A Guide to the Joseph C. Cabell correspondence
A Collection in
Small Special Collections
The University of Virginia Library
Accession number 13923
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Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
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Use
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
Correspondence of Joseph C. 
Cabell 
, Accession #13923, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased by the University of Virginia Library, from William F. Muller, Smithfield Road., Charlottesville, Virginia, on July 9, 2007.
Scope and Content
The correspondence of Joseph C. Cabell , ca. 280 items (1 Hollinger box, .5 linear
feet), ca. 1807-1856, deals chiefly with family news and business matters
including topics such as improvements to "Edgewood" (Dr. George Cabell , Jr., March
4, 1811); Samuel Cabell at the College of William and Mary (October 11 and November
28, 1807), medical advice from Dr. George Cabell (November 13 and 30, 1814), and the
weights of the hogs belonging to the "Negroes' from "Belmont" (William N. Dixon,
December 21, 1850). Correspondents include Dr. John Grattan Cabell , Henry Coalter
Cabell , Mayo Cabell , Andrew Duncan, David S. G. Cabell , Colonel William Cabell , Dr.
George Cabell , Jr. and James Bruce McClelland. Many letters deal with business
concerns, the manufacture and procurement of equipment for Cabell , recommendation of
workers and overseers, crops, Cabell's flour mill, and land sales. There also
present are some purely financial and legal documents and these have been filed
under the pertinent name.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by name of correspondent, with those containing few items placed in miscellaneous correspondent folders together. Often these have only one or two items per name, so the dates for these correspondents are not mentioned separately in the guide.
Contents List
Box-folder 1:1
1822-1855 Correspondence - A through
C (Miscellaneous Correspondents), most of this correspondence pertains
to the business interests of Joseph C. Cabell and correspondents
include: John A. Allen; Peter F. Ayres; Nathan J. Barrett; R.K. Bibb;
Harrison Bryant; A. Bryce; David J. Burr; Dr. George Callaway; Dr. Paul
C. Callaway (1815-1876) who writes concerning the suitability of
Mr. Scruggs as an overseer (July 8 and 10, 1853); Patrick B. Carter;
W[illiam] G. Clarke; and P.W. Coffee
Cabell and correspondents
include: John A. Allen; Peter F. Ayres; Nathan J. Barrett; R.K. Bibb;
Harrison Bryant; A. Bryce; David J. Burr; Dr. George Callaway; Dr. Paul
C. Callaway (1815-1876) who writes concerning the suitability of
Mr. Scruggs as an overseer (July 8 and 10, 1853); Patrick B. Carter;
W[illiam] G. Clarke; and P.W. Coffee
Box-folder 1:2
1808-1856 Correspondence - Cabell
Family , most of this correspondence pertains to the business interests
of Joseph C. Cabell and correspondents include: Clifford Cabell ; Edward
A. Cabell who discusses claims of the Higginbotham legatees for Colonel
Higginbotham's Revolutionary War service, and the spring election,
involving Mr. Gordon (February 11, 1833); G.W. Cabell ; John Cabell , Sr.;
Joseph C. Cabell writes concerning his opinion of religion (May 3,
1852); and the financial scam pulled by Addison and St. Clair Hartman in
the area (January 26, 1855); [Dr. L.J. Cabell ?] about the health of
Oscar, [an enslaved man?] (October 30, 1817); Mary W. Cabell : M.C[abell?]; N.F.
Cabell shares his concern over his aunt's misunderstanding of his
comments about his uncle's will (April 26, 1856); Nicholas M. Cabell ;
Patrick H. Cabell praises Joseph C. Cabell's educational pamphlet (July
5, 1825) and his pamphlet about constitutional doctrines (November 17,
1831) and describes his trip to Montgomery (November 17, 1831); Paul
Cabell discusses Joseph C. Cabell's missing letter from Mr. Madison
(October 5, 1827); [P.R.?] Cabell ; W.D. Cabell ; William H. Cabell ;
William M. Cabell ; and William S. Cabell concerning an account for
medical services for an enslaved laborer belonging to Joseph C. Cabell (March 1,
1815)
Cabell
Family , most of this correspondence pertains to the business interests
of Joseph C. Cabell and correspondents include: Clifford Cabell ; Edward
A. Cabell who discusses claims of the Higginbotham legatees for Colonel
Higginbotham's Revolutionary War service, and the spring election,
involving Mr. Gordon (February 11, 1833); G.W. Cabell ; John Cabell , Sr.;
Joseph C. Cabell writes concerning his opinion of religion (May 3,
1852); and the financial scam pulled by Addison and St. Clair Hartman in
the area (January 26, 1855); [Dr. L.J. Cabell ?] about the health of
Oscar, [an enslaved man?] (October 30, 1817); Mary W. Cabell : M.C[abell?]; N.F.
Cabell shares his concern over his aunt's misunderstanding of his
comments about his uncle's will (April 26, 1856); Nicholas M. Cabell ;
Patrick H. Cabell praises Joseph C. Cabell's educational pamphlet (July
5, 1825) and his pamphlet about constitutional doctrines (November 17,
1831) and describes his trip to Montgomery (November 17, 1831); Paul
Cabell discusses Joseph C. Cabell's missing letter from Mr. Madison
(October 5, 1827); [P.R.?] Cabell ; W.D. Cabell ; William H. Cabell ;
William M. Cabell ; and William S. Cabell concerning an account for
medical services for an enslaved laborer belonging to Joseph C. Cabell (March 1,
1815)
Box-folder 1:3
1852-1855 Correspondence - David S.G.
Cabell , conducts some legal business for Joseph C. Cabell , recording a
deed for land in Amherst County Court (October 28, 1854); sends tax
bills due from Nicholas Cabell's estate, sheriffs bills, and clerk's
bills (November 24, 1854); and his account with Cabell (January 1,
1855)
Cabell , conducts some legal business for Joseph C. Cabell , recording a
deed for land in Amherst County Court (October 28, 1854); sends tax
bills due from Nicholas Cabell's estate, sheriffs bills, and clerk's
bills (November 24, 1854); and his account with Cabell (January 1,
1855)
Box-folder 1:4
1811-1821 Correspondence - Dr. George
Cabell , Jr. (1774-1827) of "Bon Aire" writes concerning many
family and business affairs, including: improvements at Edgewood (March
4, 1811); concerns over his own wheat harvest (June 1, 1814); illness of
enslaved laborers at the "S. B. farm" (November 13 and 30, 1814); other references
to "S.B. farm" (November 23, 1811); and improvements at his farm "Bon
Aire" (October 22, 1817)
Cabell , Jr. (1774-1827) of "Bon Aire" writes concerning many
family and business affairs, including: improvements at Edgewood (March
4, 1811); concerns over his own wheat harvest (June 1, 1814); illness of
enslaved laborers at the "S. B. farm" (November 13 and 30, 1814); other references
to "S.B. farm" (November 23, 1811); and improvements at his farm "Bon
Aire" (October 22, 1817)
Box-folder 1:5
Box-folder 1:6
1849-1855 Correspondence -Henry
Coalter Cabell (1820-1889), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , writes
about the stock and affairs of the James River and Kanawha River Company
(July 22, 1849; February 26, 1853); his upcoming marriage (March 8,
1850); the distress of his wife, Jane Alston, over the death of her
[father, Major James Alston, Abbeville, South Carolina?] and the poor
health of his own father, William Henry Cabell (January 8, 1851); and
the death of his brother Grattan's wife [Sarah Marshall Tankersley?]
(March 17, 1855)
Cabell (1820-1889), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , writes
about the stock and affairs of the James River and Kanawha River Company
(July 22, 1849; February 26, 1853); his upcoming marriage (March 8,
1850); the distress of his wife, Jane Alston, over the death of her
[father, Major James Alston, Abbeville, South Carolina?] and the poor
health of his own father, William Henry Cabell (January 8, 1851); and
the death of his brother Grattan's wife [Sarah Marshall Tankersley?]
(March 17, 1855)
Box-folder 1:7
1844-1851 Correspondence - John
Grattan Cabell (1817-1896), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , many of
his letters relate his progress in carrying out Joseph C. Cabell's
purchases and other requests in Richmond and the settling of his
accounts; other topics include: dangers of cholera in Richmond,
especially among the tenements in the Basin area (June 7, 1849);
arrangements to pay the passage for an enslaved laborer, Shandy, to Midway Mills and
provide him with a pass (June 16, 1849); directions for the measurement
of a truss for old Phil [an enslaved man?], if the one sent does not suit (March
17, 1850); date of the wedding of Henry C. Cabell set (April 9, 1850);
the serious decline in the health of his father (December 8, 10, 13,
1850); and his improvement (January 6 and 14, 1851); and the visit of
the family to Huguenot Springs and a request from Katy, an enslaved woman
belonging to Joseph C. Cabell , for a pass to visit her child at
"Corotoman" with her husband (September 12, 1851)
Cabell (1817-1896), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , many of
his letters relate his progress in carrying out Joseph C. Cabell's
purchases and other requests in Richmond and the settling of his
accounts; other topics include: dangers of cholera in Richmond,
especially among the tenements in the Basin area (June 7, 1849);
arrangements to pay the passage for an enslaved laborer, Shandy, to Midway Mills and
provide him with a pass (June 16, 1849); directions for the measurement
of a truss for old Phil [an enslaved man?], if the one sent does not suit (March
17, 1850); date of the wedding of Henry C. Cabell set (April 9, 1850);
the serious decline in the health of his father (December 8, 10, 13,
1850); and his improvement (January 6 and 14, 1851); and the visit of
the family to Huguenot Springs and a request from Katy, an enslaved woman
belonging to Joseph C. Cabell , for a pass to visit her child at
"Corotoman" with her husband (September 12, 1851)
Box-folder 1:8
1852-1855 Correspondence - John
Grattan Cabell (1817-1896), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , many of
his letters relate his progress in carrying out Joseph C. Cabell's
purchases and other requests in Richmond and the settling of his
accounts; other topics include: the serious illness of Edward Mayo,
Julia Cabell's brother (June 4, 1852); the actions of the Democrats in
the Virginia State Legislature (December 6, 1852); reference to the
death of his father (January 26, 1853); information about the type of
glass available for purchase (February 2, 9, and 14, 1853); discussion
about his plans for a press for books and papers (March 14, 1853);
presence of cholera among the African-Americans and the death of the grandchild of
the enslaved woman, Katy (July 23, 1854); Coalter and his wife had a daughter
(September 25, 1854); Julia leaves for her trip to Europe accompanied by
a nephew (October 8, 1854); Carrington [ Cabell ?] named President of a
railroad that travels from Tallahassee to the Georgia line (August 7,
1855); his impressions of the State Fair (November 3, 1855);
Cabell (1817-1896), nephew of Joseph C. Cabell , many of
his letters relate his progress in carrying out Joseph C. Cabell's
purchases and other requests in Richmond and the settling of his
accounts; other topics include: the serious illness of Edward Mayo,
Julia Cabell's brother (June 4, 1852); the actions of the Democrats in
the Virginia State Legislature (December 6, 1852); reference to the
death of his father (January 26, 1853); information about the type of
glass available for purchase (February 2, 9, and 14, 1853); discussion
about his plans for a press for books and papers (March 14, 1853);
presence of cholera among the African-Americans and the death of the grandchild of
the enslaved woman, Katy (July 23, 1854); Coalter and his wife had a daughter
(September 25, 1854); Julia leaves for her trip to Europe accompanied by
a nephew (October 8, 1854); Carrington [ Cabell ?] named President of a
railroad that travels from Tallahassee to the Georgia line (August 7,
1855); his impressions of the State Fair (November 3, 1855);
Box-folder 1:9
1822-1832 Correspondence - Mayo
Cabell of "Union Hill" (1800-1869), generally writes concerning
the business affairs of Joseph C. Cabell , including: procurement of
boats to transport his wheat (October 10, 11, 20, 1823); his willingness
to try a new kind of seed remarking upon the success of General Cocke
with his wheat (August 12, 1825); and Mr. Bullock's request for 10-15
bushels of Cabell's white Mexican wheat (September 18,
1826);
Cabell of "Union Hill" (1800-1869), generally writes concerning
the business affairs of Joseph C. Cabell , including: procurement of
boats to transport his wheat (October 10, 11, 20, 1823); his willingness
to try a new kind of seed remarking upon the success of General Cocke
with his wheat (August 12, 1825); and Mr. Bullock's request for 10-15
bushels of Cabell's white Mexican wheat (September 18,
1826);
Box-folder 1:10
1840-1855 Correspondence - Mayo
Cabell of "Union Hill" (1800-1869), generally writes concerning
the business affairs of Joseph C. Cabell , including: the contract for
keeping a ferry at New Market and the birth of a daughter [Cornelia Mayo
Cabell ?] to Mayo and his wife, Cornelia (July 31, 1840); wishes for
Joseph C. Cabell's success with "the further improvement of the James
River, before the Legislature of Virginia this winter" (November 8,
1841); description of the circumstances of the "chastisement" of Jim
Brown by Mr. Mathews, the carpenter at "Midway" plantation (February 2,
1844); business questions concerning grinding wheat and meal at Joseph
C. Cabell's mill (January 10 and 27, 1848); the establishment of a
savings bank at New Market (July 27, 1853)
Cabell of "Union Hill" (1800-1869), generally writes concerning
the business affairs of Joseph C. Cabell , including: the contract for
keeping a ferry at New Market and the birth of a daughter [Cornelia Mayo
Cabell ?] to Mayo and his wife, Cornelia (July 31, 1840); wishes for
Joseph C. Cabell's success with "the further improvement of the James
River, before the Legislature of Virginia this winter" (November 8,
1841); description of the circumstances of the "chastisement" of Jim
Brown by Mr. Mathews, the carpenter at "Midway" plantation (February 2,
1844); business questions concerning grinding wheat and meal at Joseph
C. Cabell's mill (January 10 and 27, 1848); the establishment of a
savings bank at New Market (July 27, 1853)
Box-folder 1:11
1807-1825 Correspondence - Samuel J.
Cabell , Jr. of "Soldier's Joy" writes concerning the possible costs of
attending William and Mary College (October 11 and November 28, 1807); a
controversy between Joseph C. Cabell and a Mr. Bowles (July 30, 1810, 2
letters); his delight at the "brightening prospects of the University
[of Virginia]" (March 10, 1825)
Cabell , Jr. of "Soldier's Joy" writes concerning the possible costs of
attending William and Mary College (October 11 and November 28, 1807); a
controversy between Joseph C. Cabell and a Mr. Bowles (July 30, 1810, 2
letters); his delight at the "brightening prospects of the University
[of Virginia]" (March 10, 1825)
Box-folder 1:12
1810-1816 Correspondence - Colonel
Samuel J. Cabell (1756-1818) of "Soldier's Joy" writes about the
illness of his daughter Peggy (September 12, 1815); mentions a planned
visit to General John Cropper and his request to Joseph C. Cabell for
his help in securing a sign painter to inscribe a tribute to his wife,
Sarah Cabell , on a tablet affixed to a pyramid as a sign of his deep
affection for his wife, which he writes out in full in his letter
(December 12, 1816)
Cabell (1756-1818) of "Soldier's Joy" writes about the
illness of his daughter Peggy (September 12, 1815); mentions a planned
visit to General John Cropper and his request to Joseph C. Cabell for
his help in securing a sign painter to inscribe a tribute to his wife,
Sarah Cabell , on a tablet affixed to a pyramid as a sign of his deep
affection for his wife, which he writes out in full in his letter
(December 12, 1816)
Box-folder 1:13
1811-1817 Correspondence - Colonel
William Cabell writes chiefly about family and business matters,
especially whether Joseph Cabell intends to keep Hudnall as overseer of
the Liberty Hall estate (July 30, 1813); mentions Essex and Randolph who
are working for Joseph C. Cabell as [sawyers ?] (June 23, 1816); and
requests that he vote in proxy for him in the stockholders meeting of
the Virginia Bank and the Farmer's Bank in Richmond (December 10,
1817)
Cabell writes chiefly about family and business matters,
especially whether Joseph Cabell intends to keep Hudnall as overseer of
the Liberty Hall estate (July 30, 1813); mentions Essex and Randolph who
are working for Joseph C. Cabell as [sawyers ?] (June 23, 1816); and
requests that he vote in proxy for him in the stockholders meeting of
the Virginia Bank and the Farmer's Bank in Richmond (December 10,
1817)
Box-folder 1:14
1824-1855 Correspondence - D through
M (Miscellaneous Correspondents), most of this correspondence pertains
to the business interests of Joseph C. Cabell and correspondents
include: William Dennis; William N. Dixon; H.W. Dwight; Reuben Elsome;
William J. Ewers writes concerning sickness among the enslaved laborers (June 1,
1855); William Gordon; Miss Graff; D.W. Kendrick agrees to take one of
Cabell's coopers to train in the wheelwright business (January 30, 1847)
and asks for an adjustment in the hire price for Patrick (April 17,
1847); E.C. Lankford; Samuel Law describes his journey back to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the improvements in agricultural tools
that he has seen (December 20, 1824); Alexander Moseley; and John W.
Mosby gives a detailed appraisal of the value of some land that Cabell
wants to exchange (August 31, 1848)
Cabell and correspondents
include: William Dennis; William N. Dixon; H.W. Dwight; Reuben Elsome;
William J. Ewers writes concerning sickness among the enslaved laborers (June 1,
1855); William Gordon; Miss Graff; D.W. Kendrick agrees to take one of
Cabell's coopers to train in the wheelwright business (January 30, 1847)
and asks for an adjustment in the hire price for Patrick (April 17,
1847); E.C. Lankford; Samuel Law describes his journey back to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the improvements in agricultural tools
that he has seen (December 20, 1824); Alexander Moseley; and John W.
Mosby gives a detailed appraisal of the value of some land that Cabell
wants to exchange (August 31, 1848)
Box-folder 1:15
1821-1833 Correspondence - Andrew
Duncan, a machinist working for John Hartwell Cocke, mentions his work
at John Hartwell Cocke's plantation "Bremo" (June 14, 1821 and July 30,
1825); he also describes his "machines" and sends requests for monetary
help with his debts in several letters
Box-folder 1:16
1834-1855 Correspondence - McClelland
Family , including one letter from Sarah Cabell McClelland
(1822-1858); eleven letters from Thomas Stanhope McClelland
(1810-1893) of "Montezuma" writes concerning a recommendation for
Johnson, a piano maker and tuner (September 30, 1834); a survey of
Warminster Road by Mr. Livermore and other engineers who believe it
would provide a good location for the canal (August 7, 1835); a
discussion of the local elections in Buckingham County and Nelson County
(April 15, 1834); plans to go to New Orleans or Texas (September 22,
1847); his plans to build a house and his need for Toby [a mason?]
working for Joseph C. Cabell (April 6 and August 1, 1849); offer to sell
the Welsh Rock property (October 12, 1850); and his lands in Texas
(March 20, 1851); and eleven letters from James Bruce McClelland
(1827-1862) who mentions his purchase of the Welsh Rock tract of
land and its uses (June 11 and July 2, 1851); questions about selling
stock of the James River and Kanawha Company (October 20, 1851); and
McClelland's request to "borrow" his carpenter, Mr. Mathews, to help
build a tobacco factory (November 2 and 7, 1852)
Family , including one letter from Sarah Cabell McClelland
(1822-1858); eleven letters from Thomas Stanhope McClelland
(1810-1893) of "Montezuma" writes concerning a recommendation for
Johnson, a piano maker and tuner (September 30, 1834); a survey of
Warminster Road by Mr. Livermore and other engineers who believe it
would provide a good location for the canal (August 7, 1835); a
discussion of the local elections in Buckingham County and Nelson County
(April 15, 1834); plans to go to New Orleans or Texas (September 22,
1847); his plans to build a house and his need for Toby [a mason?]
working for Joseph C. Cabell (April 6 and August 1, 1849); offer to sell
the Welsh Rock property (October 12, 1850); and his lands in Texas
(March 20, 1851); and eleven letters from James Bruce McClelland
(1827-1862) who mentions his purchase of the Welsh Rock tract of
land and its uses (June 11 and July 2, 1851); questions about selling
stock of the James River and Kanawha Company (October 20, 1851); and
McClelland's request to "borrow" his carpenter, Mr. Mathews, to help
build a tobacco factory (November 2 and 7, 1852)
Box-folder 1:17
1814-1855 Correspondence - N through
Z (Miscellaneous Correspondents), most of this correspondence pertains
to the business interests of Joseph C. Cabell and correspondents
include: Messrs. Parker & Smith, Richmond, Virginia; James W.
Phillips; John Pryor; Douglas Puckett; Joseph H. Roberts; Roderick
Taliaferro; L.N. Tazewell's diagram of a [horse?] mill (December 20,
1820); J.B. Thomas; Paul Tillman reports on his affairs at Warminster
(December 1814); Walter Timberlake; John Tyler introduces his nephews,
Addison and St. Clair Hartman who are doing business in the area (July
9, 1853), for more about them also see Joseph C. Cabell (January 26,
1855); Unidentified (receipt and damaged letter); and John
Watson
Cabell and correspondents
include: Messrs. Parker & Smith, Richmond, Virginia; James W.
Phillips; John Pryor; Douglas Puckett; Joseph H. Roberts; Roderick
Taliaferro; L.N. Tazewell's diagram of a [horse?] mill (December 20,
1820); J.B. Thomas; Paul Tillman reports on his affairs at Warminster
(December 1814); Walter Timberlake; John Tyler introduces his nephews,
Addison and St. Clair Hartman who are doing business in the area (July
9, 1853), for more about them also see Joseph C. Cabell (January 26,
1855); Unidentified (receipt and damaged letter); and John
Watson
Box-folder 1:18
1818-1832 Correspondence - Samuel P.
Parsons, Virginia Superintendent of the Penitentiary, writes about
manufacturing a plough for Cabell and other tools such as spinning
wheels, cart wheels, various saws, and other agricultural matters
(1818-1823); and a discussion of the Virginia Legislature and its
action on the incorporation of the James River and Kanawha Company
(March 20, 1832)
Cabell and other tools such as spinning
wheels, cart wheels, various saws, and other agricultural matters
(1818-1823); and a discussion of the Virginia Legislature and its
action on the incorporation of the James River and Kanawha Company
(March 20, 1832)