Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

Colonial Lots 165, 166 lie on the east side of the Palace Green near the Palace. Lot 172 lies directly east of these lots. On early nineteenth century plats of Williamsburg, the lots are so numbered with "Carter" denoted, also.

HISTORY IN SUMMARY:

The first known record of ownership of Lots 165 and 166 appears in 1717 when trustees of the city conveyed to John Brush, gunsmith. There were not any houses thereon. Within two years Brush had built a dwelling according to the Act of Assembly of 1705. He continued to live thereon until his death in 1726 when it was devised to his son-in-law, Thomas Barbar, and his daughter, Elizabeth, spinster. Shortly thereafter, Elizabeth Brush conveyed her part to Thomas Barbar who on his death in 1727 bequeathed it to his wife, Susanna Brush Barber. In 1728 Mrs. Susanna Barbar conveyed to Elizabeth Russell, widow, who, it appears, married Henry Cary II. In 1742 Cary and Elizabeth, his wife, conveyed to William Dering, a dancing master. Dering, after mortgaging several times, finally moved to South Carolina in 1750/51. The property was sold at "outcry" in February, 1751--in all probability, to satisfy Dering's debtors. Proof is not positive but reasonable to believe that Thomas Everard became the owner in 1751 or thereabouts. In 1773 Everard had acquired possession of Lot 172. He held all three lots until his death in 1781. In 1788 Dr. Isaac Hall, son-in-law of Everard's, conveyed the three lots to Dr. James Carter. Carter or his estate held the property until 1820 when Milner Peters of Norfolk acquired the property "for life" which indicates that he had become heir through his wife's right. Peters sold to Professor Dabney Browne in 1830 who held it until 1847 when Daniel P. Custis became owner. Daniel Custis conveyed in 1849 to Sydney Smith. Soon after Smith's acquisition, the tax valuation changed from $800 for lot and building, to $2400. The Smith family held until 1928 when it was sold to Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, representing Williamsburg Restoration. It is now an exhibition building for Colonial Williamsburg.

The Frenchman's Map (1782) shows a small dwelling house with five outhouses northeast of the main house.

Further details of the various owners and renters with changes made during the years, can be found in the body of the report to follow.

JOHN BLAIR

John Blair was born in 1687, son of Archibald Blair and Mary Wilson Cary Roscoe Blair. He married Mary Monro, born 1708; died 1758. Blair died in 1771.

Blair was a member of the Virginia Council (1745-1771), twice acting Governor of Virginia: 1758, and 1768. His Diary (January, 1751-December, 1751) gives a picture of Williamsburg and its people for this period.

In 1743 Blair received £10,000 by the will of his uncle, James Blair. In 1746 Blair was appointed on the committee to revise the laws, was one of the correspondence with the colonial agent, Montague, in England. As president of the Council he was twice acting Governor. In the Two Penny Act controversy he took the popular view and supported the act by his vote in council. In 1768 he favored the idea that only the Assembly could make laws regarding the colony's internal policy of taxation.

It is not definitely known where he lived in Williamsburg. He may have lived on Lot 43 adjoining the Market Square as references to other property mention "the garden of John Blair" as a boundary. He probably lived at one time on Lot 36, where his son, John Blair Jr. was established in 1773.

[Sources from which these notes were taken]

• Dictionary of American Biography, vol II, p 337.
• House History of the John Blair House, Research Department, CWI.
• William and Mary Quarterly, series 1, vols VII and VIII: Diary of John Blair.
• York County records, Wills & Inventories, Book 22, p 44: Will of John Blair.
• Swem's Virginia Historic Index (1934, Roanoke)
• Tyler's Virginia Biography, vol. I, pp 66-67.

JOHN BRUSH

John Brush, a gunsmith, is said to have been brought to Virginia by Alexander Spotswood, lieutenant-governor of the colony, 1710-1722. The basis for this statement has not been found in the primary sources. In fact, the only secondary sources for this statement is found in Tyler's Quarterly, vol 3, p 299; and William and Mary Quarterly, series 1, vol 5, p 213: both edited by Dr. Lyon G. Tyler. However, as early as October, 1711, Spotswood had arranged a "contrivance... for hanging the arms" in the Palace, and in 1715 he caused the Magazine to be erected in the city--, so there was need for a gunsmith from time to time.

In July, 1717 Brush was conveyed Lots 165 and 166 by the trustees of Williamsburg with the understanding that he would erect a building of no less than four hundred square feet ground measure, with brick chimneys and cellars within the space of twenty four months. He, in all probability, erected the portion of the house now facing on Palace Street within the specified time.

In 1723 "the great part of the Arms in the Magazine and at the Governors House" being "much out of repair and unfit for Service," it was ordered that armourers repair them immediately. Two months later, John Brush presented his account for "Work and Reparations about the Governors House". There is also, record that he made guns. Mention of "a gun, which was made by John Brush" appears in the Henry Bowcock will, 1729. In Bowcock's inventory this gun is described thus: "bird piece made by Brush" and it was valued at "£2.10.-" Also, in 1723, the House of Burgesses rejected a petition of Brush "praying some Allowance for a Hurt received by firing the Great Guns on the Anniversary of his Majesties Birth day." The petition mentioned his "misfortune in being blown up and hurt in firing the Guns."

Brush died in 1726 between November 26th and December 19th. In his will he mentioned a son, Anthony, and three daughters, Anna Maria Brush, Elizabeth Brush, and Susanna Brush Barbar, wife of Thomas Barbar. His house and lots in Williamsburg and the remainder of his estate (other than 1 shilling to Anthony and £20 to Anna Maria) were divided between Elizabeth, unmarried, and his son-in-law, Thomas Barbar. Within two months following Brush's death, Elizabeth sold her part to Thomas Barbar.

Following the death of Thomas Barbar in 1727, his widow married Francis Fontaine ca 1737. There were two children by this marriage, James Maury Fontaine and Judith. A letter from Mary Ann Maury, sister of Francis Fontaine, dated September 2, 1745, to her sister, stated that James Maury Fontaine at that time was seven years old. She also stated that "my brother John knows my brother Francis's wife very well, if he can remember. She is the daughter of one Brush, who was a gunsmith to Col. Spotswood. He used to clean the magazines and the Governor's arms at the same time my brother John was at the Governor's." Mrs. Susannah Brush Barbar Fontaine died in York County September 20, 1756 leaving an estate valued at £750.2.0 ½.

• (Taken from Tyler's Quarterly, vol 3, p 299.
• William and Mary Quarterly, series 1, vol 5, p 213.
• Memoirs of a Huguenot Family, translated and compiled from the original autobiography of the Rev. James Fontaine, by Ann Maury; (New York, 1853), pp 325-328.
• York County records, Wills & Inventories, book 20, p 409.
• House History of Brush-Everard House, Research Department.)

DR. JAMES CARTER

James Carter was the son of John Carter, keeper of the Public Gaol (ca 1731-41). His mother was Thomasine Carter who died in 1743 leaving her property to her four sons, James Carter, John Carter, Thomas Carter and William Carter. John was a merchant in Williamsburg; James and William were apothecaries or surgeons.

James advertised drugs and medicines for sale in Williamsburg as early as 1751-52 at his shop, "the Unicorn's Horn" which was "next door to the Printing Office." In 1755 his friend, Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, included the following item in his will in which Carter was named as an executor:

"My good friend Doctor James Carter having behaved in a very kind manner to me in my sickness, I give and desire he will accept of my skeleton and injected child as an acknowledgment of the esteem and regard I have for him."

In 1764 James Carter purchased Lot 53 jointly with his brother, John, merchant. John's store occupied the eastern part of the lot from ca 1765 to 1779 (when he sold out to his brother, William). In 1767 James Carter's shop was described as being near the Raleigh Tavern rather than near the Printing Office as it had been designated in 1752.

During 1766-68 Dr. Carter's accounts for visits to college students and Indian boys at William and Mary College, were recorded in the College records.

In 1769 James Carter along with his brother, John, was appointed on a committee to direct the building of the new Courthouse for Williamsburg and James City county, on the Market Square.

From 1752 to 1759 Dr. James Carter owned Lot 262 on Nicholson Street now known as the "Tayloe House." His wife, Hester, is named in the deed of conveyance of 1759. It is believed that he made extensive changes to the property during his ownership. He was occupant of the Archibald Blair house on Nicholson street ca 1763. In 1769 Carter purchased the square bounded by Scotland, Boundary and Henry streets, and a lane running to the Palace property. This property he held until 1781 when he conveyed to William Holt.

Dr. Carter's wife, Hester, died in Richmond, in 1791. He married Sarah--and had an infant daughter, Elizabeth, at the time of his death in 1794. He was living in Richmond. He, however, still held ownership to Lots 165, 166 and 172 in Williamsburg--which property he had acquired in 1788 by way of Dr. Isaac Hall. His estate held these lots until 1819 when Milner Peters became the owner.

[For further details of Carter's association with these lots, see house history].

[Sources from which these notes were taken]

• York County records
• Virginia Gazette
• William and Mary College Faculty Minutes.
• Williamsburg Land Tax records
• Tayloe House History, Research Department
• Ms Account Book (probably) of Dr. James Carter (1752-1773) Research Dept.

HENRY CARY II

Henry Cary II was the son of the Henry Cary who built the Capitol, most of the Palace, and rebuilt the main building of the College of William and Mary after the fire of 1705. The first Henry Cary died in 1720. He is supposed to have married Judith Lothier, according to the Minutes of the Council of Colonial Virginia. Henry Cary II was born at "The Forest," in Warwick county, was educated at William and Mary College, and like his father, was a builder and contractor. In 1720 he was hired to finish the Palace; in 1722 he enclosed the Magazine and was its keeper until 1726. He is thought to have built the Brafferton building at the College in 1723. He also supervised work on the Chapel of the College and the President's house there.

Cary was married three times. By his first wife, Sarah Sclater, he had three children who died before maturity. By his second marriage to Anne Edwards, a daughter of John Edwards of Surry county, whom he married in 1729, he had four children. Archibald Cary, of this marriage, was born in or near Williamsburg in 1721. Around 1730 Cary moved to "Ampthill", in Chesterfield county, which house was completed in 1732. His third wife, Elizabeth, may have been Mrs. Elizabeth Russell, widow, who owned the lots and houses (165-166) east of the Palace in Williamsburg.

Cary's will, dated May 27, 1748, bequeathed a large estate to his wife and children. He left his wife, Elizabeth, one thousand pounds and the use of all his household goods, plate and some of his slaves during her natural life; also the two hundred and twenty pounds which he had received "for the sale of her house in the city of Williamsburg." He died in 1749 and was probably buried at "Ampthill" though no stone marks his grave there.

• (Taken from Tyler's Virginia Biography, vol I, p 205.
• Surry county court records: Will of John Edwards, (1713) Deeds 5 (1709-1715) p 147.
• Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, (1622-1676), p 258: Richmond 1914.
• R.K. Brock's Archibald Cary of Ampthill Wheelhorse of the Revolution (Richmond, 1937)

WILLIAM DERING

A Mr. Dering advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette (Benjamin Franklin, ed) on April 10, 1735 as "Dancing-Master, gives this Public Notice that he now divides his school in the Following Manner, viz: On Monday..." The same newspaper carried a notice on February 19, 1736 that "At the HOUSE of WILLIAM DERING in Mulberry-Street, is taught Reading, Writing, Dancing, Plain Work, Marking, Embroidery, and several other Works: where Likewise young Ladies and Gentlemen may be instructed in the French."

Doubtless this was the same William Dering who advertised in the Virginia Gazette 18-25 November, 1737, that "THIS is to give Notice, that this Day the Subscriber has opened his School at the College, where all Gentlemens Sons may be taught Dancing, according to the newest French Manner, on Fridays and Saturdays once in Three Weeks."

The next data concerning William Dering was in 1739 when at a court for York county an action of debt was brought by "William Prentis George Gilmer Henry Wetherburn and John Harmer Plts against W^m Dering otherwise called J W^m Dering of the County of Glos^r (Gloucester) Defend^t." (York County, Wills & Inventories, Book 18, p 549)

Dering seemed to be on intimate terms with William Byrd of Westover. Byrd records visits from Dering during 1740-1741:

In York county records (Wills & Inventories 1740-1746, pp 125, 350, 359, 370, 280, 386 and Judgments & Orders 1742-1752, pp 72, 77, 198, 339, 356, 394, 386) are suits against William Dering by Williams-burg people: Patrick Mathews, Sarah Packe, John Kendall, William Nelson, Richard Orton, James Mitchell, John Blair, Theophilus Pugh and others.

In 1742 Henry Cary and Elizabeth, his wife, sold lots 165 & 166 with houses thereon to William Dering. It is probable that Dering occupied the property until February, 1751 when it was sold at "outcry."

Two news items from the South Carolina Gazette of December 11, 1749 and November 12, 1750 respectively, indicate that a William Dering was teaching dancing in "the true French and most approved Method" and that he held balls. (The South Carolina Gazette 1732-1775, compiled by Hening Cohen, Columbia, 1953)

Dering's wife was Sarah _____.

THOMAS EVERARD

^{See W. & M. Hist.
Notes
Vol. II p. 255}

In 1743 Thomas Everard was clerk of Elizabeth city county, Virginia. By 1745 he was appointed deputy clerk of York County which was followed in November court of that year by his appointment to full clerk which office he held until his death in 1781. While Clerk of York county, it was necessary for him to live in the county. Hence, he owned property in that part of Williamsburg which lies in York County.

By 1751 Mr. Everard was probably living on Lots 165 & 166, for John Blair noted in his Diary of February 5, 1751, that he "Spent eveng (after a visit at Mr. Everard's) at Doctr Gilmer's." This would, probably, indicate that Everard was living in Williamsburg near Dr. George Gilmer who occupied lot 163--south of lots 165 & 166--until his death in 1757.

In 1770 Mr. Everard wrote John Norton, merchant in London, "Your Son has been sometime confined Sick at my Neighbor Mr. Wythes..." This would place Everard near the Wythe House.

In 1773 Everard purchased Lot 172 adjoining lots 165 & 166 to the rear-from John Blair- possibly to enlarge his garden.

Everard was Commissioner of Accounts in 1776. In 1781 he declined the office of Auditor of Public Accounts. He died sometime after October, 1781 (the last time his name is signed as Clerk of York county) and prior to February 19, 1782 when John Nelson was appointed Clerk in the room of Everard, deceased.

Williamsburg Land Tax records for 1783 list Everard as owner of three lots valued at four pounds, ten shillings.

Everard owned several pieces of property in Williamsburg at different times. In October, 1745 he purchased and probably occupied two lots on Nicholson street with a dwelling thereon: Lots 263 and 264. He sold the house and lots to Anthony Hay, later keeper of the Raleigh Tavern, on August 5, 1756, for £200. By that time he may have moved to the house on Palace street if he had not moved there before. In 1770 he purchased Lots 175, 176 and 177 on Scotland street adjoining the Palace to the east with all houses thereon, from Peyton Randolph, for £13.10.-. He deeded these three lots to John Blair in September, 1773 in exchange for Lot 172. Everard had a plantation, also, on Archer's Hope Creek near Williamsburg.

In 1766 Everard was Clerk of the General Court. In 1774 and in 1775 he was a member of the Williamsburg Committee to elect a representative to the Continental Congress.

Everard married Diana Robinson, daughter of Anthony Robinson [Jr] who died in 1756. Mrs. Everard was, evidently, dead when Robinson made his will as no mention is made to her though he mentions three daughters by name and bequeathed his son-in-law, Thomas Everard, £100. At Mrs. Diana Robinson's [Anthony] death, she bequeathed Everard's children, Frances and Diana £57 each and residue along with other heirs, and to Everard she left one slave. Both Anthony and Diana Robinson left a large estate: £974.16.9 and £1063.5.2 ½, respectively.

Everard's daughter, Frances, married the Reverend James Horrocks, President of William and Mary College (died 1772). She died in 1773, leaving no heirs. His daughter, Diana, married Dr. Isaac Hall, a noted physician of Petersburg. They had two children, Diana and Everard.

[Sources from which above notes were taken]

• York County records
• Virginia Gazette
• Williamsburg Land Tax records
• Diary of John Blair, copy in William and Mary Quarterly, series 1, vol 7, pp 134-153
• Swem's Virginia Historical Index
• John Norton & Sons, Merchants...

SUSANNA BRUSH BARBAR FONTAINE

Susannah Brush was the daughter of John Brush, gunsmith in Williamsburg, who kept the magazine arms and the arms in the Palace for Spotswood. She married prior to her father's death, Thomas Barbar, carpenter in Williamsburg. Shortly after Brush's death, Thomas Barbar bought the half interest in the Brush house from Elizabeth, sister of Susannah. Upon Barbar's death in 1727, Susannah Brush Barbar was executor. Barbar and Susannah seems to have had one living child, a daughter, and a child soon to be born. Susannah sold the house in 1728 to Elizabeth Russell. Probably ca 1737 she married the Rev. Francis Fontaine who taught at William and Mary College, and was rector in charge of Westover parish. Upon his death in 1749, Fontaine left his wife, Susannah, after disinheriting his son, Francis Jr (by a former marriage) "the residue to be disposed of as she shall think fit with a full Power and Authority as if I myself were living Relying intirely upon her Love and discretion in bringing up and providing for my five last mentioned Children [Mary Fontaine, John Fontaine, Thomas Fontaine, (by former marriage), James Maury Fontaine and Judith Fontaine]" Mrs. Susannah Fontaine was living in York county at the time of her death in 1756. She left the bulk of her estate (750.2.0 ½) to her two children by Fontaine: James Maury and Judith (not yet 21.)

[Sources for above statements]

• York County records, Wills & Inventories, Book 20, pp 171-2: Will of the Rev. Francis Fontaine.
• Ibid, pp 409-410: Will of Susanna Fontaine.
• Memoirs of a Huguenot Family, translated & compiled from autobiography of the Rev. James Fontaine by Ann Maury, a niece (New York, 1853) pp 325-328; 333-336
• York County records, Orders & Wills, Book 16, p 457: Will of Thomas Barbar.
• Ibid, Orders & Wills, Book 16, p 424: Will of John Brush.
• Ibid, Deeds 3, p 470: conveyance to Elizabeth Russell.

Two letters (one by Mary Ann Fontaine, sister to the Rev. Francis Fontaine, and one by the Rev. Peter Fontaine, a brother,) are given below as they throw light upon the character of Susannah Brush Barbar Fontaine.

Memoirs of a Huguenot Family, trans. & compiled from autobiography of Rev. James Fontaine by Ann Maury (New York: 1853) pp325-328.

[Letter of Mary Ann Fontaine Maury to her sister, September 2, 1745]

[writes of her brother, James and his family; brother, Peter, and his family; and brother, Francis and his family. Francis Fontaine married the widow of Thomas Barbar and daughter of John Brush, the gunsmith, who owned the Brush-Everard House in Williamsburg]

"Dear Sister:-
...
I wish it lay in my power to give you as pleasing a description of brother Francis, but to my great grief I cannot express the dismal state of his family. As for his first wife, she was, I believe, a good Christian, and very careful to instil good principles in her children; but she was not a fit wife for this country, ... She left one girl and three boys, and if it had pleased God to have taken them with her, it would have been a great blessing; for this woman he has married is a mighty housewife, but a cruel woman, and she has the entire dominion over her husband, so he has been induced to cast off all paternal duty to his first children. His eldest son Francis that was a boy of good parts, and was in the College, he bound to a carpenter, and when he was sick and in necessity he had no bowels of compassion for him. They are going to bind John to a carpenter. God in his great mercy hath lately taken the youngest son, named Thomas, from under her tyranny. As for poor Molly, the negro women she brought with her are more indulgently used than she is.

My brother has a boy and girl by her, and he spares no pains with the boy, who is about seven years old, who is a wonder for his age, while the others are castaways.

... I reminded him of his duty to his children, for which good will of mine we are quite rejected, as are all others that do not like of her doings. She is his only lawgiver, a terrible exchange for that of his Maker. Your most loving and
affectionate sister,
Mary Ann Maury

Mr. Maury tells me that my brother John knows my brother Francis's wife very well, if he can remember. She is the daughter of one Brush, who was a gunsmith to Col. Spotswood. He used to clean the magazines and the Governor's arms at the same time my brother John was at the Governor's."

[Note: John Fontaine, brother of Francis, arrived in Williamsburg on June 5, 1715 after a stormy voyage from Dublin and England. On the 7th he "waited upon Governor Spotswood, and he assured me of all he could do. He invited me to dine, which I accepted of." (In November he and Mr. Clayton "waited on Governor Spotswood, to tell him we were going to the Germantown. We breakfasted with him, and at nine we mounted our horses, and set out from Williamsburg..." By June 26th he had returned to Williamsburg where he appears to have remained quietly at Williamsburg until April, 1716 when he accompanied the Governor to Fort Christanna on the Meherrin river. On August 20, 1716 Fontaine accompanied the Governor and his party in the expedition over the Appalachian mountains. Upon their return the Governor presented his companions with a golden horse shoe with the inscription: "Sic juvat transcendere montes". (Taken from the Journal of John Fontaine, in Memoirs of a Huguenot Family by Ann Maury, New York, 1853)]

Memoirs of a Huguenot Family trans & compiled by Ann Maury (New York: 1853) pp. 333-336
[Letter of the Rev. Peter Fontaine of Westover, Virginia, to brother, Moses. Nov. 4th, 1749.]

"Dear Brother Moses:-
...
It is natural to pass from the dying to the dead. Poor brother Francis, ... was seized a few months since with a nervous fever, which in four or five days time deprived him of his life; and of his senses the very first day. He has left the disposal of all to his wife, who governed him and his with a heavy hand. His eldest son, by this means, will have nothing, and his second son, and his daughter by his first wife, but what she thinks fit to give them. [Francis and John are carpenters in North Carolina near Newbern]

James Maury, his son by this last wife, is a boy of fine parts, and I hear goes now to the college. If the vixen's over-fondness crush him not in the bud, he will, it is to be hoped, make an excellent man, for he knows more than any boy in the country of his age. His sister, the youngest of all, is a pretty girl, but so cockered, that it will not be the old lady's fault if she doth not spoil her quite. I hope better things, however, and that she may take more after poor Socrates than Xantippe.
...
Peter Fontaine."

Ibid, pp. 343-345.
[Rev. Peter Fontaine to Moses Fontaine, April 17, 1754] "...Molly Fontaine I have not heard from lately. She is whole sister to Frank and John above-mentioned, and I believe lives with my brother's widow, her mother-in-law, as yet unmarried, for what I know. Judith, the youngest of all my brother Frank's children, is with her mother [Susannah Brush Barbar Fontaine]"

DR. ISAAC HALL

Dr. Isaac Hall was the son of Edward Hall [of Prince George County]. He graduated in 1771 at Edinburgh University. He settled in Petersburg as an apothecary following his graduation. Through his mother, Dr. Hall was descended from Archibald Stuart. In 1779 he formed a partnership with Dr. John Shore in Petersburg. In 1791 he was sheriff of Prince George county.

Dr. Hall married Martha Everard, daughter of Thomas Everard, clerk of York county. They had two children: Everard Hall and Diana Hall.

Dr. Hall died in Petersburg in February, 1806. Will on record there.

Dr. Hall, apparently, became the owner of the Thomas Everard property in 1781. He sold it in 1788 to James Carter, apothecary.

[Sources for above information]

• Blanton's Medicine in the Eighteenth Century (Richmond, 1931) pp 28, 354
• Virginia Magazine of History, vol 6, p 422.
• William and Mary Quarterly, series 1, vol 9, p 123.

MRS. SUSANNA RIDDELL

In 1748, in York county, there was recorded a marriage agreement between George Riddle "Practitioner in Physick to William Nimmo, Trustee for Susannah Caines... By which marriage the said George among other things will be intitled to the sum of Nine hundred Pounds Current Money of the Island of S^t Kitts left to the said Susannah by her father as part of her fortune... [in case George die first, the sum and interest to be paid to said Susannah]".¹ Dr. Riddle of Yorktown died in 1779 leaving a will in which "he bequeathed unto Rachael and Camilla Warrington [nieces of Mrs. Riddle] each the sum of one thousand pounds current money; provided, and upon this express condition, they conduct themselves in a dutifull manner to my beloved Wife or marry with her Approbation; if unhappily either of them should disoblige my said Wife or marry without her Approbation, I do, in that case, desire my said Wife (she having been in every respect like a tending Parent to them) to give to each, at her Death such Portion or Portions of their said Legacy or Legacies as she may judge either or both of them to merit--As a further token of my great regard for Camilla Warrington, for her dutifull affectionate behaviour I give and bequeath unto the said Camilla the further sum of five hundred Current Money...[wife appointed executrix]."²

Following the death of Dr. Riddell, Mrs. Riddell moved to Williamsburg and rented the house formerly owned and occupied by Thomas Everard and then owned by Dr. Isaac Hall, Everard's son-in-law.³

In December, 1783 Mrs. Riddell advertised in the newspaper from Williamsburg that "ALL persons indebted to the estate of Dr. George Riddell, of York town, deceased, are desired to settle with the subscriber."⁴

In 1783-84 Mrs. Riddle and Lewis Warrington were attended by Dr. Galt in Williamsburg. In 1788-89 "Master Lewis Warrington's" Account with Dr. Galt is recorded. (Galt & Barraud Medical Acct Book, Col. Williamsburg Archives) Lewis Warrington was the son of Rachel Warrington.

Quoting from a manuscript: "Sketches and Reminiscencies of the Dabney and Morris Families (1850)" the following account of the Warrington girls is given:

"...
The wife of Col. William Dabney was a Miss Barret. Of her family my information is scanty... She had, I have understood, two brothers--one an Episcopal clergyman respected for his piety and amiable character... Another son of Parson Barret married Miss Camilla Warrington of Williamsburg-- a beautiful woman, but, as you will discover in the sequel, of no very delicate sensibilities. This lady was the sister of that Miss Warrington, who had an illicit amour with ^VicomteCounte Rochambeau during the revolution. The fruit of her frailty was the present Commodore [Lewis] Warrington.¹ After that gallant officer had distinguished himself in our naval service, the Count would have recognized him as a son; but the Commodore indignantly repelled these tardy overtures; declaring that he would never acknowledge as his father the man, who had dishonored his mother, and whose parental feelings had slumbered while he was in obscurity, awakening for the first time when he had won fame and rank by his own unaided exertions. To return to Miss Camilla Warrington. She lost her first husband, Mr. Barret, within a few years after their marriage, and did not suffer much time to elapse, before she consoled herself for the bereavement by contracting a second alliance. On this happy occasion nothing would content her but that her dear father-in-law should perform the ceremony; and accordingly she insisted upon celebrating the wedding at his house very much to the annoyance of his wife and himself. To crown the whole, and to shew how much she tendered the feelings of her dear father-in-law, her negro servant appeared the next morning equipped in the wedding-coat of her first husband still in a state of high preservation. The object of her last choice was M^r Semple, afterwards Judge Semple of the General Court..."²

Eliza Jaquelin Ambler Papers
Research Archives, CWI

[a story based on facts taken from letters of Eliza Ambler]

"Variety on the Vicissitudes of Life" [Yorktown, 1775--in the home of Jaquelin & Rebecca Ambler]

"... just at this Moment entered their good Neighbors: Doct^r R--ll and his wife with two blooming girls, of about 12 and 14 Years; whose faces were entirely new to every one of the House. I have heard strange news on the way said the good old Doct^r in his broad scotch Accent--for my part said his stately Lady, (born in the Island of S^t Kitts and educated in that style of elegance that a West-india plantation would justify) & during a seven Year residence in England) ...Whose girls are those...? Why surely... the said Lady-- Don't you remember to have heard that the poor Parson died at Hampton about a month ago, leaving these motherless children destitute--... good looking girls enough if the old people do not spoil them in their romantic notions of taking in destitute children--...

...
At this time (the Memorable Cold Winter of 79-80) many elegant French officers attached to splendid Men of War lying immediately before the town of York rendered it gay and delightful, ...

In spite of the inflexible Toryism of the good old Doct^r, the civilities of his courteous Lady and the sprightly Sallies of their younger Ward Miss Camilla, not forgetting the unremitted assiduities of the Elders to provide all the comforts and elegancies suited to French taste, The Officers of the Tender spent many of their evenings there and with the aid of their interpreters who constantly attended them, soon ingratiated themselves so completely that the good Doct^r almost lost sight of their being French, a people who till then he had viewed with National honor-- but the french officers were a different sort of people; they were devoted to the inhabitants; no mark of attention or respect were wanting.--to manifest their good feelings, and they were truly friends and Allies in this character... The entertainments given by them were Magnified at least they appeared so to persons unused to french style. ... the Miss W---s began to make a display of their influence over several of the french Officers to whom they Occasionally lisped a distorted jargon gathered from Old saws in the grammar or one of their lessons in the Verbs as 'Je vous aime' which would so delight the Old Count de R-- that he would frequently call upon his son the vicount to reply 'et moi aussi.' this would so intoxicate with delight the imprudent R C when uttered to her sister Camilla that she would almost have sacrificed her life as well as her home to have secured a continuance of the french compliments lavished upon her sister. [According to Miss Ambler, Rachel was not pretty as her sister but had scintillating wit]

Mr. A- saw with regret the conduct of young Ladies of whom he had no control and did not solicit a repitition of their visit when the Company dispersed..."

Eliza Jaquelin Ambler,¹ daughter of Jaquelin Ambler who was one of the executors of Susannah Riddle, further explains the tragedy of Lewis Warrington's birth:

[Ms to Eliza Jaquelin Ambler, York 1782]

"... You were of opinion that I was sometimes inclined to severity as to my strictures on Female Conduct particularly with regard to you old Friend R.C. yet the event has proved that I was right... she is Oh how shall I repeat, she is indeed lost to every thing that is dear to Woman--well might you say, how I hate the French, but why blame the Vicount: had she but kept in view the dignity of her Sex-- or had she poor soul been blest with a Mothers care in early life and been taught the heinousness of such a departure from Female rectitude all might yet have been well--...

Poor deluded girl I have not been to Wms-g since this unfortunate affair has been made public. I know not now to visit her... her sisters Mortification is beyond description--... the poor old Lady who has been inexorable, begins now to relent, and has been frequently to her Chamber and indeed when she imagined no one observed her embraced the child with great tenderness-- by the by we understand that he is a lovely little fellow (and are not children of this description always so) you will see how he will steal into the Old Ladies affections by and by.-- ..."¹

[Eliza Jacquelin Ambler to Miss Caines, niece of Mrs. Riddle], Bristol:1786.

"...
Your enquiry respecting R C are natural... it is a very remarkable instance in our country of that departure from Female rectitude which involves a family so irremediably. What a shock to your dear and respected Aunt-- had she lived however, there is not a doubt she would have been reconciled fully to the Mother for the childs sake, but never, never would she have heard the Vicounts name pronounced with any degree of patience. The little legacy she bequeathed to the child my Father will appropriate to his education, as soon as he is Old enough to receive one. What a lovely Boy he is, and how much does his playful Vivacity delight all who behold him, his eyes certainly are the finest I ever saw, ... I do not recollect whether I told You that my Father had authorized your relation P-Ls to make some enquiries on his return to England whether there was a prospect of inducing-- to acknowledge him, in a late letter received from Phs he says that all his efforts have been abortive that he had written to a friend of his near Paris whose friend was in habits of intimacy with the Vicount, but that he Seemed rather to avoid every thing that led to the subject appearing not to understand it at all.

And so both the Mother and child have nothing to expect from that source-- Ours is a happy country in that respect-- the Mother is treated kindly by her friends-- and the Boy will, under the direction, of Your Aunts Executors, my Father & M^r A[ndrews] receive every advantage that can be given him..."²

[Letter #7
Eliza Jaquelin Ambler to Mildred Smith 1786] "Williamsburg January 10, 1786
... Her [Miss Caines] arrival first at the Moment of her Aunts death, induces much commiseration; it would have been better however if her visit had been made when I was last here, for then it would have secured to her a larger portion of her Aunts wealth; and she would have had it in her power to administer that consolation which the poor old Lady then stood so much in need of (the dreadful cause of her suffering you well remember) Mortified & chagrined as poor M^rs Riddle was at the conduct of her eldest Ward Rachael: still was she ever on her guard lest something should escape her that might wound the fellings of that poor deluded Girl, and Oh her agony was indescribable whenever the sweet unoffending babe was brought into her presence, sometimes with her eye I tho[ught] she would Kiss him then send him away, and in a moment order that he might be brought back again; never did I see a greater conflict than hers in endeavouring to perform her duty and at the same time to preserve that dignity of character which so highly distinguished her... M^rs R a Westindian by birth with the Same sort of early habits [as her nephew from England who was there] and education, but from a long residence among us and with all the advantages of easy fortune, easy temper & quite a Virginia Lady, practising every domestic virtue the now and then, tenacious of her foreign dignity-- ..."¹

[Letter #9
Eliza Jaquelin Ambler to Miss Caines 1792] "... Louis... is becoming a very clever fellow his Mother has later [sic] married an obscure man in her neighborhood... but Louis will neither take his name or live with them he remains in Williamsburg and as soon as he has advanced enough will [be] placed at William and Mary College..."²

[Letter #20
Eliza Jaquelin Ambler to Frances Caines, [niece of Mrs. Riddle] Richmond, November 1820. "... Amongst other reflections, that have occurred in retaining our correspndence I have been led to Moralize on the fate of an Old Friend R C Warrington who at one time seems to have occupied much of our thoughts and in one of my letters to another dear friend of mine I see in introducing her to Your acquaintance a full development of poor R's
unfortunate disgrace, in the letter I also see your first introduction to the dear little Lewis, who you so often enquire after; in one of your last letters, You say can it be possible that the Capⁿ W. I have seen announced in the Liverpool paper as lately arrived in England with despatches from America is our dear little Lewis:-- it was the same little Lewis that we so fondly doted on, his conduct thro' life has been distinguished, and raised him to high standing in our Navy; and no doubt some future Historian will do him ample justice in his own Character, in private life he had been alike deserving. Soon after the last War with England he remained at Home-- his Mother dying about that time who you know married Richard Brown¹ of York and who with two daughters, had lived in great poverty--, tho generous Brother who [torn] heir to a thousand pounds bequeathed by your Good Aunt at his Mothers death nobly divided it with them, tho himself living on a Moderate Pay from our Government; and just then married to Cary King a very pretty amiable girl daughter of an old school mate of mine; they are living near Norfolk in great comfort he holding some office of the Navy Yard and standing high in the Confidence of his Country-- it has been several Years since I have seen him, and in his last visit to Richmond my health was too bad to invite him,-- it was a visit however of great interest to many-- and produced an excitement that is rarely experienced: How would you have felt my dear [line obliterated] hailed as one of the choicest guardians of his Country, called by the [illegible] & Voice of Virginia to receive a splendid sword as a token of their love and Gratitude to him-- it is impossible for me to describe the emotions produced in my mind,-- when I heard every voice unanimous in [illegible] and in rapture describe his modest feelings on the [torn] as he entered the Senate Hall, to receive his merited reward-- at the Merited instance my thoughts flew back to your Aunts room when first we saw the lovely Boy--, the Mothers half averted face as we alternately pressed him to our Arms-- and busy recollection carried me still farther Back and traced the time of two Years previous when on a visit to Williamsburg. I was ushered into see your aunt who [blurred] bustling with blended feelings of indignation and pity laid him in my lap and in an agony left the room--"²

Mrs. Riddle died after October, 18, 1785 and prior to December 24, 1785.¹ No will has been located though Miss Ambler in a letter to Miss Caines (1786 above quote) refers to "the little legacy she bequeathed the child [Lewis Warrington]."

Numerous suits by Mrs. Riddle and later by her executors (as late as 1795) for large debts owed to her, indicate her wealth.²

Lewis Warrington was born in Williamsburg on November 3, 1782 and died October 12, 1851. He attended William and Mary College in 1794--.¹ In 1800 he was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy. He soon after joined the Chesapeake and cruised in the West Indies during the last year of the naval war with France. He participated in the war with the Barbary corsairs in 1802-1807, serving on board the President, Vixon and Enterprise. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1805. In 1809 he was attached to the Siren on orders to proceed to Europe. Upon his return he was transferred to the Essex, which, made a voyage to Europe with dispatches.

In the War of 1812 Warrington was first Lieutenant of the Congress. He became master commandant of the Peacock in 1813.² In March, 1814 he encountered the British ship, Epervia and forced her to surrender. Congress presented him with a gold medal³ and Virginia a sword. From 1826-30 and from 1840-42 he held an administrative position with the navy board in Washington. In 1830-40 he was commandant of the Norfolk Navy yard. In 1842 Warrington was chief of the bureau of yards and docks. In 1844 he was secretary of the navy ad interim. In 1846 chief of the bureau of ordnance which position he held until his death in 1851.

Warrington married on March 3, 1817 Margaret Cary King of Norfolk.

[Notes on Lewis Warrington taken from Old Churches, Ministers and Families by Bishop Meade (1857)] Volume I, pp 232-234

"...
... The prayers and example of Commodore Warrington's pious grandfather [the Reverend Thomas Warrington] may have been among the means appointed of Providence for promoting the future greatness, and, what is infinitely better, the future piety, of Commodore Warrington. My residence in Norfolk, as minister of Christ Church, for two years, enabled me to form a just estimate of his character. Though his station was at the navy yard in Gosport, and his residence there, he was a most punctual attendant on the Sabbath in Christ Church, Norfolk. Mrs. Carrington [Eliza Ambler Carrington] speaks of the modest manliness, admired of all, with which he entered the Senate-Chamber to receive the sword which was voted him by the Legislature of Virginia. I have seen him on every succeeding Sabbath for the greater part of two years in a much more desirable and honourable place, when walking up the middle aisle of Christ Church with the same `modest manliness.' There was in him the dignity of the soldier and the modesty of the Christian blended together. He was not then in full membership with the Church, though all thought he might with propriety have been. But, even then, his devout behaviour and respectful use of the Prayer Book was an example to all others. As through life he had always, so far as I know and believe, been the friend of religion, and manifested it in those public ways required of naval officers, so, in his latter days, he sealed that testimony by entering into full communion with the Church of his choice and of his ancestors.

P.S.-- I have since discovered that the lady who patronized Louis Warrington was Mrs. Riddle, sister of the Rev. Thomas Warrington and greataunt of Commodore Warrington."

[Old Churches, Ministers and Families by Bishop Meade (1857)] Volume I, p 237
[relating to rebuilding the old wall at St. John's Church, Hampton] "The very next day I called on the late Westwood Armistead, Dr. William Hope, Captain Robert Lively... I proceeded to Norfolk, and with the assistance of Commodores Barron and Warrington, (the grandfather of the latter having been one of the ministers of the church,) Miles King, late Navy Agent, and Dr. William Selden... in a short time... a substantial [wall] and wrought-iron gate [was] placed at the entrance."

GALT AND BARRAUD APOTHECARY ACCOUNT BOOK (1782-1784)

THE SMITH FAMILY
(owners & occupants of the Brush-Everard House for nearly one hundred years)

Sydney Smith who acquired this property in 1849, was the son of Henry Smith of Yorktown. Smith graduated from the law school of William and Mary College in 1846. He had attended the College since the 1838 session and lived with Prof. Browne or B.E. Bucktrout. He practised his profession in Williamsburg. Smith married Virginia Bucktrout, of Williamsburg. There were seven children: Sydney, Henry, Alva, Martha, Virginia, Cora and Estelle.

Sydney Smith, the elder, died in 1881. Miss Cora died in 1939 and Miss Estelle in 1946. For some years they had taken in roomers and boarders--mostly college students though sometimes, summer tourists to the old city. Once a circus lion became loose on the Market Square. He ran across the Tucker garden, up the Palace Green and arrived at the Smiths', where he leaped over the picket fence and landed on the sisters' porch. He clutched at the shutters, dropped to the ground and hastened around the house where he ran into the arms of Uncle Nick, the old servant. Soon the trainers came with cage and carried him off. Next morning, so the story goes, Josephine, the servant, discovered in mud upon the porch, four paw prints. She was about to mop them off when Miss Estelle restrained her. Immediately, Miss Estelle appeared with brush and paint can and carefully daubed the paw prints over with enduring white lead.¹

[For further details of the Smith family, see: Architectural Report The Brush-Everard House, Block 29, Colonial Lots 165 and 166 (1950) by A.L. Kocher and Howard Dearstyne; with revision in 1952, Architectural Department, Colonial Williams-burg]

[Rev. Robert Rose was Chaplain to Alex Spotswood, minister of St. Annes' Parish, Essex Co., 1725-1746.]

[Invoice of Thomas Everard, Williamsburg] sent by John Norton & Sons, London

[Letter to Norton from Everard]

"Williamsburgh 10 Feb: 1773

"...
[Invoice inclosed]

"1 pr of Dutch Blankets

4 Strong Great Coats for Negros 2 for men about the House and 2 for Lads Postilions

6 Hair Lines for drying Cloaths

1 doz: Curry Combs 4 Mane Combs and Six brushes

100 lb White lead ground in Oyl

A Venison Pasty Pan

A Crate of Wash hand basons and chamber Potts

ENDORSED:
Virga. 10 Febry 1773/ Thos. Everard/ Rec'd 6 April/
Goods Entd. pa: 219/ Ansd. 29 May/ p Robertson."

(John Norton & Sons Merchants of London and Virginia, Richmond, 1937, pp 300-301)

[Letter to Norton from Everard]

"3 October 1773

"...
[Invoice inclosed]

"Invoice of Goods for T. Everard 2 October 1773

3 ps. Oznabs. and 2 ps. Hempen Roles

1 ps. blue Plains, 1 ps. dark Fustain, 1 ps. Rushia Drab

2 doz: pair Strong Yarn hose for Men

1/2 doz: pair boys Do, ½ doz: pr. Strong Worsted for Negro Men

1 doz: pair Mens Cotton hose at abt. 6/ middle size

2 doz: pair Womens Do. at abt: 4/6 Do

2 doz: pair Womens black Cal: Shoes (fives) those sent by Davis did not wear well very bad

1 doz: pair Strong Shoes for Negro Men

1 ps. Cambrick at abt: £3

1 ps. Super fine white Callico

1 ps. India Silk handkerchiefs

1 pr. black Silk breeches Pattern or anything that will wear better Garters and buttons

A Womans black flowered Sattin Cloak and Bonnet

½ lb black and White Sewing Silk

½ lb Do. Light Colour

4 lb Oznabrigs thread 2 lb blue thread

1 pair Super fine large blankets

1 Copper Kettle abt. 36 Gallons. 1 Copper pan to remove fire Coals

1 Shovel pr. tongs and Poker--2 Pewter Close stool pans large

4 lbs Pins different sorts, 500 White Chappel 1000 Comon Needles

2 Wheat Sives brass wire, 1 doz: Meal Sisters--6 Searches

6 Mopps 6 Scrubbing brushes 6 Hair brooms 2 Hearth Do.

6 Shoe brushes different sorts

100 feet window Glass--11 Inches by 9 ½

8 lb Hyson Tea, 6 lb Pepper, ½ lb Mace ¼ lb Cloves 1 lb Nutmegs

25 lb Salt Petre, 4 lb fig blue

2 lb Magnesia 1 lb best Jesuits bark powdered 4 oz. Rhubard powdered

4 oz. Jalop powdered, 4 oz. Ippecacunaha powdered

2 Ream whited brown paper. 1 Ream Pro Patria

Books. Spiritual Quixote printed for J Dodsley.

Letters on the improvement of the Mind for J.

Walker Charing Cross. Essay on the Character

Manners and Genius of Women in different ages

enlarged from the French--Printed for G. Robinson

Pater Noster Row.

ENDORSED:
Virga. 2 Octo. 1773/ Thos. Everard/Rec'd 20 Decr. /
Goods Entd pa: 295/ Ansd. the March/ p Robertson."

(John Norton & Sons Merchants of London and Virginia, Richmond, 1937, pp 353-355)

[Miss Estelle Smith's transcript of the writing on the Window Panes in the Brush-Everard House]

This letter was written in 1946.

"There is a small house on the east side of the Palace Green listed in Guide to Williamsburg Virginia. `The Restored Colonial City.' No 48. 1717-1719 as the Brush House. Knowing the Restoration Inc. recognise nothing in their area later than the eighteenth century. I make bold to ask No 48. be called the Brush House or the Sydney Smith House. As it has been owned by the Sydney Smith family since 1848. ninety years.

As dates on window panes are always misquoted I have made this copy for record. On pane in west window in library
A BRUSHE
1734.

On north window
F B S B
1796 Nov 23 01 fatal day.
On west window in dining room.
MARY W BYRD
ELIZA N PAGE
71
72"

The writer is inclined to believe that "Mary W. Byrd" was the daughter of William Byrd and Susan Lewis Byrd of Gloucester county, Virginia. She married Richard C. Coke Jr (born 1797) from Williamsburg.

"Eliza N Page," daughter of Mann Page, eldest son of Governor John Page, and Elizabeth Nelson, was born October, 1795.

Thus, Mary W. Byrd and Eliza N Page would be contemporaries. The Pages could have been living in the Brush-Everard House when this inscription was made. Mrs. John Page was occupying the property from ca 1812-1820.

LAY OF THE LOST LION

Advise me, Muse! How shall I tell in verse
The dire events that our historic town
Beheld of late, when through these peaceful streets
A lion rampant, rampaged up and down?
Lo, thus Sir Walter would essay to tell
In tragic numbers how the facts befell:

Leo at eve had ate his fill
So it was not with wish to kill
His dash for liberty he made.
He merely longed to seek the shade
Of some old garden, to forget
The circus din, his paws to wet
Once more in dew, and there to make
His lair till morning bade him wake.
But loud behind him broke the noise
Of those who followed, men and boys
Intent to capture him again,
To mew him in his narrow pen.

As chief who hears his warden call
"To arms! The formen storm the wall,"
The noble monarch of the waste
Sprang forward, then, increased his haste,
Sneaked round the fence of Tucker house
As quietly as the merest mouse.
Passed Thompson's gate, not paused, I ween,
Until the Audrey House was seen.
A moment then he turned to eye
His would-be captors drawing nigh,
A moment paused, then forward crept,
And on Miss Cora's porch he leapt.
Nay, dear Sir Walter Scott, it will not do!
Thy colour's all too faint for such a scene.
I'll turn to Campbell and request his aid
To tell what happened on the Palace Green:
In Williamsburg the sun was low
All gold the buttercups did glow,
While calm, Miss Cora's face did show
A peaceful sweet serenity.
But, oh, how different was the sight
How dreadful was Miss Cora's plight
When sudden clamour filled the night
With yells of wild ferocity.
The house shook as though steeds were driven
O'er wall and roof; a blind was riven,
As though a lightning bolt from Heaven
Has crashed its red artillery.

No, Campbell, no; thy words, though filled with fire,
Though spirited the tale thou dost relate
Still even thou canst not full justice do
To those fair ladies and their tragic state
When at their window the fierce lion sprung.
Perchance could Poe more fittingly have sung:

Once upon an evening rosy,
while they chatted calm and cosy Round the lamp whose radiance gleamed on polished furniture and floor,
Suddenly there rose a crashing sound of something madly dashing,
Madly stamping, fiercely smashing, smashing at the walls and door. "
!This a lunatic," they muttered,
"smashing in our ancient door.
This was never done before!"

Miss Estelle in indignation
made an angry declaration
That this racket on their threshold must be stopped forevermore.
Then her heart well nigh stopped beating,
and she pallid stood repeating
For she had a vision fleeting,
fleeting vision, nothing more Of a lion at the window.
"Sister, hear that awful roar.
'This a lion, nothing more!"

But Miss Cora's eyes were darting fire,
and loud she shrieked, upstarting:
"Make this circus put their lion back into his cage once more.
Make them give to us some token that they'll mend the blind he's broken.
Lo, I mean what I have spoken.
Take that beast from my front door.
Take his claws out of my shutters and his footprints from the floor."
The lion answered with a roar.

Alas! O Muse of Poesy divine,
E'en this great poet's measure is too weak
To do full justice to this moving theme
With tongues of men or angels though he speak.
Nay, to the future let us turn our eyes.
Perchance in days to come the world may see
A genius, golden-tongued, to fame arise
By telling with immortal minstrelsy,
In verses which will win him lasting glory,
Of "The Smith's Lion," the whole wondrous story.

[Letter from Miss Mary Johnston to Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin]

It has been so very many years since I wrote that old romantic novel, Audrey! At the time I read many things-- all that I could lay hands on-- about the Williamsburg of the first quarter of the eighteenth century. I tried for a certain accuracy, though of course all was idealized for fictional purposes. But it has been so long ago, and much that I had then in memory is now covered over. The books and articles that I read-- some of them owned, others from libraries-- are not available now.

I find in my shelves, however, Hugh Jones' Present State of Virginia printed in the year 1724, and read (page 30) "Bruton Church... near this is a large Octagon Tower which is the magazine and depository of arms and ammunition... not far from hence is a large area for a market place: near which is a Play House and a good Bowling Green... From the church runs a street northwest called Palace Street etc., etc.

It is my impression that this play House stood on the corner of Nicholson Street about where I have placed it in the story (somewhere near Mrs. Coleman's House). My description of it is imaginary. Nor when I described "a small white house which adjoined a larger building" (The play house) did I intend actually to copy or pre-empt the Page house. In short the novelist imagines. Charles Stagg was actually the head of the company which played here and his wife was Mary Stagg. They lived somewhere, so I put them there, beside the play house. But in the book, their actual domicile and their characters are alike imaginary. The bowling green could not have been far away. But the garden with arbor and grotto, etc., is imaginary though typical enough of the time.