UK & Ireland Medical Directories 1845 - 1942,

Entries for Dorchester in Dorset

Transcribed by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester & Fordington - February 2019
(40 Entries) Last Updated June 2023

Nomenclature (& Medical Abbreviations for places where qualifications obtained)

B.M.A = British Medical Association

C.M.= Chirurgiæ Magister (Master of Surgery)

D.P.H. = Doctor of Public Health

D.P.M.= Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

F.R.C.S. [F.C.S.] = Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons

F.R.I.P.H. = Fellow Royal Institute of Public Health

L.M. = Licentiate of Midwifery

L.R.C.P. = Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians

L.R.C.S. = Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons

L.S.A. = Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries

M.A. = Master of Medicine

M.B. = Bachelor of Medicine

M.D. = Doctor of Medicine (Medical Doctor)

M.R.C.S. = Member of the Royal College of Surgeons

PhD = Doctor of Philosophy

P.M.O. = Principal Medical Officer

R.A.M.C. = Royal Army Medical Corps

T.C.D.= Trinity College Dublin



John Petty ALDRIDGE MD (1812-1884) was the son of George ALDRIDGE (1771-1835) by his wife Anne OLIVE (1776-1841) and he was born on 19th July 1812 at Christchurch in Hampshire. He was duly baptised at the Independent Church in Christchurch on 8th Dec 1812. As a young man he trained to be a doctor and aged 22 in 1834 he was accepted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) . On 9th July 1835 he married at Bradford Peverell to Emma Devenish (1808-1875) and brought his bride to Dorchester to live. According to Roberts Directory for 1839 under the heading for Surgeons, he was trading in a partnership as 'Aldridge & Style' based in High West Street. He is also shown as an Agent to the 'Protestant Dissenters Insurance Company'. The June 1841 Census shows John and Emma with no children still at High West Street. By the time Pigot's Directory for 1844 was published he is operating a General Practice there under his own name.

The 1851 Census shows that he is now a Fellow of the University of Aberdeen and has 3 children (as listed below) and a private residence at Shirley House in West Walks in Dorchester.
    (1) John Devenish Aldridge (1843-1914) b.1843 in Dorchester. In 1861 He was an apprentice to Joseph Wilson a Pharmaceutical Chemist and boarding with them in Canterbury High Street in Kent. Became a Tea Merchant, married an Annie Longdon Bainbridge in 2nd qtr 1870 and they lived in 1881 in Tottenham with her father. By 1901 they had become an Insurance Agent and they were living at Wavertree Villa, 20 Trinity Road, Wood Green in Middlesex where he died on 21st Sep 1914.

    (2) Reginald Aldridge (1845-1897) b. 1845 at Dorchester. In 1861 he was studying with his younger brother under a Doctor of Law, Richard Biggs, at Devises in Wiltshire. He qualified as a Solicitor and married on 12th July 1876 at Poole in Dorset to Jessie Louisa Wanhill. He died at Dursley Ringwood Road, Longfleet Poole on 7th Oct 1897.

    (3) Rev. George Augustus Aldridge (1847-1899) b. 1st qtr 1847 at Dorchester. In 1861 he was studying with his elder brother under a Doctor of Law, Richard Biggs, at Devises in Wiltshire. He became a Student of Theology at Kings College London and married Elizabethc1876 and raised a family in Lambeth. Joined the church ordained a deacon in 1882 by the Bishop of London, ordained a Priest in 1888 by the Bishop of Salisbury; and appointed Curate of St James Bethnal Green 1882-1883 when made Vicar of Morden in Dorset. Died there 22nd July 1899
After the birth of the 3 children shown above he undertook a period of study at Aberdeen University, becoming a Doctor of Medicine (M.D). there in 1849; Slater's Directory for 1852 shows his General practice is still back at High West Street as he is in a partnership with Dr.George Panton and they are trading there as 'Aldridge and Panton'. John has also become Registrar of Marriages while George Cull takes on Births and Deaths. Interestingly I have not located any baptisms for his children but given his previous agency for the Protestant Dissenters Co it's possible that they were baptised at the Protestant Dissenters Chapel in Pease Lane as I have only located their baptism registers up to the year 1836.

The London and Provincial Medical Directory (1865) shows that in 1854 he became a Fellow of the Royal Collage of Surgeons (Eng) (F.R.C.S.) and in 1859 awarded Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) (Guy's) and in 1860 Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians(L.R.C.P.) Edin. (exam.). By 1861 he has a Medical dispensing assistant, Isaac White, working with him and by 1865 Harrods Directory shows that he was also a Counsellor in Dorchester. The 1871 Census shows him resident at Shirley House on West Walks (near Borough Gardens) assisted by MR John Dallas Edge (1848 -1937 )

His 1st wife Emma nee Devenish died at Dorchester in 2nd qtr 1875. He remarried to a widow Selina COOPER (b.1823-) a native of Chaldon in Devon in 4th qtr 1876. He died at Shirley House on 22nd May 1884 leaving an estate of £4,299 and Selina moved to Tolpuddle to live with her son-in-law from her first marriage. By 1901 she had moved again to live at 20 Dorchester Road in Melcombe Regis .and by 1911 to Bournemouth in Hampshire. She died in Christchurch Hampshire in 1916.
    Sources:- Baptisms of Independent Church in Christchurch Hants 1812; Bradford Peverell Marriages 1834; Robert's Directory 1839; 1841 Census Dorchester High West St JA aged 30/34 with Emma ; Pigots Directory Dorchester 1844; 1851 Census West Walks HT Dorchester HO 107/1358 Dist 5a; Slater's Directory Dorchester 1852; The Medical Directory 1854 & 1875; The London and Provincial Medical Directory 1855, 1860 & 1865; Harrods Directory 1865;

Christopher ARDEN Senior MD (1751-1811), [Link to his Biographical Account within the Arden Family]

Christopher ARDEN Junior MD (1788-1861), [Link to his Biographical Account within the Arden Family]

Percy William Page BEDFORD MD (1885-1976)

We know he was born on 27th April 1885 from the 1939 Census when he was resident in Dorchester, and that this is likely to have been in India as his early academic career is recorded at Allahabad University in Utter Pradesh when he passed the Intermediate Examination in Arts in the year 1903. The Medical & Dental Students Register for 1907 shows that he must have come to Scotland to study Medicine as he passed the 'Preliminary Examination for Graduation in Medicine and Surgery in 1907 at Edinburgh University. The electoral Register for the City of Edinburgh for the year 1910/11 shows him to be a student resident at 14 Spottiswoode Street The Medical Directory for 1915 confirms that he was successful in being awarded his Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) and Bachelor of Surgery (ChB) degrees in 1911, and a Diploma in Psychology in 1913 at Edinburgh University. He was also author of "The Nascent Iodine Treatment of Lupus Nasi" in the British Medical Journal in 1913. He became a Member of Medical Psychiatrists Association and was the House Psychiatrist at the Salop Infirmary in Shrewsbury and Assistant Phys at the Royal Asyl in Edinburgh; He is also recorded as being the Assistant Medical Officer at the County Mental Hospital in Wakefield prior to 1915 and Assistant Medical Officer of the County Asylum Lancaster pre 1920. He was the author of "The Goldsol Test in Mental Disability" published in the Journal of Mental Science in 1922. Prior to 1925 he became the Medical Officer at West Riding Asylum in Wakefield.

According to the Medical Directory for the year 1930 Percy William Page BEDFORD was already working at the Dorset County Mental Hospital in Dorchester?. It later became known as the Herrison Hospital which was actually situated at Forston near Charminster. Link to article by Sue Paz published by the BBC on 24th Nov 2009 "History of Herrison Hospital". The Medical Directories for 1930 to 1942 inclusive all show him as a consultant at the Dorset County Mental Hospital and this is confirmed by the Census taken on 29th Sep 1939. His address is given as Herrison Superintendants House Area Code WLDV which is for Dorchester.The National probate Register States Percy William Page BEDFORD otherwise Percy William BEDFORD of 56 Buxton Road, Weymouth in Dorset died 18th Sep 1976 Probate Oxford 13th Dec 1976 £6619 Ref 76281126427
    Sources:- Medical Students Register 1907; Electoral Register 1910/11 City of Edinburgh; The Medical Directory 1915, 1920, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1942 ; 1939 Census Dorchester; GRO Deaths; National Probate Register;

John COLSTON L.S.A. (1806- 1860) [COLESTONE], of No.4 Salisbury Terrace Fordington Dorset - Surgeon and General Practitioner.

Born circa 1806 in Renfrewshire in Scotland he studied Medicine at the University of Glasgow and was awarded Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) (London). He married in the Parish of 'Creed with Grampound' in Cornwall in 1831 to Lydia Catherine Nance Pope (1802-?) a native of Truro and they had 3 children in Scotland (Phillipa Bonython Colston c1835; John c1838; James c1842) and a third in Yorkshire Elizabeth M c1846 before living in Fordington. In June 1841 he was resident in Princess Street Glasgow where he was recorded as a Physician and Surgeon. In the April 1851 Census he and his family are resident at 4 Salisbury Terrace in Fordington. According to the Medical Directory 1860 he died on 2nd Aug at Bishop Stortford Hertfordshire aged 52? "one of the many victims of the slavery to Poor Law Medical Service".
    Sources:- Pallotts Marriage Index 1831; 1841 Census Scotland; 1851 Census Fordington; Slater's Directory Dorchester 1852; GRO Deaths 3rd qtr 1859 Medical Directory Scotland 1860; The London and Provincial Medical Directory 1860;

Leslie Arthur COLLINS M D (1909 - 1986) , of County Offices Dorchester Dorset.

He was born on 18th June 1909 in the district of Hastings in Sussex and as a young man studied medicine at Cambridge University commencing study there 11th Oct 1928. He was registered as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) (Eng) and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (London) (L.R.C.P.) on 1st Feb 1934 and a Member of the British Medical Association (B.M.A). In 1935 he was the Resident Casualty Officer (and late House Surgeon) at Charing Cross Hospital in London but the Medical Directory for 1935 gives his address as 7 St Matthew Gardens St Leonards-on-Sea. Given that he is a bachelor this might simply be his home residence as he was born in Sussex. In 1937 he is recorded as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) & M.A., M. B., B.Chir.Cambridge and the 1939 Directory shows him to be the Doctor of Public Health at Charing Cross in London. I am not sure how up to date many of these directories are but hopefully his home and work address will become clearer as more records are released into the public domain.

About July/Aug 1939 he married in the district of Weston Super Mare in Somerset to Margarate H Burton (born 15th Jan 1919) and from the Srptember 1939 War Census we know they were living in Wareham at Denton House on the Dorchester Road. By 1940 he was working at the County Offices in Dorchester, in Dorset.

Directories for 1939 & 1943 both give his address as 33 Warrior Square St Leonards-on-Sea (East Sussex), but the Directory for 1947 refers to 5 Scarthg Road Barnes London SW13, and the UK Medical Register 1951 as 9 Belmont Close Uxbridge Middlesex; and UK Medical Directory 1959 of Swakeleys farm Ickenham Middlesex. He died in the 1st qtr 1986 at Lewes East Sussex aged 76.
    Sources:- UK Medical & Dental Students Register 1928; UK Medical Directories 1935, 1939, 1943, 1947, 1951, 1959; UK Medical Register 1951, 1955; 1939 Census; GRO Marriages 3rd qtr 1939 Ref 5c/1495; GRO deaths 1896 Ref 18/1499

Christopher COOPER MD (1773-1842) of High West Street, Dorchester Dorset - Surgeon & M.D.

Christopher COOPER was elected as a Capital Burgess of Dorchester on 5th Oct 1801 and made a Freeman on the 21st September the same year. On 6th April 1802 he entered into a marriage contract and 2 days later married by licence to Mary YEATMAN at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester, but they had no children. He was to be elected Mayor of Dorchester 5 times in 1805; 1811; 1821; 1830; and 1835. He was also elected Alderman of Dorchester on 1st Nov 1809 a position he held until he resigned in 1839. His name also appears on the 1813 list of Freeholders of Dorchester. They lived in a substantial property on the north side of High West Street in Dorchester which included stables, a coach house, carriages and gardens. Christopher left a Will dated 21st Jan 1841 to which he added a codicil 7th June the same year leaving a number of bequests to his wife's family & siblings. He died on 30th July 1842 aged 69 years and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 5th Aug 1842 and a white marble tablet was erected in the church in his memory. His widow Mary COOPER (1781-1853) also left a Will dated 7th July 1845. Mary was buried at HT Church on 9th Sep 1853 and her Will proved on 27th Sep 1853.
    Sources:- Parish Registers Holy Trinity Church Dorchester; Municipal Records of Dorchester; Pigots Directory 1830, Electoral Register Dorchester 1831; Census 1841 ;Holy Trinity Dorchester recorded as a physician with wife Mary ; Pigot's Directory 1844; Note Pre dates Medical Directories and Registers; PCC Wills;

William Burrough COSENS MD JP (1861 - 1941) of The Gables 9 Albert Street Dorchester

William Burrough Cosens was the son of The Rev. William Reyner Cosens (1830-1906) and Helen Seppings Frances Lock (1836-1890) and was born on 12th November 1861 at Notting Hill in London. In 1871 he is with his parents and siblings living in the Vicarage at Dudley in Worcestershire. As a young man he trained to be a Surgeon and in 1881 is still with his family at Dudley but now recorded as a medical student. He gained his M.R.C.S & L.R.C.P. qualifications in London in 1887 (London Hospital) and set up his medical practice initially at Church Square in Taunton where he was also Hon.Surgeon & House Surgeon at the Taunton & Somerset Hospital. He remained there until he married Edith Annie HINKS ( 1866- 1945) on 1st July 1891 at her parish church of All Saints in Leamington Priors in Warwaickshire. (Edith was born on 11th March 1866 at Leamington). In late 1895 William moved his practice to Dorchester living at 50 High West Street. Here they had a daughter in early 1896 who was named Barbara Cosens and she was baptised at nearby Christchurch in West Fordington on 12th Feb 1896. By the time of the 1901 Census they had moved to live at the Gables at No. 9 Albert Road but still in St Peters Parish. Their second child Joan Cosens was born here on 9th June 1904 and also baptised at Christchurch on 10th July 1904.

During the First World War (194-1918) William was a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps [R.A.M.C] and Kellys Street Directory for Dorchester for 1915 shows that he has also risen to become the Borough Magistrate for Dorset & Dorchester [J.P.] and was serving as Hon.Surgeon at the Dorset County Hospital in Princess Street.

Medical Directories also show that he was Hon. Cons. Surgeon Mental Hospital; Hon. Med Ref Hospital for Consumption Ventnor; Med. Ref. Ministry of Pensions; Admiralty Referee; Med Ref Workmans Compensation Act; F.R.I.P.H. ; Late Hon. Medical Officer i/c & Hon. Surgeon Dorchester Auxil. War Hospitals; Clinical Assistant Hospital for Children Great Ormund Street London; Senior House Surgeon London Temp. Hospital; Author "Method of reducing dislocations of Shoulder Joint" BM Journal 1918; "Reflex Phenomena produced by Commencing Abdominal Hernia", Pract 1918 "Pseudo Acute Abdomen caused by temporary increase of Arterial Tension"ib; "Observation of cause and treatment of Abdominal Hernia"; Ic 1920; Notes case of Idiopathic Tetanus Recovery" Lancet 1919; "Certain Renal Storms & their Interpretation, " Ib 1922.

By 29th September 1939 when the Census for WWII was taken he had retired and moved to live at Durlston Coattage in Worthing in Sussex with his wife and eldest daughter. He died there on 14th March 1941 leaving an estate of £622.
    Sources: Marriage Cert 1891 on Ancestry.com; Census Returns:1871; 1881; 1891; 1901; 1911; 1939; The Medical Directory 1910; 1915; 1920; 1925; Kellys Directory of Dorchester 1915 Borough Magistrate & Dorset County Hosp; Probate Calendar 1941

Charles COWDELL MD (1815- 1871)

Charles Cowdell was born at Hinchley Leicestershire circa 1815 and as a young man studied to become a surgeon. In 1837 in London he was enrolled as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] and in 1840 he was author of "A Disquisition on Pestilential Cholera, being an attempt to explain its Phenomena, Nature, Cause, Prevention, and Treatment by reference to an intrinsic Fungous Origin". He established a medical practice in New Street, Oundle, Northamptonshire some time prior to 1841, and married another parishioner Sarah Maria Smith (1813-1892) in Oundle on 27th Sep 1842; They had 5 children in Oundale (between 1844 and 1849). He was made a Bachelor of Medicine [M.B.] in 1846 by the University College.

He then moved circa 1850 with his family to live at 45 South Street in Dorchester where 4 more children were born as shown below. He was made a Physician to the Dorset County Hospital in 1850 which was in Back West Street in Dorchester and Doctor of Medicine [M.D.] in 1852. In 1853 he contributed to the publication in the Associated Medical Journal of "Cases of Sudden Death from Haemorrhage from ulceration of the Aorta". He also published papers in the British Medical Journal : in 1858 on the subject of a "Sore Throat" : In 1860 on

Charles died on 15th December 1871 at Dorchester leaving an estate of £1,000 to his widow Sarah Maria. He was buried at the civic cemetery on 20th. Sarah lived to be 79 and died at Melcombe Regis on 21st May 1892 but was buried at the civic cemetery in Dorchester on 24th May 1892.
    (1) Charles H Cowdell, born Oundle, Northamptonshire 1844
    (2) Maria G Cowdell, born Oundle, Northamptonshire 1845; aged 16 1861
    (3) Henry S Cowdell, born Oundle, Northamptonshire 1847; aged 15 1861
    (4) Arthur S Cowdell, born Oundle, Northamptonshire 1848; aged 13 1861
    (5) Alfred W Cowdell, born Oundle, Northamptonshire 1849; aged 12 1861
    (6) Edward John Cowdell (1849- 1880) ; Baptised St Peters Church Dorchester on 17th Sep 1849; He remained a bachelor and died at St George's Hospital Middlesex whilst resident at 29 Charles St Berkely Square London. He left an estate of £1,500 his will being proved in London on 4th March by his widowed mother.
    (7) Margaret Henrietta Cowdell (1850- ?) Baptised St Peters Church Dorchester on 4th Oct 1850; aged 20 living with her parents in Dorchester in 1871. She married a surgeon Henry Barton L Smith St George Hanover Square London 2nd qtr 1875.
    (8) Laura Paulina Cowdell (1854-1929) Baptised St Peters Church Dorchester 30th Jan 1854 ; she remained a spinster and was buried at the civic cemetery on 8th March 1929 aged 75
    (9) Ellen Mary Cowdell (1855-1863) Baptised at St Peters Church Dorchester on 6th July 1855 she died aged 8 and was buried at the civic cemetery in Dorchester on 28th Nov 1863

    Sources:- 1841 Census Oundle, 1851; 1861; 1871 Census returns Dorchester; Slater's Directory 1852;, Harrod's Directory 1865; GRO deaths 1871 5a/229; GRO Marriages 1875;The London & Provincial Medical Directory 1850; 1855; 1860; 1865; Parish Marriages Oundle image ancestry.com; ; UK Medical Directory 1870; National Probate Calendar 1871 & 1892; Burials Civic Cemetery Dorchester;

William CUMING MD (1714-1788) Link to his Biography
George CURME MD (1807- 1887) Mayor of Dorchester 1845; 1867; 1868.

George CURME was the son of a builder Thomas CURME(1753-1819) by his wife Jane nee Fouracres (1773-1838) and baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 15 Feb 1807. As a young man he studied medicine and was awarded a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries [L.S.A.] in 1828 and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] in 1829. He was initiated as a Freemason in Dorchester on 02 May 1834. By 1839 was living in South street (Robert's Directory) had set up his own practice and was already recorded as a member of the Common Council in Dorchester. Pigots Directory of Dorchester for the year 1844 shows him as a Surgeon trading in a partnership 'Wallis & Curme' in High East Street.

He married by license to Elizabeth Catherine HANWELL (1805-1870) at Lady St Mary's church in Wareham on 29th January 1840. Elizabeth was the daughter of Admiral of the White, Joseph HANWELL (1758-1839) by his wife Jane STRONG (1762-1846) and she was born on 24th July 1805 at Poole and Baptised there on 27th September 1805. The witnesses at her wedding were her father Joseph and her sister Frances (1802-1881) . They had a daughter Elizabeth CURME born in Jan 1841 at 9 Cornhill in Dorchester, who for some reason they had baptised at St Georges Church in Fordington on 8th April 1841.

Minutes of the Committee Meeting held at the Dorset County Hospital on 31st March 1841 show that George submitted his diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons together with, a testimonial from Mr H.G.Lyford the surgeon at Winchester County Hospital and a testimonial from the Revd J.M.Colson Rector of St Peters in Dorchester, to the committee for their consideration. He was formally appointed as Consultant surgeon to the Hospital on 8th April 1841. He was first elected as Mayor of Dorchester in 1845, but served two further terms in 1866 and 1867. By 1861 he still has his practice at 9 Cornhill in St Peters Parish but is also now recorded as an Alderman and Justice of the Peace for the Borough of Dorchester. The 1871 Census also adds that he is a 'Landowner'.

Elizabeth Catherine was buried in the Civic Cemetery in Dorchester on July 7th 1870. George Curme died aged 79 on 2nd Jan 1887 and was buried at the Civic Cemetery on 7th Jan 1887. He left a Will and a personal estate of £8,727.
    Sources:- Baptism Registers Holy Trinity Church Dorchester; The London & Provincial Medical Directory; Pigots Street Directory for Dorchester 1830; Roberts Directory 1839; Census Returns St Peters Dorchester 1841;1851;1861;1871; 1881; Dorset County Hospital Website; Slaters Directory 1852; Harrods Directory 1865; Post Office Directory 1875; Medical Directories 1870; 1875?; 1880?; 1885?. Probate Calendar 1887.

David Charles DAVIDSON MD (1850-1901) Colonel Indian Army

According to Indian Medical Service Records he was born on 25th Aug 1851 and from the 1861 Census his parents gave his birth place as Watten, Caithness, Scotland. He was the 8th child of Revd George Moir DAVIDSON (1804-1883) by his wife Isabell nee GRANT (1808-1895) . As a young man he studied medicine at Edinburgh University and the Royal College of Surgeons where in 1872 he was awarded the following qualifications :- L.R.C.P. (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians); L.M.(Licentiate of Midwifery) and L.R.C.S. (Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons) in 1872.

I have not located him in the 1871 Census but according to the Post Office Directory of Dorchester for 1875 he was a House Surgeon at the Dorset County Hospital and that was the year he published a paper in the Lancet :- 'Acute Mania during After-treatment of Amputation'. On the 1st Oct 1877 he is appointed a Surgeon in the Army Medical Service (Roll No.1039) and is presumably based at the Barracks in West Fordington. In the 1881 Census he is still unmarried and in lodgings at 43 St James Place in London where he gives his occupation as Surgeon to His Majesty's Bombay Army.

In the last quarter of 1881 he married Edith Frances Maynell [Meynell] Clarke(1858-1917) and they had 5 children in India . David died 2nd May 1901 at Sydenham Hill, Kent administration of his will being granted to his widow at London on 17th June.
    Sources:- Roll of the Indian Medical Service; The Medical Directory 1875, 1880, 1890, 1895, 1900; Directories - Post Office Dir Dorchester 1875; Census Returns 1861 Scotland, 1881 Ldn, GRO Marriages 1881;

Edward Joseph DAY MD (1852-1933)

He was born in the hamlet of East Woodyates within the parish of Pentridge Dorset the son of a trainer of race horses called William DAY by Ellen his wife and baptised in St Rumbolds Church there on 22nd February 1852. As a young man he studied medicine at St Thomas's and was awarded Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) in 1875. His appointments included - House Surgeon of Dorset County Hospital and to the London Temperence Hospital; Medical Officer of Health and Public Analyst for the Borough of Dorchester ; Medical Officer of Health for the Eastern Division of Dorchester Rural District; Medical Officer of Dorchester Dispensary; Medical Officer of Fordington District Dorchester Union Workhouse; and many others.

He married on 25th Feb 1879 in his brides parish of St Peters Chertsey in Surrey to Mary Ann WETTON (1857 -1928) a spinster, the daughter of a Gentleman, and brewer by trade, named Henry Wetton (1823-1900) of Abbey House in Chertsey. Mary Ann had been born in Chertsey on 18th Feb 1857 and baptised at St Peters Church on 12th April that year. Her mother was Amelia Honor Gapper nee Fowler (1829-1860). After marriage they settled to live at Fordington in Green Hill House where he ran his general practice and they raised two children:-
    (1) Dorothy Sybil Day (1881 - ?) bap FStG Church on 24 Jan 1881 and unmarried living with her parens aged 30 in 1911
    (2) Cyril Douglas Day (1885-1968) born on 12th Aug 1885 he was baptised at FStG Church on 07 Sep 1885.
By 1891 their address was Glenhurst, Weymouth Road, Fordington which is where they both died. Mary Ann Day on the 14th Dec 1928 leaving an estate of £2884, and Edward Joseph Day on 29th Jan 1933 leaving anestate of £5295 with probate granted to his son also a physician.
    Sources:- Post Office Directory 1875; St Georges Church Fordington Births & Banns Registers; St Peters Chertsey Surrey Marriages 1879; The Medical Directories 1880 to 1930; Census Returns 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911; Probate Calendar 1933

Major-General John Dallas EDGE C.B. (1848 -1937 ) of The Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.).

He was born on 9th March 1848 at Timahoe, Queens County, Ireland the son of Mr Joseph Alfred EDGE (1806-1882) by his wife Anne nee Lawrence (1813-1848) and educated at the Meath Hospital Dublin and awarded Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (L.R.C.S.I.) and Licentiate of Midwifery (L.M.) in 1870 and graduating M.D. of Queen's (later the Royal University of Ireland) in the same year.

Following qualification he came to Dorchester working as a Medical Assistant with the well respected general practitioner John Petty ALDRIDGE MD and is shown in the April 1871 Census as staying with him at Shirley House on West Walks. Nearby also at the West end of town are the Infantry and Royal Horse Artillery Barracks (Link to 1901 Map). On the 30th September 1871 he entered the Army as Assistant Surgeon and was soon sent to British Honduras and attached to the 1st West India Regiment. On 1st September 1872 the fortified barracks at the small town of Orange Walk where he was serving was surprised and rushed by a party of some 200 Ycaiche Indians. The only other British Officer present, Lieutenant Smith, was severely wounded so Edge successfully undertook its defence during which some 50 Indians were killed and almost half the defending party wounded. For his exploit Edge was specially promoted to Surgeon on 20th Aug 1873.

This was only the first of a long series of war services . He took part in the Zulu War of 1879 when he was present at the 'Battle of Gingiulovo' (2nd April 1879) and the following day 'The relief of Eshowe'. Immediately afterwards promoted to Surgeon Major he was transferred to India where he served in the Second Afghan War taking part in the 'Battle of Maiwand' (27th July 1880) and the 'Defence of Kandahar' (August 1880) for which he received the thanks of the Government of India. In 1882 he then accompanied the Indian contingent to Egypt where he served at the 'Battle of Tel-el-Kehir' (September 1882) and the forced march to and occupation of Zagazig. This battle means much to me as my own maternal great grandfather was present.

John Dallas Edge is referred to in the London Gazettes published on 5th May 1896 as being appointed 'Brigade Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel'. He went on to serve in the Burmese War of 1887 . On the outbreak of the South African War he went with General Redvers Buller's Army to Natal (Oct 1899) but was soon after appointed Principal Medical Officer (P.M.O.) of the Third Division under General William Forbes Gatacre and was present in the action at the 'Battle of Stormberg' (Dec 1899). Subsequently he served as PMO of lines of communication and of Johannesburg district, took part in operations in the Orange Free State, Cape Colony and the Transvaal. He was mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette on 17th June 1902 and made a Companion of the Order of Bath (C.B.) in the Edinburgh Gazette published 27th June 1902. After the War he remained in South Africa as PMO first of Cape Colony and then the South African Command. In February 1905 he returned home and served as PMO to the Irish Command until his retirement. He rejoined to serve in WWI. From May 1915 to June 1917 he was in charge of the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital at Millbank.

On 6th Aug 1890 at Kilbride & Ennerielly, County Wicklow, Ireland he married Jane RUSKELL (1859-1944) the daughter of Mr John RUSKELL of Ballyrickard County Wicklow in Ireland and they had 4 children. He died at 29 Raglan Road West Pembroke Dublin on 30th April 1937.
    Sources:- The Medical Directory 1875-1935; Army Lists; National Archives: WO/100/73; Census 1871 Dorchester Dorset Holy Trinity; Obituary The British Medical Journal pages 1099/1100 22 May 1937; Family Trees on Ancestry.com; London Gazettes: 8th Mar 1872 page 1360 Appointment 30 Sep 1871; 20th Oct 1891 Page 5464 appointed Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel; 05 May 1896 Page 2647 appointed 8th Jan 1896 as Brigade Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel; 14 Jan 1918 page 828 appointed Surgeon General

John EDWARDS LSA (1800 - 1853)

He was born on 27th July 1800 in High West Street Dorchester the 1st child from the marriage of John Bowditch EDWARDS (1776-1819) to Hannah HOUNSELL which took place at Bridport on 8th Oct 1799. He was baptised in the Presbyterian Chapel in Pease Lane by his grandfather Rev.Abel EDWARDS (1747-1826). As a young man he studied medicine under his father (also recorded in 1807 as a Surgeon and Apothecary) and was awarded a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) at London in 1821. Information is scarce about his Medical Career (Directories for London only commence from 1847) but he appears to have operated a general practice in Dorchester as he is listed as a surgeon in nearly all Street Directories from 1830-1852 operating from North Square or 30 High West Street.

From the 1841 Census we know that he was living in North Square St Peters Parish in Dorchester and married to an Ann, who was also born in Dorset and aged beteen 35 and 39. I cannot however locate a marriage. Also with them is an Eliza Edwards aged 20 to 24 who is likely to be their daughter and another Eliza Edwards aged 3. By the 1851 Census John has moved to 30 High West St and is now a widower living on his own. I have not been able to locate a burial for Ann. They did however have children who were baptised in the Presbyterian Chapel in Pease Lane but they are not with John in 1851? :-
    (1) John Edwards (1828 - ) Born in Dorchester on 22nd Feb 1828 bap Pres.Chapel 20th Mar 1828.

    (2) Henry Edwards (1829 - ) Born 12th Nov 1829 and bap Pres.Chapel 7th Dec 1829.

    (3) Charles William Edwards (1831 - ) Born 19th July 1831 and bap Pres. Chapel 13th Sep 1831.

    (4) Helen Edwards (1832 - ) Born 29th Dec 1832 and bap Pres. Chapel 7th Feb 1833
John Edwards burial is recorded at St Peters Church on 19th Sep 1853 when his age is given as being 54.
    Sources:- Street Directories:Pigots Directory 1830, Robert's Directory 1839, Pigot's Directory 1844, Slater's Directory 1852. Census Returns: 1841 Dorchester St Peters; 1851 Dorchester Holy Trinity; The London and Provincial Medical Directory 1850; Baptism Register Presbyterian Chapel Dorchester; St Peters Burial Reg 1853; Will of Abel Edwards his grandfather.

Alfred EMSON Senior MD (1817- 1887) was the son of a yeoman Samuel EMSON by his wife Hannah Bental BAKER and baptised at Shalford in Essex on 12th Oct 1817. He had a younger brother William Nicholls EMSON (1832-1906) who later assisted him in his practice. As a young man he studied medicine in London and in 1847 he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) and Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.). He immediately started a general practice at 41 South Street in St Peters Parish in Dorchester . He also married there by licence to Elizabeth WOOD (1810- ) , but in her parish church of Holy Trinity on 24th June 1847. His bride Elizabeth was born on 15th Oct 1810 but privately baptised at Cann St Rumbold in Wiltshire on 1st Feb 1814 by her father who was then the Rector there. The marriage ceremony between Alfred and Elizabeth was actually conducted by her father the Rev George WOOD MA (1773-1847) who had been Rector at Holy Trinity since 1825. Unfortunately her father died 2 months after the wedding and her mother Betty WOOD (1774-1855) nee Coombs a native of Cerne Abbas moved in with them in South Street until her death aged 82, being buried at St Peters on 12th Dec 1855.

By 1871 Alfred had been joined for a time by his brother William Nicholls EMSON (1832-1906) -see below. The Post Office Directory for 1875 shows that Alfred was surgeon to the Union Workhouse in Dorchester and consultant surgeon to the Dorset County Hospital. Elizabeth died at Dorchester in 3rd qtr 1884 aged 73. Alfred remarried to a Mary Jane aged 47 a native of Marlborough in Wiltshire. (possibly Mary Jane Brooke in Fareham Hants in 3rd qtr 1885). Alfred died on 5th Oct 1887 at Dorchester leaving an estate of £7,755 and Mary Jane continued to live at 41 South Street. She died in Dorchester on 29 Apr 1921. Alfred and his 1st wife Elizabeth's children :-
    (1) Elizabeth Mary Emson bap St Peters Church Dorchester 28th Oct 1848. [Note:- birth certificate of Elizabeth Mary Emson (later Weld), born in South Street, Dorchester, 9th October 1848 held at DHC Ref D/COO:D/T/9]

    (2) Catherine Emson bap St Peters Church Dorchester 14th Dec 1849; unmarried with parents 1871; married 24 Oct 1876 to George James ANDREWS (1849-1894)

    (3) Alfred Emson Junior MD (1851- 1908) bap St Peters Dorchester 30 Dec 1851 As a young man he studied medicine and on 10th Feb 1879 he was registered as a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (L.R.C.P.) & Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons (L.R.C.S.) (both at Edinburgh) and Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) (at London). He like his father practiced in Dorchester initially at No 47 (1891) and by 1901 at 39 & 40 High West Street where he was living with his wife Mary and 3 children in 1901. (1) Elizabeth Mary Emson bap St Peters Dorchester 16 Jan 1889 (2) Nancy Emson bap St Peters 16 Nov 1890 (3) Catherine Emson b1894. Alfred recorded as a surgeon died after having retired to 147 Dorchester Road, Weymouth on 20th Oct 1908 probate being granted to his widow Mary - estate £5,083.

    (4) Charles George Emson bap St Peters Church Dorchester 14 Mar 1853

    Sources:- Baptisms Shalford in Essex 1817 & 1832; 1851 Census South St Dorchester; Slater's Directory of Dorchester 1852; 1861 Census South St; UK Medical Register 1863 & 1899; Harrods Street Directory Dorchester 1865; 1871 & 1881 Census South St; Post Office Street Directory Dorchester 1875; GRO Deaths Eliz 1884; National Probate Calandar
    ;

William Nicholls EMSON MD (1832- 1906) younger brother of Alfred EMSON (1817-1887) Born at Shalford in Essex on 18th Jul 1832 he was baptised in the Congregational or Independent Church at Wethersfield in Essex on 27 Jun 1837. Living with his parents aged 8 in 1841 he grew up in Shalford and by the age of 18 in 1851 had been apprenticed at nearby Bocking in Essex to a widow Ann Suckling, a plumber and house painter by trade. I am not entirely sure but it seems likely that he went to London and by 1861 he was working in West Ham as a House Decorator. Soon after this he must have studied medicine and by 1871 he was in Dorchester helping his brother with his general practice. He married on 31 Aug 1874 at Dunston West in London to Ann DODD the daughter of Henry Dodd a stone mason by trade. On his marriage certificate he refers to himself as a chemist and living and at 165 Fleet Street in London.

Ann presumably died as he married 2ndly to Hannah Maria ROBERTS (b.1847) on 23rd Sep 1879 at St Peters Church Walworth when he was living at 7 Newington Buts, Walworth.They had a son also named William Nicholls Emson born circa 1877 in St James Parish Westminster in London. By April 1881 he was back in Dorchester living at 10 High West Street with his 2nd wife. He refers to himself as a Licentiate of Apothecaries Hall & (Chemist of the Pharmaceutical Society) although I have no independant confirmation of these qualifications. They had another son Robert Emson baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 31st Aug 1881.

By 1891 William had moved his family back to London living at 102 Lothean Road in Lambeth

William died at the age of 73 in April 1906 at 102 Lothian Road Brixton and was buried at Norwood Cemetery in Lambeth on 6th April 1906.
    Sources:- Baptisms Shalford in Essex 1832; Census 1841 aged 8 Shalford Essex; 1851 Census Bocking Essex, aged 18 apprentice; 1861 Census may be the William M Emson in West Ham aged 28 a House Decorator born in Essex but in Stratford?; 1871 Census Dorchester St Peters aged 38 unmarried. 1874 CLDS Film 396201; Norwood cemetery Lambeth Burial Register 1906;

Frederick ENSOR M.R.C.S. L.S.A. (1833-1905) was baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 26 Jan 1833 the forth of 13 children of John ENSOR (1800-1870) to Frances Elizabeth BESANT at Honiton-on-Otter, Devon on 05 Dec 1825. Became a surgeon becoming a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons and Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries in 1856. He was recorded in The Medical Directory for the years 1875 and 1876 as being of Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope. He was buried at the Civic Cemetery in Dorchester on 20th Dec 1905 aged 73.
    Sources:- Parish Registers for St Peters Church Dorchester; The Medical Directory years 1875;1880.

Frederick Bazley FISHER MD (1854-1940) was born in the parish of St Paul's at Tiverton in Devon on 4th July 1854 the son of a Gentleman Stephen FISHER (1822-1882) by his wife Sarah Anne WHITE (1825-1910). He was initially educated at Blundell's School in Tiverton (1864-1868). The 1871 Census shows him aged 16 recorded as a student still living with his parents in Elm Cottage in Tiverton, whilst his elder brother Ambrose was an undergraduate at Balliol College Oxford and his brother Stephen already a medical student. He clearly studied Medicine in London and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] in 1877 (London Hospital House Physician) and a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians [L.R.C.P.] in 1879. He then settled in Dorchester at 'No. 7 West Walks' to practice medicine. He married Cecilia Metcalf TABER (1858- 1940) at her parish church of Christchurch Streatham Surrey on 2nd Dec 1880 after Banns of marriage had been read out at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on Oct 31st, 7th and 14th November 1880; and brought her to Dorchester to raise a family. The 1881 Census shows that he had the help of two female cousins and 2 servants. They had 7 children as confirmed by the 1911 Census:-
    (1) Leonard Tabor Fisher (1881-1900) Baptised at Holy Trinity Church Dorchester 14th Jan 1882; died aged 18 3rd qtr 1900
    (2) Lorna Stephanie Fisher (1883 - 1973) Baptised Holy Trinity Church Dorchester 5th April 1883; single 1911 Tiverton; She married to Michael C Heenan at Tiverton 2nd qtr 1912 and was a widow by 1940, when she took on administration of her parents estates. She died on 3rd April 1973 at Port Bredy Hospital in Bridport Dorset leaving an estate of 32,864.
    (3) Cecilia Marjorie Fisher (1884-1976) Born on 22nd May 1884 she was Bap HT 17th June 1884; She remained a spinster and died aged 92 in the district of Weymouth during 4th qtr 1976
    (4) Helen Evangeline Fisher (1886 -1955) A twin born on 25th June 1886 she was baptised at Christchurch in West Fordington 1st Aug 1886; She became a registered Masseuse but remained a spinster and died aged 69 in the district of Weymouth 4th qtr 1955
    (5) Phillis Caroline Fisher (1886 - 1958) A twin born on 25th June 1886 she was baptised at Christchurch in West Fordington 1st Aug 1886; single 1911 Tiverton; She married in Tiverton to Rev. Arthur Vernon Deane (1886-1963) and in 1939 they are living at Cattistock Rectory. She died 27th Feb 1958 at the Dorset County Hospital.
    (6) Freda Mary Fisher (1891-1898) bap Holy Trinity Church Dorchester 13th Dec 1891; She died 2nd qtr 1898 in Dorchester (GRO 5a/191)
    (7) Frederick Tabor Fisher (1900 - 1965) Baptised at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 26th Aug 1900 ; He was living at 31 Edward Road in Dorchester on 21st June 1965 when he died at Weymouth and district Hospital
By 1889 Kellys Directory of that year shows him to also be a borough vaccinator and medical officer as well as a Borough Magistrate, a position he still held in 1895 by which time he was also a consultant surgeon at the Dorset County Hospital. He still had his practice at 7 West Walks in 1901 but by 1911 had retired and moved his family temporarily to Tiverton In Devon. Kelly's directory for 1915 curiously shows him still to be an active magistrate in the borough despite giving his address as Elm Cottage Tiverton. By 1935 they had returned to live in Dorchester settling at the 'Lime Tree' in Prince's Street Dorchester where he died on 13th March 1940. I suspect his widow Cecilia was not well as she also died on 25th April 1940, and their daughter Lorna was granted administration of both estates, her fathers on 16th May at Blandford, and her mothers at London on 17th June.
    Sources:- Census Returns Dorchester 1881, 1891, 1901; 1911; 1939; Parish Registers for Holy Trinity and Christchurch in Dorchester; Kellys Directory 1889; 1895;1915, UK Physiotherapy and Masseuse Registered 1920-1938; The Medical Directory 1935, 1940

GEORGE, George Aldridge (1845- ) of 29 High West Street Dorchester - Surgeon L.R.C.P. London Medical Officer for Workhouse (1889) - Sources:- 1881 Census HT Dist 3a Aged 36 born Romsey Hants, General Practitioner MRCS etc married to Julia Smith Aldridge with baby not named 1 month ; Baptisms HT Dorchester 1881 Arthur Howard son of George Aldridge & Julia Smith GEORGE from Dorchester, a surgeon, Rev H Everett Rector; Kellys Directory 1889, 1891 Census resident 29 High West General Medical Practitioner and Justice of the Peace now a widower with 3 children Arthur H age 10; Julia FB age 6 and Aimbe MA dau age under 2 months. St Kellys Directory 1915

GOOD, John of 48 High West Street & Alexander Terrace Dorchester (1889) - Surgeon to County Gaol and House of Correction (1865) and Dorset County Hospital (1875) Source , Harrod's Directory 1865, Post Office Directory 1875, Kellys Directory 1889,
    John GOOD (1817-1892) Esq was the son of William GOOD a Gentleman by his wife Mary Holloway and was baptised at Lymington in Hampshire on 15th June 1817. As a young man he studied in London to become a Surgeon and was made a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries [ L.S.C.] and member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] in 1840. By the age of 24 in June 1841 he was already resident as a surgeon in Dorchester living in West Back Street but by 1851 he had moved to Sturminster Newton where he was a General Practitioner.

    On 1st July 1851 he married in his brides Parish of St Matthews in Brixton London to Esther PAIN (1831- XX) a native of Horncastle in Lincolnshire and the daughter of John Pain a Gentleman. After marriage they lived in his parish of Sturminster Newton where their first child Esther Mary Good was born in 1852, followed by a son D'Oyly John Good in 1854. By 1855 when their next child Frank Walton Good was born he had already moved his General Practice back to Dorchester. Three more children were added to the family prior to the April 1861 Census when they were living at 48 High West street and were doing well as they had 2 medical students as boarders & 3 servants in the house to look after their 5 children. The Harrods Directory for Dorchester for 1865 shows that John Good Senior was also Surgeon to the County Gaol and House of Correction. By 2nd April 1871 when the next Census was taken their son William Ernest Good was also qualified as a surgeon to assist his father in the General Practice. By 1891 he had retired handing over the Practice to his son and moved to live at 4 Alexander Terrace in the parish of Holy Trinity in Dorchester where he died aged 74 in 1892. Children from this marriage were:-

      (1) Esther Mary Good (1852-1929) baptised at Sturminster Newton 8th Oct 1852, she remained a spinster helping her mother and father run the practice and moving with them to Alexander Terrace by 1891. She and her sister Juliana were still with their mother in 1901. In 1911 she was visiting a friend in Merriott Somerset. She died at Dorchester at the age of 76 in the 1st qtr of 1929.
      (2) D'Oyly John Good (1854-1879) baptised at Sturminster Newton 18th Apr 1854, As a young man he trained as a medical student and was in lodgings at 31 High West Street Dorchester aged 17 in the 1871 Census. He helped his father run the General Practice (described as a Surgeon's Assistant) when he died at the young age of 25 and was buried at the Civic Cemetery in Dorchester on 10th March 1879..
      (3) Frank Walton Good (1855-1919) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 30 May 1855. He became an Insurance agent and was living aged 26 unmarried in Lambeth London in 1881. Said to have emigrated working as a chemist and marrying Rebecca Ruby Hancock in Wellington New Zealand in 1886 and resident at Featherston Hawkes Bay Wellington in 1890. May have died 23 Oct 1919 Box Hill Victoria Australia
      (4) William Ernest Good (1856-1938) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 29th Oct 1856. Studied to be a Surgeon and was made a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries [L.S.C.] ; Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians [L.R.C.P.] Edinburgh and member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] 31 Jan 1878. He married Mary Gray SMITH at Bradford Peverell in Dorset on 25th July 1883. He died at 19 Cornwall Road, Dorchester on 9th Nov 1938 leaving an estate of £14,655
      (5) Juliana Maria Good (1858-1942) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 27 Jun 1858
      (6) Harry Thomas Good (1859-?) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 06 Nov 1859
      (7) Edith Maud Good (1861-1950) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 03 Jul 1861
      (8) Ethel Frances Good (1863-1927) thought to have been baptised at Christchurch West Fordington on 31 May 1863
      (9) Charles Edward Good (1865-1884) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 10 July 1865
      (10) Janet Bertha Good (1867-1877) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 12 Sep 1867 and died aged 10 years being buried at the Civic Cemetery on 12th Sep 1877
      (11) Jessie Genevieve Good (1869-1945) baptised Christchurch West Fordington on 14 Jan 1870

GOOD, William Ernest of 48 High West Street Dorchester - Surgeon L.R.C.P Edinburgh, Certifying Factory Surgeon & Public Officer , Medical Officer to H.M.Prison - 1891 Census; Source Kellys Directory 1889 .The Medical Directory 1899
    William Ernest GOOD (1856-1938) was baptised at Christchurch in West Fordington on 29th Oct 1856. the 4th child of John GOOD (1817-1892) shown above. Brought up in High West Street Dorchester like his father before him as a young man he studied to be a surgeon but attending the world renowned medical school at the University of Edinburgh. In the 1871 Census, aged 17 recorded as a medical student he was home from Edinburgh and in lodgings at 31 High West Street Dorchester. He was made a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries [L.S.C.] ; Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians [L.R.C.P.] Edinburgh and member of the Royal College of Surgeons [M.R.C.S.] on 31 Jan 1878. He then returned to Dorchester to assist his father as a general practitioner and married Mary Gray SMITH (b.1855) at Bradford Peverell in Dorset on 25th July 1883. The 1885 Medical Directory usefully confirms that by then he was Medical Officer for H.M.Prison; a Surgeon at the Dorset County Hospital; Surgeon in Chief of the Dorset County Constabulary; Surgeon of the Borough Police; Certified Factory Surgeon; and public vaccinator Charminster District and the Dorchester Union workhouse. By 1891 his father had retired and he had taken over the medical practice in High West Street. They had three children born in Dorchester:- John Ernest Good born circa 1887 (who had died by 1911), Anna Gray Good born c1889 and Richard D'Oily Good born c1896. William died at 19 Cornwall Road, Dorchester on 9th Nov 1938 leaving an estate of £14,655

    Sources:- Baptisms Christchurch West Fordington 1856 ; Census Returns HT 1861: 1871; 1881; Medical Directories 1880-1935; Kellys Directory 1889;
HAY, W.A.E. of Princess Street Dorchester - Surgeon to the Dorset Regiment 1st Volunteer Battalion HQ - Source Kellys Directory 1889

JACKSON, Francis of High West street Dorchester Dorset - Physician - Source Robert's Directory 1839, Pigot's Directory 1844

KENN, John - Surgeon to Dorchester Gaol until his death. John KENN was the 4th child of Anthony & Ann KENN and baptised at St Peters Church in Dorchester on 24th Nov 1724. Buried at St Peters 26 Sep 1784. Source:- Quarter Sessions Records Bridport 6th Oct 1789

KENDALL, Walter Benger of 5 South Terrace Dorchester Dorset - Surgeon L.R.C.P Edinburgh, & Public Vaccinator


KERR, Elias William of 5 South Terrace South Street Dorchester 1891 Census Widower aged 41 Physician M.D. Kinlough, Bundoran County Leitrim - A.B. T.C.D., M.B. and M.Ch. 1872; L.M.K.Q.C.P. Ireland 1872; (T.C.Dublin, Sir P. Dun's Richm &c Hospitals) Member British & Irish Medical Associations; Sanitary and Medical Officer Kinlough Disp District; Med Att Kinlough, Tullaghan, and Glenade R.I. Constab; late Med Officer Crossroads Disp Dist Contributed "Extravasation of Urin following an attack of fever". Source The Medical Directory 1880; 1891 Census St Peters;
    Elias William KERR (1850-1920) - He was the son of Revd. William Pattison KERR (1824-1894) by his 2nd wife Julia Kate nee READ (1854-1940) who had married at Sydling St Nicholas in Dorset on 29th May 1888. He was born on the northside of Dublin in the suburb of Grangegorman c1850. As a young man studied medicine at Trinity College in Dublin and according to the Medical Directory for 1875 awarded his Bachelor Medicine and Master of Surgery degrees in 1872. His name appears in Thoms Official Directory for 1874 for Dublin and in 1875 - 1882 for Kinlough. He had papers published in the Lancet and British Medical Journals

    In 1875 he married Fanny BRADY (1851-1886) in the small town and fishing port of Dunfanaghy in County Donegal in Ulster and they settled in Kinlough in County Leitrim where he had a practice and was the sanitary and medical officer of Kinlough Disp District and Medical attendant for the districts of Kinlough, Tullaghan, and Glenade. By 1885 he had come to Dorset being appointed the Medical Officer for the 4th district; Cerne Union workhouse and the public vaccinator there. Their 7th child was baptised at Cerne Abbas in 1885 but at the age of 34 Fanny died there being buried at St Marys church on 16th Oct 1886.

    By 1891 he had moved his family to Dorchester living at No. 5 South Terrace employing a houskeeper and general servant. he died on 8th June 1920. Children from the marriage:-

      (1) Ethel Kerr (1875-1928) born 31 Dec 1875 Kinlough
      (2) Arthur Francis George Kerr (1877-1942) born 7th baptised 27 Feb 1877 Kinlough. Followed his father training at Trinity College Dublin and being awarded a Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1901. In the 1901 Census at St peters Dorchester recorded as a physician assisting his father in his practice. Awarded Doctor of Medicine 1908 and became Govt Medical Officer. In 1910 the Medical Directory gives his address as Chiengmai Siam.
      (3) William Ashe Kerr (1879-1936) born 1st Mar 1879 Kinlough
      (4) Walter Joule Kerr (1880-1956) born 1st Dec 1880 Kinlough
      (5) Harry Roe Kerr (1882-1917) born 1882 Ballyshannon
      (6) Mark Elias Schomberg Kerr (1883-1950) Ballyshannon
      (7) Revd. Frederick Hugh Woodhams Kerr 1885-1958) born 10th August and bap Cerne Abbas Dorset 12th Dec 1885

      Sources:- The Medical Directories 1875; 1880; 1885; 1890; 1895; 1900; 1905; 1910; 1915; 1920; Marriage 1875 CLDS Film 101252 Vol 2 Page 65; District of Dunfanaghy. Thom's Official Directory of the UK and Ireland 1874 and 1875, image 507 ancestry.com. Births CLDS Films 255945;255970;256021;256065;101058;101060; 1885 Cern Abbas Dorset Baptisms; Census Returns Dorchester 1891;

LUSH, William J - M.D. Physician to Dorset County Hospital, Post Office Directory 1875, Kellys Directory 1915

William Henry Christopher MACARTNEY (1860- ) - According to the 1881 Census he was born circa 1860 in Dublin Ireland and studied Medicine there being registered Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons (L.R.C.S) (Ireland) in 1879 and Licentiate of King & Queens College of Physicians (Ireland) & Licentiate of Midwifery in 1880. After qualification he became a member of the British Medical Association and the 1881 Census shows that he was employed at the Dorset County Hospital in Princess Street Dorchester, as 'House Surgeon' at which date he was still unmarried.

By 1890 he had moved on to become the Medical Officer of Deptford & New Cross Provincial Disp and Metropolitan Commerce Travelers Medical Association, and the Medical Directory gives his residence as being at 255 New Cross Road in SE London. He was also contributing reports of cases to the British Medical Journal. On 25th Feb 1891 he married Mabel Lucy PARKE at Woodbury in Devon. She was the youngest daughter of Captain F Parke R.N. of Heatherdene Woodbury. The April 1891 Census gives his residence as Jenningham Road St Paul Deptford where he is living with Mabel Lucy. Strangely he now gives his place of birth as Salford Lancaster? but Dublin again in 1911 - and his wife's place of birth as Kings Lynn Norfolk.The 1895 edition of the Medical Directory however does not say where he is employed but resident at The Grange, Oak Lane, East Finchley London and we know from the Electoral Registers that he was there in 1891. There is no change to the entry in the 1900 edition and only his address has changed to Riverhead House in Sevenoaks Kent in 1905. It took me some time to find the 1911 Census where it is clear that Riverhead is a Private Asylum for female lunatics and he was the Medical Officer there with his wife living in. They had no children. No changes to 1910 or 1915 editions of the Medical Directories. He died at Riverhead on 9th June 1916 with probate of his estate being granted to his widow Mabel Lucy Macartney on 11th July. Mabel Lucy died at 4 Worships Hill Riverhead Sevenoaks in Kent on 27th Apr 1958.
    Sources 1881 Census Dorchester HT; Medical Directories 1885, 1890, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1915; Electoral Registers Hornsey London ; The Belfast News Tuesday March 3rd 1891. GRO Marriages 1891 1st qtr St Thomas Devon 5b/116 1891 Census St Paul Deptford. Medical Registers 1899 &1907, 1911 Census Riverhead Kent. National Probate Calendar

NOOTH, James - Surgeon to Dorchester Gaol from the death of Mr John KENN in 1784 until the appointment of Christopher ARDEN 6th Oct 1789. Source:- Quarter Sessions Records - (See all QS 16th Sep 1786 Image 209 on orchester People file) Bridport 6th Oct 1789

Edward NORTON - Became Freemason Grand Lodge Dorchester 7th Nov 1877 to 1882 : The Medical Directory 1880 - living 5 South Terrace Dorchester MD; Aberdeen 1874; LRCP London 1867; MRCS Eng 1864 (Middlesex) ; Member BMA; Med Officer of Dorset Friendly Society of Foresters :1881 Census age 39 Doctor of Medicine born London Married to Annetta aged 29 born Dorset ; 1901 Census age 59 born London Medical Practitioner Surgeon with Annetta aged 49 born Kent Dover; 1911 Census age 69 Registered Medical practitioner running a retreat for the inebriated at Capel le Ferne near Folkestone with wife aged 59 married 30 years no children

PANTON [PENTON], George of 41 High West Street Dorchester Dorset - M.R.C.S.; L.S.A.; Surgeon to Union Workhouse Dorchester (1865) (Trading as Aldridge & Panton) - Sources The London & Provincial Medical Directory 1850 , Slater's Directory 1852, Harrod's Directory 1865

ROBINSON, John Desborough of South Street Dorchester - Surgeon - Source, Post Office Directory 1875

ROSE, Thomas - Doctor of Physic MD - Dr Thomas ROSE MD (1650/1-1701) was the son of Richard ROSE a Gentleman of Wooton Fitzpaine. He was educated at Exeter College Oxford where he matriculated at the age of 17 on 6th March 1667/8 and was awarded his BA in 1671, and MA in 1674. He was awarded his Bachelor of Medicine to become a Doctory of Physic in 1681. His father Richard had also been educated at Exeter College where he matriculated in 1656 and became a student of Lincoln's Inn in 1659. His father was the 4th son of Richard ROSE of Wootton Fitzpayne another graduate of Exeter College and MP for Lyme Regis in 1640 until his death in 1648. His grandfather was son and Heir to John ROSE of Lyme Regis.

Thomas married an Elizabeth and had the following children baptied at Holy Trinity church in Dorchester before Elizabeth was buried there on 30th March 1694. (1) George Rose bap HT 7th May 1689 (2) Churchill Rose bap HT 10th May 1690 (3) Mary Rose bap HT 12 Nov 1691 (4) Elizabeth Rose bap HT 22 Jun 1693. His second marriage was to become the third husband of Katherine nee HURDING the widow of Dr Francis Fulwood Archdeacon of Totnes in Devon at Longbredy whom he married on 1st September 1695. Katherine's pedigree is given on page 36 of The Visitation of Dorset taken in 1677. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester on 13th Apr 1700 and left a Will. See Wills Index 'Will of Thomas Rose, Doctor in Physic of Dorchester, Dorset' proved 20 Oct 1701.

Sources, 1677 Visitation of Dorset page 36; Trustee of the Will of Joshua COLSON Apothecary of Dorchester who died in 1696; Will dated 4th Apr 1700 Proved 20th Oct 1701 His burial is recorded in The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset (3rd Edition published 1868 - page 392) by John Hutchins]

SHACKLETON, Thomas Francis - Surgeon M.R.C.S. to Dorset County Hospital - Source Kellys Directory 1889

SUMNER, Frederick William of the Gables Dorchester Dorset (Tel 48) M.d. Cambridge 1923; B.A. (Nat Sc.Trip.) 1895; M.B. B.Ch 1899; M.R.C.S. ; L.R.C.P. lONDON 1898; F.R.C.S. Ed 1904; (University of Cambridge & St Mary's) Ho. Surgeon to Dorset County Hospital; Med Ref Workm. Compensation Act; late clinical Ophth. Asst & House Physician St Mary's Hospital; Prize in Path & Bact. A.M. Sch. Netley; I.M.S. O/C No. 6 Ind Gen Hosp. E.A.F. 1914-1917 (mentioned in despatches) ; Civil Surg. Simla; Author "Sudden Death from Anaphylactic Shock"; B.M.Journal 1923; "Diptheria Carriers" Ib; "Control of the eye in Cataract Operations" Ind Med Gaz 1913. - Source The Medical Directory 1930, 1935, 1940, 1942

SYMES, Joseph Gustavus ; Resident Medical Superintendant of Dorset County Lunatic Asylum in Dorchester Dorset - M.R.C.S. England & L.S.A. 1848; (St George) Contributed to "Treatment of Erysipelas by the Tr. Ferri. Sesq.externally and internally," Asylum Journal Mental Science 1858 - Source The Medical Directory 1885

TAPP, William Dennen. of Cornhill (& South St 1839) Dorchester Dorset - Surgeon: He was the surgeon called up on the night of 28th November 1829 that saved the life of Revd.Henry Phillip WILLOUGHBY when he was shot by William KENNEDY a private in the 5th Dragoon Guards. He gave evidence at his trial which found Kenndy guilty and he was subsequently executed at Dorchester in 1830. - Pigots Directory 1830, Robert's Directory 1839, Pigot's Directory 1844, Slater's Directory 1852


John TUDOR MD JP (1823-1908) was the son of Robert Owen Tudor (1792-1870) a native of Shrewsbury by his wife Emma nee Jones and baptised in his mothers parish of Castle Caereinion in Montgomeryshire Wales on 2nd May 1823. By 1851 his parents and some of his siblings were resident at 1 St Anne's Villas in Kensington in London where his father was recorded as a Landed Proprietor and an elder brother Owen was already a Barrister at Law.


HMS Dreadnought - Hospital Ship - 1801-1857
by artist and engraver Edward William Cooke

Early Career:- He studied medicine at Kings College London and was accepted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) in 1847 and became a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries (L.S.A.) in 1853. He was initially employed as Assistant Surgeon at 'The Beaufort Iron Works' in Wales, but destined for greater things soon returned to London and served as Surgeon on 'HMS Dreadnought'. This was a decommissioned 98 gun warship and had been taken over by 'The Seaman's Hospital Society' in 1837 and converted as a hospital ship for ex-members of the Merchant Navy or Fishing Fleet and their dependants. 'HMS Dreadnought' was moored at Greenwich and the infirmary was in operation until the ship was broken up in 1857 when the infirmary was transferred to 'HMS Caledonia'. John Tudor then published "The Hygienic Condition of the "Dreadnought" Hospital Ship in 1857-8 as exemplified by Surgical Operations". He was the author of several other medical publications including "Case of Excision of Elbow Joint in which 5 inches of bone was removed with success" in 1858 with the Royal Medical Chirsurgical Society, and in the Lancet in 1859 "The Treatment of Oedema Glotticlis by Scarifications". His name along with many others was entered into the first UK Medical Register on 1st Jan 1859 (1).

Family: He married during the 4th qtr 1860 in London to Margaret Emily Berkley Calcott (1833-1913) a native of Caynham Court in Shropshire and daughter of Major George B Calcott by his wife Jane. After marriage they lived initially with her parents at St John's House in Greenwich Kent but almost immediately after the April 1861 Census was taken they moved to settle in Dorchester where he operated a general practice, first in Shire Hall Lane and by 1871 at 24 High West Street.
Children:-  
      (1) Emily May Berkeley Tudor (1862-1879) - bap HT Dorchester 25 Jun 1862 ; By the age of 8 she was already at a private boarding school run by her aunt at Clifton House in Bristol; she died aged 16 at Barton Regis in Gloucestershire.

      (2) Owen Lechmere Tudor (1864-1899) - bap HT Dorchester14 Oct 1864; he was still with his parents in 1871 but by the age of 16 he was at a private boarding school at George House in Clifton Bristol. In the April 1891 Census he is living with his parents aged 26, unmarried and working as a Solicitor. He died on 12th Jan 1899 at the Hotel 'Metropol' at Bournemouth but his residence was given as being at 52 Lincoln's Inn Fields in Central London. He left an estate of £16979 with probate granted to his brother the Rev Charles Mowbray Tudor.

      (3) Constance Margaret Jane Tudor ( 1867-1957) Born on 11th Feb 1867 Dorchester she was baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 23 Apr 1867; she remained a spinster living with her parents helping her father run his medical practice in Dorchester until his death in 1908. She then moved with her mother to Greenwich. She was living at Fairhaven Ewerst Rd Cranleigh in Surrey in the Census taken on 29 Sep 1939 which is where she died on 11th Apr 1957 leaving an estate of £17,741

      (4) Rev. George Rowland Berkley Tudor MA (1870-1898) bap HT Dorchester 19th Apr 1870 ; He became a student at Emmanuel College Cambridge on 1st Apr 1889; BA 1892; MA 1896; of 14 Haldon Rd, Exeter died 1st Feb 1898 at 3 Little Stanhope St Mayfair probate to his brothers Owen & Charles leaving an estate of £452.

      (5) Charles Mowbray Tudor MA (1872-1958) bap HT 27th Sep 1872 Dorchester; age 8 1881 ; Admitted to Emmanuel College 29 Nov 1890; BA 1896; MA 1899; Curate of Badock Herts 1897-1901; Married Edith Mathide daughter of Phillip de Clermont . Curate of Broadwindsor 1901-1904; Rector of Asholt Somerset 1904-1906; Vicar of Over Stowey 1904-1908; Priest Diocese Canterbury 1913-1918; of Chichester 1918-1935; of Eastbourne in 1952. Died 27th Mar 1858 of White Ladies Bishop Down Tunbridge Wells Kent leaving an estate of £28,900
Harrod's Directory for the year 1865 shows John TUDOR to have been a consulting Surgeon to the Dorset County Hospital based in Dorchester and running a General Practice in Shire Hall Lane. The Post Office Directory for 1875 shows he was still a consultant at the Dorset County Hospital and that his General Practice had moved to 24 High West Street. Kelly's Directory for 1889 suggests that he had also become a Borough Magistrate and the 1891 Census confirms that he was still a Justice of the Peace. By 1901, aged 77, he had retired and moved to West Walks living in Somerleigh Gate. John died on 9th Nov 1908 at Somerleigh Gate in Dorchester leaving an estate of £599 to his widow Margaret Emily who then moved to live in Greenwich London taking her daughter Constance with her. She died at Enfield Lodge Blackheath in Kent on 11th July 1913 leaving a modest estate of £280, probate being granted to her children Charles and Constance. .

    Sources:- 1823 - CLDS Film 104774 Baptisms Castle Caereinion Montgomerytshire; 1841 Census HO 107/927/13 St Marys Shrewsbury with parents JT Age 15/19 Not born in England; 1851 Census St Marys Lambeth Brixton JT Lodger Memeber RCS born Shropshire age 27 HO 107/1575 ; The London and Provincial Medical Directory 1860; GRO Marriages 4th Qtr 1860; 1861 Census RG 3/402 Greenwich St Alphege with Father-in-law and wife age 37 Member Royal Col Surgeons etc; Baptism Register for Holy Trinity Church Dorchester 1862-1872; Harrod's Directory for Dorchester 1865; 1871 Census RG 10/2003 Ditrict 3 - 24 High St Dorchester with wife + 3 children & 4 servants; Post Office Directory 1875; 1881 Census RG 11/2110 District3a with wife + 3 children & 2 servants; Kellys Directory 1889; 1891 Census RG12/1652 Dist 3 with wife 4 children + 2 servants; 1901 Census RG13/2002 District 08. National Probate Register.

WALLIS; John (Trading as WALLIS and CURME - Surgeons) of High East (High West Street 1839) Street, Dorchester Dorset - M.R.C.S.1808; Coroner for the County of Dorset - Sources - Pigots Directory 1830 , Robert's Directory 1839, Pigot's Directory 1844, and The London & Provincial Medical Directory 1850

WILSON, Samuel Wesley - Surgeon L.R.C.P.to Dorset County Hospital Source Kellys Directory 1889
Genealogical Notes:-

(1) John Tudor 1824-1908 - In 1859 the UK Medical Register was published and John Tudor like many others was entered into the register with a registration date of 1st January 1859. That Register, and subsequent updates issued in 1863, 1867, and 1871 were not however kept up to date as they all still show his residence as being on 'HMS Dreadnought' moored at Greenwich.This is clearly not possible as the Dreadnought was broken up in 1857 and he was already in Dorchester by late 1861 and having children there from 1862. It was not until the 1875 edition of the Register that his address was finally corrected to that of Dorchester.

Dorchester / Fordington Page      OPC Page