University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IV.

The County Court continued to supervise the affairs, and
guard the interests, committed to its trust. In 1783 James
Stowers for stealing a horse from Joseph Chapman was
examined and sent on to Richmond, where at that time all
felonies were tried. John Mullins, son of William, was
acquitted of burglary, but sent on for stealing leather from
the tan vats of John Watson, of Hightop. Crimes of every
class perpetrated by negroes, were entirely under the jurisdiction
of this Court. Sam, a slave of James Kerr, for
attempting to assault a daughter of David Humphreys, was
punished with thirty-nine lashes; the same day however he
was cleared of stealing fifty pounds in specie from his master's
desk. Ben, a slave of Charles Rodes, was burnt in
the hand for poisoning James, a slave of Thomas Smith,
under pretence of giving him medicine.

Not only did it punish evil doers, but it interposed in
behalf of the weak and oppressed. Daniel Dunavan, a servant
of James Lewis, probably a redemptioner, made
complaint that his master furnished him with insufficient
food and raiment. It promptly required security that
suitable provision should be made in future. George Bruce,
the jailor, charged Richard Woods with compelling his boy
Tom, an orphan child, to wear a collar; it at once ordered
the degrading appendage to be removed. It especially exercised
a judicious care over apprentices, protecting them
from improper treatment, yet refusing to lend an ear to
groundless representations. Samuel Burch was summoned
to show cause why his apprentice, Abraham Gaulding,
should not be discharged from his service, and William D.
Hunt why Fielding and William Starke should not have
their bonds cancelled. When James Robinson sought to
obtain the release of his sons Matthew and Moses as apprentices
of Bartlett Dedman, it decided there was no just reason

for interference in the case. In like manner Newberry, son
of Thomas Stockton, was continued under the charge of his
master, Nathaniel Landcraft.

The Court likewise vindicated its own dignity, and strictly
quelled the bold spirit of insubordination that sometimes
displayed itself. Martin Marshall for profane swearing in
open court was fined five shillings, and William Thurmond
for the same offence committed twice was fined and placed
under bonds. Daniel Thacker was bound over for making an
affray, and breaking the peace in the presence of the court.
A fine of eight dollars was imposed on William Alcock for
refusing in open court to serve as a juror.

The first instance of capital punishment that appears in
the records, occurred at the beginning of the century.
Aaron, a slave of Hugh Rice Morris, for breaking into the
store of Philip Moore, and stealing seven sides of leather, was
condemned to be hanged on the second Friday of February,
1801. Though this punishment seems severe, yet forcibly
entering any building on the curtilage, especially at night,
was always viewed with jealous sternness. Aaron too was an
old offender, having been previously convicted and punished
for breaking into the lumber room of Andrew Hart. In this
case he had the advantage of being defended, the Court
appointing James Brooks as his counsel.

An event of pathetic and tragical interest happened sometime
in 1802 or 1803; and it is specially remarkable, as it furnished
the only case in which a white man has ever been
judicially hanged in the history of the county. James Hopkins
was the son of Dr. Arthur Hopkins, who was one of the
earliest and largest landholders in Albemarle. He was a
man of fine education and considerable wealth. Making
choice of his father's profession, he travelled abroad and
studied medicine in the University of Edinburgh. On his
return to this country, he settled in what is now Nelson
County under the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain, where for
many years he was occupied with an extensive practice. He
was possessed not only of great learning, but also of great
piety. He had an only child, a daughter, who was married

to a Captain Richard Pollard. One evening while the doctor
was kneeling in the act of conducting family worship, he
was shot through a window of the room, and died in the
course of an hour. After a careful measurement of tracks
made in the snow by the shoes of the guilty person, a man
named Lewis McWane was arrested for the crime, examined
by the Amherst County Court, and sent on for trial in the
District Court of Charlottesville. In due time he was convicted
and executed at that place. On the scaffold he denied
having performed the deed. He avowed that he had been
employed by Pollard to commit the murder, and had
approached the window of the house for that purpose, but
when he saw the old man kneeling in prayer, his heart failed
him, and he returned to Pollard a short distance off, and declared
he could not perpetrate the act; that Pollard, after forcing
him to exchange shoes, went to the window and shot his
father-in-law with his own hand; and that his motive in desiring
his death was to prevent him from making a will, having
in some way formed the impression that he was to be excluded
from all interest and control in the estate. On the ground
of this statement Pollard was arrested and tried, but in the
absence of all other testimony was acquitted; yet the belief
was widely prevalent that McWane's declaration was true.
Pollard lived to a great age, but never by word or act in the
slightest degree betrayed his guilt. His purpose, if he had
formed it, was in vain. Dr. Hopkins had already made his
will. He provided for the gradual emancipation of his slaves,
and devised his estate to his daughter, and his grandson, Dr.
Arthur Pollard, requiring the name of the latter to be changed
to Hopkins, which was duly effected by the County Court of
Amherst.

About this time Dr. John T. Gilmer was placed under
bonds for an alleged offence in inoculating for smallpox.
Legislation on this subject had been enacted in Virginia.
Rules had been prescribed for its regulation, and the superintendence
of it committed to the County Courts. The milder
and safer mode of preventing the disease by vaccination had
not yet been fully developed. The interest of Dr. Gilmer in

the matter was so great, that he had established a hospital
for the special treatment of those who sought exemption from
the dreaded malady. The immediate cause of his being
summoned before the Court was the occurrence of a fatal
case, after the operation had been performed. A panic
ensued, and complaint was made against the philanthropic
leech. The sympathies of the Court, as well as of all
enlightened men, must have been exerted in his favor; for
he was required to give bond only for three months "for his
good behavior, especially in not alarming the neighborhood
in which his hospital is established, unless he first obtain the
consent of the citizens." The doctor's residence—and presumptively,
his hospital—was at Edgemont, on the Barboursville
Road.

An interesting point of law came before the Court in the
early part of the century. Mrs. Elizabeth Henderson, widow
of Bennett Henderson, on whose land the town of Milton was
laid out, sued out a writ of dower against those who had
purchased lots within its limits. The decision was that the
widow was barred by the Act of Assembly authorizing the
establishment of the town, vesting its lands in trustees, and
giving them power to sell. The case was appealed to the
District Court. What its decision was, cannot be known, as
its records have disappeared; but it can hardly be supposed
the lower court was not sustained. Mrs. Henderson's counsel
was George Poindexter, who was a Louisa man, settled
for a time in Milton, removed to Mississippi while it was a
Territory, became successively Judge, Aide to Jackson at the
battle of New Orleans, Representative in Congress, Governor,
United States Senator, and died in 1853.

President Monroe was one of the magistrates of the county,
as Mr. Jefferson also was. When Jefferson was appointed
cannot be definitely known, as no record of the event exists.
From his prominence, even while a student of law, it may
be conjectured he received the appointment shortly after his
attaining his majority, in 1764 or 1765. It does not appear
that he ever sat upon the bench. The only official act he
ever performed as Justice of the Peace apparent in the records,

was taking the acknowledgment of Mrs. Elizabeth Eppes in
1777 to a deed of her husband and herself, conveying three
thousand acres of land on Green Mountain to John Coles;
this acknowledgment, and the memorial of respect entered
in the minutes of the court at his death, are the only indications
the records show, that he ever was a magistrate. The
truth is, that until his Presidential term expired, he was
comparatively speaking rarely at home. The same thing is
largely true of Mr. Monroe. He was frequently absent on
public business. But when at home he often attended court.
The latter half of 1799, just before he became Governor of
the State, he sat upon the bench regularly every month.

A feeling of regret may naturally be indulged, that the old
County Court system has passed away. It was a peculiar
feature in the history of Virginia from a very early period,
and in many respects a most valuable institution. It is hard
to conceive how justice could be administered in a less burdensome
form. In large measure the rights of the people
were secured, and their convenience promoted, absolutely free
of expense. It possessed a high degree of dignity, and was
regarded by the community with sentiments of veneration
and respect. Its members for the most part occupied the
most reputable standing in society. They generally fulfilled
the requirement of the law, that they should be "able, honest
and discreet." Their wealth placed them above temptations
to corruption and rapacity, their integrity inspired general
confidence, while their honorable character and gentleman-like
bearing presented an example worthy of imitation, and
were not without effect in imparting a chivalrous tone, and
disseminating habits of politeness, among the public at large.
And it may be affirmed with truth, that their cheap administration
did not produce cheap results. Their work was usually
well done. They spared no pains in promoting the
peace of their neighborhoods. If business was sometimes
delayed by the pressure of private claims, perhaps on the
whole it amounted to no more than the interruptions necessarily
incident to all human affairs. Their official duties were
often performed with no little trouble. Men of the highest

position would ride for miles across mountain ranges, and
over almost impassable roads, to receive the acknowledgment
of a poor neighbor's wife, whose infirmity or want of
means prevented her from travelling to the county seat. Nor
was there a failure in respect to their judicial decrees.
Guided by their own intelligence and sound sense, and the
aid of the Commonwealth's attorney, they attained substantial
righteousness in their conclusions. Their decisions were
not often reversed; and it happened more than once that they
were sustained by the Court of Appeals against the counter-adjudications
of such eminent jurists as Archibald Stuart
and Lucas P. Thompson.

For some years after the Revolution, all persons charged
with felony, were sent to Richmond for trial before the General
Court. To remedy this arrangement which was both inconvenient
and expensive, a law was passed in 1788, forming
judicial districts throughout the State, and appointing a court
for each district. Three judges were to preside in each court,
two of them to form a quorum. One of these districts comprised
the counties of Louisa, Fluvanna, Albemarle and
Amherst, and its court was called the District Court of Charlottesville.
Who were its judges is not known, it records
being lost. John Carr, son of Major Thomas Carr, was its
Clerk. This Court was abolished in 1809, and the Circuit
Superior Court of Law for the county was organized, with
Archibald Stuart, of Staunton, as Judge, and John Carr as
Clerk. Mr. Carr resigned in 1818, and Alexander Garrett
was appointed in his stead. During this time the Court of
Chancery having jurisdiction of such cases arising in this
county, was held in Staunton. In 1830 the Circuit Superior
Court was invested with the jurisdiction of all cases, both of
Law and Chancery, and this scheme continues to the present
day. In that year Judge Stuart was appointed to the bench
of the Court of Appeals, and was succeeded by Lucas P.
Thompson, of Amherst. Judge Thompson continued in
office until 1852, when he was promoted to the Court of Appeals,
and was succeeded by Richard H. Field, of Culpeper.
Judge Field sat for the last time in October 1864, and soon

after died. When the confusion consequent upon the war
somewhat subsided, Egbert R. Watson was made Judge of the
Circuit Court in 1866 by the United States military authorities.
He was superseded in the beginning of 1869 by the appointment
of Henry Shackelford, of Culpeper, who held the office
until his death in 1880, when Daniel A. Grimsley, of Culpeper,
was chosen. In 1882 he gave place to George P.
Hughes, of Goochland, until 1886, when he was again elected,
and continues to occupy the position at the present time.

Before the Constitution of 1850 the Circuit Judges had
the appointment of the Attorneys for the Commonwealth
practising in their courts. When Judge Stuart took his seat
on the Albemarle bench in 1809, he selected Dabney Carr to
represent the State. Upon Mr. Carr's resignation in 1811,
he appointed John Howe Peyton, of Staunton, who held
the office until 1839 when he resigned. Thereupon Judge
Thompson appointed Thomas J. Michie, of Staunton, whose
incumbency was terminated by the provisions of the new
Constitution. Under those provisions the office became
elective, and the person who filled it practised in all the
courts alike.

Nothing is known concerning the first building occupied as
a courthouse, except that it was erected by Samuel Scott on
the land of his brother Daniel, near Scottsville. It afforded
accommodation to those transacting the public business for
seventeen years, when the removal to Charlottesville took
place. Nor does any record remain, giving an account of the
building of the first courthouse at the new county seat. The
edifice erected however answered the purpose of a hall of
justice for a little more than forty years. It must have had
some pretension to architectural display in the shape of an
ornamental cover to its entrance, as we learn that in 1800
Richard Thurmond was bound over for "a fray in the portico
of the courthouse." This courthouse, and the early jails,
were evidently of slight and temporary construction; with
the course of years they required almost continual repairs.
The first jail appears to have been built by William Terrell,
and the second by Henry Gambell about the close of the

Revolutionary War. Trouble was encountered in settling
with the latter contractor, on account of the imperfect manner
in which his work was done. In 1785 a stone prison was
built, sixteen feet by sixteen, and two stories in height, and
lasted till 1798. A new jail was then erected, the cost of
which was a thousand pounds, or three thousand, three hundred
and thirty-three dollars. Thomas Whitlow was the
builder. This structure continued in use, with repairs from
time to time—particularly in 1846, when three thousand
dollars were expended in its improvement—until the present
jail was built in 1876.

The court square was first enclosed in 1792. Thomas Bell,
James Kerr and Thomas Garth were directed to have a railing
put up at a distance of not more than forty-five feet from
the courthouse. A large space was consequently left as
open ground. The subject of selling a part of this unoccupied
space was seriously agitated. In 1801 the justices of
the county were specially convened to deliberate in regard to
the matter; fortunately, after due consideration they came
to the conclusion, that it was inexpedient that any part of
the public grounds should be sold.

In 1803 it was determined that a new courthouse was necessary.
George Divers, William D. Meriwether and Isaac
Miller were appointed to draw a plan for the edifice, and
Messrs. Divers, Miller, Thomas Garth, William Wardlaw
and Thomas C. Fletcher were directed to solicit bids for its
erection, the cost not to exceed five thousand dollars. The
building committee was also directed, when the new house
was finished, to remove the old one, together with the rubbish
incident to the work. From this circumstance it is
inferred, that the old building was located not far from the
site of the present Clerk's Office. The house then erected is
substantially the one which now exists. Iron bars were
placed in the office windows in 1807. The cupola was repaired
in 1815. After a consultation to devise some means
of protecting the public buildings from fire, the Court ordered
lightning rods to be put up on the courthouse; this was done

in 1818. These safeguards then went by the name of Franklins.
James Leitch furnished the iron necessary for fifty
dollars, and Jacob Wimer did the work for seventy-five. The
building was covered with tin in 1825. In 1849 an inquiry
was made as to the propriety of embellishing the front with
a porch and pillars, but was attended with no result until ten
years after. At that time a contract was entered into with
George W. Spooner to construct a front addition designed by
William A. Pratt, a former Proctor of the University, he giving
bond for the faithful performance of the work in the sum of
nine thousand four hundred dollars. This addition was
flanked with towers and crowned with gables. While this
work was in progress, the Court held its sessions in the old
Town Hall. After the war the gables and towers were removed,
and the pediment with its supporting pillars, as they
appear at present, was erected by Mr. Spooner. These
improvements were deemed sufficient until the recent alterations
in 1897.

At the organization of the county, the pillory, stocks and
whipping post were regarded as necessary accompaniments
of the courthouse, and court proceedings. In 1807 order
was given to repair these important means of correction. In
process of time they seem to have disappeared by natural
decay. In 1820 they were all directed to be restored in the
public square. Subsequent to that period the first two receive
no further mention, but James Lobban and Andrew
Brown were appointed to select a place for the whipping post
as late as 1857.

In 1811 a brick and stone wall was ordered to be erected
on the Square forty-five feet from the courthouse. John Jordan
contracted to perform the work. In 1816 the trustees of
the town were allowed to sink a well on the Square, exterior
to the wall. In 1824 V. W. Southall obtained permission
to build an office on the southeast corner of the Square, and
F. B. Dyer one on the southwest corner. At the same time an
office was directed to be built on the northeast corner for the
use of the County Clerk's assistant, and William H. Meriwether
was allowed to build one adjoining it on the west;

but a month or two after the entire order was rescinded. The
next year a commission, consisting of Joseph Coffman, John
M. Perry, John Winn, Alexander Garrett, Micajah Woods
and Opie Norris, was directed to have two offices erected
on the northeast corner of the Square for the Commonwealth's
Attorney and the Sheriff, the brick wall taken down, the
front yard paved with the materials, and a light railing
placed around the Square. These two offices were occupied
in 1830 by V. W. Southall and T. W. Gilmer at a rent of
fifty dollars. In 1841 permission was again given for the
erection of offices on the front corners of the Square; but it
was evidently withdrawn, though no notice of the countermanding
order appears. The same year the Charlottesville
Lyceum had leave to hold their meetings in the courthouse.
Authority was given in 1855 to Messrs. Strange and Jones,
to ring the courthouse bell for the uses of their school, but
it was soon after recalled.

In 1847 in answer perhaps to some ebullition of public
spirit, James W. Saunders, John R. Jones and William A.
Bibb were directed to enclose and improve the public square,
provided the expense of the work was borne by private subscription.
What was effected in pursuance of this movement
is not known. Two years later Allen B. Magruder and W.
T. Early asked leave to build offices on the Square, and the
petition was so far taken into consideration that Malcolm F.
Crawford and Thomas Wood were appointed to examine and
report on the subject. In 1855 the town was granted liberty
to erect an engine house on the west side of the Square, in a
line with which Drury Wood and W. T. Early were allowed
to build offices on the east side. The next year an order
was passed, directing the enclosing and paving of the Square
according to a plan submitted by William S. Dabney; and
it was no doubt in agreement with the provisions of this
plan, that shortly after the stone wall and iron railing now
existing were ordered to be erected, not to exceed the cost of
fifteen hundred dollars.

Not long after the beginning of the century an effort was
made to secure the transportation of the produce of the

county by water. The need of a cheaper and more expeditious
mode of reaching a market had long been felt. Farmers
had been obliged to move their crops, first to Fredericksburg,
and then to Richmond, by wagons; and the goods of merchants
had been conveyed to their stores by the same slow
and expensive process. The course of James River was then
unobstructed, and the question arose whether the Rivanna
might not be rendered useful for the purposes of commerce.
The scheme was attempted of turning to account these water
courses, which nature had placed at the door to be outlets of
such admirable convenience. The Rivanna Navigation Company
was formed, and a charter procured. In 1810 George
Divers, Williams D. Meriwether, Nimrod Bramham, John
Kelly and Dabney Minor were its Directors, and Peter Minor
its Treasurer. The original methods of procedure were
simple enough. They aimed to keep the channel of the
river clear of snags and hammocks, and to provide flat-bottomed
boats called batteaux, for the carriage of freight.
Advantage was taken of freshets to load the boats, and run
them down, while the stream was at high water mark. As
at such times the water rushed with the speed of a torrent,
the navigation was often dangerous; but the management of
the boats became a special business, and the men employed
acquired an intelligence and skill which were seldom baffled
by accidents. A family named Craddock bore for many
years a high reputation as adroit and successful watermen.

In 1827 books were opened for an enlarged subscription of
stock, and eleven hundred and fifteen shares were taken at
fifty dollars a share. A list of the subscribers remains on
record in Deed Book Twenty-Seven. This money was raised
to improve still further the channel of the river. The
improvement consisted in the erection of dams at shoal places,
to increase the depth of water, and thus secure slack water
navigation, locks being provided to raise or lower the boats
at the different levels. Some of the locks were handsomely
faced with hewn stone, and built in a substantial manner.
Besides the dams located in Fluvanna, there was one erected
at Milton, three at Shadwell, one at the Woolen Mills, one

at the Three Islands, two at the Broad Mossing Ford, and
two at Rio Mills. It was no doubt in preparation for this
effort, that commissioners were appointed by the County
Court in 1825 to consider the practicability of clearing out
the south fork from the mouth of Ivy Creek to the "Little
River." The court also in 1841 directed an examination of
the improvements on the south fork with the view of allowing
additional tolls. Some still living remember boats bound for
the James River Canal at Columbia, which carried from
eighty to a hundred barrels of flour, and from forty to fifty
hogsheads of tobacco. The value of this work was entirely
destroyed by the advent of the railroads; yet it seemed hard
to abandon an enterprise, on which so much had been
expended, and from which such great benefits had been
derived. Since the war another attempt was made to renew
its usefulness. Two dams were constructed, one above Milton,
and the other above Shadwell; but both being damaged by
sweeping floods, the whole matter has been finally dropped.

The early settlers of Albemarle amidst all the distracting
labors of founding new homes, set no small value on the
advantages of education. Both those who pushed their way
up from the tidewater section, and the Scotch Irish element
who came over from the Valley, made it their care to build
the schoolhouse. Soon after the formation of the county,
Rev. James Maury, Rector of Fredericksville parish, opened
a classical school on the borders of Albemarle and Louisa,
which he superintended for many years with eminent success.
In this nursery of learning Mr. Jefferson received in part his
mental training. At the same period Rev. Samuel Black,
whose home was on Mechum's River below the Miller School,
was also engaged in teaching. Rev. Matthew Maury, son of
James, succeeded his father in the school as well as in the
parish. In fact, it was generally the case that ministers of
the gospel, whose salaries were small, joined the work of
instruction to their regular professional duties. In the early
deeds, it is not uncommon to find in the description of places
sold, the incidental mention of the schoolhouse, or the schoolhouse
spring. It was also customary in setting forth the

parties to deeds, to state their residence and occupation, a
matter of no slight importance in a historical point of view.
We learn in this way that about 1760 a James Forbes, who
bought land on the head of Ivy Creek, was a schoolmaster,
and that William Coursey, Jr., who lived in the northern part
of the county, pursued the same vocation. David Rodes,
who resided on Moorman's River, mentions in some notes
still remaining, patronizing from 1766 to 1768, the schools of
Charles Lambert, William Coleman and William Harris.

In consequence of Mr. Jefferson's repeated suggestions,
seconded by the active efforts of Joseph Cabell in the Legislature,
a State law was passed in 1818 in which it was provided,
that Commissioners should be appointed in every
county, not less than five, nor more than fifteen in number,
who should give attention to the children of families unable
to bear the expense of their education. These appointments
were made in Albemarle every three years for a considerable
time. Those who constituted the first commission were
Martin Dawson, James Clark, Francis Carr, John Goss,
Thomas Wood, James Jarman, John A. Michie, Isaac A.
Coles, William Harris, Allen Dawson, William Woods,
Samuel L. Hart, Charles Yancey, Christopher Hudson, and
Henry T. Harris.

In the early part of the century John Robertson, a native
of Scotland, and father of Judge W. J. Robertson, taught a
classical school on the east side of the South West Mountain.
His library, a catalogue of which is recorded in Will Book
No Seven, contained a more complete set of the Greek and
Latin authors than perhaps could be found in any other
private collection in the State. The first numbers of the
Central Gazette supply some information in regard to the
educational facilities of the county during the decade of 1820.
In that year was commenced the Charlottesville Female
Seminary, the site of which was what is now the Leterman
lot, corner of High and Third Streets. Its first Principal
was a Mrs. George. It was subsequently presided over by
Mr. and Mrs. Littleford, of Baltimore, Mrs. G. K. Taylor,
and Mrs. Egan. Mr. Gerard E. Stuck, who was accredited

by most flattering testimonials, taught the Charlottesville
Academy, designed for boys. Allen Dawson had a school,
first at his farm on the Scottsville Road, then at his house
on Main Street, west of Third, and still later at a schoolhouse
that once stood on J. W. Marshall's lot on Park
Street. In this house Thomas Woodson taught some years
later. The small brick near the east end of Main Street,
now occupied by William Durrett, accommodated successively
the schools of George Carr, Thomas W. Maury
and Rev. Mr. Hatch. Mr. Carr afterwards taught in connection
with Christopher Hornsey, and Mr. Maury removed
his school to his residence west of the University, now owned
by Samuel Emerson. Mrs. Charles Spencer gave instruction
to small children on the south side of Main Street at the
foot of Vinegar Hill, and to the same class of pupils Mrs.
Ebenezer Watts devoted her labors at a subsequent period.
Mrs. Rebecca Estes had a school for young ladies in the
large brick on the top of Vinegar Hill. About 1829 Mrs.
Blaetterman opened an academy for young ladies in the large
brick, south of where the Lynchburg Road passes under the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. S. Overton Minor taught
at the Farm, and later in the basement of the old Baptist
Church. In the old brick next east of the Opera House on
West Main Street, a classical school was conducted by Bartholomew
Egan and Victor Ferrow. William A. Bowen
taught near Ivy Depot, holding his examinations in Mountain
Plains Church, and afterwards near Batesville, making
a similar use of Mount Ed Church. Thornton Rogers had a
classical academy at his place at Keswick. Joseph Mills
gave instruction near Earlysville, and William J. Wilkerson
two miles west of Michie's old Tavern. Mason Frizzell,
a graduate of Williams College, had charge of a school
on Chestnut Ridge, and John Duggins of one near H.
Martin's, presumably south of Covesville. T. L. Terrell
was a teacher at James H. Terrell's on the east side
of the South West Mountain. Samuel Harrison taught
at Piney Grove. A school in Brown's Cove was instructed
by William Brander, and a Female Seminary in the
same place by Miss Sarah P. Catlett. When Jonathan
B. Carr retired from the practice of the law, he opened
a school at his place, the Retreat, north of Dunlora. Rev.
Ovid A. Kinsolving received part of his early education at
Plain Dealing, the residence of Samuel Dyer.

During the next decade was built the house where Dr.
William S. White taught for some years, now the Presbyterian
Manse, and shortly after the brick at the corner of Maple
and Seventh Streets was erected as a Female Seminary.
Midway, first opened as a hotel under Louis A. Xaupi,
became the seat of a flourishing academy taught by Duke
and Powers—Alexander Duke and Pike Powers—and afterwards
by Duke and Slaughter—Alexander Duke and Charles
Slaughter.

These were some of the places of instruction which existed
at that time, and which for the most part might be styled
high schools. In them were imparted the elements of a classical
education. They were the forerunners of those admirable
preparatory seats of learning which arose in the next generation,
and still exist in living memory, those of Franklin
Minor at Ridgeway, of Charles Minor at Brookhill, of Professor
Gessner Harrison at Cocke's Tavern, of William Dinwiddie
at Greenwood, of Col. J. B. Strange on the Ridge
at Charlottesville, and of Brown and Tebbs at Bloomfield;
and at a later period, those of Major Horace Jones in Charlottesville,
of the Wood Brothers at Cocke's Tavern, and of
John R. Sampson at Pantops.

A project was conceived of establishing at or near Charlottesville
a large academy, to be organized and managed on
the plan of the German Gymnasium. Its great design was
to insure a more exact and thorough drill in the rudiments
of learning, and thus afford a more adequate preparation for
entrance into the University. In prosecution of this idea, a
long prospectus was published in 1829, signed by a large
number of the most eminent men in all sections of the State,
but nothing tangible ever resulted. Things still seem to be
shaping themselves more and more in agreement with the
wonderful foresight of Mr. Jefferson, forming that gradation

which constituted the ideal of his mind, each step rising
higher from the common school to the University, at which
all the last and most finished results of every branch of
learning could be obtained.

Jefferson well deserves the title of Father of the University
of Virginia. The whole establishment was the outgrowth
of his views upon education. These views occupied his
mind while acting as one of the Revisors of the Laws of
Virginia in 1776, were constantly revolved in his thoughts,
and were from time to time expressed in legislative bills,
and correspondence with his friends, until they finally
assumed permanent form in the noble institution which is
the chief ornament of Albemarle, and one of the chief ornaments
of the State. His fundamental maxim was, that the
stability and happiness of the republic depended on the general
diffusion of knowledge through the mass of the people;
hence the attainment of this object was perhaps more the
dictate of his patriotism, than of his literary tastes. The
instrumentality to be employed comprehended common
schools, grammar schools or academies, and a university as
the head of the system. An act containing these general
ideas was prepared and presented to the General Assembly
in 1779, but amidst the turmoil of the Revolution attracted
but little attention. The same views were expressed in his
Notes on Virginia, in which he proposed that William and
Mary should be enlarged, and made to occupy the place of a
university. In 1796 the Legislature passed an act which
approached as near the attainment of free schools in Virginia,
as was ever realized until after the war.

This act provided that a majority of the acting justices of
each county should determine whether they should be established;
that in case they came to this conclusion, they should
elect three officers called aldermen, who should divide their
county into hundreds, in imitation of the political divisions
of old English times; and that the people of each hundred
should tax themselves for the erection of a school house
in the most convenient place, and for the support of a
teacher. According to Mr. Jefferson, the common schools

were to be wholly supported by local taxation, the academy
was to be assisted by the State, and the University
was to receive a larger measure of State assistance, in conjunction
with the benevolent contributions of the friends
of education. But his conceptions were far in advance of
his age. The magistrates were as little inclined as the people,
to levy a special tax for general education. Although
before the system was introduced by the present constitution,
the counties and cities of the state were allowed
by special enactment to adopt free schools for themselves, it
is doubted whether a single county availed itself of the privilege,
and whether more than one or two cities were liberal
minded enough to enter upon the work. A meeting of the
magistrates of Albemarle was called to consider the subject
in 1797, the year after the act referred to was passed, at
which were present Francis Walker, Samuel Murrell, Rice
Garland, Wilson C. Nicholas, George Divers, Bernard Brown,
Thomas C. Fletcher and Thomas Bell. The decision at
which they arrived was, "that no election of aldermen shall
be held this year"—nor was any ever held thereafter. Under
the law of 1818 which required not less than five nor more
than fifteen Commissioners to be appointed in every county,
the full number was appointed in this county. They disposed
of the quota of the State Literary Fund apportioned
to the county, and provided for free education as far as this
means would allow. Children thus aided were admitted to
the schools upon certificate from one of the magistrates. In
1849 a memorable debate on the question took place before
the people of the county, and an election was held. Dr.
William H. McGuffey, of the University, took the stump in
behalf of free schools, and General William F. Gordon and
Col. T. J. Randolph against them. By the popular vote
it was decided, that the time for public schools had not yet
come.

As early as 1783, just after the Revolutionary War, a movement
was begun to establish a grammar school in Albemarle.
This appears from a letter of Mr. Jefferson, written the last
day of that year. In it he narrates the efforts he had made

to secure a teacher, some literary character of the Irish nation,
or some person from Scotland—"from that country we are
sure of having sober, attentive men." A charter was obtained
for the Albemarle Academy in 1803; but though
trustees were elected, nothing further was accomplished.
Mr. Jefferson was President of the United States, and had
the affairs of the country on his hands; the mainspring was
therefore wanting. In 1814 he was appointed a trustee.
Agitation at once commenced, plans were devised, a site
was pitched upon, the town of Charlottesville was selected.
But the project was soon enlarged. Albemarle Academy
grew into Central College. The Legislature made this change
of name in 1816, and provided for the appointment by the
Governor of six visitors, who should choose professors, and
superintend the affairs of the new institution. The visitors
were Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe,
Joseph C. Cabell, David Watson and John H. Cocke. The
next year land was bought from John M. Perry, the present
site of the University, and on October 6th, 1817, the corner
stone of Central College was laid.

The design had received a start, and like the letting out
of waters could not be stopped. Matters ripened fast. In
February 1818, the Legislature enacted that the Governor
should appoint Commissioners, one from each Senatorial
district of the State, who should meet in the month of August
in that year at a tavern in Rockfish Gap on the Blue Ridge,
and settle the site for a university, a plan for its construction,
the sciences to be taught, the number of professors, and a
legislative bill for organizing and managing the institution.
That body was appointed, and consisted of the following
gentlemen: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Spencer
Roane, Creed Taylor, Peter Randolph, William Brockenbrough,
Archibald Rutherford, Henry E. Watkins, Armistead
T. Mason, Hugh Holmes, John G. Jackson, William H.
Cabell, Nathaniel H. Claiborne, William A. E. Dade, William
Jones, James Breckinridge, Philip C. Pendleton, Archibald
Stuart, Thomas Wilson, M. C. Taylor, Philip Slaughter,
John Johnson, R. B. Taylor, and — Faulkner. All

except the last three met at the tavern designated, which was
the predecessor of the present Mountain Top, and was kept
at the time by two brothers named Leake, kinsmen of the
late Hon. Shelton F. Leake. Their hall of assembly was a
low, whitewashed room, furnished with a deal dining table
and split-bottomed chairs. The Commissioners were men
of distinction, yet with them as with others local predilections
had their weight. Jefferson, who was chosen president,
strongly endeavored to secure Central College as the site.
Two other places were proposed, Staunton and Lexington.
After mature consideration the vote was taken, and stood
sixteen for Central College, three for Lexington, and two for
Staunton. The work was virtually accomplished. On January
25th, 1819, Central College was by the Legislature
transmuted into the University of Virginia.

The erection of buildings which had been begun by the
authorities of Central College, was already in a good degree
of forwardness. The plan of the whole group, as well as the
styles of the particular edifices, had been designed by Mr.
Jefferson himself. All the residences, or pavilions, as they
were called, and all the dormitories, on the West Lawn were
put up, and the interior wood work and plastering were in
progress. This was true also in regard to the first and second
pavilions, that is, the two most northerly, and ten dormitories,
on East Lawn. No contracts had yet been let for the
remaining buildings, the three southern pavilions and the other
dormitories on East Lawn, and the hotels and dormitories on
the East and West Ranges. Nor was any mention yet made
of the erection of the Rotunda. The first pavilion designed
in the Doric order, with the four adjoining dormitories,
on West Lawn was built, the brick work by Carter and
Phillips, and the wood work by James Oldham. Matthew
Brown did the brick work, and James Dinsmore the wood
work, of the second pavilion in the Corinthian order. The
third pavilion in the Ionic order, with the seven nearest dormitories,
was erected, the brick work by John M. Perry, and
the wood work by Perry and Dinsmore. The fourth pavilion
in the Doric order, with fifteen dormitories adjacent, was

built, the brick work by Matthew Brown, David Knight and
Hugh Chisholm, and the wood work by John M. Perry. The
fifth pavilion and one dormitory were built, the brick
work by Carter and Phillips, and the wood work by George
W. Spooner and John Neilson. The entire work of pavilions
one and two, with the ten adjoining dormitories, on East
Lawn, was contracted for by Richard Ware.

According to Mr. Jefferson's report in 1821, the cost of the
ten pavilions was estimated at eighty-six thousand dollars,
of the one hundred and nine dormitories at sixty-five thousand,
and of the six hotels at twenty-four thousand. The
entire sum for land, buildings and labor was placed at two
hundred and seven thousand. The construction of the
Rotunda proved to be an expensive undertaking. An estimate
published in Niles's Register in 1826, set down the cost
of the complete establishment at about four hundred thousand
dollars.

The scholastic duties of the University began at length on
March 7th, 1825. The number of students present at the
opening was forty; the whole number matriculated during
the session up to the last of September, was one hundred
and sixteen. The Central Gazette issued on the seventh of
March noticed the opening, and stated "that many were said
to have been prevented from being present by heavy rains
and bad roads."

In the early days of the University there was a greater
tendency to disorder among the students than has since been
apparent. In 1836 wild and boisterous spirits prevailed to
such an extent that the firm hand of Benjamin Ficklin was
required to repress their effervescence, and in 1840 the deplorable
death of Prof. John A. G. Davis occurred by the
rash violence of a student. But the height of these excesses
produced a reaction, and led to a more quiet and rational
line of conduct. It may be safely affirmed, that in the history
of the institution as a whole, there have been as little turbulence
and destructive riot as in any assemblage of like kind
in the country. In truth, notwithstanding reports to the
contrary, the most healthful moral influences have been in

operation from the beginning. In 1828 the faculty by their
formal action invited Rev. F. W. Hatch and Rev. F. Bowman,
the only resident ministers in the town, to preach
alternately every Sunday at the University. In 1830 a Temperance
Society, holding regular sessions, was formed among
the students. Its first officers were J. W. C. Watson, President,
Thomas H. Hamner, first Vice President, Socrates
Maupin, second Vice President, and Samuel Scott, Secretary,
and a hall was erected for its special use in 1856. About
1830 a chaplain was chosen by the faculty to officiate regularly
in the institution, and for more than sixty years this
office was statedly filled, and supported by the voluntary
contributions of the professors and students; and in 1854 a
comfortable house was built on the University grounds as
the chaplain's residence. During the period when the scenes
of greatest disorder occurred, a weekly prayer meeting was
maintained among the students by the energetic zeal of such
men as Dr. Frank Sampson and Rev. Dennis Dudley, then
prosecuting their academic studies; and later a Young Men's
Christian Association was formed within its walls, which
was the first organized body of the kind in the country.

In those early days the students of the University wore a
uniform. It consisted of a suit of grayish cloth, called Oxford
Mixed, specially imported from year to year by John
Cochran, the coat braided on the collar, and the pantaloons
striped at the sides. This badge of distinction gave rise to
an extensive industry in Charlottesville. From a hundred
to a hundred and twenty journeyman tailors were engaged
in its manufacture, and the firm of Marshall & Bailey,
Shoemakers, employed from thirty five to forty hands in
their business.

The Public Hall annexed to the Rotunda, and destroyed
by the fire of 1895, was commenced in 1851, and in 1859 Dawson's
Row was erected. These buildings were constructed
with the proceeds of a farm devised by the will of Martin
Dawson, a citizen of the county, who died in 1835. By the
sale of this farm, the sum of fourteen thousand dollars was
realized. The Chemical Laboratory was erected in 1870,

the Brooks Museum in 1875, and the buildings of the McCormick
Observatory in 1881. In 1859 a parcel of land belonging
to Mrs. Sophia Johnson, containing several springs,
and lying in a ravine north of Observatory Mountain,
together with the right of way for pipes, was condemned for
the use of the University. A reservoir was formed in the
ravine to furnish the institution with a supply of water.