Family Doctor Analyzing the Letters

[Adam Faulkner]

1) series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1017, date: 1847-9-28, doctype: letter, author: Paul Cameron, location: Fairntosh, subjects: slaves, themes: health, doctors, trade, racism, mortality, jobs, corn, supplies, clothing, customs
summary: Paul relays information to his father about the health of many family members, friends, and slaves. He reports three slave children have died recently, including Brenda the child of their cook Sarah. On page two, Paul discusses a "purchase" made by his father in Delaware which may refer to the slave trade (unclear). Paul passes on gossip regarding the disgrace of a couple that eloped without parental permission.

http://plantationletters.com/pcameron/Paul_Cameron_1847_9_28_TR.swf

2) series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1020, date: 1847-11-8, doctype: letter, author: Paul Cameron, location: Fairntosh, subjects: slaves, themes: health, doctors, death, supplies, machinery, cotton, food, wheat, corn
summary: Paul writes his father regarding the health of family members and slaves. An 18 year-old woman named Betsy has died in a similar manner to several before her. Paul is uncertain as to the cause and indicates the disease works so fast that doctors cannot be brought in to assist the sick. Paul indicates gins and water wheels are not running awaiting the arrival of supplies such as rope. Lewellyn has written Paul from Alabama indicating his storage fees for cotton have been paid in corn, and the plantation may not have enough pork to feed slaves. A shortage of salt is also noted in nearby Henderson, NC. ]

http://plantationletters.com/pcameron/Paul_Cameron_1847_11_8_TR.swf

3) series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 987, date: 1846-6-25, doctype: letter, author: Charles Lewellyn, location: Greene County Alabama, subjects: slaves, themes: corn, oats, cotton, tobacco, potatoes, health, disease, doctors
summary: The overseer describes the condition of several crops and mentions the general health of several named slaves, including two sick children and Eaton who has seen a doctor for dropsy.

http://plantationletters.com/lewellyn/Charles_Lewellyn_1846_6_25_TR...

4) series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 982, date: 1846-4-4, doctype: letter, author: Charles Lewellyn, location: Greene County Alabama, subjects: slaves, themes: corn, supplies, health, doctors, cotton
summary: The overseer describes planting and fencing, getting supplies from the landing, a doctor tending to a slave named Old York who is gravely ill, and general health of other slaves.

http://plantationletters.com/lewellyn/Charles_Lewellyn_1846_4_4_TR.swf

5) series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1011, date: 1847-6-29, doctype: letter, author: Charles Lewellyn, location: Greene County Alabama, subjects: slaves, themes: cotton, insects, corn, oats, health, doctors
summary: Cotton crop is improving, and 100 acres of corn and 30 acres of oats are listed in good condition. The overseer has been pushing the team hard. Caroline is not well and is expected to die by August. The doctor visits sick slaves occasionally.

http://plantationletters.com/lewellyn/Charles_Lewellyn_1847_6_29_TR...

6) series: 1.3.3, box: 41, folder: 963, date: 1845-8-27, doctype: letter, author: James Ruffin, location: Haw River North Carolina, subjects: slaves, themes: health, doctors
summary: In a reply to Paul Cameron, James Ruffin indicates that one month prior all of Paul's slaves (presumably in Alabama) were healthy and the crop was good. James is surprised to hear from Paul that slaves are sick, and recommends he not hire any doctors who he finds ineffective.

http://plantationletters.com/other/James_Ruffin_1845_8_27_TR.swf

7) series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 993, date: 1846-9-23, doctype: letter, author: Dr. Ring, location: Greene County Alabama, subjects: slaves, themes: cotton, health, disease, doctors
summary: Dr. Ring asks Paul Cameron if he would be willing to ship his cotton via Captain Oliver's landing instead of Candys Landing. He also discusses treating four slaves and the death of one healthy 50 year old male slave named Limon who collapsed somewhat unexpectedly with a fever.

http://plantationletters.com/other/Dr_Ring_1846_9_23_TR.swf

8) series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1013, date: 1847-7-26, doctype: letter, author: John Moore, location: Marengo Alabama, subjects: slaves, themes: doctors, disease, health, cotton, corn
summary: Dr. Moore writes Paul Cameron regarding the health of two slaves Caroline and Fanny who are thought to have syphilis and dropsy respectively. He also discusses the condition of cotton and corn crops.

http://plantationletters.com/other/John_Moore_1847_7_26_TR.swf


9)series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 995, date: 1846-10-22, doctype: letter, author: Thomas Bennehan, location: Stagville, subjects: slaves, themes: health, doctors, wheat, corn, cotton, disease, slavery, post, overseer
summary: Thomas has returned to N.C. from Philadelphia where the Cameron's have taken Mildred for medical attention, and he writes back to the Camerons that their Doctor Haywood in Raleigh is concerned his care was perceived as unprofessional. Thomas describes the health of family and crops, as well as sickly slaves and a sick overseer by the name of Laws. Thomas' perspective on the institution of slavery and "gratitude" of slaves is shared. Finally, he discusses an order of carpet that he made but was not received, presumably due to the bad state of postal services by land compared to water.

http://plantationletters.com/lewellyn/Charles_Lewellyn_1846_10_22_T...

Analyzing the Letters

1. J.H. Ruffin is a skeptic on the doctor's knowledge
2. Eaton, I believe, is a slave who contacts dropsy
3. Dr. Ring is one of the physicians who attends to the illnesses and appears to be one of the better ones, curing Eaton and several others
4. Mildred has a very serious condition that is worked on by Dr. Hodge who seems to have aided her recovery

[Rachel Palmer]

Adam,

I also read the letters mentioning Dr. Ring and Dr. Moore. It is interesting that the overseer CL didn't bring them that often. I wonder why (the cost, the overwhelming number that were ill)? Neat topic!!

[Megan Justice]

Some of the letters I reviewed may be helpful in writing your story - Lewellyn mentions illness and having to call the doctor to the plantation in Alabama. Could be some good background info!