Harding, Sarah H., House

Norwood and his wife must have come to Topsfield shortly after their marriage. Their one child Betsey, who married Samuel Prince of Manchester, was born in Topsfield, Dec. 21, 1779. Mrs. Norwood's parents "lived in Danvers until 1779, when they removed to Andover, and have removed with his wife's parents for the records of Merrimack, N. H. show that he was living there about 1780. On Feb. 5, 1781, "Caleb Rea of Topsfield, - physician, in consideration of one hundred pounds . . . paid me by David Norwood of Merrimack in the County of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, physician," transferred land in Danvers that he had purchased of Andrew and Mary Putnam on Nov. 7,1780. On June 8, 178+, he conveyed to Joseph Leach 1-2 acre of land with dwelling house and barn, and is styled in the deed as David Norwood, " physician of Manchester." In 1794 he is recorded as having " Jabored excessively" during the " great sickness." He died in Manchester, Mass., May 26, 1808, aged 54 years. The inventory of his estate shows surgical instruments, Art of Surgery, and old books. He probably was the first surgeon who practiced in Topsfield.

Passage source: The Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, published 1911.

Doctor Choate was educated in the schools of his native town and at Phillips Academy, Andover. He commenced the study of medicine with Prof. Dixie Crosby, M. D., of the Dartmouth Medical College, and subsequently entered the Harvard Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1854. When attending his last lectures, Dr. Choate Burnham of Hamilton, Mass., urged him to settle in Hamilton. He practiced in that town from October, 1853, to April, 1854, going back and forth on the train to his studies at Boston. While in Hamilton, William Cleaveland and John Wright of T opsfield called and urged him to come to Topsfield, as Doctor French was planning to go to Illinois, and Doctor Batchelder having gone to Templeton, Topsfield had oaly Or R.A. Merriam, who, although well advanced in years and retired from active practice, still gave his assistance in troublesome cases, which he continued to do till his death. Doctor Choate accordingly went to Topsfield in April, 1854, and boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Balch. Doctor Choate occupied one of the front rooms as an office. He had an ordinary carriage at first, but thinking a gig better suited for his practice in Middleton, Boxford and Linebrook, he had one built for him by Thomas Kk. Leach, the Topsfield wheelwright. After his marriage in 1856, he moved into the house yet standing on the corner of Main and Summer streets, and now owned by Mrs. Ephraim Peabody. He frequently called into consultation Dr. Cox of Salem, who, after a time, urged him to settle in that city. Although Doctor Choate liked Topsfield, services, yet he was unused to the hardships suffered during the winter season while on long drives, andso welcomed a chance to go to Salem, removing there in June, 1857. At this time he charged seventy-five cents a visit for calls in Topsfield, and also often went to Boxford for that sum. After he had decided to leave Topsfield, the citizens offered him an increase of 25% on the charge for his visits as an inducement to remain. Doctor Choate had many applicants for his practice, finally selling to Dr. Justin Allen of Hamilton. He still lives in Salem, where "he has had a very extensive practice, and by his kindliness, his professional skill and fidelity, he has gained a strong hold upon and a warm place in the hearts of those in whose families he had visited. Dr. Choate is a most indefatigable worker, and cheerfully responds to many calls, day or night, when he knows there will be no financial remuneration. He is known as the ' Beloved Physician." He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1858, and isa member of the Essex South District Medical Seciety. He is a member of the Essex Congregational Club, and for thirty-four years has been a deacon of the Tabernacle Congregational Church of Salem. He has served on the School Board. During the Civil War he was examining surgeon for volunteers and drafted men, and from 1863 to 1869 was examining surgeon for pensions. He was on the staff of the Salem Hospital for fourteen years following its organization. He lives on Norman street in Salem.

Passage source: The Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, published 1911.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Topsfield Town - 98,991 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.