Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16822, Sharp Family History papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a gift from Al Sharp to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 30 December 2019, January 2020, and 22 February 2023. The collection came in as three accretions.

Biographical / Historical

Robert Sharp bought 590 acres of land from Nelson Anderson in 1761 in Keswick, Virginia. He gave about 200 acres of the land to his son in 1780. Robert Sharp Jr. built Limestone Farm in 1794. James Monroe bought 175 acres of the land from Thomas Sharp in 1816. George C. Blaetterman bought the property in 1828. Bill and Pooh Johnson are the current owners of the property and successfully applied for a National Historic Landmark Registry. The limestone is thought to have been used by Thomas Jefferson for Monticello and the University of Virginia. Included is Al Sharp's research about Hemings family members that were enslaved at Limestone Farm by President James Monroe.

Included are family papers of relatives of the Sharp family: Colonel John Todd McQuiddy (1828-1885)

Content Description

Sharp family papers that include correspondence, documents, diagrams, architecture and photographs of the Limestone farm which was built by his ancestor in the eighteenth century. William McQuiddy family letters and images, cased photographs, a photo album, carte-de-visites, and family bible records. Sharp family genealogy and court records in Virginia.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 4 series. Series 1. Limestone Farm. Series 2. James Monroe and Enslavement of Hemings family members. Series 3. McQuiddy family papers. Series 4. Sharp Genealogy and Court Records in Virginia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Architecture -- Virginia -- Albemarle County.
• Color photographs
• Enslaved laborers