The Chamberlens and the midwifery forceps : memorials of the family and an essay on the invention of the instrument / by J. H. Aveling, M.D. F.S.A.

  • Aveling, J. H. (James Hobson), 1828-1892.
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Chamberlens and the midwifery forceps : memorials of the family and an essay on the invention of the instrument / by J. H. Aveling, M.D. F.S.A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    PETER CHAMBERLEN THE ELDER. Peter Chamberlen the Elder was the son of William Chamberlen and Genevieve Vingnon, his wife. He must have been born in Paris, and came to this country with his father and mother, for, in the deposition already mentioned, we learn that he was at Southampton in 1572, and old enough to attest to the birth and baptism of his brother, Peter the younger. In 1588 he was still in Southampton, for his name appears as godfather to Rachel Bertelot in April of that year. In 1596 he was in London, and signed the deposition referring to his brother’s birth. Two years later his name appears in the “ Annals of the Barber Surgeons’ Company,” and from them it is evident that before 1598 “his hood had been put on his sljoulders and he had been admitted into the liverie.”* The following excerpts relate to him :— 1598. Feb. 13. Peter Chamberlen hath the next Court given him to bring in his arrearages of his debts for his admission. 1598. March 16. This daie Peter Chamberlen payed x s. of the arrearages for his letters of admittance. * “ 1599. It was further ordered that because this tyme is troublesome, and to avoyde the evill speches of men, that there should goe home with the Maister but eighte of the liverye and with the reste of the Governors sixe a peace, and that zuithoute their hoodes,” — “ Annals of Bather burgeons Company.”