Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Blair's Brick House - No. 68 (1940 Map)
Block 18 - Colonial Lot No. 44

^obsolete

The colonial lot west of the Paradise House was numbered 44 in the original plan of the city.

This lot was granted to Philip Ludwell on September 23, 1700 by the Trustees of the City of Williamsburg in the same deed by which he received the Paradise house site, for one shilling. The grant recorded in the York County records is as follows

"September 23, 1700.
Trustees City Williamsburg
Ludwell, Col. Phillip
Consideration: 1 shilling;

Three certain lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 43, 44, 45 bounded as follows: Beginning at the Market Place on the North side of Duke of Gloucester Street running East 1/4 North along Duke of Gloucester Street 10 poles 3/4, thence North a 1/4 West 16 poles to Nicholson Street, thence West 1/4 South 17 poles to the Market Place where Nicholson Street and Scotland Street cross each other, thence South 1/4 East 11 poles along the Market Place, thence South 1/4 North 6 poles along the Market Place, thence South 1/4 East 5 poles along the Market Place to the Duke of Gloucester Street ye place first began."

(York County Records, Vol. II-Deeds, Bonds.)

The Act of Assembly of 1705 provided that land so deeded would escheat to the city if one or more good dwelling houses were not erected within twenty-four months. Ludwell evidently built on colonial lot No. 45 (the Paradise site) but failed to build on No. 44 or No. 43 and they escheated. On June 13, 1718 the Trustees of the city gave title to No. 44 and No. 43 to Ambrose Cobs with a building clause: 2

"Trustees City of Williamsburg
to
Cobbs, Ambrose.
Consideration: 1 Pound - 10 shillings.

To certain lots of ground in city of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 43 and 44. Shall begin to build upon each lot one or more good dwelling houses, according to an Act of Assembly 1705."

(York County, Va., Book III-Deeds and Bonds.)

The Trustees of the City of Williamsburg granted the same two lots (43 and 44) to Robert Cobbs on June 15, 1720.

Robert Cobbs sold the property to John Blair December 11, 1725, at which time the deed was recorded in the York County records.

"Cobbs, Robert
to
Blair, John
Consideration: 18 Pounds

Two lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 43, 44, with all houses, etc., which said two lots of ground were formerly granted to the said Robert Cobbs from the Feoffees of the City of Williamsburg, June 15, 1720."

(York County, Va., Vol. III-Deeds, Bonds)

In his will, recorded on October 5, 1771, John Blair bequeathed part of his property to his son, John Blair. The bequest states, "I give and devise to my son John Blair all those lots and houses where I now live, also my four lots whereon my storehouse stands with all their appurtenances to him and his heirs forever."

It may be that lot No. 44 was among these four lots bequeathed to John Blair, Jr. by his father in 1771, but since Blair owned various lots in the city, it is impossible to identify the particular lots.

Sometime prior to 1779 lot No. 44 appears to have come into the possession of John Paradise.

In September 1779 when John Paradise's land was declared excheated to the Commonwealth as British property, this land is referred to. It was described as "being on the North side of the Main Street adjoining the lot of William Lee." William Lee had received the "Ludwell-Paradise" house as part of his share of the Ludwell estate. (York County Records, Deeds, Book 6, p. 68)

On the map of Williamsburg made by an unknown Frenchman in 1781 (or 1782 of 1786) a structure is indicated on what appears to be the site of the present Blair's brick house.

The map of Williamsburg by Bucktrout of 1800 indicates that this property was in the possession of a person or persons named Paradise.

The third map of Williamsburg made about the same period (dated by Lyon G. Tyler as C. 1790, but probably of a later date) also shows this property in the possession of some member or members of the Paradise family.

The available material relating to the history of this property during the remainder of the nineteenth century is fragmentary. Further acquisition of records may make additional information available.