Native and Resident Physicians. 323 



was elected a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He 

 commenced the practice of his profession at Barnstable, Mass., 

 and for six years devoted himself with marked success to the 

 labors of his chosen calling. Upon the retirement of his imme- 

 diate predecessor in Hingham, Dr. William Gordon, he returned 

 here to establish himself for the remainder of his life. His office 

 and residence were on Main St., at Pear Tree Hill. As a physi- 

 cian and surgeon he was trusted and respected by those whom he 

 visited, and he was highly esteemed by his associates of the pro- 

 fession. He died the 20th of May, 1874, aged 69 years. Of his 

 family, a widow and two sons survive. See his family record in 

 Vol. III., p. 188, of this History. 



George Grosvenor Tarbell (Har. Coll. 1862), located in 

 Hingham for the practice of medicine and surgery in 1866, and 

 received sufficient encouragement to have remained here ; but a 

 larger field for his professional services having presented itself at 

 Boston, he accepted the opportunity and removed thither. While 

 in Hingham he resided on Lincoln Street. 



Thomas Thaxter, second son of Major Samuel and Abigail 

 (Smith) Thaxter, was born in Hingham, Aug. 25, 1748. After 

 completing his early education at the public schools, and his sub- 

 sequent term of medical pupilage, he commenced the practice of 

 medicine and surgery in his native town, succeeding Dr. Bela 

 Lincoln. He had many influential friends and connections to 

 encourage him ; his charges were moderate ; and his successful 

 treatment in difficult cases, especially of the then prevailing 

 throat distemper, won for him more than a local reputation. He 

 was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. While 

 visiting the sick in town he usually rode on horseback, although 

 when the patient resided at a distance his square-topped chaise 

 was brought into use. During the later years of his life he and 

 his son Robert rode out together daily on horseback to visit the 

 sick, each having his saddle-bags, and riding upon opposite sides 

 of the road. Dr. Thaxter superintended the education of a num- 

 ber of medical students, several of whom were from other places. 

 He was the proprietor of a drug store, the attendant being his 

 sister, Miss Abigail Thaxter. He also gave a portion of his time 

 to agricultural pursuits and the improvement of farm stock. His 

 first wife, whom he married Jan. 8, 1773, died the 2d of March 

 following. His second wife was Mary Barker, daughter of Capt. 

 Francis and Hannah (Thaxter) Barker, and sister of Dr. Joshua 

 Barker. They had five children. He built and resided in the 

 house now owned by Arthur Lincoln, on Main, near Water St., in 

 which he died, the 20th of June, 1813, aged 65 yrs. His family 

 record is given in Vol. III., p. 237, of this History. 



Ezekiel Thaxter, fifth son of Major Samuel and Abigail 

 (Smith) Thaxter was born in Hingham, May 15, 1758. Con- 

 cerning his professional life and place of residence but little is 

 known in Hingham, except that tradition says he removed to 



