Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

THE FIRST THEATRE

The available records make it appear that William Levingston was the first promoter of a theatre in Williamsburg. As will appear, Levingston had been a merchant in New Kent County before he undertook to establish a theatre in Williamsburg, and while there he had already begun to promote talent.

On November 4 and 5, 1716, Levingston acquired from the Trustees of the city through instruments of lease and release, three lots in Williamsburg (Nos. 163, 164, 169), with the stipulation that he should pay the Trustees a "Yearly rent of one grain of Indian Corn" if it should be demanded. A proviso was also made that unless Levingston should within the space of twenty-four months erect upon each of these lots "one good dwelling house or houses of such dimensions" as were provided for in the Act of the Assembly for building the Capitol and City of Williamsburg, the Trustees might reassert title to these lots.

November 4, 1716

Levingston
from Trustees
Lease

This Indenture made y^e fourth day of Novem^r in y^e Third Year of y^e reign of our Sovereign Lord George by y^e Grace of God of Great Brittain, ffrance & Ireland King Defend^r of y^e faith &c & in y^e Year of our Lord God one Thousand Seven hundred & Sixteen Between y^e ffeoffees or Trustees of y^e Land Appropriated for y^e building & Erecting y^e City of W^msburgh of y^e one part & W^m Levingston of y^e County of York Gentt of y^e Other part Wittnesseth that y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees for divers good causes & Considerations them thereunto moving but more Especially for & in Consideration of five Shillings of good & lawfull money of England to them in hand paid at & before y^e Ensealing & Delivery of these Presents, y^e receipt whereof & themselves therewith fully contented & paid they do hereby Acknowledge have Granted, bargained, Sold, Demised & to farm Letter unto y^e s^d W^m Levingston his heirs or Assigns Three certain Lotts of Ground in y^e s^d City of W^msburgh designed in ye Plott of y^e s^d City by these figures 163: 164 & 169 with all Pasturage, Woods & Waters & all manner of Profits, Co^moditys and heredtam^ts whatsoever to y^e Same belonging or in any wise appertaining. To have & To hold y^e s^d Granted Premisses & Every part thereof with ye Appurtances unto y^e s^d W^m Levingston his Exec^rs Adm^rs 2 or Assigns for & during y^e term & time of one whole Year from y^e day of y^e date of these Presents fully to be compleat & Ended Yielding & Paying to y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees y^e Yearly rent of one grain of Indian Corn to be paid y^e Tenth day of October Yearly if it be demanded, To y^e intent that y^e s^d W^m Levingston may be in quiet & peaceable possession of y^e Premisses & that by vertue hereof & of y^e Statute for transferring Uses into possession he may be Enable to Accept a Release of y^e Reversion & inheritance thereof to him & his heirs for Ever in Wittness whereof Jn^o Clayton Esq^r & W^m Robertson Gentt Two of y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees have hereunto sett their hands & Seals y^e day & Year above written --

Signed, Sealed &
Delivered in presence of
John Clayton (Sealed)
Will Robertson (Sealed)

At a Court held for York County 19^th Nov^r 1716 Jn^o Clayton Esq^r one of y^e ffeoffees or Trustees for y^e Land Appropriated for y^e building & Erecting ye City of W^msburgh in open Court presented & Acknowledged y^e above Deed of Lease of Three Lotts of y^e s^d Land to W^m Levingston
Test
Mich^l Dewick Cl Cou

(York County Records, Deeds, Bonds - Book III, pp. 204)

Release
Levingston
from
Trustees

This Indenture made y^e fifth day of Nov^r in y^e Third Year of y^e reign of our Sovereign Lord George by y^e Grace of God of Great Brittain, ffrance & Ireland King Defend^r of y^e faith &c & in y^e Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred & Sixteen Between y^e ffeoffees or Trustees for y^e Land Appropriated for y^e building & Erecting y^e City of W^msburgh of y^e one part & W^m Levingston of y^e County of York Gentt of y^e Other part Wittnesseth that Whereas y^e s^d W^m Levingston by one Lease to him by y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees bearing date y^e day before y^e date of these Presents is in actuall or peaceable possession of ue Premisses hereinafter granted, to y^e intent that by Vertue of y^e s^d Lease, & of y^e Statute for transferring Uses into possession he may be y^e better Enabled to Accept a Conveyance & Release of y^e Reversion & inheritance thereof to him & his heirs for Ever; y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees for divers good Causes & consideration of 45 of good & lawfull money of England to them in hand paid at & before y^e Ensealing & Delivery of these Presents, y^e receipt whereof & themselves therewith fully Satisfyed & paid they do hereby Acknowledge have Granted, bargained, Sold, remised, released & Confirmed & by these Presents, for themselves, their heirs & Successors as far as in them lyes & under y^e limitations & Reservations hereafter mentioned, they do Grant, bargain, Sell, remise, release & Confirm unto y^e s^d W^m Levingston Three certain 3 Lotts of Ground in y^e s^d City of W^msburgh, designed in y^e Plott of y^e s^d City of these figures 163: 164: 169, with all Woods thereon growing or being, together with all Profits, Co^moditys, Emoluments & advantages whatsoever to y^e Same belonging or in any wise Appertaining To have & To hold y^e s^d granted Premisses & Every part thereof with y^e Appurtenances unto y^e s^d W^m Levingston & to his heirs for Ever to be had & held for our Sovereign Lord y^e King in ffree & Common Soccage Yielding & Paying y^e of Quittrents due & legally accustomed to be paid for y^e Same, to y^e only Use & behoof of him y^e s^d W^m Levingston his heirs & assigns for Ever under y^e limitations & reservations hereafter mentioned & not otherwise. that is to say, that if y^e s^d W^m Levingston his heirs or Assigns shall not within y^e Space of Twenty four Months next Ensueing y^e date of these Presents begin to build & finish upon Each Llott of y^e s^d granted Premisses one good dwelling house or houses of such dimensions & to be placed in such manner as by One Act of Assembly made at y^e Capitol y^e Twenty third day of October 1705 Intituled an Act continueing y^e Act directing y^e building the Capitol & City of W^msburgh &c is directed or as shall be Agreed upon, prescribed & directed by the Directors Appointed for y^e Settlement & Encouragement of y^e City of W^msburgh pursuant to y^e trust in them reposed by Vertue of y^e s^d Act of Assembly, Then it shall and may be lawfull to & for y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees & their Successors y^e ffeoffees or Trustees for y^e Land Appropriated for y^e building & Erecting y^e City of W^msburgh for ye time being into y^e s^d granted Premisses & Every part thereof with y^e Appurtenances to Enter & ye Same to have again as of their former Estate. In Wittness whereof Jn^o Clayton Esq^r & W^m Robertson Gentt Two of y^e s^d ffeoffees or Trustees have hereunto Sett their hands & Seals y^e day & Year above written --

Signed, Sealed & Delivered
in presence of
John Clayton (Sealed)
Will Robertson (Sealed)

Novem^r y^e 19^th 1716 Rec^d then of W^m Levingston within named forty five Shillings Curr^t Money being y^e Consideration for y^e Three Lotts within mentioned by me
John Clayton

At a Court held for York County 19th Novr 1716 Jn^o Clayton Esq^r One of ye ffeoffees or Trustees for y^e Land Appropriated for y^e building & Erecting y^e City of W^msburgh in open Court presented & Acknowledged y^e within Deed of Release with Receipt thereon of Three Lotts of y^e s^d Land to W^m Levingston
Test Mich^l Dewick Cl C^ou

(York County Records, Deeds, Bonds - Book III, pp. 204-206)

On July 11, 1716, Levingston had executed an indenture with Charles Stagg, a Dancing Master, and Mary Stagg, his wife, under which Levingston 4 and Stagg agreed to apply jointly "with all convenient Speed" for a patent from the Governor for the "Sole Privilege of Acting Comedies, Drolls or Other kind of Stage Plays within any part of y^e s^d Colony" for as long a time as the Governor would agree, for their joint benefit. Under this instrument Charles and Mary Stagg covenanted to act in such "Stage Plays" and to instruct others in the art of acting so long as they should remain in Virginia. Stagg and his wife further bound themselves not to act in plays in the colony except upon terms stipulated by Levingston. Levingston, on his part, agreed to have erected "with all convenient Speed" and at his own cost in Williamsburg "One good Substantiall house commodious for Acting Such Plays as shall be thought fitt to be Acted there." The two men were to have an equal share in the profits of the venture. Stagg had sent to England for actors and musicians to take part in the plays, and it was agreed that these persons should be paid at the same rate as those equally, qualified who should be hired in Virginia. As a preliminary to these arrangements, Levingston released Charles and Mary Stagg, on certain stipulated conditions, from the obligations of two former indentures, bearing the dates of September 23 and 24, 1715, through which they had bound themselves to "Serve him in ye Colony of Virg^a in y^e Arts, Profession". Since the indenture of July 11, 1716, between Levingston and the Staggs covers the entire history of their relationship up to that time, it is quoted here in full:

Articles
Levingstone
fro
Stagg

Articles of Agreem^t Indented, Concluded & made y^e Eleventh day of July in y^e Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & Sixteen Between W^m Levingstone of y^e County of New Kent Merch^t of y^e one part & Charles Stagg of y^e Same County Dancing Master & Mary his wife of y^e other part Whereas y^e s^d Charles Stagg & Mary his wife by Two Severall Indentures bearing date y^e Twenty Third & Twenty fourth days of Septem^r 5 One Thousand Seven hundred & fifteen were bound to y^e s^d W^m Levingstone to Serve him in y^e Colony of Virg^a in y^e Arts, Professions & for y^e time in y^e s^d Indentures mentioned & y^e s^d Charles Stagg having for his Advancement & greater profit requested for himself & his s^d wife to be free of y^e Service mentioned in y^e s^d Indentures. These Presents Witness that y^e s^d W^m Levingstone hath released & Acquitted & doth hereby release & Acquit y^e s^d Charles Stagg & Mary his wife of all Service, Claimes or Demands which he y^e s^d W^m Levingstone was or is any ways intituled to by Vertue of y^e s^d Indentures. And y^e s^d W^m Levingstone doth further hereby Assign & make Over unto y^e s^d Charles Stagg all right, title or interest which he y^e s^d W^m Levingstone might Claim in any Sums of Money or other perquisites or profits already due for y^e s^d Charles Staggs Service in teaching or instructing any person or persons whatsoever in y^e Science of Dancing from y^e time of y^e Staggs Arrivall in this Countrey, so as y^e s^d Charles Stagg shall & may have & Enjoy to his own Use & behoof as well the Entrance Money as other y^e Profits Arising from y^e s^d Scholars without y^e Lett or interruption of y^e s^d W^m Levingstone. In Consideration whereof y^e s^d Charles Stagg doth hereby Covenant & Agree to & with y^e s^d W^m Levingstone that he y^e s^d Charles Stagg his Exec^rs or Adm^rs shall & will well & truly Satisfy & pay unto y^e s^d W^m Levingstone or his Assignes y^e Sum of Sixty pounds Curr^t money Yearly during y^e Space of Three years next Ensueing ye date hereof (if y^e s^d Charles Stagg shall so long live) in maⁿer & form following, that is to Say, Sixty Pounds Curr^t money being ye first payment at Lady day which shall be in y^e Year of our Lord One Thousand, Seven hundred & Seventeen, Sixty Pounds like money at Lady day one Thousand Seven hundred & Eighteen & y^e Other Sixty Pounds & at Lady Day One Thousand Seven hundred & Nineteen. Provided always & it is y^e true intent & meaning hereof that y^e s^d W^m Levingstone & his Assigns shall be & are hereby Obliged to Abate & deduct out of y^e s^d respective Yearly paymens after y^e rate of five pounds Curr^t money for Each Month which y^e s^d Stagg shall be diverted from teaching to dance in Consideration of his y^e s^d Charles Staggs being imployed in y^e preparation & Acting of Plays for y^e joint benefit of himself & y^e s^d W^m Levingstone. And y^e s^d Charles Stagg doth further Covenant & Agree to & with y^e s^d W^m Levingstone that he y^e s^d Charles Stagg his Exec^rs and Adm^rs shall & will within y^e Space of Eigteen months next after y^e Ensealing of these Presents well & truly content & pay unto y^e s^d W^m Levingstone or his Assigns y^e Sum of thirty five pounds Seventeen Shillings which is in full of all Charges & Expences which y^e s^d W^m Levingstone hath been at for horses, ferriages or Otherwayes for y^e greater conveniency of y^e s^d Charles Stagg in Attending at y^e respective places where he teaches to dance at any time heretofore & also of all Such Sums of Money as y^e s^d W^m Levingstone hath Advanced to y^e s^d Charles Stagg or his wife either in Species or in Goods & Merchandizes Since y^e s^d Staggs Arrival in Virg^a And it is further Convenanted & Agreed between y^e s^d parties in manner & form following, that is to Say, that y^e s^d W^m Levingstone & Charles Stagg shall with all convenient Speed after ye Ensealing 6 of these Presents use their best Endeavours to Obtain a Patent or Lycence from y^e Governour of Virg^a for y^e Sole Privilege of Acting Comedies, Drolls or Other kind of Stage Plays within any part of y^e s^d Colony not only for ye Three Years next Ensueing y^e date hereof but for as much longer time as y^e s^d Governour Shall be pleased to grant ye Same for y^e joint benefit of y^e s^d W^m Levingstone or Charles Stagg or their Assigns & neither of y^e s^d parties shall accept of or Use such Lycence without Assuming y^e other as Partner in manner afores^d. And y^e s^d Charles Stagg & Mary his wife do hereby Covenant & Promise that they y^e s^d Charles Stagg & Mary shall not only Act in y^e s^d Stage Plays (Sickness and other reasonable Accidents Excepted) but shall also use their best Endeavours to teach & instruct Other in ye way & manner of Acting according to ye best of their Skill as well for ye Three Years next Ensueing ye date hereof as for Such further & longer time as they y^e s^d Charles & Mary his wife or Either of them shall Stay in Virg^a. And Moreover that neither y^e s^d Charles Stagg nor Mary his wife shall Act any Plays within y^e s^d Colony of Virg^a without y^e Consent of y^e s^d W^m Levingstone or his Assigns during y^e s^d term of Three Years next Ensueing ye date hereof nor at any time thereafter in case no Patent or Lycense be Obtained from ye Govern^r in manner afores^d. And if y^e s^d Charles Stagg & Mary his wife shall at any time Act with ye Consent of y^e s^d W^m Levingstone or his Assigns, he ye sd W^m Levingstone shall have & receive One half of all the Profits arising by Such Plays, he or they bearing One half of y^e Charges accrueing thereon in manner hereafter mentioned. And y^e s^d W^m Levingstone doth further Covenant & Agree with all convenient Speed to cause to be Erected & built at his own proper Costs and Charge in y^e City of W^msburgh One good Substantial house commodious for Acting Such Plays as shall be thought fitt to be Acted there. And it is further Convenanted & Agreed by & between y^e s^d Parties that y^e s^d W^m Levingstone & Charles Stagg shall bear an Equall Share in all Charges of Cloaths, Musick & other Necessaries required for Acting y^e s^d Plays (ye Rent of Play house at W^msburgh only Excepted which is declared as afores^d to be ye proper Charge of ye sd Wm Levingstone ) & Shall also have, receive & Enjoy an Equall Share of ye Profits arising thereby. And for as much as y^e s^d W^m Levingstone hath at his own Proper Cost & Charge Sent to England for Actors & Musicians for y^e better performance of y^e s^d Plays, It is hereby Convenanted & Agreed by & between y^e s^d parties to these Presents, that ye Money Arising by y^e s^d Plays ye Same Allowance shall be made both for y^e Musicians & Actors as Others Equally Qualifyed hired here in Virg^a shall or ought to receive by ye Day or other ways. And Lastly y^e s^d Parties do hereby Mutually bind & Oblige themselves, their heirs, Exec^r & Adm^rs respectively y^e One to y^e Other for ye true performance of all & Singular the Articles herein before mentioned so far as they Severally relate to them Selves whilst married or if y^e s^d Mary 7 becomes a Widow in ye final Sum of five hundred pounds Sterl to be paid by y^e party failing his heirs, Exec^rs or Adm^rs to y^e party performing or willing to perform his part of ye Premisses & to y^e Exec^rs Adm^rs or Assigns of ye party so performing In Witness whereof ye parties to these Presens have hereunto interchangeably Sett their hands & Seals y^e Day & Year first above written.

Sealed & Delivered by y^e s^d Charles Stagg in presence of
Will Robertson

Chas. Stagg (Sealed)
Mary Stagg (Sealed)

[Admitted to record Nov. 19, 1716] Test
Mich^l Dewick Cl Cou

(York County Records - Orders, Wills - Book XV, pp. 52-54)

On March 26, 1716, William Levingston had been given permission to use one of the rooms at the College for the purpose of teaching dancing "untill his own dancing school in Williamsburg" should be finished:

On the petition of William Levingston leave is given him to make use of the lower Room at the South end of the Colledge for teaching the Scholars end others to dance untill his own dancing school in Williamsburg be finished. (Meeting of the Visitors & Governors of the College of William and Mary quoted in Virginia Magazine, Vol. IV, p. 169)

Two considerations would seem to indicate that Levingston's play house was built by 1718. First, the Act of Assembly of 1705 required that a house should be built on each of his lots within twenty-four months. Secondly, Governor Spotswood, in a letter written to the Board of Trade on June 24, 1718, complained that when he gave an entertainment to celebrate the king's birthday on the 28th day of the previous month, that "Eight Counsellors would neither come to my House nor go to the Play w'ch was Acted on that occasion, but got together all the Turbulent and disaffected Burg's, had an Entertainment of their own in the Burg's House and invited all ye Mob to a Bonfire …" (Spotswood's Letters (1712-21) printed in Virginia Historical Collections, Vol. III, p. 284)

It is definitely known that a play house had been erected on one 8 of Levingston's lots by the year 1721, for in that year Levingston mortgaged this building, together with the five lots bearing the numbers 163, 164, 169, 176 and 177 to Archibald Blair. The lots 163, 164 and 169 were mortgaged "together with ye bowling green, ye dwelling house, kitchen & playhouse, & all ye other houses outhouses & stables &c thereon" for a period of five hundred years. York County Records - Orders - Wills - Book XV, December 16,1723, and Ibid. - Deeds - Book VIII, p. 107, September 27, 1770)

The Reverend Hugh Jones in his account of The Present State of Virginia, published in London in 1724, in describing Williamsburg where he had taught several years at the College of William and Mary and was Chaplain of the General Assembly, stated that not far from the "James Town Court-House" was "a large Area for a MarketPlace; near which is a Play House and good BowlingGreen." (Page 31)

Since no newspaper was published in Virginia before 1736, ^only one record of ^a play given at the theatre before that time is known to exist. It is impossible, therefore, to know to what extent the theatre was used. Since Levingston mortgaged his property in 1721, and in that year also secured a license to operate an ordinary at "his now dwelling house in Williamsburgh County of York for the next year ensuing", it would seem that his theatrical venture had perhaps not proved very profitable. (York County Records - Orders, Wills Book XVI, p. 42; Ibid., Book XV, p. 612)

Levingston had evidently not been able to pay off the mortgage he had given on his property by 1723, for in that year Archibald Blair let the three lots and the houses thereon to one Robert Faldo. The attempt of Levingston to evict Faldo led to a suit against the former for£20 damages, at which trial Levingston did not appear. Since interesting facts regarding the use of lots nos. 163, 164, 169 are revealed by the recording of this suit, the 9 record is quoted in full:

December 16, 1723

In the Ejectione firma depending between Rob^t Faldo pl^t & W^m Levingston Def^t for that whereas Archibald Blair Gent the 25^th day of June in y^e year of our Lord 1723 at W^msburgh in y^e County aforesaid had demisedvb granted & to farm let unto y^e said Robert two Messuages one house called y^e playhouse one Stable one Acre & half of land called y^e bowling Green and one Acre of Garden with ye appurtances Scituate lying & being in W^msburgh aforesd To have and to hold the tenements aforesaid with the Appurtenances from ye 24^th day of June then last past unto ye full and end & term of five years from thence next following & fully to be Complete & Ended by Virtue of which said demise the said Robert into ye Tenements aforesaid with the Appurtenances entred & was thereof possessed until the said William afterwards to wit the same 25^th day of June in ye year 1723 aforesaid by force & Arms &^c into the Tenem^ts aforesaid with the Appurtenances in and upon ye possession of him the said Robert thereof entred and the same Robert from his possession aforesaid his term aforesaid thereof not yet ended Ejected expeled & Amoved & the said Robert from his possession aforesaid held out & yet doth hold out & other Enormitys to him did offer ag^t y^e peace & to the damage of the said Robert twenty pounds & thereupon he brings Suit &c issue being joined & the Def^t called and not appearing the pl^t proceeded to take an inquest by default & thereupon a Jury to wit John Chapman &c were Sworn & they having received a deed of mortgage dated ye 29^th day of May 1721 between y^e s^d Def^t of the one part & Archibald Blair Gent. of y^e other part for five lots of land distinguished by ye following numbers or figures 163: 164, 169, 176 & 177 together with ye bowling Green y^e dwelling house kitchen & playhouse & all y^e other houses outhouses & stables &^c thereon being to be held by Arch^d Blair aforesaid the full end & term of five hundred years &c proved by y^e Oaths of Jn^o Holloway Esq^r & W^m Robertson Gent. retired to Consult their verd^t & after some time being agreed returned into Court & delivered y^e Same in these words (to wit) Wee find for ye pl^t one Shilling damage w^ch Verd^t at y^e pl^ts mocon is recorded & thereupon it is considered by the Court that the pl^t recover his term yet to come aff [?] & in y^e tenem^ts afores^d with y^e appurtenances ag^t y^e s^d Def^t or tht his Majestys writ of Habere facias possessionem issue to put ye plt into possession of ye premises & that the s^d Deft pay unto y^e pl^t his damages amounting to one Shilling by & Jurors aforesaid assessed with Costs ats [?] Ex^o --
(York County Records - Orders, Wills - Book XV)

By 1727, Levingston appears to have been living in Spotsylvania County. He appears to have died prior to 1729, and since he left no issue, his title to the lots nos. 163, 164, 169 escheated to the city. (Hening 10 Statutes, Vol. IV, p. 237; William & Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXII, (1), p. 68; York County Records - Deeds - Book VI, pp. 227-228; Land Grant Mss., 1772)

By January 21, 1735, Charles Stagg had also died. A short time before this date a play is known to have been produced in the Williamsburg "theatre", but whether or not Stagg took any part ⁱⁿ the production or acting of it, is not known. The play produced in Williamsburg at this time was evidently Mrs. Centlivre's "Busy Body", for in a letter written by William Byrd II of Westover to Sir John Randolph at Williamsburg, he mentions the performance of several of the chief characters in that play--

Westover, the 21st of January, 1735.
We are told there is a Bristol ship arrived at York River; if she brings any news be so good as to communicate it to your Country Friends, and in case you should have nothing Forreign we should be glad of a little Domestick, which of your Actors shone most in the Play next Isabinda, who I take it for granted is the Oldfield of the theatre? How came Squire Marplot off? with many a clap I suppose, tho I fancy he would have acted more to life in the comedy called the Sham Doctor. But not a word of this for fear in case of sickness he might poison or revenge your, etc. (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IX, pp. 240-241)

After Stagg's death, his wife, Mary, for some time continued her efforts to promote dancing in the colony,, and undertook other economic ventures as is evidenced by the following advertisements in the Virginia Gazette:

March 24, 1737

THIS is to give Notice to the Gentlemen and Ladies, That there will be a Publick and Assembly, at the Capitol, on Thursday Evening the 27th of April next: Also several Grotesque Dances, never yet perform'd in Virginia. Tickets to be had of Mrs. Stagg. (Virginia Gazette. William Parks, March 24, 1737)

September 22, 1738

11 This is to give Notice, That at Mrs. Stagg's, in Williamsburg, are to be Sold, Hartshorn Jellies and Calves Feet Jellies, fresh every Tuesday and Friday: Also curran Jellies and many other sorts of Fruit Jellies, Mackaroons, and Savoy Biscakes; and all sorts of Confectionary, in small quantities, or large if wanted, every Day --- She has considerable Quantities of Choice Barbadoes Sweetmeats, which are Sold in small Pots, or a smaller Quantity. (Virginia Gazette, William Parks, September 22, 1738)

On February 20, 1735, John Blair, executor for Archibald Blair, conveyed to George Gilmer, for the remainder of the five hundred years for which it was mortgaged, the property on which the theatre stood and the other lots Levingston had owned. (York County Records - Deeds - Book V, pp. 153- 154) Apparently the play house was used for theatrical productions during part of the time it was in Gilmer's hands. In 1736, the Virginia Gazette announced the forthcoming performances of several plays:

September 10, 1736

This Evening will be performed at the Theatre, by the young Gentlemen of the College, The Tragedy of CATO: And, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday next, will be acted the following Comedies, by the Gentlemen and Ladies of this Country, viz. The Busy-Body, The Recruiting-Officer, and The Beaux-Stratagem.
(Virginia Gazette, William Parks, September 10, 1736)

A contemporary letter indicates that other plays had been produced at the theatre earlier during that year. Thomas Jones writing to his wife in Caroline County said:

You may tell Betty Pratt there has been but two Plays since she went which is Cato by the Young Gent'm of the College as they call themselves, and the Busy body by the Company on Wednesday Night last, and I believe there will be another to Night, they have been at a great loss for a fine Lady who I think is to be called Dorinda; but that difficulty is now overcome by finding her, which was to be the greatest Secret, and as such 'tis said to be Miss Anderson that came to Town with Mrs. Carter. (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. XXVI, p. 280)

Sometime previous to December 4, 1745, Gilmer had conveyed the 12 play house and the ground on which it stood with six feet of ground adjoining it on every side to a group of subscribers, who afterwards assigned their right to the property to the city of Williamsburg. These subscribers were the following persons:

John Blair	Will: Gooch
Bn: Harrison, Junr	Phillip Ludwell
Ralph Wormeley	Benja: Harrison
Nathall: Harrison	Lewis Burwell, Jur.
W: Beverley	John Grymes
Francis Willis	Henry Armistead
Robert Tucker	John Robinson
Ge: Braxton or Ge: Braxton jrs	Phi: Lightfoot
Beverley Randolph	Rd: Corbin
Thos: Bray	Thos: Lee
David Meade	Lewis Burwell
Edwd. Digges	Jas: Littlepage
Wilson Cary	Carter Burwell
Jos: Temple	Wm: Nelson, junr:
Peter Randolph	J. Mercer
	Ch: Carter

[Recorded December 16, 1745]

Teste
Tho^s Everard Cl: Cur:

(York County Records, Deeds- Book V, pp. 154-55)

Now on December 4, 1745, Gilmer conveyed his remaining title to the property to the city.

December 4, 1745

Whereas John Blair Esq: Executor of the last Will & Testament of Archibald Blair Gentleman deceas'd, by one certain Indenture bearing date the twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord Christ MDCCXXXV did bargain, Sell, and Assign unto the said George Gilmer All those three Lotts of Ground in the said City of Williamsburgh, design'd in the Plan of the said City by the Numbers 163, 164, & 169, being the Lotts and Land whereon the Bowling Green formerly was, and the Dwelling House & Kitchen of William Levingston, and the House call'd the play House, for the Consideration of the Sum of one Hundred fifty & five Pounds lawfull Money of Virginia To hold to him the said George Gilmer his Ex^ors...... for and during the rest & Residue of the Term did Commence the XXVIII^thd Day of May in the year of our Lord Christ MDCCXXI........

And Whereas the said George Gilmer for the Consideration of Fifty Pounds to him in hand paid by Certain persons whose Names are Subscribed to a paper hereunto annex'd, did Covenant and agree to convey and assign unto them all his Right Title & Interest of and in the said play House, the Ground whereon 13 it Stands together with six feet of Ground adjoining to the said Play House on every side thereof And Whereas such persons have given and assign'd their Right to the said Play House and Ground adjoining unto the said Mayor Recorder aldermen and Common Council as appears by the paper before mentioned. Now This Indenture Witnesseth That the said George Gilmer for and in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty Pounds aforesaid to him already in hand paid the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge Hath bargained, Sold … unto the said Mayor, … during All the rest and Residue of the said Term of five Hundred Years yet to come and unexpired …

George Gilmer (L:S)
Jn^o Harmer Mayor (L:S)

Sealed and Delivered
in presence of
John Blair Jun ²
W^m Buck
Edward Fuller
Jos^h Davenport

(York County Records - Deeds - Book V, PP. 153-154)

Gilmer retained title to the remainder of Levingston's property and for some time conducted an apothecary shop upon it. In the Virginia Gazette of September 19, 1751, Gilmer advertised goods for sale "at his Shop, nigh the Court-House, the Corner of Palace-street, Williamsburg."

Upon acquiring the play-house, the city undertook to convert it into a court house, and the following advertisement in the Virginia Gazette of December 19, 1745, furnishes a clue to the appearance of the play house at that time:

"The Playhouse in Williamsburg, being by Order of the Common-Hall of the said City, to be fitted up for a Court-House with the necessary Alterations and Repairs; that is to say, to be new shingled, weatherboarded, painted, five large sash windows, Door, flooring, plastering and proper Workmanship within; Notice is hereby given, to all such as are willing to undertake the doing thereof, That they offer their Proposals to the Mayor.. ^{who will inform them more particularly what is to be done}."

The fact that the court house (formerly the play house) continued to be used on occasions for entertainment, is indicated by the following advertisement in the Virginia Gazette (Purdie and Dixon). October 10, 1766:

For the Entertainment of the Curious,
Will be exhibited at the Hustings Court-house in this City A Course of Experiment in the curious and entertaining 14 branch of Natur(al) Philosophy called Electricity, to be accompanied with lectures on the nature and properties of the Electrick Fir -
By William Johnson.

The days of exhibition be on Thursday and Friday next to begin at half Past 5 in the evening. Tickets to be had at the Coffee House, and at the Post Office, at 7s. 6d. for the whole course....

An earlier announcement tells of an entertainment to be given at "the late Play-House", but it is impossible to determine whether reference is made with regard to the first or to the second play house in the city. (Virginia Gazette, Hunter, October 10, 1755)

The property on which the "first theatre" (now the court house) stood remained in possession of the city until 1770. On March 23, 1769, the "Common-hall" had advertised in the Virginia Gazette that on March 16, 1769, it had decided to build a new court house and that it would dispose of "the present Court-house and the ground on which the same stands." On September 27, 1770, the city conveyed to John Tazewell the land on which the play house had stood, with the six feet of land adjoining it on every side. (York County Records, Deeds, Book VIII, p. 107) Just when or how the first theatre building (afterwards the court house) disappeared is not known, but the language of the conveyance just referred to would seem to indicate that it had perhaps disappeared since the announcement had been made the previous year that it would be sold; this, despite the fact that, at a somewhat later date, as will be seen, there was evidence of a building standing on the same site.

It will be recalled that George Gilmer who had acquired lots 163, 164 and 169 in 1735 had later conveyed a title to that portion of the land on which the play house stood with six feet of the adjacent land on each side both to a group of subscribers and to the city. The group of subscribers had likewise conveyed their title to that portion of the property to the city. In 1757, Gilmer bequeathed his title to the remainder of lots 163, 164 and 169 to his eldest son, Peachy Gilmer. (York County Records - Wills, Inventories - Book XX, p. 423) In April, 1759, Peachy ^Ridgeway Gilmer conveyed his title to the 15 portion of the three lots (163, 164, 169) to James Tarpley and Thomas Knox. (Ibid. - Deeds - Book VI, pp. 307-309) The following year Tarpley conveyed his interest in them to Knox in whose company they were at that time. (Idem.) By August 11, 1764, John Tazewell had acquired the three lots with the exception of the portion used for the court house. (Ibid. - Deeds - Book VI, p. 227) As has been noted before, John Tazewell had already acquired title to that portion of the lots upon which the play house had stood, with the adjoining six feet on every side, by September 27, 1770.

In 1779, John Tazewell conveyed the entire property (all of lots 163, 164, 169) to Henry Tazewell. (Ibid. - Deeds - Book VI, pp. 227-228) This complete parcel of three lots figures in the subsequent transfers of the property.

Sometime before December 17, 1785, the property (lots 163, 164, 169) appears to have come into the possession of William Rowsay. (See advertisements of Rowsay in Virginia Gazette, James Hayes, of Dec. 17, 1785 and also ibid., May 31, 1786 and note on certified copy of will of Rowsay in Tucker Coleman Collection in the Department of Research and Record, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.) Sometime prior to July 3, 1788, Edmund Randolph had apparently purchased these lots from the executors of William Rowsay, for on that date St. George Tucker purchased from Randolph the "houses on the palace Street" which were those "whereon William Rowsay lately lived." (See certified copy of letter of St. George Tucker to Edmund Randolph of July 2, 1788, and indenture of sale between Edmund Randolph and Tucker of July 3, 1788 in Tucker- Coleman Collection in the Department of Research and Record, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.)

The property acquired at this time remained in possession of descendants of St. George Tucker until it was purchased in the twentieth century by the Williamsburg Restoration.

Exact information regarding the play house and other buildings which have stood on these lots has been difficult to obtain. Notwithstanding 16 the fact that the records seemed to imply that the play house had disappeared at some time between March 16, 1769 and September 27, 1770, the map of Williamsburg by an unknown Frenchman of the year 1781 (or 1782 or 1786) reveals that a large building was at that time on the property which archaeological excavation has shown to be of the same dimensions as the building indicated on the map. Two smaller buildings on these lots are also indicated on the map; one very close to the large building, and the other at the corner of Palace Street where Gilmer's shop was described as being located.

An insurance policy of 1796 which St. George Tucker took out on his property shows a "Dwelling house" with no indication of other buildings on it.

17

A second policy, of the year 1815, shows in addition to the residence, a large building, with the caption "Stables &c". The location given to these appurtenances on the policy is indicated on the sketch below.

18

According to the testimony of elderly residents of the city, other buildings apparently stood on these lots at times during the nineteenth century. Mr. J. S. Charles in his Recollections of Williamsburg prior to the Civil War (written prior to May 6, 1930) speaking of that period, said with regard to the "Square" on which the three lots 163,164 and 169 were located:

On the square bounded by Scotland, England, Nicholson and Dunmore streets there are now only two more dwellings than in 1861. The "Audrey House" then had a single front porch. The small brick office was very much as it was then. The only other house in this block facing the Palace Green, was the old frame house which stood on the western line of the Tucker lot, with side to the street. This was used as servants' quarters. The Tucker house now owned by Mr. Coleman, was very much as it is today, except that the two story addition at the western end was erected about thirty years ago. At the corner of Nicholson and Dunmore streets was located, tradition says, the first theatre in America. On this spot there stood, at the writer's earliest recollection, a one story barn and carriage house.

(Page 34)

Mrs. Martha Page Vandegrift, in an interview with Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin of April 23, 1932, stated that she remembered no buildings in this vicinity other than "the outbuildings -- a stable and carriage house."

(Page 94)