1862 August 2 Charlottesville, Va.

Charlottesville, Aug. 2d 1862

Genl. John H. Cocke
Dear Sir:

About the 1st of May last Dr Cabell called
to see me in reference to the rent of the Delavan property
& if I am not mistaken told me that he had had an
understanding with you in regard to the rent, and it
was that rent should be paid you from the 1st
of May last--& suggested to me that he was willing
that any two disinterested free holders should decide
as to what would be a fair compensation per mo:
for the use of the property--acting upon the suggestion
I selected Mr Jas Lobban and Mr Jno: Wood Jr, who
being acquainted with the property fixed the rent
at $42 50 per mo: & adding in their award that all
damages should be repaired--The property seems

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to be well taken care of --and the front fencing has
been removed--(the old fence) and a substantial
board fence put in its place--I send you
herewith a receipt & a duplicate to get your
signature, that I may draw the rent for the
first two months--the Quarter Master refusing to
pay being required so to do by the regulations, unless
I have your own signature to the rect or have
a power of attorney from you authorizing me
to rect in your name--  I thought, under
all the circumstances, the rent ought to have
been more, but having agreed to leave it to two
free holders--we are bound by their award.
Mr Massie turned the accounts & between Mr Sample & yourself
over to me--but I can do nothing with them  Mr S. being
hopelessly insolvent & Mr Gibbs whose bonds he took for the rent of
your property, being equally so--very respectfully
                                             your obt Svrt   Jas D. Jones

MSS 640

The Delevan, also known as the Mudwall, was built in 1828 by General Cocke for use as a Temperance Hotel for University of Virginia students.  It became part of the Charlottesville General Hospital and after the war was used as a school for the freedmen. An African American Baptist congregation purchased the building in 1868. First Baptist Church now stands on the site.