USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 2 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
The use of anæesthetics was then unknown. The inhalation of ether or chloroform for producing insensibility was not known till 1846.
During the first century of New England many of the practitioners of medicine were ministers. In anatomy Cheselden was authority. Physiology was in its infancy, and pathology, as a science. was unknown. .. Not one of the many remedies which assuage pain, which destroy dis- ease, which hold in check the most loathsome maladies, and the most violent epidemics, was in use."
Perhaps no better picture of the state of medicine in the early his- tory of Berkshire can be given than by a quotation from the oration of Dr. Eldad Lewis, of Lenox (before the newly formed society, of which we shall speak more in detail). In regard to Dr. Lewis I have this from an old resident in Lenox (Mr. Stanley): "I am surprised at the incom- pleteness of my own knowledge of his history, having had considerable acquaintance with him. That a man who resided here for more than a quarter of a century, a magistrate, taking an important part in public affairs, an active member of the Congregational church, deputed to attend ecclesiastical counsels, one of the foremost in establishing our first town library, publishing in this town a political campaign paper, one of the earli- est papers printed in the county, one of the founders of our academy. and one of its earliest trustees, a good classical scholar, an elegant and forci- ble writer, a thorough medical student and writer of medical essays, and successful practitioner, and that before two generations have passed. no one here can tell when or where he was born, and no one knows when or where he was buried, seems remarkable. He was here as early as 1778. and removed from the town about 1820." He removed to the State of New York.
He commences his oration thus : " Having long lamented the many
360
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
disadvantages under which the faculty have labored in America, it gives me the highest satisfaction to perceive the gloom which has hitherto been an insuperable bar to all improvements to be dispersing, and that the light of true science and rational knowledge begins to illuminate our hemisphere." After speaking of the facilities for medical education in Europe, he says : " While in this country there are no methods of edu- cation but the fortuitous instruction of private gentlemen, and those often the most worthless and unlearned. No practice is to be seen but by the laborious and expensive mode of visiting the sick at their respee- tive abodes, the infancy of our country not admitting of the establish ment of hospitals of any consequence. while the false delicacy of the people seldom allows any advantage from dissection. In addition to these disadvantages may be subjoined the jealousy and ill natured rival- ship that almost universally pervades the profession. the want of public regulations which might encourage and reward ingenuity and industry, and prevent the illiterate and designing from intruding into the province of the learned and regular physician." He thinks it would be surpris- ing if the profession should want the assistance of any one to "place it in a situation in which it might rival other countries in splendor and dignity." " This great and desirable purpose can never be obtained until all those low and disagreeable ideas of rivalship be discarded. and sentiments more liberal and philanthropic be adopted." He speaks of the " villanous frauds practiced by apothecaries."
But the medical history of Berkshire begins before this. As the first settlement was in Sheffield, the first incorporated town in the county. and first road reported upon from Westfield to Sheffield was in 1732. so we find the first record of any physician is in Sheffield. Charles J. Tay- lor says, " Probably, as Sheffield was the first settled town in the county. Deolet Woodbridge was the first physician in the north parish of Shef- field, now Great Barrington. He was from Hartford, Conn., and in a deed of March, 1743, is described as a doctor of physic. He lived here for a time in that year, but how long I do not know nor have I any further information about him." Mr. William Bacon, of Richmond. writes, "The earliest physician of Richmond was Jonathan Tarbell, from Bridgehampton, L. I. How early in the settlement of the town he came is not known, but it appears that after living a few years here he removed to Canaan, N. Y., where he died in 1775." "Berkshire was then an unbroken wilderness, peopled only by a few red men along the banks of its beautiful Housatonic."
The history of the first physicians will be given, and it will be seen that her early medical history was under great obligation to Harvard College, most of the doctors coming from the eastern part of the State. or Connecticut bordering on her southernmost towns.
John Crocker was from Barnstable, a graduate of Harvard College. and early settled in Richmond. " He was small and short and had what is not uncommon to such men, an irritable disposition. This no doubt
361
GENERAL HISTORY.
detracted much from his popularity, and made his practice very limited. He died where most of his long life had been spent, in 1815, at the great age of 95 years."
The history of Berkshire County, in which Dr. Bull is said to have settled in Sheffield before 1755, gives all that is known respecting him, or Dr. Nathaniel Downing of the same town.
Dr. Lemuel Barnard was a native of Deerfield, and a graduate of Yale in 1759. Of him Dr. Peck says, "I only know by tradition that he practiced here (Sheffield) and was the town clerk for many years ; and I infer therefore that he was quite respectable as a physician and member of society." Dr. Barnard was one of the committee of five appointed at a Congress of deputies of the towns within the county, convened at Stockbridge on Wednesday, July 6th, 1774, to take into consideration and report the draught of an agreement to be recommended to the towns in this county for the non consumption of British manufactures and from this circumstance we may infer that he not only stood high in the confidence of his townsmen, but we also have evidence that among his colleagues chosen as deputies he was esteemed a man of firmness and in- tegrity.
Dr. Samuel Breck, perhaps from Palmer, Mass , purchased a house and lived in Great Barrington in 1751, and is supposed to have settled there in that year. He was parish assessor in 1752. He married. Octo- ber, 1762, Mary Long, of Stockbridge, of which marriage was a son. John Aaron Breck, baptized December 13th, 1762. Dr. Breck died in 1763.
Dr. Joseph Lee, from whence unknown, probably came to Great Barrington in 1761. In that year or the next he built the first house on the premises where Dr. C. L. Collins built and dwelt. He married Eunice Woodbridge, daughter of Timothy Woodridge, of Stockbridge. in January, 1762, and had one son, Horace, who survived him. born Sep- tember 6th, 1762. Dr. Lee died in Barrington, March 6th, 1764, in his twenty-seventh year.
Dr. Samuel Lee, said to have been from Lyme, Conn .. was in Bar- rington in 1765. " He bought a house and lot in 1765, the same which he sold soon after to the county for a jail house, and for the accommoda- tions of a jail. He was licensed as an innkeeper April. 1765; kept the jail house and was also appointed keeper of the jail." (Correspondence of C. J. Taylor.)
Dr. John Budd, said to have been from New Bedford, and also re- puted to have been a lieutenant in the service at the capture of Burgoyne. probably came to Barrington in 1780. His name is among the list at the first meeting of the doctors of Berkshire to form an association. He was a driving active fellow, a high flyer, and he acquired a large practice. Mr. Taylor says, "He came to extract a tooth for my grandmother, the wife of Gen. Thomas Ives, who was young and handsome. He said, "It's a pity to spoil that handsome face of yours." " He died in 1804, at the age of fifty-four.
362
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
This memorandum is taken from the Pittsfield Sun; "Died at Becket, 28th Jan'y, 1807, very suddenly. Dr. William Baker, aged 75 years." He was born in 1732, but that is all that is known of a long and prob- ably useful life.
Dr. Perez Marsh, of Dalton, was son of Captain Joel Marsh, and was born in Hadley, October 25th, 1720, and graduated at Harvard. He was physician's and surgeon's mate in the regiment of Colonel Williams. who was killed in the battle of Lake George, in 1755. Immediately after that battle he came to Ashuelot Equivalent. He was made justice of the peace in 1761, special justice of the Court of Common Pleas June 6th, 1765, and standing justice to succeed General Dwight, September 6th. 1768. He died in Dalton in 1784.
Dr. Daniel Nelson came on horseback to Florida from Stamford. Conn., in 1783. and settled on Deerfield River in the southeast part of the town, where he had an extensive practice. He tended a toll gate on the turnpike across the mountain for forty years (Child's Hist. )
Dr. Beriah Bishop, of Richmond, born in 1778. was a son of Hon. Nathaniel Bishop. and died in 1895, aged twenty-seven. His youth, im- paired by too severe exertion, caused him to turn his attention to science. His medical education was pursued under Dr. Burghardt, and Dr. Smith of Hanover, N. H. He entered into partnership with Dr. B. in 1833. " His assiduous attention to business, combined with his prudent, ami- able, and exemplary deportment. rapidly extended his practice. He fell a victim to consumption, and was buried from the house of Judge Bishop."
In Sandisfield, says Mr. Shepard, "the first physician that settled in this town of whom we have any account was Dr. Jabez Holden. He was one of the original proprietors and a prominent man in town affairs. as appears from the records, but no information can be obtained as to his medical career."
" Dr. Jeremiah Morrison was one of the earliest practicing physi- cians, and came here Sandisfield; soon after the settlement of the town commenced, but I can gain nothing definite as to the length of time he practiced in the town, nor when he died."
"Dr. Hamilton came from Connecticut and practiced a short time, but I can learn nothing of his history."
" Dr. John Hawley settled in the north part of the town, on what is known as 'Beach Plain.' He was among the first settlers."
" Dr. Amos Smith was settled in the district of Southfield, was one of their leading men, and must have been one of the early settlers, as his first child was born in 1773."
We now come to a period in the medical history of the county that was fraught with great interest to the people-the establishment of the first medical society. The parent society was incorporated in 1781, and in October, 1785. that society appointed Drs. Sergeant and Partridge a committee in this county " for the purpose of encouraging the communi- cation of any important or extraordinary case that may occur in the prac-
....
- ----
363
GENERAL HISTORY.
tice of the medical art, and for this purpose to meet, correspond. and communicate with any individuals or any association of physicians that have been or may be formed in their respective counties, and make re- port from time to time of their doings to this society as occasion may require."
Notwithstanding the urgent solicitations of this committee, for earn- est men they were, the meeting for the formation of an association did not occur till January 16th, 1787. The first name and first president of those constituting the association was William Whiting, of Great Bar- rington. Mr. Taylor kindly furnished these facts. Dr. William Whit- ing was a son of Lieut. Col. William Whiting, of Bozrah, Conn .. born April 8th, 1730. He studied medicine with Dr. John Bulkeley, of Col- chester, Conn .. became a physician, and resided for a time in Hartford. By the death of Dr. Joseph Lee and Dr. Samuel Breck, both occurring in 1764, a vacancy was made, and it is probable that the filling of this was the occasion of the removal of Dr. Whiting to Barrington. His first ap- pearance there was in March, 1765. He located in the house previously built and occupied by Dr. Joseph Lee. He united tavern keeping with his professional business, and remained on the place until 1773, when he built a house. still standing, though removed from its former site. He soon became prominent in town affairs, was often moderator of town meetings, held the office of selectman repeatedly, and in 1776 and 1778 was a member of the committee of safety. At the breaking out of the war he espoused the cause of the colonies, and was active and patriotic. He was a member of the Provincial Congresses in 1774, 5. and 6. serving on important committees. He was justice of the peace during the Revo- lution, and his commission, issued under the reign of George III., was one of those altered by the State Council, July 8th. 1776, to correspond with the changed state of political affairs. From 1781 to 1787 he was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Berkshire, and as such was compelled, with other judges, by the mob of Shays rebellion in 1786, to sign a paper agreeing to hold no more courts until the State Constitution should be reformed or revised. His course in the Shays trouble was less commendable and patriotic than in the Revolution. It was such as brought upon him the dislike and displeasure of the friends of law and order. For his course in this tumult he was fined and sentenced to imprisonment, and compelled to sign bonds to keep the peace. His offense seems to have consisted in " seditious words and practices." He left the reputation of a skillful physician and surgeon, and appears to have had an extensive practice. He died December Sth, 1792, aged 62 years.
Dr. Erastus Sergeant, of Stockbridge, is the next member. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Erastus Sergeant. the first minister of Stock- bridge, missionary to the Housatunnue Indians, and one of the first white settlers in that town. It is believed that Dr. Sergeant was the first white male child born in Stockbridge, in 1742. He was fitted for college by his father, entered Princeton, was there two or three years but did not gradu-
364
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
ate there. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Williams, of Deerfield, the usual period of two years, and commenced the practice of physic and surgery at Stockbridge about 1764, and immediately established a fine business. He was much relied upon as counsellor, and in difficult cases was the last resort. He was a most excellent surgeon, and per- formed nearly all the capital operations in his circle of practice, which extended over a diameter of thirty miles; and was considered to be very successful in his operations, even in cases which were considered to be desperate. He educated several students who became eminent practi- tioners. He was elected a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1785, and was a member 29 years, in which period he was often chosen as councillor. Dr. Partridge observes, "He was endowed with a sound judgment and skill in his profession, was sedate, with a large share of Christian grace, and was truly the beloved physician. It was said that no one ever spoke ill of him from his youth up." In the summer of 1776 he went to Ticonderoga with a regiment from Berkshire, under Captain Cook, of Curtisville, and held some office in the company. In Shays rebellion his house was visited, and he, with his students, Par- tridge and Catlin, were taken away as prisoners. He was tall, erect, and spare in flesh. The latter period of his life he had pulmonary disease. and in November, 1814, while seated at the dinner table, he was attacked with a fit of coughing, succeeded by such a violent hemorrhage that it speedily terminated his life, at the age of 72 years.
Dr. John Hulbert, of Alford, has very little history. These par- ticulars are furnished by Mr. Ticknor and Mr. Warner. He settled in Alford before 1770, and purchased sixteen acres of land of Anthony Hoskins, one of the original proprietors. He was elected town clerk and also, one of the selectmen in 1773, at the first meeting after the incorporation of the town. He received, according to tradition, a classic education at Yale. His commission as justice of the peace was revoked because he was a " Shays man." In 1788 he was representative to the General Court. In the Revolution he had various minor offices. He was one of the committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety. He married a Miss Hamlin, who became the mother of a numerous family of children, among whom was the late Hon. John W. Hulbert, of Pitts- field, who represented this district one term in Congress. He was the only physician in town for a long period. He died in June, 1815, at the age of eighty-five years, and was buried in a small cemetery near the present residence of Mr. S. T. Osborne, in the south part of the town. No stone marks the place of burial.
Dr. David Church was another of this famous group in the first meeting, but nothing particular can be learned about him.
Of Dr. Eldad Lewis we have already spoken.
Dr Joseph Clark, of Richmond, one of its earliest physicians, and one of the fifteen at the first meeting of the association of Berkshire physicians, was from Springfield. He was a very successful practitioner,
365
GENERAL HISTORY.
and a man of great influence in the affairs of the community. After re- siding for a few years in Richmond, he was solicited by friends in Ver- mont to remove to that State. After removing there he had a long and extensive practice. The year of his death is not known.
Dr Hezekiah Clark; of him no record is made save his presence at this meeting. He was from Lanesborough.
Dr. Oliver Brewster, of Becket, was born at Lebanon, Conn , April 2d, 1760. He was a lineal descendant of the pilgrims of the Mayflower. At a very early age he obtained his profession, and was employed as a surgeon in the American army, in a regiment from Berkshire, under Col. John Brown, of Pittsfield, in the valley of the Mohawk. On the morn- ing before the action at Herkimer he was breakfasting with some officers of the regiment to which he belonged. The colonel observing that the company ate little, reproached them with cowardice, saying, "These fel- lows, Brewster, have lead in their stomachs." They went immediately into action, and in less than five minutes the colonel fell, and Dr. Brew- ster was just in time to see him expire. His labors in his profession were indefatigably faithful and successful. In most instances, particu- larly in acute diseases, his practice was eminently successful. Benefi- cence was a well known trait in his character. This was particularly ex- perienced by his patients to whom when poor he was not only a physi- cian but a father, relieving their wants to the extent of his ability. His professional charges were remarkably moderate, and his collection of them from persons of humble means, if collected at all, was in the most favorable way possible. His worldly prosperity was due to his industry and economy of time. In his family his fidelity as a Christian father was remarkable and exemplary. Decision and determination were in- deed the characteristics of the man. He stood as a pillar in the church in which he was a deacon. Religion was to him a delight, not a burden. It abounded in him and in mixed companies his conversation upon it possessed that readiness and force which manifested his intimate ac- quaintance both with its theory and spirit. February 15th, 1812, he was visiting a very sick lad, in imminent danger. Walking the room in deep anxiety he said, " I know not what more we can do but we must all pray for him, and pray for ourselves." He was immediately seized with an apoplectic attack, losing all consciousness ; in which state lie lay for six hours, when he died in the honors, fullness, and richness of his man- hood.
Dr. Jabez Coudry was from Sandisfield.
Drs. John Budd and Samuel Baldwin were from Barrington.
Dr. Jacob Kingsbury was from Tyringham.
Of these four physicians there is no history.
Dr. Gideon Thompson was the first physician of Lee. But little is known of him. He was a native of Goshen, Conn., was in Lee only a few years, and removed to Galway, N. Y.
Dr. Oliver Partridge, of Stockbridge, born April 26th, 1751, in Hat-
366
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
field, studied medicine there and removed to Stockbridge in 1771. He began an active practice of his profession in 1773. and died in July, 184S. He had lived in one house seventy-seven years. and had been in the pro- fession seventy-five years. Throughout this long period he was engaged in the study and pursuit of medicine. He was a careful observer of na- ture, a student of botany. and was interested in the study of the medici- nal plants of this country. He even engaged in a public discussion upon the merits of some of our indigenous plants with Dr. Thatcher, of Plymouth, after they were both past the age of four score ; and even when he was more than ninety-five years old he corresponded with an emi nent physician concerning a case of some doubt. He was particularly skillful in chronic complaints, and in detecting the diseases of children. Mr. E. W.B. Canning has furnished the following anecdotes illustrating his sagacity and shrewdness in detecting and tracing chronic ailments. "At one time he was called to see a patient in Lanesboro who through injudi- cious use of calomel had an arm in which, from excess of the drug there, was carious bone with its attendant misery. He wrapped the limb in sheet lead taken from tea chests, and said that the first application drew out mercury so that the lead was changed into a fine powdery amalgam. He continued the remedy until. with the aid of expulsive remedies, he ex- hausted the cause of the disease and restored the patient." Again he shewed his shrewdness in the management of a case of rheumatism of the knee joint. "Dr. Partridge's great remedy in such cases was fric- tion." He had anticipated the modern treatment by massage. "He knew that if he told this patient to sit and rub the knee for one-half hour continuously two or three times a day, she would pooh at him for a quack. He, calling one day, told her he had seen an account of a won- derful cure of rheumatics by a very simple agency, and wished she would try it. She was a farmer's wife and almost daily had a boiled dinner. He requested her to take the sublimated fat on the under side of the pot lid, and therewith rub her knee for one-half hour. She did so and was greatly helped. In telling me this his eye twinkled roguishly as he re- marked, ' The fat was of no use, but I knew I couldn't get the rub which I wanted except by playing off the grease as the new found remedy. " At another time he called, just after as a young physician he had commenced his practice, upon a neighbor who was troubled with a disorder whose nature he read at once and ventured to hint to the woman that he thought he could help her. She repudiated the suggestion at once with a sneer. as "a boy's attempt to make himself a doctor." Nothing. she said, ever did her any good save a certain pill made by an elderly physician in Great Barrington. She had run out of them and was waiting for an op- portunity to send for more. He told her he expected to go down the next day, and would do her errand for her. She assented. He went home and concocted a remedy of his own, manufactured it into pills, and a few days afterward called and left them, saying. "There are the pills you sent for." Some time afterward he again called and asked after her con-
367
GENERAL HISTORY.
dition. She assured him the doctor had outdone himself. for never had his medicine set her on her pins so speedily and completely. He then told her of his ruse, with this finale of the interview : " Well, if you did this, I believe you do know something and you can look after me and my family hereafter." It is said that he was with the volunteers who marched to the battle of Bennington, or had hurried on before them, and often related that during the busy scenes that followed the battle, he noticed and spoke of the blood upon the sleeve of Captain Stoddard. In September, 1784, a vote was passed which gave to him the liberty of erecting at his own expense a "high pew " over the en- trance doors of the gallery ; to be used by him as he pleased during his residence in the town. "except so much of it as should be occupied by the tything men." His mind held out to the last. Only four weeks be- fore his death his deposition was taken by one of his lawyers, and his memory was so accurate that he would not sign it until it was altered to conform exactly to what he had told the party some months previously. Thus, with quiet diligence, he passed more than three-quarters of a cen- tury in the cure of disease and the study of natural history, possessing always the love and confidence of his fellow men, and died after having enjoyed more happiness than falls to the common lot of men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.