About 1833, Peter U Ware a metal-worker advertised he would clad a house in tin using a patented method by Richard S. Tildon, whereby no nails would be exposed to the weather and the installation method would compensate for shrinking roofing planks. (1)

“Another shock was given the community in 1833 by a murder perpetuated on the person of Peter U. Ware.  He was a tinner by trade, and had his shop on Fifth Street below the old Advocate office.  He was a quiet, inoffensive man, and had only a year or two before been married to Elizabeth Mayo.  In compliance with some call of convenience or business, he had gone to the Buck Island neighborhood, where he was assailed by two negroes, and killed, as was supposed, for the purpose of robbery.  Circumstances of a suspicious kind led to the arrest of Peter, a servant of Isaiah Stout, and Leander, who belonged to Elizabeth Dean, and they were speedily brought to trial.  Egbert R. Watson, who had been recently admitted to the bar, was assigned as their counsel, and put forth his maiden advocacy in their defence.  They were however condemned, and in the following October executed on the hill above Schenk’s Branch opposite Mud wall, which atthat time had become the Gallows hill of the town.” (2)

Sources: (1) The Architecture of Jefferson Co., by Edward Lay, The University Press of Virginia, 2000, page 179

(2) The History of Albermale Co. in Virginia, by Reverend Edgar Woods, copyright 1901, The Michie                            Company, Printers, Charlottesville, VA, page 113