Looking for a Quack Doctor in Wilmslow

[Luzzu]

Thanks for your replies. The article from 1893 and the 1866 burial are interesting, I will check them out. I will also write to the Society of Apothecaries. As to the definition of a quack doctor, I think it is someone not qualified who pretends to have medical knowledge and who recommends treatments that are ineffective.

I have attached two extracts from the books I have. Both were written by local men. In 1971 Howard Hodson wrote about the area of Old Bridge/Bridge Foot and he referred to Alfred Fryer's book which was written in 1886.

Alfred Fryer mentions Torkington's cottage and Josiah Torkington appears on both the 1841 and 1851.

[Watson]

Luzzu wrote: "As to the definition of a quack doctor, I think it is someone not qualified who pretends to have medical knowledge and who recommends treatments that are ineffective."

I think that is probably a good description of what it should mean.  However, it is easy to imagine the term being applied to a doctor who was eccentric or incompetent, or who had a bad reputation for some other reason, but who was, nevertheless, properly qualified.  That is why I hope you will check if he was licensed by the S.O.A..

[Luzzu]

Yes I agree and I will check.

[Ray T]

You can check the occupancy of the cottages in question on the Cheshire Tithe Map website here - https://maps.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tithemaps/

A search for Gibbon, however, in the whole of Cheshire, returns no results.

[Luzzu]

Thank you very much. I will take a look.

[Luzzu]

Luzzu wrote: "As to the definition of a quack doctor, I think it is someone not qualified who pretends to have medical knowledge and who recommends treatments that are ineffective."

I think that is probably a good description of what it should mean.  However, it is easy to imagine the term being applied to a doctor who was eccentric or incompetent, or who had a bad reputation for some other reason, but who was, nevertheless, properly qualified.  That is why I hope you will check if he was licensed by the S.O.A..

Just a quick update. I have been in touch with the S.O.A. and have received an acknowledgement of my enquiry saying that the archivist will check for me in due course.

[Luzzu]

Another small update, I have now heard back from the Society of Apothercaries and John Gibbin doesn't appear on any of their databases.

I haven't got much further but am following up the 1866 burial at St Bartholomew's, Wilmslow of John Gibbon, aged 59 years.

[Watson]

Luzzu, in a book about Cheshire I noticed a passage mentioning the wife of a quack doctor living near the church at Wilmslow, in 1851 (I think).  I suspect you already know this, but I could quote it if you think it might help.

[Luzzu]

Thanks Watson. I think it will be similar to the two passages I attached at the beginning of the post. The area is Old Bridge or Bridgefoot. I checked the 1841, 1851 and 1861 census and I can't see anyone who could be the wife of a quack doctor. It would be good if I could identify her as it would be a lead. Also the 1841 Tithe Map of the area isn't showing any possibles.

The 1866 burial at St Bartholomews of John Gibbon, aged 59 years, of Knutsford isn't getting me anywhere.