University of Virginia Library

Abiah B. Thorn & Nathaniel Chamberlain
Contract for Laying Brick for the Rotunda

We Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Virginia on the one part and Abiah
B Thorn and Nathaniel Chamberlain on the other part, do hereby enter into the following
articles of agreement--Witnesseth, that the said Brockenbrough as Proctor of the University
of Va, doth agree to let the said Thorn and Chamberlain have the laying of the bricks of the
Rotunda, the said Brockenbrough doth further agree 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--

The said Thorn and Chamberlain doth agree on their part to have the work done on the
following manner, viz they are 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, under the penalty of being taken down and put up
correctly by other persons at the expence of the said Thorn and Chamberlain if they object
to doing it themselves and the waist of materials by said alteration to be charged to
them--the carpenters to have the right to examine into the correctness of the work as it goes
on and to notify the Proctor if any thing be going on wrong in time for correction--but if any
alteration is deemed necessary in any part of the brick work executed agreeable to the
instructions of the carpenter or Proctor, then the said Thorn & Chamberlain is to be paid the
full value of such alteration agreeable the prices of the other work--the said Thorn &
Chamberlain is to put up all the necessary scaffolding for their work in a good & substancial
manner which is to remain for the use of the Carpenters--they are to find the labourers to
make up the mortar and attend the brick layers--for the brick-work executed faithfully and
agreeable to the foregoing Memoranda, the aforesaid A. S Brockenbrough Proctor will pay
unto the said Thorn & Chamberlain as the work progresses two dollars and seventy five
cents for every thousand bricks in the said building measured as heretofore at this place that
is with one half of the openings deducted from the solid contents--it is understood by the
contracting parties that none but experienced and compitent workmen are to be employed in
laying the bricks of this building--Witness our hands & seals this 8th day of March One
thousand eight hundred & twenty three--
A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor (seal)

of the University of Va--

A B Thorn (seal)

Nathl Chamberlain

A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Va and A. B Thorn do hereby agree to the
following articles Viz. The said Thorn is to superintend the making and burning the bricks
for the Rotunda from the commencment of the making to the end at the rate of fifty dollars
per month to see them properly Killed & burned and before hand give the necessary
instructions for the preparation of the yard witness our hands this 8th day of March--1823

A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor
A B Thorn

ADS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 3p, with ASB docket "Contract of A. S. Brockenbrough
Proctor wth Thorn & Chamberlain for Laying Brick of the Rotunda." Brockenbrough
apparently sent this contract to Jefferson for approval, and Jefferson returned it to him on 12
March.