Folly Farm Papers 1774-1891

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research

Terms of access:

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred citation:

Folly Farm Papers, Accession 9380, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Summary

Creator:
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Cochran, Jr.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Folly Farm Papers, Accession 9380, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of 842 items, 1774-1891, n.d., consists of correspondence, business and legal papers, account books and a survey book belonging to various families. The material relates to the Smith familyof Staunton, the Lewis familyof Sweet Springs(now West Virginia) and the Cochran familyof Charlottesvilleand Staunton.

Folly Farmwas founded by Joseph Smithin 1818 and is located about two miles south of Stauntonon Route 11. It has a serpentine wall which was designed by Thomas Jefferson.

Correspondence of the Cochran familyis mainly concerned with family relationships. A few letters relate events in the Civil War. An October 17, 1861 letter speaks of an overcoat factory founded by Stauntonwomen. In a letter to Maggie Cochran(July 1, 1862) the victory over McClellan at Frasyers Farmis described. A letter to Mittie Cochran(September 2, 1861) mentions an engagement near Fairfax. Joseph S. Cochranattended the University of Virginiaand a letter from him (October 7, 1890) mentions his impressions of Professors [Albert Henry] Tuttleand [John William] Mallet.

Letters between John Lewis Cochranand his mother Margaret Lynn (Lewis) Cochrandeals chiefly with family matters. The letter of September 7, 1857 mentions the status of their business operations. An interesting letter (June 27, 1848) gives a view of slavery and abolitionists. Nannie Cochran's death and its effects is mentioned in August 20, 1863.

Letters between Howe Peyton Cochranand his mother Margaret Lynn (Lewis) Cochranare about personal affairs and the Civil War. The early letters concern Howe Peyton Cochran's attendance of the Hanover Academywhere he was very bored and often homesick except when he traveled to Richmond. Some interesting Civil War letters are July 27, Sept 5, 14, & 20, 1861. Howe Peyton Cochranleft the active service when a substitute was bought for him (May 23, 1862). A n.d. letter mentions Monticello hospitalbeing condemned due to Typhoid fever. The letter of August 16, 1863 mentions the deaths of Nannie Cohranand Maggie Cochran.

Letters between Willie Lynn Cochranand his mother Margaret Lynn (Lewis) Cochranwere written while Willie Lynn Cochranattended school in Brownsburgand mostly contain pleas for more letters from home.

Letters between Howe Peyton Cochranand his wife Nannie L. (Carrington) Cochran(married December 18, 1860), written during the Civil War, are chiefly personal in nature but many contain a little information about the war. Some of the more important letters are as follows. His letter of January 5, 1861 describes the commanding officers of Howe Peyton Cochran's regiment ( 1st regiment Virginia Artillery) which included General Magruder, Colonels Sulakowski, Tom Cobb, Howell Cobb, Montagne, Ward, and Major Brown. Letters of December 8, 11, 13, & 16 detail preparations for an attack that never occurred. Letters of February 24, 25 discuss the problems in the company and an expedition that did not start. The letters of March 1862 also give the problems of the company and preparations for a large battle near Yorktown. The letters of April 1862 contain references to the skirmishes occurring at Yorktown. The letters of May 9 and 14, 1862 gives a sketch of the battle of Williamsburgwhich Howe Peyton Cochran's regiment did not participate in. Nearly every letter also contains a plan to get out of the service or at least out of his present company and into an office job: Some of the schemes include becoming a teacher at Randolph Macon, becoming a clerk in the war department, or joining his brother James Cochran's unit. A son ( Campbell Carrington Cochran, named for Nannie Cochran's brother who died during the war) was born on July 31, 1863, and Nannie Cochrandied, apparently as a result of complications from childbirth, on August 11, 1863.

Joseph D. Cochran's application for a University of Missourichemistry chair mentions his teachers (August 8, 1890) while at the University of Virginiaand College of Richmond. The letter of August 21, 1890 states he received references from Professors [John William] Mallet, [Francis Perry] Dunnington, [George Frederick] Holmes, and [Ormond] Stoneof the University of Virginia, Professor Puryear of the College of Richmond, and his present congressman [Henry St. George] Tucker.

In Letters to Campbell Carrington Cochran, two stirring accounts of the virtue of Nannie Cochranand her death are given on the first birthday of Campbell Carrington Cochran, July 31, 1864.

In Letters to Henry Cochranfamily affairs are discussed. An October 11, 1862 letter mentions prices of basic foods and how the state is covered with blood, "Turn whichever way you may nothing meets your eye, but maimed and bleeding soldiers." A January 15, 1863 letter mentions the death of Maggie Cochranfrom Typhoid Fever and pneumonia. On March 18, 1863, there is a reference to the battle of Culpepper. A March 31, 1863 letter mentions houses and hospitals being destroyed to use the wood for fuel. An April 16, 1863 letter mentions the prices of food.

Letters to Howe Peyton Cochrancontain more letters about family affairs. Howe was perusing a teaching job at Randolph Maconand the letters of November 20, & 27, 1861 mention the peculiarity of the trustees who wished for their teachers to be Methodist and in the military. A letter of April 14, 1862 mentions the death of Campbell Carrington( Nannie Cochran's brother) after the battle of Cournifon April 11, 1862.

Letters to Colonel and Mrs. James C. Cochraninclude correspondence between their sons John L. Cochran, Joseph D. Cochran, and daughter Anne Cochranwho went to Gainesville, Floridabecause of John Cochran's ill health in 1886. The letters give the progression of John Cochran's sickness which did not improve substantially and eventually caused his death in February 1887 after his return to Staunton.

Letters to John Cochrancontains an interesting letter (February 17, 1830) on the price and selling of hogs.

Letters to Margaret Lynn (Lewis) Cochrancontain letters from her brother Thomas Preston Lewiswho served with the War Departmentin the 1850's. There are two interesting letters: January 5, 1852 which mentions the visit of a Magyar to Congresswho apparently impressed everyone, and the concern of the American government over Napoleon Bonapartewho was coming to power in France; and, March 6, 1859 which mentions the factional wars going on in congress and the affect it had on the treasury.

The first few letters to Nannie (Carrington) Cochranare from relations and friends unable to attend her and Howe Peyton Cochran's wedding. The letter of June 10, 1861 is from John Lewis Cochranand contains very interesting Civil War information, including the Union's treatment of prisoners.

The letters to Thomas Preston Lewishave been removed from a letter book containing mostly business letters. There is an index which has been placed at the back of the second folder. Thomas Preston Lewisreceived the right to practice law in Virginiaon September 3, 1847. He received appointments in the census bureau(October 8, 1850 -#48), and later the War Departmentbased on recommendations by Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart(November 15, 1850.) Thomas Preston Lewis' ancestors fought in the battle of Point Pleasantand an attempt had been made to have that battle declared the first of the revolutionary war (August 24, 1858 -#1). A no date letter (#8) contains an inventory of debts Thomas Preston Lewishas at a store and gives prices. Letters of December 29, 1853 (#16 and #20) are introduction letters written by John Buchanan Floyd. October 21, 1851 (#48) is a letter from William Sparrow. March 6, 1866 (#159) states that Thomas Preston Lewislost all land in the war and is now broke. Letters of February 14, 1866 (#161), January 21, 1867 (#162) concern Thomas Preston Lewistrying to collect on his debts. Thomas Preston Lewisattempted to have his political disability resulting from service with the confederacy removed (February 25, 1869 -#166, January 24, 1870 -#174, January 29, 1870 -#175.) Apparently this attempt was successful because Thomas Preston Lewisreceived help from John F. Lewisin getting an appointment (October 6, 1869 -#169, March 29, 1870 -#183.) John F. Lewishad assisted Thomas Preston Lewisbefore getting him appointed as an assistant to the registrar in 1867 (September 28, 1867 -#189.) December 23, 1869 (#168) is from B. F. Ballardand mentions that he will call for a new West Virginiaconstitution. Three letters concern the sale of land held in Iowawhich Thomas Preston Lewisgot from his debt collection (July 13, 1869 -#171, May 12, 1868 -#173, and July 25, 1869 -#174.) An item dated April 20, 1871 (#180) is a notice placed by Thomas Preston Lewisto bring all claims for the pensions of veterans of the War of 1812. An August 21, 1871 (#196) letter contains an analysis of Rawley Springsin Rockingham County, Virginia. Letters of December 7, 1870 (#204,) February 4, 1873 (#204,) and December 18, 1874 (#206) refer to Thomas Preston Lewisstarting and running a school for boys. The school must not have been too successful because the letters of November 12, 1873 and December 1874 (both #207) mention relatives sending what money they can to Thomas Preston Lewis. On September 10, 1874 (#209) there is an interesting letter on the Floridaschool system.

Letters to Ann M. Peytonfrom her sister Margaret Lynn (Lewis) Cochranmention the Cochran family's move from Stauntonto Charlottesville(October 24, 1826.) A letter in June 1836 mentions the death of their sister Mary.

Letters to Joseph Smithcontain many applications for loans. Joseph Smithserved in the General Assemblyfrom December 1, 1817 to February 26, 1818 (December 2, 1817.) There is a letter dated January 26, 1832 from R. S. Brookewhich concerns the debate in the General Assemblyover slavery and the conflict abolition has with personal property and compensation. An item of January 13, 1860 values the land held by Joseph Smithto be $74,900.

Letters to Joseph Smithfrom William Widdifieldare mainly concerned with the collection of a debt from David Paul Brown. A letter of March 3, 1862 mentions Joseph Smith's brothers Abraham Smithand Silas H. Smith.

Appointments contain some of the appointments and promotions of the families. James Cochranwas appointed justice of the peace in Augusta countyin 1798. There are Joseph Smith's military promotions while a member of Virginia's 32nd militia. James Cochranwas appointed Postmaster of Folly Millsin 1874.

Business Papers contain bills, receipts and promissory notes. One bill of June 15, 1815 is from Joseph Smithto the United Statesfor determining the number of taxable people and taxable items in Augusta county; the total number of taxable people was 589. Joseph Smithwas a life member of the Virginia Agricultural Society(October 11, 1854.) Also there are five South Carolinabonds issued after the Civil War, but never cashed in.

Essays and Poetry include a poem lamenting the death of Elizabeth Battaile Smith(November 17, 1810), a poem about an insane hospital in Boston(March 1830), an obituary of Magdalene Crawford(May 21, 1849), and lecture notes to teach Physics (n.d.)

French Spoliation claims represent the attempt to get money for the damages done by the French before 1800. The United States, however, had exonerated the French from having to pay so many felt the Federal governmentshould pay the damages.

Inventories of Debts due Joseph Smithcontain detailed lists of everyone and every business which owed Joseph Smithmoney. The amounts were considerable, some reaching as high as $134,000.

Legal documents contain mostly deeds and a few court case decisions.

Slave Lists list all the slaves owned by Joseph Smithand are divided into those which are hired out and those which remain at home. A n.d. item lists the amount spent on some of the slaves for Christmas gifts.

Miscellaneous material includes a confirmation certificate of Ann (Price) Smith(June 5, 1811), lottery tickets (1812), report cards of Campbell Carrington Cochran(1872), a survey attempting to promote the new South (1894), and business cards of Joseph Smithand Dr. Henry Cochran.

index at back of second folder

Acquisition information:
This collection was loaned to the Library by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Cochran, Jr. of Folly Farm , Staunton, Virginia , on October 22, 1969 .
Processing information:

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Physical location:
Physical description:
842 items