Three journals and one ledger documenting the work and travels of Dr. Israel Shipman Pelton Lord.

Dr. Lord was a well-travelled homeopathic physician. Born in Connecticut in 1805, Lord studied medicine in Fairfield NY before practicing in Warrenville, Illinois between 1834-1849. Lord traveled to California in 1849 only to return to Illinois two years later. In 1867, Lord went East to New York, first Poughkeepsie, then Brooklyn. Later he returned to Pasadena where he remained until his death in 1891.

An old book sits on a grey pillow. Turned open to the first page. Scrawling cursive is written tightly on the left page, while the cursive loosens up and spaces out on the second.

At the beginning of one volume, Lord’s daughter writes a short biography of his life.

An active chronicler, Lord documented his interactions with patients throughout his travels. These three journals include case notes on patients seen in California, Illinois, and New York. The journals each cover a multi-year span, with some years omitted. From 1849- to July 1856, November 1863 to August 1865, and February 1868 to May 1874. The financial ledger spans from 1867-January 1891.

These journals were generously donated by Marilou Kundmueller and David Dornan.

To view these materials reach out to historicalcollection@jhmi.edu to schedule an appointment.

An old ledger book sits open on a grey pillow. Two columns of blue ink describe financial transactions.

A sample of Lord’s financial ledger.

Further reading:

A doctor’s gold rush journey to California / by Israel Shipman Pelton Lord ; edited by Necia Dixon Liles ; with a foreword by J.S. Holliday.

Lord, Israel Shipman Pelton, 1805- | Liles, Necia Dixon. | Lincoln, Nebraska : University of Nebraska Press, 1999.

At the extremity of civilization : a meticulously descriptive diary of an Illinois physician’s journey in 1849 along the Oregon Trail to the goldmines and cholera of California, thence in two years to return by boat via Panama / by Israel Shipman Pelton Lord ; edited by Necia Dixon Liles ; with a foreword by J.S. Holliday.

Lord, Israel Shipman Pelton, 1805. | Liles, Necia Dixon. | Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co. c1995.