Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Architectural Design

Mario E. Campioli, Director of Architecture
Ernest M. Frank, Assistant Director of Architecture
Roy Cava, Squad Boss
Roger Pitts, Architectural Draftsman
George Bennett, Architectural Draftsman

Landscape Architecture

Alden Hopkins, Resident Landscape Architecture
Don Parker, Landscape Draft6man
William Barton, Landscape Draftsman

Mechanical Engineering

Tom Drewry, Resident Mechanical Engineer

Construction Supervision

Joe Jenkins, Laison and Specifications Writer

Construction Superintendent

Architectural Report

Orin M. Bullock, Supervisor of Architectural Research

LIST OF PLATES

No.	Title
1.	Finished Photograph - David Morton House
2.	Frenchman's Map - Showing Site
3.	Prototypes - Moody House and Liberty Hall
3-A.	Location Plan
4.	Archaeological Plan
4-A.	Photographs of Original Foundations
5.	North and South Elevations - Morton House
6.	East and West Elevations - Morton House
7.	First and Second Floor Plans - Morton House
8.	Foundation and Basement Plans - Morton House
9.	Cross Section - Morton House
10.	Details of Crown Mouldings and Nosings
11.	Details of Miscellaneous Mouldings
12.	Kitchen of Morton House
13.	Morton Shop
13-A.	Morton Shop Detail
14.	Morton Necessary House
15.	Morton Necessary House Elevations
16.	Morton Well Head
17.	Morton Walks and Paths
18.	Morton Planting

From Frenchman's Map 1782?

HISTORICAL FACTS

The first documentary evidence of occupancy of the site was found in the Virginia Gazette in 1767. On January 15, Benjamin Waller advertised a tenement for rent between Mr. Lewis' Store and Mrs. Vobe's Tavern, on October 4, William Lewis advertised Kendal Cottons etc. "… at the corner store a little below the Capitol… " and on November 1, the property next door, described "…House and Lot where Mrs. Steel formerly lived just below Mr. Lewis' store…" was offered for sale.

The property was apparently rented to Mr. Lewis by Benjamin Waller who sold it to David Morton on November 10, 1777 transfering " …houses palings, yards, gardens … "

The corner lot remained in the name of David Morton or his estate until 1820 even though he sold a 35.5 foot strip off the north side in 1778.

Records of Humphrey Harwood, Carpenter and Builder, indicate numerous minor repairs to the buildings on the property from 1776 to 1789. One of the most significant, in 1782, "… white washing 3 rooms and a passage… " confirms the plan arrangement of the first floor which may be deduced from the archaeological evidence.

The house was burned "…some time after the [civil] war…" according to the recollections of Mr. Charles, an old resident of Williamsburg writing in 1928. Mr. Charles described the house as of frame, facing on Waller Street with cellar steps on York Street. He also recalled it as "…a two story frame house with a vine clad porch … . " It appears that Mr. Charles did not differentiate between 1½ story and 2 story because Humphrey Harwood records repairing 2 lathing and plastering of dormer windows in July, 1785.

The site was not built upon again until the reconstruction of the Morton House but was used as pasture and gardens.

Archaeological excavations revealed the existence of foundations for a building 32 feet wide (north and south) and 30 foot½inch deep (east and west) with a full cellar 2 to 2½ feet below natural grade, two chimneys, one apparently for a corner chimney on the east side, and basement bulkhead entrances, one on York Street and one on the north wall, east section. The brickwork to the east while apparently eighteenth century was obviously of later construction than that of the west.

DESIGN CONCEPT

On the basis of the Historical facts we believe the David Morton house was not unlike Liberty Hall, Essex County, Virginia insofar as the front elevation and plan was concerned. The foundation dimensions and conjectural plan developed from them is almost identical to that of Liberty Hall.

On the assumption that the eastern addition was almost contemporary with the main portion, the end or gable elevation may have been like the Moody House (formerly Roper-Lee House of Williamsburg). This form not unlike the "salt box" roofs in New England is not quite as usual in Virginia an the more obvious lean-to type.

Both Liberty Hall and the Moody House are 1½ story frame buildings and presented this form in the latter part of the eighteenth century.

THE EXTERIOR

The form and general proportion of the building is an accurate photo N 6713 Moody House Block 2 Bldg 31 EMF neg. Liberty Hall, Essex 3 reconstruction utilizing reproductions of the various details noted on the following illustrations. The location of all doors, steps, and windows as well as the size of the building was established by original evidence supplemented by the knowledge of the similarity in detail of eighteenth century buildings of similar size, use, and date.

THE INTERIOR

The arrangement of rooms in plan was established by the location of foundations found in site. An almost identical basic plan is found at Liberty Hall, Essex County, Virginia.

The basic plan has been modified in detail to meet the requirements of a modern residence. The modifications being:

• 1.The subdivision of the ground floor in to several rooms, the original ground floor was basement having two or possibly three rooms and was probably used only for storage.
• 2. The subdivision of one of the first floor rooms to provide a bath and closets, the original plan no doubt had but 3 rooms and a stair hall.
• 3. The subdivision of the second floor to provide a bath and closets, the original plan no doubt had a stair hall and one room.

As a further concession to use as a residence the house is equipped with electricity and is provided with radiant steam heat concealed in the floors and ceilings. These systems are fully described in the specifications and indicated on working drawings.

The window sash, both upper and lower are operable on weights and pulleys. Such operation was not unknown in the eighteenth century but houses of this size and character seldom had counter balanced sash and usually only the lower sash was operable.

The hardware is basically a reproduction of eighteenth century handmade wrought iron work. The several pieces are described in 4 detail in the hardware schedule of the specification.

Painting and decorating both inside and outside conforms to the taste and custom commonly used on similar houses of the period. The detail of the colors and their application is shown on the painting schedule in the specification.

All materials used in the reconstruction are new and their species are given in the specifications. Construction methods for all concealed features adhere to the very beat modern practice. All exposed features (moldings, trim, mantels, etc.) are reproductions of specific eighteenth century examples as noted on the following illustration or careful adaptations of eighteenth century prototypes.

5

ARCHAEOLOGY

The Archaeological Excavation of Lot 23, Block 7 was done under the direction of James M. Knight in May, 1953 as is recorded as Archaeological Excavation Bk. 7, Area B, N.E. Corner of Waller and York Streets.

Foundations found are shown on plate IV^*. The drawing known as the "Frenchman's Map", circa 1785, indicates three buildings on this corner which correspond in location to the "Morton House," "Shop," and "Kitchen." The "Frenchman" indicates both the Shop and Kitchen as roughly square buildings but the evidence of the excavations proves that he was probably careless in delineating the shape of the Shop. He shows the Morton House as a rectangle, probably recording its shape prior to the addition to the east.

The brick in the foundations walls of House and Kitchen were a mixture of dark and light red; 8¼" x 4" x 2¾"; those in the Kitchen were 7¾"-8" x 3 5/8" x 2½"-2 5/8"; the brick in the Shop were buff and light red, 9 5/8" x 4 5/8" x 2½"; all were laid in oyster shell lime mortar and the differences in age or date of laying could not be determined. All appeared to be eighteenth century.

THE MORTON HOUSE

The foundation of the House was laid in two stages, the front or west portion 32'-0" (north and south) x 17'-11½" (east and west) was laid in English bond. The west portion, extending the entire length of the front portion, is 12'-1" wide (east and west) 6 and was laid in a careless bond with many discarded broken brick.

The basement under the front, or earlier portion of the House, was excavated to approximately 2'-6" below natural grade and was provided access via a brick-wood nose stepped bulkhead on the south wall. The rear portion was excavated approximately 2'-0" below natural grade and was provided access via a more recent bulkhead on the north. There was no apparent connection between the two basement areas.

No evidence of the construction above the foundation walls could be determined from the excavation. The presence in the excavated material of same evidences of burned wood might indicate the former existence of a frame building but no details could be deduced. The artifacts recovered were grouped with those from the excavation of the Jackson site, Lot 24, the two lots being included in archaeological excavation Bk. 7, Area B.

The artifacts recovered include:

Ceramics	Stoneware,	16 pc 84 oz. Early Brown
		1 pc½oz. White salt glaze
		51 pc 215 oz. 19th century
	Porcelain,	2 pc 2 oz. English
	Earthware,	1 pc 4½ oz. Crude (early)
		1 pc 2 oz. Slipware (early)
		3 pc 9 oz. Wheildon (middle)
		11 pc 19½oz. Blue & Green Edge (middle)
		1 pc½oz. Hand paint. Staffordshire (late)
		6 pc 6½oz. Transfer paint Staffordshire (Late)
Metal	Iron,	6 pc Tools and Implements
		10 pc Household hardware
7
		3 pc Nails & Spikes
		8 pc Hinges
		11 pc Locks and Keys
		1 pc Miscellaneous Iron
	Brass,	1 pc Buckle
		1 pc Wine Cock
		1 pc Cabinet Hardware
		1 pc Candlestick
		1 pc Household Utensil

Glass fragments were those of the late 18th and 19th century and were found in average quantities.

MORTON SHOP

Only fragmentary portions of foundations were found but careful excavation of adjacent areas revealed by the evidence of disturbed and undisturbed earth the original dimensions of the building. It was approximately 10 x 24 feet.

8

MORTON KITCHEN

Complete foundations for a building approximately 10 x 16 feet with two large chimney foundations were uncovered. The chimney foundations which were laid outside the walls were of a later period than those within the building.

MORTON WELL

The complete well was found, circular in form and 3'-7" to 3'-9" in diameter with a roughly square, crude modern concrete cap. The brick for lining was of regular shape laid to the arc of the circle. In accordance with the safety regulations of Colonial Williamsburg the well was not excavated to its original bottom. No remarkable artifacts were discovered in the 4'-0" of the well which was excavated.

Plate IV

Colonial Lot 23, Block 7
David Morton House and Outbuildings showing foundations uncovered by Archaeological excavations (poche'd in red)

Original Foundations of Morton House, photo from A

Original Foundations of Morton House ^Shop, photo from B

List of Drawings
David Morton House and Outbuildings - BLock 7

DRWG. NO.	TITLE	SHEET
LP	LOCATION AND PLOT PLAN	1 of 57
U-1	UTILITIES - BLOCK #7	2 of 57

	david morton house - bldg. # 15a
1	FOUNDATION & FLOOR PLANS	4 of 57
2	ELEVATIONS	5 of 57
3	FRAMING DIAGRAMS	6 of 57
101	SECTION - BATH ROOM ELEVATIONS	7 of 57
102	EAST CHIMNEY	8 of 57
103	NORTH CHIMNEY	9 of 57
104	BLKHD. PLAN, SECT. ELEV. & PANTRY	10 of 57
105	NORTH PORCH & ARE-AWAY PLAN SECTS. ELEV.	11 of 57
106	INT. STAIRS, PLANS & SECTS.	12 of 57
107	WEST PORCH PLAN ELEV. MISC. DETAILS	13 of 57
108	KITCHEN DETAILS	14 of 57
201	KNIFE PROFILES	15 of 57
202	WINDOWS #1, 2, & 3	16 of 57
203	WINDOWS #4, 5, 7 & 8	17 of 57
204	WINDOW #6	18 of 57
205	DOORS #2 & 102	19 of 57
206	NORTH PORCH DETAILS	20 of 57
208	DORMER DETAILS	21 of 57
209	WINDOWS # 101 THRU 106 & 207	23 of 57
210	F. S. STAIR DETAILS	24 of 57
211	FIRST FLOOR STAIR DETAILS	25 of 57
212	EAST CORNICE & MISC. DETAILS	26 of 57
213 &213-A	WEST CORNICE ~ MISC. DETAILS & CORNICE INTERSECTION	27 & 28 of 57
214	WEST PORCH DETAILS	29 of 57
215	MANTLE, DINING ROOM	30 of 57
216	MANTLE, LIVING ROOM	31 of 57
217	INTERIOR DOOR DETAILS & SCHEDULES	32 of 57
218	INTERIOR DOOR JAMB DETAILS	33 of 57
219	INTERIOR DOOR JAMB DETAILS	34 of 57
220	INTERIOR DOOR JAMB DETAILS	35 of 57
P-1	PLUMBING PLANS	36 of 57
H-1	HEATING PLANS	37 of 57
E-1	ELECTRICAL PLANS	38 of 57

Plate VI

Second Floor Plan

MANTEL FROM
JAMES SEMPLE
HOUSE. DWG.#________

The original plan, deduced from the foundations, probably comprised the Hall and Living Room only. Two rooms, the Study and Bath-Passage area (two additional rooms) were later additions. The smaller, or south, room having a corner fireplace and being of the same dimension N & S as the Hall.

Facilities and uses are designed for use as a residence, not as a restoration.

The plan is very much like that of Liberty Hall.

The second floor is designed for use as a residence, not as a restoration. The original plan probably provided a Stair Hall and one room. The existence of dormer windows in 1785 is indicated by Humphrey Harwood's record of their "... lathing and plastering ..."

David Morton
Sources for Plan
Plate VIII

Plate VIII

The useable basement rooms were added for the convenience of residents, the original basement floor was earth 2'-6" to 2'-0" below the outside grade.

The elevation of the first floor at approximately 4'-6" above outside grade was established to provide sufficient head room for storage use in a basement excavated 2'-6" below outside grade.

The elevation of the second floor was established approximately 10'-0" above the first floor to achieve exterior proportions similar to those of Liberty Hall and the Moody House.

All interior trim was run to profiles similar or identical to 18th century examples, see plates X and XI for exact sources. Its use and location is as found in 18th century Williamsburg houses of this size.

The general design of the stairway is similar to that found at "Wales".

The exterior porch lighting fixture is a modern electrified reproduction of an 18th century lanthorn.

Kitchen equipment, baths, operation of basement windows, etc., are for convenience of residents.

David Morton House
Sources for Interior
See Plates X & XI for mouldings.

Plate IX

Plate IX

David Morton House
Sources of Mouldings
Plate X

XI

Historical and Archaeological evidence established the location and dimension of the building in plan. Its original use as a Kitchen was deduced from the size of the chimney foundations, which were found on the site, and the relation of the building to the main house.

An analysis of the foundations revealed that the inside chimney was of the same construction period as the principal foundation of the building, and that the outside chimney footings are of a later period. For this reason, an "inside" chimney plan was used in the design for the reconstruction, See Plate IV.

The thickness of the foundation walls indicate that the chimney end of the building was of brick and the remainder of the building was of wood frame.

The large exterior foundation is thought to have been built against the brick end of the building during the Revolution, at which time many forges were built in Williamsburg for the use of the armourers of the American Army. There is, however, no specified documentary evidence to prove this theory.

The location of the entrance door on the West side was established by traces of paving leading to the main house, which were uncovered by the archaeological excavation.

The general appearance of the building is not unlike that of many small outbuildings of 18th century Virginia, even though it is not a replica of any. The overall size is smaller than that of most of the kitchen buildings, and for that reason there is no development of the second floor. Similar outbuildings may be seen at the Carter-Moir and the Bracken Houses in Williamsburg; at Belleview, near West Point; at Whitemarsh, and at the Warrick County Poor Farm.

The interior is not a restoration. The floor is paved in brick pavers, reproducing 18th century examples, but the fireplace has not been replaced. The interior walls and ceiling are unfinished. The building is to be used for the private storage convenience of the tenants of the David Morton House.

The exterior trim, mouldings, etc., follow the same precedent as the main house, except that the wide cornerboards at the brick end were inspired by those used for a similar purpose on the Travis House. The english bond of the brick end was established by the remains found during the archaeological excavation.

David Morton House Kitchen
Sources

XIII

Historical and Archaeological evidence established the location and dimension in plan of this unusually small shop building, It is presumed from the Historical record that it was used variously as a residence and a shop and has been designed for ^{reconstructed}use as a residence.

It was certainly but one story high because of its small and unusual dimension (9'-11¾" x 24'-9") and because the foundation walls found by archaeological excavation were but 8" wide and carried barely below the natural grade. The scanty foundation also indicated the probability of wood frame construction.

There were several examples of shops or tenements with their narrow dimensions and pedimented gable ends to the street in 18th century Williamsburg. Among those studied were, The Cole Shop, Blair's Apothecary Shop, The Coke-Garrett Office, and the Semple House. The Morton Shop is much smaller in scale than any of these examples but conforms to the parti.

The existence of a chimney at the rear or east end was confirmed by evidence of disturbed and undisturbed soil discovered by archaeological excavation. The chimney design is typical of the period.

All of the architectural details are in accordance with the same precedent sources outlined for the Morton House.

Morton House Shop
Sources
Plate XIII

XIII A

Plate XIV

The Necessary House is an entirely conjectural reconstruction since no documentary nor archaeological evidence of its existence has been found.

The 18th century privy at "Cumnor" and the restored privy at "Captain Orr's Dwelling" are close prototypes as is the original privy at the Archibald Blair House.

The structure is an exterior reconstruction only and conforms in architectural detail to the Morton House, and the above-named buildings.

Morton House Necessary House
Sources

Plate XIV

XV

The size and location of the well was established by archaeological excavations.

The brick curb, wooden cover and pump were designed after a careful study of the Civil War Photographs (SPM) collection report plates 5, 12, 18; bits of iron found in excavations near old wells; pumps shown in 18th century illustrations such as "History of Sign Boards," Hotten.

The shelter was designed using the 18th century architectural vocabulary shown in the carpenters' handbooks of the 18th century such as The Builder's Companion, Wm. Pain. and details of mouldings, finials and chamfers and construction typical of the period in Williamsburg.

Authentic complete 18th century examples of such structures have failed to exist until the 20th century or to be recorded due to their vulnerability to deterioration.

The shingles are replicas, largely hand made, of 18th century split oak shingles.

Morton House Well House
Sources

Plate XVI

XVI

XVII

Archaeological excavations of the site failed to provide any evidence of the exact character or extent of the gardens and yards. It may be deduced that David Morton, a tailors, was relatively well off for documentary evidence reveals that he had slaves, and a description of his property reads "… all houses, palings, yards, gardens…"

This house, and adjacent houses, were designed for reconstruction as residences and the layout of the garden and yards took this use into consideration. The location of the Shop, Kitchen and Well were the determining factors in the basic design.

North and East Yard. A paved area has been provided to afford service and access between the House entrance to the lean-to, the Shop and the Kitchen. Walks from this area provide access to the other service facilities - laundry yard, necessary house, garden, and exits to York and Waller Streets. (The laundry yard is actually a part of the development of the adjacent lot and is discussed in the report covering that site.) The yards, paths and walks are to be planted with shade, decorative and fruit trees (as indicated on plate XVIII known to have been in Williamsburg in the 18th century. The surface treatment and edging of the walks (shown on plate XVII) is in accordance with the typical 18th century treatment, remains of which have been found in Williamsburg and on nearby sites of comparable character.

Waller and York Street Frontages The main house porch, which was designed to reflect^suggest a semi-public character, in reflected in the return of the fence and the wide paved area to the House. Similarly, a wide paved area will be found at the entrance to the Shop. The fence line along Waller Street was established by the remains of fence posts found by archaeological excavations.

Gardens. The basic design was adapted from "Charleston, South Carolina Plot Books of 1787" - "Mr. May's Garden on Pinckney Street". The treatment of the parterres is similar to those at the Bryan House (Bk. 14, Bl. 15A). The arbor, simple in character and much as would have been constructed in a relatively 18th century garden of hand sawn lumber and skinned cypress^locust poles, terminates the garden along the north. The planting (see plate X^XVIII) has been carefully selected from the materials in common use in the 18th century, to provide the maximum immediate and long run effect with a minimum of maintenance.

Fences. All fences are of a low picket type with gates built as sections of the fences typical in design to 18th century examples found in Williamsburg^[illegible].

David Morton Landscape
Plate XVIII

INDEX TO DESIGN REFERENCE MATERIAL NOTED ON PLATES

Belnemus - Powhatan County Virginia	Mid 18th Century	HABS
Blair, Archibald - CW	Early 18th Century	Bk. 29, Bl. 1 - Dwg.#
Brick House - Near Kino, Virginia	Early 19th Century	Photo EMF Collection
Blue Bell Tavern - CW Reconstruction	Early 18th Century	Bk. 8, Bl. 12A - Dwg. #201 Sh. 11
Captain Orr's Dwelling - CW	Early 18th Century	Bk. 11, Bl. 11 - Dwg. #
Carter-Saunders House - CW	Early 18th Century	Bk. 30, Bl. 13 - Dwg. #
Carter-Moir House CW Reconstruction	Early 18th Century	Bk. 8, Bl. 29 - Dwg. #CM-201 Sh. 8
Civil War Photos		SPM Collection and Report Plates 5, 12, 18
Cumnor - King and Queen County, Virginia		Photo EMF Collection
Doctor Barraud's House - CW	Late 18th Century	Bk. 10, Bl. 1 - Dwg. #202, 211, 212
Hartwell-Perry House - CW Reconstruction		Bk. 13, B1. 34D - Dwg. #
History of (18th Century) Sign Boards, Hotten		p. 384
Little England - Gloucester County, Virginia	Third Quarter 18th	Photo Architectural Drafting Room Collection
Liberty Hall - Essex County, Virginia		Photo Architectural Drafting Room Collection
Moody House - CW	Mid 18th Century	Bk. 2, Bl.
Robertson-Galt - CW	Early 18th Century	Bk. 9, Bl. 7 - Dwg. #208
Semple, James - CW	Late 18th Century	Bk. 2, Bl. 7
Sloop Point House - Pender North Carolina		P. 148 - Early Architecture of North Carolina, Johnston and Waterman
St. George Tucker House - CW	Mid to Late 18th Century	Bk. 29, Bl. 2 - Dwg. #211B, 221B
2
Scotchtown - Hanover County, Virginia	Early 18th Century	HABS Collection Architecture Drafting Room
Toddsbury - Gloucester County Virginia	Early 18th Century	HABS Photos Architecture Drafting Room Collection
Wales - Dinwiddie County, Virginia	Early 18th Century	HABS Collection Architecture Drafting Room Dwg. #14
Waller, Benjamin - CW	Early 18th Century	Bk. 1, Bl. 16 - Dwg. #M 2