A Guide to the W. W. LaPrade and Brothers Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970) W. W. LaPrade and Brothers Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970) Records 40031, 43183

A Guide to the W. W. LaPrade and Brothers Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970)

A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 40031, 43183


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Library of Virginia

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© 2008 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.

Processed by: Vince Brooks, Jolene Milot, and Renee Savits

Repository
The Library of Virginia
Accession Number
40031, 43183
Title
W. W. LaPrade and Brothers Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970)
Extent
cu. ft. (381+ boxes)
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

W. W. LaPrade and Brothers. Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970). Accessions 40031, 43183. Business records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond 23219.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Foster and Miller, Glen Allen, Virginia, August 2002 (Acc. 40031).

Gift of Foster and Miller, Glen Allen, Virginia, April 2007 (Acc. 43183).

Gift of Mrs. Newlon, Richmond, Virginia, April 2009 (Acc. 44221). Additional Thornton Mullins records.

Biographical Information

The LaPrade family were long time residents of Chesterfield County and served for many years as county surveyors. William LaPrade (1767-1817) was appointed Chesterfield County surveyor in 1801, serving until his death in 1817 when his son, David LaPrade (b. 1799) became surveyor. The job passed on to David's son, Joseph Edgar (1845-1903), and then to Joseph Edgar's sons, David Flournoy (1872-1955), Joseph E. (1876-1945), William Waverly (1878-1952) and Benjamin Watkins (1885-1965). Around 1912 the brothers Benjamin W., Joseph E., and William W. formed the partnership of W. W. LaPrade and Brothers.

David Flournoy LaPrade (1872-1955) was married to Grace Eva Moseley (b. 1877) and had five children: Grace Agnes (b. 1905), David Flournoy (b. 1907), Nettie Mildred, Edmond Moseley (b. 1911), and Ann Augusta. He served as the city engineer for Manchester and later Richmond, when the city was annexed in 1910, until his retirement in 1951.

Benjamin W. LaPrade attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1909 with a degree in electrical engineering. In March 1912 he joined his father's firm in partnership with his brothers, William Waverly and Joseph. He married Francis Elizabeth James (b. 1889) 30 August 1917 in Washington, D.C. From 1917 to 1919 he served as a captain with the Army Corps of Engineering in Panama, returning to LaPrade after the war. In 1955 C. R. Johnson and C.A. Watkins Jr. became partners in the company, along with Joseph LaPrade Jr. and a grand-nephew David.

William Waverly LaPrade attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1904. He continued to remain at VPI to teach math until 1907 when he started work the family surveying company of LaPrade. In 1920 he married Evelyn Byrd Warwick. After World War I, he served with the Quartermaster Corps, Virginia National Guard. In 1940 he was assigned to duty as state procurement officer and retired with the rank of general in 1946.

Scope and Content

Records, 1803-2001 (bulk 1900-1970) of W. W. LaPrade and Brothers, certified engineers and surveyors in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The company surveyed land mainly in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties and Richmond, Virginia, although many other Virginia counties are also included. The collection consists of computation books, field books and diaries, and plats and surveys prepared by LaPrade for various companies and land owners.

Series I-V: The bulk of the collection are the plats and property surveys (single, multi-lots, and subdivisions) and consist mostly of mid to late twentieth century material, although throughout the collection a small number of nineteenth century surveys can be found. The collection was housed in either filing cabinets (Vertical files Series I-IV) or map cases (Oversize surveys Series V) and was maintained in its original order. Because of the nature in which the records were kept the researcher must consult BOTH the Vertical files and the Oversize surveys series to find all LaPrade records for any specific location. There is much overlap between these two main series. The collection is not organized chronologically so researchers looking for a specific survey must look in all boxes relating to the specific County and District.

To access the Vertical files series, LaPrade Brothers maintained Index Keys for Chesterfield and Henrico Counties (by magisterial district) and Richmond, Virginia (by district imposed by LaPrade). Chesterfield County districts include Bermuda (map 8), Clover Hill (map 6), Dale (map 7), Manchester (map 10), Matoaca (map 5), and Midlothian (map 9). Henrico County districts include Brookland, Fairfield, Three Chopt, Tuckahoe, and Varina (maps 3 and 4). Richmond is categorized by districts imposed by LaPrade (maps 11 and 12). Researchers must know the County and District for the specific area they are researching. [The Index Keys (maps) can be viewed online at the Library of Virginia's website.] Once the researcher knows the County and District, they must consult the LaPrade Index Keys for that County and District. Each District has been further subdivided by a file numbering system created by the company (i.e. Henrico County, Varina District 2 or Richmond H-22). Researchers must find the specific street area on the Index Key to locate the file number. Once the file number has been obtained the researcher can consult the Vertical series (Boxes 1-43). The Other Counties and Cities Vertical files series do not have index keys and are arranged alphabetically county and then within by folder title.

Similarly the Oversize survey series (Boxes 67-175) is arranged by County and District although it is not further subdivided by Index Keys like the Vertical files series. Researchers only need to know the County and District (or Richmond) to view these records. Because many boxes may exist for a certain County and District, researchers might need to consult several boxes to find materials.

Due to redistricting many of the locations have changed districts, therefore researchers might have to look in several boxes to find all surveys pertaining to a district. Noted in the container listing is not only the current district name but also former ones. For example the container listing might note Chesterfield County, Dale district (also includes former Bermuda, Manchester, and Matoaca districts). The container listing may also include the folder title or a more detailed description of surveys located in the box. Due to the size of the collection an itemized listing of each plat was not possible, but an attempt was made to include some detailed information in the container listing. Index cards are available for some of the Chesterfield County Midlothian districts and also the Miscellaneous files (Misc. 10, 11, 11-2, 12). Some of the files were labeled for example, Clover Hill 8 or Dale Big 6. It is unknown what these mean.

Series VI- IX: Include the files of Ernest W. Brooks, Foster and Miller, Thornton L. Mullins, and Carl Watkins, surveyors who either worked for or their files were obtained by LaPrade. The bulk of the plats and surveys were for land in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties and Richmond. The largest series are the files of Ernest W. Brooks and consists of 7 boxes of plats and surveys of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico Counties and Richmond, Virginia. Also included are a small number of plats for land in Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, King and Queen, New Kent, Powhatan, and York Counties. The Oversize Series (Series V) also includes surveys of Ernest W. Brooks and W. S. Hinton (boxes 93-95). The files of Carl Watkins contain clippings, brochures, newsletters, and reports on a variety of subjects. These files do not contain any plats or surveys. All the records were maintained in their original order.

Series X-XII: Includes field books/diaries, computation books, and volumes. The field books and diaries contain the raw field data and sketches that were used to create the plats and surveys. The computation books contain the surveyors' mathematical calculations for jobs using data that they gathered in the field books. Also included are three plat books created by LaPrade.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into the following series:

Series I: Chesterfield County Vertical files Series II: Henrico County Vertical files Series III: Richmond Vertical files Series IV: Other Counties and Cities Vertical files Series V: Oversize Surveys Series VI: Ernest W. Brooks Vertical files Series VII: Foster and Miller Vertical files Series VIII: Thornton L. Mullins Vertical files Series IX: Carl Watkins Vertical files Series X: Field Books/Diaries Series XI: Computation Books Series XII: Volumes

Contents List

Series I: Chesterfield County Vertical files , 1844-2001 (bulk 1940-1970) .
Boxes 1-7
Extent: 7 boxes.

This series includes plats and surveys, correspondence and deeds, relating to Chesterfield County. The more recent files, ca. 1980-1990, also include site plan applications, newspaper clippings, utility, sewer, and topographical maps, memos, soil evaluation reports, and building ordinances relating to the properties.

Arranged alphabetically by district and within each district arranged numerically. The numbering system directly relates to the Index Keys created by LaPrade. Consult the Keys to figure out the correlating number for the district. The collection is not organized chronologically so researchers looking for a specific survey must look in ALL boxes relating to the specific county and district.

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Series II: Henrico County Vertical files , ca. 1920-1990 (bulk 1940-1970) .
Boxes 8-30
Extent: 23 boxes.

This series includes plats and surveys, correspondence and deeds, relating to Henrico County. The more recent files, ca. 1980-1990, also include site plan applications, newspaper clippings, utility, sewer, and topographical maps, memos, soil evaluation reports, and building ordinances relating to the properties.

Arranged alphabetically by district and within each district arranged numerically. The numbering system directly relates to the Index Keys created by LaPrade. Consult the Keys to figure out the correlating number for the district. The collection is not organized chronologically so researchers looking for a specific survey must look in ALL boxes relating to the specific county and district.

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Series III: Richmond City Vertical files , ca. 1920-1990 (bulk 1940-1970) .
Boxes 31-43
Extent: 13 boxes.

This series includes plats and surveys, correspondence and deeds, relating to the city of Richmond. The more recent files, ca. 1980-1990, also include site plan applications, newspaper clippings, utility, sewer, and topographical maps, memos, soil evaluation reports, and building ordinances relating to the properties.

The numbering system directly relates to the Index Keys created by LaPrade. Districts were imposed on the Richmond Index Keys by LaPrade. Consult the Keys to figure out the correlating number for the location. The collection is not organized chronologically so researchers looking for a specific survey must look in ALL boxes relating to Richmond.

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Series IV: Other Cities and Counties Vertical files , ca. 1920-1990 (bulk 1940-1970) .
Boxes 44-66
Extent: 23 boxes.

This series includes plats and surveys, correspondence and deeds, relating to other cities and counties in Virginia. The more recent files, ca. 1980-1990, also include site plan applications, newspaper clippings, utility, sewer, and topographical maps, memos, soil evaluation reports, and building ordinances relating to the properties.

Arranged alphabetically by county or city. Within each county/city the files are then arranged alphabetically by property owner or name of property.

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Series V. Oversize surveys , ca. 1920-1990 (bulk 1940-1970) .
Boxes 67-175
Extent: 109 boxes.

This series includes plats and surveys and is arranged by County and District, although not further subdivided by a numbering system like the Vertical series. Researchers only need to know the County and District to view these records. Because many boxes may exist for a certain County and District, researchers might need to consult several boxes to find materials.

Due to redistricting, a location may have changed districts, therefore researchers might have to look in several boxes. Noted in the container listing is not only the current District name but also former ones. For example the container listing might note Chesterfield County, Dale district (also includes former Bermuda, Manchester, and Matoaca districts). An attempt was made to include more detailed information in the container listing for these boxes.

An Index Key is included for the Richmond 1-C, 1-J, and 1-L files. Consult the key before using these files. Also included are some index cards to these files although not every survey in those files has an index card.

Index cards are available for some of the Chesterfield County Midlothian districts and also the Miscellaneous files (Misc. 10, 11, 11-2, 12). Not every survey in those files has an index card. Some of the files were labeled for example, Clover Hill 8 or Dale Big 6. It is unknown what these mean.

Also included are plats from other surveyors such as T. Crawford Redd (box 122a), Lipscomb and Leavenworth (box 90a), and Department of Public Works (box 122a).

Arranged alphabetically by county and district. The collection is not organized chronologically so researchers looking for a specific survey must look in ALL boxes relating to the specific COUNTY and DISTRICT.

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Series VI. Ernest W. Brooks files , 1953-1979 .
Boxes 176-182
Extent: 7 boxes.

This series includes the files of Ernest W. Brooks, certified surveyor for Richmond, Virginia. The papers indicate that he was a surveyor for W. W. LaPrade and Brothers but were maintained separately. Included are plats for land in Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico Counties and Richmond, Virginia. Also included are a small number of plats for land in Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, King and Queen, New Kent, Powhatan, and York Counties, Virginia.

The files were maintained in their original order and may require the researcher to consult all files pertaining to a county to obtain a specific plat. There is much overlap between the two subseries. Researchers also need to check the Oversize Series (Boxes 93-95) for additional Brooks and W. S. Hinton files.

Arranged into two subseries consisting of Alphabetical and Numerical files.

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Series VII: Foster and Miller files , 1959-1973 .
Boxes 182a
Extent: 1 box (.45 cu. ft.).

This series contains ten job files from Foster and Miller. Each file folder lists job number, client name, job location, and a record of the field work done. Included are plats, notes on coordinates, topography maps, and information obatined from land title searches (deeds and pre-existing plats).

Arranged numerically by Job number.

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Series VIII. Thornton L. Mullins files , 1929-1941 .
Boxes 183-185b
Extent: 3 boxes.

This series includes the files of Thornton L. Mullins, certified civil surveyor in Richmond, Virginia. Mullins worked with LaPrade and was killed on D-Day during World War II. Interspersed within the collection are LaPrade surveys.

Arranged into two subseries consisting of Alphabetical and Numerical files.

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Series IX. Carl Watkins files , 1945-2001 .
Boxes 186-188
Extent: 3 boxes.

This series includes the subject files of Carl A. Watkins, Jr., chief structural engineer and partner in LaPrade. Watkins was a nephew of LaPrade and later ran the company. The files are organized alphabetically and include brochures, clippings, newsletters, and reports on a variety of topics. Topics include asphalt, dam safety, earthquakes, geological surveys, jacks, pile foundations, rock formation, and soil. Of note are several files on aviation and airplanes, including copies of the newsletter, Virginia Eagles, from the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society, 1989-2001. Also included are copies of newsletters from the Virginia section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 1979-1983.

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Series X. Field Book/Diaries , 1901-2000 .
Boxes 189-344
Extent: 156 boxes.

The Field Books/Diaries are housed in one hundred fifty-six (156) archival boxes on shelf. Field books are arranged sequentially by book number, followed by diaries arranged chronologically. Titles from the field book covers have been transcribed into the finding aid, however, additional projects in addition to those listed on the cover may be recorded in the field book. It most cases, it seems that the most prominent projects are listed on the book cover with smaller projects simply arranged inside. Books without cover titles are labeled "various" in the finding aid. Because the field books were created simultaneously by several surveyors, their numerical order does not necessarily indicate chronological order. The approximate dates for field books was determined by scanning for the earliest and latest date recorded in the volume.

Unnumbered books (Boxes 337-343) are organized at the end of this series. They also include field notes for more than one project. The project names from the book cover have been transcribed in the finding aid. Of note, in Box 151, is a photograph of a surveying party circa 1925. This photograph was attached to the inside cover of the book titled "Appomattox River Survey, South Property Line, Book 2." A dye-sub print of the photograph in situ has been placed in the box and the photograph has been removed from the inside cover of the volume to avoid degradation.

Also included are time/diary books because they are directly related to the field books (Box 344). The time/diary books record the day-to-day accounts of surveyors' time and projects. In addition, the series includes an index to field books circa 1935-1966. The index, situated in the last box of this series (Box 344), is arranged chronologically and alphabetically there under.

Arranged numerically by book number with unnumbered books organized at the end roughly by date, if discernible.

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Series XI. Computation Books , circa 1945-1972 .
Boxes 345-379
Extent: 34 boxes.

The Computation Books are housed in thirty-four (34) archival boxes on shelf and arranged numerically by book number with unnumbered books organized at the end roughly by date, if discernible. Some computation book volumes have indexes on front cover, however, there is no cumulative index to computation books. These volumes contain the surveyors' mathematical calculations for jobs using data that they gathered in the field in the field books (Series X).

Arranged numerically by book number with unnumbered books organized at the end roughly by date, if discernible.

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Series XII. Volumes , circa 1872-1949 .
Boxes 380-381
Extent: 2 boxes (3 volumes).

This consists of three plat books created in part by work of the LaPrade Brothers firm. The volumes have been boxed and/or wrapped for protection. In the case of the Chesterfield Surveyor's Book, circa 1872-1949, loose sheets have been foldered, labled, and boxed with the volume.

Arranged chronologically.

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