In the summer of 1729, Dr. Charles Carroll wrote his London merchant, Henry Darnall, asking him to find a young male clerk who was familiar with the pharmaceutical and medical fields, had good handwriting, and was willing to come to Maryland. Dr. Carroll was offering 10 pounds per year and credit to purchase clothes in London. He wanted the clerk to depart quickly, and arrive with the new goods Dr. Carroll had just ordered.
"…if you can meet with an orderly discreet young man well recommended, that understands the business of an Apothecary & Surgeon & writes a good hand inclinable to come abroad, I would take it kindly if you would Engage him for four years to serve me at that business & allow him ten pound this money a year he finding himself Clothes & send him in Capt. Russell’s or such Ship as you shall send the above goods in."
Dr. Charles Carroll, in a letter to his London agent Henry Darnall, Summer, 1729.
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An 18th century apothecary was trained, through an apprenticeship, to diagnose illness, compound medicines, and perform surgery, from The Book of Trades, or, Library of Useful Arts, London, 1807. Public domain image.