Notes
This apothecary scale comes from a larger set in the Henry family medicine chest (01.31.1).
Scales such as this one were used to measure and weigh medicine using brass counterweights (01.31.16-24). The medicine would have been taken from bottles using the palette knife (01.31.15) and placed into one of the brass plates, while the weights would have been placed on the other until both plates were level with each other.
The Henry family would have used the Apothecaries' System, a weight and volume measurement system used by apothecaries, physicians, and scientists for prescriptions. It divided a pound into 12 ounces, an ounce into eight drachms, and a drachm into three scruples of 20 grains each.
The Apothecaries' System was used through to the Industrial Revolution where it eventually went through metrication. Because each state in Europe had its system of measurement, there was a growing need for a universal system. In the United States, the Apothecaries' System was used until it was replaced with the Metric System in 1971.
This chest and its contents belonged originally to John (1796–1868) and Elvira McClelland Henry (1808–1875) during their years at Red Hill. The chest was passed down in the family to John and Elvira's daughter, Margaret Ann Henry Miller (1827–1881), and then to her daughter, Elvira Henry Miller (1850–1955). It was then given to Rose Miller Gammon Garrett (1946–) through her father, William Miller Gammon Sr. (1900–1970). William Gammon Sr. was a nephew to Elvira Miller. His daughter, Rose Garrett, is a third great-great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry.
On September 4, 2001, Rose Gammon Garrett donated the medicine chest (01.31.1) and its contents (01.31.2-25) to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.