John Oliver was the 10th Island Keeper on Rainsford Island. He began his career on January 1, 1827 taking over from Moses Hobart after the latter lost favor with the Boston City Council. Oliver was 31 years of age at the time of his appointment and brought some of the traditional skills required of this position including sailing and navigational skills. Unlike any of the previous Island Keepers, Oliver was a British citizen who married the daughter of a previous Island Keeper. His connections with the Spear family and his marriage to Sarah Blany Spear certainly could only help his effort to be an island keeper. He served as the city’s Island Keeper for 6 years eventually being replaced by William Marsh. The Boston City Council appointed Marsh on December 17, 1832 and Oliver was then forced to find other employment.[1] During his tenure the city faced one of its greatest threats when the cholera pandemic of 1832 incited panic throughout the eastern seaboard. During this year, the city built a $75 cottage for the Resident Physician, Dr. J.V.C. Smith with the understanding that he would be playing an important role in fighting the anticipated cholera epidemic. While cholera never affected Boston this year, it set a new emphasis on the important role of the Resident Physician, also known as the Port Physician, thereby diminishing the importance of the Island Keeper. John Oliver may not have gotten along with Dr. Smith or his acquiescence in serving of liquor may have alienated the City Council. Whatever, the cause, Oliver lost favor with his supervisors and was terminated.[2]
Oliver was the son of John and Margaret Oliver, born in a farm near Gravesend, County Kent, England on March 9, 1796. [3] Gravesend is a seaport city at the mouth of the Thames River. According to Curt Oliver, his biographer, John Oliver ran away from his family farm at the age of nine and joined the crew of a merchant ship. After his departure from home he went around the world on several eventful voyages that took him to the South Pacific, China and South America before he finally settled in Boston.
According to Curt Oliver, “The British captains were harsh taskmasters, and John and many of his crewmates abandoned their ship off the coast of Africa, ultimately signing on with an American vessel in India. He ever after pretended to be an American. One of the causes of the War of 1812 was British heavy-handedness in searching American ships for such "traitors."
His involvement with the War of 1812 was as colorful as it was unorthodox. He was working on the "Pennsylvania Packet," which was traveling between Canton, China, and the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific. The crew gathered sandalwood in the Marquesas and brought it to China to trade for silk and tea. John Oliver and several other crew members were left behind in the Marquesas to gather sandalwood while the ship sailed back to Canton. To their dismay, the "Pennsylvania Packet" never returned, a victim of the British blockade of Canton in the War of 1812. In the many months that followed, most of the crew members left on the Marquesas were killed by the natives. For some reason, John Oliver was among the few whom the natives decided to adopt.
He learned the native language and was heavily tattooed in Polynesian ritual ceremonies.
In 1813, the American frigate "Essex," led by Capt. David Porter, sailed into the harbor at Nuku Hiva. The native canoes surrounded the ship in traditional Polynesian greeting, and Capt. Porter was quite surprised to hear mooring advice from wild looking "natives" who spoke perfect English.
John Oliver and a friend, Eben Seger, decided to join the crew of the "Essex," which after several weeks of repairs set sail for South America. Their next encounter with the British was in the Valparaiso, Chile, harbor, where John Oliver served as a powder monkey. The Battle of Valparaiso (March 28, 1814) was a major American defeat. John Oliver, Eben Seger, and other crew members were taken prisoner by the British and sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He managed to escape from the Halifax prison, but was soon recaptured. He and other prisoners of war were then transported on the captured American frigate "Chesapeake" to Dartmoor Prison in England. Life in Dartmoor Prison was severe, and the release of the Americans was delayed long after the Treaty of Ghent. It was in the summer of 1815 that John Oliver and Eben Seger were finally released and sent to New York. He had for several years pretended to be an American, but this was his first footstep on American soil.
His friend Eben Seger was from the Boston area, and the two headed there, recuperating a while on Rainsford Island, a quarantine station in Boston Harbor. The island keeper was Thomas Spear, a veteran of the Boston Tea Party, and John worked with him on the island for several years.” According to Kurt Oliver, on January 6, 1820, he married Sarah Spear, the daughter of his employer, and in 1827, John himself became the keeper of the island. He also learned the navigation of Boston Harbor and soon became a harbor pilot with the title of "Captain."
John and Sarah Oliver bore seven sons and four daughters. Because of his failing eyesight, John retired in 1849 and moved with his entire family to Lakeland, Washington County, Minnesota. Capt. John and several of his sons operated a ferry service on the St. Croix River between Hudson, Wisconsin and Lakeland. Six of his sons served in Minnesota regiments in the Civil War. Capt. John died at his home in Lakeland on July 26, 1869.
[1] Minutes of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Boston, December 17, 1832.
[2] See the August 6, 1832 Minutes of the Board of Aldermen for a discussion of the Board’s prohibition on the use of spirituous liquors to be sold on Rainsford Island while quarantine was performed.
[3] For a complete description of John Oliver’s life, see website on Descendants of John Oliver. Accessed December 30, 2009. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mnwashin/oliver.htm. For even more information on this website contact makremer@msn.com
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thomas Spear - Quarantine as Family Affair
Thomas Spear was the seventh Rainsford Hospital Island Keeper taking office September 14, 1796. At 43 years of age he was one of the oldest Island Keepers to assume command of Rainsford Island. However, this fact did not appear to affect his ability to accomplish his work. He had the advantage of age and was a good administrator, using family and hired hands to help with the task of managing the quarantine island. Indeed, Thomas Spear had a large family with five children less than 16 years of age and one son over 16.[1] He, his wife and children took up residence on the island in the fall of 1796 and provided nursing, shelter, and other agricultural services to those requiring quarantine due to smallpox or yellow fever.
During his tenure, his family provided nursing care as needed but this support was eventually frowned upon by the new Boston Board of Health, concerned with the possible transmission of disease to innocent children. The Boston Board of Health assumed responsibility for quarantine affairs and for the activities of the Island Keeper in February 1799. During the next few years, Mr. Spear’s activities began to get more scrutiny than those of any previous Island Keeper. The 12 members of the Board of Health had more time to devote to health issues and this meant that Spear’s routine affairs were closely monitored. Because of the increasing concern with yellow fever outbreaks along the eastern seaboard, in the spring of 1802 the Board of Health allowed Mr. Spears an extra $200 to cover the expense of having an extra nurse and man working on the island.
Apparently the Board was not satisfied with the rigor with which Mr. Spear handled quarantine and disinfection practices on the island. In 1803 the Board required Mr. Spear to handle all disinfections of vessels in person, apparently not happy with the work of subordinated that were delegated such duties by Spear. The reprimand may not have been grievous punishment since he did not lose his job. Nevertheless, the Board imposed a $5 fine if a similar offence were to reoccur. [2] After working for more than three years without any direct oversight by the Selectmen, direct supervision by the Board of Health was not easy for him to adjust to. Not content with their oversight he complained about the conduct of the Board and as luck would have it the Board learned of his complaints and took him to task for his insubordination.[3]
Mr. Spear died in the line of service on April 5, 1812. His death left the Board of Health with a challenge: the forced removal of a large family from Rainsford Island. Instead of doing that the Board of Health chose to select his son Henry to continue on as the Island Keeper since he had spent many years helping his father with the routine chores of managing the hospital, caring for the sick, navigating Boston Harbor and tending to farming activities on the island. The Board found this a fitting means of resolving their administrative responsibilities with the least impact to the merchant class of Boston. During this transition period, the Board assigned Captain Jonathan Loring along with Joshua Ellis and Isaac Vose as a quarantine committee to assist Henry Spear with the challenges of managing the hospital. Loring served for a number of years as a superintendent providing oversight and support to the Island Keeper.[4] Henry Spear died May 1, 1817 leaving the Board of Health without an Island Keeper. No one in the Spear family was willing to take on this challenge so the Board of Health chose Moses Hobart for this assignment.
[1] U.S. Bureau of the Census, Heads of the families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790, Massachusetts. Access December 31, 2009. Web link: http://www.usgwcensus.org/states/massachusetts/ma1790.htm
Thomas Spear grew up in a large family himself.. According to church records Thomas Spear Senior’s children were Sarah (born 1769), Susanna (born 1751), Thankful (born 1756), Thomas Jr. (born 1753), Nathaniel (born 1753), Mary (born 1761) and John (born 1749).
[2] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, April 13, 1803, p. 234.
[3] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, July 6, 1803, p. 243.
[4] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, April 4, 1812 and June 11, 1814.
During his tenure, his family provided nursing care as needed but this support was eventually frowned upon by the new Boston Board of Health, concerned with the possible transmission of disease to innocent children. The Boston Board of Health assumed responsibility for quarantine affairs and for the activities of the Island Keeper in February 1799. During the next few years, Mr. Spear’s activities began to get more scrutiny than those of any previous Island Keeper. The 12 members of the Board of Health had more time to devote to health issues and this meant that Spear’s routine affairs were closely monitored. Because of the increasing concern with yellow fever outbreaks along the eastern seaboard, in the spring of 1802 the Board of Health allowed Mr. Spears an extra $200 to cover the expense of having an extra nurse and man working on the island.
Apparently the Board was not satisfied with the rigor with which Mr. Spear handled quarantine and disinfection practices on the island. In 1803 the Board required Mr. Spear to handle all disinfections of vessels in person, apparently not happy with the work of subordinated that were delegated such duties by Spear. The reprimand may not have been grievous punishment since he did not lose his job. Nevertheless, the Board imposed a $5 fine if a similar offence were to reoccur. [2] After working for more than three years without any direct oversight by the Selectmen, direct supervision by the Board of Health was not easy for him to adjust to. Not content with their oversight he complained about the conduct of the Board and as luck would have it the Board learned of his complaints and took him to task for his insubordination.[3]
Mr. Spear died in the line of service on April 5, 1812. His death left the Board of Health with a challenge: the forced removal of a large family from Rainsford Island. Instead of doing that the Board of Health chose to select his son Henry to continue on as the Island Keeper since he had spent many years helping his father with the routine chores of managing the hospital, caring for the sick, navigating Boston Harbor and tending to farming activities on the island. The Board found this a fitting means of resolving their administrative responsibilities with the least impact to the merchant class of Boston. During this transition period, the Board assigned Captain Jonathan Loring along with Joshua Ellis and Isaac Vose as a quarantine committee to assist Henry Spear with the challenges of managing the hospital. Loring served for a number of years as a superintendent providing oversight and support to the Island Keeper.[4] Henry Spear died May 1, 1817 leaving the Board of Health without an Island Keeper. No one in the Spear family was willing to take on this challenge so the Board of Health chose Moses Hobart for this assignment.
[1] U.S. Bureau of the Census, Heads of the families at the first census of the United States taken in the year 1790, Massachusetts. Access December 31, 2009. Web link: http://www.usgwcensus.org/states/massachusetts/ma1790.htm
Thomas Spear grew up in a large family himself.. According to church records Thomas Spear Senior’s children were Sarah (born 1769), Susanna (born 1751), Thankful (born 1756), Thomas Jr. (born 1753), Nathaniel (born 1753), Mary (born 1761) and John (born 1749).
[2] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, April 13, 1803, p. 234.
[3] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, July 6, 1803, p. 243.
[4] Minutes of the Boston Board of Health, April 4, 1812 and June 11, 1814.
James Hamilton - The Public Health Innovator
James Hamilton was Boston’s third island keeper. The Selectmen appointed him to this post on February 2, 1748. Unlike previous island keepers he took a strong interest in protecting his clients from the harsh conditions that existed in Boston harbor and improving the squalid hospital on Rainsford Island. Thanks to his efforts Boston bought its first quarantine vessel. This new vessel was used exclusively to transport sick residents of Boston to the island hospital. Prior to his reign as island keeper, the town rented vessels to bring the sick to the hospital. He argued in favor of a dedicated vessel so that it would be readily available at a moment’s notice. [1]
Hamilton was an innovator in other ways as well. He was also the first island keeper to lobby the Massachusetts General Court for improved hospital conditions. He emphasized the importance of separating those who are well from those infected with communicable disease. Thanks to his efforts, the town of Boston successfully obtained funds from the Massachusetts Bay province for a new hospital for the well, known as the “Well House.” Prior to his efforts everyone placed into quarantine was forced to share the same hospital whether they were sick or well. This did not make sense to Hamilton and his efforts represent one of the first instances in American public health history where public funds were allocated to isolate those exposed to disease from those already infected. It would be another 160 years before his innovative ideas would catch hold and form the basis for the modern distinction between quarantine as a tool for removing those exposed to a disease and isolation as a tool for removing those already infected with disease.
Hamilton was probably in his early thirties when he took his post and lasted for nine years before being replaced by Thomas Hartley. During his tenure he supervised port quarantines against Philadelphia (1750 and 1756)), Rhode Island (1751), and Nova Scotia (1756) and oversaw the inspection of over 4,500 vessels that entering Boston harbor. Fortunately for Hamilton there were only a handful of vessels that were forced to undergo extended quarantines during the period he held office (i.e. 1748 to 1757). Nevertheless, he had other communicable disease responsibilities including caring for the sick of Boston. One of the worst smallpox epidemics in Boston’s history occurred in 1752 when almost half of its 15,734 residents contracted smallpox either the natural way or through inoculation. The magnitude of the epidemic was so great that Rainsford Island was not a feasible quarantine strategy. The island’s bed capacity could handle no more than 100 persons on a good fair weather day. An epidemic of this magnitude convinced James Hamilton and the Selectmen that Rainsford Island only had value in response to small scale smallpox outbreaks.
[1] Provincial Laws of Massachusetts Bay, Chapter 312, Order Empowering the town of Boston to Purchase a Boar for the use of the Hospital on Rainsford Island, p. 385.
Hamilton was an innovator in other ways as well. He was also the first island keeper to lobby the Massachusetts General Court for improved hospital conditions. He emphasized the importance of separating those who are well from those infected with communicable disease. Thanks to his efforts, the town of Boston successfully obtained funds from the Massachusetts Bay province for a new hospital for the well, known as the “Well House.” Prior to his efforts everyone placed into quarantine was forced to share the same hospital whether they were sick or well. This did not make sense to Hamilton and his efforts represent one of the first instances in American public health history where public funds were allocated to isolate those exposed to disease from those already infected. It would be another 160 years before his innovative ideas would catch hold and form the basis for the modern distinction between quarantine as a tool for removing those exposed to a disease and isolation as a tool for removing those already infected with disease.
Hamilton was probably in his early thirties when he took his post and lasted for nine years before being replaced by Thomas Hartley. During his tenure he supervised port quarantines against Philadelphia (1750 and 1756)), Rhode Island (1751), and Nova Scotia (1756) and oversaw the inspection of over 4,500 vessels that entering Boston harbor. Fortunately for Hamilton there were only a handful of vessels that were forced to undergo extended quarantines during the period he held office (i.e. 1748 to 1757). Nevertheless, he had other communicable disease responsibilities including caring for the sick of Boston. One of the worst smallpox epidemics in Boston’s history occurred in 1752 when almost half of its 15,734 residents contracted smallpox either the natural way or through inoculation. The magnitude of the epidemic was so great that Rainsford Island was not a feasible quarantine strategy. The island’s bed capacity could handle no more than 100 persons on a good fair weather day. An epidemic of this magnitude convinced James Hamilton and the Selectmen that Rainsford Island only had value in response to small scale smallpox outbreaks.
[1] Provincial Laws of Massachusetts Bay, Chapter 312, Order Empowering the town of Boston to Purchase a Boar for the use of the Hospital on Rainsford Island, p. 385.
Captain Samuel Laha - Naval Hero and Island Keeper
Samuel Laha married Mercy Ranger sometime in 1759 or 1760. He had three daughters (Mercy 1761, Mary 1765, Hannah 1767 and Sally 1773 and one son, Samuel 1771).[1] The 1790 Census shows that Samuel Laha lived in Suffolk County and had a family of four all of them over 16 years of age. Because of the times in which he lived, the indignities and political affronts that he and his country men suffered at the hands of the British led him to become an American patriot. Laha entered service in the Revolutionary War on May 28, 1776 about two months after the British retreated from Boston.[2]
Laha was the First Lieutenant on the Republic, one of the five vessels authorized in February 1776 to enter combat against the British. Laha so far as the records show had seen no naval service previous to being engaged for the Republic He was commissioned June 12 1776. The following year Laha served on the privateer brigantine Hancock as a First Lieutenant.[3] On November 18, 1777 he saw service at the same rank in the Massachusetts Privateer Brig Active under Captain John Foster Williams. The privateer brig was a vessel of 85 tons with 12 cannon and a crew of 64 commissioned in Boston on October 13, 1777. His Brig was captured in a battle with the HMS Mermaid 228 miles south of Cape Sambro, Nova Scotia on November 18, 1777. The British imprisoned Laha and held him on the Newport RI prison ship Lord Sandwich. He was also at Bristol RI on March 7 1778 when he and several of his crew mates were exchanged for British prisoners and released at Bristol Rhode Island. His six months as prisoner of war did not diminish his desire to fight the British. By the following summer of 1779 he was Master of the schooner Hannah that went on an expedition to invade Penobscot with 19 other ships of war and 21 transport ships carrying 1,500 troops.[4] The expedition was under the command of General Lovell. By the fall of that year Samuel Laha returned to Boston and was appointed Island Keeper at Rainsford Island, a job he probably earned by his demonstrated sailing skills and patriotism to his country.
As Island Keeper, Laha demonstrated his ability to follow the commands of his immediate supervisors, the Selectmen of Boston. He soon enough moved his family to Rainsford Island. During the war Laha was responsible for repairing the Rainsford Island hospital and providing routine support to those requiring smallpox quarantines. He raised his daughters on Rainsford Island and they were expected to help serve the sick and needy. Being an Island Keeper, Laha was expected to provide all of the needs for his sick patients including food, shelter and clothing. The Selectmen agreed to reimburse him for those cases where an individual was too poor to pay their own expenses.
During the Revolutionary War, the Massachusetts legislature occasionally authorized the use of inoculation as a means to prevent smallpox. Because it was considered to be a dangerous practice (i.e. the live smallpox virus was used to create immunity not the cowpox virus that was introduced in the early 1800s), inoculation was only allowed in approved hospital settings. Several Boston physicians sought permission to establish inoculation hospitals including Joseph Whipple. Dr. Whipple obtained approval to use Rainsford Island hospital and the services of Samuel Laha to provide inoculation services during the fall of 1789 and the spring of 1790.[5]
Captain Laha was also a key figure in the response to yellow fever that threatened Boston during the fall of 1793. His efforts during this period demonstrated his patriotic fervor in responding to pandemic events to protect the interests of the community. Hundreds of foreign visitors from southern states, including those arriving from Philadelphia, were quarantined on Rainsford Island until it was clear they were free of this infection. He worked tirelessly during this period to accommodate the large number of suspected yellow fever carriers and his efforts contributed to an exceptionally well managed response to this outbreak. Laha served as Island Keeper for 18 years, longer than any other person to hold this post during all of the 18th and 19th centuries. His dedication and work ethic was in part responsible for keeping this position under the control of the Selectmen rather than being run by Boston physicians.
[1] Boston Church Records, The Records of the Churches of Boston, CD_ROM, Boston, Mass, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2002 (Online database NewEnglandAncestors.org New England Historical Genealogical Society, 2008), p. 184.
[2] Massachusetts Magazine, Volume 2, 1909, p. 168 Web link: The Massachusetts magazine: devoted to Massachusetts history, ... - Google Books Result
[3] Massachusetts Magazine, Volume 2, 1909, p. 169
[4] Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Seventh Series, Volume 4, Published by the Society, 1904, p. 311.
[5] Smallpox by Inoculation, Massachusetts Centinel, April 1, 1789; Volume XI, Issue 5, page 19.
Laha was the First Lieutenant on the Republic, one of the five vessels authorized in February 1776 to enter combat against the British. Laha so far as the records show had seen no naval service previous to being engaged for the Republic He was commissioned June 12 1776. The following year Laha served on the privateer brigantine Hancock as a First Lieutenant.[3] On November 18, 1777 he saw service at the same rank in the Massachusetts Privateer Brig Active under Captain John Foster Williams. The privateer brig was a vessel of 85 tons with 12 cannon and a crew of 64 commissioned in Boston on October 13, 1777. His Brig was captured in a battle with the HMS Mermaid 228 miles south of Cape Sambro, Nova Scotia on November 18, 1777. The British imprisoned Laha and held him on the Newport RI prison ship Lord Sandwich. He was also at Bristol RI on March 7 1778 when he and several of his crew mates were exchanged for British prisoners and released at Bristol Rhode Island. His six months as prisoner of war did not diminish his desire to fight the British. By the following summer of 1779 he was Master of the schooner Hannah that went on an expedition to invade Penobscot with 19 other ships of war and 21 transport ships carrying 1,500 troops.[4] The expedition was under the command of General Lovell. By the fall of that year Samuel Laha returned to Boston and was appointed Island Keeper at Rainsford Island, a job he probably earned by his demonstrated sailing skills and patriotism to his country.
As Island Keeper, Laha demonstrated his ability to follow the commands of his immediate supervisors, the Selectmen of Boston. He soon enough moved his family to Rainsford Island. During the war Laha was responsible for repairing the Rainsford Island hospital and providing routine support to those requiring smallpox quarantines. He raised his daughters on Rainsford Island and they were expected to help serve the sick and needy. Being an Island Keeper, Laha was expected to provide all of the needs for his sick patients including food, shelter and clothing. The Selectmen agreed to reimburse him for those cases where an individual was too poor to pay their own expenses.
During the Revolutionary War, the Massachusetts legislature occasionally authorized the use of inoculation as a means to prevent smallpox. Because it was considered to be a dangerous practice (i.e. the live smallpox virus was used to create immunity not the cowpox virus that was introduced in the early 1800s), inoculation was only allowed in approved hospital settings. Several Boston physicians sought permission to establish inoculation hospitals including Joseph Whipple. Dr. Whipple obtained approval to use Rainsford Island hospital and the services of Samuel Laha to provide inoculation services during the fall of 1789 and the spring of 1790.[5]
Captain Laha was also a key figure in the response to yellow fever that threatened Boston during the fall of 1793. His efforts during this period demonstrated his patriotic fervor in responding to pandemic events to protect the interests of the community. Hundreds of foreign visitors from southern states, including those arriving from Philadelphia, were quarantined on Rainsford Island until it was clear they were free of this infection. He worked tirelessly during this period to accommodate the large number of suspected yellow fever carriers and his efforts contributed to an exceptionally well managed response to this outbreak. Laha served as Island Keeper for 18 years, longer than any other person to hold this post during all of the 18th and 19th centuries. His dedication and work ethic was in part responsible for keeping this position under the control of the Selectmen rather than being run by Boston physicians.
[1] Boston Church Records, The Records of the Churches of Boston, CD_ROM, Boston, Mass, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2002 (Online database NewEnglandAncestors.org New England Historical Genealogical Society, 2008), p. 184.
[2] Massachusetts Magazine, Volume 2, 1909, p. 168 Web link: The Massachusetts magazine: devoted to Massachusetts history, ... - Google Books Result
[3] Massachusetts Magazine, Volume 2, 1909, p. 169
[4] Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Seventh Series, Volume 4, Published by the Society, 1904, p. 311.
[5] Smallpox by Inoculation, Massachusetts Centinel, April 1, 1789; Volume XI, Issue 5, page 19.
William Waters, America's First Island Keeper
William Waters was the first Island Keeper on Rainsford Island and the first in America. The Massachusetts General Court authorized the Boston Selectmen to hire an Island Keeper and a result of this legislative action, he was appointed to his post on June 21, 1738. Waters was 36 years of age when he took this position. He had previously engaged in maritime trade and was a good sailor, one of the primary skills required of the Island Keeper. Mr. Waters had a modest house on Rainsford Island where he supervised sick sailors quarantined in the “Sick House.”
Mr. Waters assumed responsibility for Hospital Island at a time when maritime commerce was declining due to a decline in immigration to America. Nevertheless, despite a general downturn in the economy, Waters was responsible for dealing with the smallpox outbreak of 1741, inspecting over 4,200 vessels that entered Boston Harbor and managing ten port quarantine orders imposed against nearby states and foreign ports during his nine year tenure.[1] Waters realized his services were critical to the town’s Selectmen. Virtually every year he negotiated for higher wages after he found the contract under which he worked provided few economic incentives for him to succeed. His temperament made him a consummate negotiator and this skill served him well as he negotiated a salary that included a per head allowance for each sick person he cared for. The terms of his contract turned out to be so favorable that the Selectmen eventually adjusted it to make it less profitable for him. While Waters faced an overwhelming challenge of staying abreast of epidemic intelligence from throughout the world, in practice he only quarantined 14 vessels during his reign as island keeper.[2]
Waters was a businessman at heart. It appears that he may have taken the Island Keeper post begrudgingly due to the bad economy and the need to land a stable salary. While his income was important to him, especially at the annual renegotiation of his salary, he appeared to appreciate the public health challenges of his supervisors. One year during a smallpox outbreak that was said to have started in Rhode Island, he agreed to return to his post at his old salary in order to help Bostonians contend with a serious public health threat.
Mr. Waters resigned from his post in the fall of 1746, replaced by a relatively unknown man, Thomas Murfey. Waters is believed to have returned to maritime trade after his departure from Rainsford Island. His exact date of death is not known. However, the Boston Newsletter carried an article on the close out of his estate on October 12, 1758 so he presumably died in that year.[3]
[1] Vidich, Charles, Germs at Bay: Politics, Public Health and American Quarantine (forthcoming).
[2] Vidich, Charles, Germs at Bay: Politics, Public Health and American Quarantine (forthcoming) and unpublished research by the author.
[3] Boston Newsletter, October 12, 1758, p. 3.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Chronology of Island Keepers: Boston's Epdemic Intelligence Service
William Waters 1738-1746
Years Served: 9
Age at Appointment: 36
Harvard Graduate?: No
Thomas Murfey 1746-1748
Years Served: 1
Harvard Graduate?: No
James Hamilton 1748-1757
Years Served: 9
Harvard Graduate?: No
Thomas Hartley 1757-1765
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 29
Harvard Graduate?: No
Samuel Hartley 1765-1779
Years Served: 15
Age at Appointment: 26
Harvard Graduate?: No
Samuel Laha 1779-1796
Years Served: 18
Age at Appointment: 46
Harvard Graduate: No
Thomas Spears 1796-1812
Years Served: 15
Age at Appointment: 43
Harvard Graduate?: No
Henry Spear 1812-1817
Years Served: 5
Age at Appointment: 33
Harvard Graduate?: No
Moses Hobart 1818-1826
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 38
Harvard Graduate?: No
John Oliver 1827-1832
Years Served: 6
Age at Appointment: 31
Harvard Graduate?: No
William Marsh 1832-1833
Years Served: 1
Age at Appointment: 21
Harvard Graduate?: No?
John Minot 1833-1841
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 51
Harvard Graduate?: No
George P. Tewksbury 1841-1845
Years Served: 4
Age at Appointment: 33
Harvard Graduate?: No
Jonathan Bruce 1846-1852
Years Served: 7
Age at Appointment: 28
Harvard Graduate?: No
William Waters 1738-1746
Years Served: 9
Age at Appointment: 36
Harvard Graduate?: No
Thomas Murfey 1746-1748
Years Served: 1
Harvard Graduate?: No
James Hamilton 1748-1757
Years Served: 9
Harvard Graduate?: No
Thomas Hartley 1757-1765
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 29
Harvard Graduate?: No
Samuel Hartley 1765-1779
Years Served: 15
Age at Appointment: 26
Harvard Graduate?: No
Samuel Laha 1779-1796
Years Served: 18
Age at Appointment: 46
Harvard Graduate: No
Thomas Spears 1796-1812
Years Served: 15
Age at Appointment: 43
Harvard Graduate?: No
Henry Spear 1812-1817
Years Served: 5
Age at Appointment: 33
Harvard Graduate?: No
Moses Hobart 1818-1826
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 38
Harvard Graduate?: No
John Oliver 1827-1832
Years Served: 6
Age at Appointment: 31
Harvard Graduate?: No
William Marsh 1832-1833
Years Served: 1
Age at Appointment: 21
Harvard Graduate?: No?
John Minot 1833-1841
Years Served: 8
Age at Appointment: 51
Harvard Graduate?: No
George P. Tewksbury 1841-1845
Years Served: 4
Age at Appointment: 33
Harvard Graduate?: No
Jonathan Bruce 1846-1852
Years Served: 7
Age at Appointment: 28
Harvard Graduate?: No
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