A Guide to the Cabell Family papers 1796-1867
A Collection in
Small Special Collections
The University of Virginia Library
Accession Number 38-111-g
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Reference Request Form: https://small.lib.virginia.edu/reference-request/
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/
© 2009 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.
Processed by: Special Collections Staff
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
Cabell Family papers, MSS 38-111-g, Small Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
The papers were purchased from Robert L. Self of Wingina, Va., on June 17, 2008.
Scope and Content
The additional papers of the Cabell and related Bolling families include materials on the War of 1812, a tedious legal case involving Judge Tucker, construction of a mill and a barn, "Soldier's Joy," "Corotoman," "Edgewood," the Female Seminary, Lynchburg, transporting hired enslaved laborers to Richmond, the James River and Kanawha Canal Company and company, tobacco prices, a Federal raid near Farmville in 1864, an attempted polygraph purchase, the building of a boat to transport wheat, Joseph C. Cabell's interest in running for office, and a "delicate chemical apparatus," possibly for the University of Virginia.
Of interest are enslaved laborer censuses from "Bolling Hall" and "Pocahontas," Goochland County, Va.
The collection also contains account books, including one for tobacco sales, 1791-1792 and 1827-1845 that also contains miscellaneous accounts for Thomas Eston Randolph. Account book, ledger, memoranda book, and an enslaved laborer censuses for the Bolling family , 1796-1866, contain plantation records including crop lists, expenses, manager's wages, midwife accounts, enslaved laborer hires and sales, and rations and clothing allotments for field hands with the note "All lost when freedom came." Estate papers of William C. R. Newburn, William Bolling administrator, 1835-1836, pertain to the sale of Newbern's enslaved laborers and include names of enslaved laborers, purchasers and prices. There are also lists of taxable property, 1844 and 1862 that mention enslaved laborers; a note on the death of Anne Blaws Cocke Cabell and an enslaved girl from diphtheria in 1862; an 1814 marriage indenture of William Newburn and Sarah Randolph, listing enslaved laborers; and an Hungarian Fund one dollar note, 1852.
Correspondents and recipients include Robert B. Bolling, William Bolling, Arthur S. Brockenbrough, John Grattan Cabaell, Joseph C. Cabell , Nathaniel F. Cabell , Patrick H. Cabell , Sally F. Cabell , William D. Cabell , William H. Cabell , Dr. George Callaway, John Coalter John Hartwell Cocke, Isaac A. Coles, James Dinsmore, Thomas Dobson, G. W. Featherstonhaugh, Jacques Flouest, William J. Lewis, John Neilson, Reubens Peale, Charles Perros, C. C. Read, James Scruggs, P. G. Tucker, and the Rev. R. H. Wilmer.
Contents List
- Box-folder 1:1
Robert B. Bolling to Colonel William Bolling 1843 March 24, April 22Two letters both concerning the loan of a portrait of a common ancestor for copying.
- Box-folder 1:2
- Box-folder 1:3
Reporting on the buggy made by Mr. Bosher, who appeared willing to sell it for Cabell and make him a light carriage in the spring; also invites his uncle and Aunt Polly to visit his family in Richmond, traveling by packet boat; and notes that his father is engaged in a tedious legal case, that of Judge Tucker, which has been in argument since last week but with only two of eight lawyers having spoken.
- Box-folder 1:4a
Consulting about the purchase of express millstones and securing a workman for the construction of a horse-[drawn?] mill, including a face wheel, a trundle, the hopper, rim, and the crusher.
- Box-folder 1:4b
Has discussed the subject of his thrashing machine and grist mill with Mr. Duncan, but is concerned about the cost; plans on coming to see Cocke's machine before he decides and will also bring Brigg's Report with him.
- Box-folder 1:4c
Asks if he can order Cologne stones for him instead of the others for his mill, has been ill but is getting better, and has had bad luck with the quality of the water in his new well.
- Box-folder 1:4d
Hopes to see him at the meeting at Monticello, asks Cocke to draw him a diagram of a proper plan and proportions of a kitchen fireplace, and a fireplace and a boiler for the washroom at Corotoman in detail so a workman could construct it in his absence, he has also found the fault in his Scotch plow which is working fine.
- Box-folder 1:4e
Recounts his troubles with securing an adequate stonemason for his work, having had to discharge several for drunkenness and asks Cocke if he will send up [Gleeve?]; also writes that the Tuckers are almost ready to move into their new quarters.
- Box-folder 1:4f
Provides details about the construction of his barn and asks for advice on the thickness of the walls and the amount of lime necessary for the proper thickness of the walls, and inquires about where he could get a good wheat fan.
- Box-folder 1:4g
Shares his travel plans from Williamsburg to arrive in Bremo and visit with him.
- Box-folder 5a
Makes plans to visit with him on September 5th.
- Box-folder 1:5b
Congratulates Coles upon his marriage to Louisa Gertrude Nivison (1795-1824).
- Box-folder 1:6
Explains why he and his brother Samuel have decided to sell their estate, "Soldier's Joy," why he cannot sell off a portion of the entire parcel of land to Joseph without possibly endangering the entire deal with Major Yancey (who has personal animosity for Joseph C. Cabell ), and promises one more attempt to see if he can accommodate his wishes.
- Box-folder 1:6a
Writes about her experiences at the Female Seminary, Lynchburg, and her homesickness (Vault).
- Box-folder 1:7
Assures her that the happiness of his wife, Bettie, was foremost in his mind and that their decision was made together as a matter of Christian duty.
- Box-folder 1:8a
Informs him about the accident of his friend, Isaac Coles, who now will not be able to accompany him to Kentucky should he decide to go there.
- Box-folder 1:8b
Assures him that their mother will not take his absence as an affront but will be pleased to see his wife when most convenient, notifies Joseph about a valuable parcel of land belonging to Hill Carter now available for purchase which lies in an area of the county where he could run for the General Assembly without opposition or collision with a popular candidate as would be the case in Albemarle County, and suggests also a parcel of land offered for sale by John Harvie; he also declines the privilege of packing up the delicate chemical apparatus in his favor.
- Box-folder 1:8c
Asks if he will ride over to "Montevideo" once or twice a year and let him know of anything that requires alteration and states that Roane and Coalter "move on in great harmony."
- Box-folder 1:9
- Box-folder 1:10a
Has not yet received [Robinson's?] report and wishes to have it as soon as possible, cannot spare the time for a "dark and rainy night's" trip in a stagecoach to come into to town.
- Box-folder 1:10b
Wants to know if he has sold his stock in the James River and Kanawha Company, knows that he is in arrears but not sure how much, but sends a check for $300, and mentions his financial difficulties in losing two successive crops of wheat.
- Box-folder 1:11a
- Box-folder 1:11b
Has reached Washington two days ago and is waiting to report to the Secretary of War upon his arrival, who he expects will order him to Virginia to complete his [regiment?]; if so, he hopes to stop at Cabell's on his way there; is afraid he may be detailed to be a member of the court martial of General William Hull in Albany; has recovered from the disease which struck him at French Mills; mentions the Battle of Williamsburg, usually called the Battle of Crysler's Farm (Canada); and writes that Colonel Preston, though wounded, was in good condition when he left him.
- Box-folder 1:12
Informs him that Neilson is unable to do any work outdoors for some days, so he has sent Mr. [Black?] to do the soldering that he needs.
- Box-folder 1:13
- Box-folder 1:14
- Box-folder 1:15
Jacuqes Flouest 1809 December 22
- Box-folder 1:16
Promises to attend to his bank business before he sets out for the springs and regrets he did not see him on the fourth.
- Box-folder 1:17
- Box-folder 1:18
- Box-folder 1:19
Reubens Peale, Museum, Philadelphia, to P.G. Tucker 1811 June 6
- Box-folder 1:20
- oversize
Reports on the results of the latest Yankee raid in the area of Farmville; his mother lost all of her horses but one and a number of enslaved laborers but all returned except for four; Uncle Henry Carrington and his son hid their horses and all their enslaved laborers returned; Mr. Grigsby lost all of his horses; Isaac Carrington and his son, Robert, lost all their horses, every pound of meat, sugar, and lard was carried off, along with all wheat and corn and flour, with the plantation land devastated and the enslaved laborers carried off; several others lost all their stores except for what was hidden, including [John?] Watkins, B. Green, and Asa Dickerson on his Nottoway plantation; many swept of everything portable including food, clothing, furniture and silver (oversize).
- Box-folder 1:21
James Scruggs to William Bolling 1842 October 27
Agrees to build him a boat to carry 500 bushels of wheat for two hundred dollars and includes a simple diagram.
- Box-folder 1:22
The Reverend R.H. Wilmer to William Bolling n.y. November 29
Recalls their friendship and affection and shares his sincere regard for Bolling whom he misses since he is now ministering in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- Box-folder 1:23
Account Book for "Bolling Island," Goochland County, Virginia 1841-1867160 numbered pages.
Kept by Richard M. Bolling, including miscellaneous blacksmith-related accounts for the years 1841-1866 with Boyd Edmunds and Company and with William R. Fleming; beginning in 1866, lists of workers and rations issued for them, pages 128-144, 160; Assessment for the year 1866 on page 95; James River and Kanawha Company; lists of clothing allowances for men, women, girls, and boys, 1856-1857, on pages 152-158, presumably enslaved laborers since the comment "All lost when freedom came" is on page 156 with a list of men.
- Box-folder 1:24
Bank Account Book of William Bolling with the Bank of Virginia 1818-1832
- Box-folder 1:25
Estate Papers of William C.R. Newburn, William Bolling administrator 1835-18367 items
All pertaining to the sale of enslaved laborers belonging to Newburn on January 18, 1836 at Goochland Courthouse, including: receipt from Richmond Enquirer and Pleasants and Abbot advertisement for sale of Negroes (December 23, 1835 and January 7, 1836); receipt for auctioneer Ritchie and Cook (January 18, 1836); an account of the enslaved laborer sale on January 18, 1836 at the Goochland Courthouse, with enslaved laborers listed by name; clerk fee receipt for sale (January 18, 1836); list of enslaved laborers sold with the names of the purchasers and price (January 18, 1836); and a receipt for expenses of Edw. S. Gay on behalf of Newburn estate at the Powhatan Court and the use of the Bolling cart and driver in transporting enslaved laborers to the sale at Goochland Courthouse (January 20, 1836).
- Box-folder 1:26
Hungarian Fund One Dollar Note, Recipe for Washing, and Empty Envelope 1852, n.d.3 items
- oversize
Folio ledger
With alphabetical index, including references to enslaved laborer hires and sales; expenses; purchases; wheat and tobacco crops; medicines; blacksmithing; midwife accounts; plantation manager's wages; shipping and wharf charges; repairs to phaeton and wagons; bookbinding; taxes; also includes alphabetical list of receipts.
- Box-folder 1:27
List of Taxable Property 1844
Chiefly enslaved laborers, who are listed by name; occupation, such as crop hands, domestics, tradesmen; and age.
- Box-folder 1:28
List of Taxable Property 1862
List of taxable property on a printed form, with number of enslaved laborers and shares of stock for Nathaniel F. Cabell ; also includes note about the death of his wife, Anne Blaws Cabell , age 50, at Liberty Hall, on February 20, 1862, of diphtheria; the death of an enslaved girl Lydia, age 12, of diphtheria, in March; and in August the death of a female colored infant Louisa, age 1 year.
- Box-folder 1:29
Marriange Indenture between William Newburn of Chesterfield and Sarah Randolph of Powhatan 1814 January 2
Lists the enslaved laborers owned by each prior to the marriage.
- Box-folder 1:30
Memorandum Book 1796-1803
- Box-folder 1:31
Enslaved Laborer Census for "Bolling Hall," "Bolling Island," and "Cobbs." 1810, 1820
- Oversize
Enslaved Laborer Census for "Bolling Hall," "Pocahontas," "Bolling Island," and "Wares" 1830
A total of 162 enslaved laborer, with "4 hirelings and one apprentice omitted and old Ben not my property"; enslaved laborers listed by name, sex, and age (oversize).
- Oversize
Enslaved Laborer Census for "Bolling Hall" 1840
Enslaved laborers listed by name, sex, and age (oversize).
- Oversize
Enslaved Laborer Census for "Pocahontas" 1840
Enslaved laborer listed by name, sex, and age (oversize).
- Box-folder 1:32
Enslaved laborers listed by name and age.
- Box-folder 1:33
Tobacco Sales Book for "Bolling Hall," "Pocahontas," and "Bolling Island" plantations, Goochland, Virginia, 1827-1845, and Miscellaneous Accounts, 1791-1792, for Thomas Eston Randolph (1767-1842). 1791-1792; 1827-1845Bound volume, 84 pages, some blank.