Looking for a Quack Doctor in Wilmslow

[Luzzu]

Trying to find out anything about John Gibbin who was a quack doctor living near St Batholomew's Church in Wilmslow.

He is referenced in a book published in 1886 as follows:- "This cottage was tenanted by John Gibbin. a quack doctor, who was frequently absent. His wife gained a little money by providing accommodation for lodgers."

The cottages where he is supposed to be are in an area called "Old Bridge" and "Bridge Foot" and they were close to Chancel Lane. When the Church extended the grave yard down towards the River Bollin, the cottages were demolished. They were there in 1841 and 1851 and there were a few remaining in 1861 and all gone by 1862.

The census references are:-

HO107/115/5/30/2 - 1841 Old Bridge
HO107/2162/33/1 - 1851 Bridge Foot
RG09/2588/51/16/75 - 1861 Old Bridge

This is all the information I have.

Thanks 

[CaroleW]

I'm not having any luck matching the census references to a John Gibbin

Was he still alive at those times?

[mckha489]

I took OP to mean the properties were there in 1841 & 1851 and just a few still in 1861

I’ve been looking in the papers.  One would expect a Quack Doctor to have lots of advertisements. But am seeing nothing.

[Luzzu]

Yes the census references refer to the cottages where he or his wife should be but they aren’t there. I am sorry I have the briefest of information and don’t even know when he was born or how old he was.

[CaroleW]

The author didn't seem to know much about him but must have got that info from somewhere.  Given that the book was written in 1886 it's more likely the locals would remember him

[mckha489]

In 1881 & 1882 a serial list of “past worthies” of Wilmslow was published. Based on the year 1836
Finally found the Gs.
No help. But a reminder to look for Gibbon

[mckha489]

Here’s a mention. But 1893…it’s a very interesting long article about Quack Doctors.

[mckha489]

FindMyPast has an index to "N Cheshire Memorial Inscriptions"
That has a John GIBBON buried at St Bartholomew age 59 January 1866

The burial register that matches says he was of Knutsford

[Watson]

How does one define a "Quack Doctor"?  Presumably, not a member of the Society of Apothecaries, but I would want to write to that Society (headquarters in London), to ask them to check their records. They answered an enquiry of mine most helpfully.