University of Virginia Library

Out-of-State Sources

The only out-of-state firm that seems to have furnished materials directly to the university in
1819 was P. A. Sabbaton of New York City, who previously had supplied Brockenbrough
with the "Gate Post's for the Governor's Square" in Richmond. Brockenbrough wrote
Sabbaton seeking information about sash weights for James Dinsmore, who later sent a
memorandum to the proctor containing his own prices for having them made.[324] Sabbaton
wrote back to Brockenbrough on 4 June to inform him that weights "Such as are made use
of in Virginia, (with a pully in them) they will cost You 4½ cents" per pound, or "if you use
Such as are made use of here, that is made round about from 1 to 2 inches diameter, having
a hole in One end, or a wire to receive the cord, they can be afforded for 4 cents" a pound.
He instructed the proctor to include the "weight & Size of each, & the length they ought be"
when ordering, and recommended "an Article generally made use off here to prevent the
Chimney from Smoking, and preserve the fire Place, they last almost as long as the House,
and look very neat, 2 Jambs and a back come at 12 Dollars, we can make them at any time,
to any Size."[325] On Christmas eve Sabbaton made out a bill for two hundred window
weights that he had placed on board a ship for Bernard Peyton on 15 November.[326] The
eight and nine pound sash weights, at the 4¼ cents per pound rate for 1,764 pounds, cost
$79.38 (plus $1 for "Carting On board"). Sabbaton also offered "franklins much handsomer
that those I Saw at Mr. Peyton—for 20$ each—& I beleive are somewhat larger—There is
also a Grate & false Back to be put in occasionally to burn Coal, or even wood, but that
makes them come 2$ higher."[327]

Another out-of-state firm, the Boston Glass Manufactory on Essex Street in Boston, did
provide glass for the university through their Richmond agent, Smith & Riddle, a firm that
collapsed in May 1819 about the time that the university placed a large order with it for
glass. Jefferson wrote Charles F. Kupfer of the manufactory in mid-June with a request for
him to expedite the order, informing Kupfer that the university buildings "will require
between 4. and 5,000. sq. feet of glass all 12. by 18. I. during the present and next year, and
still largely afterwards. not so much this year as the next, having already recieve a
considerable part for this year from Smith & Riddle. this renders a reappointment of agents
for your manufactory at Richmond interesting."[328] The failure of Smith & Riddle, it turned
out, did not prohibit Andrew Smith from continuing to act as an agent for the Boston Glass
Manufactory, and Jefferson had to write back to Kupfer ten days later in order to prevent a
"double supply" of the famed glass.[329]

Back in Charlottesville, James Leitch, without enclosing a proposal, wrote Brockenbrough
in mid-May to inform the proctor that at his store in town he had "on hand Locks, Nails,
Screws, Spriggs, Window pulleys—Sash Cord, Glass, Hinges, Tin, Lead, paints &c.
purchased at request for the Central College Sufficient to complete the Buildings at present
putting up—I presume nothing further will be wanting untill I shall have the pleasure of a
personal interview with you at this place when I am in hopes to have it in my power to make
Such proposals as will be Satisfactory." Moreover, Leitch reminded the proctor of the
impending arrival of 2 rolls of sheet lead and 20 boxes of tin at "John & Saml. Parkhills—&
Six Boxes 12 x 18 Glass at Smith & Riddles," materials that would then be forwarded to
Charlottesville for the construction site.[330] Leitch, in spite of his fears, continued as a
major supplier for the university and in the next eleven months alone he handled $3,267.24
worth of goods for the builders. The materials included glass, putty, sandpaper, sprigs,
screws, nails, locks, hinges, shovels and spades, a wire sifter, tin, lead, iron, steel, blasting
powder, saltpetre, candles, writing paper, wafers, quills, whiskey, salt, and some unknown
items purchased by the contractors.[331]