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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveChris Bolgiano, Tara Mastrangelo
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], George W. Kemper Medical Ledger, 1857-1892 (bulk 1861-1868), SC 0148, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.
The ledger was purchased from Bookworm & Silverfish by the Friends of Carrier Library in November 1997.
n order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 3093.
George W. Kemper Jr. (1814-1902) studied medicine at Jefferson College in Philadelphia and practiced in Port Republic, Virginia and the surrounding areas. He was also active in community affairs, serving as sheriff of Rockingham County from 1851-1852, commissioner of the school literacy fund for county district 10 in 1861, and a founder of the Rockingham Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1869. In June 1862, Kemper's house, Madison Hall, was the resting place for Confederate General Turner Ashby's body before it was taken to Charlottesville for burial. It is also said that Stonewall Jackson stayed at Madison Hall as Kemper's guest before the battle of Cross Keys.
The George W. Kemper Jr. Medical Ledger, 1857-1892 (bulk 1861-1868), consists of one large ledger, handwritten by Kemper, including dated entries of names, amounts owed, and occasional notes beneath the names. Notes include names of people in the family who were treated, how debts were paid, when debts were settled and, rarely, a mention of the services performed or the nature of illness.
There are several inserts, most of which are addressed to Kemper. These inserts include receipts or lists of items and amounts, directions for ink making, and a reply to a price inquiry made by Kemper from James Smith Woolen Machinery Co. in 1897.
This collection is arranged into two folders containing the original ledger and a photocopied version.