Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

I Documentary evidence for a structure on this site

• 1.Excerpts from Report by Research and Record Department, August 15, 1942
  • (a)April 28, 1707, Redwood obtained leases from the city trustees for lots Nos. 61, 62, 272 and 273.
  • (b) May 4, 1708, Redwood sold lots Nos. 61 and 62 to Philip Ludwell of Green Springs, with dwelling house and outhouses. Also logs 272 and 273 —.
  • (c) June 12, 1719, Philip Ludwell for 30 shillings and by giving up title to lots 272 and 273, confirmed title to lots 61 and 62.
  • (d) March 17, 1768 —— that Gentlemen may be provided with good lodgings — and good stables — at his house, fronting the play house. William Page
  • (e) July 28, 1768—— having removed from the market square to a house opposite the play house has upon hand the following articles to sell —— Thomas Brammer
  • (f) Sept. 22, 1768 —— opened shop near the play-house. William Willis
  • (g) January 12, 1769 — opened shop opposite the play house, Williamsburg. William Willis
  • (h) May 25, 1769 —— carries on his business — at his shop below the capitol. William Willis
  • (i) August 10, 1769 —— may be heard of at Mr. Willis's Gunsmith, below the Capital.
  • (j) August 29, 1770, As William Willis, gunsmith is gone from this city and has left some Guns —— owners may have them on paying for the repairs — —. Thos. Brammer
  • (k) July 7, 1770 — the Blue Bell, a large house just behind the Capitol fell to your (William Lee) share.
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  • (l) Sept. 23, 1773, FOR SALE - The Three following Tenements in the City of Williamsburg —— the House called the Blue Bell below the Capitol, opposite the Playhouse and in which Mr. Brammer formerly lived —— Richard Henry Lee, Francis L. Lee, Etc.
  • (m) Petition of 500L war damage by John Ellis for Wm. Lee Esq. 1777-1780 Journal of the House of Delegates.
  • (n)Summary -
    • A dwelling house and outhouses were probably erected on lots 61 and 62 prior to 1708. In this year these lots came into possession of Philip Ludwell. The lots and buildings apparently remained in the Ludwell-Lee-Paradise families through the remainder of the 18th century except for when the Paradise part of the property escheated to the Commonwealth in 1779.
    • The building or buildings on these lots appear to have been used as a Tavern, Store, and Gunsmith shop, the owners leasing to tenants. During the revolution they may have been used as barracks or a hospital.
• 2. Data concerning site from maps.
  • (a)Wm. Waller plat of 1749 confirms Phillip Ludwell's ownership of lots 61 and 62.
  • (b)The Frenchman's map of 1782(?) shows three buildings in the area of lots 61 and 62. One of those located on the extension of the Duke of Gloucester Street, might have been the Blue Bell referred to in 1. a,k & l above.
  • (c)Rochambeau's map of 1782 shows four buildings in the areas of lots 61 and 62. One of these could have been the house called the Blue Bell.
  • (d)Unknown draftsman's map (date ?) designates lots 61 and 62 owned by Paradise and Lee respectively.
  • (e)Plan of the City. Drawn by Benjamin Bucktrout 1800 (?) and sketched by Robert A. Lively. Dec. 1867. This map shows the same owners as item 2, d. above.
• 3. Archaeological excavations were conducted on Colonial lot 62 in August 1932 and again in May 1946. The later operation was more complete, therefore this discussion will include all that has been found to date. These excavations have been recorded by drawings and photographs in the files of C.W.I. These include the following;
  • (a)Archaeological Survey of Foundations of Blue Bell Tavern (Colonial Lot No. 62) Block 8, Area E, Dated Aug. 30, 1932
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  • (b) Archaeological Survey of Foundations of Blue Bell Tavern (Colonial Lot No. 62) Block 8, Area E, Dated May 27, 1946
  • (c)Photographs Nos. W-1 to W-5 inclusive - 4/23/46
    • W-6 to W-11 inclusive - 4/24/46
    • W-12 to W-15 inclusive - 5/6/46

These excavations revealed a fairly complete set of foundations of a building of apparent colonial origin. Since these foundations are of a larger and more extensive structure than any others found on lots 61 and 62 and since their location is coincident with that of the largest building indicated on the Frenchman's and other maps, it can be assumed that they are the remains of a colonial structure, possibly called the Blue Bell.

II Form of the Structure

• 1.

  The brick work of the main walls of the foundation is of English Bond with oyster shell mortar, a combination found in the majority of 18th century Virginia buildings. A considerable quantity of semi-circular coping bricks were found in the stretcher courses. These coping bricks were of the same size and shape as these found at the Wall around the Capitol Building. The presence of these coping bricks would seem to substantiate the early documentary evidence of the construction of this building. If these bricks were rejects or excess from the capitol wall built 1704 (?), the data from I (a) and (b) would be quite feasible.

  The foundations show the main walls of 1'2" average thickness which is the usual thickness of basement walls for an 18th century frame building.

  The main portion is a rectangle approximately 20'0" wide and 40'0" long. On the West end there is a large, wide, basement fireplace which had been much used. Butting the West and exterior face of this fireplace is a foundation of later brickwork. Some rust-like deposits on the fragmentary paving of this addition seemed to indicate its probable use as a forge. The character and position of this feature suggested that this addition might have been built when the main block of the house was in at least a partly ruinous condition.

  On the North side of the main portion are two small excavated portions separated by walls and an unexcavated portion at approximately the center of the building.

  The bulkhead entrance to the basement was found adjacent and to the South of the large fireplace and through the West wall of the main excavated portion

  To summarize the above it can be stated that the main portion of this building was 20'-0 x 40'-0 with a large chimney at the West end. The basement floor surface was well compacted clay, ashes and brick bats and was evidently used considerably. The upper portion of the building was probably frame.

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• 2.

  The Building Laws, 1699 and 1705, for Williamsburg among other items required: "—— upon ye said two lots or half acres or either of them shall build and furnish in Brick Work or fframed Work with Brick Cellars under ye whole and Brick Chimneys' as much Dwelling Housing as will make four Hundred square feet superficial measure on ye Ground Plat for every Lot or half Acre taken up —". "——Great Street"—

  From this law it seems that the foundations of the main portion of this building were of the size to hold two lots on the Duke of Gloucester Street. Namely 800 square feet, Brick Cellar and Brick Chimney.

• 3.

  Several buildings on the Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg were of a similar size and shape. A few of these are: Barlow House, 42'-6 x 20'-0", an existing colonial structure; Pitt-Dixon House, 40'-0" x 20'-6" reconstructed from an old photograph and existing foundation; Burdettes Ordinary, 44'-# x 20'-6" reconstructed from a sketch in York County records and existing foundations.

  The major difference between these and the Blue Bell foundations, 40'-7" x 20'-8" is that the Blue Bell had but one chimney, while the others had one at each end. This may have been part of the reason for the conformation trouble mentioned in I (c).

• 4.From the foregoing evidence it is apparent that the building on these foundations was probably similar in many respects to the examples listed above. Namely a story and a half "A" roof house with dormer windows with a lean-to adjacent to the long side. The form of the lean-to foundations (see Archaeological drawing) suggests that the first floor was of the typical center type hall plan. Since the basement spaces were undoubtedly used, it is assumed that reasonable head room was provided between the existing basement floor and the ceiling or under side of the first floor construction.
• 5.With the general form and type of building determined by the evidence above, it was possible to proceed with a reconstruction of the building. The following is a list of the Drawings.

  No.	Title	Scale	By Date
  	(See writing specifications)

III Precedent for individual exterior features.

• 1.Since the policy of Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, adopted 1929-1930 is primarily to re-create the atmosphere and appearance of the Capitol of Colonial Virginia, the exterior design is of prime importance in adhering to this policy.
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• 2.

  In developing the exterior design each feature incorporated in the basic design as determined by the previous analysis faithfully follows a known, recorded, colonial Virginia antecedent.

  A list of exterior features and their antecedents follows.

  • A.Vertical Dimensions:
    • (1)Grade to Bottom of weatherboards, based on a reasonable clearance between the known basement floor level and the under side of the first floor construction. This clearance or head room was assumed to be approximately 7'-6" as at "Scotchtown", Hanover County, Virginia. This dimension was used to determine the height of the basement walls between finished grade and the bottom of the weatherboards. The actual height from Basement to first floor, 9'-4" was determined by other considerations. See interiors (IV).
    • (2)First floor to second floor 10'-6" a common floor height for Williamsburg buildings, based on the building laws of 1699 and 1705.
    • (3)Roof pitch similar to known colonial examples. "Barlow House", Williamsburg, Virginia, "Annie Galt House", Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
  • B.Front Elevation:
    • (1)Partie of three dormers over five first floor openings "Colonial House in Tappahannock Virginia", "Rose Gardens", New Kent County, Virginia, Garett House Wing, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (2)15 Light Hipped Dormers, "Annie Galt House", Williamsburg, Virginia and "Blair House", Williamsburg, Virginia (Restored from existing framing evidence).
    • (3)(3) 18 Light D.H. first floor windows with moulded sill and three panel shutters. Typical of Colonial Virginia, "House on Main Farm" near Williamsburg, Virginia, "Scotchtown", Hanover County Virginia, etc.
    • (4) Basement grilles:- (in main portion) Similar to types on "Scotchtown" Hanover County Virginia, "Belle Farm" Gloucester County Virginia, Market Square Tavern (East Elevation) Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (5)Cornice:- Typical of Colonial Virginia (Modillion type). "West House" Yorktown, Virginia; "Little England" Gloucester County Virginia; "Annie Galt House" Williamsburg, Virginia
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    • (6)Portico:- Partie similar to wing portico of "Garrett House", Williamsburg, Virginia, "Little England", Gloucester County Virginia, etc. Since no foundations for this feature were discovered, it was assumed they had been destroyed and this feature is entirely hypothetical. The steps of wood are adapted from typical splayed stone types as determined from fragments of stone found at the Governors Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc., and existing examples at "Tuckahoe", Goochland County Virginia, etc.
    • (7)

      Main Entrance Door:- Typical six panel type as at "Merchant House", Princess Anne County, Virginia, "Greenway", Charles City County, Virginia and antique door found at Chiswell House and used in restoration of "Dr. Barraud's House", Williamsburg, Virginia, etc. The panel mould is from an antique one found in a fireplace surround at the "Carter-Saunders House", Williamsburg, Virginia. The door trim is also typical Colonial Virginia.

      The screen doors are adapted from louvred type doors found in New Castle, Delaware, Alexandria, Virginia, etc. The insect screen is concealed from the eye by being placed between inverted louvres.

    • (8)The roof covering of round butt asbestos shingles made especially for Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated to simulate wood types found in various 18th century buildings in Williamsburg and Virginia.
    • (9) Weatherboards:- Typical 18th century beaded weatherboards, random widths to weather. "Brush House", Williamsburg, Virginia, Ewing House, Williamsburg, Randolph-Peachy House, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (10)Cornerboards:- Typical Colonial detail.
    • (11) Brickwork:- Of bricks, hand-made to match existing antique bricks and laid in bond, similar to antique walls in oyster shell mortar.
  • C.East Elevation:
    • (1)Fifteen light double hung sash in gable end second floor, Brush House, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (2)Two, eighteen light double hung sash in gable end first floor.
    • (3)Lean-to breaking from sill of dormers, Blair House, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (4)Two light, wide double hung sash in lean-to portion, "Wigwam", Amelia County, Virginia
    • (5)Larger basement grilles - see South Elevation.
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    • (6)Small basement grilles in lean-to portion, Merchant House, Princess Anne County, Virginia.
    • (7)Rake Board and end boards typical colonial.
    • (8)Break in line of weatherboards as determined from analysis of archaeological findings.
    • (9)Weatherboards - see South Elevation.
    • (10)Brickwork - see South Elevation.
  • D.North Elevation:
    • (1)Fifteen light double hung, hipped roof dormer windows, see South Elevation.
    • (2) Two light wide double hung sash in lean-to portion, similar to old frames found in lean-to of Moody House, Williamsburg, Virginia.
    • (3)Porch chamber expresses archaeological findings of walls returning to main portion of building. The lean-to of a "House on Main Farm" near Williamsburg, Virginia has a similar feature. It was assumed on the Blue Bell that this feature being quite narrow was probably filled in for use on the first floor. Flush boarding was used here in order to further express the old foundation walls.
    • (4) Door - see South Elevation. The top panels in this door were glazed to provide light for the rear hall. The main door of the Brush House, Williamsburg, Virginia, is glazed in this manner.
    • Example of a glazed garden front door can be found in "Palladio Londinensis" 1767, 7th edition. (Palladio Londinensis or The London Art of Building - 7th Edition, 1767, shows glazed door for garden front of building.)
    • (5) Cornice:- Typical lean-to type, Blair House and Moody House, Williamsburg, Virginia.
    • (6) Basement grilles - see East Elevation.
    • (7) Round Butt Asbestos roof shingles - see South Elevation.
    • (8) Weatherboards - see South Elevation.
    • (9) Cornerboards - see South Elevation.
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    • (10) Steps:- No definite exterior colonial feature of this identical form is known, but interior colonial steps, constructed similar to these, as well as probable exterior replacement steps are known. Some examples of interior are: Brush House kitchen stair, St. George Tucker House basement stair, etc. Probable exterior replacements, "Little England", Gloucester County, Virginia, "Wales", Dinwiddie County, Virginia, "Rose Garden", New Kent County, Virginia.
    • (11) Brickwork - see South Elevation.
  • E.West Elevation:
    • (1)Eight light double hung sash, second floor as at the Annie Galt House, Williamsburg, Virginia, etc.
    • (2)Eighteen light double hung sash, first floor related to the chimney similar to East Elevation of the Blair House, Williamsburg, Virginia. See also South Elevation.
    • (3)Fifteen light double hung sash, first floor lean-to, see North Elevation.
    • (4)Basement Grille - see North Elevation.
    • (5)Chimney - developed from analysis of use during 18th century. Large fireplace in Basement, Fireplace first floor and fireplace second floor, combining to require four chimney flues as expressed. Haunches and general character similar to the "Blair House", Williamsburg. The cap detail similar to the "Merchant House", Princess Anne County, Virginia.
    • (6)Bulkhead entrance from antique foundations and similar to that at "Greenway", Charles City County, Virginia
    • (7)Other Details - see East Elevation.

IV Interior

• 1.The interior of the house was designed as a residence for modern living. Therefore, certain liberties were taken with the arrangement, proportions and use of the spaces. Inasmuch as the exterior appearance was the prime consideration, nothing in the interior was allowed to effect the exterior design. While modern plumbing, heating, electric and kitchen facilities were provided, the architectural character and detail of Colonial Virginia were retained in the important living spaces. Features such as bathrooms and kitchens are of strictly utilitarian design. This principle of interior adaptation was adopted by Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated.
• 2.The spaces and features designed in the character of Colonial Virginia are as follows:
  • Dining Room
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  • Living Room
  • Bed Room No. 1
  • Dressing Room
  • Study
  • All Halls and Entrys - first and second floors.
  • Main Stair from Basement to second floor
  • Bed Room No. 2
  • Bed Room No. 3
• 3.Individual features of the above spaces are as follows:
  • A.Flooring (all spaces) edge grain pine with antique type nails - typical Colonial Virginia.
  • B.Plaster (walls and ceilings) trim used as plaster grounds and plaster itself applied with slightly wavy surface all as generally found in existing 18th century structures.
  • C.Basement and First Floor Doors and Door Trim.
  • These items are of common typical Colonial types. See South Elevation main entrance door, etc. Double Doors "Old Mansion", Bowling Green, Virginia; Batten Doors - typical Virginia.
  • D.First Floor Window trim. Typical colonial type as at Dr. Barraud's House, Williamsburg, etc.
  • E.First Floor Cornice. Typical Colonial - Moody House and others in Williamsburg, Virginia.
  • F.First Floor Chair Rail - Typical Colonial.
  • G.First Floor Baseboard. Typical Colonial, "Moody House", Williamsburg, "Dr. Barrauds House", Williamsburg, etc.
  • H.Dining Room -
    • Wainscot (Beaded Flush Boards) - "Lower Weyanoke" and "Greenway".
    • Base - "Wilton on James".
    • Dado Cap - "Lower Weyanoke".
    • Post and Exposed Beams - "Christ's Cross"
    • Window Trim - similar to Lower Weyanoke.
    • Trimmed opening to Bulkhead - similar to feature seen in old house at Eastern Shore of Virginia.
    • Fireplace - Large fireplace opening expressed as at Lower Brandon but filled in with smaller fireplace and flush closet door.
  • I.Stairs -
    • Basement to First Floor - after design of antique stair from Chiswell House, Williamsburg, Virginia.
    • First to Second Floor based on design of stair at "Walnut Valley", Surry County, Virginia
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  • J.Living Room Mantel based on design of original antique one at Blair House, Williamsburg, Virginia.
  • K.Second Floor Mantel - typical Colonial type.
  • L.Second Floor doors and trim -
    • Trim similar to narrow type found in Casey House, Williamsburg, Virginia.
    • Doors typical panelled and batten types.