John Coke House Architectural Report, Block 9 Building 27Originally entitled: "John Coke Office (Tilledge House)"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1145
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
JOHN
COKE OFFICE
(Formerly designated The Tilledge House)
ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
JOHN COKE HOUSE
(Known variously as the Tilledge House and as Purdie's Dwelling.)
Block 9, Building 27
(Reconstructed)
This house was partly demolished, additions removed and reconstructed during 1930 under the direction of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Architects. Walter Macomber was resident architect, representing the architects in charge. Research on the foundations was carried on during March, 1929, by S. P. Moorehead. Measured drawings, also by Mr. Moorehead were made during April, 1930. All of the working drawings were made between April, 1930, and October, 1930.
Reconstruction was started in June, 1930
Reconstruction was completed in November, 1930
Persons who worked on the project:
- - The drafting was done by Singleton P. Moorehead, Washington Reed, and Milton L. Grigg.
- - The drawings were checked by Walter Macomber.
This report was preparedAugust 7, 1946 from preliminary account by Singleton P. Moorehead, no date. The report was revised and illustrations added by A. Lawrence Kocher and Howard B. Dearstyne, June 25, 1951.
ARCHITECTURAL
REPORT
JOHN COKE OFFICE
(Formerly
known as The Tilledge House)
Block
9, Building 27
JOHN COKE, THE ELDER 1704-1767
The small building that straddles lots 24 and 25 on Duke of Gloucester Street (Block 9) was only recently given its designation, "John Coke Office," in deference to its occupancy for a time by one or more members of the John Coke family in eighteenth century Williamsburg. The family tree, when it first extended its branches over the Virginia domain, appears to have been rooted in the sturdy stock of John Coke I (1704-1767), a son of Richard Coke of Trusley in Derbyshire, England. This elder Coke came to Virginia in 1724 and has been characterized as "an adventurous spirit, who after youthful troubles in England, sailed for the New World almost on his twentieth birthday." His brother, Edward, informs their mother of John's departure in a letter from Manchester of April 7, 1724.
"... I hear my Brother Jack is gone to sea, which I was glad to hear, and hope it will be best for him... Your dutyfull Sone, Edward Coke."This, the first John Coke, settled in Williamsburg where he is reputed to have become a goldsmith and at some unknown time to have occupied and given his name to the Coke-Garrett House, near the Capitol. 2.
JOHN COKE, THE SECOND
The second John Coke appears to have been a grandson of the elder John Coke. He was born February 24, 1762, and married Rebecca Lamson, the widow of James Shields.* The Department of Research and Record of Colonial Williamsburg reports that it is doubtless this John Coke who was the owner of the John Coke Office.
JOHN COKE OFFICE IN WILLIAMSBURG
Little is known of the small office building associated with the name of John Coke. Its eighteenth-century size, 16' x 24', was established in 1930 through examination of foundations on the site by the architects of Colonial Williamsburg. This house size appears to have been fairly common in Williamsburg early in the eighteenth century. It may possibly have been derived from instructions from the crown to Lord Berkeley who in 1642 was informed
That for raising of towns (in Virginia) everyone, shall within a convenient time, build a convenient house of brick, of 24 feet long and 16 feet broad with a cellar to it*
"CONVENIENT HOUSE"
At the same time the size of this early house appears to be less than that of the dwelling recommended in Governor Nicholson's time for location on half-acre sites on Duke of Gloucester Street, as provided for by an enactment of 1705, which stipulated that each person receiving a half-acre lot from the city was required to build upon it:
...one good Dwelling House containing twenty Foot in Width and thirty Foot in length at the least if in the maine Street caled Duke of Gloceter Street of tenn Foot Pitch and within six Foot of the Street.#3.
RECONSTRUCTION METHODS
Coke's small office stands about thirteen feet to the east of Purdie's Dwelling and is thought to have been used by Alexander Purdie, an editor of the Virginia Gazette as a composing and press room. (See Research Report, "Purdie's Dwelling," p. 18.) At the time the house was taken over for study and reconstruction, it had acquired certain additions. The house itself had been lengthened, a porch had been built across the front end, and most drastic of all, a full second story had been superposed upon the first floor. All of the original sashes with their small panes of glass had vanished; shutters, weatherboarding, cornice and other exterior wood trim and fitments had suffered replacements and change, apparently during the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
JOHN
COKE HOUSE BEFORE RECONSTRUCTION, SHOWING ITS ACQUIRED TWO-STORY FORM AND OTHER
ADDITIONS.
Here was clearly a subject for archaeological investigation, to achieve an approximation of the original framing and size. The results of this investigation are recorded on the following pages. Much of the reconstruction of the building was based upon precedent supplied by Williamsburg houses of the same period and approximately the same construction and size.
JOHN
COKE OFFICE, RECONSTRUCTED. THE OFFICE ORIGINALLY INCLUDED ONLY THE FRONT PART.
THE ADDITION SHOWN AT LOT WAS CONSTRUCTED AS A CONVENIENCE.
EXTERIOR
GENERAL NOTES:
The foundations of the main portion of this house are in two parts - one apparently later than the other, the earlier being 24' x 16' in size. They are typical footings for a small building as found in original parts of the Galt Cottage, John Blair House and Levingston House. This foundation was laid in English bond, an indication of eighteenth-century origin. At a later date an addition was built at the west end, the foundations of which were laid in Flemish bond. The earlier part had a cellar. The later had none. A joint appeared in the brick walls at the juncture of these two portions. Both were recognizable by the nature of the brickwork as of the eighteenth century. The owners at the time the house was restored stated that several decades before the colonial structure was replaced by a two story one and that the earlier one was a one and one-half story "A" roof house with dormers over the earlier part of the foundations and with an outside chimney at the south end. Abutting this unit was a shed roof addition over later foundations that extended westward. Since the first house was small, the larger building replaced it. By careful inspection of the existing foundations and consultation with older inhabitants of that part of Williamsburg, a fairly accurate picture of the colonial building on this site was obtained. The character and mass of the eighteenth-century 24' x 16' building unit was so similar to this building that little difficulty arose in reconstructing the structure, since the architects were working with an extant example of a well-known type.
6A one and one-half story structure, together with a shed addition over the western end, did not satisfy the space needs of the life tenant. Therefore, a compromise was made by placing a one and one-half story 'ell' on the northern part of the original shed portion. This roofing device has precedent at the Brush-Everard House on the Palace Green. It was therefore considered a reasonable solution, in order to satisfy space demands over which the Restoration project had no control.
At the south end of the house there were some existing additions comprising a kitchen and storage. Certain of these were retained and incorporated into the general scheme, but frankly as late additions. This was necessitated by the need of the life tenant for kitchen space. They were repaired and some of the detail altered to have a character expressive of the early part of the nineteenth century. See following notes for precise information.
MATERIALS
For further information, see specifications.
EXTERIOR WOODWORK:
Finish: heart white pine; changed, before construction, to heart cypress.
Sash: heart white pine; revised before construction to heart cypress.
Blinds: heart white pine; revised before construction to heart cypress.
Window and door frames: heart white pine; revised before construction to heart cypress.
Weatherboards: heart white pine; revised before construction to heart cypress.
7Exterior doors: heart yellow pine; revised before construction to heart cypress.
Exterior sills: heart clear white oak.
Pulley stiles: exterior steps revised to be of heart yellow pine.
INTERIOR WOODWORK:
Finish: common yellow pine.
Finish floor: random width fir, edge grain in preponderance.
Under floor: common yellow pine.
Door frames: heart white pine.
Doors: yellow pine.
Brick: exposed brick is colonial material from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia; unexposed brick is common, modern manufacture. See following notes.
Framing: common pine.
Partition caps: yellow pine.
A small amount of studs, framing and boarding was saved in wrecking the existing house and reused in building the new one. This reused material was negligible, being chiefly employed for blocking and furring.
No attempt was made in building the new house to use local materials customarily employed in the eighteenth century, except in positions exposed to the eye and as noted in the following pages. Modern methods of construction, carpentry, etc, were used, except that exposed surfaces were put together in the colonial manner, as described in the following pages. The former practice was followed because of the impracticability of duplicating eighteenth-century building methods which are very costly today.
NORTH ELEVATION
SHINGLES
Mohawk Asbestos, Williamsburg Type, developed by this company for the Williamsburg project. Because of fire laws, zoning and insurance regulations, a fireproof material was called for, so this type imitates a weathered wood shingle and offers needed fire resisting qualities. Shingles are laid on roofer's felt, which rests on roof boarding of common pine between which and the rafters is insulation of Cabot's Quilt, simply for modern convenience offered by these modern materials. These materials are hidden and do not alter the colonial character of visible portions of the building.
DORMER WINDOWS
See General Notes. They are similar to the common eighteenth century type of local dormer, as at 1. Casey's Gift; 2. Lafayette's Headquarters, Yorktown, as seen in the Brady photograph; 3. small house on turnpike at Lightfoot; 4. Custis House at Denbigh, Virginia. The sash with wide muntins is not common in original eighteenth century examples in the vicinity probably because of replacements. The roof pitch is the same for the main roof as in the above precedent examples. All exterior detailing follows these examples. Concealed flashing was inserted about the juncture with the roof in accordance with modern building practice. The sash lights are 8' x 10', a very common eighteenth-century proportion. See above precedent and records in Research and Record Department of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn.
CORNICE
This is a very common variety, found locally at the Barlow and Brush-Everard Houses. For the termination and return of the cornice below the gable, see the Brush-Everard House and the Galt Cottage, For material, see General Notes.
9GUTTER AND LEADER
None.
WALL SURFACE
Of beaded weatherboards. Specified as white pine. This type was almost universal in this vicinity in eighteenth-century frame buildings. The weatherboards were laid with Cabot's Quilt insulation between them and the studs. See General Notes regarding materials and construction methods.
PORCH
Consists of steps and stoop with brick walls, wood floor, and rails. No actual precedent for this exists, but harmonious parts of various known precedent were combined. The general form is adapted from the stoop on a brick house in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a Brady photograph of colonial stoop at Culpepper Court House. The treatment of rails as at 1. Little England, Gloucester County; 2. house at Norge, Virginia; 3. Fauntleroy, near Aylett's. Virginia; molding of rail and posts adapted from the above and is authenticated by a Brady view of an unnamed Virginia Brick House of eighteenth century by inspection.* The brick walls and step and apron treatment are as in the above examples. The concealed construction is performed in a modern way - exposed portions simulate colonial methods of joining.
The development of a more or less typical stoop was a difficult problem, since so little precedent was known at the time of building this house. Since then, more knowledge has been obtained, fortunately, bearing out in a most satisfying way rather arbitrary decisions made at the time of designing. Most of the above examples are in this class.
At brick cheeks bricks are omitted to allow circulation of air under stoop to prevent dry rot. These openings are screened. The practice of venting unexcavated portions between brick walls was common 10 in the eighteenth century locally. The brick work matches that of original wall as closely as possible and exposed portions are of eighteenth century material from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia. For joint and mortar, see Basement Wall.
A common Williamsburg Colonial type as at 1. Barlow House; 2. Bracken House; 3. Orrell House. All the details are adapted and authenticated in the above precedent. The frame is put together with mortise and tenon - ditto for sill. Materials are on page 3. The transom is as for the above precedent. A rough, uneven, low grade glass being used to simulate eighteenth century glazing. Door head has concealed flashing, a compromise to modern building practice.
WINDOWS
Basement window: Frame as customary in Williamsburg. See Bracken House. Since so small, grilles run vertically as at Hillsboro near Walkerton, Virginia. Usual precedent has no sash, but necessity of sealing basement from weather during the winter months caused the insertion of stock cellar sash hinges at top; the muntins of which line with vertical grille bars, and are concealed from the eye the fact that there is a sash. Frame is built up in colonial manner with mortise, tenon, and pins.
First floor, eighteen lights: Adapted closely from a like window at Orrell House. Frame is built up by modern milling methods to follow exposed profiles and joints as in precedent examples.
Second floor, eight lights: See Dormers. A gable window customarily repeats the dormer sash size as at 1. Dr. Barraud House, Williamsburg. The exterior trim, frame, etc, as for first floor, eighteen light window.
Basement Window: This opening was originally not in building. It was felt essential for light and air into cellar to provide one. 11 This was done, following precedent closely.
SHUTTERS
Are a louvered type shutter, adapted from those at George Semple House and Galt Cottage, Williamsburg - original eighteenth century examples. This includes hardware, which was adapted from above precedent by local craftsman in shops set up by Colonial Williamsburg.
BASEMENT WALL
See General Notes. The upper parts were patched and repaired, also repainted to match the old and existing parts. At left of new entrance stoop there was an old opening in brick wall, but not original one. This seems to have been cut through after original walls were built. This was closed. Extra needed brick to repair and patch are eighteenth century colonial from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia. Joints and bonding follow existing old work. Mortar is made, for exposed parts, of local sand and shell lime with some modern cement as a precaution. The sand and marl lime are from local sources as used in eighteenth century and combined to produce the same finished appearance. The later west portion had to be rebuilt, using original brick and being relaid in the original manner.
CHIMNEYS
None on this elevation.
BARGE BOARDS AND CORNER BOARDS
Barge or rake boards were adapted from Captain Orr's Dwelling, and Old Tavern, Goochland County Court House; ditto for cornice stop. Corner boards as used are typical for all eighteenth century work in the Williamsburg locality, with few exceptions.
EAST ELEVATION
SHINGLES
See North Elevation.
DORMER WINDOWS
Ditto.
CORNICE
Ditto for cornice on main house. See porch for its cornice; cornice of small shed was retained and so was merely repaired.
GUTTER AND LEADER
On main house a stock copper gutter and downspout were hung by request of the life tenant. There is no precedent for this in eighteenth century.* A like feature for a like reason was hung on porch cornice.
WALL SURFACE
For main portion, see north elevation. For kitchen section, ditto. For small shed existing weatherboards were repaired and patched.
PORCH
See General Notes. The life tenant desired a porch which was designed to have the character of early nineteenth century and to simulate a later addition, as for kitchen. On this basis an adaptation was made from precedent at 1. house near Croker, James City County, and numerous examples in New Kent County and Fredericksburg. Porch is held on brick piers with boards between as in above precedent. A simple woodstep gives access to the porch. Porch rails are as for above precedent.
FRONT DOOR
Door #11 to kitchen, see Materials. Door is solid, flush, six panel beaded, adapted from nineteenth century rear door at Tucker House. Ditto for trim. Frame made up for economy's sake to profile according to precedent as stated.
13Door #17 is south shed. Existing door removed because in bad repair and a simple vertically, beaded sheathing, batten door inserted. For materials see General Notes. Precedent for such simple doors in shed portions is common in colonial times as at 1. Greenway, outbuildings, Charles City County.
WINDOWS
Kitchen, twelve light window: A size typical of period of Restoration of the kitchen portion. Exterior details same as for eighteen light window, North Elevation, simply for unity and economy. Small four light window store pantry: Same trim as for twelve light sash is casement, simply for convenience as typical four light windows in early nineteenth century were fired. Their use is common in shed portions and smell additions as at 1. house at Barhamsville, New Kent County, 2. shed portion at Bellevue, near West Point. Eighteen light windows in main portion: Same as for North Elevation. Basement windows in main portion: An early nineteenth century frame, trim, sash and blinds - but in original openings in brickwork. Openings were repaired and patched - also the windows. Although later than the original brickwork they were left in place for economy's sake and because they were early republican.
SHUTTERS
Basement windows: See preceding paragraph; also see North Elevation.
BASEMENT WALL
For main portion, see North Elevation. Piers under porch and kitchen rebuilt with old brick from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia. Under porch - under kitchen, existing piers were repaired and patched.
14CHIMNEYS
For main portion, see South Elevation. Kitchen chimney a simple, rectangular chimney laid in a mixed common and Flemish bond. Exposed brick from Tedington, Charles City County. This type of stock very common in the vicinity on early Republic buildings - as at 1. many small houses, Fredericksburg and Alexandria, Suffolk, Smithfield, Port Royal. Copper flashing was applied - a concession to modern needs in construction. This chimney was inserted to provide thimble for possible stove in kitchen.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS
None appear. See, rather, North and South Elevations.
GENERAL NOTES
The main portion is reconstructed with regard for its period; see General Notes. The kitchen is somewhat of a mixture though the under lying basis for its rebuilding is stated, also on page 1. The most truthful attitude to assume towards it, perhaps, is that for economy's sake a thorough early nineteenth century representation became impossible, since much of this portion was built in the latter part of that century and was retained as far as possible in making it over into a kitchen wing which would afford modern conveniences to the life tenant by his request. An attached kitchen wing is extremely rare in the eighteenth century locally, and those in existence are usually late eighteenth if not commonly early nineteenth century origin.
SOUTH ELEVATION
SHINGLES
See North Elevation.
DORMER WINDOWS
Ditto.
CORNICE
See North, East and West Elevations.
GUTTER AND LEADER
See other Elevations.
WALL SURFACE
Ditto. Small shed of kitchen has its existing weatherboards repaired and patched. For policy, see General Notes, east elevation and General Notes, page 1.
PORCH
See East Elevation.
FRONT DOOR
None.
WINDOWS
Existing window in shed south of kitchen repaired. For policy see General Notes on East Elevation and on page 1. Small four light in kitchen: See East Elevation, pantry window. Appearance of this type in small building gables as at 1. nineteenth century kitchen wing, Bellevue, near West Point. Another four light in gable of main portion is a typical feature as at 1. Tedington wing, Charles City County, Virginia.
SHUTTERS
None.
BASEMENT WALL
For kitchen wing, see East Elevation. For main part, see North Elevation. The wall under the original foundation had to be rebuilt above grade, but this was done in the manner as stated in the reference. Bulkhead: There was a flight of original cellar steps here to main basement. Steps were found with some of original oak nosings in place, though too decayed for reuse. The brickwork of cheeks, risers and trends was in a like decayed condition. All of this was rebuilt, copying the known original contours and details. Bricks required for rebuilding, came from Tedington and are authentic, eighteenth century 16 material. A simple bulkhead superstructure was built up with sloping doors, its exterior conformation following the excellent eighteenth century precedent of bulkhead adjoining the Cole's shop, Williamsburg. The exterior was made up of random, width flush boards of heart cypress with a single batten door of same material. The framing, because it is concealed from exterior, is of modern stock lumber.
CHIMNEYS
For kitchen chimney, see East Elevation. The main chimney is built of old brick from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia. On exposed parts the mortar is of local sand and marl lime from same sources as used here in eighteenth century. The joint follows that in original brickwork of foundations. Random glazed bricks were inserted in the amount of 5%. These are manufactured locally by Williamsburg Colonial Brick Corporation, especially hand made, and wood burned, from native clay, in the eighteenth century manner. The design of the chimney is typical of early eighteenth century small buildings such as the main building and follows closely the precedent of 1. Shewmake House, Francis Street, Williamsburg; 2. Curtis House, Denbigh, Virginia; 3. Kittewan, Charles City County; 4. Lee House, Francis Street, Williamsburg.
The backing brick are common modern manufacture, laid in modern cement mortar, for economy's sake and because unexposed to the eye.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARD
Rake and cornice stop, main part, see North Elevation. Rakes elsewhere are typical eighteenth century local practice. Ditto for corner boards. See also above reference.
WEST ELEVATION
SHINGLES
See North Elevation.
DORMER WINDOWS
Ditto.
CORNICE
Cornice on main part of the house including the shed portion is a simple crown molding; in other words, it is a typical eighteenth century local cornice found frequently in Williamsburg. Examples: 1. Ritchie House, Tappahannock; 2. Main Farm, James City County, are usual examples of this precedent. Cornice on kitchen wing, the same. The cornice on little south shed, see East Elevation.
WALL SURFACE
See East Elevation.
PORCH
None.
FRONT DOOR
None.
WINDOWS
These are eighteen-light on main house, see North Elevation. Eight-light windows in kitchen part are the same as other eight-light openings. Precedent for use of this type in small wings, etc. of early nineteenth century. 1. small building at Greenway, Charles City.
SHUTTERS
As for North Elevation.
BASEMENT WALL
As for East Elevation, except wall under main portion, rebuilt for structural safety. See notes on North Elevation.
CHIMNEYS
See East Elevation for kitchen chimney. See South Elevation for main chimney.
BARGE BOARDS (END BOARDS) CORNER BOARDS
See North Elevation for rakes. Cornice stop, ditto. Corner boards, ditto.
GENERAL NOTES
As previously noted.
INTERIOR
GENERAL NOTES:
The interior has been planned so as to get a most practical and economical layout to answer the needs of the life tenant, as well as those conditions imposed by modern living. Care has been taken, how ever, that all exposed finish and surfaces in living areas of the house should follow colonial precedent. The plan was difficult to achieve since there were many demands for so small a space. The fact that the house is one and one-half story further complicated these difficulties. A typical, colonial plan that us usual in houses of this type and size does not have space for the conveniences desired.
PAINT
Colors are designated in the following notes by their sample numbers, records of which are on file in the warehouse. These colors are all authentic, colonial eighteenth century ones and have been collected as approved colors from colonial buildings in this locality and vicinity.
HEATING
Modern convenience demands heating facilities other than the open fire. It was decided to use a hot air system since, with the exception of the basement, the installation is least obvious and obtrusive for the colonial character striven for within the building. It does mean an almost complete sacrifice of basement space to the mechanical plant. Here, however, the basement had no features which might recommend it for any particular "exhibition" use.
FLOOR: FIRST
ROOM: HALL #1
FLOOR
See Page 1 for general information on flooring. Flooring throughout the house is old and is of single thickness.
FLOOR NAILS
Flooring is blind nailed.
BEAMS
See Page 1, General Notes.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Metal lath and plaster. Laid up with modern materials and techniques except that the skim coat is trowelled to simulate the typical colonial texture of local eighteenth century plaster.
CEILING
Ditto.
BASEBOARD
4½" beaded member copied from the common type used locally on plaster walls in eighteenth century. The plaster butts the top of the base as was typical in colonial period.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
A simple beaded backboard - similar to base with precedent at Orrell House. This is locally the common method of terminating plaster. Afterwards the molded member was applied, but sometimes the cyma was omitted.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS
Window on east wall, see North Elevation. Eighteen light window, Page 7. Precedent for interior trim is the same, except that it has been simplified to a single rather then a double molded member. The upper sash is fixed as in the typical precedent and bottom sash, only movable with spring catches for adjusting. These have no precedent and are for convenience only.
20CLOSETS
Closet under stair affords access to Bedroom #3 as well as serving as landing for stair to cellar. See Stair and Bedroom #3.
DOOR AND TRIM
Front door #1 - see notes giving precedent on North Elevation, Door #2 to passage under stair - after colonial doors in Galt Cottage. Door #4 to Living Room - ditto. Doors #4 and #2 warped - so regular six panel, colonial doors were made to replace them copied after originals in Orrell House and Captain Orr's Dwelling. Trim of door #4 built up in modern milling methods to have a profile as at Neal House. For door #2, trim is treated with simple beaded member as at Marmion Kitchen Stair.
METAL WORK ON DOOR
None.
COLOR
See General Notes regarding paint. Woodwork painted sample #31s, flat finish. Baseboard, black; flat finish. Plaster and ceiling white, flat finish to simulate whitewash. Floors stained and waxed.
EQUIPMENT
Electrical equipment: one wall fixture in colonial character by modern manufacture after colonial model. Switches painted in with background to be as inconspicuous as possible. See General Notes, Page 15. Granting the necessity of a heating system (hot air) the register grilles were placed in this room of a simple, stock pattern in serviceable and yet inconspicuous positions.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
FLOOR: FIRST AND SECOND ROOM: HALL & AND #7
(Note: This sheet to be pinned or clipped to record sheet of room the stairs are in.)
STAIRS
Built new to detail: for materials see page 1. General Notes. They are adapted from stair at 1. Toddsbury, Gloucester County, Virginia; 2. Bracken House and Captain Orr's Dwelling.
RISERS AND TREADS
Nosing detail as at Barlow House and is general colonial type in Williamsburg.
NEWELL POST AND HANDRAIL
Adapted closely to Captain Orr's post and handrail, but are very common eighteenth century local types.
BALUSTERS
Adapted closely to those at Toddsbury, Gloucester County, Virginia.
STRINGER, STRING BOARD AND STRING BOARD ORNAMENT
As at closed string at small house near Croker, near Toano, James City County, Virginia. On wall side, beaded base of hall continues on up to join that of second floor.
CLOSED OR OPEN STRING
Closed.
LANDING, IF ANY, FLOOR, WINDOWS OR OPENINGS, IF ANY; POST HANDRAIL AND BALUSTERS, "GALLERY BOARD"
Stair has no landing on run between first and second floors. The gallery board of second floor is a widened repetition of string profile on the run of the stair, but at head room over stair, a curved bevel was cut out of bottom of closet (which has a raised floor) at second floor. See Hall #7. Ordinarily at second floor at this point the stair well would be open and railed in as in precedent above mentioned - but the closet encroached as explained in further notes.
Although the stair is joined on exterior parts in the colonial manner as for Toddsbury, Bracken House and Captain's Orr's Dwelling, 22 all the posts are new and made up by modern milling methods. In effect, the stair is somewhat composite in order to make it simple and economical. In order to provide access from the Hall #1 to Bedroom #3, a passage was inserted in closet space below stairs, and in order to procure head room, a step down from Hall #1 level and Bedroom #3 level is provided to join the top lending of the stair to basement. Actually the original basement stair followed along the north wall of basement, marks of old steps being evident in brickwork. To satisfy life tenant's demands for the general house plan, it was impossible to run the stair in its old, original position. See previous notes. A simple wood swing gate was inserted above top risers of basement stair for safety in passing from Hall to Bedroom. The cellar stair and closet are plastered to the line of first floor below which the enclosing partitions are sheathed up in modern carpentry technique with no attempt at colonial character. See further notes under basement. This passage is a concession to the needs of planning. It might be called a concealed feature in what would be a stair closet in the usual eighteenth century small house stairs.
PAINT FOR STAIR
Hand rail: black with flat finish.
Newell Posts: black with flat finish.
Risers: black with flat finish.
Balusters: sample #31-s with flat finish.
String: sample #31-s with flat finish.
Door and frame: sample #31-s with flat finish.
Base: black with flat finish.
Treads: finished in natural stain - waxed.
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: LIVING ROOM #2
FLOOR
See General Notes.
FLOOR NAILS
Flooring blind nailed.
BEAMS
See General Notes.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
See Hall #1.
CEILING
Ditto.
BASEBOARD
Ditto.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
See Hall #1.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
Antique mantel procured from "antique" trade locally - repaired and inserted here.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Fireplace and hearth of old brick from Tedington, Charles City County, Virginia laid in marl lime and sand mortar - as in eighteenth century locally, but only on exposed surfaces. The fireplace was built shallow with splayed sides as at Orrell House. The upper part of back slopes inward in order to accommodate the throat to a stock, cast iron damper with plastered smoke chamber above. These features are more or less hidden from the eye and are a concession to modern fireplace construction; to all outward appearances the fireplace simulates that precedent above mentioned. The smoke chamber joins a terra-cotta flue lining, another modern method as against the colonial brick flue. The hearth is laid in a conventional eighteenth century local pattern, as in original examples at 1. Brook's Bank, Essex County. The use of a mitred oak strip surrounding hearth is almost universal colonial practice in the vicinity.
24WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK)
See eighteen light windows on North Elevation. Also further notes on them, Hall #1.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #4 to Hall, see Hall #1. Door #6 to Dining Room #4, same as for door #4. Door #8 to Kitchen Porch - since it is in an antique position in early eighteenth century buildings like the main portion of this house, it was decided to make it of a later character. For further notes on this matter, see East Elevation, Front Door, since these doors are the same. Ditto for trim.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None.
COLOR
Woodwork painted sample #28-s, flat finish. Base black, flat finish. Walls and ceiling, white, slightly tinted with the woodwork color to simulate a white wash. Floors as for Hall #1.
EQUIPMENT
Electrical equipment, as necessary for modern living conditions. Two brackets at chimney breast of modern manufacture to simulate colonial models. Appropriate base plugs and switches were inserted, being painted in with their backgrounds to make them as inconspicuous as possible. For heating outlets see Hall #1 and General Notes on Interior.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: BED ROOM #3
FLOOR
As for Hall #1, except has sub floor with building paper between thicknesses.
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)
See North Elevation and Hall #1.
CLOSETS
See Stairs and Hall #1. Closet really a passage handled as mentioned on page 21 to provide access to Hall #1. Strictly speaking, no closet space is provided for this Bed Room,
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #3 to closet-passage same as for door #4 in Hall #1. Door #5 to Dining Room, ditto,
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
Woodwork painted sample #27-s - flat. Base black flat. Plaster walls and ceilings flat white to simulate whitewash.
26COLOR
For Color, see under "metal work."
EQUIPMENT
See general statements Han #1 and living Room #2. Two wall brackets are placed on north wall suitably situated to illuminate a dressing table - these are of modern manufacture to simulate colonial models. Appropriate base plugs and switches are supplied as mentioned in above references.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: DINING ROOM #4
FLOOR
Same as for Hall #1, except has sub-floor with building paper between thicknesses and Cabot's Quilt insulation under joists.
FLOOR NAILS
As for Hall #1.
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) As for North Elevation and Hall #1.
None. For Door #5 to Bed Room #3, see page 22. Door #7 to Pantry #12, same as for Door #4 in Hall #1.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC)
None.
COLOR
Same as for Living Room #2.
EQUIPMENT
For general remarks see Hall #1 and Living Room #2. There are three wall fixtures - one on south - two on north by modern manufacture after colonial models. Appropriate switches are provided and finished so as to appear as inconspicuous as possible.
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: SERVING PANTRY #12
FLOOR
Upper, finish floor as on page 7, material list, with sub-floor, building paper between and Cabot's Quilt insulation under floor beams.
FLOOR NAILS
As for Hall #1.
BEAMS
Existing beams repaired and replaced where necessary.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Metal lath and plaster, replacing existing wood lath in plaster in poor shape. The finish coat is brought to a smooth finish since this room is solely for convenience and service.
CEILING
Ditto.
BASEBOARD
As for Hall #1, except applied at bottom of case work which occupies east and west wall surfaces.
CHAIR RAIL
None. Place is taken by case work.
CORNICE
None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
Place is taken by case work.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK)
See West Elevation. For trim, see eighteen light window Hall #1.
CLOSETS
For cabinets and case work, see below.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #10 to Kitchen - existing door and trim were repaired. Door #7 to Dining Room, see page 27.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None.
COLOR
All woodwork painted sample #26-s, enamel finish. Base painted 29 black, enamel. Floor as for Hall #1. Exposed plaster white, enamel. Flat texture not used since paint surfaces should be dirt repelling and washable in service departments for modern convenience.
EQUIPMENT
Appropriate case work - see below. Switches and modern ceiling fixture inserted for convenience and practical purposes.
GENERAL NOTES
Simple wood case work was inserted as customary in modern serving pantries today. West wall has counter with backboard against wall. Below counter are open shelves. On east wall is a counter and back board with doors and closed cupboards with shelves below. Above is a glazed cabinet with double doors and shelves. There are several colonial cabinets of varied ages in this vicinity: 1. Toddsbury, Gloucester County; 2. Poplar Grove, Matthews County; 3. Elizabeth Coleman House, Williamsburg, Virginia. The various parts of these are made up in a very similar manner to the modern, conventional practice. By adopting the profiles of brackets, shelves, sash, or glazed doors, counters, cupboard doors, etc, we leave a result very similar in character, at least, to the precedent. We may safely say, that although the colonial serving cabinet of case work was far less extensive then ours today or in this instance, its general make-up was similar or nearly so if we use the colonial profiles and member sizes.*
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: STORE PANTRY #11
FLOOR
Same as for Pantry #12.
FLOOR NAILS
Same as for Hall #1.
BEAMS
Same as for Pantry #12.
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)
Four light; see East Elevation, and for trim Hall #1.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #9 to Kitchen same as for Door #10 to Pantry #12.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None. Same as for Pantry #12.
EQUIPMENT
Electrical as for Pantry #12. Outlet for refrigerator (electric). See below for case work.
GENERAL NOTES
Simple shelving - counter and shelving below. For partial precedent, see serving Pantry #12.
FLOOR: FIRST ROOM: KITCHEN
FLOOR:
As for Pantry #12.
FLOOR NAILS
As for Hall #1.
BEAMS
As for Pantry #12.
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)
See East Elevation. Also West Elevation, but for trim see Hall #1. See South Elevation and East Elevation for small four light window.
CLOSET
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
For Door #11 to Exterior, see East Elevation. For Door #9 to Store Pantry, see page 30. For Door #10 to Serving Pantry #12, see page 28.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None.
COLOR
Same as for Pantry #11. Also Serving Pantry #12. Floors shellacked and two coats of hard varnish.
EQUIPMENT
Appropriate wall and base outlets and switches inserted. Two modern ceiling fixtures, all only for convenience. Iron Thimble into chimney for possible stove - a convenience. A sink and drain of modern standard.
FLOOR: SECOND
ROOM: HALL #7
FLOOR
Same as for Hall #1.
FLOOR NAILS
Ditto.
BEAMS
See page 1 of General Notes.
WALLS AND WALL COVERINGS
As for Hall #1.
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)
North wall - eight light window; see North Elevation and for interior trim, Hall #1.
CLOSETS
Only floor space available for a closet is over portion of stair well. See Stairs. As mentioned in General Notes the necessities of convenience were given precedence over customary colonial planning -thus the closet was here inserted. In order to provide sufficient head room to descend and ascend stairs, the closet floor is raised above the second floor to allow a sloping soffit at critical point of head room. The walls of closet are sheathed in horizontal random width leafed boards. Within closet are appropriate shelves, four hook strips.
33DOOR AND TRIM
Door #14 to Closet was first designed as for Door #4 to Hall #19 but warping necessitated removal and substitution of four panel colonial type door adapted from second floor similar doors at Captain Orr's Dwelling.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
See under Color. Woodwork painted sample 31-s, flat. Base painted black, flat. Plaster wall and ceiling painted white to simulate whitewash. Floor as for Hall #1. Other doors under respective rooms.
COLOR
See under Metal Work on Door.
EQUIPMENT
See notes on Hall #1 and Living Room #2 for electrical. Two wall fixtures are in this hall of modern manufacture simulating colonial models. Appropriate switches accommodate the fixtures and hall light, first floor.
GENERAL NOTES
None.
FLOOR: SECOND ROOM: BATH ROOM #10
FLOOR
Same as for Hall #1.
FLOOR NAILS
Ditto.
BEAM
See General Notes.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Same as for Hall #1.
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)
For dormer, see North Elevation. Interior trim form same precedent as that stated in above reference.
CLOSETS
Small access door to bath-tub plumbing under dormer - door made of beaded boards on small battens and simple frame as plaster stop as at 1. Orrell House; 2. Galt Cottage; 3. Walnut Valley, Surry County, Virginia.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #12 to Hall #7, same as for Door #4 in Hall #1. The trim for this door adapted from second floor doors at Barlow House closely.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None.
COLOR
Woodwork painted sample #25-s, enamel finish. Plaster walls and ceiling painted white, enamel finish. Baseboard painted black, enamel finish.
35EQUIPMENT
Appropriate modern electrical equipment - ditto for Bath Room fixtures - frankly distributed for practical use. Heating register of simple unobtrusive design. For heating see General Notes.
GENERAL NOTES
This room designed and arranged simply for convenience.
FLOOR: SECOND ROOM: BED ROOM #9
FLOOR
As for Hall #1.
FLOOR NAILS
Ditto.
BEAMS
See Hall #7.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
See Hall #1.
CEILING
Ditto.
BASEBOARD
Ditto.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
None.
PANELLING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Hearth, damper, brick, smoke chamber, flues, construction as for Living Room #2 fireplace. Shape of fireplace adapted from precedent at Captain Orr's Dwelling and Orrell House.
WINDOWS (SASH TRIM AND FRAME AND METAL WORK)
Dormers as for North Elevation. Precedent for trim, see Hall #1.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #13 to Hall #7, see Door #4, Hall #1.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES, DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
None.
COLOR
Woodwork and base painted sample #25-s, flat finish. Plaster walls and ceilings to simulate whitewash. Floors as for Hall #1.
EQUIPMENT
For general explanation see Hall #1 and Living Room #2, of electrical layout. Two well brackets of modern manufacture simulating colonial models arranged on north well for dressing table - with appropriate base plugs and switches. Also a heating register - see General Notes.
FLOOR: SECOND ROOM: BED ROOM #8
FLOOR
As for Hall #1.
FLOOR NAILS
Ditto.
BEAMS
As for Hall #7.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
As for Hall #1.
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)
For dormers, see North Elevation. For gable window see same page and for interior trim, see Hall #1.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Door #15 to Hall #7 as for Door #4, Hall #1.
METAL WORK ON DOOR (LATCH, HINGES DOOR KNOB, FASTENINGS, ETC.)
COLOR
Same as for Bed Room #9.
EQUIPMENT
Same as for Bed Room #9 except but one wall bracket.
GENERAL NOTES
None.