I've been researching a doctor (my g-g-grandfather) who had practiced as a dentist in Charleston, WV from about 1860 until he died in 1908. Now, I've just learned that his father was also a doctor (or possibly a dentist), but to my knowledge, he never moved any further west than the Southside counties in VA. So now, my research on physicians takes on a new light. I've never researched VA for any medical/dental historical information. My g-g-g-grandfather, Dr. James H. Gregory (1806-1847), was listed as a doctor in his wedding announcement of 17 Nov 1830 and also in two family Bibles I've found him listed in. I'm only guessing that he might be a dentist, because I know for a fact that his son, Dr. James W. Gregory (1836-1908), was a dentist and did not go to college but learned the profession (apprenticed) from someone else who may or may not have been his family. He had a brother-in-law who did attend two colleges of dentistry and I had always thought that was where he apprenticed was with his brother-in-law, but now that I know his father was a Dr., I'm wondering if maybe he learned the profession from his father, instead of his brother-in-law. Though I have to admit it seems a little unlikely as Dr. J.H. died July 1847 and his son, J.W., would have only been 11 years old at the time, as he was born in April 1836. But it is still possible, I guess. I'm wondering if anyone might know where I could find information like: What were the medical colleges in the area around the early 1800s? Were there any dental colleges then? Is there a state medical/dental board that might have been in exsistance back then that I might be able to write to to find any evidence of licensure? (Although I know licensure wasn't required until the early 1900s.) Do any of the local historical societies or museums have any collections or data on early doctors/dentists? Are there any city directories that were in existance back then that would have doctors/dentists listed? Any other help would be appreciated. -- Cara (Gregory) Showers Anchorage, Alaska cara@dcdesign.com

I can add but little, however these notes may help you. My g-gfather practiced medicine from 1849 until his death in 1882; I have his "DayBook." He revealed there that VERY few of his colleagues had any formal education (neither did he) and that the vast majority had either taken family and Indian remedies and "hung out a shingle" or had apprenticed themselves to a local "doctor." The Civil War reports indicated that very few had any training beyond activities similar to those mentioned. There were so few medications that were over and above what the local "granny woman" knew that making a living practicing medicine was VERY difficult. For the 17th century (before your times mentioned) wonderful sources are Bruce, "Economic History of VA in the 17th Century" and Blanton, "Medicine in VA in the 17th Century"; for the long years, 1660-1860, I refer to Shryock's "Medicine and Society in America, 1660-1860," Finally for the years 1607-1800, I enjoy "Aesculapius Comes To The Colonies" by Gordon. All are available at better VA libraries. Drs. Charles and Don, what say you to the query, please ???? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cara Showers" <cara@dcdesign.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 12:26 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Finding a doctor who may have practiced sometime between 1826-1850 > I've been researching a doctor (my g-g-grandfather) who had practiced as a > dentist in Charleston, WV from about 1860 until he died in 1908. Now, I've > just learned that his father was also a doctor (or possibly a dentist), but > to my knowledge, he never moved any further west than the Southside counties > in VA. So now, my research on physicians takes on a new light. I've never > researched VA for any medical/dental historical information. > > My g-g-g-grandfather, Dr. James H. Gregory (1806-1847), was listed as a > doctor in his wedding announcement of 17 Nov 1830 and also in two family > Bibles I've found him listed in. I'm only guessing that he might be a > dentist, because I know for a fact that his son, Dr. James W. Gregory > (1836-1908), was a dentist and did not go to college but learned the > profession (apprenticed) from someone else who may or may not have been his > family. He had a brother-in-law who did attend two colleges of dentistry and > I had always thought that was where he apprenticed was with his > brother-in-law, but now that I know his father was a Dr., I'm wondering if > maybe he learned the profession from his father, instead of his > brother-in-law. Though I have to admit it seems a little unlikely as Dr. > J.H. died July 1847 and his son, J.W., would have only been 11 years old at > the time, as he was born in April 1836. But it is still possible, I guess. > > I'm wondering if anyone might know where I could find information like: > > What were the medical colleges in the area around the early 1800s? Were > there any dental colleges then? > > Is there a state medical/dental board that might have been in exsistance > back then that I might be able to write to to find any evidence of > licensure? (Although I know licensure wasn't required until the early > 1900s.) > > Do any of the local historical societies or museums have any collections or > data on early doctors/dentists? > > Are there any city directories that were in existance back then that would > have doctors/dentists listed? > > Any other help would be appreciated. > -- > Cara (Gregory) Showers > Anchorage, Alaska > cara@dcdesign.com > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > The USGenWeb Project http://www.usgenweb.org > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F1 1HB >