USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Topsfield > History of Topsfield Massachusetts > Part 40
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On a little knoll on the western side of Salem Street, and a few feet north of the driveway leading to the present old Dwinell house, may still be seen the site of the house of Tops- field's first recorded physician, Michael Dwinell. He was born in Topsfield, Dec. 5, 1670, the second of nine children and the oldest son of Michaell and Mary Dwinell. His house was taxed as a dwelling until 1778, and afterwards was used as a barn. The old well is still in evidence.
Michael, the father, may have come from Scotland or Ire- land, though family tradition says he came from France. He is supposed to have been in Topsfield about 1664. On Oct. 24, 1672, he purchased from Francis Peabody, for £70, fifty acres of land "lyeing and being in Topsfield. ... on the south Syde of the River called Ipswich River. ... bounded in part by Salem line." In his will of June 29, 1710/11, he gives to his son Dr. Michael "all yt parcell of Land abounding his house, as he hath improved for himself," and several pieces of meadow. This will was not probated at once as on March 3, 1717/18, his children, Mary, Michael, Thomas, John and Joseph, beneficiaries under the will, deposed regarding their father's will that "as he did amoung some other things dub- ious of exact meaning, we have mutally agreed to divide the land between us in a different manner."
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Michael Dwinell, junior, is styled in old deeds as "physic- cian and chirurgeon." What were his medical studies pre- vious to his acquiring his title, are not known at this day. In 1697 he is spoken of as "Mikell, Jr.," and not until 1724 does his name appear as Doctor Michael, when it is found in a deed given that year. On March 1, 1691/2, he was on duty at Ipswich jail, where he was to overlook Sarah Good, accused of witchcraft, it being recorded by the sheriff, "that night I sett a gaud to watch her at my own house, namely, Sam'l Bray- brook, Michael Dunnell of Topsfield and Jonathan Baker."
Doctor Dwinell was married at least five times, and family tradition has increased the number to seven, for Esther Rich- ards Dwinel, widow of John, who died Oct. 31, 1837, at the advanced age of 101 years 8 mos. 10 days, maintained that at different times Doctor Michael had seven wives. He died Dec. 24, 1761, aged 91 years, and his will dated July 17, 1753, like that of his father, was signed with his seal and mark. It mentioned his wife Mary, to whom he gives the use and in- come of all the lands, and also one cow; to his son Michael he leaves 5 shillings, to be paid in 7 years after his own and his wife's death ; to his son Stephen, 5 shillings; his son Jacob 5 shillings; his granddaughter, Esther Balch, wife of David Balch, 5 shillings; son Benjamin, house and barn, and land and meadow in Topsfield, and all else, bonds, and books, debts, etc., to his wife. He also mentions his daughters, Sarah Fos- ter, and Mary, Hannah, and Abigail. The inventory of his estate, presented Feb. 1762, amounted to £145. Among other articles mentioned were : Sum Books, 5/1, Two Coats and One Great Coat.
Prior to the practice of Doctor Dwinell, and during his early years, Topsfield may have been served by the famous Doctor Oakes and Doctor Bullivant, both of Salem.
The second physician in Topsfield was Amos Dwinell, the ninth child of Thomas, a brother of Doctor Michael. He was born Mar. 19, 1721/2, the son of Thomas and Dinah (Brims- dill) Dwinell. He married, May 26, 1749, Anna Perkins, at Rowley. There is no record of any children. Under date of April 16, 1748, in a deed of eight acres of land to Uzziel Rea, he styles himself "Amos Dwinell of Topsfield, Physitian." He witnessed a deed in Topsfield in 1746, and is called "phy- sician and doctor." Just where he received his education is not known but it is quite probable that he may have been taught by his uncle, Doctor Michael. After his marriage, in 1749, he seems to have disappeared from this vicinity, and it is not known where he died. His father's will was dated June
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21, 1747, and in it he bequeathed to Amos all his estate, "both Real and Personal in Topsfield, or anywhere else."
The third physician was Joseph Bradstreet, a grandson of Governor Simon Bradstreet. He was born May 13, 1727, and was the youngest son of Simon and Elizabeth (Capen) Brad- street. She was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Capen of Tops- field. In a deed dated Oct. 17, 1749, from Joseph to his brother John, he styles himself "Joseph Bradstreet of Salem Village, Student in Physick." It was customary in those early days, as there were no medical schools in Mass- achusetts, to apprentice young men to some able practitioner, and in due time the young man went forth with the master's certificate in his pocket, a full-fledged physician. Some ob- tained a license from the court to practice.
Joseph Bradstreet married, first, Feb. 8, 1770, Abigail Ful- ler of Middleton. In the intention of marriage, Oct. 29, 1769, he is called "Dr. Joseph. " A son Joseph was born in Topsfield on March 26, 1771. She was separated from him by act of the "Governor and Council of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay," Oct. 17, 1771, and he was ordered to pay her £5 yearly, in "four equal quarterly payments." He married, second (published Nov. 16, 1783), widow Hannah Ross of Ips- wich, and died in Topsfield, Oct. 5, 1790, aged 63 years.
His practice did not require all his time, for under date of Sept. 28, 1756, the town of Topsfield voted to "abate the Rate Laid on Doct. Joseph Bradstreet in the year 1755, when he was Keeping School for the Town." The town also allowed to Dr. Jos. Bradstreet, £2.8s. for keeping school one month in the year 1756. Sept. 22, 1788, it was voted that "the town agree to Board Doct. Joseph Bradstreet During the time hee shall keep school to pay the town the sum of £3-15-2 which is due to the town from said Bradstreet." He died a pauper.
Doctor Richard Dexter, who began his practice in Topsfield in 1740, and continued till his death, Nov. 25, 1783, was prob- ably the first practitioner of the medical art in Topsfield who devoted his time exclusively to it. He was the son of John and Winnefred (Sprague) Dexter, and was born June 15, 1713, at Malden, Mass. On June 18, 1741, Doctor Dexter married Mehitabel Putnam, who was then living in Boxford, probably with her sisters, Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Thomas Perley. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Porter) Putnam.
Doctor Dexter's education previous to his practice in Tops- field is problematical. It must not be forgotten that there were very few regular graduates of medicine in the country for more than a hundred years after its settlement. In
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those days the physicians used to buy their own drugs and prepare their own medicines, and it was the province of the students to pound the bark and spread the plasters, as well as to mix the ointments and make the pills. In short they were to be useful to their employers, as best they might in any way, whether in bleeding patients, pulling teeth, or attending to cases of minor surgery. Sometimes they boarded with their masters, being intimates of their families, and in some cases marrying the daughter of the house. It was customary for physicians in their daily rounds of practice to be accompanied by their scholars, in order to show them the different forms of disease, and to teach them the rules of diagnosis. On their return home the young men would sometimes undergo a form of questioning, which was considered an examination. In this way, with a certain amount of medical reading, the main supply of doctors was kept up.
They did not measure the drugs with the precision used nowadays, and lax directions accompanied old prescriptions, but the patients some how followed them. The amount of med- icine to be taken would be "bigth of a walnut," or "enough to lie on a penknifes point," or "enough to cover a French coin," or "as bigg as a haslenut," or "as great as a charger," or "a pretty draught," and "a pretty bunch of herbs," but the most concise of all directions was when one was told to "take a pretty quantity as often as you please."
Cheerfully these public servants toiled over the hardest roads, in every season and in all weather, to attend rich and poor alike; the country doctor could not choose his patients if he would. A rigid standard of custom gave his services to all who needed them, fees being hardly considered when any one needed medical attendance.
Tradition has said that Doctor Dexter had in his medical library, which was purchased intact by Dr. Nehemiah Cleve- land, but two volumes, but the inventory of his estate shows "3 large Books £1.2, Books and pamphlets £1.16.0. Instru- ments £2.14.8, Druggs and medicines, Bottles and phials con- taining the same £7.6.0. Cases of Bottles with medicines £1.10.0." In the museum of the Essex Institute is preserved a silver mounted lancet case of shark's skin with the name "R Dexter" engraved on one end. This case afterwards fell into the hands of Doctor Treadwell of Salem and from him it passed to Doctor Choate who gave it to the Institute.
For the years 1779 to 1782 inclusive, there were two doctors here. The first of these was Dr. David Norwood, who was taxed in the year 1779, for poll, personal and real estate. The
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second was Dr. Caleb Rea, Jr. who was taxed for poll and personal in the years 1781-2. Dr. David Norwood was prob- ably from Lynn, the son of Thomas Norwood, Jr., and was born April 16, 1755. He married Aug. 19, 1778, at Newbury- port, Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Giles) Tarbell. Doctor Norwood and his wife must have come to Topsfield shortly after their marriage. Mrs. Norwood's par- ents lived in Danvers until 1779, when they removed to An- dover, and shortly after to Merrimack, N. H. Doctor Nor- wood probably removed with his wife's parents for the records of Merrimack, N. H., show that he was living there about 1780. In a deed dated June 8, 1784, he is styled David Nor- wood, "physician of Manchester." In 1794 he is recorded as having labored excessively during the "great sickness." He died in Manchester, Mass., May 26, 1808, aged 54 years. The inventory of his estate shows surgical instruments, Art of Surgery, and old books. He probably was the first surgeon who practiced in Topsfield.
Dr. Caleb Rea, Jr., was born in Danvers, March 8, 1758, and was the second son of Dr. Caleb and Ruth (Porter) Rea. On the 27th of May, 1775, Doctor Rea enlisted as a surgeon. His professional duties, according to the family tradition, seem to have been principally on the privateers which were fitted out in Salem .and Beverly. Towards the close of the war Doctor Rea was living in Topsfield, and married, Oct. 4, 1781, Sarah, daughter of Capt. John and Abigail (Blaney) White of Salem, Mass. Later they removed to Ipswich, where his eldest child, Thomas, was born July 11, 1782. Previous to October, 1783, Doctor Rea removed his family to Windham, Maine, for at that session of the Court of General Sessions he was licensed to retail spirituous liquors in that town. His practice in Maine covered many adjoining towns. He died Dec. 29, 1796.
In 1783, the year of Dr. Richard Dexter's death, two phy- sicians, Nehemiah Cleaveland and John Merriam, settled in Topsfield. They were both young men and from that time they divided between them the medical practice of the place, and often extended their visits into the neighboring towns.
Nehemiah Cleaveland was born Aug. 26, 1760, and was the youngest son of Rev. John and Mary (Dodge) Cleveland of Ipswich. He married, first, Oct. 6, 1787, Lucy, daughter of Dr. John and Lucy (Bolles) Manning of Ipswich. She died June 6, 1791, aged 29 years, childless; and he married, second, Experience, daughter of Dr. Elisha and Tamarson (Kimball) (Coit) Lord, of Pomfret, Conn. They had nine children. Her
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sister, Alethea, married Rev. Asahel Huntington, pastor of the church in Topsfield from 1789 until 1813.
Nehemiah Cleaveland, at the age of sixteen, was an attend- ant on his father during the siege of Boston, and afterward enlisted in 1777, and served for nearly twelve months. At the age of 21, being disappointed in earlier hopes of a college education, he entered on the study of medicine with his broth- er, Parker Cleaveland, at Byfield and later with Dr. John Manning of Ipswich. He entered practice in Topsfield in 1783, which was neither extensive or lucrative. He soon received a commission as Justice of the Peace, an office of some distinc- tion in those days, and was thus led to engage, to a certain extent in concerns of a civic character. He became known and highly appreciated as a man of good judgment and prompt business habits, and was much employed in the public affairs of town and county. In 1828 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Harvard University.
One of the greatest services he rendered the town was the founding of the Topsfield Academy. He also was very prom- inent in the church of Topsfield; was the first postmaster of Topsfield and the president of the Eastern Stage Company. Tradition says he was one of the three persons in Topsfield who subscribed to a newspaper; the other two copies being taken by Jacob Towne, Esq., and John and Nathaniel Averill.
In practice he is described as cautious and careful, and as never undertaking difficult surgical operations. He was punctual in attending to calls, and kind and cheerful in the sick room. He possessed in a high degree the qualities which ensure to the physician the confidence and attachment of his patients. He died Feb. 26, 1837, in his 77th year.
Dr. John Merriam was the son of John and Sarah (Jones) Merriam and was born in Concord, Mass., Aug. 10, 1758 and removed to Topsfield in December, 1783. He studied medi- cine in Charlton, Mass., and married Hannah Jones of that town. He was licensed to practice by the Medical Association of Worcester County. On March 31, 1784, he bought the house now owned by Mrs. Clinton Ingraham. Twelve years later he purchased land opposite his residence, and erected the two story house now standing at the junction of Haverhill and Ipswich Streets. In the old house were born Doctor Mer- riam's three children : Royal Augustus Merriam, who was born Jan. 30, 1786, and was his father's successor in the practice of physic ; Frederick Jones Merriam, who also lived in Topsfield; and Almira, who died unmarried in 1839 at her brother's home. Mrs. Merriam died in the new house Feb. 20, 1806.
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On Sept. 18, 1808 Doctor Merriam married, second, Miss Mary Stiles of Topsfield. He died Nov. 21, 1817 at the age of 59 years. His widow Mary died at Boxford, Dec. 24, 1825, aged 62 years.
He was an old time physician with a considerable practice. It is said of him that he was well prepared for the work of his profession, as the times then were. His medical library was large for those days. From entries made in his own hand- writing in books of his library it would appear that his studies preparatory to the study of medicine were considerable, and that he had some knowledge of Latin. There is no word of his school days but it may be presumed that he had the advan- tages that other young men enjoyed. He might have re- ceived instruction from an educated man, before taking up his medical studies. From what we learn of him it is certain that he stood high as a medical practitioner and he had the respect of his patrons and of the community in general. He had a large practice that extended into the adjoining towns.
In the year 1825, a Dr. Joseph Field was taxed for a poll. Nothing further can be found concerning him, and he must be considered as a wandering physician.
Dr. Jeremiah Stone, son of Shubael and Polly (Rogers) Stone, was born Nov. 2, 1798, in Marlborough, N. H. He married Feb. 28, 1828, Esther, daughter of Moses and Esther (Dwinell) Wildes, and they had three children. He be- gan practice in Topsfield, Jan. 6, 1826, and continued for about twelve years. Dr. Stone graduated at the Dartmouth Medical College in December, 1825, and came immediately to Topsfield. He was the first doctor in Topsfield who received his education at a Medical School. He was an honorary mem- ber of the Massachusetts Medical Society, which he joined in 1831. Finding that a country practice with its long and tire- some drives was impairing his health, he removed to New Bed- ford and thence in 1864 to Provincetown, Mass., where he re- mained until his death April 23, 1875, with the exception of two years spent at Chatham, Mass.
Dr. Joseph Cummings Batchelder succeeded Doctor Stone about 1838. He was born in Topsfield, May 10, 1809, and was the son of Capt. Jacob and Mary (Cummings) Batchelder. He married Nov. 9, 1837, Anna Wellington, daughter of Rev. Charles Wellington, of Templeton, Mass. He began practice in Lynn, after having studied medicine with Dr. J. W. D. Osgood of Templeton, and remained there for less than two years when he removed to Topsfield ,and stayed till 1850, going then to Cambridge, Mass., and from
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1857 till his death April 26, 1885 he practiced in Temple- ton. He was a member of the legislature from Topsfield in 1846 and served as assistant surgeon, from Mar. 1, 1862 to August, 1862, in the 25th Massachusetts Volunteers, in North Carolina. In 1843 he built the two story house on Main street now occupied by Merrill B. Bailey. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1838. They had three daughters.
Dr. Royal Augustus Merriam,2 the son of Dr. John and Hannah (Jones) Merriam, was the next physician. He was born Jan. 30, 1786, and was graduated from Dartmouth Col- lege in 1808. He studied medicine at the Dartmouth Medical School, and received his degree of M.B. in 1811 and M.D. in 1820. In 1832, he became a member of the Mass. Medical Society. In January, 1812, he commenced the practice of medicine in Middleton where he met with considerable success, especially in cases of typhoid fever. The next year he re- turned to Topsfield. His short stay in Middleton is easily accounted for by the fact that his father was in failing health, and had been somewhat of an invalid for several years. Here he continued in the practice of his profession from 1813 to 1823, when he went to Marblehead, where he remained nine years, returning to his native town in 1832. His library was large and well supplied with the standard works. Surgery was his specialty. Dr. Merriam married Mar. 12, 1839, at Newburyport, Adeline, daughter of Nathaniel Marsh of New- buryport. Their children were: Sidney Augustus, born Mar. 11, 1841, who studied medicine and was graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1861; and Arthur Marsh, born Apr. 12, 1843.
Doctor Merriam was interested in public affairs, and was active as a public man, holding offices of trust in the town, and as a member of associations, industrial, philanthropic, and social. He died Nov. 13, 1864.
During a part of the time of Doctor Merriam's practice in Topsfield, Dr. George Whitefield Sawyer of Boxford was in friendly competition with him. Doctor Sawyer was born in Ipswich in 1770, and married Polly Killam of Middleton in 1800. He subsequently settled in Boxford as a physician, on the farm known as the Sawyer farm, on the road to Middleton. He was acknowledged to be a good physician for the times; and his natural bluntness of speech ofttimes amused his patients. After honoring his profession for many years by a life of integrity and trust, he died March 23, 1855.
2 See Topsfield Hist. Coll., Vol. IV.
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After Doctor Merriam was well along in years, other physi- cians came to Topsfield. The first of these was Dr. Charles Parker French, who was born Nov. 27, 1823, in Lyndeborough, N. H., the son of Isaac P. and Clarissa (Barnes) French. He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847, and came to Boxford, in 1848, where he continued his practice for nearly two years, and in 1849 came to Topsfield. During the years 1850 and 1851, he lived in the old Shepard house, which for- merly stood just beyond the present residence of F. Percy Smerage. Doctor French married, May 1, 1850, Mary S. daughter of Oliver T. and Sarah A. (Towne) Peabody of Box- ford. His medical knowledge was deemed sufficent for good practice. He remained in Topsfield four years, and, in May 1854, went to Virden, Ill., afterwards moving to Denver, Col., where he died Feb. 23, 1904. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1852.
The next physician was Dr. David Choate, son of David and Elizabeth (Wade) Choate, who was born in Essex, Mass., Nov. 27, 1828. He married, Jan. 1, 1856, Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Susan (Stanley) Kimball, who was born in Ipswich Feb. 24, 1829. They had two children.
Doctor Choate was educated in the schools of his native town and at Phillips Academy, Andover. He commenced the study of medicine with Dixie Crosby, M.D., of the Dartmouth Medical College, and subsequently entered the Harvard Medi- cal School, from which he was graduated in 1854. When at- tending his last lectures, Dr. Choate Burnham of Hamilton, Mass., urged him to settle in Hamilton. He practiced in that town from October, 1853, to April, 1854, going back and forth on the train to his studies at Boston. While in Hamilton, William Cleaveland and John Wright of Topsfield called and urged him to come to Topsfield, as Doctor French was plan- ning to go to Illinois, and Topsfield had only Dr. R. A. Mer- riam, who, although well advanced in years and retired from active practice, still gave his assistance in troublesome cases, which he continued to do till his death. Doctor Choate accord- ingly came to Topsfield in April, 1854, and boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Balch, and occupied one of the front rooms as an office. He had an ordinary carriage at first, but thinking a gig better suited for his practice in Middleton, Boxford and Linebrook, he had one built for him by Thomas K. Leach, the Topsfield wheelwright. After his marriage in 1856, he moved into the house on the corner of Main and Sum- mer Streets, now owned by William C. Long. He frequently called into consultation Dr. Cox of Salem, who after a time.
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urged him to settle in that city. Although Doctor Choate liked Topsfield, and the citizens were highly satisfied with his professional services, yet he was unused to the hardships suffered during the winter season while on long drives, and so welcomed a chance to go to Salem, removing there in June, 1857. At this time he charged seventy-five cents a visit for calls in Topsfield, and also often went to Boxford for that sum. After he had decided to leave Topsfield, the citizens offered him an increase of 25% on the charge for his visits as an inducement to remain. Doctor Choate had many appli- cants for his practice finally selling to Dr. Justin Allen of Hamilton. He afterwards lived in Salem where he had a very extensive practice, and by his kindliness, his professional skill and fidelity, he gained a warm place in the hearts of those in whose families he had visited. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1853, and was a mem- ber of the Essex South District Medical Society. He died in Salem, Apr. 23, 1916.
Dr. Justin Allen was born in Hamilton, Mass., Sept. 29, 1826, and was the son of Ezekiel and Sally (Roberts) Allen. After attending the schools of his native town, he studied at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., Rockingham Acad- emy, Hampton Falls, N. H., and Hampton Academy. Enter- ing Dartmouth College, he left in the spring of 1851, and con- tinued his studies at Brown University, graduating from that institution in 1852. From 1853 to 1855 he attended medical lectures at the Berkshire Medical Institute, and the Tremont Medical School. In 1856 he received the degree of M. D. at Harvard, and in June, 1857, came to Topsfield, buying the practice of Dr. David Choate. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1859, retiring as an active member in 1892. He continued his practice here and in neigh- boring towns till 1894, when he retired from active profes- sional work, enjoying in the next few years several trips abroad. He died, unmarried, Nov. 5, 1908, aged 82 years.
Early in 1881, Dr. William Dudley Hill, a native of Leba- non, Maine, settled in Topsfield. He was born in 1858, the son of Orrin T. and Mary E. (Foss) Hill, and married, June 1, 1881, at Kingston, N. H., Kitty Hartwell Pearson, daughter of Mark R. and Kate (Hartwell) Pearson. Doctor Hill was graduated from the medical department of the University of Vermont in 1879. He remained in Topsfield only a few years, removing to Paterson, N. J., and later to New Hampshire, where he conducted a sanitarium. He also practiced dentistry.
Dr. George Merrill Randall came to Topsfield, Oct. 22, 1889,
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