Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

CARTER-SAUNDERS HOUSE
Colonial Lots 333, 334, 335, 336 Block 30

OWNERS:

[Parts of the lot were sold at different times. See house history]

The above title represents the lot on which the house stands.

INDEX

References to architectural changes in house, interior &c.; outbuildings, yards and gardens.

HOUSE:

[numbers refer to page]

additions

25, 31

bricks

36

cellars

34

chamber

35

closet

27, 30, 34, 48

columns

59

covered-way

30

doors

58

ell

60

floor

20, 53, 58, 59

gardens

10, 14, 31, 46, 51, 52

garret

54, 58

gate

28, 31

glass (window)

28, 34, 53

grates

28

hearths

20, 36

lathes

36, 48

library

30, 53, 54

locks

30, 34

pailings

31, 40

paint

25, 45, 51

panes

28, 34, 51

pantry

25, 26

passages

20, 35, 47

plastering

36, 48, 53

portico (porch)

48, 52, 59, 60

roof

52, 53, 54

rooms

bed

30, 52

dining

51

library

30, 53, 54

parlors

20

study

26, 34

shingles

25, 34

shop

10, 14

staircase

20

stairs

35

steps

27, 48

study

25, 34

study

25, 26, 34

tower

60

underpining

27, 36, 48, 51

wallpaper

20, 21, 58

walls

26, 52, 60

window (overhanging)

25

wing

48

whitewashing

47, 55

OUTBUILDINGS:

barn

59

carriage house

59

chariot house

31

coachman's house

59

corn house

31

dairy

48, 51

kitchen

28, 47, 56, 59, 60

laundry

28

meat house

16, 40

ovens

28, 60

quarters (slave)

59

shop

10, 14

smoke house

36, 48, 51

stables

16, 31, 33, 46, 48

storeroom

30

wall (brick)

52

well

28, 48

yard

10, 14, 51

Photostat copy of the Williamsburg Plat in "Williamsburg the Old Colonial Capitol" by Lyon G. Tyler

[January 1961]

[This material was found after the house history was written. At the time we did not have the microfilms of the Carter Papers. M.A.S.]

Robert Carter to Thomas Bladon, London, asked him to send over wall paper for his house [in Williamsburg]. The dimensions of each room is given. It follows:

ROBERT CARTER LETTERBOOK 1761-1764. MS. C.W. Archives. C.W. Mic. M-114. pages 18-21.

"W^msburg 16^th Febry: 1762.

...shall write my Steward to Ship Three Ton of Tobo on board the John for y^o to sell - The Articles mentioned in y^e inclosed Invoice I desire may be forwarded by the first Vessel y^t sails f^r Virginia; Mr Nicholas's old House in y^s City is w^t I am about to repair: I would even agree to send a boat up to Annapolis to have y^e Goods expeditiously; insure y^m & reship y^e like kinds if lost.- ... R.C.

Invoice inclose in y^e Above Letter.

Paper to hang 3 Parlours all of y^e following dimentions: round y^e 4 sides of one Parlour measures 55 Feet f^m y^e Floor to y^e Cieling 11 Feet.

The 1^st Parlour a good Paper of a Crimson Colour- The 2^d Parlours a better Paper, a white ground w^th large green leaves. The 3^d Parlour best Paper a blue ground w^th large Yellow Flowers.

Paper proper to hang a Passage & Stair Case, round y^e Passage measures 64 Feet, f^m y^e Floor to y^e Cieling 11 Feet, I want paper f^r 2 Passages of y^s Dimentions- The length of y^e Stair Case 36 Feet f^m y^e Wainscot up y^e Stairs to y^e Cieling 10 Feet-

Three p^r Yellow silk & worsted Damask festoon Window Curtains f^r a Room 10 Feet pitch To Yellow silk & worsted Damask to y^e Seats of 18 comen Chairs- To a Mirror 4 Feet by 6-½ y^s width & Breadth to be f^m y^e between part of y^e Frame; y^e Glass to be in many places agreeable to y^e present fashion- Three marvell [sic] hearth slabs 4 Feet by 18 Inches to be wrought very thin, & a good Polish- Four large best wrought brass Sconces--Two glass Globes f^r Candles to light a Stair Case- Two mortice door Locks, no hinges- 150 w^t white Lead not ground- a levigating Stone to grind Paint, no Muller- Two doz: brass Casters with leather rollers & screws f^r y^e same- One gross Gards- 1 Copper Coal Scuttle One tin Coal Scuttle, A Wilton Carpet to fit a Room as p^r Figures.

To Tho^s Bladon Esq^r Dover Street Piccadilly, London, by y^e Diana Cap^t Adame."

LOCATION:

The house now known as the "Carter-Saunders House" is located on the west side of the Palace Green near the Governor's Palace. On late eighteenth and early nineteenth century plats of the city, the lots are numbered "333, 334, 335, 336" and "Saunders". See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map on page opposite.

HISTORY:

It is difficult to explain why there is a gap of more than forty years between 1706, the date when this part of Williamsburg became important, and 1746, the date of the first known record of this property. It would seem that the location of the Governor's house adjoining to these lots in 1706¹ would have made lots 333-336 most desirable at a very early date. Court records disclose that the property directly south of these lots, now known as the "Deane House", was owned as early as 1720 by John Holloway who served as Speaker and Treasurer of the Colony of Virginia as well as the first mayor of Williamsburg. Across the Palace Green, the "Brush-Everard House" was acquired in 1716; and the "First Theatre Lot" in 1717. All of these lots lie in the York County part of the city, and York county records are extant. Yet, careful research into the York records has revealed nothing as to the owner or owners of Lots 333-336 prior to 1746 when they were conveyed by Charles Carter of King George County to Robert Cary of London. The only explanation 2 which the writer can subscribe to is that such earlier conveyances were recorded in the General Court records. These records were burned many years ago.

Significant facts about the Carters and their Williamsburg property which may or may not have bearing upon Lots 333-336 prior to 1746, are given below:

ROBERT CARTER (known as "King"), father of Charles Carter, owned property in Williamsburg. In his will (written in 1726 with several codicils; and proved in 1732) there are three references to his property in the city.¹ In his final disposition, he wrote: "I do give and devise unto my son George² all my lands & estate of Rippon Hall...& my houses & estate in W^msburg..."³ The will further provided that should George die without male heirs the property would go to George's brother, Landon, and if Landon had no heirs, on down to Robert, his male heirs &c. George died without heirs in January 1741/42. Although part of his estate was offered for sale in 1746 in the Virginia Gazette, (the year Lots 333-336 were sold by Charles Carter), there is no evidence as yet found to point to anything more than a coincidence in dates.

Robert Carter was born in 1663 at "Corotoman", Lancaster county, son of John Carter, Burgees and Member of the King's Council. Robert Carter was Treasurer of the Colony of Virginia 1699-1705 and Councillor 1699-1732. In July, 1726 as President of the Council, he served as acting Governor from the death of Drysdale until the arrival of William Gooch in October, 1727.⁴

In 1729 Carter wrote to Richard Hickman, clerk of the Committee of Propositions and Grievances of the House of Burgesses and Clerk of the General Court, relative to his property in Williamsburg:

Sep: 17. 1729

"Sirs,
I have this day heard by M^r Stagg that Lewis Countess¹ my Tenant is lately dead. y^t his Widow is removed, hath left all his Goods & hath locked up into y^e House, & as she sayes for me. He owed me on the ninth of August last for seven Years Rent at eight Pounds p^r Ann of which forty seven pounds five shillings remains unpaid ... It seems there is a Woman & her Daughter that have possessed themselves of my Kitchen & have been denied by M^r Countess to take Care of my dwelling House: I must leave it to you either to continue these people there or else if you can meet with a person whom you like better to place them in y^e Room to remove them. The Furniture in my dwelling House cost me about fifty pounds Sterl. The Care of them & y^e Housing, I am might[y] desirous should be put into Y^e [torn] some honest Body".²

GEORGE CARTER, son of Robert ("King") Carter, who was bequeathed his father's Williamsburg property in 1732, died in England in 1741/42. His will, probated in England, made certain statements such as: "as for certain parts of my real and personal I leave to my brother John in trust. Such of my brothers as are entitled by my father's will shall have no share from the sale of lands or the residue of my estate unless they bring into Hotch Potch,³ the lands to which they succeed my death, and all the Slaves, Stock, etc."⁴

An "Act to vest certain Lands therein mentioned, whereof George Carter, Esq; lately died seised, in fee-simple, in certain trustees therein named, to be sold, for the performance of his Will" was passed in September, 1744 by the Virginia Assembly.¹ The Act seems to apply, principally, to the lands of George Carter, deceased, which lay in Prince William and Fairfax counties; however, three clauses in the above cited Act may indicate that Charles Carter may have come into Lots 333-336 in Williamsburg by purchase from the trustees of George Carter's estate: (1) "and as to the rest of his real estate, he [George Carter] did devise the same to his brother John Carter, esq; and his heirs, in trust; nevertheless, that he should sell the same, and apply and pay the money arising by the sale, to such persons,..." [according to the laws of Virginia]; (2) "And whereas the said John Carter never executed the trust reposed in him by the said will, and lately departed this life,...", and (3) [trustees appointed to handle or sell George Carter's large acreage in Prince William and Fairfax counties] "and all other the lands and tenements in this colony, where of the said George Carter died seised, in fee simple."

This Act was enacted in September, 1744. If Charles Carter of "Cleve", brother of the deceased George Carter, purchased Lots 333-336 from the trustees named to settle George Carter's estate after his brother, John, had died before carrying out the will (as was stated)-, this would explain the mystery of the early history of this desirable property prior to 1746 (when Charles Carter conveyed it to Robert Cary). It would place the lots in the possession of 5 Robert Carter ("King") as early, perhaps, as 1706.¹

We do not know the location of Robert Carter's property in the city. It seems possible that the Carters may have owned Lots 333-336 for many years as they had been prominent in the affairs of the Colony for a long time, would have been in a position, financially, to own the most desirable lots in Williamsburg, and been able to keep such property in the family as they did with other vast holdings throughout the Colony.

CHARLES CARTER, son of Robert, was a Burgess representing King George county 1734-1764. He was known as "Charles Carter of Cleve."² In 1740 William Byrd II, member of the Council, was staying in Williamsburg. He states in his Diary that he "visited Charles Carter and then Colonel Grymes, then went to the Capitol and sat till 2..."³ There is evidence that, in 1735, Carter had suits in York County Court for debts against John Mundell [jailor], James Geddy [jeweller], William Ford, John Parks, Francis Fontaine and others, in the city.⁴

Charles Carter, owner of Lots 333-336 in 1746, conveyed the property to Robert Cary, London merchant:

[March 27, 1746]

[Charles Carter of King George County
to
Robert Cary⁵ of London, merchant
Consideration: £103.8.0]

"THIS INDENTURE made the twenty Seventh Day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and forty six BETWEEN Charles Carter of the County of King George Esq^r of the one part and Robert Cary of London 6 Merchant of the other part WITNESSETH That the said Charles Carter for and in Consideration of the sum of One hundred and three Pounds eight Shillings to him in hand paid by the said Robert Cary before the Sealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt Whereof the said Charles Carter doth hereby acknowledge and thereof Doth acquit and Discharge the said Robert Cary, his Executors and Administrators he the said Charles Carter HATH Granted Bargained Sold Alien'd Enfeoff'd and Confirmed and by these presents DOTH Grant Bargain ... unto the said Robert Cary and to his heirs and Assign ALL that Messuage Houses and Four Lotts of Land situate in Palace Street in the City of Williamsburgh and Described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 333 " 334 " 335 " 336, together with all Buildings Houses Out Houses Yards Gardens Easiments Ways Waters Water Courses profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Messuage Houses and Lotts of Land belonging... And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Right Title Interest Use Trust property Claim and Demand of him the said Charles Carter of in and to the said Messuage ... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ... To the only Use and behoof of him the said Robert Cary his Heirs and Assigns forever And the said Charles Carter for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrators doth Covenant Grant and Agree to and with the said Robert Cary his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in Manner and form following that is to say that he the said Charles Carter at the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents is and stands Lawfully seised of and in the above Granted Premises and every part thereof of a Good sure perfect Absolute and Indefeazible Estate of Inheritance in Fee simple ... and that the said Messuage Houses and Lotts of Land and every part thereof with the Appurtenances is free and Clear from all other Bargains Sales Gifts Grants Feoffments Entails Wills Dowers Mortgages and all other Incumbrances whatsoever ... IN WITNESS whereof the said Charles Carter hath hereunto set his Hand and affixed his seal the Day and Year first above written.
Ch: Carter (L.S.)

Sealed and Delivered
in Presence of
Tho^s Everard.
Ben: Waller.
John Collet.
Thomas Dickson"

¹ [Rec. York County
May 19, 1746.]

From the above quoted deed we see that there were buildings on the four lots and that the conveyance was in fee simple.

Cary held the property a little over a year when he conveyed to Dr. Kenneth McKenzie of Williamsburg for £224.13.2. Cary bought the property for £103.8.0. Evidently, extensive repairs or building was done during Cary's ownership. The deed of conveyance follows:

[October 7, 1747]

[Robert Cary of London
to
Kenneth M^cKenzie¹ of Williamsburg
Consideration: £224 13 shillings 2 pence current
money]

"THIS INDENTURE made the Seventh day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty Seven And in the twenty first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second now King of Great Britain &c.

BETWEEN Robert Cary of the City of London Esq^r of the one Part and Kenneth M^c Kenzie of the City of Williamsburgh in the Colony of Virginia Doctor in Physick of the other part WITNESSETH that the said Robert Cary for and in Consideration of the Sum of Two hundred and Twenty four Pounds thirteen shillings and two pence Current Money of Virginia to him in hand well & truly paid by the said Kenneth M^cKenzie at or before the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged HATH granted bargained sold aliened enfeoffed and Confirmed And by these presents DOTH grant bargain sell alien enfeoff and confirm unto the said Kenneth M^c Kenzie and to his Heirs and Assigns all that Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land situate in Pallace Street in the said City of Williamsburgh and described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 333, 334, 335, 336, and is the Messuage House and Lotts of Land which the said Robert Cary purchased of Charles Carter of the County of King George Esq^r and was by the said Charles by Indenture bearing Date the seventh day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and forty six conveyed to the said Robert Cary as by the said Indenture duly recorded in the County Court of York Relation being thereunto had may more fully appear together with all Buildings Houses Outhouses Yards Gardens Easments ways waters Watercourses profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Messuage Houses and Lotts of Land and all and Singular other the above granted Premises and every part and Parcel thereof with the Appurtenances TO HAVE AND TO HOLD... unto the said Kenneth M^cKenzie his Heirs and Assigns... forever AND the said Robert Cary for himself his Heirs Executors & Administrators doth convenant grant and agree to and with the said Kenneth MacKenzie... in manner and form following (that is to say) That the said Robert Cary at the sealing and Delivery of these Presents is and stands lawfully and 8 rightly seised of and in the above granted Premisses and every part thereof a good sure perfect absolute and indefeazible Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple AND also that the said Kenneth Mackenzie his Heirs and Assigns shall and may for ever after peaceably and quietly have hold use Occupy possess and enjoy the said hereby granted premisses with the Appurtenances and every part thereof without the lawful Lett Suit Trouble Eviction Ejection or Molestation of him the said Robert Cary his Heirs or Assigns... and that the said Messuage houses and Lotts of Land and every part thereof with the Appurtenances is free and clear from all other Bargains Sales Gifts Grants feoffments Entails wills Dowers Mortgages and all other Incumbrances whatsoever AND lastly That he the said Robert Cary for himself and his heirs the said granted Premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Kenneth Mackenzie his Heirs & Assigns against the lawfull Title claim and demand of him the said Robert Cary his Heirs and Assigns and all other Persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever Defend by these presents IN WITNESS whereof the said Robert Cary hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his Seal the day and year first above written.
Robert Cary (L.S.)

SEALED and DELIVERED
in the presence of us
Andr^w Watson
Ant^o Walke jr
Edmond Blandy

RECEIVED the day & year first within mentioned of the within named Kenneth Mackenzie the Sum of Two hundred and twenty four pounds thirteen Shillings and two pence Current Money being the Consideration Money within mentioned to be paid by him to me.
Robert Cary.

WITNESS
And^w Watson
Ant^o Walke jun^r

At a Court held for York County the 18^th day of July 1748.
THIS INDENTURE and the Receipt endorsed were proved by the Oath of Andrew Watson a Witness thereto. At a Court held for the said County the 15^th Day of May 1749 The said Indenture was further proved by the Oath of Edmund Blandy a Witness thereto and At a Court held for the said County the 19^th Day of September 1749. the said Indenture and Receipt were proved by the Oath of Anthony Walke Jun^r the other Witness thereto and ordered to be Recorded.
Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:"

¹

In this conveyance to McKenzie the property is described by lot 9 numbers 333, 334, 335 and 336 and also, designated as "situate in Pallace Street". Though the money named was received by Cary in 1747, it was not until September, 1749 that the indenture and receipt - having been properly proved by the three witnesses, - was ordered to be recorded.

During his occupancy of the property (and sometime prior to December, 1750) McKenzie had erected a shop which he undoubtedly used as his apothecary shop in connection with his profession, and a meat house which encroached upon the property of his neighbor on the south.¹

In December, 1751 McKenzie's house became of great importance in the life of Williamsburg when the Council was forced to find a suitable residence for the incoming lieutenant-governor, Robert Dinwiddie.² The Palace had for several years been in a "ruinous Condition."³ A committee composed of John Blair and Philip Ludwell, was appointed to find a temporary residence for the Governor. Though the committee considered Ludwell's⁴ property, they selected Doctor McKenzie's as the more proper place. Thus, it came about that Dr. McKenzie gave up his property for the use of the Governor:

[December 20, 1750]
[Dr. Kenneth McKenzie of Williamsburg
to
Philip Grymes in trust for use of the Governor
"Consideration: £537 30 shillings current money]

10

"THIS INDENTURE made the twentieth day of December in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifty one BETWEEN Kenneth Mackenzie of the City of Williamsburgh Doctor of Physick and Joanna his Wife of the one part and the Honourable Philip Grymes Esq^r his Majestys Receiver General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia of the other part WITNESSETH that the said Kenneth M^cKenzie and Joanna his Wife for and in Consideration of the Sum of five hundred and thirty seven Pounds ten Shillings Current Money to him in hand paid by the said Receiver General at or before the ensealing and delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof he the said Kenneth Mackenzie doth hereby Acknowledge Have Granted Bargained Sold Aliened Enfeoffed and Confirmed And by these presents DO Grant Bargain sell Alien Enfeoff and Confirm unto the said Philip Grymes his Heirs and Assigns IN TRUST and to and for the Purposes herein after mentioned ALL that Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land Sictuate in Palace Street in the said City by the Numbers 333. 334. 335. 336. and are the Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land which the said Kenneth Mackenzie purchased of Robert Cary of the City of London Esq^r and were by the said Robert by Indenture bearing date the seventh day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & forty seven Conveyed to the said Kenneth Mackenzie as by the said Indenture duly recorded in the County Court of York relation being thereunto had may more fully appear And all Buildings Houses Outhouses (Except one House thereon being to wit the shop of the said Kenneth Mackenzie which he the said Kenneth is to remove off the Premises within six Months from the date of these presents) together with the Yards Gardens Ways Waters Water Courses Profits Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Messuage Houses and Lots of Land belonging or in any wise appartaining And all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said Kenneth and Joanna Mackenzie of in and to the said Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land (except as above excepted) and Premises and every part thereof TO have and to hold the said Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land and all and singular other the Premises with their Appurtenances (except as before is excepted) unto the said Philip Grymes his Heirs and Assigns forever IN TRUST and to and for the Use of his Majestys Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief of the said Colony for the time being for so long time as the said Governor or Commander in Chief shall with the Advice of his Majestys Council of the said Colony think fit to hold and occupy the same and afterwards IN TRUST to Convey the same in fee Simple to such Person or Persons his Heir or their Heirs and Assigns as the said Governor or Commander in Chief with the Advice of the said Council shall order and direct and to no other Use or Purpose whatsoever AND the said Kenneth Mackenzie for himself his Heirs Exors and Admors doth Covenant Grant and Agree to and with the said Philip Grymes his Heirs Exors Admors and Assigns in Manner and form following (that is to say) that he the said Kenneth Mackenzie at the Sealing & Delivery of these presents is and stands lawfully and rightfully Seised of 11 and in the above granted Premises and every part thereof of a good sure perfect and indefeazable Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple And that the said Messuage Houses and four Lotts of Land and every part thereof with the Appurtenances are free and clear from all other Gifts Grants Bargains and Sales Feoffments Intails Wills Dowers Mortgages and all other Incumbrances whatsoever AND Lastly that he the said Kenneth Mackenzie for himself and his Heirs the said granted Premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Philip Grymes his Heirs and Assigns against him the said Kenneth Mackenzie his Heirs and Assigns and against all other Persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend by these Presents IN WITNESS whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their hands and Seals the day and Year first above written.
Ken: Mackenzie (L.S.)
Joanna Mackenzie (L.S.)

Sealed & Delivered by the said
Kenneth Mackenzie & is in presence of
George Davenport
John Robinson
John Carter
John Fergusson

January 3^d 1752.
M^rs Joanna Mackenzie Signed Sealed and
Delivered this to be her Act and Deed in
Presence of
Dudley Digges Jun^r Ellyson Armistead.

Received this twentieth day of December 1751 of his Majestys Receiver General the Sum of five hundred and thirty seven Pounds ten Shillings Current Money being the Consideration Money within mentioned.
Ken: Mackenzie.

Witness
John Carter
John Fergusson
George Davenport
John Robinson

At a Court held for York County the 20^th day of January 1752.
This Indenture and the Receipt endorsed were Acknowledged by Kenneth Mackenzie party thereto and together with the Commission annexed and the Certificate of the Execution thereof Ordered to be recorded
Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:"

¹

Let us notice that each time that the lots have been conveyed there has been a considerable increase in the amount paid. In 1746, Cary paid Carter £103.8.0; in 1747, McKenzie paid Cary £224.13.2; 12 and in 1750, Grymes, as the Governor's representative, paid McKenzie £537.30.0. This would indicate that extensive changes had been made which enhanced the property. Let us notice, also, that McKenzie in the conveyance agreed to "remove [the shop] off the Premises within six Months" from the date of the conveyance. The lots are clearly designated in the deed by number and by former owners.

According to the Diary of John Blair, Dinwiddie arrived in Williamsburg on the 21st of November, 1751. He was met and ushered into town. Following his speech at the Governor's house, he was administered the oath of office, dined at Wetherburn's with the mayor, aldermen of the city and members of the Council, and then returned to Yorktown that night, probably as a guest of Nelson. He returned to Williamsburg on the 22^nd in the evening with his wife and daughters and went to Mr. Randolph's, the attorney general, for the night. On the 25^th the Governor and some of his family dined and supped with Mr. Blair. On the 27^th the Governor dined at Dr. Gilmer's on his birthday. By the 18^th of December, Doctor McKenzie had brought a deed prepared for his wife to join in. On the 27^th of December, evidently, the Governor was established in McKenzie's house as Blair notes: "Col. Ludwell and his lady, &c. came to town, and dined w^th y^e Gov^r."¹

Governor Dinwiddie and his family occupied McKenzie's house from ca. November, 1751 to ca. November, 1752.²

When George Washington returned from his trip to the Barbadoes and was invited to dine with Dinwiddie in late January, 1752-, the Governor was certainly living in the former McKenzie dwelling.¹

From November, 1752 to December, 1753 we do not know what disposition was made of McKenzie's house following the Governor's removal to the Palace. It was under the supervision of Philip Grymes, Receiver General of the Colony. It could have been rented or closed up pending future plans for disposal.

On December 19, 1753 Grymes conveyed the property to Robert Carter Nicholas² at a consideration price of £450. Certain restrictions in the deed will be discussed later:

[Philip Grymes, Receiver General of
[December 19, 1753]
Virginia
to
Robert Carter Nicholas
Consideration: £450]

"THIS INDENTURE made the 19^th day of December in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifty three BETWEEN the Honble Philip Grymes Esq^r his Majestys Received General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia of the one part and Robert Carter Nicholas of the City of Williamsburgh Attorney at Law of the other part WHEREAS Kenneth M^cKenzie and Joanna his Wife by their certain Indenture bearing date the twentieth day December in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifty one made between the said Kenneth and Joanna his Wife of the one part and the said Philip Grymes of the other part Did Grant Bargain Sell Alien Enfeoff and Confirm unto the said Philip Grymes his Heirs and Assigns IN TRUST and to and for the Purposes in the said Indenture mentioned ALL that Messuage Houses and four Lots of Land Situate in Palace Street in the said City of Williamsburgh and described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 333. 334. 335. 336. and are the Messuages Houses and four Lots of Land which the said Kenneth M^cKenzie purchased of Robert Cary of the City of London Esq^r and were by the said Robert by Indenture bearing date the seventh day of October in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and forty seven conveyed to the said Kenneth M^cKenzie as by the said Indenture duly recorded in the County Court of York...And all Buildings Houses and Outhouses (Except one House thereon being to wit 14 the Shop of the said Kenneth M^cKenzie which he the said Kenneth was to remove off the said Premises within six Months from the Date of the said Presents) together with the Yards Gardens Ways Waters Water Courses Profits Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Messuage Houses and Lots of Land belonging or in any wise Appertaining and all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said Kenneth and Joanna M^cKenzie of in and to the said Messuage Houses and four Lots of Land (Except as above was excepted) and Premises and every part thereof To have and to hold... unto the said Philip Grymes his Heirs and Assigns forever IN TRUST and to and for the Use of his Majestys Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Chief[sic] of the said Colony for the time being for so long time as the said Governor or Commander in Cheif[sic] should with the Advice of his Majestys Council of the said Colony think fit to hold and occupy the same and afterwards IN TRUST to Convey the same in Fee Simple to such Person or Persons his her or their Heirs and Assigns as the said Governor or Commander in Chief with the advice of the said Council should Order & direct and to no other use or purpose whatsoever NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Philip Grymes in Consequence of the Trust reposed in him and by the Orders and Directions of the Honble Robert Dinwiddie Esq^r Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia with the Advice of his Majestys Council for and in consideration of the Sum of four hundred and fifty Pounds to him as Receiver General in hand Paid by the said Robert Carter Nicholas at or before the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof the said Philip doth hereby Acknowledge and thereof Acquit and discharge the said Robert his Executors and Administrators HATH Granted... unto the said Robert Carter Nicholas his Heirs and Assigns forever ALL the before mentioned Messuage Houses and four Lots of Land Situate in Palace Street in the City of Williamsburg and described... by the Numbers 333. 334. 335. 336. together with all Buildings Houses Outhouses... & Appurtenances whatsoever... And all the Estate Right... and Demand whatsoever of him the said Philip Grymes of in and to the said Messuage Houses and four Lots of Land and of every part and parcel thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD... unto the said Robert Carter Nicholas his Heirs and Assigns To the only proper use and behoof of the said Robert Carter Nicholas... forever And the said Philip Grymes as Receiver General of the Colony aforesaid doth for himself and his Successors Covenant and Agree to and with the said Robert Carter Nicholas his Heirs and Assigns in manner and form following (that is to say) That he the said Philip Grymes at the time of Sealing and Delivery of these Presents is and stands lawfully seised by and in the above Granted Premises... in fee Simple but in Trust for the Uses above mentioned and that the said Messuage Houses and four Lots of Land and every part thereof are free and clear of all other Grants... and other Incumbrances whatsoever... IN
15 WITNESS whereof the said Philip Grymes hath hereunto set his hand and Affixed his Seal the day and Year within written.
Philip Grymes (L.S.)

Signed Sealed and Delivered in Presence of
W^m Nelson
Robert Burwell
Pet: Hay
Alex^r Finnie

Received this 19^th day of December 1753 of Robert Carter Nicholas the sum of four hundred and fifty Pounds it being the Consideration within mentioned.
Philip Grymes.

Witness
Pet: Hay
Alex^r Finnie

At a Court held for York County the 21^st day of January 1754. This Indenture and the Receipt endorsed were proved by the Oaths of Peter Hay and Alex^r Finnie Witnesses thereto and at a Court held for the s^d County the 18^th day of March 1754 the said Indenture was proved by the Oath of William Nelson Esq^r a Witness thereto and together with the said Receipt Ordered to be recorded.
Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:"

¹

We learn from the above deed of conveyance to Nicholas that Grymes held the property in trust for the state but it was a fee simple conveyance from McKenzie; that McKenzie had not removed the shop on the property as a former deed had ordered, and that the shop was still excepted in the conveyance to Nicholas. The lots were numbered in the deed and a recital of former owners noted; and Grymes had sold the property "by the Orders and Directions of the Honble Robert Dinwiddie Esq^r Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony... with the Advice of his Majestys Council."

The four lots were owned by Robert Carter Nicholas from 1753 to 1761. So far as we know Nicholas occupied the property during his ownership. One clue that Nicholas was occupying the property is the information found in Robert Carter's letter written from 16 "Nomony Hall" on November 5, 1778. Carter had purchased the property from Nicholas in 1761 (to follow later in the report). He stated in his letter to Dudley Digges, a prospective purchaser, that "Doctor W^m Carter who formerly possessed the Lotts adjoining my lots complained of an Encroachment made by Doctor MacKinzie who formerly possessed my Lots, that he had put part of his Meat house on his W-C's ground-but acknowledged that R.C. Nicholas [owner of Lots 333-336] had not been informed of said trespass-that the line of Paling and the stable which R.C.N. built corresponded with said Meat house, making a due East & West line..."¹ Though twenty seven years had elapsed since Carter had the disagreement with Dr. William Carter, it seems reasonable to rely on his memory to some extent as to the boundaries between the two properties.

In March, 1761 Robert Carter² of Nomini Hall, his wife, three children and "domesticks" came to live in Williamsburg:

" March 21 day- year 1761 Mr^s. Carter, my two sons Benjamin & Robt Bladen & daughter Priscilla Carter & my domesticks, set out fr^m Nomony Hall in Westmd County, all, then residents, there, to go to W^msburg, they & myself to become residents of that City . . ."³

Carter states that he was becoming a resident of Williamsburg but he does not give the location of his residence. As he acquired Lots 333-336 inMay, 1761-, it is probable that he occupied these lots until the consummation of the sale. Legal transactions in this age moved slowly. It seems very likely that Carter and Nicholas were in negotiations several months prior to the sale to 17 Carter.

The deed of conveyance from Nicholas to Carter follows:

[May 7, 1761]
[Robert Carter Nicholas, Williamsburg,
Anne, his wife
to
Robert Carter, Esquire
Consideration: £650 Current Money of Virginia]

" THIS INDENTURE made the seventh day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Sixty one BETWEEN Robert Carter Nicholas of the City of Williamsburgh and Anne his Wife of the one part and the Honourable Robert Carter Esquire of the other part WITNESSETH that the said Robert Carter Nicholas and Anne his Wife for and in consideration of the Sum of Six hundred and fifty pounds Current Money of Virginia to him the said Robert Carter Nicholas in Hand paid by the said Robert Carter Esquire at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents ... Do grant bargain sell alien release and confirm unto the said Robert Carter Esquire his Heirs and Assigns forever ALL those four Lotts of Land with the Buildings thereon erected situate on Palace Street in the City of Williamsburgh which were conveyed to the said Robert Carter Nicholas by the honorable Philip Grymes Esquire his Majesty's receiver General and are described in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 333, 334, 335, 336, together with all Ways, Waters... Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever... and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and profits thereof and all the Estate Right Title... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said four Lotts of Land and all and Singular the premises with their Appurtenances unto the said Robert Carter Esquire his Heirs and Assigns... forever... IN WITNESS whereof the parties to these Presents have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Affixed the Seals the day and year above Written
Rob: C: Nicholas (L.S.)
Anne Nicholas. (L.S.)

SEALED AND DELIVERED
in presence of
Nat^h Crawley
Tho^s Everard
Geo: Davenport
Ben: Waller

Received the seventh day of May 1761 of the Honourable Robert Carter Esquire the Sum of six hundred and fifty pounds being the Consideration within mentioned to be received to me.
Ro. C. Nicholas

Witness
[same signatures as above]

18

At a Court held for York County the 20^th July 1761 This Indenture and the Receipt endorsed were proved by Oaths of Thomas Everard, George Davenport and Benjamin Waller Witnesses thereto and together with the Commission annexed and the Certificate of execution thereof Ordered to be recorded.
Teste
Exam^d Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:"

¹

In the above quoted deed, the lots are designated by numbers as heretofore and noted further as "situate on Palace Street". From 1753 (when Nicholas acquired the property) to 1761 (when Carter came into possession), the consideration price changed from £450 to £650 which seems to indicate that Nicholas either built or made extensive changes to the property in repairs. Note further that the shop-referred to in former deeds (December, 1750 and December 1753)- is not mentioned in the above deed (May, 1761) Dr. McKenzie must have removed the shop by this date (according to order of 1750) or else it was considered of no legal importance after Dr. McKenzie's death in 1755.

Robert Carter as a member of the Council since 1756, was in Williamsburg twice a year during the sessions of the Assembly and Courts. He continued to hold his vast plantation known as "Nomini Hall" and travelled back and forth in its management; but for nearly eleven years he lived in Williamsburg on the property acquired from his cousin, Robert Carter Nicholas. From his Letters, Day Books, Waste Book and other papers we can construct almost a day by day account of his activities in the city of Williamsburg: repairs and changes to his property, what he ordered for his family use from local and foreign merchants, furnishings for his home, foods and &c. He had married Miss Frances Tasker of Maryland, "a fine young lady with a genteel 19 fortune." Carter himself was one of the wealthiest merchants in the Colony. With Carter's political, social and economic position, it is not surprising to see the style in which he lived while in Williamsburg. Many items pertinent to his life in the city will be included in the body of this report and numerous others will be filed in the appendix.

In June, 1761 Carter wrote to Thomas Bladen, London [an uncle of Mrs. Carter]:

"VIRGINIA, WILLIAMSBURG,
June 5, 1761.

My last letter to you, I imagine, miscarried... I have lately exchanged my country house for one in the city. I should rather say (to a resident in England) my desert for a well-inhabited, and at present I can't command one thing qualified for the turf.
... Your friend Governor Fanquier [Fauquier] often inquires about you and the ladies, to whom I desire my compliments." ¹

John Ariss, architect, had done some work for Carter prior to April, 1762. This work could have been at Nomini Hall, or possibly, in Williamsburg. This reference is included in the report:

"Richmond 8^th April 1762
Honble Sir
As I have no Opportunity of Seeing you have made Bold to Inclose your Account with me which Hope Youl Excuse, I shall leave it to your Honour to pay it in kind, or the Cash which ever is most agreeable."²

Carter's reply was:

W^msburg 24 April 1762

"Sir
Y^r Letter inclosing an Acc^t for Sundries amounting [blot] w^ch Advance to £10.14.5 I have received, I should 20 be obliged to y^e To offer M^r Edmund Randolph y^e following, Another to m^r E^d Randolph Sir Pay To M^r John Aris (on Order) y^e Sum of Ten Pounds, four shillings & 5^d current money and [illegible] 12/0 [blot] Acc^t of Rob^t Carter w^th Randolph."¹

Mrs. Kate Mason Rowland's article² in the Magazine of American History describes in her own words the furnishing of Carter's house in Williamsburg with notes from the Carter Papers. Her account is based upon Carter data though she does not cite the location of such items:

"Robert Carter was furnishing his house `in the city' at this time, and he sends for paper `to hang three parlours, round the four sides of one parlour measures fifty-five feet, from the floor to the ceiling eleven feet.' For the first parlor he wants a good paper of a crimson color; for the second parlor a better paper, a white ground with large green leaves. The third parlor is to have the best paper, a blue ground with large yellow flowers. Measurements are given also for the papering of a staircase and two passages. Three pairs of yellow silk and worsted damask festoon window curtains are required, `for a room ten feet pitch' and yellow silk and worsted damask for the seats of eighteen chairs. A mirror four feet by six and a half, `the glass to be in many pieces agreeable to the present fashion;' three marble hearth slabs four feet by eighteen inches, `to be wrought very thin, and good polish;' four large best wrought brass sconces; two glass globes for candles to light a staircase, and a Wilton carpet are the principal articles enumerated. Colonel Carter's house which was near the governor's palace, was to be further embelished by additions to his table service and plate."³

Careful searching into the Carter Papers in the Virginia Historical Society, Duke University, Library of Congress and William and Mary College has failed to produce some of the orders by Carter to London merchants from which Mrs. Rowland quotes. However, one letter from John Morton Jordan, London merchant, to Robert Carter, was found of 21 date April 27, 1762. It may be in reply to Carter's order for the wallpaper cited by Mrs. Rowland above as a blue and yellow piece was desired:

London April 27, 1762

"Sir
... Youll observe a small Piece of blew & yellow Paper which Ive sent as a Sample, there being none but that to be had in Town, as they are Colors that can't be made lively on Paper they have never been in demand here. I have sent a sufficient Quantity of another kind which is reckon'd very genteel, however will immediately on receiving y^r Orders again, have some blew & yellow made & shipt by the first Ship..."¹

An Invoice to Carter from Jordan & Barnes, London,April 26, 1762 was £137.0.8.²

Mrs. Rowland further states that "within the ten years that follow, from 1761 to 1771, orders are sent to London for a mahogany tea chest, the mounting to be of silver, also the canisters and sugar dish; a silver bowl to hold one pint, not wrought; a silver coffee-pot 'to hold five dishes,' not wrought; a silver spoon to take up melted butter or gravy out of a sauce boat, 'the bowl to be round and fluted, the handle bent to take sauce out of the boat conveniently;' two silver gravy spoons; a set of silver teaspoons, a dozen silver dessert spoons, and as many silver tablespoons; a silver pepper box; a silver drinking cup and cover, 'to contain one pottle,' to cost about twenty-five pounds; a silver cross to set a salad centre-dish, `or any other figure that be more convenient,' and two silver salvers eleven inches in diameter. This plate is to be marked with the Carter crest, which is thus described: 22'A Talbot sejeant upon a wreath, resting his dexter paw upon an excutcheon containing a Catherine wheel.' At one time two drinking cups are ordered, of blue and white china, 'to hold five pints' and six mother-of-pearl mustard spoons."¹

Books ordered from London by Carter from 1761-1773 are listed in Mrs. Rowland's article, wearing apparel needed by Carter, Mrs. Carter and his children and Mrs. Carter's dress and accessories to be worn at an entertainment given by Governor Fauquier, is fully described. Mr. Carter's impression of an Armonica which Peter Pelham, organist at Bruton Church, had seen in Philadelphia recently is recorded. "Colonel Carter wrote to a London correspondent: 'The instrument pleased Pelham amazingly, and by his advice I now apply to you to send me an Armonica (as played on by Miss Davies at the great room in Spring Garden), being the musical glasses without water, framed into a complete instrument, capable of thorough bases, and never out of tune. Charles James of Purpoole [?] Lane, near Gray's Inn, London, is the only maker of the Armonica in England. Let the glasses be clear crystal and not stained, for whatever distinction of color may be thought necessary to facilitate the performance may be made here.... The case or frame in which the instrument is fixed is to be made of black walnut.' [The harmonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin]"²

Carter and his family were very musical. There is evidence in the numerous Carter Papers to indicate that while living in Williamsburg he ordered: an armonica (this had arrived prior to 23 December, 1773 when he had removed to Nomini), two silver tipped flutes (ordered in 1771), a harpsichord (owned one in 1773), a forte piano (imported one in 1771) and an organ (imported in 1771)- not to mention guitars and violins. There were orders for Sonatas, music books, and fiddle strings from local printers. These were taken to Nomini after his removal from Williamsburg. Fithian states that "Mr. Carter is practising this Evening [December 13, 1773] on the Guittar He begins with the Trumpet Minuet. He has a good Ear for Music... and keeps good Instruments, he has here at Home¹ a Harpsichord, Forte-Piano, Harmonica, Guittar, Violin, & German Flutes."².

In 1768 Robert Carter paid Charles Taliaferro, Williamsburg chairmaker, £5 "To making a shank to your Chair &c. [and] The Wheales &^c"³

In November, 1769 Washington came to Williamsburg on the 6th. In his Diary he wrote: "Came to Williamsburg. Dind at Mr. Carter's with Lord Botetourt, Govr. Eden, etca., and suppd. at Mrs. Vobe's with Colo. Fitzhugh."⁴

On November 7 Carter is charged by Benjamin Bucktrout, Williamsburg carpenter: "To a Back for a Toilet Glass...£0.1.6;" and on Nov. 25th "To a Mahog^y Desk & book case...£16.0.0"⁵

In November and December, 1769 Carter purchased books from Purdie & Dixon, Williamsburg printers of the Virginia Gazette: 24 "1 Bible 5/, Every Man his Own Layer 12/, 1 Year's Gazette 12/"¹

Also, in November, 1769 Carter bought from Edward Charlton, Williamsburg barber, "To Brown Dress Queu Wig & ribbon £2.5.0"²

During the time that Carter lived in Williamsburg he had eight children born: some died and were interred in Bruton Parish Churchyard.³ Mrs. Fauquier acted as godmother for Carter's child, Anne, born January, 1762.⁴

During the 1770 Carter bought clothing and various other necessary items from local merchants and tradesmen. An account with John Nelson included cloths of all kinds, nails, bramble scythe &c.⁵ Carter paid Mathew Davenport for "A new Main Spr. to Watch & Clean'g and Ent^ce in the Writing School his 2 Sons"⁶ From Sarah Pitt he purchased "1 sett painted Tea Toys, Candlesticks, Oval Dishes, Plates, Tureen &c."⁷

During 1769-1770 Carter carried a tailor's account with Robert Nicholson in Williamsburg amounting to £18.18.7 1/2.⁸ He paid "William Fearson to teach Master Ben and Miss Sillers[sic] 25 dancing for one year...£10" and for hose, ribbon tea &c"¹. He paid William Cosby, a coachmaker in Williamsburg £5.18.9 for "a pair of braces for Chariot, axletree, 2 foot Steps and fitting the Doors in..."² In November, 1770 Carter was charged by Joseph Kidd, upholsterer, for "Covering an Easy Chair with Crimson Silk damask... £1.10.0 [and] Semi cords & nails...£-.10.0"³ Also, in November William Kennedy gave a receipted bill to Robert Carter "for musical glasses with spindles to support them and wheels-invoice dated April 4, 1770."⁴

In May, 1771 Carter paid 32 shillings 6 pence Corporation Tax in Williamsburg to William Russell, town officer.⁵ He also paid tax on 1 chariot & chair.

In 1771, Carter made certain changes and repairs to the property. His account with Benjamin Powell, Williamsburg carpenter, for work follows:

"1771

June...
July 24,	To Building an Addition to yr Studdy	£8.0.0
	To 160 Feet of Scantgs for Do at 2 1/2d	1.13.4
	To 600 feet of plank for Do at 1 1/2d	3.15.0
	To 1600 Shingles at 20/	1.12.0
	To 850 20d Nalis[nails] at 12/6	.10.7 1/2
	To 3500 6d Do at 6/	1. 1.0
	To 200 20d Brads & 500 6d Do	5.0
	To pant[paint] & oil for priming the Side of Yr addition & pantry	7.6
Octobr 12,	To Sundries of Work By Mr, Lamb about yr orgin	5.0
	To onhangin window & altering the same	2.6
		£18.13.10"

⁶

The height of the study walls was found, by chance, in looking through the Carter Papers. A letter from Thomas Griffin, organ maker, London, 1770, to [Peter] Pelham, Williamsburg, relating to an organ which someone wished, had written across the outer side of the letter: "R.C.'s Study is 10 feet 8 Inches high."

"M^r Pelham [1770 -no month or day] Sir I have four Organs almost finished two of which will do for any small Church or large rooms, tho no reed work is cen[illegible], a Trumpet Treble may be added if required, one of these to is in a very fine Mahogony Case, and fitt for the finest rooms in this Kingdom or any other, the Mahogony one I have always asked two hundred pounds but as I am retired from Business I will take one hundred Guines ready money for it the other three are Chamber Organs, the price from fifty to seventy pounds.

the Mahogony one is Eleven feet 6 in high [torn]
Tho^s Griffin.

[on back]
M^r Griffin's Letter
Organ Maker
1770

[written across the page]
"R.C.'s Study is 10 feet
8 Inches high."

M^r Pelham
Organist
Williamsburgh
Virginia"

¹

There had been a letter from Griffin to [Pelham] (probably written prior to the above quoted one) giving Griffin's reaction to the directions sent "for making an Organ for a Gentleman in Virginia." Griffin did not approve of Pelham's directions in some details. He also told him that he was out of business. However, he would be glad to be of any assistance in finding someone able to execute the order.²

Another letter, dated May 18, 1771, from J&J. Simpson to Robert Carter, Williamsburg, indicates that Simpson made an organ for Carter 27 with Mahogany case and in addition he sent Carter music and two flutes tipped with silver.¹

These letters concerning the organ seem to explain the "Addition to y^r Study" which Benjamin Powell made for Carter in July, 1771 (above quoted). Carter's study was 10 ft. 8 inches high; the London organ cited by Griffin was 11 ft. 6 inches high.

Though Simpson seems to have made the organ, evidently, it was under the supervision of Mr. Griffin.² We know that the organ was in Williamsburg in Carter's house. Philip Fithian, tutor for Carter at "Nomini Hall," in January, 1774 wrote: "...The Colonel [Robert Carter] told me last Evening that he proposes to make the vacant End of our School-Room,... a Concert-Room, to hold all his instruments of Music-As he proposes to bring up from Williamsburg his Organ,..."³ We know, also, that Carter had a harpsichord in his home in Williamsburg. (Proof to follow chronologically in report.)

In September, 1771 Humphrey Harwood, another Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, did repair work for Carter:

"1771

Septembr 17th
	To 22 bushs lime a 9d & underping Closset 12/6	£1:9:0
	To puting up pr Steps & Jam to do 10/	0:10:0
	To 3 1/2 Days Labr at 2/6	0:7:0
26.	To 10 bushs lime 7/6 & puting up Steps 10/	1:17:6
28
	To fixing Back to Grate 2/6 & 3 days labr a 2	£0:8:6
30th	To Mendg landary back & Jams & fixing backs 3/9	0:3:9
	To Ditto Kitching 3/9 & plastering oven 6d	0:4:3
	To Ditto well 1/3 & 1 1/2 Days labr at 2	0:3:9
		£4:3:9"

¹

Also, in September, Carter paid James Wray [jr] "7 shillings for 1 ¾ Days Work." Wray was a carpenter and glazier. Carter paid to Mary Wray [mother of James] "6 shillings 19 pence "To Cut^g 82 Panes Glass a l^d."² In the Carter Papers is an account to Carter by Wray on June 22, 1774: "To painting your Gate and post...4/ To white Lead 12 lbs...8£... 3 ½ Quarts oyl... 3 quarter days work by me... To puting in 13 pains Glass...£0.35.0"³

In October, 1771 a receipt signed by Benjamin Waller indicates that Carter bought a bookcase from Nathaniel Walthoe's estate: "Williamsburg 12^th Oct^r 1771. received of Robert Carter three pounds for a Book-Case it being part of the Estate of Nath^l Walthoe Esq^r deceased."⁴ Carter bought Walthoe's library in 1772 from Benjamin Waller, the executor. He paid Waller £112 Sterling for the books on May 25, 1772.⁵

Though Carter owned "Nomini Hall" in Westmoreland County and various quarters on which he could have repair work done, the items cited above from Powell, Harwood and Wray undoubtedly were made 29 upon his Williamsburg property as these three workmen lived and took work constantly in the city.

In May, 1772 Carter moved his family back to "Nomini Hall."¹ In his Memorandum Book intended for his own records, Carter stated that "in the month of May of the same year [1772] myself and family removed from W^msburg."² Writing to Thomas and Rowland Hunt, London merchants, on June 15, 1772, Carter said: "I have repaired my House here, intending to reside att it totally, Except my Avocation to W^msburg during the Terms & Setting of the General Assembly."³

Prior to his removal from Williamsburg, Carter had given Benjamin Bucktrout, Williamsburg Carpenter, repair work on some furniture: "1771, Oct. 16 - A Back foot w^th brass hinges for dressing glass---£0.1.6"⁴ In June, 1772 he mended "a Musick stand ---£0.1.6" and in October, he made "8 Mahog^y Chares Stuffed over the Rails with Brass nails @ 25 £ p^r doz---£16.13.8"; "4 Elbow Chares £ 55/---£11.0.0;" and furnished "150 8^d nails for a packing case for Harpsicord 2/ makeing and packing d^o 10/---£.12.0"⁵ Carter paid Edward Charlton, Williamsburg peruke maker, for making Mrs. Carter "2Caps 5/ wires & catgut and ¾ yd white ribbon 4 ¾---£1.11. 2/3."⁶ Also, in 1772 Carter paid John Paradise through his agent and manager, 30 Cary Wilkinson, for "21 loads of wood."¹ Roasanna Maslin was paid by Jacob Bruce, Carter's Williamsburg manager, "To spinning 55 lb^s of Wool---£2.15.0"² And, John Prentis & Company, Williamsburg merchants, furnished Carter in 1772-1774 with "Nails, locks, escutcheons, cloth &c amounting to £15.18.4."³

Carter was removing his furnishings from Williamsburg to Nomini over a period of years.⁴ He had left Jacob Bruce⁵ as his agent in Williamsburg. In the summer of 1772 Carter ordered Bruce to take "an Inventory of all the goods in the Store room and other places, furniture & liquor in the House... I understand that Negro David, Gardner & his wife in W^msburg have been Saucy to M^rs Crawley who lives att my House there..."⁶ In this same letter Carter ordered medicine from Dr. Pasteur and "Two Ivory Handle penknives & Sheaths left on the library Table [and] Two large Candle mould in the Closett in the Cover'd Way," a number of books "in the Closett Joining to my Room" and an assortment of tools.

During 1772-1773 Carter through his agent, Robert Prentis, Williamsburg merchant, principally, and through Mrs. Crawley, his housekeeper at Williamsburg, sold Bar Iron to Charles Taliaferro (4548 lb); Elkanah Deane (1128 lb); James Anderson (4799 lbs) 31 and others. In October, 1773 there was 2343 pounds of bar iron in the "Corn house".¹

While writing from Nomini in January, 1773 to Peyton Randolph on business, Carter mentioned: "M^rs Carter & I, are very happy in finding your Accquaintances wish to See us return to Pallace Street Once Again- We think the House there, is not Sufficiently roomy for our family, and must remain, here, `till An Addition be Built to that house-"²

Some small changes were being made to Carter's Williamsburg lot at this date by Ben Powell, local carpenter:

"The Hon^r Robert Carter Esqu^r

	To Ben Powell	Dr
1773
Jany 30.	To Repearing paling Round yr Garden & yard Stoping up Gateway &c	£1: 0:0
	To Repearg Charatt House & Stabel	0:10:0
	To 77 feet of Scantling for Do @ 2 ½d	0:16: ½
	To 100 Garden pales & 7 Garden Rales [rails]	0:12:9
	To 224 feet of loose plank at 10/	1: 2:6
	Recd June 22th 1773 the Above Amt in full	£4:1:3" 3
Ben Powell

On November 13th Carter paid out to the following persons [all of Williamsburg]:

"Humphrey Harwood Bricklayer	£0. 3.9
. . .
Richd Charlton Barber	4. 6.0
Robt Nicholson Taylor	11.10.5
James Craig Jeweller	9. 7.6
Negro London Painter	0. 2.6
Benj Waller Esqr for Interest	39. 4.7
Mr Bullifant for fodder	5.10.0
Robt Miller for 3 pr Cotton Stockings	2. 2.0
32
James Willson Gardener	£0. 4.4
John Allen Carpenter	£1. 5.0
Robt Nicholson Taylor	0.16.6
Elkanah Deane for repairs done my Chair	6. 9.6
. . .
Robt Miller for 2 pr Black Everlasting pumps	0.17.6
Mrs Crawleys Accott	7.15.0
Mr Southalls Accott	7.19.0
Messrs McCall's & Sheddons Accott	1.11.0
Travelling Expences to & from Wmsburg	5. 6.0
	£130. 5.1" 1

In May, 1773 Carter settled with Mrs. Elizabeth Crawley for washing & ironing, beef, candles, oysters, tea, butter and bread:

"1773
	May To Washing & Ironing 5 ½ Doz pieces @ 3/	£-.16.6
	To ½ qr Beef @ 4d	18.9
	To ½ Gal Oysters	.7 ½
	To 5 lb Candles @ 1/	5.0
	To ¼ lb Hyson Tea	5.6
	To ¼ lb Bohea Tea	1.3
	To 6 lb Butter @ 1/3	7.6
	To 1 loves[loaves] Bread	5.0
		£3. 0.1 ½" 2

In March, 1774 Fithian, tutor at Nomini for Carter's children, commented in his Journal thus: "March 18 Fryday... He[Mr. Carter] has Lands in the Neighbourhood of Williamsburg, & an elegant & Spacious House in that City-"³

Carter was anxious to sell his house as the following notice proves:

[May 20, 1774]

"THE improved SQUARE of LOTS adjoining the lots belonging to Mr. E. DEANE, coachmaker in PALACE street, Williamsburg. JOHN TAZEWELL, esquire, of this city, is empowered to sell--
If the purchaser, or purchasers, do not pay ready money, his bond, with approved securities, made payable to ROBERT CARTER, will be satisfactory."⁴

Carter, in October, 1774 was still maintaining the Williamsburg property. He advertised in the Virginia Gazette for horses which had strayed from his stable there.¹ Carter was staying in the house in October, 1774.²

Carter, evidently, failed to find a purchaser, for, on November 29, 1774 he wrote to John Tazewell in reply to Tazewell's letter to him:

"Nomony Hall Nov^r29^th 1774. Sir Y^r favor saying y^t mr Norton had lately enquired whether my Houses in W^msburg were to be rented was put into my hands last Saturday- I do not incline to rent or lease my Houses in y^r town; but do wish to Sell y^e Same, either for ready money, or on long Credit- In a former letter to you I estimated y^t Estate at 1500 £ Sterg, wch Estimation is now thought very moderate I am
Sir R.C."

To John Tazewell Esq^r
at W^msburg.

³

December, 1774 finds Carter at "Nomini Hall" writing to Robert Prentis, Williamsburg, to send the following packages "at my House in W^msburg...":

"The following Packages, are at my House in W^msburg, which I desire may be sent here, by the return of the Harriet-
5 deal Cases, large containg 1 Desk & Book Case, 1 looking Glass, large, and 1 Organ-
2 peices of deal, loose, the back of the Organ Case mentioned above. 34 1 Stand for a surveying Instrument loose
1 Mahogany Case, small-
2 Trunks, containing Sundry Articles
1 Chest, containing Sundry Articles
Note, The Parcels mentioned above, are in Rooms not locked-
1 Saten Case, small containg a Camera
(Obscura, is in a Closet adjoining the Room called my Study-
(Key thereof sent.
All the Mortice Locks & Etctera belongin thereto D^o Closet Stone Jugs, containing Wine, in one of the Cellars-¹ (Key of the Cellar in my desk
(Desk Key sent- the Wine to be put into the Casks sent-
(and the emptied Jugs to be sent, All the Butter Pots to be sent...
Pray send me the following Articles
6 Book Cases Locks, large Escutchions &cca.
6 Cabinet Case Locks, smallest Escut &cca.
..." ²

In May, 1775 Carter paid certain accounts in Williamsburg:

"0:19:6 paid for 18 Small lock to R. Prentis
8:10:6 paid Messrs Dixon & Hunter printers
: 1:6 paid ---Do for wooden sand Box
18:15:0 pd John Washington³ for Shingles
4: :5 ½ pd Nanny Jones, wife of Geo. Jones
0:18:3 pd negroe Landon painter
3: 1:8 paid M^rs Crawley, for Fodder, wood & wash^g
0: 1:6 cash paid Negroe Landon, for fixing 1 light glass-
: 2:6 paid John Dixon & Hunter for Fiddle Strings." ⁴

Carter was slated to attend the meeting of merchants in Williamsburg in July, 1775.⁵ And, he attended the session of the General Court in October, 1775.⁶

By the 25th of October, Carter was back at Nomini. From there he wrote to his cousin, Mrs. Nelson of Yorktown, very probably in reply to one from her:

"My Wife is of Opinion that our Situation, here, is full as safe as Williamsburg; therefore we Shall not remove to our House, there, & we hope that you will take possession thereof- Very lately Some Workmen were in that House who were makeing repairs, there, in the Chamber & the Passage above Stairs. -
M^r Jacob Bruce, of Williamsburg, does business for me, who will deliver the Keys of my House, & will give any Information, You may Require- I am,
Dear Cousin
Your Affec^t & very Hum. Serv^t Rob^t Carter"¹ To
M^rs Nelson in York Town. ²

The repair work referred to by Carter in the above letter to Mrs. Nelson appears to have been done by John Allen, Williamsburg carpenter, and Humphrey Harwood, well-known brick mason and plasterer. A letter from Carter to Mr. H.[Henry] Tazewell³ on October 3, 1785, inclosed Harwood's account of 1775-1776, and further details of the Transaction.⁴

"M^r Tazewell Esq^r
D^r Sir- M^r John Allen, formerly of W^msburg Carpenter undertook to do some Work in my dwelling House in W^msburg he rendered a bill for said Job amounting I expect to about 42 £ wch acco^t- I paid- M^r Hum:[phrey] Harwood of W^msburg Plaisterer rendered to me the inclosed Acco^t-amounting too[sic] £4:19:1 the 20th day of March 1783-who informed me that M^r Allen, Carpenter, employed him to do the work as per Acco^t-mentioned above- and that he Harwood never received any satisfaction either from M^r Allen or any other person for said Job-

36 …

	The honble. Robt Carter Esqr To Hum: Harwood	£ S D
1775	To 300 Laths 3/ & 1300 Nails at 5/6 pr M	0:10:2
Octobr 31	To taking down plastering & Repairing Lathing	0:10:0
	To 40 bushels Lime at 9d & 2 bushells hair 3/	1:13:0
	To plastering 68 Yds at 2 ½ & 4 ½ days Labourer at 2s pr day	1: 3:2
	To 35 Bricks 1/3 To rubing & laying one harth 7/6	-: 8:9
	To setting one grate	-: 7:6
1776
Febry	To 2 bushells Lime 1/6 & Repairing, underpining Smoke-house	0: 6:6
		£ 4:19:1
	To 6 years Interest	1: 9:7 ½
		£ 6: 8:8 ½"

¹

Carter requested Tazewell to investigate this matter for him.

In December, 1775 Carter wrote to Robert Prentis, his agent, concerning his house in Williamsburg and Mrs. Nelson's possible occupancy:

[December 24th 1775]

"Sir
...
Some time ago M^rs Nelson of Yorktown applied to me for the use of my house in your town- Is she living in it or who is the present inhabitant? I trust to M^r Jacob Bruce to superintend the house mentioned before, who has not written to me since I came from W^msburg last October.
... R Carter"

To mr Rob^t Prentis
Merchant in Wmsburg

²

In April, 1776 Carter wrote four letters-all of them concerning his house, furniture or books in Williamsburg:

23^d April 1776.

[To M^r Jacob Bruce in
Williamsburg]

"Sir-
M^r Robert Mitchell,³ the Bearer of this Letter goes 37 to town to engage Waggons to bring up to this place [Nomini], the remainder of Furniture and Liquors belonging to me, now, at my house in Williamsburg- Pray send to me a List of goods belonging to me, which I agreed might be delivered to to[sic] General Lee [R.H. Lee], & the Valuation of Said goods-

If you have received any money on my Account, lately, pay the same to R.M., whose receipt shall be a discharge for any Sum mentioned therein- I am,
Sir, Your hum Serv^t
Robert Carter"¹

22^d April 1776.

[To Col D. Diggs in W^msburg]
"Dear Sir-----M^r Robert Mitchell, goes to W^msburg to engage Waggons to remove all the Furniture & Liquor belonging to me now in my house there; up to this place, except such articles, which your Family want- If your Board shall remove from W^msburg, to a place, which may be thought more convenient than it, in that case, before you leave my house, pray put an officer or officers into it, who is most likely to save it- I am
Your Hum. Serv^t Robert Carter" ²

22^d April 1776-

[To Major General Lee
Head Quarters
W^msburg.]

"General- The evening of the day You & I dined at M^r R. Nicholas's house, I directed M^r Jacob Bruce of Williamsburg to separate immediately a Bed, Bloster, Pillow, two pair Sheets & pillowcases from the rest of my furniture in town-; to appraise the said articles, and deliver the Appraisement to You; that if you approved of the goods & valuation, that he, Bruce, was to send them to the Palace- The following day I examined my house linnen, which had been left with Eliz. Crawley my former house Keeper, and I found that the Sheets were much, worn, owing to the misbehaviour of Crawly. Bruce succeeded Crawley, who acknowledges that his wife had, then, in use a pair of Sheets & one Cotten Coverlet neither of which Articles did I see, tho' often pressed that matter. Bruce says that, that pair of sheets is good, if that be the case I expect you will take them- On Wednesday last Bruce had not appraised the Articles mentioned before, if he shou'd not have waited on you e'er the receipt of this Letter pray General tell Bruce, 38 that he is rather dilatory- I forward this Letter two pair of Sheets & two pillow Cases (linnen rated at £5) for your use, by M^r Robert Mitchell, who acts for me he goes to Williamsburg, to engage Waggons to remove what furniture & liquors, there, belonging to me, from thence to this place-
Robert Carter"¹

[To M^r Rose at Wmsburg]

"Sir- If the Books mentioned below be in the Council Library, put them in a Strong case & send the case to my house in W^msburg--
Make out a List of such books you may send to me, which list deliver to M^r Robert Mitchell, the bearer,- I am,
Your hum. Serv^t Robert Carter

Philosophical Transactions
Barron Montesque's Work complete (except his Spirit of
Laws, which work I have in my own Library)
Coke on Littleton, complete
Acts of Parliament - D^o Burrowes's Reports -
Camden's Brittania-"

²

Research has not been able to establish the fact that Mrs. Nelson occupied Carter's house. If she did occupy the property, it was for only a short period, for in April, 1776 Dudley Digges³ and his family, evidently, were there. (See: above letter to Digges). On May 2, Digges replied to Carter's letter thus:

W^msburgh May 2, 1776

"Dear Sir,
I received your Favor by M^r Mitchell, and shou'd with Pleasure have assisted him in dispatching your Business here; I have desir'd him to secure all your Furniture in the best Manner and tho' I am oblig'd to You for your Civility in offering that we shou'd detain any Articles that we might want, yet I have advised him to leave nothing except a few Chairs and one Bed & Bedstead and those Articles not because we needed them, but because I thought it might be convenient to reserve them here for your own use in Case Times shou'd alter; 39 another Consideration was, that I thought they might induce some reputable Gentleman to take Charge of your House in case We shou'd leave it: I am not yet determined what to do. I shou'd certainly continue here if formidable Circumstances should not soon Occur. I begin to think that M^rs Digges's Situation, will give place to my own Convenience at any rate however, I will pay a proper Regard to the Safety of your House, as a small Token of Gratitude, for your Civility & Kindness in indulging me in the Use of it. I am with respect
Sir
Your mo. Ob^t Serv^t
Dudley Digges

W^msburgh
May 2, 1776.
Robert Carter Esq."

¹

Carter had not succeeded in selling his Williamsburg property. In November, 1778 he wrote to Dudley Digges and Thomas Everard from Nomini concerning it:

Nomony Hall Nove^mr 5^th 1778.

"Gentlemen---- M^r Theoderic Bland² is now here, who wants to purchase the lots & Houses in williamsburg, which I bought of M^r Robert Carter Nicholas- The favor I now ask of you is to Sell and convey that Estate, and what ever Furniture that may be thereon, belonging to me- and deposite the Considera. money in either of the public Funds-

When I removed from W^msburg to this place I estimated my Lots & Houses, there, at about 1400 £ Sterling- M^r Bland purposes to be an Inhabitant in W^msburg about Christmas next, and will want my Houses then- This is a Circumstance which gives me Some uneasiness, because Col^o Diggs Says in a letter of the 2^d day of September last, he could not remove with any tolerable convenience untill next spring- which latter part of his letter I did not remember (but went upon the former part thereof declaring his full purpose of removing from W^msburg and to live at York town and asking my attention to my Houses in W^msburg) when I authorized M^r Richard Parker³ to give out that I wished to sell all my Property in W^msburg- Doctor W^m Carter who formerly possessed the Lotts 40 adjoining my lots complained of an Encroachment made by Doctor Mackinzie, who formerly possessed my Lots, that he had put part of his Meathouse on his W-C's ground-but acknowledged that R.C. Nicholas had not been informed of said trespass- that the line of Paling and the stable which R-C-N. built corresponded with said Meat house, making a due East & West line- On this information I agreed to Some Proposal, which was reduced to writing to which I refer you, not having a Copy thereof- Whoever may Purchase my Lots he to Stand in my Shoes, touching the agreement I made with Doctor W-C- I am Gentlemen
Your most Obed^t & very Hum Servt
Robert Carter"¹

From this letter we learn that Digges was still occupying Carter's house in the city. (First mention of his occupancy was in April, 1776) We learn, also, that Carter was valuing his property at £1400 Sterling. (In 1774 he had valued it at £1500 Sterling).²

The letter gives, also, Carter's recollection of the encroachment made by McKenzie, Nicholas' ignorance of it, and Carter's impression of the line of encroachment.³ It also states that Nicholas had built a stable on line with the meathouse. Digges and Everard replied to Carter's letter in this way:

November 24, 1778

"Sir,
Your Letter of the 5^th Instant by Mr. Bland did not come to our hands `til last Night, We shall very readily accept of the Trust reposed in us for selling & conveying your Houses and Lotts in this City, and shall duly attend to the several Circumstances mention'd in your Letter, except in selling at private Sale; It is impossible for us to determine upon the real Value of any Houses whatsoever, as many have lately been sold for Sums vastly exceeding any Value that we could have set upon them in our private Opinions, and therefore as We have heard that Doctor McClurg is desirous of purchasing your Houses, & perhaps many other Persons, we think it will be much for your Interest to sell at public Sale, after advertising a proper time in The Gazette-- and this cannot be done until the Spring of the Year, for D. Digges not having 41 in time received any Notification of your Intention for selling your Houses has laid in his Fuel for the Winter, and besides had promised to give the Person who occupied his House at York (free of Rent) a reasonable Notice before he wou'd demand his House-- so that you may easily judge how great his Distress wou'd be, to turn out during the Winter Season. We have communicated most of these circumstances to Mr. Bland, & have moreover assured him that public Notice shall be given of the time of selling, & therefore that he shall stand a fair chance with any other Person that may be desirous of purchasing—All this will terminate, in our Opinion, in your Interest, & we shall therefore adopt this Mode, unless we shall receive contrary Instructions from You. It will be desirable for you to mention in a private Way to us what value you may at present set upon your Houses, that they may not be sold for less, and as much more be procured as the Dispositions of Paper-Money-getters may induce them to give.

Your Answer to & Approbation of the particulars contain'd in this Letter will be agreeable to Sir
Your most hble Ob^t Serv^ts
Dudley Digges
Tho^s Everard"

W^msburgh
Novem. 24^th 1778
Hon^ble R. Carter esq.

¹

On January 1, 1779 Carter wrote to Dudley Digges and Thomas Everard much concerned about his house in Williamsburg:

1779 January 1^st

"Gentlemen- My son R.B. Carter informed me last night that you had forborne to make any public declaration as to selling my Lots & Houses in y^e City of W^msburg & that you would not do any thing in y^t Matter till you heard f^m me- Wⁿ [when] Col: Diggs shall have removed his family to York-town, and his Houses, there, are fit for his reception- the Sale of my Lots mentioned above may be made, y^n,-it to be so ordered as to get y^e greatest Price f^r y^e same- and the Money to be put in y^e Loan Office of y^e State. I am- Gent^l y^r &ca. R. Carter"²

Colonel Digges had not removed from Carter's house by October, 1780. A letter of Carter's to Everard, October 14, 1780, so states: 42

Nomony Hall Oct^r the 14 1780.

"Dear Sir-
… I estimate the tenement in Williamsburg, which Co^o Dudly Diggs now occupies belonging to me at one thousand Louis dors¹ payable in three equal payments- first payment Six months after acknowledging a deed of Conveyance, Second payment twelve months, third payment eighteen months,
... Robert Carter."²

When the Palace burned in 1781, the Carter house escaped the fire. Rochambeau wrote Washington that "the houses near the Palace were covered all the Night long with a Rain of red hot Ashes." (Goodwin, Brief and True Report concerning Williamsburg, 1940, p. 291)

Desandrouin's map of the Virginia Campaign of 1781 shows a building located where Carter's house should be in relation to the Governor's house. It is shaped like this: ³

Nothing further seems to have happened towards the sale of Carter's house until June, 1782 when Carter wrote Carter Braxton⁴ relative to his interest in it:

Nomony Hall-June the 28th 1782-

"Sir- My son Robert Bladen Carter very lately informed me you wanted to purchase my Houses & Lots in y^e City of W^msburg-; also, some Bar-iron. My Estate in W^msburg is valued at 1250 £ specie Virginia Curre^y ...
Rob^t Carter"
Carter Braxton Esq^r in
King Wm. County⁵

On August 9th Carter wrote to Robert Prentis who seemed to be managing his Williamsburg business for him, concerning Braxton's idea of buying the property:

Nomony Hall Aug^t 9^th 1782

"M^r Carter Braxton of King W^m County & Col^o James Innis of the City of W^msburg have applied to me to purchase or Rent my Houses & Lots in W^msburg not in a joint Interest, but separately. I have written to M^r Braxton lately wherein I offer my Houses & Lots at £1250 Specie Virg^a Currency, but no answer received- I apprehend that the mode of negotiation by Letter is now very uncertain, and it seems to be almost loss of time & Paper to write a Letter.

I do herein empower you to sell my Houses & Lotts mention'd above for what you think they are worth. my wish & desire is to receive Specie when the Conveyance thereof is made, however I would take a joint Bond securities sufficient, two or three.

I Am Sir, Y^r Hum: Serv^t Rob^t Carter

P.S. Terms of Sale 18 Months Credit, Bond to carry Interest from the date thereof"

¹

In September, 1782 Prentis advertised the house and lots in Palace Street for sale:

WILLIAMSBURG, September 14, 1782

"FOR SALE,
THE HOUSES and LOTS in Palace street in this City, the property of Robert Carter, Esq; Enquire of
ROBERT PRENTIS."²

The property is located on the Frenchman's Map of Williamsburg (1782). It shows a large square house, center lot with rectangular building north, a small square building south.³ Excavations made in 1931 and 1949 in connection with the restoration of Williamsburg, show foundations of other buildings on the lot.⁴

The Williamsburg Land Tax lists which begin in 1782, show "Robert Carter Sen^r" is charged with having "3 lots----£---." 44 In 1785 these 3 lots were taxed at £4.¹

On January 22, 1783 Robert Prentis wrote to Carter giving account of his efforts to sell Carter's property:

W^msburg Jan^y 22^d 1783.

"D^r Sir
...
Agreeable to your request then [summer, 1782 when he saw Carter] I offer'd your Lots here for Sale, but finding no offers made, I determined to advertise them, which I did last Fall, but only one application was made, which was so far below your expectations, being £500-that I did not undertake to negotiate the matter; and unless you will fix a certain price, the lowest you can possibly think of taking for it, it will not be in my power to dispose of them. Doubting whether the offer might meet your approbation,- I cannot think of fixing their value myself. My Cousin² mentioning his seeing you at Richmond it is needless to mention his having been a Tenant for sometime past- his own House being near finish'd, he will remove shortly, so that your determination on this matter you will be pleased to communicate by the first opportunity. Should your determination be agreeable to myself, and as the Debt you are owing me on Acc^t of M^r Morse³ would be payment, so far, in your own hands, the balance I might probably give you security for what you would approve, and take the House on my own Account- but at all events, whether I purchase myself or not, should wish you to fix the price. With tender of my best respects to Your Lady & family and with Esteem D^r Sir
Y^r Most Obed^t
Ro: Prentis" ⁴

The following March, Prentis made a trip to "Nomini Hall" to talk further with Carter. He found that Carter had gone to 45 Williamsburg:

Nomony March 25, 1783

"D^r Sir
Being deprived the pleasure of seeing you here prevents my being very circumstantial as to the business of my Errand; The Sale of your House which I find you are gone to W^msburg to effect was one part of it, & to have recommended a small repair previous to the Sale, which I am satisfied would have turned to good Account. If it had been in your power to have made payment of any part of M^r Morses' Debt, either in Bills of Exchg Tob^o, or Cash, it would have been very acceptable.
...
Ro: Prentis." ¹

On June 15th, Joseph Prentis (Robert had sailed for the West Indies) informed Carter by letter that Mr. Bowdoin "from Circumstances, which have happened... is induced to decline a completion of the Contract on his part, and that your agreement with me, is no longer to be considered obligatory on you."²

On July 17th, Prentis in writing to Carter stated that Mr. Bowdoin "at the close of the late session of Assembly he informed me of his intention to call on you, and I suppose before the present period, you have had an interview on the subject.- Some time since, M^r Bland³ made application to me for permission to occupy the House, and considers himself on some degree entitled to a preference in the purchase of it under a promise of yours that in Case M^r Bowdoin did not take it he was to have it on the same terms- and for this purpose, has sent the Bearer express to Nomony.-... I thought it
46 most advisable to get a Tenant least[sic] the House might sustain additional injury from not being inhabited-M^r Bland was heretofore permitted to take possession, on his assuring me that he only wanted the House for a short time, and agreeing to pay rent during his continuance there:- If the House should not be sold I should be glad to make use of one of the Stables during the winter, not having yet been able to build one on the Lot where I reside at present.-..."¹

On July 18th, Carter received a letter from William Bland concerning his occupying the house &c:

"Sir,
When I had the pleasure of seeing you in W^msburg, if you recollect, I made application to you, to purchase your Houses & Lots in this City; your reply to me was; that you had just parted with them to M^r Prentis, on condition, that M^r Bowdoin, for whom M^r Prentis bargained, approved of the Terms- the price you told me was £710- the credit I do not recollect- I made answer to you, that, provided M^r Bowdoin did refuse to take them, would, upon the same terms, to which you replied that I should have them if M^r Bowdoin would not, & that you would make a minute of it upon your Books- M^r Prentis informs me, that he does not think M^r Bowdoin will take them, but after the raising of the Assembly he intended to your House, & would give you a final Answer, which I Suppose must be by this Time, or you cannot be bound by your agreement with M^r Prentis- Upon M^r Prentis's leaving the House, with his Approbation I moved into it, as all uninhabited Tenements, especially those that are out of repair, are soon destroyed- M^r Prentis likewise informed me, that he had seen you in Richmond, & that you seemed to think £710 not enough for your Houses & Lots; if you are of that opinion, & will not let me have them upon our former agreement, I am willing to give you their value-... to this proposal I hope you will have no objections but if you should, I will give you an annual rent for them, untill I can furnish myself with some other Place- The Houses are very much out of repair, & it will be extremely ill-convenient to live in them, the Winter Season, without something being done to them- there is not the least spire[?] of a Garden, & if you will not sell, I will put the place in proper order whatever it may cost, which shall be in the cheapest & 47 best manner, may be deducted out of the rent- Though I am convinced Sir, from a former acquaintance with you, that I have before purchased them conditionally of you, that you either will comply with the agreement, or let me have the refusal of them, as I am willing notwithstanding what has passed, to give their value, or as much as any other Person will- I have sent up to your House on purpose to know your determination, and an Answer will extremely oblige...."¹

Carter replied to Bland in this way:

Hobes's Hole 21st July 1783
"Sir- Your letter of the 18th of this month, July, was delivered to me, here,-; also, one other letter from M^r. Joseph Prentis & advising that you were now living in my Houses in W^msburg, by his consent-, but he does not mention any Rent- I have written to M^r Prentis to side on a yearly rent and inform you of the terms. As to your notion of purchasing my Houses and Lots in W^msburg I am not at liberty just now of saying any thing concerning that matter-..." ²

Carter's reply to Prentis follows:

Hobes's Hole 21st July 1783.

"D^r S^r Your Letter of the 17th of this month, July, was put into my hands, here, advising therein that M^r. W^m. Bland does now occupy my Houses in W^msburg, except one of the Stables, wch house you now use-; that M^r. Bland agrees to pay Rent, but you do not mention any particular sum- pray fix on a certain Rent and advise M^r. Bland accordingly-reserving one of the Stables for Your own use-..."³

Bland in the above letter offered to make necessary repairs, if approved by Carter, as the houses were in too bad a condition to live in them through the winter. An account of William Bland with Humphrey Harwood, brick mason and carpenter, 1784-1785, may have been for repairs to Carter's property. See: full copy in Illustration #4. Whitewashing was put on 3 rooms in 1784; and 4 rooms & a passage in 1785; repairs to Kitchen chimney, underpinning 48 smoke house & dairy, lathing and plastering 2 closets and changes to well.

Research has not discovered just how long Mr. Bland occupied Carter's house. However, a letter from Alexander Macaulay, merchant in Yorktown, to Carter-dated August 13, 1787-would indicate that Bland had paid Carter money in some transaction:

August 13, 1787

"Sir
I received your favour of the 1st Inst I have no objection to taking your Bill on M^r Bland for £71[blot] Sterling with 40 pr Cent exchange for P y^t of the Bond to Mr. Crewdson...in order to save you trouble..."¹

We could find out nothing further about the financial relations between Carter and Bland. Carter still was in possession of the property in 1789 when Joseph Prentis wrote to him about the depressing state of the buildings:

W^msburg July 29, 1789

"Dear Sir
M^r E-Randolph who sets out in a few days for Louden furnishes me an opportunity of writing on the subject of your Houses in this place, and which at this time are in a ruinous state. One of the Out Houses which joined the Wing to the South side I have expected for many months to have fallen down, its dangerous situation has induced D^r Carter and M^r Randolph who reside in this neighborhood to have the remaining Timber taken down-² The Scantling saved is of but of inconsiderable Value I have however directed it to be placed in one of Your Stables, and will either sell it with the Bricks to any person who may wish to purchase, on its being Valued, or dispose of them in any Manner you may wish.

The Portico to the Dwelling House from the decaying of the Steps and underpinning I much fear will also fall to pieces, and the remaining Out Houses require very considerable Repairs. The Dwelling House like many [of]
49 them in this place will not produce any Rent, and has been occupied for these [blot] or seven Years I think by several indigent Persons two of whom have lately died, at present a Widow Woman of the name of Dunlevy who has four or five children resides in it- The only Rent I have ever received was £30.2.0 which was paid to M^r Rob^t Nicolson on your Account.

Should you be disposed to have any Repairs made I will procure you an Estimate of the Expence of those Repairs that a Workman may consider essential; or if any thing occurs which you consider more beneficial in this Business, my Aid shall be chearfully given to effect it.

I am D^r Sir
Jos. Prentis"

¹

This letter is revealing. It shows the "ruinous state" into which the buildings had fallen, that Prentis had not collected any rent (or practically none) in the time that he had been agent for Carter, and that for the past [six] or "seven Years" it had been occupied by "several indigent Persons." Whether Prentis considered Mr. Bland as one of the indigent persons, we do not know. Bland seemed anxious to rent or buy. It may be that Prentis was somewhat confused about the time in which "indigent Persons" had been occupying the property.

In 1796 Carter was negotiating with Robert Saunders for purchase of his property:

Maryland-14th of April 1796

"M^r Ro: Saunders-City of Williamsburg
Sir—Your Proposal to purchase my Property in Palace Street on reasonable terms: calls for y^e following information.

All my Lots and Hoses[sic] in the City of Williamsburg is a part of y^e Estate put into Portion No. 2 wit[sic] division, also, Lots No. 1 to 10 inclusive I propose to convey shortly to my Children, they to ballot, who, shall take No. 2, is not determined--"²

In 1801 Williamsburg Land Tax records indicate that Robert Saunders¹ had come into possession of the property formerly belonging to Robert Carter: "Robert Saunders lots formerly Rob^t Carter----3 lots-----$33.34"²

In January, 1805 Saunders was attending the General Assembly in Richmond. While there he wrote to Joseph Prentis in Williamsburg concerning some recent transaction by deed:

[January 2, 1805]

" ... I thank you, cordially, for the attention you have given to the Deeds, and the manner in which you have caused them to be completed-- You need not doubt, that I shall feel suitable gratitude for these kind offices done in my absence, and shall render a return whenever I can.

The purchase at my Neighbours was no other an object with me than as it was convenient in two ways—its nearness to me, and that no money might be necessary to pass—I shall speak to Henderson, who may be there-and to whom I will communicate my wish- ..."³

We do not know what property Saunders was referring to in this letter. It could not have been the Deane property as Mrs. Deane's estate owned it until 1850. (See: House History of Elkanah Deane, Research Department)

In July, 1805 Saunders wrote Prentis from Staunton.. Again, he requests Prentis to attend to some matters for him relative to his house in Williamsburg:

[July 30, 1805]

"...
Since I came here, I have found so much inconvenience in pursuing my Journey to the warm-springs, that I am, at last obliged, to use my own Horses, and take John on with me, contrary to my design when I left home.
51 This has given me some additional anxiety respecting my little affairs at home. I must ask, therefore, your kind attentions to direct Billy to do whatever may be necessary to the garden and lot-- As you ride every day, I will thank you to call in, and see how M^r Abrams manages the Painting he promised to do for me. He was to paint the passage a stone Colour—and the dining-room a light green-- the doors brown-- He was also to have the necessary underpinning done to the dairy, and to throw the smoke-House back to the line of the yard, and to have it underpinned with a floor as it now is--
..." ¹

In 1806, an insurance policy taken out by Henry Skipwith (owner of the Wythe House on Palace street), describes that property as "situated between the Lott of Robert Saunders and the Church Yard."² (The Deane house must have disappeared by this date. See: Deane House History, Research Department)

Various nineteenth century maps of Williamsburg (Bucktrout, Bucktrout-Lively and Annie Galt Map) show "Saunders" on Lots 333-336.³

The property was listed in the Williamsburg Land Tax records in 1820 as belonging to Robert Saunders: "1 lot ---$1800; added for buildings $1500."⁴

In Saunders will, made at Williamsburg, March 20, 1834; recorded May 25, 1835, he bequeathed several personal things to friends: to John Goodall, "a mahogany Desk and book case attached to it - in the dining room", to Dr. Thomas G. Peachy "the cloathes Press long used by me, and in a corner of the Passage on the second
Carter-Saunders House (ca. 1900)
Coleman Collection (photograph by Layton #296)
Research Department 52 floor near my bedroom- also a mahogany Shaving box now used by me containing a glass &c". His real estate was disposed of thus: "All the rest of my Property whether in possession or action or however it may be derived in the future, real and personal, I give devise and bequeath to my dear Son, Robert."¹ A clause in the will urged the son to build a strong brick wall around the spot in the southwest part of the garden where the "best loved friends" of the father were buried and where he, too, "wished to be entombed".²

Robert Saunders, Jr. married Lucy Page of "Rosewell", daughter of Governor John Page, on June 17, 1828. He was professor of mathematics at William and Mary College in 1833. Later, he became President for a short period.³

Tax records for 1836 indicate that Robert Saunders, Jr. had received "1 lot via will of Robert Saunders, dec^d....$1800; added for buildings $1500." By 1840 the tax records had changed the valuation to $2800; added for buildings $2500."⁴

It is thought that Saunders upon coming into his father's property, made changes to the building. Perhaps it is at this period that the addition of the column front porch was made to the house. See: picture on opposite page. This photograph was made by George P. Coleman ca. 1890. A painting by Millington (1835) shows the two story columned porch and the unusual roof. See: Mr. Charles's description of the house as he remembered it in 53 the Civil War period. (To follow chronologically in the report).

In 1850 the tax records seem to indicate that Saunders had acquired the lot to the south known as the "Deane" property. This gave Saunders the entire square bounded by Palace Street east, Prince George Street south, Nassau Street west and Scotland Street north. (See: Tyler's Map opposite page 1, and Deane House History, Research Department).

In 1862, upon the march of General McClellan up the peninsula, the Saunders family left Williamsburg. The house was plundered of its priceless historical records by members of the Union Army. Mrs. Saunders had stored in the house a number of letters and documents of her father, John Page, and his close associates. David Cronin, provost marshal at Williamsburg under McClellan has given his impression of the devastation at the house he erroneously called the "Page House.":

" ...
It was the son-in-law of Page-Robert Saunders, a professor at the College, who had abandoned the Mansion upon McClellan's advance without leaving a servant in charge to protect its treasures against possible pillage. The excuse was made by the friends of Saunders, Vest and others who had fled so precipitately, taking almost none of their valuable goods and chattels, that even if they had been given ample time there was no mode of conveyance, Johnston's army requiring all the means of transportation in the town... Whole families were compelled to flee on horse-back.

We found the interior of the Page Mansion in a state of complete wreck, empty of furniture except in broken pieces: the walls stained by streams of rain falling through leaks in the decayed roof and the floors covered with litter indescrible; the former library in the most deplorable condition of disorder and ravage. In heaps on every side, were spread half destroyed books, vellumbound volumes, some of them with ornate toolings; letters and documents of all sorts, ragged files of precious colonial newspapers; torn folios of rare old engravings. With these were mingled the remains of shattered marble busts, fragments of ornamented book cases, window glass and plaster mixed with the mud from heavy boots of cavalrymen who seemed to have played football with everything of value in the place.

54

A curious relic, considering the place where it was found, was a copy of the original edition of Jefferson's `Notes on Virginia,' which contains the author's oft quoted prophecy or forboding relating to the ultimate crisis which he feared must come in this country over the question of slavery. It was only necessary to look at the scene about us to note how truly his apprehensions of calamity had been realized, to say nothing of the great encircling drama of `the slave holders' Rebellion' which now convulsed all the States of the Union.

It tipping over a broken chest in the garret to use as a seat, we picked up and examined some of its contents consisting wholly of old letters, bills of lading, rent receipts and jumbled manuscripts. Examining further we found that we had stumbled upon a rich mine of historic lore. There were a couple of interesting letters signed by Meriwether Smith a member of the Continental Congress from Virginia, dated at Philadelphia about 1778, and giving an account of the foreign relations of the United Colonies. We found manuscript minutes of the secret sessions of the Congress, covering forty or fifty pages, consisting of memoranda of a debate upon the adoption of the American flag. We picked up a packet of receipts for rent of houses in Wmsburg, all signed `Geo. Washington.' There were About thirty of them. It seems that Governor Page was his agent for collecting the rent for these houses probably owned originally by Mrs. Martha Custis.

A thick packet of letters were from Thomas Jefferson to Page, some dating from their college days, others written when Jefferson was the American Minister in Paris. Other letters were equally interesting and precious, such as one from Count Pulaski offering his services to the State of Virginia; several from Richard Henry Lee, in one of which he announced the capture of Major General Charles Lee and the suspicions aroused by it; two or three were from Martha Washington to Mrs. Page and numbers were from Madison, Arthur Lee; Peyton Randolph and other of the most prominent characters of the Revolution.

It was nightfall, before we left the house with our bundles of treasure. Stopping at Headquarters we made an equitable division of letters and autographs; but I knew that Captain Brown was situated where he could better perserve them and favored his retaining the bulk for historical uses, neither of us feeling that we had any actual property right in them, and my active duties in the field prevented my taking more than a passing interest in matters of this kind.

The rain filtering through the roof was fast destroying the already mildewed papers in the garret and library; and the following day the Captain sent to town an army wagon accompanied by infantrymen with shovels. The litter of garret and library was conveyed to the Fort where a number of ladies belonging to the families of officers assisted in carefully looking over the miscellaneous mass discovering many more relics of value nearly all of which, I was 55 afterward informed, reached public historical collections as gifts."¹

When Saunders and his family returned to Williamsburg after the Civil War, he found that certain repairs were absolutely necessary. He wrote to his daughter, Lelia: "I shall merely have such repairs done to the house as are absolutely necessary, & this is very little-and have it cleaned & whitewashed."²

In 1867 Saunders and wife had given a deed of trust to the College of William and Mary for "The house and lots in Williamsburg, constituting the present residence of the said Saunders... to secure the College $2500."³

Saunders died in 1869^{or 1868? See sketch illus #3. M.9.}.⁴ He bequeathed "to his wife, Lucy Burwell Saunders, all of his property excepting his house and lot in Williamsburg wherein his aunt --- Saunders, widow of Uncle John, lived and died." This property he willed to his cousins, Mary and Sarah Saunders. In August, 1869 Mrs. Saunders, the widow, renounced the provisions and codicil of the will.

In lieu of dower- to Mrs. Lucy Saunders- part of the property of Robert Saunders was conveyed by the President and Masters of the College on November 4, 1872. This was the part on which the former Deane house stood:

"Commencing at the southeast corner of the said lot running north 64 feet, by the line fence on the west side of Palace Green, thence west in a straight line back to the lot of Robert H. Armistead, thence south 56 along said Armistead's line of fence to Prince George street, and thence east along said street to the beginning, together with the new wood dwelling and small kitchen thereon."¹

In July, 1870, a report of the faculty and visitors of William and Mary College had disclosed the fact that the Saunders property (or a part of it) had become College property by way of a mortgage:

"... It is necessary that the Grammar School be removed from the College Grounds... The Palace Lot, containing from 4 to 5 acres, belongs to the College, and affords an admirable site for the School... while the capacious dwelling on the adjoining lot which belonged to the Estate of the late Robert Saunders, but was recently... purchased by the College is admirably suitable for the residence of the Master, and the Boarding House of the boys. A convenient school house large enough to accommodate 100 boys 40' by 60' can be erected for about 1500 Dollars... The dower right of M^rs Saunders, to the property, the house & lot, bought by the College, in virtue of which she agrees to retain a portion of the lot at valuation, in fee simple, the excess of her dower over the value of the lot to be expended by the College in constructing a small dwelling on the portion she retains." ²

In July, 1871, a report of the Board of Visitors stated:

"... Since your last meeting, July 1870, a commodious brick building, 62' by 43', for the Grammar and Matty School, has been erected on the foundation of the Colonial Palace, and furnished in the most approved style at a cost of about $4300 00; and a dwelling for M^rs Saunders in payment of her right of Dower in the House and Lot... purchased by the College, at a cost of 400[?] Dolls... The House and Lot thus purchased, with the School House and Palace Lot... nearly 10 acres, may now be assigned to the School, and the College thus relieved of most of its debt, amounting to 8400 Dolls. to the Matty School...." ³

In 1886 William and Mary College conveyed the property to Martha A. Wooten:

[November 4, 1886]

57 "...All that certain lot of land with the buildings thereon situate and being in the City of Williamsburg, State of Virginia, and bounded as follows, to-wit: On the north by Scotland Street; east by Palace Green; south by lot in possession of the Presbyterian Church; and, west by Nassau Street. The same being the lot owned and occupied by Robert Saunders, dec'd, with the exception of the part thereof conveyed by said College to Lucy B. Saunders, in lieu of her dower, she being the widow of said Robert Saunders, dec'd; and the lot adjoining sold to the Presbyterian Church..." ¹

The will of Martha Wooten dated April 20, 1895 and recorded October 8, 1900, provided that "my sister Elizabeth A. Wooten, Lucy Hansford, Sarah W. Hansford and Charles C. Hansford [should have] a home in my house as long as they shall live and at the death of the last one named, I give my house and lot and everything else that may remain after paying the insurance and taxes, to James Custis Hansford and Richard W. Hansford, sons of Charles C. Hansford, to be shared equally between them."²

In 1907 the Hansfords conveyed to Margaret Hansford³:

[March 28, 1907]

"All that lot of land with the buildings thereon, situate on the west side of the Palace Green, known as the Saunders lot and bounded as follows: On the north by Scotland Street, on the west by Nassau Street, on the south by lot of Dr. Bishop and a lot this day sold to E. W. Maynard, and on the east by Palace Street." ⁴

By deed of 1916 Margaret C. Hansford, widow, conveyed to Walter C. Mercer:

[March 31, 1916]

"...All that certain lot... on the west side of Palace Green, known as the Saunders lot, and bounded as follows: On the north by Scotland Street, on the west by Nassau Street, 58 on the south by the lot of Dr. Bishop and a lot sold to E. W. Maynard, and on the east by the Palace Street; ..."¹

In 1922 Mercer conveyed the said property to Oscar L. Shewmake.²

In 1925 Shewmake conveyed said property to Susan A. Price.³ The Land Book for Williamsburg for 1927 indicates that Susan A. Price was assessed for a house and lot on Palace Green, the lot being assessed at $1500 and the buildings at $2700.

In 1928 Susan Price conveyed to Dr. William A.R. Goodwin.⁴

Full details can be seen in the chain to title in the Accounting Department of Colonial Williamsburg. This follows, also, for the small portions cut off at different times on the east and north (conveyed to the Presbyterian Church, Merritt Foster and others). As these are so late in the twentieth century, it does not seem necessary to include in the House History of the Saunders House.

Dr. Goodwin bought the property for Mr. Rockefeller's restoration of Williamsburg.

During the restoration of the house in 1930/31 the Architectural Department found old papers and letters under the floors of the garret and cloth and old papers around the door frames. A fragment of red wallpaper was found in December, 1930; a doctor's bill of 1778; a letter of John Page to his wife in 1796; scraps of colonial newspapers, tickets for a lottery with Robert Saunders name written thereon, &c. These may be seen in the Courthouse Museum. There are also photographs of the garret and the door frame at the Museum.

About the time when Williamsburg Restoration acquired the 59 property, several old citizens were interviewed concerning this house and many others in the city. Their comments follow.

[Description of the property as remembered by Mr. John S. Charles during the Civil War period.] "The only dwelling on the square bounded by Scotland, Nassau, Prince George and Palace streets was the Saunders house, with its numerous outhouses, such as kitchen, servant's quarters, etc. This house presented then very much the same appearance that it does today, with its double front porch supported by white columns built of brick. This was the hospitable home of `Bob Saunders', once president of the College of William and Mary, and professor of mathematics. He was for many years mayor of this city. He was widely known and highly esteemed. He owned many slaves and an extensive plantation on York River. He died not long after the War and was buried in the garden of his home under a big weeping willow tree where now can be seen the tomb stone that marks his final resting place. Nearly on the site of the present Presbyterian Church, there was a big barn and carriage house and to the westward of it, up to recent years, was a small wooden house, used as the coachman's abode. Mr. Saunders owned the entire square at the northeast corner of which was burying ground for the colored."¹

[Description of property by Mrs. Vandergrift, 1931.] "On the site of the old Presbyterian church was a large frame barn, part of the Saunders property." ²

[Mrs. Victoria Lee's description of the property.] "The Saunders house, a large, two story building with a porch up and a porch downstairs, appeared then, as it did before its restoration."³

In 1945 Miss Mary McWilliams, assistant to the Director of Research, in conversation with Miss Estelle Smith, an old citizen who lived in the house now known as the "Brush-Everard House", obtained this information about the Carter-Saunders House:

"I learned from her [Miss Smith] that there was much 60 brick in the house. I gathered that this was in the walls.

She said the kitchen was detached from the house.

She said R. Saunders had added both the front and back porch. The latter was screened in with shutters.

Miss Barbara Page, Miss Lucy's sister [Mrs. Saunders], built an ell with two rooms, tower & upper rooms, for herself on the north side of the house. This the Restoration had removed.

She said the house was occupied by the Provost Marshal of the U. S. Army during the Civil War. The Saunders' family had left the house without taking their papers with them.

She said soldiers rifled the papers and library. Fine books of the Saunders Library, scattered on the Palace Green, by careless U. S. soldiers had been picked up and kept by her mother, Mrs. Sydney Smith who lived in Brush House.

She said that in Bruton Parish, some man from North, after services, said he had John Page Letters. These had been sold in Boston. Thomas Nelson Page of Richmond thought it was all right for this outsider to have them, therefore, her indignation subsided."¹

In 1949 following the razing of the Foster house which stood between the Elkanah Deane House and the Carter-Saunders House, archaeological excavations were made for the first time. "Foundations of a kitchen and three bake ovens were uncovered. The kitchen of the Carter-Saunders House and the various outbuildings on the north edge of the Deane House property appear on a map of Williamsburg about 1782, but the discovery of the bake ovens was quite unexpected. They are neither indicated on any eighteenth-century map nor mentioned in surviving historical documents. Being of considerable size, they were obviously not a domestic bakery for the Carter family. They probably supplied troops quartered near here, or, possibly the military hospital at the Palace during the Revolution."²

Illustration #1

FROM FRENCHMAN'S MAP 1782?
[This drawing includes archaeological excavation done in
December 1948 through March 1949]

Illustration #2

Illustration #3

Illustration # 4

Illustration #5

Magazine of American History, vol XXX (Sept. 1893) pp 115-136Article: Robert Carter of Virginia by Kate Mason Rowland

[Letter from Robert Carter, Williamsburg, to Thomas Bladen, London, an uncle of Mrs. Carter]

"VIRGINIA, WILLIAMSBURG, June 5, 1761.

My last letter to you, I imagine, miscarried,... I have lately exchanged my country house for one in the city. I should rather say (to a resident in England) my desert for a well-inhabited country. This remove obliges me totally to decline the fashionable amusement, and at present I can't command one thing qualified for the turf.

... Your friend Governor Fanquier [sic] often inquires about you and the ladies, to whom I desire my compliments."

In Mrs. Rowland's words we give the account of Carter furnishing his house "in the city" (1761-1773)

"Robert Carter was furnishing his house 'in the city' at this time, and he sends for paper 'to hang three parlours, round the four sides of one parlour measures fifty-five feet, from the floor to the ceiling eleven feet.' For the first parlor he wants a good paper of a crimson color; for the second parlor a better paper, a white ground with large green leaves. The third parlor is to have the best paper, a blue ground with large yellow flowers. Measurements are given also for the papering of a staircase and two passages. Three pairs of yellow silk and worsted damask festoon window curtains are required 'for a room ten feet pitch,' and yellow silk and worsted damask for the seats of eighteen chairs. A mirror four feet by six and a half, 'the glass to be in many pieces agreeable to the present fashion;' three marble hearth slabe, four feet by eighteen inches, 'to be wrought very thin, and good polish;' four large best wrought brass sconces; two glass globes for candles to light a staircase, and a Wilton carpet are the principal articles enumerated. Colonel Carter's house which was near the governor's palace, was to be further embellished by additions to his table service and plate. Within ten years that follow, from 1761 to 1771, orders are sent to London for a mahogany tea chest, the mounting to be of silver, also the canisters and sugar dish; a silver bowl to hold one pint, not wrought; a silver coffeepot 'to hold five dishes,' not wrought; a silver spoon to take up melted butter or gravy out of a sauce boat, 'the bowl to be round and fluted, the handle bent to take sauce out of the boat conveniently;' two silver gravy spoons; a set of silver teaspoons, a dozen silver dessert spoons, and as many silver tablespoons; a silver pepper box; a silver drinking cup and cover, 'to contain one pottle,' to cost about twenty-five pounds; a silver cross to set a salad centre-dish, 'or any other figure that be more convenient,' and two silver salvers eleven inches in diameter. This plate is to be marked with the Carter crest, which is thus described: 'A Talbot sejeant upon a wreath, resting his dexter paw upon an excutcheon containing a Catherine wheel.' At one time two drinking cups are ordered, of blue and white china, `to hold five pints,' and six mother-of-pearl mustard spoons.

The library of the Virginia councillor received various accessions in these years. In 1761 he sent for Tristram Shady, which was then coming out, the third and fourth volumes appearing just at this time. Churchill's Rosciad is also one of the new books of the year which Robert Carter orders and to these he adds Fenelon's Dialogues of the Dead, and four magazines. He says to his London merchant at this time: 'You make no charge. The trouble alone in culling, collecting, and forwarding such entertainment in my opinion is very great. If you will allow me to pay for the performance in the literati way, I desire you will continue to send them, and particularly the political pamphlets.' In 1765 he buys school books, 'two new grammers of the Latin tongue,' Aesop's Fables, two copies of Cornelius Nepos, an English grammar and dictionary; also Bibles and Prayer Books. The following memorandum goes to his merchant in 1767: 'The latest folio edition of S. Johnston's Dictionary of the English Language. But if there hath been published a work on the same plan by another person which is in higher estimation than S. Johnston's dictionary, then send that work and do not send Johnston's.' Other orders for this year are A Course of Lectures on Elocution, by Thomas Sheridan; British Education, by the same writer; Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England; and 'The Critical Reviews to be sent monthly, as they shall be published, from the date of this letter.' In the following year Colonel Carter writes for Dr. Lowther's Introduction to Grammar, and Mr. Hoadley's Accidence; while in 1770 a long list of books is forwarded to London, including various law books, the fifteenth edition of The Compleat Parish Officer, Dr. Smith's Harmonicks, Hume's Complete Works, Bailey's Universal Etymological Dictionary, the Theatre of Mirth, the Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure, to be 'sent monthly as it shall be published.' and a translation of Dr. Isaac Newton's Universal Arithmetick, also North's Examen of the Reign of King Charles II. A knowledge of law was required by a member of the general court, and so Robert Carter, while sending for Blackstone, reports of cases, etc., wishes to obtain also 'the latest exposition of the law terms, if there by any impression since the year 1708, and an explanation of abbreviations used in law books.' The following are some of the books ordered by him in 1771-1773: Julius Bates's Hebrew-English Dictionary, Bentley's Horace, Well's Geography of the Old Testament, Calmet's Dictionary, the third and fourth volumes of Blackstone's Commentaries, the Works of Lord Kames, The Elements of Heraldry, the three volumes of Ferguson's Astronomy, Lectures, Fables, and Tracts, Chambers on Architecture, Harris's Justinian, Joseph Priestley's Works, The Whole Duty of Man, Dr. Burney's Present State of Music in France and Italy, Principles of Harmony, the latest Treatise or Instruction in Psalmody, and A Collection of Statutes relating to the Admiralty, for the Use of the Navy, printed in the year 1768, by Bashnett, London—a sufficiently miscellaneous collection, it will be seen. These titles show Colonel Carter's wide reading, and are instructive as affording a glimpse of the Virginia Gentleman's library at this period.

From the wearing apparel which was to be bought for them in London we may picture the appearance of the councillor's family in all the quaint bravery of eighteenth century fashions. The mistress of the house with her `sack if worn'--for we may be a little behind the times, thinks the good lady, in our far-off Virginia--'if not fashionable, a fashionable undress to cost fifteen pounds sterling,' a cap, handkerchief, and ruffles of 'something slight to wear with the clothes,' a slight genteel cloak and hat for the summer, a pair of straw-colored satin shoes, and white gloves or mittens—for both are worn, and six pairs of each are ordered-- thus prepares herself in the fall of 1761 for the summer season following. A yellow silk bonnet goes with the former attire; and a green sarcenet quilted coat, with green silk bonnet trimmed with brown lace, and a silk handkerchief to wear with it, black velvet shoes, white lamb gloves, and colored mittens, a cap, handkerchief, tucker, ruffles, and apron of lace set on plain muslin, to cost ten pounds, make up the important items of the winter costume. The caps worn are of two kinds, a 'muslin dressed mob' and a 'round eared cap dressed with ribbon.' The little boys of six and eight years old we may see before us in their coats with gilt buttons, breeches, silver laced hats, and shoe and knee buckles. As to the little girls, we must fancy them at four, and two and a half, in long lawn frocks, stays, red morrocco shoes, and lamb mittens. French fillets, or bands for the hair, colored silk bonnets, silk 'neckatees' colored silk shag capuchins to be lined with sarcenet (a kind of silk), fans, red glass necklaces, and both silk and red leather shoes are ordered for the little sisters Priscilla and Ann, while Priscilla has in addition a 'whisk,' that is a tippet or cape. How the councillor himself looked when in gala dress we may gather through the following letter to his London 'taylor,' written in the spring of 1765: 'The clothes,' he says, 'you sent my neighbor George Wythe fitted him much better than my last suit did me. My size and shape of body resemble Captain William Fanquier [sic] of the Guards. Be pleased to make me a French frock, a waistcoat and two pairs of breeches of scarlet cloth, the waistcoat to be lined with silk of the same color, the coat to have no lining, and the pockets to be made of scarlet cloth. The buttonholes of the suit of clothes to be embroidered with gold, and handsome double gilded buttons.' Captain Fanquier [sic] sailed from Williamsburg for London about this time. Colonel Carter was intimate with the governor and his family, Mrs. Fanquier [sic] standing sponsor for the little Ann at her baptism in 1762.

In the spring of 1764 Robert Carter speaks of buying a little place near Williamsburg, from which to supply himself with `the articles to be obtained in good markets.' He laments the custom of each family having a little farm for this purpose, as barring every attempt toward improving the markets, but is forced to follow the example of his neighbors. The town is entertained at this time by the account Mr. Pelham gives of a new instrument he has heard in Philadelphia, where he stopped on his way home from a visit to New York. This was the `Armonica,' and the performer was no other than 'Mr. B. Franklin of Philadelphia.' Colonel Carter writes to a London correspondent: `The instrument pleased Pelham amazingly, and by his advice I now apply to you to send me an Armonica (as played on by Miss Davies at the great room in Spring Garden), being the musical glasses without water, framed into a complete instrument, capable of thorough bass, and never out of tune. Charles James of Purpoole [?] Lane, near Gray's Inn, London, is the only maker of the Armonica in England. Let the glasses be clear crystal and not stained, for whatever distinction of color may be thought necessary to facilitate the performance may be made here. The greatest accuracy imaginable must be observed in tuning the instrument, and directions procured for grinding the glasses. They must be packed with great care, for if the glass should be broke the instrument will be rendered useless until the accident could be repaired from London. The case or frame in which the instrument is fixed is to be made of black walnut.' The harmonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin, though it seems it was to be procured only in England, and the special instrument ordered by the music-loving councillor arrived safely and proved durable, for it may still be seen in its venerable black walnut case.

Lord Adam Gordon passed through Virginia in the summer of 1765, as we learn from Robert Carter's letters. While in Williamsburg Colonel Tayloe of `Mount Airy' was appointed to attend him in his travels through the colony. He was returning from Jamaica, to which place he had carried out the regiment of which he was the colonel, in 1762. Not content with his harmonica, Colonel Carter sends for a German flute, about this time, with a book to instruct him in this instrument, also two small flutes. He visits Annapolis in July, 1766, and writes to Thomas Bladen, Esq., on his return to Williamsburg, giving him news of his relatives there. 'Miss M. Ogle is pretty,' he adds, `and your niece (miss's mama) has consented that Mr. I. Anderson jun., should write a letter to his father (who resides in London) requesting his permission to marry miss. So that I believe you will see her shortly at your house in Albemarle street.' Robert Carter fills up the rest of his letter with an account of a tragic affair which had lately happened in the colony, and in which, as a member of the general court, he has a professional interest. It affords a curious glimpse of the manners of the age, when 'Presbyterian fellow' was a term of opprobrium, it seems, in Church of England Virginia. Here is the narration in Colonel Carter's words: 'Mr. Routledge and some of his acquaintance met pretty early in the morning of the third day of the last month at an inn in Cumberland county, and they were joined the evening following by Colonel I. Chiswell, and Colonel C----ll, after passing some time with the company, began to be very liberal of oaths in conversation, upon which Rut----ge who was a friend of C----ll signified his displeasure; at which rebuke C. called R. a fugitive rebel, a villain who came to Virginia to cheat and to defraud men of their property, and a Presbyterian fellow. Upon which R. threw a glass of wine at him, and C. in return attempted to throw a bowl, a candlestick and a pair of tongs at R., but some of the company interposed. C. ordered his servant to go to another house and bring him his sword, and the servant gave it to him in a shed-room adjoining to the room where the company was sitting. Then C. reentered the room, and one of the company attempted to take the sword from him, but he did not succeed. C. thus armed ordered R. to go out of the company, and swore if he stayed there he, C., would kill him. But R. did not go, and C. stabbed him through the heart across the table. It has been said that C. was sober, and that R. was not sober. The jury of inquiry before the coroner found that Robert Routledge was killed by a sword in C.'s hand, and the examining court ordered that he, C., should be carried to the public gaol, to be legally tried there (for the county courts have not cognizance of white people under criminal prosecution), and they refused to admit C. to bail upon a motion made by his attorney. John Blair, W. Byrd, P. Thornton, Esqs. (three gentlemen of the council) did admit him, C., to bail (out of session) upon examining two persons who were present at the examining court who exculpated C. and blamed the deceased R. The contrariety of opinion as to the fact is very alarming, but I hope the whole truth will come out at the future trial. I shall neither applaud nor censure my brethern's act in the case just now. But the only point I beg leave to examine is, whether their bailing was legal or not.'

This Colonel Chiswell was the son of Colonel Charles Chiswell, the proprietor of the mines near Germanna, visited by William Byrd in 1732. The Colonel Byrd of 1766 was a son of the gentleman who was entertained by the Chiswells in his `Progress to the Mines,' and therefore very naturally wished to befriend the slayer of Mr. Routledge. The latter did not, apparently, hold the same social position as his antagonist, and this fact, probably, had its effect upon John Blair and the other gentlemen who sought to vindicate, in Colonel Chiswell, one of their order. However, popular sentiment was against Chiswell, who after his indictment committed suicide in prison. He was connected by marriage with John Robinson, who had been both speaker and treasurer of the house of burgesses, and who is alluded to in the following letter from Robert Carter of November 20, 1766. He writes to Edward Hunt and son, London:

...

In April, 1767, Colonel Carter writes to merchants in the island of Madeira, as he hears of the scarceness of bread there, sending them a quantity of corn and some wheat, to be exchanged for their very best wines, one-third to be put in pipes, one-third in hogsheads, and the remainder in casks. Two pipes of the wine he will reserve for his own use, and he wants also one hogshead of richest 'Malmsey Madeira.' He adds: 'By this coveyance I send a negro woman, Mary Anne, to be exchanged for bullion or Madeira wine. I do perfer the former if it should be attended with some loss. She is banished for cruelly beating one of my children. She was reared in my nursery and is a good seemstress.' Robert Carter had chartered the ship Peggy to carry eight thousand two hundred and seventy-two bushels of grain to Madeira. The wines to be obtained in exchange were most of them to be sold to Beverly Robinson of New York, at which port the ship would stop first on its return. The wines that were brought to Virginia were to be landed at the College landing, Williamsburg, to be deposited in Colonel Carter's cellars there.

Mrs. Carter, who appeared at the palace entertainments, in 1767, in 'a suit,' cap, handkerchief, tucker and pair of ruffles, made of muslin, 'laced with Brussels point,' costing about twenty-two pounds sterling, and a negligee petticoat of slight buff-colored lutestring, trimmed with silk of the same, and white satin shoes, went into mourning, on the death of her father, President Tasker, the following year, and ordered from London the following articles: black satin cloak to be lined with black, black satin bonnet, black quilted petticoat, black silk net gloves, black lace hood and handkerchief, with two black feathers to wear on the head. Or perhaps this was court mourning for Governor Fanquier [sic] who died also in 1768. He had been ill for nearly a year, we may infer from one of Colonel Carter's letters, and his death on the 7th of March, 1768, is thus announced to Thomas Bladen and Sir Jeffrey Amherst, [by Carter]."

Illustration #6

Hening's Statutes at Large..., Vol. 5, pp. 300-303:

In September, 1744 there was an "Act, [passed] to vest certain Lands therein mentioned, whereof George Carter, Esq; lately died seised, in fee-simple, in certain trustees therein named, to be sold, for the performance of his Will." It recites that George Carter "made his last will and testament, in writing, bearing date the second day of January, one thousand seven hundred and forty one; and therein he recited, that by the will of his father, Robert Carter, late of this Colony, esq; deceased, certain lands, therein more particularly described, were given to him, in tail general, or in tail-male, with the remainders limited, after the said estates tail, to several of his brothers, in different orders;... and that such of his brothers as should, upon his decease, become entituled to the remainders above-mentioned, should have no benefit of any other part of his real or personal estate, any other ways than as before-mentioned, or under such restrictions as was thereafter expressed: And as to the rest of his real estate, he did devise the same to his brother John Carter, esq; and his heirs, in trust; nevertheless, that he should sell the same, and apply and pay the money arising by the sale, to such persons, and in such shares, as, by the laws of Virginia, the personal estate of any one, dying intestate, is distributed; and that the residue of his personal estate, lying, at the time of his decease, either in England, or Virginia, and not therein before or thereafter disposed of, should likewise be distributed in the same manner, as the said personal estate would have been divided, by the laws of Virginia, in case he had died intestate: Provided nevertheless, That such of his brothers as should be entituled, by virtue of his father's will, to the next remainder of any of the lands upon his decease, should have no share of the money arising from the sale of such lands as were directed to be sold, or of the residue of his personal estate, thereby bequeathed, unless they should first bring into hotch potch, the said lands to which they should succeed, upon his decease; and likewise all the stocks, slaves, and utensils, upon the said lands therein before bequeathed to them, as in the said will more fully is contained.

II. And whereas, after the death of the said testator, George Carter, the lands whereof he died seised, in fee tail, did according to the will of his said father, go in remainder to his brother Landon Carter of the County of Richmond, esq; who is now seised thereof; and also possessed of the said slaves, stocks, and utensils, which were of the said George Carter, at the time of his death, upon the said lands, and hath refused to bring the same into hotch potch.

III. And whereas the said John Carter never executed the trust reposed in him by the said will, and lately departed this life, leaving issue Charles Carter, his eldest son, and heir at law, an infant of tender years: And it hath been represented to this General Assembly, by the persons who are entituled to the money, arising from the sale of the lands of which the said George Carter died seised, in fee simple, that the said lands now lie uncultivated and burthened with quit-rents; and that they are all willing and desirous that the same should be sold, pursuant to the will of the said testator; but the said Charles Carter being an infant, as aforesaid, the same cannot be done, as the case now is, for many years: Therefore, at their humble suit,

IV. Be it enacted, by the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this act, the said tract or parcel of land, containing three thousand three hundred and twelve acres, or thereabouts, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the said counties of Prince William and Fairfax; the said tract or parcel of land, containing two thousand nine hundred and forty one acres, or thereabouts, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the said county of Prince William; the said tract or parcel of land, containing six thousand nine hundred and forty three acres, or thereabouts, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the said county of Prince William; and the said tract or parcel of land, containing eight thousand three hundred and sixty five acres, with the appurtenances, lying and being in the said county of Frederick; and all other the lands and tenements in this colony, where of the said George Carter died seised, in fee simple, be, and they are hereby vested in Charles Carter, Peter Hedgman, Thomas Turner, Benjamin Robinson, George Braxton the younger and William Waller, gentlemen, and the survivors and survivor of them, in fee-simple, in trust [and that they] or any two or more of them, and the survivors and survivor, shall sell, to any person or persons who shall be willing to purchase the same, and for the best price that can be got, all and singular the premises, with the appurtenances, hereby vested in them, and every part and parcel thereof; and shall and may execute all deeds and conveyances, necessary in the law, for assuring unto such purchaser or purchasers shall, for ever thereafter, peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the lands and appurtenances so purchased, to their heirs and assigns, for ever...."

Illustration #7
FURNISHINGS IN THE HOUSE OF ROBERT CARTER OF NOMINI HALL
while he was living in Williamsburg

• Wallpaper for three parlors (crimson*, white with green leaves, blue with yellow flowers)
• Damask window curtains (3 pairs yellow silk & worsted)
• Damask for chairs (18 chairs to be covered with yellow silk and worsted damask)
• Mirror 4' x 6 ½'
• Marble hearth slabs 4" x 18"
• Sconces (4 brass)
• Globes (2 glass for staircase)
• Carpet (Wilton)
• Silver (See: below)
• Tea Chest (mahogany, mounting of silver)
• Cannisters
• Sugar Dish (silver)
• Bowl (silver)
• Coffee Pot (silver to hold five dishes)
• Spoon (silver butter or sauce)
• Sauce boat (silver, round and fluted)
• Spoon (gravy of silver)
• Spoons (set of silver tea spoons)
• Spoons (1 dozen table silver spoons & 1 dozen dessert)
• Cup (silver drinking, to cost £25)
• Pepper box (silver)
• Cross (silver, "to set a salad centre-dish")
• Salver (2 silver ones 11" in diameter)
• Cup (2 drinking, blue and white china to hold 5 pints)
• Spoons (6 mother-of-pearl mustard spoons)
• Books (See: list to follow)
• Organ (mahogany case)
• Harmonica (musical glasses)
• Piano forte
• Flutes (with book of instructions)
• Guitar
• Violin
• Music books
• Music stand
• Toilet glass
• Desk (mahogany)
• Bookcase (mahogany) These were bought from Nathaniel Walthoe's sale.
• Toys (painted set of tea toys) Children's tea set?
• Candlesticks
• Dishes (oval)
• Plates
• Tureen
• Chair (easy, covered with crimson silk damask)
• Glass (dressing)
• Chairs (8 mahogany, "stuffed over rails, with brass nails")
• Chairs (4 elbow)
• Penknife (2 with ivory handles & sheaths)
• Table (library)
• Stand (surveying)
• Case (mahogany)
• Trunks
• Chests
• Case (satin, containing camera obscura)
• Jugs (stone for wine)
• Pots (butter)
• Furniture
• Liquors
• Wines
• Books:
  • 1 large Bible in 2 Vol. sup^r
  • 3 common prayer Books, large type sup^r
  • Greek Testament
  • Virgil
  • Hederici Lexicon, Tenretius
  • Latis Testament
  • Sallust
  • Horace de Tartaron, or Horatii
  • Greek prayer-Book
  • Quinceys Dispensitory
  • Mercers Abridgement of the Virginia Laws & the Abridgement of the History of England
  • 1 school Bible
  • Every Man his Own Lawyer
  • Robinson's History Charles 5th
  • Littleton's History of Henry 2^d
  • Complete Letter Writer
  • Humber's Peerage of England
  • Humber's Peerage of Scotland
  • Lilly's Grammar
  • Prosodie Court
  • One Alphabet
  • L.C.'s Pamphlet
  • Smollet's History 11 Vols.
  • Smollet's History 4 Vols.
  • Miller's Dictionary
  • Clarke's Cordery
  • Ward's edition of Lilly's Grammar
  • Philosophical Transactions
  • Barron Montesque's Work complete (except, his Spirit of Laws, which work I have in my own Library)
  • Coke on Littleton complete
  • Acts of Parliament d^o
  • Burrowes Reports-
  • Camden's Brittania-
  • Tristam Shandy
  • Churchill's Rosciad
  • Aesop's Fables
  • Cornelius Nepos
  • Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language
  • A Course of Lectures on Elocution by Thomas Sheridan
  • British Education by Sheridan
  • Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England
  • Dr. Lowther's Introduction to Grammer
  • Mr. Hadley's Accidence
  • The Compleat Parish Officer
  • Dr. smith's Harmonicks
  • Hume's Complete Works
  • Bailey's Universal Etymological Dictionary
  • The Theatre of Mirth
  • The Universal Magazine of Knowledger and Pleasure (monthly)
  • Isaac Newton's Universal Arithmetick
  • North's Examen of the Reign of King Charles II.
  • Julius Bates's hebrew-English Dictionary
  • Bentley's Horace
  • Wells's Geography of the Old Testament
  • Calmet's Dictionary
  • Blackstone's Commentaries 3 & 4 Vols.
  • Works of Lord Kames
  • The Elements of Heraldry
  • Ferguson's Astronomy
  • Lectures, Fables and Tracts
  • Chambers on Architecture
  • Harris's Justinian
  • Lectures
  • Joseph Priestley's Works
  • The Whole Duty of Man
  • Dr. Burney's Present State of Music in France and Italy
  • Principles of Harmony
  • Treatise or Instruction in Psalmody
  • A Collection of Statutes relating to the Admiralty, for the Use of the Navy (1768) by Bashnett, London

[SOURCES]

• Carter papers, Virginia Historical Society; microfilm Reel 5
• Carter papers: Letter Books, Duke University
• Article by Kate Mason Rowland in Magazine of American History, Vol. XXX (September, 1893) pp. 115-136
• Virginia Gazette, Royle, ed.; negative photostats, CWI, from University of Virginia Archives

Illustration #8

[Letter to Pelham (?) from Thos. Griffin, Organ-Maker, London]

Jany 15, 1770

"Sir I am favoured with Your directions for making an Organ for a Gentleman in Virginia to consist of two Strapt Despasons, the fashion of a Bookcase.

The erroneous principal on which the Bellows are constructed, renders you say utterly impracticable to Tune with any degree of accuracy, here I must begg live to differ in opinion you in support of Yours. you describe the construction, and defects of the Bellows very properly but at the same time you discribe the deffects, you point out the cause, which lyes in the manner of Blowing to Quick which puts the whole Organ into Convulsions, Then the Bellow should be kept in a certain direction, not more than two or three degrees above the Horizon nor two or three below it and not to be always blowing; by which means the Organ may be Tuned to as great perfection as required.

I am much pleased with your Mecahecal [sic] description of the plan you have proposed as a remidy, which may pass in Theory, but will not do in practice. For about five and Twenty years ago, a remidy for these defects I had much at heart, and tryed many Experiements, and encourage others I hitt upon the very scheme you have proposed, but not being willing to trust to my own Judgment I Consulted with some Eminent Mechanicks who were all of Opinion that the remidy would be worse than the evil complained of and that for the following ressons; first the ribs, which must consist of three or four rounds, will as the Bellows rise and fall will alter the presure on the air and Occassion the whole Organ to Chatter, not withstanding the pollish. Many more reasons may be given, but these with a litle reflection you will find sufficient. Upon the whole this Organ in designed, more for the Gentlemans good liking, than any advantage to it, therefore dare not engage with so many difficultys on a stated price for the principal Charge of Building an Organ, is Time, and how much such a one may take, no one can tell. another reason why I should not engage in such difficultys is, however shall be very ready to give any Assistance in my power. And as to Your scheme, if it were practicable, I know but of one person I could recomend to Execute it and he is fourscore Years of age and more business than he in all likelyhood will Live to finish.

The case as you describe it, will not only prevent its being in Tune but burden the speaking of the pipes, for the Doors and the frett work. front must be taken out when it is Tuned, and when shutt up will be out of tune and if Room Sufficient be alowed to prevent the Inconvenience I complain of, the sise will be Enormous.

I am Sir Your Most Humble Servant
Thos Griffin

London Jany 15th 1770.

Note, if I am favoured hereafter with a Letter please to direct for me at No 8 in Kingsland Middlesex"

[no endorsement
on back of letter]

[Source]

• Carter papers, (Virginia Historical Society)
• Carter-Keith Papers, Reel 3, file 2, Microfilm CWI

[Letter J & J Simpson to R. C. Williamsburg]

"London 18th May 1771

Sir
We find that Messrs Hyndman Lancaster & Co of this City, having your orders to apply to Mr Thomas Griffin an Organ builder here, to have an Organ constructed upon the Plan described by mr Pelham, went to him, with an intent of having your said directions complied with by him; & on the immediate receipt of your Letter, but found he had retired from business some time before its arrival. They then instructed us with the construction of the Organ, which we have done to the full extent of our abilities, & hope the pains we have taken with it, will answer your expectations as well as our desire of giving you satisfaction. We have not been able to adhere litterally to the Rules prescribed by Mr Thomas Pelham, though you will find those we have substituted in their room, will prove equally effectual. We have made Organs with Bellows corresponding with the description given by that Gentleman, but never found they were any way equal to those we have put in your Organ. The reason of the difference in the performance of these Bellows is obvious, & will appear on a slight Examination . The Bellows constructed so as to act under the Restraint of the 4 Iron Bars in its up & down motion is liable by the friction to squeak & make a disagreeable Noise whereas the principle upon which ours is constructed, is exempted from any inconvenience; & will deliver the Wind in so regular in manner as to admit its being tuned to the greatest nicety.

We have paid the greatest attention in forming the Pipes, that the Tone they yield shall be soft & sweet, as you desired by your Letter that particular regard should be paid to that. As to the Case which you order should be of Deal, we have again taken the liberty to disobey you, & for a reason as forcible as the former. Deal being a soft Wood is very liable to Decay, & can never look half as well as Mahogany. The difference being so much in favour of the latter Wood & the additional Expence so trifling, we thought it much more to your advantage to fit a Mahogany Case to the Organ, which we have done.

We have sent the Musick, & 2 flutes tipt with silver, we doubt not but they will appear sufficiently in their own recommendation, & hoping our execution of this order will engage you to favour us with your future Commands,

We remain very respectfully
Sir Your Most Obedient Survant
J:&J: Simpson"

[Source]

• Carter papers (Virginia Historical Society) Reel 3 Carter-Keith, file 1.

Millington's wash drawing of the Carter-Saunders
house and Palace outbuildings. Original at
William and Mary College. Date: ca 1853.
N5998 Colonial Williamsburg

Carter-Saunders House
Colonial Williamsburg
(photograph by Nivison #4231)
Photo of half tone print of wash drawing by Millington
(c. 1855): William and Mary College and CWI each have
print of half-tone, but no one knows where original is.

Enlargement from small picture found in the Carter-
Saunders House History folder. On back of it was:
"House in the yard of the Dinwiddie-Saunders
house as it was before brick front was put in, in 1928.
This photograph was given to Colonial Williamsburg
by Dr. Price.

Carter-Saunders House
Colonial Williamsburg
(photograph by Nivison #N-3633)

Layton Collection
Colonial Williamsburg 1931

Layton Collection
Colonial Williamsburg 1931

Layton Collection
Colonial Williamsburg

Layton Collection
Colonial Williamsburg 1931

Layton Collection
Colonial Williamsburg 1931