Enrico, You state this guy was a physician; how do you know that?

Assuming Mr. Wortham was a southerner and had the note as legal tender, I looked on www.civilwardata.com and found one possible clue. There was John B.Wortham in the Maryland 2nd Battery light artillery, CSA, who was an assistant surgeon. Maybe he had previously served as a doctor, or he took up the occupation following the war. No additional data.

I then went to my local library, which has access to Ancestry.com. Searching for Dr.Wortham ,born circa 1830, came up with several, but none named John.

I also went to Ancestry and asked for John B.Wortham, and found one who becane a US Postmaster in Mississippi in 1899. No other mention of a Jno B.

Ancestry did not seem to have a deed listed, but it might be hidden or difficult to find. If you could provide the state he served, or the state he lived in after the conflict, I will search again with whatever you provide. The date of the deed might also help.