Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Access to original Botetourt County records is not granted without an appointment and without prior discussion with an archivist. Same day access to records is not possible. Advance notice of at least one week is required so that an archivist will have time to inspect the requested records. An archivist may determine that some materials cannot be served due to their physical state. The records were heavily water damaged and as a result are extremely fragile and can be severely moldy. Persons with mold or dust sensitivity may want to avoid research in these records. Patrons must consult with Archives Research Services prior to a visit to the Library of Virginia to view any original Botetourt County records.

Use Restrictions

These materials can be extremely fragile and moldy due to extensive water damage. An archivist may determine that a record is too fragile or damaged to be served. Patrons must consult with Archives Research Services prior to a visit to the Library of Virginia to view any original Botetourt County records.

Preferred Citation

Botetourt County (Va.) Unidentified Physician's Ledger, circa 1842-1852. Local government records collection, Botetourt County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

These item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Botetourt County.

Historical Information

Botetourt County was named for Norborne Berkeley, baron de Botetourt, the royal governor of Virginia from 1768 to 1770. It was formed from Augusta County in 1769, and part of Rockbridge County was added in 1785.

On 1970 December 15, a fire gutted the Botetourt County courthouse in Fincastle, Virginia. The court records were not burned but were heavily water damaged. Many of the court papers are extremely fragile today as a result of this water damage and some are not useable. Because of the near-loss of the Botetourt County records, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Public Records Act in 1975. The act mandated that deeds, wills, and other vital records be inventoried and microfilmed and copies of the film stored permanently in the Library of Virginia in Richmond for safekeeping. Counties could also choose to send court records to the Library of Virginia for storage and safekeeping as needed.

The unidentified physician practiced medicine in Botetourt County during the early nineteenth century.

Scope and Content

Ledger, circa 1842-1852, of an unidentified physician. It records services provided to individual patients, their families, and their slaves. Information found in entries includes name of patient, medical services rendered, form of payment, amount owed, and amount paid. Slave patients and family members are usually not named and are listed under the owner's or head of household's name. Services rendered include visits to patients, prescriptions for medication, and operations. There is an index at the front of the volume.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Botetourt County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Medicine -- Virginia -- Botetourt County.
• Physicians -- Virginia -- Botetourt County.

Geographical Names:

• Botetourt County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Business records -- Virginia -- Botetourt County.
• Ledgers (account books) -- Virginia -- Botetourt County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Botetourt County.