Papers of Willie Jordan Batts include medicinal drug recipes, typed transcription of the recipes, and "Dr. Willie Jordan Batts, Esq., Botanic Physician" by Hugh B. Johnston Jr.
Willie Jordan Batts was born on 1819 February 28 in Edgecombe (now Wilson) County, North Carolina to Bailey and Esther (Jordan) Batts. In 1839 he married his first wife, Elizabeth Williford and they had William Calvin, David Lawrence, Martha Ann Mehala (Dixon), John Louis, and Mary Ann. He then married Ann Eliza Poland in 1851 and had Elizabeth Jane (Williams), Thomas Ruffin Carnes, Anna Eliza (Gardner), Rebecca Ann Nancy (Winstead), Washington Davis, Wiley Jordan Jr., Leonidas, Lucinda Frances (Bissette), and James Benjamin.
Batts began his practice of botanic medicine as early as 1853 and practiced for around 48 years. He was one of the earliest landowners in the town of Wilson, living there from 1848 until his death on 1902 October 29. On 1852 September 18 he became a member of Upper Town Creek Primitive Baptist Church but was excluded from fellowship in March 1869 because of his free-will views. His membership was ultimately restored in July 1899.
The papers consist of an 1879 receipt (recipe) book with handwritten recipes for preparing botanical drugs and medicines, with one loose page with a handwritten drug recipe. Typed transcriptions of the recipes, transcription probably prepared by Dr. Josephine Newell, are also available.
Also included is an undated biography, "Dr. Willie Jordan Batts, Esq., Botanic Physician" by Hugh B. Johnston Jr.
Gift probably between 1967 and 1987: Receipt books and biography. Materials presumably donated by Hugh B. Johnston.
Materials presumably donated by Hugh B. Johnston of Wilson, North Carolina
Processed by Melissa Nasea, 2015
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
English