Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Memorandum of Several faults in y^e Building of W.^m &
Mary Colledge w:^ch have proved dangerous & pregudicial to y^e
s.^d Building

All y^e chimneys in y^e 2.^d Story are scarce big enough for a Grate whereas
y^e only firing in this Country being wood, a fire cant be made in them w:^thout
running y^e: hazard of its falling on y^e floor, as it once happened in y^e room where y^e
Sectys office was kept, a log tumbling out of y^e Chimney sett y^e floor on fire
& had it not been timely discovered might have burnt down y^e building the
Chimney in y^e School hath some Joynts laid into y^e very hearth so y.^t one
of y^e S.^d Joynts took fire; but being timely discovered y^e danger was prevent^ed

The chimney over y^e Hall hath one of y^e principal Girders running
through y^e middle of y^e hearth whereby no use can be made of it

The hearth in y^e Councill chamber had Some plank laid just uder it
insomuch y.^t at Christmas 1702, a Constant fire being kept there, y^e
wood under y^e hearth took fire & was almost all consumed before it was
discovered

The ovens were made w^thin y.^e Kitchin, but when they were heated y^e Smoke
was so offensive y^t it was found Nescesary to pull them down & build
others out of doors

The drain cost above 100^£ & is so ill contrived y^t there is no desent whereby
y^e water Stagnating is very offensive to y^e Smell & corrupts y^{e water in} wells so y^t
both are useless unless just after y^e drain has been cleaned.

College in Virginia