Marvin McFerrin dentist's account book, 1906-1913.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: One ledger volume spanning 1906 to 1913 containing both daybook (front) and cash book (back) accounts, showing amounts due or received and paid out in the course of Dr. Marvin McFerrin's business as a dentist. Daybook includes index. The daybook portion of the ledger documents the patient, the dental work or service provided (often abbreviated) and any changes in amount owed or paid. Columns are marked debit, credit, and it is believed "B" stands for "balance." In the cash book, which begins on page 284, the accounts begin Jan. 1907 and run through Dec.1913. It includes items purchased such as dental supplies, including gold, chloroform, and other materials; office supplies; utilities; newspapers; professional activities; house or building repairs; and other expenses. Three names appear with great frequency in the cash book: Maria Shedd; William Mason; and Laura Lewis. Two other names appear often, but not as frequently as the preceding: Mary Polk; and Morrison Brothers.

Folder contains lists of names, compiled for an unidentified purpose. The names have numbers written next to them, possibly phone numbers, with some prefixed by an "H" or "M". Some entries appear to also have addresses. Most of these lists seem to date from 1907. McFerrin often used his letterhead for these lists, and it shows his office was located at 619 Church Street, part of the Mill Block.

Cite as: Marvin McFerrin Dentist's Account Book; Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Copyright status undetermined. Nashville Public Library does not have intellectual property rights to these materials.

Restriction: Account book may not be photocopied due to its fragile condition.

Source of acquisition unknown;,Acc. RT-100.

Dr. Marvin McFerrin was born around 1867, and died at his home on Shelby Ave. in the last week of 1952. In 1898 he married the former Ina Davies. They had one child who died in 1900, and Ina died in 1912. Ten years later, he married her sister, Estella Davis. She died in 1937. A lifelong Nashvillian, McFerrin was the youngest of eleven children. He had degrees in both medicine and dentistry from the University of Nashville. He practiced dentistry for more than forty years, with his office in the Vendome building and then the Medical Arts building. He retired in 1935.

In English

Unknown provenance.

Process;,2012;,Linda Barnickel.

No further accruals are expected.