183

Job Marsh.

Ledger of a small-town doctor, including early smallpox inoculations.

Worthington and Hadley, MA, 1782-1796 (with later entries 1818-1849)
[4], 86, [25] pages. Tall 4to, 12½ x 7½ inches, original stiff vellum, minor wear; minor wear to contents, at least one leaf excised.

  • Notes: Job Marsh (1752-1797) was a 1777 graduate of Yale, and practiced medicine in Worthington and Hadley, MA.

    Many of his ledger entries detail the medical services provided by Marsh, alongside the cash and goods received in payment, and his personal household accounts. The accounts containing medical entries are usually abbreviated and stylized, including medicines supplied: "visit at night"; "anodyne"; "tinct sacra"; "camph'r"; "pulling a tooth"; "tart. emetic"; "dressing your daughter's foot." The frequently seen "Phl'bot" suggests bloodletting. Often the patient and Dr. Marsh would sign at the bottom when the account was settled. 

    Many of the ledger pages show inoculations. Marsh's advertisement was printed in the Hampshire Gazette on 28 March 1793 (not included here): "Inoculation for the small-pox is carrying on in Worthington by the subscribers agreeable to the latest and most approved method." 

    A 1789 apprenticeship agreement is recorded on page 212 between Dr. Marsh and Jesse Moon of Pownal, VT, who was to serve on Marsh's farm for three years in exchange for board and instruction in reading and writing.

    After Dr. Marsh's death, the volume was used from 1818 to 1849 by son Moses Smith (1793-1851) of Hadley, MA, often at the bottom of the pages used by his father. Moses was apparently a carpenter.  A register of family births, marriages and deaths from 1783 to 1832 appears on page 242. 
  • Condition:
    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

    Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
27.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000