1
The Doctor at his desk20th Century, Circa 1991
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Sketch by Janet Elizabeth Rainbow
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
2
When Dr. John Hutchison first came to Upper Canada in 1818 and settled in the Port Hope/Cavan/Monaghan area it is not known exactly how many other doctors were also practicing in the region. Certainly there were very few trained medical men in 'the backwoods', as the area north of 'the front' was then called.Scant information on other doctors mentioned in Dr. Hutchison's records gives one the sense that he did have colleagues, at least from time to time, with whom he worked. Curiously the names of some noted doctors in Hutchison's Register of Births and/or Patient Ledgers do not show up in the history of early medicine in Upper Canada.
For example, we know from the Register of Births that on three occasions Hutchison attended a birth after Dr. P or Dr. Patterson (presumably the same person) had been with the patient first. The corresponding dates for this particular doctor range from 1831 to 1838 even though no mention is made of a Dr. Patterson in the history books.
The Register of Births is the longest record of the doctor's practice that has survived. It dates from January 1817 when the doctor first arrived in New York until the summer of 1846 in Peterborough.
Other doctors were definitely located in the area in later years. Some worked directly with Dr. Hutchison, while his relationship with others remains a mystery.
The following information on Peterborough and area doctors was taken from two sources. 'The Medical Profession in Upper Canada 1783-1850' by William Canniff (reprint edition) (The Hannah Institute, 1981) and 'The Past is Simply a Beginning: Peterborough Doctors 1825-1993' by John Walter Martyn.
3
A Doctor's Medical Chest19th Century, Circa 1840
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
4
1825: Francis Connin (Royal Navy - Surgeon) (born 1768)Dr. Connin arrived in Peterborough in August 1825 with the Peter Robinson Irish emigration. He stayed long enough to see his log house built on the west side of Water St. south of Simcoe St.
He returned to England for a short time, then decided to retire in Canada at half-pay. He lived alternately in Peterborough and at his property in Keene, Otonabee Township.
He was a Justice of the Peace, Surgeon to the 4th Northumberland Infantry and the first Postmaster for Otonabee Township.
He did not have a formal office practice, but he was available for consultations and advice both in Peterborough and at his residence near Keene.
He died on March 12, 1857 at the age of 90 years.
5
1825-1829: Dr. George Hume Reade (Royal Navy) (born 1793)Dr. Reade also arrived with the Peter Robinson settlers in 1825. He lived across the street from Dr. Connin's house on Water St. in a 20x18 ft. log cabin that also served as a temporary church and as Peter Robinson's administrative headquarters.
Frances Stewart noted: "Dr. Reade has come as the emigrants' doctor and his wife, the first lady who has settled here. The Doctor is liked among the poor Irish, he is a very humane, hospitable, friendly little man. The poor creatures suffered a good deal, and many died."
1829-1830: Dr. Dowsley
Dr. Dowsley replaced Dr. Reade and lived for several years in the log house on Water St.
6
Dr. Roddy mentioned in Dr Hutchison's Birth Registry1 June 1829
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterbrough, Ontario, Canada
7
c1829-1832: Dr. RoddyDr. Roddy followed Dr. Dowsley in his Peterborough practice. According to the history books he only stayed in Peterborough about one year; however, his name appears numerous times in Dr. Hutchison's records between 1829 and 1832.
He is said to have been the doctor to John Hall who owned a grist, saw and carding mill near the current Quaker Oats factory.
In 1832, he and Dr. Hutchison performed an autopsy as part of a coroner's inquest on a fellow by the name of James Moore. Curiously, Mr. Moore had accused a Dr. Scanlon of poisoning him and within a few days he died. Dr. Scanlon is not mentioned in any of the information on local doctors.
The inquest was held and the doctors concurred that Mr. Moore had died of a bleeding ulcer.
Apparently, Dr. Roddy did not apply to the Medical Board for a license and nothing else is known of him.
8
Dr. Roddy mentioned in Dr Hutchison's Patient Ledgers3 March 1830
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
9
Dr. P in Dr. Hutchison's Birth Registry26 July 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
10
Dr. P noted in the Birth Registry of Dr. Hutchison26 July 1831
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
11
On the Otonobee near Peterboro, by Anne Langton19th Century, Circa 1852
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:F1077-5-1-2-27, Archives of Ontario
12
Dr. Martin noted in Dr. Hutchison's Patient Ledgers28 November 1832
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
13
Dr. Hutchison's Case Study on the Inquest into the death of James Moore27 January 1832
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
14
Dr. Roddy mentioned in the inquest into the death of James Moore by Dr. Hutchison27 January 1832
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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