A Very Grave Matter - Margaret Brackett

In Memory of
Margaret Wife of
Dr. Joshua Brackett.
She departed this life
Jan. 10, 1813
Æ 28

Joshua Brackett was the President of the New Hampshire Medical Society 1793-1799

"Late in 1775 the Continental Congress urged upon the states the enactment of laws in regard to privateering. All privateers were required to have permission of the Congress. Captured prizes, which might include non-British vessels carrying contraband goods, had to be brought into a United States port and there be libelled, tried and as was usually the case, condemned and sold at auction. Admiralty courts, one of which was located at Portsmouth in charge of Judge Joshua Brackett, were established to hear such trials and render judgment."

"...prizes came sailing up the Piscataqua from all parts of the North Atlantic. It was a rare issue of the Gazette which did not include a notice from Judge Brackett of a libel filed in behalf of a Portsmouth privateer against a British prize, 'her cargo, and appurtenances.' Such notices mentioned the date and place of the capture of the prize, and gave sufficient warning of the trial 'at the Court House in Portsmouth, ...where the owners or any persons concern'd therin, may appear and show cause (if any they have) why the same should not be condemned.' Privateersman-judge Joshua Brackett presided over the trial, at which the burden of showing cause why the prize should not be condemned and sold rested upon her owner. Judge Brakett was assisted by a jury of twelve men. The result of the trial was hardly ever in doubt. As communicated by the judge to the sheriff of the county, ther verdict usually ran much as follows:

You are hereby required to sell at public vendue (after giving reasonable notice of the time and place of sale) the Brigantinge Edenburgh her cargo and appurtenances which were deemed and adjudged lawful prize by the Maritime Court held at Portsmouth on the 9th day of July current...The proceeds of the sale (after deducting your own legal fees)you are to distribute and pay as follows to wit, the sum of sixteen pds. thirteen shillings in gold or silver money for the costs and charges of Trial & Condemnation and the residue of said proceeds you are to distribute and pay to the Agents for the use of the Captors and other concerned as the Law directs. Hereof fail not and make return of this Precept and your doings herein.
Given under my hand and the seal of the said Maritime-Court...
Joshua Brackett. 1

He as visited in 1782 by the Marquis De Chastellux, a Major-General in the French army whose fleet was in Portsmouth Harbor at the time. He referred to Dr. Brackett as "an esteemed physician of the country". 6

Dr. Brackett was one of the brave people to administer to the sick during the Yellow Fever outbreak in 1798. 6

(1782) "March 25th. The town gave permission to the Physicians, Ammi R. Cutter, Joshua Brackett, Hall Jackson, and John Jackson, to open a hospital on Henzell's Island, under such rules and regulations as shall secure the town from danger, provided said hospital shall be no expense to the town." 10

"1802. Among the Physicians of this town, who have attained considerable eminence, Doctor Joshua Brackett holds a conspicuous place. He was born at Greenland in May, 1733. In his early youth, he attended the public school in his native town, but as his parents intended him for one of the learned professions, they determined to give him a collegiate education; and placed him under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Rust, of Stratham. He was there prepared for admission into Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1752. He then applied himself to the study of theology, with an intention to qualify himself for the gospel ministry. Having made some progress in his studies, he was licensed by the association and preached a short time. He was induced to enter on this profession, more to gratify the wished of his parents, than to follow his own inclinations, and he soon relinquished it for the practice of physic, which was more congenial with the natural bent of his mind. He pursued his medical studies under the direction of Doctor Clement Jackson, who was then at the head of the profession here. The medical student at that time, laboured under many disadvantages, which he would not at present experience. By assiduous attention to his books, with the benefit of seeing Dr. Jackson's extensive practice, Doctor Brackett laid the best foundation for knowledge in the profession, his opportunities afforded. He had a taste for literature, particularly for those branches, which let to the examination of the works of nature. Having completed his term with Doctor Jackson, he commenced business in this town, and soon obtained the reputation of a skilful and successful practitioner. In 1783, the Massachusetts Medical Society elected him an honorary member, 'and in 1791, he was complimented by his Alma Mate, with a medical doctorate.' When the New Hampshire Medical Society was organized in 1791, he elected the first Vice President, and in 1793, succeeded Governor Bartlett as President of the Society. He continued in that office until 1799, when his declining health obliged him to resign. He had been a zealous promoter, and an active member of this institution. The benefit arising from the regular meetings of members, and their reciprocal communications of their personal experience in extraordinary cases, was very evident, as it would be the means of diffusing their knowledge more extensively. On the first formation of the society, it was intended to establish a medical library.


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In Memory of Margaret Wife of Dr. Joshua Brackett. She departed this life Jan. 10, 1813 Æ 28 Joshua Brackett was the President of the New Hampshire Medical Society 1793-1799 "Late in 1775 the Continental Congress urged upon the states the enactment of laws in regard to privateering. All privateers were required to have permission of the Congress. Captured prizes, which might include non-British vessels carrying contraband goods, had to be brought into a United States port and there be libelled, tried and as was usually the case, condemned and sold at auction. Admiralty courts, one of which was located at Portsmouth in charge of Judge Joshua Brackett, were established to hear such trials and render judgment." "...prizes came sailing up the Piscataqua from all parts of the North Atlantic. It was a rare issue of the Gazette which did not include a notice from Judge Brackett of a libel filed in behalf of a Portsmouth privateer against a British prize, 'her cargo, and appurtenances.' Such notices mentioned the date and place of the capture of the prize, and gave sufficient warning of the trial 'at the Court House in Portsmouth, ...where the owners or any persons concern'd therin, may appear and show cause (if any they have) why the same should not be condemned.' Privateersman-judge Joshua Brackett presided over the trial, at which the burden of showing cause why the prize should not be condemned and sold rested upon her owner. Judge Brakett was assisted by a jury of twelve men. The result of the trial was hardly ever in doubt. As communicated by the judge to the sheriff of the county, ther verdict usually ran much as follows: You are hereby required to sell at public vendue (after giving reasonable notice of the time and place of sale) the Brigantinge Edenburgh her cargo and appurtenances which were deemed and adjudged lawful prize by the Maritime Court held at Portsmouth on the 9th day of July current...The proceeds of the sale (after deducting your own legal fees)you are to distribute and pay as follows to wit, the sum of sixteen pds. thirteen shillings in gold or silver money for the costs and charges of Trial & Condemnation and the residue of said proceeds you are to distribute and pay to the Agents for the use of the Captors and other concerned as the Law directs. Hereof fail not and make return of this Precept and your doings herein. Given under my hand and the seal of the said Maritime-Court... Joshua Brackett. 1 He as visited in 1782 by the Marquis De Chastellux, a Major-General in the French army whose fleet was in Portsmouth Harbor at the time. He referred to Dr. Brackett as "an esteemed physician of the country". 6 Dr. Brackett was one of the brave people to administer to the sick during the Yellow Fever outbreak in 1798. 6 (1782) "March 25th. The town gave permission to the Physicians, Ammi R. Cutter, Joshua Brackett, Hall Jackson, and John Jackson, to open a hospital on Henzell's Island, under such rules and regulations as shall secure the town from danger, provided said hospital shall be no expense to the town." 10 "1802. Among the Physicians of this town, who have attained considerable eminence, Doctor Joshua Brackett holds a conspicuous place. He was born at Greenland in May, 1733. In his early youth, he attended the public school in his native town, but as his parents intended him for one of the learned professions, they determined to give him a collegiate education; and placed him under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. Rust, of Stratham. He was there prepared for admission into Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1752. He then applied himself to the study of theology, with an intention to qualify himself for the gospel ministry. Having made some progress in his studies, he was licensed by the association and preached a short time. He was induced to enter on this profession, more to gratify the wished of his parents, than to follow his own inclinations, and he soon relinquished it for the practice of physic, which was more congenial with the natural bent of his mind. He pursued his medical studies under the direction of Doctor Clement Jackson, who was then at the head of the profession here. The medical student at that time, laboured under many disadvantages, which he would not at present experience. By assiduous attention to his books, with the benefit of seeing Dr. Jackson's extensive practice, Doctor Brackett laid the best foundation for knowledge in the profession, his opportunities afforded. He had a taste for literature, particularly for those branches, which let to the examination of the works of nature. Having completed his term with Doctor Jackson, he commenced business in this town, and soon obtained the reputation of a skilful and successful practitioner. In 1783, the Massachusetts Medical Society elected him an honorary member, 'and in 1791, he was complimented by his Alma Mate, with a medical doctorate.' When the New Hampshire Medical Society was organized in 1791, he elected the first Vice President, and in 1793, succeeded Governor Bartlett as President of the Society. He continued in that office until 1799, when his declining health obliged him to resign. He had been a zealous promoter, and an active member of this institution. The benefit arising from the regular meetings of members, and their reciprocal communications of their personal experience in extraordinary cases, was very evident, as it would be the means of diffusing their knowledge more extensively. On the first formation of the society, it was intended to establish a medical library. Copyright © 2001 - 2005, Jenn Marcelais. a Soul Oyster Web Studios production. Web Site Design, Development, and Innovation