Dr Nahum William Wight

  General Notes:

info on this line from internet and research of Redfish genealogy. Also Wight Fam on FTM gen lib p 39 gives date of marriage for this couple.
Nahum Wight studied medicine with Dr. John Grover of Bethel and attended his first course of lectures at Bowdoin Medical School, 1830, his second course at Dartmouth Medical College, 1831, and his third course at Bowdoin, 1832, when he graduated N.D.
Nahum Wight. Born Gilead, Maine on November 20, 1807. Died Gilmanton, N. H. on May 12, 1884. Descent: (Capt. Hugh, John, Daniel, Moses, John, Lydia). Residence: Gilmanton, N. H.

He married Mary Ann Straw, daughter of Lieut. Gideon Straw & Mary Robinson, on September 2, 1833. Born on October 26, 1809. Died Gilmanton, N. H. on August 2, 1879.
7 of their children died young

Research of Chris on ancestry.com for middle name

NAHUM WIGHT, M.D. died at his home in Gilmanton NH on May 12, 1884. Born in Gilead, Me., November 20, 1807, the eldest of a family of fifteen children; acquired his education mainly by his own efforts; placed himself for medical instruction under the charge of Dr. John Grover, of Bethel, Me., father of the United States Senator Grover, of Oregon, the latter being for a time a pupil of Dr. Wight; graduated from medical school at Bowdoin College in the spring of 1832, and in November of the same year settled at the Academy village, in Gilmanton, succeeding Dr. William Prescott. His competitors, when he entered this field, were Dr. Dixie Crosby and Dr. John C. Page. After a few years Dr. Crosby was called to a professorship at the Dartmouth Medical College, and Dr. Page entered the ministry, leaving Dr. Wight the entire practice without competition... Dr. Wight began early to take charge of medical students, and did so till the close of his life. More than forty young men were under his direciton during the whole or a part of their course of professional study. For several years he maintained a dissecting-room from which some dry preparations [1888] are still preserved... Dr. Wight continued earnest in his extending practice and in teaching, studious and growing in knowledge and reputation, till, in 1846, he determine to go abroad for medical improvement. He was in Europe nearly twelve months, visiting the medical centres, studying, and observing....[This foreign travel and study from the savings of a moderate income was quite a bold undertaking for a country doctor at this time]. Dr. Wight attained eminence in his profession. His faith in the use of drugs was reasonable, but limited. He was a good surgeon, often called by other physicians for consultations and operations.... Having been for many years a member of the Centre District Medical Society, in 1839 he was received a Fellow of the State organization. He took part in its discussion, read papers before it and in 1874 was elected its president. In the civil and educational affairs of the town, Dr. Wight was representative (1841, 1842, 1853). In 1851 he was elected a trustee of the academy, and held the office for 33 yrs until his death. November 10, 1870 he was elected treasurer, holding the office for nearly 14 years. Dr. Wight, though not a member, was a friend of the Congregational Church, and attended public worship there. Dr. Wight was married September 3, 1833, to Mary Ann Straw, daughter of Lieutenant Gideon Straw, a widely-known citizen of Newfield, Me. She was an excellent woman, wife and mother. Dr. Wight survived his wife and five of his eight children... His first born, a son who much resembled his father, and in whom his ambition and dearest hopes centred, with trunk packed for the journey to enter college, suddenly sickened and died. The father's grief at this loss was terrible. Its dark shadow rested on all his after life. He performed two surgical ooperations, of a severe and hazardous nature, upon his wife, by her requirement. An anaesthetic made the patient calm and comfortable--the surgeon suffered. The operation was well performed, and death was averted several years. Upon the fiftieth anniversary of his coming to Gilmanton a large number of his friends gathered at his home and commemorated the event in an impressive and happy manner. A few weeks after this occasion, he was warned suddenly by a mild apoplectic attack. From this he nearly recovered, till about two weeks before his death, when he was found in bed helpless, with signs of cerebral hemorrhage. Although he rallied for a little time, he gradually sank, and calmly passed away. At his funeral the church was filled by neighbors, patrons, phyisicians, clergymen and representatives of the bench and bar, many of whom came from a distance, all friends of the good old physician. The religious services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. S.S.N. Greeley... The remains were borne to the village cemetery, beautiful by nature.

www.findagrave.com

Nahum married Mary-Ann Straw, daughter of Lt. Gideon Straw Jr and Mary Robinson, on 2 Sep 1833 in Gilmanton, NH Or Newfield, ME. (Mary-Ann Straw was born on 26 Oct 1809 in Newfield, York County, Maine, died on 2 Aug 1879 in Gilmanton, NH and was buried in Beech Grove Cemetery in Giilmanton, New Hampshire.)