Thomas H. Avera Papers

1852-1854, 1884-1890, undated
The Country Doctor Museum Manuscript Collection, CD 01.02
Creator(s)
Avera, Thomas H.
Physical description
0.245 Cubic Feet
Preferred Citation
Thomas H. Avera Papers (CD 01.02), The Country Doctor Museum, at The William E. Laupus Health Sciences Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
Laupus Library History Collections
Access
No restrictions

The papers consist mainly of matriculation cards, document certifying receipt of Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and patient account book.


Biographical/historical information

Thomas Henry Avera was born 1832 March 3 in Eagle Rock, North Carolina to William W. Avera and Mary Ligon Fowler. He earned his Doctor of Medicine in 1854 from the University of Pennsylvania. Upon returning to Eagle Rock, North Carolina, Avera married Barthenia Smith, with whom he had five children: Ada, Lizzie, Mary, William, and Augustus, but only Lizzie and Mary would survive to adulthood.

In the early 1870s, Avera apparently commissioned Raleigh architect George S. Appleget to design a stately Italiante residence. A simpler design was ultimately built that blends Italianate and Gothic Revival architectural styles, and is listed on the national Register of Historic Places. On the property once stood Dr. Avera's office where he saw patients.

Avera was an active member of the Masons and Hephzibah Baptist Church. He died in 1912, in Wake County, North Carolina.

Source: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, 2002


Scope and arrangement

The bulk of the collection consists of Thomas H. Avera's matriculation cards from the University of Pennsylvania medical department between 1852 and 1854. Matriculation cards showed a student had paid a matriculation fee to the school. The student would then, theoretically, take the matriculation card with them to purchase lecture tickets for each course directly from the professors.

Also included are a printed and handwritten document certifying that Thomas Avera will receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine on 21 March 1854, a handwritten patient account book from 1884 to 1890, and an elevation drawing of the front of the Thomas H. Avera House in Wendell, North Carolina.


Administrative information
Custodial History

Probably 1987: Papers of physician Thomas H. Avera, consisting of matriculation cards, document certifying receipt of Doctor of Medicine degree, patient account book, and cases. Gift of Mrs. William C. Broadfoot of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. William C. Broadfoot

Processing information

Processed by Melissa Nasea, 2015

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.


Language of material

English

Related material

Related artifacts held at The Country Doctor Museum, Bailey, North Carolina.

Related books can be found by searching the Laupus Library catalog.


Key terms
Topical
Education, Medical

Container list
Box 1 Folder 1 Matriculation Cards from University of Pennsylvania Medical Department, 1852-1854
Box 1 Folder 2 Printed and handwritten document certifying that Thomas Avera will receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine, 1854 March 21
Box 1 Folder 3 Handwritten Book of Patient Accounts, 1884-1890, undated
Oversize Folder 2 T. H. Avera House Front Elevation Drawing, undated