Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

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Carter - Saunders House
Block 30 - Lots 333, 334, 335, 336

It is difficult to explain why there is a gap of more than forty years between 1705, the date when this part of Williamsburg became important, and 1746, the date of the first known record of this lot. It would seem that the location of the governor's house near these lots in 1705 (Hening's Statutes At Large, III, 285-287) would have made lots 333-336 desirable at a very early date. There are records in the second decade of the eighteenth century for the other colonial properties on Palace Street. 1716, 1717, and 1720 are the dates for the earliest records of the First Theatre lots, the Brush House lots, and the Elkanah Deane House lots, respectively (York County Records, Deed & Bonds, III, 204ff, 246-7; 353). Perhaps the explanation ¹ of the gap in the source for the early history of this property lies in the fact that the records of the General Court, and of James City County Court were destroyed during the Civil War.

When lots 333, 334, 335 and 336 first appear in the available records, they were in the possession of Charles Carter of King George County and already had houses built upon them. As was pointed out in the ^footnotes, it is not known how Carter came into possession of the lots or what use he made of them. The following deed contains no reference to an earlier owner:

March 27, 1746

Carter, Charles Esq. of
King George
to
Cary, Robert - merchant
of London

Consideration: 103 pounds, 8 shillings (current money)

All that Messuage Houses and four lots of land situate in Palace Street in the City of Williamsburg and described in the plan of the said city by the figures 333, 334, 335, 336 together with all Buildings, Houses

York County Records, Book V, Deeds, 167)

The ownership of lots in Williamsburg by British merchant firms, such as that of Robert Cary was not unusual. A reference to the house histories, the King's Arms and Purdie's Dwelling, Block 9 (Report of dates Jan. 15, March 25, 1941) shows that British merchant companies came into possession of other Williamsburg lots. Perhaps the ownership of lots 333-336 by a London merchant came about as a result of a mortgage given, or the foreclosure of a mortgage. Robert Cary was encumbered in the fall of 1745 with property mortgages which he held as security for money loaned. (Virginia 3 Gazette, William Parke, November 7, 1745.)

This, and some of the later deeds contains the extremely important statement that the houses purchased were those bought by the grantor from the preceding owner:

October 7, 1747

Cary, Robert - of London
to
McKenzie, Kenneth of Williamsburgh - Dr. Physics

Consideration: 224 Pounds, 13 shillings, 2 pence. (Current Money)

All that Messuage houses and 4 lotts of land situate in Pallace Street in the city of Williamsburgh and described in the Plan of the said City by the figures 333, 334, 335, 336, and is the messuage houses and lotts of land which the said Robert Cary purchased of Charles Carter, of the County of King George March 7, 1746

(York County Records, Book V, Deeds, 299)

Dr. McKenzie¹ lived here apparently four years - from 1747 through most of 1751. In later pages of this report there is some evidence that he built or set up a shop on these lots and undoubted proof that he built a meat house which encroached upon the property of his neighbor on the south. The shop ² probably was used by the "doctor of physic" as a storehouse from which drugs and sundry articles were sold. In 1745 while 4 living at lots 16 and 17 (York County Records, III, Deeds, Bonds, 528; Virginia Gazette, Parks, May 16, 1745) he had advertised in the Virginia Gazette his imported "Medicines, Chimical and Galenical" for sale. (Virginia Gazette, Parks, January 23.) Unfortunately there are no Virginia Gazette issues available for the early years during which McKenzie lived at lots 333-336. No advertisements of his appear in the Gazette of 1751.

McKenzie's house became important in 1751 when the Council was forced to find a suitable residence for the incoming lieutenant-governor, Robert Dinwiddie. The Palace had for several years been in a "Ruinous Condition" (Journals of Council, Oct. 10, 1749, PRO CO 5, 1338, pp. 32-33. Photostat in Dept. of Research. See Palace typed notes, 137-143, for facts about the condition of the Palace from 1749 to 1751.) Therefore the Council appointed John Blair and Philip Ludwell as a committee to rent a house for the governor. One of the houses considered was Ludwell's, but the one finally selected was Doctor McKenzie's which was purchased rather than rented (William and Mary Quarterly, First Series, VIII, 14-15; photostat copy, Journals of the Council, 1740-52, p. 517).

The deed of purchase shows that the buyer held property in trust. More important from the standpoint of this house history is the statement that the houses were the "messuage houses" which Cary conveyed to McKenzie:

December 20, 1751

MacKenzie, Kenneth - Dr. Physics
Joanna, his wife,
to
Grymes, Phillip - His Majesty's Receiver General of the Colony of Va.

Consideration: 537 Pounds, 10 shillings. Current Money

All that messuage houses and four lotts of land situate in Palace Street in the said city of Williamsburg and described in the plan of the said city by the numbers 333, 334, 335, 336, and are the messuage houses and four lots of land which the said Kenneth MacKenzie purchased of Robert Cary of London, and were by the said Robert conveyed to the said Kenneth by indenture dated October 7, 1747, and all buildings, houses and outhouses (except one House thereon being to wit the shop 5 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, Water Courses, etc ... In trust and to and for the use of his majesty's 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 Majesty's 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 shall order and direct ...

(York County Records, V, Deeds, 468)

The fact that McKenzie was allowed to remove the shop and that the building was referred to as "the shop of the said Kenneth MacKenzie" suggests, but does not prove, that this building was erected by the physician.

The records concerned with Governor Dinwiddie's occupation of lots 333-336 are extremely unsatisfactory. It is clear that he did not go at once to the Palace to live, but went to the "attorney's" on Nov. 22, 1751 (William and Mary Quarterly, First Series, VIII, 15). However, the governor was having guests for meals by Dec. 27th (Ibid., 17). A letter of Dinwiddie's, refers to "three rooms below besides the garret rooms" (Ibid., VII, 145 Fn 2. This writer has not seen the original nor a copy of this letter.) This description of small quarters has been taken as evidence that Dinwiddie occupied the houses at lots 333-336 (William and Mary Quarterly, First Series, VIII, 17, Fn. 1). Repairs amounting to nearly £2000 were charged in 1752, 1753 and 1754 ¹ (Public Record Office, London, CO 5, 1327, 1328. Transcripts in Library of Congress) and suggest that occupation of the Palace while these were going on could have been unsatisfactory. By November 1752, the governor was able to have a ball and "a very elegant Entertainment" at the Palace for George III's birthday celebration (Virginia Gazette, Hunter, Nov. 17.)

On December 19, 1753, Philip Grymes who held lots 333-336 in trust sold them to Robert Carter Nicholas for £ 450. The deed recording this transfer in its preface contains the information found in the above deed: i.e. that Grymes held the property in trust as long as the Lieutenant-Governor and Council thought fit. The deed further states that by the order and direction of Governor Robert Dinwiddie and with the advice of the Council, he (Grymes) now granted:

All that messuage houses and four lots of land situate in Palace Street in the City of Williamsburg and denoted in the plan of said city by the figures 333, 334, 335, 336 and are the messuagge houses and four lots of land which Kenneth MacKenzie and Joanna, his wife sold the said Philip Grymes in trust. (York County Records, V, Deeds, 572)

These four lots were owned by Robert C. Nicholas ¹ from 1753 to 1761 and probably occupied by him during that time. The one bit of evidence that Nicholas lived on these lots is the information found in Robert Carter's letter and quoted in later pages of this report. Carter stated that Nicholas had built a stable and line of palings between this property and the lots on the south. Although the letter was written long after the event referred to, Carter would recall whether or not his cousin, Robert Carter Nicholas, had preceded him as occupant of lots 333-336.

In March 1761, Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, his wife, three children ² and "domesticks" came to live in the houses on these lots. (Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, 7 Chauvent Collection Duke University, Mss, Memorandum Book, Vol. 13, 1773-1776, 203. Typed copy in the Research Department.)

Carter purchased the lots, as the following deed shows:

May 7, 1761

Nicholas, Robert Carter
Anne, his wife
to
Carter, Hon. Robert Esquire

Consideration: 650 Pounds Current money

All those four lots of land with the buildings thereon erected situate on Palace Street in the City of Williamsburg which were conveyed to the said Robert Carter Nicholas by the Honorable Philip Grymes, Esq., his Majesty's Receiver General, and are described in the Plan of the said city by the numbers 333, 334, 334, 336 together with all ways. … (York Co. Records, Deeds, VI, 357-359.)

From McKenzie and Nicholas, Robert Carter inherited "certain disputes and controversies" with his neighbor William Carter, concerning the dividing line between the two Carters' properties. An agreement was reached by William Carter giving up title to the land in question:

Aug. 11, 1761

Carter, William, Surgeon
to
Carter, Hon. Robert

Whereas certain disputes and controversies have lately arisen between the said William Carter and Robert Carter of and concerning the true and just dividing line between the lots of the said Robert Carter, which he lately purchased of Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, and the lots of the said William Carter, which he lately purchased of John Chiswell, gentleman, the said William Carter, claiming [as his right?] a certain piece or parcel of ground on the Northside [of the line?] of pales of the said Robert Carter which divides the lots of the said Robert Carter from the lots of the said William Carter from Palace Street to the West end of their said lots and which piece or parcel of ground is now in the possession of the said Robert Carter. Now, therefore, for ending and finally determining the said disputes and controversies, this indenture witnesses that the said William Carter for the consideration aforesaid, also for and in consideration of the sum of 5 shillings to him in hand paid by the said Robert Carter at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents … hath … aliened, revised, 8 released and forever quit claimed .... unto the said Robert Carter his heirs and assigns forever all the estate, right, title, … which he the said William Carter hath or might have in and to the said piece or parcel of ground above mentioned now being within the said line of pales and in the possession of the said Robert Carter as aforesaid …

(York County Records, Deeds, VI, 364-365)

A letter written by Robert Carter twenty seven years later ¹ (Nov. 5, 1778) to Dudley Digges, a prospective buyer of Carter's lots 333-336, explains the cause of the "disputes and controversies" between the neighbors, if Carter's memory may be trusted.

Carter wrote

Doctor Wm 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 before Robert Carter's purchase of them] had not been informed of said business. that the line of Paling and 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. (Mss. Letter Book, Letter to Dudley Diggs & Thos Everard, University. Typed Carter Papers in Research Files.)

Carter was a member of the Council ² by 1762 (Virginia Almanac for that year; H. D. Farish, Ed. Journal & Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian, 1773-1774, 34). This carried with it membership as a judge in the General Court of Colonial Virginia. Carter was a very important person socially and officially, in Williamsburg. Governor Fauquier named him as one of the executors of his will made in 1767. (York County Records, XXI, Wills, Inventories, 397-403.) George Washington and Lord Botetourt dined at Carter's home in 1769. (John Fitzpatrick, Ed. George Washington Diaries, I, 135) Carter's home was visited by Lord Botetourt on the day before the last 9 public appearance of the governor in Williamsburg. (Letter to Duke of Beaufort, Oct. 9, 1770, Magazine of American History, XXX, 135.) Carter and Richard Corbin were sent by the Council aboard the Fowey to warn Dunmore against sending marines and sailors to the Palace. (J.H.B., 1773-1776, 198).

Carter's orders to London merchants for plate and furnishings give the impression that his surroundings were rich and elegant. (Magazine of American History, Sept. 1893, XXX, 124-125.) During the ten years from 1761 to 1777 ¹, orders were sent to London for a mahogany tea chest, the mounting to be of silver, also canisters and sugar dishes; 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 was to be marked with the Carter crest, which is thus described: A Talbot sejeant upon a wreath, resting his dexter paw upon an escutcheon containing a Catherine wheel." At one time two drinking cups were ordered, of blue and white china, "to hold five pints" and six mother-of-pearl mustard spoons.

For his house "in the city", Carter ordered paper "to hang three parlours, round the four sides of one parlour measures fifty-five feet, from the floor to the 10 ceiling eleven feet." For the first parlor he wanted a good paper of a crimson color; for the second parlor a better paper, a white ground with large green leaves. The third parlor to have the best paper, a blue ground with large yellow flowers. Measurements were given also for the papering of a staircase and two passages. Three pairs of yellow silk and worsted damask festoon window curtains were 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 to have a good polish, four large best wrought brass sconces, two glass globes for candles to light a staircase, and a Wilton carpet were the principal articles enumerated. (Ibid. 124). ¹

In 1771, 1772, and 1773, 1774, Williamsburg carpenters repaired houses for Robert Carter. Although there is no proof of the location of the houses, these bills are included in this report in Appendix, Illustration I. Perhaps all these bills refer to Carter's Williamsburg property. The accounts for 1771 and 1772 undoubtedly do.

In the first part of the year, 1772, Carter moved his family back to Nomini Hall in Westmoreland County. Carter, at separate times, suggests two different reasons for returning to his estate. In his memorandum book intended for his own record, he wrote in the same sentence: "a new system of politicks in british north America, began to prevail" and in the month of May of the same year [1772] myself and family removed from Wmsburg." (Mss. Memorandum Book, 1773-1776, XIII, 203, Chauvenet Collection, Duke University. Typed copy in Research Dept.) In a letter to Peyton Randolph from Nomini Hall on January 23, 1773, Carter wrote that he and Mrs. Carter thought the 11 house in Williamsburg "not Sufficiently roomy for our family, and must remain, here, 'till an Addition be Built to that house". (Mss. Letter Book I, 1772-1774, 66, Duke University Collection.) Descriptions of the Williamsburg home by members of the Carter family to Philip Fithian while he was a tutor at Nomini Hall in 1773-1774, led him to describe a house he never saw as "elegant & Spacious". (Journal & Letters of Fithian, 106).

The Carters did not move bag and baggage to Nomini; over a period of years they transferred an organ, wines, books, linens, and some furniture from Williamsburg to their plantation (Letters of Carter referred to in the following pages; Farish, Ed. Journal & Letters of Fithian, 39).

In a letter to his agent Jacob Bruce ¹ of Williamsburg, in the summer of 1772, Carter ordered "an Inventory of all the goods in the Store room & other places, furniture & liquor in the House, specifying what liquor is in Casks, what in Stone Juggs, Carboys & Bottles…I understand negro David, Gardiner, & his wife in Wmsburg have been Saucy to Mrs. Crawly who lives att my House there."… (Letter of Carter to Bruce, July 27, 1772, Mss. Letter Book, 1772-1774, I, 38-39, Duke University. Typed copy in Dept. of Research.)

In describing in this letter the location of some of the articles in the house that he wanted Bruce to collect and send to Nomini, Carter throws light, not only on the furnishings of his house, but also on architectural features. Carter requested:

• Two Ivory Handle penknives & sheaths left on the library Table
• The large Candle mould in the Closett in the Cover'd Way
• Books mention'd in my former Letter
• Also
• • Greek Testament, Virgil
  • Hederici Lexicon, Terentius
  • Latin Testament, Sallust
  • Horace de Tartaron, or Horatii
  • Greek prayer Book
    These Books are in the Closet Joining to My Room.
  • 12
  • Quinceys Dispensitory
  • Mercers Abridgement of the History of England Mentioned in my former letter
• 1 Brass Drill & all the bitts
• The soldening pipe
• All the Screw plates
• Half the Gimbletts
• Half the files & rasps
• 2 Screw Drivers
• Half the Chissels
• All the plates for Drawing Wire

Sam, to Choose these Tools out of my Tool Chest.

A later letter to his agent, Robert Prentis, merchant of Williamsburg, lists articles left by the Carters in the home:

Nomony Hall Dec: 5th 1774

Sir
The Following Packages, are at my House in Wmsburg, which I desire may be sent here by the return of the Harriet -
5 deal Cases, large containing 1 Desk & Book Case, 1 looking Glass, large and 1 Organ - 2 peices of deal, loose, the back of the Organ Case mentioned above. 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 containing a Camera Obscura, is in a Closet adjoining the Room called my Study - Key thereof sent. All the Mortice Locks & Ectera belongin thereto, Do Closet Stone Jugs, containing Wine, in one of the Cellars - 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

(Letter of Robert Carter of Nomini hall, Mss Letter Book, II - 1775, 143-45, Chauvenet Collection. Typed copy in Research Dept.)

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

[May 26, 1774]

For SALE

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 .

(Virginia Gazette, Clementina Rind)

Carter failed to find a purchaser (Letter to John Tazewell, ¹ Nov. 29, 1774, Mss. Letter Book 1775 II, 132, Chauvenet Collection).² He advertised on October 20, 1774 for two horses which had strayed from his stable in Williamsburg (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon) In 1775, he wrote to "Cousin Nelson" (Mrs. Nelson of Yorktown) asking her to take possession of his house in Williamsburg. He told her that "Very lately some Workmen were in that House who were making repairs, there, in the Chamber & the passage above Stairs." (October 25, 1775, Mss. Letter Book, III, 1775-1780, 40 in Chauvenet Collection)

In the spring of 1776, Dudley Digges ³ took up residence in Carter's house on Palace Street. Carter sent Robert Mitchell to Williamsburg with orders to engage wagons to remove "all the Furniture & Liquor" still in the house except such articles as the Digges family might want. (Letter of Carter to Dudley Digges, April 22, 1776, Mss. Letter Book, 1776, 18, Chauvenet Collection) Digges thanked Carter for his "Civility" 14 in this offer, but wrote that he had kept nothing "except a few Chairs and one Bed & Bedstead" which he thought Carter might care to use "in Case Times shou'd alter" (Dudley Digges, Williamsburg, May 2, 1776, Emmet Collection 6260, New York Public Library) Digges' family was still in the house in October, 1780 (Carter to Thomas Everard, Nomini Hall, October 14, 1780, Mss. Letter Book IV, 1780-82, 1785-87, p. 18, Chauvenet Collection).

In August 1782, Carter empowered Robert Prentis to sell his Williamsburg property (Letter of Carter to Robert Prentis, Nomini Hall, Aug. 9, 1782, Mss. Letter Book V, 44, Chauvenet Collection). The result of appointing Prentis agent was the following advertisement:

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.

(Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser, Nicholson & Prentis.)

This property as located on the Frenchman's Map of c. 1782 has been reproduced in Illustration 2 in the Appendix. This illustration also contains a plot of the archaeological findings, which at this date, have not been completed for the entire property.

The house was in need of repairs in 1783. Prentis advised Carter to have "a small repair" made previous to a public sale. (Letter of Robert Prentis to Robert Carter, written at Nomini Hall, Mar. 25, 1783, in uncatalogued Carter Letters, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond). The Reverend William Bland, who occupied Carter's house in the summer of 1783, wrote Carter that the houses were "very much out of repair" and would be "extremely ill-convenient" to live in, in the winter. Bland said there was no garden on the lots. (Mss. Letter of Rev. Wm. Bland to Carter, Williamsburg, July 18, 1783, uncatalogued Carter Papers, Virginia Historical Society.) The stables on the lot were used by Joseph Prentis. Carter named the sale price of his lots as £710, but for some unstated reason, was not at liberty to sell them. (Carter to 15 Joseph Prentis, Hobe's Hole, July 21, 1783; Carter to Reverend William Bland, July 21, 1783, Mss. Letter Book V, 150, Chauvenet Collection, July 18, 1783, Va. Hist. Soc.)

It is impossible to say how long the Reverend William Bland occupied Carter's house. The history of the property from 1783 to 1847 when it was in undoubted possession of Robert Saunders, the younger, President of the College of William and Mary, is not clear and definite enough to be entirely satisfactory. However, there are facts that indicate that Carter's property passed to Robert Saunders's father of the same name as early as 1801.

On all the variations of Williamsburg maps (the Unknown Draftsman's, the Galt, the Tyler, the Bucktrout, the Bucktrout-Lively) one of which is found in the Appendix, Illustration 3, the name "Saunders" is found in lots 333, 334, 335, and 336. The names on the Bucktrout Map are: "Sanders", "lot 333"; illegible, 334 and 335; a name ending in "der" in 336.

In the Williamsburg Land Tax Records (Virginia State Library, photostatic copies in the Research Department), Robert Carter is shown as possessing three ¹ lots from 1785 through 1797. In 1801 the name of "Robert Saunders a/y" [attorney] appears on the tax records. He was taxed for three lots, the annual value of which was similar to that of the lots which Robert Carter had held. A marginal note contains the information that the lots were "formerly Robt Carters". The complete tax histories of Robert Carter, Robert Saunders, Senior and Robert Saunders, Junior are found in the Appendix, Illustration 4.

An insurance policy taken out by Henry Skipwith in June 1806 on the property now called the "George Wythe" shows that Skipwith gave as his boundaries the "Lott of 16 Robert Saunders and the Church Yard." (Photostat copies in the Research Department of appraisements taken out with the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, 51). The churchyard was, of course, Skipwith's southern boundary. If Saunders was, by inference, the northern boundary and had Carter's lots, as the two sources indicate, Skipwith's description of his boundaries left out all reference to the Deane property, lots 229-232, which had houses standing on them as late as October, 1775. (See Deane House History of May 1944, 6, 9.)

The family of Robert Saunders, Sr. lived near the St. George Tuckers. There are scattered references to members of the Saunders family in the letters ¹ of the Tucker family who lived then at lots 163, 164, 169 during the first two decades of the nineteenth century. However the references are of too general a character to be of much help in this house history. In a memorandum of 1797 written on a letter from James Brown of Richmond, Tucker made a record of the fact that he had sent Brown the bond referred to in the letter "by the hands of my neighbour Mr Robert Saunders"(James Brown to St. George Tucker, Dec. 18, 1797, Tucker - Coleman Collection in the Research Department.)

In his will made at Williamsburg, March 20, 1834 and probated May 25, 1835, ² Robert Saunders, Sr. left several pieces of furniture to friends: to John Goodall residing in York County, he gave "a mahogany Desk and book case attached to it": in his dining room; to Dr. Thomas G. Peachy "the cloathes Press long used by me, and in a corner of the Passage on the second floor near my bedroom - also a mahogany Shaving 17 box now used by me containing a glass &c…" Saunders's reference to his real estate was general: "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." A clause in the will called upon 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". ¹ Robert Saunders, Jr. was to be the sole executor of his father's estate. (Page-Saunders Papers, College of William and Mary, Folder 6)

The tax transfers for the year 1836 show that Robert Saunders, Jr. ² had received 1 lot "via will of Robert Saunders decd." (Williamsburg Land Tax Records, Lot Transfers.) A reference to the tax records (Illustration 4) shows that Robert Saunders Sr. was taxed for two lots with buildings in 1835, and that in 1838, "Robert Saunders" was taxed for two lots and buildings of the value of those held by Robert Saunders, Sr. in 1836. "Robert Saunders" had a third lot in 1838.

It is not recorded in the written word when various architectural changes, such as the addition of the columned front porch, were made to the house, but an increase of $1000 in value between 1835 and 1838 to the first listed houses and lots seems significant. Another uncertain fact about this property is the date at which the Deane lots were added. As was noted on pp. 15-16, the policy of Skipwith, 1806, names Robert Saunders as a boundary. This policy ignores the Deane property. This may mean that there was no house on these lots at the time and that the untenanted lots were not to be 18 considered as a boundary. Perhaps this omission of the Deane lots might mean that Robert Saunders, Sr. had already acquired the vacant lots. A fact which may be significant is this: by 1820 when the value of lots and houses began to be recorded in detail, Saunders, Senior had a lot valued at $50 on which there were no buildings worthy of valuation.

In 1847, while serving as president of the College of William and Mary, the younger Saunders deeded to Edmund Christian trustee for the College "that Certain & Well Known house ¹ & lot his residence situate in the City of Wmsburg & bounded on the South by Prince George Street, North by Scotland Street, East by Palace Green & west by the lot of Ro: H. Armistead." It is clear from this description of the boundaries of his property that Sanders now owned the Deane lots. This deed was given as security for the payment of twenty-five hundred dollars due by bond to the college. (A copy of this deed was recorded on Nov. 14, 1872 in the Records of the City of Williamsburg and County of James City, Deeds, I, 317-18.) Although this deed was made in 1847, the college authorities did not complete their title to the Saunders lots until 1872, as the following pages show.

Upon the march of McClellan up the peninsula, the Saunders family left Williamsburg, and the house ² was plundered of its invaluable historical records 19 by members of the Union Army. David Cronin, Union Provost Marshal of Williamsburg, described the scene he witnesses:

"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 [sic]; the former library in the most deplorable condition of disorder and revage [ravage?]. In heaps on every side, were spread half destroyed books, vellum bound 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…. 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…. A thick packet of letters were from Thomas Jefferson to Page, some dating from their college days… 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 afterward informed, reached public historical collections as gifts." (David Edward Cronin, "The Vest Mansion, Its Historical and Romantic Associations as Confederate and Union Headquarters, 1862-65," Chap. XXVIII, 219-223.)¹

In the restoration of this house, the Architectural Department found old papers and letters under the floor of the garret, and cloth and old papers around a door frame. 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's name written upon them, may now [1945] be seen in the Courthouse Museum.²

When Robert Saunders, Jr. returned to Williamsburg after the Civil War, he probably found his house in fair condition, for he wrote his daughter, Lalia, "I shall merely have such repairs done to the house as are absolutely necessary, & this is very little — and have it cleaned & whitewashed" (Williamsburg, August 10, 1865, Page-Saunders Letters, Folder I, College of William and Mary.)

Two residents who recall the appearance of Williamsburg at the time of the Civil War, have given descriptions of the property on this lot. Mr. John S. Charles wrote:

"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, servants' quarters, etc. This house presented then very much the same appearance that it does today, with its double [sic] 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 a burying ground for the colored." ¹ (Recollections of Williamsburg, 25-26, Typed copy in Dept. of Research.)

Mrs. Victoria Lee's description of this property was less detailed. She said:

"The Saunders house, a large, two story building with a porch up and a porch downstairs, appeared then, as it did 21 before its restoration. On the site of the old Presbyterian Church was a large frame barn, part of the Saunders property."

Although Robert Saunders Jr. had provided in a codicil, dated May 10, 1849, to his will made in 1848, that his wife should have all of his property, Mrs. Saunders renounced the provision of the codicil on August 23, 1869. (Records of the City of Williamsburg and James City County, Wills, I, 148, Deeds I, 186) Mrs. Saunders had not signed the deed of her husband in 1847, so the College of William and Mary, in 1872 through its President purchased her dower right in the property Saunders had deeded the College, by the following arrangement: For the sum of $200, she was granted the southern part of the lot, while she relinquished her dower rights in the main dwelling and surrounding land. To her, the trustee conveyed:

a part of the lot aforesaid To Wit: Commencing at the South East Corner of the said lot running North 64 feet, by the line of fence on the west side of Palace green, thence west in a straight [sic] line back to the lot of Ro: H. Amristead, thence South along side Armisteads line of fence to Prince George Street & thence East along said Street to the beginning, together with the new wood dwelling house & Small Kitchen thereon. But it is distinctly understood & agreed between the parties that the Barn now located between the said new wood dwelling house & small Kitchen on the lot hereby Conveyed is not included in this deed & does not pass by it and the parties of the first part expressly reserve the right to move the same therefrom." (Ibid, Deed Book I, 317-318. This deed is also found in the Page-Saunders Papers, Folder 6, College of William and Mary.)

In her will dated Dec. 11, 1879, Mrs. Saunders gave her daughter, Roberta Page Saunders, "the House and lot adjoining the Old Homestead." (Ibid, Wills, I, 392)

The later history of the property on these lots may be traced in general terms through the abstracts of title in possession of Williamsburg Restoration.

An undated photograph (296, which shows the front, the south side, and additions on the north side of the "Carter-Saunders" dwelling may be found in the 22 Coleman Photographs, bound copies in the Architectural and the Research Departments).

In summary: The sources for lots 333-336 are numerous, although not always satisfactory. The first record of the lots shows that houses had already been built on them before 1746. The deeds recording the transfers from purchaser to purchaser are so worded as to give continuity to the houses that stood on these lots through 1753 at least. Robert Carter of Nomini Hall owned the lots apparently forty years, from 1761 to around 1801. His family spent the first eleven years of this period in their house on the Palace Green. Then the property appears to have belonged to Robert Saunders, Sr., from 1801 to 1835. Few records concerned with the lots during those years have been found. In his will, the elder Saunders left all of his property to his son of the same name. Robert Saunders, Jr., owned the lots until his death in 1868. He also came into possession of the other lots in the block before 1847. As a result of indebtedness to the College of William and Mary, he deeded this property in trust to that institution in 1847. The College gained a clear title to the property in 1872 by deeding a new house with a small portion of land around it at the corner of Prince George and Palace Street to the widow of Robert Saunders, Jr. By the time this block, which Robert Saunders, Jr. had owned in its entirety, came into the possession of the Williamsburg Holding Corporation, it had been subdivided and had passed into the hands of several different owners.