Name/Title
Phebe Bull Doctors InstructionsEntry/Object ID
002809Tags
Phoebe BullScope and Content
They are the front and back (recto and verso) of the exact same physical piece of paper. Here is the breakdown of why they match perfectly:
Physical Evidence
The Center Crease and Tear: Look closely at the vertical fold running down the center of both images. There is a deep, distinctive tear at the very bottom edge of this fold. In 2809a.jpg, the tear pinches inward; in 2809.jpg, you see the corresponding reverse of that exact same tear.
Edge Damage: The irregular notches, tears, and rounded corners along the top and bottom borders mirror each other perfectly when the paper is flipped horizontally.
Ink Bleed-Through: You can see ghostly remnants of the heavy cursive handwriting from one side bleeding through the thin paper to the other side (especially the large, decorative loops).
Contextual Evidence
Both sides contain handwritten medical, dietary, or lifestyle advice from the same author, utilizing Quaker-style language ("thy", "thee", "thou").
2809a.jpg gives sleep and comfort advice: "...Bed fill'd with clean straw on the same lie down and sleep without a flaw..."
2809.jpg gives dietary and health advice: "...Thy Bowels keep open... Bread & Butter with onions will not hurt... Tell Phebe thy Wife..."
They are two sides of a single, historical note.
Transcription of 2809a.jpg
Change [thy] Cloaths or a shirt
[^ a] Bed fill'd with clean straw
on the same lie down
and sleep without a flaw
[It] will thy Nervvees soon Crown
This to a Sister & it will answer him [the] as well
as thy self
Transcription of 2809.jpg
N:B: Thy Bowels keep Open may this be th[e]
& pray don't lett them bleed thee on any [account]
Bread & Butter with onions will not hurt [thee]
For Sweetning use Honey the work of the Be[e]
Tell Phebe thy Wife thou must not drin[k]
For Fresh Butter[^may] milk is better for thee & Fe[e]
