THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410070260
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Coastal Journal
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
For years, historic Adam Thoroughgood House was said to have been built in the 1630s and was the oldest brick house in America.
Now we know its date is circa 1680 or later.
Thoroughgood House kicked off October as Archaeology Month in Virginia with a program that examined the ways in which archaeology can help - and confuse - the issue of dating historic structures.
And as the example, changes in the way Thoroughgood House, itself, has been viewed over the years were discussed. Stephanie Carcano, formerly the manager of Thoroughgood House and now outreach specialist for all the Chrysler Museum's historic houses, led the program.
For many years, local historians thought the brick structure had been built by Adam Thoroughgood when he settled here around 1635. That year, Adam, who arrived in the Virginia Colony in 1621, was granted more than 5,000 acres of land along the western branch of the Lynnhaven River.
Now a combination of archaeology, dendrochronology and research have proven that Adam himself did not build the Thoroughgood House. Instead, the house probably was built by one of Adam's grandsons on land that was part of the original deed. Instead of being the oldest brick house in America, its date is now circa 1680.
And there's some indication the date could be 1720.
``We're double-checking history,'' Carcano said.
The story began with an archaeological dig undertaken in the 1950s by the late Floyd Painter in Baylake Pines when the neighborhood was being developed. The excavation turned up a brick foundation of an old house along with some archaeological evidence the house had burned down.
Also Painter uncovered 17th century English ceramics and iron work. At the time he was convinced he had found the original Thoroughgood House although it would be many years before others came around to that way of thinking
Later a 1630s court record was discovered. The record showed Adam Thoroughgood had sued a carpenter at the time of the construction of his house. Details of the suit revealed the house had a brick foundation but the rest was built of wood, helping to confirm Painter's thesis.
``We began to think there was another Thoroughgood House,'' Carcano said, ``and that it was probably the manor house.''
In the 1980s the decision was made to try and date the present Adam Thoroughgood House by dating a core sample of a piece of wood used in construction. The process, called dendrochronology, revealed that at least one section of the house was built in 1720.
On the other hand, some architectural historians think the house itself was built earlier because of certain features, such as the size of the windows. They theorize the house was remodeled around 1720 and the core sample of wood was taken from the remodeled area.
For example the staircase is a 1720s staircase, Carcano said, but evidence shows the staircase was added to the original house at the time when the two first-floor rooms also were divided by walls to create an entrance hall. More evidence of remodeling is visible in the parlor where warming ovens in the big fireplace have been bricked over. Warming ovens in the kitchen are still in place.
The west wall of the house was built with brick laid in a Flemish bond pattern and brick in the other walls was laid in English bond. This is another indication of two time periods of construction.
``Flemish bond became popular at the end of 17th century and replaced English bond,'' Carcano said.
A later archaeology dig by Painter at the present site turned up a possible 1720s wine cellar with pieces of hand-blown glass bottles that dated to the 1600s. A 17th-century pipe bowl was an important find also. On the other hand there also was a 19th-century horse buckle and a 20th-century mower blade, among the artifacts.
``One problem is that the house had been used steadily for 300 years,'' Carcano explained.
Archaeological evidence continues to turn up, she went on. When a herb garden was dug recently, pottery shards were uncovered but so far nothing has provided a definitive date for the house.
One thing's for sure, whatever its time period, the Adam Thoroughgood House will be telling a story of 300 years of Virginia Beach history for a long time to come.
P.S. CELEBRATE ALL THE HISTORY in Virginia Beach at Princess Anne County Favorites, a feast of crab cakes, Brunswick stew, cornbread and sweet potato pie from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at historic Upper Wolfsnare. The feast will benefit the Princess Anne County-Virginia Beach Historical Society. Call 340-8889 for reservations. Tickets are $15.
A FALL FLOWER FESTIVAL, sponsored by the Virginia Beach Garden Club, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Pavilion. Pansies, bulbs, shrubs, perennials and herbs as well as garden related items will be for sale. Admission is $1.
DUCKS AND OTHER MIGRATING WATERFOWL are the topic of a program for kids in grades three through six 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Participants will paint a duck model to take home. The fee is $6 for museum members and $8 for non-members. Call 437-4949. MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know
about Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555.
Enter category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet address:
mbarrow(AT)infi.net.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY REID BARROW
Judy Riedel examines a broken 18th-century green glass bottle, which
was excavated on the grounds of the Adam Thoroughgood House.
KEYWORDS: THOROUGHGOOD HOUSE ARCHAEOLOGY by CNB