The First Playhouse in Williamsburg; William and Mary Qrtly., Volume 24, Number 1

Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project

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Page 29-30

THE FIRST PLAYHOUSE IN WILLIAMSBURG

                                  (From York County Records).

   This indenture, made 4 December, 1745, Between George Gilmer of the City of Williamburgh,
Gent., of
the one part, and the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of the City of Williamsburg
of the
other: whereas John Blair, Exq., Exor. of Archibald Blair's Will, by deed 20 Feb. 1735, did
assign to
said George Gilmer lots 163, 164, & 169 in plan of said City, being the lots and land whereon
the Bowling
Green formerly was and the Dwelling house & kitchen of William Levingston and the house called
the Play
house, for 155 pownds of lawful money of Virginia, to hold for the term of 500 years; and
whereas the said
George Gilmer for 50 pownds to him in hand paid by certain persons whose names are subscribed
to a Paper
hereunto annexed did sell all his Right in the Playhouse, the ground whereon it stands,
together with six
feet of Ground adjoining to the said Play-house on every side &c: - this Indenture witnesses
that the
said George Gilmer (with the consent of said parties who have subscribed) has sold the property
to the
parties of the second part.  Signed George Gilmer, Jno Harmer, Mayor.
   Witness John Blair, Junr, Wm Buck, Edward Fuller, Josh Davenport.

   To the Gentlemen Subscribers for the Play House in the City of Williamsburgh.  The
Corporation of the
said City
Shew:
   That they have no Publick Building within the City wherein to hold their Common Halls &
Courts of
Hustings, but have hitherto used the Court House of James City County on Courtesie; That the
Playhouse
stands in a convenient Place for such uses, and has not been put to any Use for several years,
and is now
going to Decay; That the whole Money which has been gathering since the Corporation was first
made proves
deficient to erect a Prison for the City nor have they any way to raise Publick Money to build
a Town
House; whereupon they shall

Page 30.

esteem, and always acknowledge it a singular Mark of your good Will and favour, if you will be
pleased
to bestow your present Useless House on this Corporation, for the use aforesaid, They intending
to repair
and alter it by their own Subscription, if this request shall be Granted.

   We, the subscribers, being willing to encourage the City of Williamsburgh Do hereby freely
give to the
Corporation of that City the Shares & Interest we have in the Play House, standing there,
according to
the above request:

   Subscribers Names                             Subscribers Names

John Blair                                       Will: Gooch
Bn Harrison Junr                                 Philip Ludwell
Ralph Wormeley Esq.                              Benja Harrison
Nathanll Harrison                                Lewis Burwell, Jun
W. Beverley                                      John Grymes
Francis Willis                                   Henry Armistead
Robert Tucker                                    John Robinson
Ge: Braxton or Ge: Braxton, Jr.                  Phi: Lightfoot
Beverley Randolph                                Rd Corbin
Thos Bray                                        Thos Lee
David Meade                                      Lewis Burwell
Edwd Digges                                      Jas Littlepage
Wilson Cary                                      Carter Burwell
Jos: Temple                                      Wm Nelson, Jun.
Peter Randolph                                   J. Mercer
                                                 Ch: Carter
                     Ack. 16 December 1745