Introduction of oil bricks in Virginia in the early 19th century is described. Bricks had been hand made with molds either dusted (sand molding) or dampened (slop molding) during the Colonial Period. Neo-Classical and Adam-style architecture introduced after the revolution demanded more uniform bricks. The process, which involves oil coating (linseed or train oil) in a copper-lined wooden mold, is described in documents solicited by John Hartwell Cocke during the construction of his Palladian style house of Bremo, Fluvanna County, Virginia. In correspondence relating to construction of the original buildings of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson also discusses the use of oil bricks. The facades of several buildings at the University show a mixture of sand molded and oil brick. Jefferson's correspondence also indicates the use of oil bricks in Philadelphia. Oil bricks were replaced by machine made bricks between about 1820 and 1840.