USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Littleton > History of Littleton, New Hampshire, Vol. II > Part 11
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97
The Profession of Medicine.
Between 1773 and 1787 the doctor visited patients in Apthorp, as shown by these books of account. Later volumes than the ones now accessible might give us the names of others with whom he had professional relations in Littleton. As a part of the earli- est authentic written history of the town, such accounts, relating to our ancient townspeople, are of general interest; and as relics of the beginning of the practice of medicine here, they are worthy of reproduction. We copy them as they are written in the books.
1773 Old Mr. Hopkinson of Apthorp Dr.
Aug't 23d. To a visit from Davids to his house, "3"
To Spt. Lavender, 1s. Elix. Camphor, 2s.
To a visit, 20s. Physic, 2s. Gum Camphor, 2s., 6d. 146
To Myrrh, 2s. Sal Nitre, 2s. Valerian, 3s. " 7 "
Oct. 20th, 1786. Rec'd the above by his son John's note, £1 17 6
1774 Mr. Johnathan Hopkinson of Apthorp, Dr.
Nov'r 8th. To a visit, 4s. Physic, 1s. Spt. Lavender, 2s. Liquid Laud, 1s., 6d. "86
To a visit, 20s. Cream Tartar, 2s. Rhei, 2s. 14 “
To Cortex, 3s. Spt. Lavender, 3s. "6 "
Oct. 20th, 1786. Rec'd the above by his note, £1 18 6
1775 Mr. David Hopkinson of Apthorp, Dr.
Aug't 23d. To a visit, 18s. Spt. Lavender, 2s. Sal Nitre, 2s. Valerian, 2s., 6d. 136
1782.
Mr. Samuel Nash of Apthorp, Dr.
Oct'r 1st.
To a visit, 24s. Gum Camphor, 3s. 1 10 66
To a visit, 27s. Gum Camphor, 3s. 1 10 66
To precipitat, 2s. Roman Vitriol, 1s.
3 To Bazillicum flavern, 2s. 2
66
July 29, 1783 To a visit, 2s. Pill Cathart. 2s. Cortex Cas- carilla, 2s., 6d. 66
6
4
Aug't 1st.
To a visit, 2s. Physic, 2s. 66
4 66
8th. To a visit, 3s. Gum Myrrh, 2s. Physic, 2s. 7 66
9th. To a visit, 3s. Bitters, 2s. 5 66 17th. To a visit, 3s. Essence Antimoni, 2s. 5 66
Sep't 1st. To a visit, 2s. Cortex, 2s. Gum Camphor, 1s. " 5
66
To a visit, 2s. Valerian, 1s., 6d. 3
6
£5 " 10
VOL. II. - 7
98
History of Littleton.
1787
Capt.1 Apthorp, Dr.
Jan. 23d. To a visit, 26s. -net. 1s. Gum Camph. 1s. 18 “ Sal Nitre, 1s. Antmi. Vin. 1s. 2
27th. To a visit, 26s. Cream Tart. 2s. 180
The town of Bath had no settled physician until 1790, when Dr. Isaac Moore,2 coming from Haverhill, located in the place. He is supposed to have begun his practice about 1787. He was of rugged Scotch stock, and his youth had been passed in the midst of the hardships and dangers of the frontier in the Revolu- tionary period. The early record of Worcester, Mass., gives mention of three of this name. One of them, the son of Isaac and Hannah, born March 11, 1741, might have been the father of the doctor. His son John places the date of the doctor's birth in 1765, and the family also have it that it was in Worcester.3 While but a boy, he saw the sacking of Royalton by the Indians and Tories in 1780. His wife was a daughter of Col. Timothy Bedel. She was born in Bath in 1771, and was quite young when she married the doctor. They removed to Bath the next year, and for several years occupied the Hurd place, so called, near the old meeting-house. The date of his settlement is taken from the Appendix to Sutherland's " Historical Discourse," page 80. In the same volume, however, on page 54, there is evidence that the doctor was identified very intimately with Bath in a professional capacity, if not a resident, at an earlier date. The text is as follows: " Under date of November, 1789, we find the following : Voted, that Dr. Isaac Moore set up a house of Inoculation in this town, one half mile west of Mr. David Weeks." Mrs. Smith states that this movement met with great opposition, and that the first house that he erected was torn down by the disaffected before it was finished. He succeeded, however, the next year in completing one; and a good many persons (she among the rest) went there and had the smallpox. But in a short time it came to a sudden end. In 1793 it took fire and burned to ashes. This account reminds us of the public sentiment manifested at Montreal on the same subject some twenty-five years ago. But whatever may have been the temper of the public towards the enterprise, the
1 The name is obliterated, but was doubtless either Captain Caswell or Captain Williams.
2 Dr. Moore was the father of John Moore, of Barnet, a noted auctioneer a generation ago.
8 Hon. Nathan Crosby, in his "History of the Crosby Family," states that Dr. Moore was born and educated in Scotland, but is understood to have had other or additional information after the publication of the book.
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The Profession of Medicine.
record shows that Dr. Moore was a sagacious and progressive phy- sician, who early encountered the same difficulties that every man will who gets ahead of the times in applying the true science of medicine.
This copy of an advertisement in the " Vermont Journal and Universal Advertiser," No. 391, published at Windsor, January 25, 1791, has been forwarded by Rev. E. M. Goddard, of that place, and I give it entire : -
The subscriber, respectfully informs the public, that he has good accommodations at his hospital, for those who wish to take the benefit of having the SMALL POX by the easy and safe method of inocula- tion, and on very moderate terms, viz : Inoculation, medicine, attend- ance, nursing and every thing necessary for each patient, excepting their bed cloaths, for the term of three weeks for thirty shillings; if longer detained, six shillings per week - Inoculation, medicine, and attendance, for fifteen shillings each. The money to be paid at the time of inoculation, or at the farthest at the time of leaving the hos- pital. - Grain will be received in part payment. The public may be assured that mercurials will not be administered by their humble servant,
Bath, (Newhampshire) January 17, 1791.
ISAAC MOORE. 1 & 3
It is quite possible that Dr. Moore was the nearest physician for the people of Littleton for several years after his location in Bath. But a short time previous we have found Dr. White com- ing to his Littleton friends from Newbury. It would not there- fore be unreasonable to assume that Dr. Moore from 1790 to 1800, a period that evidently was the most effective part of his career, had a principal share of the medical practice in Littleton.
Dr. Ainsworth came here in 1800. Dr. Stanley is said to have been a local practitioner from about 1802 to 1804. Dr. Moore himself located at the north part of the town about 1806. He removed from Bath and lived on the Connecticut River, in the house opposite that formerly owned and occupied by T. B. Wheeler. His dwelling-house and all its contents at Bath had been consumed by fire that year, and this may have been the occasion of his change of location. He remained in Littleton only two or three years. Returning to Bath, he occupied a house near that of Andrew Woods as it was in 1855. At a previous period he occupied the S. & W. Minot place, and there kept a public house for several years. In politics he was a Federalist. He held various town offices, and was town clerk of Bath for a
100
History of Littleton.
number of terms. He died in 1818 at a comparatively early age. His habits conformed perhaps too strictly to the spirit of the times, and his nervous system became badly deranged a consider- able time before the end. His widow remarried and lived to a great age. Her faculties were well preserved, and she was one of the best authorities on events which had come to her knowledge. Thirteen children were born to them. Their descendants hold honorable stations in society, and have been successful in affairs. We have the estimate of contemporaries on the professional character of Dr. Moore. The Rev. David Sutherland. in his " Historical Discourse " (p. 16) says : --
" When I settled here, Dr. Moore was the only physician. I believe he was the first physician who ever settled here. Moore was not much of a book-learned physician, but had quite a knack of managing dis- eases. He was a very rough man, with a quick perception of the ludicrous ; but his drollery was apt to be offensive to delicacy and modesty. He was superseded by Dr. Edward Dean, who immediately succeeded to almost all the practice in the place."
Says Dr. Adams Moore : "He was a bold, active, and often very successful practitioner of medicine."
The settled physician preceded the settled lawyer and the set- tled minister in the practice of their respective professions at Lit- tleton. Notwithstanding some vague traditions to the contrary, the distinction of being the first physician to occupy this field belongs to Dr. Calvin Ainsworth. He was a young man when he took up his residence here, having been born at Claremont, N. H., June 3, 1777. His father was Edward Ainsworth, of that place. His education was academic. We learn from his son Laban, who lived and died in this place, that his father studied medicine at Charlestown, N. H. At one time his preceptor was confined in the Charlestown jail for debt, and Ainsworth was permitted to enter the jail limits, recite his studies, and get his instruction without much interruption from outsiders. Professional calls did not interfere with the student's privileges, and he always knew where to find his instructor. Dr. Ainsworth located in Littleton just prior to the year 1800. The population of the place was then small, and the people were just entering upon a moderate prosperity. He was an old-school practitioner, and continued in the same field of professional labor for forty years. A good nurse, with tact and a genial presence, he was a favorite doctor in many families. He was vivacious, and fond of amusement and social entertainment. That social element in his nature is under-
101
The Profession of Medicine.
stood to have dominated his personal habits in a marked degree. He could play the violin, and sometimes wielded the bow to help on merry-makings. He was for a time a Federalist of the Hart- ford Convention order, but latterly a Democrat. He had no special church affiliations.
He is described as rather stout and short in stature. He had good physical powers, but was not of a pushing or belligerent disposition. He did not succeed in accumulating property.
Dr. Burns, the only rival who kept the field any considerable . time in thirty years, commenced practice in 1806. Burns had many elements of professional success that Ainsworth lacked. The relations of the two were not intimate. On the other hand, while Adams Moore was not more like Burns than was Ains- worth, the relations of the latter rivals, if they could be called such, were very close and harmonious.
Dr. Burns did not allow his neighbors to joke him without snug-fitting retorts. One story, however, has come to us without his reply to Dr. Ainsworth's sally. Burns had a new sleigh, with runners turned back over the dasher, and birds' heads carved at the ends, according to the prevailing style of adornment. He called Ainsworth's attention to his purchase, and asked him what he thought of it. Ainsworth said it was all well enough except the birds' heads. He would suggest that ducks' heads were more fitting for that sleigh. The ducks would be a great help to him in crying " Quack, Quack."
Dr. Ainsworth married Susannah Howe, of New Ipswich, who was a school teacher in Littleton about the time of his settlement in the place. Their children were (1) Americus, lately a farmer in this town; (2) Calvin, a lawyer here and at Concord, and later, a municipal judge at Madison, Wis .; (3) Laban, before mentioned ; (4) Sybil P., who married and resided at Townsend, Mass., and (5) Susannah H., who lived with her sister. Both died suddenly and within a few days of each other. The early death of these daughters was a severe blow to Dr. Ainsworth. He sank under his grief, and died at Littleton July 12, 1839.
His latest residence was near the first Waterford bridge, though he had dwelt in several other localities, but always in the vicinity of the river. Dr. Adams Moore, for some ten years his contem- porary, left this minute in regard to Dr. Ainsworth among his historical papers : " His disposition was amiable, but there was a great lack of self-reliance as a physician."
Old residents recall a physician named Abner Stanley, who resided here for a short time. He was a tax-payer in 1802 and
102
History of Littleton.
1803. We have not been able to learn whence he came, where he went, or anything further for his biography.
William Burns 1 was of Merrimac. He was born April 15, 1783. He was of Irish Presbyterian descent, his family having been among the early settlers of Londonderry. From them he inherited an inflexible will, a biting wit, a proneness to sarcasm which did not always spare his friends, and the sturdy indepen- dence which characterizes the race. He received an academic education, pursued the course of medical study usual in his day, but did not take his degree until 1826, when he had been in active practice more than twenty years. He came to Littleton in 1806 and took up his residence at the village, then known as Mann's Mills, and for upwards of half a century enjoyed an exten- sive practice. In his practice he was conservative, being governed largely by the principles laid down in the books ; he was a rigid adherent of his school, and its ardent defender against what he regarded as the heresies of other systems of practice. He was one of the founders of the White Mountain Medical Society, and his name appears in its records more frequently than that of any other member ; his interest in its welfare continued down to the closing hours of his life.
Dr. Burns was a public-spirited citizen, who gave much of his time to the advancement of every good cause. He was a member of the first board of school inspectors, the duties of the position being similar to those of the present superintending school com- mittee, and for a period covering nearly fifty years was repeatedly a member of the board. It is possible that no man in the State has been so many times appointed to the position. He was among the early members of Morning Dawn Lodge of Masons at Waterford, and with a zeal and fidelity which characterized his life, stoutly maintained the principles of the order under the adverse conditions which resulted from the crusade waged against it during the period of the anti-Masonic contests of 1826- 1840. It was his proud boast that at a time when it cost a man his social position, and seriously affected his professional and business standing, he had the courage of his convictions, and stood up and was counted as a member of the craft. He was active in securing the charter of the lodge in this town, and in his honor his associates conferred his name upon it. He be- came a member of Franklin Chapter at Bath in 1823, and upon the revival of the organization at Lisbon some forty years after- wards, he was one of the old guard who renewed his allegiance.
1 This sketch of Dr. Burns was written by J. R. Jackson.
WILLIAM BURNS, M.D.
103
The Profession of Medicine.
In manner the doctor was a gentleman of the old school. His natural dignity was softened by an unfailing politeness. He was noted as a raconteur, and was long the presiding genius at the improvised club which originally assembled at the Old Red Store, and in later years at the brick store when under the management of Goold & Balch. Many stories are still current of his encounters with Dr. Ainsworth, in which he sometimes came off second best, as his rival's tongue was nearly as sharp as his own.
Dr. Burns was an apostle of temperance through his long and useful life, and by precept and example never failed to encourage those who were striving to conquer the evil habit; his caustic tongue spared neither saint nor sinner who transgressed by in- dulgence in too liberal potations. Shortly after coming to town he was invited by the parson to join him in a drink of flip, but de- clined with the remark that ministers must decide upon their own consciences whether they ought to drink, but the physician's re- sponsibilities were such that he must keep his liead clear and set no vicious example before his fellows of abuse of his physical system or intellectual powers.
A few years before his death he withdrew from active practice. after having followed it for sixty years, and passed his time in the midst of his favorite books and in delightful social inter- course with friends. He died in September, 1868, honored and respected by the entire community.
Dr. Adams Moore,1 son of William and Isabella (McClary) Moore, and grandson of William and Molly (Jack) Moore, was born in Bedford, N. H., October 17, 1799. He was educated at Londonderry, N. H., Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1822. He was principal of the Academy in Peacham, Vt., 1822-1824; tutor in Dartmouth College, 1824-1825; studied medicine with Dr. William Burns, of Littleton, and took his medical diploma at Dartmouth Medical College in 1827. He commenced the prac- tice of medicine in Littleton; afterwards removed for a short time to Lowell, Mass., then returned to Littleton, where he con- tinued in practice till his death in 1863. As a scholar, he took high rank in college, as is clearly indicated by his appointment as tutor two years after his graduation.2 The impression of the writer is that he stood first in his class, but efforts to determine this point positively, have been unsuccessful. As a teacher, he is remembered by one who as a boy from ten to twelve years old
1 By the late Dr. Ezra C. Worcester, of Thetford, Vt.
2 Dr. Moore was first in his class in point of scholarship.
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History of Littleton.
was under his instruction in Peacham, as a very pleasant, kindly man. In hi's chosen profession his scientific attainments were exceptionally high. He was always thoughtful and studious, and during his entire professional life kept himself well informed in regard to the progress of medical science, so that at any time he could tell what was the most approved method of treatment, as well as what was the generally accepted pathology of any disease he was liable to meet with in his practice. In his professional work the doctor was careful, thoughtful, faithful to every trust, modest, unassuming, and unpretentious, and entirely free from all the tricks of quackery on which by far too much of what is called professional success so often depends. He was perhaps somewhat deficient in energy and professional enthusiasm, and in that nice discrimination and professional tact which are needed to make scientific knowledge most fully available at the bedside ; but, taking him all in all, he was certainly a physician of quite unusual excellence.
In his intercourse with other physicians, especially those prac- tising in the same field with himself, Dr. Moore was always gen- tlemanly, courteous, considerate, just, and kind, and in some cases certainly very generous, as the writer can testify from his own personal experience. It is not often the case that two physicians practising in the same village live so many years in such perfect harmony as always existed between himself and his old preceptor, Dr. Burns. But he was not merely a good physician. Outside of his profession he was well informed in all matters of general interest, political and moral, educational and social, though too modest and retiring to be to a very marked extent a leader of men. His great intelligence, sound judgment, shrewdness, strong will, and quiet persistence in whatever he undertook enabled him to exert a very decided influence over others, and this influence he seemed always to exert in favor of what he deemed to be the best interest of all concerned.
In religious matters he associated with the Congregationalists, but he was not a member of any church. In politics he was for many years a Democrat, but in the latter part of his life identi- fied himself with the Freesoil movement. "He took a decided interest in political controversies, and was a frequent contributor to State and local papers. A series of articles in the 'People's Journal,' on the subject of slavery, attracted much attention." He was for many years associated with the Rev. Mr. Carpenter and others as a member of the school committee in Littleton. He was a Freemason and an Odd-Fellow. He had a lively sense of
ADAMS MOORE, A.M., M.D.
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The Profession of Medicine.
the humorous, and many anecdotes might be given illustrating this trait of character.
" Dr. Moore's wives were granddaughters of Col. Moses Little, of Newburyport, Mass., a prominent soldier of the Revolution, and pro- prietor of nearly all the land in the original territory of Littleton, which took its name from him ; and the doctor became the best informed man in his section as to the history of all grants, titles, boundaries of town- ships, and private holdings in northern New Hampshire. Before the breaking out of the war he had a history of Littleton well under way, the first chapters of which were devoted to these topics, and constitute a most valuable contribution to local history. Few men had better opportunities for accurate information in such matters, and few could have made better use of them. Had he lived to complete this literary undertaking, he would have placed his name in the list of those to whom our people are indebted for valuable historical work."
" William, the oldest son, and a young man of much promise, was one of the earliest volunteers when the war broke out, and, after a brief service in a New York regiment of Zouaves, returned to Littleton, raised a detachment, and joined the fighting Fifth New Hampshire Regi- ment, under the heroic Colonel Cross. Before he was twenty-one years of age he became a captain, fought with distinguished bearing in all the battles of the Peninsula and Antietam."
He was killed, as is well known, at the battle of Fredericksburg, and though great efforts were made to recover the body, they were unavailing. This sad event had a very depressing effect on his father, who died not long after, November 5, 1863. His death is supposed to have been hastened, if not caused, by this great sorrow.
Besides the public positions already referred to, Dr. Moore was censor of the New Hampshire Medical Society in 1860 and 1861; president of the White Mountain Medical Society in 1848 and 1849; surgeon's mate of the Thirty-second Regiment, New Hampshire Militia, from 1838 to 1843. He was the author of an epitome of Braithwaite's " Medical Retrospect," and many papers read before the medical societies of which he was a member, besides the political and historical writings already noticed.
Ezra C. Worcester, son of Rev. Leonard Worcester, having taken the degree of M.D. at Hanover in July, 1838, being in poor health came to Littleton and opened a select school. He was unable to endure the fatigue of this occupation, and after a few months gave it up. Drs. Burns and Moore, who were the only physicians in town, urged him to try the practice of his pro- fession here. His health in a short time again failed. After
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History of Littleton.
studying theology a year, and satisfying himself that the labor of that calling would be beyond his strength, he located in the practice of medicine at East St. Johnsbury in 1841. He was at that point two years, then at Chelsea, Vt., and from 1846 at Thetford, Vt. He was a member of the Congregationalist Church and of the regular school of medicine. He was married, August 23, 1843, to Ellen H. Conant at Littleton. She was a grandaughter of Peter Bonney. They had a large family of children who were thoroughly educated, and some of whom are occupying prominent positions in society and affairs. The scholarly trend may be readily sighted back to the great-grandfather, Noah Worcester, of Hollis. Dr. Worcester engaged to a considerable extent in the culture of small fruits, particularly strawberries, and was a successful horticulturist. He turned his attention in these directions as a relief from the wear and tear of professional life, which he was never able to endure for very long periods. He gave much attention to the study of the subjects of chemistry and botany, and taught both these branches for several years in Thet- ford Academy. He was prominent in various medical associa- tions. His annual address before the Vermont Medical Society for the year 1845 was published. He also delivered one of the addresses before the Woodstock Medical Society. He was many years examiner of the Woodstock Medical School, by appointment of the Supreme Court, and delegate from the Vermont Medical Society to the American Medical Society. He once said his " life had been one long struggle with ill health and bodily infirmities." Notwithstanding this fact, his associates knew that he had suc- ceeded in making it useful to his fellows and honorable to his profession. He died at Thetford, Vt., July 29, 1887.
Charles Martin Tuttle was one of the most distinguished physicians who have practised in northern New Hampshire; he was a son of Horatio and Betsey (Thomas) Tuttle, and was born in Eaton, Province of Quebec, Canada, early in 1818. His grand- father Jonathan Tuttle was a soldier of the Revolution, whose later life was that of a farmer in Landaff, now Easton, where he died and is buried. He was a direct descendant from John Tuttle, of Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. In 1819 his father's family re- turned to this country and lived for several years at Colebrook. Charles received his education in the schools of that town, at Barnet, Vt., and at Peacham, Vt., Academy. At Barnet he was a member of the family of his uncle Socrates, a noted physician of that town, and it was through his influence that the young man was led to study medicine, which was pursued under the direction
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