THE BARBERS AND WIGMAKERS OF WILLIAMSBURG
Andrew Anderson. Apprenticed for seven years to John Peter Wagnon of Williamsburg in 1731. After only five years became his own master and bought the shop of Wagnon next to the Raleigh Tavern. The only Williamsburg barber knew to have practiced dentistry and phlebotomy. Frequently in court as a witness, plaintiff, or defendant in suits over property, debts, etc. Sold out to William Peake, Yorktown barber, and wigmaker, and was preparing to leave for England when he died suddenly in 1752.
Stephen Besouth.Died April 3, 1726, leaving an estate appraised at over 40 PDS, consisting almost solely of articles suitable for barbering and wig making.
Daniel Blouett arrived in Virginia in 1700 as a Huguenot refugee. Bought a lot in Williamsburg in 1713, the deed identifying him as a Peruke-Maker. Died in 1720. His name was variously spelled (or misspelled) in different records: Blouet, Bluet, Bleuet, Blewitt, Blewit, Blewet, Blouett, and Blouette.
John Borton. The Virginia Gazette of March 3, 1768, published a list of letters in the post office waiting to be claimed by their addressees. One was for John Borton, peruke maker, Williamsburg. Nothing more is known of him.
Simon Brazier. A partner of Anthony Geohegan, Williamsburg barber and wigmaker, from April to about November 1768.
John Bryan. A partner of Alexander Maitland in the wig-making craft in 1752 and later sole proprietor of a shop on the main street in Williamsburg. Possibly moved away from the town in 1756.
Edward Charlton. In 1752, soon after arriving from London, became a partner of Richard Gamble in his shop next door to the Raleigh Tavern. Continued the business after the death of Gamble and was the foremost wigmaker in the town until the Revolution. Died sometime between 1783 and 1792.
Richard Charlton. Presumably related to Edward. Probably was not himself a barber or wigmaker, but was briefly an inactive partner of James Nichols, Williamsburg wigmaker, and on occasion purveyed wigs to customers of his well-patronized tavern.
David Cunningham. In addition to barbering and wig making, operated an ordinary (inn) at his house near the Capitol and for several years served as constable of Williamsburg. Died in 1720.
James Currie. Took over in 1752 the former shop of Andrew Anderson in partnership with William Peake of Yorktown. Later moved across the street to his own shop. Ordered in 1759 to pay the support of the bastard child of Mary Seveney. May have left town thereafter, as his shop and the lot it stood on were sold in 1761.
William Davenport. An inventoried appraisal of his estate in 1770 listed a number of items used by barbers and wigmakers.
Mr. Davidson. The register of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg records the death on October 1, 1749, of Mr. Davidson, the Barber. Nothing more is known of him.
William Duncan. An indentured servant in 1753 of Robert Lyon, Williamsburg wigmaker. Died two 31years later, leaving an estate appraised by three other wigmakers at 28 PDS and consisting mostly of wig-making articles and supplies.
Alexander Finnie. Seemingly successful as a wigmaker, tavernkeeper, and property owner. Advertised in 1745 for two or three journeymen, luring one from Andrew Anderson, and imported more the next year. Acquired the Raleigh Tavern in 1749 and the new (second) theater in 1751, actively managing the former until he sold both properties in 1752. At his death in 1769 also owned Porto Bello plantation outside Williamsburg.
Richard Gamble. From 1743 onward regularly cited in court records for failing to attend church and pay debts. In 1752 took Edward Charlton into a partnership to run his shop next to the Raleigh. Died in 1755 leaving no known family or real property and only 14 PDS worth of barbering and wig-making articles.
Anthony Geohegan. His shop was next door to the tavern of Mrs. Vobe across from the Raleigh in 1768. Took Simon Brazier briefly into partnership the same year. Moved to Richmond sometime between 1770 and 1775, having in the meantime married Martha Lavia, the Williamsburg widow.
William Godfrey. Announced in 1766 that he had opened shop between the Raleigh Tavern and the Capitol. Nothing more is known of his wig-making activities, but he figured in several court cases during the following seven years.
Thomas Hewitt. An indentured servant of Robert Lyon in 1753 and may have had his own shop in Williamsburg before moving to Annapolis in about 1762.
Cuthbert Hubbard. In 1771 advertised that he was still carrying on his wig-making business in addition to offering lodgings. Died in 1779. His will mentioned only 32two articles used by wigmakers and the inventory of his estate listed none.
George Lafong. Kept a shop in Williamsburg from 1762 to 1783, at one time selling a pair of curls to the step-daughter of George Washington, Patsy Custis. Advertised on several occasions for a journeyman to help him, and in 1777 took Alexander Wiley into partnership. Nineteen years later Lafong turned up as a beggar on the streets of Norfolk.
Walter Lennox. First appeared in Williamsburg court records in 1759. From 1768 had his shop at the Sign of the Red Lion, where he also offered lodgings. His frequent advertisements for a journeyman indicate that he did a lively business. Lodged and boarded sick soldiers in the Revolution and supplied provisions to the army.
Robert Lyon. In various businesses from 1749 to 1771, first as barber and wigmaker. Took up tavernkeeping at the Sign of Edinburgh Castle, near the Capitol, in 1755. Four years later had become a merchant whose store faced Market Square.
Alexander Maitland. His partner, John Bryan, advertised wig-making services once in 1752. Thereafter Maitland appears to have moved to Yorktown.
James Martin. Court records and the like show him to have been in Williamsburg from 1760 to 1766; he was never advertised in the Virginia Gazette. At his death, he left a large estate including 18 wigs and other barbering articles as well as items that point strongly to his being also a tavernkeeper.
James Nichols from London opened shop first in Petersburg in 1772 and three years later in Williamsburg. Took Richard Charlton into a brief and unsuccessful partnership in 1776. Advertised his property for rent in 1779, and by 1784 was located in Norfolk.
Source: The Wigmaker in Eighteenth-Century Williamsburg: An Account of his Barbering, Hair-dressing, & Peruke-Making Services, & some Remarks on Wigs of Various Styles by Thomas K. Bullock and Maurise B. Tonkin
