Weir Mitchell : his life and letters / by Anna Robeson Burr.

  • Burr, Anna Robeson Brown, 1873-1941.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Weir Mitchell : his life and letters / by Anna Robeson Burr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    with poets are as definite a trait of the Mitchell family as their connection with the medical profession. Dr. Weir writes of his father. . . . “He became a physician, the sixth in two generations. . . . Since then I have trodden the same path and my son after me, eight in all.” There is an interesting letter from that Alexander Mitch¬ ell, who became the first American of the clan, describing his life in Virginia and incidentally mentioning the birth of his son, little John Kearsley. Alexander Mitchell to his Mother Shepherdstown, 11/28/1793. “My mind much agitated since I reached America, begins to resume its former tranquility on the approaching prospect of rendering that assistance to my dear Father which I so justly owe him and which my inability to comply with has robb’d me of quiet for many years; my situation here is now on such a footing as will I trust enable me to supply all your wants and remove all your difficulties in a short time. I wrote you some time ago an account of my family, but I am doubtful (from the number of French privateers on this coast & from which few British vessels escape) of its hav¬ ing reached you. On the 17th of last May, my wife was de¬ livered of a fine boy, which had very baneful effects on her constitution. Indeed I had lost all hopes of recovery. How¬ ever, her health is now greatly restored, but she has not been able to suckle her child. It would surprise you to see the dear child sucking a negro, the only alternative we had as no white nurse could be got. . . . Mr. John Kearsley, my wife’s father, has lately erected a great Tann yard which he