Finding aid for the Pelatiah Adams Account Book


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Adams, Pelatiah
Title: Pelatiah Adams Account Book
Dates: 1934-1955
Extent: 0.20 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: Pelatiah Adams was a physician who practiced medicine in Geauga County, Ohio, from 1818 until his death in 1856. The collection consists of an account book detailing Dr. Adams' house calls, prescriptions, bills owed and paid by patients. In addition, the book contains a brief tract Adams wrote on his religious beliefs. In general, the collection's greatest value is as a source of social history, providing information on the medical practice of a 19th century doctor in the rural Western Reserve. It also sheds light on the various ailments suffered by people of the times and the cures prescribed.
MS Number MS 4376
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

Biography of Pelatiah Adams

Pelatiah Adams (1794-1856) was a doctor who practiced medicine in Geauga County, Ohio, from 1818 until 1856. Adams was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and moved to Ashtabula County, Ohio, as a young man. He settled in Geauga County by 1818 where he spent the remainder of his life.


Scope and Content

The Pelatiah Adams Account Book, 1834-1855 consists of Adams's account book that details the medical calls he made, medicines prescribed, and bills owed by and collected from patients. In addition the book contains a brief tract Adams wrote on his religious beliefs.

This collection's greatest value is as a social history source, as it provides information on the practice of a nineteenth century doctor in the rural Western Reserve and Ohio. It also sheds lights on the various ailments suffered by people of the time and the cures prescribed. Those studying the history of medicine in Ohio and the Western Reserve in the nineteenth century will find this collection useful.


Statement of Arrangement

The account book is maintained in one folder.

Restrictions on Access

While there are no access restrictions on this collection, researchers will be asked to use the microfilm of this collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Adams, Pelatiah, 1794-1856.
Medicine -- Practice -- Ohio -- Geauga county -- History -- 19th century -- Sources.
Physicians -- Ohio -- Geauga County.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4376 Pelatiah Adams Account Book, Western Reserve Historical Society, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Judson Cooper, 1983.

Processing Information

Processed by Richard Hite in 1989.