Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Location.

The property now called the Mary Stith Shop or Music Teacher's Shop is located on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street between the Orlando Jones House and the James Anderson House. This is the site of colonial Lot 17 as indicated on the College Map of about 1790. (See the frontispiece for a copy of the College Map on which lot 17 is shaded in red.)

Maps.

The Frenchman's Map, drawn about 1782, shows a long, rectangular building fronting Duke of Gloucester Street with a very small dependency behind it less than half the depth of the lot and on its eastern boundary. See Illustration #1 for an enlargement of this section of the Frenchman's Map. As will be described in detail below, this configuration of buildings is corroborated by both archaeological evidence and Mary Stith's will of 1813.

The so-called College Map of about 1790, which appears as the frontispiece to this report, shows only the lot number - no owner's name - on this property. Possibly one of the owners of adjoining lots 16 and 18 also owned Lot 17. "Charlton" is written on the northern portion of lot 16, and "Anderson" on lot 18.

On the Bucktrout-Lively Map, originally drawn by Benjamin Bucktrout in August 1800 and copied by Robert A. Lively in December 1867, the name "Stith" or "Stitf" is written on lot 17 (although lot numbers are not included on this map). See Illustration #2 for a section of this map, 2 on which lot 17 is shaded in red.

Documentary evidence.

The earliest transaction concerning lot 17 took place on 18 and 19 October 1716 when the Trustees of City of Williamsburg conveyed it - along with lot 16 - to Orlando Jones.¹ Building a house of sufficient size on just one of the lots satisfied the conditional transfer from the City Trustees. This Jones apparently did, for he maintained title to the two lots beyond the provisional period.

Jones died in 1719, and his will directed his executors to sell these two Williamsburg lots to cover debts, legacies, and funeral expenses.² On 16 January 1719/20 his widow Mary Jones conveyed "two lots of ground lying and being in the City of Williamsburg denoted in the plan of the said city by the figures 16, 17" with all houses and buildings to John James Flournoy, a Huguenot watchmaker. He paid £100 current money and £100 Sterling for them.³

3

Flournoy shortly afterward married Mary Jones.⁴ They lived on the property until 13 September 1729 when they sold it for £160 Virginia currency to Mrs. Joanna Archer, the widow of Michael Archer, gentleman.⁵ It is not known for certain whether she lived on the property or rented it out. Concurrently she also owned lot 48 on the opposite side of Duke of Gloucester Street. She had inherited that lot from her husband at his death in early 1726/7.⁶ Joanna Archer died in 1732, without heirs and without having written a will. Neither an inventory of her estate nor an estate settlement appears in the York County records.⁷

Apparently the merchant William Hooper had purchased or was renting some of her property in 1737. An advertisement in the Virginia Gazette for 27 May 1737 describes his business location as the "Store, (which was formerly Mrs. Archer's) in Williamsburg." Perhaps this store was on lot 48 and her residence on lots 16 and 17.⁸

4

In 1745 two lots, specifically referred to as only part of Joanna Archer's estate, were put up for sale. The newspaper advertisement enumerated the buildings on the lots as a "Dwelling-house, Kitchen, Meat-house, Stable, and other convenient Outhouses." The ad also states that Dr. Kenneth MacKenzie, a local apothecary, occupied the property at that time.⁹ Unfortunately, it is not possible to learn which of these buildings stood on which of the two lots.

A serious gap in the chain of title for lot 17 occurs at this point. Who purchased the property from Archer's estate is not known; in fact, the owner of lot 17 for more than forty years remains a mystery. No further deeds in the York County court records mention this lot until the nineteenth century.

Only by jumping ahead to about 1810 and interpolating for the second half of the eighteenth century do we find any evidence at all about this property. There is little definite information about Mary Stith's property before 1810. On 16 November of that year Mutual Assurance Society declaration #231 for Nancy Camp's property (Block 10, colonial lot 18) definitely locates Mary Stith as Camp's neighbor to the west.¹⁰ See Illustration #6 for a copy of the insurance plat. In 1812 when James Wright sold the southern part of lot 18 to Dr. Philip Barraud, "Miss Polly Stith" 5 is noted as adjoining that property to the north.¹¹

It is apparent that Mary Stith was living in Williamsburg during the 1760s, but her location at that time is unknown, and she seems not to have owned land until twenty years later. Mary Stith was the daughter of William Stith, historian and president of the College of William and Mary from 1752 to 1755, and Judith Randolph of Tuckahoe. Mary Stith and her sister Judith both remained single. Their sister Elizabeth married Dr. William Pasteur, a prominent apothecary surgeon in Williamsburg.¹²

The Bruton Parish register of births notes the baptism of the "daughter of Jenny belonging to Mrs. [sic] Mary Stith" on 7 April 1765. The child's name is mostly illegible - all that is decipherable is that it ends in "y." Eleven months later (on 2 March 1766) Sally, another daughter of Jenny's, was baptized. And on 3 July 1768, Jenny's son William was baptized.¹³ In 1769 Mary Stith was taxed for one tithable slave (probably 6 Jenny, the mother of the family referred to above).¹⁴

According to the land tax records for Williamsburg, Mary Stith owned land in town by 1785. Since there is no indication of her buying or selling any Williamsburg property before 1810, it is reasonable to assume that she owned the same lot during that time. Tax transfers for 1785 indicate that she bought a fourth of a lot from George Reid. The further notation in the records, "bou[gh]t. of Geo: Reid the public lots," is inexplicable.¹⁵ It is not known which public lots Reid bought, and there is no indication that land in Block 10 area was ever owned by any "public" entity --the City of Williamsburg, James City County, or the Commonwealth of Virginia.¹⁶ See Illustration #4 for extracts from the Williamsburg Land Tax Books, 1785-1845.

In 1785 Humphrey Harwood, Williamsburg carpenter and brick mason, kept an account with "Miss Mary Stith." Between 1787 and 1789 he made repairs like setting up grates and mending a drain; he also whitewashed a 7 room, passage, porch, and closet.¹⁷ (These architectural features figure into the overall analysis of the property and will be discussed in detail in the "Archaeological Evidence" section of this report.) See Illustration #3 for a transcript of Stith's account with Harwood.

The Williamsburg personal property tax lists include Mary Stith from 1784 to 1815 (although a few lists for this period are missing). These records indicate, fist of all, that Stith was definitely living in Williamsburg during these years and, secondly, that she owned slaves. See Illustration #5 for relevant extracts from the Williamsburg personal property tax books, 1783-1842. The number of slaves for which Stith paid taxes ranged from a high of six (including slave children) in 1786 to only one from 1802 to 1815.¹⁸

This decrease in slaveholding is corroborated by three deeds of emancipation in the York County records. In 1791 Stith freed Benjamin and William White, mulatto men in their twenties. Two years later she manumitted Sarah Gillet and her young children, Jane and Peter. See Illustrations #10, #11, and #12 for transcripts of these deeds of emancipation.

Two of these former slaves and two of their descendants appear in the Register of Free Negroes and Mulattoes (the so-called "Free Black Register") for York County, 1798-1831. Because these are such interesting records and so rarely used, they are quoted here in full. 8

Jane Gillet a bright mulatto abt. 22 or 23 years of age 5 feet 1 ½ Inches high has a scar on her left arm[,] black Eyes[,] Ear[s] perforated for Earrings[,] small regular features & good countenance[.] Emancipated by deed from Mary Stith recorded in York Court registered 19 August 1811.

Peter alias Peter Gillett is a Mulatto of bright complexion about 22 years of age, 5 feet 6 ½ Inches high - as long bushy hair, a scar on the back of his right wrist & one on the inside of same wrist. Emancipated by deed from Mary Stith dated the 2d of Octo: 1793 & recorded in York Court - Registered 15th February 1813 before the Court of York County.

Patty alias Martha Gillett is a short black woman abt. 21 years of age 5 feet 1 ¼ Inches high[,] long hair, which she usually wears platted before - flat nose, on the left side of wch. is a scar -- & one on left side of her chin: Daughter of Sarah Gillett who was set free by deed from Mary Stith dated 2 Octr. 1793 - since which period the sd. Martha was born - Registered in York Ct. 20 febry. 1815.

Benjamin White emancipated by deed from his Father Benja. White recorded in York Co. Court 16 June 1794 about 21 yrs. of age 5 feet 8 Inches high - has a scar on his left Leg & two on his right arm - dark mulatto & has long bushy hair. Registered in York Ct. 19 Aug. 1812.¹⁹

Mary Stith's depth of feeling for her former slaves is apparent in the way she provided for them after her death. She wrote her will on 15 December 1813, and it reads in part:

All the coloured people in my family being born my slaves, but now liberated, I think it my duty not to leave them destitute nor to leave them unrecompensed for past services rendered to me. As in the cause of humanity I can do but little for so many, and that little my conscience requires me to do, therefore I subject the whole of my estate to the payment of my just debts, and to the provision which I herein make for them.

9 With the exception of few small legacies to white friends, Stith left most of her considerable estate, including three buildings and the ground on which they stood, to her freedmen. To Jenny, "the mother of the family," she left her dwelling house and lot, some furniture, clothing, and £100, as well as £5 a year for each of her two granddaughters, Jenny and Patty Gillett. These two jointly received the second building on Stith's town lot, which she described as "my house in the yard called the tin shop." Each of them also received clothing, items of furniture, and £25. The third structure Stith bequeathed to Nelly Bolling and "her two sisters Eve and Sally." This building she described as "my house on the main street called Woods shop." Each of these three women also received cash legacies, as did Peter Gillett, Benjamin White, Beverley Rowsay, Rachel White, and Fanny White. The will in its entirety appears as Illustration #13 of this report.

Stith's will is remarkably informative about the property she owned. She describes part of the legacy to Jenny as "All the furniture as it now stands in the room below stairs"(emphasis added) in her dwelling. This strongly implies that it was a one-room house, probably with a passage; this theory is supported by Humphrey Harwood's reference to "1 Room - a passage."²⁰ Since the "tin shop" is described as standing "in the yard," it seems to be a dependency well off the main street. And the "house on the main street called Woods shop" seems to have been close beside and in alignment with Stith's residence. If the two structures along Duke of Gloucester Street were so close together that they seemed to be joined, 10 perhaps the Frenchman's Map accurately reflects the configuration of the buildings on lot 17 in 1782, as well as twenty-one years later when Mary Stith wrote her will. (Further corroboration for this possibility comes from the excavation of the site; see the "Archaeological Evidence" section below.)

Mary Stith's will survives in the collection of Robert Anderson's business papers, rather than from court records. According to the notation in Anderson's accounts, it was recorded in the Williamsburg Hustings Court on 26 February 1816. The date of Stith's death is not available, but she died between the writing of her will on 15 December 1813 and the date it was recorded in the municipal court, 26 February 1816.²¹ And real estate tax records first list Mary Stith's estate in 1816.²²

Robert Anderson served as the executor of Stith's estate, and, fortunately, the long and complex record of that estate settlement survives in his extensive collection of papers. The estate account shows that legacies were indeed paid to the former slaves as stipulated in the will.²³ This document provides some additional information about the free black families associated with Stith's estate. For example, in her will Stith left legacies to Nelly Bolling's sisters "Eve and Sally"; the estate settlement tells their last names - Eve Mitchell and Sally Skinner.

But the estate account also raises questions that it fails to 11 answer, such as withholding details about Stith's landholding in Frederick County, Virginia; and not explaining Jane's chancery suit "for balance of legacy," which was only partially satisfied on 21 August 1823 when Anderson paid her $413.80. And is this the same woman as "Jane S. Moseley," who may be connected with the residual beneficiary Stith called Jenny Westwood in her will? Richard Randolph's debt to Stith, also mentioned in the will, was repaid only after a court decree; he eventually paid back nearly $5,000 to the estate. The circumstances surrounding that court battle are unknown through documents currently available. See Illustration #14 for a complete transcription of the settlement of Mary Stith's estate.

Williamsburg real estate tax records indicate that Stith's property also passed to the three legatees as directed by her will. In 1820 Nelly Bolling, Patsey Rowsey, and Jenny Rowsey appear on the tax lists; in each case with the notation that the properties were formerly charged to Mary Stith and her estate.²⁴ By 1825 Jenny Rowsey had conveyed her property to Beverley Rowsey. (In the tax transfer information that year her name is given as "Jane Laurance alias Jenny Rowsey.") Nelly Bolling and Patsey Rowsey kept their lots until 1844.²⁵

12

An 1837 list of Williamsburg's free blacks includes three names associated with Mary Stith. Fortunately, the list also includes occupations and seems to be organized by families. Beverley Rowsey is listed as a "housekeeper." On the same line appears "Nelly Boling [sic], seamstress, [and] child Mary." Benjamin White, a shoemaker, is listed along with "Zize, housek[eepe]er," who was probably his wife.²⁶

The Williamsburg personal property tax lists between 1783 and 1842 give some scattered bits of information about Nelly Bolling and Beverley Rowsey. See Illustration #5 for a transcript of these sketchy references.

All three of the properties formerly owned by Mary Stith were completely destroyed by fire in 1842. This is noted on the land tax list for 1843. Apparently, the fire wiped out many of the buildings in this part of town. Certainly Robert Anderson's house and store nearby also burned at this time. Witness the following letter. On 28 April 1842 Hannah W. Anderson, formerly of Williamsburg but then living in Alabama, wrote her brother-in-law Robert Anderson: "I was much shocked and concerned to learn by an article in the Phenix, that your dwelling house and store had been burned down, together with some other houses...I hope, indeed I feel 13 pretty certain, that the house and property were insured."²⁷

By 1844 Robert Anderson was the owner of property formerly belonging to Nelly Bolling, Patsey Rowsey, and Beverley Rowsey.²⁸ See Illustration #4 for relevant extracts from the Williamsburg land tax records (including specific references to Anderson's acquisition of property from Bolling, Rowsey, and Peter and Patty Gillett).

John S. Charles, a long-time Williamsburg resident, recorded his recollections of the town at about the time of the Civil War. Concerning what we now call Block 10, Mr. Charles remembered:

The square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Francis, Colonial, and Botetourt Streets had, at the time the Civil War began, and for many years anterior thereto, only three dwellings on it. At the northwest corner of this square, where Mr. Dick Braithwaite now lives, there stood a long story and a half wooden building with doors opening right on the street. This house was low to the ground, the west end of which was used as a residence and in the other end there was once a store. There were, when the war began, no more houses on this square fronting on Duke of Gloucester Street; but instead there were immense brick gable-ends of houses that had long since been destroyed by fire. These foundations were often filled with water that afforded the small boys rare sport - boating in the summer and skating in winter.²⁹

Complete title information for lot 17 since this period is available at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's Department of Archives and Records.

14

Archaeological Evidence

Interpretation of the excavation done at lot 17 north coincides perfectly with other sources, especially the 1813 will of Mary Stith. Mary Stith's will indicates the presence of three buildings on the partial lot she owned and gives names to each of them. Illustration #15 is all the information presently available about archaeological work done on this property; see especially the "Composite Plan - Mary Stith Shop Foundation" with regard to the analysis presented here.³⁰

It seems likely that the reconstructed Mary Stith Shop (also called the Music Teacher's Shop) was Stith's dwelling. The overall dimensions of this structure are about 24 feet by 16 feet, a typical size for one-room houses in Virginia. The will further mentions furniture "in the room below stairs," implying that there was only one room on the main floor. Traces of the small back porch remain in the ground, so possibly there was an eight-foot side passage to the east. This is corroborated by Harwood's reference to whitewashing a passage and porch for Stith in 1787 too. In a simple house of this kind one would expect to find the sleeping accommodations in a loft rather than a full second floor; if so, access by ladder stair (in the southwest corner or elsewhere) would be typical for such a house form. Judging by the elevations given on the Archaeological Research Department's composite map, it is likely that this structure stood over a cellar.

Archaeology indicates a second, earlier structure facing Duke of 15 Gloucester Street. In her will Mary Stith left "my house on main st. called Woods shop" to Nelly Bolling. One possible reason these foundations were designated as "earlier colonial…between 1699 & 1724" is that this area was filled about 1722. Just about the time the city was incorporated, the ravine by the Printing Office, just across the street from this site, was filled. That is why the composite plan indicates the foundations to the east predate 1724. Perhaps this early building had a wooden floor on joists and a few steps up to it from ground level until about four feet of fill was brought in; there after the crawl space was eliminated and a packed earth floor or brick paving was used without steps since the house was now at ground level.

As mentioned above, the Frenchman's Map of circa 1782 shows one long building along Duke of Gloucester Street. This can be explained by the remains of a brick chimney located during excavation. It connected the two buildings here called Woods shop and Stith's dwelling. Perhaps the French cartographer gave only sketchy representation to a two-part building otherwise referred to as two separate structures. Of course, it is also possible that the configuration of buildings on lot 17 changed in the twenty-one years between the drawing of the Frenchman's Map and Mary Stith's will. But if that is the case, no archaeological evidence of a different configuration remains.

Without debate the one dependency on this property was the small structure called in the nineteenth century "tin shop." Stith left this third structure to Jenny and Patty Gillett. Its location is indicated by both the Frenchman's Map and brief archaeological work done in the area 16 (though not indicated on the "Composite Plan" included here). Rationale and precedents for the reconstructed Tin Shop is well described in the architectural report for the property.³¹

Illustration #1

Frenchman's Map

[Bucktrout Map]

19

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #3

MARY STITH'S ACCOUNT WITH HUMPHREY HARWOOD
Ledger B, f. 82.

1785
July 28	To 16 bushels of lime @ 1/	£ -.16.-
	To building a pair Steps 15/. & labours work 2/6	-.17.6
1783 [sic]
Novemr.11	To a Grate & bars. 27-¾ lb. @ 9d. (this was not posted for want of Mr. Nelson's account)	1. 0.9-¾
	To 2 Bushels of lime 2/. & Seting up a Grate (in out House) 7/6	-. 9.6
	To 1 Days labour 2/6	-. 2.6
		£ 3. 6.3-¾
1787
June 27th	To 1 bushel of White was 1/.	£ -. 1.-
	To White-washing 1 Room - a passage - a porch & Closset @ 4/6	-.13.6
1788
Sept. 25	To 6 bushels of lime 6/. & setting up 2 Grates 8/9	-.14.9
	To labour 2/.	-. 2.-
		£ 1.11.3

Ledger C, f. 22.

Dr.	[debit side of ledger]
1789
Septr. 19	To 8 bushels of lime @9d. 580 bricks @ 2/9 & mending drain & sink 10/.	£ 1.11.11 ½
		£ 1.11.11 ½
Per Contra	[credit side of ledger]
1789
Decr. 17	By Cash of Doctr. William Pasteur	£ 1.11.11 ½
		£ 1.11.11 ½

20

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #4

WILLIAMSBURG LAND TAX (CWFL microfilm M-1.48)

Years	Name of Owner	No. lots	Value	Remarks
1785 and 1786	Mary Stith	¼	£1..10..0	"bou[gh]t. of Geo: Reid the public lots"
1787 and 1788	Mary Stith	¼	£18..0..0
			Annual Value
1789 through 1797	Mary Stith	¼	£10..0..0
1[7]98 through 1806	Mary Stith	¼	$33.34
1807 through 1815	Mary Stith	½	$50.00
1816 through 1819	Mary Stith Est[ate]	½	$50.00

			Sum added for Bldgs.	Value of lots	Yearly Rent	Remarks
1820 through 1842	Nelly Bolling	1	$175	$200	$30	"Formerly charged to Mary Styth & Esta."
1820 through 1842	Patsey Rowsey	1	$150	$175	$20	"Devised via Mary Styth"
1820 through 1842	Jenny Rowsey	1	$500	$550	$50	"Devised via Mary Styth"
1825 through 1841	Beverly Rowsey	1	$500	$550	$50	"Via Jane Laurance alias Jenny Rowsey"
1842	Beverley Rowsey Est.	1	$500	$550	$50
						Explanation of alterations during the preceding year
1843	Nelly Bolling	1	0	$25	0	"Buildings totally destroyed by fire in 1842."
1843	Patsey Rowsey	1	0	$25	0	"Buildings totally destroyed by fire in April 1842."
21
1844	Robert Anderson	1	0	$25	0	"Via Nelly Bolling"
1844	Robert Anderson	1	0	$25	0	"Via Patty Gillett - Heretofore charged (I presume) to Patsey Rowsey"
1844	Robert Anderson	1	0	$50	0	"Via Peter Gillett - Heretofore to Patsey Rowsey"

22

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #5

(CWFL microfilm M-1.47)

WILLIAMSBURG PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX LISTS, 1783-1842

	Mary Stith does not appear on the 1783 tax list.
1784	Mary Stith: 0 free males, 2 tithable slaves named Jenny and Sally, 0 slave children, no horses, mules, wheels.
	The 1785 tax list is missing.
1786	Mary Stith: 0 free males, 4 tithable slaves and 2 slaves under 16 years old named Jenny, Sall[y?], Nancy, Ben, Beverley, Bob; 2 cattle, 0 horses, mules, wheels.
	The 1787 tax list is missing.
1788	Mary Stith: 0 free males, 4 slaves under 12 years old [no names given]; 0 horses, mares, wheels, etc.
1789	Mary Stith: 5 slaves above 12 years old.
1790	Mary Stith: 6 slaves above 12 years old.
1791	Mary Stith: 5 slaves above 12 years old.
1792	Mary Stith: 4 slaves above 12 years old.
1793	Mary Stith: 3 slaves above 12 years old.
1794	Polly Stith: 0 whites over 16, 0 blacks over 12, 4 blacks over the age of 16 years.
1795-1797	Mary Stith: 0 whites above 16, 1 black over 12, 3 blacks over 16.
1798	Mary Stith: 0 whites above 16, 0 blacks over 12, 4 blacks over 16.
1799	Mary Stith: 0 whites above 16, 0 blacks over 12, 2 blacks over 16.
1800	Mary Stith: 1 white above 16, 0 blacks over 12, 2 blacks over 16.
1801	Mary Stith: 0 whites over 16, 1 black above 12, 2 blacks above 16.
1802-1807	Mary Styth: 0 whites over 16, 0 blacks above 12, 1 black over 16.
	The 1808 tax list is missing.
23
1809-1811	Mary Styth: 0 whites over 16, 0 blacks above 12, 1 black over 16.
1812	Beverly Rowsay: 1 white over 16 years old, 0 blacks.
	[Mary Stith does not appear on the 1812 tax list.]
1813	Nelly Bowling [sic]: 0 whites, 1 free Negro or mulatto over 16. Beverly Rowser [sic]: 1 white over 16, 1 free Negro or mulatto over 16.
	[Mary Stith does not appear on the 1813 tax list.]
1814	Beverly Rowser: 1 white over 16, 1 free Negro or mulatto over 16.
	[Mary Stith and Nelly Bolling do not appear on the 1814 tax list.]
1815	The 1815 tax list is very detailed. Only those items for which the parties were taxed are included here.
	Nelly Bowling: 1 picture gilt frame under 12 inches and 1 clothes press (not of mahogany).
	Beverley Rowsey: 1 white male, 1 slave above 16, 1 horse or mule, and 1 carriage.
	Mary Styth: 1 slave above 16 and 1 double-cased gold watch.
1816	Beverly Rowsay: 1 white male over 16.
	[Mary Stith and Nelly Bolling do not appear on the 1816 tax list.]
	The 1817 tax list is missing.
1818-1823	Beverly Rowsey: 1 white male over 16 and 1 slave over 12.
1824-1826	Beverley Rowsey: 1 white male over 16 and 2 slaves above 12.
1827-1829	Beverley Rowsey: 1 free male above 16 and 3 slaves above 16.
1830-1832	Beverley Rowsey: 0 free males above 18, 1 free male Negro or mulatto, 3 slaves above 16, and 1 slave aged 12 to 16.
1836-1738	Beverley Rowsey: 0 whites above 18, 1 free male Negro or mulatto, 3 slaves above 16, and 0 slaves aged 12 to 16.
24
	The 1839 and 1840 tax lists are missing.
1841-1842	Beverley Rowsey: 0 whites above 18, 1 free male Negro or mulatto, 1 slave above 16, and 0 slaves aged 12 to 16.
	[Beverley Rowsey does not appear on the tax lists for 1843-1850.]

Illustration #6

Illustration #7

Illustration #8

Illustration #9

29

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #10
BENJAMIN WHITE, 20-YEAR-OLD MULATTO, FREED BY MARY STITH IN 1791

York County Deed Book 7 (1791-1809), pp. 7-8
CWFL microfilm M-1.18.

WHEREAS by an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia passed in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two Entitled An Act Authorizing the Manumission of Slaves, It is enacted That it shall hereafter be lawful for any person by his or her last Will and Testament or by any other Instrument in Writing under his or her hand and seal attested and proved in the County Court by two Witnesses or acknowledged by the party in the Court of the County where he or she resides to emancipate and set free his or her slave or any of them who shall thereupon be entirely and fully discharged from the performance of any Contract entered into during servitude and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been particularly named and freed by this Act This Indenture Witnesseth that I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg for Divers good Causes more especially in Consideration of the Fidelity and faithful services heretofore performed by Benjamin White a Mulatto Man about the age of twenty years hath and by these presents doth Liberate manumit emancipate and set free the said Benjamin White from all servitude or manner of service whatever and do by these presents declare it my Intention to place the said Benjamin White in the most perfect state of freedom and emancipation In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one
Mary Stith L.S.

Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of
Ben. Waller
Philip Moody

At a Court held for York County the 10th day of April 1791 This Deed of Emancipation was proved by the Oaths of Benjamin Waller and Philip Moody the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Exd.
Teste. Ro. H. Waller cl. cur.

30

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #11
WILLIAM WHITE, 22-YEAR-OLD MULATTO, FREED BY MARY STITH IN 1791

York County Deed Book 7 (1791-1809), p. 8
CWFL microfilm M-1.18.

Whereas by an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia passed in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty two entitled An Act Authorizing the Manumission of Slaves, It is enacted That it shall hereafter be lawful for any person by his or her last Will and Testament or by any other Instrument in Writing under his or her hand and seal attested and proved in the County Court by two Witnesses or acknowledged by the party in the Court of the County where he or she resides resides to emancipate and set free his or her slaves or any of them who shall thereupon be entirely and fully discharged from the performance of any Contract entered into during servitude and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been particularly named and freed by this Act This Indenture Witnesseth that I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg for Divers good Causes more especially in Consideration of the Fidelity and faithful services heretofore performed by William White a Mulatto Man about the age of Twenty two years hath and by these presents doth Liberate Manumit emancipate and set free the said William White from all servitude or manner of service whatever and do by these presents declare it my Intention to place the said William White in the most perfect state of Freedom and Emancipation In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety one
Mary Stith L.S.

Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of
Ben. Waller
Philip Moody

At a Court held for York County the 10th day of April 1791
This Deed of Emancipation was proved by the Oaths of Benjamin Waller and Philip Moody Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Exd.
Teste. Ro. H. Waller cl. cur.

31

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #12
SARAH GILLET, 26-YEAR-OLD MULATTO, AND HER CHILDREN JANE GILLET, AGE 4, AND PETER GILLET, AGE 2, FREED BY MARY STITH IN 1793

York County Deed Book 7 (1791-1809), pp. 91-92
CWFL microfilm M-1.18

WHEREAS by an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia passed in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two entitled An Act authorizing the manumission of Slaves it was among other things enacted That it should thereafter be lawful for any person by his or her last Will and Testament or by any other Instrument in writing under his or her Hand and seal attested and proved in the County Court by two witnesses or acknowledged by the party in the Court of the County where he or she resides to emancipate and set free his or her slaves or any of them who shall thereupon be entirely and fully discharged from the performance of any contract entered into during servitude and enjoy as full freedom as if they had been particularly named and freed by his Act. Now This Indenture Witnesseth that I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg and County of York for divers good causes me thereunto moving, but more especially in consideration of the faithful services heretofore performed and rendered by my Negro Woman Sarah Gillet aged about twenty six years have and by these presents do liberate manumit and emancipate the said Negroe Woman Sarah Gillet and her Children Vizt. Jane Gillet aged about four years and Peter Gillet aged about two years from all servitude and manner of service whatever, and do by these Presents declare it to be my Intention to place the said Slaves in the more perfect state of freedom In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this second day of October 1793.
Mary Stith L. S.

Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of
Ro: H: Waller
Wilson Allen

At a Court held for York County the 17th day of December 1793 This Deed of Emancipation was proved by the oaths of the witnesses hereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste. Ro. H. Waller Cl. Cur.
Exd.

32

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #13
WILL OF MARY STITH, 15 DECEMBER 1813

Robert Anderson Account Books, Williamsburg and Yorktown, 1800-1854, p. 44.
Original: Virginia Historical Society; CWFL microfilm reel M-82.2.

In the name of God, Amen, I Mary Stith of the City of Williamsburg being weak in body but in perfect sense and memory, do make and ordain this my writing as and for my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made. There being a sufficiency of my estate for payment of all just debts due from me, it is my desire that there be no appraisement of my property. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid. My estate which consists of my houses and lot in Williamsburg, and of two debts which are due to me, the one from Richard Randolph and the other from Robert Greenhow, I dispose of in manner and form following, to wit: All the coloured people in my family being born my slaves, but now liberated, I think it my duty not to leave them destitute nor to leave them unrecompensed for past services rendered to me. As in the cause of humanity I can do but little for so many, and that little my conscience requires me to do, therefor I subject the whole of my estate to the payment of my just debts, and to the provision which I herein make for them. I give and bequeath my dwelling house and lot to Jenny the mother of the family, together with all the furniture as it now stands in the room below stairs, and one third part of all the other goods and chattels and wearing apparel as they stand in my dwelling at my decease, the whole there of to here and to her heirs and assigns forever. Moreover I give and bequeath unto said Jenny, out of the interest accruing upon the debts due to me, the sum of twenty pounds per year, until my executor shall pay to her the sum of one hundred pounds. I recommend to the said Jenny to take her two grand Jenny Gillet and Patty Gillett under her protection in consideration of which I bequeath to her five pounds more per year for each of them during her lifetime. I give and bequeath to the said Jenny Gillett and Patty Gillett jointly, my house in the yard called the tin shop, together with the other two-thirds of my wearing apparel before mentioned to be divided between them as they shall agree with themselves, to them and their heirs and assigns forever. To the said Patty Gillett I give and bequeath my bed and bedding, together with my chairs, press and dressing table. I give to the said Jenny Gillett twenty five pounds, and to the said Patty Gillett twenty five pounds to be paid them by my executor when he can conveniently do so. I give to Peter Gillett the sum of ten pounds to help him in his trade. I give and bequeath to Nelly Bolling and her two sisters Eve and Sally, my house on the main street called Woods shop, with the use of the yard to be held by them in fee simple and by their heirs and assigns forever. I give to the said Nelly Bolling Fifty pounds - to the said Eve and Sally twenty five pounds each, and I give to the three the sum of five pounds each per year until they shall receive from my executor the aforesaid sum, which he will pay them when it is convenient to him so to do. I give to Benjamin White Thirty pounds, and to Beverly Rowsay Forty pounds. I give to Rachel White Twenty pounds, and to her sister Fanny White Twenty pounds. I give and bequeath Mary Randolph wife to David Meade Randolph my diamond locket that she now has in [her] possession. I give and bequeath to Mrs. Tucker wife of St. George Tucker, 33 my Watch. I give to my good friend Robert Greenhow a ring of the value of six pounds. I give to my friend Miss Sally Anderson a gold watch of one hundred dollars value. I give to my Rt. Reverend friend John Bracken the sum of twenty pounds. It being necessary that some person should be empowered to perform the act of my burial, which I desire may be done agreeably to the common custom. I do hereby authorize such person or persons to call on my executor to discharge all debts contracted on that account. As I have outlived all those persons whose duty it would have been to perform this indispensible act, I hereby authorize and appoint my kind friends Sally Anderson and Rachel Anderson to perform that act: and for that purpose I give and bequeath to them the sum of one hundred pounds to be equally divided between the two. It is my desire to be buried in the southeast corner of my garden, and in a Mahogany Coffin without any ornaments thereon. I give to William White the sum of Ten pounds. I give to my friend and neighbour Mr. Robert Anderson the sum of one hundred pounds, and I do moreover appoint my said Robert Anderson to be my sold executor. All the residue of my estate undisposed of I hereby give and bequeath to my relation jenny Westwood daughter of William Westwood deceased, late of the town of Hampton, to be enjoyed by her and her heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof I the said Mary Stith have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 15th day of december 1813. Signed and sealed and by the said Mary Stith acknowledged to be her act and deed before us
George Jackson, W. Browne
(see two pages forward) (Exd.) Mary Stith seal

[The following clerk's recordation note appears on p. 46 of the original manuscript (in the middle of the estate accounts) but has been transcribed here.]

(From two pages back and continued therefrom.)

(Exd.) At a Court of Hustings for the City of Williamsburg held the 26th day of February 1816. This Will was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of George Jackson and William Browne, the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Teste, Leod. Henley C. H. C.

(Exd.) At a Court of Hustings held for the City of Williamsburg the twenty fifth day of March 1816. Certificate for obtaining a probat of the last Will and Testament of Mary Stith deceased heretofore proved and recorded in this court, is granted to Robert Anderson the executor therein named, he having made oath thereto according to law, and together with George Jackson and William T. Galt his securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Twenty thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs.
A Copy, Teste. Leod. Henley
C.H.C.

34

Mary Stith Property
Illustration #14
MARY STITH'S ESTATE SETTLEMENT

Robert Anderson Account Books, Williamsburg and Yorktown, 1800-1854, pp. 39-43, 45-46, 48. Original: Virginia Historical Society; CWFL microfilm M-82.2.

The Estate of Mary Stith decd. In Account with Robert Anderson, Executor.

1816			[Dr.]	[Cr.]
January	1	To Amount for Coal &c. due to Executor	9.23
	1	To Expences attending funeral of deceased	8.94
April	4	To Cash paid M. Reynolds account per receipt	3.75
	9	To Cash paid Jesse Cole's account per receipt	.85
May	1	To Cash paid Thomas Sands account per receipt	66.26
	29	To Expences from hone on business of estate	25.49
July	22	To Cash paid Richard Coke's account per receipt	24.40
	23	By this sum of Robert Greenhow debt		2100.
	"	To Cash paid R. Greenhow's legacy per receipt	20.
	"	To Cash paid Revd. John Brackins legacy per receipt	66.67
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	24	To Cash paid James Scellins account per receipt	2.75
	"	To Cash paid Roscow Coles account per receipt	36.35
	25	To Cash paid Jenny in part of legacy per receipt	30.
	"	To Cash paid Ben Whites his legacy per receipt	100.
	"	To Cash paid Nelly Bollins legacy per receipt	166.67
	"	To Cash paid Patty Gilletts legacy per rect.	83.33
	"	To Cash paid Rachel Whites legacy per rect.	66.67
	"	To Cash paid Fanny Whites legacy per rect.	66.66
August	6	To cash paid S. Jones for U.S. taxes per rect.	3.78
	27	To cash paid Peter Gilletts legacy per rect.	33.34
October	12	To Cash paid Eve Mitchells legacy per rect.	83.33
	"	By this sum for balance of R. Greenhows debt		1353.33
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.00
	"	To Cash paid Jenny Gilletts legacy per receipt	83.34
	"	To Cash paid Sally Skinner legacy per rect.	83.33
Novemr.	30	To Cash paid Jenny in part legacy per rect.	20.
	"	To Cash paid Beverly Rowsay's legacy per rect.	133.34
	"	To Cash paid William White's legacy per rect.	33.33
Decemr.	11	To Cash paid George Bray's account per rect.	49.
	"	To Cash paid Sally Anderson's legacy per rect.	100.
	"	To Cash paid S. and R. Anderson's legacy per rect.	333.34
	"	To Cash paid Robert Anderson's legacy per rect.	333.34
	"	To Cash paid Ben. Waller's account per rect.	40.80
	"	To Cash paid S. Jones, for U.S. taxes per rect.	.89
	"	To Cash paid bond due to S. Anderson per rect.	363.33
	31	To Commission on receipts this year	172.66
	"	To balance due to the estate for this year	757.90
			$3453.33	3453.33
35
1817
January	1	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	27	By this sum in part of Randolphs debt		316.
February	1	To Cash paid York County taxes per rect.		.25
	20	To Cash paid Ben Whites account per rect.	7.50
May	20	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	"	By this sum in part of Randolphs debt		334.43
August	6	To Cash paid Henley's clerks ticket per rect.	4.71
August	18	To Cash paid J.W. Murdaugh fee per receipt	5.
	24	To Cash paid Jenny in part legacy per rect.	20.
Decemr.	22	To Cash paid Jenny in part legacy per rect.	63.33
	31	To Commission on receipts this year	32.52
	"	To balance due the estate for this year	467.12
			$650.43	650.43
1818
January	22	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	"	By this sum in part of David Ranolph's debt		3449.35
	"	To Cash paid bond to Thomas M. Randolph per receipt	3333.33
February	27	To Cash paid Henley's clerks tickets per rect.	1.30
May	8	To Cash paid William Moseley per receipt	116.
June	9	To Cash paid Richard Coke for Burwells per rect.	12.55
	29	To Cash paid Jenny in part of legacy per rect.	5.
October	18	To paid Expences from home on business on business [sic] of est. and to obtain injunction to Burwells judgment	50.
Decemr.	30	To Commission on receipts this year	172.46
	"	By balance due to the Executor for this year		266.31
			$3715.64	3715.64
1819
March	3	To Cash paid Henley's clerks tickets per receipt	7.90
April	2	To Cash paid J.W. Murdaugh fee pr. rect.	20.
	3	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.20
June	15	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
August	11	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.80
Decemr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		53.90
			$53.90	53.90
1820	"	[sic] To cash paid sundry postages on business of estate	.40
May	29	To Cash paid Christians chancery tickets per rect.	14.21
June	1	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.63
Decemr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		15.24
			$15.24	15.24
1821
March	28	To Cash paid Henleys clerks tickets per receipt	2.80
36
May	18	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
July	25	To Cash paid Browne fee in chancery per receipt	30.
August	23	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.30
Novemr.	12	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
Decemr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		83.10
			$83.10	83.10
1822
January	15	To Cash paid Genl. Taylor, chancery fee per receipt		30.
July	20	To Cash paid Genl. Taylor, fee in chancery per rect.	30.
Decemr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		60.
			$60.	60.
1823
January	28	To Cash paid Genl. Taylor fee per receipt	30.
March	2	To Cash paid Marshall of Fredericksburg per rect.	3.
May	8	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	1.35
July	23	To Cash paid Genl. Taylor fee per receipt	30.
August	21	To Cash paid Roy in part of chancery decree in favour of Jane for balance of legacy per receipt	413.80
Septr.	12	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	1.52 ½
Decemr.	"	[sic] To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	20	To Cash paid Standard, chancery fee per receipt	30.
	22	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.60
	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		535.27 ½
			$535.27 ½	535.27 ½
1824
January	"	[sic] To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
February	19	To Cash paid Marshall of Williamsburg per rect.	.90
	"	To Cash paid same for Costs &c. of Janes suit per rect.	38.37
March	1	To Cash paid Christians chancery tickets per rect.	28.55
	"	To Cash paid Commissioner W. Banks, fees per rect.	27.
	14	To Cash paid W. Allen for serving notices		1.50
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
April	1	To Cash paid Gibbs for serving notice	.50
June	23	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
July	4	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.60
37
August	16	To Cash paid for Copies of deeds for Chancery suit	1.82 ½
	"	To Expences from home on business at Richmond	25.
	27	To Expences to Norfolk on business of estate	15.
Septemr.	29	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.37 ½
	"	To Cash paid Christians ticket per rect.	2.17
October	3	To Cash paid Seevers for serving process per rect.	5.00
	25	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	1.12 ½
Novemr.	11	To Expences to Richmond on business of estate	50.
	18	To Expences to Norfolk on business of estate	25.
Decemr.	23	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.20
	30	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		323.91 ½
			$323.91 ½	323.91 ½
1825
February	19	To Cash paid Commissioner Bakers fees per receipt	17.70
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	"	To Cash paid Henings clerks fees per receipt	19.19
March	24	To Cash paid Guerrant, Marshall's fees per rect.	7.20
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	50.
	"	To Cash paid Shields for printing notices per rect.	6.
April	8	To Cash paid for serving notices in Frederick Co. per rect.	30.
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
May	11	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.20
June	9	To Cash paid Commissioner Bakers fees per rect.	22.30
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	50.
July	9	To Cash paid McCandlish, Marshalls fees per rect.	5.58
Decembr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor for this year		258.17
			$258.17	258.17
1826
January	12	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	"	To Cash paid Commissioner Bakers fees per rect.	3.50
February	8	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
February	8	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.90
March	22	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
April	3	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	17	To Cash paid serving notices in Frederick Co. per rect.	25.
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
38
May	8	To Cash paid Henings clerks tickets per rect.		1.16
	"	To Cash paid Christians clerks tickets
			per rect.	30.28
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate		25.
June	26	To Cash paid Commissioner Bakers fee per rect.	10.
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
July	27	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.40
August	17	To Cash paid Allen for serving notices per rect.	1.
	"	To Cash paid Marks for serving notices per rect.	1.50
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
October	16	To Cash for Copies of deeds and for postage	1.80
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
Novemr.	4	To Cash paid Shields, publishing notices per rect.	7.87 ½
	7	To Cash paid Commissioner Banks fees per rect.	18.
Decemr.	31	By Amount due to the Executor this year		325.69 ½
			$325.69 ½	325.69 ½
1826
Decemr.	31	By balance due the estate for the year 1816		757.90
	"	By Interest on the same to this date		454.74
	"	By balance due the estate for the year 1817		467.12
	"	By Interest on the same to this date		252.23
	"	By balance due the Executor for the year 1818	266.31
	"	To interest on the same to this date	127.82
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1819	53.90
	"	To interest on the same to this date	22.63
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1820	15.24
	"	To interest on the same to this date	5.48
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1821	83.10
	"	To interest on the same to this date	24.93
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1822	60.
	"	To interest on the same to this date	14.40
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1823	535.27 ½
	"	To interest on the same to this date	96.34 ½
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1824	323.91 ½
	"	To interest on the same to this date	38.87
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1825	258.17
	"	To interest on the same to this date	15.49
	"	To Amount due the Executor for the year 1826	325.69 ½
	"	By balance due the Executor at this date		335.57
			$2267.57	2267.57
39
1827
January	20	To balance due to the Executor	335.57
	"	To Cash paid Braxtons chancery fee	20.
February	11	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
March	12	To Cash paid Allen clerk Court of Appeals ticket per rect.	40.51
	"	To Cash paid Hening chancery ticket per rect.	18.14
April	2	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	19	To Cash paid Booker for serving a notice per rect.	.50
	22	To Cash paid postages on business of estate	.22 ½
May	7	To Cash paid clerks fee for Copy of deed	.70
		To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	14	To Cash paid Christians Chancery tickets per rect.	61.92
	28	To Cash paid postage on business of estate	.12 ½
June	25	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
	"	To Cash paid clerk for Copy of deed	.70
July	1	By amount due to the executor at this date		582.89
			$582.89	582.89
	"	To Amount due to the Executor	582.89
	"	To interest on $335.57 from 1 January 1827	10.06
	"	Due to the Executor on 1 July 1827	$592.95

In Williamsburg Hustings Court June the 25th. 1827.
On the motion of Robert Anderson, executor of Mary Stith deceased, it is ordered that Joseph A. Repiton be appointed a Special Commissioner, and that he do examine[,] state and settle the account of the said Robert Anderson as Executor aforesaid, and make report thereof to this court, together with any matters specially stated, deemed pertinent by himself, or that may be required by the parties to be so stated.
A Copy Tho: O. Cogvill D. C.

City of Williamsburg to wit
Joseph A. Repiton this day appeared before me William M. Moody, an alderman of the said city, and made oath that to the best of his skill and judgment, he would faithfully discharge the duties of a Commissioner in stating[,] settling and adjusting the account of Robert Anderson's administration of Mary Stiths estate, and make true and correct report thereof, without favours, partiality or affection. Given under my hand this 16th day of September 1827.
William M. Moody, Aldn.

A Copy, Teste. J. A. Repiton, Comr.
In Conformity with the annexed order of Williamsburg Hustings Court, I have stated[,] settled and adjusted Robert Andersons account of his administration of Mary Stiths estate up to the 1st. day of July 1827, as herewith presented by which it appears that the estate of the said Mary Stith is indebted to the said Robert Anderson in the sum of Five hundred and 40 Ninety two dollars and ninety five cents of which sum five hundred and eighty two dollars and eighty nine cents is principal, entitled to bear interest from the 1 July 1827. All which is respectfully submitted.
J. A. Repiton, Comr.

At a Court held for the City of Williamsburg at the Court house thereof on Monday the 22d. day of february 1830, This statement and report of the settlement of the account of Robert Anderson as executor of Mary Stith deceased was presented in Court, and being examined and received by the Court was ordered to be recorded.
Teste. Tho. O. Cogbill D. C. A Copy, Teste. Tho. O. Cogbill D. C.
June the 5th. 1830

The Estate of Mary Stith decd. In Account with Robert Anderson, Executor

1827
July	1	To Balance of principal in former account settled		582.89
	"	To balance of interest in do. do. 10.06
August	20	To Expences from home on business of the estate	25.
Septemr.	8	To Cash paid J. Guerrant, Marshalls fees per receipt	49.38
	"	To Expences from home on business of the estate	25.
October	11	To Cash paid J.A. Repiton for settling former account per rect.	5.
Decemr.	4	By first payment for land sold under decree due this day		500.
	31	To Commission on $500. of receipts	25.
	"	To interest on $582.89 from 1 July to this date 17.48
	"	By balance of principal due the Executor at this date		212.27
			712.27	712.27
1828
January	1	To balance of principal due the Executor	212.27
February	2	To Cash paid Jane S. Moseley per receipt		200.
March	14	To paid ticket 36. April 30. paid tickets 390. per receipts	4.26
April	30	By Cash received of the Marshall in part of decree		11.90
June	4	By second payment for land sold under decree due this day		500.
July	18	To paid postage 20. 22. paid Genl. Taylor $20.fee per receipt	20.20
August	9	By Amount of final decree vs. Randolph		867.57
	"	To Expences from home on business of estate	25.
41
October	6	To paid ticket 44. Novr. paid tickets 70 & & 18. per receipts	1.32
Novemr.	10	To Cash paid S. T. Pulliam, Marshalls fees per receipt	28.44
Decemr.	4	By third and last payment for land sold under decree		500.
	30	To Cash paid Jane S. Moseley per receipt	150.
	31	To interest on $212.27. for one year, and interest extended 12.73	40.27
	"	To Commission on $1879.47. of receipts	93.97
	"	To balance due to the estate at this date	$1879.47	1879.47
1829
January	1	By Balance due to the estate at this date		$ 1103.74

In Williamsburg Hustings Court June the 23d. 1829.
On the motion of Robert Anderson, executor of Mary Stith deceased, it is ordered that Joseph A. Repiton be appointed a special Commissioner, and that he after having been first duly sworn for that purpose before some justice of the peace, examine, state and settle the account of the said Robert Anderson as executor aforesaid and make report thereof to this court, together with any matter specially stated, deemed pertinent by himself, or that may be required by the parties interested to be so stated.
A Copy, Teste. Th: O. Cogbill, D.C.
A Copy Teste. J.A. Repiton, Comr.

City of Williamsburg to wit
Joseph A. Repiton this day appeared before me, an alderman of the said city[,] and made oath that to the best of his skill and judgment he would faithfully discharge the duties of a Commissioner in stating, settling and adjusting the account of Robert Anderson's administration of Mary Stiths estate and make true and correct report thereof, without favour, partiality or affection. Given under my hand this 22d. December 1829.
W.W. Webb, Aldn.
A Copy, Teste
J.A. Repiton Comr.

In Conformity with the annexed order of Williamsburg Hustings Court, I have stated, settled and adjusted Robert Anderson's account of his administration of Mary Stiths estate up to the present date as herewith annexed presented-by which it appears that the said Robert Anderson is indebted to the said estate in the sum of One thousand one hundred and three dollars and seventy four cents, which sum is principal and entitled to bear interest from the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine. All which is respectfully submitted
Williamsburg 22d. December 1829. J.A. Repiton, Comr.

42

At a Court of Hustings held for the City of Williamsburg, at the Courthouse thereof, on monday the 22d. day of february 1830, This statement and report of the settlement of the account of Robert Anderson as executor of Mary Stith deceased, was presented in Court, and being examined and received by the Court was ordered to be recorded. Teste, Th. O. Cogbill D. C. A Copy, Teste, Th. O. Cogbill D.C.
June the 5th. 1830.

[Clerk's recordation note about Mary Stith's will appears here in the original manuscript; but it has been transcribed at end of the will.]

The Estate of Mary Stith deceased To Robert Anderson Executor

1830
January	25	To Cash paid Repiton, Comr. $2. Cash paid Pendleton, chancery ticket 36	2.36
April	8	To Cash paid Robert Standard, attorney's fee	50.
May	26	To Cash paid Cabaniss clerks ticket 344 August 12. paid Henley's ticket 44	3.88	56.24
1831
June	6	To Expences of Executor from home on business of estate	25.
August	6	To Cash paid Henley & Cogbill for clerks tickets	10.84	35.84
1832
March	29	To Cash paid Robinson's ticket 72. October 8. paid Gibbs for copy 100.	1.72
Decemr.	1	To Expences of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.
	"	To Cash paid Robinson's ticket 192. paid postage 30	2.22
	24	To Cash Advanced Mrs. Moseley in a Bank check	100.	128.94
1833
February	28	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.
July	3	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.
	23	To Cash paid Scott, Attorney for Burwells, for Costs in Court of appeals per decree	111.92
	"	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.
Septemr.	30	To Cash paid Thomas O. Cogbill's clerks ticket	.46
Novemr.	12	To Cash paid Robert Standard Attorney's fee in Co. of appeals	50.	237.38
1834
July	28	To Cash paid Robinsons ticket 580. October 26. Cash paid Allens ticket 11.34	17.14	1714.
43
1835
October	27	To Cash paid Joseph Allen Court of Appeals ticket	.54	.54
1836
Novemr.	15	To Cash paid Coke for Allens Co. of appeals ticket	2.54	2.54
1837
October	23	To Cash paid McCandlish for Allens ticket	.54	.54
1840
February	21	To Cash paid Allens ticket 108. Novemr. 2. paid Allens ticket 54	1.62	1.62
1841
Novemr.	24	To Cash paid Allen Court of appeals ticket	.54	.54
		Carried to and continued on page 48.
		(Brought forward from page 46 and continued here)
1843
June	9	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.
August	25	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate) next line) [sic]	25.
	"	To Cash paid Robert Standard Attorney's fee	50.	100.
1844
January	24	To Cash paid Allen's Court of appeals ticket	5.49
	"	To Expenses of Executor from home on business of the estate	25.	30.49
				$611.81
	"	By Amount received from Burwell for Costs in Court of Appeals		44.94
				$566.87

Ro: Anderson, Exor.

At a Court of Hustings held for the City of Williamsburg at the Court House thereof on monday the 23d. day of September 1850. This statement of the Account of Robert Anderson as executor of Mary Stith deceased was produced in Court, and being examined and allowed by the Court was ordered to be recorded.
Teste. T. Christian C. C.

44

Composite Plan - Mary Stith Shop Foundations

1

Monitoring Report
MARY STITH SHOP DRAIN REPAIR
Block 10, Bldg. 21
June 10-11, 1985

On June 10 and 11, 1985, J. Stephen Alexandrowicz of the Office of Archaeological Excavation monitored the repair of a storm drain behind the Mary Stith Shop (Bldg. 21). The repair work was done by Colonial Williamsburg's Mechanical Operations and Maintenance Department. Archaeological monitoring of the project resulted in the identification of an in-situ 18th-century drain network. A north/south drain, situated 39 feet south of the rear entrance to the shop, and a 90 degree intersecting east/west drain were encountered. These vaulted drains were constructed of bricks bonded with shell mortar. Both of these drains appeared to retain their original integrity. In addition, part of the current 20th-century drainage system is tied in with the functional 18th-century drainage network.

The trench dug by Mechanical Operations and Maintenance was apparently six feet north/south by eight feet east/west (Figure 1). It was placed 39 feet south of the rear porch of the Mary Stith Shop and 12 feet west of the Mary Stith Tin Shop (Bldg. 21A), under a 20th-century reconstructed brick walkway.

The trench contained several identified strata (Figure 2). Layer A was the 20-century walkway, immediately underlain by Layer B., a yellow-brown sand walkway base (Munsell 10YR4/4). Layer C was a yellow-brown sandy loam clay fill (Munsell 10YR3/2), containing shell, brick, and metal. This layer was probably associated with the reconstruction of the nearby buildings. Layer D, a brown/black sandy loam (Munsell 10YR3/3), was referred to by Alexandrowicz as an 18th-century fill deposit, containing delft, Westerwald, salt-glazed stoneware, overglaze blue porcelain, bone, and shell. It appeared to be undisturbed, but artifacts recovered from the layer, though containing 18th-century types, also included decalcomania whiteware and English hard paste porcelain, porcellaneous ware, and transfer printed blue whiteware. The layer has been assigned a TPQ of 1880. At the bottom of this layer, 4.0 feet beneath the modern ground surface, was Feature F-1, a section of the north/south vaulted drain located in the southeastern portion of the trench. The drain was composed of very soft red and salmon colored brick bonded with extremely wide shell-mortar joints (Figure 3). According to J. P. Bass, the drain had a base composed of dry-laid brick.

The north/south drain articulated with an east/west drain located at the southern edge of the trench, at the same depth of 4 feet below the surface (see Figure 4). In the northwestern portion of the trench, at 4 feet 6 inches below surface, was a metal-capped modern catch basin. A 6 inch terra cotta pipe 2 running east/west at 1 foot 8 inches below surface, and a 3 inch pipe at an unstated depth (apparently 1-2 feet below surface) fed into this catch basin. A 1 foot diameter terra cotta pipe at about 2 feet below surface (judging from photographs) forms an elbow joint which apparently leads directly downward into the 18th-century north/south drain. This area appears to have been covered with cement by Mechanical Operations and Maintenance.

Other modern utility lines ran through the trench as well. An east/west running concrete electrical conduit box was found on the northern side of the trench at about 3 feet below surface. A 1 inch north/south running water pipe was located at 1 foot 3 inches below surface at 5 feet east of the western wall of the trench, with a parallel 2 inch water pipe located 10 inches to the east and at 1 foot 6 inches below surface.

Photographs Taken:

A85-0369	Roll K34	South Profile
A85-0370	Roll K34	South Profile
A85-0371	Roll K34	East Profile

Soil Sample Descriptions:

Layer B	Munsell 10YR4/4	(dark yellowish brown); sand
Layer C	Munsell 10YR3/2	(very dark greyish brown); sandy loam
Layer D	Munsell 10YR3/3	(dark brown); sandy loam

* All data is from notes, samples, and rapid projected maps compiled by J. Stephen Alexandrowicz. Portions of the above text are taken from Alexandrowicz' contributions in the O.E.C. Monthly Report for June 1985.

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Finds List

Context 10C-2 Layer A (NDA)

• Brick^*

Context 10C-3 Layer D (TPQ=1880)

• Delft, plain white
• Delft, hand painted blue
• Delft, hand painted
• Creamware
• Pearlware
• Pearlware, flow blue
• Pearlware, green shell edge
• Whiteware, transfer printed blue
• Whiteware, decalcomania
• Whiteware
• Stoneware, Westerwald blue and grey (3)
• Porcelain, overglaze blue, saucer or small bowl (12)
• Porcelain, overglaze blue (4)
• Porcelain, overglaze blue, bowl
• Porcelain, English hard paste, decalcomania
• Porcelain (2)
• Porcellaneous ware
• Glass, window^*
• Glass, colorless, partially melted
• Glass, wine bottle (3)
• Glass, wine bottle base
• Glass, colorless non-leaded, hand blown bottle neck
• Glass, colorless non-leaded, panel bottle base
• Pipe stem, English
• Nail fragments, <" (2)^*
• Spike, railroad, 4 ½"^*
• Button, copper alloy, shank
• Bone, pig canine tooth^*
• Bone, mammal (2)^*
• Shell, oyster (3)^*
• Mortar, shell with plaster*
• Mortar, sand*

Context 10C-4 Feature F-1 (NDA)

• Brick^*
• Mortar, shell (2)^*

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Figure 1. Location of trench in relation to existing buildings.

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Figure 2. South wall of trench.

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Figure 3. Brick-by-brick drawing of south and east walls of Feature F-1.

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Figure 4. Plan of features found in trench.

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BLOCK 10, BUILDING 21
Water Line Repair

On April 11, 1983, the maintenance crew repaired a broken water line just north of the Mary Stith Shop. Water leaking from the pipe was causing the soil under the roadside cobblestones to collapse. A large area, measuring 25' EW x 5' NS x 10' deep was excavated just south of the road's edge (see accompanying map). The profile under the street showed the orange sand fill of the pipe trench cutting through a layer of grey silt. Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.

Mary Stith Shop
(Music Teacher's Shop)