Arthur S. Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson, 11 August 1823
From Arthur S. Brockenbrough
University Va Augt 11t 1823
Dear Sir,
Presuming you intended to have an opening in front over the main door below, I have had a stone sill & window frame prepared for it, which I think will answer better than a door, if however you prefer the door it can be made, I should like to hear from you again on the subject—I have just heared of the distruction of the State Penitentiary by fire on friday night last, with all the property in it and 4 of the criminals mising it was supposed to be by accedint or carelessness
A. S. Brockenbrough
RC (ViU: TJP-PP); endorsed by TJ as received the day it was written.
The main door of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia opened onto a portico facing the Lawn. The state penitentiary in Richmond burned on the night of 8–9 Aug. 1823. Contrary to rumors circulating at the time, all of the inmates survived the inferno, and none escaped during the resulting turmoil (Richmond Enquirer, 12 Aug. 1823).
Index Entries
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; letters from search
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; on destruction of Va. State Penitentiary search
- building materials; door and window frames search
- jails and prisons; in Richmond search
- Richmond, Va.; penitentiary in search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; doors search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search
- Virginia; State Penitentiary search