This is part of a series examining Port Royal "block by block" based on a map owned by Jim Patton from 1930. See here for the background.
The block is four blocks away from St. Peter’s. It is bordered by Cumberland, King, Back and Main and King. It encompasses lots 62,63,69,70 .
Lot 62
William Lindsay in 1785 was first owner here, succeeded in 1803 by Watts Parker. In 1805 Parker insured two structures on Lot 62: his wooden dwelling 21 feet by 16 feet with wing 14 feet by 12 feet, 2 stories with cellar, for $500; and for $100 his wooden shoemaker’s shop ("curing house"), 18 feet by 14 feet with shed attached 18 feet by 14 feet, 2 stories. Parker re-insured his buildings in 1805 for the same amounts, when the dwelling was occupied by Jacob Tinsley, and Parker had moved into his house on Lot 52; Parker was deceased in 1816. Lot 62 was owned by Nancy Parker & other heirs in 1818 when the property was re-insured for the same amounts and managed by Parker’s sons Stafford H. Parker & James Parker.
In 1849 for $160 Stafford H. Parker & wife Sarah B. Parker of Richmond transferred Lot 62 to James Jackson, being property "commonly known as Parker’s Tan Yard, together with all Tenements thereto." In 1875 George Ware occupied Lot 62, and in 1909 Rose Harris owned the lot. In recent years a mobile-home park occupied Lot 62, operated by William Mueller; after his death the park was closed, and the lot was vacated. In 1981 Herbert B. Posner became owner and opened a mobile-home park here
The 1930’s mentions this as the Lancaster home. However, no reference appears in Fall’s book. It appears the property with a brick path and fence extended into Lot 63
Lot 63
First owner here was Andrew Leckie in 1785, succeeded in the same year by Dr. John Tennant II who transferred Lot 63 in 1790 to William F. Gray (of Lot 56). Gray’s estate held title here from 1798 until 1823 when Stafford H. Parker acquired the lot and it was devoid of structures
Thornton Scranage owned Lot 63 in 1851 and transferred the property to Brockenbrough Peyton, executor of Edward J. Moore, deceased in 1850.
In 1850 William Ware (40), ditcher, lived in town with wife Ellen Ware (24), & children George W. Ware (10), Ann E. Stevens (8), & Celia J. Stevens (6). George Ware owned-occupied Lot 63 in 1875; his household in 1880 included himself (38), blacksmith, and wife Georgianna Ware (25). In 1909 Rose Harris owned Lot 63. Until his death in 1975 William Mueller for several years had managed a Sunoco service station on Lot 63; the station closed at the time of his death. In 1981 Herbert B. Posner acquired title to Lot 63 and opened a gift shop in the former service station. Posner also managed a plant & garden shop at the Port Royal intersectio
Lot 69
Earliest owners here: Robert Johnston; John Long & John Gray (1796); Watts Parker (1803); Edward Downing (1803); Reuben Turner (1807). At some point before 1831 the property was divided.
Thornton Scranage owned-occupied half of Lot 69 in 1831, and transferred his half to Edward J. Moore (1847).
A frame dwelling on Lot 69, corner of Back & King Sts., burned to the ground in 1963; since then the lot has been vacant
Lot 70
First owner here was Robert Johnston. In 1850 William H. Stocus (20), blacksmith, & wife Catherine Stocus (25) owned-occupied Lot 70; the name was also spelled Stochus & Stocas. In 1856-1866 Catherine ("Caty") Stocus lived here. In 1880 her household contained herself (76), widow, and William H. Stocus (18), grandson; in 1909 Kitty Stocus lived on Lot 70. In 1875 the names of James Jackson & George Rollins appear as owners or occupants (or both), of Lot 70. Close to Lot 70 a one-half acre lot was sold for $150 in 1905 by Cecilia Peyton Thornton of Norfolk.
On October 12, 1957 Richard Dickerson & wife Mamie J. Dicker-son acquired Lot 70 from Dickerson relatives after Catherine Stocus died, leaving her son William Stokes Dickerson who died in about 1948.