Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

COLONIAL LOT 18
RAVENSCROFT HOUSE
Block 10
March 16, 1939

^{obsolete - 1939 (March)
[Nancy Camp?]
James Anderson}

A substantial brick dwelling house was erected on colonial lot 18 in the first quarter of the eighteenth century. The first owner on record was Thomas Ravenscroft, son of Captain George Ravenscroft, and his wife, Dyonisia Savage.

There are so few records about the early history of the property that it is probable that they were recorded in the general court, but there is a line of evidence that offers some support to the following theory:

In 1695, Dyonisia Ravenscroft, widow, married Thomas Hadley, the general superintendent of the College building. She had five Ravenscroft children, one of whom died in Bruton Parish in 1692. She had a son, Thomas, who was born in 1688.

Because of the very limited property rights of women, the Ravenscroft property was probably vested in the male heirs. when Dyonisia Hadley died in 1714, a return of her personal estate was entered in York County. It is possible that the inventory is of her own estate in Williamsburg:

Hadley, Dionisia of York County.
September 24, 1714.

1	chest of drawers and a parcel of old glasses
1	pr. old brass scales and wates	1/10/ 0
1	silver porringer, 4 silver spoons	2/16/ 0
6	large pictures, 8 small do.	0/16/ 0
1	looking glass	0/11/ 0
13	old chairs	0/13/ 0
1	old feather bed and bolster, 2 pillows, 1 pr. blankets,
1	hamack, 1 suite of old curtains, vallens, 1 bedstead, cord, hide	4/ 0/ 0
2
1	little old do. bead and bolster, 2 pillows, 1 pr. blankets,
1	suit of curtains, vallens, 1 bedstead and cord	2/10/ 0
1	old feather bed and bolster, 2 pillows, 1 holland quilt
1	suit of do, curtains, vallens, 1 bedstead and cord	5/ 0/ 0
1	Virginia tick do., and bolster, 3 pillows, 1 pr. blankets,
1	silk quilt, 1 suit of diaper curtains, 1 do. head cloth
1	pr. window do., 1 bedstead and cord	5/ 0/ 0
1	old feather bed and bolster, 2 pillows, 1 callico quilt,
1	suit of flowered curtains and vallens Virginia cotton,
1	bedstead and cord	4/ 0/ 0
3	pr. fine holland sheets	2/ 5/ 0
3	pr. old do.	1/ 0/ 0
3	pr. Virginia cotton do.	1/10/ 0
7	towells	0/13/ 0
7	old pillow cases	0/ 7/ 0
2	bro. Ozenb. table cloaths, 1 callico do., 2 diaper napkins	0/ 8/ 0
1	old large Bible	0/10/ 0
1	parcel of old books	0/10/ 0
1	small case of drawers, 1 old quilting frame	0/10/ 0
1	little old table	0/ 2/ 6
2	old chests, 1 old powdering tub	0/10/ 0
1	pott rack, 2 iron potts, 1 pr. hooks, 1 spit, 1 pr. tongs
1	fire shovel, 1 old grid iron, 1 iron fender	1/ 5/ 0
1	old candlestick all brass	0 15/ 0
1	old bell mettle skillet, 1 brass pestle and morter	0/ 7/ 6
1	old sugar box, 1 flower box, 1 funnel, 1 grater, 1 dripping pan all tin, 1 frying pan, 1 dutch smoothing iron, 1 do candlestick	0/ 7/ 6
4	old pewter dishes, 2 basons, 10 plates, 2 chamber potts,
1	close stool pan, 1 old porringer	1/ 0/ 0
2	pr. blankets, 1 pr. Virginia yarn blankets	0/15/ 0
	A parcel of lumber, 1 stone mug	0/ 5/ 0

(Book 14 - Orders, Wills. York County, Virginia)

On November 16, 1723 a deed from Thomas Ravenscroft, Gentleman, and Elizabeth, his wife, of James City was recorded in York County to Cole Diggs for a consideration of £200:

All those two lots of half acres of land in the city of Williamsburg, situate lying and being upon the South side of Duke of Gloucester Street, designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 17 [19] and 18 together with all houses.

[Should be 18 and 19. See Deed #634. Probably an error of the County Clerk in copying. 16 and 17 owned by someone 3 else. See # 270, 421 and #422. 18 and lot east (19) owned by Withers. See 620]

Dudley Digges, who succeeded Cole Digges as owner of lot 18, allowed Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, surgeon and apothecary, to build a tenement or shop on his lot with liberty to remove them at any time. (Dr. McKenzie had been a tenant of Joanna Archer's on lots 16 and 17 west of 18). This shop was leased to Currie.

Digges, Dudley
to
Currie, James
July 21, 1755.
Considerations: 5 shillings and yearly rent, of 2 pounds.

Whereas the said Digges did license and permit one Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, dec'd, to set a tenement or shop on his lotts in the city of Williamsburg with liberty to remove the same at any time, which shop the said James Currie hath purchased.

Whereas the said Dudley Digges and James Currie have come to the following agreement that he the said Dudley Digges will grant a lease of the ground whereon the said shop stands with an addition of ten feet more for the whole length thereof for the conveniency of building a shed to hold to the said James Currie or assigns for 14 years.

(Book 6 - Deeds. York County, Virginia)

Dudley Digges sold lot 18 to William Withers in a deed not recorded at Yorktown, but referred to in a later deed, when Withers sold to Holt:

November 18, 1760.

Withers, William - Merchant
to
Holt, William - Merchant
Consideration: 350 Pounds

Lot or half acre of land situate, lying and being on the Main Street in the said city on the South side thereof 4 now in the tenure and occupation of Christianna Campbell denoted in the Plan of the city by the figures 18 and also part of the lot next adjoining the East side thereof to wit: 5½ feet in breadth extending Eastwardly into the said adjoining lot on the said street and from the street a straight line to be run through the said lot to the end thereof on the back street parallel to the East side of the said lot first above mentioned.
And all buildings, gardens, ways... (Book 6 - Deeds. York County, Virginia)

He subsequently sold the lot #19 on the east to Dr. William Carter.

Withers, William - Merchant
Williamsburg.
to
Carter, William - Apothecary March 16, 1761.
Considerations: 375 Pounds.

All that piece or parcel of ground situate lying and being on the South side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, on the East by a cross street running from Duke of Gloucester Street to Francis Street, on the South by Francis Street and on the West by the ground sold by the said William Withers to William Holt, merchant, and is the remaining part of those two lots or half acres of ground purchased by the said William Withers of Dudley Digges.
And all houses... (Book 6 - Deeds. York County, Virginia)

The Christianna Campbell who was occupying the brick house on lot 18 in 1760 was a famous tavern keeper. Washington's diary refers to many occasions when he lodged, dined or supped at Mrs. Campbell's and in addition his club dined there frequently.

The next tenant of the property of whom was have record was a merchant:

October 22,1767.

Lately Imported, and to be Sold by the subscriber in Williamsburg, at the large brick house nearly opposite to the Post Office,^{Dr. Carter} Irish linen, white and brown sheeting, diaper 5 table cloths, printed cottons, womens bonnets and cloaks, handkerchiefs, check linen, striped Holland, osnabrigs, men and womens shoes, Negro cottons, kerseys, and plains, and a very good assortment of coarse hats, &.
J. Eilbeck.

N. B. The above articles may be had at the lowest prices, for ready money.

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, Eds.)

In the next year a watchmaker occupied the brick house:

April 28, 1768
Williamsburg, April 27, 1768
The Subscriber has removed to the brick house opposite Mr. Baker's store, where he continues to repair horizontal, plain, and repeating watches and clocks, and will keep watches in repair by the year at a very reasonable rate.
JAMES PATTERSON. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, Eds.)

In 1769 Catherine Rathell, a milliner, had a shop, perhaps in the wooden shop first erected by Kenneth McKenzie; and a chandler and soapboiler occupied the brick house:

April 27, 1769.

FREER ARMSTON, Chandler and Soap Boiler, in Norfolk, For the better convenience of supplying the town of Williamsburg, has opened a shop between Mr. Carter's great brick house and Mrs. Rathell's, where may be had TALLOW CANDLES as good as any on the continent; the present price by the box 11d. paying freight from Norfolk, Best HARD SOAP at 6d. by the box, or 7d. halfpenny small quantities.

I have WEST INDIA and DRY GOODS at the lowest prices, for ready money.
As I want a large quantity of good WOOD ASHES, for goods or money, all persons that send or give their Ashes to Negroes are desired to signify the same by a note, otherwise they will not be received.

All commands will be carefully executed.
FREER ARMSTRONG

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds.)

6

Holt occupied the property himself the next year, when he sold it to James Anderson, the blacksmith:

October 20, 1770.

Holt, William
Mary, his wife
to
Anderson, James
Considerations: 600 Pounds.

All that lot or half acre of ground lying and being on the Main Street in the said City on the South side thereof now in the occupation of the said William Holt, and denoted in the plan of the city by the figure 18, and also part of the lot next adjoining the East side thereof to-wit: 2½ feet in breadth extending eastwardly into the said adjoining lot on the said street, and from the street a straight line to be run through the said lot to the and thereof on the back street parallel to the East side of the said lot first above mentioned.
And all buildings. (Book 8 - Deeds. York County, Virginia)

Anderson did not occupy his property immediately as the following records would indicate.

March 7, 1771.

WILLIAM R. DRINKARD begs Leave to inform the Publick that he intends to open TAVERN in the House lately occupied by Mr. William Holt; nearly opposite the Post Office, by the ensuing April Court. Those Gentlemen who please to favour him with their Custom may depend on good Accomodation. (Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, editors)

October 6, 1774

PATRICK BEECH,
At the Brick Shop opposite Mr. TURNER's Store, WILLIAMSBURG,
Begs Leave to inform the Publick, that he makes and sells all sorts of Gold, Silver, and Jewellery Work, after the newest Fashions, and at the lowest Prices, for ready Money only. Those who are pleased to favour him with their Commands, may depend upon having their Work done in the neatest Manner, on the shortest Notice and a grateful Acknowledgment.-- Commissions from the Country will be 7 carefully observed, and punctually answered.

^{* * *} He gives the highest Prices for OLD GOLD, SILVER, or LACE, either in Cash or Exchange.

(Virginia Gazette, Purdie, & Dixon, Eds.]

The date at which James Anderson occupied his property is uncertain, but the existence of numerous forges and other evidences of his blacksmith's work were excavated some years ago. The following accounts with Humphrey Harwood, the mason, probably apply to the buildings on lot 18:

Mr. James Anderson (Blacksmith)

1778 Decemr 4th	To 80 bricks 6/8. 3 bushl of lime a 2/3. . . . . . . . . .	:13: 5
1778 Decemr. 4	To Seting up a Grate 22/6 & laying a harth 6/. . . . . . .	1 :8: 6
	To 1 Days labour 8/. . . . . . . . . .	:8:
1779 May 18	To 250 bricks 50/ 8 bushl of lime a 6/ & building up steps to front door 120/. . . . . . . . . . . . . .	10:18:
1783 Jan. 3	To 1 bushel of lime 1/6. . . . . . .	: 1: 6
	To repairing Chimney & altering the Arch & Plasterg 7/6. . . . . . . . . .	: 7: 6
June 3	To Bricking up your well 12/ & 2 Days labour a 3/. . . . . .	:18:
1785 Decr. 20	To 200 bricks 6/ & 5 bushels of lime 5/. . . . . . .	:11:
	To laying an Harth 3/9 & setting up a Grate 7/6. . . . .	:11: 3
	To labourers work 2/6 . . . . . . . . : 2: 6
1786 July 13	To mortar 2/ Repairing plastering 2/6 Whtwashing 2 Rooms 9/ . . . . . . . . . .	:13: 6
	Wht washg 3 cealings at 3/ Do 2 passages 9/. & 6 closets at 2/. . . . . . . . .	:10:
8
1786 July 13	To 12 bushel of white wash 3/. . . .	: 3:
Novemr 9	To 16 bushels of lime a 1/ & 325 bricks a 3/, & 3 days labr a 2/6 . . . . . . . . . .	1:14:
1787 April 3	To building 2 forges 18/	:18:
	To 250 laths at 1/6 & lathing & Plasterg Room to Shop 6/ . . .	: 9: 9
	To 6 bushes of lime 6/. & Hair 9d. & labrs work 2/6 . . . . .	: 9: 3
page 115.
1787 Feb. 26	To 6 bushels of lime 6/ labr 2/6 & building a forge 6/.	:14: 6
		18:12: 8
Decr 10	To Amt of Sundries as pr under written account	4:16: 2
		23: 8: 7
	To 620 Bricks a 3/. & 10 bushels of lime 18/ 3 days labr a forge 15/. . . . . . . .	2:19: 1
		26: 7: 8
(Loose leaf account opposite p. B-115)
1784 May 19	To 4 bushs of lime 4/, & hair 4d . . . . . . . . . . . .	: 4: 4
	To Repairing plastering 6/. & labours work 1/6. . . . . . .	: 7: 6
June 5	To 1 bushs whtwash 2/. & Do 2 Rooms & 2 passages a 4/6. . .	1: :
	To wht waag do 2 clossets 5/. & cealing to Room 2/6 . . . . .	: 7: 6
9
1785 Feb. 18	To 7 bus of lime 7/. & 800 bricks a 3/ . . . . . . . . . .	1:11:
	To 3 days labr a 2/6 & under-pining Smoke House 15 . . . . .	1: 2: 6
	To Repairing Jambs to Cellar Steps 3/6 . . . . . . . . . . .	: 3: 6
		4:16: 4
(Harwood Ms. Ledger - Ledger B.)
	p. 5
1788 Decr 10	To 6 bushels of lime 6/. & building a forge 6/. . . . . .	:12:
	To labour 2/6. . . . . . . . . . . .	: 2: 6
23	To sundries 24/7 (30th) To Sundry work 34/6 . . . . . . .	2:19: 1
1789 Septr 15	To 9 bushels of lime a 9d 88 Bricks & mendg well 10/ . .	:16: 9
October 22	To 2 bush of lime 1/6 & building a Forge 15. . . . . .	:16: 6
Novr 4	To building a Forge 15/. . . . . . .	:15:
1790 Jan. 2	To 2 bushels of lime 1/6 & mending Plastering 1/6 . . .	: 3:
June 22	To 2 bushels of whitewash. . . . . .	: 3:
	To whitewashing 2 Rooms a 3/9 & 3 Ceilings & 7 clossets a 1/6. .	1: 2: 6
	To do 2 passages a 3/9 lime & mendg spots 6d.	: 6:
July 22	To 2 days work of Nate building a wall, putting in a door frame & window frame 8/. . . . . . .	: 8 :
Octor 24	To 1-½ bush: of lime 1/1-½ & mending plaistering 1/.	: 2: 2-½
	To whitewash & whitewashing 1/ . . .	: 1:
1791	To 3 bush: lime a 9d laying a Hearth, mending Plast. 4/. . .	: 6: 3

(Harwood Manuscript Ledger - Ledger C)

10

James Anderson died about 1803 and his estate was divided. Leroy Anderson received the eastern portion of lot 18, on which the brick house stood. (He had already acquired the large brick house on lot #19). Nancy Camp inherited the western portion which might have been the old building erected by McKenzie. [See separate report on Nancy Camp. Colonial lot #18].

The inventory and account of the sale of James Anderson's estate may be of value in determining something about the house:

	Inventory and appraisment of the estate of James Anderson decd in Williamsburg made on the 25th October 1803.		Account of Sales of the est. of James Anderson decd. made lst November 1803 on a credit of six months.
	Nat, a Negro man blacksmith	600."	Robert Anderson	600."
1	pair blacksmiths bellows	20."	Nathaniel Anderson	11."
	one anvil	20."	do do	11."
	one anvil	9. "	George Jackson	5. "
	one Vice	8. "	Nathaniel Anderson	8. "
	one Vice	8. "	George Jackson	5.50
1	large scale beam and weights	8. "	do do	4. "
3	bunches wire	1.50	Robert Anderson	1.50
1	lot of guns and pistols	4. "	James Wright	2.75
2	sledge hammers	4. "	Nathaniel Anderson	4. "
1	lot of hammers	2. "	do do	2.25
1	box sundry old iron	3. "	James Wright	2.25
1	plough	2. "	George Jackson	1. "
9	cart wheel boxes	1. "	Nathaniel Anderson	1. "
1	brass kettle &c	3. "	James Wright	2.25
	four mills incomplete	3. "	do do	8.25
1	Jack and several iron wheels	2. "	John Crump	.60
1	lot of files	3. "	Simkin Bryan	1.66
1	lot of window scrawls	3.50	George Jackson	3.25
1	lot of iron and chair wings	1. "	do do	".50
1	lot of tongs	2. "	Benjamin Powell	1. "
1	lot of punches &c	2. "	Nathaniel Anderson	1. "
1	dozen Mahogany chairs	24. "	Nancy Camp	24. "
13	black walnut chairs	6.50	John Camp	7.28
1	pair Mahogany tables	12. "	Nancy Camp	12. "
1	corner table	3. "	Robert Anderson	1. "
1	round table	3. "	Nancy Camp	3. "
1	looking glass	3. "	Nancy Camp	3. "
20	oz. 12 dwt. silver spoons
	9/ Os.	30.90	do do	30.90
1	bed, bolster &c	15. "	do do	15. "
1	bed, bolster &c	15. "	do do	15. "
3	pots 2 ovens and 1 skillet	2.50	do do	2.50
1	frying pan and 3 fenders	2. "	do do	2. "
11
	hook, racks and candle moulds	4. "	do do	4. "
2	pokers and 2 pair tongs	2. "	do do	2. "
4	flat irons and trivit	1. "	do do	1. "
8	blankets	12. "	do do	12. "
		$860.90		$836.44

(Anderson, James. Anderson Ro., Account Books etc., 1808-1812. Virginia Historical Society. p. 71.)

Leroy Anderson sold his property to Robert E. Griffith of Philadelphia who insured it in 1815. This insurance policy is for a brick building two stories high covered with wood, and 40 x 34 feet. Two stories could mean a story and a half, as the surviving houses which were story and a half are described as two stories in insurance policies. A tracing of the policy is attached.

The next owner of the property was Thomas Sands. It was charged to his estate in the Williamsburg tax books in the year 1843, with the note that "the buildings were totally destroyed by fire in April, 1842."

Mr. Charles in his Recollections of Williamsburg refers to the ruins standing just before the War between the States:

"...There were, when the War began, no more houses on this square
fronting on Duke of Gloucester Street, but instead there were immense brick gable-ends of houses that had long since been destroyed by fire. These foundations were often filled with water that afforded the small boys rare sport--boating in the summer and skating in the winter." (Charles, John S.; Recollections of Williamsburg, page 43.)

NANCY CAMP HOUSE
Colonial Lot #18 [& 17 ?]
Block 10

^{obsolete 1938}

The first evidence of a building on the western portion of colonial lot #18 is in the year 1755, when a shop which had been erected on the lot by Dr. Kenneth McKenzie was leased to James Currie:

Digges, Dudley
to July 21, 1755.
Currie, James
Consideration: 5 shillings and yearly rent, of 2 pounds.

Whereas the said Digges did license and permit one Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, decd, to set a tenement or shop on his lots in the city of Williamsburg with liberty to remove the same at any time, which shop the said James, Currie hath purchased.
Whereas the said Dudley Digges and James Currie have come to the following agreement that he the said Dudley Digges will grant a lease of the ground whereon the said shop stands with an addition of ten feet more for the whole length thereof for the conveniency of building a shed to hold to the said James Currie or assigns for 14 years. (York County, Virginia. Book 5 - Deeds)

Dr. McKenzie died in February, 1755, and in March the same year that Dudley Digges leased the shop to James Currie.

Digges, some time between 1755 and 1760, sold colonial lot #18 on which this property stood to William Holt, the merchant.

In 1769, Catherine Rathell, milliner, occupied the wooden shop according to an advertisement of the adjoining brick house. Holt sold the property to James Anderson on October 20, 1770, but there is no record of the use Anderson made of it.

His daughter, Nancy, married George Camp in 1796, who died at Norfolk in 1797. Her father died intestate in 1798, leaving her and six other children to share his property.

Nancy Camp was living in the house by 1806, when she is mentioned in an insurance policy to adjoining property. In 1817, she insured her own property, describing it as:

A--	Dwelling House and unoccupied situated between Mary Stith and Leroy Anderson, built of wood and covered with wood. 44 by 20 feet. two Stories high. Porch.
B--	Wing to the dwelling house of wood entire 20 by 30 feet unoccupied. One story. (four feet dividing Leroy Andersons).
C--	Kitchen of wood entire. 20x16 feet. One story.

A tracing of this policy is enclosed. From this policy one could infer that the "wing" referred to was either the old wooden shop on the western portion of lot #18; or, was the new wing to a new house which extended from a space within four feet of the property of Leroy Anderson on lot #18, westward into lot #17.

All of the buildings in this block which fronted on Duke of Gloucester Street, were destroyed by fire in 1842 according to the Williamsburg tax records.