Original Construction Chronology
1806
Hugh Chisolm sent to Poplar Forest to begin the brickwork
1808
Walls, roof, stairs, floors and privies done by carpenters John and Reuben Perry
Jefferson’s west bed chamber alcove nogged and plastered
1809
John Richardson plastered ceilings
1810
John Richardson quits; “center room and west room still to plaster” (ceilings)
1812
Reuben Perry installed grounds for wall plaster
1814
Hugh Chisolm plastered walls
Hugh Chisolm starts East wing after plastering
1815
Exterior trim (roof balustrade, Tuscan entablature, door and window trim, Chinese railing) started by slave craftsman John Hemings and his helpers, Eston and Madison Hemings.
John Hemings constructs terras roof, doors and windows of wing
1816
Exterior trim continues
1817
Alteration in East Chamber after wing is completed and granddaughters start using East room (most likely bed alcove closed on south side and doorway added to East pavilion to access roof deck)
Painting
More interior doors
Interior trim starts; all by John Hemings and his helpers
Interior trim
Central Room roof structure rebuilt into flat deck terras type by Hemings
Central Room ceiling replastered by Antrim
Marble hearthstones and slabs by John Gorman
Interior Doors
Exterior Louvered Blinds by Hemings
Doors for stairs
1820
Interior Trim begun
1821
Most interior trim finished
Dining Room entablature done (wooden parts)
Entablature terra cotta ornaments received from William Coffee in NY
1823
Jefferson’s grandson Francis Eppes starts living at Poplar Forest; Jefferson still directing work.
Roof fire burns chestnut shingles; tin shingles replace wood shingles
Ornaments in Dining Room installed
East Wing roof gutters rebuilt by Hemings
John Hemings sent to install Parlor ornaments
Jefferson dies
1828
Francis Eppes sells Poplar Forest property to William Cobbs