The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878, Part 3

Author: Wheeler, Edmund, 1814-1897
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Concord, N.H. : Printed by the Republican press association
Number of Pages: 722


USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 > Part 3


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Willard Reed, sergeant Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B ; 2 years.


Edwin D. Whipple, 16th Regt., Co. F ; sergeant Co. H, same regi- ment; 2 years, 8 months.


Melvin S. Wilcox, 5th Regt., Co. E; sergeant Ist Regt., Co. H; 3 years, 8 months.


George A. Chase, 9th Regt., Co. K ; corporal Ist Regt., Co. H ; ser- · geant same company ; 2 years, 10 months.


Daniel W. Home, sergeant 9th Regt., Co. K .; transferred to veteran reserve corps ; 3 years.


William W. Page, sergeant 14th Regt., Co. I; 2 years, 3 months ; died.


Andrew J. Hastings, 16th Regt., Co. F ; quartermaster-sergeant Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 2 years, 8 months.


Alvin A. Young, 9th Regt., Co. K ; 2 years, 10 months.


Sylvester Spaulding, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K ; promoted to ser- geant ; I year, 9 months ; killed in action.


John R. Hall, 9th Regt., Co. K; promoted to first sergeant ; I year, Io months ; died of wounds.


Gilford L. Hurd, 9th Regt., Co. K ; promoted to sergeant ; I year, 9 months ; killed in action.


Richard M. J. Hastings, navy ; served on board steamer Augusta, I year ; corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Charles A. Puffer, corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Charles C. Gilmore, corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Elijah Hutchinson, 9th Regt., Co. K ; promoted to corporal ; I year, 9 months ; killed in action.


Peter Crowell, corporal 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 9 months.


Charles H. Crandall, 9th Regt., Co. K; promoted to sergeant ; 2 years, 10 months.


Edwin R. Miller, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K ; 2 years, 10 months.


31


CIVIL WAR.


Henry M. Haines, corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B ; 3 years, I month.


Joel S. Blood, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K ; 7 months.


Henry Tompkins, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K; I year, 8 months ; died.


Edward C. Kelsey, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K; 4 months ; died.


Prentice C. Hutchinson, corporal 9th Regt., Co. K; 2 years, 10 months.


Bela H. Wilcox, corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years, I month.


Hiram M. Austin, 5th Regt., Co. E; promoted to first sergeant ; 3 years, 8 months.


Richard W. Allen, 16th Regt., Co. D; 9 months.


Dexter W. Allen, Ist Reg., Co. D; 16th Regt., Co. H; 2 years, 3 months.


George Anderson, 3d Regt., Co. F ; deserted.


Thomas Anderson, 5th Regt. ; deserted.


James Armstrong, Ist Regt. Cavalry ; deserted.


Henry W. Badger, Ist Regt., Co. D; 16th Regt., Co. H ; 2 years, 3 months.


John W. Bradley, 5th Regt., Co. B; discharged May 17, 1865.


Nathan T. Brown, 6th Regt., Co. G; promoted to sergeant ; 2 years.


George P. Bean, 9th Regt., Co. K ; 9 months ; died.


Hazen Barnard, wagoner, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Nathaniel Bright, 16th Regt., Co. F; corporal Co. K; 2 years, 7 months.


Barnard B. Barton, 18th Regt, Co. K ; 2 months.


William H. Belknap, 18th Regt., Co. K; 2 months.


Jonathan Blake, 9th Regt., Co. K ; I year, 5 months.


Josiah H. Bacon, 2d Regt., Co. E; 1 year, 6 months ; deserted.


Edgar Boyden, 14th Regt .. Co. 1; 2 years, 10 months.


Albert Boyden, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, I month ; killed.


Ziba C. Barton, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 10 months.


George Bates, 9th Regt., Co. F ; I year, I month ; deserted.


Clarke E. Craige, 9th Regt., Co. K; transferred to 6th Regt. ; 10 months.


John Conners, 9th Regt., Co. A; I month ; deserted.


Michael Crumney, 9th Regt. ; deserted.


Hial Comstock, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 7 months ; died.


Truman C. Cutting, 16th Regt., Co. E ; 9 months.


Warren Colby, 9th Regt., Co. K ; 5 months ; killed.


George Comstock, Ist Regt., Co. D : 3 months.


James Call, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


32


HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


Alvah S. Chase, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Henry Cutting, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Edward Cochrain, Ist Regt., Co. D; 6th Regt., Co. G; I year, 3 months ; killed at Bull Run.


Charles Collins, Ist Regt., Co. D .; 5th Regt., Co. E; 2 years, 7 months ; deserted.


George F. Cram, 14th Regt., Co. I; 2 years, II months.


Jonathan Crowell, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years ; died.


Henry Currier, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 3 months ; died.


William Collins, 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, Co. G .; I year, 4 months. Charles H. Comstock, 6th Regt., Co. I ; 3 months ; died.


Reuben Craige, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years.


Ebenezer F. Corbin, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 1 year, 8 months.


David Carlisle, veteran reserve corps.


Joseph R. Corey, veteran reserve corps.


John Canny, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop E ; 4 months.


Joseph E. Dean, 9th Regt., Co. K ; I year ; died.


Frank P. Dudley, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Ira C. Dowlin, 3d Regt., Co. B; 3 years.


Daniel Dowder, 4th Regt. ; deserted.


Lewis Daffer, 7th Regt., Co. E; 5 months ; deserted.


Hall W. Davis, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Harry Downs, IIth Regt. ; deserted.


Patrick Donahue, 9th Regt., Co. D; 11 months ; deserted.


William O. Emerson, 7th Regt., Co. K ; 7 months ; died.


William G. Egan, 9th Regt., Co. K; transferred to 6th Regt. ; year, 7 months.


Frank Elkins, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop I ; 4 months.


Luther W. Fitch, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B ; 2 year, 2 months ; died.


George C. Foss, 5th Regt., Co. E; died of wounds.


Luther J. Fitch, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 10 months.


William H. Flanders, 16th Regt., Co. D ; 9 months.


John Foote, 18th Regt., Co. K ; 2 months.


Charles F. Foote, 18th Regt., Co. K ; 2 months.


Charles M. Farr, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop C; promoted to first ser- geant ; I year, 3 months.


John Finnigan, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop R ; 4 months.


Charles H. Fellows, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop I ; 4 months.


Ira P. George, 3d Regt., Co. B; 2 years, 8 months ; wounded.


Daniel W. George, 5th Regt., Co. E; 3 years.


Alma P. Goodrich, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


33


CIVIL WAR.


Jacob R. Hutchinson, Ist Regt., Co. D; 9th Regt., Co. K ; 4 years, I month.


George A. Hutchinson, 9th Regt., Co. K; one year, 6 months ; died.


William Hoben, 6th Regt., Co. G .; 7 months.


Charles H. Hall, 5th Regt., Co. E; I year ; died.


John H. Hunter, 5th Regt., Co. E; I year, 3 months.


Benj. F. Haven, 9th Regt., Co. K ; died in rebel prison.


Henry H. Haven, 9th Regt., Co. K ; promoted to corporal ; 2 years, Io months.


William C. Hurd, Ist Regt., Co. B; 2 years, I month.


John C. Harris, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B. ; 2 years. I month. William A. Humphrey, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months. Mitchell W. Home, 16th Regt .. Co. F; 10 months.


Moses Hoyt, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Henry S. Howard, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Elroy S. Home, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Abiel L. Haven, 15th Regt., Co. I; transferred to veteran reserve corps ; I year, II months.


William A. Hutchinson, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop I ; 5 months.


Lyman B. Hastings, 14th Regt., Co. H; 10 months.


Robert Harris, 9th Regt. ; deserted.


George Howard, 9th Regt .; deserted.


Albert C. Home, 5th Regt., Co. G ; deserted.


Hugh Higgins, 4th Regt., Co. E; 8 months.


Alamendo Heath, 11th Regt., Co. F ; 1 year, 7 months.


Amos Hastings, 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, Co. G; 1 year, 9 months.


Antoine Hockman, 9th Regt., Co. C: 5 months ; killed.


Arthur H. Ingram, 16th Regt., Co. B; 9 months.


Sylvester S. Ingalls, 18th Regt., Co. K ; 2 months.


Frederick A. Johnson, 5th Regt., Co. E; re-enlisted; 2 years, 4 months.


Edward B. Johnson, 5th Regt., Co. E; 11 months.


Charles A. Jackson, navy; served on board steamer Augusta I year.


Williams Kennedy, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop I ; 9 months; died of wounds.


Michael Kelliher, 2d Regt .. Co. B; 2 months.


George W. Kelsey, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years, I month.


John C. Kelley, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery. Co. H; 9 months.


Roswell J. Kelsey, Ist Regt. Co. D; 9th Regt., Co. K; 4 years, I month.


Frank J. Lattimer, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years, I month.


34


HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


Joseph Leeds, 16th Regt., Co. I; 8 months; died.


Frederick H. Lull, musician, 18th Regt., Co. K ; 2 months.


Edgar Lary, 5th Regt., Co. B; I year, 2 months; deserted. Chester S. Marshall, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H; 6 months. Chauncey Marshall, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H; 9 months. Sullivan Marston, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop A; I year, 3 months. Perry Miner, 5th Regt., Co. E; I year, 5 months.


John Munnigan, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop B; deserted.


Peter McGlone, 6th Regt., Co. G .; deserted.


David M. Marshall, 18th Regt., Co. K; I month.


James McCarty, Ist Regt. Cavalry; deserted.


Francis Mullen, 3d Regt., Co. C; 4 months ; dishonorably dis- charged.


Andrew J. Moody, 5th Regt., Co. H.


Freeman W. Nourse, 16th Regt., Co. F; 10 months.


Joseph Nelson, 9th Regt .; deserted.


Patrick Owens, 6th Regt., Co. G; I year, 7 months.


Samuel B. Ordway, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Nathan R. Osmer, 5th Regt., Co. E; 11 months; killed.


Edmund Parker, 5th Regt., Co. B; 8 months.


John Phillips, 7th Regt., Co. G ; I year; died.


James C. Parrish, 5th Regt., Co. H; re-enlisted as corporal; 2 years, 3 months.


John Peterson, 5th Regt., Co. E; 10 months.


John S. Preston, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop E; 4 months. William H. Perry, 9th Regt., Co. K; I year, II months. Edwin A. Perry, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H; 9 months. Philander H. Peck, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 5 months ; died. John M. Page, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 10 months. Clarence F. Pike, 4th Regt., Co. I ; I year, 5 months. James C. Parker, 9th Regt., Co. K ; I year, 2 months. Asahel Putnam, 7th Regt., Co. K ; 2 years, 10 months. Jameson A. Putnam, 9th Regt., Co. K; I year, 2 months ; died. Samuel L. Pike, 16th Regt , Co. F ; 9 months ; died. Lucius P. Reed, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months. Wallace L. Reed, 16th Regt., Co. I ; 9 months. Davis B. Robertson, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop C; I year, 3 months. John D. Roberts, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop A ; I year, 4 months. Elmidore Roberts, 18th Regt., Co. K ; 2 months.


Asa Richardson, wagoner, 6th Regt., Co. G; I year, I month. George C. Roundy, 2d Regt. U. S. Sharpshooters, Co. G ; 6 months. Alonzo Reed, 8th Regt., Co. K ; I year, 4 months.


George Richardson, 6th Regt., Co. G; I year, 8 months ; died.


35


CIVIL WAR.


Preston Reed, corporal Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years, I month.


Jeremiah P. Reddington, 9th Regt., Co. K; 2 months ; died.


David Z. Robbins, 14th Regt., Co. I; enlisted in veteran reserve corps ; 3 years, I month.


Henry A. Reynolds, 3d Regt., Co. B ; re-enlisted ; 3 years, II months.


John Ryan, IIth Regt. ; deserted.


Lawrence Reath, 4th Regt., Co. F; 8 months.


Oliver F. Stearns, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Andrew J. Sawyer, 9th Regt., Co. K ; transferred to veteran reserve corps ; 3 years.


Gardner Sweet, 3d Regt., Co. B; 2 years, 10 months ; deserted.


Ruel Sawins, 9th Regt., Co. K : I year, 3 months.


Israel Sanborn, 9th Regt., Co. K; I year, 7 months ; died.


Daniel Spaulding, 9th Regt., Co. E ; 3 years.


Edward Siddell, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop B; I year, 4 months.


William S. Sischo, Ist Regt., Co. D; 2d U. S. Sharpshooters, Co. G : 3 years, 7 months.


John H. Shattuck, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months. Daniel L. Straw, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Joseph Sennott, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop B ; 4 months.


Charles H. Stockwell, 14th Regt., Co. I ; 2 years, 10 months.


Moses P. Sinclair, veteran reserve corps ; 2 years, 5 months.


Simon C. Smith, 14th Regt., Co. H ; II months.


Charles F. Smith, 9th Regt. ; deserted.


William Snow, 5th Regt. ; deserted.


Arthur Sykes, 5th Regt., Co. C. ; 4 months ; died.


William Smith, Ist Regt., Co. D; 3 months.


Charles St. Clair, 4th Regt., Co. E; deserted.


Eli Tompkins, 3d Regt., Co. B; 3 years, 3 months : died of wounds.


Frank S. Taylor, 5th Regt., Co. E; re-enlisted ; 3 years, 8 months.


Simon A. Tenney, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; promoted to corporal ; 2 years, I month.


John P'. Tilton. Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. H ; 9 months.


Patrick Tuffee, 9th Regt., Co. K ; deserted.


Daniel W. Thompson, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop G; I year ; died.


Charles C. Webber, 16th Regt., Co. E ; 9 months.


Charles D. Worcester, 16th Regt., Co. F ; 10 months.


Sylvester B. Warren, 9th Regt., Co. K; promoted to corporal ; 2 years, Io months.


Albert Wright, 9th Regt., Co. K ; 4 months ; died.


Marcine Whitcomb, 16th Regt., Co. C; 9 months.


Richard A. Webber, 16th Regt., Co. B ; 9 months.


36


HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


Aaron A. Wyman, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; I year, 5 months.


George Williams, 9th Regt. ; deserted.


Charles E. Wiggin, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop E; 4 months.


James P. Wheeler, Ist Regt. Cavalry, Troop K ; re-enlisted ; 7 months ; captured August, 1864; died in hands of the enemy.


Calvin H. Whitney, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B .; 2 years, I month.


Calvin W. Wright, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; 2 years, I month.


William Wallace, 14th Regt., Co. I; promoted to corporal ; 2 years, 5 months.


David G. Wilmarth, navy ; served I year on board U. S. sloop Dale. John Wilson, 9th Regt., Co. F. ; 10 months.


Charles Williams, 4th Regt., Co. I ; 8 months ; died of wounds.


George Williams, 9th Regt. ; deserted.


Martin L. Whittier, navy; on board steamer Augusta ; I year.


Charles B. York, Ist Regt. Heavy Artillery, Co. B; I year, 10 montlıs.


The following are a few of the many natives of Newport who enlisted from other places during the Civil War :


George Hallet Cheney, on staff of Gen. Nickerson ; division provost- marshal.


Mason W. Tappan, colonel of Ist N. H. Regt.


George W. Brown, navy, N. Y .; master two years; lieutenant 2 years.


Samuel J. Allen, M. D., surgeon in Vt. regt.


Bela N. Stevens, Concord, surgeon at Washington, D. C.


Joseph Augustus Chapin, hospital steward, Miss.


Martin V. B. Wilmarth, son of John, 3d Mich. Cavalry.


Milton E. Pike, Vt. Vols.


Job Puffer, 14th Conn. Regt., age 23.


Elias Bush Bascom, captain in 5th Iowa Regt.


Wallace Bascom, 2d Mass. Regt. ; shot through the heart at Gettys- burg.


James P. Bascomb, 9th N. H.


E. M. Kempton, 3d N. H. Regt.


Hiram C. Hall, Croydon.


Nathan T. Brown, acting master-mate U. S. Navy.


Charles Belknap.


George Eugene Belknap (see sketch).


Albert Nettleton, son of Daniel, Ist ; general in regular army.


CHAPTER VI.


STATE MILITIA.


T HE town was settled amid the stirring events of the Revo- lution, and hence the people knew how to value our mili- tary system, knowing, as they did, from personal experience, how much of peril, of hardship, and of patriotism was implied in the term " citizen soldier." It had wrought out for them a country and all of its manifold blessings, and they clung to it with an abiding interest for more than three fourths of a cen- tury.


MUSTERS. The annual muster, next to the Fourth of July, was always considered as one of the most important and at- tractive days in the whole year. On these occasions all the companies in the regiment, some twelve or thirteen in number, and comprising some six or eight hundred men, were called to- gether. They were inspected and reviewed by the general and his staff, and then formed into a hollow square, with the gen- eral and staff, and field officers of the regiment, in the centre, when a prayer was made by the chaplain, and the general de- livered a speech. This was followed by an intermission, after which the regiment was again formed into line, and went through various evolutions, marching and counter-marching, and the whole was concluded by a grand sham-fight.


There was much that was exciting and attractive on these occasions. The graceful waving of the many elegant banners, the neat uniforms of the soldiers, the showy and costly uniforms of the officers, the music, which, in addition to drums and fifes, consisted sometimes of half a dozen choice bands, the patriotic speech of the commanding general, often eloquent, the rush- ing tramp of the cavalry, the beautiful display of the whole reg-


38


HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


iment in motion as it passed in review, and, more than all, the sham-fight, in which the whole regiment, cheered by the loudest strains of all the bands and drums and fifes, was en- gaged in a furious combat, which filled the whole region with the smoke and noise of battle.


One of the most successful musters here was in 1842. The regiment, then commanded by Col. Jacob Reddington, Gov. Hubbard, commander-in-chief of the militia of the state, and Maj. Gen. Hunt, who had command of the third division, at- tended by their suites, were present. The ranks were full and the day fine. The infantry companies then appeared for the first time with new uniforms, new arms furnished by the state, and new banners. Gov. Hubbard made a most eloquent ad- dress.


TRAINING DAYS, which were in May, and in the autumn, a few days previous to the annual muster, were days of interest. On these occasions all the companies in town would in the earlier period meet at the old church at the foot of Claremont hill, form into line, and march to the tavern which stood near the residence of Hon. R. P. Claggett, where they would be inspected, imbibe their spiritual rations, and perform vari- ous evolutions. Ezra Parmelee, Jesse Wilcox, Josiah Stevens, Elkanah Carpenter, and Josiah Wakefield were among the most prominent officers of that day.


Among the citizens of this town who have held positions in the state militia are the following :


Ralph Metcalf, Governor and Commander-in-Chief.


GOVERNOR'S STAFF.


Edmund Burke, Aid to Gov. Hubbard.


Edmund Wheeler, Aid to Gov. Williams. Martin W. Burke, Aid to Gov. Weston.


Samuel M. Wheeler, Aid to Gov. Stearns.


DIVISION COMMANDER.


Maj. Gen. Edward Wyman, commander of third division.


39


STATE MILITIA.


DIVISION AND BRIGADE STAFF.


Simeon Wheeler, Jr., inspector, staff of Maj. Gen. Wyman.


Bela Nettleton, aid to Brig. Gen. Carey.


Benj. B. French, quartermaster, staff of Brig. Gen. Glidden. Wm. H. Cheney, aid, staff of Gen. Glidden.


Henry E. Baldwin, quartermaster, staff of Maj. Gen. Newton.


David Dickey, brigade inspector, staff of Gen. Wyman.


Edmund Burke, inspector, staff of Gen. Newton.


REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.


Colonels.


Phineas Chapin,


Benjamin Carr,


Erastus Baldwin,


Josiah Stevens, Jr.,


William Cheney,


Edward Wyman,


Daniel Nettleton, Benj. M. Gilmore.


Jeremiah D. Walcott, Jessiel Perry,


Majors.


Josiah Stevens,


Josiah Wakefield,


Cyrus B. Howe.


Jesse Wilcox,


Erastus Newton,


John H. Patch,


Sullivan G. Pike,


Adjutants.


Calvin Call,


Cyrus Barton,


Edmund Wheeler,


Simeon Wheeler, Francis Boardman, Lewis Smith,


Charles Corbin, Jacob Reddington,


Hartford Sweet, John Day, Lyman Gould.


CHAPTER VII.


MEDICAL.


BY J. L. SWETT, M. D.


66


'A PHYSICIAN should not only be ever ready to obey the calls of the sick, but his mind ought also to be imbued with the greatness of his mission, and the responsibility he habitually incurs in its discharge. These obligations are the more deep and enduring, because there is no tribunal other than his own conscience to adjudge penalties for carelessness or neg- lect. Physicians should, therefore, minister to the sick with due impressions of the importance of their office, reflecting that the ease, the health, and the lives of those committed to their charge depend on their skill, attention, and fidelity. They should study, also, in their deportment, so to unite tenderness with firmness, and condescension with authority, as to inspire the minds of their patients with gratitude, respect, and confi- dence."


From an examination of the early records of the town, and from conversation with some of the oldest inhabitants, it is as- certained that the medical profession, an important element in every community, has, from an early period in the history of Newport, been represented by men of character, influence, and ability ; and though little is now known of those here previous to the year 1790, yet that little is such as to warrant pleasant impressions, and afford assurances of devotion to the interests of their calling. Of these, brief mention may be made of DR. AARON MACK, who was the first physician to attempt a settle- ment here. He was born in Hebron, N. H., Jan. 11, 1761 ; read medicine, and came here in 1785. He was married in this town, Dec. 29, of the same year, to Martha Newton, of


41


MEDICAL.


Groton ; and to them a daughter was born, Nov. 23, 1786, whom they called Polly. He was here but a short time afterwards, and the remainder of his history is unknown. DR. HENRY BLISS was his successor. He came in 1787, and while here acted in the capacity of both physician and preacher. He, also, soon left.


At the historical celebration, in 1846, it was reported that MRS. JEREMIAH NETTLETON, who came to this town in 1779, possessed unusual skill as a midwife, and that in the winter of 17So she walked the distance of three miles, on snow-shoes, to discharge professional duties. It was also stated, that on an- other occasion, and for a like purpose, she was drawn by four men to New London on a hand-sled, the men walking on snow- shoes.


About 1790, DR. JAMES CORBIN, the first physician and sur- geon whose settlement was permanent, established himself here, and commenced practice. There are those yet living who not only have distinct recollection of the manners and merits of this pioneer physician, but who have also had acquaintance with all who have succeeded him to the present time. Such, and many others, will be ready to bear cheerful testimony to the fidelity of the medical profession in Newport in the dis- charge of their duties, both to the sick and to the community, and can decide how far their general deportment and their devo- tion to the trusts reposed in them have conformed to the require- ments specified at the beginning of this article. It is a notable fact, that the active professional lives of three individuals,-Drs. Corbin, McGregor, and Swett,-cover the entire period, from the first established physician, in 1790, to the present time. This embraces a term of eighty-six years, and reflects credit upon the community for stability of purpose, and respect for the profession which has done so much to assuage the sorrows of life, to lengthen its duration, and free it from every element incompatible with the highest enjoyment.


Dr. James Corbin was born in Dudley, Mass., in 1762. Very little is known respecting his ancestry, his own youth, or his early educational advantages ; but he read medicine with Dr. Corey, of Sturbridge, Mass., and afterwards with Dr. Hamil- ton, an eminent surgeon, of Somers, Conn., with whom he 4


42


HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


also practised some time. He came here about the close of the year 1790. At that period Newport and the adjoining towns were comparatively a wilderness. The population was widely separated ; and the roads were rugged, and often led through dense forests. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the doctor had resolved that this should be his abiding-place, and the field for the exercise of his professional skill. The sequel soon justified the wisdom of the decision, as he was at once intro- duced into a laborious if not into an immediately lucrative prac- tice ; for his services were in demand not only at home, but throughout all this part of the country. His chief mode of travel was upon horseback ; and the amount of labor, fatigue, and exposure encountered through his whole life was great. Still he found time to keep himself tolerably well posted in the improvements of his profession, the literature of which was much more meagre then than at present.


In addition to his love for his profession, and the deep solic- itude felt for the best interests of the sick, Dr. Corbin also had strong desires for agricultural pursuits, to gratify which he pur- chased an extensive tract of land, a mile or two from the village ; and, in order that the operations might be more immediately under his observation, he left the village, and moved on to the farm. Here, without abandoning his practice, he erected sub- stantial buildings, cultivated his broad acres, and surrounded them with stone walls, which are to this day an enduring mon- ument of his enterprise. He ever looked with pleasure and a just pride upon his well-tilled fields, his well-filled barns, his well-stored granary and larder, as well as upon his choicely se- lected horses, cattle, and sheep ; and from these abundant sup- plies, the poor, in their sickness and destitution, were often sharers of his munificence.


Dr. Corbin was a good townsman and reliable friend, as well as a kind and affectionate husband and father. He was cheer- ful in his disposition, a lover of company, and fond of a story. Many amusing anecdotes of him have been related, one of which will suffice : Returning to his house at a midnight hour, he noticed a man hastily leaving his cellar window. Quickly dismounting, he at once observed by the widow a bas- ket of pork. Stationing himself by it, he was soon approached


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MEDICAL.


by a man from within, who passed up to him more pork, and said,-"I have reached the last laying ; had I better get any more?" "Yes," was the reply, "get the whole, and then come quietly out." He obeyed the direction, but, to his utter sur- prise, was confronted by the proprietor of the mansion. The matter was generously compromised, the invaders humbly con- fessing, and imploring concealment. The reply was,-" Your names shall never be disclosed : the facts are mine, and I will not relinquish my right to relate them."




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