Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

This property is located on the south side of Francis Street in the James City part of Williamsburg. On Tyler's adaptation of the College Map (1791?) it is marked "Js Carter" and is directly east of Lot #242 and west of "Orrill." See: map opposite page.

HISTORY:

It appears from the scant records extant that the first known owner was Samuel Pines.¹ Pines was owner of a lot in the city valued for tax purposes as £2.² In 1784 Pines lot was valued at £2. In 1785 Richard Crump is charged in the tax records with "1 lot at £2 bought of Samuel Pines."³ Crump continued to hold the property until -2- 1794 when John Bracken¹ got it "via Richard Crump." The valuation was £7. In 1798 when pounds were discarded and dollars used, this property was valued at $23.34. Just what disposition Bracken made of this property is not known until he sold it in 1804 to Elizabeth Carter.²

It seems reasonable to believe that Elizabeth Carter was the daughter of Dr. James Carter and his second wife, Sarah Saunders Carter. At his death in 1794 mention is made "to his wife, Sarah; and to his daughter, Elizabeth now an infant... "³ Dr. Carter or his estate was owner of the house now known as "Brush-Everard House" from 1788 to 1816.⁴ Personal Property Taxes for Williamsburg indicate that in 1795 James Carter's estate had 2 blacks.⁵ In 1798 James Carter's Estate is marked out and Sarah Carter is inserted--2 blacks.⁶

In 1810 Elizabeth Carter married Milner Peters.¹

As Dr. Carter or his estate held only 3 lots -- which have been proven to be the Brush-Everard House lots -- it may be that Elizabeth Carter when of age bought the Francis Street lot from Bracken. In that case, why would the notation on the maps be James Carter?

At any rate, Elizabeth Carter in the year 1804 bought this property from John Bracken. The valuation was $33.34.² Elizabeth Carter continued to own and pay tax on this property at the same valuation from 1804 to 1807 when it was valued at $40 and noted as "Elizabeth Carters estate."

Another reference to Elizabeth Carter's ownership of the property was in 1806 when Samuel Tyler (then owner of the present Allen-Byrd House) insured his lots and houses and gave Elizabeth Carter as "East of the lot of Samuel Tyler."³

In 1810 George Lang seems to have come into the Elizabeth Carter lot. Tax records give "1 lot via Carter--$40."¹

Still another reference to the location of the Carter lot appears in the Day Book of Robert Anderson 1806-1808: "Merchandise Cr to John Bracken for his lot of about half an acre situated on the back street between Carters & Pearsons lots purchased of him this day at £10."²

By 1814 it appears that Peter Desvergers, merchant, had acquired this property "via William Brown, trustee A certain Lott of Land with the improvements thereon in the City of Wmsburg bound by Carters Lot--Andersons and Pearsons Lots."³ The Land Tax records for 1815 give Peter Desvergers with "1 lot via Wm Browne, Trus.--$10"⁴ Desvergers was living in Williamsburg as early as 1798 when he had a shop. -5- He took out shop license from 1798-1822.¹ Judging from an advertisement in the American Beacon, Desvergers ran a dry goods and grocery store in Williamsburg.²

Desvergers continued to own the Francis Street property. He seems to have rented a part of it to John Orrill who owned the lot towards the east (Orrill lot).³

As Desvergers had removed to a larger house in 1816 (noted above), it is assumed that he rented this property on Francis Street until he sold it in 1822. Zizi, "a free person of color" bought the lot from Peter Desvergers⁴ -- 1 lot --- $30; lot and buildings $80.4 Zizi held the property until 1847 when Margaret Parsons became owner at same valuations -- "Formerly chagd to Zizi free person of color."⁵ Zizi held several Slaves as personal property during her ownership of the lot; and kept 2 horses and a gig.

Margaret Parsons continued to own the property until 1861 (last record of Land Tax).¹

A deed bearing date April 25, 1851, and one for September 16, 1852 whereby William H. Lee gave a deed of trust to Henry H. Lee: "a certain lot of land in the city of Williamsburg, on the South Side of Frances Street and bounded on the North by the said street, on the East by a lot the property of Robert McCandlish, on the South by a part of the lot last mentioned and on the west by a lot owned by Margaret Parsons..."² It is significant in that it gives Margaret Parsons as owner of the property on the west. This would probably take in what is now known as the "Quarter" and the "Js Carter" lot.

Margaret Parsons was living in 1864 and owner of property described as a boundary of a lot to the east (then under a deed of trust of William H. Lee): "a certain lot on the south side of Francis Street and bounded on the north by said Francis Street, on the east by a lot, the property of Robert McCandlish, on the south by part of the -7- lot last mentioned, and on the west by the lot owned by Margaret Parsons."¹ In 1867 Margaret Parsons had died and her heirs conveyed to Rosa E. Gilliam "That said lot of land on the south side of Queen Street, adjoining the lots of Joseph Walthall² and the lot of Gilliam, being the property of which Peggy Parsons died, seized and possessed..."³ In 1870 William P. Wright and wife (Rosa E. Wright) conveyed to Elizabeth Gilliam (mother of Rosa Wright) the above described lot "bounded by the lots of Joseph Walthall and the said Elizabeth Gilliam, together with all the buildings, improvements, privileges,... thereto belonging."⁴ The Gilliam family or their relatives kept the property until 1891 when it was conveyed to Maggie G. Sanderlin.⁵ In 1895 the Sanderlins conveyed to J. T. and W. W. Christian "One house and lot, situated in the town of Williamsburg, County of James City, State of -8- Virginia, on Francis Street in said town,..."¹ In 1897 James T. Christian came into the entire lot via Willie W. Christian.² The property on February 8, 1928 was conveyed by Christian and wife to W. A. R. Goodwin.³ On April 30, 1929, the property was conveyed to Williamsburg Holding Corporation representing the colonial restoration of Williamsburg.

Mr. John S. Charles in "Recollections of Williamsburg" during the Civil War period, makes no mention of a house on this lot, nor does Mrs. Victoria M. Lee in "Williamsburg in 1861."⁴

In June 1949, foundations were uncovered by archaeological excavation on this lot. These foundations, according to Mr. James Knight of the architectural department, appeared to be eighteenth century in character. The size of the foundation uncovered was 30 feet by 18 feet. It was 40 feet east of the present Bracken house, and 6 feet west of the present Quarter. Foundations uncovered to the rear west of the house were probably a kitchen and dependencies to the larger house.