Hunter Valley Apothecaries and Midwives
DRUGGISTS /CHEMISTS / APOTHECARIES
Mr. Bennett Charles Vavasour Earle William Copeland Lesley William Lipscomb Robert James Luscombe William Mutlow McNauton Frederick Nainby Dr. Isaac Scott Nind Peek & Calvert William Townley Pinhey
MIDWIVES
Sarah Robins Mrs. Smith Rosanna Norton Mrs. Turner Mary Gordon
DENTISTS
MR. BENNETT
Maitland 1832. 'To be let at Maitland - business
lately occupied by Mr. Bennett, chemist and druggist. Enquiries to Mr.
Simpson, Maitland'
CHARLES VAVASOUR
EARLE
O
One month later a medical and
chemical repository situated opposite the
Sportsman's
Arms in West Maitland was opened by Messrs. T.M.
Earle & Co., who
informed the inhabitants of Maitland
that they had fitted up large and spacious
premises with an
assortment of everything required in the Medical
profession where they hoped to receive a share of
the public patronage and support by strict attention
and punctuality in preparing all prescriptions
entrusted to their care In addition to dispensing of Prescriptions cupping, bleeding and
tooth drawing were also skillfully performed
(22)
In September 1846
Charles Earle advertised that he was Re-opening
the 'London Medical and Chemical Repository' in High
Street, West Maitland opposite the
Angel Inn.
Next door to this business was watch and clock
maker Mr. S.M. Street.
He also manufactured Lemonade and
soda water from a factory at the back of the Medical
Hall, West Maitland. This was ' a delightful
beverage to counteract the ill effects of a weak
constitution by strengthening the digestive organs
and slowly acting on the intestines'. He intended,
for the convenience of his customers, to ply between
Maitland Morpeth twice daily if required instead of
opening another establishment.
In 1847 Earle was robbed by James Sinnett,
who was well known about the town. Earle
was nearby early one evening when Sinnett broke a
pane of glass with his elbow, removing two medicine bottles
before taking off. Earle immediately pursued the
thief and caught
him 50 yards down the road with the bottles in his
hands. Considered to be a 'half idiot', Sinnett's
rambling story in defense of the robbery did little
to help him; the jury found him guilty and without
hesitation sentenced him to 12 months in irons.
WILLIAM COPELAND LESLEY - Singleton
W
illiam Copland Lesley ran a successful druggist business for ten years, servicing the Upper Hunter from his Singleton store. During his time in Singleton he had been a member of the Singleton Benevolent Society(43) and the Mechanic's Institute, sometimes giving lectures on subjects such as Chemistry and the writing of Burns. He was presented to Governor Fitzroy in 1847 when his Excellency paid a visit to Singleton, and no doubt Mr. Lesley sat down to dinner in Ledingham's Surveyor General Inn later that evening along with other townsfolk and dignitaries such as George Dight, James Glennie, Theophilus Foot, Adoniah Vallack, David Stolworthy, Reverend Cameron and George Bowman (44)William Copeland Lesley advertised to sell his business in January 1848(45)
W
illiam Lipscomb arrived in Australia in 1832. After working in Sydney, he moved to the Maitland area in 1834. He married Caroline Griffin in 1838 and a son William was born to William and Caroline in 1839 and another, Benjamin in 1841. Their daughter Rose was born in 1846 and Walter in 1851.(1)William was Provisional Director of the Maitland Steam Navigation Company in 1840 (2) and as well as being on many committees in the township of Maitland, contributed to nearly every fund raising effort including subscriptions for repairing the bridge, dredging the river, Irish and Scottish Relief fund, Testimonial for Rev. W. Stack, Testimonial for Caroline Chisholm, Presbyterian Church and School House and Fire engine for West Maitland.(3)
He was in financial difficulties in 1841, and the trustees of his estate, in consequence of the number of outstanding debts, many extending over a period of two years, resolved to sue immediately all persons whose accounts were overdue unless paid immediately(19)
In October 1843 his business was located next door to Mr. Cashmore's Wine and Spirit store in West Maitland(4) and about this time it was decided to open a circulating library and reading room to supply standard and recently published works, British and Australian periodicals etc. William hoped to obtain 100 subscribers each to pay £1 per annum for the circulating library; 10/- per annum for the reading room or £1/5/- for the circulating library and reading room.(4)
William travelled to Sydney to purchase reading material and in August 1844 he added 200 volumes to the collection including Guy Fawkes, The Playfair Papers, Charles Chesterfield and the Memoirs of Liet. John Shipp. Perhaps William's younger brother Benjamin managed the library as he was later referred to as a bookseller.In 1844 William charged Mark Johnson with stealing two cheques from a letter entrusted to his care by Dr. Montgomery of the McDonald River district. When Johnson indicated that he had been robbed on the way to Maitland, William believed him however after considering the matter, he decided that there were discrepancies in Johnson's story and called in the constables. Johnson later lost his ticket of leave when it was decided he had stolen the cheques
(5). The cheques were most likely in payment for medicines purchased through Lipscombe's business.In 1845 his library, situated in High Street West Maitland next door to Solomon Cohen's stores, was described as splendid and extensive,
(11) however on 11th January 1845 tragedy struck the Lipscomb family when William's brother Benjamin died after a short illness. He was twenty years old and was buried in the Glebe Cemetery, East Maitland.(6)Readers of the newspapers were kept amused by William's attention grabbing advertisements. When residents felt the pinch of the depression in the 1840's, he placed the following advertisement in the Maitland Mercury:
'To Peripatetic Philosophers - Having noticed that many persons from a laudable feeling of economy, have ceased riding, it occurred to the undersigned that a few Walking sticks would be a good speculation, therefore purchased a parcel in Sydney, which he has now on Sale, at his Book Shop; from 1/6d to 2/6d each'
(8)and to advertise his Ginger Beer:
'Ginger Beer, OR THE Moral and Domestic Champagne Powders, Under the Patronage of the Ladies, the Presidents, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of the Hunter River Teetotal Societies. In Packages containing one dozen Powders. Price 1/-
'(50)And after the death of Benjamin, who looked after the bookshop, William placed the following :
'Death from Consumption,
Brought on by ill usage and want of proper
nourishment -
W. Lipscomb's Circulating Library
THE remains of the deceased, consisting of 800 Volumes, are now for sale at reduced prices.' (18)
In the following edition he advertised over 100 books including political, historical and scientific works, British essayists, standard novels, Lardner's Cyclopedia, and classical works(9) He still sold some books however as he advertised The Australian Medical Journal, newly published, for 2/- in 1846.
He was often called on to make speeches at town meetings and dinners. William delivered a speech at the St. John's Total Abstinence Society tea party in 1845. Members had formed themselves into a procession with school children, band and members marching to Wallis's Creek Bridge and then to the Long Bridge returning to the Temple of Concord. William Lipscomb joined 300 other townsfolk at the meeting before giving his speech to the assembled crowd.
(7)He was on the committee of the Agricultural Society and a judge in the wine section of the 2nd Show held in Maitland in April 1845. Later that night he gave a speech at the Society's dinner. He felt there had been a great apathy shown to the advancement of the society principally amongst the agriculturalists rather than the townspeople. The latter, he felt were wise enough to see that what would improve agriculture would also give a stimulus to commerce. While he was no practical agriculturalist, he gave his support to the Agricultural Society whenever he could. The following year he was a Steward at the Society dinner held at the Albion Inn (10)
1846 started off well enough for the Lipscomb family. Their daughter Rose was born early in the year. His business prospered and he offered a diverse assortment of goods. In February he was advertising St. Valentines Day letters for sale,(12) however later that year Rose died aged just 11 months. She was buried in Glebe cemetery as his brother had been 18months previously (13)
William Lipscomb was a member of the General Committee of the Maitland Hospital (14) and he provided medicine for the Hospital as well. In 1847 he received £9/8/1- in payment. This was the largest expense for the hospital on this occasion. (15) In January 1848 he was paid £22/10/4- for supplying medicines to the hospital and in 1849 £24/4/4d.
In December 1847 he advertised his superior currants and raisins and other delicacies to 'enable a person to keep up Christmas in the kind and hospitable way our forefathers used to do'. He advertised that he provided the best Port, Sherry, old Madeira, brandy, rum, gin and porter although 'it would be impertinent to remind the ladies what is necessary besides currants and raisins to make a good pudding'.
(16)Perhaps the chemists were overrun with inquiries in 1847 when it was recorded in the Chronicle that sweet oil would give relief from Mosquitoes. Those travelling in the bush were advised that a little vial of sweet oil should always form part of the equipage of a traveler in warm climates. If they were in the bush or sleeping under shelter where there were no doors or windows they should rub a little oil over their hands and face. Oil to all insects, was said to be a deadly poison and no mosquito would ever attempt to penetrate skin so anointed!
William Lipscomb was a wholesale as well as retail dealer and also provided medicine for horses and cattle. In November he placed an advertisement listing the goods he had received on the ship 'Achilles' and in December another advertisement appeared with a long list of recently arrived medications:
Sulph: Quinine, in 1oz bottles, Strychnine, Brucine, Jalapine, Hydrocyanic Acid (Scheele's), in 1oz bottles, Kreosote, Gum Oppi Pulv: Oppii, Pulv: digitalis Pulv: colchici, Pulv. Sabinae, Zinc Oxide Zinc Acet, Extract Gentian in 1/2lb pots, Extract: Colocynth in 1/2 lb pots, Extract Sarsae in 11/2 lb potsm, Extract: Belladon, A large supply of sarsparilla, Calcined Magnesia in 1lb bottles, Plasters, various, Spatulas, Lint, Pill and willow boxes. The above arrived in excellent order according to Lipscomb, no expense having been spared in securing them in small and air tight packages.
(17)Eighteen forty nine was a difficult year for business. By the end of the year some storekeepers had begun to refuse credit and had called for accounts to be paid. William Lipscombe also had a bad year and placed the following notice in the newspaper:
'I should feel very much obliged to any one who has cash to spend to ease me of my stock, being rather short of cash. I overheard a person remark as I was going along the street, that Gentleman's Hat has seen better days, which may be freely translated in colonial: "What a shocking bad hat that cove wears." The worthy who made the remark at the same time was wearing a hat that cost him five and sixpence; and I recollect when I was a boy the drivers of broad wheel stage wagons used to wear them, and cost only half a crown. Should I have a good Christmas Sale I intend to sport a New Beaver.'
(53)
William Henry Mutlow announced he was commencing business as a chemist and druggist in premises in Melbourne Street opposite Cox's Hotel in East Maitland in April 1842. Dr. J. Whitelaw had vacated the rooms to move to premises in Morpeth. Mr. Mutlow offered a large supply of perfumery and fancy soaps as well as an 'excellent specific ointment for scab in sheep
(27). He also kept honey and leeches although was forced to advertise for these in 1846 when his supplies ran low(28) By 1843, he was offering to provide soda water and effervescing lemonade to publicans and others in Maitland. He had made arrangements with a first rate manufacturer in Sydney and could supply both wholesale and retail on liberal terms. Purchasers were to pay for all bottles with the money to be repaid when the bottles were returned.(29). In 1844 he moved to premises opposite the Stables of the Union Hotel, near the Rev. G.K. Rusden's residence.A bachelor, William Mutlow was in the habit of spending time across the road visiting his good friend James Cox or Cox's brother- in- law William B. Green on Sundays as well as other times
(30). Upon returning home at 11pm one Sunday in April 1846, he discovered his shop had been robbed. Despite the presence of a fierce dog, the thief had entered after dark by a front window in Mutlow's living quarters adjoining the shop. Putting his hand into a pot of melted gum on the way through the window, he later left marks on whatever he touched. He stole just a few small items despite having had ample opportunity to take more. Mr. Mutlow found missing from the till a gold seal and a few coppers. Lucifer matches and some seidlitz powders were also taken with the robber leaving his footprint in the garden when he escaped. (31)In 1847 a friend from Sydney Mr. Youngman was visiting Mr. Mutlow for a few days and he accompanied Mutlow on his usual social visit to William Green at the George & Dragon one Sunday evening. The men later became embroiled in a court case that kept the town interested for days when Constables Hood, Rushton and Thrudgate accused Mr. Green of keeping his house open for the sale of liquor on a Sunday. The Greens, James Cox and William Mutlow complained to Magistrate Edward Denny Day the next day charging the constables with exceeding their duty. The constable's heavy handed attitude towards the otherwise law abiding townsfolk had caused quite a stir and William Mutlow was called on to testify. He stated that he had often consumed liquor without paying at Greens public house when asked and at other times had paid for his liquor. When the constables entered on this occasion he had been given a glass of ginger beer with brandy in it by Mrs. Green and had not paid for it. The case against the Greens was dismissed by the Bench for want of evidence (32)
By July 1847, William Mutlow had decided to retire from business. He disposed of the whole of his stock in trade to Mr. Charles Vavasour Earle and hoped his customers would continue to favour his successor. (33)
? McNaughten
Mary McNaughton, wife of druggist died aged 22 in March 1840 and was buried in Glebe Cemetery.
Commenced selling drugs and medicine in November 1849 at Morpeth. He stated he had 'been bred' to the Drug Business and spent several years in England in the industry before coming to Australia. In October 1850 he moved to premises situated opposite the Wheat Sheaf Inn and advertised that he could supply his customers with articles of superior quality at Sydney prices as he had made arrangements for periodical shipments of genuine drugs and medicines direct from England.
Dr. Isaac Scott Nind opened a chemist and druggist's shop in Paterson in August 1846. He offered all articles including horse and cattle medicines at Sydney prices for cash. (34)
Peek & Calvert
William Peek and George Calvert were employed in William Skinner's stores before starting their own business. They advertised the opening of a Chemist and Druggist Establishment in East Maitland in November 1848
'The undersigned have made arrangements with a legally qualified medical practitioner to conduct on their premises (the Union Store), the business of Chemist and Druggist. Medical men may depend on their prescriptions being dispensed with accuracy; and Families may rely with confidence that all medicines procured from the Establishment will be of the best description.
No patients will be visited at their residences; but advice will be given gratis to the really poor from 7 to 9pm every Wednesday and Saturday
Cupping, Bleeding, and teeth extracted with the greatest care
Horse and Cattle Medicines, perfumery etc etc
Peek & Calvert, Union Store East Maitland'
(35)
After arriving in 1835, William Pinhey was employed
by Maitland chemist
William Lipscomb.
In March 1845 Pinhey announced that
he was opening a business in High Street:
'Apothecaries' Hall, West
Maitland. William Townley
Pinhey, Chemist and Druggist, begs to apprise his
friends and the public, particularly the inhabitants
of the townships of E and W Maitland and the
surrounding districts that he has commenced business
in High ST. West Maitland in the above line and
trusts by strict attention and punctuality combined
with adequate experience in the several
branches of his profession and moderation in his
charges to merit a reasonable share of their
patronage and support. Families and others may
depend upon all medicines purchased at this
establishment being genuine. Physicians
prescriptions accurately prepared. Horse sheep and
cattle medicines
etc'(36)
He vowed that the poor would receive
advice and medicines gratis, upon the recommendation
of any clergyman or magistrate, and pledged that no
chemical or pharmaceutical preparation would be
issued from his establishment without having been
subjected to the strictest examination. He hoped
that by continuing to exercise the 'greatest
carefulness in the dispensing department coupled
with unremitting personal attention, he would
receive the support which has been so largely
bestowed upon him previously' Some of the stock
he held included: Finest cold drawn
castor oil, purified Epsom salts, turkey rhubarb,
Balsam copibae, adhesive, plaster, venice
turpentine, best calcined magnesia, camphor, linseed
meal, calomel, essence bergamotte, poppy heads,
Kreosote, prepared charcoal, carbonate of soda,
essence of lemon, oxalic acid, scented soaps,
trusses, suspensory bandages, senna leaves, chamomile flowers etc as well as Pinhey's family antibilious pills, opodeidoc for
sprains, bruises etc and Pinheys' concentrated
essence of ginger for spasms, indigestion and
flatulence.
Occasionally
chemists were called on to testify at inquests
or trials when death or illness had occurred in
mysterious circumstances. This was the case soon
after Mr. Pinhey opened his business in High Street,
in May 1845 when he supplied laudanum for Mrs.
Sanders. Mrs. Sanders' son Guildford later
died and it was thought he may have taken laudanum.
Mr. Pinhey testified that he supplied two drachms of
laudanum in a bottle he had filled for Mrs.
Sanders on previous occasions. Suspicions were
unfounded however as
Dr. Liddell
found in his post mortem that Sanders had died from
a blood clot(37). And again later that year
William Pinhey testified in court when the four year old
daughter of tailor John Stewart became seriously ill
after opium was mistakenly placed in food she was
given by Thomas Ramplin. Ramplin had purchased the
opium from Mr. Pinhey to overcome sleeplessness.(46) His expertise was called on in 1846
when George Turner was charged with throwing rubbish
into Wallis's Creek causing the water to be unfit
for use. William Pinhey provided a
certificate for Turner's defence stating that the
water had not been made unfit for consumption as he
had analysed a portion and found it contained no
'injurious matter'. The case against Turner was then
dismissed.
(38)
William Pinhey remained in his first
High Street store for only a few months before
announcing that he was moving to new and spacious
premises facing the Stores of Captain Russell where
he would prepare physicians prescriptions carefully
and compound horse and cattle medicines in
accordance with the formularies of the Royal
Veterinary Colleges.(47) At his new
premises, which were situated on the corner of High
and Hunter Streets, surgeon Montague Parnell kept
consultation rooms where he could be consulted
between 10 and 12 daily(39)
A daughter Ann Hobbs was born to
William and his wife Mary in 1844. Ann died aged 5
on 16 September 1849 and is buried in the Glebe
cemetery. On 22nd December 1845 Mrs. Pinhey gave
birth to a son Charles and
William was born on 9th February 1848. A
daughter Mary was born in 1850.
Following the example of his former employer William
Lipscomb, William Pinhey worked on committees in the
township as well as subscribing to many fundraisers.
In 1846 as secretary he was making final
arrangements at a meeting at the
Waterloo Inn
for a select ball soon to be held in the
township.(48) He was also a church warden
for St. Mary's Church(40)
Apothecaries were highly regarding in
the town and were sometimes the first to be
consulted in a crisis. Badly injured Peter
Coulton 'Old Peter' was taken to Mr. Pinhey for
treatment when he was struck by a gig driven by Mr.
Wade in High Street in 1848. Deaf and elderly,
Coulton had been standing in the middle of the road
with a few other people and failed to hear a warning
call. His injuries consisting of broken ribs and
punctured lung were too serious for Mr. Pinhey to
deal with and he sent Coulton on the the
Maitland Hospital to be dealt with by
Dr. McCartney
(41)
As
well as dispensing medicine at his shop, Pinhey also
sold other items such as
Trevallyn preserves
in winter, Abraham's Baking powder 'for the making
of bread without yeast' and Holloway's pills. He
also supplied the hospital with Chloroform(42)
and supplied the public with 'Family
medicine chests fitted with really useful medicines,
with directions'.
July 1849
Mrs. Smith (late Ekens)
'Begs to inform her friends and the
ladies of the vicinity of Muswellbrook that
she intends following her profession as Midwife,
having regularly attended the Lectures given for the
instruction of pupils in the Lying - in Hospital of
Great Britain street, Dublin, from whence she
received her diploma. Has had an unlimited and
successful practice for the last twenty years in
Dublin and Sydney, where she lately resided,
Muswellbrook, opposite Mr. Ward's 'White Hart Inn'
Maitland Mercury10 May 1848
Rosanna
Norton
In January 1849 Rosanna Norton of
Maitland was called in haste by Patrick Daley to
attend Margaret Nunn who was about to be confined of
her fifth child. Margaret was the wife of a hawker,
John Nunn and the couple travelled the roads of the
Upper Hunter with their four children and John's
brother Simeon. Margaret was also an alcoholic and
although Rosanna Norton arrived too late to assist
with the birth, she stayed to attend to the baby and
help Margaret to bed. Her duties on this occasion
included confiscating a keg of wine from the new
mother and later she was called on again when John
Nunn found his wife insensible and close to death.
He was later charged with the murder of his wife.
January 1849
Mrs. Turner
'Yesterday an inquest was held at the
Fitzroy Hotel, Maitland before J.S. Parker,
Esq. coroner on the body of Hannah Gardener. It
appeared that Mrs. Gardener being about to be
confined, called in Mrs. Turner as a midwife, on
Wednesday evening. Mrs. Purcell, who had been living
with Mrs. Gardener for a week, sat up that
night with Mrs. Turner, and on Thursday morning Mrs.
Gardener was delivered of a healthy male child,
after having suffered a good deal; violent
hemorrhage immediately followed and Mrs. Turner sent
Mrs. Purcell for
Dr. McCartney who lived close by and who went
immediately ; in that brief space however, Mrs.
Gardener had lost so much blood that she lay dying,
and although Dr. MC immediately stopped the
hemorrhage, she died in a few minutes. A post mortem
examination showed that no violence had been used
and that there was no cause for death except the
great loss of blood. Dr. McCartney deposed that in
his opinion had a surgeon been in attendance on Mrs.
Gardener when the hemorrhage commenced her life
might have been saved. Mrs. Purcell and George
Gardener deposed that no liquor was in the house
except on e bottle of spirits, a little of which was
given to Mrs. Gardener on Wednesday night and that
Mrs. Turner was quite sober, and did everything in
her power for Mrs. Gardener. The jury returned a
verdict of death from natural causes, and they
acquitted Mrs. Turner of any blame.'
Maitland Mercury17 March 1849
In
consequence of the great depression of the times, Mr.
G. Requires no higher fee than 10/- leaving it to
the generosity of those who can afford it to reword
her services as they find her deserving'
Shamrock Cottage, West Maitland
Maitland
Mercury 16 December 1843
Dentist
In November 1848 the following
advertisement was placed in the Maitland Mercury: 'FLETCHER' DENTIST AND ARTIST IN GOLD AND
SILVER, Near the old Scots
Church, West Maitland
By May 1849 David
Fletcher had decided to move to Sydney. Auctioneer
W. G. Burgis advertised to sell Fletcher's stock in
trade consisting of a 21 day Time Piece, Gold
Rings, Brooches, Breast Pins, Ear Rings, Shirt
Studs, Mourning Brooches, Snuffers and trays,
Spectacles; Accordions. Also for sale were many
items of furniture and jeweller's tools.
(1) New South Wales Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages
(2)The Australian, 4 July 1840
(4) Maitland Mercury 21 October 1843
(5)Maitland Mercury 17 February1844
(6) Maitland Mercury 18 January 1845
(7)Maitland Mercury 29 March 1845
(8) Maitland Mercury 12 August 1843
(9) Maitland Mercury 1 March 1845
(10)Maitland Mercury 19 April 1845
(11)Maitland Mercury 5 July 1845
(12)Maitland Mercury 7 February1846
(13)Maitland Mercury 18 December 1846
(14)Maitland Mercury 22 January1848
(15)Maitland Mercury 24 April1847
(16)Maitland Mercury 1 December1847
(17)Maitland Mercury 2 December 1848
(18)Maitland Mercury 22 February 1845
(19) Maitland Mercury 18 December 1841
(20) Hunter River Gazette 1 January 1842
(21)Maitland Mercury 14 January 1843
(22)Maitland Mercury 11 February 1843
(23)Maitland Mercury 16 September1846
(24)Maitland Mercury 14 April 1847
(25)Maitland Mercury 1 January 1842
(26)Maitland Mercury 21 January 1843
(27)Maitland Mercury 26 March 1842
(28)Maitland Mercury 1 April 1846
(29)Maitland Mercury 9 December 1843
(30)Maitland Mercury 10 March 1847
(31)Maitland Mercury 1 April 1846
(32)Maitland Mercury 3 March 1847
(33)Maitland Mercury 14 July 1847
(34)Maitland Mercury 29 August 1846
(35)Maitland Mercury 25 November1848
(36)Maitland Mercury 8 March 1845
(37)Maitland Mercury 31 May 1845
(38)Maitland Mercury 23 December 1846
(39) Maitland Mercury 3 July 1846
(40)Maitland Mercury1846 18 April
(41) Maitland Mercury 12 April 1848
(42)Maitland Mercury 21 October 1848
(43)Maitland Mercury 5 August1846
(44)Maitland Mercury 10 February 1847
(45)Maitland Mercury12 January 1848
(46)Maitland Mercury 18 October 1845
(47)Maitland Mercury 2 August 1845
(48)Maitland Mercury 11 April 1846
(49) Maitland Mercury 24 February 1849
(50) Maitland Mercury 8 November 1848
(51)Maitland Mercury 8 November 1848
(52) Maitland Mercury 5 May 1849
(53)Maitland Mercury 22 December 1849
54 Sydney Herald 27 September 1832