USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > The early history of the medical profession in the county of Norfolk, Mass. : an address delivered before the Norfolk District Medical Society, at its annual meeting, May 10, 1823 > Part 2
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Dr. Ebenezer Alden, a descendant of the Pilgrim John Alden who came to Plymouth in the May Flower in 1620, was a native of Stafford, Ct., where he was born July 4, 1755. Having completed his medical education in his native State, he was invited to settle in Randolph on the death of Dr. Baker; and from 1781 to the time of his own death, which occurred October 16, 1806, he sustained there and in the neigh- boring towns an unblemished reputation, and received his full share of medical patronage. His pastor, Rev. Jonathan Strong, in a tribute to his memory after his decease, thus speaks of him .- " The duties of his profession he discharged with reputation to himself, and with great useful- ness to his employers. His circle of business, although small at first, gradually increased until it became very extensive. As a physician he was remarkably attentive, prudent, and successful. During the latter part of his life, his advice was sought and much respected by his breth-
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ren of the faculty in his vicinity. No physician in this part of the coun- try possessed the love and confidence of his patients to a higher degree. This was evident from the universal sorrow occasioned among them by his death."
Dr. Jonathan Wales, a medical pupil of Drs. E. Wales and N. Miller, was a native of Randolph, and a physician there for forty years preceding liis death, which occurred in 1843, at the age of 65. He was ardently de- voted to his profession, and actively engaged in its duties ; was much em- ployed in town affairs and in the concerns of the religious society of which lie was a member. He obtained the confidence of his patients in an emi- nent degree, and was often called on in surgical as well as in medical cases. In 1824 he received the degree of A.M. at Middlebury College, and that of M.D. at Waterville in 1832. His son, Dr. B. L. Wales, who graduated at Middlebury College in 1824, and M.D. at Harvard in 1828, was after- wards associated in business with his father while he lived, but since his deatlı has relinquished medical pursuits for more congenial and lucrative employments.
Dr. Ebenezer Alden, son of the former physician in this town of the same name, graduated at Harvard College in 1808; was a medical pu- pil of Dr. Nathan Smith, at Hanover, N. H., where he received the de- gree of M.B. in 1811. He was afterwards for some months a resident in Philadelphia, in attendance upon medical lectures and practice in that city, where he received, in 1812, the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania ; since which period he has resided at Randolph.
Other physicians, who have commenced business there more recently, are now resident in that town, enjoying a well-earned patronage.
DORCHESTER.
Dorchester, which was settled in 1631, originally embraced within its limits not only the present town of that name, but also Milton, Canton, Stoughton, Sharon and Foxborough. Johnson, in his " Wonder-working Providence," thus quaintly describes it. " The forme of this Towne is almost like a serpent, turning her liead to the northward over against Tompson's Island and the Castle ; her body and wings being chiefly built on are filled somewhat thick of houses, only that one of her wings is clipt ; hier tayle being of such large extent that she can hardly draw it after lier."-Wonder-working Providence, 1st Ed., 4to, p. 41.
I find no account of any resident physician in Dorchester at a very early period. Much sickness prevailed tliere, as well as at Salem and Charles- town, in 1630 and the two following years. Dr. Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, writing to Gov. Bradford, June 28, 1630, says-" I have been
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to Mattapan at the request of Mr. Warham, and let some twenty of these people blood."-(History of Dorchester, p. 22.) This sickness was probably similar to that which prevailed in Plymouth, of which Morton says-" it was a kind of pestilential fever," of which upwards of twenty persons died in Plymouth ; and that it was also very fatal to tlie Indians in the vicinity. At the same time the Indians near Charlestown were severely afflicted with smallpox, Mr. Maverick having buried above thirty of them at Winnesimmet in one day, as Winthrop assures us.
Dr. Elijah Danforth was one of the earliest physicians in Doreliester, and had his residence near the old burying ground. Dr. Harris sup- poses that he resided for a time at Castle Island. It is probable that at one period he was at Roxbury also ; for Dr. Boylston, in his " Ac- count of the Smallpox inoculated in New England " (p. 31), says that on the 8th of December, 1721, he inoculated at Roxbury among others Dr. Elijah Danfortlı, aged 35; and that tlie doetor, in consequence of thic cold weather, had a tumor in the axilla which came to suppuration. He graduated at Harvard College in 1703, and died in Dorehester in 1736, at the age of 50, leaving a real estate of the value of £2000, be- sides a handsome personal estate.
Dr. William Holden eommeneed business in Doreliester soon after the deatlı of Dr. Danforth. There is reason to suppose that he was pre- viously at Bridgewater ; a Dr. William Holden liaving buried a daughter Hannah there in 1738, and removed soon after. He was a native of Cambridge, born 4th Mareh, 1713, and died Mareh 30, 1776, aged 63.
Dr. Phinehas Holden, son of Dr. William, was born January 31, 1744. He studied medieine with his father, and continued in the practice of it at Dorehester until his death in 1819.
Dr. James Baker, who was born Sept 5, 1739, and graduated at Har- vard College in 1760, studied divinity and was for some time a preacher. He then studied medicine, and praetised a few years until about 1780, when he relinquished the profession for other pursuits.
Dr. Joseph Gardner died in Dorchester in 1809, aged 28.
Eleazer Clapp, M.D., who graduated at Harvard College in 1807, was a pupil of Dr. J. Warren. He opened an office in Boston, and commeneed the duties of his profession with fair prospects of success. But he soon became melancholy, and having a predisposition to insanity, returned to his native town, where in a fit of mental depression lie com- initted suicide, Aug. 27, 1817, at the age of 31. His mother, filled with grief at the occurrence, followed him five days afterwards by the same means.
Dr. Thomas Danforth, son of the celebrated Dr. Samuel Danforth of
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Boston, received a good education, but having wealthy relatives was not specially devoted to the interests of his profession. For about two years he had his residence in Dorchester ; not with a view of engaging in medical pursuits, however, although he was sometimes requested to pre- scribe for his neighbors. " Having taken a sudden cold, which produced excitement of the brain," he rose from his bed on the night of July 13, 1817, procured a light, and, placing himself before a looking-glass, deliberately opened the carotid artery ; when he threw himself again upon the bed, and soon expired. His death may have been the exciting cause of that of Dr. Clapp, which occurred the following month.
Dr. Samuel Mulliken was a native of Lexington. He graduated at Harvard College in 1819, and settled as a physician in Dorchester. For some time his circle of practice was quite limited. But at length, re- moving to the south part of the town, he acquired business and a good reputation, which he retained until his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1843, at the age of 52. The immediate occasion of his death was tlie introduction of virus into his system througli a slight wound received in dissecting a gangrenous subject.
Dr. Robert Thaxter was a native of Hingham, where he was born October 21, 1776. He graduated at Harvard College in 1798. Hav- ing studied medicine with his father, Dr. Thomas Thaxter, he was for a time associated with him in business at Hingham. In 1809 he settled at Dorchester, and from that period until his death, which occurred from " ship fever " Feb. 9, 1852, he enjoyed a wide circle of medical and surgi- cal practice, and an enviable reputation as a physician and citizen. For more than thirty years he was not detained from his business a single day by sickness, nor did he spend a night out of town during the same period, except on professional duty. He was a man of noble, self-sacri- ficing spirit. It was only necessary for him to know that his services were needed. He inquired not whether the sufferer was a native citizen or a foreigner ; whether he had ability to make any pecuniary compen- sation, or otherwise ; whether his malady was mild or malignant. At the first summons, by night or by day, he hastened to his relief. Al- though his own life might be the forfeit, he deserted not his post in the hour of danger. " His profession was his life," says his pastor, Rev. Dr. Hall, in a highly appropriate tribute to liis memory, on the Sabbatlı succeeding his death. He adds, " May it not have been kindly ordered -kindly for him-that the mortal arrow by which he fell should have been received in the conscientious discharge of its functions." " His last sickness was contracted by faithful attendance on the family of a poor emigrant."
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MILTON.
Milton was incorporated in 1662. Rev. Peter Thacher, its first minis- ter and physician, was born in 1651, graduated at Harvard College in 1671, and died Dec. 17, 1727, aged 77. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Thacher of Weymouth and Boston. Soon after his gradua- tion he went to England, where he remained several years. Like his father, he was well skilled in medicine as well as in theology ; and he ex- pended no inconsiderable portion of his annual salary in providing medi- cines for the indigent and sick. He acquired such a knowledge of the Indian language, as enabled him, in their own tongue, to preach to the natives, who were numerous in his vicinity ; and at the same time he was accustomed to prescribe for their physical maladies. Cotton Mather (Mag. i., 428, 2d ed.) says-" It is well known that, until two hundred years ago, physic in England was no profession distinct from divinity "; and elsewhere he adds-" Ever since the days of Luke the Evangelist, skill in physic has been frequently professed and practised by persons whose most declared business was the study of divinity. But I suppose that the greatest frequency of this angelical conjunction has been seen in these parts of America, where they are mostly the poor to whom the gospel is preached by pastors whose compassion to them in their poverty invites them to supply the want of abler physicians." " Such a univer- sally serviceable pastor was our Thacher." This was indeed a tribute of the learned author to the father, but equally applicable to the son and to many other worthy pioneer ministers of New England. It was neither want of success in their appropriate calling ; nor a desire for the emolu- ments of a double office ; nor an overweening self-esteem ; nor any other unworthy motive, which led these early ministers to add to their theologi- cal stores some knowledge of medicine. It was rather a desire to ad- minister to the necessities and alleviate the pains of those who from poverty and distance were unable to avail themselves of more efficient aid. The professions of theology and medicine are natural allies. Those who practise them can and should be mutual helpers ; and when minis- ters so forget the dignity of their calling as to be carried away by the newest and most popular medical delusion, to the neglect of the well- informed and regularly-educated physicians of their own parishes, they act as unwisely as the physician who adopts the vagaries of the wildest theological fanatic, as a substitute for the teachings of the sober and well-instructed ministers of religion.
After the death of Rev. Mr. Thacher, the medical business of the town was divided for nearly half a century among physicians in the vicinity.
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Dr. Samuel Gardner, son of Rev. John Gardner of Stow, gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1746, and settled on Milton Hill as early as 1753. On the 22d May, 1766, he married Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. William Cooper, and grand-daughter of William Foye, a gentleman of standing and fortune in Milton. He was considered a respectable physician, and, it is supposed, died in 1777.
Dr. Enos Sumner was born in 1746, and was in business as a physi- cian in the central part of Milton, from about 1768 to nearly the close of his life, which terminated June 8, 1796.
Dr. Benjamin Turner, a native of Randolph, graduated at Harvard College in 1791, and after having completed his medical education had his residence in the south part of Milton, and was for some years en- gaged in medical practice. He then removed to Framingham, and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1831, he was devoted to ag- ricultural pursuits.
Dr. Amos Holbrook was a native of Bellingham, had his residence in Milton, at first in the village, afterwards upon Milton Hill, and was one of the most eminent medical men in the County during the whole pe- riod in which he lived. He had not the advantage of a collegiate edu- cation ; but this infelicity was more than compensated by the experience he acquired in the service of his country, as an army surgeon, and by his subsequent residence for several months in France, where his time was profitably occupied "in witnessing the practice of the hospitals, and thus adding to his stores of practical knowledge." Endowed by nature with an elegant person, he added to it a courteousness of address and suavity of manners which won him favor in whatever circle he moved. He was beloved as a physician and citizen, and sustained his popularity undiminished to the close of a long life. For many years he engrossed the principal medical business of Dorchester as well as Milton. He died June 17, 1842, at the advanced age of 88.
A very just sketch of his character, by his friend and pupil Dr. Thad- deus W. Harris, was published in the Boston Courier soon after his death, and thence copied into the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of July 13, 1842, and subsequently by Dr. Williams into his Medical Biography.
Dr. Samuel Kinsley Glover, a native of Milton, was born in 1753. He entered Harvard College, but before the time of his graduation arrived, the Revolution having broken out, instruction in the College was suspend- ed ; his classical studies were relinquished, and he soon joined the army as surgeon's mate. In that capacity and as surgeon of several armed vessels, he continued until 1778. In that year, among other duties he had charge of a smallpox hospital on Prospect Hill, where Burgoyne's
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troops were stationed as prisoners of war. In 1780 he relinquished mili- tary life, and settled in Milton. From that time also he discontinued the practice of medicine and surgery, except that for a time he devoted some attention to a private smallpox hospital. He received a pension from government, was called to fill several stations in public life, and died July 1, 1839, aged 86.
Dr. Thaddeus William Harris, son of the Rev. T. M. Harris, D.D., of Dorchester, graduated at Harvard College in 1815, and settled at Milton in 1820; where, and in his native town of Dorchester, he acquired the reputation of an excellent physician, as well as a distinguished naturalist. After about ten years it became necessary for him to relinquish the active duties of his profession, as too laborious for his constitution, and he was elected to, and accepted the office of Librarian to the University, a post which he has since continued to occupy, to the entire satisfaction of its guardians and the public.
Dr. Thomas Kittredge was for a few years in Milton, where he died July 27, 1845, aged 33.
Dr. Charles R. Kennedy, a native of Milton, and graduate of Har- vard College in 1826, studied medicine at Randolph, and settled in his native town ; but not finding the practice of his profession congenial either to his feelings or his health, he relinquished it for other pursuits. He became consumptive, and died at St. Augustine in 1836. He was an excellent citizen and much respected.
CANTON.
Canton, formerly known as Dorchester village, was settled, and a church organized in it, as early as 1717.
Dr. Belcher was the earliest resident physician ; and tradition has made us better acquainted with his skill in athletic exercises than in professional pursuits. His minister, Rev. Samuel Dunbar, had in his day a great reputation as a mighty wrestler, as well as divine. It is said that although neither the clergyman nor physician was disposed to coin- promit the dignity of his calling by a public trial of skill, they sometimes retired to a lone spot in the forest, and there, far removed from the public gaze, renewed the sports of their youth.
Dr. George Crossman was the successor of Dr. Belcher. He was many years Town Clerk of Stoughton, before its separation from Canton. He had a good reputation as a physician, and died Sept. 25, 1805, aged 68.
Dr. Samuel Searle, a pupil of Dr. Moses Baker of Randolph, settled as a physician in Canton about the year 1780. After a few years he removed, first to Royalston, then to Canada, where he died.
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Dr. Jonathan Stone, a native of Framingham, settled as a physician in Canton about the year 1812; and continued to reside there in full practice, and much respected, for more than thirty years. He was a worthy Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society. In 1842 he re- moved to Belleville, Ill., where he is supposed to be still living.
Dr. Moses Baker, a native of Randolph, and son of the physician there of the same name, was in Canton several years, but removed, and finally went to Monmouth, Me., where, it is understood, he died about twenty years ago.
Dr. Phineas M. Crane, son of Gen. Elijah Crane, after having com- pleted his medical studies, in 1828 settled in his native town, but soon removed to East Boston, his present residence.
STOUGHTON.
The present town of Stoughton was incorporated as a parish in 1744.
Dr. Nathan Bucknam was the first physician. He was probably a son of Rev. Nathan Bucknam, Harvard College 1721. He married a Holmes ; died young, and but little is known respecting him.
It is said that a Dr. Pope formerly resided in Stoughton, near to Easton-respecting whom, the only remaining tradition is that he re- fused medical fees for services rendered on the Sabbath.
Dr. Peter Adams, a native of Stoughton, was son of Rev. Jedediah Adams, Harvard College 1733. He graduated at Harvard College in 1773 ; was a medical pupil of Dr. Crossman and Dr. E. Wales ; and from about 1780 to the time of his death in 1832, was the principal physician of the town. He died at the age of 76, universally respected.
Dr. Simeon Tucker, a native of Canton, and for a short time a practi- tioner there, who graduated at Brown University in 1821, and at Harvard College M.D. in 1824, succeeded Dr. Adams, and is still a resident in Stoughton in successful practice.
Dr. Charles F. Wyman, a very promising young physician, became associated in business with Dr. Tucker, but having unfortunately con- tracted " ship fever" in the discharge of professional duty, died of the disease April 30, 1851, at the early age of 27 years. He was universally respected, and his untimely death greatly lamented.
SHARON.
Sharon was incorporated as a town in 1765.
Dr. Lemuel Hewins, a pupil of Dr. Nathaniel White, of Weymouth, whose daughter he married, was probably the first physician there. In early life he had some business, which' soon declined, his personal habits being unfavorable to success.
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Dr. Elijah Hewins was a pupil of Dr. Young, of Boston, and a sur- geon in the Revolutionary army, attached to Col. Jacob Gill's regiment. He had in Sharon, Foxborough, and Walpole an extensive practice for twenty years after the close of the war. He sustained the reputation of an upright man and good physician. His death occurred in 1827, at the age of 80; but some years previously, in consequence of a shock of palsy, he had wholly retired from practice.
Dr. Daniel Stone, who graduated at Harvard College in 1797, and was a medical pupil of Dr. Willard, of Uxbridge, was the next physi- cian. He commenced business in Sharon, in 1800, and continued there in successful practice for more than forty years, enjoying a well-earned reputation as a physician and citizen. From the commencement of his medical life he was on principle a total abstinent from the use of all in- toxicating liquors. He was social in his habits, hospitable, a pleasant companion and a fast friend. He was thrice married, and left a widow with several children to mourn his loss. His death occurred very sud- denly, August 27th, 1842, in consequence of the ulceration and rupture of a hernial appendix to the ileum, somewhat resembling the appendix vermiformis.
FOXBOROUGH.
Foxborough constituted originally the caudal extremity of that " ser- pent that turned her head northward over against Tompson's Island and the Castle." It was incorporated in 1778.
Dr. Joshua Wood appears to have been the earliest resident physician. He was a native of Sharon, a medical pupil of Dr. Elijah Hewins, and had a good reputation as a physician and citizen. He died of pulmonary disease, in 1799, at the age of 47.
Dr. Spencer Pratt, a medical pupil of Dr. Wood, succeeded him, and was for a time successful in acquiring business. He afterwards removed to Franklin, where he died.
Dr. Aaron Everett died in 1807, aged 25.
Dr. William Payson came from Walpole ; was a resident in Foxbo- rough ; married a daughter of Samuel Warren, Esq., and for several years was the principal physician. He then removed.
Dr. - Kingsbury, was a resident here for a short period, but died at an early age.
Dr. Talbot was here for a time, and then removed.
Dr. Gardner M. Peck received the degree of M.D. at Brown Univer- sity in 1821, settled in Foxborough, and for some years had a wide cir- cle of practice. He thien removed to New York, and it is understood relinquished medicine as a profession for more profitable pursuits.
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DEDHAM.
Dedham was incorporated in 1636, and originally embraced within its limits the present towns of Dedliam, Medfield, Medway, Walpole, Wren- tham, Franklin, Bellingham, Needham, Dover, Natick, and a part of Sherborn.
Rev. John Allin, who was settled in 1639, was the first pastor. He had a son Daniel, born in 1656, who graduated at Harvard College in 1675, and was a physician. He was for a time a resident in Boston, and also Librarian to the College, and may have occasionally prescribed for the sick in his native village. He died in 1692.
Dr. William Avery was the earliest educated physician who is known to have taken up his residence in Dedham. He came from England to Boston in 1650; with his wife Mary, and children Mary, William, and Robert. At what period he removed to Dedham, and how long he con- tinued there, is uncertain. In 1680 he had returned to Boston ; for in that year he gave £60 to the town of Dedham, describing himself in the deed of gift as of Boston, but sometimes of Dedham. In Judge Samuel Sewall's diary, it is recorded, that he died in Boston, March 18, 1686. His age was 65. A small grave-stone, in the Chapel Burying Ground, marks the place of his interment. He appears to have been well edu- cated ; a man of benevolence ; and especially a patron of learning. I have found no evidence that lie left a will, but it is known that in his life-time he made liberal donations to various public charities, among which was one to the College at Cambridge.
Dr. Jonathan Avery, son of Dr. William, was born in Boston, it is said, in 1651. This may be a mistake. In his will, dated May, 1691, he de- scribes himself as a resident in Dedham ; practitioner in physick, aged about 35 years. His inventory is dated the same month. He left a wife Sy bil, and three daughters. There is, among his descendants, a tradition that, being a believer in alchemy, he devoted some of his leisure hours to chemical studies ; and that near the place of his former residence, heaps of cinders still remain, the product of his labors. It may be so. But to me it appears quite as probable, that the aforesaid cinders were the product of his brother Robert's blacksmith shop.
Dr. Joseph Richards was born in Dedham April 18, 1701 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1721; studied medicine as a profession, and set- tled in his native town. He was a military officer, a magistrate, and a man of respectability ; but I cannot learn that he was ever extensively engaged in medical pursuits. He died Feb. 25, 1761, aged 60.
Dr. Nathaniel Amcs, a native of Bridgewater, and descendant of Wil-
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liam Ames, of Braintree, settled as a physician in Dedham in 1732. He was a shrewd, observing man, endowed witlı talents muchi beyond mediocrity ; a man of strong passions and a determined will. He was much respected ; was often employed in public affairs ; and was found equal to every trust committed to him.
In early life he devoted much attention to astronomical studies. In 1725 he commeneed the publication of an almanac, which was continu- ed annually while he lived. This publication contained upon its cover a picture of the signs of the zodiac, rather conspicuously displayed, and secured for him among the credulous a great reputation as an astrolo- ger as well as physician. If he did not openly profess skill in judicial astrology, he was not the man to disclaim the possession of such skill, when it was imputed to him by the superstition of others. On the birth of his second son, the Hon. Fisher Ames, in reply to the inquiries of a good lady as to the future destiny of the child, after a moment of ap- parently deep thought, he gravely said-" If he lives, that child will be the third ruler in the kingdom." Truant boys stood in great fear of him, having the impression that he could infallibly detect their roguery. On one occasion, his skill in this line was subjected to a severe test, yet without loss to his reputation. A neighboring hen-roost had been fre- quently robbed, yet the culprit had as often escaped detection. At length an appeal was made to the art of the astrologer. One evening, when the signs in the heavens were favorable, the boys, and among them the suspected urchin, were assembled in a dark roomn. The great family dinner pot was placed upon a table in its centre. All the boys were required to form a ring and march silently round this pot ; and each one, on arriving at a given point, to touch it with his finger ; it being understood that " old chantieleer," who was represented to be within, would respond to the touch of the robber by erowing most lustily. On completing the cirele, there was no response ; yet the shirewd astrologer, calling for a light, discovered that the digital extremities of one boy gave no evidence of contact with the enchanted pot; and he, being forth- with pronounced the culprit, made immediate confession of liis guilt, and thus the worthy astrologer's fame was fully sustained.
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