Historic documents

These documents were provided by Mr. James Lee of The Plains, Virginia. Mr. Lee inherited a number of documents from the 1830s and 1840s from his great, great aunt Sarah Ann Strother, sister to the wife of the last John Chapman to own the Chapman (Beverley) Mill. He has generously agreed to let us use several on our web site. Many of the documents have to do with John Chapman's siblings and their mother, Susanna Pearson Chapman, widow of George Chapman. These documents give a fascinating insight into milling and a family's life during this time period.
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Muslin Bag

This hand sewn cotton muslin bag was found in a box of family heirlooms belonging to Mr. James Lee. Charles A. Chapman along with his uncle Nathaniel, ran the mill after the death of George Chapman in 1829. The documents provided by Mr. Lee were from the period 1833 - 1842. Dozens of receipts, contracts, bills and letters from this seven-year period were found in the pockets of this muslin bag. Though shown in two separate photos here, the bag is actually one long piece with four pockets that was probably hung up on a nail. Note the hand written labels on each pocket.

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List of slaves

With Charles A. Chapman's signature.

It is believed that these slaves belonged to Charles A. Chapman and were most likely part of his estate known as "Meadowville" in Fauquier County. It is likely this document falls within the 1833-1842 time period. Charles Chapman sold "Meadowville" to George W.F. Smith in 1842 and moved to Missouri. The reason for the numbers by each name is unclear.

Hanna 7   6
Maria 7   6
Lucy 7   6
Milly 7   6
Betsy 7   6
Lisa 7   6
Elender(?) 7   6
Bill 2-3   6
Joseph 2-3   6
Jarrot 2-3   6
William 2-1   5
Esac 2   4
Josua 2   4
Cilas 0   2

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Flour Inspection

On May 13, 1834 Inspector K?land inspected 12 barrels of "fine" flour for B.E.H? of Thorofare Mill. Chapman's Mill was apparently also known as Thoroughfare Mill. Much of the flour at this time was sent to either the port of Georgetown or Alexandria where it was shipped abroad to Europe or South America. Alexandria was still part of D.C.

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Note from Susanna Pearson Chapman

to her son, Charles A. Chapman, no date


Was this a case of miscommunication or is W Davis being manipulative? Mrs. Chapman is persistent in her desire for money for her other son John. It was common practice then for a third party to be involved in financial transactions with a second party if the third party owed money to the first party with whom the second party was dealing. One wonders if this was an embarrassing situation for Mrs. Chapman.

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A Bill for the Mill

In 1903 Charles Craig Furr, Jr. from Staunton, Va. buys Beverley (Chapman's) Mill.
Perhaps C.C. Furr is a male descendent of A. Furr.

Receipt for Work Done & Supplies Bought, No Date

A Slave receipt

1836, A receipt from Helen M. Chapman to Charles A. Chapman for moneys received for the sale of a slave

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On the back

A note found on the back of the slave receipt above.