James Thacher
James Thacher (1754–1844) was a prominent figure in American medical and military history, born in Barnstable, Massachusetts. At the age of sixteen, he apprenticed under Dr. Abner Hersey, where he began his medical training. Thacher served as a surgeon's mate in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, participating in key events such as the siege of Fort Ticonderoga and the surrender of British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Known for his dedication to patient care and medical skill, he gained respect as a military surgeon.
After the war, he established a medical practice in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and became active in several organizations, including the Society of the Cincinnati. Thacher was also a prolific writer and medical scholar, authoring works like "The American New Dispensary" and "The American Modern Practice." In the later years of his life, he shifted focus to history, publishing "A Military Journal During the American Revolutionary War," which is regarded as a reliable account of the conflict. Additionally, he contributed to various other subjects, including local history and superstition. Thacher's legacy includes his role as librarian and curator of Pilgrim Hall Museum until his passing in 1844.
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James Thacher
- Born: February 14, 1754
- Birthplace: Barnstable, Massachusetts
- Died: May 26, 1844
- Place of death: Plymouth, Massachusetts
Biography
James Thacher, the son of a farmer, was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1754. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to Dr. Abner Hersey of Barnstable, with whom he began the study of medicine some time around 1771. After a five-year apprenticeship, in which he learned to prepare medicine and assist at minor surgeries, he applied for a place in the Continental Army’s medical department.
After passing an examination given by the medical board, he was given a position as a surgeon’s mate in the hospital at Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1776, he was appointed as a surgeon’s mate in a regiment that was occupying Prospect, New York. Along with his regiment, he marched to Fort Ticonderoga, where he remained until the rebel soldiers retreated from the fort. He then cared for the sick and wounded at Fort Edward and later worked in the hospital at Albany, New York. At his request, he was transferred to the first Virginia regiment in 1778, and he joined the first Massachusetts regiment a year later. Thacher was present at some of the most important battles of the American Revolution, and he was present when British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. Throughout his career as a military surgeon, Thacher was known for his devotion to his patients, his patriotism, and his skill as a doctor.
After resigning his commission at the end of the war, Thacher settled into civilian life. He moved to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1784 to open a medical practice, and he married Susannah Hayward. That same year, he joined the Society of the Cincinnati, a group of former officers from George Washington’s army and navy who helped support widows and orphans and provided fellowship with other retired military personnel. About the same time, he began to write and established himself as a medical scholar, publishing books such as the The American New Dispensary and The American Modern Practice. He helped to found the Pilgrim Society of Plymouth, and he joined the Massachusetts medical society. In 1824, when the Pilgrim Society of Plymouth built Pilgrim Hall Museum, Thacher became the museum’s librarian and curator, a position he held until his death in 1844.
When his hearing began to fail, Thacher gave up his medical practice and pursued his interest in history. He published his first historical work, A Military Journal During the American Revolutionary War, in 1823. The work was based on the many journals that he kept during his military career, and it is considered one of the most accurate depictions of the war. He published several other historical works, including a history of the town of Plymouth and an account of the execution of Major John Andre as a spy. In addition, Thacher published a book on the management of bees and an essay on demonology, ghosts, and popular superstitions.