Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

NORTON HOUSE
Colonial lot 162 (62) Block 19 #13
April, 1940

This lot, correctly numbered 162 on the plan of the city and in most deeds, has been referred to in several deeds as 62. There seems no doubt that this is a mistake, as internal evidence in the deeds themselves indicate the lot usually called #162.

The first owner was Samuel Cobbs who received it from the city in 1716

February 5, 1716

Trustees City of Williamsburg
to
Cobbs, Samuel
Consideration: 30 shillings

Two certain lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg denoted in the plat of the said city by the figures 161 and 162.

Shall within the space of 24 months build and finish upon the said two lots one or more good dwelling houses according to an Act of Assembly 1705.

[York county deeds III card 330]

Cobbs must have erected the required dwelling house or a building of some kind for he kept the lots three years and sold them in 1719 for a price that had increased to 24 Pounds. Also, the deed mentions "appurtenances".

July 18, 1719

Cobbs, Samuel
Edith, his Wife
to
Boush, Samuel, Jr.
Consideration: 24 Pounds

Two lots of land with appurtenances situate, lying and being in the City of Williamsburg beginning at a corner stone on the Main Street and running thence up the Palace Street to another street, thence down the said street to the Market Place, thence along the Market Place to the Main Street, thence along the Main Street to the beginning, the same being taken up by the said Cobbs and acknowledge by the Feoffees of the said city. [York county deeds III card 362]

2

In 1738 Samuel Boush sold lot 162 (62) to James Geddy who, according to this deed, was already living in a house on lot 161. In these deeds the lots are called 62.

December 8, 1738

Boush, Samuel
Frances, his wife
to
Geddy, James
Consideration: 30 Pounds

One lot or half acre of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg and denoted in the Plan of the said City by the figures 62, and adjoining the lot whereon the said James Geddy now dwells. With all houses, woods, [York county deeds IV card 450]

James Geddy was a gunsmith and jeweller, and the Virginia Gazette carried advertisements which described his stock and work: Virginia Gazette
October 6, 1738
W. Parks, ed.

Gentlemen and Others, may by supply'd by the Subscriber in Williamsburg, with neat Fowling-Pieces, and large Guns fit for killing Wild-Fowl in Rivers, at a reasonable Rate. He also makes several Sorts of wrought Brass-work, and casts small Bells.
James Geddy.

Virginia Gazette
July 8, 1737
William Parks, ed. Lost out of Mr. James Geddy's Shop, in Williamsburg, about a Week ago, a Steel Cross-Bow, the Spring of it broke … The said James Geddy has a great Choice of Guns and Fowling-Pieces, of several Sorts and Sizes, true bored …

This specific mention of a shop gives rise to the conjecture that while Geddy lived in the house on lot no. 161, he may have used the house or building on lot #162 for a shop.

The will of James Geddy was proved August 20, 1744. [Tyler's Quarterly, II, 205] His inventory, dated November 19, 1744, from Book 19 of York county records, is on file in the Research Department. [card 1370]

3

Anne Geddy, his widow, sold lot 62 (162) to James Taylor, a tailor, in November, 1750. This scale specified half interest and free use of the well which was on lot 61 (161). Sine the price paid for this one lot was £130, it is likely that other improvements had been made. This increase in price is probably the reason for estimating "before 1750" as the date of the brick house now standing there.

November 17, 1750

Geddy, Anne - widow
to
Taylor, James - Taylor
Consideration : 130 Pounds

All that messuage, tenement lot or half acre of land situate and being in the city of Williamsburg and denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 62, formerly purchased by James Geddy late husband of the said Anne of Samuel Boush - Gent., and by the said James given and bequeathed to the said Anne.

With all houses … also one moiety or half part of the well situate lying and being on the lot No. 61 belonging to the said Anne Geddy and adjoining the lott hereby sold and convey'd with free Liberty to the said James Taylor, his heirs or assigns, his and their Servants & Tenants at all times to pass and repass to the said Well without the interruption or hindrance of the said Anne Geddy or any other person or persons …

[York county deeds, V p. 402 card 521]

Evidently James Taylor mortgaged it immediately, for when he tried, two days later, to sell it to John Holt, merchant, it was with "200 Pounds secured to Thomas Hornsby."

November 19, 1750

Taylor, James - Taylor
to
Holt, John - merchant
Consideration: 20 Pounds secured to Thomas Hornsby

All that lot or half acre of ground with the appurtenances which the said James Taylor purchase of Ann Geddy lying and being in the city of Williamsburg aforesaid described in the plan of the said city by the figures 62. With all houses … [York county deeds, V p. 404 card 522]

4

Evidently this sale to Holt never took effect, for in 1752 we find James Taylor living and carrying on his trade at this location.

Virginia Gazette William Hunter, ed.
February 27, 1752 Feb. 27, 1752
All my Clients, or others, who may have any Business with me during the Sitting of the General Assembly, may direct their Letters to, or find me, at the House of James Taylor (Taylor) on the main Street, just below the Church, in Williamsburg.
Edmund Pendleton

James Taylor seems not to have been very successful for in 1752 he tries to collect account to pay his debts and advertises his household furniture for sale, and in 1753 advertises his house for sale.

Virginia Gazette
William Hunter, ed.
November 17, 1752

Whereas the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, has a great Number of Debts of along Standing, and has laboured under several Inconvenciences for Want of the same, he begs the Favour of all those who are indebted to him to pay their Ballances, immediately, in Order to enable him to satisfy his Creditors.
James Taylor

N. B. A Quantity of Household Furniture will be expos'd to Sale, on the Tenth Day of December next: Six Months Credit will be allowed, the Purchaser giving Bond and Security, as usual, to
James Taylor

Virginia Gazette
William Hunter, ed.
March 2, 1753 To be SOLD
A Lot of Land, with a large Dwelling-House, Kitchen, and other convenient Out-Houses, all in good Repair, and most new, situate on the Main Street in Williamsburg, joining the upper End of the Market Place: The Conveniences of the House and Cellars may be viewed, by any Person inclinable to purchase, and the Terms may be known of the present Proprietor.
James Taylor

5

In 1753 Thomas Hornsby obtained title to the lot from James Taylor, for a recorded price of £100, probably buying it in protection of the mortgage he had on it.

March 13, 1753

Taylor, James - Taylor
to
Hornsby, Thomas
Consideration: 100 Pounds

All that lot or half acre of land with appurtenances and buildings thereon erected and lying and being in the city of Williamsburg aforesaid described in the Plan of the said city by the figures (62) and was purchased by the said James Taylor of one Ann Geddy.
And all houses, outhouses … [York county deeds v p. 533 card 549]

If this was a sale Hornsby did not take complete possession at once, for in 1753 a couple of months later, Taylor was leasing his house to Dr. McKenzie and selling part of it to John Bryan.

May 1, 1753

Taylor, James - Taylor
to
Bryan, John - Wig maker
Consideration: 57 Pounds 13 shillings

All that messuage house and tenement, situate lying and being in Gloucester Street in the city of Williamsburg, and is between the end of the house belonging to the said James Taylor and which he has leased to Dr. Kenneth McKenzie and the house belonging to the widow Geddy containing by estimation 16 feet long and 30 feet wide and is the land whereon the said John Bryan hath built a house and now keeps his shop. [York county deeds, 5 p. 535 card 550]

In 1752 John Bryan and Alexander Maitland had advertised a wig-making shop and the "choice Assortment of Hair" just imported from Great Britain and the "Ladies may likewise be supply'd with Tetes". Possibly the partnership had been dissolved 6 and John Bryan had set up his own shop here.

It seems uncertain whether Hornsby took possession by purchase or whether he had his mortgage foreclosed, for a later deed describes the lot as

"formerly belonged to James Taylor and was by virtue of an execution seized and sold by Thomas Reynolds late Sheriff to Richard Corbin and Mann Page, May 20, 1754." [York county deeds, 6 card 636]

And the deed dated August 18, 1760 by which Anne Geddy sold lot 161 to James Geddy describes it as being bounded

"on the East by the lot of Richard Corbin and Mann Page, Esquires…" [York county deeds, 6 card 621]

In September, 1760, Hugh Walker, merchant, of Williamsburg, and John Goode of London, partners, were interested in the Geddy house on lot 161 to the west. A record in the York county deed book states that "at their own proper cost and charge have repaired and improved a messuage house or tenement.. and are to erect and build a shed to the same 16 feet long and 10 feet wide with an outside chimney…"

In June, 1761, Hugh Walker, merchant, enlarged his property by buying lot 162 adjoining.

June 11, 1761

Corbin, Hon. Richard
and
Page, Mann
to
Walker, Hugh, Williamsburg.
Consideration: 350 Pounds

All that messuage, tenement and lot of land and premises with the appurtenances lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, numbered in the plan of the said city by the figures 62, which lot formerly belonged to James Taylor and was by virtue of an execution seized and sold by Thomas Reynolds, late Sheriff to Richard Corbin and Mann Page, May 20, 1754." [York county deeds, 6 p. 348 card 636]

7

No other record is found in the deeds concerning this section of the lot which James Taylor sold to John Bryan, wig-maker, on May 1, 1753, so it is possible that this sale was invalidated by the mortgage and the entire lot was seized by the sheriff in 1754.

About 1763 Hugh Walker married Mary Thruston, born May 17, 1746, daughter of Col. John Thruston of Gloster Town and his wife Sarah (Minn) Hanes Thruston. [W U M 4 (1) 181] The marriage agreement deeds lot 62 [162] to John Thurston and Mary Thurston of Gloucester county. This deed may have been in the name of Mary and her father because she was only 17 at the time.

May 20, 1763

Walker, Hugh - merchant
to
Thurston, John
Gloucester
Thurston, Mary (Marriage agreement)

Conveys one lot of ground in Williamsburg denoted by the figures 62, with all houses, gardens … [York county deeds 6 p. 537 card 675]

About this time it seems to have been rented to various people. The guidebook states: "It numbered among its Tenants a Watch-maker, a Tavernkeeper, a Teacher, and a Tailor." Some of these claims seem based upon broad interpretations of records. A typed report of Jan. 11, 1934 says: "James Patterson repaired clocks and watches in 1768 in 'a brick house opposite Mr. Baker's'", which is based upon an advertisement:

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon

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
[card 676]

8

The two buildings directly across from the Norton house are the Repiton house and the Greenhow shop and there is no evidence that Mr. Baker lived or had a shop in either. Since they are in James city county, complete records are lacking, but consequently, proof for James Patterson in the Norton house "opposite" is insufficient. Baker is listed in the James City county tax lists for 1768 and 1769 but not definitely located. The only indication of his location at this time is that he paid William Waters store rent:

Waters, William - Estate
In account with administrators
November 21, 1768
Nov. 5, 1761 [?]
From Jerman Baker for Store rent 72/10/7½ [York county wills, 21 p. 473 card 1486]

The only lots owned by William Waters in the York county records are lots 49 and 50. Until it is possible to locate Mr. Baker more definitely, I question that James Patterson can be located in the Norton house because it is "a brick house opposite Mr. Baker's".

The wing of the house which formed a shop was rented to Nathaniel Keith & John Hatch, tailors, in 1767.

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, eds.
March 12, 1767 Nathaniel Keith & John Hatch, Tailors, Propose, by the favour of their friends and the publick, to carry on their business in all its branches, in the shop opposite to Mr. John Greenhow's store, on the main street in Williamsburg, where Gentlemen may depend on having their clothes made in the best manner and newest fashion. Also, Ladies riding habits made in the most fashionable manner. …

9

The Ordinary or Tavernkeeper referred to was probably Samuel Cobbs, first owner of the lots 161 and 162. However, he sold the two lots on July 18, 1719 and not until September 21, 1719, did he take out his license to keep an ordinary.

In 1752 Edmund Pendleton advertised that any client who wished to do business with him could find him at the home of James Taylor, but this is the only evidence that James Taylor entertained outsiders. Whether either one of these could properly be called a Tavernkeeper occupying the house is questionable.

The surgeon who lived in the house is the next owner. Evidently Hugh Walker regained the property at the death of this wife Mary, for in 1770 we find the lot again being deeded in the name of Walker and his wife Catherine. The Christ Church register, Middlesex county, described him as being from Middlesex" "where in 1770 he married Catherine Morgan." [Card Name data, Neale house building]

August 15, 1770

Walker, Hugh - Merchant Middlesex
Catherine, his wife
to
Anderson, Andrew - Surgeon Consideration: 400 Pounds

All that messuage, tenement and lot of land lying and being in the City of Williamsburg and denoted in the Plan thereof by the figures 62, bounded by the North by Nicholson Street, on the East by the Market Square, on the South by Duke of Gloucester Street, on the West by the lot of James Geddy.
And all houses, buildings … [York county deeds 8 p. 73 card 721]

Dr. Anderson kept the property a year and sold it to William Waters, merchant, for an increase of 100 pounds.

10

November 12, 1771

Anderson, Andrew - Surgeon of New Kent
to
Hornsby, William - Merchant
Consideration: 500 Pounds

All that lot or half acre of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg, in the Parish of Bruton and County of York, denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 62, and bounded on the North by Nicholson Street, on the East by the Market Square, on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street, and on the West by the lots of James Geddy, which said lot or half acre of ground was sold and conveyed by Richard Corbin and Mann Page Esq. to Hugh Walker … and by the said Walker and wife, Katherine, to Andrew Anderson.
And all houses. [York county deeds, 8 p. 177 card 735]

The statement that among it tenants was a teacher seems to be based upon the report of 1934 which said that Hornsby rented the house to Bartholomew le Petit. In 1773 Le Petit advertised:

Virginia Gazette
Purdie & Dixon, eds.
May 27, 1773

Williamsburg, May 28, 1773

BARTHOLOMEW LE PETIT begs leave to acquaint the Publick that next Monday Week, being the 7th of June, he proposes, and has for that Purpose taken the Brick House belonging to Mr. RobertJackson, in the Market Square, where he will teach the ENGLISH, LATIN, and FRENCH Tongues, and WRITING and ARITHMETICK in their different Branches. As it is his Intention to do Justice to every Youth who may be intrusted to his Care, he has confined himself to the Number of twenty five. His Terms may be known by applying to him at Mr. Maupin's.

N. B. The LADIES will be waited upon at their own Houses

If this location is accepted as meaning the Norton house, the ownership of Robert Jackson must be disregarded or considered a mistake on the part of Le Petit. In 1778 Robert Jackson, merchant, purchased lot 161 from James Geddy, west of the Norton house, but so far, he has not been identified with the Norton house.

11

In 1773 William Hornsby sold the house and lot to Dr. John Baker.

July 3, 1773

Hornsby, William - Merchant
to
Baker, John - Surgeon Dentist
Both of Williamsburg
Consideration: 425 Pounds

All that lot or half acre of ground lying and being in the city of Williamsburg, Parish of Bruton, County of York, denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 62 and bounded on the North by Nicholson Street, on the East by the Market Square, on the South by the Duke of Gloucester Street, and on the West by the lot of James Geddy, conveyed by Richard Corbin and Mann Page to Hugh Walker and by the said Hugh Walker and Katherine his wife to Andrew Anderson, and by the said Anderson to William Hornsby. [York county deeds 8 page 341 card 757]

Although the record of sale seems lacking, Dr. Baker must have sold the house to William Pitt, who, in turn, had sold it to John Hatley Norton by ^December 1778. At this time a deed for lot 161 describes it as bounded "on the East by the lot of John Hatley Norton lately purchased of William Pitt…" [York county deeds, 6, p. 48, card 796] Unless the statement made in December 1778, "lately purchased" can be construed to mean within the year, it would probably be better to say "by December 1778" instead of "in 1778". The letter of the Norton family in John Norton & Sons make no mention of the house.

John Hatley Norton was the son of John Norton, the English merchant, and conducted the Virginia business of the firm. The regard with which he was held in the community is attested by various letters. That of Lord Botetourt, written during the troublesome years of 1770, may be quoted as representative: 12

Jan. 6, 1770

"You [John Norton] and your partner are in the highest credit and standing believe have been benefited by the Malice of your enemies. Your Son has never missed an opportunity of doing kindly by me ever since my arrival and I can with truth assure you that he bears the best of Characters." [John Norton & Sons p. 118]

On January 26, 1772, John Hatley Norton married Sally Nicholas, daughter of Robert Carter Nicholas, treasurer of the Colony. [Virginia Gazette, Jan. 30, 1772; John Norton & Sons, p. 228]

Among his advertisements this is an example:

Virginia Gazette
Dixon & Nicolson, eds.
October 16, 1779

October 7, 1779

I HAVE for SALE by the package, the following articles: Mens and youths leather shoes, a great variety of cutlery, mens and youths hats, worsted and tread stockings, mens and womens gloves, and assortment of needles and pins, Kendall cottons, German serges, shalloons, Dutch blankets, Bath coating, Irish linens, and good West India rum.
J. H. NORTON

The deed by which Norton sold this lot is not on record here, but a later deed mentions that he sold it to Peachy Wills on November 15, 1781. [York county deeds, 8, p. 16, card 901] This lady was originally Peachy Davenport and married first, Alexander Purdie [1772], second William Holt, and third Wills. [W & M. 7 (1) 17] In the Williamsburg land tax records, district of Benjamin Bucktrout, for 1806, she is listed as owning one lot valued at $70 and paying $1.10 taxes. She retained the property for several years and when she sold it in 1809, was described as a resident of Richmond. 13

September 25, 1809

Wills, Peachy - City of Richmond
to
Greenhow, Robert - Merchant
Consideration: $1,000

All that tenement or parcel of ground situate in the City of Williamsburg on the North side of the Main Street, bounded to the East by the Courthouse square, to the West by the widow Dunsford's lot, and to the North by a lane separating it from St. George Tucker's tenement and now occupied by Roscoe Cole and James Henderson, which said tenement or parcel of ground was purchased by the said Peachy of John H. Norton, November 15, 1781. [York county deeds 8 page 16 card 901]

Robert Greenhow was a nephew of Peachy (Davenport) Purdie Holt Wills, as his mother, Judith (Davenport) Greenhow was her sister. [W & M 7 (1) 17]

While a previous report [1934] says that "Roscow Cole is charged with this property from 1809 to 1854" I do not find his name in the records of taxes for 1810. Robert Greenhow's name appears in 1810 but since he owned four lots it is impossible to identify this one. The name of Roscow Cole first appears in 1812, in the land tax records, district of Benjamin Bucktrout, as owner of 1 lot valued at $130 and paying a tax of $2..3 [sic] In 1811 the Williamsburg land tax records record a transfer of 1 lot "Roscow Cole via Wills". Thus it is possible that Roscow Cole obtained the property in 1811 from Peachy Wills and that the deed to Robert Greenhow was not consummated.

14

This amplifies the house history as given in the Williamsburg in Virginia. The 19th century history of the house and outbuildings is complicated but an outline of it can be obtained from the report of 1934. There have been many outbuildings on these two lots at various times an some advertisements of merchants pertain to shops since razed.

The Architectural Department says it is correct to call the house "early Republic" in appearance. The date of "c 1750" is conjectural. Cobbs must have erected some kind of house or building before he sold it in 1719. In 1753 Taylor advertises it for sale as a "large Dwelling-House, Kitchen, and other convenient Out-Houses, all in good Repair, and most new…". It is first described as a "brick house" in the advertisement of James Patterson, which has been questioned. In the advertisement in which Le Petit says he has taken "the Brick House belonging to Mr. Robert Jackson", the ownership of Jackson is questioned.

The Frenchman's map shows five buildings on lot 162. The house is an L-shaped building on the southeast corner, with the wing fronting on the Duke of Gloucester street. This evidently was used as the shop. When this wing was added in the modern remodelling, it was placed back from the street, rather than on its original location.

The Frenchman's map shows several buildings on these two lots 161 and 162. If they are divided ^equally by an imaginary line there are five buildings on lot 162. An L-shaped building occupies the southeast corner and unites with a smaller building across the front, making a solid line along Duke of Gloucester street. Two small buildings in the middle of the lot are probably outbuildings. A building on Nicholson street was probably a stable. The insurance policy of 1839 shows a "stable of wood 30 x 18" on Nicholson street which is possibly this building.

NORTON HOUSE

This lot was granted as early as 1716 to Samuel Cobbs and undoubtedly had houses of some sort on it in 1718, for it was necessary to build within two years after the city trustees had made a grant. This lot with its houses had a very rapid turnover, and in 1763 was deeded by Hugh Walker to his prospective bride, Mary Thurston and her father, John, as a part of the marriage agreement.

In 1778, this property came into the possession of John Hatley Norton who had come to this country as a representative of his father's London mercantile firm, John Norton & Sons. No doubt young Norton lived here with his Williamsburg wife, Sally Nicholas, daughter of the treasurer of the colony.

Here John Hatley Norton advertised in the Virginia Gazette he had such articles for sale as shoes, cutlery, hats, stockings, men and women's gloves, an assortment of needles and pins, Kendall cottons, German serges, shalloons, Dutch blankets, Bath coating, Irish linens, and good West Indian rum. As the American Revolution was in progress this list of articles must have been welcome news to the housewives of Williamsburg.

This house has been restored.