Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

BLAIR HOUSE OUTBUILDINGS
Block #22^{, bldg. 5}
COLONIAL LOTS 337-338
May 26, 1936 ^{Bullock, 1936}

In the manuscript ledger of Humphrey Harwood, mason and builder, there is the following account of work on outbuildings on this property:

"The Hon'ble John Blair, Esqr Debtor to
[Humphrey Harwood]
Ledger C-13 1790

March 16--To building up the Jambs of the Landary Chimney setting up the Copper, mending the back of the chimnies--mending the underpinning of the out houses and the Brick work of the well 2:__:__"

On September 5, 1809 the property was insured by Robert Andrews, at which time the policy showed a dwelling 64x28 feet; with an office 21 feet distant on the east, one story, wood, 24x16 feet. A kitchen (no dimensions given) was situated 18 feet northeast of the dwelling and 60 feet from the dwelling was the Laundry.

Mr. John S. Charles in his "Recollections of Williamsburg", described the building as it was during the War Between the States, when these buildings were still in existence:

"…Just preceding the War it was used as a dwelling; a two family house, as they are now called. The uptown end was occupied by a man whose family lived there and he conducted a bake shop in the basement, which had steps leading up to the street. In 1861 it was occupied by a man who conducted a harness shop in the uptown end.

During the War the Federals finding that there was a brick bake oven on this property, took charge of it and greatly enlarged the capacity of the oven, which extended from the basement out into the back yard. Its oval top, covered with earth, was enjoyed by the children (not kids) of the neighborhood who romped up and down on it, much to their amusement. This shop, was operated by Federal soldiers, bakers, who daily made up and baked wagon loads of bread, which was hauled in army wagons each morning and evening down to Fort Magruder for the troops camped there. In the yard of the old Blair house stood an old wooden kitchen of ample proportions which was not removed until after the war."