Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Custom House, circa 1720
Photographed By David Graff, September 20, 2014
1. Custom House, circa 1720 Marker
…collectors are hereby impowered to demand, secure, and receive all…the duties, customes and imposts…with full power to go on board any boat, ship or other vessel, or into any house…where he shall have just cause to suspect any fraud…collectors…shall…in Aprill and October…render a true and just account upon oath, and make payment…of money as they…shall receive and collect for the duties…" An Act for Ports &c., April 16, 1691, Virginia Legislative Assembly
In 1691, Virginia's colonial legislature passed "An Act for Ports," in an effort to better regulate trade for the collection of import and export fees and duties. The act called for the creation of several ports, including Yorktown, and the appointment of Collectors of Ports by the royal governor. During Yorktown's peak as a commercial port in the mid-1700s, Richard Ambler, and later his son, Jacquelin, served as a collector of ports.
In 1721, Richard Ambler built this large, brick storehouse and from here he and his son handled their collector duties. Ship captains recently arriving and merchants arranging for transport of goods would convene at Ambler's storehouse to complete the required paperwork and pay associated fees.
The outbreak of the American Revolution brought an end to many port activities, including the collection
this page online
In 1924, the Compte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the Custom House and restored it five years later. Today the Custom House still continues in use as a Chapter House and Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1809.
Location. 37° 14.096′ N, 76° 30.469′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Read Street, on the left when traveling west on Main Street. Some blocks of Main Street, including this location, are generally closed to motor vehicle traffic. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early Colonial Custom House (here, next to this marker); Cole Digges House, circa 1730 (a few steps from this marker); Comte de Grasse (a few steps from this marker); Cole Digges House, circa 1925 (a few steps from this marker); William Rogers' (the "poor potter") Pottery Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Cox House
Regarding Custom House, circa 1720. The marker includes the following images:
Portrait of Elizabeth Jacquelin Ambler, wife of Richard Ambler Image courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society
Pictures of a label ("EDWARD's best York Tobacco ...BRISTOL"), a fan, a pewter teapot, and persons (slaves?) moving along a road — with the caption "While tobacco was a primary export, imports consisted of such items as British manufactured products and slaves. Images courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation"
Postcard by the Detroit Photographic Co., 1903
3. First Custom House in America, Yorktown, Va.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 23, 2016
4. Additional marker at the Custom House to Comte de Grasse
This large marker is mounted directly above the entry door to the Custom House. It reads:
In honor of
Comte de Grasse
Admiral
of the French Fleet
whose landing of troops
and blockade of the
Chesapeake Bay
were decisive factors
leading to the surrender
of the British Forces at
Yorktown, Virginia
October 19, 1781
This tablet was erected by the
National Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution, 1931
Comte de Grasse
Admiral
of the French Fleet
whose landing of troops
and blockade of the
Chesapeake Bay
were decisive factors
leading to the surrender
of the British Forces at
Yorktown, Virginia
October 19, 1781
This tablet was erected by the
National Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution, 1931
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 23, 2016
5. Three additional markers on the Custom House
These three additional markers are mounted to the left side of the Custom House. They include markers from the DAR dedicated to the Custom House (separate HMdb entry), the NRHP and a USGS survey disk.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2015, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 23, 2015, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on February 24, 2015. 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
