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This federal-style home in King George was built as a copy of the Wythe House in Williamsburg. The original house dates to 1775. |
Thank you for the interesting story about the recent construction in King George of a reproduction of the Wythe House ["Replica of mansion in Williamsburg to be auctioned off," April 28].
The Wythe House was designed and built by Richard Taliaferro (pronounced and often spelled "Toliver")--the father-in-law, not son-in-law, of George Wythe.
Richard Taliaferro (1705-79) and his wife, Elizabeth Eggleston, had two children, Richard and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth married George Wythe. The elder Taliaferro permitted his daughter and her husband to live in the house, but Wythe never owned it.
The will of the elder Taliaferro dated Feb. 3, 1775, reads in part, "I give and desire my house and Lotts [sic] in the City of Williamsburg, situate on the North Side of the Church Yard, to my son-in-law, Mr. George Wythe, and his wife, my daughter, Elizabeth, during their lives."
His residuary estate, including the house, was left to his son, Richard Taliaferro, who in turn willed it to his son, grandson of the elder Taliaferro, also named Richard Taliaferro.
Subsequently, the grandson directed that the house be sold. His will provides in part, "I direct that my executor shall sell my house and lot of land in the City of Williamsburg, and now in the occupation of the Hon. George Wythe, Esquire and that the money arising from such sale shall be equally divided amongst my brothers and sisters: Benjamin Taliaferro, Robert Taliaferro, Elizabeth Call, Ann Nicholas, Sarah Taliaferro, Lucy Taliaferro and Mary Nelson Taliaferro, and my niece, Elizabeth Wythe Nelson."
Robert M. HaleyFredericksburg
Robert M. Haley is a ninth-generation lineal descendant of the elder Richard Taliaferro.
