TROTTER, THOMAS, M.D., who held at one
time the important office of physician to the Channel fleet, was born in
Roxburghshire, educated at the university of Edinburgh, and while still
young, was appointed surgeon in the Royal Navy in 1782. Finding occupation
in his own particular department too scanty, or rival aspirants too
numerous, he turned his attention to the African trade, and was, as he has
informed us, the first of his professional corps who was obliged to betake
himself to that humble and somewhat perilous vocation. Returning from Africa
in 1785, he settled as a medical practitioner at a small town in
Northumberland, and obtained the degree of M.D. at Edinburgh, in 1788.
Better days now began to dawn upon him; for on the following year he was
appointed, through the patronage of Admiral Roddam, surgeon to that
commander’s flag-ship; in 1793, he was made physician to the Royal Hospital
at Portsmouth, and in 1794, physician to the fleet.
This was high as well as rapid
promotion for one who had been fain in commence his pursuit of fortune in a
merchant ship, and under the baneful sun of Africa; but the first step in
his ascent once secured, Dr. Trotter soon showed his fitness for the
eminence to which he was raised, for in 1790, only a year after his first
appointment, he published a "Review of the Medical Department of the British
Navy." Such also was his care for the health of the naval service, the
important improvements he introduced into its regulations, and his attention
to the due promotion of merit among the navy surgeons, that all classes
combined in acknowledging his worth. After having occupied the important
charge of physician to the fleet for several years, he retired upon a
pension of 200 pounds per annum, and settled at Newcastle, where he
practised with reputation till his death, which occurred in that town on the
5th September, 1832.
As an author, Dr. Trotter was known to
the medical world at large by the excellent works he published, as well as
the reforms he effected in the British navy. A list of these productions we
here give in their order:--
-
"Treatise on the Scurvy."
-
"Thesis ‘De Ebrietate.’"
1788.
-
"Review of the Medical Department of
the British Navy." 1790. A work to which we have already adverted.
-
"Medical and Chemical Essays." 1796.
-
"Medica Nautica, or an Essay
on the Diseases of Seamen." 3 vols., 8 vo. 1799.
-
"Essay on Drunkenness." 1804. This
was a translation with additions of his Thesis which he had written in
1788, and which had been highly commended by Dr. Cullen.
-
"An Address to the Proprietors and
Managers of Coal Mines, on the Means of Destroying Damp." 1806.
-
"A View of the Nervous Temperament;
being a Practical Treatise on Nervous, Bilious, Stomach, and Liver
Complaints." 8 vo. 1812
Dr Trotter was a poet as well as
physician, and his productions in this department, forgotten though they now
are, excited during their own day such an amount of respectful attention, as
mere common rhymes could scarcely have obtained. First in the list of these
was his "Suspiria Oceani," being a monody on the death of Earl Howe;
the next, published in 1813, was a tragedy, entitled, "The Noble Foundling,
or the Hermit of the Tweed." He also published a volume of his miscellaneous
poetry, and was a frequent contributor at his leisure hours, not only to the
"Medical Journal," but also to the "European Magazine," and other literary
periodicals.
Thanks to Brenda Elaine McPherson Trotter Compton
bmcomppton@juno.com for sending
this into us....
Durham University Library Archives has graciously
given Permission to put the Dr. Thomas Trotter Estate. The original will of
Thomas Trotter is included in the Durham Probate Records in the care of
Durham University Library. DPRI/1/1832/T21/1-12
Mrs Ann Robinson
Archives Assistant
Durham University Library
Palace Green
Durham DH1 3RN
Phone: 0191 374 3202
Fax: 0191 374 3002
e-mail: Ann.Robinson@durham.ac.uk
Dr. Thomas Trotter’s Will
[This Trust is spelled with the same spelling that Wm.
Rutherford wrote it for Doctor Thomas Trotter in Scotland]
Page One^^^
At Jedburgh the Seventeenth day of October Eightteen
Hundred and thirty two heard in presence of William Oliver Esq. Sheriff of
Roxburghshire, compeared Samuel Stranton
Writer in Jednburgh as Proceautor for Thomas Trotter
here after desginated and give in the trust and Disposition and Deed of
settlement under written deserning the same night be registered into the
said Sheriff Court Books comform to the clause of Arbitration after inserted
Which request the said Sheriff finding reasonable ordained accordingly, and
of which has Proposition and Deed Settlement the Principal of being written
on stamped paper, the items follow in last words. "I Thomas Trotter of
Roxburgh, Iower Doctor of Medicine, sometime Physican of His Majasty Fleet
and Hontable Proprietor of the Lands with Houses and others thereafter "
disposed in order to prevent dispute after my death have given granted
convayed disproved asigned and made over as I have these presented with.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Second
" With and under the burdon conditions, decelerations,
reservations, powers and facalties, after written live Grant deposed, convay,
asign and make over from me my Laird and ____to my beloved________Isabella
Agnes Dixon Trotter and Thomas Dixon Marr Trotter, two of my three sons.
Alica Allison Trotter, my daughter while she is unmarried and to the ______
_______, accepted of them______where as my trustees failing to the nearest
Heir, as the trustees for the uses intent. Lands and purpose after mentioned
all and turn lands ceizable, Hertitable bonds and ______, depts and sum of
money, goods, books, silver plate, and gernrally the whole Heritable and
personal Estates and effects means and depts whenever due and indepted to me
or that share belong to me and oweing to me at this time.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Third
At the time of my Death and particularly without
prejudices to the above, general canvanceses, all and naill these my Lands
of the Estate Housebryer, part of the Lands of Easter Housebryer, part of
which is now desginated " Housebryre Iower, which is with the naill houses
bringing Lairds and progenator belonging together with the lands Sheves and
other, as well as pasanage( church) as acrage there of lying in the Parish
and Cate regality of Monrose and Sherifdom of Roxburgshire, ( Scotland) and
all mine particularty Described in a Charter of Resignations and Sale in
favor of Richard Brown Esquire, time of Main Side, my Author dated. December
Eighteen Hundred and Eight Item all and whole these my houses
Lords and others in the East and of the Town of
Melrose with the perternints as sometime belong to the late John Trotter my
Father and on parts of which a new dwelling House was lately erected by me,
the said property being posessed by Thomas Scott Francis Dobson and others
my tenants-Item part and whole.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Fourth
Whole that part or Cavid in the Marsh of Melrose and
half of another part in Caril in the whole with the tenants and partistants
of the same whole all and whole these other two parts or Carvil of Land in
said wards, Melrose fromanly and divided and Lett of to this deseased
William Cook Weaver are partners in Melrose by Decreet decrestion of the
Sheriff of Roxburgshire in the same year of Seventeen Hundred and Fifty One
as same are more fully divided in the Tithe Deeds there fore: which cavils
of Land Laid together and now bounded by Trees on the East by Landsw of John
Butler Representatives on the South by those of Alexander Herderson on the
West side Partly by those James Wilson and partly by a service road and on
the North side by Roxburgh Turn Pike All lying with in the Town and
Territory of Melrose Roxburgh Parish and County of Roxburgh together with
all right title and interest claim of right property and posessions which my
predessors and Authors as heirs
Wm. Rutherford
Page Fifth
Or Heirs and succefors had have or can claim right
chanels, than to or to any part of portion of the same in Line coming and I
do hereby mandated and appoint my said Tentants above named take sole and
only executors or executor with power to give give up involuntary and
confirm the same as accords but declairing always as it is hereby presently
and declared that of the trustees above mentioned my dear wife the said
Isabella Agnes Dixon shall have the sole power during her lifetime to
mannage my property and excuite this trust without the concent of the other
trustees in the same manner as if she had been named the said sole trustee
and in case of her death upon acceptance then the said other trustees and in
case of her death upon acceptors or accepted of this and said surving
accepted of them shall in the next place have full power to excute the same
Declaring futher that any two of such accepting Trustees when that number
are alive or the survivor of them shall be appointed, and I do give full
power to.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Sixth
to my said trustee in the order of priority above
mentioned and the surviving accepted of acceptor of them immediately on my
death, enter a form request of my Heritable and Personal Estates above
convayed and to do every other thing request for making the same informuch
to grant teste of my said heritable subjects on such terms and conditions
and for such number of Mears as she or they see prefer and also to compound
submit referr trasnsact and agree in reguard to any matter dispute ot
difference connected with my affairs and Generally to do everything in
relations to which might haave been done by my self in my own lofetime which
In not canvayence top my said Trustees before named which is not convayed by
me and shall be accepted by said Trustees before said named according to
their respective priortities . [Whom failing by their nearest Male Heir as
my trustees or trustee for the uses ends intents and propossed after
written, vigt. Thirds for you.]
Wm. Rutherford
Page Seventh
For delivering over to the said Isabella Agnes Dixon
my wife immediately after my death the ahole housewhold furniture, flat bed
and table linens printed books and other household effects that they happen
to belong to me when that wait takes place all belongs which appoint to be
liferented by her during her natural death Take equally divided among my
said sons; John Everitt Howe Trotter William Curtis Trotter Thomas Dixon
Marr Trotter and to my said daughter Alecia Alison Trotter equally share and
share alike. Secondly, For the purpose delivering my Gold Watch which I
bequeith and beg her to wear for my sake. Third, For paying my deathbed and
funeral expenses, these expenses after the excution of this. In muxh and
such of my just and Lawful Depts as my said Trustees of
Wm. Rutherford
Page Eighth
or trustee acting for the time may find herself or
them selves unable to pay for my said property property. Fourthly; For
paying to the said Isabella Agnes Dixon my wife during all the day of her
lifetime the free annual income rents or profit of the remainer of said
Estate after deducting Intent of such of my depts as may remain unpaid for
duties tax bural public and parochial burdens and reports and all other
proper deductions the liferent and management and directions being hereby
expressly disproved and approved. To my said Dear wife Isabella Agnes Dixon
for the purpose of being used and enjoyed by herself and for my children
including my said eldest son while they are inable to provide for
themselves.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Ninth
Fifthly; that after the death of the said Isabella
Agnes Dixon my wife, the said other trustees acting for the time shall
dispose and make over the said Lands and other Heirtable inobjects generally
and particullary above disproved and the remainer of my personal property to
and inform of the said John Enveill, Howe Roddam Trotter and William Curtis
Trotter and Alecia Alison Trotter equally share and share a like as to the
Heirs or his or her bodies and lawfully begotten and failing any one or
these more of my three children by death before attending majority only
preceeds with out leaving such heirs to the survivors or last survivors and
their Heirs his or her bodyies respectivately and failing all of these their
children by death as for said without any of them leaving ligitimate off
spring then to the said Thomas Dixon Marr Trotter my youngest son and his
heirs and asigned declaring that the said Thomas Dixon Marr Trotter being
amply takes care of by the will.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Tenth
Will of the late George Mitcherson of Bedington is the
reason I have not appointed him to share my Heritable property along with my
said other Children ; Which provisions in favor of my said wife and children
shall be all other claims shall be in full satifaction to them after
relation; Ligitation and all other claims to all and any of them in and
through my death nand manner of the way. Sixthly; In the event of my said
eldest sons and daughter of their respective heirs wishing after they suceed
to their shares of my said First Estate. To sell his or her or their shares
of the said estate lands and houses and others He or She or they shall
bebound to the offer his her or their share or shared of the said lands or
shared to his her or their other brothers and sisters or the heir of such
other brother and sister or sister at such price or prices and tobe payable
at such time or tinmes as ones ormore arbitriters named by the parties
themselves
Wm. Rutherford
Page Eleventh
At failing their agreeing in the moniniation of the
arbritators named by the Sheriff or Sheriffs in the insitute of the County
of Roxburgh for the time being shall fix and adcertain as it is my wish that
these subjects should remain in my family and failing such after being
accepted by all or any one or more of my said three children or their
foresaid To whom the after is made and the arbitrators appointed for the
above purpose with in two months after the time at making it then it shall
be in the power of the persons or some dessissions of telling his or her
shares to dispose of the same as he or she shall see fit Seventhly That any
of my said three children above appointed to succeed to my said Estate,
succeed any sum or sums of money in consequence of the death of.
Wm. Rutherford
Page Twelveth
Any of their relations sharely recommend to them ans
such each of them to apply such sum or sums of money towards extinction of
sum or sums of money toward extintion of The Heritable Depts affecting
any said Heritable Estate. Eighthly I futher recommend and express it as my
particular wish Dixon my sister in Law after my death continue to live in
family with my said wife and children as her home and above and earnestly
recommend the same to be done. Ninthly on around the said John Everett Howe
Roddam Trotter my oldest son being incapable from mental derarangement to
manage his affairs. I earnestly entered my said wife and other
children to guard and prptect him with sympathy and affection considering
that when in landomn in February Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Six and while
in as some state of mind be bequeathed whole property to them
Wm. Rutherford
Page Thirteenth
at his deceased and I do hereby nominate and appoint
the said Mrs Isabella Agnes Dixon my spouse and the said William Curtis
Trotter Thomas Dixon Marr Trotter and Alicia Alison Trotter and the
surviving acceptors or acceptors or accepters of them and heirs of
such Last surviving acceptable any two of them that number are alive and
acceptable any of two when that number are alive and accepting being around
as arburators and for my said son John Evertt Howe Roddam Trotter with power
to them to enter upon the possession of the share of my said means and
Estates to which be may succeed in conquesences of the possession of the
share or the said means and Estates to which be may succeed of the first
deed and to do everything requisit for making the same affective and to up
receive assign transfer and to discharge the same subjects to let the same
Lease or Leases as such time shall see fit and in general to do every thing
requisite and
Wm. Rutherford
Page Fourteenth
of the first deed the said John Everett Howe Roddam
Trotter might have done him and He been in sound mind and that he during
this time he remails affected with this above melancholy desease and surely
empower my said trustees or trustor forsaid and as curators and guardians
forsaid oldest son to appoint one or more agents or executors to assist them
in the management and of this deed and to allow them a reasonable said
gratafication for their trouble and Surely declare that the Land Mrs
Isabella Agnes Dixon and the said the said William Curtis Trotter Thomas,
Thomas Dixon Marr Trotter and Alicia Alison Trotter and to the surviving
acceptors as Excutors or Excurtrix to as arburators and guardian for the
said John Evertte Howe Roddam Trotter the said my son shall not be able
liable for insolvencenes of them
Wm. Rutherford
Page Fifteenth
of his Debtors agents factors or others now for
oinifions neglect of duty or accidental mis-management nor for one another
but each only for his own actual intransgression and of do here by give full
power and liberty to my said Trustees at my time or times during the
contunience of this Trust and according to their respective __________ to
borrow what said sum of money may be required for paying of any of the
Heritable or Personal Debts that may be oweing by me at my Death and to
grant Real Securities for the same or ever my said heritable properties
binding my Heirs general in absolute warranties or else to grant such for
personal or else see fit but always at the influence of my Trust Estate: In
which several Saros Tenos Marses Maros and other with their pretended above
diafrones. In the said Doctor Thomas Trotter buried and
Wm. Rutherford
Page Sixteenth
Oblige me my heirs and successors to infefto and seize
my said Trustees and their for said Upon the charges and expenses of my said
Estate but under the declarations conditions reservations and others and for
the ends set intents and purposes before and after written And that by two
several Investsments different manners of holding the one there of to be
holden of me and foresaids in free blench for pay marl of a penny Scots
money upon the ground of the said several subjects as whits miday Yealy in
name of blench farm if asked only and the other of the said Infefsments to
be holden from us of and under our immediate lawful Superior of the said
subjects in the same manner and as freely in all respects as hold a might
have holden the same myself and that either by resigmation as conformation
as both the one without pregudice of the other and for
Wm. Rutherford
Page Seventeenth
for accomplishing the said Infeftment by resignation I
bind me my heirs and aneecfson?? To grant all peoples Proeventerral and
other writings necceisary which Disposition and apgnation aforesaid
Infefsment and others to follow hereon I the said Dr. Thomas Trotter bind
and oblige me my heirs ans successors to warrant at all hands and I do
hereby make consitute my said Trustees according to the order of priority
before expressed and their foresaids my lawful asiner and assigned in and to
the rents malls and duties of the said subjects falling due subsequent to
the period of the death and also in and to the writs and widows rights
titles and securities of the same whole claused tenor and contents of the
same with all that has followed as it Competent to follow thereon
Sureafating hereby and substituting my said Trustees according
Wm. Rutherford
Page Eighteenth
According to said priority and their foresaid in my
full right and place of the premises for ever Which designation above
written I said and oblige myself and my foresaid to warrant is so far as
concerns the written and evident at all hands and as to the rents from fact
and deed as thy the said Dr Thomas Trotter under the convections and
declarations hereafter written hereby revoke all former Deeds of Settlement
executed by be and restore my own different right over the whole subjects
heritable and moveable before disproved and conveyed also full power during
my life to gift dispose of aliemate at dispose away the same of any portions
thereof and to cancel after a innovate these presents in whole of in part as
I may see proper declaring that in so far as not altered these presents
shall
Wm. Rutherford
Page Nineteenth
Shall have the full effect of a delivered deed
wherever and in whose hands so ever the same maybe formed at my death as
with the not delivery I have dispensed and for ever dispense any law a
practice to the contrary notwithstanding declaring also that in the event of
these presents becoming reducible as ineffectnal through my death an the
plea of deathbed as otherwise it shall not have the effect of a revocation
of a disposeition and Deed of Settlement executed by me bearing date the
eleventh day of August Eighteen Hundred and twenty four but the same shall
in that event remain infull force as it had previous to this first
Disposetion and Deed of Settlement being executed by me and I consent to the
registration hereof in the Books of Council and refrain on other competent
therein to remain for reservation and in needful that all
Wm. Rutherford
Page Twentieth
All execution of the law neccesarry pass hereon as
effeirs and to that purpose I constitute My Procaratons Yea futher and
to the effect my said Trustees and their foresaids may be infeft and seized
in the several laws ends those marks and others before disposed the said Dr
Thomas Trotter hereby desire and require man And each of Man jointly And
severally my Barlies in that part to the effect after specifed that an right
hereof the pass to the ground of the said Laws Housed and others before
dispoved respectively and succsively after others and there give and deliver
heritable State and Asine actual real and conponal possesion to the said
Mrs. Isabella Agnes Diacon a Trotter my House, William Curtis Trotter,
Thomas Dicon marr Trotter and Alica Alison Trotter and surving accepters as
accepted
Wm. Rutherford
Page Twentyfirst
Accepted of them whom all falling to their nearest
heirs as Trustees of Trustee aforesaid of all and whole the several Laws
Housed Mans cavils and others with the Laws and pertinent before disposed
bying and described in manner foresaid and here held as repeated brevities
cause and that by delivery to my said Trustees and their foresaid as to his
her or their certain attorney a antimonies in his her a their names bearers
hereof of earth and stone of and upon the ground of the said several
subjects grass and corn for the said Heirs and all other symbols usual and
necessary but in most always for the ends used intents and purposed before
written and under the declarations conditions and others foresaid and this
in mo way be leave undone the which to do I commit to man and each of and
full power by this my right as is directed
Wm. Rutherford
Page Twentysecond
To you for that effect in writings where of these
presents consisting of this and the seven preceding pages with the two
marginal notes on page first all written upon stamped paper by William Gibon
Clark to Ian Carle writes in Melrose are subscribed by me the said Doctor
Thomas Trotter at Pilrig Street Leith walk Edinburgh thirtieth day of
January Eighteen hundred and thirty two years before these witness John Patt
and Peter Hay both merchants Pilrig Street Leith Walk Edinburgh The place
and date of signing with the manes and desinationed of the witnesses being
inserted by James Brokine writer in Melrose presently residing in Edinburgh
signed Thomas Trotter T Trotter
John Scott witness Peter Hay witness
John Scott Witness Peter Hay Witness
Extracted on this and the Twenty one preceding pages
of stamped paper by me Henry Clark of said here
Wm. Rutherford
This Will was proved at Durham on the 24th
day of October 1832 by Isabella Agnes Trotter of the Town and County of
Newcastle upon her widow the Relict of the Testator and the sole executrix
for life in the said Will named to whom admen was granted she having been
first duly sworn before the Rev Henry Deer rigith Clerk Master of Arts a
commissioner in this behalf lawfully appointed well and faithfully to
execute and perform the same as usual
Effects sworn under L 300
R Burrell
The Testator was Tate of the Town of Bounty of
Newcastle upon Tyne
Joseph Davison
Depy Reg s
