Eckman - NC CHAP

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In 1737 VanGezell had the bank lot resurveyed. The return
of this survey describes the property as beginning on the Strand
6" from the wall of nis mother's house (#9) leaving 6" for eves-
drop, and extending southwest along the Strand 62-1/2 feet. This
plot was divided into a 2 foot strip next his mother's house, 30
feet which he had previously sold to Anthony Dowdall, 30-1/2 feet
on the south which he kept. Dowdall's part of the lot was sold
by the sheriff in 1753 to Yiilliam dtwood of Philadelphia, mer-
chant, who died in 1750 leaving the property to his cousin At-
wood Shute. After several transfers among members of the Shute
family, John VanGezell bought it back in 1760 for 12 pounds, with
all buildings, wharfs, landings and improvements.
How long the two bank lots left by John VanGezell in 1787
remained in the hands of his executor, George Read Sr., has not
been discovered in this search. The property was in the hands of
Riddle and Bird, merchants, in the early 1800's. On the site of
this double bank lot on the Strand side was a dwelling and store;
behind this building toward the river were a warehouse, stables
and a wharf. The firm of Riddle and Bird sold supplies to the
navy, and when this business was interupted, they failed in 1810.
John Bird died soon afterward of a heart attack, leaving his wife
Elizabeth VanLeuvenigh, daughter of Zachariah, and seven children.
One of them, Robert Montgomery Bird, became a distinguished play-
rright of hia day.