The site of the home and office of Dr. Jaehn B. Charlton (1917-2004) a Family Physician and inventor, who was the 1 st African American physician based in Northumberland County, VA, and the 2nd A.A. physician in the Northern Neck. Dr. Charlton served the immediate and surrounding areas from the late 1940’s until the early 2000’s as a primary care physician. Patients came from far and near to receive medical care. Dr. Charlton served those patients who were able to pay his fee, as well as those who were not able to pay. During his years of medical practice he also invented the catalytic converter, and the coal chimney emissions device.
Dr. Jaehn Benjamin Charlton’s Historic Marker
Inscription: “The site of the home and office of Dr. Jaehn B. Charlton (1917-2004) a Family Physician and inventor, who was the 1« African American physician based in Northumberland County, VA, and the 2nd A.A. physician in the Northern Neck. Born in Dublin, Georgia, he grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree from Virginia Union University, his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, and his internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City. Dr. Charlton, his wife and family moved to Northumberland County in the late 1940’s. Dr. John Ellison encouraged Dr. Charlton to come to the Reedville area to serve this community. This home and office was built for Dr. Charlton and his family in the early 1950’s by Bechalorn Benns, Robert Curry and Samuel Keeve, all local builders in the area. Dr.
Charlton served the immediate and surrounding areas from the late 1940’s until the early 2000’s as a primary care physician, and during his years of medical practice he invented the catalytic converter, and the coal chimney emissions device. Patients came from far and near to receive medical care. Dr.
Charlton served those patients who were able to pay his fee, as well as those who were not able to pay.”
