A very early colony surgeon - largely forgotten
On a visit to Rookwood, some time ago now, a rather imposing old headstone caught my eye whilst I was looking for distant family members. There was quite a lengthy description on the headstone that usually means a person of importance. Here is what I found...
ARTHUR SAVAGE (@1798-1852)
Arthur's early life prior to coming to these
shores is sketchy to say the least but it appears he was probably the elder of
two sons born to Arthur Savage, a merchant, coffee planter and slave owner and
Jane Bowie, of Kingston Jamaica. Arthur was however born in Ireland.
Arthur gained the diploma of the Royal College of
Surgeons in London and was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Royal Navy in
March 1820. He was promoted to Surgeon, Royal Navy in July 1826. He was
appointed to the "Winchester" in 1832. As Surgeon-Superintendent he
went in the convict ships "John" to Hobart in 1833,
"Norfolk" to Hobart in 1835 and "Captain Cook" to Sydney in
1836, as well as the emigrant ship "Magistrate" to Sydney in 1838.
During his time as Naval Surgeon whilst on board
the "Captain Cook" from June to November 1836 Savage kept a diary and
records that food and water supplies were exceedingly good and further details
medical conditions on board. He also notes the attempted mutiny that took
place.
It seems that a few days after leaving Cork,
Ireland, it was reported to the Hospital attendant by John Pollen, a former
Officer of the 48th Regiment, that the Convicts, incited by several who had
previously been transported to this Colony, intended to take control of the
vessel. As nothing transpired it was seen to be a false report. When the ship
was near Madeira, one of the convicts was overheard saying that the mutineers must
all be sworn in and they would then overpower the Guard and ship's company and
take the vessel to America.
Pollen immediately informed the Doctor and Officers of the Guard of the convict’s intentions and 38 of the ringleaders were placed in irons. Upon finding their plans were thwarted, several of them confessed and their versions of events were noted. Even though still in irons they persisted in their intentions and upon coming towards the Cape of Good Hope they were determined to make an attack but once again their preparations for the second attack, were reported by Pollen. In order to put paid to any further unruliness they were handcuffed two by two and remained so until they arrived in Sydney. When the "Captain Cook" carrying 228 male prisoners arrived in Sydney on the 13th of November 1836, 16 of the convicts were sent to Goat Island in Sydney Harbour, a penal establishment set aside for the worst offenders. The men were subject to harsh confinement quarrying stones with some being chained to a rock for extended periods.
There is no doubt the convicts on board would have succeeded in their mutiny but
for the vigilance of Pollen, and the activity and courage of the Officers and
Guard, who displayed great peace of mind and determination on the occasion.
Savage's conscientious and capable work in the
convict service earned him selection by the NSW Government as an emigration
agent in the United Kingdom. In 1837 he selected the Irish emigrants for the
"William Jardine", but although he obtained permission to take his
wife Charlotte, who he had married in Sussex England in 1830, and two
daughters, with a view to settling permanently in NSW, he did not sail in that
ship. He and his family arrived at Sydney in 1838 in the "Magistrate"
upon which he was paid 200 pounds for his services during the voyage. In
January 1839 he was registered by the NSW Medical Board to practice his
profession. When John Dobie, who had proposed the appointment of a health
officer for Sydney in August 1838 and who had been appointed to that post in
December, resigned, Savage succeeded him on 5 November 1839. There are many
pieces of information about his vaccine success prior to 1850 within the
colony. He capably held the post until his death and was succeeded by Haynes
Gibbes Allenye.
Savage and his wife Charlotte had eight children
and even though he was vested with saving the lives of many, several of his
children died in infancy.
Savage died on 19 July 1852 in his home in
Cumberland Place. He was buried in the Catholic section of the Devonshire
Street Cemetery and was reinterred in the old Catholic area of Rookwood in 1901
when the Cemetery was cleared for the expansion of the Central Railway Station.
The words listed on his headstone bear witness to a man of integrity who was greatly admired for his humility.
"Esq. Surgeon Royal Navy, For 15 years Health Officer of Port Jackson. He was truly a Christian Gentleman in every relation of life, whether as a husband & father or friend, His character was exemplary and as a Public Officer of this Colony few have equaled, and none surpassed him in the zealous discharge of his duties to the over fatigue and anxiety of which may be attributed his early and lamented death."
None of his children followed him into the medical profession however, his youngest child, Arthur Henry Patrick had an exemplary military career. He volunteered to fight in the Boer War as a soldier at the No. 3 Company NSW Garrison Artillery. He rose through the ranks to Lieutenant in 1878, Captain in 1887 and Major in 1893 and finally Colonel. He retired from the Army in 1902 due to ill health and settled in England later dying in 1905 from War related injuries. He is buried in Hampstead Cemetery London.
Arthur Savage, a man of integrity, virtually unknown but not now!
For today's blog I have sourced ancestry.com; find a grave; the Australian Dictionary of Biography and other snippets from google searches.
If you have any comments regarding this blog, please add them below or at the Group Facebook page found under
rookwoodcemeterydiscoveries
or contact me via
lorainepunch@gmail.com
Until next time
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