University of Virginia Library

Work Resumes

Two days later Jefferson called on his partner on the committee of superintendence "to join
me in setting the thing agoing," but Cocke could not leave his plantation, so Jefferson
proceeded, "according to the best of my judgment, with the aid of mr Brokenbrough, and
with all the caution the case admits."[558] In fact the proctor soon contracted with Abiah B.
Thorn and Nathaniel Chamberlain for the brickwork of the library (see appendix K). The
proctor agreed to "furnish the bricks, lime, Sand and scaffolding at the expence of the
University of Va all of which is to be delivered at convenient distances from the building,"
and Thorn & Chamberlain agreed "not to put in the wall any samel bricks, nor to use more
than one bat to five whole bricks, the bricks to be layed in what is called flemish bond that is
header & Strecher alternately, the walls to be solidly grouted from bottom to Top and in
every course if deemed necessary by the Proctor with cement of a fourth lime and three
fourth good pure sand, for the out side work the mortar to be made of a third lime and two
thirds good sharp sand—The out side bricks to be of the best rubed stretchers and equal in
quality and regular colour to the fronts of the Pavilions No 2 and 4 the Walls in all cases are
to be run perfectly plum and true." Thorn further agreed to "superintend the making and
burning the bricks" at the rate of $50 per month.[559] Brockenbrough also contracted with
bricklayer William B. Phillips to lay "400,000 hard bricks to be taken from the Kiln."[560]

Shortly after Brockenbrough contracted for the Rotunda's brickwork, he met with John
Neilson and James Dinsmore, proving correct Neilson's assessment that Jefferson desired to
give him and Dinsmore a major portion of the work at the library. Dinsmore & Neilson
contracted with the proctor for the carpentry work of the Rotunda at "average" Philadelphia
prices, agreeing to make "All the Window frames & sashes, the two principal floors, the out
side doors including the outside finishing, the staircases, all the centers for the brick work,
the framing of the roof and sheeting, The portico framing and sheeting the Corinthian
entablature all round complete—the Base & Cornice of the Attic, the steping on the roof, the
wood bricks and bond timbers &c that may be required hereafter for the finishing of the
inside work . . . The materials for the above named work to be furnished at the expence of the
University."[561] Jefferson was pleased with Brockenbrough's efforts and notified the
Board of Visitors of the contracts with the workmen on 12 March, informing the board
members that the proctor had engaged the "only two bricklayers and two carpenters capable
of executing [the work] with solidity and correctness . . . Thorn & Chamberlain for the
brickwork, and Dinsmore & Nelson for the roof and carpenter's work on terms which I think
will make our money go the farthest possible, for good work; and his engagement is only for
the hull compleat. that done, we can pay for it, see the state of our funds and engage a
portion of the inside work so as to stop where our funds may fail, should they fail before it's
entire completion. there it may rest ever so long, be used, and not delay the opening of the
institution, the work will occupy three years. all this will be more fully explained at our
meeting and will I hope recieve your approbation."[562]