William F. Martin Ledger, 1853-1863

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Giles County
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Ledger, 1853-1863, records on an annual basis from 1857 to 1861 the accounts of individual customers. Each account lists in chronological order the date of transaction, medical service rendered, style of payment, and amount owed and paid. Services rendered include visits to patients, including slaves; medication; and consultation. Entries contain detailed accounts of services rendered which include extracting teeth, bleeding, and writing prescriptions (opium, quinine, ointments) for various ailments. Payments to Dr. Martin were made with cash, credit, and barter (oats, mutton, sugar, coffee). Ledger is 246 pages.

The ledger records additional information concerning Dr. Martin that were unrelated to his medical responsibilities. They include hiring out his slaves, particularly one named Jim; renting out his home to boarders; and accounts of individuals who purchased farm produce from Dr. Martin or that Dr. Martin purchased from them.

Biographical / historical:

William F. Martin was a physician who lived in the town of Princeton in present-day Mercer County, West Virginia, during the mid-nineteenth century.

Acquisition information:
These materials came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Giles County.
Physical location:
The Library of Virginia, Local Government Records Collection, Giles County
Physical description:
1 volume