Charlton House Architectural Report, Block 9 Building 30 Lot 22Originally entitled: "Charlton House"
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1164
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
CHARLTON HOUSE
(SERVIENT)
Block 9, Colonial Lot #22, Building #13
RESTORED CHARLTON HOUSE VIEWED FROM NORTHWEST
CHARLTON HOUSE
(SERVIENT)
(Restored)
Block 9, Colonial Lot #22, Building #1330
The Charlton House was restored under the direction of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, architects, whose resident architect was Walter Macomber.
George Campbell was in large measure responsible for supervising the restoration of the Charlton House. Most of the details of the reconstructed parts are his. Those who assisted him in the field, and in drafting and supervision include A.E. Kendrew, S.P. Moorehead and Milton L. Grigg. No archaeological excavation was carried out at the site.
Restoration was started October, 1929.
Restoration was completed, March, 1930.
This report was prepared by A. Lawrence Kocher and Howard Dearstyne for the Department of Architecture, (Architectural Records) April 25, 1950. To the report are added the architectural notes of George S. Campbell, dated September 13, 1932, two years later than the time of restoration.
CONTENTS
| Page | |
| I. The Charlton House Before Restoration | 1 |
| II. Features Retained & Removed in Restoration of House | 4 |
| III. Design Features of the Restored House | 5 |
| IV. Archaeological Basis for Restored Stair | 10 |
| V. Detailed Discussion of Exterior | 12 |
| Roof Form | 12, 13 |
| Brickwork | 13 |
| Chimneys | 14 |
| Exterior Walls | 14, 15 |
| Exterior Trim | 15, 16 |
| Porches | 17-20 |
| Bulkhead | 20, 21 |
| Windows | 21, 22 |
| Shutters | 22 |
| Doors | 22-24 |
| VI. Detailed Discussion of Interior | 25 |
| General Notes | 25, 26 |
| Living Room | 26, 27 |
| Hall, First Floor | 27, 28 |
| Stair Hall | 28 |
| Dining Room | 29 |
| Kitchen | 29, 30 |
| Serving Pantry and Service Entry | 30, 31 |
| Bedroom, Northeast | 31, 32 |
| Bedroom, Southeast | 32, 33 |
| Closet #8 and Bathroom #9 | 33, 34 |
| Bedroom, Northwest | 34, 35 |
| Bedroom, North - Center | 35, 36 |
| Hall, Second Floor | 36 |
| Basement | 37, 38 |
| VII. Color and Paint Schedule | 39 |
| VIII. Chronology of Lot and House Ownership | 41 |
| IX. Dating of a Building | 47 |
| X. Construction Date of Charlton House | 48 |
| XI. Definitions of Terms used in Architectural Records | 49 |
| XII. Addendum | 52 |
| XIII. Bibliography | 54 |
| XIV. Index | 56 |
THE UNRESTORED HOUSE VIEWED FROM THE NORTHWEST
THE CHARLTON HOUSE BEFORE RESTORATION
The house, known at the time of its restoration as the Servient House, had been considerably altered from its 18th century condition. The house depth had been reduced to about 1/2 of its original dimension; the house had at sometime literally been cut in two along its east-west axis for the full length of the building causing demolition of all the original chimneys. This was evident upon 2. the discovery and study of the old foundation walls in the basement, which gave to the restorers the exact dimensions of the original building and also the location and size of the chimneys.*
THE REAR OF THE UNRESTORED HOUSE SHOWING THE CONFUSION OF LATE ADDITIONS
The front of the building, though fundamentally unaltered, had suffered numerous changes. The window openings had remained unchanged, and the cornice, weatherboarding, corner boards, window frames and the sills of the second floor and basement windows were old. The original small-pane windows had, however, vanished and had been replaced by sheet glass of the late 19th century. A wide door with side lights, an addition of the middle of the 19th century made to admit light into the hall, replaced its original door and transom. If there had been an original porch, no evidence remained to determine this, either by foundation fragments or traces of woodwork outlines left on the face of the house.* We scarcely need mention the porch that was found, a characteristic derivation of the 19th century, consisting of elaborately-turned spindle columns, with surprisingly complicated jig-saw ornamentation.
At the rear of the building a maze of projecting bays and wings had been added. These were supported on brick piers and were of poor construction.
The original character of the house seemed to have persisted in the blank ends, thereby continuing what was common tradition in eighteenth century house building in Virginia, viz., that windows were generally 4. restricted to the front and rear. People of colonial times preferred, upon entering a room, not to face windows on the fireplace side. Closets were frequently built beside the fireplace on this wall.
In the basement, in addition to the old foundation walls, a foundation was said to have been discovered for a second chimney fireplace at the south-west corner, which now serves as a foundation for a chimney stack for the kitchen flue, which rises in a brick pier, and is arched into the dining room chimney. This is believed to have been the original condition, except that the present kitchen was probably a study in the old plan, and had an open fireplace instead of a pier with a flue for the kitchen stove.
The low slope of the roof as found (31°) is one which we associate with the middle of the l9th century. Eighteenth century roofs were generally much steeper, so that it is apparent that this slope was changed at the time the building was altered. As was natural, because of exterior changes, the interior of the house had also been drastically altered. Some old flooring, doors, door and window trim remained, as well as a paneled dado in the dining room. This old material was reused so far as possible in the restoration of the building and served as a guide to the restoration of the missing parts.
FEATURES RETAINED AND REMOVED IN RESTORATION OF HOUSE
In the restoration of the house the architects followed the principle that all existing old parts should, as far as possible, be retained, while all l9th century additions and alterations should be removed.
In adherence to this principle the following old work was retained and repaired: the front cornice; the weatherboarding of the north side and some on the west; the corner boards of the northeast and northwest corners; 5. exterior trim and sills of second floor windows of the north front; frames and sills of the end basement windows of the north front; interior trim of first floor windows of the north front; flooring in the existing living room, dining room, first floor hall and northeast bedroom, the paneled dado in the dining room; a number of old doors; the first floor framing, portions of that of second floor and the floor joists and sills of the main part of the house; and all of the existing basement wall (a portion at the southwest corner of the building had disappeared and had to be replaced.)
The following features were removed: the additions at the rear; the existing roof and roof timbers; the chimneys and recent pier in the basement under the existing living room fireplace; the entire framing at the rear wall of the main building; all new sash and window frames; all doors not old; the existing stairs; the porch on the north elevation; the entrance door, transom and side lights; the existing basement grilles.
DESIGN FEATURES OF THE RESTORED HOUSE
In the restoration of the house the old basement foundations formed the basis for the determination of the external dimensions of the plan (approximately 28 ft. x 44 ft.) and the location of the rooms and hallway of the first floor, though certain changes were made in the interest of modem convenience. On the second floor the east and west front bedrooms were retained more or less as they were found, except for the addition of fireplaces--a corner one in the east bedroom and a center fireplace flanked by closets in the west bedroom. Otherwise the plan of this floor was designed for the convenience of the occupant, no basis having existed upon which to determine the layout. The unusually high ceiling heights of 6. the existing house--10'-6-¼" on the first floor*, and 8'-9" on the second, were retained in the restoration of the building.
On the first floor the narrowing of the hallway to what was concluded to have been its original dimension of 5'-9" necessitated placing the stairway in an alcove at the right of the rear half of the hall, leaving the latter uninterrupted from the front to the back of the house. The living room was allowed to extend the full depth of the building, giving it an area approximately 19 ft. x 27 ft., a large room for an 18th century house of moderate size. The southwest room, probably at one time a study, was equipped as a kitchen, and at the request of the then life tenant, Mary Lou Servient, a serving pantry and entrance vestibule were added as a leanto adjacent to the kitchen at the west side of the house. A wooden stoop, the hood of which was built several years later at the request of Miss Servient, gave access to the vestibule of the leanto. These features were kept in character with the remainder of the house, but they would have been omitted if the life tenant had not insisted upon them. In making this addition on the west end a vertical joint was left between 7. the brickwork of the leanto foundation and that of the main basement wall to indicate that it was patently an addition, metal ties being used to join the leanto brickwork with that of the main wall.
Porches, desirable from the standpoint of the house design and necessary as a matter of utility, were added at the front and rear of the house, although no foundation evidence was discovered to justify their inclusion. Foundation basis was also lacking for the bulkhead and basement steps built near the west corner of the south front, but a means of entrance to the basement, which had previously been reached by a now demolished inside stair, was essential.
The deepening of the house from 16 ft. to approximately 28 ft. necessitated the construction of an entirely new roof. The pitch of this roof (37°) was increased over that of the old (31°) to give it more of an 18th century character.
In the restoration of the front facade of the house, the existing position of the windows was retained, but the doorway, reduced in size by the elimination of the side lights, was moved to the westward to line up with the second-story window above. In general character the front elevation resembles that of the Digges House at Lee Hall and the front of the Archibald Blair House in Williamsburg. Like these houses the Charlton House has five windows on the second floor, and on the first, a pair of windows on either side of a central doorway, lining up with the windows above. All three houses, furthermore, have a modillion cornice.
At first glance the openings of the front elevation seem symmetrically arranged, but this symmetry is more apparent than real since the center
8.
ABOVE-DUKE OF GLOUCESTER STREET (NORTH) ELEVATION OF RESTORED CHARLTON HOUSE
AT RIGHT - GARDEN (SOUTH) ELEVATION OF HOUSE
9.
line of the doorway and the middle window above it is about 1-½ ft. west of the center line of the facade. The flanking windows on the west are also closer together and nearer the corner of the house than are the corresponding windows on the east. A close examination of the basement windows reveals that these do not line up with the windows above them. The presence of shutters on the existing house seemed a sufficient basis for their inclusion in the design of the restored building.
The entirely reconstructed rear facade of the house, except for a modification of the porch design and the omission of the transom over the doorway, has been modelled exactly after the front elevation. The cornice with its modillions and dentils is identical with the old cornice of the front. The same number of windows has been used, their sizes are the same and the asymmetry in the placing of the openings of the front has been duplicated.
With the exception of a single window in the east facade and two windows and a doorway in the west leanto, which is admittedly an addition made as the result of a compromise, and which had no place in the original design of the house, the gable ends of the deepened building retain the unbroken character of the side walls of the house before restoration.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL BASIS FOR WIDTH OF RESTORED STAIRHALL AND POSITION OF STAIR
When the jumble of jerry-built additions was removed from the rear of the house and the old first floor framing and the walls in the basement were examined, conclusive evidence was found to indicate that the hallway had once run from front to rear of the house and that the old stair had been in an alcove at the right of the rear half of the hall. In the first place, a pair of heavy wood girders ran through the house from front to rear. The westerly girder was located beneath the west wall of the then-existent hallway while the easterly girder (measuring from center to center of girders) was 6'-3" to the east of this. Beneath the east girder (and interrupted for a
OLD FIRST FLOOR FRAMING AT REAR OF CHARLTON HOUSE, VIEWED FROM THE NORTHWEST
BASEMENT PLAN SHOWING OLD WALLS AND FLOOR BEAMS WHICH GAVE WIDTH OF OLD HALL AND LOCATION OF OLD STAIRWAY
11.
length of about 10' at the center of the house) was an old brick supporting wall. A similar wall under the west girder started at the north foundation wall and ran southward for a length of about 3' only. These girders and the supporting walls, quite evidently, defined the limits of the old and narrow first hallway, This becomes still more certain when one takes into consideration the following additional evidence. -- The hall flooring, which ran cross-wise, was interrupted along the lines of the east girder, indicating that the hall had been enlarged and that the flooring had been patched to cover the added strip of floor. Furthermore, when the flooring was removed for inspection of the girders, old mortise slots to receive posts forming the framework of the east wall of the old hallway were found in the top of the east girder. These are clearly visible in the photograph on the preceding page as are the interrupted floor boards. The plan of the old basement walls, in which the old girders are indicated by broken lines, is also shown on the foregoing page. To facilitate locating in the photograph certain of the key structural members which are shown in the plan, three junction points of cross beams with girders have been identified both in the photograph and the plan by the letters "A", "B", and "C".
When, in conformity with these archaeological discoveries, the then-existing hallway was reduced to the width of the older hall, the resultant width (6') was too little to accommodate the stair, so that this was placed, as was mentioned above, in an alcove at the right of the rear end of the hall. This, as a matter-of-fact, is believed to be the old stair location since an old beam was found at this point running parallel to the west girder at a distance of 3' from it. This beam doubtless constituted part of the framing of the old stair well.
LAYOUT OF CHARLTON HOUSE PLOT, SHOWING HOUSE, OUTBUILDINGS AND GARDEN. - oversized image
ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
CHARLTON (SERVIENT) HOUSE
Block 9, Colonial Lot #22, Building 13
EXTERIOR
ROOF FORM
The roof is an A roof, wholly reconstructed. With its relatively low slope of 37° it resembles the roof of the Archibald Blair (Van Garrett) 13. House in Williamsburg. It is covered with square butt, Mohawk type, asbestos cement shingles, which darken with age and resemble weathered wooden shingles.
BRICKWORK
I. General
The brickwork includes the foundations of the main house; the foundations of the front and rear porches and of the west leanto; the east and west chimneys with the brick pier housing the kitchen flue, and brick hearths in the living room, dining room, the two east bedrooms and the west bedroom, and the brick drain across the front of the house.
II. Foundations
The brickwork of the main house foundation is the existing brickwork found at the time of the restoration of the house and left in place, except for a portion of the west wall adjacent to the leanto and a section of the south wall between the southwest corner of the house and the basement entrance, which had disappeared and had to be replaced. This brickwork, as well as that of the foundations of the leanto and of the front and rear porches is new, but, where it is exposed above ground, it is composed of old bricks of local character. All foundation brickwork is laid in English bond in oyster shell lime mortar.
The brick dimensions are as follows: length, 8" to 8-¼"; width, 3-7/8" to 4-¼", and height 2-¾" to 3". The color of the brickwork varies from a light red to red brown. Some of this brickwork, particularly that of the front porch foundation and the foundation of the leanto, has at some time been covered with whitewash.
III. Chimneys
The chimneys are end chimneys constructed within the area of the house. They are totally reconstructed chimneys, but they are built, where they appear above the roof, of old brick. They are laid in Flemish bond on the north and south sides and in English bond on the east and west sides. The stacks are rectangular in section and terminate in caps of three projecting courses, the uppermost of which consists of a double band of brickwork. Above this double band is a plastered slope and a single brick top course. These caps, though they are much larger in size, are similar to the cap used later in the reconstruction of the chimney of the Orlando Jones Kitchen. The design is based upon that of chimney caps at Bathurst and at Poplar Hall.
IV. Hearths
The five hearths, listed above, are new. Their brickwork is laid flat on sand with brick trimmer arches underneath.
V. Brick Drain
A brick drain, which, though not original is constructed of old brick, extends across the front of the house. Its width is 31", which is wider than such drains usually are.
STONE MASONRY
No stonework has been used in the reconstruction of the Charlton House.
EXTERIOR WALLS
Much of the old wall framing, exterior and interior, has been retained. Thus the entire north exterior wall is old, as are the north portions of 15. the east and west walls, and, on the interior, the east wall of the dining room, the west wall of the east bedroom and the east wall of the west bedroom are original (see working drawings #2 and #3). These walls were repaired where it was found necessary. The remaining exterior walls end interior partitions are of new construction.
The wall surface is of beaded weatherboarding, so spaced that the bead lines up with the bead of the window sills. Because of the re-use of much old weatherboarding the exposure varies, but the average is approximately 6".
As much old weatherboarding was retained as possible. Thus the surface of the north wall is, except for repairs, entirely original and that of the west wall is composed of old weatherboarding from the existing building, pieced with new boards of a similar type. The south and east wall surfaces, and that of the leanto, on the other hand, are new throughout.
EXTERIOR TRIM
Cornice - North and South Elevations.
The cornice is a modillion cornice, and in this respect and in the character of most of the moldings composing it, it resembles the cornice of the Archibald Blair House. It differs from the latter in scale, however, all of its members being smaller and more delicate than those of the Blair cornice, and in the possession of the further enrichment of a hand of dentils.
The cornice of the north elevation is original and required very little repair. That of the south elevation is entirely new and is a careful reproduction of the old cornice of the north front.
16.
CORNICE DETAILS - LEFT, LEANTO CORNICE; CENTER MAIN CORNICE & END BOARD; UPPER RIGHT, BARGE BOARD
Cornice End Board
The cornice end boards, front and rear, are reproductions, and resemble the end boards at the rear of the Travis House and in their general outline also those of the Skiff's Creek House in the vicinity of Williamsburg.
Corner Boards
The corner boards are of the two-way variety, approximately 4" on each face, and are provided with a bead at the corners. Those at the northeast and northwest corners are old and have been repaired while the corner boards at the southeast and southwest corners are entirely new.
Rake (Barge) Boards
As a result of the deepening of the house a complete replacement of the rake boards of the gable ends was necessary. The new boards are the typical beaded rakeboards used in Williamsburg -- wide at the eaves and tapering toward the apex of the roof. The taper in this case is not so pronounced as in many examples.
DORMERS
There are no dormers on this building.
PORCHES
The house has three porches, a front and rear porch, and the porch or stoop added in 1943 to the west leanto. There was no foundation or other evidence for any of these porches.
Front Porch
The front porch is a pedimented porch approximately 11 ft. wide and 7 ft. deep, which is supported by two full and two half-engaged, fluted, square columns. The slope of the roof is 35°, slightly less then that of the main roof (37°). The floor is of wood supported on a brick foundation, in either side of which there is a segmental-arched opening for ventilation. These openings were probably added some time after the porch foundation was built because they are constructed of new brick. The porch is approached by four wood steps, which, when first built, extended well across the porch front, but which subsequently (1937) were cut down in width by some 2'-6".
The pediment of the porch is faced with unbeaded, random-width flush boards. The flat porch ceiling, carried flush with the top of the door architrave, is plastered. The door architrave is molded and is of the type which consists of two parts, the lower of which is carried around the door opening, while the upper, surrounding the transom, is superimposed upon this.
The porch* resembles in type the porch of the James Semple House, although there are differences in detail. The Semple House was 18. restored with round, fluted columns, but the columns in place before the restoration were square like those of the Charlton porch. Although these were unfluted, they may have replaced earlier fluted columns, since the existing pilasters of the porch were fluted. (It should also be mentioned here that the porch columns of the Coke-Garrett Office are square in section and fluted from a point about 3 feet above the floor.) The entablature borne by the columns, is a reduced one, lacking the pulvinated frieze of the Semple entablature. (A similar reduced entablature was used on the pedimented porch of the restored James Anderson House but this has modillions as well as dentils). The cornice of the porch, includes, like that of the Semple porch, a dentil band,* but the modillions of the Semple cornice are lacking. Like the cornices of many outbuildings (i.e., the old Waller smokehouse in Williamsburg, as well as the reconstructed smokehouse of the Orlando Jones House), the cornice of the Charlton House porch has no overhang. The flat, plastered ceiling of the porch is similar to that of the old west porch of the south front of the Coke-Garrett House, although the ceiling of the latter is curved.
The handrail of the porch (see detail) is identical with that used on the rear porch. It was also made similar in profile, though lighter in section, to the stair handrail, since the architects assumed that it was appropriate to use the same profile for a stair handrail and an outside porch rail. These rails are similar in section to the altar railing of Bruton Church, and also to handrails found in the now-demolished St. Johns 19. House in Williamsburg, and to an unidentified original railing now in the file of antique materials in the Goodwin Building. The spindles of the railing of both the front and rear porches are the same. They are nearly square in section, and are similar to the spindles of the porch at Tuckahoe, and to those of the Annapolis porch used as precedent for the porch of the Lightfoot House.
The precedent for the exterior door architrave described above are the architraves of the front doors of the Wythe House and the Lightfoot House.
Rear Porch
The rear porch is of the same depth and approximately a foot less in width than the front porch. It differs from the front porch in that it is of the gable-ended type with barge boards and without cornice. The roof is supported by two solid, unfluted columns, square in section and two half-engaged columns. Like the front porch, this porch has a brick foundation, and four wood steps on center giving access to it. The roof slope (about 42°) is steeper than that of either the front porch or the main roof. The gable is faced with beaded flush boarding of random width and the taper of the barge boards, which are 5-½" at the eaves and 4" at the ridge, is more pronounced than the taper of the barge boards of the main roof. The porch has a railing composed of elements (handrail, spindles of rectangular section, and bottom rail) of the same design as the railing of the front porch. This railing has not been carried down the steps. As in the case of the front porch the ceiling has been plastered.
The old west porch on the south side of the Coke-Garrett House has a gable end similar to that of the Charlton porch, with tapered barge 20. boards and flush boarding, but there the resemblance ceases, since the columns are turned and the railing is of the "Chinese" type. Square columns, heavier in section than those of the Charlton porch, but otherwise similar in general character, are found on "the Castle" in New Kent County. The precedent for the elements of the porch railing is the same as for the railing of the front porch.
Porch of West Leanto
The porch of the west leanto, which, as was previously noted, was added for the convenience of the life tenant, is a wood porch giving access to the vestibule of the leanto. The porch is approached from the north side by a flight of 5 wood steps. The base of the porch, unlike those of the front and rear porches which are of brick, is of wood faced with unbeaded flush boarding. A simple board railing supported by two posts, is carried around the west and south sides. The porch is protected by a hood, which is an extension, at a slightly lower angle, of the shed roof of the leanto. This hood, added in 1943, at the request of the life tenant, is a feature common in Virginia houses of the 18th century. An example of this may be seen at Farmington, Charles City County.
BULKHEAD
No foundation or other evidence was found for the bulkhead, which was placed on the south front, some 3'-6" east of the southwest corner of the house, to provide access to the basement. It is of the sloping variety and has a single wood door and frame supported by a brick foundation wall. The door is of beaded sheathing held together by battens on the underside. A rake board, tapering from 4-½" at the bottom (where it 21. terminates in a reverse curve) to 3-½" at the top, runs along the upper edge of either side of the bulkhead. Sloping bulkheads with single doors are found in Williamsburg on the south side of the Waller House and on the north side of the Timson House. The age of those two bulkheads, however, has not yet been established.
WINDOWS
The basis for the size and location of the windows of the north and south fronts, as well as some facts about their design arrangement, have already been discussed. All of the late, large-paned windows of the old house were removed prior to the restoration of the building and were replaced by sash of colonial type. These, as well as all the other windows of the house, are new windows.
There are eleven 15-light windows (3 panes wide and 5 high) on the second floor of the house--five each on the north and south elevations and one at the south side of the east elevation. The glass size is 10" x 12". The Archibald Blair (Van Garrett) House in Williamsburg has similar 15-light windows on the second floor of the house.
There are eight 18 light windows in the house (3 wide and 6 high) all located on the first floor of the house--four on the north and four on the south elevation. The glass size is 10" x 12". Precedent for these windows are the 18 light windows of the first floor of the Archibald Blair House, and also the 18 light windows of Wales, Dinwiddie County.
The remaining two windows are located in the west leanto and are respectively a double hung window of 12 lights (4 high and 3 wide), with glass size 8" x 10", and a four light casement window with glass size, 8"x10".
22.Basement Grilles and Windows There are seven basement openings, four on the north front and three on the south. These are provided with wood grilles of colonial character and backed by stock windows of a commercial type. The grilles consist of three wood bars turned on the diagonal and held in a molded wood frame which is divided into two parts by a central molded mullion. These grilles are new and are similar to the old grilles of the Barraud House.
The sills are molded, which is unusual for basement sills. An old molded sill was found, however, in one of the basement openings on the north side and the others were copied after it. It has been suggested that the old sill, at some time, may have been moved down from one of the first floor windows.
SHUTTERS
All of the windows, except the casement window of the leanto, are provided with shutters of the fixed-louvre type, the slats of which have rounded edges. These are new shutters, patterned after old examples, such as the shutters of the Taliaferro-Cole House in Williamsburg and of Viewmont in Albermarle County. The shutters found on the unrestored house were of the movable-louvre variety and obviously late. These were believed, however, to be replacements of earlier fixed-louvre shutters, so that shutters of that type were put on the restored house.
DOORS
Essential data concerning both the exterior and interior doors is given in the door schedules which follow immediately after this page. The types of doors used on the house interior are illustrated on p.26.
23.| DOOR NO. | LOCATION | OLD or NEW | PRECEDENT | NO. of PANELS | MOLDED PANELS FACE | DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front to Hall | Old | --- | 6 | Exterior | 3'-2-½" x 6'-11" |
| 2 | Front Hall to L.R. | Old | --- | 6 | Hall | 3'-1-½" x 6'-11" |
| 3 | Rear Hall to L.R. | Old | --- | 6 | Hall | 3'-2" x 6'-11" |
| 4 | Rear to Hall | New | Reproduction of old doors | 6 | Exterior | 3'-2-½" x 6'-6" |
| 5 | To Basement from Rear Hall | Old | --- | 4 | Hall | 2'-6-¼" x 5'-10-¾" |
| 6 | Side Entry to stoop | New | Reproduction of old doors | 6 | Exterior | 3'-0" x 6'-6" |
| 7 | Side Entry to Kitchen | New | Reproduction of old doors | 6 | Entry | 2'-7-½" x 6'-8" |
| 8 | Kitchen to Serving Pantry | New | Reproduction of old doors | 6 | Kitchen | 2'-7-½" x 6'-8" |
| 9 | Dining R. to Serving Pantry | Old | --- | 6 | Dining R. | 2'-11-½" x 6'-8-½" |
| 10 | Hall and Dining R. | Old | --- | 6 | Hall | 2'-11" x 6'-10-½" |
| 4-A | Kitchen to Rear Hall | New | Reproduction of old doors | 6 | Kitchen | 2'-2" x 6'-4" |
NOTE: All trim is new.
All woodwork is pine.
| DOOR NO. | LOCATION | OLD or NEW | PRECEDENT | NO. of PANELS | MOLDED PANELS FACE | DIMENSIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Hall to B.R. #6 | New | Similar to old | 6 | Hall | 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" |
| 12 | Hall to B.R. #7 | New | Similar to old | 6 | Hall | 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" |
| 13 | Hall to Clos. No. 8 | Old | --- | 4 | Hall | 2'-6-1/2" x 6'-0-½" |
| 14 | Hall to Bath #9 | New | Similar to old | 6 | Hall | 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" |
| 15 | N.W. Bed R. to Bath | New | Similar to old | 6 | Bath | R. 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" |
| 16 | N.W. Bed R. to Center Clos. | Old | --- | 4 | Bed | R. 2'-8-3/4" x 6'-1-¾" |
| 17 | N.W. Bed R. to corner Clos. | Old | --- | 4 | Bed R. 2'-9" x 6'-1-½" | |
| 18 | Hall to N.W. Bed R. | New | Similar to old | 6 | Hall 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" | |
| 19 | Hall to center front Bed R. | New | Similar to old | 6 | Hall 2'-8" x 6'-4-½" |
NOTE: All trim is new.
Woodwork is pine.
INTERIOR*
GENERAL NOTES
The interior is typically colonial in character with a chair rail, base and cornice, except in the dining room, which has an original panelled dado. (See Addendum for paneling precedent.)
All ceilings and the walls, excepting the parts under paneling, are newly plastered. Re-plastering was found necessary after archaeological work was completed.
All brickwork showing on exposed surfaces which had to be renewed is either old brick or brick produced by Colonial Williamsburg using 18th century brick-making methods.
Floors are partly old and left in place as they were found and partly of old flooring salvaged from 18th century buildings. (See note under Floor in the case of each room.)
The stairs in the hall are new and follow known Virginia types. This also applies to the wood screen arch that divides the hallway into two parts.
All mantels are new following the details of 18th century Virginia examples.(See Addendum for mantel precedent.)
The door hardware has been reproduced in imitation of old local types. The locks were mostly in the building at time of restoration, and those which were added were old looks purchased locally. Hinges found necessary were made locally by Mr. Jump of Lightfoot, who copied local models.
26.The electric lighting system, including all fixtures, is new.
The heating system is entirely new and was installed for the convenience of the tenants. It is a hot air system.
INTERIOR DOOR TYPES FOUND IN CHARLTON HOUSE
FIRST FLOOR
LIVING ROOM #1
Floor: Floor is partly original and partly of salvaged boards. (Edge grain.)
Floor Nails: Nails used are wrought iron with hammered heads.
Beams: For the most part, all floor joists and beams are original.
Walls and Wall Covering: Newly plastered.
Ceiling: Newly plastered.
Baseboard: New baseboard, beaded at top edge.
Chair Rail: New chair rail of colonial model.
Cornice: New cornice of colonial model.
Panelling or Wainscot: There is no panelling or wainscot in this room.
27.Mantel: Mantel is entirely new and to colonial detail.
Fireplace and Hearth: Fireplace and hearth are both new.
Windows: Windows are entirely new, including sash and trim, except trim on north windows on which old trim remained.
Closets: There are no closets in this room.
Doors and Trim: Door is of colonial type. It was in the house before restoration and was re-used. Door #3 has similar origin. Trim is partly new, partly existing and re-used.
Metal Work on Doors (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
Electrical and Heating Equipment: Two base plugs in east wall. One wall bracket in south wall. One base plug in south wall. One wall bracket in north wall. One base plug in west wall. Two hot air registers along floor near west wall. One base plug in north wall. One cold air register in floor at northwest corner.
HALL #2
Floor: Same as in living room.
Floor Nails: Ditto
Beams: Ditto
Walls and Wall Covering: Ditto
Ceiling: Ditto
Baseboard: Ditto
Chair Rail: Ditto
Cornice: Ditto
Panelling or Wainscot: There is no panelling in hall. A new wood arch was designed partly to screen stair hall from the front part of hall #2. This arch is of colonial detail and feeling, but without definite precedent.
28.Mantel: There is no mantel in hall.
Fireplace and Hearth: There is no fireplace or hearth in hall.
Windows: There are no windows in the hall on the first floor.
Closets: There are no closets in hall.
Door and Trim: Doors #2 and #3 are already listed. Door #10 to dining room was re-used from existing building. Trim is partly new and partly existing and re-used.
Metal Work on Door (Latch, Hinges, Door Knob, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
Electrical and Heating Equipment: One ceiling light. One bracket light on east wall. One cold air register near entrance door #1. One hot air register on floor near east wall just beyond wood arch.
STAIR HALL
Stairs: Stairs are located at south side of hall #2 and are new, following details of the old Orrell (McCandlish) House. They are in their approximate early location.
Risers and Treads: Risers and treads are new. There are 20 risers.
Newell Post and Handrail: Newell post and handrail are new and similar in design to those of the Orrell House.
Balusters: Balusters are duplicated colonial type similar to those of the Orrell House.
Stringer, String Board and String Board Ornament: Stringer and string board are new. String ornament consists of simple colonial moldings running on face of outer string. The stringer is closed throughout.
Other Details: There is a half landing before the top flight starts. A window occurs after the first flight has been negotiated. The gallery has simple detailing like the rest of the stairs, and has an engaged newel post at corner of the partition of the closet on the second floor (closet #8).
DINING ROOM #3
Floor. Similar to living room #1.
Floor Nails: Ditto
Beams: Ditto
Walls and Wall Covering: Ditto
Ceiling: Ditto
Baseboard: Moulded baseboard is new following colonial precedent.
Chair Rail: No chair rail because of dado.
Cornice: Cornice is new, made to colonial detail; simple cymation with beaded board.
Panelling or Wainscot: Existing panelled wainscot repaired, with new cap and skirting, designed after old local examples.
Mantel: Mantel is entirely new to colonial detail. (See Addendum for discussion of precedent.)
Fireplace and Hearth: Fireplace and hearth are entirely new, but they are framed with old brick.
Windows: Windows are entirely new, copied from original ones on second floor. Trim is reproduced for the most part and follows local examples which are old.
Closets: There are no closets in this room.
Door and Trim: Door #10, see Hall #2. Door #9, to serving pantry, is a re-used old door.
Metal Work on Doors (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Electrical and Heating Equipment: Two wall lights on south wall. One base plug on east wall. One base plug on west wall. One base plug on north wall. One cold air register in northeast corner. One hot air register on north side of chimney breast.
KITCHEN #4
Floor: Flooring is of antique type floor boards resting partly
Floor Nails: Nails similar to floor nails used in living room #1.
30.Beams: Partly original.
Walls and Wall Covering: Similar to those of living room.
Ceiling: Ditto
Baseboard: Beaded baseboard, colonial variety. See Addendum for discussion of base boards.
Chair Rail: None
Cornice: None, excepting for that added after the restudy and rebuilding of the kitchen cabinets.
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: There is no mantel in this room.
Fireplace and Hearth: There is no fireplace in this room.
Windows: Windows are entirely new, copied from those on second floor front.
Closets: There are no closets in this room.
Door and Trim: There are three doors, #4, #7, and #8, Numbers 4 and 7 are new, of colonial type, and #8 is an existing door re-hung.
Metal Work on Doors (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule, listed in index.
General Notes: Kitchen cabinet shown on drawings was omitted. Drawings for a kitchen cabinet were made, dated December 19, 1949. (See sheet #105.) Enlarged kitchen cabinet facilities were installed as of June 7, 1949, together with new sink and improved counters.
SERVICE ADDITION - SERVING PANTRY AND ENTRY
Floor: Floor is of new wide pine boards of old type.
Floor Nails: New
Beams: There are no beams in this addition.
31.Walls and Wall Covering: Walls are treated like those of remainder of house.
Ceiling: Plastered.
Baseboard: Beaded baseboard of colonial design. See Addendum.
Chair Rail: None
Cornice: None
Panelling or Wainscot: There is no wainscot. There are cupboards with panelled doors and also shelves.
Mantel: None
Fireplace and Hearth: None
Windows: There are two windows. See West Elevation.
Closets: There are no closets.
Door and Trim: Doors except outside door to entry have been described in kitchen and dining room. Entry door is new, to colonial model; frame and trim entirely new.
Metal Work on Doors (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
Electrical and Heating Equipment, etc: Kitchen serving pantry casework. One ceiling outlet in entry. One power outlet in pantry.
General Notes: Both serving pantry and entry are located in a modern addition to main building, and are consequently entirely new. This addition has been used as a service entrance, and it has a stoop of colonial character at the entrance door. See West Elevation.
SECOND FLOOR
BEDROOM #6 (NORTHEAST)
Floor: Floor is new and of pine boards, random widths.
Floor Nails: Floor nails are original.
Beams: Beams and floor joists are original.
32.Walls and Wall Covering: Walls are newly plastered.
Ceiling: Ceiling is newly plastered.
Baseboard: Baseboard is new 4-1/2" beaded colonial type. See Addendum for discussion of baseboards.
Chair Rail: There is no chair rail.
Cornice: None
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: Mantels are new and copied after local colonial models. See Addendum under heading of mantels.
Fireplace and Hearth: Fireplaces and hearths are new and follow local colonial examples.
Windows: Window frames and exterior trim are old features left in place. Sash and interior trim are new and are modelled after old details found in the building. East window has old frame, but new sill, and blind stop as well as trim.
Closets: There are no closets in this room.
Door and Trim: Door and trim are new, and patterned after old details found in the building.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
BEDROOM #7 (SOUTHEAST)
Floor: Floor is entirely reconstructed of old boards. Floor joists are new 2" x 8", stock size.
Floor Nails: These are of wrought iron and are similar to old nails. Most boards are surface-nailed.
Beams: There are no beams in this floor, but ends of joists rest on beams.
Wall and Wall Covering: Walls newly plastered.
Ceiling: Newly plastered.
33.Fireplace and Hearth: Fireplace is new to detail, but like fireplace in bedroom #6. It follows old lines of original brickwork, with brick laid flat and with joints broken.
Baseboard: Colonial type beaded baseboard, new.
Chair Rail: No chair rail in this room.
Cornice: No cornice in this room.
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: Mantel is entirely new to detail. See Addendum.
Windows: Windows are entirely new, copied from those in bedroom #6 and #10 (north, center) and #11 (northwest).
Closets: There are no closets in this room.
Door and Trim: Door and trim are entirely new of local origin.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
General Notes: This bedroom occurs in rebuilt part of house and is new, but it is believed to duplicate in character and finish a typical bedroom of the 18th century.
CLOSET #8 and BATHROOM #9
Floor: Floor is of wide yellow pine boards, salvaged from old buildings of Virginia.
Floor Nails: See living room.
Beams: None
Walls and Wall Covering: Walls are newly plastered.
Ceiling: Ceiling is newly plastered.
Baseboard: Baseboard is new 4-½" beaded variety, colonial style.
Chair Rail: There is no chair rail.
Cornice: None
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: None
34.Fireplace and Hearth: There is no fireplace and consequently no hearth.
Window: Closet #8 and bathroom have one window each. They are entirely new, repeating in form the second floor windows on north wall.
Closets: Closet #8 has shelves and pole.
Door and Trim: Door is an old one taken from an old building. Trim is entirely new.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
BEDROOM #10 (NORTHWEST)
Floor: New, with old pine boards reused.
Floor Nails: See elsewhere in this record.
Beams: There are beams in this floor.
Walls and Wall Covering: Walls are newly plastered.
Ceiling: Ceiling is newly plastered.
Baseboard: Baseboard is new with bead at top edge. See Addendum.
Chair Rail: There is no chair rail in this room.
Cornice: There is no cornice in this room.
Panelling or Wainscot: There is no panelling or wainscot in this room.
Mantel: Mantel is new, and is patterned after colonial examples. See discussion of bedroom mantels in addendum.
Fireplace and Hearth: Fireplace and hearth follow the method of laying and design pattern that was common in Williamsburg in colonial times.
Windows: Windows are original except for sash and interior trim.
35.Closets: There are two closets in this room. Each has a shelf, pole and strip for clothes hangers.
Door and Trim: Doors to closets are old doors taken from a demolished colonial building and rehung. Frames and trim are new. Door to bathroom and its trim and frame are new. Door to hall #12 and its frame and trim are new. These doors are reproductions of colonial type doors found in the building.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
BEDROOM #11 (NORTH-CENTER)
Floor: Floors are newly-laid with floor boards salvaged from old buildings.
Floor Nails: Same as mentioned above.
Beams: There are no beams, but some original floor joists.
Walls and Wall Covering: Walls are newly plastered. East and west walls have original framing.
Ceiling: Ceiling is newly plastered.
Baseboard: Baseboard is beaded type. See Addendum.
Chair Rail: None
Cornice: None
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: None
Fireplace and Hearth: None
Windows: There is one window and this is original except for renewed interior trim and sash.
Closets: None
Door and Trim: There is one door, which is a new door patterned after old local model. Trim is also new and designed in accordance with local precedent.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
36.Color: See Color and Paint Schedule, listed in index.
Electrical and Heating Equipment: Two bracket lights in west wall. One base plug in south wall and one in north wall. One floor register near north wall.
HALL #1
Floor: Floors are of old newly-laid boards.
Floor Nails: Floor nails are of colonial type, namely, of wrought iron with hammered heads.
Beams: There are no beams.
Walls and Wall Covering: Walls newly plastered.
Ceiling: Ceiling newly plastered.
Baseboard: 4-½" beaded baseboard, colonial type. See Addendum.
Chair Rail: None
Cornice: None
Panelling or Wainscot: None
Mantel: None
Fireplace and Hearth: None
Windows: There is one window which is entirely new. Its detailing follows that of old windows on north elevation, second floor.
Door and Trim: The hall doors have been described in the parts of the outline which treat of the rooms into which they give entry.
Metal Work on Door (Latches, Hinges, Door Knobs, Fastenings, etc.): See General Notes on Interior.
Color: See Color and Paint Schedule.
General Notes: The main (and only) stairs occur in this hall, and these have already been described in the treatment of the first floor hallway. A scuttle has been introduced in the ceiling for access to the attic space.
BASEMENT
The old basement walls are almost entirely intact, except for a small portion of wall at the southwest corner, which had to be rebuilt. At this corner evidence was found for a cellar entrance. This was also reconstructed using modern materials.
It was found necessary, in order to support a girder, to place a "lally" column under the east wall of the hallway at the end of the partition which bisects the east half of the basement. This column required a foundation which was constructed of concrete underneath the base of the column.
A new wood stair was built for interior access to the basement in the approximate position of a similar original stair. At the foot of this stair a new brick pier was built to support the intersection of two beams in the first floor the ends of which had become weakened. A 6"x6" wood post was also utilized to support the center of one of the above-mentioned beams which runs east and west under the partition between the dining room and the kitchen.
A new brick pier was built as the foundation for the kitchen flue. This pier stands on the approximate site of an original brick chimney foundation. It was found necessary to provide an entrance for a flue in the base of the dining room chimney to care for the smoke from the heater, which was placed near the center of the west wall; a space at the northwest corner of the basement was partitioned off for coal storage. This work necessitated removing and disturbing original masonry work. An extensive portion of the basement floor running from the inside of the west wall to the intermediate wall supporting the west wall of the living room was covered with concrete. The ceiling was 38. plastered throughout. This was found necessary as a fire-prevention measure after the installation of the heating apparatus.
New wood grilles were supplied for all existing basement window openings. These grilles were copied after an old grille found on the job. New sash were installed behind each grille frame.
WINDOW PANELLING found in place in dining room at time of restoration. Note variation in height of panels. A new dado cap was added in 1929-30 as also a new baseboard.
PAINT COLORS AND FINISHES
| LOCATION | NO. | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior body | 42 | Orchid gray |
| Blinds | 1 | Blue gray |
| Bulkhead | 1 | Blue gray |
| Basement Windows | 1 | Blue gray |
| Doors | 92 | Dark Reddish Brown |
| Porch Floors (Deck) | 25 | Warm tan-red |
| Exterior Trim (This app'd by SPM 6.3.48) | 733 | Off white with gray-umber cast. |
All other colors above are dated 12.19.39.
| LOCATION | NO. | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Woodwork of Halls, Living Room, Stairs, North-center bed room, Second Floor Clo. | 575 | Pale olive-green-gray. Satin finish. |
| Woodwork, stair handrailing and Newel | 587 | Dark Brown with varnish. |
| Walls - Bedroom 6, 7, 10 and 11. | 700 | Slightly off-white |
| Dining Room #3 | 700 | Slightly off-white |
| Living Room | 700 | Slightly off-white |
| 40. | ||
| Halls | 700 | Slightly off-white |
| Fireplace of Living R. (Facing) (Varnish) | 175 | Black |
| First Floor (N.W. R.) Fireplace | 175 | Black |
| Second Floor N.E. and N.W. Rm. Fireplaces | 175 | Black |
| First Floor woodwork, N.E. Rm. #3 | 671 | Olive-green, medium, satin finish. |
| Kitchen (woodwork) | 94 | Warm Fawn |
| Pantry and Back Entry | 94 | Warm Fawn, satin finish. |
| Kitchen - Walls | 126 | Pale apricot-ochre |
| Back Entry Walls | 126 | Pale apricot-ochre |
| Walls and woodwork, 2nd Floor, Bath #9 | 588 | Peach-ochre |
| N.E. & N.W. Bed rooms | 588 | Peach-ochre |
| S.E. Bedroom #7 | 166 | Blue-grayed (medium). |
A. Lawrence Kocher
Howard Dearstyne
April 28, 1950
CHARLTON HOUSE (SERVIENT)
Block 9, Colonial Lot #22, Building #13.
The Charlton House, sometimes designated as Charlton's Inn, is located on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street between the (unrestored) Bland-Wetherburn House on the west and the site of the King's Arms Barber Shop (recently reconstructed) on the east.
CHRONOLOGY OF LOT AND HOUSE OWNERSHIP
(Condensed from Research Report on the Charlton House prepared by Mary E. McWilliams, July, 1943.)Lot #22 is one of the lots on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street for which the eighteenth century records are scanty and inadequate. The "Tyler Map" of c.1800 shows lot #22 as third from Botetourt Street. The early history of the lots that apparently include lot #22 is as follows:
1716
In 1716 Richard Bland deeded lots #20 and #21 to Nathaniel Harrison.
1738
Benjamin Harrison, son of Nathaniel Harrison, deeded lots #22 and #21 to Henry Wetherburn. This deed of 1738 is the first record of lot #22. It is not known what buildings stood on lot #22 when Wetherburn acquired it, but since the law required the grantee who received it from the city to put up a building within two years after the grant, it is certain that buildings of some sort stood on the lot at this time.
42.1738-1749
William Byrd II, of Charles City, came into possession of three contiguous lots on the South side of Duke of Gloucester Street, opposite the Raleigh Tavern, between 1738 and 1749. There is evidence to indicate that one of these lots was lot #22. (See Research Report, p.2.)
1749
Before 1749, Byrd had transferred his three lots to James Crosby who at that date deeded them to a company of Glasgow merchants, Buchanan, Alexander, Archibald & Co.
1761
Not until 1761 do the records throw any light upon the buildings on lot #22. At that date, it is evident that the lot was a part of the estate of Henry Wetherburn, deceased, for in his will his wife, Anne, was allotted "the Dwelling House Out houses and two Lotts of Land No. 21 & 22 in the City of Williamsburg excepting the Tenement in Possession of James Martin Barber . . . . "
1761-1779
There is evidence, by no means conclusive, that Richard Charlton kept a tavern on lot #22 at some time between 1761 and 1779. The strongest, though still very unsatisfactory evidence, is found in the trust deed of lot #22 given in 1779 by its owner and occupant, Edward Charlton to Richard Charlton's heirs. This deed implies some sort of claim of Richard Charlton to the lot. There is, however, much evidence against locating Richard Charlton's tavern at lot #22. A Richard Charlton, for instance, is known to have occupied a house on the back street (Francis Street) in October 1777, although he may have moved there after giving up tavern keeping on lot #22.
43.(For a fuller discussion of Richard Charlton, see Research Report, pp. 4-8.)
1779
The connection of Edward Charlton with lot #22 in 1779 is undoubted. How much earlier he occupied or owned the lot is not known, but it was apparently as early as 1774. The basis for the belief that the lot was owned and occupied by Edward and not Richard Charlton is the former's trust deed of 1779, mentioned above, and the transfer in 1784 by William Trebell, trustee named by Edward Charlton, of his trust to John Minson Galt. In the deed of 1784 Edward Charlton is positively mentioned as having lived on lot #22.
1783-1788
In the accounts of the Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, Humphrey Harwood, there is a bill dated April 12, 1783, for lime and hair used on "Mr. Charltons House." In 1788 Harwood charged Dr. Galt for repair work done on "Richard Charltons Estate." This may or may not have been for a house on Lot #22.
1795
The tax transfers (originals in Virginia State Library) show that William Russell had come into possession of one lot from Richard Charlton's estate by 1795.
1806
The Unknown Draftsman's Map (date unknown, but probably late eighteenth or early nineteenth century) shows the name Russell in lot #22, between "Rowseyn in lot #21, and "Moody" in lot #23. An insurance policy taken out by William Russell in 1806 confirms this location. In this policy Russell insured his three buildings, a dwelling house, an office and a kitchen. A plat included in 44. the policy describes the house as of wood, two stories high, 44 ft. x 32 ft.; the office, 4 feet to the west, as of wood, one story high with a shed, 28 ft. x 30 ft.; and the kitchen, 30 ft. to the rear, as of wood, one story high, 24 ft. x 18 ft.
CHARLTON LOT AS SHOWN ON FRENCHMAN'S MAP. THE PRESENT HOUSE IS OUTLINED IN RED*
The Frenchman's Map (ca. 1782) shows two contiguous buildings along the Main Street on lot #22, adjoining the Bland-Wetherburn House on the west and what was presumably the King's Arms Tavern on the east. It is likely that the easterly building is the house insured by Russell, while that beside it on the west may be the office shown on the plat, even though the Frenchman represents it as a building much larger than we know it to have been.
1812
William Russell died sometime before 1812, since the two lots were listed as his "estate" in the Williamsburg Land Tax Records for that year. William Russell is believed to have lived on Lot #52,, next door to the Prentis House.
1815- 1861
From 1815 to 1819 Catherine Russell was taxed for property believed to be that formerly owned by William Russell, and in 1819 Leonard Henley acquired it and held it until his death c. 1832. The property was thereafter taxed in the name of 45. Harriet Henley, whose name appears in the tax records down through 1861.
RECOLLECTIONS OF WILLIAMSBURG RESIDENTS
In the late 1920's citizens who could remember the appearance of Williamsburg at the time of the Civil War thought the Henley House in the twentieth century unchanged in its main features from its aspect in 1861. Mr. John S. Charles recalled "an attractive little storehouse" which had stood east of the Henley House. This had been used as a drug store by a Dr. Henley. This storehouse was removed to Fort Magruder during the First World War. (Recollections of Williamsburg, pp. 51-52.)
Mrs. Victoria Lee thought that the restoration of this house in 1929-30 was a faithful one "with the exception of the west leanto and the front steps. The steps lead up to the porch from the side, instead of straight up from the street."
In conclusion: it seems impossible to make any very definite statements about lot #22 before 1779 when the property was in possession and occupation of Edward Charlton. It appears that he and his wife, nee Jane Hunter, carried on a mercantile business there. Since, however, it has been impossible to locate Richard Charlton's tavern, which was an important one for the years 1767-1777, it seems wiser not to disregard the earlier theory that he kept his tavern in the house at lot #22. Though a Richard Charlton lived on a back street in 1777, in a house large enough to contain several unfurnished rooms for rent, the reasons back of Edward Charlton's grant of lot #22 to Richard 46. Charlton's heirs indicates that the latter had some sort of claim on the lot. Furthermore, if the house in which Richard Charlton lived in 1777 was unfurnished, and this Richard Charlton was the tavern-keeper, the large amount of furniture revealed in his inventory must have remained in some other house. The house at lot #22, insured in later years by William Russell, was a large one -- 44' x 32' and two stories high -- large enough to be used as a tavern.
DATING OF A BUILDING
The dating of a house or other building is based upon one or more of the following:
- 1. Actual date of the house visibly signed on its brickwork, framework, etc.
- 2. Literary references such as:
- a. A record stating when a building was started, was in course of erection or completed.
- b. A record which would imply that a house was being occupied at a given date.
- c. Correspondence referring to a house as under construction or as having been completed.
- d. Advertisements referring to a house as for sale or implying its existence.
- e. House transfers by will (wills frequently contain inventories of the contents of a house), sale or default in payment.
- f.Fire insurance policy declarations.
- 3.Documentary evidence such as that furnished by maps; buildings may be indicated on maps, the dates or approximate dates of which are known.
- 4.Historical references to the building such as found in the record of the meeting at the Raleigh Tavern in 1765 to defy the Stamp Act.
- 5.Existence of original plans or draughts of a building; drawings of exteriors of buildings such as Michel's drawing of the exterior 48. of the Wren Building and of the elevations of Williamsburg buildings shown on the Bodleian Plate (1701, 1702); drawings of interiors of buildings such as Lossing's sketch of the interior of the Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern, made in 1850, etc.
- 6.Design characteristics.
- 7.Archaeological evidence and artifacts. (The Division of Architecture of Colonial Williamsburg has developed a chronology of pottery and porcelain which is of assistance in approximating the date period of usage of the fragments found on the site.)
CONSTRUCTION DATE OF THE CHARLTON(SERVIENT)HOUSE
The date when the Charlton House was built cannot with certainty be established by documents. It is not shown on the Frenchman's Map of 1783 in its present form, although a long building is indicated on the map, directly east of the Bland-Wetherburn Tavern.
The first positive evidence for its existence is found in an insurance policy taken out by William Russell in 1806. In this policy Russell insured his three buildings, a dwelling house, an office and a kitchen. A plat included in the policy gives the plan measurements as 44 ft. x 32 ft. and the house is described as "two stories high." These dimensions conform exactly with the measured length of the house as it existed when taken over by Colonial Williamsburg; the depth of the restored house is approximately the same as the depth given on the plat.
With these facts before us we can establish the date of the house as sometime between 1783 and 1806. It was probably built during the last decade of the 18th century.
Footnotes
This suggests that it was built at an earlier date, since if both chimneys had been constructed at one time they would probably have been lined up on the longitudinal axis of the house.
If our theory is correct, the house was probably built in three stages, the first being a
Taliaferro-Cole - First floor - 10'-8" Second floor- 7'-9"
Lightfoot House - First floor - 9'-7-½" Second floor- 7'-10"
Barraud House - First floor - 9'-4" Second floor- 8'-11"
Market Square Tavern - First floor - 9'-10" Second floor- 8'-0"
Travis House - First floor - 9'-6"
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN ARCHITECTURAL RECORDS
(This glossary is appended as an aid in the interpretation of certain terms used in the report, which we frequently subject to misinterpretation.)
The word "existing" is used in these records to designate features of the building which were in existence prior to its restoration by Colonial Williamsburg.
The phrase "not in existence" means "not in existence at the time of restoration."
The word "modern" is used as a synonym of "recent" and is intended to designate any feature which is a replacement of what was there originally and which is of so late a date that it could not properly be retained in an authentic restoration of the building. It must be understood, however, that restored buildings do require the use of modern materials in the way of framing as well as modern equipment.
The word "old" is used to indicate anything about a building that cannot be defined with certainty as being original but which is old enough to justify its retention in a restored building as of the period in which the house was built.
The word "ancient" when used in these reports is intended to mean "existed long ago" or "since long ago." Because of the looseness of its meaning, the term is seldom used but when used, it denotes great age.
"Antique" as applied to a building or materials, is intended to mean that these date from before the Revolution.
50."Greek details," "Greek moldings" refer to the moldings, and architectural treatment featured by the Greek Revival, dating in this locality approximately from 1810 to 1860.
Length signifies the greatest dimension of a building measured from end to end.
Width is used in the reports to mean the dimension of a building measured at right angles to the length.
Depth as applied to the size of a lot or house is the dimension measured at right angles to the street.
Pitch is here interpreted as meaning the vertical height from floor to floor.
The term "restoration" is applied to the reconditioning of an existing house in which walls, roof and most of the architectural details are original, but in which there is replacement of decayed parts, and some missing elements such as mantels, stairs, windows, cornices, dormers.
A building "preserved" has reference to a building in its pristine condition, without replacement of elements, such as stairway, windows, paneling, mantels, flooring. The term preservation does imply however, necessary repairs, to protect the building from weather, decay, excessive sagging, etc.
"Reconstruction" is applied to a building rebuilt on old foundations, following the documentary description of the original structure. The reconstructed Capitol, for example, is a rebuilt building, following the precise descriptive specifications for construction given in Acts of the Virginia Assembly, 1662-1702. Use is also made in this work of pictorial data, such as the Bodleian Plate, and recorded measurements and drawings.
51.It is to be noted that the existing roof covering, whether original or modern, has been replaced in all of the restored buildings, with a few minor exceptions, by shingles of fireproof material (asbestos cement) because of the desirability of achieving protection against fire.
When we say "reconstruction (or restoration) was started" the actual beginning of work is meant, not authorization which may occur at an earlier date.
When we say "reconstruction (or restoration) was completed," we refer to the actual completion date of the building and not to the date when the building was accepted.
ADDENDUM
Dado paneling occurs in the dining room but not in the hallway or living room. The paneling of the dining room appears to be old, possibly around 1800. The dado cap in this room is similar to dado caps purchased as a lot from a dealer of Petersburg. The cap resembles an authentic old example, namely that of the Tayloe House (Elizabeth Coleman) on Nicholson Street.
The baseboard added to this wall and elsewhere in the house, is new. Its design resembles the typical baseboard of Christ Church, Lancaster County, and also of Greenway, Charles City County.
The chair railing of the hall and living room is new. The precedent for the chair railing is the chair rail of the Powell-Hallam (Armistead) House on Francis Street.
The interior cornice of the hall and the living room is based upon this same feature in Captain Orr's Dwelling.
The hall archway is new, and its purpose is to separate the front hallway from the rear stairhall. This arch is similar in its detailing to the arch on either side of the fireplace, in the dining room of the Coke-Garrett House, with these modifications: the pilaster cap, beneath the spring of the arch, is like the column cap in the hallway of Belle Farm, Gloucester County. The section through the arch is likewise like the cross-section of the Belle Farm archway. The keystone resembles the keystone block of the Coke-Garrett House example cited above.
Mantels
The living room mantel with its pulvinated frieze and dentil course is similar in its main features to the mantel in the southwest 53. room of the Brush-Everard House, Williamsburg.
The dining room mantel (west front room) follows closely the mantel design of the Moody House in Williamsburg.
The mantels of the two bedrooms of the east end are similar to two mantel examples in the Colonial Williamsburg collection of old interior woodwork. The contour of the moldings as well as the designs as a whole were faithfully copied.
The mantel in the northwest room is new. It also was designed with resemblance to mantels in the warehouse collection of old woodwork. It is a copy of a mantel in that collection which is numbered 420. See photograph in Architectural Records files of old mantels.
Stairway. While the stairway follows the design of the stairs in the Orrell House, its handrail is thought to have been derived from the stair handrail of the St. John's House, formerly in Williamsburg.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CHARLTON (SERVIENT) HOUSE (Restored)
Block 9, Colonial Lot 22, Building 13
The following sources of information were reviewed in preparation for this report:
- --Files of the Department of Research and Record, Colonial Williamsburg.
- --Files of the Department of Architecture, including field notes, measured drawings, sketches from drafting room showing the development of the restoration proposals.
- --Research Report, dated July, 1943 (16pp.) by Mary E. McWilliams.
- --Preliminary Research Report with notes on "Charlton's Inn, No. 20", no date, prepared by Helen Bullock.
- --Architectural Report. This tentative report featuring observations on the condition of the original building, and various restoration ideas, was prepared by George S. Campbell of the Architectural Department, September 13, 1932.
- --Archaeological Drawings of Purdie's Dwelling and of King's Arms Tavern which include some indication of the Charlton site.
- --Comparative Study of Properties in Block #9, prepared by Thomas Little of the Department of Architecture, dated February 3, 1941. House locations are indicated with a chronological listing of ownership.
- --Specifications for the restoration of the Charlton House, including notes bearing upon alterations, subsequent to the original restoration of 1929-30.
- --Architectural Reference Files.
- --Swem's Index with references to individuals, events, ownership and building practices.
- --Deeds, Wills, Inventories and other property records in the Department of Research and Record.
- --Files of the Virg1nia Gazette, with use of the Virginia Gazette Index for persons, buildings and other subjects. 55.
- --Files of photographs and measured drawings, as sources of precedent used in the restoration of vanished and altered features of the house, also as a guide to the restoration of windows, cornice, etc.
- --Plans and Working Drawings of the house from files of the Department of Architecture, Colonial Williamsburg.
- --Journal of the Department of Architecture with notes on alterations, construction progress, etc.
- --Handbooks of eighteenth century architecture as a basis for and a check on building practices, definitions, etc.
- --General Files of Correspondence which contain references to the project while under construction and later.
- --Files, correspondence and office notes from the then supervising architects, Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, and the engineers, Todd and Brown.
- --Reminiscences of old residents of Williamsburg, notably, Mr. John S. Charles and Mrs. Victoria Lee.
- --The Frenchman's Map, ca. 1783.
- --Other Williamsburg town maps of about 1800, and later, including the Estelle Smith, Annie Galt, Bucktrout, Tyler and Lively maps.
- --Visit to the house for verification of dimensions and items relating to the restoration process.
- --Consultations with Messrs. A. E. Kendrew, S. P. Moorehead, M. E. Campioli, James Knight, Alden Hopkins, and Robert Webb, Jr.
- --Files of Division of Paints and Paint Maintenance for data on the use of color and painting at the time of restoration and for alterations made to the color scheme.
- --Photographic files of views showing antique materials which furnished the basis for the reconstruction or restoration of mantels, stairs and panelling.
CHARLTON HOUSE
INDEX
- ADDENDUM
- 52, 53
- Anderson House, James
- 18
- Annapolis
- 19
- Archaeological evidence
- 11
- BARBER, James Martin
- 42
- Barraud House
- 6, 22
- Baseboard
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Basement
- 27-38
- Bathurst
- 14
- Beams
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Berkeley, Lord
- 2
- Bibliography
- 54, 55
- Blair House, Archibald
- 7, 12, 15, 21
- Bland, Richard
- 41
- Bland-Wetherburn House
- 41, 44, 48
- Brickwork
- 7, 13-15, 25
- Bruton Church
- 18
- Buchanan, Alexander Archibald & Co.
- 42
- Bulkhead
- 7, 20, 21
- Byrd, William III
- 42
- CAMPBELL, George
- Title Page, 25
- "the Castle"
- 20
- Ceiling
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Chair Rail
- 26, 29-36
- Chair Rail Base
- 25
- Chimneys
- 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 14
- Charles, John S.
- 45
- Charlton, Edward
- 42, 43, 45
- Charlton House
-
- Ceiling
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Chair rail
- 26, 29-36
- Chair rail base
- 25
- Chimneys
- 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 14
- Chronology of lot and house
- 41
- Construction date of
- 48
- Corner boards
- 3, 4, 16
- Cornice
- 3, 4, 7, 9, 15, 19, 25, 26, 27, 29-36
- Cornice end boards
- 16
- Design features
- 5, 6-9
- Dimensions of building
- 2, 5
- Door
- 3, 4, 5, 20, 22, 27-36
- Doorway
- 7, 9
- Dormers
- 17
- Electrical Equipment
- 27-36
- Facade
- 7, 9
- Fireplace
- 2, 4, 5, 27-36
- Flooring
- 4, 5, 11
- Floor Nails
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Floors
- 25, 26, 27, 29-36
- Foundation walls
- 1, 4
- Framing
- 5, 10, 14
- Heating equipment
- 27-36
- Interior of
- 25-38
- Mantels
- 25, 27-36
- Paint colors
- 27-36, 39, 40
- Panelled dado
- 25
- Panelling
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Plan, Basement
- 10
- Plan, First Floor
- 12
- Plat, layout of
- 11a
- Porch
- 3, 5, 7, 13, 17, 19, 20
- Rakeboards
- 16, 20
- Roof
- 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19
- Shingles
- 13
- Shutters
- 9, 22
- Stair Hall
- 10, 28
- Stairs
- 25
- Stairway
- 6
- Stair Well
- 11
- Stoop, wooden
- 6
- Transom
- 5, 9
- View of,
- Wainscot
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Wall coverings
- 26, 27, 28-36
- Wall exterior
- 14, 15
- Walls
- 26, 27, 28-36
- Weatherboarding
- 3, 4, 15
- Windows
- 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 21, 22, 27-36, 38
- 57.
- Charlton, Richard
- 42, 43, 45, 46
- Chronology of lot and house
- 41
- Coke-Garrett House
- 18, 19
- Construction date of Charlton House
- 48
- Corner boards
- 3, 4, 16
- Cornice
- 3, 4, 7, 9, 15, 19, 25, 26 27, 29-36
- Cornice end boards
- 16
- Crosby, James
- 42
- DATING of a building
- 47, 48
- Definitions of terms
- 49, 50, 51
- Design features
- 5, 6-9
- Digges House
- 7
- Dimensions of building
- 2, 5
- Door
- 3, 4, 5, 20, 22, 27-36
- Doorway
- 7, 9
- Dormers
- 17
- ELECTRICAL equipment
- 27-36
- FACADE
- 7, 9
- Farmington
- 20
- Fireplace
- 2, 4, 5, 27-36
- Flooring
- 4, 5, 11
- Floor nails
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Floors
- 25, 26, 27, 29-36
- Fort Magruder
- 45
- Foundation walls
- 1, 4
- Framing
- 5, 10, 14
- Frenchman's Map
- 48, 43, 44
- GALT, John Minson
- 43
- Goodwin Building
- 19
- Grigg, Milton L.
- Title page
- HARDWARE
- 25
- Harrison, Benjamin
- 41
- Harrison, Nathaniel
- 41
- Harwood, Humphrey
- 43
- Heating equipment
- 27-36
- Henley, Harriet
- 45
- Henley, Leonard
- 44
- Henley House
- 45
- Hopkins, Alden, Landscape Architect
- 11a
- Hunter, Jane
- 45
- INTERIOR of house
- 25-38
- JONES House, Orlando
- 18
- JUMP, Mr
- 25
- KENDREW, A. E.
- Title page
- King' s Arms Tavern
- 44
- Barber Shop
- 41
- MACOMBER, Walter
- Title page
- Mantels
- 25, 27-36
- Maps
- Market Square Tavern
- 6
- McWilliams, Mary E.
- 41
- Moorehead, S. P.
- Title page
- PAINT colors
- 27-36, 39, 40
- Panelled dado
- 4, 5, 25
- Panelling
- 26, 27, 29-36
- Perry, Shaw & Hepburn, architects
- Title page, 10
- Plan, basement
- 10
- Plan, first floor
- 12
- Plat, layout of
- 11a
- Poplar Hall
- 14
- Porch
- 3, 5, 7, 13, 17, 19
- Porch railing
- 19, 20
- Prentis House
- 2, 44
- Principle of restoration
- 4
- RAKE Boards
- 16, 20
- Raleigh Tavern
- 42
- Restoration, date of
- Title page
- Roof
- Russell, Catherine
- 44
- Russell, William
- 43, 44, 46, 48
- ST. Johns House
- 18, 19
- Semple House
- 17, 18
- Servient House
- 1
- Servient, Mary Lou
- 6
- Shingles
- 13
- Shutters
- 9, 22
- 58.
- Skiff's Creek House
- 16
- Stair Hall
- 10, 28
- Stairs
- 25
- Stairway
- 6
- Stair Well
- 11
- Stone Masonry
- 14
- Stoop, wooden
- 6
- TALIAFERRO-Cole
- 6, 22
- Transom
- 5, 9
- Travis House
- 6, 16
- Trebell
- 43
- Tuckahoe
- 17, 19
- Tyler's Map
- 41
- UNKNOWN Draftsman's Map
- 48, 44, 43
- VAN GARRETT
- see Archibald Blair
- Viewmont
- 22
- View of,
- WAINSCOT
- 26, 27, 28-36
- Wales
- 21
- Wall coverings
- 26, 27, 28-36
- Waller House
- 21
- Smokehouse
- 18
- Wall exterior
- 14, 15
- Walls
- 26, 27, 28-36
- Weatherboarding
- 3, 4, 15
- Wetherburn, Anne
- 42
- Wetherburn, Henry
- 41, 42
- Windows
- 3, 4, 7, 9, 21, 27-36
- Wythe House
- 19