Colonial Lot 23 - Block 7 Additional Report Historical Report Building 15A

David Morton House, Isham Goddin Shop Historical Report, Block 7 Building 15A, 47 Lot 23Originally entitled: "Colonial Lot 23- Block 7, Additional Report"

Mary A. Stephenson

1953

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1090
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library

Williamsburg, Virginia

1994

RR109001 From Frenchman's Map 1782?

These notes are in reply to a "Chronological Sequence of Lot Ownership and Occupancy — Block 7 — Colonial Lot 23" by Howard Dearstyne, August 11, 1953.

The writer does not concur in some of Mr. Dearstyne's statements regarding the occupancy of John and William Lewis, Mrs. Sarah Hallam, and John Houston.

Source material is attached which seems necessary in clearing up the situation.

Mary A. Stephenson
Research Department

October, 1953.

On January 15, 1767, Benjamin Waller ran this advertisement in the Virginia Gazette:

A TENEMENT between Mr. Lewis's store and Mrs. Vobe's and another between Mrs. Vobe's and Mr. BenjaminPowell's, may be RENTED, on reasonable terms, of
BENJAMIN WALLER.¹

Mrs. Vobe was located on lots 21 and 22. Waller owned the corner lot, 23. "Mr. Lewis's store" must have been near the southwestern corner of lot 23, and the "Tenement" was to the north near Mrs. Vobe's line. See: House History, Lot 23 (1952).

From a notice of September 10, 1767, in the Virginia Gazette, we learn that John Lewis had a store in Williamsburg, and that it would "be continued as usual" though he was going abroad:

NEW KENT, Sept. 10, 1767.
MY bad state of health obliging me to leave the colony, I request of all persons indebted to the store kept by me in this county, or to that in Williamsburg, either by bond or open account, to make immediate payment, that I may be enabled to settle my affairs before my departure. As there has been so long indulgence given, I flatter myself that due regard will be paid to this advertisement, as it would be very much against my inclination to be under the necessity of commencing suits, which unavoidably must do if proper payments are not made to me between this and the ensuing October court.
The store in this county, and that in Williamsburg, will be continued as usual; and having lately imported a choice assortment of goods suitable for the season, all persons who may please to favour me with their custom may depend upon being furnished on the best terms, for ready money, or short credit.
JOHN LEWIS.²

Research has produced no other evidence of any Lewis operating a store in the city at this date. We assume that the "Mr. Lewis" mentioned by Waller (quoted above) was John Lewis.

On October 20, 1768, John Lewis advertised that the partnership of John Lewis & Company was "now dissolved, and all persons indebted to the same are desired to make immediate payment to Mr. William Lewis in Williamsburg, otherwise suits will be commenced, without further notice."¹

William Lewis was a brother of John Lewis and a member of the partnership of John Lewis & Company.

In February, 1770, John Lewis announced that he had moved from New Kent County to Williamsburg and established himself at "his home in the city, which was late the property of Mr. ThomasCobbs, and is on the street leading to the Capitol Landing, has opened store..."² There follows a long list of merchandise for sale. Mr. Lewis does not locate his store. It may have been on his dwelling lot or elsewhere in the city. From his notice, one is inclined to believe that he was on the same location as of September 10, 1767, when he stated that "the store will be continued as usual" while he was abroad.

On October 4, 1770, William Lewis put the following notice in the Virginia Gazette:

Just imported in the PEGGY, Captain ASHBURN, and to be sold by the subscriber, at the corner store a little below the Capitol, Williamsburg, KENDAL cottons…
WILLIAM LEWIS. ³

In 1771, John Lewis's store was "near the Post Office."¹

It is the opinion of the writer that John Lewis & Company had a store in Williamsburg, that they rented the corner house on lot 23 from Benjamin Waller, that William Lewis rented the same house for a store after the dissolution of the company, and that John Lewis — though he later had a store elsewhere in the city — still retained some financial interest in the old stand. Evidence is given below in support of this statement.

We know that John Lewis assumed the accounts of Mrs. Sarah Hallam for building and repairs to her house and store from 1776-1780.² These charges to Lewis were "by Mrs. Hallam." In July, 1780, when the accounts were paid in full, we find that William Lewis paid about one eighth, David Morton paid about one third, and the balance (less rum furnished Harwood) was paid by John Lewis.³ This would seem to indicate that Mrs. Hallam could be living on some property in which Morton, William Lewis and John Lewis were involved.⁴ Isham Goddin had purchased a part of the lot (35½' wide) north from Morton in 1778. As Goddin is not involved in the payments to Harwood above quoted-, it looks as though Mrs. Hallam (if she was on the lot at all) was living on the southern part. A look at the Frenchman's Map (1782) indicates two large square houses: (1) facing upon Waller Street near the southwest corner of the lot; and (2) a rectangular house facing upon York Road.

Mrs. Sarah Hallam was the estranged wife of Lewis Hallam, Jr., actor. It is known that she lived in Williamsburg from ca. 1775 until her death in 1792.¹ During this time, Mrs. Hallam conducted a dancing school for local pupils and had a boarding and rooming school at her home. We know of two instances of young lady boarders who attended Mrs. Hallam's school: Nellie Custis, and Sally Harris from Hampton.² Accounts rendered by Mrs. Hallam for schooling the Tucker children are extant.³ If Mrs. Hallam was the local school teacher for years and also had boarding pupils-, one would think that she must have had a fairly large-size house. The two small buildings on the northern part of lot 23 would not have been adequate for her needs. The repairs made by Harwood on Mrs. Hallam's houses included references to a 2-room and passages, upstairs, a store, storeroom, kitchen, smoke house, well and stable. (The stable is not mentioned by Harwood but Personal Property Tax Lists so indicate).

John Lewis died in October, 1785.⁴ In December, 1785, John Carter is credited by Harwood for work done "By M^rs Hallam order."⁵ In February, 1787, Carter paid Harwood for "repairing Top to M^rs Hallam's Chimney."

Here is the same situation between Harwood and Carter that existed between Harwood and John Lewis-, assuming Mrs. Hallam's repair bills. Nothing further could be discovered about Carter's relation to this lot.

By 1785, William Rowsay had acquired the northern strip (35½ feet in width) of Lot 23.¹ From Harwood's accounts with him in 1788, we infer that Mervin Hallam, son of Mrs. Hallam, was living in a "tenement" of Rowsay's.² Mervin was married at this date and had a small son.³ The tenement of Rowsay's would be adequate for Mervin, wife and child, perhaps. It would be impossible for Mrs. Sarah Hallam to maintain a boarding school in these small houses and have Mervin and his family living with her. Foundations recently uncovered indicate two small houses: (1) 10' x 27'; and (2) 14' x 28', and a kitchen 10' x 16'. ⁴

The connection of John Houston with Lot 23 (northern part) is circumstantial before 1801. In 1801, an insurance policy (#485 Mutual Assurance Society - Thomas Sands) places John Houston on this lot.⁵

In 1782, Mrs. Houston was head of a family in Williamsburg paying tithes on 4 whites and 2 blacks.⁶ She did not own property.

Mrs. Houston was the sister of William Rowsay. In 1783, Rowsay paid Humphrey Harwood "To Repairing Plastering in M^rs Houstons House."¹

Rowsay made his will on July 7, 1786, referring to "my sister Houston" in this way: "It is my Will and desire that whatever balance may be found due to me from my sister Houston and my Nephew John Houston they may not be called on for until the death of my Sister or until my executors may consider them as worth five hundred pounds."² Here we see that the Houstons owed Rowsay - whether it was for paying on property then in Rowsay's name or for other debts, we do not know. Both William Rowsay and John Houston were jewellers.

In May, 1786, a little over a month before Rowsay made his will, he announced through the newspaper that his health was bad and his finances strained - so much so that he had been compelled to deliver up and assign his store accounts over to Hunt & Adams. He advertises his "houses on Palace Street" lands and negroes in the county, and his house "nearly opposite the Raleigh" for sale.³ There is no mention of his part of lot 23 behind the Capitol though we have evidence that he was the owner at this date.

It is possible that Rowsay gave up the store business to Hunt & Adams in 1786; that in planning to leave the state for a while on account of ill-health-, he turned aver his shop and the jeweller's business to his nephew, John Houston, also a jeweller. The debt owed Rowsay by Mrs. Houston and John, may have been assumed for payment 7 of the shop and business therein. This is conjectural. However, it does not seem unreasonable in view of the fact that Houston was on the lot in 1801, he paid personal property taxes from 1791-1812; and was actively in the jewellery business as late as 1796.1 We believe he left Williamsburg ca. 1812 as his name disappears from tax lists, etc. The lot on which he lived remained in Rowsay's name (or his estate) until 1812 when Benjamin Waller became the owner. Waller held it until his death in 1865.

Footnotes

^1. Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon., eds., January 15, 1767.

^2. Ibid., September 10, 1767.

^1. Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds., October 20, 1768. Lewis also stated that he was operating "stores in New Kent and James City."

^2. Ibid., February 15, 1770.

^3. Ibid., October 4, 1770.

^1. Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon, eds., September 17, 1771.

^2. Ledger B. Humphrey Harwood, p. 3. Copy, Appendix i.

^3. Ibid.

^4. Morton bought Lot 23 from Waller in 1777. During the time Lewis was assuming responsibility for Mrs. Hallam's repairs, Morton was using Harwood to make similar repairs to his house. Morton never owned but one lot in the city. It is assumed that he lived and had his tailor shop in the house on the corner of Lot 23.

^1. Items on Mrs. Hallam, Appendix ii.

^2. 1780-81 "Miss Hallams boarding school in Williamsburg." Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, vol. 3. p. 48, refers to "Nellie Custis who had just returned from boarding school at Williamsburg, with all Miss Hallams airs and graces." In 1783-1785 Mrs. Hallam's boarding school is noted in Captain John Harris's estate: "To paid M^rs Hallam 2^nd Quarte^r schooling and Stage passage to Hampton for Miss Sally" and "To Cash sent to M^rs Hallam to buy silk and Canvass for Miss Sally" - York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 23, p. 404. Miss Sally was furnished "pins and a fan" by Mrs. Hallam - possibly at her store.

^3. 1792 Sarah Hallam D^r Judge Tucker: "To quarters schooling of Miss Tucker" and "To quarters schooling of Master Garter." Tucker-Coleman Ms. Collection, Uncatalogued, folder 101, CWI.

^4. Will of John Lewis - Crozier, Williamsburg Wills (1906) p. 35; microfilm, CWI.

^5. Harwood, Ledger B, p. 83. Appendix i.

^1. York County Records, Deeds VI, p. 263 (April 18, 1785) indicates Rowsay in possession. In Appendix iii we have followed Rowsay's ownership of lots in Williamsburg in the hope of clearing up his ownership and occupancy of Lot 23 (north).

^2. Harwood, Ledger B, P. 58. Appendix i.

^3. Medical Accounts of Dr. Galt. Filed under "Galt," name data, Research Department.

^4. Information furnished by Architectural Department.

^5. Photostat, Policy #485, Research Department.

^6. Heads of Families in Williamsburg in 1782. Copy from Virginia State Archives, Richmond.

^1. Humphrey Harwood, Ledger B, p. 50.

^2. Copy of Rowsay's will, Appendix iii. Note that Rowsay disposes of Lots 20 and 21 but no mention of Lot 23.

^3. Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser, Hayes, ed., May 31, 1786.

^1. Tucker-Coleman Ms Collection, Uncatalogued, folder 101: accounts of St. George Tucker with John Houston, jeweller.

Appendix i

Humphrey Harwood Ledger B, p. 3

1776	th	M^r John Lewis (by M^rsHallam)	D^r
Novem^r	11	To 250 bricks 6/10½, 6 bushels of lime 4/6, & 1½ days lab^r 3/.	£ -.14.4½
		To Contracting 2 Chimneys 6/. Mending Kitching Chimney 3/9-	9.9
1777
October	9	To 125 tile 10/6 , 100 bricks 3/. & laying harth 2/6. & Mend^g Kitchⁿ floor 4/6	1. 0.6
		To Mend^g well 2/9, & labours work 2/6	5. 3.-
1780		Carting Bricks lime &c from Philips,
March	29	To 80 bushels of lime [blur], & 5 Days Cart Hier a 12/6	6. 2.6
April	7	To building A Chimney to Store 85/. & 14 Days lab^r a 2/.	4.13.-
May	4	To 7500 bricks a 27/6. p^r M^o 110 bush^s of lime a 9^d	14. 8.9
		To Carting 3 loads of Sand a 2/. & 13 days lab^r a 2/.	1.12.-
		To building Kitching Chimney 70/.	3.10.-
	6	To 8 bush^s of lime a 9^d1¾ Days lab^r a 2/. Turn^g 2 trimars & lay^g 2 harth 10/	19.6
June	2	To 48 D^o lime a 9^d 3 bush^s of hair a 1/6 & 7 days lab^r a 2/.	2.14.6
		To larthing & plastering 70 yards a 5^d p^r y^d upStares to underpin^g trim & lay^g harth 6/3. [blur] lab^r pitch
	7	To 400 bricks a 12/9. & 8 bush^s of lime 6/. & build^g ap^r Steps 12/6. & 1 days lab^r	1. 0.6
		To Repairing larthing & plastering in Store Room 12/5£40 " 6/2	12.5
		The above Account at 50 for one £2000	11.6
		Per Contra	C^r
1780	th
July	7	By Cash of Mr William Lewis in part p^rAccount	£ 258. 0.0
		By 535 larthes & 3 Dozⁿ Pipes	11.6
	11	By an order on David Morton for£1392 & Rec^d in part	729. 4.-
	18	By Bals of the Above Order	662.16.-
	24	By 10 Gals. of Rum a £35.0.0	350. 0.-
		The above Paid off at 50 prices for One	£ 2000.11.6

Humphrey Harwood Ledger B, p. 48

		M^rs Sarah Hallam dancing Mistress	D^r
1782	th
Novem^r	14	To 2 Bush^s of lime 3/. & 30 bricks 1/3. & laying Harth 5/.	£ -.9.3
		To Repairing well hole in Smoke House 2/. & lab. 3/.	5
1785
May	27	To½bushel of whitewash 1/. & whitewashing 2 rooms & a passage a 4/6	.14.6
July	9	To Cash 43/. (26^th Novem^r) & Cash 36/	4.18.-
Dec^r	20	To your order to M^r John Carter on me for£4.7.0	4. 7.-
1786
February
	21	To 200 ^lb of oats 7/6	.15.-
March	9	To 218 ^lb Oats a 7/6	.15.-
June	20	To ¾ of a Bushel of Whitewash 1/6	. 1.6
		To White-washing 2 Rooms, a passage & Closet a 4/6	.13.6
1787
April	20	To 1 Barrel of Corn 18/	.18.-
		To Cash to Ballance 4/	. 4.-
			£14. 0.9
		Per Contra	Cr
1786	th
January	14	By 6 Monthes dansing of Billy & 6 d^o of Humphrey at 100/. p^r Year Entrance for A year 400/.	£ 7. 0.0
1787
April	24	By your account to this day	7. 0.9
			£14. 0.9

Humphrey Harwood Ledger B, p. 83

		M^r John Carter	D^r
1785	th
August	6	Brought from folio (23)	£ 5.14.8
		To Whitewash 1/. & mortar & repairing plaster^g 2/6	. 3.6
		To Whitewashing 1 Room 4/6	4.6
			6. 2.8
		Per Contra	C^r
1785	th
Decem^r	20	By 45 bricks 1/5 (Brought from Folio 23)	1.5
		By M^rs Sarah Hallam order	4. 7.-
		By Cash to Ballance 16/ & his Acc^t	1.14.3
			£ 6. 2.8
1786	th	M^rJohn Carter	D^r
April	7	To ¾ of a Bushel of lime a 1/. & repairing plastering	£-. 2.6
August	20	To Mortar and Repairing 2/9	2.9
			. 5.3
		Per Contra	C^r
[no date]		By 4 packs of Cards a 1/3	£ -. 5.-
			£ . 5.3
1787	rd	M^r Jn^oCarter	D^r
February	23	To ¾ of a bushel of lime a 9^d & repairing Top to M^rs Hallam's Chimney 3/6 & labours work 1/.	£ -. 5.3
		Per Contra	C^r
1787
August	20	By Cash to Ballance	£ -. 5.3

^{See: YCR Order Book 5 p14 (nov 20, 1787 Court)

John Carter vs Sarah Hallam

"she was covent of Lewis Hallam [illegible] and now being her husband at Baltimore..."}

Humphrey Harwood Ledger B, p. 3

		M^r William Lewis (merch^t)	[D^r]
1781	th
March	28	To 1 Cart load of Wood April (2^nd) to 2 loads of D^o
Nov^r	28	To 1 Waggon load of Wood (Dec^r 18) to 2 Waggon loads D^o	[not extended]
1782
Decem^r	21	To 1 Waggon load of D^o
		Per Contra	C^r
1781		By a loaf of Lump Shugar 40lb	[not extended]

Appendix ii

Notes compiled on Mrs. Sarah Hallam, wife of Lewis Hallam, Jr., who lived in Williamsburg for many years, and died there.

1770, Aug. 13th.	"To Dressg M^rs Hallam 10/ ..." [Lewis, Jr.'s mother was Mrs. Douglas] Charlton MSS Account Book, Galt Collection, CWI) Charlton was a wigmaker &c.
1776-1780	John Lewis' Account with Humphrey Harwood "by Mrs. Hallam" (Ledger B, p.3, MSS Account Book of Humphrey Harwood, CWI)
1782	Sarah Hallam lists 2 slaves over 21 yrs of age. (Williamsburg Land Tax Accounts)
1783-1785	Mrs. Hallam had a boarding school- Sally Harris of Hampton, student. (York County Records, Wills and Inventories, Book 23, p. 404)
1782-1787	"M^rs Sarah Hallam dancing Mistress" (Ledger B, Humphrey Harwood, p. 48)
1783-1788	Mrs. Hallam...5 sl...1 horse 1 cow... (Personal Property Tax)
1783-1793 Nov. 25,	"M^rs Hallam" medical account...£25.17.3. (Ms Apoth-Surgeon Day Book (1782-1797), p. 101, Galt-Barraud)
1786	Sarah Hallam Mervin 5 sl 1 c 1 horse (Personal Property Tax)
1787 Feb^y	Accout of Mr. John Carter dr Humphrey Harwood "Repairing Top to Mrs Hallam's Chimney...By Mrs. Sarah Hallam's order." (Ledger B, Humphrey Harwood, p. 83)
1792 Mch-Sept.	"Mrs. Hallam" bills rendered St. George Tucker - quarterly schooling Tucker children.
1792 Nov. 15^th	Medical Account of Mrs. Hallam with Dr. Galt stops.
1792, Dec. 6^th	Account of the death of Mrs. Sarah Hallam. (The Virginia Herald and Fredericksburg Advertiser, Dec. 6, 1792)
1793 Feby	James Greenhow reports death of Mrs. Hallam. (Galt MS - Letter to Dr. Alex. Galt, London)
1793 May 12^th	Lucretia Craig to Dr. Galt, London "Since the death of M^rs Hallam, Mrs. Blacgrove keeps school in Williamsburg" (Galt Ms)

York County Records Wills and Inventories, Book 23, p. 404.

D^r	The Estate of Cap^t John Harris dec^d in account with William Plume and William Brough Executors
1783 Aug^t	To William Brough for an Years board of Miss Sally	£15.-.-
1784 July 6	To Ditto M^rs Hallam 6/ pins and fan 2/6	-.9.6
...
Dec^r	£10.8
22^d	To paid M^rs Hallam 2^nd Quart^r schooling and Stage passage to Hampton 12/-	11.-.-
1785
Feb^y2^d	To Cash sent to M^rs Hallam to buy silk and Canvass for Miss Sally	-.12.-
...

Appendix iii

[William Rowsay's connection with Lots 163, 164 & 169]

1764, Aug. 11,	John Tazewell via Thomas Knox (lots 163, 164 & 169, York County Records, Deeds VII, pp. 45-47)
1779, Sept. 1,	Henry Tazewell via John Tazewell (lots 163, 164 & 169, York County Records, Deeds VI, pp. 227-228)
1782	William Rowsay held 3 lots. (Williamsburg Land Tax Records)
prior to 1785	William Rowsay (conveyance has not been located)
1785, Dec. 17,	William Rowsay offers "THE HOUSES and LOTS in Palace Street, formerly the property of the Hon. Henry Tazewell" for sale.
	(Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser, Jas. Hayes, ed.)
1786, May 31,	William Rowsay advertises "The subscribers Houses and Lots on Palace-street, ... are yet for sale. He would also willingly sell the house he now resides in, which was formerly a well frequented tavern, being the house on the main street, nearly opposite the Rawleigh, occupied by Mrs. Southall, and afterwards by Mr. Anderson ..."
	(Ibid., May 31, 1786)
[1786 June]	Edmund Randolph must have acquired Rowsay property. See: records to follow.
1786, July 7,	Rowsay made his will. Palace street property not mentioned therein.
1787, Feb. 5,	Rowsay's will recorded in court.
1788, July 2,	St. George Tucker purchases of Edmund Randolph--"your Houses on the Palace Street in Wmsburg" and "certain lots of land in the City of Williamsburg whereon William Rowsay lately lived ... purchased by the said Edmund of the Executors of the said Rowsay" (Tucker-Coleman Ms Collection, July 2 & 3, 1788p CWI)
1789	Edmund Randolph -3 lots-- to St. George Tucker (Land Tax Records)

[William Rowsay's connection with Lots 20 & 21]

ca. 1785	William Rowsay via Beall, Samuel. (Will of William Rowsay, CWI) William Rowsay- 3 lots [2 of Hen: Nicholson 27] (Williamsburg Land Tax Records)
1786, May 31,	William Rowsay offered to sell the house "he now resides in, which was formerly a well frequented tavern, being the house on the Main Street, nearly opposite the Rawleigh, occupied by Mr. Southall and afterwards by Mr. Anderson…" (Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser, Hayes, ed.)
1786 July 7,	William Rowsay will- mentions lot bought of Beall and houses and lots "whereon I now dwell which I purchased of Henry Nicholson." (copy of will attached)
1785-1806	William Rowsay or estate owned 5 lots in the city. (Williamsburg Land Tax Records)
1819	Frances Powell [widow of Rowsay who had married Benj. Powell]--2 lot

[William Rowsay's connection with Lot 23, Waller Street] the north strip.

1783, Sept., 8.	Isham Goddin to George Jackson (York County Records, Deeds VI, p. 178)
	[unknown when Jackson conveyed to Rowsay]
1785, Apl., 18,	William Rowsay to James Innes (Ibid., p. 263)
1812	Benjamin Waller via Rowsay's estate. (Williamsburg Land Tax Records)

July 7, 1786

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I William Rowsay of York County being sick and weak but of sound mind and Memory Do make and Ordain this as and for my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. IMPRIMIS. I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it trusting thro the merits of a merciful Redeemer for a Joyful resurrection and as to my Worldly Estate I Give & bequeath it in manner and form following Viz. I give and bequeath to my Executors herein after named or the survivors of them all my estate both real and personal to be sold either at public or private Sale in their best judgment for the purpose of paying my Debts, except the Lott and Houses which I purchased of Samuel Beall adjoining Store whereon I now live which I give and bequeath unto my affectionate Wife Frances Rowsay for and during the term of her natural life as the said Lott stands now inclosed, to wit, running a due South course from the East end of the Store house on the said Lott to the Back Street including all the improvements thereon which said Lott and Houses I desire may at the expense of estate be repaired and rendered comfortable for my Family. After the death of my said Wife I give and bequeath the said Houses & Lott purchased as aforesaid of Samuel Beall to my Son John in Fee Simple, but if in the opinion of my executors the payment of my Debts should not require the Sale of my Land in York County which I purchased of Thomas Baker and his Wife then I give the said Land to my Son John to him and to his Heirs forever. And if the payment of my Debts in the opinion of my Executors should not require the Sale of my Lotts and Houses whereon I now dwell which I purchased of Henry Nicholson then I give and bequeath the said Houses and Lotts to my Son John in Fee Simple he paying to each of my Daughters one third part of what my executors may judge the said Tenement to be worth. I give and bequeath to my affectionate Wife, during her natural life the following Negroes. Sarah, Charles, Lucy, Charlotte, Philip, Peter and Hurcules. All 2 the rest and residue of my estate of what nature or kind soever I give and bequeath to be equally divided between my three Children, John, Mary Moore, and Martha Heath, and in case of the death of either of my Children under Age, unmarried and without issue, then the Survivor or Survivors to have the share of the Child or Children so dying, and in case of the death of all my said Children under age unmarried and without issue, then I give all the residue of my Estate after paying my Debts thus one Moiety thereof to my affectionate Wife Frances in Fee Simple and one-fourth part thereof to my executors herein after named and the remaining fourth part thereof to the Children of my friend M^r James Craig and to such charitable purposes as my executors may think proper in equal proportions- It is my Will and desire that whatever balance may be found due to me from my sister Houston and my Nephew John Houston they may not be called on for until the death of my said Sister or until my executors may consider them as worth five hundred pounds. I desire that my executors may not be called upon to give Security for the execution of the trust hereby reposed in them. My Will and desire is that all my Estate except what may be taken for the payment of Debts as aforementioned may be kept as far as possible together and the produce of it employed towards the support of my affectionate Wife and my Children until the death or marriage of my Wife, or the marriage or arrival at Age of any one of my Children. But such division not even then to take place on the happening of any of the above contingencies unless my executors shall think it most for the benefit of my Children and their estates It is also my Will & desire that my executors may Sell and dispose of any part of the Estate hereby before devised to my Children, for the purposes of their education if it should be necessary for it is my wish that they should have an useful education without an estate, rather than an estate without an useful education. Lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint Joseph Prentis and Henry Tazewell esquires executors to this my last Will and Testament 3 and in case of their death or being prevented from acting I beg my friends Doctor Philip Barraud, Benjamin Powell, and Adam Craig esqr to undertake that trust. In Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this seventh day of July in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty six.

WILL ROWSAY LS

Signed Sealed published & declared as & for the last Will of the Testator in the presence of-

B: Holmes	John Bryan
Gab. Maupin, jnr.	P. S. Randolph
	John Smithe

A Codicil made this Seventh day of July in the year One Thousand seven hundred and eighty six- I give and bequeath to my said executors the sum of Fifty pounds Sterling each, to be laid out by them in the purchase of a Library for each of their eldest Sons Littleton Tazewell and Joseph Prentis, and in case of the death of my said executors Henry Tazewell and Joseph Prentis, or their declining to act, I give and bequeath to such other of my executors herein named as may execute this trust, the sum of Forty pounds each Current Money In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this seventh day of July In the Year above mentioned.
WILL: ROWSAY

Signed Sealed & published by the Testator as and for a Codicil to his last Will in our presence.
B. Holmes
Gabriel Maupin jun^r
John Smith
P. S. Randolph
John Bryan

At a Court of Hustings for the City of Williamsburg held the fifth day of February 1787- This Will and the Codicil thereto annexed were proved according to law by the oaths of Gabriel 4 Maupin, junr. John Smith and John Bryan Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded. And the executors in the said Will named having refused to take upon themselves the burthen of the execution thereof and Frances Rowsay the Widow of the deceased having relinquished her Right of Administering on the said estate. On the Motion of Samuel Beall Benjamin Powell and James Southall who made Oath thereto and together with Joseph Prentis and Samuel Griffin their Securities entered into and acknowledged Bond in the penalty of Five thousand pounds conditioned as the Law directs-- Certificate was granted them for obtaining Letters of administration on the said estate with the said Will annexed in due form.

Teste
Will Russell C. H. C.
A Copy
Teste
Will Russell C. H. C.

July 2nd, 1788

Dear Sir/
I will take your Houses on the Palace Street in Wmsburg. on the terms you offered them-- that is to say, Seventy five pounds to be paid on the Execution of the deed for them- and twenty five pounds to be discounted on acct. of Robins Hire-- you'll be pleased to Call on our Mutual friend Beverley for the Money and leave the deed with him.
I am., Sir
Yr. Mo. oblg.
St. G. Tucker

Governor Randolph.

The original, of which the above is a true Copy, was put into the hands of the Governor, by me on the day of its date.
Tho. Pleasants, Jr.

July 3, 1788

This Indenture made this third day of July One thousand seven hundred and eighty eight between Edmund Randolph esquire, of the One part and Saint George Tucker Esq^r. of the other part Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred pounds in hand paid to the said Edmund Randolph Esq^r. by the said Saint George Tucker Esq^r. he the said Edmund hath bargained, sold, aliened, released, enfeofed and confirmed and by these presents doth bargain, sell, alien, release, enfeoff and confirm unto him the said Saint George certain lots of land in the City of Williamsburg whereon William Rowsay lately lived, & bounded as in the plan of the said city; which lots were lately purchased by the said Edmund of the executors of the said Rowsay.

To have and to hold the said lots by him the said St. George and his heirs and assigns forever with all the buildings and other appurtenances of what nature or kind soever thereunto belonging to the only proper use and behoof of him the said S^t George and his heirs forever and for the consideration aforesaid he the said Edmund for himself & his heirs doth hereby covenant and agree to and with the said Saint George that he will Warrant and defend to him the said lot of land with it appurtenances aforesaid against the right, title, interest, claim or demand of any other person or persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof the said Edmund hath hereunto subscribed his name and affixed his seal the day and year before Written.
Signed, sealed, and deliverld in presence of- EDM: RANDOLPH
ELIZ^A. RANDOLPH

JOS. JONES
BEVERLEY RANDOLPH
SAM: COLEMAN.

Reacknolwedged this 26^th day of March 1790 in presence of
W^M NELSON SR.
JOHN COALTER
WM. NELSON JR.
HUGH NELSON JR.

Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

David Morton House, Isham Goddin Shop Historical Report, Block 7 Building 15A, 47 Lot 23Originally entitled: "Colonial Lot 23- Block 7, Additional Report"

Footnotes

Appendix i

Appendix ii

Appendix iii