State

Some Colonial Physicians For llio most part their names have b<»t»ii almost forgotten, lint Mr. Lawrenee points out that they were men to whom North Car¬ olina should always feed greatly indebted. ON the walls of many hospitals and elsewhere, I have seen cop¬ ies of an etching which pays eloquent if silent tribute to the coun¬ try doctor, hut I have never seen any¬ thing in prose or rhyme which ade¬ quately portrays cither the enormous services these unsung heroes rendered their country, or their hold upon the hearts of their countrymen. Lawyers held a majority of all Colonial public offices, but the country doctors held primacy in the affect ions of the peo¬ ple. Nor did the legal profession fur¬ nish all our statesmen. Some of our most eminent statesmen came from the ranks of the doctor. There were physicians in Carolina almost as early us there were minis¬ ters. John King practiced in Chowan as early as 169-1; Godfrey Spruill ls*- gan the practice at Kdcuton as early as 1702. The famous traveler, .la net Schaw. record* her impreaaions in her well known “Journal **f a I«ady of Quality” in 1774, recording that in Wilmington there were "very good physicians," the leader Ix-ing Thomas Cobham. John Eustace, also of Wil¬ mington. was the owner of a library, which in 170!' contained 292 volumes, IIS of which were medical looks. Some More Notables l»r. Charles Harris, of Cabarrus, was a soldier in the devolution under General William R. Davie, practicing his profession at Salisbury, lie had n medical college and taught 9:? stu¬ dents. Dr. Robert Williams of Pitt was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. He was a member of the Hillsboro Convention which rejected the Fed¬ eral Constitution. He was many times in the Senate and Hou.c of Commons, ami as late as IS36 was a member of the Constitutional Convention. Upon the outbreak of the Revolu¬ tion, the Congress at Hillsboro in August, 1776, appointed officers for six Carolina regiments, naming the following as “Ohirurgeons," or sur¬ geons : 1. I>r. Isaac Guion was named sur¬ geon of the fir.-t regiment, commanded by Col. James Moore of Brunswick. 2. I>r. William Parton was named By R. C. LAWRENCE surgeon of tin- second regiment, com¬ manded by Col. Robert Howe. Howe was such a patriot that when the Brit¬ ish offered amnesty to nil who would return to their allegiance. Col. Howe ami Cornelius Harnett were excepted from its terms. 3. Dr. Robert Hall was named as surgeon of the third regiment com¬ manded by Col. Jethro Sumner. Sum¬ ner rose to lie a general and com¬ manded the Carolina troops at the battle of Kulnw Springs. I. Dr. Hugh Boyd was named as surgeon of the fourth regiment, com¬ manded by Col. Thomas Polk, father of the Mecklenburg Resolves. 5. Dr. Samuel Cooley was named ns surgeon of the fifth regiment, com¬ manded by Col. Kdward Buncombe. Col. Buncombe was wounded, cap¬ tured ami died in prison. •». Dr. William McClure was named as surgeon of the sixth regiment, com¬ manded by Colonel Alexander Lilling- ton. one of the commanders at the battle of Moore’s Creek. But the two most famous of all Colonial doctors were Ephraim Bre¬ vard and Hugh Williamson. Dr. Ephraim Brevard I>r. Ephraim Brevard lost one of his eyes as a lad. lie was Imrn in Lin¬ coln. educated at Princeton, settled at Charlotte. The battle of b>xiiigton having been fought. Col. Thomas Polk took an active part in calling a meet¬ ing of Mecklenburg citizens to see just what course to pursue. This meeting consisted of two persons from each Captain's bent. It was organized by the appointment of Abram Alexander a- chairman and John MeNitt Alex¬ ander and Dr. Brevard as secretaries. This meeting adopted the famous Mecklenburg Resolves of May 29, 1775. These resolutions were drawn up by Doctor Brevard, who, with two others, was named as a committee for that pur|>ose. On the following day. the resolutions were rend from the courthouse steps by Col. Thomas Polk to a large assemblage. The quo- lion was put: “Do you agree?" A thunder¬ ous “Aye" was the response. Most famous of all colonial doctors was Hugh Williamson of Chowan. He was a native of Pennsylvania and wa- educated at the University <>f that state. He studied theology and was licensed to preach, hut after two year* gave it up on account of had health. In 1760 he was named professor of mathematics in his alma mater. In 1764 he went to Edinburgh where he studied medicine. In Philadelphia he began the practice, hut was touring Europe when the Revolution catm* on. and he sought at once to return home. The vessel on which he sailed was captured by a British man-of-war, but he escaped in an open boat and made his way to laud, bringing with him important dispatches. In 1777 he engaged in ц mercantile speculation, purchasing a vessel and loading her with salable goods. T<* escajH* capture by the British, he with his vessel put in at Kdcntoii where he was induced to remain, ami when* lu* rendered such notable public service. Other Distinguished Service In 177!' Dr. Williamson was ap¬ pointed by Governor Caswell as Sur¬ geon-General of Carolina troops, and he was with the army at the disastrous battle of Camden. Here In* remained for two months in attendance upon the wounded, caring for them at his own expense. In INI 1 he published hi* "Observa¬ tions on Climate"; ami the following year brought out his History of North Carolina in two volumes. In 1814 he was associated with Governor DeWitt Clinton in founding the Literary and Philosophical Society of New York. Although not strictly n colonial phy¬ sician. Dr. Spruce McKay Osborne of Lincoln County graduated from the University in* IS06, entered the army ns a surgeon ami was killed in the massacre at Fort Minims. Physicians have always been in the forefront in the public service. If the Apostle Paul was a lawyer. Luke wa* the “beloved physician,” and be stood by lawyer Paul when all others for¬ sook him : “Only Luke is with me." 3