POCKET SURGICAL SET DATED 1827
BELONGING TO DR. JOHN PENNOYER HOYT (1793 – 1885) AND DR. LEWIS IDDINGS (1805 – 1865)
If only this kit could talk… This well-worn set belonged to John Pennoyer Hoyt, M.D., as identified in his hand inside, along with the year “1827”. The kit has long lost its manufacturer’s label – indeed, the front flap was so worn that the upper part of the clasp has separated from it. The instruments inside are mixed – most are unmarked, however two have the stamp of Wiegand & Snowden (Philadelphia, partnership active from 1824 – 1855), so it is very possible that the kit was made by them. A thumb lancet has the stamp of “Blackwell” and a crown, indicating manufacture during the 1817- 1843 time frame.
1793 – 1885
Dr. Hoyt was born in New York, and attended Dartmouth College, afterwards studying medicine under the tutelage of doctors in his native state before being admitted to practice in 1818. He moved to Clearfield county, Pennsylvania the following year and started a medical practice. He fulfilled the long hours, “unceasing toil and sleepless nights” of a country physician.
“In 1819, Dr. John P. Hoyt, a native of Troy, N.Y., came to Curwensville. Five years later a terrible epidemic of dysentery broke out in the county, and Dr. Alexander McLeod, of Philipsburg, came to the aid of Dr. Hoyt. Together these two physicians struggled against the terrible disease, which was wiping out whole families and prostrating hundreds. During the time the epidemic raged Dr. Hoyt and Dr. McLeod were in their saddles day and night travelling over the entire county to give what relief they could.”
Despite his dedication to his patients, Dr. Hoyt found time to engage in the mercantile business. The income from his practice and business allowed him to make shrewd real estate investments, thereby amassing a comfortable fortune. By 1846, somewhat broken in health from overwork, he was able to retire. In 1852, his fellow citizens elected him to the office of associate judge of the county, a post he held until 1857.
He was married in 1820, and fathered 10 children, only four of whom survived him. He died in 1885, at the age of 92.
DR. LEWIS IDDINGS
There is another name, Iddings, written on one of the flaps; the name Iddings is also written on the inside of the pocket within the front flap. Initially, I interpreted the first name to be “James”, but upon further inspection, it is in fact “Lewis” (note the dotted “i”). Dr. Lewis Iddings practiced in Curwensville, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania as did Dr. Hoyt. From “The Aldrich History Project, Chapter XVI, The Medical Profession, by Preston Wilson, M.D.:
“Dr. Lewis Iddings located in Curwensville in 1827, where he remained several years, and then moved away. He was always regarded as a successful physician.”
It is interesting that the year 1827 is the same year written on the set – it appears that Dr. Iddings either gave the set to Dr. Hoyt, or vice versa.