Parsons Family Papers, 1792-1897 – MS082
Provenance: The Parsons Family Papers were placed on deposit at the Portsmouth Athenaeum in June 2007 by the Rye Historical Society. The Rye Historical Society received the papers as a gift from members of the Parsons Family.
Citation: Parsons Family Papers, MS082, Rye Historical Society on deposit at the Portsmouth Athenaeum
Size: 2 Hollinger Boxes (1 linear ft.)
Access: No restrictions
Processed by: Susan Stowe Kindstedt, 2007
Scope and Content
The Parsons Family Papers consist of the records of three generations of doctors in the Parsons Family. The collection contains the medical records of Dr. Joseph Parsons, Dr. John Wilkes Parsons, and Dr. Warren Parsons, all of whom practiced in Rye, NH. The papers include birth statistics (with some entries including details regarding multiple births, still births, use of instruments, and maternal death), general visits for illness and injury sometimes including treatment performed, and general financial records. The records of birth often include the name of the father, age of both parents, number of previous children and charge for the delivery. One notebook contains recipes for various remedies including treatment for fractures, hiccups and venereal disease. The notebook also notes names of patients treated with the remedy. At the end of Joseph Parson’s record book there is a letter written to the New Hampshire Gazette defending the role of Rye’s residents in the Revolution. This letter is transcribed below in the folder description (Box 1 Folder 1).
The collection begins with the record book of Joseph Parsons, then one belonging to John Wilkes, with the majority of the collection being account and record books kept by Warren Parsons. At the end of the collection is the medical remedy recipe book, which is undated but appears to have entries from all three individuals.
Biographical Notes
Joseph Parsons (1746-1832) was the son of Samuel and Mary (Jones) Parsons of Rye, NH. During the Revolutionary War he served as a captain and was a member of the Sons of Liberty. Following the War he went on one privateering cruise, served as a representative to the General Court for twenty years and served as a justice of the peace. His medical career began with Dr. Dearborn of North Hampton with whom he studies in 1770. He practiced medicine in Rye until his death. He married Mary, the daughter of Amos and Mary Langdon Seavey in 1768. The two had six children: Amos Seavey, Mary, James Dow, Samuel, Joseph, Betsey (Elizabeth), and John Wilkes Parsons.
John Wilkes Parsons (1778-1849), the son of Joseph and Mary Parsons, was born in Rye, NH in 1778. In 1803 he married Abigail Garland and practiced medicine in Rye for 50 years. During the War of 1812 he went on one privateering cruise and was also a justice of the peace, and member of the state senate and legislature. He had the following children: Thomas Jefferson, Emily, Charles G., Abigail, William Harrison, John, Warren, Abby Semira, and Semira Parsons.
Warren Parsons (1818-1902) was the son of John Wilkes and Abigail Parsons. He was a graduate of Columbian University of Washington where he received his M.D. In 1843 he was appointed surgeon of the First Regiment of New Hampshire Militia. He practiced medicine in Rye for nearly 60 years. He married twice, first to Sarah A. Dow who died in 1850 (Children: William Irving and Joseph Warren) and second Julia A. Gove (Children: Frederick Dupeytien, Ella Maria, and Anna Decatur).
Source: Parsons, Langdon B., History of Rye, Rumford Printing Company, Concord, NH: 1905.
Series List
I. Joseph Parson
II. John Wilkes Parsons
III. Warren Parsons
IV. General
Folder Listing:
I. Joseph Parsons
Box 1
Folder 1 Joseph Parsons Account Book, 1792-1803
Account book kept by Doctor Joseph Parsons of Rye betwen 1792 and 1803. Names included in entries are listed in the people file. Note some of the names in the people file appear as “wife of — ” or “delivery of child” in book, actual name of woman or child was put in list, if easilly verified by genealogical records. Procedures in the entries include attending births, bleeding, extracting teeth, medicating sick children and adults, amputating a child’s finger (child of Samuel Mow), opening tumors and acknowledging dead. Sometimes the type of treatment was also listed including castor and Columbo Honey Rhei. On at least one occassion Parsons notes a trip to the Isles of Shoals to see a patient (the child of Benjamin Randall and James Shapley).
A few of the entries include the occupation of the individual, including Joseph Philbrick who is listed as a blacksmith and James Seavey who is listed as a shoemaker. One entry near the end of the book is for the “French Schoolmaster” no other name given.
Entries show the doctor attending to the elderly. One entry shows the Parish of Rye paying for Doctor Parsons to treat Widow Anna (Webster) Jones in 1793, Anna Webster married John Jones in 1733.
Entries also provide evidence of numerous children being born out of wedlock. One such entry shows Samuel Saunders paying for the tooth extraction of Amelia Randall in February of 1792, in November town records show the couple marrying and in January 1793 Doctor Parsons records “delivering wife” (attending birth). Another interest of note is for Betsy Goss, daughter of Thomas Goss, who had two children and never married. The entry for 1794 shows Betsy paying Doctor Parsons for delivering her second child, also named Betsy. In 1802 Samuel Mow paid for the doctor to deliver a child for Hannah Locke, whom he married in 1803.
Entries for delivering babies are inconsistent with the total number of children born to individuals who Doctor Parsons was obviously treating regularly. During this time period doctors were just beginning to replace midwives at the birth of babies. This shows that a doctor was called for only a small number of the total births in Rye at this time, perhaps when complications were present, however midwives were obviously still delivering a majority of babies in Rye. For example Mark Lang has a long list of visits for various reasons, in 1793, 1794, 1799, 1800, and 1802 he delivers babies for Mark and his wife Hannah Marden, however this is only five of the thirteen children born to the couple between 1793 and 1813.
In the rear of the book there is a draft of a letter that appears to have been sent to the New Hampshire Gazette. The letter reads:
“As there have been many remarks made in the Publick Papers on the Conduct of the Inhabitants of the Town of Rye with respect to the British Treaty and their political sentiments as it has been ridiculed and stigmatized by certain Treaty sticklers and British advocates. I hope you will be so kind as to publish a few remarks both on their conduct and the conduct of the Inhabitants of Rye since the Revolution commenced. In the year 1779 the inhabitants of Rye stept forward in the cause of Liberty – They choose committees to inspect the conduct of the Inhabitants – Forbid any supplys to be carried to the British Ships at New Castle – Appointed guards to guard the Sea coast – assisted in taking the cannon from Fort William and Mary – Willingly marched to assist the Capital on every emergency – Their militia marched to New Castle – Cambridge – Newport – New York and Bennington – They raised more than their Quota of Continental soldiers to serve during the war – Besides a considerable Number of seamen who went on board Privateers in defense of their country – Upward of 50 of their Young men in the Prime of life have spent their Blood in defense of their country in this small town – If this be true which it really is what has Rye done to forfeit favour of their Country or affront any —- British advocates it is true they did not like the British Treaty and —- evil concerning it. Has their prediction become true or not? Time will determine – They also burnt the Effiges of some Person they thought active in carrying it into Effect this I confess. I wish had not been done as it too much immitates the British —-, for when ever a British Minister is active in carrying an unpopular Act into effect his Effigee is often hung and burnt in a variety of towns.
I would now ask a few questions – Did those persons who now are most forward to stigmatize those who were most active in defense of their country with the names of Jacobins Aristocrats etc. Did they come forward in the time of our distress and danger or did they slink behind the curtain. Did they do anything to serve their country or did they secretly plot the ruin thereof – They like snakes in a cold winter night sculked into their dark retreats and there lay sivering until the Sons of Peace had ris’n to — this country and thaw their frozen souls. They now — their Head, aloft and —- those persons who open their blood and treasure in defense of the same and take unwearied Pains to —– themselves into every place of —– or honor. Let them Hiss and bash themselves in the sunshine of Liberty their reign will be short and the —- easy was to get rid of them for if ever the smell of gun powder should invade their Nostrils they would shrink as small as Miltons d-v-ls in the Palace of Pandemonium they can’t bear the smell of it.
I would not be understood to censure every person who thinks favourable of the British Treaty. I — no doubt many act for the best of motives and think it is an excellent Business let them enjoy their opinion – I think it is a cursed thing and let me enjoy mine —- how it has turned out already how it will turn out for the future time must determine. I was determined not to take Notice of their Squibr in the Paper, remembring the Old Prover “A Tools Belt is soon shot, but there were so many shooting I got tired of their nonsense which made me take this Notice of them and if any more of them shall dare quib again I shall serve them as they serve —– when they are stealing from viz —– a Rag with the smell of powder and the scent thereof will drive them into their former sculking holes again.”
II. John Wilkes Parsons
Folder 2 John Wilkes Parsons Day Book, 1818-1823
Day book kept by Doctor John Wilkes Parsons. Entries include specific treatments given to patients, attending births, and acknowledging deaths.
III. Warren Parsons
Folder 3 Warren Parsons Obstetrical Record Book, 1842-1867
Record book kept by Warren Parsons of births he attended from 1842 to 1867. Although most of the births were in Rye, he also traveled to towns such as Portsmouth and North Hampton. Each line in the book records the date, name of the father, gender of baby, birth number of baby (how many children the mother had previously had) and charge for birth. There is also a grid on each page for listing whether the birth was a stillborn, a multiple birth, “to late” or “child born.” Two entries note that the mother died, in one case it is noted that the child was not born and the mother died in fits.
Folder 4 Warren Parsons Birth and Death Record Book, 1850-1897
Record book kept by Warren Parsons with lists of deaths in the town of Rye from 1850 to 1858 including name of individual, date of death, cause of death, age, and relation to another individual (child of, wife of, etc.). In the rear of the book there is a list of births in Rye from 1882 to 1894. Entries include the name of the father, birthplace of father, age of father, name and birthplace of mother, gender of child, amount charged, and sometimes the number of previous children. There is at least one multiple birth recorded.
Folder 5 Warren Parsons Book List and Birth Records, 1868-1880
Record book kept by Warren Parsons including a list of books (many medical), probably found in his library, and in the rear, birth records for the town of Rye from 1868 to 1880. Birth records include name and birthplace of father and mother, number of previous children, date, gender of child, and charge for birth.
Folder 6 Warren Parsons Birth and Death Records, ca. 1854
Book kept by Warren Parsons containing lists of birth dates and death dates for members of the Parsons family. Each line contains the name of an individual, their birthdate, day of the week born, and death date. Individuals included are listed in the People field. There is a list of dates in the rear of the book that appear to several life events for Warren Parsons including being in Washington from 1840 to 1842, being in Massachusetts from 1842 to 1843, in Ohio in 1844 and two marriages in 1845 and 1854.
Folder 7 Warren Parsons Daybook , 1860, 1866
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons in 1860 and 1866. Entries include expenses and income. Purchases include lobster, fish, meal, beef, nails, honey, passage to the Isles of Shoals, medicine, etc. Income is listed by individual name and amount.
Folder 8 Warren Parsons Daybook, 1867-1869
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1867 to 1869. Entries include expenses and income. Purchases include lobster, fish, meal, beef, nails, apples, medicine, oranges, etc. Income is listed by individual name and amount. This book contains more detail about income sometimes listing obstetrical case. There is also a list of dividends at the end of the book.
Folder 9 Warren Parsons Medical Daybook, 1848-1858
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1848 to 1858. Entries are in order by date and include the name of individual paying, whether pills or medicine, etc., relation to patient (wife, son, grandson, daughter for obstetrical cases this collumn lists boy or girl), and amount. Some entries include more detail including “cutting child’s gums,” “extracting tooth” or “dressing wound.”
Folder 10 Warren Parsons Medical Daybook, 1858-1869
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1848 to 1858. Entries are in order by date and include the name of individual paying, whether pills or medicine (cough drops, 2 doses Physis, vaccinations, etc.), relation to patient (wife, son, grandson, daughter for obstetrical cases this collumn lists boy or girl), and amount. Some entries include more detail including “extracting tooth,” “bleeding” or “dressing wound.” Entries include trips to the Isles of Shoals including in October of 1860 when Dr. Parsons collected .40 for 2 bottles of medicine sold to William Caswell of the Isles of Shoals. Some entries note that expenses were paid by the town or the county. At least one entry records a suicide: on October 8 the entry reads: Harrison Seavey hung himself (charged) .75. Two weeks later Dr. Parsons delivered the baby of the widow Harrison Seavey.
In the rear there is a narrative genealogy of the Parsons’ family.
Folder 11 Warren Parsons Index for Medical Daybook, 1858-1869
Index for the daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1848 to 1858. Entries are arrange in alphabetical order by individual paying bill (including if the account of the town and the county.)
Folder 12 Warren Parsons Index for Medical Daybook, ca. 1860-1890
Index for the daybook kept by Warren Parsons, undated. Entries are arrange in alphabetical order by individual paying bill (including if the account of the town and the county.)
Box 2
Folder 1 Warren Parsons Medical Daybook, 1870-1880
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1870‑1880. Entries are in order by date and include the name of individual paying, whether pills or medicine, etc., relation to patient (wife, son, grandson, daughter for obstetrical cases this collumn lists boy or girl), and amount. There are several entries recording death including Ira Rand in January 1880.
Folder 2 Warren Parsons Medical Daybook, 1881-1898
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons from 1881‑1898. Entries are in order by date and include the name of individual paying, whether pills or medicine, etc., relation to patient (wife, son, grandson, daughter for obstetrical cases this collumn lists boy or girl), and amount.
Folder 3 Warren Parsons Medical Account ca. Book, 1870-1890
Account and record book kept by Warren Parsons. Book begins with notes about planting vegetables (peas, radishes, lettuce, and early beets). There is a list of what appear to be medicines and quantities Dr. Parsons has on hand. The majority of the book is accounts listed by individual name. There are also lists of names followed by specific quantities of medicines, perhaps it is serving as a record of medicines administered to patients. The remainder of the book appears to be lists of railroad stocks.
Folder 4 Warren Parsons Daybook, 1870-1874
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons including list of household accounts (apples, flour, mittens, etc.) and incomes from specific patients.
Folder 5 Warren Parsons Daybook, 1884-1894
Daybook kept by Warren Parsons including list of household accounts (apples, flour, mittens, etc.) and incomes from specific patients.
IV. General
Folder 6 Parsons Medical Notebook, 1800-1850
Notebook containing medical remedies and recipes for medicine. Entries often include a notation about where the remedy was used and sometimes the source of the information. Remedies for a wide range of problems including fractures, sea sickness, ear ache, venereal disease, hiccups, and small pox.