Dwelling house or houses of such dimensions & to be placed in such a Manner as by one Act of Assembly made at ye Capitol ye 23rd day of October 1705... then it shall & may be lawfull to & for ye sd ffeoffees or Trustees... for ye Land appropriated for ye building and Erecting ye City of Wmsburgh for ye time being into ye sd granted Premisses & Every part ther of with ye appurtenances to Enter & ye same to have again as of their former Estate...as they might otherwise have done if these Presents had never been made. In Wittness where of Jno Clayton Esqr & Wm Robertson Gentt Two of ye sd ffeoffees or Trustees have hereunto Sett their hands & Seals ye day & year Above written
John Clayton Seal
Wil Robertson SealApril 3d 1713
Then received of Mr Christopher Jackson ye
sum of
Four pounds, Ten shillings being ye
consideration Money within mentioned
p Wil Robertson1Signed, Sealed &
Delivered in presence of
C.C. Thacker
Michl Archer
[Recorded York County Court
November 15, 1714]
Recent excavations on Lot 267 on Nicholson Street have uncovered the foundations of a small house approximately 14' x 16'. It is the opinion of Mr. James Knight archaeologist of Colonial Williamsburg, and other architects who have seen these foundations that the brickwork represents an early eighteenth-century house. See: map-drawings of this house in Illustration #1 of the report.
Also, remains of a large house on Lot 268 were excavated by Mr. Knight at this time. The foundations are 50' x 24' with a small west wing. A kitchen or office foundation was to the west and was 14' x 16'.
The deed (1713) to Christopher Jackson (quoted above) indicates from the consideration named (4 pounds 10 shillings money of England) and the fact that "Woods [were] thereon growing or being" that no houses had been erected on any of the six lots. When Lot 268 was conveyed by Jackson to Ravenscroft in 1715, the consideration money of Virginia was seven pounds "with all houses buildings, and orchards." (Deed given below.) It looks as though Jackson erected some kind of a building on Lot 268 between April, 1713 and May, 1715.
Jackson's conveyance to Thomas Ravenscroft1 follows:
5[May 13, 1715]
[Christopher Jackson of James City County
to
Thomas Ravenscroft of James City County
Consideration: £7 Current Money]THIS INDENTURE made ye fourteenth day of May in ye Year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven hundred & fifteen BETWEEN Christo: Jackson of ye 4 County of James City on ye One part & Tho: Ravenscroft of ye Same County on ye Other Part WITTNESSETH that ye sd Christopher Jackson for & in Consideration of ye Sum of Seven Pounds Currt Money to him in his hand paid at before ye Ensuing & Delivery of these Presents by ye sd Tho: Ravenscroft ye receipt whereof he ye sd Christo: Jackson doth hereby Acknowledge HATH granted, bargained, Sold, remised, released & Confirmed & by these Presents doth grant bargain, Sell,...unto ye sd Thos: Ravenscroft his heirs and Assigns for Ever ALL that Lott or parcel of Land lying & being in ye City of Wmsburgh & County of York adjoyning to a Certain Lott or parcel of Land purchased of Michl Archer1 in ye sd City Thomas Ravenscroft, designed in ye Plott of ye sd City by this Number (268) with all houses buildings, orchards...together with all Profits, Comoditys...all which Premises now are in ye Actuall possession of him ye sd Thomas Ravenscroft by Vertue of the Indenture of Bargain & Sale thereof made by ye sd Christopher Jackson bearing date ye day before these Presents... TO HAVE & TO HOLD ye sd Lott ... for Ever... And ye sd Christo: Jackson for himself his heirs, Exrs & Admins Doth further Covenant & Agree to & with ye sd Tho: Ravenscroft his heirs & Assigns that he ye sd Christo: Jackson shall & will at any time or times within the Space of Seven Years next Ensuing ye date bereof at ye reasonable request & —— Costs and Charges in ye Law of ye sd Thomas Ravenscroft his heirs or Assigns make or cause to be made any further of other Assurance or Conveyance whatsoever for further, better & more perfect conveying & Assuring ye sd Lott & Premises unto ye sd Tho: Ravenscroft, as he ye sd Thomas Ravenscroft or his or their Councill heard in ye Law shall be reasonably Devised, advised or required. In Wittness whereof ye sd Christopher Jackson hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seal ye Day & Year first Above written
Christo: Jackson Seal2Sealed & Delivered in ye presence of
James Burwell
Edw: Powers
From the above deed of conveyance we learn that Jackson had erected a house or houses on Lot 268 prior to its sale.
In a deed dated June 18, 1739 (to fellow in the report), information is given that the lots were mortgaged by Dudley Digges to Robert Wills in 1731 and that Digges had recently acquired it via Ravenscroft. However, instead of "two lots" being conveyed there were "three lots" conveyed. When Wills conveyed the three lots to Thomas Nelson (July, 1739), "three lots" are noted; and in 1745 when William Nelson conveyed the property, we note that Lot "266" appears along with 267, 268 and 700. It may be that somewhere prior to Will's acquisition of Lots 267 and 268, that 266 had been conveyed by the trustees to Digges.
The mortgage of Digges to Wills follows:
[June 18, 1739]
Dudley Digges1 to
Robert Wills
Consideration: £91 15 shillings]In the Suit of Chancery between Robert Will Complt and Dudley Digges Esqr Defendt this day the parties were heard on the Bill and A [illegible] in this Cause and it appearing to the Court that Whereas the said Dudley Digges being indebted to the Complt the Sum of Ninety one pounds fifteen Shillings Currt money of Virginia did on or about the third day of July in the Year MXCCXXXI...by certain Indenture bearing date the said third day of July in the Year aforesd Grant & bargain & Sell unto the Comply all those three Lotts of Ground lying and being in the City of Wmsburgh and County of York adjoining to the Lotts of Joseph Davenport and wch the said Dudley Digges had then lately 6 purchased of Thos Ravenscroft with all Houses thereunto belonging and Rents Issues and profits there of to have and to hold the said three Lotts of Ground and all and every the Houses unto the Complt his Extors Admors and Assigns for and during the full end and Term of five hundred Years from thence next following In wch said Indenture there is a provision and Condition that if the sd Dudley Digges his Heirs Extors or Assigns shoud at any time within the Space of five Years insueing the date of the said Indenture pay or cause to be paid unto the Complt the said Sum of Ninety one pounds fifteen Shillings with lawfull Interest that the said Deed shoud Cease determineand be Utterly Void and the said Dudley having Neglected to comply with the ad provisso and Condition It's Order's and decreed that the sd Dudley Digges be and is hereby absolutely [illegible] & foreclosed from property and benefit of redemption of the [illegible] foresd And that the said Complt recover his Costs by him in this behalf expended and the said Defendt his Mercy et.1
From this suit we learn that Digges had mortgaged the property to Wills in July, 1731; that he had disregarded the payments; and that Wills in 1739—according to law—had foreclosed and claimed the property (three lots formerly owned by Thomas Ravenscroft prior to Digges' ownership).
In August 1731, Wills—on his petition to the court of York County—"hath ordered granted him for a License to keep Ordinary at his house for one year he giving Security."2 Whether Wills was occupying Digges' property on Nicholson Street is not known. He could have been there.
In this period between the time that Ravenscroft acquired the property (1715) until Wills came into full possession (1739), the 7 valuation had changed from £7 to £9 15s. This would seem to indicate that considerable building or changes had been made to the property.
One month after Wills came into full legal possession of the three lots, he conveyed them to Thomas Nelson3 in fee simple:
[July 18, 1739]
[Robert Wills
to
Thomas Nelson
Consideration: £100 current money of Virginia]THIS INDENTURE made the XVth day of July in the XIII— Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George II by the Grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c in the Year of our Lord MDCCXXXIX BETWEEN Robert Wills of the City of Williamsburgh of the one part and Thomas Nelson of the Town of York Merchant on the other part WITNESSETH that the said Robert Wills for and in Consideration of the Sum of one hundred pounds Current Money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Nelson and before the sealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he the said Robert Wills doth here by acknowledge Hath bargained Sold alienated Released and Confirmed unto the said Thomas Nelson his Heirs and Assigns all those three Lotts of Ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburgh & County of York aforesaid adjoining to the Lotts whereon Joseph Davenport4 Gent now dwelleth together with all Houses Buildings Gardens Orchards Woods Waters Ways profits & Easments thereunto belonging which said Lotts with the Tenements thereon were formerly purchased by Dudley Digges Gent. of Thomas Ravenscroft and, by the said Dudley Digges [blurred] Mortgaged to the said Robert Wills for the Sum of Ninety one pounds fifteen Shillings Current Money with the Interest thereof and at a Court held for York County the XVIII day of June last past the said Robert Wills obtained a Decree to foreclose the Equity of Redemption of the said Mortgaged premises and is now Seised of the same, in fee single Together with the Reversion & Reversions, 8 Remainder & Remainders and all the Estate Right Title Interest Claim & Demand of him the said Robert Wills of in and unto the premises and every part and parcel thereof with their & every of their appurtenances TO HAVE and to hold the said Three Lotts of Ground with the Buildings thereon... unto the said Thomas Nelson his Heirs and Assigns.. IN WITNESS whereof the Said Robert Wills to these presents hath set his hand... & Seal the day & Year first above Written
[Recorded York County Court
[pr me?] Robert Wills Seal
RECEIVED of Thomas Nelson Merchant the Sum of one hundred pounds Current Money of Virginia being the Consideration Money within mentioned the 16th day of July 1739
Robert Wills
WITNESS1
July 16, 1739]
Nelson, a prominent merchant, lived at Yorktown. In 1745 a notice of his death states that he died at his house in Yorktown where he had been an inhabitant for forty years.2 We have found no evidence to indicate that Nelson ever occupied this property in Williamsburg. According to his will, William Nelson, a son, devised all of his real estate:
[Copy of a Copy of the Will of Thomas Nelson of York
in possession (1897) of Major William N. Berkeley of
Charlottesville, Virginia]Item: All my Lands, tenements, slaves, and real estate whatsoever I give and Devise to my son, William Nelson, and his heirs forever, but subject, nevertheless, to the payment of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling p. Anna, hereinbefore Devised to my wife in Lieu of her Dower, if she survives me and accepts the same.
Item: I do hereby constitute and appoint my dear son, William Nelson, my sole executor of this my last Will and Testament.…
9In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of August, 1745.
Thomas Nelson [I.S.]3
In November, 1745, William Nelson4 leased Lots 266, 267, 268 and 7005 to John Holt. This is the first time Lot 266 has been noted:
[November 18, 1745]
[William Nelson of York County, merchant,
to
John Holt of Williamsburg, merchant
Lease for 25 years at £7 yearly rent]INDENTURE...Between the Honble Wm Nelson Esqr of the [blur] and County of York Merchant of the one part John Holt of the City of Williamsburgh Merchant of the other part Witnesseth that the said Wm Nelson as well for and in Consideration of the sum of five Shillings Current Money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said John Holt at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt where of he Doth hereby Acknowledge and thereof Acquit and Discharge the said Holt his exors and Admors...Hath demised Granted and to Farm Letten...unto the said John Holt his Exors Admors and Assigns ALL that Messuage or Tenement and four Lots of Land scituate lying and being in the said City of Williamsburgh on the North side of Nicholson Street and denoted in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 266, 267, 268, 700 which said Messuage or Tenement and Lots of Land were formerly Mortgaged by Dudley Digges Gent unto one Robert Wills and the Equity of Redemption of the said Mortgage Afterwards absolutely foreclosed and by the said Robert Will sold and Conveyed unto Thomas Nelson Gent late Father to the said William Nelson Party to these presents With all Houses Outhouses Yards Gardens Pastures Easments Rents Issues Profits Commodities and Advantages whatsoever to the said premises belonging or in any wise Appertaining To have and to hold...unto 10 the said John Holt his Exors Admors and Assigns from the first Day of April Last past for and During and unto the full End and Term of Twenty five Years from thence Next Ensuing and fully to be Completed and Ended Yeilding and paying Yearly & Every Year on the Last Day of March during the said Term unto the said William Nelson his Heirs and Assigns the Yearly Rent or Sum of Seven pounds Current Money of Virginia the first paiment whereof to be made on the Last Day of March Next Ensuing the Date of these Presents and it is further covenanted between the said parties that in Case the said yearly Rent shall at any time be behind and unpaid by the Space of One Month (the same being Lawfully demanded) it shall be lawfull for the said William Nelson his Heirs &c, into the said Demised Premises and every part thereof to enter and the same to have again as of their former state and as if these Presents had Never been Made...
[Recorded York County Court
Wm Nelson junr (L.S.)1
November 18, 1745]
Four lots are mentioned in the above lease. Only three had been noted before.
In 1753 Holt—who held the twenty-five year lease—mortgaged the four lots to Payton Randolph in order to secure Randolph in a bond of 800 pounds current money—penalty 1600 pounds secured to John Hunter of Hampton, merchant, by John Holt:
[December 31, 1753]
[John Holt of Williamburg, merchant,
...also the remainder of the Term of a Lease from the Honble William Nelson Esqr for four Lotts of Land the Houses and Appurtenances thereunto belonging where the said John Holt now lives in the City of Williamsburgh. [Holt to remain in possession unless Randolph is compelled to pay the bond]... 11 To have & to hold...the said Leased Lotts and Houses in Williamsburgh til the expiration of the Term mentioned in the said Lease...2 [Recorded July 15, 1754]"
to
Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg]
John Holt left Williamsburg a bankrupt in July, 1754, according to Daniel Fisher, coffee and tea merchant of Williamsburg, who was living there at this time.3 Holt went to Connecticut, and then, to New York where he died in 1784. However, Holt had written his will in 1749 and among other bequests, mentioned: "To Eliza the daughter of Hon. William Nelson Esq., £75 in token of the affection I have had for her from infancy and of my gratitude for the favours conferred on me by her father."4
It looks as though with Holt, a bankrupt, that Randolph had to pay the bond. It seems plausible to believe that William Hunter 5 came into the front and assumed the "remaining part" of the 5-year lease to Nelson. At Hunter's death in 1761, his estate is charged with "8½ Years in a Lease of a House and Lotts ————— £80."6 Although Nelson's property is not mentioned—nor Holt's lease—evidently, this was the property. For in 1764 Hunter's estate is charged as having "paid William Nelson Esqr Balce of a Years Rent ———— £ 2.13.9."7
12In the settlement of William Hunter's estate in 1764 by his executors, there is reference to a street paid for by Hunter:
"To paid Lewis Burwell for a piece of Ground for a Street sold to Mr. Hunter but Conveyed to his Devised... £67.7.10.1"Whether this was Botetourt Street extended north or some street in the another part of the city is not known. It could well be the Botetourt extension.
Hunter must have occupied the house on the lots from 1754 until his death in 1761. In his will, he mentions that Joseph Royle,2 associated with him in the printing office, lived at his house. Royle later married Hunter's sister, Rosanna. Hunter never married. His natural son, William, was attending school at Benjamin Waldon's when his father died. Nelson—who had been holding title to the property for some years—conveyed it in 1763 to Joseph Royle, printer:
[May 25, 1763]
[William Nelson of Yorktown and wife
to
Joseph Royle, Williamsburg, printer
Consideration: 500 pounds current money of Virginia]THIS INDENTURE made the twenty fifth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Sixty three BETWEEN The Honourable William Nelson Esqr of the Town and County of York and Elizabeth his Wife of the one part, and Joseph Royle of the City of Williamsburg Printer of the other part WITNESSETH that for and in Consideration of the Sum of five hundred pounds Current Money by the said Joseph to the said William in hand paid at or before the [blur] delivery of these Presents the 13 receipt whereof he doth hereby Acknowledge and thereof acquit and discharge the said Joseph Royle his Heirs Executors and Administrators THEY the said William Nelson and Elizabeth his Wife HAVE Granted Bargained Sold [blur] and Confirmed [blur] Presents [blur] Grants [blur] Sell [blur] said Messuage Tenement and four Lotts of Land situate lying and being in the said City of Williamsburgh on the North side of Nicholson Street and denoted in the plan of the said City by the Numbers 266, 267, 268, 700. which said Messuage and Tenement and Lotts of Land were formerly Mortgaged by Dudley Digges Gent: unto one Robt Will and the equity of Redemption of the said Mortgage afterwards absolutely foreclosed & by the said Robert Will Sold & Conveyed unto Thomas Nelson Gent: late Father to the said William Nelson party to these Presents and devised by him to the said William. WITH ALL Houses Outhouses...TO HAVE AND TO HOLD... unto the said Joseph Royle his Heirs and Assigns to the only purpose [blur] behoof of him the said Joseph Royle his Heirs & Assigns Forever... IN WITNESS whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their Hands and affixed their Seals the Day and Year above written.
[Ordered to be recorded in
William Nelson (L.S.)
Elizabeth Nelson (L.S.)1
York County Court
June 20, 1763]
Royle died in 1766. By will, Royle bequeathed his son, William Royle, "all that my Messuage House and Lotts where I now live in the said City of Williamsburg, containing four Lotts, or half Acres of Ground, numbered in the Plan of the said City, and denoted therein by the Figures 266, 267, 268, 700 with all and singular the Tenements...provided he shall attain the Age of twenty one Years..."2 A copy of the inventory and appraisement of Royle's estate is included in Illustration #5 of this report.3
MAPS:
The College Map (1791?) indicates "Jackson" on Lots 266, 267 and 268.4 The Bucktrout Map (1807) has the same descriptions.5 The Frenchman's Map (1782) indicates a small building on what appears to be Lot 267 with a larger house on Lot 268.6:
HISTORY (continued):
Royle's younger son, Hunter was born about 1765;7 William, the elder son, may have been ca. 1763. He would have come of age ca. 1784.
William Royle, evidently, was owner of the property in 1785 when it was offered for sale:
[April 9, 1785]
For Sale
And may be entered on the 1st of January, 1786 MY HOUSE in the City of Williamsburg, now occupied by Mrs. Nelson. This house is very pleasantly situated, and very convenient for the reception of a family, has four lots adjoining, and every convenient out-house, For terms apply to me in Williamsburg.
WILLIAM ROYLE8
In 1791 the College Map indicates that "Jackson" was owner of Lots 266, 267 and 268.1 No further account of Royle's ownership has been located in the records.
15It is assumed that the "Jackson", owner of the lots, was George B. Jackson, son of George Jackson, merchant and owner of Lot 24 on York Road.2 These are the only Jacksons listed in the tax records .
In 1821 Robert Saunders had come into possession of the property: "1 lot valued at $700 for buildings and $1000 for lot & buildings Via Brasure Wm Pryor, marshal of the chancery district court—that house & lot heretofore charged to Geo. Jackson."3
Though the land tax records fail to put Robert McCandlish as the owner of the lots until 1831, we know that he was in possession ca. 1826 from the Southall Ms. Papers, William and Mary College Archives. Accounts of McCandlish with Richard Booker, carpenter, reveal the fact that McCandlish was between Samuel Griffin and William Brown.4 In Booker's account were items as "to making 2 sellar window frames...to making 2 shutters & hanging them...to putting up 102 panels of post & rail fence at old bake house lot at 75cts a panel...to putting up 134 panels of post Rail fence at 62½ cts between you & Doct Griffin...$84.42."5
It was possible that the bake house referred to above was located on Lot 267 and was the same house thought to have been erected by Christopher Jackson between 1713/14 and 1715. (See: page 3 of this report.)
16McCandlish or his estate held the property until 1865 when William W. Vest came into it. "1 lot called 'Raleigh Lot'—-$300 lot; $700 lot and buildings."6 In 1887 the Raleigh Lot and the Bowers Lot together contained around 20 acres. In general, these lots extended along Nicholson Street from the Tayloe House property (Lots 261 and 262) to the Jail property. Vest conveyed all of this property (20 acres) to M.R. Harrell in 1887.1
In 1896, while Harrell was the owner of the property, a big fire destroyed the entire block on Duke of Gloucester Street between Botetourt and Colonial Streets. The Virginia Gazette in Williamsburg gave this account of the fire which destroyed the buildings on Duke of Gloucester Street and several on Nicholson Street—including the "Bowers" house:
"IN ASHES.
THE HOUSES BURNED SUNDAY.
About 3 a.m. Sunday, the people were aroused from their slumbers by the cry of fire, and in the incredibly short time nearly the whole population of the town was at the scene of conflagration. Those first upon the ground saw the flames bursting from the rear of the frame storehouse of Mrs. Delia Braithwaite. In a few minutes the fire had communicated with the adjoining buildings on either side of Mrs. Braithwaite's house. There being neither water nor aparatas [sic], it was evident that, the whole block, including the immense mercantile house of Samuel Harris, must go. A vain attempt was made to save Harris' big building, but seeing the uselessness of further fighting the flames, the town engine being hors de combat, and water scarce, the doors of the establishment were thrown open and the work of removing the goods commenced. A large proportion of the $20,000 was saved. 17 East of Harris' a small frame house of Capt. Lane's was destroyed. Back of Harris' a large frame building belonging to Sheriff M.R. Harrell and one owned by R.R. Cole, went up in the fire....2"
At Harrell's death in 1904, his four nephews were devised of the lots.3 By partition in 1904 Eugene J. Potts gained the entire property.4
In 1905 Potts conveyed to Joanna B. Harris.5 Mrs. Harris conveyed to Arthur Harris in 1906. 6 In 1907 the Williamsburg School Board bought the corner lot (bounded by Botetourt and Nicholson Street) from Harris.7 The property was sold by the School Board to Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated, in 1939.8 Further chain to title can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg.
Both Mr. John S. Charles and Mrs. Victoria M. Lee, recalling Williamsburg in the past state that the "Bowers" house was destroyed by fire, as is mentioned in the Virginia Gazette account quoted above. Mr. Charles' account appears below:
"The piece of land on Nicholson street and extending from the "Griffin or Coleman" lot on the west to an alley-way just east of the present colored school; and from Nicholson street beyond the Railroad was known as the Bowers' lot. Upon the lot and about opposite the intersection of Botetourt and Nicholson streets stood a long and very old one and a half story building with dormer windows. This building was known as the Bower's house, and was destroyed by fire about thirty years ago.118
Mrs. Victoria M. Lee, another citizen, gave her recollection of this lot:
" ... East of the Coleman House was a very beautiful home. It was a large, frame house with beautiful well-kept grounds, and it was the home then of its owner, Miss Eliza Bowers. This place had an unusual hall. There were two corner fireplaces, diagonally across from one-another, in this hall; and it had also a very fine stairway. This was a two story house, which was occupied after the war, by negroes who were living there when the house burned fifty years ago.2"
An old Negro, Eliza Baker, was interviewed in 1933 by Dr. Goodwin. She had this to say about Ms. Eliza Bowers:
DID YOU KNOW MISS ELIZA BOWERS?
Yes, I knew her well.WHERE DID SHE LIVE?
In the old house where Peter Epps has his store. She died down where Miss Annie Galt stays. Her people died out. Mr. Kidd Pryor married her sister, and Mr. Mann married the other sister. Miss Bowers' house burned down the night the Harris Store (James City Furniture Co.), burned. I lived in the Bowers' house and my mother lived in it.3
Another reference to Mrs. Bowers and Vest's connection with the property was found in the Griffin letters at William and Mary College. On letter from S.S. Griffin to his son, James, follows:
Williamsburg, Va. Jan, 28, 1860.
... At the sale of Colo. McCandlish's property , Mr Vest purchased for a little more than two thousand dollars the House and grounds now occupied by poor Mrs Bowers. The old Lady has been afflicted with paralysis for some time, is compelled to remove, sick as she is, and will probably soon end her days in the House about to be occupied by her as a Tenant of the kind 19 generosity of our feeling friend Mrs. Anderson. It is the corner House in the back Street, where Dodd used to keep his temporary Store. Mrs Anderson has made it quite comfortable for her residence. She, Mrs Bowers, wrote a letter to Vest, expressive of a desire to remain as Tenant where she was. But Vest gave her to understand in writing, that he must have it as soon as possible...Such barbarity roused a general feeling of indignation in Wmsburg... She [Mrs. Bowers] will abandon the place, where she has lived for 36 years, & where she begged to remain. ....1
Pictures of the Bowers House as it appeared ca. 1889 and ca. 1890 can be seen in Illustration #6, Appendix.
The writer could locate no insurance policies for this property.
Footnotes
| 1713 | Trustees to Christopher Jackson £ 4/10 6 lots not ½A, 267, 268, 172, 271, 12, [with all woods thereon growing on ? handwritten], 43 building clause. |
| 1715 | Jackson to T. Ravenscroft £ 7/ lot adjoining a lot purchased of M. Archer, #268 with houses, etc. |
| 1731 | Diggs mortgaged 3 lots to Wills. |
| 1739 | Diggs to R. Wills £ 9/15 foreclosed mortgage, adjoining lotts of J. Davenport 3 lotts which Diggs lately purchased of T. Ravenscroft and all houses. |
| 1739 | Wills to T. Nelson £ 100 3 lotts adjoining lotts of Joseph Davenport houses and tenements. |
| 1745 | T. Nelson died, willed to Wm Nelson. |
| 1745 | Wm. Nelson leased to John Holt for 25 yrs. @ £ 7 per yr. 4 lotts #266, 267, 268, 700. |
| 1753 | John Holt mortgaged his property to Peyton Randolph for bond to Wm. Hunter including lease on Wm. Nelson lot. |
| 1761-64 | Wm. Hunter's estate paid Wm. Nelson rent. |
| 1761 | J. Royle was living at Wm. Hunter's house. |
| 1763 | Wm. Nelson sold to J. Royle £ 500 tenement and 4 lotts #266, 267, 268, 700. |
| 1766 | Royle died left his property to Wm. Royle, a minor, #266, 267, 268, 700 (266 and 267 must have been vacant. |
| 1785 | Wm. Royle adv. his house and 4 lotts now occupied by Mrs. Nelson. |
| 1785[8?] | Dixon to Pasteur. |
| 1791 | Pasteur to Parsons. |
| 1797 | Parsons to Jackson. |
| 1801 | G. Jackson taxed for 5 lots until 1820. |
Illustration #1
Foundations Uncovered by Architectural Excavation Feb.-Apr. 1949
Frenchman's Map (1782?)
Illustration #2
| 1801 | George Jackson | 5 | $70 |
| 1802-1817 | George Jackson | 5 | 70 |
| 1818 | George Jackson | 5 | 90 |
| 1820 | George Jackson Estate | 5 | 200 |
| *1821 | Robert Saunders | 1 lot | $700 bldgs; $1000 lot & buildings Via Brasure Wm Pryor, marshal of the chancery district court—that the house & lot heretofore charged to Geo. Jackson. |
| 1831 | Robert McCandlish | 1 | $700; $1000 Via Ro: Saunders |
| 1865 | William W. West | 1 lot "called Raleigh Lot" | $300 lot; $700 lot & bldgs. |
Illustration #3
Biographical Notes
CHRISTOPHER JACKSON:
Jackson was in Williamsburg as early as 1710 at which date he petitioned the House of Burgesses to be made clerk to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances. (Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia (1702-1712), p. 241)
In 1714 the accounts of Jackson for "Surveying and Laying out the City of Williamsburgh and the Roads to the Ports belonging to the Said City" were examined by the committee from the Burgesses. (Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia (1712-1726), December 20, 1714, p. 111)
The same year he was appointed register of the General Court and Court of Admiralty. (Virginia Historical Magazine, Vol. II, p. 2)
In 1720 Jackson was impowered to lay out the lots at Archer's Hope Creek. (Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia (1712-1726), December 9, 1720, p. 296)
THOMAS RAVENSCROFT:
"Thomas Ravenscroft, son of Captain Samuel Ravenscroft, was born in Boston June 29, 1688; came to Virginia with his father in 1692. He was sheriff of James City county in 1722, but in 1723 removed to Prince George county; where he purchased a tract of land on James river originally patented by Captain Samuel Maycox, killed by the Indians in the massacre of 1622. He was a burgess of Prince George in the assembly of 1727-1734, and in 1734-1740, dying in the year 1736.* He was the father of John Ravenscroft, a justice of Prince George county. John Stark Ravenscroft, first bishop of North Carolina, was his great-grandson." (Tyler's Virginia Biography, Vol. I, p. 312)
The Virginia Gazette of January 28, 1736/37 carries a notice of his death.
DUDLEY DIGGES:
There were several Dudley Digges. It looks as though this Dudley Digges was the son of Col. Dudley Digges (1665-1710). He married Mary Hubard, daughter of James Hubard of York County. He was a burgess for Goochland County in 1732 and in 1741 qualified as an attorney. By 1738 he had moved to York County and in 1739 the sheriff of York County reported that he had left the county. (Information taken from William and Mary Quarterly, Series 1, Vol. I, pp. 143-144; Colonial Virginia Register, p. 132; and Tyler's Virginia Biography, Vol. I, p. 223)
THOMAS NELSON:
"Thomas Nelson, an eminent merchant of Yorktown, son of Hugh Nelson, of Penrith, county Cumberland, England; was born February 20, 1677, and came to Virginia about 1700, where he amassed a large fortune. He married (first) Margaret Reade, daughter of Robert Reade, eldest son of Colonel George Reade, secretary of state, and (second) Mrs. Frances Tucker (nee Courtenay). He was father of William Nelson, president of the Virginia council." (Tyler's Virginia Biography, Vol. I, p. 297)
Thomas Nelson died in 1745. His will, dated August 6, 1745, appears in the William and Mary Quarterly, Series 1, Vol. 6, pp. 143 - 145.
The Virginia Gazette of October 10, 1745, has this notice of his death: "Early Monday Morning last, died, at his House in York Town, in a good old Age, Mr. THOMAS NELSON, an eminent Merchant, and 40 Years an Inhabitant of that Place..."
WILLIAM NELSON:
"William Nelson, president of the council and acting governor (1770-1771), was born in Yorktown, Virginia, in 1711, son of Thomas Nelson (1667-1745), ... William Nelson ... inherited a great deal of wealth, which he managed largely to increase by his extensive business as a merchant at Yorktown. He married Elizabeth Burwell, daughter of Major Nathaniel Burwell. He represented the county of York in the house of burgesses in 1742-44, and in 1745 was promoted to the council of state ... Nelson died at Yorktown, November 19, 1772. He was father of General Thomas Nelson ... also governor of the State."(Tyler's Virginia Biography, Vol. I, p. 70)
The Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., November 19, 1772 carried notice of his death.
The will of William Nelson is recorded in York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 22, pp. 132-136.
JOSEPH DAVENPORT:
Joseph Davenport was the first town clerk of Williamsburg (1722). He married Margaret——and had Elizabeth and Margaret, twins. Elizabeth married Anthony Hay; Joseph, born 1731/2, died 1788, was a minister. He married Mary Hunter and had a son, William; George, born 1733, died 1766; Mathew, born 1734, died 1777. He was writing master at William and Mary College; Judith married John Greenhow; James; Peachy who married Alexander Purdie (1), William Holt (2), and emdash;—— Wills (3); and Sarah. (Data from William and Mary Quarterly, Series 1, Vol. 7, p. 17, and Tyler's Quarterly Magazine, Vol. 1, p. 221)
Joseph Davenport died 1761—will in York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 21.
WILLIAM HUNTER:
William Hunter, printer and deputy postmaster general, owner of the Virginia Gazette, was never married. He died in 1761 leaving a natural son, William Hunter, who inherited his estate in Virginia.
See: Printing Office Report, September, 1952, Research Department, for full account of William Hunter.
JOSEPH ROYLE:
According to Isaiah Thomas, Joseph Royle was "bred to printing in England," and prior to William Hunter's death in 1761 "had for several years been a foreman in Hunter's printing house." (The History of Printing in America (Wercester, Massachusetts: 1810), Vol. II, p. 146) Hunter stated in his will (1761) that Royle was living with him. (York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 21, pp. 214-217)
Royle was appointed public printer in 1761 after Hunter's death. (Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1761-1765, pp. 11, 12, and 308)
Royle married Rosanna Hunter and had two sons, William Royle and Hunter Royle—all mentioned in his will. (York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 21, pp. 264-271)
For full account of Royle: see Printing Office Report (1952), Research Department.
Illustration #4
Southall Ms. Papers, folder 193, Legal Cases and Estates, Williamsburg William and Mary College Archives| Mr Robert M Candlish | Dr to R T Booker[carpenter] | |
| 1826 Oct 30th | to making 2 sellar window frames | $2:00 |
| to rehanging door & putting on strip | .75 | |
| to making 2 shutters & hanging them | 1:00 | |
| to 8 feet of scantling at 4 ct. 32 to 3 feet of T plank | .42 | |
| to making 1 sellar frame and shutter | 1:50 | |
| 1827 Jan 10 | to putting up 102 panels of post and nail fence at old bake house lot at 75cts a panel | 76:50 |
| April 19th | to puting up 134 panels of post Rail fence at 62½ cts between you & Doct Griffin | 64:42 |
| to making one bratch for horses | 1:00 | |
| to 8 rails at 4Ct 32. one post 12½ putting 3 panels at 63 Cts | 1:26 | |
| Drawn off Mar 19th 1827 | ||
| omited By R T Booker | ||
| to one sedar post 33 Cts to putting up pails by my Shep | .50 |
| Mr Robert M Candlish | Dr to R T Booker | |
| to putting up 15½ panels of posts and rails with 5 rails between you & Wm Brown at 63 Cts per panel | $8.56½ | |
| May 26th 1828 | to serving warrant of Arrest on Grigory | .63 |
| Drawn off | ______ | |
| $9.82½ |
| Judge Wm Brown | dr to R T Booker | |
| 1827 Feb 12 | to putting up 15½ panels of post & rails with 5 rails at 63 Ct per panel the one half of line between you & McCandlish | $8.00 |
Illustration #5
York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 21, pp. 264-271.THE WILL OF JOSEPH ROYLE
In the Name of God Amen; I Joseph Royle of the ------------- [torn] in the Colony of Virginia, being of ------------------------ and Memory do make and declare Testament in Manner and ------------------------------------- my Will and Desire th----------------------------ll enter into Pa--------------------------------------------------------------------------------ow lives with me for ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and carrying on every ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------msburg as usual, to and for the equal Benefit and Profit of the said Alexander Purdie, and my Son William Royle during his Minority and in Case of his Death before the Age of Twenty one Years then for the use of my Estate for and during the term of ten Years fully to be Completed from the time of my Death, and that Articles of Agreement be entered into by both Parties in the same manner as the Partnership between the Executors of the late William Hunter Esqr decreased in behalf of his Son William and myself , and in Case the said Partnership shall take place, I do then give and bequeath to the said Alexander Purdie my half of all the Stock I have in Partnership with William Hunter at the Printing Office, comprehending in our Books of Accounts, under the Titles of General Account of Office, Stationary, and Books, to the Amount of the Sum of Five hundred pounds Virginia Currency, (agreeable to the rates and prices mentioned in our Inventory taken December the 31th 1762, and the Invoice Book for what Goods or Materials have been Imported since taking the said Inventory) as a Compensation to the said Alexander Purdie for his Personal Management and Care of the said Business during the Minority of my said son William Royle and in Case of his Death under Age for and during the aforesaid Term of Ten Years from the Time of my Death. And if the said Stock should not amount to five hundred Pounds, according to the aforesaid Valuation, at the time of my Death, it is ------- [torn] Will and desire that the Deficiency shall be made up ------------- ther part of my Estate upon this Condition ------------- said Share of the said Stock shall excee------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ed Pounds, that the said Alexander P---------------------------------d Account for the same to my Ex----------------------------------------------------ower them to allow him a -------------------------------------------------------------------------------d I do give and bequeath -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------m the said intended Pur--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- his Heirs and A------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Years, except so---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------much thereof as it may be necessary to apply towards discharging the other Legacies herein after bequeathed. But if the said Partnership shall not be entered into, or the said Alexander Purdie shall refuse to accept the Offer to be made to him, by my Executors according to this my Will; I do then desire my Executors to dispose of my said Stock in such a Manner as they shall judge best for the Interest of my Son William Royle to whom I do give and bequeath the same, but if he shall not Attain the Age of twenty one Years, then for the Benefit of my Estate to be applies and Disposed of as herein directed.
2I give devise and bequeath unto my said Son William Royle and his Heirs and Assign for ever, all that my Messuage House and Lotts where I now live in the said City of Williamsburg, containing four Lotts, or half Acres of Ground numbered in the Plan of the said City, and denoted by the Figures 266, 267, 268, 700, with all and singular Tenements, Hereditaments and Appurtenances thereunto belonging, provided he shall attain the Age of twenty one Years, and during the Minority of my said Son, I give devise and bequeath the same unto my Wife Rosanna Royle, and her Assigns, and in Case of the Death of my said Son William Royle, under Age; It is then my Will and Meaning, and I do hereby devise that my Wife of her Assigns may remain in quiet Possession of all the said Messuage Lotts Tenements and Premises for and during the Term of her Natural Life she and ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ng care that no wants or Destruction be made therein ----------------------------------------------- same in good and sufficient Repair and after her -------------------------------------------------- as herein after mentioned.
I give ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rosanna Royle my Negro---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Household and Kitchen Furn------------------------------------------------------------------------ Provisions, and Liquors tha-------------------------------------------------------------------------- my Cattle, Horses an ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ill and direct that all my ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------in after bequeathed together -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- frugal but decent) be fully paid and Satisfied, and to the payment thereof I subject whatever shall be due to me from Company Account with William Hunter Infant before named, as will appear by the Books kept at the Printing Office, and general Accounts Transferred to my private Leidger; And I do will and direct my Executors to pay or Cause to be paid unto my said Wife Rosanna Royle the Sum of Fifty Pounds Virginia Pounds Currency Yearly, on the first day of January every Year during her natural Life, which Annuity shall be paid & Satisfied out of the Remainder or Balance of my Partnership Account with the said William Hunter and if that shall be insufficient, than out of the Profits arising from the intended Partnership with Alexander Purdie as aforesaid. I give devise and bequeath unto my other Son Hunter Royle and his Heirs the Sum of One thousand Pounds Current Money payable on his arriving at the Age of twenty one Years but if he should not attain that Age then the said Legacy to return to my Estate. All the rest residue, and remainder of my Estate Real or personal whatsoever, ... not herein before or herein after given devised or disposed of I give devise and bequeath ... unto my said Son William Royle and his Heirs forever, provided he shall live to the Age of twenty one Years, but if he shall not attain that Age, then I give devise and bequeath the same, unto my other son Hunter Royle and his Heirs provided that he shall ---------------------- the Age of twenty one Years. And it is my further Will and ----------------------------t if my said Son William should not live to the Age ------------------------------ars, in that Case, all the Estate Inter -------------------------------------------------------------------- to him shall vest in and become ------------------------------------------------------------------------- son Hunter Royle and his Heirs -----------------------------------------------------------------------------it is my further 3 will and in -----------------------------------------------------------------------William or Hunter Royl------------------------------------------------------that then and immediat------------------------ate I have ------------------------------------------------------------------------all be vested in the Minister and Vestry of the Parish if Bruton in the County of York and Colony of Virginia for the time being and their Successors forever. IN TRUST and to and for the several purposes hereinafter mentioned; And I hereby give devise and bequeath all my said Lotts and Tenements with their Appurtenances situate in Williamsburg aforesaid, together with all and singular the Profits Interest and other Estate that either of my Said sons would or might have been entitled to, if they had attained the Age of twenty one Years, after the Death of my said Wife Rosanna Royle unto them the said Minister and Vestry of Bruton Parish ... IN TRUST that the Rents, Profits, Interest and Issues of the Fund hereby given and devised shall be laid out and disposed of in the Purchase of Lands or Slaves or put out to Interest with good securities as the said Minister and Vestry shall Judge will best Answer the Benefit hereby intended, that is to say, It is my Will and desire that a School House by Built on any part of my Lotts denoted on the Plan of the said City of Williamsburg by the Figures 266, 267, at the Discretion of the said Ministers and Vestry which shall be called and known by the name of ROYLE'S FREE SCHOOL; And I do hereby direct that the said Minister and Vestry shall provide a Person of good Character, Capable of teaching the English Language, with propriety, Accent, Cade---[nce] and Emphasis; Writing, Arithmatick and the practica----------- Mathematicks as a School-Master for the said ----------------------- that --------------------shall be allowed and paid by the as-------------------------------------------------- Salary of Fifty Pounds Currency -------------------------------------------------------------- teaching and instructing seve------------------------------------------------------------------------------ and I do hereby direct, th--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Williamsburg, and pa-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------dustrious in their resp---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------intenance of their Fami----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the said City or Parish shall have the preferance to all the other Children: AND if after paying the School Master's Salary there shall remain any Balance ... arising from the Fund hereby given devised and bequeathed in Trust to the said Minister and Vestry of Bruton Parish as aforesaid I will order and direct that such SURPLUS be applied in erecting a Monument to perpetuate (as much as n me lies) the MEMORY of my worthy Friend and Benefactor WILLIAM HUNTER Esqr. deceased, and keeping the same in good Repair: AND the Overplus afterwards arising from the said Fund, shall be disposed of in the purchasing of such Books, as may be useful to the aforesaid seven poor Children, Clothing and binding them Apprentices to some Handicraft Trade or Business, by which they may have it in their power to become useful Members of a Community, and of Service to the Country in General. PROVIDED nevertheless that if all the Fund hereby given and devised in Trust as aforesaid to the Minister and Vestry of Bruton Parish, shall not be appropriated and applied according to my will intent and meaning respecting the FREE SCHOOL and MONUMENT aforesaid, then and in default thereof, I do give devise and bequeath all the aforesaid Estate and Fund unto the Heirs of my Wife Rosanna lawfully to be begotten of her Body, and in default of such heirs, then to be equally divided amongst the Children of her Brother John Hunter, and her Sister Mary Davenport...
4...[7 lines torn and illegible]
And do nominate, constitute, and appoint my Friends George Davenport, John Tazewell And John Dixon of Williamsburg Executors of this my said last Will, to each of whom I give and bequeath the Sum of Fifty Pounds Currency, as also Five Pounds for every Hundred Pounds of such Debts due and owing unto me as they shall collect in the course of their Administration of my Estate, and I do impower my said Executors if they shall think proper of find it necessary, to Sell and Dispose of the Printing Materials I lately purchased of Mr Walter Buchanan on my own Account, and which are now in the possession of Mr John Carter, for the best Advantage of my Estate. IN WITNESS whereof I the said Joseph Royle have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this twentieth day of January One thousand seven Hundred and sixty six.Jo Royle (L.S.)
Signed, Seal'd published and
declared by the Testator as and for his
last Will and Testament in our presence who
have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto at his Request.Alexr Craig
Wm Trebell
Blovet Pasteur
Matt: --------[torn]At a Court ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 19th Day of May 1766.
... [recorded]
AN INVENTORY and APPRAISMENT of the Estate of Joseph Royle deceased taken, the 26th May 1766.
| 1 Bay Horse | £20.- .- |
| 1 Chair and Harness | 20.- .- |
| 1 Ax and Tenant Saw | - .17. 6 |
| 1 Umbrello | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 Chair Whip | - .10.- |
| 1 Spade | - . 5.- |
| 1 Hoe | - . 2.- |
| 1 pair Garden Shears | - . 4.- |
| 12 Mahogany Chairs including two elbow Chairs | 15.- .- |
| 2 Mahogany Dining Tables | 8.- .- |
| 2 Do Card Tables | 6.- .- |
| 1 Do Tea Table | 1. 6.- |
| 1 Japaned Tea Board and Waiter | 1.10.- |
| 1 Sett of China | 5.- .- |
| 2 Looking Glasses and 1 Chimney Do with Sconces | 15.- .- |
| 6 Prints ruins of Rome | 1.15.- |
| 2 Do in its Original Splendour | - .12.- |
| 6 Do Arts and Sciences | 2. 5.- |
| 1 Map of Virginia | 1. 7.- |
| 1 Grate, Fender, Shovel, Tongs and Poker | 4.- .- |
| 1 Wilton Carpet | 5.- .- |
| 1 Tea Chest | 1.10.- |
| 1 pair Bellows | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 Brush an Sh------- [torn] | - . 2. 6 |
| 1 Bed, Bolster and ---------- | 5.- .- |
| 1 Walnut Beds----------- | - .18.- |
| 1 Mahogany ------------ | 3.- .- |
| 2 Do Dressing ----------- | 2.10.- |
| 1 Mahogany ------------ | 12.- .- |
| 1 ---------------------------- | 4.- .- |
| 6 Walnut Chairs with Hair bottoms | 3.10.- |
| 1 Round Mahogany Tea Table | £ 1.10.- |
| 7 Coloured Prints | 1.10.- |
| 1 Pair Dogs, Shovel, Tongs and Poker | 2.10.- |
| 1 Bed Carpet | - .10.- |
| 2 Window Curtains | - .10.- |
| 1 Bed, Bolster and Pillow | 5.- .- |
| 1 Mahogany Card Table | 10.-.- |
| 6 Walnut Chairs Leather Bottoms | 3.- .- |
| 1 Night Chair and Pan | - .15.- |
| 1 Walnut Cradle | - .15.- |
| 1 Bed, Bedstead, Bolster, and two Pillows | 6.- .- |
| 1 Walnut Writing Table | - .12. 6 |
| 1 pair Dogs, Shovel, Fender, Tongs, and Poker | 1.10.- |
| 2 | |
| 1 Garden Rake | - . 1. 3 |
| 16 Heads in frames double Gilt | 12.- .- |
| 1 Easy Chair | 5.- .- |
| 1 Painted Sugar Cannister | - . 7 . 6 |
| 1 Flesh Brush | - . 2.- |
| 1 Rim and Castors with Silver Tops | 2.- .- |
| 1 Silver Punch Ladle | 1.- .- |
| 1 Do. Soup Spoon | 2.10.- |
| 1 Do. Punch Strainer | 1.- .- |
| 1 large Japaned Tea Board, and four Waiters | 4.- .- |
| 4 Silver Salvers | 6.- .- |
| 1 Do. Milk --------------------- [torn] | 2.- .- |
| 2 Do. Ta----------------------- | 20.- .- |
| 12 Do. Table------------------- | 10.- .- |
| 11 Do. -------------------------- | 1.15.- |
| 2 -------------------------------- | - .15.- |
| 3 D----------------------------- | - . 7. 6 |
| 4½ ----------------------------- | 3.- .- |
| 1 Steel ------------------------ | - . 7. 6 |
| 21 flowered Glasses | £ 1. 1.- |
| 1 China Turene and Desk [sic] | 2.10.- |
| 3 Glass Decanters | 1. 5.- |
| 4 large and 4 small China Dishes | 2.- .- |
| 1 Carving Knife and Fork | - . 5.- |
| 5 China Bowls | 1. 5.- |
| 1 Mahogany Couch | 6.- .- |
| 6 Do. Chairs and 1 Smoking Do. With Leather Bottoms | 8.- .- |
| 1 Walnut Desk | 3.- .- |
| 1 Do. Press | 1.- .- |
| 1 Mahogany Tea Chest | - . 5.- |
| 1 Plate Basket | - . 5.- |
| 1 Pine Table | - . 5.- |
| 6 White Stone Dishes | - .12. 6 |
| 1 Brass Warming Pan | - . 5.- |
| 3 pair Brass Candlesticks | 1.10.- |
| 1 Flat Do. Snuffers, Stand and two pair Snuffers | - . 5.- |
| 1 Case of Ivory knives and Forks | 3.- .- |
| 1 Do. Dessert Do. | 2.- .- |
| 1 Japaned Bread Basket | - . 2. 6 |
| 3 Tea Boards and two Bottle Sliders | - .15.- |
| A Parcel of Knives and Forks | - . 5.- |
| 1 Rim and Caster | - . 5.- |
| 1 Plate Basket | - . 5.- |
| 17 White Stone Plates | - . 8. 6 |
| A parcel of old C----[hina?] | £- . 5.- |
| 3 Water Jugs and ---------- [torn] | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 three foot Mahog------------- | 2.- .- |
| 1 Hair Mattress ---------------- | 1.- .- |
| 1 Green Rugg ------------------ | - .13.- |
| 1 Mahogany ------------------- | 1.- .- |
| 1 Walnut Tab------------------ | - .10.- |
| 1--------------------------------- | - .10.- |
| 3 | |
| 1 Fender, Shovel, Tongs and Poker | £- . 7. 6 |
| 1 Window Curtain, and Wash Bason | - . 2. 6 |
| 1 Bed, Bedstead, Bolster, two Pillows &1 sett of Curtains | 8.- .- |
| 2 Window Curtains,1 Wash Bason | - . 5. 9 |
| 1 small Looking Glass | - .10.- |
| 1 Fender, Shovel, Tongs, and Bellows | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 Portmantau Trunk | 1.- .- |
| 1 Black Leather Trunk | - .10.- |
| 1 Silver Watch | 6.- .- |
| 1 Bed Bedstead, Bolster, Pillow, and Mattress | 10.- .- |
| 7 Pair Blankets | 5.- .- |
| 1 Smoaking Chair | 1. 6.- |
| 5 Walnut Chairs | 2.10.- |
| 1 Hair Trunk | 1.- .- |
| 3 Window Curtains | - . 7. 6 |
| 6 Chamber Pots | - . 5.- |
| 1 Pine Chest | - .10.- |
| 1 Fire Engine, and 12 Buckets | 12.10.- |
| 16 Damask Napkins | 1.- .- |
| 12 best Do | 1.10.- |
| 6 Doulas Towels | - . 7. 6 |
| 2 large Damask Table Cloths | 3.- .- |
| 5 pair Pillow Cases | - .15.- |
| 4 Manchester Counterpanes | 5.- .- |
| 1 Virginia---------[torn] | 1.- .- |
| 1 Bed Quilt | - .15.- |
| 6 Diaper T------- | 3.12.- |
| 6½ pair Sh------ | 10.- .- |
| 4 p---------- | 4.- .- |
| 1 ----------- | 1.15.- |
| 2 ----------- | - . 2. 6 |
| 1 W-----ttles | 1.- .- |
| 4 p---------- | - . 8.- |
| 19 Pewter Plates | £ 2.- .- |
| 6 Do Water Plates | 2. 8.- |
| 8 Do Dishes | 2. 8.- |
| 4 Tin Oyster Scollops | - . 2. 6 |
| 1 Copper Funnel | - . 5.- |
| 2 Tin Do | - . 1.- |
| 1 Copper Kitchen | - .15.- |
| 1 Do Saucepan | 1.16.- |
| 1 Do Tea Kettle, 2 Sauce pans & 1 Chocolate Pott | 1.10.- |
| 2 Tin Coffee Pots | - . 5.- |
| 9 Iron Scewers | - . 5.- |
| 2 Brass Chafing Dishes | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 Spice Mortar and Coffee Mill | - .12. 6 |
| 1 Search, Sifter, and Flower Box | - . 2. 6 |
| 5 Pails 2 Tubs & 1 Piggin | 1 .12. 6 |
| 1 Mettal Skillet | - .10.- |
| 1 Copper Kettle | 3.- .- |
| 4 | |
| 1 Iron Kettle & 4 Potts | £ 3.- .- |
| 1 Frying Pan | - . 5.- |
| 1 Trivet, Footman, and 3 Grid Irons | - .15.- |
| 2 Copper Ladles | - . 3. 9 |
| 4 Pot Racks, & 1 Flesh Fork | - .12. 6 |
| 1 Jack and 1 Spitt | 2.- .- |
| 1 Pair Dogs Shovel & Tongs | 1.- .- |
| 2 pair Flat Irons | - .12. 6 |
| 4 Milk Pans | - . 2. 6 |
| 2 Kitchen Tables ---------------------[torn] | 1.- .- |
| 4 Portmantaus ------------------------ | 2.- .- |
| 1 Cloaths B--------------------------- | - . 7. 6 |
| 1 Negro Wench ------------------------ | 60.- .- |
| Negro Girl --------------------------- | 30.- .- |
| Negro Girl --------------------------- | 40.- .- |
| 2 ------------------------------------ | 1.- .- |
| 12 Stone Pots | £ 2.- .- |
| 2 Bottle Cases & Bottles | 3.- .- |
| 6 empty Hogsheads | 1.10.- |
| 5 Pine Chests | 2.10.- |
| 3 Milch Cows & 1 Calf | 5.- .- |
| One half the Stock in Partnership with William Hunter Infant, at the Printing Office in Williamsburgh; including, Account of Books, Stationary, Printing, Materials, & two Negro Men named Matt, and Aberdeen | 1265.12.10-¾ |
| A parcel of Printing Materials sold to Mr Wm Holt | 261.10.10 |
| Sundry outstanding Debts to be Accounted for when received | ---------------- |
| £2068. 8. 8-¾ | |
IN OBEDIENCE to an Order of York Court hereunto annexed; We the Subscribers have Appraised, the Estate of Joseph Royle deceased, as by this Inventory will Appear, May 26th 1766 —
Anthony Hay Alexr Craig G Pitt A Davenport
RETURNED into York County Court the 16th day of June 17----[torn. 1766]
BOWERS HOUSE, ca. 1889. (From Coleman Collection of photographs in possession of Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated.)
March 28, 1933.
MEMORANDUMTO: Research Files
FROM: H. R. Shurtleff
RE: BARROWS HOUSE ON NORTH SIDE OF NICHOLSON STREET
Miss Pattie Horecock informed me that she could remember this house as a child. It was set back from the north side of the street about as far as the Neal House Kitchen is set back from the Duke of Gloucester Street and she remembers it looked very much like the Blair house and had two entrances. It was somewhere east of Miss Elizabeth Coleman's house and is very probably the same house that George Coleman said he could remember on this same side of Nicholson Street about on the prolongation of Botetourt Street. As I remember it we have a photograph of this house still unidentified except for what Mr. Coleman said in out Coleman Collection of photographs.
Miss Horecock said that very possibly Mr. and Mrs. Friend could help in identifying and describing this house, because she thought they were related to the Barrows family in some way.
Miss Horecock also said that Willie Baker's mother might remember something about it, as she lived there as a child and young girl. Miss Horecock believes there are still members of the Barrows family in Richmond somewhere.
It is possible that with this information from Miss Horecock either Mr. George Coleman or his sister, Miss Elizabeth Coleman, might remember some more details about this house.
H. R. Shurtleff
HRS: mrm