Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Stoves:

Dutch stoves were used in the Ball Room and in the Supper Room. Botetourt's stove, from the description, could not be called a Dutch stove. Buzaglo acknowledged Botetourt's order of that stove on August 15, 1770. Botetourt died on October 15, 1770. On January 27, 1771, Thomas Conway wrote from London of the offer of the stove to the House of Burgesses (by the Duke of Beaufort, Botetourt's executor). The stove is not mentioned in Botetourt's inventory, and if it was accepted by the House of Burgesses in 1771, it seems unlikely that it could ever have been used at the Palace. The Pickering letter which tells that there were three large rooms in the Palace without fireplaces and that the Palace stoves had been removed to Richmond, appears in full in the discussion of eighteenth­ 2. century stoves in general, later in this report; as does a nineteenth-century discussion of the history of the Botetourt stove.

Grates and andirons (dogs):

Grates and andirons are both mentioned in the Palace notes.

Coal and coal equipment:

Coal was evidently used as a fuel in the Palace at least during Botetourt's administration; for in addition to the 1000 bushels of coal inventoried as in the coal house, mention is also made of coal scuttles and coal shovels. Charcoal was also used; but in the Botetourt inventory, there were 40 bushels of charcoal in comparison with 1000 bushels of coal.

Miscellaneous equipment:

Besides the items already mentioned, the Palace inventories mention the following heating equipment, specifically: Fenders, tongs, shovels, pokers, firebacks, chimney boards^*, hearth brushes, bellows, fire screens.

[1768 — Fauquier inventory]

[1770 — Botetourt inventory]

pp. 266, 267 — Harwood's Ledger [excerpts] B 7, B 25, B 31

p. 268 — List of Packages sent from the Palace (1779) [to Richmond]
Iron-back & kitchen Jack & crane all the chair frames, a Bell &c 2 Iron Grates.

[Palace Book, pp. 292-294]

The following excerpts from Harwood's Ledger (1786 to 1789) charge Edmund Randolph with setting up 7 grates. These were probably in the offices and other outbuildings, since the date is after the burning of the Palace. Some references to chimney and fireplace repairs are included here with the data about grates.

Description of the Pennsylvanian Fire-Places

The Pennsylvanian Fire-Places, commonly known by the Name of American Stoves, invented by Dr. Franklyn, and improved by Mr. Sharp of Leadenhall Street.

These Stoves are called American, because the first patterns of them, in cast iron, were the invention of Dr. Benjamin Franklyn, who then resided in Philadelphia. The invention was very ingenious, and had many conveniences: the room was warmed in all parts by the air flowing into it through the heated cavities; cold air was prevented rushing through the crevices, and much fuel was saved.—But the expence and trouble of fixing them in brickwork at first, and the great delays and difficulty of making workmen understand the manner of placing them, prevented their coming into general use.

These difficulties are now removed by the improvements made in them, and (where communication can be had with the external air) they are easily applied to any rooms whatever, so that not only small rooms, but the largest halls, libraries, or churches, may be warmed by them in a most effectual manner.

The advantages of using them instead of common fire-places in private houses, are,

• 1.That they shew a clear handsome fire, by which the rays of heat are thrown out, and the full effect of open fires obtained, in proportion to their size.
• 2.In boarding-schools particularly, where all cannot conveniently be permitted to come near the fire, their effect is fully experienced, for all are equally warmed, and thereby the pains which children suffer from chilblains, owing chiefly to chilled heels suddenly heated, are in a great measure prevented.
• 3.Those who sit near the fire have not that cold draught of nipping air on their backs as when before common fires, by which they are, as the phrase is, scorched before, and frozen behind: neither have they that sharp draught of cold air playing on them as in rooms where there are fires in the common way, by which many take cold.
• 4.They are most excellent in nursing-rooms, as they constantly supply a sufficiency of fresh air, so to be warmed as the physician shall judge most advantageous to the patient's distemper.
• 5.In common chimneys, the strongest heat goes directly up the chimney, and is lost, and the rays that strike out towards the room are repelled, and carried up by the same draught of air; but by these stoves a constant current of warm air may be preserved coming out of the chimney-corner into the room. Hold a candle just under the mantle-piece, or breast of the chimney, and the flame is bent outwards. By laying a piece of smoaking paper on the hearth, on either side, the current of air may be observed as it moves, and where it tends, for it will turn and carry the smoke with it.
• 6.Thus, as very little of the heat is lost, much less fuel serves, which is a considerable advantage where fuel is dear.—"I can," says Mr. Sharp, "with great truth assert, the saving [in that article] has been many times more than the original cost of the stove."
• 22.
• 7.Burn candles near this fire-place, and the flame rises quite upright, and does not flare and run the tallow, as against common fires.
• 8.These stoves cure most smoaky chimneys.
• 9.They prevent the fouling of chimneys two ways; one, by forcing the light dust and lint which contribute to foul chimneys, to pass through the flame, and so are consumed: the other, by burning less fuel, smoke is proportionably lessened.
• 10.The lighting of fires (an essential article in servants time) is greatly facilitated by means of a blower, whereby the fuel is soon kindled into flame, and smoke diminished; for where flame begins, smoke proportionably diminishes.
• 11.If a chimney should take fire, it is easily stifled and extinguished by these stoves.

To the advantages above mentioned, in order to recommend these stoves to private use, there are others of infinite consequence to bodies [?] people assembled in churches and halls, which are too obvious to need illustration.

Two of these stoves, of a large size, are placed in St. John's church, Southwark, the funnels of which are carried strait up through the galleries and roof. They are placed opposite to each other, about the middle of the church, and the effect is as complete as could possibly be desired for the purpose.

Before these stoves were placed, it had been usual to employ women every Sunday morning with cloths to wipe and dry the pillars and walls before the congregation assembled; but it is now observed, that after the stove-fires have been made a few hours, no such damp can be found. This church, Mr. Sharp believes, is the first stone building of its kind and size, that has ever been made comfortably warm by fires.

These stoves are not of the nature of Dutch stoves, for the Dutch stoves only warm the air in the room, without changing it; but these, by the heat of the fire, attract so great a quantity of external fresh air through the warming tube or air box at the back of each stove, that the air of the room is continually circulating and changing, as the stream is constantly rushing in and out of the room, by which it is rendered fit for wholesome respiration.

One objection that has been made to the use of these stoves is, their offensive smell. Their smell, however, never proceeds from the iron itself, which, in its nature, whether hot or cold, is one of the sweetest of metals, but from the general uncleanly manner of using stoves. If the stoves here described are kept clean, they are as sweet as an ironing box, which, though ever so hot, never offends the nicest lady. At the same time, nothing is more easy than to keep them clean; as a common hard brush, well applied, is all that is necessary.—That hot iron of itself yields no unwholesome vapours, is evident from the general health and strength of those who constantly work in iron, as furnace-men, forge-men, and smiths.

Another objections is, "That warm rooms make people tender and apt to take cold," which is a mistake as great as it is (among the English) general. If sitting warm 23. in a room made on subject to take cold on going out, lying warm in bed should, by a parity of reason, produce the same effect when we rise; yet we find we can leap out of the warmest bed naked, in the coldest morning, without any such danger, and in the same manner out of warm cloaths into a cold bed. The reason is, that in these cases the pores all closed at once, the cold is shut out, and the heat within is augmented, as we soon after feel by the glowing of the flesh and skin.

Description of the Marguis De MONTALEMBERT'S Stove-Chimnies.

Fig. 1. represents the elevation of a chimney, viewed in front in which is made a stove, tho' a chimney A is preserved, which may be shut up by means of the two folding doors, D, E, one of which is shewn open in this figure. When they are both open, it is a chimney where the fire is seen and kept up all day, as in a common chimney; and when they are shut it is a stove, the interior construction of which is exhibited in Fig 2. and is in part represented here, above the break C F.

Fig. 2. shews a section on the line E F, of the plan (Fig. 3.) here is seen the fire-place or hearth, R R, which rests on the little block H G, cut off at T, and expressed by the same letters in the plan; this chimney being 4 feet wide, 22 inches are allowed for the width of the lesser chimney to be built in the great one. On the hearth R R, the two sides L L are to be raised of bricks 4 inches thick, and the arch M, has its spring at about 12 or 15 inches above the hearth; at the top of it is to be an aperture M, a foot diameter, and 9 inches for the smoak to pass through. On the two jaumbs of the said arch are also to be raised of brick the two thin walls, N. 1. N. 2. the latter as high as the diaphragm P P, which crosses and totally closes the chimney. The particulars of this diaphragm are expressed in Fig. 4, where the valves, No.1. and 2. are seen represented in Fig. 2. under the same numbers; the thin wall, No.1. must terminate about a foot below the diaphragm P, to leave a free passage for the smoke, when the double valve No. 1. is shut; this valve is composed of two plates, h and q; the upper plate h is intended to close the aperture a, the lower q to close the aperture d; these two apertures can never be closed at once, as the double valve is but one piece moveable on its axe k, i, Fig. 4. and when the part h is lowered to close the aperture a, this valve takes the pointed position f, and consequently leaves a free passage for the smoke through the aperture d; the merit of the construction of this valve consists in preserving the heat in the lateral funnels, whilst the middle funnel is open: I must observe that the part h should be heavier than the part q, that the former may move the latter by its own weight, when we give it liberty to fall. The valve No.2. being single, requires no explanation. As to the way of making the valves move. It is evident that supposing a leaver to be fitted to the extremity of each axe, of a length proportionable to the weight of the valve, such as are represented in r and s, Fig. 5. and placing a double leaver t u, to act at the corner of tube of the chimney, the valves may be opened and shut by means of the cords xx and yy, and these pieces moving in the thickness of the chimney walls need have but little or no projection to interfere with external ornaments, &c. it will be proper to place a little stop behind the valve No.2. to keep it from opening quite so far as the vertical line, that it may drop back by its own weight, upon letting go the cord y y, which must be fastened to a hook as well as x x, all the while the valves are to be kept open.

Fig. 3. is the plan of the chimney expressed in the preceding figure. G H and I K, are two brick blocks four inches thick, and seven inches asunder in order to support bricks of 8 inches in length, so placed as to leave under them two passages for smoke; If you choose to be at the expence of castiron plates, you may fix in one the whole breadth of L M, and the brick blocks may be suppressed; there is indeed a necessity of making use of such plates, when the hearth of the chimney is on a level with the floor, and not very thick; the proper remedy in such a case is to place a plate both above and below.

Fig. 4. is the iron frame o, o, o, o, which should be made of the breadth and length of the funnel of the chimney, fixed by its four extremities o, o, o, o, its whole extent, by several iron claws let into the wall, and stonework of the chimney; the part m, should be covered and exactly closed with brick, tile, or iron plates, like the valves. The axes k i, f g, of the valves should go through the stonework of the chimney, to receive at their ends the apparatus which the cords are fastened to.

Fig. 5. is a front view of the different motions requisite to make the valves play; there may be seen how the double valve No.1. is moved, and that with the same facility as the single one, No.2. the whole is performed by two cords, such as are used for bells.

Fig. 6. represents the elevation of a stove-chimney, whose doors A and B, slide backwards in grooves, and move asunder as far as the extremities of the two sides C and D, which may be either of marble or wainscot; in which construction the chimney may be kept open the whole width E F, (Fig. 3.) These doors, for ease, are made to move along rollers above and below.

The advantages and conveniencies of these stove chimneys, besides those mentioned in the above explanation of the plate, are as follows.

• 1.The chimney may in an instant be converted into a stove, by opening one valve, and shutting the other, upon pulling one of the cords; and again into a chimney, by pulling the other.
• 2.An upper room may be heated with the fire made in the under one, or the contrary; or the fire may be kindled and burn in both rooms at once; in which case the two fires serve to increase reciprocally the heat of both the rooms.
• 3.By means of a double valve, the communication of the heat from one room to the other may be intercepted, and reserved wholly for that where the fire is, and that under the circumstance of a stove or a chimney,
• 4.It is equally easy to warm two rooms on the same floor, separated by a wall, by kindling only one fire in either.
• 5.By placing this sort of chimneys in corners, six rooms may, with the same fire, be warmed at a time; three on one floor, and as many on that over or under it, and that with different degrees of heat.
• 6.Lastly, with one chimney only, placed in a partition wall even with the ground, rooms on either side the wall, and on every floor, may be warmed; or the heat may be made to pass even under the floorings, and that without incurring the least danger from the fire.

Such are the principal advantages of the proposed methods. The principle of these constructions being known, it will be an easy matter for every architect to apply it according to local circumstances, and the pleasure of his employer.

(See accompanying photostat of illustration)

[…]chimney is on a level with the floor, and not very [illegible] such a case is to place a plate both above and below.

Schools, Lecture Rooms, Libraries, &c.

139. The same principles apply to schools, lecture rooms, &c, as to churches, when steam heat is employed; and the same principles of ventilation, whatever mode of applying heat be adopted; therefore, they need not be again reduced to examples. But in small schools, &c., on the ground floor, stoves may be used with more advantage, are less expensive, and require less attention. The mode of applying a stove to give an uniform heat to such a school, is nearly the same as that employed for warming green-houses, viz. the flues are conducted in a conduit under the floor, with gratings to let the warmed air into the room. The fireplace should be formed nearly in the same manner as for a boiler, see Plate II.; only, in the place of the boiler, the flue should be covered with a double thickness of Welsh fire-tiles of about 18 inches square, with the joints crossed to prevent the escape of smoke or vapour from the fuel. At the distance of about 10 feet from the fire, the smoke should enter an iron pipe, of about 9 inches diameter, and about 30 feet in length for an ordinary chimney, but shorter where there is a bad draught, and longer where there is a good one, the end of the pipe terminating at the chimney. The pipe of cast iron may be formed of the common water-pipes, and put together in the same manner, and supported on rollers so that the joints may not be opened by expansion; the loose end should be that in the chimney; and make the same allowance for expansion as for steam-pipes, that is 1-8th of an inch for every 10 feet in length, though it will rarely exceed half the quantity. The conduit under the floor, which is to contain this pipe, should be large enough for the pipe to be 3 inches distant from the bottom and sides; and it should be dry and plastered smooth in the inside. The cold air to supply the ventilation, is to be admitted into this conduit at some point near to the fire; and in the paving of the floor there are to be gratings for letting the warm air into the room, and also to allow that which has been cooled to descend into the conduit to be heated by the pipe.*

A stove constructed in this manner, will soon afford heat after the fire is lighted; it is of some advantage to put a damper in the chimney to regulate the draught. When the distance between the fire and the chimney cannot be brought within the limits before specified, the iron flue may be made of smaller diameter. And in other cases it will be necessary to return the flue, as when the fire-place and chimney are together.

Fn *Instead of using pipe for the flue I have sometimes made the sides of fire­brick, and the bottom and top of cast-iron plates with a rebated joint; this mode of construction is more easily managed in practice, and affords the same effect.

(pages 169-170)

Steam has been successfully applied to heating copperplates, and warming the work rooms for copperplate printers, by Mr. J. Ramshaw.* Before steam was applied the plates were warmed by charcoal stoves, which were injurious to the health of the workmen.

Fn *A description of Mr. Ramshaw's apparatus is given in the Transactions of the Society of Arts, Vol. XXXVI, p. 95.

(page 179)

[Inventory of Mrs. Thorowgood, 1641]

…one pair of andirons in the chimney, one pair tongs, one fire shovel… (Virginia Magazine of History, II, 416)

[Inventory of Estate of Capt. Francis Emperor, 1662]

[At top of numbers column appears "1 tob", probably meaning that values are reckoned in pounds of tobacco)
One paire of Androns & one paire of tongs — 0050 (Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, IV, 85)

[Inventory of Ambrose Fielding, 1674]

… 1 pr. brass And Irons …
… 1 pr. and Irons… (Virginia Magazine of History, XIV, 206~207)

[Inventory of Coll. Wm. Farrar, 1677]

	lb. Tob. & Casq.
…one p'r of small doggs with brass heads	0040

(Virginia Magazine of History, VIII, 207)

[Will of George Nicholls, 1677?]

…one pair of andirons, fire shovel and tongs,… (Virginia Magazine of History, V, 286)

[Inventory of Thomas Jefferson, Henrico County, 1679]

…1 pr. Brass handirons 20d… (Virginia Magazine of History, I, 208)

[Letter of William Fitzhugh to Mr. John Cooper, June 28, 1684]

I have occasion for two pair of small Andirons for Chamber Chimneys, one pair of brass ones, with fire shovel, and tongs, also two indifferent large Iron backs for Chimneys wch I would have you send me by the first ships. (Virginia Magazine of History, I, 271)

[Will of Coll. Joseph Bridger, died April 15, 1686]

… Andirons … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, VII, 242)

[Will of James Thelaball, Lower Norfolk County, 1691]

…and a great Copper Kettle & two pott Racks & two Iron Potts & one Iron Suitt and a Smale pr of And irons… (Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, III, 143)

[Abstract of inventory of Thomas Taberer; will dated 1692]

… one pare of Dogs and Andirons, … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, VII, 249)

[Inventory of William Churchill. Will proved 1711]

"…1 p. doggs, 1 fire shovell and tongs… (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, VII, 188)

[Abstract of Will of Rebecca Starke of York county, 1711]

To my son…a pair of iron Doggs, … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, IV, 198)

[Meeting of Visitors of College of William and Mary, 1716]

Ordered,…from England for the use of the Colledge, viz:
…1 pr of and Irons, Fire shovel and Tongs and Fender. (Virginia Magazine of History, IV, 173)

[Abstract of will of Rev. James Sclater of Charles Parish, 1724]

…one pair of andirons… (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, IV, 138)

[Inventory of Captain Richard Haynie, 1725]

…handirons… (Virginia Magazine of History, XXII, 89)

[Will of Thomas Branch, 1727, probated 1728]

…pair andirons, … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XXV, 65)

[Inventory of Nathaniel Harrison, 1728]

[Hall]	[Study]
…1 Pr Andirons	1 Pr Andirons
1 pr tongs	1 Pr Tongs and Shovell
1 Shovell…	1 Fender…
[Parlor]	[Room Over Dine'roome]
1 Pr Andirons	1 pr Andirons
1 Pr Shovel and Tongs	1 Fender…
1 Pr Bellows	[Room over the Parlor]
1 Hearth Brush…	1 Pr Andirons
[Bed Chamber}	1 Pr Tongs and Shovell
1 pr Andirons	1 Fender…
1 pr tongs and shovel	[Room over the Hall]
1 Fender	1 pr Andirons
1 pr bellows	1 pr Tongs & Shovell…
1 Hearth Brush…	[Kitchen]
[Closet]	1 pr andirons…
1 Pr Andirons	[Wash House]
1 pr tongs and shovel	1 Andiron…
1 Fender…	[Dry Store]
[Back Room]	2 pr Andirons
1 pr Andirons
1 pr tongs and shovel

(Virginia Magazine of History, XXXI, 362, 363, 365, 36p, 368, 369, 373)

[Inventory of Robert Carter of Lancaster County; no date given. 1732?]

…1 pr. Hand Irons, 1 poker,…
…1 pr Irong Doggs, 1 pr. Fire Tongs, 1 shovel…
33. …1 pr Iron Doggs, 1 pr tongs & fire Shovel…
… 1 pr Hand Irons. (Virginia Magazine of History, VI, 145-149)

[Inventory of Robert Carter of Lancaster County; no date given. 1732?]

…a pr. large hand Irones,…
…1 p. hand irons, 1 poker…
… 1 pr. hand irons…
…1 pr. old hand Irons… (Virginia Magazine of History, V, 263-267)

[Inventory of estate of Francis Robinson, 1741]

Andirons 2s. Shovel & Tongs 1s. (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, I, 56)

[Abstracts from inventory of Augustine Washington, Jr.—1743?]

. 1 Small hand-irons & Fender…1 Hand-irons & tongs & shovel (Tyler's Quarterly, VIII, 91)

[Settlement of estate of William Parks, 1750]

By the sale of one pr hand irons 22/… (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, II, 207)

[Will of Abraham Jones of Isle of Wight County, 1757]

…one pair of Hand irons… (Tyler's Quarterly, VIII, 281)

[Inventory of John Herbert, 1760]

…And Irons, 1 pair…0/10/0 (Virginia Magazine of History, XVIII, 186)

[Inventory of estate of George Hume, 1760]

…2 pr doggs 20/-… (Virginia Magazine of History, XXXVIII, 299)

[Appraisement of Philip Ludwell estate, date? He died in 1767.]

…1 Pr Andirons, fender & Tongs	--"10"-- …
1 pr Andirons, Tongs, Shovel, Fender & brush	1"--"-- …
2 Pr Andirons, fender, Tongs Shovel	--"15"-­…
1 Pr Andirons, Tongs & Shovel	1"--"-- …
1 Pr Andirons, fender, Shovel, Tongs, Bellows	--"10"-­ …
Andirons, Fender, Tongs & Shovel	1"15"-- …
1 Pr Andirons, Fender, Tongs & Shovel	1"15"-­ …
5 pr Andirons	2"--"-- …
1 pr Andirons, Fender, 1 pr Tongs & 2 Chafing Dishes 2 Tables	1"10"-­ …
1 pr Andirons & poker	1"--"-- …

(Virginia Magazine of History, XXI, 406-409, 412, 415)

[Inventory of Capt. Samuel Flournoy, 1782]

…pr. tongs & shovel, three pr. andirons… (Virginia Magazine of History, II, 208)

[Inventory of Thomas Lord Fairfax, 1782]

…4 pair andirons, 2 old carlsbad Do., 1 fire Grate, 8 Pair tongs, 3 Billows, … (Virginia Magazine of History, VIII, 14)

[Extracts from account book of Thomas Davis, Spotsylvania County, Va. — 1783]

…2 Pr. bras And irons,… (Virginia Magazine of History, XVII, 102)

[Inventory of Col. Anthony Lawson, Princess Anne County, 1785]

3 pr Wedges 2 Iron pestles and 1 pair Hand Irons - 1 14 (Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, I, 53)

[Inventory of Christopher Wright, Princess Anne County, 1785}

…3 pr and Irons 12/…1 pr Kitchen and Irons 10/… (Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, I, 135, 136)

[Appraisement of estate of Benjamin Harrison of Berkeley, 1791]

[Chamber]
…Tongs, Shovel, Fender, And Irons	1. 4." …
[Great Room]
Fender, Tongs, Shovel & And Irons	2. 10." …
[Dining Room]
tongs, shovel 2nd irons, fender	20s.
[Green Room]
1 small carpet, and irons & tongs	".15."
[Room over Chamber]
And-irons	". 5."
[Room over drinking room]
And-irons	0. ". " [sic]

(Virginia Magazine of History, XXXIV, 87-89)

[Invoice of James Carter (Williamsburg) to John Norton at London — 10 Janry 1771]

…
1 pr. plain strong Chimney Dogs for my Study no trap about them @ about 30/ (JOHN NORTON & SONS edited by Frances Norton Mason p. 152)

[ANTHONY LANGSTON ON TOWNS, AND CORPORATIONS: AND ON THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON. Date? — c. 1657? See note, Journals of House 1619-59, 106]

With these, and the Labourers that are afterwards to be employed in the digging of stone, cording of Wood, & carryig of Coale to make Iron, I presume the Forge & Furnace may be compleated in a year, and settled to work, and therefore I shall proceed to the Calculacon of the labor, and number of workmen, then what the product of their Labour may amount unto.

…
Five hundred Tunns of Iron will require ten thousand Cords of Coard-wood, and tis a days work for a man to corde one Cord of Cord-wood, therefore it requires 10000 days work for the cording of the wood, I shall allow one man to do 250 dayes work in a year at rate it will require 40 men to coard the wood, the men will cost in Transportacon 10£ p pole, in dyett 5£ p pole, and in wages, or cloathing 3£ p pole; This reckoned according to the Custom of Virginia come to 42£ p pole for 4 years service, wch comes to 10£ 10s;/p ann. for every man, at wch rate the 40 men will amount to 420£ for the Cording the wood.£420

The carrying of the Cole will be near about the same Labor, will require the same number of people, and therefore I shall set that down at the same Charge of £420

(William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, I, 104-105)

[WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE (Recently Discovered Documents — Copies made under the direction of the Library of Congress from the copies in the records of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in London — date? — c. 1692?]

By Lodging Coal and Candle in London 18 Months 16 7 0 [James Blair] (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, X, 245)

[(THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT.) Virginia Historical Society. THE LAST CHARTER FOR THE NORTHERN NECK. [1699?]

…All that entire Tract Territory or parcell of Land Scituate lying and being in America, and Bounded by and within the heads of the Rivers Tappahannock alias Rappahannock & Quenough or Patowmeck Rivers, the courses of the said Rivers as they are commonly called and known by the Inhabitants and Descriptions of those parts and Chesapayock Bay, together with the Rivers themselves and all the Islands within the Banks of those Rivers; And Woods, Underwoods, Timber and Trees, Ways, Waters, Rivers, Ponds, Pools, Watercourses, Fishings, Streams, Havens, Port, Harbers, Creeks, Wracks, of Sea Fish, Royal Deer, wild Beasts and Fowls of what nature or kind soever, Mines of Gold and Silver Lead Tinn Iron and Copper, And Quarries of Stone and Coal which then were, or at any time after should be had comeing being ariseing renewing accrewing found or taken within the Bounds and Precincts aforesaid° (Virginia Magazine of History, XV, 394)

[(THE RANDOLPH MANUSCRIPT.) Virginia Historical Society. THE LAST CHARTER FOR THE NORTHERN NECK. [1699?]]

…And all Quarries of Stone and Cole within the Limits and Precincts aforesaid, which now are, or at any time or times hereafter shall be had comeing being ariseing growing, renewing accrueing found or taken within the Bounds Limitts Precincts or Pleaces aforesaid Saveing Excepting and Reserving to Us Our Heirs and Successors one full fifth part of all Gold Mines or Gold Oar, and one full tenth part of all Silver Mines and Silver Oar now being or hereafter to be had or found Within the said Tract or Territory of Land, to have hold and enjoy all the said entire Tract Territory or Portion of Land, and every part and parcell thereof… (Virginia Magazine of History, XV, 397)

[THE JOURNEY OF FRANCIS LOUIS MICHEL. — 1701]

…In this great metropolis [London] the splendid St. Paul's cathedral is especially noteworthy, whose size and costly workmanship excite attention, since more than thirty six years have been spent in its erection and more than ten years will still be necessary before it is completed. It is built of large white hewn stone. To secure the necessary money for it the burning of hard coal is taxed. Each wagonload is taxed a crown, which yields an incredibly large sum.

[Fn. to above quotes from Baedeker's London, 16th. ed., 1911, p. 91. "…The greater part of the cost of the construction [of St. Paul's] which may be estimated at about 850,000 l., was defrayed by a tax on coal entering the port of London."

(Virginia Magazine of History, XXIV, 4)

[A Plain & Friendly PERSWASIVE to the INHABITANTS of VIRGINIA and MARYLAND For Promoting Towns & Cohabitation. — 1705]

And I assure you, Gentlemen, the best, richest and most healthy part of your Country is yet to be inhabited, above the Falls of every River, to the Mountains, where are severall advantages not yet generally known, as sea coal, lately discovered near the French Settlement, above the Falls of James River; and also some Mines, of which have been made some Experiencies. (Virginia Magazine of History; IV, 257)

[An act for establishing ports and towns — October, 1705]

And be it also enacted, That from and after the said twenty-fifth day of December, 1708, all goods, wares and merchandises of what nature or kind soever, to be exported out of this colony by water, coal, corn and timber excepted, shall, before they be put on board any ship or vessell for exportation, be landed or cleared at some one or other of the ports, wharfs, keys or places, as aforesaid, upon pain of forfeiture and loss of all such goods, wares and merchandises. (Hening's Statutes, III, 405)

[Quoting from Virginia Land Office, Richmond. Northern Neck Grants. Book 3, page 169: — Land grant] [1707]

…with all Rights Members & appurtenances thereunto belonging Royall Mines Excepted & ye full third part of all Lead, Copper, Tinn, Coals, & Iron Wanes that shall be found thereon… (Tyler's Quarterly, IV, 188)

[An Act declaring what shall be accounted a sufficient seating, planting, cultivating, and improving of lands already granted, or hereafter to be taken up and patented] [1713]

…That every three acres of land which shall be cleared, tended, and worked, as aforesaid; and every three acres which shall be cleared and drained, as aforesaid, shall be accounted a sufficient seating, planting, cultivation, or improvement, to save, forever, from lapsing, fifty acres of land, in any part of the tract contained within the bounds of the same patent; and the patentee, his heirs and assigns, shall at all times thereafter be at liberty to withdraw his stock, or to forbear working in any quarry, or mine, in proportion to such cultivation and improvements, as shall be made upon the plantable lands, or upon the swamps, sunken grounds, and marshes, which are included in the same patent. (Hening's Statutes, IV, 40)

[An Act for encouraging Adventurers in Iron-Works — February 1727)

…And forasmuch as it is absolutely necessary that roads be laid out and cleared from all such iron works, to convenient landings, and also that private roads should be laid out and cleared, for the carrying wood, coal, oar, and stone, to such furnaces or other works aforesaid: …

…And that upon the like application to be made to the county courts, as aforesaid, such county courts shall and may order and appoint private roads to be laid out, where the same shall be necessary, for the carrying wood, coal, oar, or stone, to such furnaces,…

…That the adventures in such work, shall give notice to the court of the county where any furnace, or other work aforesaid to be erected, shall lie, of their intending to begin and carry on such work or works; and from and after such notice so given, all the persons emploied in and about the building and carrying on such work, or the cutting of wood, making of coal, raising of oar, or any other thing necessary for the completing and carrying on such design, …

(Hening's Statutes, IV, 228-229-230)

[About Iron-works—similar to above]

(Hening's Statutes, IV, 298-299)

[Land grant — Charles Brent — December, 1728]

…Together with all Rights Members and Appurtenances Thereunto belonging Royal Mines excepted and a full third part of all Lead, Copper, Tin, Coals, Iron mines and Iron ore that shall be found thereon… (Virginia Magazine of History, XXXIV, 181)

[An Act for confirming and better securing the Titles to Lands, in the Northern­Neck, held under the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron, in that part of Great-Britain, called Scotland. — 1736 — coal rights mentioned three times in this act; for instance:]

…and all woods, under-woods, timber, and trees, ways, waters, river ponds, pools, water-courses, fishings, streams, havens, ports, harbours, creeks, wrecks of sea, fish-roial, deer, wild beast, and fowl, of what nature and kind soever; mines of gold and silver, lead, tin, iron, and copper, and quarries of stone, and coal, which then were, or at any time thereafter should be had, … (Hening's Statutes, IV, 516)
(other mentions, 515, 520)

[VIRGINIANS ON THE OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI, 1742]

[1741/2] …Where we came to this River the Country is mountainous, but the farther down the plainer in those Mountains, we found great plenty of Coals, for which we named it Coal River… [Fn. to this:] With this description compare Martin, "Coal Rover [sic]… is about 100 yards wide at its mouth and does not vary this width for many miles above. It is a beautiful meandering stream which runs through a romantic Valley, without receiving any tributary of consequence from the juncture of its northeast and west fork until it receives Little Coal River [Louisa] from the south…The lower falls are situated five miles above the mouth and five miles above these are the upper falls." The "romantic Valley" is now black with collieries and railroads. Fry misspelled the name "Cole" on his map and was followed on several of the later maps. As a result, that spelling may still be encountered occasionally.

[There are other references to Coal River besides this, but they have been omitted, as extraneous.]

(Virginia Magazine of History, XXX, 213, 214)

[Coal deposits]

[Fn.]: One of the most interesting documents in the records of Augusta county, Virginia, is the entry book of Thomas Lewis, County Surveyor from 174/4-1748, now in the office of the present County Surveyor,…The location of some of the forts in the French and Indian War are shown, and deposits of coal and iron, … (Virginia Magazine of History, XXX, 178)

[An Act for settling the Titles and Bounds of Lands, and for preventing unlawful Hunting and Ranging. — October, 1748]

XLVIII, And that if any patentee or proprietor shall, within three years, as aforesaid, begin to work in digging any stone quarry, coal, or other mine, upon his tract, and continue the same for three years then next following, he shall, for every able person so employed, save one hundred acres, (Hening's Statutes, V, 425)

[An act for encouraging adventurers in Iron-Works.]

[Similar to those above] (Hening's Statutes, VI, 137, 138)

[Burnaby's Travels in Virginia, in 1759]

…Some coal mines have also been opened upon James River near the falls, which are likely to answer very well. (Virginia Historical Register, V, 36)

[Exports from the Upper District of James river between the 25th of October, 1763, and the 25th of October, 1764]

…11,542 bushels of coal…
[between the 25th of October, 1764, and the 25th of October, 1765]
… 15,292 bushels of coals…
[between the 25th of October, 1765, and the 25th of October, 1766]
…4,900 bushels of coal… (Virginia Magazine of History, I, 98)

[An Act for opening the Falls of James River by subscription, and for other purposes, February, 1772]

[Charges for freight] …every chaldron of coal one shilling and six pence,… (Hening's Statutes, VIII, 567)

[Journal of the Committee of Safety — Williamsburg, March 29, 1776]

The representation of Mr. John Reveley respecting the erection of an air Furnace for casting of cannon being considered, Mr. Reveley is requested to examine the Lands in the neighborhood of the Coal pits on James River and make experiments of any clay he may suppose to be of the Sturbridge, and fit for making bricks to erect an air Furnace, and to attend the Comm'ee as soon as he shall have made such experiments with an account of his discoveries and an estimate of the expense of erecting such a Furnace as is proposed by him. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 144)

[Journal of the Committee of Safety of Virginia — Williamsburg, March 20, 1776]

…Ordered, that Capt. Younghusband be directed to purchase 500 bushels of Coal from Warwick, and to put it on board one of his armed vessels with orders for her to come down as soon as possible to the College Landing with her officers and men. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 131)

[Williamsburg, June 1, 1776]

…A warrant to Capt. William Duval for use Samuel Duval for £25, for 500 b'ls coal furnished James Anderson for public use… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 184)

[Robert Carter Papers — n. d. — Lancaster — Inventory]

In the Sloop Landing house.
…A parcel of coal, abt 70 bushl, … (Virginia Magazine of History, VI, 267)

[Virginia Militia in the Revolution — 1777]

[Among many charges for fire wood:]
Booker, William; for 300 Bushl of Coal furnished, 27. 10. --. (Virginia Magazine of History, VI, 282)

[An act to explain and amend the acts of General Assembly, providing a supply of money for publick exigencies. — May, 1779]

…mines of coal or metal, shall not be included within any of the said general classes, but shall…be valued by the assessors within whose, bounds they are, as they would sell, if exposed to sale for ready money in paper bills of credit of this commonwealth or of Congress.… (Hening's Statutes, X, 11)

[An act for calling in and redeeming the money now in circulation, and for emitting and funding new bills of credit, according to the resolutions of Congress of the eighteenth of March last — May, 1780]

[Quotation omitted — similar to preceding item] (Hening's Statutes, X, 243)

[John Ballendine to the Executive: — Feb. 27, 1781]

… The Furnace in Buckingham has a fine Stock of Coal & ore, wanting only a Hearth to put her in Blast… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, I, 544, 545)

[PENSION DECLARATION OF WILLIAM McLAURINE. — Cumberland C. H., Va.]

[In March, 1781]

…The army retired shortly after to the coal pits, about twelve miles above Manchester, where the declarant received permission to go home for a fresh horse, the one he had being knocked up by hard service.

[CAPT: H. YOUNG TO COL: WM. DAVIS. — May 13, 1781 — Richmond]

"There is at the Foundry two hundred bushels of Coales, which I intend to send to the point of fork, if a conveyance by water can be provided—

…The Point of Fork is an improper place (because tis insecure) for us to risque every thing at—let us then do right for once & center our grand views at Stanton; because tis a secure one, we shall find ten thousand advantages arising from that single circumstance alone, for my part I do not conceive that there is one advantage at the Fork, that we shall be deprived of at Stanton, the single article of Pit Coals excepted, which I conceive to be nearly ideal, because those that have been used to work with Char Cole prefer it—

(Calendar of Virginia State Papers, II, 94)

[CAPT: THOS: W. EWELL TO COL: WM. DAVIES at Point of Fork. — May 19, 1781, Bolling's Ferry]

… Two Canoes have already gone up with coal, and he will send more as soon as they can be gotten. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, II, 108)

[CAPT: H. YOUNG TO COL: WM. DAVIES at Point of Fork. — May 21, 1781]

"Dr. Sir,
I am much surprised and very uneasie that Mr. Anderson has not had a supply of Coals—About the 15 or 16 instant I dispatch1d two Canoes from the Foundry with sixty bushels of Coales, to Point of Fork." … (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, II, Ill)

[DOCT: MATH:POPE TO COL: DAVIES. — JANUARY 7, 1782 — Powhatan CO.]

"D'r Sir
There is a Vessel belonging to the Publick, that is going down in a day or two from Manchester with Coal, & to return to Richmond. if you think it right that all the Hospital Stores &c, should be brought from W'msburg, and the one brave fellow left that was wounded, you will please to signifieit to Capt: Young, that the skipper may have orders to bring them all up. It is certain it will be attended with a very great saving daily expence now incurred. as I cannot attend myself, beg the skipper may be ordered to call on me for any letters respecting that business. it is high time that expence was saved. the little time I intend to remain a Servant or rather a Slave to the Public, I wish to devote to their interest.
I am with sincere Esteem
your unfortunate friend:" (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, III, 10)

[CHAS: DICK TO COL: DAVIS. — January 12, 1782 — Fredericksburg]

…every thing that my Influence and Interest cou'd do, I have done, and shall continue to do, but it is absolutely impossible to lay in a stock of Provision, Walnut Plant, Steel & Coals without money… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, III, 17)

[An act for incorporating the town of Richmond, and for other purposes. — May 1782]

…clerk shall have the sole power of licensing tavernkeepers and settling their rates, appointing a clerk of the market, establishing an assize of bread, wine, wood, coal and other things, … (Hening's Statutes, XI, 48)

[CHAS. DICK TO COL: DAVIES. — October 23, 1782 — Fredericksburg — Expenses of the Factory at Fredericksburg for one year]

…
2000 Bush: Coal £100. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, III, 355)

** [This was omitted from p. 48]
[Executive Communications Oct. 20, 1777. to Jan 24,1778, Virginia state Library]

[Rapph. Forge, 19 Febry 1777]

…and divers other times have they taken waggons some on Journeys for grain and other Supplies for the Works which has obliged me (together with your positive orders to supply the publick gunnery from th coale here) to continue coaling all this winter and now in the severest frost & snow (to your great loss) weather neither fit for Man nor Beast to go out in, or otherwise suffer all your works to stand idle, on the whole, as laying in a Stock of Coale and every other part of the business here performed by Waggons stands on so precarious a footing, nothing now, nor indeed ever will without absolute security in this service be carried on with advantage to yourself or the State.

(William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XXVII, 84)

[An act for incorporating the town of Petersburg, and for other purposes. — May, 1784]

…The said court shall have the sole power of licencing tavern-keepers, and settling their rates; appoing [sic] a clerk of the market; establishing an assize of bread, wine, wood, coal, and other things; … (Hening's Statutes, XI, 385)

[Toll rates — October 1784]

	At the mouth of the south branch	At Payne's Falls	At the Great Falls
Every chaldron of coals	£0 . 0.5	0 . 0.5	0. 0.10

(Hening's Statutes, XI, 517)

[CAPT. JOHN PEYTON TO COLO. MERIWETHER. — Feb. 22, 1785 — Point of Fork]

…If the Public negroes are to continue there, he recommends the policy of renting a farm, and employing half of them in making corn and oats; the other half, with the guards, could be kept at cleaning arms, getting coal, wood, &c. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IV, 12)

[Virginia St. Lib., Executive Papers July 1785]

Dr The State of Virginia to Mesrs Brooke & Tutt for building a Magazine on the Gun Factory]
To underpinning the Storehouse & Coal House shed for the Gun factory 5:12:6 (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XXVII, 255)

[An act to authorize the trustees of Samuel Du Val, Junior, to sell the one-fith [sic] part of the Deep Run coal pits, and to layout the money arising from the sale thereof, in other lands and slaves. for the greater benefit of the said Samuel Du Val, junior, and his children — Oct. 1785]

1. WHEREAS it appears to the present general assembly, that Samuel Du Val, late of the county of Henrico, by his last will and testament, devised the one-fifth part of the Deep Run coal pits, lying in the said county, to his sons, William and Claiborne Du Val, in trust, for the support of Samuel Du Val,junior, and his children; that the rent of the said pits is very inadequate to that purpose, and it would be greatly to the advantage and interest of the said Samuel Du Val, junior, and his children, if the said trustees were authorized to sell the said coal pits in fee simple, and to vest one thousand pounds of the money arising from such sale in other lands, and the residue in slaves, for the benefit of the said Samuel, and the children that he now has, or may hereafter have:

II. Be it therefore enacted, That the said William Du Val, and Claiborne Du Val, as trustees of the last will and testament of Samuel Du Val, deceased, are hereby authorized and empowered to sell the said one-fifth part of the Deep Run coal pits so devised, in trust as aforesaid, and to convey the same by a deed or deeds, to the purchaser or purchasers thereof, in fee simple, and to vest one thousand pounds of the money arising from the sale of the said one-fifth part of the said coal pit lands, in the purchase of other lands, and the residue to be laid out in the purchase of slaves, between the ages of eight and twenty-five years, and that one-fourth part of the number of the said slaves to be females; …

(Hening's Statutes, XII, 222)

[An act for incorporating the town of York — October 1786]

…establishing an assize of bread, wine, wood, coal and other things, … (Hening's Statutes, XII, 379)

[An act to amend the several acts of Assembly concerning naval officers and the collection of the Duties. — October 1787]

… But all vessels not exceeding one hundred tons burthen, and wholly owned by a citizen or citizens of the United States or any of them, and navigated according to law, who shall be employed solely in carrying off American coal, shall be exempted from all tonnage except the six pence per ton for the support of the light house. (Hening's Statutes, XII, 442)

[An act to amend the laws of revenue, to provide for the support of civil government, and the gradual redemption of all the debts due by this commonwealth — October 1787]

[Duties and imposts:] …every bushel of coals, six pence; … (Hening's Statutes, XII, 414)

[An act for cutting a navigable Canal from the waters of Elizabeth river, in this State, to the waters of Pasquotank river, in the State of North Carolina. — October 1787]

[rate of tolls]	Parts of a dollar
Every chaldron of coals,	8 72nds.

(Hening's Statutes, XII, 485)

[L. WOOD, J'N'R, TO THE GOVERNOR, — Feb. 4, 1788, Richmond]

Requesting his Order upon the Auditor for a warrant for fifteen pounds to pay for Coal and other Office expenses.

(Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IV, 401)

[COMMERCE OF VIRGINIA 1789-1791]

Imports of other manufactured and miscellaneous goods came mostly or entirely from England and included: …28,179 bushels of coal… (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, X, 305)

[THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES. PETITIONS OF VIRGINIA CITIES AND TOWNS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BRANCHES, 1791.]

…Because the trade of Richmond and Manchester is very considerable, and both of these places being situated at the Falls of James River and supported by an extensive fertile and improving Back Country, may be expected rapidly to encrease, their exports are already great particularly in the Articles of Tobacco, Wheat, Flour, Indian Corn, Hemp and Coal, great part of which are purchased and paid for in Cash in consequence of orders from Europe as well as from the Middle and Eastern States… (Virginia Magazine of History, VIII, 292)

[McCOLL AND CUNLIFFE TO MR. COLEMAN. — Feb. 27, 1792]

Please pay the bearer, Mr. Lovell, three pounds fifteen shillings for 100 Bushels of Coal at 9d. pr. accord'g to agreement, … (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, V, 452)

[SAM. COLEMAN TO THE GOVERNOR. — Sept. 14, 1792]

The quantity of coal requisite for the General Assembly and for the Executive the ensuing winter will be 800 Bushels, which Mr. Robertson has engaged to supply, provided the carriage thereof can be advanced as the coal is delivered. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VI, 59)

[Prices at Richmond, 1793]

Fire wood, 7s. 9d. to 9s. a cord—that is a load—8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 4 feet broad.
Coals, 7 3/4 d. per bushel. (Virginia Magazine of History, XVII, 96)

[WYATT COLEMAN, SR., TO THE GOVERNOR — Feb. 8, 1793]

…P. S.—Mr. -----, the Register of the land office, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Tinsley, the Clerks of the superior Courts, furnish their own coal; and as I was about going to bed last night, Mr. Brown's servant came to me for the key of the lower door of the Capital, a servant of Mr. Waddle's being with him.

What do you want with it? I want to get some coal for Mr. Waddle which Mr. Brown has lent him.

I have no Controul over any coal in the Capital but that which has been laid in for the use of the Assembly & the Executive, & this I beg to assure you shall be taken the utmost care of.
W. COLEMAN, Sen'r.

(Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VI, 294)

[WYATT COLEMAN, SR., TO THE GOVERNOR. — April 1, 1793, Richmond — Bill for work at Capitol]

…For getting into coal Room 60 Bushels Coal — £ 0/4/0 (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VI, 321)

[R. QUARLES TO THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. — Sept. 5, 1793]

…3. How are the Smiths to be supplyed with coal?
4. And the Garrison with fire Wood?… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VI, 515)

[WILLIAM DABNEY TO THE GOVERNOR. — August 14, 1798]

Proposing to furnish Coal for the use of the Capitol for the ensuing winter at eleven pence per bushel, and for the Penitentiary at nine pence per bushel, deliverable at Harvie's pond. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 50S)

[THOS. CALLIS AND WILLIAM CALLIS TO THE GOVERNOR. —May 1, 1799]

We will have all the grates executed at the Penitentiary at 4d. per lb. the public find the Iron and Cole, and the tools… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, It, 22)

[Sept. 12, 1800 —Bradford —The Gabriel Insurrection]

Ro. H. Saunders informs the governor that he has received his instructions in regard to arresting a man at the coal pits [Tuckahoe] and that by the time of writing he had no doubt that they had been carried out by Captain Sanders. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IX, 146)

[October 1800 — The Gabriel Insurrection]

… Gabriel said he had nearly 10,000 men; he had 1,000 in Richmond, about 600 in Caroline, and nearly 500 at the Coal pits,… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IX, 164)

[JOHN CLARKE TO THE GOVERNOR, 1801]

… The duties of the Commissary or Storekeeper are to receive, weigh, measure, and store all the various materials, provisions, &c., and issue them as they are necessarily required for the works, such as the issuing to each workman the iron, steel, coals, gun stocks, files, emery, oil, &c., &c., &c., necessary for his work… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IX, 255)

[PETER A. BROWNE TO THE GOVERNOR —1833, Phila.]

Where is the State in this Union; I might perhaps safely ask where is the Country in the world that can surpass Virginia in the variety of position and abundance of supply of this valuable combustible [coal]? She possesses not only in common with her Sister States, a liberal quantity of bituminous coal in her western and carbonaceous regions, where according to geological calculations bituminous coal might be reasonably expected to be found; but in the eastern division of the State, within a few miles of the tidewater of a majestic stream which empties its ample waters into the Atlantic Ocean—in a geological position where bituminous coal nevery would have been sought after, because bituminous coal could not there have ever been expected to have been found, bituminous coal of good quality and apparently in great abundance has been found; nature seeming as it were in this instance, to enable her to favour an otherwise highly favoured land, to have defied all her own rules and baffled the skill of the gravest geologist by depositing bituminons [sic] coal upon the naked and barren bosom of the uncarbonaceous granite. I have often wondered why this anomaly did not strike the capacious and highly gifted mind of Jefferson, and why he or some other of the many reflecting men of Virginia was not led by it to enquire what else there might 56. be in store for the good people of that State. By neglecting to seek for them, we ungratefully reject the profered kindness of our Creator: the laws of inanimate matter are in this respect in unison with those that govern animated nature; we are furnished with the material and means, but in order to stimulate to useful and healthful industry, we must labor in their appropriation. God gives us the earth and the seed, but we must plough and sow or we can never reap; so he has bontifully placed within our reach innumerable valuable rocks, minerals and combustibles, but to enjoy them we must delve into the bowels of the earth, and having found them, we must, by various laborious processes, render them fit for our use. To those who are accustomed to regard these things, it is difficult to determine which causes the most painful sensations to observe how few coal mines in comparison to what might be, are opened in the neighborhood of Richmond, or the want or skill exhibited in the selection and the working of those recently opened … (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, X, 589, 590)

[These were omitted from p. 43 ]
[From A PERFECT DESCRIPTION OF VIRGINIA, originally pubd. London, 1649]:

Iron ore and rich mine are in abundance in the land, fit streams & waters to erect iron mills, woods never to be destroyed to burn coal, … (Virginia Historical Register, II, 64)

[From Wm. Byrd's letters]

[June 26, 1684]: Pray send mee by the first convenience some Borers or Augurs, such as they use to search for Coale or Lead with, what may serve for three fathoms or thereabouts, for I have a present occasion for them. (Virginia Historical Register, I, 119)

[PAPERS OF JOHN NORTON & SONS, MERCHANTS OF LONDON AND VIRGINIA, Mason]

[Invoice of Goods for Thos. Everard, 2 October 1773:]
… 1 Copper pan to remove fire Coals 1 Shovel pr. tongs and Poker p. 354

[Robt. Nicolson, Williamsburg, to John Hatley Norton, Winchester, August 16, 1785]

I Received your favours of 8 July last and applyed to Mr. James Southal about the Coal you mentioned & delivered him your letter—he informs me that Mr. John Dixon had the disposal of your coal—& that he had 40 Bushells of it, for which he paid Mr. Dixon he Shewed me Mr. Dixon's Receipt, for that quantity, dated 14 Decr. 1780. the amount £252-­ p. 471

Excerpts from Byrd's Diary concerning Coal Mines

July 18, 1709…Tom returned from Falling Creek and brought me word all was well there and that the coaler found the coal mine very good and sufficient to furnish several generations [Fn. to this:] Byrd was interested throughout his life in the possibility of developing mines of various sorts on his property. (See his A Progress to the mines in the Year 1732.) Aug. 13, 1709…In the evening John Blackman came from the Falls and brought me word some of my people were sick and that my coaler was sick at the coal mine … Dec. 23, 1710…George the coaler came likewise from the coal-pit and told me all was well there… May 29, 1711…)Mr. Finney and I went to Mr. Salle's and ate some eggs, and then went to Mr. Phillipe's [Fn. to this: Reverend Claude Phillipe de Richbourgh, minister of Manakin Town, 1704-1710.] and from thence to the coalpit where we found all well and George told me they had pressed through the rock and found very good coal. (Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover, 1709-1712)

Excerpts from Oxford Dictionary

5.a.(p.549) 1538 LELAND Itin. V 102
Though betwixt Cawoode and Rotheram be good Plenti of Wood, yet the People burne much Yerthe Cole.
1553 EDEN Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.)25 (Digged Cole) They digge out of the mountaynes a certayne kinde of blacke stone whiche burne in the fyre like coles.
1807 SOUTHEY Espriella's Lett. I. 12 They burn earth-coal everywhere.

5.b.
a1687 PETTY Pol. Arith (1690) 99 Coals…were heretofore seldom used in Chambers, as now they are.
1785 FRANKLIN WKS. (1840) VI. 525 The inhabitants of London have had no general pestilential disorder since the general use of coals.

5.c.
1777 SHERIDAN Trip. Scarb. III. iii, Get a Scotch coal fire in the parlour.
1805 FORSYTH Beauties Scotl. II. 468 The fire or seeing coal (so called from the light it gives).

[THE SITE OF OLD "JAMES TOWNE," 1607-1698 — referring to seventeenth century]

…
The remains of several immense fire places are found in all of the buildings excepting the state house. The fire places are generally about eight feet long betWeen the jambs. One, in the southern half of the "Country House," is eight and a half feet long. The jambs project about three feet from the walls.

The buildings appear to have been divided into apartments about twenty feet square by the fire places and heavy partition walls.

(Virginia Magazine of History, XII, 117)

[THE SITE OF OLD "JAMES TOWNE," 1607-1698 — referring to seventeenth century]

…
…On each Side of the wing is a projection which may have belonged to bay windows or fireplaces. If not to the latter, the state house probably was not heated, as there are no other indications of fireplaces in the building. (Virginia Magazine of History, XII, 118, 119)

[DEFENSE OF COL. EDWARD HILL. — 1672]

…To the 5th Article I answeare, that at a courte held at Westover in Augt the 6th, 1672: the courte entered this as theire order & agreemt. It is agreed by the Justices and Major Edw. Hill that he forthwth finish the house already begunn at the Courte house and ceile and glaze the same, And erect one brick chymney wth two fire hea(r)ths, and the charges thereof that he bring into the courte for allowance &c … (Virginia Magazine of History, III, 245)

[SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENTS GIVING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FOUR FORMS OF THE OLDEST BUILDING OF WILLIAM & MARY COLLEGE — 1704?[sic]

…All the chimneys in the 2d story are scarce big enough for a Grate whereas the only firing in this Country being wood, a fire cant be made in them without running the hazard of its falling on the floor as it once happened in the rooms where the Sectys. office was kept, a log tumbling out of the Chimney sott the floor on fire and had it not been timely discovered might have burnt down the building the Chimney in the School, hath pine Joysts laid into the very hearth so that one of the Sd. Joysts took fire, but being timely discovered the danger was prevented. The chimney over the Hall hath one of the principal 62. Girders running through the middle of the hearth whereby no use can be made of it The hearth in the Councill chamber had some plank laid just under it insomuch that at Christmas 1702, a constant fire being kept there, the wood under the hearth took fire and was almost all consumed before it was discovered. The ovens were made within in the Kitchen but when they were heated the smoke was so offensive that it was found necessary to pull them down and build others out of doors… (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, 69)

[NOTES FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES, 1712-1726]

…June 5, 1723. —… Mr. John Holloway, Mr. John Clayton and Archibald Blair empowered to agree with workmen to build two stacks of chimneys with two fireplaces at the North end of the Captol… (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XXI, 256)

["VIRGINIA GAZETTE." — January 24, 1750-'51]

…To be sold, on Friday, the 15th of February, a Lot in Newcastle Town, with a good Dwelling-house thereon, with three Fire Places in it, a Kitchen with a Brick Chimney, a Stable, Smoak-house, Dairy, and pailed Garden; … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XII, 73)

[THE ORIGIN OF WAKEFIELD, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHPLACE. By Charles Arthur Hoppin. 1758]

…This basement was divided into four large rooms with fireplaces … The resemblance of Wakefield to Gunston Hall, however, cannot be shown, further, beyond the evidences as to Wakefield having had, at least under the western half of its main part (for Wakefield seems to have been increased in size after Augustine Washington, who acquired it after the year 1698, entered into residence in it at, or not long after, his first marriage in 1715) a basement story in which were fireplaces; and to have had at the northwest corner of the basement, where there is a wide door-space in the foundation, a bulkhead exit, or oblique cellar-door, with steps up to the ground outdoors… (Tyler's Quarterly, VIII, 218)

[THE ORIGIN OF WAKEFIELD, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHPLACE. By Charles Arthur Hoppin. 1758]

…Predicated upon such a basement the conclusion follows, logically (for that type of mansion house was not uncommon in the first half of the eighteenth century), that the first floor above was topped by an attic story of a height sufficient to admit of half-a-dozen bedrooms, through the outer end walls of which rooms were chimneys, providing fireplaces in, at least, four of such 63. chambers, these bedrooms having dormer windows… (Tyler's Quarterly, VIII, 218, 219)

[MATTHEW MARBLE. — (Rind's Virginia Gazette, July 22, 1773.)]

… In Mecklenburg also, and is the place whereon I live, a tract containing 715 acres, improved with a dwelling house 48 feet by 26, divided below into four convenient rooms, a passage, several closets and beaufaits, and above, into two rooms and a passage, five dormer and four sash windows on each side; there is a brick chimney at each end, which affords a fireplace to each room below stairs, and underpinned with brick… (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, IV, 280, 281)

[TAVERN AND STORE FOR RENT, 1774.]

… Also will be rented, the Storehouse with a Counting Room and Fire Place, lately kept by Mr. Francis Whiting… (Virginia Magazine of History, X, 432)

["DISCUSSION OF SOCIETY HILL" — 18th Century House (?)]

… The interior, which is in such wretched condition that one feels surprise at finding a family poor enough to occupy it, yet retains evidences that it was once a costly and handsome house. The walls of the high-pitched rooms on this floor are panelled to the ceiling; the windows are closed with solid inside shutters; and the corner fireplaces retained until lately hooks, which showed that they had once been surrounded by tiles… (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, VI, 53, 54)

[Dec. 15, 1781, Richmond]

Robt. Boyd, Robt. Rawlings and Wm. White, having been appointed by the General Court to examine into the condition of the Public Jail, report, "that they find two small rooms ten feet square, without a fire place, with a small paled in yard & suppose it very insufficient for the number of Prisoners contained therein." (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, II, 659)

[DAVID ROSS TO GOV. RANDOLPH, Jan. 30, 1787, Petersburg, Point of Fork, David Ross' claim]

The report of the Commissioners states there were six framed houses, three hewed-logged houses, and three cabins, containing fourteen fire-places—the 64. greater part of which were in constant use for the publick from the beginning of the year 1781, for which rent should be allowed until Jan'y 1st, 1786; that there were twenty acres of land, the timber of which had been entirely cut off for the use of firewood and coal to supply the publick forges,… (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IV, 233)

[J. BROWN TO THE GOVERNOR — Oct. 8, 1787, Richmond]

The house now occupied by Mr. Beckley may be had for £ 40 specie a year; it has four rooms. Several other houses of same size, with one or more fireplaces, can be had at the same rates. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, IV, 347-348)

[October, 1788 — An act for establishing an inspection of tobacco, on the lands of John McCrae in the county of Prince William]

…That the proprietor of the said warehouse shall before the building thereof, enter into bond with sufficient security, in the penalty of two thousand pounds, in the court of the county of Prince William, with condition that he will not suffer any dwelling-house or storehouse with a fire-place to be built on his own lands, within one hundred yards of the said warehouse. (Hening's Statutes, XII, 663)

[AN ACT FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSPECTION OF TOBACCO ON THE LANDS OF ABRAHAM SHEPHERD, IN THE COUNTY OF BERKELEY. — Passed the 29th of November, 1788]

…III …. The said Abraham Shepherd shall, on or before the first day of May next, give bond with sufficient security, in the penalty of two thousand pounds, in the court of the said county, with condition that he will not build, or suffer to be built, any house with a fire place therein, within one hundred yards of the said warehouse. (Hening's Statutes, XII, 718)

[AN ACT FOR ESTABLISHING AN INSPECTION OF TOBACCO IN THE TOWN OF NEWPORT AND COUNTY OF PRINCE WILLIAM. — Passed the 11th of December, 1788]

… The said Cuthbert Bullit, shall, on or before the first day of May next, give bond, with sufficient security, in the court of the said county of Prince William, in the penalty of two thousand pounds, payable to the governor, for the time being, and his successors, for the use of the commonwealth, with condition that he will not build nor suffer to be built, any house with a fire place therein, on his lots or lands, within one hundred yards of the said warehouse. (Hening's Statutes, XII, 695)

[AN ACT FOR ESTABLISHING CERTAIN INSPECTIONS OF TOBACCO. — Passed the 5th of December, 1789]

SECT. 4. It shall not be lawful for the proprietor of the land whereon an inspection of tobacco is hereby established, or those hereafter claiming under them, to build or suffer to be built, any house with a fire-place therein, on his or their land, within one hundred yards of such warehouse. Provided always, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the proprietors of the lands in the town of Petersburg, whereon inspections of tobacco are hereby established, from building houses with fire places therein on their respective lands… (Hening's Statutes, XIII, 43)

[AN ACT DIRECTING THE PURCHASE OF A BELL FOR THE CAPITOL, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. — Passed the 16th of December, 1790]

… SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said directors shall likewise provide as many stoves of cast iron as may be necessary for the use of the house of delegates, the senate room, and the court room, and cause the same to be set up, at the public expence, in such part of the house of delegates, the senate room, and court room in the capitol, as to them may appear most convenient. And that the directors of the public buildings shall also cause the following alteration to be made in the senate room, to wit: Open a door of entrance from the room adjoining the senate room, opposite to the fire place, and to layoff a gallery on each side of the said door to be separate from the room by a decent balustrade… (Hening's Statutes, XIII, 201)

[AN OLD VIRGINIA LANDMARK — describing Ash Grove, said to be built by Thomas Fairfax in 1790]

… The old slave kitchen, the length of a deep lawn from the dining-room, still stands, a vine-covered brick building with large fireplace and crane and quaint Dutch oven … (William and Mary Quarterly, 2d series, VII, 90)

[THOS. NEWTON TO THE GOVERNOR. June 2, 1797. Norfolk]

…I have also turned my thoughts on such a house that will answer for many years, and if in future it should be necessary to be enlarged it may be done at small expense—viz., a house 24 feet long, 20 wide, with a shed 10 feet wide, two stories high, a cellar of 7 feet deep, a passage 8 feet wide, two rooms above, with fire-places above, … (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 436)

[THE GERMANS OF THE VALLEY. — VII. Home Life of The Germans. — Discussing late 18th century]

…Their dwelling-houses were seldom raised more than a single story in height, with a large cellar beneath; the chimney in the middle. with a very wide fire­place in one end for the kitchen, in the other end a stove room. … (Virginia Magazine of History, X, 116-117)

[THE RALEIGH TAVERN IN WILLIAMSBURG. — no date]

… The Apollo was the main room in the tavern, and the word means "a banqueting room." It was large and well lit, having a deep fireplace, on each side of which a door opened, with carved wainscoting beneath the windows and above the mantel­piece. This room witnessed probably more scenes of brilliant festivity and political excitement than any other single apartment in North America. … (William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, XIV, 214)

[College Notes] — 1837

In the room occupied by Messers. Jones and Crump the bricks over the fire place have fallen down; also in the room occupied by Messers. Henry and Semple the fire place is partly fallen down, both of which I believe to be natural decay and want repair.

Faculty Minutes, Jan. 9, 1837.