USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 53
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Dr. Cornelius Coningham was born in Ireland, in 1746. When he settled in New London is not known. There is good reason to believe that he was for a time surgeon at Fort Trumbull. He died in New London, in 1820.
Dr. Samuel H. P. Lee has been already mentioned in connection with the yellow fever epidemic. He was born probably in Lyme, August 5th, 1772. He was named for Maj. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, a cousin of his father and his commanding officer. Dr. Lee's father, Capt. Ezra Lee, won distinc- tion in the Revolutionary War as the navigator of the first submarine used in warfare, David Bushnell's "Turtle." His great-great-grandfather was Thomas Lee (2d), who lived in the old Lee house in East Lyme. His mother was Deborah Mather of Lyme. He married Elizabeth Sullivan, daughter of the purser of the British frigate "Cygnet," which lay in New London Harbor. They had a son, Dr. Henry Sullivan Lee, who graduated at Yale in 1823. Dr. Lee had an unusual number of medical relatives-Drs. John Lee of Sharon, John Allen Lee of Clinton, New York, Tully Lee of Hartford, Daniel Lee of Lyme, James Lee of New London, and it is not improbable that he may have studied with one or other of these men. Part of his education, however, was obtained in New York, for with the record of his election to membership in the New London County Association in September, 1793, it is stated that he had "produced letters testifying his having acquired suffi- cient knowledge to practice physic and surgery from Doctor Bailey of New York and sundry other gentlemen." Dr. Lee was an active member of the County Medical Association, having been clerk in 1811-12-13, and Fellow of the State Society from 1806 to '14, inclusive, and again in 1816 and '19. He
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was the author of two prize essays delivered before the Convention of the State Society, one in 1794 on "Autumnal Bilious Fever," and the other in 1796 on "Cynanche Tonsillaris." In 1795 he was operating a small pox inocu- lation hospital. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Lee carried on an extensive drug business. This was located on the southeast corner of Main and State streets, and at one time also on Bank street, near where the Hotel Royal is now. He later lived in a house on Federal street, which had pre- viously been the residence of Dr. Wolcott, and it was in this house that he manufactured his famous New London Bilious Pills. Reliable tradition has it that at the time of the yellow fever he was driven about the city night and day by his faithful black, visiting the sick, often falling asleep between the calls and sometimes in the patient's house, so overcome was he from loss of sleep. It is told of him also that in sleighing times he would drive about the city in a fine sleigh drawn by two white horses. He was a successful business man, and bought and sold much real estate. Dr. Lee was also one of the founders of the whaling industry in New London, having fitted out the "Dauphin" in 1804, and the "Leonidas" in 1806. He moved to New York in 1838, where he died January 7th, 1863, at the age of 91. He is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Dr. James Lee was a cousin of the last named. He practiced first at the "head of the river," East Lyme. At the time of the yellow fever epidemic he assisted Dr. S. H. P. Lee. Later he moved to New London, where he built what was called the Brandegee house on State street, standing on the site of the present Crocker House. In 1812 he sold out his New London realty and moved to Trenton, New Jersey. He was an original member of the County Medical Association, which he served twice as clerk and which twice elected him Fellow of the State Society. He was dismissed at his own request in 1805.
Dr. Samuel Seabury, Jr., was the son of Samuel Seabury, Yale 1748, Bishop of Rhode Island and Connecticut. He lived at first in Groton, later in New London, on State street, in what was subsequently Dr. Brainerd's house. He was an original member of the New London County Medical Association. He died at the age of 29, in 1795, and was buried in the Second Burying Ground.
Dr. Thomas Coit, Jr., the son of Dr. Thomas and Mary Gardiner Coit already referred to, was born in New London, April 2nd, 1767, married No- vember 29th, 1789, Mary Wanton Saltonstall, and settled in his native place. He probably studied with his father, and for some time practiced "along side of his father, and therefore distinguished from him as young Dr. Coit." (Chapman.31) Dr. Coit had eight children, the last born October 28th, 1808. He was an original member of the New London County Medical Association in 1792, and always took an active part in its doings, serving as clerk 1806-10, and chosen Fellow of the State Society for eleven years in succession. 1803 to '13. He was last returned as a member in 1839. About 1795 he operated a small pox inoculation hospital in competition with Dr. Lee. He received the honorary degree of M. D. from the Connecticut Medical Society in 1817. About 1825 Dr. Coit lived in a house on the corner of Main and Douglas
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streets. Dr. Coit was a worthy successor of his father, a credit to his family name, and left a highly honorable record both as a medical man and as a leading citizen.
Of Dr. Thomas H. Rawson, our present knowledge is confined to the mention of him in connection with the yellow fever, the fact of his advertising later "Dr. Rawson's Worm Powders, Prepared by Thomas H. Rawson, mem- ber of the Conn. Med. Soc.," and finally the record (Proc. Conn. Med. Soc. 1792-1829, Reprint, 1884, p. 112) of his expulsion from the Connecticut Medical Society, October 17th, 1804, on account of his failure to answer to the charge of "making and vending nostrums, contrary to the bye-laws of the institution, and the expressed principles thereof." He belonged originally to Hartford county.
Dr. Winthrop Saltonstall, born in New London, February 10, 1775, was a graduate of Yale in 1793, and in 1796 had the degree of M. D. from Columbia. There is reason to believe that he never practiced in his native town. Accord- ing to Dexter26 (Vol. V., p. 83), he settled and engaged in practice at Port of Spain in Trinidad, and "he died there after a short and painful illness from yellow fever June 20 (or 27), 1802, in his 28th year. He was unmarried."
Drs. Luke and Charles Douglas were brothers, sons of Richard Douglas, a Revolutionary War veteran. They were born respectively in 1788 and 1792. It does not appear that either of them practiced medicine in New London. Charles had formerly been a practitioner in Washington, D. C., but later returned to New London and lived in the family home on Green street. The old gambrel-roofed house is still standing, and now occupied by the office of Mr. William S. Chappell. During the latter part of his life Dr. Douglas held many political offices.
Of Dr. Joseph Woodbridge Lee I only know that he died young, at the age of 31, October 10th, 1795.
Dr. William Graham was listed among the original members of the County Medical Association, was again elected in 1793, but in 1810 he was readmitted, having been "out of the State some years." Nothing further is known of him.
During the early years of the 19th century, several men settled in New London who later became eminent in the profession. One of the most noted of these was Dr. Elisha North, who moved here from Goshen, Connecticut, and settled in 1812. He was already at that time a man of wide reputation in the State. Only a summary of his life can be given here; indeed, little or nothing could be added to the admirable biographies already published, viz., the earlier one by H. Carrington Bolton,22 and especially the full and admir- able one by Dr. Walter R. Steiner.23 Dr. North was born at Goshen, January 8th, 1770. He studied at first with Dr. Lemuel Hopkins of Hartford, and later at the University of Pennsylvania in 1793-94, but did not graduate. He practiced in Goshen until 1812. He was already famous for the fact that he was one of the earliest and most enthusiastic advocates of vaccination in this State, and for his study of the spotted fever outbreak in 1807-8. At the time of his advent in New London he was in the prime of life and at once took a high rank in the profession and in the community. Immediately after sef-
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tling in New London Dr. North joined the County Medical Association, and continued an active and honored member until his death. He served as clerk in 1814-15, and was several times chosen chairman and Fellow of the Con- necticut Medical Society. In 1813 the Connecticut Medical Society granted him the honorary degree of M. D. Dr. North is famous also for his eye infirmary, the first in this country, which he opened in 1817. He writes of it as follows : "We had attended to eye patients before that time, but it occurred to us then, that we might multiply our cases of that description and thereby increase our knowledge by advertising the public in regard to an eye institu- tion. This was done and we succeeded: although not to our wishes in a pecuniary view of the case. Our success, or exertions, probably hastened in this country the establishment of larger and better eye infirmaries (i.e., for larger cities)." (Steiner,23 p. II.)
Dr. North was the author of a considerable number of works both medical and philosophical. Among them are his books on spotted fever already men- tioned, "Outlines of the Science of Life," "Rights of Anatomists Vindicated," "The Pilgrim's Progress in Phrenology," and several technical medical papers. "Besides being known as a writer and man of mark, North is also distinguished for having invented four forgotten surgical instruments-an improved trephine, an eye speculum, a trocar, and a new form of catheter. The first two were exhibited before the State Medical Society in 1821, and the last two had the indorsement of four New London physicians." (Steiner,2ª p. 19.) Bolton" states that in his practice he "exhibited a remarkable degree of caution, deliberation, and careful reflection. When concerned with the health and comfort, and we may add the moral welfare of his patients or friends, he exercised a conscientious care and thoughtfulness that preserved him from unsafe enthusiasm or dangerous and extreme views. As a con- sulting physician he enjoyed the confidence and friendship of his brethren, and was much valued for his philosophical habits of mind in cases of difficulty and uncertainty." About 1824 he lived for a time on a farm in East Lyme, and while there became interested in peat as fuel. The "American Journal of Science" for 1826 contains an article upon the subject from his pen. Dr. North was a man of quaint and original humor, and several anecdotes are extant illustrating this phase of his character. He died in New London, December 29th, 1843. A large granite monument marks his grave in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Dr. Samuel Huntting was a contemporary of Dr. North, but died August 4th, 1818, at the comparatively early age of 42. Little is known of his life.
Dr. Archibald Mercer appeared in New London the same year as Dr. North. He was born in Millstone, New Jersey, December Ist, 1788, graduated from Princeton, 1807, and studied medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Mercer joined the Medical Society in 1812 and continued an active member until his death. He received the degree of M. D. from Yale in 1827. Dr. Mercer lived on State street, in a house which was some years ago bought by the Y. M. C. A. He was a man of marked ability, stood well in the profession, and taught many students. One of New London's streets was opened by and named for him. Dr. Mercer died October 3rd, 1850.
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Dr. Dyer Throop Brainerd was another member of this group. He was born in New London, June 10th, 1790, of a conspicuous and honorable Con- necticut family, descended in direct line from Daniel Brainerd of Haddam. Dr. Brainerd's father, Hon. Jeremiah Gates Brainerd, Yale 1779, was a dis- tinguished lawyer and for many years judge of the Supreme Court of the State. Dr. Brainerd was named for Gen. Dyer Throop of East Haddam, with whom his father studied law. The poet-lawyer, J. G. C. Brainerd, was a brother of the doctor, as was William F. Brainerd, an eminent lawyer of New London. Dr. Brainerd was a graduate of Yale in 1810, and received the honorary degree of M. D. in 1827 from the Connecticut Medical Society. He settled in New London in 1813 and lived in an old house on the north side of State street, between Union and Main. He became a member of the County Medical Association in 1813, served as clerk in 1816-17, and was chosen Fellow of the State Society seventeen times. In the winter of 1819-20 Dr. Brainerd attended a course of medical lectures in New York. He was military surgeon at New London in 1813-14, and from 1814 onward for many years was surgeon in the Third Brigade (Brainard"). He was also for a long period U. S. Marine Hospital Surgeon at this port. Dr. Brainerd was a man of mark, enjoying in high degree the respect and friendship of his fellow practitionists, and the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was also a prominent Mason, Brainerd Lodge having been named for him. Dr. Brainerd never married, and died February 6, 1863.
The fourth member of this eminent group was a scion of a family long distinguished in the annals of Eastern Connecticut. Dr. Nathaniel Shaw Perkins was born in New London, February 1Ith, 1792, son of Elias and Lucretia Woodbridge Perkins, and grandson of Dr. Joseph Perkins of Nor- wich. After attending successively Dr. Dow's School in New London, the Bacon and Plainfield academies, he entered Yale, from which he graduated in 1812. He took up the study of medicine with Dr. Elisha North of this city, but after a short time he went to Philadelphia and completed his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania. Directly thereafter he settled in New London in 1815, where he remained in constant practice for fifty-five years. Dr. Perkins early joined the County Medical Association, served the County Association as clerk for a short time, and was frequently elected a delegate to the State Society. He was licensed to practice by the Connecticut Medical Society, and received the honorary degree of M. D. from Yale in 1829. Dr. Perkins married Ellen Richards of New London, and was the father of fourteen children, of whom only six survived him. He died May 25th, 1870, at the Shaw Mansion on Bank street, now the home of the New London County Historical Society. Dr. Perkins was truly the well-beloved physician, and his death was mourned by all, rich and poor alike. Much might be written of his charming personality, and his benevolent and sympathetic disposition, which endeared him to a very wide circle not only of the wealthy and cultivated but as well of the obscure and needy who called upon him for help .. An obituary notice by Dr. Isaac G. Porter was read before the New London County Medical Association and published in the State Proceedings for 1871. By natural tastes and thorough training, Dr. Perkins was well fitted
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for his calling, and he left behind an enviable record of long, arduous and faithful professional achievement.
Dr. James Rogers was born in Waterford in 1785, and his early practice was carried on in that town. He later moved into New London, so that, as he said, he would not have to take all his pay in vegetables. He died in 1851, and was buried with Masonic honors in Cedar Grove Cemetery, in land which had formerly been a part of the farm belonging to his wife. Miss Caulkins® wrote of him: "He was noted for his benevolent medical parctice. He was peculiarly the physician of the poor."
Dr. James Morgan was born in England, March 20th, 1802, but early came to this country with his parents, who settled in New London. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Mercer. His medical education seems to have been unusually thorough, as he is said to have attended lectures in Boston, London, and Philadelphia, graduating at the last-named place in 1828. He settled in New London in 1829. Directly afterwards he joined the County Medical Association, of which he continued a member until his death. He was several times elected Fellow of the State Society. In 1831 he married Miss Charlotte Mercer, daughter of his preceptor. Dr. Morgan had a high reputation as a practitioner and especially as a surgeon. He was also regarded as unusually skilled in the treatment of diseases of the eye. The obituary notice of him by Dr. L. S. Paddock19 (1860) has this high praise of Dr. Morgan as a man : "He was always the friend of the poor ; his charities were liberal in proportion to his means, and his gratuitous professional practice was large. No man was in so humble circumstances as to be refused the Doctor's services, and the expectation of pecuniary compensation was not a motive in his friendly attentions and intercourse with the sick. As a man he was warm- hearted and sincere, generous and upright in all his dealings." He died July 3rd, 1859.
Dr. Robert Alexander Manwaring is well remembered by scores of people yet living. He was born in New London, August 2nd, 1811, son of Chris- topher and Mary Wolcott Manwaring, and died in the same house, on Man- waring Hill, September Ist, 1890. He began the study of medicine with Dr. Mercer in 1829, after which he completed his medical training at the Harvard Medical School. His first practice was in Gales Ferry, where he settled about 1832, and where he remained until 1841. After an interval of several years passed in New London, he removed to Greenville, in Norwich, where he practiced until 1850. He then returned to New London, where he lived and worked continuously until his death. May 15th, 1845, he married Ellen, daughter of Hon. Noyes Barber of Groton. During his whole professional life Dr. Manwaring was a member of the County Medical Association. An obituary notice19 (1891) by Dr. A. W. Nelson contains the following : "A busy man, he was seen early and late about town among the rich and the poor with equal readiness and acceptance. . . . No man has ever been more pleasantly known among all classes, for he had a just and proper mixture of wit and humor, so that his words were always fresh and effective and not too many. . . . His understanding of general and professional subjects was wide. He was of the speculative and reflective type, turning over things in
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his own mind, not especially seeking originality, but a safe conclusion by the way of sound common sense." Dr. Manwaring's only son, Wolcott Barber Manwaring, left at his death in 1905 the homestead and all the other property of his estate to found a children's hospital in memory of his parents, to be called the Manwaring Memorial Hospital. The fund is accumulating in the hands of the trustees until such time as it is deemed adequate to carry out the purpose of the donor.
Another eminent New London practitioner whose professional life ex- tended over several generations and whose memory is cherished by many still living, was Dr. Isaac G. Porter. He was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, June 29th, 1806, but spent most of his early life in Farmington, where his father was minister of the church. He graduated from Yale in 1826, after which he taught for several years, partly in New London as principal of the Young Ladies' Academy. His medical studies were pursued at first in New Haven, later at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1833. Immediately thereafter he settled in New London, which from that time on was the field of his life work. Dr. Porter joined the County Medical Asso- ciation that same year, and always took a very active part and a keen interest in its meetings and other activities. He served as clerk in 1835-36, was many times chosen chairman, and Fellow of the State Society. In 1866 he was vice-president of the Connecticut Medical Society, on which occasion he read an address entitled : "Medico-Chirurgical Lessons of the War." His presi- dential address delivered before the State Convention the following year was upon "Self-restorative power." From 1861 to '67 he was post surgeon at Fort Trumbull, where he was busily occupied not only in the care of hospital patients but also in the examination of recruits, thousands of whom passed through his hands. Dr. Porter was a frequent contributor to medical journals, especially the "American Journal of the Medical Sciences." In fact, he has probably to his credit a longer list of published articles than any other New London physician before or since.
Dr. Porter married, September 12th, 1833, Williamina Davis of Phila- delphia. Their only son, Captain Edward Leighton Porter, a promising law- yer in Norwich, was killed in action at Winchester, Virginia, June 15th, 1863. Dr. Porter himself died of old age, April 30th, 1892. Dr. Porter loved his life-work, and his enthusiasm for the never ending study of medicine held out to the end. The scientific side especially appealed to him. Keen perceptions, close study of his cases, logical deductions, and cautious treatment, combined to build up for him a large and permanent success.
Dr. Seth Smith was a son of Dr. John L. Smith of East Lyme, where he was born October 14th, 1823. He graduated in medicine at the New York University in 1845, after which he established himself in this city. He early entered the drug business, which he carried on in addition to the practice of medicine until 1871, but chronic ill health was a more or less constant handi- cap in the pursuit of his chosen calling. He left a substantial estate for the establishment of an old ladies' home to be called "The Smith Memorial Home." This benevolent institution has now been in operation for many years, and has brought peace and comfort into the closing years of the lives of many old
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and homeless or dependent gentlewomen. Dr. Smith died April 18, 1878, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. He was a member of the County Medical Association, serving as clerk for several years until 1858, when he was dis- missed at his own request. He rejoined the society in 1876, and thereafter was a member until his death.
There were other New London physicians who are deserving of more adequate notice, but whose names only may be mentioned here. Such were: Drs. Abel T. Sizer, Charles C. Cone, David P. Francis, Archibald T. Douglas, Albert Hobron, Frank D. Brandegee, Robert McCurdy Lord, Henry Potter, and William W. Miner, all practicing in New London before 1860.
Passing now to the towns of Groton and Stonington, one of the earliest physicians of whom we have record was Dr. Dudley Woodbridge. He was a member of an eminent family, remembered especially for its able clergy- men. Dr. Woodbridge was born April 21st, 1705, probably in Center Groton, son of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, first minister of the town of Groton. He married, in 1739, Sarah Sheldon of Hartford. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1724. He began practice in Old Mystic, but a few years later he bought the "Whitehall Farm" in that part of the town of Stonington just east of Mystic river. He erected and occupied until his death the house which still stands there. Joshua Hempstead refers to him in his professional capacity several times from 1729 on, having called him to attend members of his own family living in Stonington. His last note referring to him occurs in 1755. The Colonial Records for 1771 note Dr. Dudley Woodbridge of Groton as one of a committee. He died October 4th, 1790 (Wheeler,25 p. 693-4).
Dr. Charles Phelps of Stonington, born September 22, 1732, "came from Hebron, Connecticut, and took up his abode in Stonington, now North Ston- ington, where he built him a residence near the foot of Cosatuc Hill. He afterwards removed to Stonington, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was one of the leading physicians of his day and generation, holding the office of judge of probate of the town and other offices" (Wheeler,25 p. 538). He married (first) Hannah Denison, and (second) Sally Swan, having in all fifteen children. Dr. Phelps was one of the incorporators of the Con- necticut Medical Society, and an original member of the New London Medical Association. His name does not appear again, however, in the records of that organization, probably on account of his advanced age.
Drs. William Hyde, father and son, were for many years leading prac- titioners in Stonington. The former was born July 21st, 1783. The son was born in Stonington, October 27th, 1808. He graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1830, and practiced in Stonington until his death, Sep- tember 25th, 1873. His reputation was high, and he had an extensive con- sultation practice. Both father and son were members of the County Medical Association during nearly the whole of their professional lives.
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