Both content and restless spirits find peace here.

DESCRIPTION

The Brick House Tavern is part of the Colonial Williamsburg authentic period accommodations group that offers places to stay in old Colonial houses. The Brick House Tavern was built with solid design and materials, making it last over 200 years before it was restored again as part of the Williamsburg renewal project.

It is a large rectangular brick structure, with two floors that have eight rooms on each floor. The basement, “The Great Room,” is a finished basement with a tall ceiling, and a fireplace, a space that once held a tavern, and was/is a place for social events.

On each floor there is a small foyer, located on the first floor at the entrance from the front door. The second floor has a small foyer at the staircase. On each floor, there is a hallway off the foyer that runs the entire length of the floor. There are eight rooms off each hallway on both the first and second floors. All sixteen rooms have their own private bathroom. These bathrooms were added by using the closets in each of the rooms.

The rooms are smaller than modern hotels, as Colonial people didn’t need a lot of space, unlike 21st century folks. The rooms have single, twin and queen beds. All the rooms are comfortable, with heating and air conditioning, and come with all the modern bells and whistles and perks, like room service offered at the main lodge, at a reasonable rate for a historical place.

HISTORY

The property that the Brick House Tavern was built on, listed as lot 19, was owned by Thomas Ravenscroft. He sold it to Cole Digges who sold it to William Withers, who sold most of it to Dr. William Carter in 1864. I think at that point Dr. Carter built The Brick House Tavern, and a few other structures.

The Brick House Tavern was built to be used as a commercial enterprise. It was located just steps away from Duke of Gloucester Street, which is the center of all activities in Williamsburg, old City. It was sort of like a small cluster of businesses, who all paid rent to establish their commercial presences there.

The Brick House basement was divided and rented to two different businesses. At first various merchants opened up shop in parts of the structure, like James Patterson’s watch repair shop, and peruke maker James Nichols. May Davis opened her lodge, using the first and second floors in 1770. A 1770 stay at The Brick House Tavern included a meal and lodging; meaning a place to sleep. Strangers slept in the same bed, unless they paid extra to have a bed to themselves.

Turn-over of renters seemed to happen often if compared to modern business. In March of 1977, the basement was used as a printing shop and the upstairs was a general store.

Levy Anderson acquired the whole brick house tavern building just before 1806.

Eventually, a tavern was established in the basement and the upper floors were used for lodging.

In 1814, a company of Captain Otey’s troops lodged here in the Brick House Tavern over Christmas; taking a break from battling the British.

A journal made by a Pleasants Murphy, tells what they did while staying at The Brick House Tavern.

“Sunday Dec. 25- being Christmas the world Resounded with the noise of guns. We made Several Egg nogs in our barracks and Drank much Liquor… in the evening our Mess held a Superb Supper at Mr. Thomas where our Rations are cooked.”

“SundayJanuary 1, 1815–11 O’clock A. M. I am now in the back Room in our Barracks which is an old brick building situated on the south side of the main street of the City of Williamsburg which is an old town of no considerable size.”

“Monday January 2, 1815–….At Night we Borrowed a fiddle and had a dance in Our Barracks….”

Thomas Sands acquired the whole building on lot #19 and insured it in 1817. He spent years paying off his mortgage.

In 1842, The Brick House was mostly destroyed by fire, but the foundation and the ruins of the building’s immense brick gable-ends, which offered a general map of how to rebuild it. Though the fire wiped out the structures on this lot 19, Thomas Sands now owned the lot outright in 1846, after paying all that he owed in his mortgage agreement. Perhaps he planned to rebuild but he never was able to do so.

Almost a hundred years later, in 1936, plans were made to reconstruct the Brick House Tavern, after doing their due diligence with research.

Sources were used to gather the needed information about the features of the tavern. Eighteenth century records, such as the York County Deed Plan, dated 2/16/1764, early newspaper ads and printings of the Virginia Gazette, established that the structure was made out of brick, with brick gable ends, its dimensions, and what it was used for (lodgings, shops and a tavern).

These sources gave exact details, such as the location of the outside windows, the height and width of the building itself, the materials it was built with, and other facts about the original building. This vital information was used to reconstruct the original 1842 appearance of the Brick House Tavern, bringing back a piece of history.

When finished, it was used as one of the Williamsburg historic lodging opportunities, complete with huge historical decor with an event center in the basement area. Former owners, especially Thomas Sands, patrons and shop owners now in spectral form must be really pleased.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

When spirits are attached to the land or an area, any structure that is rebuilt or restored will be a fine place for them to return to and visit or stay, especially if this structure was a reconstruction of a place they were attached to while alive.

Custer House, ND (After the Custer House was rebuilt from the original blueprints, the spirits of the Custer family and their officers and their wives moved back inside).

Fort William Henry Museum, NY (When their fort was reconstructed, all the spirits connected to the land moved back inside to continue on in their duties, and/or try to work out their anger or the memories of their horrible deaths).

Fort Stanwix, NY (When their fort was reconstructed, spirits attached to the land moved back into the reconstructed buildings).

Brick House Tavern, VA (As The Brick Tavern was reconstructed to what it once was, plus with modern amenities like private bathrooms, private rooms and running water, past spirits who loved this place moved back).

The spirits of people who were never able to fulfill their goals, are very excited when the living start and finish what they most wanted to do.

Buffalo Bill’s Ranch, NE (After his ranch was fully restored and filled with his personal belongings and memorabilia, Buffalo Bill’s spirit began to visit, and claimed his old bedroom. His spirit is trying to find some peace from the consequences he and his family suffered because of his long absences from his family. He wasn’t able to make amends to everyone during his lifetime).

Bulls Head Inn, NY (The spirit of an early owner likes to see what is going on inside, very pleased that it is so successful. Perhaps this is the courageous soul, George Ferster, or Lambert Lawyer, or even Seth Wakeman, all of whom lost their businesses due to circumstances beyond their control).

Wayside Irish Pub, NY (The Spirit of Squire Munro, who died suddenly, likes to supervise the staff and observe all the people having a great time in this restaurant and pub built where his establishment once stood).

The Brick House Tavern, VA (The spirit of Thomas Sands may visit to see his dreams being fulfilled by the living, who had the good sense to rebuild his structure; something he couldn’t do in his lifetime. He stays to help, remembering his days as a successful owner. Perhaps a former tradesman who had a business here, may try to set up his shop in his own mind’s eye in the space he once used in his business).

People who loved to stay at their favorite inn or hotel, still do as spirits, trying to do the things they enjoyed or commonly did as guests. Restoring or reconstructing it can draw them into this world.

Flanders Hotel, NJ (The spirit of a former guest likes to crash parties and other social events).

The Inn At Cape May, NJ (Spirits of former guests, and former owners still find delight in this lovely, historic hotel).

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, CA (Spirits of the prominent and the ordinary haven’t checked out. They love to swim in the pool, enjoy memories in the ballroom, and their old rooms. Some are possessive, some are willing to share, and others are on missions they cannot fulfill).

Brick House Tavern, VA (Former spectral guests may want to try this new and improved reconstructed Brick House Tavern. Their old habits may alarm the living, though they are harmless, just startling).

Spirits have a fascination with electricity and running water in sinks, showers and bathtubs, especially if such things didn’t exist when they were alive.

General Wayne Inn, PA (The spirits of Hessian soldiers love to play with electrical office equipment like the adding machine).

Robinson Rose House, CA (The spirits who reside here like to play with the electrical conveniences, like the lights, and enjoy an unauthorized ride up and down the elevator on occasion).

Brick House Tavern, VA (The spirits here have the same irresistible urge to try electrical conveniences and to play with the handles which start the water flowing).

MANIFESTATIONS

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

Each museum and historical house or inn has been furnished the way it existed originally. The folks in charge want people to come and experience the historical, educational and hands on experiences, without bothering resident spirits.

While paranormal investigators are not allowed to investigate here, paranormal experiences are readily shared with organizations like colonialghosts.com. Many believers have had paranormal experiences since the Colonial Village has been restored and reconstructed.

EVPS here and there are unofficially caught by staff and visitors, letting some spirits seek an audience that can hear them.

Ghost Tours through the Colonial Williamsburg old city share the stories of the spirits who lived inside the various buildings, including the Brick House Tavern. They are deemed to be ok because most of the tours are done from the outside, not inside.

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes Indeed!

While the folks in charge don’t want ghost hunters tromping through their carefully restored structures, hauntings have a way of becoming known, despite denials and objections.

Sometimes the spirits become so well-known that places come out of the paranormal closet, and admit they have spectral residents. They offer ways to bring in money through controlled paranormal investigations, create programs with speakers and mediums, and find ways to welcome the paranormal enthusiasts that won’t aggravate their spirits.

Hopefully, trapped spirits will receive some counseling. Unless they can find a way to let go of what is keeping them here, the spirits with issues may stay here forever.

LOCATION

The Brick House Tavern in Williamsburg
300-398 East Duke of Gloucester Street,
Williamsburg, Virgina 23185

The Brick House Tavern is located in the heart of the Colonial Williamsburg business district, not far from the Courthouse.

SOURCES INCLUDE

• https://wydaily.com/local-news/2018/10/31/colonial-williamsburg-is-filled-with-ghosts-but-has-no-one-to-talk-to-them/
• https://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/View/index.cfm?doc=ResearchReports%5CRR1208.xml
• https://colonialghosts.com/sleep-with-ghosts-of-williamsburg/
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g58313-d260220-r61001678-Colonial_Houses_Colonial_Williamsburg-Williamsburg_Virginia.html
• https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g58313-d260220-r149835483-Colonial_Houses_Colonial_Williamsburg-Williamsburg_Virginia.html
• https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/accommodations/colonial-houses/
• https://www.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/content/uploads/2017/11/Brick-House-Tavern.pdf
• https://reservations.colonialwilliamsburghotels.com/6707?datein=11%2F22%2F2019&nights=1&rooms=1&adults=2&children=0&isSearch=False&showErrors=true&fromDate=11%2F22%2F2019&toDate=11%2F23%2F2019&roomCount=1&useRequestCriteria=true&propertyCode=phfak&numAdultsPerRoom=2&useRewardPoints=false&clusterCode=none&childrenCount=0&daterange=11%2F22%2F2019+-+11%2F23%2F2019&check-availability=Check+Availability&_ga=2.41122210.1819122860.1574385791-288121935.1574385791#/accommodation/room

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr

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