University of Virginia Library

Appendix X
Chronology of Slaves' Involvement, 1817-1846

What follows is a brief chronology concerning the involvement of slaves at the
Central College and the University of Virginia during the period 1817-1846,
based on the documents presented in my research.

July 1817 — Jefferson lays off squares for Central College with "two servants"

November 1818 — "Carpenter Sam" begins tin work at the Central College, eventually
working on Pavilions V, and VII, and Hotels, A, D, and F, as well as some dormitories

December 1818 — Proctor Nelson Barksdale and Ludlow Branham signed security bond
for the hire of slaves to work at the Central College

March 1819 — Board of Visitor David Watson writes memorandum: "About the 1st inst: I
was at the site of the University of Virga. The hands (negros) were then engaged in leveling the ground"

August 1819 — Carpenter James Oldham offers to rent (or possibly purchase) from Proctor
Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough "two of your boyes at the Price you offer them"

August 1819 — George W. Spooner, Proctor Brockenbrough's assistant, directs "the
Overseear of the Labouers to proceed with foure hands to get the logs for the conveyance of
the water"

August 1819 — "hands" begin quarrying stone for the University

August 1819 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough enquires about renting "twoo
Sawyers" but they "are engaged"

May 1820 — Elijah, Luther M. George's boatman, begins hauling quarried stone from
Milton to the University

June 1820 — "Negro Sam" paid for "Coal for Smiths shop"

1820 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough Proctor signs agreement on behalf
of the University with with James Harrison for "the Said Harrison as an overlooker of the
laborers at the University of Va the next year The said Harrison is to execute or see executed
all the orders or instructions given by the Proctor relative to the work of the institution he is
not to absent himself unnecessarily from the negroes when at work"

January 1821 — John Nunn offers to rent "Negroes" to University for another year: "I have
had several offers for the Negroes but did not hire them out as I hourly expected to see him.
I send Nelson up to let you know that the Negroes may return to you provided you will give
the Sum of two hundred and fifty Dollars for them & clothe them as well as heretofore. the
Negroes are anxious to return, therefore I would give you the preference"

February 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough agrees with Charles L. Bankhead to hire "of
William Green a blacksmith"; Bankhead paid $109 the following December for Green's
efforts

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Richard Price of
Milton to hire for $60 "a Negro Jim Henderson for the present year"

February 1821 — Nelson Barksdale agrees with Clifton Carpenter to hire for $60 "a negroe
boy Tom which I promise to return well clothed for this present year"

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Joseph Brand to hire
for $35 a "boy called Fleming for the use of the University Va this present year"

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with "Twyman Wayt his
heirs, Executors, or assigns the just & full sum of Sixty dollars for the hire of a negro boy
called Phil for the Use of the University of Virginia"

April 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Rezin Wheat to hire for
$57.50 "a boy nam'd robert this present year for the Use of the University of Virginia"

June 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough agrees with "Nathaniel Terry Executor of David
Watts or Order the sum of Sixty seven dollars fifty cents for the hire of Negro Harry this
present year for the Use of the University of Va."

September 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough seeks to purchase a tinner for the University

December 1821 — Former farm overseer for Jefferson, Edmund Bacon, offers to rent
slaves to University

December 1822 — Sarah D. Jones signed receipt for pay for making clothes for slaves at
the University

Spring 1823 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough estimates number of
slaves needed to make bricks for upcoming building campaign

November 1823 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough considers cutting back
on the 15-member slave labor force hired by the university to make bricks

April 1825 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough seeks to rent slaves to make
bricks for the Rotunda from Board of Visitor and Committee of Superintendence member
John Hartwell Cocke of Bremo; two slaves dismissed because of their size; eventually the
15-member slave labor force made between 800,000 and 900,000 bricks that season, in
addition to the other labor performed

May 1825 — Board of Visitor and Committee of Superintendence member John Hartwell
Cocke offers and then declines to send his slave Charles to lay bricks at the University

July 1826 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke sends slave Jesse to deliver a message
to Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough concerning Jefferson's "faithful Servant" Burwell,
"said to be a good painter—I wish you to offer him any job in his line at the University, that
he would undertake

December 1826 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke's Bremo slave, Nelson,
apparently worked as a "stable servant" and gardener for professor Dunglison following his
removal from house service in the professor's pavilion because of "his inability to do his
duties," and General Cocke seems to have rented slaves to some of the other professors as
well

Spring 1827 — Elijah, Luther M. George's boatman, works 41 days straight "inclusive
easter Monday & 2 other lost days deducted"

December 1827 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke's slave Peyton made his mark on
a receipt written by Proctor Brockenbrough and witnessed by G. W. Wood, for a $25 draft
on the Bursar "for Stone cut for the Anatomical Hall"; Peyton had been one of Cocke's gang
of six slave stonemasons engaged in the building of a "large dwelling" in Charlottesville
during the previous winter

Summer 1832 — Lewis Commodore (known as "Anatomical Lewis") purchased by the
University for $500 to serve as bell ringer and janitor

June 1846 — Board of Visitors resolution: "Lewis Commodore the faithful and valuable
servant of this University, with the exception of Drunkeness, which had well nigh ruined
him, having seen his error, & for five months last past, maintained the steady and consistent
course of a reformed man"