THE DOCTORS OF DUDLEY AND WEBSTER
MASSACHUSETTS

By LESLIE R. BRAGG, M.D.

"Read my little fable;
He who runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now
For all have got the seed."

Tennyson.

T'is good sometimes to travel back
To days of "Auld Lang Syne"
Retrace the ancient Father's track
Along the mossy line;
Visit the old ancestral homes;
Out parents' virtues learn,
And round their monumental stones
Let veneration burn.

FOREWORD

Twenty years ago, or in other words, about two hundred years since the region which is now Oxford, Dudley and Webster was a trackless wilderness, the writer of this study was casually asked if he would write a short story about the Doctors who have practiced in Webster. This undertaking seemed at first to be simple enough but upon investigation the scope of the task broadened rapidly and like the Nipmuck country was found to extend far back into colonial history.

Personal inquiry among the older people in the community brought to light but little definite information about even those Doctors who were, almost recently, living amoung us, while references to the usual sources of information showed that of the Doctors little record has been left and much of the history of the lives of these men, which is of public interest, has been forever lost in the unwritten history of the past.

The failure of the Historians of Nipmuck Country to recognize the importance of the Medical Profession in the history of the region and to make suitable records for futures generations in ample motive for a study of these forgotten men.

This deficiency in the sources and supply of detailed information has greatly hindered the progress of the work. It has led to hundred of miles of travel, visits to many libraries and cemeteries; reading of many books and writing of many letters in the process of gathering fragmentary bits of information. Assembling these fragmentary and often disconnected records with attention to fact rather than fiction, the writer has endeavored to construct a word picture, showing some of the vital and family statistics, careers and fact of social and human interest concerning as many of the former physicians of the town as possible, in order that the story of the lives and public services of these men may not, like the Doctors themselves, disappear forever from the face of the earth.

CHAPTER 4

THE EARLIEST DOCTORS IN DUDLEY

The first and most striking fact that is noted when one begins to search old records for information relating to the early Country Doctors, in that almost nothing has been written upon the subject.

In Vol. 1 of D. Hamilton Hurd's History of Worcester County 68 pages are devoted to the History of the Bench and the Bar while only short scattered references are made to history of the Medical Profession.

In the histories of the various towns, note is made that there were Doctors in the communities but little more space is given to them than to hog reeves and pound keepers.

In a History of Dudley written by the Reverend Zephaniah Baker, which is to be found in The History of Worcester County, published in 1879 is found; "A supply of Doctors has always been had since the early settlers gave up their simple habits and kind Mothers and Maidens their nursing and herb raising." Another reference by the same author reads: "The settlers were the kind who knew well what was needed. The Mother was at once the nurse and physician and professional care was little needed. Diseases seemed to come later and only as the simple habits of the settlers were displaced by lives of greater ease and more luxurious habits."

The town records of the early years of Dudley make few references to Doctors. Without doubt, in cases of serious illness, the Doctors of Oxford and Woodstock were consulted by the early settlers.

The first Dudley Doctors, whose names have been found are: Doctor Will Gleason, Dr. Ebenezer Stimson, Dr. Ebenezer Lillie and Dr. Samuel Waldron.

In the Memorial Volume, written by Hezekiah Conant, at the rime of the dedication of the Conant Memorial Church, there is an Historical Sermon delivered by the Reverend James H. Francis on Fast Day, April 9, 1835. The following reference to the early Doctors is made: "In respect to the physicians who have practiced in town, I am not able to state the time when they commenced or terminated their professional careers. I can mention their names in the order, I believe, in which they succeeded one another."

The first, according to their records was William (or Ebenezer) Stimson of Reading.
2d John Day
3d Dr. Waldron
4th Dr. Ebenezer Lillie
5th Dr. John Eliot Eaton
6th Dr. Samuel P. Knight

Previous to Dr. Eaton, and probably during the early part of his career, a son of Rev. Charles Gleason was practising, to some extent here, the medical profession and also a man by the name of Dr. James Walcott.

DR. EBENEZER STIMSON

So far as has been discovered the first Doctor in Dudley was Dr. Ebenezer Stimson of Reading. Of his professional work, no record has been found. On Sept 1, 1748, he and Elener Damon of Reading, filed intentions of marriage in Dudley and according to the Vital Statistics of Reading, they were married on Oct. 25, 1748. The Vital Statistics of Dudley record the birth of a son, Ebenezer of Oct. 12, 1749 and William born on July 4, 1751.

DR. JOHN DAY
NO RECORD OF THE LIFE AND ACTIVITIES OF DR. DAY HAS BEEN FOUND

DR. SAMUEL WALDRON

Little reference to Dr. Waldron has been found. From the records of Dudley we learn that between 1761 and 1774 three boys and two girls were born to Samuel and Elizabeth Waldron. Whether the Doctor was not popular or whether his large family was too great an expense we do not know, but the records of the Town Meeting of May 27, 1776, show that it was voted "to abate Dr. Samuel Waldron's Minister rates for 1775."

DR. WILL GLEASON
1750-1793
Born October 5, 1750 - Died April 6, 1793
Age 42 years, 6 months, 1 day
Cause of death

Dr. Will Gleason was born in Dudley, Mass. on October 5, 1750. His parents were Reverend Charles and Bethia (Scarborough) Gleason of Roxbury, Mass., who filed intentions of marriage on Octobert 2, 1747. Rev. Charles Gleason was the second Dudley Pastor and his pastorate lasted for 46 years.

Of Will's early years and education little is known. Doubtless he attended the public schools, but where he obtained the limited medical education which was then available is a matter of pure speculation. Since his mother came from Roxbury it is possible that he was sent back to the Colony to study with some well known Doctor. It is likewise possible that he studied with one of the Woodstock or Oxford Doctors, for even at this early period there were those who are known to have students living and studying in their homes.

On May 30, 1774, he married Mary Kidder of Dudley. There are no records of children born to Will and Mary but Sarah, a sister of Dr. Will, married Dr. Thomas Sterne on March 5, 1769, and gave birth to Fanny on April 15, 1772. There is no record to show whether Dr. Sterne practised in Dudley or not. An early historical address remarks, in referring to the early Doctors: "Dr. Will Gleason is said to have practised in town to an unknown extent."

Further than this, no record of Dr. Will's medical career has been found but after the death of Rev. Gleason on May 5, 1790, his name begins to appear frequently in the town records. It appears that Dr. Will had been appointed administrator of his father's estate and in settling the estate a quarrel arose with the selectmen over serious arrearage in the Pastor's salary which seems to have been running for several years and not to have been decreasing very fast. Dr. Will seems to have been persistent, however, and after several years of committees, conferences and finally a legal action, a settlement was reached. No doubt he got less than he hoped for but perhaps the prudent town fathers gave him all that was due and that, so far as we know, ends the story of the career of Dr. William Gleason.

DR. EBENEZER LILLIE

Born August 25, 1734 in Dudley
Died March 16, 1812 in Oxford, South Gore

At a town meeting held in Dudley on July 20, 1732, John Lille, one of the very early settlers was elected the fifth selectman and town clerk for the current year.

Two years later his wife, Abigail, gave birth to a son who was later to become one of the prominent Doctors of Dudley, Oxford and Woodstock.

Of his early years little information has been found. Doubtless his early education was received in the town schools which were functioning at an early date. Later he studied with Dr. Alexander Campbell in Oxford. In 1767 Dr. Campbell brought suit against Dr. Lillie, he being then of Dudley, charging that "For three years previous to 1 April, last, he boarded the defendant and taught him the profession art, and practise of medicine, etc." The outcome of this litigation is not mentioned. It might be found in the records of the court.

Dr. Lillie seems to have lived in Dudley from 1767 to 1784 and he is said to have lived in Woodstock until 1790. On Dec. 9, 1762, Dr. Lillie married Abigail Morse of Dudley, who died in Oxford Dec. 9, 1806. Later he filed intentions of marriage to Polly, daughter of Peter Bonsey, a Hessian soldier.

When past middle age Dr. Lillie transferred his practice to Oxford where he lived until 1807. At that time he moved to South Gore, residing there until his death in 1812.

At his death Dr. Lillie left an estate valued at $1,657.00. It may be suspected that the widow was neither senile nor sufficiently puritanical to cause her to keep quiet and enjoy the rewards of a frugal, well spent life, for on March 18, 1812, according to Daniel's History of Oxford, the Selectmen of Oxford petitioned the Probate Court to have a guardian appointed for the widow as she was squandering the estate.

DR. JAMES WOLCOTT

Born November 4, 1754 -- Died September 14, 1830
Age 76

There is little information to be found about Dr. Wolcott. In Amidowns Historical Collection, Vol. 2, page 373, there is an extended account of Globe Manufacturing Company of Southbridge, which was established in 1812 by James Wolcott, Jr. and his brother Perez. After several years of successful operation followed by reverses due to war, tariff restrictions and finally a spring freshet which completely destroyed the mill, the business passed into other hands.

"The father of Mr. Wolcott was a native of Rhode Island who removed from there to the town of Dudley, Massachusetts, about the close of the Revolutionary War. He was known as Dr. James Wolcott; born November 4, 1754 and died at Queechey, Vermont September 14, 1830, age 76 to which place he removed from Southbridge in the year 1826."

Dr. James Wolcott, Jr., apparently the son of Doctor James Wolcott, it is believed was a native of Dudley, born on April 19, 1787; he removed to Southbridge and from there to Walcottville, Connecticut, from thence to New York. Perez, the second son, was born April 17, 1789.

DR. JOHN ELIOT EATON
1756 - 1812
Born February 9, 1756 -- Died October 21, 1812
Age 56 years, 8 months, 21 days
Cause of death -- Tuberculosis

On the eastern slope of the Cemetery, where many of the early settlers of Dudley are buried, there is a group of old, weather beaten stones which mark the last resting place of the family of Dr. John Eliot Eaton, the first regular physician of Dudley. These stone, like the memories of the oldest settlers now living, are slowly crumbling away and in places the inscriptions may only with difficulty be deciphered. Two little stones stand in memory of twins who lived but a day; a stone in memory of a son who lived but a year; a fourth in memory of a son who died at 18, and a fifth marking the grave of Beriah, the first wife who died at the age of 19, all express a mute recognition of the ravages of Tuberculosis and the struggle for existence in which our early ancestors passed their lives.
The central stone in this group bears the following inscription: "In this sacred asylum are deposited the remains of Dr. John Eliot Eaton who rose to eminent distinction in the noble art of healing. He departed this life October 12, 1812, after a long and distressing illness which he bore with patience and resigning to the will of God. Age. 56."
Dr. John Eliot Eaton was the first regular physician in the town of Dudley. Of the genealogy of the Eaton and Eliot families much has been written, but of the pioneer Physician of Dudley, Massachusetts, Dr. John Eliot Eaton, little record has been left. It would seem that the writers upon the subject have been satisfied to record Dr. John Eliot Eaton, a distinguished physician of his time, as a link in a chain whereby interested descendants may trace their ancestry to these distinguished families rather than to preserve for future years, the story of his useful career and his valuable services to his day and generation.
Dr. Eaton was a direct descendant of Francis Eaton of the Mayflower (1620) and on his Mother's side the fourth descendant from John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians. It later became his lot to spend his life in a brave attempt to cure the bodily ills of the inhabitants of the Nipmuck Country, where a century before, his ancestor had labored as valiantly, and with about as much success, to sure the souls of the natives of the region.
Notes and writings left by Dr. Eaton are, medically speaking, real antiques, showing the vast improvement which has been made in medicine in the last two centuries. They likewise show that he was an outstanding Doctor and in many ways ahead of his time. After nearly thirty years of active practice it is but natural that he should have left considerable property. The inventory of his estate filed at the Probate Court in Worcester, includes, among other items: 134 acres of land and buildings, 5 cows, 1 horse, 4 pigs, Medical Books $25, instruments (foreceps) $1.25, 4 catheters, 4 lances $1.25, tooth instruments .50. Total $5413.90.
There were also 300 accounts and notes due of which no value was estimated. Doubtless as at present, such assets were of doubtful value.
Since Dr. Eaton died of Chronic Tuberculosis, like many of his family before him, it is reasonable to suppose that before his death, there was a long period of failing health. During this period doubtless Dr. Knight gradually rook over the business and during 1811, the books seem to have been kept by the young Doctor and his wife.
The Massachusetts Spy, a paper published in Worcester, carried the following death notice:
"Died in Dudley, the 21st inst., Dr, John Eliot Eaton, aged. 56. It is but justice to remark that he sustained the various relations of life with capacity and usefulness, as a physician and an able theorist and a discreet practitioner. In this family he was a kind husband and tender parent. He was the friend and supporter of religious order, in death he was supported by the hope of a Christian."
A sermon prepared for the funeral of Dr. John Eliot Eaton by Rev. Abiel Williams of Dudley. A copy of the sermon has been preserved by a relative, Mrs. Thornton. It is a sermon quite characteristic of the time. In the opening paragraph it says, "The loss of a faithful physician must be regarded as a grievous frown of Providence. In such a bereaving stroke, the hand of God is to be seen and especially acknowledged." (sic. He died of Tuberculosis). "That it must be regarded as a frown of Providence is naturally inferred from the circumstances by which many are so deeply afflicted.
Dr. John Eliot Eaton was born of highly respectable parents from whom he received a religious education -- also a college education. Having completed his preparatory studies he commenced his professional business in this place. Dr. Eaton was a good scholar, an excellent man and physician. His mind was formed for critical investigation, his ideas being the result of study and reflection. He acquired a great knowledge of his profession. His perception clear and brilliant, his judgment manly and discriminating, he appeared to love his employment in relieving his fellow men."
"He sought to be useful rather than celebrated. He labored in season and out of season; he seemed willing to spend and be spent. He was good to the poor, hospitable to strangers, ready to countenance and promote the good order and peace of society. In public life he either found the people his friends or made them such by a winning and affectionate address. His conversation was cheerful and his society both pleasing and instructing. His whole deportment was conciliating and approved of man. In the laborious discharge of his duty, he was not only faithful but greatly successful.
By the blessing of God on his endeavors, he was hopefully instrumental of relieving the distress and continuing the lives of his fellow creatures. From a rare assemblage of useful talents and from the blessing of God which seemed to attend his labors, the hope was indulged that he might long be continued to us. But God seeth not as man seeth, His thoughts are not as our, His ways are unsearchable. The man who had been the favored instrument of much good and of whom much more was expected, was arrested in his useful course by the fatal disease which has long threatened his life...We have lost a faithful physician but his partner has lost in him the husband of her youth, and the children a father in who, under God, they might safely have confided as their doctor and friend."
An old letter from James Draper to John Langdon Sibley contains the following: "Mr. William Pope purchased the (Eaton) homestead. Joshua Eaton Jr., after having disposed of his property which he inherited from his father, went to Boston where he met a young lady, Miss Weems.
He went into business in Boston but soon failed and began the study of physic with his Brother Dr. John Eliot Eaton of Dudley. Later, having acquired a smattering of physic set up in practice in New Hampshire but did not succeed very well, became very poor and died.
After his death, his brother in Dudley took some or all of his brother's children to his own home. One was a beautiful child name Grace.


DR. AARON TUFTS, LATER JUDGE TUFTS
1770 - 1943
Born January 30, 1770 -- Died October 17, 1843
Age 73 Years, 8 Months, 17 Days

Judge Aaron Tufts was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on January 30, 1770 and moved to Woodstock, Connecticut with his mother in 1776. (Amidons Historical Collections, Vol. 1, page 423).
He attended the public schools and later studied medicine with Dr. John E. Eaton of Dudley where he passed the remainder of his life.
For five years he practised medicine in Dudley after which he engaged very extensively in business, in time acquiring a handsome fortune.
The Merino Woolen company, which later became the Stevens Linen Corporation which was incorporated on February 13, 1812 and Aaron Tufts was one of the Incorporators.
For many years, he represented the town in the General Court and from 1819 to 1825 he was a member of the Senate. He was widely known and respected for his opinions regarding tariff legislation.
Dr. Tufts married Sally Barker, daughter of William Barker of Worcester. He was appointed Judge of Court of Sessions in 1819, and died on October 17, 1843.

DR. SAMUEL PARKIS KNIGHT
1782-1862
Born January 17, 1782 -- Died July 25, 1862
Age 80 years, 6 months, 8 days
Cause of death, Consumption

Dr. Samuel Parkis Knight was born on January 17, 1782, at Killingly, Connecticut. Search of the Vital Statistics at Killingly reveals no record of his birth but there is a record of the birth of Samuel Knight, son of Samuel and Rachel Knight, on April 21, 1757. This was doubtless the father of Dr. Knight, who is said to have been born on January 17, 1782, as noted above. His parents are said to have moved to Warren, Massachusetts, but the records of Warren do not record his birth. So it seems uncertain in which of the two towns he was born.
Of his early years little is known. At the age of twenty-four, he entered the home of Dr. John Eliot Eaton, of Dudley, at first as a student; later he became a son-in-law and finally the successor to Dr. Eaton, when in 1812, the ravages of Tuberculosis ended the Doctor's career.
On May 22, 1811 (says Henry E. Knight,a grandson, in The Webster Times of September 6, 1923) he was married to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Eaton, daughter of Dr, John E. Eaton, thus inheriting from his teacher and friend, a wife, a successful practise and, sad to relate, though probably true, Tuberculosis which eventually caused his death in 1862.
Ten children were born to Dr. John and Elizabeth.
It is a tradition among the very old people of the present, that Dr. Knight was a man of amiable disposition, very popular and an exemplary citizen, and the chief physician of Dudley for fifty years.
In the History of Worcester County, page 642, in "The History of Dudley," written by the Rev. Zephaniah Baker, we find the following: "Dr. Eaton bequeathed to his son-in-law Dr. Samuel Parkis Knight, his business and virtues. He was very successful in teaching people to be careful and avoid disease as well as in faithfully and skillfully avoiding it."
On May 1, 1837, forty-eight prominent citizens of Dudley formed an association ad purchased land for use as a new burying ground, each subscribing for one lot. Among this group of men was Dr. Knight, bears the inscription:
"He was for fifty years
A Practising Physician in this Community,
Taking care of its physical welfare."

Upon the stone in his family lot is inscribed:
"For more than fifty years' labor in his profession with signal success, he has gone to reap the reward of the faithful."

Aside from the above facts which have been found, information concerning this man, who was a successful farmer as well as a much appreciated and, as they were then rated, successful Doctor, there is but little record. We may be sure that he travelled about the rough country road on horse back with his medicines in saddle bags.
An oil painting of the doctor shows the bust of what seems to have been a rather short but stout grizzly old man who looked more like a farmer than a Doctor. His account books show that he was engaged in agricultural business as well as medicine.
Like Doctor Eaton before him, Doctor Knight probably had students who "rode with him" but one only is remembered. Dr. Silas F. Lindsey, when beginning practise, was for a time associated with Dr. Knight who said that the young Doctor would be much appreciated for his work's sake.
A living relative relates the story of one of the Doctor's families in which five died in one week of Putred Sore Throat.

The most fruitful source of information about the Doctor and his work is a desk and a set of old account books which are still readable. The desk has the appearance of real old age. One wonders if perhaps it is not one of the articles which Dr. Knight inherited from his friend and teacher, Dr. Eaton.
It is a desk made to be used while standing. The structure is made of rough boards and consists of four plain legs which support a box-like top which slants upward at an angle of about forty degrees from before backward and hinged at the back so that the cover may be lifted to allow books or papers to be easily put away or taken out as needed. There are no little drawers, ink wells or other modern gadgets on or about the desk. Upon lifting the top cover, one finds a space about 20 x 30 inches and perhaps 12 inches deep, at the back, for books, ink, stationery and a few quill pens.
The account books are made of coarse, unlined paper and the leather bindings are crumbling with age.
The writing within is mostly of masculine type and poor, with now and then pages in a more feminine hand as though more than one person had made entries. The charges are varied and interesting and suggest that while people change, their troubles do not.
On a page well toward the front of the book, in a feminine hand and signed with the initials of the Doctor's wife, is the following note, written in 1812, which suggests that long ago the country Doctor was subject to somewhat the same criticisms as at present: "In the country the physician who gets rich by the distribution of his pills and gallipots, or in other words, the practitioners of medicine, who lead the most slavish life of any class of people, yet if any become wealthy, it is a prodigy to the age in which they lived.

"There is surely no capacity in which a man can act which exposes him to the censures of mankind to such an extent as a physician. When the judgments of Heaven are sent upon the earth for the wickedness and abomination of the people of he people; if the judgment be pestilence and the termination dyssolution, all is imputed to the ignorance and unskillfulness of the Physician.
"Count that day lost, whose low descending sun views, from thy hand, no worthy action done."
E.K.

"It would be establishing a good principle (if it be at present established, I believe it is not practised) if we could divest ourselves of that evil of which we take great pride in condemning our neighbor.
"Let man who lives to the common age appointed in the sacred writing, abstract from the period of his life, his infancy, hours of sleep and sickness and his time devoted to useless amusements and how small a portion of time is left for him to devote to things of more importance."

Some ideas of the conditions of medical practise between the times of the Revolution and the Civil War may be obtained by observing the remedies available for the treatment of disease and the prices paid for medical attention.
Since actual knowledge was not rapidly increasing in those years, doubtless the usual remedies remained much the same in the hands of Dr. Knight as of Dr. Eaton. From Dr. Knight's books, the following remedies have been listed: Tartar Emetic, Pink Root, Paregoric, Jalap, Aloes, Sulphur, Mercurial Ointment, Calomba, Quassia, Salts, Bitters, Mercury Pills, Digitalis, Glycyrrhiza, Oil of Peppermint, Emplastrum Diachylon, Camphor, Gum Tragacanthe, etc. Most of these remedies had very negligible influence upon the course or cure of disease.
Visits to houses were made for 10 to 50 cents while confinements cost $1 to $2. Venesections @ 12 cts. Charges were made of $4.00 for visits to Brookfield; Brimfield. $2.50 and tapping an anasarca .50. A lady who lived to be over 100 years of age, remembered that Dr. Knight attended her mother in five confinements at .25 a visit and furnished all medicine. She remembers that the medicine was usually in powder form, that the Doctor divided it into parts with his jack knife, tasted it, smacked his lips and said, "That's good, you must take it."
Once she thinks her mother narrowly escaped injury when the Doctor used wet cups upon her back and with bad judgment treated the resulting redness with the application of raw cabbage leaves.
Reviewing his career and work from a century later, it must be admitted that Dr. Knight was a good Doctor. He labored for the people of his generation as well as he could with his knowledge and equipment. Final judgment must be made by the standards of his time rather that by those of a century later. Even in these days perhaps our judgments of success are what they seem to us to be rather than what they actually are.
By his will, Dr. Knight left "all personal estate to my wife for use during her life. After her death it is to be distributed among my children."
The inventory showed Real Estate $2500.00 and Personal $406.00

DR. SILAS FOSTER LINDSEY
Born August 18, 1827. Died August 10, 1885
Age, 57 years, 11 months, 22 days
Cause of death, Bright's Disease


Dr. Silas Foster Lindsey was born in Union, Connecticut on August 18, 1827. His parents were Ebenezer and Susan (Pickering) Foster who had moved from Petersham to Union, Connecticut, shortly before Silas was born. Yale University records say Silas was born in Petersham.

His early education was obtained in the public schools and in 1846 he entered Yale Medical School from which he was graduated with the degree M.D., in the Class of 1849.

Beginning practise with Dr. Samuel P. Knight and taking over the business when the Doctor's health failed, Dr. Lindsey was in practice for forty-three years. He married Salome Maria Chapman, of Westford, Connecticut in 1851, and in due time two daughters and one son were born. The first daughter died at five; the second, Minne Jane, married Dr. Edward Merle Frissell who practised for many years in Dudley and then moved to Webster, Massachusetts. Minnie was musically inclined and became a violinist of considerable skill.

Unlike his father and grandfather the son, Eben, did not choose to follow the medical profession. Like his sister he preferred music and became a cornetist of note. He organized and led Father Quan's Band which was connected with the St. Louis Church, and later travelled extensively with a musical organization in Europe.

For a doctor who was very well liked and served his town so many years, it is rather surprising how little record he left except the memories of his friends who have almost entirely passed away.

Rev. Charles Goodell of Dudley, in his book, "Black Tavern Tales", pays a high tribute to Dr. Lindsey in a chapter entitled "The Young Doctor". There is no doubt about who the "Young Doctor" was, though his name is not mentioned.

With the assistance of an active imagination and his masterful literary ability, Dr. Goodell wrote a tale which is interesting to read but can hardly be called history, though, without question, it reveals many of the characteristics of the man and the high esteem in which he was held in the community.

Dr. Lindsey was tall and stout and as was the custom he wore a long full beard. At birth he is said to have weighed 2 1/2 pounds but in his later years he tipped the scales at 250. He was a man of excellent judgment, kind and benevolent in appearance, pleasant as a rule but having a quick temper and rather brusque attitude when displeased. He is said to have been habitually giving financial aid as well as medical attention to the poor. Dr. Knight, with who, he worked, spoke of Dr. Lindsey as one who would be esteemed for his good works' sake.

Somewhat at a variance with customs of the average Doctor of his day, Dr. Lindsey was a very temperate man who neither used liquor nor prescribed it at the request of his patients. He was very outspoken in his disapproval when patients pursued a course which seemed to him unwise and the question of pay was of much less importance to him than the relief of his patients.

It was during the years of Dr. Lindsey's greatest activity that the forward march of Medical Science began. With the discovery of startling facts which were, in coming years, to revolutionize Medical Science, the practice of Medicine began to improve and violent quarrels and disputes among different so-called schools arose, but Dr. Lindsey always maintained a conservative course, never using new methods of practise until they had been thoroughly tested.

He was a student and read the best of the few medical books which were available and perhaps a Medical Journal or two; bound volumes of The London Lancet being found, not infrequently in Doctors' Libraries. He was not, however, bothered by the flood of new and more or less proprietary remedies with grossly exaggerated medical virtues, which now jam the Doctors' mail and clutter up his office table.

Dr. Lindsey's practice was extensive and his fame was not limited to his home town. Three horses, of which he was very fond, were necessary to meet the demands of his practice and it was his expressed wish that when he died his body should be drawn to the grave by his favorite horse. In compliance with this wish, his casket, after the funeral was placed upon a backboard and drawn to the cemetery by the faithful old horse which for years had taken him safely upon innumerable errands of mercy.

Mr. George Williams, an old resident of Dudley, recalls the time when Dr. Lindsey was called to Boston to operate upon a Dudley resident who was ill in the city and the "Black Tavern Tales" by Rev. Charles Goodell, tell of his going to Washington to bring home a seriously wounded Dudley boy who was shot during the Civil War.

Boating, fishing and rifle shooting were hobbies which the Doctor cultivated in his spare time and after the day's work was over he played in his family orchestra. It is remembered that there was a special wagon, fitted to carry his fishing boat to neighboring ponds when the "signs" were right.

In July 1885, after a period of failing health, due to chronic Bright's Disease, Dr. Lindsey suffered a slight shock which affected his left hand. "This was followed by violent spasms. He improved temporarily but congestion of the brain set in and he died after a week's intense suffering."

DR. EBENEZER LINDSEY
1799--1877
Born August 18, 1799 -- Dies June 15, 1877
Age 77 years, 9 months, 27 days
Cause of death, Heart Disease

Dr. Ebenezer Lindsey, the son of Habakuk and Joanne (Gowing) Lindsey, of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, was born on the 18th of August, 1799. Soon after his birth his parents moved to New Salem, Mass., where he attended the Public Schools.

From the records at Yale we learn that Ebenezer was graduated from Middlebury College but the year is not stated, neither does this record specify whether the degree was B.A. or M.D. It is certain that he never was a student at Yale unless perhaps he attended lectures or some special courses there. He is said to have received a degree in 1824 and this was probably from Middlebury. Where he obtained his medical education is not apparent, but he began his practise in Prescott, Massachusetts and soon moved to Petersham where on January 9, 1827, he was married to Susan Pickering Foster of Petersham.

Shortly after his marriage, Dr. Lindsey moved to Union, Connecticut and on August 18, 1827, his only son, Silas Foster Lindsey, was born.

Silas followed in his father's footsteps and studied medicine, in due time settling in Dudley, Massachusetts, where he practised medicine for over thirty years. When Silas had become well established, Dr. Ebenezer moved to Dudley where he continued in practise until increasing years and a failing heart ended his career.

Dr. Ebenezer Lindsey was a member of Golden Rule Lodge A.F. & A.M. of New Salem. He had a brother, Dr. Daniel Lindsey, who practised in Petersham and Athol and in Swansea, New Hampshire.

Mr. George F. Hall of Dudley, recently deceased, remembered Dr. Lindsey very well. He remembers that the Doctor has a "Heart Trouble" which he says, at times caused the doctor to become unconscious while driving along in his carriage. The faithful old horse, apparently missing the guiding hand of his master, never failed to bring the unconscious Doctor to the barn door where the watchful, waiting family were always ready to give any needed attention.

Dr. Lindsey died at his home in Dudley on June 15, 1877 of heart diseases at the age of 77 years, 9 months, 27 days.

A book "The Lindseys of America" by Margaret Isabella Lindsey, published by Joel Munsell & Sons of Albany, N.Y., 1899, traces the line of descent of the Lindsey family back to Christian de Lindsey who lived in Scotland (?) in 1335.

There is a tradition among the Lindseys of Salem, Massachusetts, a branch of the old family, that about 1680, an English war vessel whose commander was a Scotchman by the name of Lyndsey, put into the port of Salem for the purpose of having some repairs made upon the ships, Salem being the only port nearby in which the work could be done. Among the officers of the ship were two sons of Captain Lindsey.

During the week which was requiring for the repairing of the ship, one of the sons of the Captain married a Miss Moutton, a daughter of the Captain of the port. This somewhat hasty marriage was permitted by the bride's father on the promise of the officer that as soon as his ship should reach home he would resign his commission, return to America and settle in Salem.

The ship sailed away but before reaching England met a French man-of-war, in the Bay of Biscay, and was blown up with all on board during the engagement that followed.

In due time, the Widow of the young Lindsey, gave birth to a son who grew up to manhood and had a son. In each of several succeeding generations single sons were born to perpetuate the family.

The earliest existing record of the family is of the marriage of one Habakuk Lindsey of North Danvers, Massachusetts, now a part of Salem, to Mary Green on October 6, 1741.

This Habakuk Lindsey left two sons and one daughter. The younger of these two sons was Habakuk the ancestor of the succeeding generations.
Habakuk married Joanna, a daughter of Captain Gideon Gowing of Lynnfield and soon moved to New Salem, Massachusetts, where he died in 1835, leaving two daughters and five sons, the youngest of who, was born on August 18, 1799 and was named Ebenezer and is the subject of this sketch.

Dr. Ebenezer Lindsey is said to have been a handsome man with a very bad temper. He was very good to his patients in a financial way. One day he attended the wife of a man who told him he had no money. Dr. Lindsey said he would call it square for a couple of pretty Japonica which were growing in the yard. One of these bushes was planted in his yard and was still blooming a few years ago when a recent owner destroyed it. The Doctor's wife did much midwifery and is said to have been not too successful.
Dr. Silas was very much apposed to the use of corsets which he said were "the invention of the devil". His daughter, a student at the "Academy" secretly obtained a garment and wore it. When her father discovered the fact that she was wearing corsets he became very much displeased and is said to have given her a horsewhipping. Dr. Silas' wife Salome did much midwifery in connection with his practise and not only cared for the patients during labor but remained with them for a week or more.

___________________________

The history of Medicine in the last century reads like a rapidly moving drama. Beginning slowly in the first third, but with increasing speed in the second third of the century, a rapid succession of medical and surgical discoveries were made which completely revolutionized medical practice and brought inestimable relief to suffering humanity. So quietly have these changes taken place that the average adult of the present day, unless he has given the matter special attention, accepts the medical safety of his generation as a natural part of modern life, while the elderly adult, who has lived through the period of the great medical and surgical discoveries, which have at last placed medicine upon a scientific basis, is with few exceptions blissfully unconscious of the momentous events through which he has lived.

The social, civic and medical conditions which prevailed nearly a hundred years ago furnish a background for the picture of the early Doctors and the conditions in which they passed their lives.

At the turn of the century there was a general recognition, throughout the work, of a distressing lack of knowledge about the nature, cause and cure of disease and intensive research was being made by Scientists as well as Doctors in their efforts to discover the secrets of nature. Old theories which for years had been accepted as true were being questioned and cast aside as they were found to be unsound, and new ideas were taking their places. New and better trained Doctors were coming to town and, while medical practice is never abreast with the latest discoveries, the Doctors were in a measure prepared for the great increase in medical knowledge which was imminent.

In 1832, by an act of the Legislature, a portion of Oxford, including Oxford South Gore and a part of Dudley, were set off and incorporated as the Town of Webster. This township, including between 1,000 and 1,200 inhabitants, was made up largely of three small mill villages, viz., the East, The North, and the South and extended westward to the French River and southward to the Connecticut State Line. In what is now the center of Webster, there were a few dwelling houses and the Methodist Meetinghouse which had been built in 1828. The Slater Mills and the Merino Woolen Company, which was later to become the Stevens Linen Corp., were fostering the prosperity of the town. The population was increasing and the new town was soon to become larger and more prosperous than the parent towns. Stagecoach to Worcester and Boston had been established and the Norwich and Worcester Railroad was soon to be built. A gradual shifting of the population from the East, North and South Villages to what was to become Depot Village and alter the center of the town, was already taking place.

There were, at the time of its incorporation, two Doctors in town, Dr. Charles Negus and Dr. John Tenny. Looking back over the century we can see, in the Medical field, what was then not appreciated by the people, that old things were passing away. The saddle bags and the two wheeled chaise of the Doctor were giving away to the four wheeled carriage; the apprentice system of medical education had been well nigh abandoned and medical schools were taking its place. The Harvard and Yale Medical schools were in operation and the Berkshire Medical Institute which had been established at Pittsfield, Mass, in 1823 as a part of Williams College and, later the official Medical School of the Massachusetts Medical Society, was for years a rival of Harvard both in size and reputation. The coming generation of Doctors was to see the beginnings of modern scientific medicine but was not even to suspect the wonderful discoveries which the coming century was to bring forth.

In 1835 Bigelow, a prominent Boston Doctor, published a paper entitled "The Self Limited Nature of Disease", establishing the fact that many of the common diseases were transient in nature and if given a chance would get well. This discovery at once destroyed the old belief that there was no curative power in nature and marked the beginning of the end of the custom of bleeding, purging, sweating and other drastic remedies which were supposed to drive disease from the bodies of the victims.

A little later a vigorous quarrel arose between Holmes of Boston, Meigs of Philadelphia and Semmelweis of Austria over the infective nature of Puerperal Fever. This controversy eventually established the fact that this disease was due to germ infection and was caused by the carelessness and ignorance of the Doctors and laid the foundation of modern obstetrics. While the medical men of those days were trying to understand the significance of the new discoveries and adopt new methods in their daily work, the discovery of ether in 1846, at once by removing the pains of surgery without anaesthesia, opened up broad new fields of work for the surgeons.

In 1867, as the result of his work in France, Louis Pasteur was able to prove that bacteria were the cause of many disease and in the excitement of his great discovery he wrote, "It is within the power of man to make the parasitic disease from the face of the earth." To this astounding but essentially true statement, his contemporaries replied "The poor fellow is crazy." This discovery of bacteria, however, and their relation to disease opened the way for the development of preventative medicine with its vast saving of human life.

The cause and means of control of infectious disease having been discovered it became possible by means of inexpensive inoculations to prevent pestilences and disease rather than to cure patients after their bodies had been seriously damaged by destructive bacteria.

The results of these discoveries concerning bacteria and their relation to disease is that the great pestilences which have at intervals in the past ravaged different portions of the country, destroying in individual epidemics, as many as a third of the adult population, or practically all of the children in a given region, have been controlled. Small Pox, Cholera, Typhus and Typhoid Fever (the destroyers of armies), Dysentery and Bubonic Plague have become preventable. Diabetes which has been wide spread and fatal has become entirely manageable by the use of insulin while Tuberculosis is become more and more amenable of treatment. The cancer problem, while far from being solved, is, by virtue of early discovery and treatment by surgery and by radiation, becoming better understood and more frequently cured.

In recent years a series of far reaching discoveries have been made which have resulted in the development of greater control over infections than all of the discoveries since medical history began. These discoveries have been in the fields of Chemotherapy and the Antibiotics. Chemotherapy is the treatment of disease by chemical disinfection or inhibition of pathogenic agencies without serious toxic effects on the patient while the Antibiotics are substances which are made from moulds, found in the ground, which are destructive to various types of bacteria and viruses.

By the use of these Sulfonamide drugs and Penicillin and other Anti-biotic substances many of the serious infections previously uncontrollable diseases have become almost entirely curable while new remedies are being developed rapidly and providing cures for previously uncontrollable infections.

In the same period of years during which such great improvement in medical knowledge and practice has taken place surgery has made no less spectacular advance both in knowledge and technique and at the present time practically all parts of the body have become safe for surgical intervention, with the assistance of ether and other forms of anaesthesia.

Through this century, in which medicine had advanced from impotent ignorance to its present state of efficient co-ordinated science, generation after generation of Doctors have come and gone, using new methods and new remedies as they became available.

The following pages give such information as has been found concerning most of the Doctors who have practiced in Webster. It is certain that there have been other Doctors who for longer or shorter periods have practiced in town and departed leaving no record behind them. Some of these have without doubt risen to positions of importance in other communities.

In previous pages a brief sketch of the exploration and settlement of the Nipmuck Country has been made; allusions to the people, their customs and medical practice in the past have been noted and before considering them individually it may be well to look at the Doctors as a group in the community.

It is not easy to make an evaluation of these men for few records are available for study. They did not write for publication as facilities for publication were not common, and no one wrote about them. It is know that there were, at intervals, as early as 1786, medical meetings held in Dudley and surrounding towns where discussions of interesting cases were held for mutual information. Death notices and memorials which have been recorded as one Doctor after another has passed away, as might be expected, are very charitable noting the good qualities of the departed and avoiding reference to less favorable parts of their careers. So it is evident that real knowledge about these men is somewhat limited to what living contemporaries passed on by word of mouth. It must also be remembered that traditions and stories are often uncharitable and unreliable. The Doctors have been recruited from the common people and, while better educated than the average person, they have, nevertheless, been always subject to the influence of the common enemies of mankind such as Tuberculosis, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Infectious Diseases, Alcohol, Venereal Diseases and many other conditions which have always had unfavorable influence on the careers of mankind.

As in every group of human beings, regardless of station, there have been black sheep among the Doctors. Some by misadventure or lack of obedience to law have been apprehended and subjected to unpleasant penalties and disgrace. Some like the foolish ostrich in the desert, which thinks he is not visible when his head is covered in the sand, have pursued unwise, anti-social activities too boldly and their careers have been injured by public disapproval. Alcohol and immorality have exacted their usual toll.

On the other hand personal characteristics such as industry, willingness to work, skill and success have been influential in making the more favorable picture which many have left behind. It is fair to say that a common characteristic of the doctors in general is that they have always found work that needed to be done and they have in greater or less degree done it and the extent in which hey have done this has been the measure of one's success or failure as a Doctor. It seems, therefore, fair to say that the Doctors of the Nipmuck country past and present have been as good and as bad as a similar number of other men under similar circumstances and it would be unkind and useless to perpetuate the memory of unfortunate events for which there may have been extenuating circumstances.

DR. JAMES GLEASON
1723-1803

The first doctor of who record has been found was Dr. James Gleason of Thompson, Connecticut in 1765. With Levi Wright, in partnership, he bought the Campbell grant of 400 acres in the South Gore, removed thither and there spent his remaining days.

He was born Sept. 10, 1723. In 1791 he sold his farm to his sons, Jacob and Jesse. He married, Feb. 7, 1751, Elizabeth Atwill. He died Oct. 9, 1803, aged 80, at the homestead on the hill, the site of the brick, George Ide house.

The North line of this grant was about one third of a mile southerly of what was called Brown's Pond "Reid Smith's Cove". The line ran East and West about two feet north of the present Gore Church and extended south more than a mile on the lake shore.

It may be that his grave may be found in the Gleason lot. This lot is on the South side of the cemetery below Ide's lot.

DR. CHARLES NEGUS
1792-1856
Born January 14, 1792. Died September 28, 1856.
Age 65 years, 9 months, 14 days.
Cause of death. Apoplexy.

Dr, Charles Negus was probably the first regular Doctor in Webster. It is quite likely that after the days of Doctor Gleason, of the Gore District, there may have been other "farmer Doctors," but no records of their presence has been found. About 1820 the young Doctor Negus moved from Woodstock to Quinebaug and lived in a small house now standing at Lynch's Corner. A few years later, finding himself in possession of much land in what is now the center of Webster, he moved over and settled in the growing village. On Sept. 10, 1827, he sold 21 acres to S. Slater for $640.00. Where this land was, is not mentioned.

Dr. Negus was s son of Silas and Mehitabel Negus of Woodstock. There is no record of his early education. Since there were few Medical Schools at the time, he probably got his medical education by "riding with" and studying in the office of some local Doctor.

Town records show that on July 9, 1918, Dr. Negus and Mehitabel Marcey of West Sturbridge filed intentions of marriage and that in due time two children were born to them; Mary Ann, who died on April 27, 1853, and Lyman who was born on July 25, 1818.

Tradition has it that many young doctors studied with Dr. Negus but names of only two are known. Daniels History of Oxford says, "Dr. David Holman, later of Oxford, began practice with Doctor Negus of Dudley, now Webster, about 1821 and continuing for about ten years when he settled in Oxford."

In his earlier years of practise, Dr. Negus doubtless rode on horseback, carrying his medicines in saddlebags, while in his later years he probably jounced over the rough country roads in a two wheeled chaise. It is presumable that Dr. Negus was a religious man as his name appears in the records of the Webster Methodist Church as one of the committee appointed to build a Church, when in 1831 the society had become sufficiently large and strong to have a Meeting House. The records show that for the sum of ten dollars he sold to that society a peice of land, where later the house of Chester Corbin stood, upon which the first Meeting House was built.

For the same price, in 1838, he sold to the Congregational Church, the land upon Main and Church Street where the Church now stands.

For a long time before his death, Dr. Negus was in poor health, and his death was due to Apoplexy. He was buried in a little cemetery where the Congregationa lParish House now stands. Later his remains were moved to Mt. Zion Cemetery.

A rumor has been handed down from Father to Son that when the grave was opened for the purpose of moving the Doctor's remains to the final resting place his body was found to be lying face down; "showing that the poor man had been buried alive and had turned over in his coffin."

Since the old Doctor is known to have been in poor health for a long time and to have had a "shock" some time before his death, it is fair to suppose that, after a well spent life, the poor man was spared that distressing ordeal and allowed to sleep the sleep of the just.

Jewett's History of Worcester County devotes a chapter to the History of Webster. The writer of this History, himself a prominent physician of Webster, in a later period, says, "Dr. Charles Negus was a successful Physician for more than forty years. He was born in Woodstock in 1792 and died in Webster on the 28th of September 1856." Thus disposing almost in a word, of the career of a man whose life was filled with events and deeds which were surely of value to his fellow citizens and of interest ot future generations but which are now lost in the unwritten history of the past.

The value of the Doctors of many years ago to the communities in which they lived was intimately connected not only with their skill as Physicians but also with their successes in other lines for they were often Clergymen, Lawyers, Businessmen and Farmers.

Their education involved a matter of time and labor rather than the expenditure of large sums of money as at the present, for the student was able to pay, at least part of the cost of his education, by working for his teacher during the period of apprenticeship. There was but little expense connected with a Doctor's library for books were scarce and not subject to early absolescence (because of the slow increase in medical knowledge) while surgical instruments were crude, limited in number and inexpensive. While the expense of becoming qualified to be a Doctor and the equipment necesary ro enable one to practice medicine were small, the number of people to be doctored was also small and the number of Doctors was quite large, hence it was necessary for many of the Doctors to have extra lines of activity. It is certain that the early Doctors had but little knowledge of the disease which they treated and the remedies which they used. Some of these remedies are still in use but have no effect upon the course or termination of diseases. Hence it is evident that the success of the old Doctors depended almost entirely upon what the people thought of them.

With the passage of the years, all who knew these men passed on and we know that the usual death notices recorded by the Press are better suited to stand as charitable descriptions of real or assumed virtues rather than as reliable historic records.

The records of the Probate court furnish certain reliable though not infallable, indications as to a Doctor's success.

On October 7, 1856 the last Will of Dr. Charles Negus was filed in the Probate Court of Worcester.

The inventory showed an estate of $8109.07 of which $6270 was real estate, and $1839.07 was personal property. His library was valued at $15.00 and his instruments at $10.00. The will specified that Dr. Negus was to be buried in a lot in the rear of the Congregational Church; an iron fence, 40 x 40, enclosed about the lot at an expense of not more than $100.00 and a monument of fine Italian marble erected at a cost of not more than $150.00

With this short and incomplete sketch, we must leave the old pioneer Doctor Negus. The old people who knew him have long since died. If time were available for more extended search, without doubt more facts and incidents connected with his life and work might be found. He was a characteristic figure in the early years of the town. Like all of his contemporaries he doubtless had his good and not so good characteristics, his successes and failures. Because of the fact that numerous young Doctors came to study with him, we may be sure that, judged by the standards of his time, he was a good Doctor.

He served his day and generation faithfully and well and deserved the veneration and respect of those who from a distance review his career in the light of understanding of his profession far beyond anything which he could have dreamed.

"Let not ambition mock their humble joys,
Their homely ways, their destiny obscure,
Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor."

DR. DAVID HOLMAN

Dr. Holman was born at Union, Conn., on the 24th of January 1803 and died at Oxford on the 13th of March 1881 at the age of 78. In the Webster TIMES of January 31, 1880 we read, " Dr. David Holman of Union, Conn., and for over 50 years a practising physician in Oxford reached his 77th birthday on January 24th. It is a notable fact that during his term of practice in Oxford no practising physician died here, while in the next town, Webster, six have deceased; viz., Drs. Negus (age 65), Tenney, Burroughs, Hart, Smith and Adams."

Dr. Holman was a descendant of Solomon Holman of Newbury 1693 or 1694, who came from Wales, the line being Thomas, Thomas, Abraham, who was born on the 30th of July 1776 at Sutton. According to the History of Sutton, he was born on Sept. 9th at Providence, R.I.

Their son David was born January 24, 1803 at Union, Conn., where Abraham, his father, then lived. David studies at the Pittsfield Medical Institute and was graduated at an early age and began practice with Dr. Charles Negus in Webster, continuing for ten years. An old map, published in 1855, shows the location of Dr. Holman's home on the west side of East Main St., a few houses above the Baptist Chapel. He settled in Oxford in 1831 where he continued for fifty years.

He married Almira, daughter of Rufus and Hulda (Bates) Brown of Thompson, Conn. In 1841 he bought the estate (181H) South of the North Common and died there on March 13, 1881 at the age of 78 years.

DR. DANIEL TIFFANY
1765-1856

Born April 3, 1765. Died November 9, 1856.
Age 91 years, 7 months, 6 days.

Dr. Daniel Tiffany was born in Attleboro, Mass., on April 3, 1765 and died on November 9, 1856. His parents seem to have been Daniel and Polly Tift Tiffany. He married Parmelia who died June 21, 1849. A son Dimosthenes was born to Daniel and Parmelia on March 25, 1803.

Dr. Tiffany seems to have lived in Webster but no definite record of his life here has been found.

DR. JOHN WATERS TENNEY
1802-1849
Born December 25, 1802. Died april 29, 1849
Age 46 years, 4 months, 4 days.
Cause of death. Dropsy.

Dr. Tenney was born in Sutton on December 25, 1802. His parents were Dniel and Betsy (Waters) Tenney. After attending the public schools, he entered Brown University, from which he graduated in 1823. Continuing his studies, he was graduated from the Medical School of the University of Maryland in 1829 with the degree M.D.

On October 3, 1829, he was married to Elizabeth Tilleston Fisher, born May 31, 1803, died Aug. 21, 1847, the daughter of Caleb and Sally (Cushing) Fisher of Franklin, Mass.

A son, Edward Waters, was born to Doctor and Mrs. Tenney in Sutton on October 8, 1830.

There is some difference in opinion as to when Dr. Tenney began to practise. It is recorded that he was at first associated with Dr. David Smith of Sutton in 1831. What seems more probable is the statement in Daniel's History of Oxford, p. 256; "Dr. Tenney came to Oxford in 1830 and took the house of Dr. Delano Pierce, expecting to succeed him in his business. For some reason, at present unknown, he moved, in 1831, to the south part of the town, which is now Webster, where he remained until his death on the 29th of April 1849 at the age of 46 years.

At any rate, when Webster was incorporated in 1832, Dr.Tenney was in practise and lived in a house, now standing, just a little back from East Main Street near the present Baptist Church.

At the first town meeting in the new town, he was elected a member of the school committee, an office which he held for eleven years before his death. Twice he served as Moderator at the town meeting, ten consecutive years as Treasurer and twice he was elected to the State Legislature. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

The Congregational Church was incorporated in 1832 and Dr. Tenny's name is mentioned as one of the incorporators.

Dr. Tenney's first wife died on May 31, 1847 and on November 1, 1848 he married Junia Somers.

Judging by the number of public postions, which historic evidence shows that he satisfactorily occupied, it seems probable that there are yet other civic positions in which he freely gave of his time and effort for the good of the community.

Dr. Tenney was a member of the Congregational Church. The Webster Times of October 19, 1887: "The First Congregational Church and Society of Webster were organized June 13, 1838 by 41 persons among whose names were Dr. John and Eliza Tenney. A preliminary meeting for the organization of the church was held in the home of Dexter Jones, where later Captain Amos Bartlett lived. Dr. Tenney was one of the Committee on arrangements. He was the person who issued the call to George B. Slater, Esq., one of the Justices of the Peace in the County of Worcester, for the purpose of organization."

Though the span of his life was short, his years were filled with labor for the good of the community and the State. While little or no record of his medical work has been recorded, it was without doubt of the same high quality as his political labor. At his death Dr, Tenney left two daughters, Catherine Beecher and Helen Everett, wife of David A. Alden of Windsor, Vermont.

According to the Vital Statistics, Dr. Tenney died of Dropsy and was buried in Mt, Zion Cemetery, Webster.

DR. A.D. RAWSON

Definite facts concerning this Doctor have not been found. He may have lived in a neighboring town or he may have lived in Webster for a time and had been too inconspicuous a figure to have attracted sufficient attention to have left enduring records.

However, an old scrap of paper, which is rather suggestive, has been found. It suggests that some of the troubles that bothered the Old Times and still active problems.

The first of these papers reads as follows:

Webster, Feb. 14, 1842

John Shumway & E. Shumway, Dr.

To services of Dr. A. D. Rawson
Bal. on old acct. -- $1.93
Oct. 10, Emetic pills, powders, bitters, visit -- $1.50
Oct. 14, one visit and medicine -- $1.00
Interest I will call -- .62
Total -- $5.05

April 8, 1847, Rec'd. Payment to date


A similar yellow paper reads

"Jeremiah Shumway of Thompson
To Hosea Rich, sum of seventy five cents for
patient two visits and sundry medicine."

Upon the back of the paper is written;
.75 The payment for the above account has been
.12 received.
____
.87 George C. Larned, Atty.

From these two fragmentary records, it would seem that, although Doctor's fees were much smaller a hundred years ago than now, it was at time necessary to call upon the "Men of Law" for assistance in collecting accounts. It is to be hoped that legal fees were likewise smaller than at present.

DR. GEORGE IDE
1792-1864
Born May 9, 1792. Died October 8, 1864
Age 72 years, 4 months, 9 days.
Cause of death: Internal injuries received in a political riot in Boston.

Dr. George Ide was born in Attleboro, Mass., on May 9, 1792. His parents were Timothy and Elizabeth (Bates) Ide. The Ide family was descended from Nicholas Ide, who came from England and settled in Rehoboth on 1636. The elder son, Nicholas,moved to the North Purchase which later came to be known as Attleboro, Mass. By 1787 George's father had bouth land in Thompson at the foot of the lake. It is not certain when the family built their home. Sometime later the family moved around to the hill overlooking the lake and bought the big, red, brick house at the top of the hill, which for two generations was known as Ide's Hill. This region was first known as the Oxford South Gore; later, when Dudley was incorporated, it became a part of that town, and when Webster was set off from Oxford and Dudley it became the Webster Gore. The large, red, brick house which George occupied for many years was earlier known as the Emerson Place.

In his earlier years, Dr. Ide was a farmer and a stone mason and is said to have weighed 250 pounds. Many of the cellar walls, wells, and road culverts in and about East Webster were the work of his hands, and he took great pride in his work. It was his custom daily to walk, often long distances, to his work, carrying his heavy mason's tools in his hands, before beginning the long day's work.

Later in life, at the age of 51, George decided to study medicine and, as was then the custom, studied with an established Doctor. Family tradition says that, "he paid Dr. James Gleason of Thompson, previously mentioned, the sum of $90, for all the old man knew about the practice of medicine."

Dr. Gleason, George's grandfather-in-law. was a "self taught" doctor who had become somewhat noted for his skill in treating certain maladies. In the family archives many of the recipes which he used are still preserved. These were made largely from native herbs which, for a consideration, the grandchildren gathered in the surrounding fields and forests. Some of these recipes are marked as from certain Indians like "Indian Solomon" and many contain some form of alcohol and red pepper.

In those days Indian Doctors were supposed to be very skillful and a tradition says that George studied with an Indian, Doctor Solomon, who resided in Rehoboth and was of considerable repute.

After he had become somewhat familiar with the ordinary diseases which were prevalent about 1840 George began to practise and for over twenty years did considerable work in the Gore and surrounding country.

A grandson remembers the Doctor as a large, powerful man with a long beard, weighing over 250 pounds and driving around in the customary chaise. He found the Indian remedies of great use, and, for one prescription known as the London Lotion, he paid $75. This lotion was for diseases of the eyes and contained 19 ingredients. Patients are said to have come as far as from Boston to get it and there were many refills. This preparation, his Grandson, now over 80 years old, believes would have undoubtedly made him a millionaire if he had possessed sufficient money to "properly dump it on the market."

His "jaw breaker" an unusual instrument for use in extracting teeth and also a primitive battery with which he gave treatments for certain diseases are still in existence and, while we may question their actual value as remedial agents, they suggested that his mind was searching for answers which were to remain secrets for years to come.

Dr. Ide was married three times. The first wife was Lucretia Gleason of the South Gore, the Mother of his six children. The second, Mrs. Patience (Goldthwaite) Allen. After her dealth he married Mrs. Mary Jane Wakefield.

He was a member of the Reformed Methodist Church in the Gore.

"In his later years, Dr. Ide became interested in Spiritualism, searching for the reality that lies beyond our physical senses, and confident that one day creditable results might be achieved in this direction."

He also had a fixed belief that there was gold in the Gore Hills and there are still holes which he excavated in the hillsides while seeking for the pay dirt.

An ardent Anti-Slavery man and supporter of President Lincoln, he was in Boston in the exciting campaign of 1864. It is said that he was making a speech in the street in defense of Lincoln and the Union Policy in what was called the "Copperhead Irish" section. When he called for "Three cheers for Abe Lincoln," he was set upon by his opponenets, mobbed and jumped upon. Being an old man and heavy of body, he suffered internal injuries. He reached home in bad coniditionm but by great will power, and died three days later from the effect of the attack.

This is the story which has been handed down from generation to generation in the family.

Upon his gravestone in the Gore Cemetery is inscribed:

"There is a debt to nature due
Which I have paid. And so must you."

Dr. Ide died Octobert 8, 1864.

DR. FREDERICK DAVIS BROWN
1824--1886
Born September 5, 1824. Died November 8, 1886.
Age 62 years, 2 months, 3 days
Cause of death. Apoplexy.

Dr. Frederick David Brown was born in Sutton, Mass., on September 5, 1824. His parents were Felix and Fanny (Hicks) Brown. At the age of seventeen after the usual public school education, he was interested in the study of medicine and became a student in the office of Dr. George Rawson of Grafton. In this country Doctor's office his duties are said to have been, to a considerable extent, limited to the care of horses, barn chores, gathering of herbs and preparing pills and powders but on rare occasions he was allowed to assist at surgical operations. Leaving Dr. Rawson's office, he entered Worcester Academy where he studied for two years, continuing his medical studies in the meantime in the office of Dr. Samuel Green, one of the eminent Physicians of Worcester. Dr. Green left Worcester to become a Missionary in Ceylon, and on his departure Dr. Brown was transferred to the office of Dr. John Green, where he studied for two years more. The young man next entered the University of Pennsylvania and later the Castleton Vermont Medical School from which he was graduated in 1849. An internship in the Bloomington Asylum Hospital followed and in 1850 Dr. Brown settled in Webster where he soon took over the large practice of Dr. Charles Negus who was in poor health.

It is safe to assume that Dr. Brown soon built up an active practise. On May 1, 1854, he was married to Miss Tamar Sibley Waters of Sutton, the marriage being performed at Webster. Two sons were born to this couple, Frederick Augustus and Clifford. The elder, Frederick Augustus, in turn became a Doctor and practised with his Father.

After Dr. Brown's death his son continued practise in the old homestead office until well into the 20th century. The office in its later years was so well known that no sign was displayed at the door and the writer of this sketch well remembers the day when, as an ambitious disciple of Aesculapius, he tried to hire the Doctor's parlor from the Doctor's wife for an office, without any considerable success but with considerable chagrin as he discovered his error.

Being a well educated Doctor in a new and rapidly growing towm, not too well supplied by Doctors, and following a popular man like Dr. Negus, it was but natural that Doctor Brown whould soon build up a large practise and enjoy the respect and affection of the community until his unexpected death in 1886.

Unlike many Doctors of the early years, "Dr. Brown was a well educated Gentleman and a typical Doctor of the Old School. His photographs reveal a fatherly appearing man with a countenance suggesting a friendly disposition and good judgment. His face shows a calm nature; displays human interest and inspires confidence." Although quiet and retiring in nature and content to perform his duties in a modest way, the many positions of trust which he held show unmistakable proof that his ability was recognized and appreciated by his contemporaries. His extensive practise and the tributes paid him by his associates at the time of his death confirm the impression that he was, in reality, one of the leading men of the County. Soon after begining practise, Dr. Brown joined the Worcester District Branch of the Massachusetts Medical Society and he must have been an active member for in 1876 he was elected Vice President of the Society at its annual meeting in June. This was not a routine election by a single vote cast by the Secretary. There was considerable competition and three ballots were required before the election was made. The Annual Oration which he delivered before he became President of the Society was upon the subject, with which he was especially well acquainted, "The Country Doctor". Unfortunately no copy of this Oration has been found. In 1878 Dr. Brown was elected President of the Society and, as was the custom, served for two years. Until 1880 his name appears among the members of the Council of the State Society, from the Worcester District.

The following excerpts from the records of the Worcester District Medical Meetings of the period reflect certain of the medical ideas which were prevalent though in the process of being changed as a result of important discoveries which were being made.

On July 13, 1881, at a meeting of the Society in a discussion of a paper on "Typhoid Fever" Dr. Brown said. "He believed, from his experience, that drainage had much to do in producing Typhoid Fever. As to treatment, he has little faith in remedies but has unbounded faith in nature. He considers good nursing as good as anything."

Again on March 12, 1884, in a discussion of a paper on "50 cases in Midwifery" he said, " Obstetric cases seem to be more difficult than 30 years ago. Then he was accustomed to wait 2 or 3 days but now uses forceps to save pain." He uses antiseptics more because they are advocated by the profession than because there is any better success. That he had some experience to support his opinions is evident from the following note which appeared in the "Times" of Nov. 12, 1886: "It is perhaps not saying too much that as a physician he was the agent through who one third of the young people saw light for the first time, his practise being so extensive with the humble as well as the richer citizens." He said he never yet stitched a ruptured perineum and had not known a case of rupture severe enough to demand it, though there is almost always some small tear.

Dr. Brown was followed in the discussion by Dr. ____ who said he had not usually found instrumental cases possible without some tear. He uses forceps in about one case in three but not if they could be avoided. He reported one case in which forceps were used and a slight rupture of the perineum occurred. Amniotic fluid for a week, to the amount of twenty gallons. Puerperal mania followed and lasted three months and the patient was not entirely well for a year.

"The History of Webster" which is a part of Jewett's History of Worcester was written by Dr. Brown and is another tribute to his literary ability and professional standing in the County.

Dr. Brown's Church affiliations were with the Episcopal Church in which he was a member of the Parish but not a Communicant. Early in the history of Webster Lodge A. F. & A. M., it is recorded that Frederick Davis Brown became a member of the Order by admission from another Lodge and he was buried with Masonic Honors.

In politics Dr. Brown was a staunch Republican and Chairman of the Town Committee. In 1863 he was the State Representative; Town Selectman in 1864 and '65, and State Senator in 1868. While in the Senate, he helped pass the law incorporating The Webster Five Cents Savings Bank of which he was President at the time of his death.

During the Civil War he was very active in raising men and money for the service; for two years the Examining Surgeon for Worcester county and a Justice of the Peace.

A few of the many interesting incidents which gave color and variety to the daily work of the Doctor may be mentioned. Hospitals were not numerous at the time and means of transportation were crude and inadequate. Consequently the country Doctor was obliged to treat many cases which now would be hurried to a Hospital. Live or die, they had to be treated on the spot with such facilities and equipment as were at hand. Contagious and infectious diseases which now require isolation in suitable Hospitals were treated at home and although the results were often terrible the public seems to have been quite well satisfied with the treatment provided.

Newspaper reports of the period, mention Dr. Brown in connection with accidents and assault cases. On July 22, 1865, the papers say Dr. Brown removed a bullet from the neck of a victim of a shooting case, the bullet entered the neck and lodged in the right shoulder. An acquaintance remembers the time when there were six in his family ill with Typhoid Fever during an epidemic which had been started by soldiers returning from the Civil War. All six of these patients recovered but there were twenty other cases which died in the South Village in the same epidemic. Another person recalls a time in 1872 when her brother who lived in Mechanicsville, Conn., had Diptheria. She persuaded Dr. Brown to take charge of the case. Unknown to the local Doctor, he visited the patient three times and the patient recovered.

An old Settler remembers the time when the son of the village undertaker served as assistant to his father. There came a day when, possibly because of the good medical treatment provided for the people, business in the Undertaker's field was slack and the boy took a job in the Savings Bank. At the end of the first day's work, the young undertaker's books showed a deficit of one cent. While a vigorous seach for the missing penny was being made after banking hours, Dr. Brown, who was President of the bank, came in and observing the evident agitation of the help, asked the cause of the disturbance. He was told that what was troubling everyone. The clerk said, "Well, I'll put in the penny rather than hunt longer for the mistake." Before there was time for the missing money to change hands, however, the penny was found far back in a drawer and Dr. Brown was informed that the lost was found. Wishing to impress upon the new Clerk the necessity for accuracy in transacting the business of the bank, Dr. Brown said, "Well young man, it is all right this time but don't let such a thing happen again. We have to be accurate in this institution," whereupon the young Undertaker replied, "Well, Dr. Brown, in the past I have covered up many of your mistakes."

In addition to his professional and political work, Dr. Brown found time to attend to many social and educational duties. For twenty years he was on the School Committee where he was greatly interested in raising the standard of education. For years he displayed much interest in the Temperance Cause. He was also a Director of the First National Bank and President of the Five Cents Saving Bank.

In the fall of 1886, early in his 61st year, when at the peak of his usefulness to the community, Dr. Brown suffered a slight illness which caused no alarm and was supposed to be progressing satisfactorily when, on November sixth he suffered an apoplectic shock and died the following day.

Following his death, at a regular meeting of the Worcester District Medical Society, the following resolutions were adopted, ordered spread upon the records of the Society, and a copy sent to the family of the deceased.

MEMORIAL FOR DR. F. D. BROWN

January 12, 1887, at a meeting of the Worcester District Medical Society, Dr. T. H. Gage presented the following obituary notice.

Dr. Frederick David Brown, a former president of this society, and for several years a councillor of the Massachusetts Medical Society, died at his residence in Webster on Monday morning November 8, 1886.

His death was attributed to Apoplexy, and the fatal illness was of short duration. He had not been in his usual health for two weeks previous, but nothing had appeared to alarm his friends until the evening of Nov. 7th when he became unconscious. In that condition, he lingered through the night and in the morning passed away.

Dr. Brown was born in Sutton, September 5, 1824. He studied medicine with the late Dr. John Green of Worcester, attending lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and at the Medical School in Castleton, Vermont. From the latter he received his degree in 1849.

Soon after, he established himself in Webster, and in that town he passed his whole professional life.

As a citizen, Dr. Brown was prominent, influential and useful, holding many positions of responsibility and trust, and discharging all the duties of all faithfully and well. Few men, probably, in the community where he lived, or in any similar community have ever received more marked tokens of public appreciation and confidence than he. By repeated elections, and for long periods he filled the most important offices in the town, representing it more than once in the legislature and in both branches. Upon its institutions; political, educational, social and financial he has left the abiding impress of his diligent and faithful work. As a physician, he had the unquestioning confidence and affectionate regard of the most intelligent of the people among whom he passed his life. Observant, cautious and watchful he applied with excellent judgment and sound common sense, the plain fundamental principles of professional science and art to the alleviation of human suffering. Led neither by ambition nor his tastes to the attempt of great and startling achievements, he was content to do well and acceptably the humble and less conspicuous, yet all important duties, which make up, in so large a part the daily routine of every good physician's life; and it is safe to aver that among the people who loved him, and who appreciated the services that he rendered, he will be long and gratefully remembered.

Dr. Brown leaves a wife and two sons, one of the latter already started as a physician in his father's place. In view of the sad event we have been contemplating, the committee of this society, appointed to draft an appropriate testimonial of respect, beg leave to submit for consideration the following resolutions with a recommendation that they be adopted and spread upon the records, and that the secretary be instructed to transmit a copy of them to the family of the deceased.

Resolved:-- That in the sudden and unexpected removal of Dr. Frederick Davis Brown, of Webster, by death at the height of his usefulness, and in the midst of the most important activities, the community at large and especially that with which he had been so long and so favorable identified, has sustained a heavy and almost irreparable loss.

Resolved:-- That in his death the medical profession has lost one of the wisest, most honorable and esteemed of its members, and this society an associate beloved and respected by all.

Resolved:-- That to his bereaved family we respectfully extend the sincerest sympathy, with an assurance that the memory of our beloved associate and friend will be by us long and tenderly cherished.

Viewing the life and work of Dr. Frederick Davis Brown in light of such facts and traditions as exist sfter the lapse of mearly a century, it is easily recognized that Dr. Brown was one of the outstanding men and Doctors of Worcester County in the years of his active life.

Giving freely of his time and ability to municipal and State affairs, he has left his mark in the legal and financial history of the town and state. His high standing in medical circles is attested by the fact that he was for two years President of the Worcester District Medical Society and was spoken of as one whose opinion was highly valued in the Councils of the Massachusetts State Medical Society.

His knowledge of the History of the Town and his skill as a writer was recognized when he was chosen to write the History of Webster which is a part of the History of Worcester, by Jewett.

Although the life of a Country practitioner offers little opportunity for one to achieve national fame or world wide recognition, yet in his own field, Dr. Frederick Davis Brown was an honor to his profession and his faithful and tireless labors for town and state entitles his name to be included with the names of Clara Barton, William Morton and other noted men and women of the County who deserve the grateful recognition of their fellow citizens.

DR. JOHN GOVE HART
1829-1867
Born 1829. Died February 28, 1867
Age 38 Years.
Cause of death. Tuberculosis

Dr. John Gove Hart was born in Goshen, N.H., in 1829. His parents were John and Mary Addie (Richardson) Hart. Little information has been found concerning his family, early life or education. We may assume that he attended the public schools of Goshen and later studied medicine with some country Doctor. Just when he opened his office in Webster is unknown, but it was before 1857 for in that year a son, George Fred, who in later years was to be one of the most popular and successful Doctors in Webster, was born.

Of Dr. Hart's proefssional career in Webster there remains little record. It is said that in his later years he had a rather extensive practice.

The Webster Times, in its issue of March 2, 1867, carried the following obituary: "We are pained to record the death of one of our most active professional citizens, Dr. John G. Hart. His disease was Consumption and was brought on by excessive professional labor. In him the poor and afflicted have lost a true friend, who was ever ready to minister to their afflictions without regard to their financial condition, or his own failing health. His family will receive the deep sympathy of a large circle of friends in their great affliction." Since Dr. Hart died of Tuberculosis in early middle life, it is reasonable to suppose that for several years he was in failing health and much restricted in his activities. In spite of the large practice which he is said to have had, his poor health and untimely death doubtless account for his financial condition which was so bad that his estate was not large enough to provide for the education of his son.

As in the cases of not a few of the physicians of the early years, the Probate Records are of interest. Although the obituary notices speak of lucrative practice, the Probate Records indicate that many of the Doctors were eigher poor collectors or just poor. The tax department of the State had not become sufficiently well developed so that people could be suspected of getting rid of their wealth just before death in order to escape inheritance taxes.

Dr. Hart's inventory amounted to $136.00 of which the principle items were 1 rifle $25.00; 1 carbine $8.00; 1 revolver $15.00; surgical instruments $7.00. The sale of his personal effects brought $100.00 above the appraised value.

In appraising the value of the man to individuals and to the community, we must remember that books were few, instruments were crude and poor and there was but little actual medical knowledge. Perchance many a wealthy Doctor of the present, with libraries of books, elaborate equipment and the latest knowedge, but little real genuine interest in the welfare of his patients, will die and be buried leaving behind him but a small portion of the love and esteem which was the heritage of the ordinary Doctor of the past.

DR. ETHAN A. BARROWS
1825-1857
Born May 7, 1825. Died January 16, 1857.
Ages 31 years, 8 months, 19 days.
Cause of death. Tuberculosis.

Dr. Barrows was a son of John and Sarah Barrows of Mansfield, Conn. He married Clarissa.....of.......

Practically no historical records of Dr. Barrows have been found. He is said to have been somewhat of a surgeon and to have lived in a house with large pillars in frontm standing where the Tracy Block now stands. The old house has been moved back into Tracy Court and is now a slowly disintegrating monument of the past.

In the last years of his life Dr. Elisha G. Burnett is said to have been associated with Dr. Barrows.

In the Probate Records at Worcester, we find that Dr. Barrows died intestate. The inventory of his property shows that he possessed Real Estate $80; Personal Property $753.37; Books $29.00; Dissecting Instruments $2.00; Tooth Instruments $10.00; Saddle Bags $1.25; 1 Basket Medicine $2.75; Promissory Notes $117.87. Total assets $780.00. Bills Payable $1287.77. He owned 1/8 acre of land in the rear of his residence -- evidently the lot upon which the house now stands. His horse was valued at $95.00 and his buggy at $170.00.

_______________________

Times, Nov. 12, 1886. B. Emile Norcutt, M.D. Office and residence, 11 Brookline St.

_______________________

1888 Dr. Tingier is mentioned in connection with an anniversary celebration at the Baptist Church.

DR. GEORGE W. EMERSON
1830 -- 1905

Born November 26, 1830. Died October 9, 1905.
Age 74 years, 10 months, 13 days.
Cause of death. Locomotor Ataxia.

It is difficult to understand how a man like Doctor Emerson could have lived in town so long; established such a fine reputation in the community and died leaving so little definite record of his career as a Doctor.

He was born in Goshen, N.H. on November 26, 1830. His parents were Daniel and Polly (Pike) Emerson. After the usual public school education, he continued his studies in the Newport Academy at Newport, Vermont. His name is in the list of students enrolled in the Eclectic Medical School in Worcester in 1853. This school was in existence for a few years only, and Dr. Emerson was not among those who were graduated.

He opened an office in a house on Main street, where later Doctor Brown's house stood, on January 10, 1853. After a time his office was on Mechanic street.

On February 21, 1849, he was married to Emily S. Richards of ? Three children, in due time, were born, all died in infancy. In the early part of the Doctor's career in Webster, he is said to have become mixed up in some trouble of undiscovered nature which caused him to leave town for a time and apparently a part ot his time was passed in study, for he was graduated from Bellevue Hospital, New York (?) in 1864.

After his graduation from Bellevue, Dr. Emerson returned to Webster. Regardless of a possibly bad start, his nearly fifty years of faithful work for the community and the high esteem in which he was held by the townspeople at the time of his death entitles him to be remembered as a good and faithful Doctor who was mourned by a multitude of friends. Doctor Emerson was a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

Following his death the Webster Times carried the following death notice: "Dr. Emerson was the last of a quartet of Webster's old and famous physicians, Dr. Charles Negus, Dr. Frederick Davis Brown, Dr. Elisha Burnett, and Dr. George W. Emerson." An editorial note observes: "The passing of Doctor Emerson has caused universal regret. He was a man of sterling character, generous, benevolent. He had a strong sympathetic nature and showed keen interest in the general welfare of his patients which endeared him to the hearts of hundreds who mourned his death. Dr. Emerson retired from practice ten years before his death."

DR. ELISHA GRIFFIN BURNETT
1827--1894

Born May 1, 1827. Died March 6, 1894.
Age 66 years, 10 months, 25 days.
Cause of death -- "Stomach trouble and general breaking up of the system."

Dr. Elisha Griffin Burnett was one of the seven children of David and Asenath (Mosley) Burnett and he was born in Gouveneur, St. Lawrence County, New York, on the 1st of May, 1827.

Among the effects of Doctor Burnett, after his death, was found a "well thumbed New Testament" which contained the following geneaological information: John Alden and his wife Priscilla Mullens; their seventh daughter, Ruth, married John Bass; Sarah, his seventh child married Ephraim Thayer; Ruth, their eighth child married John Capen; Sarah, their eighth child married Nathaniel Mosley, Deacon of the First Congregational Church of Hampton, Conn., of which her father was a Pastor. Emil, son of Nathaniel married and had three daughters; Asenath, second daughter, married David Burnett, of Hampton, Conn., and had six sons and one daughter. Elisha Griffin Burnett, the fourth son married at the age of twenty eight, Maria Eaton, of Chaplin, Conn., and had three daughters."

Dr. Burnett's early education was obtained in the public schools, after which he was one of the first pupils in the Watertown Institute, one of the best preparatory schools in the state.

In 1851 he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical School, Philapdelphia, with the degree M.D., and the reputation of being a "grind" with a remarkable memory.

In 1856, at the age of 28, he was married at Maria (Roxanna) Eaton, of Chaplin, Conn., as noted above.

Three children were born to Doctor and Mrs. Burnett. Cara, married Judge Isaac M. Mills of Mt. Vernon, New York. Judge Mills was born in Thompson, Conn., in the house opposite the schoolhouse at Brandy Hill.

The second daughter, Julia, married Clarence Smith of Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Mary. the third daughter, never married. She became a Social Worker in Spain. After some years, she returned to America and died in New York.

After his graduation from Jefferson, Dr. Burnett practiced for two years in Arlington, New York, and in 1854 moved to Webster, where he remained until his death in 1894. At first he was associated with Doctor Barrows who was in poor health and lived but a short time.

As is the case of many of the early physicians, little record of his medical career remains. Judging by such scattered facts as have been gathered we may assume that, being a well educated man, he enjoyed a good practice until the latter part of his life, when his sight failed and he became almost entirely blind. Early in his career in Webster, he bought the Drug Store which stood at the corner of Chase Avenue and Main Street. Later this became the E. N. Bigelow Drug Store, which like its proprietor was a landmark in town. Always interested in politics, Dr. Burnett was a member of the School Committee in 1856, 1861-64, 1872-74, and selectman in 1880. He served also on many Town Committees. One who remembers the Doctor well says that he was a very convincing speaker and on one occasion at a town meeting spoke for over an house, holding the attention of the voters until the end. Aside from his medical and political activities, Dr. Burnett was interested in real estate. He built houses on Main, School and High Streets.

He died at his home on School Street after a long period of failing vision and some apparently poorly understood disease.

A friend and former patient remembers the time when as a young man he was taking music lessons and his teacher "insisted that he take notes that were too high for him and he strained his neck so that it hurt him severely to turn his head from side to side." He went to see Dr. Burnett who, after looking at him a while, said, "I guess I can fix you up." A bottle of medicine for local application, with directions for use, was given. A rapid cure was effected as promised, but George remembers that it felt "like circus fire and lightning."

Another Old Settler thinks Doctor Burnett was a fine Doctor but he used the most potent medicine that was used by any Doctor in town. He tells of a patient who went abroad one night with a group of congenial spirits to a notorious tavern. This was before the era of the "night clubs", but barring the absence of the effects of the disastrous muxture of liquor and gasoline, the results obtained were not too much inferior to those which occur at the present time.

At a late hour, and for purposes which were not mentioned by the Old Settler, the driver proceeded upward toward the Church, from whose doors his path had long strayed afar. Either he was "under the influence" of brain fog or the darkness of the night concealed an embankment which caused the wagon to overturn. In due time, the injured member of the ill starred expedition was presented to Doctor Burnett who calmly viewed the wreck and said, "Well, Jim, you certainly got a good one this time but I guess I can fix you." In addition to attending to such physicial damage as needed to be repaired the Doctor gave a bottle of medicine with strict orders that it must be taken only as directed.

With the perversity of the human race which persists, in not infrequent cases, even to this day, the unfortunate young man reasoned that if a little was good more would be better, so he partook of the potent remedy, not wisely but too well.

The Old Settler avers stoutly that the medicine paralyzed the man's throat and, although he lived for years, the man never spoke clearly again.

These two cases seem to prove that the Doctors of years ago used powerful medicine and that it was necessary that they be used with discretion in order to avoid untoward results.


DR. HENRY S. SMITH
1836-1877

Born February 13, 1836. Died October 30, 1877.
Age 41 years, 8 months, 17 days.

Dr. Henry S. Smith was born in Woodstock on February 13, 1836. His parents were Henry E. and Clarissa (Pratt) Smith. It is probable that he received his early education in the public schools and later attended lectures in Boston and New York. For a time he studied at Harvard but was not graduated from that institution, his graduation having been from The Medical University of New York.

On May 4, 1856, he married Sally Davis of Dudley and in due time three children were born to them.

Clara M. born on March 22, 1858 at Woodstock, Conn.
Henry B. born on September 6, 1868 at Webster, Mass.
Fidelia born September 30, 1873 at Webster.

After his graduation, Dr. Smith began practise at East Woodstock and did a "flourishing" business. Dr. Joseph Spalding (Harvard '67) studied with him before entering Harvard.

About 1868 Dr. Smith moved to Webster where he remained until his death.

Subsequent to her husband's death, Mrs. Smith is said to have taken some courses in Boston and continued her husband's practise, especially the obstetrical part.

1848 New England Female College
1873 it became B.U. School of Medicine
1870 Cornerstone of present B.U. Bldg.
First students chiefly interested in obstetrics.
In 1851 First complete medical course for women was inaugurated.

Many women attended without graduating.
Again on the strength of rumors and gossip, we learn that after a time this widow Doctor became involved in some, probably obstetrical, irregularities and moved from Webster to parts unknown.

In the absence of reliable information and judging from the tales of old settlers, we suspect that the old Doctor was a somewhat picturesque character, who lived in the Walker house on School Street. An Old Settler in Quinebaug avers that he knew the Doctor well and that he was a good Doctor when not drunk. Before and for some years after he moved from Woodstock to Webster, to be exact, in 1864 and 1877, we find the name of Dr. Smith among the names of the members of the Woodstock Theft Detection Society. This Society was organized on May 20, 1793, with the idea of recovering property which had been stolen in town. The usual officers were regularly elected and in addiition six "Pursuers" who in case of theft were provided, without charge, horses upon which they were obliged to pursue the thieves at a moments notice.

Larned's History of Windham County, Vol. 2, P. 533 says: "The Thief Detection Society", (which must have been in operation for some time) "having eaten up its funds in oyster and turkey suppers, reorganized in 1824 upon a new basis. Incorporation was secured and the annual dinner was restricted to such members as chose to pay it out of their own pockets."

Bowen's History Vol. 8, P. 522 does not state whether unpaid Doctor's bills were sufficient evidence of dishonesty to classify them amond the legitimate field of activity of the "pursuers".

The Old Settler remembers that his brother's son tried to walk a beam in the barn, with his eyes shut. Naturally he fell and hurt his leg, which soon became red, swollen and painful. A new French Doctor who was consulted "nearly killed the boy by putting on wet, brown paper."

Other Doctors tried in vain to cure the inflammation and finally at the Massachusetts General Hospital the family were told that "nothing could be done for the boy." At last Doctor Smith was visited. He said, if they would call again in a few days when he was not so drunk, he would prescribe.

In due time, the patient was again presented to the Doctor who, after due examination, gave some "Blue salve" which, while it did not cure, did much good.

Nearly a year later the boy, who now was a helpless cripple, was sitting out back of the barn in the sunshine, picking at some bare, dead bone just below the knee in the depths of the large ulcer. To his great surprise, the bone moved and with one mighty pull "the whole leg bone, including the ankle bone came out and after a time the boy again became able to walk, run and dance as well as the other boys."

Of course this is the story of an unrecognized and inadequately treated osteomyelitis which sometimes runs its course and gets well, but Doctor Smith did not know about that.

One more incident, reported from memory of a former patient. One day a lady consulted the Doctor on account of a sore throat. The Doctor advised the application of Croton Oil, applied with a feather to the outside of the neck. Soon after retiring, the patient became greatly distressed by severe smarting in her eyes. So great was her discomfort that another Doctor was summoned. He at once asked what she had been doing, and upon being told that she had rubbed Croton Oil on her neck with her finger he said, "Gus Davis' horse just died from that treatment."

Item, Webster Times December 24, 1947:
Theft Detecting Society to Meet

The annual meeting of the Woodstock Theft Detecting Society will be held at the Baptist Church in South Woodstock Tuesday, Dec. 30. The business meeting is called for 11 o'clock and Bert Johnson, president, will be in charge. At 12 o'clock promptly, there will be a roll call of members. Dinner will be served at 12:30.

There will be entertainment in the afternoon. Vernon Wetherell is chairman of the Literary Committee. Sheriff Lionel Poirier will be the guest speaker.

The society which was organized in 1793, is the oldest of its kind in the country and has met continuously except during the last war years.

DR. FISHER AMES BOSWORTH
1817 -- 1891

Born January 3, 1817 -- Died, July 28, 1891
Age 74 years, 6 months, 25 days.
Cause of death. Liver Disease.

Dr. Fisher Ames Bosworth was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts on January 3, 1817. His parents were Stacy and Abigail Bosworth. After his early education in the public schools, he studied medicine with Reverend Doctor Calvin Newton, a Baptist Clergyman at Bellingham, who was also a physician of good repute. Dr. Newton later founded the Eclectic Medical College, at Worcester. This Medical College was conducted in a part of the buildings which are now The Worcester Academy, and was in existence only long enough to graduate a very few classes.

The catalogue of Colby College for the years 1820-1827 indicates that Dr. Bosworth studied for a time in that institution.

After three years of study with Dr. Newton, as required by Harvard Medical School as preparation for admission, he entered that Institution where he studied for a time.

Having finished his medical education, Dr. Bosworth practiced in Three Rivers and Grafton, Mass. In the latter part of the Civil War (1865) he served as Volunteer Surgeon in the Christian Commission.

At the close of the war, in 1865, he moved from Grafton to Webster and opened an office in a house standing near the present location of the Soldiers' Monument.

Dr. Bosworth was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in May 15, 1843, was Nancy Fay, of Grafton, Mass. She died in Webster on May 17, 1880. His second wife was Mr. Jenny Freeman of Campello. Her death occurred in Webster about 1907.

Dr. Bosworth seems to have been a somewhat picturesque personality in the town during the latter part of the last century. His latter years are well within the memory period of people now living but they recall but insignificant facts. It is remembered that he was "a fine old man and knew his business." He wore a long beard; scuffed his feet as he walked, and drove about in a two wheeled chaise. Some say, he was addicted to the use of opium.

A card in the Times of August 8, 1865 reads: "Dr. Bosworth gives special attention to surgical diseases." As late as January 24, 1890 the following note appeared in The Times "Yesterday Joseph______ was helping carry a carboy of vitriol at one of the mills, when he fell and was badly burned by the acid." The following day Dr. Bosworth took him about 75 miles to the State Hospital in Tewksbury. Dr. Bosworth's name is mentioned as one who was present at the autopsy of Lilly Hoyle, who had been murdered a few days before.

For over twenty years Dr. Bosworth was a prominent member of the Baptist Church and for a long time the Clerk of the Society. With Solomon Shumway and Ebenezer Ames, he was on the committee which built the present Church, which was completed in 1867, at a cost of $33,067.88. At the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of the new Church, in March 1888, Dr. Bosworth made a Historical Address with reminiscences concerning the building of the Church twenty years before.

Dr. Bosworth is said to have had a large practice and his reputation as a surgeon was deservingly high although he never reaped a proportionate reward for his services. He was esteemed a kind man, much of whose work was gratuitous.

For some time before his death, failing health prevented him from working, and when he died the Times noted, "the loss of one of the town's best and oldest citizens. His well known, somewhat eccentric manner wi