Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

At "A", foundations of two periods of construction were found. Both, apparently are colonial. Walls 1, 2, 3 and 4 enclosed a small shallow basement which was excavated. Leaded glass and other objects, found in the basement debris (which was screened) indicate that possibly a 17th century building may have stood on the site. Certainly, the foundation is colonial. The bricks in walls 1, 2, 3 and 4, and other foundations hatched thus on the drawing, are "Palace" size-9½" long 4½" to 4¾" wide, 2½" to 2¾"" thick. Some glazed headers were found. The bond is English; the mortar, oyster shell. Some of the stretcher courses are built of bats. Original basement steps were found at 5. The west cheek wall of the steps is patched with smaller bricks. A fragment of fallen wall, evidently a part of wall 4, is shown where it was found. Walls 6, 7, 8 and chimney foundation 9 are evidently remains of an addition to the original building, apparently a colonial addition for the bricks are laid in oyster shell mortar. The average brick size is 8½" x 4¼" x 2½". The addition had no basement for the footings of the foundations are two feet or more above the level of the original basement floor. Wall 6 in not bonded to wall 4.

Foundation "J" was uncovered in 1931 when the foundations on the "Peyton Randolph" or James Semple lot were uncovered, and is the 2 same foundation marked "J" on the drawing showing the latter foundations. (See foundation "J" in report on Foundations of "Peyton Randolph" or James Semple House and Outbuildings, dated August 3, 1931). A colonial outbuilding, standing when those excavations were made, in the rear part of the western side of the Dana lot, but which had originally been built on foundation "J", has since, as you know, been moved back to its original site and restored with a connection to the James Semple House.

Fragments of foundations found at "B" & "C" are possibly the remains of a boundary wall.

Foundation "D" is the typical size of a colonial smoke house or dairy foundation.

Foundation "E" apparently is colonial.

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The excavations for old foundations to determine a possible location for the "Mayo" house have been completed in the S. W. corner of the Bassett Hall property, fronting on the south side of Francis Street between the entrance driveway of Bassett Hall and the Dana lot, and not actual old foundations have been found.

However, beginning about ten feet east of the Dana line and evidently extending on the Dana lot, a fill, two or three feet deep, mixed with brick debris, was found.

Apparently, as fragments of many colonial articles of household use were found in the fill and debris, the are is a part of the site of the house shown on the Frenchman's Map at that location. The remainder of the site would be on the Dana lot where no excavations could be made. Mr. Dana says that he has found many bricks in that part of his yard. When his lease expired excavations could be made there.

Also, as I think I have already reported to you verbally, excavations have been made west of and near the Blair House (the proposed site for the "Casey Gift" building,) and no old foundations were found. ^{Block 2 Area B}