USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Bristol > A history of Bristol borough in the county of Bucks, state of Pennsylvania, anciently known as "Buckingham"; being the third oldest town and second chartered borough in Pennsylvania, from its earliest times to the present year 1911 > Part 15
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"Dr. Henry Lippincott came to Bristol about the year 1838. He taught school in the Friends' Meeting House, a year or more, and then commenced the study of medi- cine with Dr. John Phillips. After graduating he re- mained in Bristol a short time, then removed to Fall- sington, where, after many years of successful practice, he died.
"Dr. Somers came to Bristol in 1823 from Philadelphia, to attend the patients of Dr. Desborough, who was taken sick and died in September of that year. Shortly after he bought the property occupied by Dr. Desborough and commenced practice. Although considered a good phy- sician he did not succeed, and after a residence of five or six years returned to Philadelphia.
"Dr. Samuel McClellan came to Bristol in 1824. He practiced here about two years and returned to Philadel- phia, where he built up a good practice. He was greatly admired for the genial manner in which he met his patrons. He died in the prime of life, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn the loss of a young man who bid fair to be a valuable acquisition to the medical fra- ternity. He was a brother of the widely known and celebrated surgeon, George B. McClellan. During his short stay in Bristol, he had a case of accidental shooting which the physicians said was very skilfully and success- fully managed. A guard on one of the mail coaches be- tween Philadelphia and New York, in dismounting from his seat, accidentally discharged his pistol, one ball enter- ing his face below the eye and the other his neck. The doctor extracted the ball from the neck and the man recovered. Some three years later the ball that entered his face was taken out of his throat.
"Dr. Edward Swain was the son of Benjamin Swain, whose . ancestors were among the early settlers of the county. He studied medicine with Dr. Phillips, gradu -. ated in 1833, commenced practice shortly after, became popular, and was generally successful in the treatment of
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his patients. But he, like a great many young men of promise, was suddenly cut off in the midst of life. On the fourth day of July, 1839, he accepted an invitation to take an excursion to Philadelphia on the steamboat Bur- lington. Shortly after the boat left Burlington she was run into by the steamer Pilot Boy. The doctor being in a side room at the time, was crushed to death and fell into the river. It was many days before his body was recovered. Thus died a young man of bright prospects, leaving a widow and three children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father.
"Dr. Wm. Bessonett was a son of John Bessonett, who kept the Delaware House for upwards of forty years. He studied medicine with Dr. Physic, of Philadelphia, in 1823. After his graduation he practiced two years in Bristol, when he emigrated to New Albany, Miss., through the persuasion of a resident of that place, where he succeeded in securing a good practice.
"Dr. Benjamin Tomlinson was a son of Henry Tomlin- son, an old resident of Bristol. He studied medicine with Dr. John Phillips in 1826, graduated with distinguished honor, remained in Bristol a year, and then removed to South Amboy, N. J., where he became noted for his suc- cess in the treatment of malignant fevers. He died in 1835 greatly and deservedly lamented.
"Dr. Reynold Coates came to Bristol from Philadelphia in the year 1838. He was a younger brother of the cele- brated Dr. Coates, who was for many years connected with the Pennsylvania Hospital. He was an educated and talented man, with pleasant and agreeable manners, but did not succeed in his practice. His wife was the daughter of a Philadelphia merchant who spent much money on her education. She was gay and giddy and was the first woman in Bristol to appear on the streets in bloomer costume. Being short in stature, she did not make a favorable appearance, and was severely criti- cized by the women of the borough. Some said she must be fond of showing her extremities, and others that she wanted to attract the attention of the men, of whom she was very fond. The doctor, finding his practice decreas- ing, moved to Camden, where he succeeded in obtaining
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a large and lucrative business. His wife died shortly after leaving Bristol.
"Dr. E. B. Dodson came to Bristol in the year 1836 from Philadelphia. He graduated at the University of Penn- sylvania, was well educated in the science of medicine, and was successful in treating his patients, but not suc- ceeding financially he returned to Philadelphia, where he died in 1861.
"Dr. L. V. Rousseau came to Bristol in the year 1848 from Bridgewater, Bensalem Township. He was the son of the celebrated French physician, Joseph B. Rousseau, of Philadelphia, who studied medicine and graduated in France, practiced some time in San Domingo, and re- moved to Philadelphia, where he became noted for his success in his treatment of extreme cases. He owned and occupied a beautiful residence in Bensalem Township, on the banks of the Delaware, known as the Clock House, in which he kept a light burning at night to warn watermen of the rocks located in the river in front of his house. He was much esteemed by his neighbors. Dr. L. V. Rosseau studied medicine with his father and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a man of excellent education and agreeable manners, and had an extensive practice in medicine and surgery, in which he was very successful in his treatment. He married the granddaugh- ter of Captain John Green, who lived in Bristol Town- ship, on the banks of the Neshaminy, and who was cap- tain of the first ship that carried the American flag to China. The doctor had the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens in matters pertaining to everyday life. He built the beautiful residence at the corner of Cedar and Mulberry Streets. He died in 1876, having practiced twenty-eight years in Bristol. His great success was in the treatment of typhoid fevers-seldom losing a case. He was a prominent member of Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., having passed the chairs with honor, and ad- vanced in the higher degrees.
"Dr. Joseph Pease came to Bristol from Philadelphia in 1836. He was a young man, well educated, a descendant of a wealthy family in the city who spent their summers in Bristol, which place was thought by his friends to be
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a good place to commence his medical labors in. But alas! all their hopes were blasted by his sudden death, which was the result of an imprudent act on his part. One very warm day, while suffering from the heat he went into the cellar to cool off-was stricken with a chill, and died the next day.
"There was a Dr. Hagerman and a Dr. Brent who came to Bristol between the years 1835 and 1840, neither of whom remained long enough to establish a medical repu- tation. From whence they came or whither they went, I am unable to say.
"Dr. Augustus Guerard came to Bristol about the year 1838. He was from Savannah, Ga., attended lectures and graduated in Philadelphia. He was associated in practice with Dr. John Phillips for several years, and was considered a safe and reliable physician. He married the daughter of David Swain, an old and much respected citi- zen of Bristol. He built the house now owned by Mrs. Clemens, on Radcliffe Street, and resided there at the time of his death, which took place in 1859. He was a good citizen and a worthy man.
"Dr. Benjamin Malone came to Bristol from Bucking- ham, in 1845. He practiced until 1849, when he was elected to the state senate for three years. After the ex- piration of his term he removed to Philadelphia and died there. During his stay in Bristol he made many friends, was generally successful in practice, which, though not large, was amongst the best families in the borough. As a citizen, he was active in all movements for the pros- perity of the borough and the elevation of human charac- ter. During the rebellion he received the appointment of purser in the army, which he held during the war. His failing health was the cause of his giving up practice.
"Dr. E. B. Buckman came to Bristol in 1849 and pur- chased the practice of Dr. Malone. He remained till 1856, when he removed to Byberry, and from there to Phila- delphia. In 1863 he was professionally in the military service, on the field and in charge of hospitals until the close of the war, after which he resumed practice in Phil- adelphia, where he became prominent as professor in surgery and physiology in the Philadelphia University ;
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subsequently a professor of physiology in the Penn Medical University. During his residence in Bristol he made many friends. His practice was principally amongst the Society of Friends, of which he was a member.
"Dr. Wm. Phillips came from Lawrenceville, N. J., studied medicine with Dr. John Phillips, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, married the daughter of Dr. Phillips, and commenced to practice with him. He was a young man of talent, integrity and zeal ; his useful life was of short duration. He died in 1854 greatly and deservedly lamented. He built and occupied the house now the residence of Dr. E. J. Groom, on Mill Street.
"Dr. Henry Dorrance came to Bristol in 1850, from Philadelphia, remained two years, removed to Burling- ton, N. J., remained but a short time, and returned to the city. He was a young man of talent, well educated, prepossessing and gentlemanly in his intercourse with the people. The community being so well supplied with older physicians, but little opportunity was offered to test his medical skill.
"Dr. James L. Pierce was the son of Cyrus Pierce, an old and much respected citizen of Bristol. He commenced practice in 1854, was a young man of talent, excellent education and agreeable manners. He married the daughter of Garrett and Lydie Lukens, of Bristol, and was distinguished for his integrity and zeal in his pro- fession, was greatly confided in by his fellow citizens and was securing a fine practice when he fell a victim to that fell destroyer, consumption, and died in the prime of life greatly and deservedly lamented.
"Amongst the noted persons who studied medicine in Bristol was Mrs. James Anderson, who came from Con- necticut in 1837 to take charge of the female department of the common school. Her maiden name was Anna Smith. She was a young lady of fine education and a successful teacher. She married James Anderson, prin- cipal of the grammar department of the school. They were the first teachers in the public school. She gradu- ated about the year 1850, remained in Bristol some time,
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was successful in the treatment of her cases, and removed to Rahway, N. J.
"Bristol has been the resort of many eminent men in the medical profession who spent their summers in the borough for the benefit derived from the use of its min- eral waters. Among the number I remember the name of Dr. Mead, of Philadelphia, who brought with him a fine span of horses and an elegant barouche. He boarded at the Delaware House, which in that day was considered the best hotel between Philadelphia and New York; Dr. Pollock, who came from North Carolina, who was the owner of a large cotton plantation and had many slaves, one of which always accompanied him on his journeys. Dr. Prettiman, from South Carolina, with his wife and daughter, who always traveled in his own conveyance. Dr. Wynn and his son, of New York, boarded at the Cross Keys; they both fell victims to death from indiges- tion brought on by partaking of large quantities of huckleberries and cream, of which they were very fond, just before going to bed. The father was found dead in bed, and the son died the next day. Dr. Gill, a French surgeon in Bonaparte's army, who was with him in his campaign in Egypt, after Bonaparte's downfall came to America and married the daughter of a Philadelphia merchant named Fricke. He bought the Bath Springs and moved to Bristol in 1820, and remained several years, when he sold the property and returned to Philadelphia. During his stay here he was frequently called upon to consult with the physicians of the borough in surgical cases.
"Dr. James de Normandie, son of Dr. John, moved to Bristol, remained two years and then removed to Ohio. Dr. James married a daughter of M. Yardley, settled in Falls Township and had a very fine practice.
"Among the noted men was the celebrated Dr. Ben- jamin Rush, who was born in Byberry, Philadelphia County, who wrote an interesting article on the medical properties of the mineral waters at Bath Springs in 1770, which was published in the Philadelphia papers of that period.
"In olden times, at the commencement of the lectures
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in the University of Pennsylvania, there would be great fear on the part of the people that their dead would be stolen from their graves to supply the students with sub- jects for dissection. Many persons employed men to watch the graves of their relatives to prevent desecration by the body snatchers. A wag wrote the following lines and posted them on the gate at the entrance of one of the graveyards in Philadelphia, which caused much excite- ment on the part of the incredulous :
1
"The Body-Snatchers have come And made a snatch at me. It's very hard these kind of men Won't let a body be. Don't go to weep upon my grave, And think that there I be; They haven't left an atom there Of my anatomy."
Charles Burleigh, the Abolitionist, Denied the Right of Free Speech .- In 1839, Charles Burleigh, the celebrated abolition lecturer, visited Bristol by invitation from the anti-slavery men, to deliver a lecture on "American Slavery." Application was made to the board of directors for permission to hold the meeting in the public school house, which was granted. Notice was published that the meeting would be held on Sabbath afternoon at 2 o'clock. As soon as the people learned that Burleigh was an abolitionist, they became greatly excited. Notices were posted calling on all good citizens to meet at the town hall, Saturday evening, to take such action in the matter as may be deemed necessary to prevent the meet- ing from being held in the public school house. A large number of citizens were present. Speeches were made denouncing the board of school directors for their action in the matter. A resolution calling on all good citizens to be present and prevent Burleigh from lecturing in the school house was passed. As early as 10 o'clock on Sun- day morning the people began to flock up Wood Street to the school house. A committee was appointed to guard the entrance to the house. By 2 o'clock a crowd of 300 persons had assembled, many of them under the influence of liquor, who made violent and noisy demon-
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strations against the abolitionist. As soon as Burleigh and his friends made their appearance the mob made a rush for the gate. When he, accompanied by Joseph Warner and Cyrus Pierce, attempted to enter, they were pushed back into the street. A second and third attempt was made, but with no better success. In the scuffle, Friend Warner was thrown to the ground and received severe bruises. Some of the better class cried shame and rushed in to prevent any further violence to Burleigh and his friends. Gilbert Tomlinson, president of the board of school directors, made a speech denouncing the action of ยท the mob. He said the demonstration should have been made by remonstrance to the board of directors against granting the use of the school house to Burleigh. That on a former occasion they had granted the use of the house to the Colonization Society and no objection had been made on the part of the citizens. He contended both sides ought to be heard, for the information of the people on the most effectual means for the emancipation of the slave. Some of the rowdy part of the crowd cried out that no abolitionist should lecture in the public school house. Friend Warner said they had acted in good faith in the matter. They had made application to the board of directors for the use of the house for Charles Burleigh to deliver a lecture on slavery, and it had been granted. He thought they should have been permitted to occupy it for that purpose, but as there was so much opposition on the part of those present, they would retire to the Friends' Meeting House. He invited all to come and hear the speaker. About half the crowd followed and the meeting house was crowded. Burleigh spoke for two hours on the evil of slavery and the slave trade. Many of his hearers, who were opposed to his speaking in the school house, said they regretted the occurrences of the day- and desired that he be invited to deliver another lecture on the same subject. A series of meetings were provided for, and Charles Burleigh for several years held his meetings without molestation. He moved his family to Bristol during the two years he re- mained. He frequently addressed the people. His con- gregations were large and respectable. Many who op-
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posed his lecturing in the school house became his warm- est friends. His intercourse with the people and his open, manly demonstrations against the evils of slavery did much in creating a strong anti-slavery sentiment in the minds of the citizens of Bristol and vicinity.
From the late William Kinsey's memoirs, we learn that the president of the school board was a local preacher in the Methodist Church, and that when the quarterly con- ference considered the renewal of his license, objections were made to the passing of his character on the ground that he was in sympathy with the Abolitionists, and had made a speech in favor of one Charles Burleigh, speak- ing in the public school house on the subject of "Ameri- can Slavery." It was charged in the quarterly conference that the brother, by his speech and action in the matter, had aided in a breach of the peace and desecration of the Lord's Day, and there was much feeling manifested on the part of the members, some contending that the bro- ther had not been guilty of any impropriety in what he had said or done on that occasion. If he believed slavery was an evil he had a right to say so. He had the authori- ties of the church to sustain him. He had never brought the matter before the church in any speeches, therefore this conference had no right to deprive him of his license. During the discussion the Elder asked the brother if he believed that slavery was a sin under all circumstances. He replied, that, as he must give an account to God of all he said and did, he believed that slavery was a sin against the laws of God and humanity. The elder said he would not renew the license of any man who entertained such sentiments, and also declined to put the question. Some of the brethren contended that the motion to pass his character and renew his license was properly before the conference and demanded a vote. The elder said there was no necessity for a vote on passing his character, as he would not give him a license. There was much ex- citement and bitter controversy on the subject. The bro- ther with his family withdrew from the church.
Public School No. 2 .- In 1852 the school house on Wood Street being inadequate to accommodate the chil-
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dren of the town, measures were taken to provide for another building. A lot situated on the east side of Otter Street, known as the "Baptist lot," was purchased at a cost of $400. In 1853 an Act of Assembly was obtained, which allowed the directors to borrow $3,000, and to create a sinking fund for the extinguishment of the debt within fifteen years. A tax of $2,800 was also levied for
OLD OTTER STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL, NOW MOHICAN HALL.
the purpose of paying the balance of claims and for cur- rent expenses of the school year. The building commitee consisted of J. D. Mendenhall, E. D. Buckman and L. M. Wharton. Edmund Lawrence's bid of $4,400 was ac- cepted. The corner stone was laid with imposing cere-
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monies in July, 1853. The building was not completed until the spring of 1854. A primary grade school was opened in the lower room in September, 1854, with Sarah H. Davis as principal and Matilda Swift as assistant. On January I, 1855, a school was opened in the upper story to accommodate the boys who were employed on the canal and could only attend school in the winter. It was to continue from month to month as the board might direct. Samuel A. Wharton was employed as teacher, at a salary of $25.00 per month, payable the next summer. In July, 1856, the board found itself deadlocked over the election of an assistant teacher for the primary grade, and remained so for two months. In September, when the schools opened, the increasing demand for seats made necessary the employment of two assistant teach- ers, instead of one. In this manner the deadlock was broken and Sarah J. Repsher and Phebe Hibbs were elected. In later years a secondary department was established in the upper story with Miss Repsher as principal. After the completion of the Bath Street school building in 1881, this building was sold to Mohican Tribe, No. 127, I. O. of R. M., and is now known as Mohican Hall. In Bache's history of Bristol, published in 1853, we find the following description of the building
"School House No. 2 is a handsome Gothic structure, of light sandstone, built in broken range work, and paint- ed in white; finished with a cupola; in all, constituting one of the handsomest public buildings in the town. It contains all the modern improvements for ventilation and heating. Its dimensions are 53 by 35 feet; two stories high. The interior arrangement is for a school room 32 by 36 feet, and a class room 13 by 18 feet, in each story ; also two entrances and stairways, as a means of egress in case of accident, such as has occurred at various times in Philadelphia and New York."
It was in this building that the author received the rudiments of an education. Around the old school house still cluster many pleasant memories. The following lines, simple and crude as they may be, will no doubt awaken in the minds of many old time schoolmates, memories long since forgotten.
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School Day Memories.
In memory I travel back, To happy days of yore, And roam about in childish glee, Just as I did before.
The faces of my old schoolmates, Again with joy I see,
While some now gone to Heaven's shore, Seem beckoning to me.
The old school house with peaked roof, Is standing just the same, But some I met within its walls, Now tread the paths of fame.
In memory I see again, The wooden pump so dear; That stood inside the old schoolyard- So often out of gear.
The old forge too, I can behold With all its dirt and grime, Its chimney tall, but not so high, But what we boys can climb.
Methinks I see, as oft before. A schoolmate climbing high, While we, his comrades, stand below, 'Waiting our turn to try.
Old Bunker Hill, that garden spot, Where Mother Fiddle ruled,
And kept a gun to scare us boys, So often was she fooled.
And Otter's Creek just where it bends, I walk down to its brim; And view again that sacred spot, Where we boys learned to swim.
Beside the schoolyard tall and straight, In majesty supreme, I see that dear old buttonwood tree, Of which I often dream.
Its spreading branches shelter me, As in the days of yore, I cut the punk from its gaping side, As I often did before.
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The old marsh too, with all its mud Attracts my earnest gaze, For I cannot forget its charm, Through all my passing days.
But what is that? A crowd of boys, The ice is weak and thin, And Fred breaks through, but Joe is brave, And quietly pulls him in.
Again the scene is changed once more, The schoolyard I behold, While underneath my feet there runs, A sewer small and cold.
The boys are lining up the same, And I cannot resist, So take my place along with them, The last upon the list.
Then down upon our hands and knees, We all begin to crawl, And through the sewer one by one, We squirm with many a bawl.
From Otter Street to the railroad tracks, We pass beneath the ground, And quickly emerge on Goslin's side With one triumphant bound.
And thus again as in a dream, Those happy days I see, As God in wonder turns for me, The pages of memory.
Each dear familiar spot to me, Has some particular charm, As o'er the well-known paths I tread, With playmates arm in arm.
I hear the merry laughter of My schoolmates at their play, And join again in childhood's games, As in those early days.
But suddenly a shadow comes, Like some bloodthirsty knave, As I behold the forms of those Long silent in the grave.
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O, memory; thou fickle thing, To tease the minds of men, And from the heights of ecstacy To dash them down again.
So now since thou hast sought to clothe, My thoughts in sombre mood, I'll ask release, and thank thee well, Our walk has done me good.
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