The Miramichi Natural History Museum

New Brunswick - Miramichi & Chatham - Middle Island

Dr. Baxter's Journal

Dr. James McG. Baxter, was a physician in Chatham. He was appointed "Quarantine Physician" in 1907, and held that post until his death in 1921 at the age of 76. He began a journal on January 28th 1909, and wrote: This day by order from the Agriculture Department, Ottawa, I commence this journal and first I think it advisable to put down all previous history in reference to the Quarantine Station here at Middle Island that it is possible to get, and then if anything of interest is found out afterwards, it can be added as addenda. All events that will be likely to be of future interest will be put down here and the manner in which it should be put down being very particular that that it is true as to circumstances, names, dates &c. indexing carefully at the back so that it may be a reliable book of ready reference at any time.--signed: J. Baxter - Quarantine Officer, Middle Island.

Letter to Dr. Montizambert, Ottawa, dated January 26th 1909

Sir, I enclose herewith a statement give me by Jas. Desmond Esq. Of Chatham who was a passenger on the Richard White that was in quarantine here at the same time as the bark Loostock [sic]. I have been searching for information on this subject ever since I wrote you last. I got this only yesterday. According to his statement there was no contagious disease aboard except one case of measles, so why she was kept so long in quarantine I cannot tell but I think he must have been mistaken in this. These were the passengers that were spoken of in Mrs. Hawbolt's report (qv), as quartered on the West Side of the Island in tents near hers.:- Yours truly, J. Baxter ps. If I can find out anything definite about the bark Bollivar I will send it in. J.B.

Ship Fever in 1847 by Dr. J. McG. Baxter. 1911

Nearly 64 years ago there was a great deal of immigration to Canada, and either from some European focus, or spontaneously from the crowded ships during long passages, typhus, or ship fever broke out simultaneously in several ports, such as St. John, N.B., Chatham. N.B. and Quebec. Sixty-four years is a long time ago, and those that were in adult years at that time have mostly passed over to the majority, and if one wishes to get information about circumstances that occurred at that time, from those that were there, he should not waste time but carpe diem, for these old gentlemen will soon go on the lonesome voyage and will not wait to be interviewed. These notes are what I've been able to pick up in this locality.

Rev. Hugh McGuirk was 87 years of age the 18th of December last, yet is straight as an arrow, quick in his movements, has a wonderful memory, and converses with equal readiness in Latin, French and English. He was born in St. John, N.B., was ordained a priest in Quebec by Bishop Turgeon the 13th May 1847, and four days later, viz. May 17th, was sent to attend the ship fever patients at Grosse Isle, where he stayed five weeks till he took the fever himself. He says: "When I went there, Father McGauvern had been there ten days and left when I arrived. I was then left alone to attend all those people, and had to work night and day, and never had any time to go to bed, but remained dressed to answer calls at any minute. People were afraid, and would not come near the poor people. I kept this up for five weeks, till I suppose the disease, making its appearance, or from an overstrained nervous system, I had to be carried around to the bedsides in a chair. As nearly as I can recollect there were twenty-five or thirty ships lying there. At last they got another priest to take my place, and I was taken to the Marine Hospital at Charles River. During the last five days of my stay at Grosse Isle, there were 300 deaths a day. I do not know the total number of deaths. I was then taken to the Marine Hospital, and was sick for six weeks and very nearly died. After I recovered I attended the rest of the sick there all summer till the autumn. These were ship fever cases, and the General Hospital was full, and a number (I do not know how many) military tents were set up in the grounds." - This statement, although not connected with the object of this paper, viz., Ship Fever at Middle Island, I thought I might as well put it here, and it will be a note for the man that writes up Ship Fever at Grosse Isle.

Statement of James Desmond, Esq. Chatham

I came out to this country in the brig Richard White. We sailed from the city of Cork, Ireland, and were about six or seven weeks at sea, and arrived here about one week before the bark Loostock [sic], viz. About May 27th or 28th in the year 1847. There were about 45 or 50 passengers besides the crew. Many were sick on the way out, but principally from sea sickness. I don't think there was any ship fever on board. A sister of my own died on the way out with measles. We were all landed on the Island, and put in quarantine. I was sick myself after being put on the Island, but think it was only exhaustion from the long voyage. Dr. Vondy (qv) attended the sick on the Island. There was one woman died on the Island, but I do not know what was the matter with her. We lay in quarantine about five weeks, and there were about twenty sick altogether. We were in tents on the west end of the Island. Dr. Vondy died after we left the Island. Rev. Jno. Sweeney was the clergyman who visited us, he was afterwards Bishop of St. John, N.B.