Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS
(Van Garrett House)
Block 29, Building 1

The Archibald Blair House and Outbuildings are located on a plot of ground situated immediately north and west of the junction of Nicholson and North England Streets.

The buildings were restored by the Williamsburg Holding Corporation under the direction of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, Architects.

The following are the dates of the beginning and completion of the restoration of each building:

DR. ARCHIBALD BLAIR

PORTION OF THE FRENCHMAN'S MAP (1782) SHOWING AT THE CORNER OF NICHOLSON AND NORTH ENGLAND STREETS A BUILDING OF THE APPROXIMATE SIZE OF THE ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE. A SINGLE OUTBUILDING ONLY IS SHOWN ALONG THE NORTH ENGLAND STREET BORDER OF THE PLOT, WHEREAS THERE ARE AT PRESENT SEVEN DEPENDENCIES OF VARIOUS SIZES IN THIS AREA. THIS WOULD SEEM TO SIGNIFY THAT ONLY ONE OUTBUILDING STOOD ON THE PLOT AS LATE AS 1782

FACTS FROM LIFE OF DR. ARCHIBALD BLAIR

The original owner of the property, Dr. Archibald Blair, surgeon, physician, apothecary and tradesman, was a Scotsman. He attended the University of Edinburgh, to which, by the way, many Virginians went to study medicine, and came to the colony in 1690. His brother, the contentious but capable Reverend James Blair was Commissary of the Bishop of London and promoter and first president of the College of 4 William and Mary. There is a record of the fact that Dr. Blair, in 1708, was paid for attending prisoners in the Public Gaol of Williamsburg. He was among the alderman named in the charter of the City of Williamsburg, and was a member of the House of Burgesses, representing Jamestown in 1718 and in 1732-34 and James City County in 1720-22 and 1723-26. Together with his brother, James Blair, Sr. and Colonel Philip Ludwell, Dr. Blair engaged in a business described by Governor Spotswood as "one of the most considerable Trading Stores in this Country."^* He married three times and by his first wife had John Blair, Sr., who became president of the Council and acting governor of the colony. Archibald Blair died in 1735.

BLAIR BECAME OWNER OF FIRST THEATRE SITE

At his death Dr. Blair was owner, not only of the lots referred to above, but also of lots 163, 164 and 169, which he had acquired from William Levingston, who had given him a mortgage on them and had failed to pay this off. Thus he was owner of the land on which stood the first theatre, which had been erected about the same time as his house, that is, between 1716-1718.

BLAIR'S SUCESSORS ON THE PLOT

JOHN RANDOLPH THE NEXT OWNER

John Randolph, son of Sir John Randolph, followed Blair as owner of the property, but when he acquired it is not known. 5 Dr. James Carter, son of John Carter, keeper of the Gaol, occupied the house for a time during Randolph's ownership of it. Randolph sold lots 170-174 to Dr. Peter Hay in 1763. John Randolph was a Tory sympathizer and thought it wise, as the Revolution drew near, to clear out. He left for England via Norfolk in September, 1775.

THE HOUSE WAS THE HOME OF SEVERAL DOCTORS

We have just remarked that the James Carter who lived in the house for a time while Randolph held it (there are known to have been two James Carters in Williamsburg at this period) was a physician. Also, as we have seen, Randolph sold the house to Dr. Peter Hay. In addition, tracing the chain of title from that point down to 1930, when the restoration of the house was started, we find that it was owned or occupied at various times by four other doctors, viz., Dr. George Gilmer, Jr., great grandson of Archibald Blair, who bought the house in 1768 from the heirs of Dr. Hay; Dr. James Blair, son of John Blair, Sr., who inherited the property from his distinguished father in 1771, Dr. John Baker, a dental surgeon, who took up his residence there in January, 1773, and Dr. Van Franklin Garrett, who came into possession of the house and the land appertaining to it in 1914. It is a rather remarkable circumstance that this house, built by a physician, was, from the time of Dr. Blair's death in 1735 down to the year, 1930, owned or occupied by no less than six other members of the medical profession. In view of this, if the careful historians among our readers will tolerate an anachronism and permit us, we might call the house "The Sign of the Green Cross." Or, again, risking exposure to the choler of both the historians and the scholars of Greek mythology, we could say that Aesculapius slept there and often.

DR. JAMES CARTER. SECOND MEDICAL RESIDENT

A few words should be said about these doctor residents of the house since they were all prominent citizens of Williamsburg. It will be noted that several of them were apothecaries as well as physicians. This is not strange since eighteenth century doctors generally compounded their own medicines and not a few had shops in addition in which they sold drugs and healing herbs. The coupling of the role of apothecary with that of physician by Dr. James Carter, the second medical occupant of the house, is a case in point. Together with John Carter, a merchant, Dr. Carter in 1765 built a brick building on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street, immediately west of the Raleigh Tavern. The building was divided into two shops, the eastern one being operated as a general store by John Carter, and the western half housing Dr. Carter's drug shop, the Unicorn's Horn. In 1774 the latter took his brother, Dr. William Carter into partnership with him in his business. Both men also served together as doctors at the College of William and Mary. Dr. James Carter died about 1794.

DR. PETER HAY. ALSO DOCTOR-APOTHECARY

Dr. Peter Hay, who purchased the former Blair property from John Randolph, is mentioned in 1744 in the records of York County as a "Practicer of Physick in Williamsburg." He was also a purveyor of drugs and at one period rented the Lightfoot House on Duke of Gloucester Street. He is known to have had an apothecary shop just east of the latter house by virtue of the fact that a notice appeared in the Maryland Gazette of April 15, 1756 stating that the contents of this shop had been completely destroyed by fire on the Sunday 7 previous. Dr. Hay purchased the former Archibald Blair House seven years after this disaster (1763) and lived in it until his death in 1766. Dr. Hay left his widow, Grissell Hay, dower rights in the property but apparently not too much cash, for she was constrained to take in roomers, advertising in 1768 "... that I have very commodious Lodgings to let for a dozen gentlemen, and their servants with stables and provisions for their horses, and shall be much obliged to those who will favour me with their company."

THE TWO DR. GEORGE GILMERS
DR. GILMER, SR. PROMINENT IN WILLIAMSBURG

The next owner of the property was Dr. George Gilmer, Jr., who purchased it in December, 1768. Dr. Gilmer was a person of note and the son of a distinguished father of the same name. Dr. George Gilmer, Sr. was an apothecary as well as physician who ran a drug store on lot #163 near the junction of Nicholson Street and Palace Green and advertised his medicaments as for sale at his "Old Shop near the Governor's" (Virginia Gazette, 1737). The elder Gilmer must have belonged to the upper stratum of Williamsburg society for in addition to being at different times alderman and mayor he was a friend of George Wythe and a sufficiently consequential person to permit him to entertain Governor Dinwiddie at a dinner in his home "... neigh the Court-House, corner Palace Street, Williamsburg"^* on November 27, 1751, less than a week after that dignitary's arrival in the colony.

DR. GILMER, JR., FRIEND & NEIGHBOR OF JEFFERSON

Though the second Dr. Gilmer was owner of his great grandfather, Archibald Blair's property so far as we know, he never 8 lived there. He studied at the College of William and Mary and later at the Medical College at Edinburgh. He practised his profession for some time in Charlottesville and after-wards at Penpark, his country residence. He was a neighbor and intimate friend of Thomas Jefferson and served in the state constitutional convention of May 6, 1776 as alternate to Jefferson, when the latter was elected to Congress.

WILLIAM WIRT'S ESTIMATE OF DR. GEO. GLIMER, JR.

"Dr. George Gilmer, Jr. occupied an even more eminent position in the colony than his father. William Wirt declared that besides `his eminence as a physician' he was a very good linguist — a master of botany and chemistry of his day — had a store of very correct general science — was a man of superior taste in the fine arts — and to crown the whole had an elevated and noble spirit, and was in his manners and conversation a most accomplished gentlemen. "^*

JOHN BLAIR, SR., AND DR. JAMES BLAIR, ONE-TIME OWNERS OF HOUSE

John Blair, Sr., who had twice served as acting governor of the colony, was the next owner of the property, purchasing it from Dr. Gilmer, the younger, on October 29, 1771. His ownership of it was cut short by his death less than three months later. In his will he bequeathed to his son, Dr. James Blair, "... the houses and lots I purchased of Doctor George Gilmer where Mrs. Hay^**now lives ...." Dr. Blair, like so many 8a The PHYSICIAN
ENGRAVING FROM POPULAR TECHNOLOGY; OR, PROFESSIONS AND TRADES BY EDWARD HAZEN, NEW YORK, 1841. THE AUTHOR SAYS THAT "IT IS IMPLIED, THOUGH NOT EXPRESSLY DECLARED, IN THE SCRIPTURES, THAT THE DISEASES AND OTHER CALAMITIES PERTAINING TO OUR EARTHLY CONDITION, ORIGINATED IN THE FALL OF MAN FROM HIS PRISTINE INNOCENCE ...." HE THEN TRACES THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE FROM EARLIEST TIMES TO HIS OWN DAY AND CONCLUDES BY STATING THAT "... THE HIGH SATISFACTION WHICH A BENEVOLENT PHYSICIAN FEELS, IN RELIEVING THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS FELLOW-CREATURES, MAY SERVE AS A RECOMPENSE FOR THE MANY ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ATTEND THE PROFESSION." other Virginia physicians, obtained his medical education at Edinburgh. He survived his father by little more than a year and he apparently never lived in the house. The Virginia Gazette of December 31, 1772 records his death as follows: "Doctor James Blair of this City; at Doctor Gilmour's in Albemarle, where he lately went on a Visit."

DR. JOHN BAKER, DENTAL SURGEON, MOVES TO BLAIR HOUSE

A few weeks after the death of Dr. James Blair the following "ad" appeared in the Virginia Gazette: 9

January 14, 1773.

The Subscriber begs Leave to inform the Publick, and his Friends in particular, that he is quite recovered from his late Illness, and removed to the House wherein the late Doctor Blair lived, where he performs all Operations upon the Teeth, Gums, and Sockets; eradicates the Scurvy, be it ever so bad; transplants natural Teeth from one Person to another, which will be as firm in the Jaw as if they originally grew there, without any Ligament; and makes and fixes artificial Teeth, from a single Tooth to a complete Set. JOHN BAKER

A notice had appeared in the same paper on July 2 of the previous year to the effect that Dr. Baker, then in Philadelphia, would be in Williamsburg in July prepared to do dental work. It also informed the public that Dr. Baker would have available "a Quantity of his ANTI-SCORBUTICK DENTI-FRICE, for preserving the Teeth, and Gums."

DR. BAKER PURCHASES NORTON-COLE HOUSE

Dr. Baker, apparently, maintained a practice in Williamsburg for several years, making the town his base for rather far-flung operations. We first find him in the capital in 1771 where "he resided at Mr. Maupin" (Virginia Gazette).

In January of 1773, as we have seen, he moved to the Archibald Blair House.^* It seems that he remained there only about six months, for, according to an item in the York County records, he purchased from William Hornsby the house now known as the Norton-Cole House on the west side of the Market Square on July 3, 1773. He occupied this dwelling until some time in 1778; in August of that year he offered his house for sale and announced his intention to leave the state (Virginia Gazette, August 21). This is the last reference which we have which places him in Williamsburg.

BAKER AMONG FIRST TO SPECIALIZE IN DENTISTRY
EARLY DENTISTS IN VIRGINIA WERE ITINERANTS

Dr. John Baker was a person of considerable importance. He was one of the first men in America to specialize in dentistry and dental surgery. Until the 1860's and `70'-00s such dentistry as there was (chiefly the extracting of teeth and the treatment of toothache) had been practised by doctors, surgeons and apothecaries but at this time new methods of treatment discovered by French and English dental surgeons began to be understood and practised in this country by a few individuals who made of the care and treatment of the teeth an independent branch of medicine. Baker, like most of the dental surgeons, had started his American practise^* in the North (Boston) and we hear of him in this connection as early as 1767. He was one of the first dentists to come to Virginia. Most of the early practitioners in the colony were itinerants who traveled from place to place, remaining only a short time in each. In this category is the only other dentist who visited Williamsburg as early as the 1770's, a Mr. Hornby who professed to be a surgeon dentist from London and who, in 1772, advertised his presence in Williamsburg after a successful visit to Norfolk.^#

BAKER'S CELEBRATED DENTIFRICE
DR. BAKER WAS DENTIST TO WASHINGTON

Dr. Baker, too, as we have said, though making his home in Williamsburg, travelled around the country a good deal like the others. On September 1, 1774 we find him in Baltimore stopping at Mrs. Howard's coffee house and prepared to minister to 11 "disorders of the teeth, gums, sockets." He also has with him his "infallible Specifick, called DENTIFRICE," which may be procured from him at the coffee house or at his home in Williamsburg, "… where all merchants, shop-keepers, masters of vessels, may be supplied with any quantity to send to foreign parts, with proper directions in any language. Each pot is sealed up with his coat of arms, as in the margin of the directions to prevent fraud. — — Vincet Veritas." (Maryland Gazette, September 1, 1774). He visited Mount Vernon often, as is evident from the record left by Washington in his Ledger B of payments made to him for dental work between 1772 and 1774. Washington also mentions him in his diary, as, for example, in an entry of 1785 in which Dr. Baker is included on one occasion among the dinner guests at Mount Vernon.

DR. BAKER A PIONEER AMERICAN DENTIST

Dr. John Baker, one-time resident of the Archibald Blair House, was one of the pioneer dentists of America. He is generally regarded by dental historians as the preceptor of Isaac Greenwood, whose son, John Greenwood, was to make the only preserved dentures of Washington; Paul Revere, the renowned midnight courier, silversmith and jack-of-all-trades, who, among other dental work, made a porcelain tooth for General Joseph Warren,^* and Josiah Flagg of Boston, pioneer American dentist.

The DENTIST
THE AUTHOR, EDWARD HAZEN, OF THE BOOK, POPULAR TECHNOLOGY; OR, PROFESSIONS AND TRADES, NEW YORK, 1841, IN WHICH THE ABOVE ENGRAVING APPEARS, SAYS OF THE LATTER: "IN THE CUT...IS REPRESENTED A DENTIST, ABOUT TO EXTRACT A TOOTH FOR A LADY, WHO MAY BE SUPPOSED TO BE IN A STATE OF ALARM AT THE SIGHT OF THE INSTRUMENTS; BUT HE, HAVING THROWN HIS RIGHT HAND, WHICH HOLDS THEM, BEHIND HIM, SHOWS THE OTHER CONTAINING NOTHING, WITH THE VIEW OF ALLAYING HER FEARS."

DR. VAN GARRETT, LAST PRIVATE OWNER OF HOUSE

Over a century and a half elapsed after the departure from Williamsburg of Dr. John Baker before another medical man, Dr. Van Franklin Garrett, son of Dr. Robert Garrett, came into possession of the house. The property was conveyed to him on April 14, 1914 by his sister, Lottie C. Garrett, then owner of the Coke-Garrett House, and two other relatives.

HIGHLIGHTS OF DR. GARRETT'S LIFE

Dr. Van Garrett was a Civil War veteran, having fought in the battle of Newmarket with the V.M.I. cadets. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia medical school and 13 completed his internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York in 1868. Instead of engaging in the practice of medicine, however, he became a teacher and remained one throughout his life. After filling a teaching position in Pulaski, Tennessee he returned to Williamsburg as professor of natural science at the College of William and Mary, where he later held the chair of chemistry. He died at the Archibald Blair House on November 19, 1932. He is survived by his widow, the former Harriet Guion Nicholls, daughter of Francis T. Nicholls, onetime governor of Louisiana. Mrs. Garrett still occupies the house.

JAMES MADISON, PRESIDENT OF COLLEGE. A DISTINGUISHED RESIDENT OF HOUSE

It has seemed feasible to group together all of the doctor owners and residents of the Archibald Blair House since it is rather singular that so many members of the medical profession should have been connected with one house. It is also surprising that a number of these men were, at the same time, persons of note and accomplishment. These physicians, on the other hand, were not the only individuals of importance who were associated with the house in the course of its history. The most distinguished of these other-than-medical residents was the Reverend James Madison, eighth president of the College of William and Mary and second cousin of James Madison, fourth president of the United States.

COLLEGE RENTED HOUSE FOR MADISON WHEN FIRE DESTROYED INTERIOR OF PRESIDENT'S HOUSE

James Madison followed Dr. John Baker as resident of the house, which the College in 1782 rented for him from John Blair, Jr. From 1777, when he was made head of the College, until June, 1781 he had lived in the President's House on the 14 campus. He had been forced to vacate this when General Cornwallis arrived with his army and commandeered it for his own use. Later the building was converted into a hospital for wounded officers of Count Rochambeau's army. It was during this time, in October, 1781, that a fire occurred which severely damaged the interior of the President's House. It was evident that extensive repairs would be necessary before President Madison could again use the house so the faculty on June 3, 1782 issued an order "That a House be rented in Town for the use of the President, and the rent be paid out of the interest of the money due for the above Bills (Bills of exchange received from the French army to pay for the damage done the building by the fire). The house which the College rented for President Madison was the Archibald Blair House.

(From C. L. Goodwin, "The Colonial Church in Virginia"
Courtesy Morehouse Publishing Company)
James Madison, D.D.
President of the College of William and Mary, 1777 to 1812; First Bishop of Virginia

MADISON OCCUPIED HOUSE FOR FOUR YEARS AND MADE REPAIRS TO IT

Madison occupied this for over four years, entering it, according to a notation in the College ledger, on or before July 6, 1782 and continuing this at least until July 6, 1786 and probably some months longer, since the 15 restoration of the President's House was not completed until the fall of that year. Although the Archibald Blair House was owned by John Blair, Jr., Madison, during his occupancy of it, apparently had a number of repairs made to it, for Humphrey Harwood, Williamsburg mason and builder, lists in his account book work done for "The Reverend James Madison." The Archibald Blair House is not mentioned in connection with these repairs, but since Madison owned no property in town, and since the work was not sufficiently extensive to cover the renovation of the President's House, it seems likely that the repairs were made to Madison's temporary residence.

MADISON A GREAT TEACHER OF THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES

The Reverend James Madison was an educator of no little importance. He had come to the College in 1773 as professor of natural philosophy (the physical sciences) and had quickly earned a reputation among the students as a teacher who made his lectures vitally interesting. One of them wrote of him in 1804:

As a tutor, he certainly stands in the first rank. He strives with indefatigable zeal to open and expand the mind of the student, and his manner of illustrating is plain, intelligible and convincing. In his opinions of every kind he is liberal and indulgent. The priest is buried in the philosopher, for he embraces no opinion that philosophy will not justify.

MADISON SUSTAINED COLLEGE THROUGH REVOLUTION AND AIDED IN INTRODUCTION OF MODERN CURRICULUM

It is greatly to the credit of the visitors of the College that, in 1778, they made this man president and fortunate for the College itself. For the Revolutionary War was ruinous to the old institution and it was only through the zeal and ability of President Madison that it was brought 16 back to normal following it. Furthermore, had the head of the College not been an individual of the liberality of mind of James Madison, it probably would have been impossible for Thomas Jefferson, in 1779, to carry through his reorganization of the College curriculum. Madison cooperated with Jefferson closely and together, by eliminating certain courses and introducing others, they made the College curriculum one of the most advanced in the country.

MADISON FIRST EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF VIRGINIA, REMAINED HEAD OF COLLEGE UNTIL DEATH IN 1812

The Revolution disestablished religion in the Commonwealth and the College never again had an official connection with it. Despite this, its president, James Madison, was made the first episcopal bishop of Virginia in 1790. He retained the presidency of the College until his death in 1812. His remains are interred in the College chapel.

JAMES MADISON A STAUNCH REPUBLICAN

James Madison was a warm republican and it is said that in his sermons he would never speak of heaven as a kingdom, but as that "great republic where there is no distinction of rank, and where all men [are]free and equal."

JOHN WICKHAM

JOHN WICKHAM, FAMOUS LAWYER, ONE-TIME RESIDENT OF HOUSE

The individual who occupied the Archibald Blair House after the return of President Madison to the President's House was John Wickham, who attained eminence in the law. That he was living there in 1789 is apparent from a statement made by John Coalter, a tutor of the Tucker children, in a letter of that year to a friend: "... As Mr. Tucker's house is small and his family large, I sleep in the house of a Mr. Wickham 17 next door, who is a practitioner of the law and keeps Bachelor's Hall." Wickham like James Madison also made minor repairs to the house for he is charged with these by Humphrey Harwood in a ledger entry of June 3, 1790.

PORTRAIT OF JOHN WICKHAM BY ST. MEMIN

WICKHAM STUDIED LAW WITH JUDGE HENRY TAZEWELL IN WILLIAMSBURG

John Wickham was born June 6, 1763, at Southold, Long Island. Intending to take up an army career, he studied for a time after the Revolution at the famous military school at Arras, France. Preferring the law, however, he returned and in 1785 came to Williamsburg to study law with Judge Henry Tazewell. It was, apparently, after his admission to the bar that he took up his residence in the Archibald Blair House. After practicing a short time in Williamsburg he moved to Richmond (1790) and established himself in practice there.

Wickham was married twice, the second time to Elizabeth, the daughter of Dr. James McClurg, who was the first professor of anatomy and medicine at the College of William and Mary.

WICKHAM BUILDER OF FAMOUS HOUSE IN RICHMOND

In 1812 he built himself the famous and beautiful home on 18 East Clay Street which bears his name and which now houses the Valentine Museum. Wickham was socially prominent and many important persons, among them, John Marshall, were his friends.

The Richmond bar at the time was unsurpassed in America and John Wickham was its leader. He appeared in many notable cases, but the most spectacular of all of them was the trial of Aaron Burr for treason which was held in Richmond between May and September of 1807. In this trial he assisted Edmund Randolph with defense of Burr and the two of them won Burr's acquittal.

WILLIAM WIRT'S CHARACTERIZATION OF JOHN WICKHAM

William Wirt, the celebrated Attorney-General of the United States, said this of John Wickham:

"This gentleman ... unites in himself a greater diversity of talents and acquirements than any other at the Bar of Virginia. He has the reputation ... of possessing much legal science. He has an exquisite and highly polished taste for polite literature; a genius quick and fertile; a style pure and classic; a stream of perspicuous and beautiful elocution; an ingenuity which no difficulties can entangle or embarrass; and a wit, whose vivid and brilliant conversation can gild and decorate the darkest subject ... Praise is too faint for the man who possessed more jury power than any man of his day in Richmond. With all the adroitness and ingenuity granted him, there was besides a degree of native pith and power unequaled either in extent or cultivation by any man at the Bar."

FACTS ABOUT JAMES HENDERSON OWNER OF HOUSE AROUND 1800

A few words only will be said about certain other owners of the house. The Reverend James Henderson who took possession of the house and lots between 1801 and 1806 was rector of York-Hampton Parish, professor of humanity at the College and a Mayor of Williamsburg. He married Jane Blair, the daughter of John Blair, Jr. and their daughter, Elizabeth Jane, married John Parke Custis Peter, a great grandson of Martha Washington.

JACOB SHELDON, PROSPEROUS MERCHANT, OWNER AT MID-CENTURY

Jacob C. Sheldon, who owned the property at the mid-century, acquired it from a Walter W. Webb concerning whom nothing remarkable has been recorded. Sheldon was a prosperous dry goods merchant who went on frequent business trips to Boston and Philadelphia and who vacationed at the Virginia springs.

LOTTIE AND MARY GARRETT AND THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT

We have already mentioned Lottie Garrett (p. 12) but a further word or two should be said about her and her sister Mary, who lived in the house from 1893 to around 1914. They acquired the house from one Montague Thompson, reputedly an eccentric and probably worthy of an investigation of some sort. Lottie and Mary, we know from the story told about them in the 1951 edition of the Williamsburg Scrap-Book were personalities of considerable interest. The tragic tale of the visit of President Woodrow Wilson to the house - but, no, we shall refrain from spoiling the story by telling the ending. We recommend that the reader consult the Scrap-Book and discover this for himself.

EXTERIOR

THE RESTORED ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE AS SEEN FROM THE SOUTH

GENERAL NOTES

The exterior retained little Georgian trim beyond the lower members of the main cornice. The weatherboards were to a large extent old, as were the corner boards and barge boards. The window panes and sash were of the Gothic Revival period, and the porch, which was retained, is of the Greek Revival. Under the porch were discovered foundations that fitted the stone steps that were found scattered around the yard. These were of an unusual type known only here and at Ampthill. The nosing was a half-round (about 2") that entered at the corner and carried down the corner of the riser and finished against the tread below. Thus a series of panels was shown on each of the three faces of a pyramidal flight.

INTERIOR

GENERAL NOTES

The interior of this house was devoid of any Georgian trim when taken over by the Restoration. The plan, however, as originally designed, remained reasonably intact. The chimneys had been taken down and rebuilt paralleling the end walls instead of diagonal to them. The stairs had been built anew in the northeast corner of the building instead of on the west side of the hall, where the evidence indicated that the stair was originally located.

On the second floor the only plan changes were those affecting the diagonal fireplaces and the stair location. A bathroom existed in the north end of the hall. Examination of the attic revealed that the roof pitch had probably never been changed, as what was presumed to be the original framing still exists.

ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS
The Archibald Blair House and its dependencies are shown in pink on this portion of a map of Williamsburg drawn by James M. Knight. The house, or a predecessor of it, was probably built between 1716 and 1718. Some of the outbuildings stem from the eighteenth century and others are later. The area shown in yellow is the only part of the plot in which archaeological excavations have been conducted.

Notes to help revise the Architectural Report on the Archibald Blair Smoke House, Block 29, Building 11-A.

The framing is rough hewn of variable dimensions and appears to be original except for minor repairs.

A pre-restoration photograph shows a 3-boarded batten door which has been replaced by one of 5 boards. The door sill, frame, and trim are all new. Corner boards have been patched where necessary. The finial is new but its source and precedent should be determined. Further study should be made on the hinges, hasp and chain to determine whether they are old or recent. The new crown moulding is copied from the deteriorated one existing on the building before 1930.

The diagonal edge flush boarding is old on the east and south elevations and new on the remaining elevations. Possibly all retainable boards of the north and west elevations where used to replace deteriorated ones on the east and south elevations.

Of recent date the asbestos cement shingles of the 1930-1931 restoration have been replaced with wood round but shingles with fan tails at the hips.

The Architectural Report refers to an original floor; however, the present pavement is dirt.

The sill and foundation bricks are possibly new; however, further investigation is necessary.

For details see measured drawing #101 dated April 10, 1956.

A photograph of the privy and smoke house in the Architectural Report was printed in reverse and should be replaced.

^{[illegible]ing the Arch Report}

The smoke house is probably a mid-eighteenth century building. It is not on its original site so far as can be determined. The roof is new, 2 of asbestos-cement shingles. The finial is new, of colonial character. The weatherboarding, floor, door and framing are original with only minor repairs. The cornice is new, copied after the original which existed but was in very bad condition.

SMOKEHOUSE

SMOKE HOUSE (LEFT) AND PRIVY OF ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE BEFORE THEIR RESTORATION. (THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS PRINTED BY ERROR IN REVERSE; THE SMOKE HOUSE ACTUALLY STANDS AT THE RIGHT OF THE PRIVY.)

The smoke house is probably a mid-eighteenth century building. It is not on its original site so far as can be determined. The roof is new, of asbestos-cement shingles. The finial is new, of colonial character. The weatherboarding, floor, and framing are original with only minor repairs. The cornice is new, copied after the original which existed but was in very bad condition.

DAIRY

The dairy is original in its original location. A new fireproof roof was erected over new roof timbers. Repairs to the grilles (replacing missing slats and damaged frames); a new whitewash job on the interior and exterior, and a new plaster cove soffit replacing the original which was damaged, constitute the work which was necessary for the restoration of the building. The finial was missing but a photograph was found showing the original and this was copied in the restoration.

PHOTOGRAPH OF DAIRY TAKEN BEFORE ITS RESTORATION

PRIVY

This is not a colonial building but was repaired and reconditioned for use as a wood house. General repair work of colonial design was used in the restoration.

THE PRIVY (LEFT), SMOKE HOUSE (CENTER) AND DAIRY AFTER THEIR RESTORATION

GARAGE

This was formerly an old corn crib and storage house combined, and has been changed into a garage, keeping the original dimensions but closing in the slatted portion. It has asbestos-cement shingles on the roof and new windows and hardware of colonial design.

WELL HEAD

The well head is new above grade. Certain colonial materials such as cornice, 38 framing, etc., were used in its restoration. An example of a colonial well head similar to this is one found at Seven Pines.

BARN

The barn was probably built about 1830-1840, or thereabouts. It has only had slight repair work done to it and has not been completely restored. The fence along the side has been repaired and a chicken house which was in very bad shape was torn down. This was not a colonial building.

APOTHECARY
AT LEAST TWO OF THE DOCTORS WHO LIVED IN THE ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE (DR. JAMES CARTER AND DR. PETER HAY) AND THE FATHER (DR. GEORGE GILMER, SR.) OF A THIRD WERE APOTHECARIES AS WELL AS PHYSICIANS. DRS. CARTER AND HAY HAD THEIR SHOPS NOT ON THE ARCHIBALD BLAIR PLOT BUT ELSEWHERE IN TOWN. DR. GILMER'S PLACE OF BUSINESS WAS LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF PALACE GREEN AND NICHOLSON STREET, VERY CLOSE TO THE ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE. THESE DRUG SHOPS PROBABLY LOOKED MUCH LIKE THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE. THIS IS ANOTHER ENGRAVING FROM EDWARD HAZEN'S HOUSEHOLD MANUAL, POPULAR TECHNOLOGY, NEW YORK, 1841.

ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
ARCHIBALD BLAIR HOUSE AND OUTBUILDINGS
INDEX

(Note: The word, "house," unqualified, refers in this index to the Archibald Blair House. The abbreviation, "ill.," after an item signifies that an illustration of the subject mentioned appears on the page indicated.)

ACT of 1805

Certain requirements of

1 2

Ampthill

Stone steps of, like those of house

21

Apothecary Shop

Engraving of, from Popular Technology by Edward Hazen, ill.

38

Apothecary Shops in Williamsburg

38

Architectural Report

20-38

Written by Thomas T. Waterman, 1932

Title page

Attic

25

BAKER, Dr. John, dental surgeon

A pioneer dentist of America

11

"Ads" of, in Virginia Gazette, 1773

9

Announced intention to leave state in 1773

9

"Anti-Scorbutick Dentifrice" of

9 11

Brief biography of

9-12

Dentist to George Washington

11

First lived with Mr. Maupin

9

Maintained practice in

Williamsburg

9

Moved into house in 1773

5 9

One of the first dentists in

Virginia

10

Practised in Baltimore

10 11

Preceptor of noted dentists

11

Purchased Norton-Cole House

9

Travelled about the country

10

Balusters of stairs

32

Barge boards

21 24

Barn

38

Barrows, John A.

Assisted in making of working drawings

Title page

Baseboard

25 28 30 31

Basement wall, see "Wall, basement"

Bathroom

Existing

25

Beams

25 27 28 31

Bellvue Hospital

Dr. Garrett an intern at

13

Blair, Dr. Archibald

Acquired lots in 1716

1

Acquired lots 163, 164 and 169 from William Levingston

4

Attended prisoners in Public Gaol

4

Attended University of Edinburgh

3

Brief biography of

3 4

Member of House of Burgesses

4

Partner in trading store

4

Purchased lot 174 from

John Randolph

2

Storehouse of

4

Blair, Archibald, House

Architectural report on

33-38

Dates of restoration of

Title page

Location of

Title page

Floor plans of, ills.

26 29

Home of seven doctors

5

Interiors of

25-32

Location of

Title page

Restored house, seen from south, ill.

21

Shown on Frenchman's Map, 1782

3

Site plan showing house and outbuildings, ill.

34

South elevation of

22

View from southwest, ill. Frontispiece

View of, from southwest, during restoration, ill.

23

West elevation of

22

Blair, Archibald, Outbuildings

Architectural report on

33-38

Dates of restoration of

Title page

Location of

Title page

Blair, Dr. James, Jr.

Attended University of Edinburgh

8 8a

Died in Albemarle in 1772

8a

Inherited house from father in 1771

5

Never lived in house

8a

Son of John Blair, Sr.

5

Blair, Dr. James, Sr.

Brother of Archibald Blair

3

Partner with brother in trading store

4

Blair, Jane

Married Rev. James Henderson

18

Blair, John, House

22

Blair, John, Jr.

Jane, daughter of, married

Rev. James Henderson

18

Rented house to College

15

Blair, John, Sr.

Bequeathed house to Dr. James

Blair, Jr.

5 8

Father of Dr. James Blair, Jr.

5

Bland-Wetherburn Tavern

31

Blanton, Dr. Wyndham B.

Author of Medicine in Virginia in the Eighteenth Century

8

Brush-Everard House

30 31

Bunker Hill, battle of

11

Burr, Aaron

Trial of, at Richmond

18

CARTER, Dr. James

Doctor at College

6

Facts concerning his life

6

Occupant of house

5 38

Operated drug shop

6

Took brother, Dr. William Carter, into partnership

6

Carter, John, Merchant

Operated General store

6

With Dr. James Carter, built brick building west of Raleigh Tavern

6

Carter, Dr. William

Doctor at College

6

Entered partnership with brother, Dr. James Carter

6

Casey's Gift

24

Ceiling

27 28 31

Chair rail

25 28 31

Chimneys

22 24 25

Closets

31

Coalter, John

Letter of, mentioning

John Wickham

16

Color

Of interior woodwork

27 28 30 31 32

Corn crib

37

Corner boards

21 22 24

Cornice, exterior

22 23 24

Of Smoke house

35

Of Well head

37 38

Cornice, interior

25 27 28 31

Cove, plaster

Of Dairy

36

DADO, see Wainscot

Dairy

36

Grilles of

36

Photograph of, after restoration, ill.

37

Photograph of, before restoration, ill.

36

Roof of

36

Date of building of house, estimated

1

Dentifrice

Advertised for sale by

Dr. John Baker

9 11

Dentist, The

Illustration from book by

Edward Hazen

12

Dentistry in America

Brief discussion of its early days

10

Dinwiddie, Lieut. Governor Robert

Dined at house of Dr. George

Gilmer, Sr.

7

Door

Front (south) entrance

22

Rear (north) entrance

23

Doors and door trim, interior

27 30 31 32

Dormer windows, see "Windows, dormer"

EDINBURGH, University of

Attended by Dr. Archibald Blair

3

Attended by Dr. George Gilmer, Jr.

8

Attended by Dr. James Blair, Jr.

8 8a

Attended by many Virginians

3

Electrical equipment, see "Equipment, electrical"

Elevation

East

24

North

23 24

South

22

West

22

English Culture in Virginia by Trent

Quotation from

8

Equipment, electrical

27 28 30 31 32

Exterior of house

21-25

FENCE near barn

38

Finial

Of Dairy

36

Of Smoke house

35

Fireplaces

25 28 30

First floor

25-28

Flagg, Josiah, dentist

Influenced by Dr. John Baker

11

Floor

25 27 30 31

Floor nails

25 27 28 30 31

Foundations

Discovered under south porch

21

Framing

25

Frenchman's Map, see "Map, Frenchman's"

GARAGE

37

Garrett, Lottie

Acquired house from

Montague Thompson

19

Sister of Dr. Van F. Garrett

12

Visit of President Wilson to

19

With Mary Garrett, conveyed house to Dr. Garrett in 1914

12

Garrett, Mary

Acquired house from

Montague Thompson

19

Sister of Dr. Van F. Garrett

12

Visit of President Wilson to

19

With Lottie Garrett, conveyed house to Dr. Garrett in 1914

12

Garrett, Dr. Van Franklin

Became owner of property in 1914

5 12

Brief biographical sketch of

12 13

Civil War veteran

12

Died in 1932

13

Graduate of University of Virginia and Bellevue Hospital

12 13

Held chair of chemistry at

William and Mary

13

Last private owner of house

12

Georgian trim

21 25

Gilmer, Dr. George, Jr.

Alternate to Jefferson in Constitutional Convention

8

An apothecary

38

Bought house in 1768

5

Brief biography of

7

Friend of Thomas Jefferson

8

Great grandson of

Dr. Archibald Blair

5

Never lived in house

7 8

Gilmer, Dr. George, Jr.

Studied at College and at

Edinburgh

8

William Wirt's eulogy of

8

Gilmer, Dr. George, Sr.

Apothecary as well as physician

7

Entertained Governor Dinwiddie

7

Friend of George Wythe

7

Operated drug shop at corner of

Palace Green and Nicholson Street

7

Goodwin, Rutherfoord

Author of A Brief and True Report Concerning Williamsburg in Virginia

1

Gothic Revival

21

Great Bridge

House between this and Princess

Anne

32

Greek Revival porch

21 22

Greenwood, Isaac, dentist

Father of John Greenwood

11

Learned from Dr. John Baker

11

Greenwood, John, dentist

Made only preserved dentures of

Washington

11

Grigg, Milton

Architectural report on Dairy

36

Assisted in making of working drawings

Title page

Wrote architectural report on

Dairy

Title page

Grilles of Dairy

36

HANDRAIL of stairs

32

Harwood, Humphrey, mason and builder

Made repairs to house

15

Worked on house for John Wickham

17

Hay, Grizzel

Took in roomers

7

Wife of Dr. Hay, occupied house

7 8

Hay, Dr. Peter

Apothecary shop of, destroyed by fire

6

Bought house from John Randolph, 1763

5-7

Left property to widow, Grissel Hay

7

Lived in house until death, 1766

7 38

Operated apothecary shop

6

"Practicer of Physick in Williamsburg"

6

Rented Lightfoot House

6

Hazen, Edward

Author of Popular Technology; or Professions and Trades

8a 12

Hearths 25, 28, 30

Henderson, Elizabeth Jane

Daughter of Rev. Henderson and Jane Blair

18

Married John Parke Custis Peter

18

Henderson, Rev. James

Acquired house between 1801 and 1806

18

Married Jane Blair

18

Professor of humanity at College

18

Rector of Yorktown Parish

18

Hornby, Mr., surgeon dentist

Visited Williamsburg in 1772

10

Howard, Mrs., Coffee house of

Entertained Dr. John Baker in 1774

10

INTERIOR of house

25-32

General notes on

25

JEFFERSON, Thomas

Reorganized curriculum of College

16

KENDREW, A. Edwin

Checked working drawings

Title page

Chief draftsman on Archibald Blair House restoration

Title page

Knight, James M.

Part of map by, showing house and outbuildings, ill.

34

LANDING of stair

32

Levingston, William

Deeded lots 163, 164 and 169 to Dr. Blair

4

Lots 170-173

Location of

1

Site of original house

1

Ludwell, Colonel Philip

Partner with Dr. Blair in trading store

4

MACOMBER, Walter

Checked working drawings

Title page

Madison, Rev. James

A warm republican

16

Brief biographical sketch of

13-16

Eighth president of College

13

First Episcopal bishop of Virginia

16

Madison, Rev. James

Helped Jefferson to reorganize curriculum

16

Lived in house from 1782-1786

13,14

Made repairs to house

15

Portrait drawing of, ill.

14

Preserved College during Revolution

15 16

Professor of natural philosophy at College, 1773

15

Second cousin of James Madison, President of the United States

13

Student's estimate of

15

Main stairhall, see "Stairhall"

Mantels

25 28 30

Map

Frenchman's, portion of, showing

Archibald Blair property

3

Marshall, John

Friend of John Wickham

18

Maryland Gazette

Carried "ad" of Dr. John Baker

11

Carried story of burning of Dr. Hay's shop

6

McClurg, Elizabeth

Married John Wickham

17

McClurg, Dr. James

Daughter of, married John Wickham

17

First professor of medicine at College

17

Medicine in Virginia in the Eighteenth Century by Wyndham B. Blanton

Quotation from

8

Reference to material in, about Virginia dentists

10

Menokin

25

Metal work

27 28 31 32

Mohawk Asbestos-Cement

22 23 24

Moody House

24 25 30 31

Moorehead, Singleton P.

Directed making of working drawings

Title page

NAILS, floor, see "Floor nails"

Newel post of stair

32

Nicholls, Francis T.

Father of Harriet Guion Nicholls

13

One-time governor of Louisiana

13

Nicholls, Harriet Guion

Present occupant of house

Wife of Dr. Van F. Garrett

13

OUTBUILDINGS of Archibald Blair House

Architectural report on

33

PANES of windows

21

Personalities Associated with Archibald Blair House

1-19

Reasons for discussing them in report

Page after Title page

Personnel who worked on buildings

Title page

Peter, John Parke Custis

Great grandson of Martha Washington

18

Married Elizabeth Jane Henderson

18

Physician, The

Engraving from book by Edward Hazen

8a

Plan

Of ownership of lots 163-174 in 1716-1717

2

Plan of house

Changes in

25

First floor, ill.

26

On site, with outbuildings

34

Second floor, ill.

29

Plaster

25, 27, 28, 31

Plaster cove of Dairy

36

Popular Technology; or Professions and Trades by Edward Hazen

38

Engravings from

8a, 12

Quotations from

8a, 12

Porch

21, 22

President's House of College

Commandeered by General Cornwallis

14

Damaged by fire, 1781

14

Occupied by Rev. James Madison, 1777-1781

13

Restoration completed, 1786

15

Served as hospital for Rochambeau's officers

14

Princess Anne

House between this and Great Bridge

32

Privy

Architectural report on

37

Photograph of, after restoration, ill.

37

Photograph of, before restoration, ill.

35

RANDOLPH, Edmund

With John Wickham, defended Aaron Burr

18

Randolph, John

Left for England

5

Owner of house

5

Sold house to Dr. Hay

5

Reed, Washington, Jr.

Report on outbuildings

35, 37, 38

Wrote architectural report on outbuildings, except Dairy

Title page

Revere, Paul

Learned dentistry from Dr. John Baker

11

Made porcelain tooth for General Joseph Warren

11

Revolutionary War

Ruinous to College

15, 16

Risers of stair

32

Roof

Of Dairy

36

Of Smoke house

35

Pitch of

25

Rooms

First floor

Southeast

25-27

Southwest

27

Northwest

27

Second floor

Southeast

28, 30

Southwest

30

Northeast

30

Northwest

30

Wing, all rooms

31

SASH of windows

21

Second floor

28-31

Sheldon, Jacob C.

Owned house about 1850

19

Acquired house from Walter W. Webb

19

Dry goods merchant

19

Shingles

22, 23

of Smoke house roof

35

of Garage roof

37

Shutters

22, 23, 24

Smoke house

35

Photograph of, before restoration, ill.

35

Photograph of, after restoration, ill.

36

Spotswood, Lieut. Governor Alexander

Described trading store of Dr. Blair

4

Once owner of lot 174

Stairhall, main

31 32

Stairs

25 32

Steps of stone

Photograph of, ill.

22

Scattered about yard of house

21

Storehouse of Dr. Archibald Blair

Mentioned in property transfer

4

Now fitted-up as printing shop

4

Stone steps, see "Steps of stone"

Stringer of stair

32

TAZEWELL, Judge Henry

Taught law to John Wickham

17

Thompson, Montague

Sold house to Lottie and Mary Garrett

19

Trudell, Clyde

Assisted in making of working drawings

Title page

Trustees of Williamsburg

Conveyed lots to Dr. Blair, 1716

1

UNIVERSITY of Edinburgh, see "Edinburgh, University of

University of Virginia

Dr. Garrett, a graduate of

12

VALENTINE Museum

Occupies John Wickham House

18

Van Garrett House, see "Blair, Archibald House"

Virginia Gazette

Announcements in, about Dr. John Baker

9

WAINSCOT

32

Wall, basement

22 23 24

Wall surface, exterior

22 23

Wall surface, interior

25 27 31

Warren, General Joseph

Killed at Breed's Hill in 1775

11

Porcelain tooth of, made by Paul Revere

11

Washington, Martha

Great grandson of, married

Elizabeth Jane Henderson

18

Waterman, Thomas T.

Architectural report by

21-38

Assisted in making of working drawings

Title page

Wrote original version of architectural report

Title page

Weatherboarding

21 22 23 24

Of Smoke house

35

Well head

37 38

Whitewashing

Of Dairy

36

Wickham, John

Attended military school at Arras, Born at Southold,

France 17

Long Island, 1763

17

Brief biographical sketch of

16-18

Built famous house in Richmond

17 18

Eulogy of, by William Wirt

18

Leader of Richmond bar

18

Made minor repairs to house

17

Married daughter of Dr. McClurg

17

Moved to Richmond, 1790

17

Studied law in Williamsburg

17

Socially prominent

18

With Edmund Randolph, defended Aaron Burr

18

Wilson, President Woodrow

Visited Archibald Blair House

19

Williamsburg Holding Corporation

Restored Archibald Blair House

Title page

Williamsburg Scrap-Book, 1951 edition

Story in, about Lottie and Mary Garrett

19

Windows

Panes of

21-23 27 31

Sash of

21-23 27 31

Trim of

21-23 27 30 31 32

Windows, dormer

22 24

Wing

24

Wirt, William

Eulogy of Dr. George Gilmer, Jr.

8

Eulogy of John Wickham

18

Woodwork, interior

Color of

27 28 30 31 32

Van Garrett Kitchen Restoration. Block 29, Building 3.

OWNERS OF KITCHEN

• Reverend James Henderson- builder
• Walter W. Webb
• Jacob C. Sheldon
• Charles C. Curtis
• Montague Thompson
• Miss Lottie Garrett
• Van F. Garrett - 1914. Lived there previous to ownership. Brother to Miss Lottie G: Colonial Williamsburg

The Van Garrett Kitchen has been completed by us with a final cost of $3211.05.

We trust you may approve this work and send us your formal acceptance.

Re: Block 29 No. 1- Van Garrett Kitchen.

We are handing you herewith the key to the Van Garrett Kitchen. This building has just been turned over to us by the architects as restored.