Digital Durham

Order these records by:

Browse Collection › LC Subject Heading › 49 records found where LC Subject Heading is Diseases -- North Carolina -- History -- 19th century
	Letter from Richard Harvey Wright to Thomas D. Wright, May 09, 1887 With anticipation of rising prices of tobacco cutters, Richard Wright advises his brother Thomas Wright to buy out Reed & McGees tobacco stock. In sharing family news, Richard writes that his daughter "Little May is I think improving."
	Letter from Lucy W. Ball to Richard Harvey Wright, September 19, 1885 Lucy shares news of her health with her brother Richard Harvey Wright and offers him advice on how to feed his baby daughter, Little May.
	Letter from Annie E. Snow to Richard Harvey Wright, January 07, 1886 Annie E. Snow writes her brother-in-law Richard H. Wright about the difficulties she encounters with Mr. Linthicum who she hired to move and beautify the grave of Richard H. Wright's deceased wife, Mamie Exum Wright. She also thanks Richard for sending her a crayon drawing of her sister Mamie.
	Letter from Annie E. Snow to Richard Harvey Wright, March 10, 1886 Annie E. Snow writes her brother-in-law, Richard Harvey Wright, with suggestions about selecting appropriate monuments for the grave of his deceased wife, Mamie Exum Wright.
	Letter from Annie E. Snow to Richard Harvey Wright, May 13, 1886 Annie E. Snow gives a report to her brother-in-law Richard H. Wright about her health after the birth of her son, Horace Snow. Annie approves Richard's selection of the monument, inscription, and verse for the grave of Richard's deceased wife, Mamie Exum Wright.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, February 07, 1887 Thomas shares family news. Nannie Wright will take Richard's daughter, Little May to visit with Annie Snow. Little May seems "bright and playful this morning." Thomas thanks his brother for sending medicines and notes that the current illness has left him confined to his bed. Thomas asks his brother for advice on purchasing real estate from Tilley.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, July 21, 1887 Thomas blends family and business news in this letter to his brother, Richard Harvey Wright. He has just shipped roughly 20,000 pounds of tobacco to one customer. He tells Richard that his daughter May is sick and expresses hope that she will feel well by fall. He describes his own daughter who had also been ill as plump and teething.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, October 03, 1887 Thomas expresses concern for Richard's daughter, Little May, who is ill. He updates his brother on the work that Linthicum is doing to build a house for Richard Harvey Wright. He also notes that a new Building and Loan Association plans to build homes on property east of Alston Avenue.
	Letter from Charles M. Glenn to Richard Harvey Wright, August 13, 1890 Charles M. Glenn, a Greensboro pharmacist from Tate Brothers Wholesale Druggists, advises Richard Wright to take his ailing brother Thomas Wright to Buffalo Springs, Virginia where he could find a cure for his Gastro-Duodenal Catarrh or gall stones.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, January 18, 1889 Thomas gives quick report of the Durham mill executives and their travels. He also reports that Richard's daughter Mamie (sometimes described as Little May) is recovering from mumps.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, April 16, 1889 Thomas Wright reports on the fiscal situation of the Durham Bobbin & Shuttle Mills Co.:" Expenses up to this time are greatly in excess of out put [sic] of work." He also notes that Dr. Carr is treating Richard's daughter Little May with electricity.
	Letter from McCord Wright Ball to Richard Harvey Wright, July 16, 1890 In this letter to his uncle, McCord Wright Ball details some of his recent expenses associated with college life. He also discusses the medical remedies he purchased in an effort to recover from a bout of "grippe."
	Letter from McCord Wright Ball to Richard Harvey Wright, January 28, 1890 McCord Wright Ball updates his uncle, Richard Harvey Wright, who is in Manila, Philippines, with family news. McCord also discusses his experience with love and courtship, being sick with la Grippe, and his finances.
	Letter from Thomas D. Wright to Richard Harvey Wright, January 24, 1889 Thomas D. Wright updates his brother, Richard Harvey Wright, on Durham business news and the health of Mamie Richard's daughter. The child has just recovered from mumps.
	Letter from Lucy W. Ball to Richard Harvey Wright, June 22, 1885 Lucy Wright Ball sends her brother Richard Harvey Wright advice on feeding his infant daughter, Mamie E. Wright. Richard had lost his wife, Mamie Exum Wright, in childbirth and his sister Nannie had assumed responsibility for his newborn daughter. Lucy includes a separate note for her sister Nannie Wright where she expresses her concern for her niece's health and tries to persuade her siblings to bring young Mamie to Greensboro. She offers to help secure a wet nurse for her infant niece and suggests hand feeding the baby with scalded milk and catnip tea.
	Letter from Annie E. Snow to Richard Harvey Wright, June 25, 1885 Annie E. Snow sends her brother-in-law Richard H. Wright nutritional advice for his baby daughter. She tells Richard she has been in poor health and cannot consider travel. She recollects her sister's death in childbirth and lauds Richard's efforts to keep his infant daughter alive.
	Letter from Richard Harvey Wright to Thomas D. Wright, July 18, 1887 Writing on Lone Jack Cigarette Company stationary, Richard Harvey Wright directs his brother, Thomas, how to prize, package, and ship tobacco for the Charles Watkins & Company.
	Letter from James Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, October 28, 1881 James Southgate details his visit to the Yorktown Centennial and his shopping expedition in Richmond to his daughter, Mattie Southgate, who attends boarding school in Staunton, Virginia. In relating news from Durham, James describes his daughter Annie Southgate's recovery from typhoid fever, provides details of Mollie Day's failed courtship, preparations for the Methodist Church Conference and news about Durham neighbors and family. James Southgate also inquires of Mattie's schooling, her teacher, Lizzie Daniels, and advises her to strive for excellence, especially in her penmanship.
	Letter from Delia H. Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, December 12, 1881 Delia H. Southgate shares news from home with her daughter Mattie Logan Southgate. Mattie's friend Willy Wilkinson battles a fever, her sister Annie has rebounded from illness, her brother Jimmie has traveled to Beaufort for fishing while Aunt Sarah plans a trip to Henderson. She inquires about the items Mattie will need for winter at the Wesleyan Female Institute and promises to send a box or care package for Christmas. Delia asks Mattie for information about her studies in vocal and instrumental music with Miss Lizzie Daniels and Professor E. Louis Ide.
	Letter from Thomas Decatur Jones to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, August 16, 1886 In this letter, from Thomas Decatur Jones to, his wife, Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, Thomas gives news about his friends from Durham who traveled to the Hygeia Hotel, a sanatarium on the Virginia's coast to recuperate and fish. Thomas says all his friends except for John Angier has had some sort of ailment. Thomas's kidneys bothered him. Mr. Watts departed early to return with his father to Durham due to an illness. After Mr. Watts left, Thomas and his friends could not decide what route to return by to Durham. Some people wanted to travel along the Virginia coastline past Nag's Head, North Carolina, and then west to Durham. B Thomas wanted to return to Durham via Richmond, Virginia or further west through Asheville, North Carolina and then head south or west to Durham. Mr. Morehead says he must get home to Durham, North Carolina, by the next day. Thomas is upset he did not find Mattie in his bed at night. The letter is written on stationary with an engraved image of Hygeia Hot...
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate Jones to Delia H. Southgate, July 22, 1887 Mattie Southgate Jones writes her mother Delia Haywood Southgate who is visiting her relations in Asheville, North Carolina. Mattie's home is being moved across her lot, while her six-month old baby, Thomas Decatur Jones is teething and recovering from a fever. Mattie sends news of her father, James Southgate, who is in Saratoga Springs and her husband, "Tomie." She concludes her letter with regards for her cousins Lawrence Pulliam and his wife Kate Furman Pulliam and Eva Thomas Furman Brown and her husband Edwin Brown.
	Letter from Charles Conrad to Thomas Decatur Jones, July 11, 1889 Charles Conrad writes about his concern for Thomas Decatur Jones's spiritual condition should Thomas die from his illness. Conrad reflects on Heaven and the fact that his parents, wife, and two children are waiting for him there.
	Letter from Thomas Decatur Jones to Charlie ____, August 03, 1889 In a letter to Charlie _______, Thomas Decatur Jones complains that the heavy rains have ruined his garden crop and adversely affected the Richmond tobacco market. He describes his medical condition and the treatment prescribed by Dr. A. G. Carr which left him "almost paralyzed." This letter is written on Fancy Leaf Tobacco stationery.
	Letter from Thomas Decatur Jones to A. S. DeVlarming, August 30, 1889 In a letter to his colleague A. S. DeVlarming, Thomas Decatur Jones describes a difficult railroad journey to New York City and his lengthy search for a medical specialist who could treat his ailments. Thomas notes the help his sister Lessie Southgate provides him in locating a physician. The new doctor terms his condition "lung disease." Thomas Jones penned the letter on Fancy Leaf Tobacco stationery.
	Letter from Lessie Southgate to James Southgate, Delia Southgate, James Haywood Southgate, Annie Southgate, Mattie Southgate, December 25, 1881 Lessie Southgate writes her family in Durham from Goliad, Texas where she is teaching music. She vividly recollects her illness and recovery in the winter of 1880, the visits of doctors Carr, Battle, and Knox, as well as the rich "Christmas eatings," her spare diet of "tea-eggs, toast and mush" and the gifts of her family and friends. Lessie tells her family about the benefit concerts she has organized and gives news of a concert she will give in Victoria, Texas. She writes about a fashionable dress that she will wear at Annie Bradshaw's wedding, a garment that she purchased with her earnings.
	Telegram, September 23, 1889 Nannie McAdoo King sends a Western Union Telegraph Co. telegram from Greensboro, North Carolina to her nephew Decatur J. Holcombe in Danville, Virginia. She reports that her brother Thomas Decatur Jones is dangerously ill.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, September 18, 1883 James Southgate writes his wife Delia Southgate about his medical regimen at the Retreat of the Sick, in Richmond and the news he has heard about illnesses in Durham. Responding to reports from Durham of the Whitaker family's illness, Southgate advises that Mr. Whitaker eliminate his hogs, dismantle the hog pen, and put in a layer of lime on the top of the soil. He advises his family to clean their property and use lime to purify the grounds and sleeping rooms. He expresses his concern about the ill health of his Durham friends Mrs. Blackwell, her daughter Mary Blackwell and his daughter's school mate Minnie. He notes his correspondence with Grandma Zach about the Richmond fruit market and makes plans with Delia purchase peaches and pears from Chapel Hill for canning. He describes the mischievous antics of sailors at the Retreat who baptize a brood of kittens. In closing, Southgate mentions his correspondence and visits with friends and relatives including Kate Sanborn, Cousin Aug...
	Letter from James Southgate to James Haywood Southgate, September 20, 1883 James Southgate reflects on the death of Minnie Moore and the extreme illness of Mrs. Blackwell's child, in this letter to his son, James Haywood Southgate. The elder Southgate recounts the losses that Minnie's family recently experienced and prays that Minnie's mother will find consolation in her religious faith. He describes his medical regimen in Richmond, Virginia, especially the diet of boiled eggs and meat juice that he eats. He mentions several meetings with different insurance representatives. In a postscript, he notes that the doctor recommends the addition of oysters to his diet.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia Haywood Southgate, Annie Moore Southgate, Mattie Logan Southgate, James Haywood Southgate, Celestia Muse Southgate, and Sarah Anne Wynne Raboteau, September 23, 1883 James Southgate writes his wife, children and sister, about the inclement weather in Richmond and the medical treatment he receives there. He remarks about his weight loss and relates the different theories that his physicians, his sister Sarah Raboteau and his cousin Augusta Christian have about treating "feeble digestion" or "Dyspepsia." He shares details of his medical regimen and the effects of the medications on his mouth. While watching church goers in the rainy streets of Richmond, James ruminates on the weather's effect on religious practice. James expresses his wish to visit his relations in eastern Virginia with his physician's approval. He responds to news from his family about Grandma Zack and Ed Sym and notes that he dined on oysters.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to James Southgate, September 23, 1883 Mattie Logan Southgate sends news concerning Minnie Moore's death to her father, James Southgate, who has traveled to Richmond, Virginia. She further describes the ill health that afflicts little Mary Blackwell and Mrs. Lockhart. Mattie refers to the letter Kate Sanborn sent to her father. She describes her visits with different Asheville friends and relatives and the poor quality of vocal and instrumental music that she heard there.
	Letter from Kate Christine Sanborn to James Southgate, September 27, 1883 Kate Christine Sanborn expresses her grief to James Southgate about the recent loss of her mother, Susan Sanborn. Kate notes that her father and seven of her siblings have already died.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to James Southgate, January 29, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate acknowledges receipt of five dollars from her father, James Southgate. She shares news from Cordelia Hunter Southgate (Aunt Hunter) and tells of writing her sister, Lessie. She has lots of news to report from the Wesleyan Female Institute. The principal, William A. Harris had each student immunized and Mattie jokes that "her scab will vaccinate most all of Durham." She comments on her grades and compares her progress in penmanship to that of her friend Leland Sneed. In closing, she requests more money to pay for additional practice time on the piano. The session with Professor Ide, she claims, is insufficient.
	Letter from A. G. Carr, M. D. to Thomas Decatur Jones, September 15, 1889 Dr. A. G. Carr pens this darkly humorous letter to his friend and patient, Thomas Decatur Jones (1852-1889). He tells Thomas that his outstanding medical bill totals two million dollars and that he would like Thomas to will him his infant son Decator, should the elder Jones, or his wife, die. Carr describes the excitement in Durham over the anticipated arrival of Sam Jones, the revivalist, and the death in Goldsboro of Dr. William M. Robey, a Methodist clergyman. He comments on the general health of Durham's citizens and writes that he will soon assist Mrs. Charlie McGary through childbirth. He closes by noting the birth of a daughter to Mrs. Thomas Martin and a raucous fox and oppossum hunt.
	Letter from Celestia Muse Southgate to Annie Moore Southgate, February 08, 1885 In this letter, from Lessie Southgate to, her sister, Annie Moore Southgate, Lessie (Celestia Muse) Southgate describes events occurring in Durham: a sermon, "musicale," and an upcoming Valentine's Day party. Lessie shares news about the Duke family, Lipscomb family, Blackwell family, Carr family, and Lockhart family. Lessie depicts a horseback outing with Emma Lockhart, Julian S. Carr, and others. While riding through Hayti, she stopped to to see Adaline, one of the family's domestic servants, who is ill. Lessie mentions the arrival of the "Wizzard Oil Band of Singers," a group that performs open air concerts. She concludes her note with humorous news of Annie's dog, Zoe.
	Letter from Delia H. Southgate to Annie Moore Southgate, February 09, 1885 Delia Southgate writes her daughter, Annie Moore Southgate, who has traveled to Richmond for medical care at Dr. Frank D. Cunningham's Retreat of the Sick.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate Jones to Annie Southgate, March 1885 Mattie Southgate Jones writes, her sister, Annie Southgate with news of illnesses and happenings in the Durham community. "Tomato" (a pet name that she uses for her husband, Thomas Decatur Jones) and A.S. DeVlarming, her husband's book-keeper have battled fever and measles, respectively. Mrs. Bob Jones experienced a miscarriage, Kate Conrad battles pneumonia and DeVlarming copes with measles. She reports that her sister Lessie will work together with Mrs. George Watts, Dora Fanning, Minnie Carter, and, Marion Fuller to organize a concert. Mattie shares news of her visitors. She mentions her garden, quilt making, and embroidery.
	Letter from Delia Haywood Southgate to James Southgate, March 05, 1885 Delia Southgate writes her husband, James Southgate, that their son-in-law Thomas Decatur Jones is unwell and their daughter Mattie Logan Southgate Jones is full of anxiety. In addition, she notes that Jones's book keeper A.S. DeVlarming suffers from measles and pneumonia. Delia gives news about the health of every one at home: Lessie has recovered from a cold and sleeps with the dog, Zoe. Aunt Sarah Raboteau sleeps with Delia. She mentions Aunt Sarah's squabbles with the cook Neomie. Delia closes with a request that her husband purchase some artwork.
	Letter from James Southgate to James Haywood Southgate, September 01, 1887 In this letter to his son James H. Southgate, James Southgate discusses his medical condition diagnosed by Dr. A.G. Carr, Dr. Bartholow, and Dr. Frank D. Cunningham. James Southgate worries about Eugene Morehead's health and the future of the Durham bank should Morehead die. Southgate describes his diet at his hotel in Saratoga Springs and gives a report on a prayer meeting held by Reverend Dr. Simpson of t he New York Tabernacle. He anticipates his journey home and wonders if he will, upon his return, feel like Rip Van Winkle.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, February 27, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate explains her concern for her father's health and the rationale behind her telegraphing home for news of his condition. The stationery is embellished with hand-drawn birds modeled on those drawn by her friend Minnie. Mattie asks her mother to send a box of water colors from Dike's book shop in Durham, so she can study art on her own. She describes the dress she will wear at the upcoming soiree at Wesleyan Female Institute and closes with a promise to write her sister Lessie.
	Letter from Mattie Logan Southgate to Celestia Muse Southgate, March 26, 1882 Mattie Logan Southgate writes her sister Lessie (Celestia Muse) Southgate with news of festive and somber events at the Wesleyan Female Institute. She provides a vivid description of Alma Ivey's death from "tiphoid and brain fever," the visit of Alma's mother to school, and the funeral procession from school to the railroad depot. Mattie tells Lessie about her new interest in drawing and her lessons with Reverend Harris' daughter, Mattie. She discusses her coursework with Lizzie Daniels in vocal music and her plans to study art and musical elocution in the next year. Mattie notes that she visited Edmund Berkeley's studio and she promises to send her sister a photograph.
	Letter from James Southgate to Delia H. Southgate, September 12, 1883 James Southgate sends news to his wife, Delia H. Southgate, from the "Retreat for the Sick" in Richmond, Virginia. James describes the medicines--Blue Mass, Chlorate of Potash and calomel--that he has taken for his ailments and the effects these have had on his mouth and stomach. He notes the prices of fruits in the Richmond market, visits from the Mohsberg family, and advises Delia to make arrangements in Chapel Hill and Hillsboro to purchase peaches and pears for canning. Southgate asks for news about Mattie who is traveling, his niece Undine and expresses concern for Mrs. Lipscomb and Minnie Moore who are ill. He offers his family dietary advice and requests that Delia send him the family's newspapers after they have been read at home.
	Letter from James Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, circa 1885 In this fragment of a letter, James Southgate takes his daughter on an imaginary walking tour of Durham where he visits with her friends, neighbors and town luminaries. Southgate reports on the news and gossip of the day: Durham's tobacco entrepreneurs, Blackwell & Goodson dissolved their partnership, Dr. A.G. Carr sold his stock of medicines to the druggists Vaughan & Tenny, Mrs. Battle struggles while her husband Dr. Lee W. Battle seeks treatment for his opium habit at the Asylum, and the Lehman family purchases a new piano. Additionally, Southgate supplies his daughter with tidbits of news concerning the Halliburton, Lyon, Smith, Perry, Phillips, Lockhart, Watts, Howerton, Farthing, Angier, McCabe, Thomas, Walker, Betts, Burton, Cooper, Rowland, Miller, Fuller, Gammon, Hopkins, Day, Mohsberg, Levy, Fawcett, Wilkerson, and Dalby families.
	Letter from Lucy W. Ball to Richard Harvey Wright, August 1885 Lucy attempts to console her brother Richard Harvey Wright after the death of his wife, Mamie Exum Wright. She also discusses tensions in the tobacco industry between the Duke family and her brother.
	Letter from James Haywood Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, November 26, 1889 In this letter, from James Haywood Southgate to, his sister, Mattie Logan Southgate Jones, James congratulates Mattie Southgate Jones on the birth of her son, Thomas Decatur Jones. Her brother prays to God for her speedy recovery from the pains of childbirth. He writes the letter on F. Fishbate Wholesale and Retail: Clothier, Hatter, and Furnisher's stationary, which was located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
	Life insurance policy for Thomas D. Wright, 1887 Copy of life insurance policy application submitted by Thomas D. Wright to James Southgate in 1887. The form provides information about the health of Thomas and his siblings and his parents.
	Life insurance policy for Richard Harvey Wright, 1877 Copy of life insurance policy application submitted by Richard H. Wright to James Southgate in 1877. The form provides information about the health of Richard, his siblings and his parents.
	Letter from Delia H. Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, December 14, 1881 Delia H. Southgate shares news from Durham with her daughter Mattie Southgate who attends the Wesleyan Female Institute. Charlie Soong and Mr. Vaughn have been courting Mattie's sister, Annie. Delia describes her husband James Southgate's health problems, her daughter Lessie's adventures in Texas and her son Jimmie's travel to the seashore. She also inquires whether Mattie received gifts of clothing and money that she sent and promises to ship another box for Christmas.
	Letter from Delia H. Southgate to Mattie Logan Southgate, March 15, 1882 Delia H. Southgate shares news with her daughter Mattie about the poor health of Sarah Raboteau ( Aunt Sarah), Annie Southgate as well as herself. She reports that their family's church will install a bell, notes that the revivals have closed, and gives Mattie news of Lula Freeland's school. Delia inquires about the care package that she sent Mattie and asks for details about the soiree held by the Wesleyan Female Institute.
	Letter from F. D. Cunningham, M.D. to James Southgate, March 10, 1885 Dr. Frank. D. Cunningham, director of the Retreat of the Sick, Richmond, Virginia. writes James Southgate with a description of his daughter's condition. The physician refers to Annie Southgate's "nervous attacks" and terms her condition Hyster Epilepsy.

The copyright interest in the material in this digital collection has not been transferred to the Digital Durham project. These text and images may not be used for any commercial purpose without the permission of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library and the Digital Durham Project. Copyright permission for subsequent uses is the responsibility of the user.