Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

Lots 212-217 in Williamsburg are bounded by Scotland, Henry, Boundary Streets, and a lane to the northward. On the College Map (1791?) they are marked, "Holt." See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, Illustration #1, Appendix.

HISTORY IN SUMMARY:

The earliest data relating to the lots above located appears in a deed of December 1, 1746: Thomas Jones to John Amson. Mention is made therein that Thomas Corbin of Urbanna had leased these lots from the trustees of Williamsburg in 1722. Ten years later, Corbin conveyed the same property to John Holloway, a prominent lawyer. Holloway died in 1734 in debt. Thomas Jones, one of the executors—the only one living—conveyed the lots to Dr. John Amson, at a consideration of £43 current money. There were houses on the property. Dr. Amson was owner of the property from 1746 to ca. 1758 (?). Sometime prior to July, 1765 Robert Anderson of Williamsburg had acquired possession. In 1768 the residence of Anderson "in a retired part of the city" was one of two places at which smallpox patients were confined to prevent the spread into the city. In July, 1769 Anderson conveyed to Dr. James Carter consideration named being £1143. (torn in the deed but appears in a later one.) Dr. Carter, evidently, maintained his home at this site for some years. In 1781 Colonel Robert Abercrombie, British soldier, quartered his infantry troops at Dr. Carter's in Williamsburg. Later in that year Carter conveyed the property to William Holt, merchant of Williamsburg, naming £1143 as the price in specie. In 1784 Holt had some repairs made. The account of work done by Humphrey Harwood contained repair work done at Holt's other property in town and at, possibly, his property in James City County. However, some items can be culled out which definitely refer to the property which Holt bought from Carter. Holt or his estate, held the lots until 1807 when John B. Sewell was owner. He held until 1827 when Henley Taylor was owner. The land tax records so indicate this title with Taylor holding until 1851 when his name disappears from the records. It, evidently, stayed in the family, for Mrs. Victoria M. Lee recalls that during the Civil War it was owned and occupied by Henley Jones. And later, it became the property of the Henderson family. Mrs. Lee writing in 1932 designated the property as "Wheatland." Just how long it was so called is not known by the writer.

Further title to this property in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, doubtless, can be found at the courthouse of Williamsburg and James City County.

LOCATION:

Lots 212-217 in Williamsburg are marked "Holt" on the College Map (1791?) and by numbers. They were situated between Scotland, Henry, Boundary Streets and a lane northward. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, Illustration #1, Appendix.

HISTORY:

The earliest data relating to the lots above located appears in a deed dated December 1, 1746: Thomas Jones to John Amson. In this deed mention is made that Thomas Corbin¹ of Urbanna had leased Lots 212-217 from the trustees of Williamsburg beginning on July 16, 1722. About ten years later, Corbin conveyed the same lots to John Holloway.² The fact that the York County Records do not have these conveyances—except by reference as cited above—indicates that the deeds were recorded in the General Court Records of Virginia.³

Holloway had lived in Williamsburg from about 1711, was a Vestryman at Bruton Parish Church where he was allowed to erect a gallery, was the first mayor of Williamsburg, burgess, Speaker and Treasurer of the Colony of Virginia. He married Mrs. Elizabeth Cocke, widow of Dr. William Cocke, 2 former Secretary of the Colony after he had addressed her daughter, Mrs. William Pratt.¹

Holloway died some time in the latter part of August of early September, 1734:

[Letter of William Gooch, Lt. Gov. Virginia
to
Board of Trade and Plantations]

Virginia Aug^st 27^th 1734
My Lords
The Assembly mett according to their last Prorogation the 22^d Instant: I have inclosed my speech & the Addresses that your Lordships may see how they are likely to be employed, with the speech of a new speaker occasioned by the resignation of the old one, on Account of his Age and Infirmities....²

September 14, ^{November 20}, 1734

[Letter of William Gooch
to
Board of Trade and to the Secretary]

...
No: 16. Is an Act appointing a Treasurer, and other Purposes therein Mentioned. Upon which I have only to Inform Your Lordships that the late Treasurer, since Dead, being by Age & Infirmities rendered incapable of executing that Office, and withal falling short in his Payments, S^r John Randolph, who succeeded him as Speaker, is Appointed Treasurer of the several Dutys Arising on Liquors and Slaves, with Power to use proper Means for recovering the Debt due from his Predecessor, of which there is no reason to doubt....³

Sir John Randolph paid what seems to be a doubtful eulogy to Holloway:

...He was much sought after by clients and was singularly successful in winning cases; that he had great diligence and industry 'and practised with much artifice and cunning being thoroughly skilled 3 in attorneyship... for learning I never thought he had any, nor shld it be expected he should; He had served a Clerkship; went a youth afterwards into the Army in Ireland in the Beginning of King Wms Reign; after that betook himself to Business having got to be one of the Attorneys of the Marshalsea Court; but not being contented with his income from that, turned projector and ruined himself, which brought him first into Maryland and afterwards hither.'

...'However his reputation was such that he was universally courted and most People thought themself obliged to win if he would engage of their side upon any Terms; and he really thought so himself. This gave him great opportunities of exacting excessive Fees which I have heard he always did, where the value of the thing in question would allow it; and covered great Blemishes in one Part of his private Life—besides many imperfections of his mind which any Body might observe who Knew anything of him. He was of a haughty insolent nature; passionate and peevish to the last Degree. He had a Stiffness in his Carriage which was ridiculous and often offensive; and was an utter Stranger to Hospitality. He was sincere in his Friendships when he professed any, but not constant, apt to change upon small provocations, and to contract new Friendships upon very slight Grounds, in which he would be very warm and ready to do all good offices. One of his greatest defects was that he would always bring his Opinion and his Friendship to agree. But what he wanted in Virtue and Learning to recommend him was abundantly supplied by fortunate Accidents. He was 14 years Speaker of the House of Burgesses and 11 years Public Treasurer. But in these he acted with little Applause and less Abilities, though he was three times chosen and once unanimously. His management of the Treasury contributed to his Ruin and brought him to his Grave with much Disgrace. I was always his Friend and had a great Deal of Reason to believe him mine, yet it was impossible to be blind to some Imperfections. He died little lamented in the 69th year of his age.'¹

A petition of John Grymes, John Tayloe and Thomas Lee, esqrs. was presented to the House of Burgesses, on September 28, 1734:

...setting forth, That in the Year 1732, they became bound with John Holloway, Esq; Treasurer of the Duties upon Liquors, and Slaves; who upon the Settlement of his Accounts, before a Committee of the House, is found in Arrear upwards of 1850 £ ...[after the sale of securities handed over by Holloway] the Ballance may be raised by the Sale of the said Treasurer's other Estate;... ²

Thomas Jones was the only one of Holloway's executors living in 1746 when the property changed hands.

On November 28, 1746 the Feoffees or Trustees for the land appropriated for the building and erecting the city of Williamsburg for the consideration of the sum of five shillings conveyed certain lots by name "212, 213, 214, 215, 216, & 217" to Doctor John Amson of Williamsburg:

[November 28, 1746]

[Trustees of Williamsburg
to
John Amson, doctor of Physick
Consideration: 5 shillings]

THIS INDENTURE made the twenty eighth Day of November in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c. And in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and forty Six Between the Feoffees or Trustees for the Land appropriated for the Building and Erecting the City of Williamsburgh of the one part and John Amson of the said City Doctor of Physick of the other part WITNESSETH that the said feoffees or Trustees for divers good Causes and Considerations them thereto moving but more especially for and in Consideration of five shillings good and lawfull Money to them in hand paid before the ensealing & delivery of these Presents the Receipt Whereof and themselves therewith fully contented and paid they do hereby acknowledge HAVE granted bargained & sold and by these Presents DO grant bargain and sell unto the said John Amson Six certain Lotts of Ground in the said City of Williamsburgh and designd in the plan of the said City by these Figures, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, & 217, With all Pasturage Woods & Waters & all Manner of Profits Commodites Hereditaments whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said granted Premises and every part thereof with the Appurtenances unto the said John Amson his Executors Administrators or Assigns for & during the Term or Time of one whole Year from the Day of the date hereof fully to be compleat & ended—YEILDING & PAYING unto the said ffeoffees or Trustees the Yearly Rent of one Grain of Indian Corn to be payed on the tenth Day of October Yearly if it be demanded TO THE INTENT that the said John Amson may be in peaceable & quiet Possession of the said premisses and that by Virtue hereof and of the statute for the transferring Uses into Possession he may be the better enabled to accept a Release of the Reversion & Inheritance thereof to him and his Heirs forever... Whereof George Gilmer And Benjamin Waller Esq^rs two of the said ffeoffees or Trustees have hereunto sett their Hands and Seals the 5 Day and Year first above written

Geo: Gilmer (L.S.)
Ben: Waller (L.S.)

At a Court held for York County the 19^th Day of January 1746 [1746/47] This Indenture was Acknowledged by George Gilmer and Benjamin Waller Esq^rs partys thereto- and Order's to be Recorded.
Teste
Examined
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:

¹

Thomas Jones must have had an interest in the lots leased to Dr. Amson by the Trustees, for on December 1, 1746 he sold to Dr. Amson the six lots (212-217) with all houses and outhouses, "Being the same land conveyed to Thomas Jones, Augustine Moore and William Robertson by John Holloway, April 13, 1734 and by John Holloway purchased of Thomas Corbin, April 17, 1732," for forty-three pounds. I do not understand why the six lots were granted to Dr. Amson by both the trustees and Thomas Jones unless Jones had some former claim.

On December 1, 1746 Thomas Jones of Williamsburg conveyed to Dr. John Amson for the consideration of £43 six lots: 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217:

[December 1, 1746]

[Thomas Jones Gent of Williamsburg
to
John Amson Doctor of Physick, Williamsburg
Consideration: £43 Current Money]

THIS INDENTURE made the First Day of December in the Twentieth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c. And in the Year of our Lord Christ one Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Six BETWEEN Thomas Jones of the City of Williamsburgh Gent of the one part and John Amson of the same City Doctor of Phisick of the other part WHEREAS John Holloway late of the City of Williamsburgh Esq^r dece^d by his certain Indenture of Bargain and sale bearing Date the thirteenth Day of April in the Year MCDCCXXXIV [MDCCXXXIV] for the Consideration therein mentioned did Give Grant Bargain and sell unto Augustine Moore of the County of King William Gent dece^d the said Thomas Jones and William Robertson of the City aforesaid now also dece^d and their Heirs and Assigns All the Estate Real & personal of him the said John Holloway of what Nature or Kind soever or in what place or Places the same were with their Appurtenances 6 To have and to hold the same unto the said Augustine Moore Thomas Jones & William Robertson their Heirs & Assigns upon several Trusts therein mentioned and more especially in Trust to sell and dispose of the same to any person or persons willing to purchase the same for the best Price that can be got and out of the Money Arising by such Sale to satisfy and pay the Debts of the said John Holloway in such Manner as by the said Indenture is directed and appointed as in and by the said Indenture duly proved and recorded in the General Court of this Colony it doth more fully and at large appear AND WHEREAS the said John Holloway at the Time of making such Indenture was possessed of and in six Lots in the City of Williamsburgh aforesaid- Numbered in the platt of the said City with the Figures 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, for a Term of Years not then or yet expired, to wit, for and during the Residue of the Term of five Hundred Years comencing from the Sixteenth Day of July in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and twenty two sold and Conveied to him by Thomas Corbin of Urbanna in the County of Middlesex Esqr- by Indenture of Bargain and sale bearing Date the Seventeenth Day of April one Thousand seven Hundred and thirty two acknowledged and Recorded in the General Court of this Colony NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that for and in Consideration of the sum of Forty three pounds Current Money of Virginia to the said Thomas Jones in Hand paid by the said John Amson at and before the sealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and thereof acquit and Discharge the said John Amson his Heirs Exors and Admors He the said Thomas Jones HATH Granted Bargained Sold Aliened Released Transfered and made over and by these presents DOTH Grant Bargain Sell Alien Release Transfer and make over unto the said John Amson his Exors Admors & Assigns ALL those six several Lots herein before mentioned lying and being in the City of Williamsburgh aforesaid and Numbered by the said Figures 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, And all Houses Outhouses Edificies Buildings Yards Gardens Trees Waies Easments Privileges Rights Members and appurt^s whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining And the Rents Issues and Profits thereof And all the Estate Right Title Interest Use Trust property Claim and Demand whatsoever of him the said Thomas Jones of in and to the same every or any part thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Lots and premises with their and every of their appurt^s unto the said John Amson his Exors Admors and Assigns for and during the Residue of the Term aforesaid To the only Use and behoof of him the said John Amson his Exors Admors and Assigns IN WITNESS whereof the parties to these Presents have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Seales the Day and Year first above Written
Tho: Jones (L.S.)

Sealed and Delivered In Presence of
Peyton Randolph
William Nimmo
S^t Law^ce Berford
Geo: Gilmer
Ben: Waller

7

RECEIVED this first Day of December 1746 of the within named John Amson the sum of Forty three Pounds Current Money being the Consideration within mentioned for and towards the Paiment of the Debts of the within named John Holloway I say received by me
Tho: Jones

WITNESS
Peyton Randolph
William Nimmo
S^t Law^ce Berford¹
Ben: Waller

At a Court held for York County the 19^th Day of January 174[illegible] This Indenture was Proved by the Oaths of Peyton Randolph William Nimmo and George Gilmer Witnesses thereto and the Receipt endorsed was also proved by the Oaths of the said Randolph and Nimmo and together with the said Indenture Order'd to be Recorded.
Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:
Examined.

²

In September, 1747 John Amson's name appeared in the county records as paying tax on five tithables.³

The estate of Holloway was, evidently, in litigation for several years after his death.⁴ From the Jones Papers, it looks as though Mrs. Holloway continued to live in Williamsburg—even after Colonel Jones and family removed to Hanover in 1751.⁵ As Dr. Amson was owner of the Holloway lots in town from 8 1746-1755 (or later), Mrs. Holloway may have moved across the street to the property owned by her son-in-law, Colonel Jones, or to a dwelling nearby:

[May 23, 1755]

At the Dwelling-House of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Holloway, by Dr. Amson'^s, will be expos'd to public Sale, next June Court of Oyer and Terminer, on Twelve Month's Credit,
A GREAT Variety of Household Furniture, consisting of Beds, Pier-Glass, fine India Cabinets, hard Metal Pewter, old China, &^c. Also several valuable Slaves and Town Cows. Bond and security, to be given, as usual, for all above Forty Shillings Value.¹

Research has not been able to determine the exact date of Dr. Amson's death. There is a reference to his being deceased in July, 1765.²

Though it cannot be stated with certainty from the scanty court records, it looks as though Robert Anderson and his wife, Ann, either bought or were devised the property formerly belonging to Dr. Amson. The first indication that Anderson may have bought the lots in the city belonging to Amson follows:

[January 10, 1765]

[Frederick Jones, Cape Fear, N.C.
to
Thomas Jones, Jr., executor of Thomas Jones Senior]

...
...I was surprised to observe that the Lot purchased by Anderson (in my Opinion the worst land) should sell for so much more than either of the other Lots then sold....³

The second indication that Anderson possessed Lots 212-217 via Amson follows: 9

[July 29, 1765]

[Robert Anderson of Williamsburg and
Anne his wife
to
William Peirce of Williamsburg, merchant
Consideration: 5 shillings]

THIS INDENTURE made the twenty ninth Day of July in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & sixty five BETWEEN Robert Anderson of the City of Williamsburg and Anne his Wife of the one part and William Peirce of the same City Merchant of the other part WITNESSETH that for and in Consideration of the sum of five Shillings to the said Robert in hand paid by the said William at or before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents...They the said Robert Anderson and Anne his Wife Have...Granted, Bargained, Sold, Aliened, Enfeoffed and Confirmed and by these Presents... unto the said William Peirce his Heirs & Assigns forever ALL those six several Lots of Land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg aforesaid in the Parish of Bruton in the County of York Numbered in the Plat of the said City with the figures 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217 and also all that Tract or parcel of Land containing One hundred and eighty Acres more or less lying and being near the said City in the said Parish and County and bounded according to the Ancient and Lawful Bounds thereof which said Lots of Land were Conveyed to John Amson Doctor of Physic deceased by Thomas Jones Gent and the Trustees of the City of Williamsburg and the said Tract of Land was Conveyed to him by Henry Tyler Gent and by the Will of the said John Amson recorded in the General Court the same were devised to the said Anne Party to these Presents in Fee Simple And all Houses, Buildings, Gardens, Yards, Orchards, Fences, Woods,...TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Lots and Tract of Land and Premises with the Appurt^s unto the said William Peirce his Heirs and Assigns...IN WITNESS whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their hands and affixed their Seals the Day and Year above written-
Rob^t Anderson (L.S.)
Ann Anderson (L.S.)

SEALED and Delivered in the Presence of
Alex^r Craig
John Fergusson
John Tazewell.

MEMORANDUM that on the twenty ninth Day of July 1765 Peaceable and quiet Possession of the Lands and Premisses within mentioned was made and delivered by the said Robert Anderson and Anne his Wife to the said William Peirce-
Rob^t Anderson (L.S.)
Ann Anderson (L.S.)

...
[Receipt for the five shillings signed by Rob^t Anderson on July 29^th 1765 follows- also Anne Anderson acknowledged sale.]

At a Court held for York County the 16th day of September 1765 This Indenture, Memorandum, and Receipt thereon Written were acknowledged by Robert Anderson Party thereto and together with 10 the Commission...[statement] and the Certificate of the Execution thereof Ordered to be Recorded.
Tho^s Everard Cl Cur.

¹ [The same property was deeded to Anderson by Peirce on the following day; five shillings passed; lots numbered 212-217 as above conveyance.]²

In January, 1768 James Cocke, mayor of Williamsburg, thought fit to issue the following information about precautions being made to curb the smallpox epidemic in the city:

WILLIAMSBURG, Jan. 27.

...
IN order to remove the ill impressions which the breaking out of the smallpox in this city has probably made in the minds of some people, who may be thereby prevented from coming on their usual business, it is thought proper to advertise all persons concerned that the Common Hall have taken, and continue to take, every prudent precaution to prevent the spreading of that contagion. At present it is only at two places, viz. Mr. Dudley Digges's and Mr. Robert Anderson's, both in a retired part of the city, and there confined to three patients; at the former place Mr. Digges's eldest son, at the latter Mr. James Marshall³ of the College, and a Mulatto man. They are all at present in a good way, have a physician regularly attending them, good nurses, and every thing else proper for persons in that condition, supplied by the Corporation. At both places are guards on constant duty, to keep off idle and imprudent people. It is intended, in case any others should be taken, to send them to Mr. Anderson's, a house the Corporation has rented, as being very commodious, and in every respect proper for the purpose of an hospital....
JAMES COCKE, Mayor.⁴

From this notice we learn that Cocke considered Mr. Anderson's home "very commodious" and "proper for the purpose of an hospital." Also, it was "in a retired part of the city."

In July, 1769 Anderson and wife conveyed the six lots to Dr. James Carter:¹

[July 31, 1769]

[Robert Anderson and Anne, his wife,
of Williamsburg
to
James Carter of Williamsburg
Consideration: £ E[faded]red pounds]

THIS INDENTURE made the 31^st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine BETWEEN Robert Anderson and Anne his wife of the City of Williamsburg of the one Part and James Carter of the said City of the other Part WITNESSETH that for and in Consideration of the Sum of E[faded]red pounds to him in hand paid by the said James C[arter] whereof he doth hereby acknowledge they the said Robert and Anne his wife have bargained sold aliened and confirmed and by these presents do bargain sell alien & confirm unto the said James [C]arter his heirs and Assigns forever all those six Lotts of Land lying and being in the said City of Williamsburg known by Figures 212, 2[1]3, 214, 215, 216, 217, which said Lotts of Land were conveyed unto the said Robert Anderson by William Peirce of the said City, and now of Record with all houses buildings Gardens Hereditaments and appertenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining also the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues & Profits thereof and all the Estate Right Title Interest and Claim whatsoever of them the said Robert and Anne his wife and free exonerated and discharged of and from all Debts Mortgages Judgments and Executions or incumbrances whatsoever of in and to the same or any part thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Lots of Land and premises with their appurtenances unto the said James Carter his heirs and Assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said James Carter his Heirs and Assigns forever and the said Robert Anderson for himself his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns doth covenant and agree to and with the said James Carter his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns against the lawful Claim & Demand of him the said Robert Anderson and all and every other person & Person & Persons...IN WITNESS whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their hands and Seals the day month and Year above written.
Ro Anderson (L.S.)
Anne Anderson (L.S.)

12

Sealed and Delivered
in the Presence of
John Prentis
David Jameson
John Tyler j^r

At a Court held for York C[ounty] [torn] Day of August 1769 This Indenture was proved by the Oaths of John Prentis David Jameson and John Tyler Junior the Witnesses thereto and together with the Commission annexed and the Certificate of the Execution thereof Ordered to be recorded
Teste
Exam^d
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur.

¹

A letter (probably 1781) from Dr. James Carter of Williamsburg to Thomas Wellings, of London, in regard to an account which Dr. Carter owed Wellings prior to the War, stated that Colonel Abercrombie was quartered at his house in Williamsburg:

...Col^o Abercombie who commanded the Light Infantry Quartered at my House, and I shall for ever Remember with gratitude the Kind treatment I received from him. He knows, and it was with his Assistance that I sold the Cattle and Sheep to the Commissary-The Col^l spoke to Major Ross Lord Cornwallis principal Aid De Camp and the Major gave me a Note to the Commissary directing him to come to my House and take what Cattle and Sheep I had to spare for the use of the Army, and allow me the Value of them and give me a receipt for them. I shewed this receipt afterwards to Col^l Abercombie who told me it was as good as the Bank of England; and If I would come to York, as soon as their Money, which was daily expected, should arrive from New York; I should Certainly be paid;...affairs...prevented my Applying for the Money...[copy of receipt for cows and sheep dated "Williamsburg 26 June 1781" signed by Charles Stedman Commissary &c.]²

In December, 1781 James Carter and Hester, his wife, conveyed Lots 212-217 to William Holt³ for a consideration of £1143 specie: 13

[December 20, 1781]

[James Carter, Williamsburg, and
Hester, his wife,
to
William Holt, Williamsburg
Consideration: £1143 specie]

THIS INDENTURE made the Twentyeth day of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one BETWEEN James Carter of the City of Williamsburg and Hester his Wife of the one part and William Holt of the same place of the other part WITNESSETH that for and in consideration of the sum of Eleven hundred and forty Three pounds specie to the said James Carter by the said William Holt in hand paid the receipt whereof he the said James Carter doth hereby acknowledge and thereof doth acquit and discharge the said William Holt his Heirs Executors and Administrators they the said James Carter and Hester his Wife HAVE Granted Bargained and sold and by these presents DO grant bargain and sell unto the said William Holt his Heirs and Assigns all that Tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the parish of Bruton in the County of York Containing two hundred and seventy one and a half Acres purchased by the said James Carter of James Cock and Elizabeth his Wife and conveyed by Indenture dated the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty recorded in the said County Court of York be the same more or less also all those six Lotts of Land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg known by Figures 212. 213. 214. 215. 216 & 217. which said Lotts of Land were conveyed unto James Carter by Robert Anderson and Ann his Wife by Deed dated the thirty first day of July in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine and recorded in the same Court of York with all Houses Buildings Gardens Orchards Woods Ways Waters profits Commodities Hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents and Issues thereof and also all the estate Interest right title Claim and Demand of them the said James Carter and Hester his Wife of in and to the same and every part thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said two Tracts peices or parcels of Land containing the one Two hundred and seventy one and an half Acres and the other six Lotts be the same more or less with the appurtanances unto the said William Holt his Heirs and Assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said William Holt his heirs and Assigns for ever And the said James Carter for himself and his heirs doth covenant and agree to and with the said William Holt his heirs and assigns that he the said William Holt his heirs and assigns shall and may forever hereafter peaceably and quietly have hold use occupy possess and enjoy the above mentioned premisses with the appurtenances without the Lawfull Let molestation or hindrance of any Person or Persons whatsoever and that he the said James Carter and his heirs the Land and appurtenances aforesaid to the said William Holt his heirs and assigns against the Title Claim and Demand of all persons whatsoever shall and will Warrant and 14 forever defend by these Presents IN WITNESS whereof the said James Carter and Hester his Wife have hereunto set there hands and Affixed their Seals the day and year first above written
James Carter (L.S.)
Hester Carter (L.S.)

Sealed and Delivered in presence of
Samuel Crawley
Jesse Cole
Walter Lenox
J.M. Galt
James Southall
William Rowsay
Henry Nicholson

At a Court held for York County the 15th day of July 1782 This Indenture was proved by the Oaths of John Minson Galt William Rowsay & Henry Nicolson Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste
M^ls Cary DCYC

¹

In 1783-1784 William Holt had Humphrey Harwood, local builder, make repairs to property of his (same presumably) in Williamsburg:

[p. 50]

	Mr WILLIAM HOLT	Dr
1783 Februy 9th	To Acct Brought from (Folio 1)	[£]21. 6. 3
	To 80 bricks 4/6 & laying a Bake Oven Floor (ye Tenant)	-.12. -
	To ¾ Days work 3/. (by your Order)	-. 3. -
	To a bushel of Mortar 1/6	-. 1. 6
March 14th	To 8 bushs of Lime @ 1/6 (for French Tenant)	-.12. -
	To 2 Days labour 6/. & hair 9d	-. 6. 9
	To plastering Bake Oven 5/. & laying hearth & mendg back in the House 6/.	-.11. -
	To 170 bricks 7/. & Repairing underpining to House 10/	-.17. -
May 31.th	To 8 bushs of lime 8/. & 80 bricks 2/6 (for French Baker next Court House)	-.10. 6
	To laying half the Oven harth 4/. & 1 Do Chimney 2/6	-. 6. 6
	To plastering Oven 3/9 & Repairing plastering in house 3/9	-. 7. 6
	To 2 Days work @ 6/.	-.12. -
1784 May 19th	To 8 bushs of lime 8/. Repairing Plastering 10/. & hair 7d	-.18. 7½
15
	To 2 days labr @ 2/6. & 1½ bushs of Whitewash @ 2/	-. 8. -
	To Whitewashing 5 Cealings @ 2/6. & 6. do @ 4/6. & 2 passages @ 4/6	2. 8. 6
July 26	To 20 bushs of line @ 1/. & 5 days labr @ 1/6. & hair 1/	1. 8. 6
	To Rebuilding Oven & Repairg Chimney 36/.	1.16. -
August 4	To 62 bushs of lime @ 1/. & 15 days labour 1/6	4. 4. 6
	To diging foundations, & Building Celler wall 72/	3.12. -
	To Building Celler Steps 18/. & Repairg Kitchg Chimney & oven 5/.	1. 2. -
	To Repairing dary, Ash House & underpining To Smoke House 5/	-. 6. -
		£ 42. 5. 1½

[p. 75]

	Mr WILLIAM HOLT	Dr
1784 Septemr 29th	To 500 bricks 15/.	£ -.15.-
1785 July 25	To 2 bushels of lime @ 1/.	-. 2. -
	To whitewashing 4 Rooms & 2 passages @ 4/6	1. 7. -
	To 1 bushel of white-wash 2/. & repairing plasterg 9/6	-. 4. 6
Sepr 29th	To 40 bushels of wheat @ 6/ (by your son Wm Holt)	12. -. -
Novr 5th	To 250 bricks 7/6 & 5 bushels of lime 5/. & 1½ days lar 3/9	-.16. 3
	To laying Kitchen Harth 3/9, & repairg Back 5/.	-. 8. 9
1786	To laying do in parlor 2/6, & repairg plasterg 2/.	-. 4. 6
February 25	To 4 bushels of lime @ 1/. & 100 Bricks 3/.	-. 7. -
	To 1½ days work of a man 10/.	-.10. -
March 24	To 2 bushels of lime (by your Son's Note)	-. 2. -
		£ 16.17. -

¹

Obviously, some of the above quoted items do not apply to Holt's dwelling. (The French tenant, the French Baker who was "near the Court House.")² However, items such as naming 4 rooms and 2 passages, hearths in parlor, kitchen, dairy, smoke house, ash house and cellar could refer to Holt's property on 16 Lots 212-217. (References to "Bake Ovens" according to Dr. Tyler meant the bakery at the head of Coleman's Creek which furnished vessels in James River.)¹

Williamsburg Land Tax records which begin in 1782 list William Holt with 11 lots.²

The Frenchman's Map of Williamsburg (1782) shows buildings on what appears to be the block of lots designated as 212-217 on the College Map (1791?).

Dr. Lyon G. Tyler stated in the Quarterly Historical Magazine (1925) that there "was a fine old house lately occupied by Judge R.L. Henly standing on Scotland Street, which is said to have been built by William Holt, mayor of Williamsburg."³

In 1807 William Holt's estate conveyed six lots to John Sewell with tax valuation $100.⁴ In 1820 a different system of recording the land taxes indicated that "John B. Sewell Glouster Cty," was owner of "1 lot and buildings $1000; added on account of buildings $700."⁵

In 1827 Henley Taylor owned "1 lot—$1000; $700 for building Via John B. Seawell; and 1 lot and buildings $450 Via John B. Seawell."⁶ Henley Taylor continued to own the property to 1850 when his name disappears from the land tax lists.⁷

Mrs. Victoria M. Lee in her recollections of Williamsburg in 1861 described the place, subject of this house history:

...
Far back on Henry street was Wheatland, the present Henderson home. It was a large frame house, then owned and occupied by Mr. Henley Jones. The main part of the two story and a half house has not been changed. Circular stone steps led directly to the door at that time. Since the war, the property has changed owners several times, and numerous additions, including the porch, have been made to the house. It was supposedly from this old home, that the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe rode forth on their great adventure.
…¹

Just how long the property has been called "Wheatland" is not known.

The Research Department does not have nineteenth century court records— hence title to this property and owners are not available unless one consults the records at the courthouse in Williamsburg.

Mr. John Henderson of the Architectural Department, Colonial Williamsburg, says that his father, Dr. John Henderson, bought "Wheatland" from the O'Keefe's in 1907. Dr. Henderson owned and lived thereon until 1959. It is now owned by his estate.

Illustration #1

PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE
WILLIAMSBURG PLAT IN "WILLIAMSBURG,
THE OLD COLONIAL CAPITOL" BY LYON G. TYLER

Illustration #2

Illustration #3