USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 1 > Part 47
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Dr. James Mann was born in Wrentham in 1758 and graduated at Harvard in 1776. He also received the degree of M. D. from Brown University and Yale
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College. At the beginning of the Revolution he was practicing in his native town. He entered the army as a surgeon and served for three years. During the War of IS12 he held the post of hospital surgeon of the United States army and was chief of the medical staff on the northern frontier. After the war he was post surgeon for a time and published "Medical Sketches of the Campaigns of 1812, 1813 and 1814." He died in 1832.
Dr. Benjamin Richards was born in Weymouth on August 12, 1714. He studied medicine and practiced in North Weymouth for many years, becoming eminent in his profession. His death occurred on January 25, 1755.
Dr. James Torrey was born at Ashford, Connecticut, in 1756. He first learned the trade of tanner and while working at that occupation studied medicine. His first practice was at Lebanon, Connecticut, and next at Nantucket, Massachusetts. During the Revolution he served as surgeon's mate in the Massachusetts militia. In 1783 he located at South Weymouth, where he continued in practice until a short time before his death on December 16, 1817.
Dr. Daniel French, a native of Hingham, was born about 1720, and practiced in East Weymouth for years. He died suddenly in 1775, while crossing a field to visit a patient. His grandson, Samuel French, later occupied the old home- stead on Commercial street.
Another old time physician was Dr. Clifford Belcher, who was practicing in that part of Stoughton now Canton as early as June, 1739, as he was one of the signers of the petition to the General Court, asking for the establishment of a precinct. It is said that he and Rev. Samuel Dunbar, both men of powerful phy- sique, used to indulge in private wrestling matches and other tests of physical strength. He died on April 26, 1773, aged about sixty-three years.
Dr. Samuel Gardner, a son of Rev. John Gardner, graduated at Harvard in 1746, located in Milton about 1752, married Miss Mary Cooper, a granddaughter of William Foye, who was one of the Milton pioneers. He continued to practice in Milton until a short time before his death, which occurred on January 18, 1778. One of his contemporary physicians in Milton was Dr. Eliot Rawson, of whom little can be learned.
About 1759 Dr. Cotton Tufts settled in the northern part of the Town of Weymouth. He was a well educated, progressive man and took great interest in local political affairs and general social conditions. On March 10, 1760, he was chosen as Weymouth's agent to confer with representatives of other towns regard- ing the formation of a new county. For more than half a century he was one of the most prominent citizens and a physician of recognized ability. Two of his grandchildren-Quincy and Susan Tufts-presented the town of Weymouth with the public library known as the "Tufts Library" in 1879.
Dr. Shadrach Winslow, who located in Foxboro about 1784, was a graduate of Yale College and a physician of fine qualifications. Before coming to Foxboro he had served as surgeon on a privateer, but was captured, carried to England and confined for several months in Dartmoor prison. While in prison his health became impaired to such an extent that he never completely recovered.
Dr. Nathaniel Ames, son of Capt. Nathaniel Ames, was born in the Town of Bridgewater on July 22, 1708. When about twenty-four years of age he located in Dedham, where in September, 1735, he married Mary, daughter of Joshua Fisher. She died on November 11, 1737, and on October 30, 1740, Doctor Ames
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married Deborah, daughter of Jeremiah Fisher. One son of this union was Fisher Ames, mention of whom is made in another chapter. Shortly after his first marriage, Doctor Ames engaged in business as a tavern keeper and his house was a popular stopping place for many years. For thirty-eight years prior to his death he published an "almanack" annually. He has been described as "a inan of acuteness and wit, of great activity and of a cheerful and amiable temper. To his skill in his profession he added a knowledge of natural philosophy, astronomy and mathematics." His death occurred on July 1I, 1764. His son Nathaniel graduated at Harvard in 1761, at the age of twenty years, studied medicine and practiced in Dedham until his death in 1822. For several years he continued the publication of the "almanacks" started by his father.
Among the other physicians who practiced in the county prior to the beginning of the Ninenteenth Century were: Doctor Jirauld, a Frenchman, who located on a Medfield farm as early as 1729; Dr. George Crossman, who practiced in Canton and was town clerk for many years; Dr. John Corbett, one of the early physicians of Bellingham; Dr. William Aspinwall of Brookline, who graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1768; Dr. John Pitcher, who wa. in Canton for a few years beginning about 1759. Drs. Moses Baker, Jona- than Stone and Ralph Pope were all well known physicians in their day.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Probably no physician in the early years of the Nineteenth Century achieved more prominence than Dr. Oliver Dean, who was born in Franklin on February 18, 1783, attended the Framingham Academy and then began the study of medi- cine with Dr. James Mann, one of the early physicians of Wrentham. He com- pleted his studies under Doctor Ingalls of Boston and in 1809 received the degree of M. D. from the Massachusetts Medical Society. From that time until 1817 he practiced in Boston and Medway, when his health failed and he became super- intendent of the Medway Cotton Mills. For the next twenty years he was con- nected with manufacturing enterprises. Late in life he bought part of the Emmons estate in Franklin and founded the Dean Academy there.
Dr. Ebenezer Alden was born in Randolph on March 17, 1788. His father, who was also a physician, began practice in what is now Randolph about 1781. Dr. Ebenezer Alden graduated at Harvard in 1808 and four years later received the degree of M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Returning to his native town, he practiced there until a few years before his death on January 26, 1881.
Dr. Appleton Howe was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, November 26, 1792; was fitted for college at Phillips Andover Academy ; graduated at Harvard in 1815; received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of that insti- tution in 1819, and soon afterward located in the Second Parish of Weymouth. For many years he was president of the old Norfolk County Medical Society. He was deeply interested in military matters and in 1839 was commissioned major-general of the First Division, Massachusetts militia. At one time he was captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Besides attending to his professional work, he filled many positions of trust and responsibility. He was for many years president of the Weymouth Savings Bank, and was one of Vol. I-25
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the officers of the Braintree Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1841 he was elected state senator. He died at his Weymouth home on October 10, 1870.
Dr. James A. Stetson was born in Braintree on December 28, 1806, grad- uated at Columbia College, New York, and received his medical degree from Harvard. He then located in Quincy, where he built up a lucrative practice and took high rank as a physician. At the time of his decease on March 15, 1880, it is said that he was the oldest practicing physician in Norfolk County. At one time he represented the town in the General Court, but preferred to give his attention to his profession rather than to political affairs.
A volume could be filled with the personal sketches of Norfolk County physi- cians, but from those given the reader can easily judge the type of men who engaged in the practice of the profession during the first, and part of the last, half of the Nineteenth Century. Others of equal skill and prominence were: Dr. Shadrach Atwood, who came to Bellingham about 1828 and some nine years later removed to Franklin, where he continued in practice until his death; Dr. Ebenezer Stone, who practiced in Walpole from 1824 to 1869; Dr. Isaac Smith of Foxboro, who was engaged in the ministry for many years, until his voice failed, when, having previously obtained a medical education followed that pro- fession for the remainder of his life with great success, and Dr. George A. Southgate, who came to Dedham in 1863 and practiced there for many years.
MEDICAL SOCIETIES
The Massachusetts Medical Society was organized in 1782, "by the better educated physicians to establish a standard of medical education." The Norfolk District Medical Society, one of the subordinate organizations auxiliary to the State Medical Society, was organized in 1850, with the following charter mem- bers: Andrew Alexander, Henry Blanchard, Benjamin E. Cotting, Lemuel Dickerman, George Faulkner, John S. Flint, David S. Fogg, Tappan E. Francis, James F. Harlow, Edward Jarvis, George King, Henry A. Martin, John P. May- nard, Horatio G. Morse, Joseph H. Streeter and Benjamin F. Wing.
The society has been in continuous existence since its organization and now has a strong membership. The officers for 1915 (the latest list available) were as follows: Dr. M. V. Pierce, president; Dr. T. F. Greene, vice president ; Dr. Bradford Kent, secretary ; Dr. G. W. Kaan, treasurer ; Drs. E. P. Starbird, R. W. Hastings, B. N. Bridgman, W. C. Kite, M. J. Cronin, censors; Dr. A. P. Perry, commissioner of trials.
The Norfolk South District Medical Society includes the towns of Avon, Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, Quincy, Randolph and Weymouth. The officers of this society in 1916 were: Dr. F. C. Granger, president ; Dr. J. H. Ash, vice president ; Dr. F. H. Merriam, secretary and treasurer ; Drs. F. C. Granger, C. S. Adams, J. C. Fraser and J. A. Gordon, councilors ; Drs. J. C. Fraser, W. A. Drake, W. J. McCausland, T. J. Dion and F. E. Jones, censors ; Dr. N. S. Hunting, commissioner of trials ; Dr. F. H. Merriam, librarian.
HOMEOPATHY
It is not certain who was the first homeopathic physician to practice in Nor- folk County, but one of the earliest was Dr. Charles Wild of Brookline. He was
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born in Boston on January 15, 1795, and graduated at Harvard in 1814. Three years later he received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of that famous institution and in the spring of 1818 located in Brookline. For about twenty years he practiced according to the methods of the old allopathic school, becoming a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1828. In 1839 his attention was called to Hahnemann's new theory of medical practice, and after investigating it espoused the system of homeopathic treatment. On February 16, 1841, the few pioneers of homeopathy in Massachusetts held their second meeting at the residence of Doctor Wild, and on that occasion was adopted the constitution and by-laws of the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he was at one time president in after years. He died at North Providence, Rhode Island, February 3, 1864.
Dr. David Thayer, another physician whose experience was similar to that of Doctor Wild's was born in Braintree on July 19, 1813. After attending the schools of his native town he became a student at Weymouth Academy, and in 1833 entered Phillips Andover Academy to fit himself for college. Shortly after that George Thompson, the noted English anti-slavery orator, lectured in Ando- ver and young Thayer was one of his converts. The faculty forbade the forma- tion of an anti-slavery society among the students, or the discussion of the slavery question in the societies. About forty students, among whom was David Thayer, then withdrew from the institution. He then completed his preparations for college in the Appleton Academy at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and in 1840 graduated at Union College. His father died in 1842 and soon after that David entered the medical department of Harvard College, though he had not at that time made up his mind ever to become a practitioner. In 1843 he received the degree of M. D. from the Berkshire Medical Institute, located at Pittsfield, Mas- sachusetts. The next year he began practice and in 1845 opened a dispensary in Boylston Hall, in connection with Dr. C. F. Hoffendahl, a homeopathic physician, for free medical treatment of the poor of Boston. From Dr. Hoffendahl he learned a great deal about the homeopathic theories and in 1847 joined the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society, of which he was elected president in 1870.
In 1873 Doctor Thayer and seven other homeopathic physicians, also members of the "regular" or allopathic school, were expelled from the Massachusetts Med- ical Society, "for conduct unworthy and unbecoming an honorable physician and member of the society." Their offense was practicing medicine according to homeopathic teachings. When the Boston University was established, Doctor Thayer was active in organizing the medical department on a homeopathic basis. In that department he held the chair of Practice and Institutes of Medi- cine for eight years.
Although the number of homeopathic physicians in Norfolk County has never been large, when compared with the physicians of the old school, they have shown themselves to be as earnest in their endeavors to check the ravages of disease as their professional allopathic brethren. In fact the physicians of Norfolk County, irrespective of the system which they employ, will compare favorably with those of any county in the Union.
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DR. WILLIAM T. G. MORTON
Dr. William T. G. Morton was born at Charlton, Worcester County, in 1819, studied dentistry and began practice in 1842. While studying medicine with Dr. Charles T. Jackson about two years later he discovered the value of sulphuric ether as a local anesthetic, first using it in dental work. He obtained a patent on his discovery for which he refused $100,000 offered by the United States Con- gress. Ether was first used in a surgical operation at the Massachusetts General Hospital in October, 1846, in the removal of a facial tumor, though a Dr. C. W. Long of Georgia claimed that he used it as early as 1842. Doctor Morton lived at one time in Medfield, Norfolk County.
MORTON HOUSE, THE HOME OF DR. WILLIAM T. G. MORTON. DISCOVERER OF ANESTHESIA
CHAPTER XLV
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DEDHAM SCHOOL TABLET-FIRST FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN AMERICA-FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE - EARLY TEACHERS - AMES SCHOOL - OTHER EARLY SCHOOLS - PUBLIC SCHOOL STATISTICS-ADAMS ACADEMY-BROOKLINE CLASSICAL SCIIOOL-DEAN ACADEMY-WOODWARD INSTITUTE-WELLESLEY COLLEGE-THAYER ACADEMY -- WEYMOUTH AND BRAINTREE ACADEMY-UNION TRAINING SCHOOL-AGRICUL- TURAL SCHOOL-MISCELLANEOUS.
Near the Unitarian Church and facing High street, in the Town of Dedham, is a large bowlder, to which is attached a bronze tablet bearing the following inscription :
This Tablet is erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts To Commemorate the Establishment by the Inhabitants of Dedham in Town Meeting Assembled on the First of January 1644 of a Free Public School to be Maintained by General Taxation Near this Spot Stood the First School House Built by the Town 1649.
The history of this first free public school in America, as shown by the Ded- ham town records, is as follows: On January 2, 1643, a town meeting, attended by fifty-one citizens, was considering the allotment of land. The record of that meeting contains this statement : "It was with an unanimous consent concluded that some Portion of ye land in this entended Division should be set apart for Publique use : viz for the Towne, the Church and a fre Schoole : viz 40 acres at the leaste or 60 acres at the moste."
There the matter rested for a year, but at another meeting held on January I, 1644, the subject of establishing a free school again came up for considera- tion. The manner in which the question was disposed of is told in the following record of the meeting :
"The said Inhabitants taking into Consideration the greate Necesitie of pro- viding some means for the Education of the youth in o'r s'd Towne did with an unanimous consent declare by voate their willingness to promoate that worke promising to put too their hands to Provide maintenance for a Free Schoole in
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our said Towne. And farther did resolve & consent testifying it by voate to rayse the summe of 20 pounds p annu towards the maintaining of a School Mr to keepe a free schoole in our s'd Towne.
"And also did resolve & Consent to betrust the s'd 20 £ p annu & certain lands in our Towne formerly set apart for publique use into the hand of Feofees (trustees) to be presently chosen by them selves to imploy the sd 20 £ and the land afores'd to be improved for the use of the said Schoole: that as the proffits shall arise from ye sd land every man may be proportionately abated his some of ye sd 20 £ aforesaid freely to be given to the use afores'd And yt ye said Feofees shall have power to make a Rate for the necessary charg of improving said land : they giving account thereof to the Towne or to those whom they should depute. John Hunting, Eldr, Eliazer Lusher, Francis Chickeringe, John Dwight & Michael Powell are chosen Feofees & betrusted in behalfe of the schoole as afore said."
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE
The history of this first American free school during the first five years of its existence has not been preserved. There is a tradition that Ralph Wheelock, the ancestor of the first and second presidents of Dartmouth College, was one of the early teachers. John Brock, a son of Henry Brock, one of the signers of the Dedham Covenant, graduated at Harvard in 1646, and it is believed he taught in Dedham the following year. Where the school was taught is a matter of conjecture.
On January 15, 1649, a town meeting was held, in the minutes of which is the following entry: "A schoole house to be built as followeth, together with a watch house, the length 18 foote being 14 foote beside the chimney : the wideness 15 foote the studd 9 foote betwixt joynts one floor of joyce : 2 convenient win- dowes in the lower roome & one in ye chamber the plancher layed the floor planked the stayers made the sides boarded feather edged & rabitted the doors . made & Hanged.
"The watch house to be a leanto sett at the back of the chimney sixe foote wide the length thereof 2 foote & one half more than ye house is wide so placed that the end therof may Extend past the corner of ye house so that the watch may have an Aspect 4 severall wayes & open windowes therein suitable to a watch house: & covered wth board up to those windowes & upon ye roofe & a mandle tree hewen & fitted for ye Chimney."
Such were the specifications for the first school house erected at public expense in the New World. It was located near the spot where the bowlder and tablet above mentioned are now situated. Among the early teachers in this house were Jacob Farrow, Joshua Fisher, Michael Metcalf, Joseph Ellis and Samuel Mann. Joshua Fisher appears to have agreed to "keepe ye schoole" for a short time only when it was found difficult to secure another teacher. At the close of his term the town records show that "Lieut. Fisher is requested and undertakes to repayer the broken panes of glass in ye meeting house so farre as he may finde glass spare for that use." From this it may be inferred that the school boys of 1654 were as careless in playing ball or hurling stones as those of the present day, and the school house was too near the church for the safety of the windows of that structure.
HISTORICAL BUILDING, DEDHAM
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS TO COMMEMORATE THE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE INHABITANTS OF DEDHAM IN TOWN MEETING ASSEMBLED
ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY 1644 OF A FREE PUBLIC SCHOOL TO BE MAINTAINED BY GENERAL TAXATION NEAR THIS SPOT STOOD THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE BUILT BY THE TOWN -1649
SITE OF FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL IN AMERICA, DEDHAM
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On Washington street, about two blocks southerly from Memorial Hall, stands a fine modern school building, which is evidently regarded by the people of Dedham as the successor of the first school established in the town, as over the main entrance is the following inscription :
1644-AMES SCHOOL-1897 Named in Honor of Fisher Ames A Native of Dedham, A Wise Statesman and a Friend of Washington.
OTHER EARLY SCHOOLS
Although Dedham is credited with being the first town to establish a school supported by taxation, it must not be inferred that the subject of education was neglected in the other towns. As a rule, as soon as a church was established by the early settlers, they began to take measures to educate their children. These early schools were partly supported by assessments upon each scholar, the tuition fees being made payable in wood. As nearly every parent owned land upon which there was a growth of timber, all that was required to pay the assess- ments was a little labor.
There is a tradition that William Coddington gave to the Town of Brain- tree certain lands, the income of which was to be used for the support of a school. When the town was divided the fund arising from this source was also divided. The record relating to the Coddington grant is headed: "The Schoole Lands 1640," but it is incomplete, owing to its great age and the worn state of the paper. In the margin are the words: "Deed of the Land recovered of Mr. Coddington." Some years ago Samuel A. Bates investigated this subject, and his conclusion is as follows: "That the Town of Braintree sued Coddington is undeniable, that the courts allowed the town this land is substantiated, and that the town paid for the land is equally true. Did Coddington then give this land for the benefit of the schools? I answer, decidedly, No; and until some evidence is produced to substantiate that claim, I shall adhere to that opinion."
The land referred to is the tract known as "Coddington's Neck." Whether it was given by the original owner for educational purposes or not, a school was established in Braintree soon after the town was organized. It is believed that Henry Flint, teacher of the First Church, was also the first schoolmaster. A mutilated record of 1648 contains an account of the sale of the school house by Mr. Flint to Dr. John Morly, who was probably the second teacher. That school was located within the present limits of Quincy. After the town was divided a school was established in the present Town of Braintree. Says Mr. Bates : "On October 1, 1716, the selectmen agreed with Joseph Parmiter to keep the school at Monotoquod for six shillings per week and his diet. What his diet cost we know not, as Mr. Peter Hobart received about six pounds for diet and a pair of shoes, together with a part of his school wages. He was engaged the next year at eleven shillings per week."
To attempt to trace the formation and development of the schools in all the towns of the county, even if the records were complete, would require much space. In Medfield a school was established "at the town's expense" in 1655,
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with Ralph Wheelock as the teacher. Mr. Wheelock was the ancestor of the first and second presidents of Dartmouth College. The first school house was built in Medfield in 1666. It was fourteen feet wide and eighteen feet long.
Brookline's school history begins with the vote of the Boston town meeting of December 8, 1686, when the settlement at Muddy River was given the privilege of managing its own affairs, on condition that "the Inhabitants raise a Scholl hous and maintayne an Able reading and writing master." The first school house was built on School street, then known as "School House Lane." John Searl was one of the early teachers.
On October 28, 1697, the Town of Medfield appropriated "fifty shillings for schooling the children on the west side of Charles River." This was the first step toward the establishment of a school in the Town of Millis (then Medway), and Joseph Daniell was employed in May, 1699, to teach the school.
Wrentham's first school dates its beginning from a town meeting called for December 19, 1701, "to act upon the subject of establishing a school as the law direct." There were then the requisite number of householders (fifty) in the town, and the matter of establishing a school could no longer be postponed. The meeting voted to procure a schoolmaster, but it seems none was "procurable." The first school house was built in 1702, and the first school in that building was taught by Theodore Mann.
Needham was incorporated in 1711 and Bellingham in 1719. It is known that schools were established in both towns soon after their incorporation, but just when and where the first school was taught, or who was the teacher, cannot be ascertained.
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