Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1066
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
The present Allen-Byrd tract consists of two lots which run from Francis Street on the north to the Craft House driveway on the south. These originally formed the northeastern quadrant of a block of eight lots. The block was owned in succession by Allen-Byrd, and Bracken1, but by 18062 some of the lots had passed into other hands.
The present tract of two lots seems to have been developed from the beginning as a unit, with the dwelling house on the western lot (facing Francis Street) and the service buildings on the eastern. There is no evidence that any other lots in the block were built upon before they were acquired by other owners. (This apparently occurred between 18003 and 18064.) On the contrary, descriptions of the complete block draw a clear distinction between the house, with its outbuildings, and the "six lots adjoining."5
The tract is generally flat, but tilted up slightly towards the east.
Trenches were cut down to hardpan all over the eastern lot and through the front and back yard areas of the western lot. Ground between the trenches was probed with the rod.
No traces of out-building foundations came to light on 2 the western half of the property, although the insurance plat includes a notation of a building 42 feet from the south side of the house. The present small tool-house stands 44 feet south of the house, but bears every evidence of being an entirely modern building.
Long patches of a brick walkway were uncovered along the western edge of the property. Of the back yard there was evidence that the greater portion if not the whole had been brick-paved, some areas in diagonal and some in horizontal patterns.
In the front yard no archaeological evidences whatever were found.
In the south end of the eastern lot were found definite traces of three outbuildings, two of them of early date; and indefinite traces of two more.
Northernmost of the group is a foundation 16 feet 4 inches by 24 feet 4 inches, of 9-inch brickwork. Except for the north wall and short stretches of two other walls, the brickwork had been removed from this foundation. But by tracing out the fill it was possible to locate all walls and corners precisely.
The chimney was outside the north wall1, and in the corner east of it lies a foundation which must be that of the oven mentioned by Humphrey Harlowwood. The presence of this oven foundation, together with the width of the fireplace opening (over 6 feet) and the overall size of the building, leads to the conclusion that it must be the kitchen.
The building, since it bears nearly due north and south, is considerably off parallel with the lot lines, (which bear west of north and east of south).
3| Brick | 8½ x 4¼ x 2½. Red and buff. English bond. |
|---|---|
| Mortar | Shell. |
| Condition | Bad. |
South and slightly east of the kitchen lies the foundation of another outbuilding with a chimney at the north end. It is nearly parallel with the kitchen, but much smaller (12 x 16 feet). The chimney is outside, and the foundation wall is interrupted by it instead of continuing across the front of it.
Since A and B are the only outbuildings with chimneys, it is probable that, if A is the Kitchen, B is the laundry referred to in Humphrey Harwood's ledger.
| Brick | 8 to 9 by 4 to 4½ by 2¼ to 2½. Bond mostly English. |
|---|---|
| Mortar | White shell. |
| Condition | Bad. |
West of B is a circle of brickbats laid flat, 2 feet in diameter, with wood ashes inside it. This was probably the fire enclosure for a smokehouse. But no traces were found of the smokehouse itself
which may have had its sills directly on the ground.
Between A and C are two pits, one round and the other rectangular. They were unlined, and separated only by an earth wall, 9 inches thick at its thinnest. The round pit was 4 feet 6 inches in diameter, and 6 feet 6 inches deep (measuring down from permanent grade). The rectangular pit measured about 2½ by 8 feet, and 3 feet 6 inches deep.
4The purpose of these pits is entirely conjectural. Fragments found in them1 attest an early date.
East of the group was found a well, lined with old rectangular brick laid dry. A fragmentary top course gives evidence that there was once a square curb. Excavation was carried to a depth of 8 feet.
While there is no conclusive evidence that this is an early well, it is the only known well on the property.
By accident or design, the centers of the well and of the circular pit at D are on a line almost exactly parallel with the property line.
Southwest of the fire enclosure was found a late foundation about 16 by 20 feet in size, of 9" brickwork.
| Brick | Reused - size varies. Bond common. |
|---|---|
| Mortar | Lime. |
| Condition | Fair. |
A and B are probably contemporary with the house. So may be C, D, and E, but for this there is no direct evidence. F is a late building which appears to be of no particular interest.
| 1770 | William Allen advertises house for sale, mentioning kitchen, granary, and stables, "with every other house necessary for a family, also a well…" |
| 1774 | William Byrd's will provides for payment of money due Allen for house. |
| 1777 | House advertised for sale at Byrd's death. |
| 1787 | Humphrey Harwood's accounts mention |
| Kitchen chimney, oven, and hearth | |
| Kitchen lath and plaster | |
| Laundry chimney and floor | |
| Laundry underpinning | |
| Laundry lath and plaster | |
| Stable | |
| Dairy floor | |
| Smoke house underpinning | |
| 1806 | Insurance policy of Samuel Tyler |
Little of importance was found except in pits at D, which contained a large number of china crockery, and metal objects. These have been deposited with the Educational Department.
| N 6022 | - C and F from northeast |
| N 6023 | - Kitchen (A) from northeast |
| N 6024 | - Kitchen (A) from southwest |
| N 6025 | - Wall, looking down |
Points from which these pictures were taken are shown on the Archaeological Survey drawing.
Prints are filed in record books in the office of Williamsburg Restoration, Inc.
In separate file.
A print is filed with the original of this report.
F. D.