1From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 10 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 5th . is recieved this day. I wonder the Copper sheets had not got to hand, as it is very long since they left Philadelphia. the steps, or plinths for the dome must be got from Fluvanna. as there seems to be too little dependance on Reuben Perry to let the whole work of the housejoiner & plaisterer depend on him alone, I will pray you to engage some other person to go on with the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 22 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just learned by letters from mr Traquair & mr Jefferson that mr Stewart is gone on, having arrived at Richmond the 17th. inst. so that I presume he is with you by this time. I am rendered uneasy by the account I have of the condition in which he was there. if it be habitual, he could not be trusted with the superintendance of the nailery. Mr. Traquair had once before got alarmed on the...
3From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 19 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This is merely to correct an error in my last . I mentioned that the brick pilasters should have their Capitals 3. courses of brick high & with 3. projections. but as the Capital should be in height only half the diameter, & that is of a brick and a half, say 13. I. the height of the capital must be of 2. courses only, each course projecting 1.¼ I. so as to make the upper one 2. bricks square....
4From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 22 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th. is recieved. a very useful emploiment for mr. Fitch will be the partitioning the side and end of the kitchen, and studding the 3. servants rooms. the kitchen partitions are to be of inch plank, planed on both sides, & square jointed. the front & partitions of the servants rooms and dairy to be bricknogged, with good lime mortar: or perhaps the front of the dairy had better...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 12th . did not get to hand till last night. the ornaments for the frize of the chamber left this on the 10th. and are probably at Richmond by this time. but I shall be at home on Sunday, as early as they will arrive. from what you mention of the rotting of the sleepers of the Bow part of the Parlour, & the ends of the other, I presume that wall was close & that they have dry...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 15 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On opening the door leading from the passage into my bookroom, and on the shelves to the left, immediately on entrance, are a parcel of locks which I omitted to give out to mr Perry to be put on the doors he made. there are 3. small Cup-board locks for the 3. lockers in the kitchen. 3. japanned closet locks, for the 3. servants rooms, and a 4th. I think for the North necessary. of the stock...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 1 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Nov. 25 is recieved and I have ordered the patera wanting for the tea-room. with respect to the joists for the N. West wing of offices, I leave it to yourself to decide; only let there be no danger of failure for want of due strength. I am quite at a loss about the nailboys remaining with mr Stewart. they have long been a dead expense instead of a profit to me. in truth they require...
8From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 10 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I some days ago wrote directions to mr Lilly for filling the Icehouse : but I forgot one previous requisite, which I must get you to have done. make a long square tube , open at both ends, 6. I. square within, & reaching from the bottom of the well of the icehouse up through the flat roof. the bottom of the tube to be notched thus to let water run into it at bottom. then make a square bucket...
9From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 3 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I conclude absolutely to cover my terras with sheet iron , and have accordingly written to Philadelphia to see if I can procure sheets 15. I. wide and 9½ f. long.—The method of doing it is shewn below Fig. 1. it consists in forming gutters across the terras declining from the ridge pole to the eaves, the gutters being 21. I. horizontal measure each. We shall take off the present shingling, and...
10From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 18 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 1st. & 9th. have been recieved, and the last has much relieved me as to the last box or boxes of Composition ornament. it was impossible to think of taking mr Hudson’s cherry , for which he asked five times what has ever been given within my knolege. I hope mr Meriwether’s will suffice for the parlour, and we must take time for the rest. I am told there is great difference in...
11Drawing of the Fireplace for Monticello’s Parlor, 18 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( MHi ); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; see Nichols, Architectural Drawings Frederick Doveton Nichols, Thomas Jefferson’s Architectural Drawings, Compiled and with Commentary and a Check List , Charlottesville, 1978 , No. 160. Although the Editors cannnot be completely certain that this sketch was among those enclosed by TJ, the above drawing matches almost exactly the design that Dinsmore...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 28 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the drawings for the architrave of the front of the gallery, with a preference of that marked b. with the rounded listel. I do not approve of cutting the wall, not even the cellar wall, to make a space for the descent of the clock weights ; but would have them advanced into the room so as to descend clear even of the cellar wall. should the box in this case encroach too much on...
13From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 24 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 18th . is recieved and I have this day inclosed to mr Deblois of Alexandria 20. D. for Alexander Perry and 10. D. for mrs Wanscher. mr Duncan shall have 20. D. a month and his washing done. you will be so good as to give directions for the latter. I presume he engages to continue till all the work is ready for mr Wanscher. I will thank you to keep me informed of your progress, of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 13 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 9th . is recieved, and I now inclose you a five dollar bill for mr Wanscher. after you have finished the Dome room, I would rather you should finish the three bed rooms on the same floor that we may have them plaistered & ready for use. if J. Perry has not done the floors of those rooms, he should finish them in preference to every thing else. mr Stewart should finish off the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 24 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 20th. I am very sorry mr Wanscher has plaistered the cieling of the Hall before the floor above was laid. as to waiting a month or two for the keys of the plaistering to get hard, a century would not make them proof against the effect of putting up the partitions above and laying the floor. let the partitions above therefore be put up immediately & the...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 8 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
After writing to you yesterday, I was at the painting room of mr Stewart (the celebrated portrait painter) who had first suggested to me the painting a floor green, which he had himself tried with fine effect. he observed that care should be taken to hit the true grass -green, & as he had his pallet & colours in his hand, I asked him to give me a specimen of the colour, which he instantly...
17From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 26 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 22d. came to hand yesterday. I inclose you two specimens of cherry, one done with boiled linseed oil, the other with the newspaper composition you referred to. I think the former the best; but am inclined to believe that daily rubbing with wax will soon produce the same effect. I rather think therefore of leaving the floor to time to give it’s proper colour. as you will but...
18From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 31 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by Latrobe & Mifflin’s account that on the 7th. of Aug. they shipped for me from Philadelphia 2. boxes of sheet iron weighing 7C—2n/2.—16℔ has it ever been recieved? be so good as to inform me by return of post as I am called on for paiment. I never sent to them for sheet iron but twice. the question is then whether we have recieved a supply of sheet iron once only, or twice. best...
19From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 28 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 20th. I would prefer that the door of the North pavilion should be a folding one, opening from the outer architrave into the jamb, so as to enter the room but a little below the chairboard, within, it is to be plaistered. the cornice to be Tuscan of the form of that used in the bedrooms of the house, but proportioned to the height of the room, that is to say,...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 31 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to press mr Jordan for the circular bricks? the semicircular cast iron sashes will be at Monticello before I shall, & I shall be anxious while at home to get them put in. mr Barry will be with us about the last of September, before which the glass will be recieved, & also the sheet iron for the South offices. I salute you with my best wishes. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
21From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 28 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barry is engaged in some painting for this house & the Capitol, and tells me he can get a crate of window glass here for Monticello; & he thinks it safest that he should cut it here & pack it because it will be so much less liable to break in small plates than great ones. I must therefore get you to cut models of the circular panes in stiff writing paper & inclose them to me by the return...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 4 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
We have finished two large windows of this house with Venetian blinds in the place of window shutters, and shutting into the jambs as the shutters would. They are beautiful & convenient. the slats move on 2. pivots as mine do, and are made to lie close when shut into the jamb that they may occupy less thickness. I think the following windows in my house may be advantageously finished in this...
23From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 18 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Jefferson, on my arrival here, to forward 1000 ℔ of lead to Monticello, and yesterday I recieved a letter from him informing me he could find but 50. ℔ of lead in all Richmond, & for that they asked 1/. the ℔ considering the price & difficulty of the article, I refer it to your consideration whether it will not be better to have the weights cast here of iron, where they will be...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 25 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 16th. was recieved by last post. I should certainly prefer Walnut for the Bedford sashes, because well rubbed on the inside & unpainted it has a richer look than a painted sash, and I believe no wood is more durable but if you cannot get it good, then certainly good pine will be preferable to bad walnut. it must therefore depend on your being able to get good walnut & without...
25From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 1 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the window weights will be so small & long that the small degree of warping which happens in their cooling will probably render them useless; I have therefore this day ordered 1000. lb. of pig lead from Philada, which I observe costs but ¾ of the price of bar-lead, to wit, 10 cents, and I presume is as good for our purpose. you may expect it at Richmond in 3. weeks from this time....
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 25 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Davy brings a box containing all the articles you wrote for, furnished by Doctr. Ott. The lead (1036. 1b) left Philadelphia the 7th. instant. I will thank you to tell mr Bacon that I forgot, in my letter to him, to tell him that I sent off from this place, 3. or 4. weeks ago, 8 trunks of books and some other packages for Monticello, & that when they arrive they must be put away in the...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 8 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
One half of the sheet iron for the offices was shipped from Philadelphia Sep. 23. The pig lead was shipped thence Nov. 7. and the remaining half of the sheet iron was shipped Dec. 1. this last half is said to be thinner than the former, consequently should be used separately, so that whichever goes first to decay, may leave the other part wholly good. but the season is now too far advanced...
28From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 15 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 11th. I wrote to mr Oldham on the 12th. of October for mahogany for the tables, & took for granted it was gone on but as I have not heard from him I will write again to-day, as to that as well as the additional quantity you want. I was in hopes that Abram could have hewed locust as fast as Lewis could turn it, but if he cannot, let mr Perry supply it as I...
29From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 29 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know whether mr Barry got here, window-glass for the Bedford sashes. will you let me know by the return of post, that I may immediately provide for it. Accept my best wishes. NCorniM .
30From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mahogany forwarded to Monticello by mr Oldham f I 43— 4 of St. Domingo wood. 31÷ 8 of Bay do. 1 ½ I. 75— 0 The two planks for tables measure 27. I. at one end and 26. I. at the other by 10. f. 3 I. long. I could not possibly find any wider; & supposed this could be made to answer. it is very nice & solid. there is very little of St. Domingo wood made use of here. The 1 ½
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 6 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 30. was recieved by the last post. the Copal varnish & pullies were waiting till the river should open, to be sent by water. however I have now had a jug of 2. gallons of varnish cased in a box, and the pullies also put into a box to be forwarded by the stage. but I have little expectation that the varnish can ever arrive safe by that conveyance. by this post I shall...
32From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 20 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18th. I sent from here to Alexandria to be forwarded by the first vessel to Richmond 8. boxes of glass, containing 200. panes 12. I. square, 300. do. 12 by 18. and 50 do. 14. by 18. by which you will percieve I have considerably enlarged the quantity called for, in order to have a supply for breakage. be so good as to tell mr Bacon of this shipment, & that on it’s arrival at Milton, the...
33From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 26 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by the last post is recieved and I have directed the error in the glass to be corrected. but opportunities of forwarding things are now rare. a new coat of shingling is all that is wanting to the South Outchamber. for that we may prepare. Congress rose last night, I shall leave this on the 5th. of May & be at home the morning of the 8th. and will bring with me the money you desire....
34From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 12 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I observed about a dozen gutters of sheet iron lying out in front of the kitchen, which I suppose to be left after all our purposes at Monticello are answered. if so, would it not be well to send 8. of them to Bedford for the gutters of the two Porticos? I suggest this for your consideration, being myself unapprised of the facts. I salute you with esteem. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 27 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 24th. you shall have the 500. D. you desire on the 8th. of Aug. only you should guard against a failure of a single post which sometimes happens. the money will be recieved here on the 5th. and may be regularly expected by the horse post which will arrive at Monticello on the 8th. but a failure of the post might retard it to the mail stage of the 11th.—you...
36From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 7 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By this post I forward to mr Bacon 50. D. for you: and this day also mr Jefferson will deposit 450. D. on my order in your name in the Richmond bank, subject to your order. by the next post I shall be able to forward to you the reciept of the bank. Inclosed I send you directions for hanging the bells. they are so few, & so contrived that I think you will have wire enough. I have some idea of...
37From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 15 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to mr Dinsmore the acknolegement of the bank of Richmond of a deposit to his credit of four hundred & fifty Dollars. he will make a further deposit in the same place about the last of December or 1st. of January for mr Dinsmore & one for mr Nelson, because at that time he will be entitled to recieve money in Richmond and so will avoid the risk of the post which is worthy...
38From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 11 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 1st. has been duly recieved. the plane irons, sand paper, 4. bell levers, & 2. bells will be sent by Davy’s cart which will come here at Christmas. I propose a 4th. bell, in addition to the 3. formerly directed, that is to say, on the left side of the Parlour fire place, the wire descending into the ware-room, passing along the South East wall out through the wall adjoining...
39From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 30 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By Davy you will recieve a bundle containing 2. bells, & 4. bell-levers, the planes you wrote for, & 2 kneebolts. in a separate roll is the sand-paper you desired. the folding mahogany sash which closes the alcove of my bed is too heavy & troublesome. I wish you to make a folding frame to fit the alcove & to be covered with paper on both sides. the frame must consist of 3. parts united by 2....
40From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 7 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I had informed you that about this time I would place in Richmond 500. D. for yourself & 500. D. for mr Nelson. but being desirous of paying off my bills here as fast as I can get them in, I find it will be more convenient to me to postpone that remittance to the beginning of the next or perhaps of the following month, if it will be no inconvenience to either of you. I had presumed it would...
41From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 23 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote my letter of the 7th. inst. I doubted whether I could as early as this place the monies therein stated at your command in Richmond. but this serves to inform you that I have this day desired messrs. Gibson & Jefferson to make a deposit in the bank of Richmond of 500. Dollars in your name and 500. D. in the name of mr Neilson. by the next post I shall be able to send you the...
42From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 30 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 19th. was not recieved when I wrote mine of the 23d. since that Gibson & Jefferson inform me that there is a difficulty at the Richmond bank in placing the 500. D. to your account, & mr Nelson’s, because they have not your signatures, & that therefore I must give you orders on the bank. accordingly I now inclose separate orders for yourself & mr Nielson for 500. D each. I...
43From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 24th. is recieved, and I will send a bunch of good bell wire by the waggon. I would wish the Piazza to be plaistered as soon as the weather will permit. it is not to be white washed. I have given directions through mr Bacon to mr Watkins as to the manner of finishing the stone house now building, to wit, with a roof hipped every way, so that there will be no pediment. he was not...