Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

COLONIAL HOUSE - NO. 55^{107
Block 27 - Lots 272 & 273}

The first owner of lots 272 and 273 was John Redwood who was employed on March 31, 1703 to look after "ye Capitoll & publick prison". (Report of the Public Gaol, p. 8) On April 9, 1703, he was employed to look after and take care of the Capitol & y^e furniture and to be Goaler of y^e Country prison."(Ibid., p. 9) He received an annual salary of thirty pounds sterling as "Goal keeper." (Ibid., pp. 17, 19) He resigned his job at some time before February 10, 1709 (On the resignation of John Redwood, the Council approved the appointment of John Ince in his place. Ibid., p. 25)

Redwood hired Thomas Jones to collect what was due him as keeper of the public jail as the Journal of November 2, 1710 shows. (Journal of the House of Burgesses, 1702-12, p. 254) Perhaps Redwood had died before November 9, 1710, as on that date Elizabeth Redwood's petition to be paid what was due her husband for keeping the public jail was read in the House of Burgesses. (Ibid., p. 261)

In 1707, Redwood got 4 lots in Williamsburg as the following deed indicates:

June 12, 1719

Chuckley Corbin Thacker and Mongo Ingles, Gent. two of the trustees for the city of Williamsburg by their deeds of lease and release bearing date of 28th April, 1707, for the consideration of 3 pounds, confirmed unto John Redwood of the county of York and his heirs forever, four certain lots or half acres of ground lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 61, 62, 272 and 273...(York County Records - Deeds & Bonds - Book III, p. 286)

A year later, for a consideration of 150 pounds, Redwood sold the four lots to Philip Ludwell. From the deed, it is obvious that Redwood's dwelling house at that time was on lots 61 and 62 rather than on the lots 272 and 273 on which colonial house 55 was built:

Redwood, John
Elizabeth, his wife May 4, 1708
to
Ludwell, Philip of Green Springs
Consideration: 150 Pounds

2

All that two lots or half acres of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg on the Northeast side of the Capitol Square, designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 61 and 62, being the lots whereon the dwelling house and outhouses of the said John Redwood do stand.

Also two other lots or half acres of ground lying in the said city and designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 272, 273, together with all houses. (Ibid., Book II, p. 305)

While it is ^not clear that Redwood had built "houses" on lots 272 ^(?) and 273, it seems obvious that he kept his ordinary in 1707 at his dwelling house on the other lots:

Redwood, John - Ordinary Lycense

December 15, 1707

Know all men by these presents that we John Redwood, William Hansford, and James Morris, all of the county of York, are held and firmly bound...
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounded John Redwood hath renewed his lycense to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Williamsburgh...(Ibid. - Deeds, Orders, Wills - Book XIII, p. 110)

Due to the fact that John Redwood's "lease and release" had not been acknowledged or recorded, nor could be

by reason of the death of Mongo Ingles, one of the trustees, by means whereof some doubt and law suits may arise: And whereas the said Philip Ludwell is willing to quit his claim to two of the said four lots, viz: those denoted by the figures 272, 273 and to accept of a release and confirmation of the remaining two lots (61 and 62) mentioned in the deed of lease and release granted to the aforesaid Redwood.

Now this indenture witnesseth that the trustees for the consideration above mentioned, also 30 shillings, quit claim to the said Philip Ludwell, forever, to those two lots or half acres of land lying and being in the city of Williamsburg and now actually in the possession of the said Philip Ludwell and his under tenants, and denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 61 & 62.

(Ibid. - Deeds & Bonds - Book III, p. 286)

The history of lots 272 and 273 from 1708-1719 is not clear from the records. Whether Redwood was unable to finish the payments for his lots 3 to the city is not clear from the records. The lots were re-sold by the trustees to Bridget Menetrie in 1719 and the inclusion of a building clause certainly makes it appear that the condition imposed by the trustees of building houses on both lots had not been met:

Trustees City of Williamsburg
to
April 3, 1719
Menetrie, Bridget
Consideration: 30 shillings

Two certain lots of ground in the city of Williamsburg designed in the plot of the said city by the figures 272, 273.

Shall built within the space of 24 months one or more good dwelling houses on each of the said lots according to An Act of Assembly 1705.

(Ibid., p. 299)

Bridget Menetrie soon sold the lots to Lewis Delony. That she, rather than the trustees, sold the lots points to her as the first builder of a house on these lots. The abstract of the deed reads as follows:

Menetre, Bridget - widow
to
September 21, 1719
Delony, Lewis
Consideration: 30 Pounds

Two lots or half acres of ground in the city of Williamsburg, being the next two lots adjoining Eastward on the lot of John Pasture and are numbered in the plot of the said city by these figures 272, 273.(Ibid., p. 306)

A gap occurs in the records regarding these lots from 1719 to 1739. At the latter date, Samuel Wilerson in his will names Andrew Anderson, barber and peruke maker as the occupier of his house which deeds of later dates locate at lot 272 and 273. The clause in the will reads:

May 17, 1739

It is my will and desire that Mr. Andrew Anderson who now lives in my house be allowed to live in the same two years from the day of my death free from any rent, and at the end thereof he surrender up the same to my executors in good tenable repair.(Ibid. -Wills, Inventories - Book XVIII, p. 494)

4

Two months later, the executors sold lots 272 and 273 with the houses thereon to Andrew Anderson:

July 16, 1739

Dupree, John )
Metcalf, Thomas)
Samuel Wilkinson
Executors
to
Anderson, Andrew - Peruke-maker
Consideration: 80 Pounds

All those two lots or half acres of land in the city of Williamsburg numbered in the plan of the said city by the figures 272 and 273 and adjoining Westerly on the Lot where John Pasture now dwell, together with all Houses, Outhouses etc.(Ibid., Deeds, Book IV, p. 557)

Andrew Anderson kept his shop on the main street but he lived on Nicholson Street as the following mortgage shows:

June 25, 1744

Anderson, Andrew - Peruke Maker
Mary, his wife
to
Wetherburn, Henry ) of James City
Cosby, Mark )
Baskerville, John ) of the County of James City
Consideration: 250 Pounds (Bond) secured to Thomas Creas of the College of William and Mary gardiner.

At the request of the said Andrew Anderson [the three men, Henry Wetherburn & Mark Crosby of James City and John Baskerville of the county of James City] became bound for him as his securities unto Thomas Creas of the Colledge of William & Mary Gardiner for the payment of Two hundred & fifty pounds with the Interest thereof unto the said Thomas Creas his Extors or admore on or before the Twenty first day of June which shall be in the year one thousand seven hundred & forty five Now for the indemnifying the said Securities from all Trouble & Damage that may arise by means of their becoming Securities for the said Andrew Anderson as aforesd This Indenture withnesseth that the said Andrew Anderson & Mary his wife in Consideration thereof and of the ___ & Covenants herein after reserved & expressed the said Andrew Anderson have bargained & Sold and by these presents [?] do bargain & Sell unto the said Henry Wetherburn Mark Crosby & John Baskerville all those tow Lots or half Acres of Ground situate on the North side of Nicholson Street in the aforesd City of Wmsburgh whereon he now dwells Together wth the dwelling house Kitchen Outhouses Gardens & all & singular other profits Commodiites Emoluments & advantages whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining also his shop on the Main Street with the Ground thereto belonging and also four slaves by name Judith with Adam & Eve her 5 children & Jo a Molatto boy together with their Increase To have... during the full Term of five hundred Years from hence.. Yielding & paying unto the said Andrew Anderson & Mary his Wife... for the said bargain'd premisses the Yearly rent of one Ear of Indian Corn upon the Feast of S^t John the Baptist if the Same be lawfully demanded [The indenture would become void if Andrew Anderson's Heirs, Executors, and Administrators should save the three from all Trouble & Damages that may arise from their securities]... And it is hereby declared to be true Interest of the parties to these presents that until the said Securities shall actually be lawfull for Andrew Anderson and Mary his wife... enjoy the premisses and to tak & receive the Rents Issues & profits thereof without rendeing any account for the same.

(Ibid. - Deeds - Book V, p. 113)

Something of the competitive spirit that existed in the crafts of 18th century Williamsburg crept into the advertisements of Alexander Finnie and Andrew Anderson in the Virginia Gazette. On September 12, 1745, Alexander Finnie advertised that he was"in want of Two or Three Journeymen, that understand the Business of a Barber and Peruke-maker."(Virginia Gazette, William Parks)

On September 26, 1745, Andrew Anderson inserted the following:

Whereas my honest Neighbour, that has advertis'd for Two or Three Journeymen, has lately seduced One from my Service, in a clandestine and undermining Manner; which I am well persuaded, that no Man but one of his Principles would have done: Therefore it's to be hoped, that one of the Number he has advertised for, will come into my Service, in Lieu of him who has been so villanously cajol'd as above, who may depend on having good Encouragement, from
Andrew Anderson(Ibid., William Parks)

On March 26, 1751, Andrew Anderson wrote his will in which he made the following provisions:

All my estate both real and personal shall be sold at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned to the best advantage towards the payment of all my just debts, and the remainder to be equally divided between my wife and my beloved children, viz. Robert Anderson and Andrew Anderson to be put out for the benefit and advantage of my children at the discretion of my executors until my said children arrive at the age of 21 years, in case either of them should die before he arrives at the age of 21, then the whole to go the survivor. 6 Mark Cosby, John Coke and John Pearson Webb - executors.

(York County Records - Wills, Inventories - Book XI, p. 278)

Before his death Anderson found it necessary to mortgage (?) lot 272 and later to sell part of one. Thus the lots came to be divided between two sets of owners.

In the fall of 1751, Nathaniel Walthoe who was Clerk of the Council (and therefore paid sometimes as Clerk of the General Assembly, Journal of the House of Burgesses,, 1746, p. 230; 1749, p. 404; 1754, p. 183; 1761, p. 23 etc) bought the tenement house and part of lots 272 and 273 as the following records show:

November 15, 1751

Anderson, Andrew - Peruke Maker
Mary, his wife (1st Part)
and
Wetherburn, Henry
Cosby, Mark
Baskerville, John (2nd Part)
and
Walthoe, Nathaniel (3rd Part)
Consideration: 107 Pounds, 10 shillings.

Whereas the said Andrew Anderson is and stands seised in fee simple of and in two Lotts or half Acres of Ground with the Buildings thereon Erected numbered... 272, 273 and whereas the said Andrew Anderson and Mary his wife by their certain Indenture of Mortgage... did Bargain and sell unto Henry Wetherburn Mark Cosby and John Baskervyle... And Whereas the said Andrew Anderson hath Erected and Built on part of the said Lotts one messuage or Dwelling House which he is willing and desirous to sell and dispose of and to apply the Money arising by the Sale thereof towards discharging a certain Bond or Obligation in the aforementioned Indenture of Mortgage mentioned Now this Indenture witnesseth that the said A. A. and Mary his Wife by an with the Consent and Approbation of the said Henry Wetherburne Mark Cosby and John Baskervyle testified by their being made Parties and sealing and Delivering of these presents for and in Consideration of £107 10 S current money to Andrew Anderson in hand paid by Nathaniel Walthoe - all agree that Walthoe have the house & Lott 20 x 24 ft.

On 15 day of Nov. 1751 - Nathaniel Walthoe got peaceable and quiet possession & seisure of the parcel of Ground & House.

(York County Records - Deeds - Book V, p. 457)

December 14, 1751

Anderson, Andrew - Barber & Peruke Maker
Mary, his wife - (1st part)
and
Wetherburn, Henry 7 Cosby, Mark
Baskerville, John (2nd part)
and
Walthoe, Nathaniel (3rd part)
Consideration: 10 Pounds, 15 shillings

All that Piece or parcel of Ground part of the Lotts aforesaid lying & being Contiguous and adjoining to the Messuage or Tenement aforesaid and is bounded as followeth... begining at the North End of the Messuage or Tenement aforesaid and running thence along Mrs. Charlton Line thirty five feet & an half to the said Anderson Garden Pales then West along the said Garden Pales thirty six feet Thence South sixty one feet and an half to Nicholson Street Thence East along the said Street to the Messuage or Tenement aforesaid.

(Ibid., p. 459-60)

In 1752, Andrew Anderson intended to leave for England and advertised his property for sale. (Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, June 5, 1752) Whether he died in America or abroad is uncertain. His will was probated on November 20, 1752. (York County Records, Wills, Inventories, Book XX, p. 278)

In accordance with Anderson's will, John Webb, one of his executors, sold his property to Alexander Jameson. Nothing was written in this first deed about Walthoe's part of the property. The deed read:

December 14, 1752

Webb, John Pearson - Executors
Andrew Anderson
to
Jameson, Alexander
Consideration: 132 Pounds

Andrew Anderson died greatly in debted; Mark Cosby one of the executors died; John Coke refused to take upon him the Execution of the Will: therefore John Pearson Webb - having for several weeks past publicly advertised his intention of selling the said Premises set the said Lotts and Houses up at Publick Sale. Alexander Jameson was the highest bidder. Offered £132. was Possessed of one dwelling House Outhouses and near two Lots of Land Scituate & lying on North side of Nicholson and adjoining the House and Lott where Lydia Charlton now dwells.
Witness
Edw. Charlton

(York County Records - Deeds - Book V, 529)

The record of the sale of the property by Jameson to George Davenport is not yet available. The reason for selling may be found in the following 8 advertisements:

Williamsburg, October 1, 1755

The Subscriber having several considerable Sums of Money to pay this October Court, requests the Favor of those Gentlemen, who are indebted to him, to pay their respective Accounts at that Time: Their Compliance with this will greatly oblige
Their humble Servant,
Alexander Jameson

(Virginia Gazette, William Hunter, October 10, 1755)

Mary, the widow of Anderson, married Joshua Morris. She signed away her dower right in the property to George Davenport for 20 pounds as the following document shows:

April 25, 1757

Morris, Joshua - Mary, his wife
to
Davenport, George

Whereas the said Andrew Anderson in his lifetime and at the time of his death was seized and possessed of two lots of half acres of ground lying and being in the said city of Williamsburg, and numbered in the Plan of the said city by the figures 272, 273, together with the Houses and other premises thereon being and thereunto belonging and died seized, leaving the said Mary - the wife of the said Joshua Morris, his widow, by means whereof she became entitled to one third part of the said lots and houses as her dower therein: And whereas after the death of the said Andrew Anderson the said lots and houses were sold and conveyed by his executor in pursuance of his last will and testament to Doctor Alexander Jameson who hath since conveyed the same to the said George Davenport by indenture of bargain and sale bearing date the 1st day of January last.

Consideration: 20 pounds.

(York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, p. 106)

In 1758, George Davenport for £150 sold all these lots, except the part belonging to Walthoe to a scrivener:

November 18, 1758

Davenport, George - Attorney at Law
to
West, Joshua, - Scrivener

All those two lots or half acres in the City of Williamsburg, numbered on Plan of said city 272 and 273 (EXCEPT so much of the Lott 272 as now belongs to Nathaniel Walthoe, Esq.) which lots 9 said Davenport purchased of Alexander Jameson, Physician, 1 January, 1757.
Consideration - £150(Ibid., p. 164)

This part of 272 and 273 was sold by Joshua West to Blovet Pasteur in 1759:

September, 1759

West, Joshua
to
Pasteur, Blovet
Consideration: 150 Pounds

All those two lots or half acres of ground lying and being in the said city of Williamsburg and numbered on the plan of the said city by the figures 272, 273, except so much of the lot 272 as now belongs to Nathaniel Walthoe, Esq, which said two lots the said Joshua West purchased of George Davenport, attorney by and an indenture of Bargain and sale bearing date November 18, 1758, now remaining of record in the county of York.
With all houses, outhouses.(Ibid. - Land Causes - p. 117)

Nathaniel Walthoe who died in 1770 (Proof: "THE creditors of Nathaniel Walthoe, Esq; late of the city of Williamsburg, deceased, are desired to prove their demands... Ben. Waller, Executor" (Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, November 1, 1770) left his property to his sister Henrietta Marmillod and his tow nieces, Mary and Martha Hart in Great Britain. (Hening's Statutes, Vol. VIII, pp. 627-28) In order to pay Walthoe's debts and to settle up the estate, Benjamin Waller, his executor, advertised in the Virginia Gazette:

November 29, 1770

ON Tuesday next, if fair, otherwise next fair day, at ten o'clock in the morning, at the late dwelling house of Nathaniel Walthoe, Esq; deceased, in this city, will be sold great part of his personal estate, consisting of household furniture, desks, and a variety of other articles, on six months credit for all sums about 40s. bond and security being given. His valuable collection of English, Latin, French, and Italian BOOKS, are to be sold altogether or separately, at anytime, Such as are lent out are desired to be returned. The books themselves, or a catalogue of them, may be seen by applying to
BEN. WALLER, Executor(Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, November 29, 1770)

10

Waller petitioned the House of Burgesses in behalf of Henrietta Marmillod on February 12, 1772. (Journals of the House of Burgesses, 1770-1772, p. 179)

The result of this was an act of the General Assembly:

WHEREAS Nathaniel Walthoe, late of the city of Williamsburg, esquire, deceased, being, in his lifetime, seised in fee simple of and in divers houses, tenements, and lots, or parcels of land, with the appurtenances, in this colony, by his last will and testament, in writing, among other things, did devise all his estate in Virginia, of what nature soever, to his sister Henrietta, and his nieces Mary and Martha Hart (all of the kingdom of Great-Britain) to be equally divided between them, but chargeable with the payment of all his legal debts in Virginia, and with several legacies, therein particularly mentioned, as in the said will, proved and recorded in the general court of this colony, more fully is contained, and soon after departed this life, seised as aforesaid. And whereas the said Henrietta, Mary, and Martha, by their letter of attorney, dated the twenty-third day of August last past, have ordained, constituted, and appointed Benjamin Waller, of the said city, the only acting executor of the will aforesaid, their attorney... And whereas it is represented to this general assembly, that the said Benjamin hath collected great part of the said effects, and thereout paid and satisfied the said debts and legacies, and hath contracted for the sale of some of the said tenements, but that some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and forty-nine, the said Henrietta intermarried with one ____ Marmillod, an alien, and after cohabitating with him a short time in France, returned to her relations in Great-Britain, with whom she hath lived ever since, and that her said husband hath continued abroad in foreign parts, and is, or lately was, an inhabitant of Denmark, but had appointed his said wife his attorney, to transact all affairs for him in Great-Britain, and that the said Henrietta is infirm, and in want of the money arising from the estate so devised to her by her said brother, but that it is doubted whether any sale, conveyance, and assurance of such estate, made and executed by her, or by her attorney, for her, may be adjudged good and effectual in law, to pass the said estate to the purchasers thereof, and to bar her heirs. May it therefore please your most excellent majesty, that it may be enacted, And be it enacted, by the Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That the said Henrietta Marmillod shall and may,... dispose of the same if her said husband was naturally dead, and as if the said Henrietta was actually and really a feme sole.(Hening's Statutes, Vol. VIII, pp. 627-29)

In conformity with that act, the three heirs of Walthoe sold their property to Elizabeth Balsom - 11

March 10, 1772

Marmillod, Henrietta
Hart, Mary
Hart, Martha
to
Balsom, Elizabeth
Consideration: 102 Pounds

All that messuage or dwelling house where Nathaniel Walthoe lately lived together with the pieces or parcel of ground thereunto adjoining and belonging lying and being on the North side of Nicholson Street in the city of Williamsburg, which said messuage or house was sold and conveyed unto the said Nathaniel by Andrew Anderson and Mary, his wife... and by the said Nathaniel devised to the said Henrietta, Mary and Martha by his last will.(York County Records - Deeds - Book VIII, p. 210)

Three years later after the death of Elizabeth Balsom, her property was advertised:

March 4, 1775

TO BE SOLD,
On Monday the 13th Instant (March) at the House of the late ELIZABETH BALSAM, in the City of Williamsburg, All the Household and Kitchen Furniture of the said Deceased, together with the HOUSE, a valuable young COLT, And every other Article belonging to the said Estate. Six Months CREDIT will be allowed for all Sums above 40s.
John Conrad Ginter, Administrator(Virginia Gazette, Dixon and Hunter)

Perhaps Blovet Pasteur bought it.

Sarah Hallam gave dancing lessons at Blovet Pasteur's house. (Ibid., John Pinkney, August 17, 1775) Whether or not there was any connection between the music necessary for the dancing and the following announcement cannot be established:

September 20, 1776

Deaths] Mr. CHARLES LEONARD, a native of Cologne in Germany, and well known in Virginia for his excellent but capricious performance on the violin. He died in his 76th year, and played his last solo in the house of Mr. Blovet Pasteur of this city. (Ibid., Alexander Purdie)

On the map of the Unknown Draftsman, "Pasteur" is shown with two 12 lots numbered 272 and 273 between Scovemont on the west and White on the east. Bucktrout shows Pasteur with one lot between Scovemont and White. Bucktrout has one less lot in this area between Queen Street and Greenhow's Street than the Unknown Draftsman.

The James City County Tax Records for 1785 show that Blovet Pasteur had 2½ lots. In 1791, Blovet Pasteur's Est had 2½; also in 1797. In 1801, his name appears as Blovet Pasture, an evidence of the anglicizing of non-English names. In 1806, Blovet Pasture's Est had 2¼. The name disappears from the record in 1810.

Colonial House - No. 129
Block 9-1, 1940 Map

^{Blovet Pasteur's House or "Wigmaker's House" Removed from Block 27 Lots 272-273 to Francis St. and subsequently removed from there and sold.}

This house was moved to its present site by a private owner in recent years. Originally it stood on Nicholson Street and was once the home of Blovet Pasteur, wig-maker. (Statement from Architectural Department)

The house originally stood on colonial lots 272 and 273. Buildings were probably erected on these lots about the year 1719. (York County Records - Records, Vol. III, pp. 299 and 306) By 1739, these lots had come into possession of John Dupree and Thomas Metcalf, the executors of Samuel Wilkinson, who in July of that year sold the property to Andrew Anderson, a peruke-maker. (Ibid., Deeds, Book IV, p. 557) In 1752, Andrew Anderson and his wife, Mary, conveyed the lots, which at that time had upon them a dwelling house and kitchen, to Henry Weatherburn, Mark Cosby and John Baskerville. (Ibid., Deeds, Book V, p. 457) This property changed hands twice during the years 1752-59. (Ibid., Deeds, Book V, p. 529-30; Deeds, Book VI, p. 106)

By 1759, the property had come into the possession of Blovet Pasteur, a wigmaker. (York County Records, Land Causes, p. 117)

The building has not been restored.

^{[Now removed - Once known as Wigmakers house]}