The Dr. James T. Jones Collection, 1895-1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155
Restrictions:

None

Terms of access:

Consult repository for information.

Preferred citation:

Dr. James T. Jones Collection, MSS 06-09, Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library

Summary

Extent:
4.5 linear feet
Creator:
Jones, James Tasker (1861-1946)
Abstract:
The James. T. Jones Collection consists of 4.5 linear feet and spans the years 1895-1946. It includes Dr. Jones’ medical instruments and equipment, his black leather doctor’s bag, 27 volumes of physician memorandum books and daily reminder books spanning 1902-1940, one account book dated 1896-97, a large graduation class photograph, diploma, and Virginia Medical License.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Dr. James T. Jones Collection, MSS 06-09, Virginia Room, Fairfax County Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

The James. T. Jones Collection consists of 4.5 linear feet and spans the years 1895-1946. It includes Dr. Jones’ medical instruments and equipment, his black leather doctor’s bag, 27 volumes of physician memorandum books and daily reminder books spanning 1902-1940, one account book dated 1896-97, a large graduation class photograph, diploma, and Virginia Medical License. The diaries include notes on house calls, office visits, births, fees, and payments that occurred in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Series 1: Medical Equipment, Undated, Boxes 1, 4 and 5

This series includes Dr. Jones’ tools and medical equipment used to treat patients, including three bottles of medicine, a blood pressure gauge in multiple parts, tooth extraction pliers, a speculum, anesthesia mask, and childbirth forceps. It also includes his black leather doctor’s bag, inside of which is a leather and metal boxed surgical kit with slots holding multiple scalpels, hemostats, a saw, and a chisel.

Series 2: Medical Practice Records, 1895-1940, Boxes 2 and 3

This series includes 27 annual diaries kept by Dr. Jones from the early 1900s, which include notes on the events of each day, such as treatments, house calls, and office visits. 15 are titled Physician’s Daily Memorandum or Yearbook and bound in red cloth (5-1/2” x 4-1/4”). 6 are titled Daily Reminder and bound in red cloth (6-3/4” x 4”). 6 are titled National Diary and bound in red cloth (7” x 4”). Each covers the calendar year, from January through December. Some years are missing. Either in the back, or in the daily note fields, Dr. Jones recorded how much patients owed for various services and procedures. There is also one leather bound ledger (9” x 6”), detailing his financial accounts from 1896-97.

Series 3: Documents and Photographs, 1895-96, Box 6

This series includes oversized paper certificates and photographs documenting Dr. Jones’ medical school graduation from George Washington University and licensing with the state of Virginia. The three items included are his graduating class photo, his diploma, and his Virginia Medical License. These items are in fragile condition.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. James Tasker Jones (1862-1946) graduated from the medical school of The George Washington University in 1895. After graduation, he interned at Bellevue Charity Hospital in New York before settling in Loudoun County, Virginia and launching his medical practice in the towns of Ryan and Ashburn. He then moved to Herndon, Virginia and began working as a physician there around 1902. He was especially active in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties between 1896-1920, although he continued to work as a physician until his death at age 84, in 1946.

According to the book “Fairfax County Medical Society 1884-1934, Early Years and Early Leaders”, Dr. Jones often made winter house calls on a horse-drawn sleigh, wearing a bearskin cap. While known for his absent-minded driving habits, Dr. Jones was especially knowledgeable about pneumonia and was often consulted on treatment for this affliction.

Dr. Jones served as Superintendent of the Sunday School at the Floris Presbyterian Church in Herndon for 12 years and was on the reserve list of U.S. Medical Corps during WW1. Dr. Jones was married to Mary Towner (they had 2 children), and after her death married Minnie Francis Johnson (they had 3 children).

Acquisition information:
Gift of Rexford F. Jones, grandson of Dr. James T. Jones, to the Fairfax County Office of Comprehensive Planning, Heritage Resources Division in July 1975 and later transferred to the Virginia Room. Additional medical instruments and items donated by Rexford F. Jones in November 1976.
Processing information:

Suzanne LaPierre, September 2024
EAD generated by Ross Landis, 2026