Hampden-Sydney College Archives & Special Collections
John Wayt Cosby Architectural Drawings
Cosby, John W., 1815-1867
John Waitt Cosby
John Wayt Cosby
SC.000108
23 Sheets
217.5 Megabytes
26 total images. Resized digital scans of the John Wayt Cosby Architectural Drawings are available through the Hampden-Sydney Archives & Special Collections' Digital Repository.
5 Volumes
5 optical discs containing original scans
1862/1875
English
.
10
1
Biographical / Historical Note
"John Wayt Cosby (March 13, 1815-July 13, 1867), a son of the prominent brick builder Dabney Cosby, was one of several antebellum builders who developed design skills and established an identity as an architect. Working in a range of revival styles popular in the 1840s and 1850s and maintaining a close relationship with his father, he was the architect for several substantial buildings including some erected by the older man." Author: Catherine W. Bishir. Contributor: J. Marshall Bullock. From North Carolina Architects & Builders, a Biographical Dictionary
Access to Materials
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files will be provided for use upon request.
Use of These Materials
The nature of the Hampden-Sydney College Archives and Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. As a result, Hampden-Sydney College claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.
The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g. cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning and individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the College assumes no responsibility.
Scope and Contents
The drawings in this collection include Specifications and Drawings for Spiers House, Raleigh, NC, 1862. The Spiers house was never constructed, and little information has been found regarding the Spiers family. Plans for the house offer a glimpse into antebellum architecture, in particular plans for a structure intended to house not only a family but enslaved servants.
Processing Information
Processed by: Mary Prevo, 2014. Machine-readable finding aid created from previous inventories by: Sarah Almond, 2021 February.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], John Wayt Cosby Architectural Drawings, SC 000108, Hampden-Sydney College Archives and Special Collections, Hampden-Sydney, VA
Existence and Location of Originals
The physical collection is stored in the Vault and is available for research by appointment.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital scans of the sketches are available on the Hampden-Sydney College Archives & Special Collections' Digital Repository.
Architecture
Architecture, Domestic--Designs and plans
Architecture--Details
Architectural drawing--19th century
Architecture, Domestic--North Carolina
Building--Details--Drawing
Spiers House, No 22 Section of a Window Frame and No 23 Section of the Casings and Jamb Linings of DoorsArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Drawings of full size detailed section of windows and doors with notes specifying materials and methods of construction. Good condition; minor losses to edges; lined with mulberry paper repairs. Signed: "John W. Cosby archt / Raleigh / Jan 14th 1862 NC"2 drawings, sheet 42.6 x 66 cm, 16 7/8 x 26 in. Note horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Older Man in a Frock Coat [profile facing left]Archival Resource KeyBessie A. Batchats1875Bust-length profile portrait of a balding man facing left. He wears a carefully tied cravat and dark frock coat. Signed l.r." Bessie A. Batchats [?] / Raleigh 1875" Condition: Poor, paper has an arched top, Acid mat burn. Horizontal tear from left side three-quarters across the image at the subject's chin; tear at nape of neck; chips from the side and top edges; evidence of water damage across lower half. Note: verso in ball point pen and pencil "Kemp Plummer / HSC 1786". Verso image shared shelf #12629263.1 drawing, sheet 35.7 x 28.5 cm, 14 x 12 3/8 in.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House [blank fourth page of written specifications for construction]Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Page 4 of four-page folio (blank). Related to shared shelf numbers 12629265 and 12629267. Consider not publishing to Shared Shelf.lined paperInk on Paper10Verso of Older Man in a Frock Coat [profile]Archival Resource KeyBessie A. Batchats1875Verso of bust-length profile portrait of a balding man facing left. Condition: Poor, paper has an arched top, acid mat burn, horizontal tear from right side three-quarters across the image, chips from the side and top edges, evidence of water damage across lower half. Inscription top center in ball point pen and pencil "Kemp Plummer / HSC 1786". Note: related to image of recto, shared shelf #12629260.11 3/8 x 14 inDrawing on Paper10Spiers House, Specifications to Accompany Plans of a House for J. B. Spiers Esq.Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Detailed specifications for Spiers house including requirements for materials and construction. Written in longhand. Page 1 of four-page folio (pages 2 and 4 blank). Condition: good. Note: related to continuation of specifications on interior(page 3) of folio, shared shelf # 12629267.Page 1 folio, sheet, 43.2 x 27.8 cm, 17 x 11 in.Ink on Paper10Spiers House, Written specifications for house construction, pages 2 and 3Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Detailed specifications for Spiers house including requirements for materials and construction. Interior of folio, pages 2 and 3. Condition: good. Note: Related to page 1 of specifications, shared shelf #12629265.Folio, sheet 43.2 x 55.4 cm, 17 x 21 3/4 in.Ink on Paper10Spiers House, First Floor Plan, No. 2.Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Scaled first floor plan, numbered plan 2. Signed: "John W Cosby Archt/ Raleigh/ Jan 14 1862 N.C." Condition, good, some mulberry paper repairs on back to small edge tears.1 drawing, sheet, 52.7 x 36.5 cm, 20 3/4 x 14 3/8 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No. 3, Second Floor PlanArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Second floor plan of house. Signed: "John W Cosby archt/Raleigh/Jan 14 1862 N.C." Condition: Good, some mulberry paper repairs on back to small edge tears. Note: related to image of verso, Shared Shelf #12629277.1 drawing, sheet, 52.7 x 36.8 cm, 20 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Verso of Plan No. 3 with penciled redrawing of plan.Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Pencil redrawing of second floor plan reflecting changes (/). Unsigned and undated. Condition: good. Note: verso of related to Shared Shelf #12629275.1 drawing, sheet 52.7 x 36.5 cm. 20 3/4 x 14 3/8 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Plan No. 4, Section Through on Line A(subscript 1) A(subscript2)Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Cross section of main house through principal formal rooms. Signed: "John W Cosby Archt/ Raleigh/ Jan 14, 1862/ N.C. " Condition: good1 drawing, sheet 30.7 x 44.5 cm, 12 1/8 x 17 1/2 in. Note horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Plan No. 6, Front Elevation.Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Colored presentation drawing, elevation of east side of house, principal facade. Labeled, "Plan No 6". Signed, "John W Cosby Architect/Raleigh/Jan 14th 1862/NC". Condition, good; some staining and foxing on perimeter of support, some mulberry paper repairs on verso to small edge tears.1 drawing, sheet 33.6 x 45 cm, 13 1/4 x 17 3/4 in. Note: horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No. 7, South Side ElevationArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Colored presentation drawing, elevation of south side of house. Labeled, "Plan No 7". Signed, "John W Cosby Architect/ Jan 14th 1862 Raleigh/NC". Condition, good; corner losses and some mulberry paper repairs on back to small edge tears.1 drawing, sheet 33.6 x 52.3 cm, 13 1/4 x 20 5/8 in. Note: horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No 9, Cornice and Cantilever of Main BuildingArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Full scale, detail of the upper frieze of the main building cornice including a section through the gutter and details of moldings for the bed mold and cantilever brackets. Unsigned. Condition: good with some corner and edge losses, lined with mulberry paper.1 drawing, sheet 66 x 97.7 cm, 26 x 38 1/2 in. Note: horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Plan No. 8, North Side Elevation.Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Colored presentation drawing, elevation of north side of house. Labeled, "Plan No 8". Signed, "John W Cosby Architect/Jan 14th 1862 Raleigh/NC". Condition, good; corner losses and some mulberry paper repairs on back to small edge tears.1 drawing, sheet 31 x 52.5 cm, 12 1/4 x 20 3/4 in. Note: horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Plan No. 1, Plan of Foundation, and Plan No. 5, Framing of FrontArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Plan of stone foundations (No. 1) and plan of timber framing for the facade wall (No. 5) including notes as to size of beams and method of joining. Signed and dated: "John W. Cosby archt/ Jan 14th 1862, Raliegh/NC". Condition: has sustained vertical tears through image, stabilized with mulberry paper lining.1 drawing, sheet 50.8 x 66 cm, 20 x 26 in. Note: horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No. 10 Front Face of Cantilever of Cornice for Center Building and TowerArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Full-sized detail drawing of the front face of the main building and tower cornice bracket (cantilever) including acanthus, tongue-and-dart, bead-and-double-reel moldings. Signed: "John W Cosby Archt/ Raleigh/Jan 14th 1862 N.C." Condition: good, some minor corner losses, lined with mulberry paper.1 drawing, sheet 67.3 x 48.7 cm, 26 1/2 x 19 1/4 in. Note: vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No. 11 and No. 12, Cornice of Portico and Bay Window, Full Size, side and front elevationArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Full-size, side and front elevation drawings for the exterior eaves and cornice of the portico and bay window, including details of gutter and interlacing pendant eaves arcades. Architectural moldings include acanthus, tongue-and-dart, bead-and-reel, rosettes, and scrolls. Each drawing individually signed and dated: "John W Cosby, Archt/ Jan 14, 1862/ Raleigh, N.C."2 drawings, sheet 66 x 55.3 cm, 26 x 21 3/4 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No. 13, Cornice and Console of Window Head and No. 14, Window and Door FacingArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Two drawings on a single sheet including detailed drawing to scale of cornice and console of window head for interior windows in principal rooms, calling for acanthus, rosette, and scroll decorative carving and a section for a typical window and door facing. Each drawing individually signed, "John W Cosby Archt/ Jan 14th 1862/ Raleigh NC". Condition: good, lined with mulberry paper, some corner losses. Drawing No. 13 continued on separate sheet, Shared Shelf #12629319.2 drawings, sheet 66 x 43.8 cm, 26 x 17 1/4 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No 15, 16, 17, and 18, Front Door and PorticoArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Sheet of four drawings including a small scale elevation of the front door, fanlight, side panels and lights (no. 18), full scale renderings of portico column (no. 15), capital (no. 16), and base (no. 17). Each drawing individually signed and dated, "John W Cosby/ Raleigh / Jan 14 1862 N.C." Condition: poor, lined with mulberry paper, multiple cracks through images and losses in images, but clearly legible.4 drawings, sheet 66.2 x 93.6 cm. 26 1.8 x 36 7/8 in. Note orientation varied depending on drawing.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, No 19, No 20, No 21 Cornice and Console and Base Block of Doors of Parlour and Dining RoomArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Side and front elevation of cornice, console and base block of parlor and dining rooms decorated with scrolling acanthus, rosette, bead and reel, egg and dart, and bead and reel moldings. Condition: good with some edge tears, lined with mulberry (?) paper. Signed: John W Cosby Archt / Raleigh / Jan 14th 1862 / NC3 drawings, sheet 55.3 x 66 cm, 21 3/4 in. x 26 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Nos 24, 25, 26 Window Finish Detail, Fireplace Plan, Wash Board DetailArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862One sheet with three drawings, each labeled separately: no. 24 detail plans of window; no. 25 plan and sections for fireplace (information on the mantel missing); and no. 26 section detail for 'wash board' Poor condition; lined with mulberry (?) paper; substantial losses to upper left of drawing. Each numbered detail and plan separately signed "John W Cosby archt / Jan 14th 1862 Raleigh / NC"3 drawings, sheet 47.5 x 58.5 cm, 18 7/8 x 23 in. Note orientation vertical.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Weatherboard DetailArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Image of an actual scale drawing of specifications for weatherboard. Includes instructions for fabrication and finish. Condition: good. [unsigned] "No. 27 / Plan of Weatherboarding" In-house finding aid item number 231 drawing, sheet 48 x 61 cm, 18 7/8 x 24 in. Note horizontal orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, architectural detail (extension of another drawing?)Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Unsigned, the bottom part of an acanthus decoration in profile. Must be an extension on another drawing. Condition: good Note: This drawing is an extension of another drawing, suspect record 126291 drawing, sheet 61 x 47 cm, 24 x 18 1/2 in. Note vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers House, Cornice Molding and Architrave, unlabeled (lower extension of No. 9)Archival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Unsigned. Full-scale detail of cornice molding and architrave, this drawing is the lower extension of "Plan No. 9, Cornice and Cantilever of Main Building," showing a profile view of lower half from wall from volute scroll to architrave. Unsigned. Condition: good with some corner losses and some mulberry paper repairs on verso to edge tears. Note: relates to image of verso, shared shelf # 12629292 and to the rest of the image, Drawing No. 9, Interior Cornice Molding Detail, shared shelf # 126263.1 drawing, sheet 58.5 x 48.6 cm, 23 19 1/4 in. Note: vertical orientation.Drawing on Paper10Spiers HouseArchival Resource KeyCosby, John W., 1815-18671862Reverse of drawing - pencil sketch of moldings barely visible through mulberry backing paper. Note: Relates to recto, shared shelf # 12629322.58.5 x 48.6 cm; 23 x 19 1/4 in.Drawing on Paper10