Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

CELL A:

Floor was of two thicknesses of 7/8" fandom width pine flooring which rested on stock lumber framed north and south from wall to beam resting on piers. See foundation plan. See N 4954.

WEST WALL: Of brick laid in common bond covered with coat of plaster whitewashed. The brick is of period of city alterations. At the north end of this wall was a rude toilet seat held to wall and floor with wrot iron straps. The planks making up the seat were 1 ¾" thick of pine and originally were rough sawn as circular sawcuts were in evidence. From this seat led a crude and broken pipe of 7/8" pine boards through a hold in the west wall to the outside. To relieve weight of masonry on this hole a 3" x 8" wood header was inserted above it into the wall. The pipe continued at approximately 450 downward. See detailed drawing of this seat. Below the hole was another wood header for nailing for the seat. See photos N 4969 with seat removed and N 2947 with seat in place.

NORTH WALL: This wall was composed of two thicknesses of 1 ¾" yellow pine planks in random widths. They were rough sawn with circular saw out- in evidence. The two thicknesses were firmly held together by large nails or spikes driven random and clinched upon sides opposite heads. Some were driven from cell A side - some from cell B side. The planking ran horizontally on the cell A side and had a 7" high base, 11 1 ¾" thick with bevelled top firmly spiked to the planking. All this wall was whitewashed. See west end this wall on N 2947.

EAST WALL: This wall is constructed similarly to the north wall except for treatment of door #2 and frame about it. See detail drawing. The frame is composed of two 6 x 6 uprights rebated for the door on the side of the opening and notched for the planking on the opposite-sides. The door head was a 7½ x 6" piece, similarly rebated and notched which was joined into the uprights with mortises, tenons and pegs. The door itself (see detailed drawing) was made up of two thicknesses of yellow pine planks - rough sawn in random widths joined with heavy spikes driven froze both sides and clinched on opposite sides. The side towards the cell had the planks running horizontally - same as the wall. Since this is the cell side no hardware appears except the spikes and the iron food passage grille. There is a heavy bevelled piece for a threshold. 1 ¾" thick. Cell this wall surface and door were whitewashed. All the wood was yellow pine. See photo N 2949.

SOUTH WALL: This wall similar to west wall. It has one grilled opening with an original colonial wrot iron grille set flush into jambs, sill and head of the opening. All the brickwork of this wall is of the period of the city alterations. At the window head is a 3" thick yellow pine header. See photo N 4961.

CEILING: The ceiling was of 1" yellow pine boards rough sawn nailed to second floor joists. The boards were random widths and many of the joints were covered with strips of galvanized iron firmly nailed.

GENERAL: All the wood and brickwork in this cell is of the 12 period of the city alterations; except for the floor all exposed surfaces were whitewashed. Nearly all the woodwork was rough sawn showing circular saw cuts.

CELL B

WEST WALL: This wall was covered by random width, yellow pine planks, 1 ¾" thick. On the top of the first floor joists and the bottom of the ceiling boards were nailed 2 x ,4. sticks touching the brick. To these were nailed the planks. It the top the ceiling boards were butted by the planks and at the bottom the floor butted the planks. On the floor and against the planks was then nailed the bevelled 7" x 1 ¾" base. See photo N 4962.

In the south corners facing east was a toilet seat. This extended through the thickness of the planks of the north wall but butted those of the south wall. It was large with three high steps made of 1 ¾" thick yellow pine planks held to the adjacent plank walls and floor by heavy, wrot iron straps or bands securely nailed to the seat and fixed to adjacent wall with nuts threaded to the strap ends which were shaped into bolts. The entire exposed surface of the seat was ,covered at approximately 1 inch intervals by small nails driven into the wood. Also the space within the seat was a mass of rough brickwork. As in cell A the planks of which the seat was built were rough sawn showing circular saw cuts. The woodpipe, similar to that in cell A had rotted away almost entirely. See photo N 4956 showing position of seat. After removing the planking on this wall and exposing the brickwork, a window opening was found, bricked up. The infill was taken out, 13 exposing a colonial wrot iron grille. It was set in the opening similarly to the grille in cell A. The grille was the same size as that in cell A but the wide members were horizontal instead of vertical. There were five original grilles in the building of which this is the only one so constructed. All had the same overall dimensions. See photo N 4962.

The brickwork of this wall was original near the north corner (see plan) but adjacent to the window and thence south it was later of the period of the city alterations. The original brick was laid in English bond with finished surface and tooled joints. The later brick was laid in common bond. All this west wall surface showed traces of plaster, similar to that in cell A. Apparently when city alterations were first made the brick walls were plastered, as in cell A but later covered with planks perhaps for greater security.

The fact that the original brickwork showed finished surface indicated that originally no plaster coat was intended. See remarks on north wall and also on Yard.

NORTH WALL: The surface of this wall was covered with planks similar to the west wall. The planking turned in to the window opening to form wooden jambs, head and sill as far as the colonial grille and flush with frame of same (see plan). See photo N 2945. The grille is the same as that in cell A. Flush with the plank wall surface is another grille which appeared to be colonial with ends let into the planking. See detailed drawings and photos.

After removing the planks, the brickwork was exposed. See 14 photo N 5349. This wall was originally the north wall of the yard. The brick was laid in English bond with an unfinished surface, rough. brick and joints. A finished surface was made with a very tough mortar, like plaster heavy with oyster shell lime and shell aggregate. Into the wall, at the time of city alterations, holes were cut to take the floor joists. Apparently the window opening was cut directly into this mass of original brick reusing original grilles from other portions of the structure.

EAST WALL: This is the same as the east wall of cell A.

SOUTH WALL: This is the same as the north wall of cell A except the planks run vertically. Where the toilet seat butts against the planks, holes were provided for seating the bolt ends of the iron straps of the seat. See detailed drawing and photo N 4956. See bolt ends in N 2947.

CEILING: The ceiling was the same as for cell A.

FLOORING: Ditto. All woodwork, except floor, was whitewashed.

HALL C

FLOOR: Same as in cell A.

WEST WALL: See detailed drawings and description of east wall in cell A. See also photo N 2949, also N 4971 showing entrance to cell A. See also photo N 5193 showing end of this west wall where it butts jail south wall and construction of floor framing below. Hardware on doors #2 and #3 is almost all colonial work reused in new 15 positions. See detailed drawings for exposition of this hardware. The grilles set in the middle of each door are not colonial but seem to be the type of iron work contemporary with period of the city alterations. This whole wall, doors, etc. except some of the hardware were of the city alterations period.

NORTH WALL: See detailed drawing. This wall covered with series of 1 ¾" yellow pine planks set vertically and nailed to battens, top and bottom which held the iron washers holding the nuts to bolts piercing the brick wall and held by similar washers and nuts on the outside of the building. A 7" x 1 ¾" yellow pine baseboard which carried along the west wall continues across this batten end of planks.

The planks were removed exposing some original brickwork at the east end, but for the most part the wall was rebuilt st the time of the city alterations. A door was cut through, but later bricked up so roughly that doubtless it became necessary to bolt on the planking for security. The brick wall had a plaster coat similar to that in cell A, but cutting the door and bricking up followed later. This again seems to bear out that the first alterations by the city in the hall C and cells A and B involved plastered brick walls which were later planked up.

See photo N 5349 and notes thereon.

EAST WALL: This wall in general. is of original brickwork and like the original brickwork of west wall, cell B it is laid in the English bond with tooled joints presenting a finished surface. At the jambs and heads of doors #4 and #5 it has been patched and altered. 16 See photo N 5349 Which shows this call. with later brick removed, noting that some original brick has also been removed, but later replaced in original position when restoring. See later remarks on this point. See photo N 5194 showing door #5, Photo N 4965 showing door #4, photo N 2946 showing door #4, photo N 2949 showing east wall. See also detailed drawings. Note plastered surface of brick on this wall.

Door #4 has a late frame but much of its hardware is reused colonial work. Door #5 has its original frame and hardware, although the door itself is of the period of the city alterations. Both doors are similar construction to those in the west wall opposite #2 and #3.

SOUTH WALL: This wall or wooden grille, divides the hall from a small entry. See detailed drawing, also photos N 5194 and N 2949. The construction of this feature is too complicated for textual description It is of yellow pine members, rough sawn, exhibiting circular saw marks. The members are spiked to one another, the spikes being clinched. Between the horizontal and vertical members are concealed strips of thin iron for greater security, pierced by the spikes which hold the members together. Just west of the door is a food slot.

The door is very low and is double sheathed with yellow pine boards held together by nails driven and clinched. Sheathing runs vertically on south, horizontally on north sides. The hinges are colonial, two of which have been reworked at the ends.

All the woodwork of this partition was whitewashed.

FLOORS AND CEILING: Floors and ceiling in hall C were similar to cells h and B. The ceiling was whitewashed.

ENTRY:

WEST WALL: This was a continuation of the west wall as explained under hall C and under east wall of cell A.

NORTH WALL: As explained under south wall of hall C.

EAST WALL: This wall of brick was original. See notes under east wall of hall C for original brickwork.

SOUTH WALL: A small portion of this wall at the east corner was original and similar to the small piece at the east end of the north wall of hall C. It was not finished brickwork as on the east wall, but finished rough and then plastered originally. See notes on original brickwork plastered under north wall, cell B.

The brickwork all about the door (#7.) was later, of the period of the city alterations. Portions of the east, splayed jambs were entirely of original brickwork, the opening having been out through. All this door and frame was of the late alterations period excepting certain of the hardware and iron strap work. See detailed drawings; also photos N 2950 and N 29,48. The door was double sheathed, horizontal boards on inside and vertical on outside held together with heavy spikes driven and clinched. Three wood locks were let in flush on inside and operated on outside. The hinges are let in flush on the inside and vertical straps go over them. Many of the spikes go through the iron straps, hinges, sheathing and straps on the outside clinching them all together. The ( )cks, interior iron straps and hinges and pintles are colonial having been reused from other locations at time of city alterations. The spikes and outer straps seem to be later. The sheathing is yellow pine and shows circular saw cuts. The frame was also 18 late, reinforced with iron straps. The brickwork at the door head was. supported by 3" thick yellow pine headers. All the door vas whitewashed.

FLOORING AND CEILING: Same as in hall C.

CELL D

WEST WALL: See detailed drawings; also photos N 4964, N 1,972. This wall was sheathed in yellow pine planks similarly to the outer walls of cell B. There was, however, some of the original sheathing covered by the later planks just mentioned. The original planks were of oak nailed with hand wrot spikes into 3" x 10" stringers of oak let into the brickwork at frequent intervals. Covering the joints (which were vertical) were 1" x 5" ± battens also of oak with roughly bevelled sides. These battens were nailed at frequent intervals into the planks and covered the nails which secured the planks to the stringers. The original sheathing or planking extended from the south corner to two feet north of the door #4. Beyond this point it was gone, but its thickness was replaced with furring blocks, etc. The brickwork behind the original sheathing was also original but towards the north corner where the old sheathing had disappeared considerable patching and replacing had been done - probably at the time of the city alterations. Behind the original planks were the old stringers, but north of the door they had been replaced and altered somewhat.

The old sheathing was left about the door opening at head and jambs, bat later work had altered the sill and threshold. Halfway through the door opening the old work ended and gave place to pine 19 boards, etc. placed there when the new door frame was inserted at the time of the city changes. See description of door and frame under Hall C, east wall.

The old planking did not extend to the present ceiling.

The late layer of plank, which also covered the original work on the jambs and head of the door reveal was all whitewashed.

The late planks had a 7" bevelled base as in cells A and B.

Note that the original woodwork had its natural finish. The backs of the planks in some cases were hand hewn, in some cases whip-sawn. The edges of the planks were hewn, some planed. The surfaces toward the room were whip sawn and then hand planed until the straight whip saw cuts were smoothed out. The tops and bottoms of the planks were hand sawn. Most of the planks and woodwork were badly rotted. The battens were hewn, sawn and planed like the planks.

NORTH WALL: See photos N 4958 and N 4.964.

This wall was covered with pine planks as the outside walls in Cell B - set vertically. The usual base ran across as in these cells. After removing this planking the brickwork was exposed and proved to be all later, of the period of the city alterations. From the ledge upward this was true, from the ledge downward the work was original being laid in English bond with more or less unfinished surface. At points here and there the ledge had been patched and repaired. For remarks on brickwork below level of ledge see Foundation Plan notes for east portion. Wood stringers are let in the brick as in the original work - to which the furring for the late planking was nailed. At the east end of this wall was a diagonal passage through the brickwork leading from a former toilet seat in the north east corner of the room to the pit outside. This passage was partially ruinous and the wooden pipe was gone. The marks of the former seat still remained on the planking. See photo N 4960 showing this corner with late planking removed where pipe went through brickwork.

PRISON CELL BEFORE & AFTER RESTORATION

The upper photograph is a view of the north wall of Cell D of the Public Gaol before the restoration of the building. (For location of this room, see measured plan, 3-M). The wrought iron window grille and the iron straps on the interior are original colonial features which were reused when the building was remodeled by the city. The pine planking covering the brickwork is late. The outline of a former toilet seat similar to the reconstructed one shown in the lower illustration may be seen. The aperture in the brickwork of this area is the inside opening of a diagonal passage which lead to a pit on the outside. Original details such as these and others found in the old building formed the basis for the reconstruction of like features in the restored Gaol.

The lower photo is a view, looking northeast, of the reconstructed general court prison for debtors (a room of the Gaol) showing grilled window opening, toilet seat and fireplace.

The window, like that in the north wall of Cell B had an original colonial wrot iron grille reused; also a colonial grille reused at the inner face of the late sheathing, as in Cell B. The opening and woodwork are all of the period of the city alterations, but the grilles are reused features of the original structure. See detailed drawing and photo N 4964. The brickwork at the head is supported on wood headers as in Cell A and Cell B.

All the outer and later woodwork was whitewashed.

EAST WALL: See detailed drawings; also photos No 4960, N 4958. This wall was covered with vertical, yellow pine planks as on north wall. These outer planks were of the period of the city alterations and overlaid the original vertical oak planks. By removing the later work, which was all whitewashed, a large amount of this original sheathing was exposed. Near the north corner some of the old planks were missing, in turn exposing original brickwork and 3" x 10" oak stringers to which the planks were secured with large hand wrot spikes. The battens were all missing, but the marks showing their size and presence originally were left. Toward the south corner was a food slot, originally going all the way through the brickwork of the east wall and with oak 2" thick pieces at sides, top and bottom. Only part of these pieces were left and: the eastern portion of the opening was bricked up. Some lettering appeared carved neatly in the oak plank just above the opening, as yet undeciphered.

Photo N 4958 shows this.

The treatment of the surfaces of the planks was the same as those remaining on the west wall. The bottoms and backs were partially rotted.

The original brickwork was laid in English bond.

SOUTH WALL: This wall similar to south wall in Cell B. The planks run vertically with the 7" x 1-3/4" bevelled base continuing about from the other walls. The work in this partition is of the period of the city alterations. It was all whitewashed.

FLOORING: Floor same as in Hall C, cells A and B but at a slightly higher level. This is due to the use of the original ledge on the north wall to rest the joists.

CEILING: Like ceiling elsewhere. It was whitewashed.

CELL E

WEST WALL: See detailed drawings and photo N 4971. This wall was sheathed like walls in Cell D with yellow pine vertical planks. The base was the same, also. All this sheathing was whitewashed. It covered the original oak plank sheathing which was similar to that described in Cell D. The whole wall and door opening was covered with this original work. It was the only wall surface which had its original sheathing complete. The back and bottom of this sheathing was badly rotted. It was held to the original brick wall just as in Cell D. The finish and surfaces were also the same as in Cell D.

For the door #5 see notes under Hall C.

NORTH WALL: This was like south wall of Cell D except planks run horizontally. This wall was whitewashed.

EAST WALL: The same type of yellow pine planking running vertically as in other cells of the period of city alterations. It had the typical bevelled base. All this late sheathing was Whitewashed. This was removed. Under it at the south corner was one original vertical oak plank, nailed to the typical 3" x 10" oak stringers let into the original English bond brickwork. North of this plank was exposed the original brick wall unchanged. See descriptions under east wall, Cell D. Approximately at the middle of the wall was a hole bricked up. This also appeared on the outside of the east wall of the structure. After the filling in brick was removed, the bottom of the original opening vas found to be on the top of one of the 3" x:10" oak stringers. A portion of this top surface showed heavy wear., indicating it as the bottom of a food slot and the width of it. Too much of the brickwork was patched and replaced to indicate the height of the original opening.

SOUTH WALL: See detailed drawings; photos N 4955, N 5354, N 5192, N 4957. The outer thickness of sheathing was horizontal. Most of it was colonial, hand waked material of oak secured to the planks (original) underneath with hand wrot nails. Some portions, chiefly near the east end, were replacements probably made at the time of the city alterations and consisted of circular saw cut yellow pine boards.

Near the west wall were a number of later planks used to patch. By removing these the line of the former toilet seat became apparent and where the hole for the pipe to the pit occurred. Several 23 wrot iron ends of straps which held the seat to the south wall were left in place. Fast of the former seat position was an original window opening. See details of this on sheet 1-M. Under the trim and planking of oak was the original oak frame. The outer grille was also original. See photo N 5192 showing portions of the later work removed to disclose the earlier oak frame. The later trim and planking was colonial as it was of oak, hand worked, secured with hand wrot iron bands held with hand wrot iron spikes and nails. Note that the original frame was rebated. The later trim was accompanied by another interior grille fixed to the wood with spikes. See detail on sheet M-1. This also was a colonial piece of iron work.

All the sheathing and woodwork exposed before wrecking or investigation was done was whitewashed.

The original outer grille which was contemporaneous with the original brick opening and rebated oak frame when removed at time of restoration was found to have its bars extending through the iron frame approximately 15" - 16". They were buried in the original brickwork showing that it was an integral part of the masonry when first constructed. These extended bars pierced the original frame likewise. See photo N 5354.

The original frame was fully morticed and tenoned together. At the head and jambs the ends of the morticing carried through 9" into the original brickwork.

The same bevelled base carried across this wall. It was of the later period.

The ceiling and flooring were the same as elsewhere, but the floor was slightly raised above that of the hall similar to and as noted under Cell D.

ROOM: SOUTH YARD

FLOOR: It is paved with brick. It was laid in sand on gravel fill; there was no data or evidence for this paving. The original yard floor must have had paving in order to drain off rain water; since this yard was not used for criminals (see Research Notes) it was assumed that the floor need not be such as to prevent digging for escape. The brick used was made by hand from local clay burned by wood and matches as closely as possible existing original brick. The same pattern was used as appeared in the basement floor paving in existing foundations of the keeper's portion.

Along the south wall of the flat-roofed portion the floor was warped slightly to form a gutter for the weep holes from the Yard as well as from the lead roof. This in turn discharges through a weep hole at its lower end in the west wall of the south yard. For weep hole precedent see South Elevation. At the north east corner of this yard the paving is again warped to take roof valley water into a cast-iron drain catch basin next the east wall of the "pit #1". This basin and cover are modern items, inserted for practical consideration only. The floor in general is pitched to the west and south to drain off water through the weep holes provided so [ed.-as] explained on South and West Elevations.

Floor of pit was excavated out to original level. For practical reasons, a bed of clean river gravel was laid down with a center well of same extending below to act as a sump. Although this feature was not originally there, it was thought (rise to take any unobtrusive precautions against water standing at the base of the pit.

The pit #1 cover is of heavy planks of Gulf Cypress nailed to the framing below with large, hand wrot nails. In the center of this planked cover or top is a batten door of the same planks. "T" shaped strap hinges are provided, fixed to boards with wrot nails. A wrot ring is provided for lifting the door. The hinges and ring were hand wrot by a local craftsman copied from eighteenth-century, models procured from miscellaneous sources - "antique" dealers and such of the vicinity. For use of cypress for material see Dormer Windows, East Elevation. The type of cover was assumed, no exact date being available. The Research Notes mention wood covers for the pits in several places, and obviously their use as cess-pools indicated some method of access for cleaning. Obviously, too, whatever kind of planking was used had to be heavy, due to its exposure and necessary span. A careful investigation of original brickwork of the south wall of the jail where the pit joined it indicated the cover level at the grade line. A 9" wall. brought to level of the paving from the 13" pit wall below provides a ledge for the sill at the top and its framing. This also is an assumption, but seems a reasonable solution given the problem of arranging a wood top for the pit.

FLOOR NAILS: For pit #1 cover see above under Floor. For pit #1 floor, see above under floor.

BEAMS: Ditto. These head off door opening. They are of yellow pine coated with creosote. Since they are exposed, in a sense, they were joined with mortices in the eighteenth-century manner and were of atypical section of the period - 1. x 6 inches. As antique material could not be expected to stand up in such an exposed position new 55 material was used. Creosote had to be used because even new material could not be expected to stand up over a pit constantly damp with rain seeping through from above also. The use of beams to head off door opening could not be avoided in wood construction so that an eighteenth century method. was employed.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: In Pit #1 the existing, original walls were repaired and repainted. Original brick from elsewhere on site was employed in patching old portions. Missing top courses were replaced with new brick made by hand of local wood burned clay to match the existing ones.

CEILING:

BASEBOARD:

CHAIR RAIL:

CORNICE:

EQUIPMENT: In the brick floor near south door is a modern cast iron valve box with cover flush with surface of brick paving. This provides a connection for a hose with valve to control flow of water. The cover only shows and is not noticeable. It was inserted strictly for convenience so that yard, floor could be washed off with stream of water.

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: CRIMINALS GOAL

FLOOR: Research Notes, p. 123b mention "flooring with 21 inch Oak plank and crossed w^th upp^r floor of 1 ½ in :P:Plank" (indicating pine plank). In this cell or Gaol, the floor was composed of 1 ½" heart yellow pine planks, random widths. Thus this follows the original kind of floor. Because the under floor of 2 ½" oak was hidden, it was omitted here. See remarks on hidden construction under Exterior, General Notes.

FLOOR NAILS: Are handwrot nails, following original, ones found in existing ancient work.

BEAMS: Modern 2 a 10 inch yellow pine, arranged in modern constructional methods. See notes on hidden construction under Exterior, General Notes.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: The walls are sheathed with 2" oak plank, surfaces exposed being hand planed and nailed to wall with large hand wrot nails. These planks are in random widths and follow the precedent of the original oak planks elsewhere in building in finish and method of securing to wall.

CEILING: Like the walls. This treatment was assumed to be correct as a plaster ceiling would not be secure against jail breaks.

BASEBOARD: This is 2" thick oak piece bevelled on top - 7" high. There is no actual data for this shape except that there was a horizontal line on the original well planking indicating its height from the floor elsewhere in the building. See later notes below.

CHAIR RAIL: None.

CORNICE: None.

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.

MANTEL: None.

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None.

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK): See notes under Windows, South Elevation. Those notes indicate the original frame and grille in Gaol #4. See sheet "1-M- Condition of Structure Before Wrecking" for detail drawing of this latter window. Note the two colonial periods - the window in Gaol #1 is copied from the second period on the assumption that the earlier type proved insecure and a stronger method was later adopted. Since the flat roofed portion was built later than the portion embracing Gaol #4, the second period method of trimming the window was chosen. In restoring the window in Gaol #4, iron work of the second period was carefully removed and reused here in Gaol #1. Since the three bottom straps were missing, new ones were made after the other original ones on sides and top by a local craftsman by hand. The inner grille was repaired and reused here also. The straps, etc. were secured to planking and window woodwork with heavy hand wrot mils copied after those in the original opening at Gaol #14. A slight departure was introduced from the actual second period frame and trim of Gaol #4 due to the fact that this second period frame, etc. was superimposed on an existing earlier frame. The departure consists in eliminating the added 1 ?" thick boards at jambs, head and sill and simply reproducing a frame all morticed, etc. like the first period frame and applying the trim on wall surface to it in full, omitting those members necessitated by the act of superimposition.

CLOSETS: None.

DOORS AND TRIM: Door #102 has its frame copied after that of door #105 opposite which was original. The position of this door #102 was indicated by the fragmentary original jamb and sill in the existing foundations. The rebated brickwork and treatment of sheathing about the door was copied from the original work o n door #105. The frame is of oak, ditto for door, following frame of original door #105. See further discussion under Yard.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): See notes under Yard.

COLOR: All woodwork of this Gaol is finished "natural". The wood was first oiled to give it resistance to action of moisture, then exposed surfaces were burned with applications of potash to produce an effect similar to that of the existing, ancient work elsewhere in building. The floor was given a coat of white lead and oil priming. This was allowed to dry aril was then removed with paint and varnish remover. The treatment softened the harsh, newness of the pine boards with their smooth finish.

The iron work was painted a dark brown color to preserve it from rust. This color was arbitrarily selected as less emphatic than black as well as being the same tone taken on by ancient, rusty iron.

EQUIPMENT: Toilet seat. This seat was one existing in the northwest cell of the structure standing before wrecking (Cell B, on sheet 3 M). The iron straps on this seat were colonial and original and appeared to have been reused on a later seat built up of wood to fit 59 them. It was assumed that the shape of this fixture was similar to the original ones of the colonial period. This assumption gains weight from the description of a seat or "throne" by General Hamilton when he was captive during the Revolutionary War in the Colony Prison.

Although the wood is circular saw cut pine, the whole fixture was repaired and reused in this Gaol. Its height and width corresponded with the marks of the original. seat in Gaol #4, also the number of steps. This seat served as a model for the new seats in other cells in the restored building. See later notes.

The Advisory Board of Architects urged that all material or portions of the existing structure before wrecking be incorporated in, the restored structure in so far as it did not go against colonial precedent or known features and arrangements.

The position of the seat was indicated by the existing, original pit on the west wall.

LEG IRONS: A set of leg irons was provided for this cell. It was copied from one of two types of such, discovered in the excavations by a local craftsman by hand. It is interesting to note this kind of iron is shown several times in the illustrations of the Newgate Calender.

IRON RINGS: Two wrot iron rings passed through staple bolts with wedge keys and slots were copied from an original assembly of this nature found incorporated in existing Cell B. See plan 3-M. These rings were placed at different spots in the cell, one being attached to a concealed trap door in floor. This door is for access to sub-floor area and is a convenience, only.

FIRE SYSTEM: Consists of minute copper tubing running about room at juncture of ceiling and walls, connecting through hidden passages within construction. to its outlet and alarm under main stair. This was installed for protection only. It is almost impossible to see where exposed against oak woodwork.

HEATING: On east wall a slot was provided in baseboard which can be closed with snug fitting oak board when heat is not on. This vent allows air to flow into cell from a east-iron radiator enclosed in metal box under the floor. It was decided to have heat in the restored structure by board of directors of the project and this method was adopted here as least noticeable. See further notes. The original cell had no heating provisions.

LIGHTING: One concealed base plug was inserted on east wall for modern, utilitarian reasons but placed as inconspicuously as possible.

GENERAL NOTES: No specific data appeared regarding this room. The Research Notes refer to the construction of a flat roofed portion as a General Court Prison for Debtors in 1711. When the keepers addition was built, this portion became a criminals portion and the first keepers portion was allocated to debtors. Since there were two original pits framed adjacent, the proper number of grilles (original) and remnants of two doors - it seemed a logical conclusion to consider two cells for this portion.

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: CRIMINALS GOAL #2

FLOOR: Same as for Criminals Gaol #1

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto.

BEAMS: Ditto.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Ditto.

CEILING: Ditto.

BASEBOARD: Ditto.

CHAIR RAIL: None.

CORNICE: None.

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.

MANTEL: None.

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None.

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK): Same as for Criminals Gaol #7. This window is same design as that in Criminals Gaol #1, but the strapwork is new. The two grilles are original moved from elsewhere and repaired slightly.

CLOSETS: None.

DOORS AND TRIM: See Criminals Gaol #1.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS. ETC.): Ditto.

COLOR: Ditto.

EQUIPMENT: Ditto. Seat, however, is copied from that in Criminals Gaol #1 by hand. Oak is used instead of pine because only original woodwork found in existing structure before wrecking was oak. For heating, see like condition under Criminals Gaol #1. Ditto lighting.

GENERAL NOTES: Same as for Criminals Gaol #1.

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: YARD

FLOOR: Brick was used here set in mortar on mortar bed. No evidence was discovered archaeological or documentary - for this material, but a very definite line indicated the elevation of the floor in relation to the adjacent walls. The use of mortar to fix the brick seed essential for security. Had the floor been stone, some fragments would seemingly have appeared in the excavations. For permanence only (see remarks on hidden construction under Exterior, General Notes) a 4 ½" reinforced concrete slab held the brick, in turn resting on a firm bed of gravel. The floor was pitched to drain through weepholes in south wall. See South Elevation for these weepholes. The brick are laid flat in running pattern with broken joints as in existing original brick paving in the basement foundations, eta. of the keepers portion.

Near the northwest corner is a cast iron valve box. See description under South Yard.

It was felt reasonable to set the floor in mortar as sanded joints would have offered no security against escape.

FLOOR NAILS: None.

BEAMS: None.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: The walls are brick. See notes and drawing on structure before wrecking for extent of the original brickwork. Roughly speaking a large part of the north and east walls were original but the south and crest were not. The original portions of the north and south walls clearly indicated that originally they were covered with a tough oyster shell lime plaster. This was replaced from the floor to the under part of the shingled capping. For the shingle capping see South 63 Elevation Cornice. The plaster was made with oyster shell lime and applied by hand with small trowels to give an uneven surface similar to that of the original plaster surface mentioned above.

The east and west walls, as mentioned above, were not all of original brick. In the areas of original brick on the east wall particularly at jambs and heads of the doors, patching and filling out was performed with original brick from elsewhere in the structure. Above the line where the original brick stopped, new brick were used to build the rest of the gable. These brick were hand made of local clay, wood burned to match the existing brick as far as possible. Bond and mortar jointing follow those of the original work.

The west wall was made chiefly of new brick, same kind as on east wall. Both of these walls were laid in English bond.

Windows in this gable were mentioned in the Research Notes, page 30. The arches were not glazed as on the east end of the jail because eighteenth-century precedent shows no examples of such glazing in English bond wall surfaces. Otherwise these two are the same in design as that on East Elevation.

Headers were left out at various points. See notes under East Elevation.

CEILING:

BASEBOARD:

CHAIR RAIL:

CORNICE:

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT:

MANTEL:

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH:

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK): See under Walls.

CLOSETS:

DOORS AND TRIM: For door to Yard see South Elevation. On the yard side the plastered Wall surface was carried in to meet the oak frame over jambs and head. This was considered logical since the brickwork of original foundations indicated a rebated effect with a narrower opening inside than outside. See reference. The same type stone step was used inside as on outside as explained under South Elevation for door #101. The existing, original foundations indicated the extent of this step.

Door #105: See descriptions of this door under "Existing Structure before Wrecking" in introductory notes. The original oak frame was in place, as well as sill covered by some later work. Some of the brickwork at the jambs on the face of the wall and all at the head was later. This late jamb brick was removed and original brick from elsewhere in the structure vas used to patch out. The late brick at the head was removed and replaced with a segmental rowlock arch and brick tympanum. The use of the segmental arch, etc. follows same precedent as for Yard door #101 as noted on South Elevation. The original frame was retained and cleaned with all the original (colonial) hardware. The sill, when uncovered, was found so badly rotted that a new. one, copied from the original in oak, had to be inserted. See references above for 65 notes on double sheathing of door itself. A new grille was made by hand by a local craftsman to fit this door, following General Hamilton's descriptions in research notes. A new wood lock was made for this door by local craftsman by hand, copied after original locks of this kind reused in existing building before wrecking. The precedent for the grille, once the character was indicated by Hamilton's descriptions, followed that of the original window grilles.

The position of this door is the original one - indicated by existing original work.

Door #104 (to Goal #3): This door has same precedent, etc. as door #105. The frame and sill are new, copied from #105 and likewise fully morticed, tenoned and pinned. There was considerable original hardware reused on the later door in the existing structure before wrecking, and as at door #105, this was reused in the restored door. Some minor items were made new by hand, copied from originals elsewhere. A new grille was made. See door #105.

The brickwork about opening was treated as for door #105.

The position of this door is the original one - indicated by existing original work.

Door #103: See introductory, notes for position and jambs of this door. The original jamb portions correspond to the original jambs of door #105, insofar as brick treatment was concerned. The restored opening, the original frame and sill and door type, all of #105 were copied for the door under consideration. An almost complete set of hardware on door to northwest cell (cell B) of existing structure before 66 wrecking was repaired and cleaned and reused here. All this hardware was colonial and reused from the original building by the city at the time of its alterations just as on doors #105 and #104. A new grille was made, as for door #105. Some minor items had to be made to complete the set. These were wrought by hand by a local craftsman copied after similar items (originals) elsewhere in structure.

Door #102: Same as for door #103.

Steps to doors #105 and #104. were indicated by fragmentary brick foundations in existing structure before wrecking. A careful study of these when related to the known door sill height, that of the yard floor and the indications of risers and treads in the brickwork, revealed the original form of each flight. They were not the same in plan, but did have the same number of risers and treads. It was felt that restoring them in brick would not have been reasonable, since the prisoners who were known to have been allowed the use of the Yard during the daytime could easily loosen and remove the brick for weapons, etc., Therefore stone treads were used - also the construction of the step foundations seemed to indicate this. For type of stone, see South Elevation, Front Door. The stones were projected slightly beyond the brick cheeks following similar precedent at Tuckahoe, Goochland County, Virginia.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): See under Doors and Trim.

EQUIPMENT: In north east corner was inserted a cast iron valve bar. This position was selected because inconspicuous. See notes on similar item under South Yard.

GENERAL NOTES:

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: CRIMINALS GOAL #3

FLOOR: Same as for Criminals Gaol #1. The height of the floor was determined from height of original sill to door #105, Gaol #4. This also checked with its relation with the foundation wall ledge which allowed for the 1 ½" top floor of heart pine, 2 ½" for oak sub floor, and 4 x 8 beams or joists. The sub floor was not used here, but the space was employed by furring strips. Since it was hidden, no attempt was made to include it.

FLOOR NAILS: As for Criminals Gaol #1.

BEAMS: See Floor. The joists under this room are stock lumber since they are hidden. See notes under Exterior. General Notes on hidden construction. They are, however, the size of the original beams or joists 4 x 8 being almost a definite section size in eighteenth century. One end of the joists is the ledge, the other the cross wall. See notes under Basement.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: West wall: See notes for "Cell D Existing Structure before Wrecking" Which indicate portions of this wall. covered by original planking and battens. In order to patch and make secure the brickwork and insert new nailing stringers to replace the original ones too rotten for reuse, as well as to insert new door frame, etc. this original sheathing was removed. It was found to be in badly rotted condition, full of termites and "powder-post" beetles. All pieces that were possible to save for reuse were marked and piled separately. See East Wall, this cell. Upon the basis of existing ancient work this wall was restored new of oak planks, battens, base and head and jambs of door. Treatment the same as in Gaol #1 except for hand worked oak battens. These were copied from the originals and nailed with hand wrot nails accordingly.

North Wall: This wall continued same treatment as West Wall. The, window opening was copied from the original, first period frame, eta. of Gaol #4. See notes under North and South Elevations. The frame is rebated and provided with an oak, batten shutter with a center dead-light. See remarks under South Elevation on this feature. In this case, the rebate is copied from that on the original frame in Gaol #4. For toilet seat on this wall see under Equipment.

East Wall: This wall had most of its original sheathing, but base and battens were missing. See remarks on base under Gaol #1. In order to repair brickwork and to remove the rotten original oak stringers, the original oak planking was removed. As at West Wall, it was carefully set aside. So much of it was rotted that all could not be reused. By selecting the sound pieces from the material removed from both east and west walls and treating them with insect proofing, enough good planks were available to replace about one half the original planking on this wall. Fortunately all the planks surrounding the original food slot were sound enough to reuse including the top one with the inscription of incised lettering. None of the battens were good enough to reuse from the west wall. These were made new of hand worked oak as for west and north walls, copied from the originals. Ditto for nailing, eta. For new base see Gaol #1. The top, bottom and sides of the food slot, though partly enclosed in original oak boards in existing structure before wrecking, had to be replaced with new oak boards since the originals were badly rotted. This opening, moreover, had steel angles concealed above the bonds at the top to take the weight of the brick above. See remarks on hidden construction under Exterior, General Notes.

South Wall: No precedent indicated how this wall was constructed. The colonial brick wall under this partition indicated that it must have been of wood construction as the brick did not carry up and was terminated at the same level as the shelf on the north and south outer building wall foundations. In the existing structure before wrecking the partition at this point was used as an assumed precedent since it was felt that any other type of partition construction would have been repeated by the work of the city alterations or at least resembled it. This assumption was used in other details of construction also mentioned elsewhere. The result is a partition with vertical boards in this goal and horizontal boards in Gaol #4 next it, the two thicknesses being firmly secured one to another by hand wrot nails driven from either side and clinched. This makes a firm wall of solid oak 4" thick. The typical base is carried across this wall. For treatment of upper portion of this wall at meeting with ceiling see Ceiling.

CEILING: See Criminals Gaol. #1. In analyzing probable type of second floor framing it was obvious that the original width of the prison north to south would be too great a span for colonial builders to cover with single joists. Also large spans in medium-sized structures in the early eighteenth century were not used. Thus, invariably, short span Joists framed into heavy wood girders or "summer beams." See framing Paradise House, Williamsburg, Virginia; second floor, Tabb House - measured drawings; Custom's House, Urbanna, Virginia and many others. For this reason a heavy summer was inserted here coinciding with line of the center partition. It was notched to receive the partition. Where exposed it was hand hewn. It was of oak. There was no precedent for notching 70 the summer, but it was felt some such precaution would have been taken between the original criminals cells of the first building which were specified to serve one for men and one for women as well as to make the partition more secure.

See also Beams, Small Offenders #16, second floor.

BASEBOARD: See above.

CHAIR RAIL:

CORNICE:

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT:

MANTEL: None.

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None.

WINDOWS (SASH, FRAME AND TRIM, AND METAL WORK): Same as for window in Gaol #4. It was copied from the first period original frames, etc, here. See notes under North Wall above.

CLOSETS: None.

DOORS AND TRIM: See West Wall.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Ditto. See also Yard, Doors and Trim.

COLOR: As for Criminals Gaol #1.

EQUIPMENT: Seat. Original position disclosed when late planking was removed. Seat was copied from that in Gaol #1. Other equipment as in Gaol #1 except placed in different locations.

GENERAL NOTES:

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: CRIMINALS GAOL #4

FLOOR: See notes for Gaol #1 and Gaol #3. In this Gaol the 2 ½" thick oak sub flooring was built with new material. This was done so that a trap door could be built at eastern part to be lifted for exhibition purposes so that the original specified methods of floor construction, framing and sub-framing could be shown to visitors.

FLOOR NAILS: As for Gaol #1.

BEAMS: Those near the trap door are antique beams (eighteenth-century from miscellaneous sources in the vicinity) from the warehouse of antique material. The sub-beams were placed to set under the over hanging ledges of the outer wall as specified in the Research Notes data, page 2. These were also of antique material from same source as the joists just mentioned. They were set next to each other with ½" spaces between. This was done after investigation of eighteenth century jails at Charlotte Court House and a disused jail on the road from [ ] to [ ]. In these examples of precedent the second floor ceiling joists were laid touching each other. The sub-beams were laid on a bed of gravel to prevent, as far as possible, the effects of dampness and moisture. The gravel bed is hidden. See remarks under Exterior, General Notes on hidden construction. This treatment with the nub-beams extends only half way east to west under Gaol #h. as it serves only as an exhibition portion.

The trap door serves only to provide a view of the original framing method and was never a feature of the cell floor. It is treated with concealed hinges and when closed continues the effect of the floor itself.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: West Wall: As in Gaol #3 the original planking on this wall was removed and stacked. Brickwork was repaired and the rotted, original nailing stringers were replaced. Most of the old-planking was too badly rotted, as in Gaol #3 for reuse so what could be reused was combined with that taken from the south wall and re-erected there. See notes thereunder. The west wall was sheathed as was the same wall in Gaol #3 of oak, with battens, base, etc. following closely the jointing, arrangement of the original work before it was taken down.

North Wall: Of new material - boards running horizontal. See explanation under South Wall, Gaol #3.

East Wall: Treated entirely with new material following original sheathing methods. Food slot size was indicated in original brickwork and nailing stringer, see introductory notes. The same type of construction was used as for the food slot, East Wall, Gaol #3 but adapted to the slightly different size of the slot in this cell. For notes on treatment of sheathing, etc. see under Gaols #1 and #3.

South Wall: See introductory notes for extent of original work on this wall. Such sheathing as was possible to reuse was treated with insect proofing along with pieces salvaged from west wall and erected around window opening. Same system of sheathing and batten system used as on other walls and in Gaol #3.

CEILING: Same as for Gaol #3 including "summer beam."

BASEBOARD: Same apt for Gaol #1.

CHAIR RAIL:

CORNICE:

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT:

MANTEL:

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH:

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK): See introductory notes, South Elevation, North Wall, Gaol #3. The first period frame was so rotted it had to be removed and was accurately replaced with new oak. The original grille was repaired and inserted through the frame and replaced. The oak shutter is same as for North Wall, Gaol #3.

CLOSETS:

DOORS AND TRIM: See door #105 under Yard. Original woodwork about door was replaced with new in same arrangement.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): See door #105 under Yard.

COLOR: See Gaol #1. Original woodwork reused was cleaned of dust and dirt only.

EQUIPMENT: Same as for Gaol #3.

GENERAL NOTES:

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: PASSAGE #5

FLOOR: Of 1 ½" thick random width heart yellow pine. See notes under G 1 #1.

FLOOR NAILS: See Gaol #1.

BEAMS: Same as for Gaol #3. These frame into a modern steel I - beam running east and west which carries loads to bearing walls of brick at its ends. See notes under Exterior, General Notes on hidden construction.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: West Wall: This wall was standing in existing structure before wrecking. It showed evidences of having been covered with thin coat of neat oyster shell lime plaster similar to a skim coat, more or less evening off the whole surface. The brickwork was repaired, being in bad condition, where necessary structurally. It was decided to plaster this wall# following indications of the original treatment. In doing so 1" wood strapping was nailed to the wall upon which was set metal lath. On this was applied modern type plaster with a skim coat worked to a slightly uneven surface, typical of eighteenth century plaster work in this vicinity. Thus the surface exposed to the eye is according to eighteenth-century appearance, while those hidden conform to modern building practice. See notes on hidden construction under Exterior, General Notes. The invariable tendency of heavy brick walls with plaster applied to brick directly (in this locality) is to sweat during most parts of year - chiefly in summer. This bad condition can only be rectified by an air space behind the plaster.

The food slots to Gaols #4 and #3 appear on this wall. They 75 are without trim, assuming that originally the oak boards on sides, bottom and top would lave extended far enough for plaster to butt them. No precedent or data has so far come to light to indicate any other method of treating the openings on the passage side.

North Wall: Against this wall is placed the stair. See under same. Wall surfaces not covered by stair were treated with plaster, same as for west wall. This also because the passage in the first building would have been in keepers portion and would have been plastered, since panelling would not have appeared in such a building.

East Wall: Originally this wall would have been plastered. See above. When keepers addition was built it was changed into a jail portion. See Research Notes. Then into a debtor's portion. Such changes would have caused the wall to be made as secure as possible. It was assumed that the original partition would have been stripped of plaster which would have been replaced with typical oak planking as in Gaol #1. In this case, the planks are run horizontally so as to have firm bearing and nailing on the studs of the partition. The treatment of surface, nails, etc. is same as for Gaol #1. The sheathing on this wall butts the large oak post which supports the "summer" beam. Precedent for this.type post and its relation to the partition comes from Christ's Cross, New Kent County, Virginia - a late seventeenth-century structure. The post is hand hewn on surfaces exposed to the eye.

The sheathing continues along the whole wall and the stair butts against it, the joint being covered by the ascending baseboard. See Stair.

South Wall: This is same type construction as west wall.

CEILING: Plastered with same type finish and lath as West Wall. The heavy oak "summer" beam, as explained under Gaol #3 continues here. Its surfaces where exposed are hand hewn.

BASEBOARD: This is an early eighteenth-century type molded base (ogee mold) as used at Menokin, Richmond County, Virginia; Perrin Place (so-called Little England), Gloucester County, Virginia and many others. It is made of yellow pine, commonest interior trim material in eighteenth century locally. This passage was originally part of keepers portion in first building. When keepers portion addition was built, it became passage of circulation not only for adjacent cells

CHAIR RAIL:

CORNICE:

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT:

MANTEL: None.

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None.

WINDOWS: (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME. AND METAL WORK): None.

CLOSETS: In arranging first floor plan, small spaces was [ed.-were] available at stairs and next chimney. These spaces were converted into closets. See notes under East Elevation, Chimneys for explanation of basis for chimney construction. In the study of the plan it seemed from "plan-logic" that such a space as that between the chimney mass and the passage would be utilized. In eighteenth-century such spaces were often created in plans about chimneys and were most often used for closets as at Warren House, Surry County, Virginia; Marmion, King George County; the Governor's Palace, Jefferson's Plan, Williamsburg, Virginia. This closet 77 was sheathed in oak planks within same as Passage with typical base, etc.

Closet #15 (under stair): Treated with plaster walls and ceiling and baseboard same as for north and west walls. This closet contains fire alarm gong and panels, etc. These were placed here to be out of sight. It was common to utilize such space for closets in eighteenth century Paradise House, Williamsburg, and many others.

DOORS AND TRIM: Door #106: In order to have no end grand in planks at jambs vertical pieces cover these parts against which the horizontal planks covering the adjacent wall surface butt into. Ditto for both sides of partition. This is a natural method to treat sheathing which runs flush over a frame and forms part of the door rebate. Stable at Annie Catlett Place, Port Royal, Virginia. Thus the sheathing forms the trim. The door itself is double sheathed of oak plank - see explanation South Elevation, Yard door #101. In general this door is made up the same as doors #102 and #103 to Gaols #1 and #2.

Door #114 to Closet #8: This door is similar to others in material. Planks are on wide batten frame, etc., same as door #106. Is a small door because of which it was made of one thickness of planks. Batten doors were very common in eighteenth century locally.

Door #108 to Entry #9: Treatment of sheathing or planks about this door same as for door #106. On the face exposed in Passage #5 the planks ran horizontally and vertically on other side as in Yard door #101, This door is copied from #101 on this face with iron straps, etc., since it is the exit and access for the Debtors Portion.

Door #115 under Stair - See Stairs: Simple batten door with beaded random width boards nailed thereto with wrot nails set in 5 spot 78 pattern. Such doors were common in eighteenth century : Mt. Prodigal, Gloucester County, Virginia.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Door #106: One colonial hinge and pintle removed from entry door of structure before wrecking were reused here and another copied to match it by hand. The grilles hasps and pintles, lock straps and keeper were copied from those on doors #102 and #103 to Gaols #1 and #2.

Door #114 to Closet #8: Hinges were made new by hand by local craftsman. Were made same as original used on door #106 but slightly smaller. Read lock of wood and keeper were copied after those on doors #102, #103 to Gaols #1 and #2.

Door #108 to Entry #9: Straps and hinges copied by hand from those on Yard door #101. Ditto locks and method of arrangement. Heavy iron jamb keeper ditto. On opposite face an iron handle was placed adapted after that on rear door, George Wythe House, Williamsburg, without latch by hand.

Door #115 under Stair: Has 2 H-L hinges copied by hand by-.-local craftsman from original eighteenth-century local models. Ditto for wood lock. Ditto nails in pattern securing battens to door sheathing.

COLOR: Plaster coated with cold water paint to simulate whitewash. Tempera-like whitewash was conventional treatment for plaster in eighteenth century. Base, floor, oak planking and doors, ironwork same as in Gaol #1. For stairs, see Stairs.

EQUIPMENT: See under Gaol #1 for fire alarm tubing. See ditto for explanation regarding lighting. Switch on east jamb door #108 operates small tin bracket sconce on west wall. This of modern manufacture and is 79 careful copy of original eighteenth-century sconce. North of post is switch to operate light on second floor.

In Closet #8 is a modern slop sink and a modern ceiling outlet. The sink is necessary and by placing in closet can be concealed from view.

See Closet #15 for fire alarm gong, etc.

GENERAL NOTES:

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: PASSAGE #5

STAIRS: (Note: This sheet to be pinned or clipped to record sheet of room the stairs are in.)

In general, the precedent followed is from Tobacco Warehouse, Urbanna, Virginia. All trim except risers and treads is yellow pine. See under Baseboard, Passage #5.

RISERS AND TREADS: Of oak; made with simple rounded nosing. See precedent above.

NEWELL POST AND HANDRAIL: Of yellow pine, following precedent above. Rails consist of wide, beaded single boards, for ditto reason. Newells are simple and doubled at stair turn as at Ferry House, Gloucester County, Virginia. Rails are all tenoned and morticed into posts as in precedent. Rail at top (second floor) is solid to floor as at Abington Glebe, Gloucester County, Virginia. Cutting on bottom of newell projecting below ceiling as at Kittewan, Charles City County, Virginia.

BALUSTERS: None.

STRINGER, STRING BOARD AND STRING BOARD ORNAMENT: String is closed with conventional moldings as in above precedent.

CLOSED OR OPEN STRING: Closed, as in above precedent. This is typical of early eighteenth-century stairs.

LANDING (if any): (FLOOR, WINDOWS OR OPENINGS ON, IF ANY, POSTS, HAND RAIL AND BALUSTERS, "GALLERY BOARD"): No landing. Gallery board is simple piece of board covering floor framing and receiving plaster ceiling as in above precedent.

FL00R: FIRST ROOM: GENERAL COURT PRISON FOR DEBTORS #6

FLOOR: Same as for Gaol #1.

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto.

BEAMS: Same as for Gaol #3.

STALLS AND WALL COVERING: West Wall: Same as East Wall, Passage #5 excepting post which does not appear.

North Wall; Same treatment as south wall, Gaol #1.

East Wall: Ditto.

South Wall: Ditto.

CEILING: Same as in Gaols #3 and #4 without center or dividing partition but with "summer" beam. See also for planking, under Gaol #1.

BASEBOARD: See Gaol #1.

CHAIR RAIL: None.

CORNICE: None.

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.

MANTEL: No mantel.

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: Fireplace treated in typical early eighteenth-century convention as at original living room fireplace discovered at Blair House, Williamsburg, Virginia. The hearth was laid in pattern similar to this precedent. The hearth has the usual finish strip around it so that no end grain will touch the brick. The sheathing is simply finished off about the opening stopping 4" from it where finished brick are exposed.

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK): Window opening in the north wall same as for Gaol #2.

CLOSETS: See reasons for Closet #8 in Passage #5. Same apply 82 here. This was finished within in the same may. Shelves were introduced on assumption that some facilities would be arranged for the debtors confined here originally.

DOORS AND TRIM: Door #106 to Passage: See under Passage #5. Door #107 to Closet: Same construction as for Door #114 to Closet #8 in Passage #5.

METAL WORK ON DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.): Door #106 see under Passage #5. Door #107

COLOR: As in Gaol #1.

EQUIPMENT: This similar to Gaol #3 but placed differently.

GENERAL NOTES:

FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: ENTRY #9

FLOOR: Of antique material gathered from miscellaneous eighteenth century sources collected at warehouse. This was used following same reasons as governing its use in other exhibition buildings. It could not be used in prison portion, as flooring there was known to have been of 1 ½" thick pine plank. Door #108 being the division between debtors portion and keepers portion, entry #9 falls into keepers portion.

FLOOR NAILS: Handwrot nails.

BEAMS: None.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: West well is sheathed in ?" random width boards, joints vertically. This is sometimes done on casual surfaces in eighteenth-century buildings, as at Walnut Valley, Surry County, Virginia. In this instance it was done so that a blind cupboard could be inserted to accommodate the telephone (a modern necessity).

The north wall is of oak planking similarly arranged on south wall of passage #5 at the door #108. The east wall is plastered, as for vest wall of passage #5. The south wall contains door #109 and trim, bat above this it is plastered.

MANTEL:

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH:

WINDOWS (SASH, TRIM AND FRAME, AND METAL WORK):

CLOSETS: See under Walls.

DOORS AND TRIM: For door #108 see passage #5. The side of the door towards this entry is solid planking, with no grille or access other than the key holes. For door #109 see passage #10.

CEILING: As in passage #5. It is determined in height by door heads at line of outer trim. The brick above is held by steel angles - see Exterior, General Notes, for remarks on hidden construction.

BASEBOARD: Ditto.

CHAIR RAIL: None.

CORNICE: None.

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None.

METAL WORK OIL DOORS (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS. ETC.): See passage #5 and passage #10.

COLOR:

EQUIPMENT: Fire alarm tubing as explained under Gaol #1.

GENERAL NOTES:

FIRST FLOOR PASSAGE #10

FLOOR: As in "Entry #9."

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Modern 2 x 8. See "General Notes - Exterior" for remarks on hidden construction.

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Plaster on metal lath brought to slightly uneven surface see Passage #5.

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: Ditto

CHAIR RAIL: Precedent at "Tuckahoe" Goochland Co., Va. Mounted on plaster stop board with beaded corners.

CORNICE: Old House near "Carter's Grove, Va." served as precedent.

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None

MANTEL: None

FIREPLACE AND HEARTH: None

WINDOWS: None

CLOSETS: None

DOORS & TRIM: Doors #109 & 111 identical. Same precedent for type of trim, panellings, assembly as for exterior door #173, Trim, only, slightly different on side of door #108 toward "Entry #9". Frames & trim are of yellow pine. These materials being the common material for door frames and trim on interiors in 18th cent. in this locality. Doors themselves are of white pine -- see remarks on materials under "Dormers - East Elevation." Frames and doors are fully morticed, tenoned and pegged as in precedent for them. Door #110 same as for door #113.

FIRST FLOOR PASSAGE #10

METAL WORK ON DOORS: Doors have H. L. hinges copied by local craftsman by hand after original Hinges of the 18th century procured from miscellaneous sources and dealers in "antiques." These were attached to door and frame with handwrot nails driven thru leather washers -- a typical method in 18th century locally.

The locks are of modern mfg. copied in 18th century type iron after 18th models from miscellaneous sources. Escutcheons are in 18th century type brass -- ditto. Keys are of iron -- made up in similar way.

EQUIPMENT: On west wall is partially concealed electric switch. On East wall is partially concealed outlet or plug In baseboard. There are concessions to modern convenience made as inconspicuous as possible. On West wall is a hook strip with headed edges and hand-whittled wood hooks copied from 18th century examples in "Mt. Airy" stable, Richmond Co., Va. This was made from antique pine from miscellaneous source at Warehouse. At cornice line is partially concealed the fire alarm system tubing see "Criminals Gaol #1."

GENERAL NOTES: See "Great Room #12." The position of the passage was determined by the known position of the food slots in the jail portion and the divisions there for the first keepers portion. Also the "Passage" was mentioned in an inventory in the research report.

FIRST FLOOR "GREAT ROOM" #12

FLOOR: As in Entry #9.

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Are of modern stock sticking being concealed -- see notes on concealed construction under "General Notes - Exterior."

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Are all of plaster, of modern materials brought to a slightly uneven surface reproducing the typical plaster surface used locally in 18th century. The plaster is on metal lath being held from the brick wall to provide slight air space all of which being hidden - see notes on hidden construction under General Notes Exterior.

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: See "Passage #5" which is the same.

CHAIR RAIL: Same as for "Passage #10."

CORNICE: Ditto

PANELLING OR WAINSCOT: None

MANTEL: Is framed with a bolection mold following type of surrounds at "Ritchie House". Tappahannock, Va., Abbington Glebe" & "Terrig House," Gloucester Co., Va. Profile of mold taken from North door of "Tuckahoe", Goochland Co., Va. The use of panelling above the surround, capped by a crown mold is similar to precedent at "Ritchie House" and several mantels from miscellaneous sources in Restoration Antique warehouse. All the material is of best grade yellow pine -- the conventional 18th century finish wood used locally.

FIREPLACE & HEARTH: Size of fireplace was determined from existing ancient foundations. The conventional local. shape in plan was used also shape of opening -- as At "Blair House." Williamsburg. Ditto 88 for hearth and pattern in brick thereof. The throat and flue being concealed follow modern building practise. See notes on hidden construction under "General Notes. Exterior." The bricks used at all portions exposed to the eye were handmade locally of local clay and burned with wood in the old convention and are reproductions of the original brick used in the building.

WINDOWS: See Exterior elevations for sash and frame. Interior trim is of best grade yellow pine. It follows stool treatment at "Warren House", Surry Co. and jamb treatment as at "Abbington Glebe, "Gloucester Co., Va. "Brafferton Hall", Williamsburg, Va.

DOORS & TRIM: As for "Passage #10"

METAL WORK ON DOORS: Ditto

EQUIPMENT: Electrical On East and West walls are semi-concealed base plugs. At South wall are switches at door #113. Remarks on these as for "Passage #10".

Heating -- At each window stool is a metal grille and below it a concealed radiator - at the base is a slot for air. By decision of trustees board building was to be heated. Method used in this room was as inconspicuous as possible to accommodate the necessary equipment for radiation.

Fire Alarm -- See "Passage #10" and "Criminals Gaol #1."

GENERAL NOTES: This room is mentioned in research notes in an inventory. Its position in plan became obvious by indication of Passage position by the original food slots, and the position in the basement of a partition wall. See also "Passage #10." See Research Report p. 111.

FIRST FLOOR LITTLE ROOM

FLOOR: As for "Entry #9."

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: As for "Great Room #12."

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Ditto

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: Ditto

CHAIR RAIL: Ditto

CORNICE: Ditto

SECOND FLOOR PASSAGE #18

FLOOR: As indicated in contemporary (18th century) builder's account -- of yellow pine 1 ½" thick. See Research Report p. 123-c.

FLOOR NAILS: As for "Gaol #1."

BEAMS: As for "Great Room #12."

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: As for "Passage #5" exclusive of post and summer beams.

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: As for "Passage #5."

WINDOWS: Dormer at Stair well. See "East Elevation" Interior finish follows same precedent - material as for windows, "Great Room #12," although the dormers in "Minor Offenders" cells were closed up (see Research Report p. 30) and it was assumed that those in "Gent. Court Prison for Debtors" would also have been (see Hamilton's accts., research report p. 149). It seemed obvious that light to the stair would always be essential and that this dormer would be secure against escape by virtue of its position high above the descending stair steps.

See also remarks on "North Elevation."

SECOND FLOOR MINOR OFFENDERS #16

FLOOR: As for "Passage 18."

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Ditto

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: As for "Criminals Gaol #1."

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: Ditto

WINDOWS: On p. 30 research report mentions closing of a window and opening of a new one in west wall. This was taken to refer to the closing of a dormer, which would have been a poor feature for security and inserting a smaller opening in the above mentioned wall. From Hamilton's account the east gable has a small grilled opening. (See Research Report p. 144) See also "East Elevation". It was assumed this latter would have been copied after the western windows when it was inserted later. The interior finish jamb treatment of the window in "Small Offenders #16" is similar to the original treatment at window in "Gaol #411. A small oak shutter with deadlight was supplied for this window -- just as for "Gaol #4."

The position assumed to have been occupied by the dormer is indicated in the sheathing on the north wall and sloping ceiling by joints outlining the theoretical opening. This space was then filled in with short pieces.

DOORS & TRIM: Door #200 is the same as door #106 to "Genl. Court Prison for Debtors #6."

METAL WORK ON DOORS: All new, wrot by hand by local craftsman and copied from original models employed elsewhere in building.

EQUIPMENT: Electrical -- On west wall is a semi concealed base plug. A concession to modern maintenance as inconspicuous as possible.

Fire Alarm -- As for "Gaol #1."

Heating -- See "Great Room #12" for general remarks. In this room is a slot which has been left in the base board for air supply and another above it in the sheathing for air exhaust. Both these can be closed when heating system is not in use by pieces of plank to get the slots snugly.

GENERAL NOTES: This room is definitely ascribed in Research Notes. pp. 1 and 2. The position in plan was self evident once the cells below were found to have been Gaols.

SECOND FLOOR MINOR OFFENDERS 17

FLOOR: See Minor Offenders #16

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Ditto

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Ditto

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: Ditto

CHAIR RAIL: None

WINDOWS: See "Minor Offenders #16"

DOORS & TRIM: Ditto

METAL WORK ON DOORS: Ditto

EQUIPMENT: Ditto

GENERAL NOTES: Ditto

SECOND FLOOR GENL. COURT PRISON FOR DEBTORS # 19

FLOOR: As for "Minor Offenders #16."

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Ditto

SECOND FLOOR GENL. COURT PRISON FOR DEBTORS #19

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Ditto

CEILING: Ditto

BASEBOARD: Ditto

MANTEL: No mantel, but fireplace is trimmed about with the oak sheathing - same as for "Genl. Court Prison for Debtor's #6.

FIREPLACE & HEARTH: This room known to have had fireplace from (1) evidence of existing ancient foundations (2) Hamilton's papers. Research Report.

WINDOWS: See "East Elevation" and "Minor Offenders #16" . Although the former dormer window here has no reference in the Research Report; it was thought that it would have been removed for security as it was in "minor offenders." cells.

DOORS & TRIM: Door #202 same as for door #200, "Minor Offenders #16."

METAL WORK ON DOORS: Ditto

EQUIPMENT: On west wall is semi concealed base plug. This and fire-alarm and heat same as for "Minor Offenders #16."

GENERAL NOTES: This room is mentioned in the first specifications for the building, research report pp. 1 and 2 and in Hamilton papers, Research Report p. 149.

SECOND FLOOR UPPER ROOK #20

FLOOR: Same as for "Small Offenders #16."

FLOOR NAILS: Ditto

BEAMS: Ditto

WALLS AND WALL COVERING: Of plaster. Same as for "Great Room #12."

CEILING: Ditto

SECOND FLOOR UPPER ROOM #20

BASEBOARD: Ditto

MANTELS: Consist, in each case of simple surround of typical door Architrave or trim. This treatment has precedent at "Abbington Glebe," Gloucester Co., Va. also "Belle Farm" -- same county.

FIREPLACE & HEARTH: Smaller but same as for "Great Room #12."

WINDOWS: Dormers - same as in "Passage #18."

DOORS & TRIM: Door #203 similar to Door #200 to "Minor Offenders #16"

METAL WORK ON DOORS: Ditto

EQUIPMENT: Similar to "Great Room #12" except for position of base plugs.

GENERAL NOTES: This room was mentioned in inventory in Research Notes p. 112.

CELLAR #13

Much of the brickwork is original having been slightly patched and repointed. The west wall is original about 2/5 of height. The south wall about 1/4 of height, the east wall about 2/5 and the north wall about 3/5 except the chimney breast and fireplace which is all new except for the lower 1/3 of the eastern portion of the breast. The floor is new as are the bulkhead steps.

FLOOR: is laid in pattern copying fragments of original floor found in excavations. It is of brick made by hand as described elsewhere. The joints are sanded, copying the original precedent. The floor is laid on a reinforced concrete slab. See under General Notes - Exterior for remarks on hidden construction. For convenience and protection the floor was slightly pitched to a modern though partially concealed floor drain to take off intrusive water.

CELLAR #13

WALLS: Of brick as explained above.

CEILING: Of plaster - as for "Great Room #12."

FIREPLACE & HEARTH: Enough of the original fireplace, throat, breast and hearth existed in the foundations uncovered by excavations to indicate the correct restoration. The throat sloped rapidly northwards apparently to get the basement fireplace flues in back of the first floor fireplace in "Little Room #11." This arrangement of the throat clearly indicated, therefore, that there was such a fireplace above. An addition evident in ancient foundations extended north of the breast and was bonded to it at a later date (probably at time keepers 1722 addition was built) obviously to take the basement flue. By detailed study drawings of these conditions the whole mass of chimney brickwork extending up through the building accommodated the various flues -- see "East Elevation." The hearth and underfire had to be replaced, so ruinous was their condition, but the pattern etc. of the originals were replaced exactly.

Such a large fireplace would be unusual in the basement of a small building unless it was used as a kitchen. This seems to have been the case as indicated in Research Report inventory pp. 111-112.

WINDOWS: See "East Elevation" -- all details are covered there except the wood stool which has precedent at the "Paradise House" Williamsburg, Va. The material was same for interior trim elsewhere.

CLOSET: See foregoing notes on reason for heating - steam was brought underground from Capitol Bailer House. The formerly unexcavated portion under the "Debtors #6 and Passage #5" was arranged to have a small concrete basement to accommodate the vacuum pump and other equipment to extend the heat throughout the building. An entrance 95 from "Cellar #13" was needed and a modern opening was cut through the north wall at west of the fireplace. To conceal this feature a closet was built copied from colonial kitchen cupboards at Antique Warehouse and Gov. Palace Kitchen. Their was made of white pine for practical considerations. The doors were arranged to open the whole opening to allow easy access for a person - the joints were concealed. The hardware consisted of butterfly hinges and brass escutcheons at key holes copied from above examples by hand.

Door - Existing original foundations indicated a door at door #1. A conventional basement frame and door was built new copied from examples at "Warren House", Surry Co., Va. Ditto hardware.

EQUIPMENT: Electrical equipment consisted of switch at bulk-head and bracket outlet near door #1.- The switch is semi-concealed. The bracket light consists of an 18th century lantern wired with electric light. This was from miscellaneous source - (antique dealers - local). This bracket is controlled from the switch. All wiring is concealed. The alarm same as for elsewhere.

GENERAL NOTES: This room was entirely indicated in plan and elevation by existing foundations.

STEPS: The cellar steps were clearly indicated by existing foundations. The brickwork was in such bad condition that reuse was impossible so that the old work was replaced with new -- not only at the steps but at the cheeks as well. Both were set on reinforced concrete - see "Exterior - General Notes" about hidden construction. See "East Elevation" for exterior remarks about cellar cap. The missing wood nosings of the existing steps were replaced in the conventional, local manner of the period with oak pieces.

CELLAR #14

This area is a restoration.

FLOOR: As for Cellar #13.

WALLS: The existing walls, except portions of north wall, were too fragmentary for reuse - so they were built new. See Cellar #13.

CEILING: See Cellar #13.

FIREPLACE & HEARTH: The chimney foundation on the south wall existed, but showed no traces of fire. It was restored, therefore, with new brick and an arch spanning the blind opening, as at "Paradise House," Williamsburg, Va. See "South Elevation."

WINDOWS: See Cellar #13.

DOOR: Ditto

EQUIPMENT: One bracket on north wall concealed by 18th century lantern of metal from local antique dealers. In southwest corner a semi-concealed modern floor drain same as Cellar #13.

FIRE ALARM: Same as for elsewhere.

GENERAL NOTES: Since no cellar was mentioned in inventory in Research Report pp. 1123, and a kitchen and dairy were, it was assumed that these features occupied the two divisions in the basement. So large a chimney and fireplace as those in Cellar #13 would indicate a kitchen there - and the coupling of kitchen and dairy in the text of the inventory would seem to place the dairy in Cellar #14.

OTHER BASEMENT PORTIONS

See above for heater room. Portions under Gaols #3 and #4 are explained above. Since they are hidden, they are used for accommodation of the ducts etc. - except the exhibition portion under Gaol #4.

OUTHOUSES

No outbuilding foundation was found on the site -- although thorough trenching and testing was done. On the Frenchman's map -- outbuildings were indicated but their position is now on an adjacent property to the west where excavation is not possible.

It was felt that the keeper would have had a privy. It was known from various references in Research Report that he has a garden. Usually, in smaller Virginia places in colonial times the privy was near the garden. The privy was so placed here - being divided in two portions with two doors, 2 louvred openings, seats with hinged covers, and access doors at the rear. The details have precedent from privies at "Port Royal" Va. "Brandon," "Vest House" Williamsburg, "Lottie Garrett House," Williamsburg.

1772 KEEPERS ADDITION

See Research Report - p. 117 for act regarding building of another keepers addition in 1772. It was to have been 3' [ed.-"?"] feet long but same height and width as the addition of 1722. To complete the set of drawings for the restoration of the Public Gaol added sheets were made outlining a restoration of this last addition. The drawings consist of-ill scale plans and elevations with detailed drawing of the stair hall and stairs.

The advisory board of architects decided to restore the Gaol to include the 1722 addition, but not the one under consideration as this latter was so late in the 18th century.

The drawings mentioned above can readily be filled out at any time into a full set of working sheets, which would include detailing the chimney and fireplaces, mantels etc., the new cupboard, 98 door and arch. Other details would follow those for the 1722 keepers portion restored.

All exterior details repeat those on 1722 keepers addition except the weather boarded south gable which follows precedent at "Marlfield" Gloucester Co., Va. This gable is not "clipped" since that is a feature of early 18th century buildings. The gable at Marlfield is a late, 18th century piece of construction. The chimney is similar to that of the 1722 addition and follows the same precedent.

For all exterior notes not mentioned here - see North, East - West and South Elevations above.

No documentary evidence has come to light at time of present writing indicating interior arrangement of this portion. The act for building it - Research Report p. 117 does mention its length, breadth and height, and the existing ancient foundations indicated a two part division similar to that in the basement of the 1722 addition. The foundations butted those of the 1722 part and enough received to show the northern of the two divisions and the beginning of the Southern only - the rest being destroyed or removed.

The solution of the plan arrangements had to be an assumption but certain obvious facts were apparent as influencing the solution:

• 1.Partition wall between basement rooms would be repeated on first floor at least and probably 2nd floor.
• 2.Since 1722 addition had no. stair - a further addition would seem to predicate a stair in it - so that the keeper would not have the inconvenience of using the stair in the jail portion.
• 3.Such an arrangement would make the plan quite similar to "Virginia Type" House with a more or less central hall with rooms on either side of it.
• 99
• 4.It would be likely that with an addition equal to the 1722 one another chimney would have been built. If so, it would naturally occur at the gable end just as in the earlier addition. This would conform to usual colonial Virginia precedent. If it were on the gable end, the northern division would then be the one to have the stair - or be the stair hall.

The plan was made, then, to have two divisions, basement, first, second floors the northern part being occupied by the stair.

All interior details and treatment will be similar to those in 1722 Keepers portion except stair - see Stair Sheet.

FIRST & SECOND FLOOR HALL

STAIRS: No type of material is mentioned but only remarks are those on precedent for design since this wing will not be built.

RISERS AND TREADS: Typical Williamsburg type - do for nosings - as at "Blair House" "Travis House" etc. "Bassett Hall" and others.

NEWELL POST AND HANDRAIL: Ditto

BALUSTERS: Ditto

STRINGER, STRING BOARD AND STRING BOARD ORNAMENT: Ditto

CLOSED OR OPEN STRING: Closed; Ditto.

LANDING: Ditto. In Basement stair is simplified to follow precedent of original service stair at "Travis House."