Papers, circa 1810s-1830s, of Gustavus Depp and Elmore Depp of Powhatan and Chesterfield Counties, Virginia. The collection includes two commonplace books and two ledgers. The commonplace books are both collections of different principles and rules of higher mathematics including geometry, trigonometry, calculating interest, among others. The commonplace book belonging to Gustavus Depp focuses much more heavily on geometry than the one owned by Elmore Depp. Both books contain inscriptions on the first page citing the date of acquisition as February 2, 1818. The common book belonging to Gustavus Depp also includes a number of other instances of his name throughout the book including the inscription which reads, "Gustavus Depp commenced going to Jordan Marten to learn mathematick 5th April 1824. Then you may see my hand & name whene I am dead." The end of the volume contains ledgers as well as "A Delicious Apple Pudding" recipe.
The ledgers span the period of 1825 to 1848. The first ledger is mostly accounts received and spans the period from 1825 to 1832. The second ledger spans the period from 1831 to 1848. It includes records of purchasing enslaved persons as well as hiring persons enslaved by others. Also included in the ledger, are records relating to milk purchases at Huguenot Academy, which was established for educating the youth of Powhatan County Virginia. Gustavus Depp was on the Board of Trustees for the school. There are also instances of the name Mary Hannah Depp, daughter of Gustavus Depp, copied a number of times in succession, possibly where the child was practicing her penmanship.
Gustavus Depp was born in Powhatan County, Virginia on August 17, 1806 to Thomas Depp and Mary "Polly" Trabue. In 1818 he was still, residing in Powhatan County, Virginia and probably completed his schooling sometime after 1824. He married Mary Hill Cheatham on April 18, 1833 in Chesterfield County, Virginia and the two had four children. Gustavus Depp was a slave owner who at the time of the 1860 Slave Census had 30 slaves. and was on the Board of Trustees for Huguenot Academy. He died on May 8, 1877.
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Gustavus Depp was born in Powhatan County, Virginia on August 17, 1806 to Thomas Depp and Mary "Polly" Trabue. In 1818 he was still, residing in Powhatan County, Virginia and probably completed his schooling sometime after 1824. He married Mary Hill Cheatham on April 18, 1833 in Chesterfield County, Virginia and the two had four children. Gustavus Depp was a slave owner who at the time of the 1860 Slave Census had 30 slaves. and was on the Board of Trustees for Huguenot Academy. He died on May 8, 1877.
Elmore Depp was born November 14, 1803 to Thomas Depp and Mary "Polly" Trabue. In 1818 he resided in Powhatan County, Virginia, but later in life his local is stated as Chesterfield County, Virginia. Elmore Depp married Winnifred Ann Winfree and the two had one child who died in infancy. Both Elmore Depp and his wife Winnifred died sometime before 1835 in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Bibliography:
"Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Gustavus Depp for Ellmore Depp, 1835, Chesterfield County, VA." rootsweb an ancestry.com community
Matthess, Michelle. "Depps in VA." GenForum, presented by Genealogy.com. Last Modified 14 October 2000. Accessed 5 October 2011.
My Southern Family. "Gustavus Depp." rootsweb an ancestry.com community. Last modified 29 May 2005. Accessed 5 October 2011.
"Powhatan County, Virginia Largest Slaveholders from 1860 Slave Census Schedules and Surname Matches for African Americans on 1870 Census." transcribed by Tom Blake. rootsweb an ancestry.com community. Last modified August 2003. Accessed 5 October 2011.
Vogt, John and William T. Kethley.
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Gustavus Depp Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Accessioned and minimally processed by Benjamin Bromley in June 2011. Additional processing by Lauren Wallace, October 2011.
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Commonplace book, circa 1818, belonging to Gustavus Depp. Contains different principles and rules of higher mathematics including geometry, trigonometry, calculating interest, among others. Also includes a number of other instances of his name throughout the book including the inscription which reads, "Gustavus Depp commenced going to Jordan Marten to learn mathematick 5th April 1824. Then you may see my hand & name whene I am dead." The end of the volume contains ledgers as well as "A Delicious Apple Pudding" recipe.
Commonplace book, circa 1818, belonging to Elmore Depp. Contains different principles and rules of higher mathematics including geometry, trigonometry, calculating interest, among others.
Includes records of purchasing slaves as well as hiring slaves owned by others. Also included in the ledger are records relating to milk purchases at Huguenot Academy, which was established for educating the youth of Powhatan County, Virginia.