The Doctor’s World: The Life and Times of Claver Morris, 1659–1727

Description

This is the story of the extraordinary life of Claver Morris and the society in which he lived. After his marriage at Chelsea in 1685, Claver Morris moved to Somerset where he established an outstanding reputation for his work as a physician. His diaries show us how he worked with apothecaries and surgeons, and travelled widely to treat all kind of patients, from the children of the poor to those of the landed gentry. The diaries also tell us about the joys and pains of Claver’s personal and family life, and of his various intrigues. Claver Morris was a man of many talents: immensely enterprising, knowledgeable, sociable and loving. His house was always filled with music, guests and entertainments. Yet he was often faced with disputes and troubles partly of his own making ― as when he courted a bishop’s daughter, or stole some land to build his Queen Anne house. The Doctor’s World provides a unique portrait of a physician living and working through the political and religious turmoils that beset the nation at the turn of the eighteenth century. Tales of medical treatments, clandestine marriages and self-serving priests are entwined with famous acts of treason and rebellion, and the pleasures and tragedies of daily life. This meticulously researched book will appeal to all readers of social, political, medical and family history. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Map of Wells, 1735 Families & Figures Map of Somerset, c.1749 Part One: 1659–1697 Chapter 1: Grace Chapter 2: Claver Chapter 3: The Cathedral City Chapter 4: The Physician Chapter 5: The Monmouth Rebellion Chapter 6: Mother & Child Chapter 7: Visits to New Patients Chapter 8: Dr Morris Chapter 9: Two Bishops Chapter 10: Wicked Practices Chapter 11: A Turning Point Chapter 12: Secret Marriage & Courtship Chapter 13: William Penn Part Two: 1697–1718 Chapter 14: Baby Betty Chapter 15: Bad Omens Chapter 16: A New Home Chapter 17: Wedding Bells Chapter 18: The Great Storm Chapter 19: The Tolling Bell Chapter 20: ‘Drink If You Please’ Chapter 21: High Crimes & Misdemeanours Chapter 22: Among the Gentry Chapter 23: Queen Anne’s Peace Chapter 24: Family & Friends Part Three: 1718–1727 Chapter 25: The Letter Chapter 26: The Severance Chapter 27: Loss & Reconciliation Chapter 28: The Common Lands Chapter 29: A Contested Election Chapter 30: The Glastonbury Enclosure Chapter 31: ‘A Very Hot Dry Summer’ Chapter 32: Seen by Candlelight Chapter 33: Dining Alone Epilogue Credits & Permissions Notes Abbreviations Part One, 1659–1697 1. Grace 2. Claver 3. The Cathedral City 4. The Physician 5. The Monmouth Rebellion 6. Mother & Child 7. Visits to New Patients 8. Dr Morris 9. Two Bishops 10. Wicked Practices 11. A Turning Point 12. Secret Marriage & Courtship 13. William Penn Part Two, 1697–1718 14. Baby Betty 15. Bad Omens 16. A New Home 17. Wedding Bells 18. The Great Storm 19. The Tolling Bell 20. ‘Drink If You Please’ 21. High Crimes & Misdemeanours 22. Among the Gentry 23. Queen Anne’s Peace 24. Family & Friends Part Three, 1718–1727 25. The Letter 26. The Severance 27. Loss & Reconciliation 28. The Common Lands 29. A Contested Election 30. The Glastonbury Enclosure 31. ‘A Very Hot Dry Summer’ 32. Seen by Candlelight 33. Dining Alone Epilogue Sources Manuscript Sources Bath Record Office Dorset History Centre Bragge Family Parish Records Wills The National Archives Court of Chancery Wills North Devon Record Office Somerset Heritage Centre Families Wells Somerset & Other Places Wells Cathedral Library Wells City Archives Printed Primary Sources Secondary Sources Index