Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

A - Shop or Outbuilding

Encroaching almost 3'-6"over the present north line of Francis Street is the foundation of what was probably originally that of a small shop with dimensions of 24'-4"x 12'-5". It may be noted that this building lines up very closely with other buildings an the north side of Francis Street, in Blocks 9 and 10.

No evidence of a chimney or entrance steps foundations were found.

See photograph N5503 and N5504.

B - Dairy

The remains of a 9'-0"x 7'-0" dairy were uncovered approximately 27 feet northwest of the shop or outbuilding. There appear to have been two periods of brick construction in this foundation. The outside 9-5/8"brick wall was built first, which is more or less proven because of the pointing of the inside mortar joints. Later a lining was in stalled on three sides of the interior and at the same time a floor was laid of 7½"x 7½"brick tile. Probably the reason for the latter construction was to retain water for cooling purposes. Why the north end was not bricked up is not known other than this was the side where there may have been an entrance.

See photographs N5499, N5502, W32, and W33.

C - Dwelling

According to evidence uncovered, this appears to have originally been a 28'-0"x 14'-9" frame building with a 9'-9" lean-to on the rear or north side. The lean-to appears to have been built at a slightly later date than the main portion of the building. At the east end are the remains of the chimney foundation which is different from any other chimney uncovered in Williamsburg by Colonial Williamsburg other than the Russell House Kitchen chimney. (See archaeological drawing No. 2 - Block 17, Area D). The fireplace opening was 5'-6½"wide with small brick compartments on 3 each side. These compartments faced away from the fireplace and may have been the bottom portion of foundation of small cupboards used to store liquids to prevent freezing in winter. It in also possible that the chimney was constructed in this way in order to increase its strength, and that the two projections of brickwork on each side of the fireplace merely acted as buttresses. According to the total width of the chimney in relation to evidence of the width of the building, it appears that the weatherboarding on the face of the building may have overlapped the sides of the chimney.

See photographs N5500, N5501 and W30.

D - Smokehouse

Only evidence of the north half of the smokehouse foundation was discovered, because construction of a modern building with shallow basement had demolished the north portion. This was originally a 10'-0"x 10'-0"outbuilding with 8½" brick foundation wall. A layer of wood ash was found in the center of the foundation which is typical of most smokehouses and proves the use of the building.

See photograph W31.

E - Well

Twenty-two feet west of the smokehouse were the backfilled remains of an old well. This was excavated to a depth of ten feet and found to contain fragments of nineteenth-century china near the top and some pieces of eighteenth century china approximately six to ten feet below the surface. Also found were many fragments of oyster-shell mortar and broken pieces of handmade brick mixed in with clay and black earth. No evidence of wellhead foundation was found.

It may be noted that the south face of the smokehouse and dwelling are practically on line with the south side of the well.

See photograph W35.