Subseries A: Capitol Building, 1779-1933

Scope and content:

This subseries documents the construction, alteration, additions, and repair of the Capitol Building between 1779 and 1933. Volume 1 of the Capitol Square Data documents well the legislative history of the Capitol Building beginning with the relocation of the Capitol from Williamsburg to Richmond. In addition, the volume provides information on the Capitol Disaster on 27 April 1870 including a list of casualties, the purchase of Sycamore Church for the use of the Courts in 1870, the enlargement of the Capitol in 1906, and the unveiling of various busts in the Old Hall of the House of Delegates. Particularly interesting is a report of John H. Smith in 1832 which describes the historic books and papers housed in the upper story of the Capitol.

The bulk of this subseries, however, consists of financial records including accounts, receipts, and vouchers. The accounts and receipts primarily relate to expenses incurred by Edward Voss, Samuel Dobie, and Dabney Minor during the construction of the Capitol between 1786 and 1794. The numbered vouchers document the expenses paid by William Hay, one of the Directors of Public Buildings, to Voss, Dobie, and others for flooring, laborers, supplies, etc., between 1787 and 1790. The unnumbered vouchers relate to numerous expenses between 1784 and 1865. The later vouchers mainly deal with painting and repairs.

The Executive Communications and Executive Papers in this subseries have been photocopied and the originals returned to their respective collections. The Executive Communications relate to documents transmitted by the Directors of Public Buildings in 1792 and 1796. The Communication dated 1 Oct. 1792 regards the failure of Moses Austin & Co. to fulfill their roofing contract. Included is an extract from the Council Journal by Archibald Blair, Clerk of the Council, and proceedings of the Directors of Public Buildings extracted by Samuel Coleman, Assistant Clerk of the Council. Another Communication, dated 12 Nov. 1792, is from Robert Goode, one of the Directors of Public Buildings. In his letter, Goode writes with respect to the settlement of accounts, the contract of Moses Austin & Co., and the settlement of several other accounts. The last Communication, dated 9 Dec. 1796, consists of a letter from Governor James Wood to the Speaker of the House of Delegates enclosing papers from the Directors of Public Buildings including accounts of expenditures, a report of proceedings, and an estimate of the expense of finishing the outside of the Capitol.

The Executive Papers (previously labeled Correspondence, 1790) in this subseries include letters to Governors Beverley Randolph and James Wood from the Directors of Public Buildings. On 11 May 1790, William Hay wrote Gov. Randolph concerning Samuel Dobie's allowance as Surveyor of the Public Buildings and his roofing contract. Later, on 22 June 1790, Hay writes the Governor regarding Edward Voss' contract for the columns of the Capitol portico. Finally, the Directors write the Governor on 5 Feb. 1798 enclosing a copy of a report with a general account and transactions made in 1796.

Lastly, this subseries contains contracts for work on the Capitol Building including a painting contract and roofing contract. The painting contract of Zachariah Enos and John Whitburn between 1816 and 1820 contains accounts, correspondence, measurements, and a report on Enos and Whitburn's account. The roofing contract of Adam Baird and Andrew Hosia in 1806 consists of a power of attorney and judgment from their claim in covering the Capitol roof with slate commenced on 25 October 1796.

Access and use

Contents