Sunday, March 25, 2018

Dr. Robert B. Thornton, M.D. Wallet

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Pictured here is the personal leather wallet of Dr. Robert B. Thornton, M.D. (c.1811-1875).

Dr. Thornton practiced medicine both in Milton and Yanceyville, North Carolina. Where he lived in Milton is not known. However, in Yanceyville he owned and lived in the Thornton House, where he also had his office. The house is on the south side of West Main Street at the corner of Cooper-Rodgers Road. See When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977, William S. Powell (1977) at 339. Also see Caswell County North Carolina Will Books 1843-1868, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1986) at 7.

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The wallet  is inscribed:

Dr.
Rob. B Thornton
Milton Caswell County NC
January 20th 1873



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Here is the wallet in the open position. Note that Dr. Thornton inscribed the wallet twice (at different locations) with essentially the same information.






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Dr. Thornton/Tom P. Hunter House. Early 19th century. Tiny 1.5-story frame Federal house that is apparently the oldest structure in Yanceyville. Interesting compressed arrangement of front door and flanking windows. Interior is two rooms, equal in size, with corner fireplaces and an enclosed corner stair. Retains original woodwork. See An Inventory of Historic Architecture: Caswell County, North Carolina, Ruth Little-Stokes (1979) at 201.

Wallet photographs courtesy Jerry Parks Cooper.

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