Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1400
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
1940
This lot was among the first in Williamsburg to be deeded. The first owner was Dr. Archibald Blair, the apothecary, who purchased it from the city.
This provided a lot with a frontage of 82½ feet upon Duke of Gloucester and Nicholson Streets and a depth of 264 feet.November 18, 1700
Trustees City of Williamsburg
to
Blair, Archibald
Consideration: 15 shillingsOne lot of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot by the figures 46, bounded as followeth: Lying upon the North side of the Duke of Gloucester Street, beginning upon the street and running along that street E ¼ N 5 poles to ______ Lane, thence along that Lane N ¼ W poles to Nicholson Street, thence along that street W ¼ S 5 poles, thence S ¼ E 16 poles to the place begun at.
[York county records, II
Card 299-A,
Same, 258-A]
The deed contained a building clause, and the lot apparently escheated, as in 1715 the same lot, with others, was sold to William Timson:
March 16, 1715
Trustees City of Williamsburg
to
Timson, William
Consideration: 45 shillingsThree certain lots of ground in city of Williamsburg, denoted in the plan thereof by the figures 323, 46, and 47.
[York county records, III
Card 325]
This deed of 1715 also contained a building clause, and evidently Timson erected buildings of some kind on one or more of the three lots, for when he sold the same three lots in 1717 the consideration had advanced to £300.
Timson was bound to Sheils for £60 IE Timson used lots for deed. Seeds & Bonds p. 185
May 31, 1717
Timson, William
to
Shield, James
Consideration: 300 PoundsAll those three lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the city by the figures 46, 47, 323, which three lots were granted unto William Timson by the Trustees of City of Williamsburg, together with the houses thereon.
[York county records, III
Card 336]
How or when Shield disposed of the lot is not known; a previous report of this Department suggests that the deed may have been destroyed during the Civil War. At any rate, several years later, from 1719 to 1729, various deeds for lot #47 describe it as adjoining "the storehouse of Mr. Archibald Blair" so frequently and in such a manner as to indicate that he owned the lot.
March 9, 1719
Hyde, Samuel
to
Freedman, Joseph
Consideration: 10 PoundsOne certain lot or half acre of land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plat of the said city by the figures 47, and adjoining on the great stree between the store house of Mr. Archibald Blair and the house of Henry Gill, and all houses, outhouses.
[York county deeds III
Card 357]
June 15, 1719
Freeman, Joseph
to
Jones, Thomas
Consideration: 131 PoundsAll that lot or half acre of ground … by the figures 47 and joining on the Great Street between the storehouse now in the tenure of Archibald Blair and the house now in the tenure of Henry Gill …
[York county deeds III
Card 359]
3February 7, 1721
Freeman, Joseph-Joyner
to
Jones, Thomas - Merchant
Consideration: 135 PoundsAll that lot or half acre of ground … by the figures 47, and adjoining on ye Great Street between the storehouse now in the tenure of Archibald Blair and ye house now in the tenure of Michael Archer …
[York county deeds III
Card 383]
August 4, 1722
Jones, Thomas
to
DeGraffenried, Christopher
Consideration: 130 PoundsAll that lot and half acre of ground … by the figure 47, and adjoining on the Great Street between the storehouse now in the tenure of Michael Archer …
[York county deeds III
card 384]
December 15, 1729
Hyde, Samuel
Sarah, his wife
to
Packe, RichardOne certain lot … by the figures 47, and adjoining the great street between the storehouse of Mr. Archibald Blair and the house of Henry Gill …
[York county deeds, IV
card 424]
From the foregoing records it would seem that Archibald Blair was so closely identified with the "storehouse" from 1719 to 1729 that it is most likely he owned it.
There are many references to Archibald Blair as a physician, but the fact that he was an apothecary seems to be based on his possession of a "storehouse" which, if it were a store, would logically be an apothecary.
Dr. Archibald Blair died "about 1734" (Virginia Biography, I, p.187-188). We do not have record of his will, but evidently his property, or at least this lot, passed to his son, John Blair, who also inherited $10,000 from his uncle, James Blair, brother of Dr. Archibald Blair.
John Blair, Sr., evidently was in partnership with various members of the Prentis family for a number of years and they carried on a merchandising business in the Brick Store.
"William Prentis was a prominent mercahnt of Williamsburg and was for some time a partner of Hon. John Blair. He married Mary, daughter of John Brooke, of York county. His will was proved April 19, 1765…"[Virginia Magazine of History vol. 32, p. 250]The partnership is mentioned in other magazine articles and references:
His will mentioned "that for a number of years he was a 'co-partner in trade with Hon. John Blair.' "[William and Mary Quarterly4
vol. 6 (1) p. 125
York county records. William Prentiss, John Blair, and Wilson Cary, merchants and partners, 1746".
Tyler's Magazine II, 205
The copy of the will of William Prentis in the Department of Research does not mention his lot nor the partnership with John Blair. It is possible that this is an incomplete abstract and that a complete copy would give more information. [York county deeds, Book 21, card 1522]
Other references indicate that John Blair was in business with John Prentis also, so it may be that John Prentis inherited the business from his father William Prentis. John Blair, sr., died in 1771. Since John Blair, jr., was one of the three who sold the lot in 1779 it must be that he inherited his father's interest, but advertisements in 1773 appear in the name of John Prentis.
Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, eds.
May 27, 1773 For SALE, at Mr. JOHN PRENTIS Store, in Williamsburg,
an exceeding elegant SPINET, in a genteel Mohogany Case, with a Musick Desk, spare Wires, Quills, &c. This Instrument is entirely new, and just imported in the Virginia, Captain Esten. The lowest Price is twenty two Pounds Currency.[card 1544]
In 1773 a notice in the Virginia Gazette refers to two partners who, with John Prentis, formed the firm of Prentis and Company. One of these may have been John Blair, who died in 1771, two years before. Wilson Cary's will, 1772, does not mention this property specifically. [V10, 189-193]
Virginia Gazette
October 14, 1773Williamsburg, October 13, 1773
By the DEATH of two of our principal partners, it is become absolutely necessary that all ACCOUNTS should be IMMEDIATELY SETTLED. We must therefore desire every Person indebted, whether by BILLS, BONDS, or OPEN ACCOUNTS of twelve Months standing, to discharge their respective Balances without Loss of Time, as no farther indulgence can be given. The Trade will be carried on to its usual Extent, and we do not mean by this Advertisement to press such of out good Customers as have been punctual in their Dealings with their obliged humble Servants,
[card 1632]
JOHN PRENTIS, & Co.
A shipment of tea consigned to this firm from England in 1774 was thrown into the York River and the firm was so censured that Prentis made a public declaration of regret and apology in the Virginia Gazette: 5
Virginia Gazette
John Pinckney, ed.November 24, 1774
The inhabitants of York, having been informed that the Virginia, cammanded by Harvard Esten, had on board two half chests of tea, shipped by John Norton, esquire, and son, merchants in London, by order of Messieurs Prentis and company, Merchants in Williamsburg, assembled at ten o'clock on Monday the 7th instant, and went on board the said ship, where they waited some time for the determination of the meeting of several members of the house of burgesses in Williamsburg … they immediately hoisted the tea out of the hold and threw it into the river … On the Wednesday following the county committee met, to consider this matter; and after mature deliberation, came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, that we do highly approve of the conduct of the inhabitants of York, in destroying the tea on board the Virginia.
Resolved, that Messieurs Prentis and company have incurred the displeasure of their country men, by not countermanding the orders for the tea, having had frequent opportunities to do so …
[card 1834]
Virginia Gazette
John Pinckney, ed.November 24, 1774
It gives me much concern that I have incurred the displeasure of the York and Gloucester committees, and thereby the public in general, for my omission in not countermanding the order which I sent to Mr. Norton for two half chests of tea; and do with truth declare, that I had not the least intention to give offence, nor did I mean an opposition to any mMeasure for the public good. My country men, therefore, it is earnestly hoped will readily forgive me for an act which may be interpreted so much to my discredit; but I again make this public declaration that I had not the least design to act contrary to those principles which ought to govern every individual who has a just regard for the rights and liberties of America.
[card 1835]
JOHN PRENTIS
Later advertisements and references indicate that Robert Prentis, the cousin, either inherited or bought the business of John Prentis and Company: 6
Virginia Gazette
Alexander Purdie
December 22, 1775The surviving partners of Mr. John Prentis, late manager of the trade under the firm of himself and Co. earnestly request all persons indebted to the said partnership to pay their respective balances to Mr. Robert Prentis, the present manager; and such who cannot possibly comply therewith will think it but reasonable to close their accounts, by giving bond and security to
ROBERT PRENTIS, & Co.
In the manuscript letters of Robert Prentis, copies of which are in the Department of Research, are two references to Mr. Blair and to the firm of John Prentis.
[no date]
Mr. Prentis submits it to Mr Blair's &c [torn] toion, whether an advertisement respecting [torn] Stores had not better be inserted this Week, that he might make application to those indebted with proper Power; in order to collect or close the accots — Should they be of this opinion, they will be pleased to frame such a One, as they may approve, & send to him this Morning.
This last manuscript note is evidently a rough draft about which he had questioned Mr. Blair and which subsequently appeared in the Virginia Gazette as quoted above.Friday
Wmsburg, Decr 22d 1775On the Decrease of Mr John Prentis late Manager of the Partnership Trade, under the Firm of John Prentis & Co, and all Persons indebted to the said Partnership are earnestly requested to pay their respective Balances to Mr Robert Prentis, the present Manager of the Concern, & such as cannot possibly do so much, & has not already given Bond & Security, will think it reasonable now to do so. Will some thing of this work suffice? I am at a loss who should subscribe the advertisement.
A deed for a later transfer refers to this property "as part of the joint stock in trade under the firm of Robert Prentis & Company, by a settlement of the said stock made the 4th February, 1778" [card 811] 7
Virginia Gazette
Dixon & Hunter
May 15, 1778Williamsburg May 5, 1778
To be sold, for ready money, before the Raleigh door, on the 23d instant, and to be entered on the 1st of July next, the store houses and lot in this city, late the property of John Prentis, & company.
On November 10, 1779, John Blair, Wilson Miles Cary and Robert Prentis made the following deed to William Hornsby, the merchant, for a consideration of £1000.
November 10, 1779
Blair, John
Cary, Wilson Miles
Prentis, Robert
to
Hornsby, William
Consideration: 1000 PoundsWhereas the said John Blair for himself and as executor of his faters estate, the said Wilson Miles Cary for himself and as one of the executors of his fathers estate, Robert Prentis for himself and executor of the estate of Mr. John Prentis, were for themselves and the aforesaid respective estates interested in a certain lot of ground in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plan thereof by the figures which said lot and store houses thereon were considered as part of the joint stock in trade under the firm of Robert Prentis & Company, by a settlement of the said stock made the 4th February, 1778.
And whereas, it has been agreed on by the aforesaid John Blair, Wilson Miles Cary and Robert Prentis, sole managers and directors of the said Partnership, to dissolve the same, and in order to close the account thereof it became necessary to make sale of the said lot, the same was accordingly advertised in the Gazette, and sold to Robert Prentis the highest bidder for the sum of 1000 pounds.
Now this indenture witnesseth, that the parties of the first part grant, bargain sell unto the said WIlliam Hornsby … the lot and storehouse above mentioned with all appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging.
[York records VI, card 811]
The connection of Wilson Miles Cary with the firm may have come about by his marriage in 1759 to Sarah Blair, daughter of John Blair. Or, since the deed says "as one of the executors of his fathers estate" it may mean that his father, Miles Cary, who died in 1772 [Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography I, p. 205] was one of the"two principal partners" whose death was mentioned in 1773. By inference, this would mean that John Blair, Miles Cary and john Prentis were carrying on the business before 1771.
8Apparently Hornsby did not complete payments on the property as various references mention the property still in the name of Robert Prentis. Entries in Harwood's Ledger list reparis which are charged to Robert Prentis from the years 1778 to 1783. These repairs mention the store, backroom, stairway, chimney, necessary house and porch. They have been copied in the previous architectural report.
One lot, which is probably this one, is charged to Robert Prentis in the Williamsburg tax books for the following years:
| no. of lots | annual rent of lots | amount of taxes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1785 | Robert Prentis | 1 | 20/ | 1 |
| 1791 | Ro: Prentis | 1 | 20/ | 1 |
| 1797 | Robert Prentis | 1 | 20/ | 1 |
| 1801 | Robert Prentis | $66.67 | 1/ 5 | |
| 1806 | Prentis, William | 1 | 70. |
Also, a letter written in 1807 refers to the store as belonging to William Prentis:
Williamsburg
February 10th, 1807Anderson, Ro.
Letter book, no.1
Virginia historical society
[to William Prentis, Petersburg]Having been informed by Judge Prentis that you are desirous of selling your store house and lot in this city now tenanted by Mr. Warburton and being desirous of purchasing the same, I thought proper to address you on that subject …
According to later evidence not Anderson but the tenant Warburton purchased the lot. The Williamsburg land tax records for 1809 charge Robert H. Warburton with one lot "via Prentis", and later deeds mention it as "the same house and lot sold to the said Robert H. Warburton by William Prentis and Mary his wife." [card 914]
The following records indicate that at the death of Warburton his estate was disposed of by commissioners, and that this lot was involved in the settlement of the estate.
8a[At this point forward, there seems to be two complete and correct chains of title for this property. One chain is that by which Samuel Shield bought it from the commissioners of Warburton's estate; and although a record in 1814 says he sold it to William C. Drummond, he was still receiving title from Augustine Drummond for his 1/6 part in 1822 when Augustine had just come of age.
The other chain of title begins in 1811 when Warburton sold one lot to Cary Drummond. This lot is not positively identified or described, but by following it through, it is identified in later deeds, such as those of Millington, Griffin and Camm.
The record of Gary Drummond is carried down to a later date and shows on tax records. It may be significant that Shields is not again found as an owner of this lot and is not listed on the tax records. In other words, while I cannot explain these records in which Shields seems to purchase this lot, this record is a dead end and I can find no record of his later ownership or selling it.
We have only notes on transfers for these dates. Our copies of York records and with 1811, and it is possible that the later deeds would describe and verify the ownership.
Thus in this record, pages 9 and 10 must be considered an alternate record for the chain of title beginning on page 11 and the confusion somehow cleared up.]
9April 8, 1811
J Jackson, George } Anderson, Robert } Commisioners of estate of Robert H. Warburton Galt, William T. } to
Sheilds, Jr., samuel
Consideration: $600A house and lot on the Main Street in the city of Williamsburg, bounded on the East by a cross street, on the South by the Main Street, on the West by the brick tenement occupied by Mrs. Paradise and on the North by the Back Street, which said house and lot Robert H. Warburton purchased of __________ Prentis.
[York county deeds, 8
card 905]
April 18, 1814
Sheild, Samuel
Maria, his wife
to
Drummond, William C
Consideration: 217 Pounds.A certain house and lot on the Main Street in the City of Williamsburg whereof the late Robert H. Warburton died seized and which the said Samuel Sheild purchased at a sale made thereof by George Jackson, William T. Galt, and Robert Anderson, Commissioners appointed by a decree of the Hustings Court of Williamsburg to make sale of certain property belonging to the estate of the said Robert H. Warburton.
[York county deeds, 8
card 906]
10April 18, 1814
Drummond, William C.- 1st part
and
Sheild, Samuel,-2nd part
and
Anderson, Robert - Trustee - 3rd part
Consideration: 217 PoundsDeed of Trust on a certain house and lot on the Main Street in the City of Williamsburg, formerly belonging to Robert H. Warburton, dec'd, but purchased by Samuel Sheild of the Commissioners and by the said Sheild sold to Drummond.
[York county deeds, 8
card 907]
July 13, 1815
Vass, William P.
Bethis, his wife
Drummond, William C., John & Martha
to
Sheild, Samuel, Jr.
Consideration: $120.Convey their several shares in the house and lot commonly called the "Brick Store", the lot whereof is bounded on the East by the land which separates it from the house occupied by Doctor _______ Dufort, on the South by the main Street, on the West by the lot late in the occupation of Lucy L. Paradise, decd, and on the North by _______ street, and which is the same house and lot sold to the said Robert H. Warburton by William Prentis and Mary, his wife. And by the said Warburton devised to the above grantors and wife of the grantee.
[York county records, 8
card 914]
April 30, 1822
Drummond, Augustine
to
Sheild, Samuel
Consideration: $600Whereas Robert H. Warburton, late of the City of Williamsburg (Half brother of the said Augustine) died seized and possessed of a house and lot lying and being in the said city called the Brick Store purchased by him of a certain William Prentis, of which under the will of the said Robert H. Warburton, dec'd, the said Augustine was entitled to 1/6 part …
And whereas by a decree of the said Court … the said house and lot was sold by certain commissioners appointed for that purpose and purchased by Samuel Sheild as the highest bidder …
Augustine Drummond now being of age and having received his 1/6 part is willing and desirous to confirm name unto the said Samuel Sheild.
[York county deeds, 8, p. 107-08
card 924]
[Records pertaining to this chain of title can be traced no further.]
11The land tax records in the city of Williamsburg, district of Benjamin Bucktrout, for 1810, charge Robert Warburton with 1 lot, valued at $80.00 and taxed at $1.25.
In 1811 the tax records and transfers for the year record "Cary Drummond via Warburton — 1"
In 1812 Cary Drummond was charged with 1 lot, valued at $100 for which he paid a tax of $1.56.
In 1818 he sold the lot to William Lee:
| "Lee, William, | 1 | 100. | Via Cary Drummond lot and brick store on the north side of the Main street, and is the same formerly the property of Robert H. Warburton, dec'd." |
The records for 1830 credit Lee with one lot, a building valued at $1225, land and building valued at $1325, yearly rent of $125 and a tax of $2.54. An added note explains, "Reassessed; new building estimated at $225."
In 1840 Lee's lot was valued at $1175 and the "total value of lots and buildings" was also $1175. The yearly rent was $100 and the tax was $2250.
In 1841 he sold the lot to John Millington, according to "Transfers and other property notes" for that year.
The books for 1843 charge Millington and Griffin with one lot with the building valued at $925, the lot and building at $1175, yearly rent of $100, and a tax of $3.60, the lot described "via William H. Lee, Transferred in 1841."
In 1844 John Millington purchased 1 lot "via Samuel S. Griffin heretofore Millington & Griffin."
In 1847 John Millington is charged with one lot valued at $325., lot and buildings at $1175, yearly rent of ___ and tax of $3.12, the lot "formerly charged to Millington and Griffin."
12This brings the history of the lot beyond the period described in the Williamsburg in Virginia. The remainder of this report may be considered as notes concerning the previous architectural report, dated September 8, 1933.
I am unable to verify the data in the statement that "In 1856 Doctor Edward Camm bought the part of the lot between the Ludwell-Paradise House and the brick shop and erected an apothecary shop."
The abstract of title by which the Restoration acquired the property says "it can be traced to no earlier date than 1865."
However, it seems by this abstract that Doctor Edward Camm bought, not the western part of the lot but the eastern two-thirds. At no place in these deeds does it give the frontage on Duke of Gloucester street, but two later pieces of property both speak of a frontage of 28'. This total of 56' would allow for the lot owned by Julia Minson on the West.
The will of Edward Camm, dated March 28, 1869, recorded March 13, 1871, bequeathes his whole estate to his wife Eliza Camm.
On November 12, 1877 Eliza Camm conveyes to William W. Vest the following piece of property, seemingly the eastern two-thirds of lot #46:
13November 12, 1877
Camm, Eliza
to
Vest, William WThat lot of land in the City of Williamsburg, with the buildings thereon, bounded on the south by Main Street; east by Colonial Street; north by Nicholson Street; and, west by the lot of Julia Minson. Which the said Camm (Edward Camm) purchased of John Millington.
On March 1, 1884, William W. Best conveyed to G. Teiser the same piece of property:
March 1, 1884
Vest, William W
to
Teiser, G.That lot of land in the City of Williamsburg, with the buildings thereon, bounded on the south by Main Street; east by Colonial Street; north by Nicholson Street; and, west by the lot of Julia Minson…
About 1891 this piece of property was divided when Hannah Teiser sold the eastern part to Samuel Harris and the western part to David Lichtenstein. The latter was sold by the sheriff to satisfy an attachment suit of Lichtenstein.
July 15, 1891
Teiser, Hannah
to
Lichtenstein, DavidThat certain piece or lot of land with the buildings thereon, known Camm's Old Drug Store, and bounded as follows: North by the lot belonging to the house known as the "Red Lion"; south by Duke of Gloucester Street; west by the property of B.D. Peachy; and east by the lot belonging to the house known as the "Red Lion". Said lot fronts 28 feet on Duke of Gloucester Street, and runs back between parallel 85 feet."
In subsequent years this lot was further subdivided. The history of these parcels of land may be traced in the deeds by which the Restoration acquired the entire lot, and need not be given here. 14July 15, 1891
Teiser, Hannah
to
Lichtenstein, DavidThat certain piece or parcel of land with the buildings thereon, situate in said City and known as "The Red Lion", and bounded as follows: North by Nicholson Street, west by the lot of B.D. Peachy, and by the lot known as Camm's Old Drug Store lot; east by a cross street; and, south by Duke of Gloucester Street.
Mrs. Lee's description of the house [Apothecary shop] is as follows:
The brick building, across the street from the Barlow House, which has been mistakenly called for years the Red Lion, closely resembles its former appearance, though the interior, then, was not like it is now. Between this building and the Paradise House was a small frame cottage. Like so many other frame buildings in Williamsburg this was a story and a half house. A negro woman Julia Minson, owned and lived in this house.
Mr. Charles, after describing the Ludwell-Paradise House, says:
The next house on the east was a small one-story house with dormer windows, used as a tailor shop in days when "hand-me-downs" were unknown. The house next on the east, had about the same appearance as it has today. This was Dr. Camm's drug store, built not many years before the War. The brick house, now standing on the corner, and impropertly called the "Red Lion", was used as an apothecary shop, but was used for other purposes when the new drug store was built. There were no other houses then on this square facing on Nicholson.