Maupins in Williamsburg, Part I

Governor's Palace

Some people have great memories, some have huge file cabinets, but I use this blog to keep track of information.  Recently there was a flurry of e-mail activity on the Maupins in Williamsburg which I didn't want to lose.

E-mail #1  If you look at the Indenture of 1724 made by Thomas Crease and Mary Maupin

Crease, it mentions the lot (352), showing that Gabriel owned the lot when
he died around 1719 or 1720. It also allows that Thomas and Mary Crease
may live in the house on that lot until they die. Mary Maupin Crease died
in 1748 and Thomas Crease in 1756. Upon the death of Thomas Crease, the
indenture stipulated that Keith and Ferguson would sell the property
dividing the proceeds between the two sons of Gabriel the emigrant: Gabriel
II and Daniel. Because Gabriel II had died by this time, his part went to
his son, Gabriel III. The indenture goes on to say that at the death of
Mary Crease, Daniel and Gabriel are to release any executors or
administrators hired by Mary and pay the lawful expenses of the estate from
the legacy of fifty pounds left to Mary, their sister, in the original
will. The indenture states that Mary, the older sister had died without
progeny.


In the Taliaferro-Cole House and Shop Historical Report, Block 13-1
Building 35-40 Lot 352 Originally entitled: "Taliaferro-Cole House and Shop
Block 13, Colonial Lot 352" by Mary E. McWilliams in 1940, the author
credits Charles Taliaferro building the house named after him in 1750. The
house was sold to Jesse Cole in 1804, thus the double name of
Taliaferro-Cole House.

Since Crease died in 1756 and the Taliaferro-Cole House was apparently
build in 1750, there seems to be a mistake somewhere. If these dates are
correct, it would seem that the Taliaferro-Cole House and the Gabriel
Maupin House are two different buildings. In some of the house reports, I
see reference made to a part of a lot being sold. Perhaps this is what
happened. If that is the case what happened to the house Thomas Crease was
living in in 1756? Did if fall down and as a consequence, not known to Ms.
McWilliams when she compiled her report in 1940? At any rate, I agree with
you that this is a research mystery which I would like to see the Colonial
Williamsburg Research Department look into further.

I assume that you know Gabriel Maupin III, the grandson of the emigrant,
owned the Market Square Tavern before and during Revolutionary War time,
and you can now rent out rooms and stay there. There is a marker on the
house. Gabriel III's sister, Mary Maupin, was married to Alexander Craig
who owned The Alexander Craig House (also marked with a plaque), and while
it is not open to the public, you can view it and its lovely gardens from
the road. A later Maupin, I believe John, owned the Custis-Maupin House
which is also marked with a plaque. He was mayor of Williamsburg during
the Civil War. So, there are a few monuments to the Maupin family in
Williamsburg, but I agree with you in wishing to know more about this
family and its founding role in Virginia.

Hope this helps a little. I would be interested in knowing anything else
you learn about this subject.

Sincerely,
Watts Schwab

E-mail #2

Hi All,

Hope all the Maupin Family is doing well.

I am in the throes of downsizing from my large home to an over 55 gated
community this fall. In other words, my home is a MESS and I am not too
well organized. I have a lot of filing of records to accomplish over the
summer. I do have information regarding the Cole-Taliferro home from the
Frenchmans Map; the Maupin markers in back of one of the homes. Sometime I
feel like Bill A. did..what to do withal this...I have collected so much
over the years---I will join back in this conversation after May and I have
time to get reorganized. 

I will be in Williamsburg for 10 days in May for the Jamestowne Society and
continued research. A couple of friends and I are also taking the cruise
over to Tangier Island which is, sadly to report, disappearing 10-12 feet a
year. I am hoping the Mid-West Library can finish cataloging all of
Bill's documents before we all pass into the great beyond.

Carolyn Farmer

Email #3

Carolyn, Gail, Watts, and other cousins:
It is good to hear from all of you and especially on Gabriel and Marie's pubs.  I didn't have the details that you have provided only the fact that Marie and her second husband had sold it with a proviso that they would run it until their death.
I have only visited Williamsburg once and considered myself fortunate at that time.  It was in 1975.  I had no knowledge then that my mother's ancestors had lived there and owned pubs or homes.  I was extatic in  1999 to learn of the wonderful information via the internet.  I had time to share with my two sisters and a brother before they died.
I will be forever gratful for that knowledge and the fact that I could pass it on to my sons, nieces and nephews.
Your Maupin cousin,
Norma J. Sears

Email #4
In the Official Guidebook & Map of Colonial Williamsburg, printed in 1972.  (purchased for .50 cents).  They describe the Custis-Maupin house as being a tenement owned by John Custis.  A tenement was a house for rent.  Then about 1840 John M Maupin built a "handsome house on the site of an old ruinous building opposite the lower corner of the churchyard."  So the house that is standing is actually the Maupin house.  I have visited Williamsburg at least a half a dozen times over the years.  In my opinion they have destroyed a lot of historical information as they transformed Williamsburg into a tourist attraction.  I swear I saw a bronze plaque marking the burial spot of Marie Maupin Creas next to the church, which has now been covered up by walkways for the tourists.  When I inquired about this inside the church they said they think she is buried in the churchyard but they don't know where.  I also have seen a headstone lying on the ground, in the garden behind the Maupin house that was inscribed "John Maupin"    I sent e-mails to the historical society, which I received no response.  I wish I had taken a picture. Terry Maupin






Re: [MAUPIN] Gabriel and Marie Maupin and lot #352 i