Beverley (Chapman's) Mill, Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia: a History
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Beverley (Chapman’s) Mill, Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia: A History and Preservation Plan Frances Lillian Jones Beverley (Chapman’s) Mill, Thoroughfare Gap, Virginia: A History and Preservation Plan By Frances Lillian Jones B.A. September 30, 1966, George Washington University A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of the George Washington University in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts May 3, 1981 Thesis Directed by Larry D. Lankton, Ph.D. Assistant Professorial Lecturer, American Studies Program Cover: Oil Painting by Mary Carter Copyright © 2007 by the Prince William County Historical Commission Printed 2007 for the Prince William County Historical Commission Prince William County B&G Print Shop 5001 Prince William Parkway Prince William, VA 22192 Please direct all correspondence and book orders to: Prince William County Historical Commission 5 County Complex Court Prince William, VA 22192 ISBN: 978-0-9792155-1-3 BOARD OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS Corey A. Stewart, Chairman Martin E. Nohe, Vice Chairman Hilda M. Barg John D. Jenkins Maureen S. Caddigan Michael C. May Wally Covington John T. Stirrup, Jr HISTORICAL COMMISSION Members Ruth M. Anderson Ellis B. Hawkins Sara B. Anderson Alexander Jones, Jr. Frederick R. Brown Jane B. MacDonald James M. Burgess, Jr., Vice Chairman Ronald L. Smith Stephen K. W. Chock Harry P. Stickley, III Rebecca Cumins David Swavely Janice M. Cunard Ron Turner Betty Duley, Chairman Elaine S. Yankey Staff Robert C. Bainbridge, Planning Office Liaison Justin Patton, County Archaeologist Heather Hembrey, Public Works Liaison Toni Brzyski, Secretary Don Wilson, Library Liaison PREFACE Captured on the battlefield of Second Manassas, Lieutenant Charles Brockway of Battery F, 1st Pennsylvania Artillery passed through Thoroughfare Gap on a journey to Libby Prison. While there he got a good look at the damage his guns had inflicted on Chapman’s Mill a week earlier and described the large stone building as “much shattered.” The mill was actually in the line of fire from both sides as it changed hands three times during the small but intense battle for Thoroughfare Gap on August 28, 1862. Despite this damage, the mill recovered from the Civil War under new ownership. Renamed Beverley Mill, it remained in operation for nearly ninety more years. Even after it closed down in 1951 the mill dodged another bullet. It sat in the path of a new interstate highway but local preservationists rallied to reroute the road project and the mill was again saved. This imposing and important historic landmark in the very picturesque setting of Thoroughfare Gap was a treasure that many wanted to see preserved. The Prince William County Historical Commission is very pleased to present this comprehensive history of Chapman’s/Beverley Mill by Frances Lillian Jones and we greatly appreciate the author’s permission to publish it. The author very perceptively shows that the history of this mill is intertwined with the history of the entire region. Originally written as a Master’s Thesis in 1981, at a time when the mill was begging for and still had great potential for restoration, Ms. Jones included a preservation plan as part of her thesis. Unfortunately, arsonists put an end to any thoughts of restoration on October 22, 1998. Much has happened to the mill since Ms. Jones completed her thesis and it is felt this publication would not be complete without addressing the events of the last twenty- five years. Turn The Mill Around Campaign Executive Director Ellen PercyMiller graciously volunteered to contribute the appended postscript in addition to helping make the publication of this book possible. The real heroes, however, are the many supporters of Turn The Mill Around Campaign who rallied to save the mill once more and allow it to rise from the ashes with the prospect of becoming a popular heritage tourism site. This publication is dedicated to these individuals in recognition of their steadfast devotion to the mill’s preservation. The publication of books such as this is one way in which the Historical Commission seeks to promote a greater public interest and appreciation for local history and the historic sites within the County. For information on other available titles focusing on Prince William County’s rich heritage, please visit the County’s website (www.pwcgov.org) or contact the Prince William County Planning Office, 5 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192; Telephone: 703-792-6830. James M. Burgess, Jr. Vice Chairman, Prince William County Historical Commission November 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 Historical Significance Architectural Significance Scope and Purpose of this Study CHAPTER I. HISTORY OF WHEAT-GROWING, GRIST AND FLOUR MILLING, AND MARKETING IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. ......................................................................9 II. OWNERSHIP HISTORY..........................................................................25 Origins of the Mill With The Chapman Family “Jonathan. .” “. .Nathaniel” “. .Pearson” “. .John” “. .George” . .John Chapman, Rebuilt A.D. 1858 The Manassas Gap Railroad Mill Rebuilding, 1853-1858 Chapman’s Mill During the Civil War The End of the Chapman Family Ownership Chapman’s Mill Becomes Beverley’s Mill Ownership History, 1897-1951 J.R. Hornbaker Purchases the Mill Property Hornbaker Sells to W.W. Jordan W.W. Jordan to C.C. Furr and J.N. Kerr Purchase by Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. and the Mill’s Waning Days Chrysler Sells to Mack and Carolyn West The West Ownership of the Mill Property and the Planning of Interstate 66 Past the Mill West Sells to A. I. Smith III. DESCRIPTION OF THE MILL SITE, MILL, AND OTHER STRUCTURES..................................................................75 Description of the Mill Site Mill Description Mill Machinery Basement First Floor Second Floor Third Floor Fourth Floor Fifth Floor The Flow Process Feed Cornmeal Flour Outbuildings and Other Historic Structures Historic Landscape Features IV. PRESERVATION PLAN ........................................................................107 Proposal for Re-Use of Beverley Mill as a Mill Museum Other Mill Museums in the Region Visual and Design Considerations Visual Considerations Design Considerations Statement of Condition of Mill, Site, Machinery, and Other Features Condition of the Site Condition of the Outbuildings on the Mill Parcel Condition of the Mill Mill Machinery Mill Interior Alternative Suggestions for Re-Use as Mill Museum Full-scale Restoration Partial Restoration Museum and Visitors Center Towards a Preservation Plan Sources of Funding and Other Kinds of Financial Assistance Public Funding Sources Technical Assistance Federal Tax Incentives Easements Private Sources of Funding Conclusion POSTSCRIPT ..........................................................................................127 BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................137 APPENDIX..............................................................................................141 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure Page 1. Beverley Mill (photograph) Nov 1980 ...............................................2 2. Mutual Assurance Policy No. 42 .....................................................35 3. Mutual Assurance Policy No. 2113 ..................................................37 4. Xerox of Page of George Chapman’s Inventory...............................41 5. Thoroughfare Gap, View from East, Nov 1980 ...............................76 6. Thoroughfare Gap, View front East, Nov 1980................................77 7. Weir or Sluicegate South of Upper Mill...........................................80 8. Covered Part of Millrace with Beverley Mill in Background...........81 9. Beverley Mill, Southeast Corner.......................................................84 10. Beverley Mill, West Side..................................................................85 11. Beverley Mill, North Side.................................................................86 12. Beverley Mill, East Side with Railroad in Foreground.....................87 13. Canopy with Loading Entrance, East Side .......................................88 14. Mill Entrance, Second Floor, North Side..........................................89 15. Water Wheel .....................................................................................91 16. Tailrace and Wheel ...........................................................................92 17. Broad Run South of Mill, Showing I-66 Bridge Pylons...................93 18. Water Wheel .....................................................................................95 19. Flume ................................................................................................96 20. Forebay .............................................................................................97 21. General Flow Chart.........................................................................100 22. Former Store and Post Office .........................................................102 23. Furr House......................................................................................103 24. Ruins of Upper Mill with Beverley Mill in Background................104 25. Ruins of Chapman House ...............................................................105 Map Page 1. I-66 Right-of-Way through