Montague Parnell - Hunter Valley Medical Practitioner

Hunter Valley Colonial Medical Practitioners

Montague Parnell

West Maitland

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Montague Parnell probably arrived about 1843 and was certified a legally qualified medical practitioner in that year. He was advertising his practise in July 1846 and the following notice was placed in the Maitland Mercury:-

'Mr. Montague Parnell, Surgeon, may be consulted daily between the hours of 10 and 12 in the forenoon, at Mr. Pinhey's Dispensary, corner of High and Hunter Streets, West Maitland. Letters addressed as above promptly attended to.

On August 12th 1846 he married Ann Rachel Potts daughter of Lawrence Potts at St. Mary's Church in West Maitland.

As well as his medical practise, Dr. Parnell also owned 'Poole Farm' near West Maitland where he established Poole Farm Brewery. He entered a sample of red wine, white wine and vinegar in the Hunter River Agricultural Society show in April 1847.

In 1851 he sold his household goods and furniture at Poole Farm and moved to Raymond Terrace to resume his medical practice in that town.

In 1853 he returned to East Maitland and gave notice that he was commencing his practice at his residence at the rear of Mr. Derrington's Tin Factory in East Maitland. He stated that he had been a pupil of Mr. Guthries at the Opthalmic Hospital, Charing Cross, London where from 50 to 200 patients were treated in a week. He had not had one failure in treating disease of the eye.

Montague Parnell died 12 September 1891 and was survived by two daughters and four sons.

Maitland Mercury 19 September 1891

For more information see Australian Pioneer Medical Index