James Yonge (surgeon) facts for kids

James Yonge (born 1647, died 1721) was a Royal Navy surgeon from Plymouth, England. His father was also a surgeon. James started working at sea as a surgeon's apprentice when he was very young. Later, he joined several trips with fishing fleets going to Newfoundland. In his twenties, he opened his own medical practice in Plymouth and became very successful. He was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1702. He also served as the Mayor of Plymouth from 1694 to 1695. James Yonge wrote medical books and kept a journal about his life.

James Yonge's Family History

We don't know much about James Yonge's early family. His father was a surgeon in the Plymouth area. James's mother, Joanna Blackaller (1618–1700), was the daughter of a merchant from Dartmouth, Devon.

His parents got married in September 1640. By the time James was born, they had moved to Plymouth. He was baptized there in the Parish Church of St Andrew in March 1647. James was the fifth of seven children. All of his brothers and sisters lived to be adults.

Life as a Sailor and Surgeon

In 1658, when James was just ten years old, his father arranged for him to become an apprentice. He worked for Silvester Richmond, a surgeon on the Navy ship HMS Constant Warwick.

Next, James became a surgeon's helper on HMS Montague. This ship was part of Lord Sandwich's fleet. In 1660, at age 13, James sailed with the fleet to Algiers. They tried to attack the city, but it didn't work. In May 1662, his apprenticeship ended when his master retired. James then worked as an assistant to a pharmacist in Wapping. There, he learned how to prepare medicines.

James returned to Plymouth in September 1662. His father made him work for him for another seven years, which James didn't like. He wrote in his journal that his older brother was treated like a prince, while he wore old clothes and had no money.

James went back to sea, taking trips to the Newfoundland fishing areas. His first trip was in May 1663, when he was 16. He sailed on a ship called Reformation. James spent his time on land exploring and observing the fishing industry.

In January 1666, during the Second Dutch War, his ship Bonaventure was captured by the Dutch. He was held prisoner with others for 51 days. In September 1666, he was set free in exchange for a relative of a Dutch official.

James made his last sea voyage in February 1668. He sailed to Newfoundland on the Marigold of Plymouth. He wrote about arriving: "Coming up with the ice we find no passage, stand through it and in two hours got on the inside of it... but not without knocking our ship. find ourselves the first ship in the land and Admiral of St Johns. God be praised for this good landfall and good place!"

A Career in Medicine

James Yonge returned to Plymouth in September 1670. He was 25 years old and started his own medical practice. He was then appointed surgeon at the Naval Hospital in Plymouth. This hospital was set up after the Third Anglo-Dutch War began in 1672. In 1674, Thomas Pearse, the Navy's chief surgeon, made James his deputy.

In 1692, James became surgeon for the new dock at Hamoaze, Plymouth. He traveled to London and attended lectures on anatomy. In 1702, he was encouraged to take an exam from the Royal College of Physicians. He passed, which added to his professional standing.

Yonge knew many important medical people of his time. He wrote letters to Sir Hans Sloane. He also spent time with other doctors and scientists in London and Oxford. He even helped to organize items at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

James Yonge also helped to expose a case of plagiarism. He showed that a book by John Browne had copied text and pictures from other medical works without giving credit.

Involvement in Plymouth's Government

By the 1670s, James Yonge had become an important person in Plymouth. He was chosen for several important jobs in the town's government. In 1679, he was elected a lifelong member of the Common Council of Plymouth. In 1682, he became a churchwarden at St Andrew's Church. In 1694, he became an alderman and then the mayor of Plymouth.

James's brother, Nathaniel, was also involved in the town's politics. In his writings about Plymouth, James Yonge included short stories about the mayors during his time. He wrote about important events that happened in their years in office.

Working for the Navy

James Yonge worked as a surgeon at the Devonport dockyard from 1692 to 1701. Towards the end of his time there, a row of houses was built for senior officers. Most of these houses were destroyed in World War II, but the part where Yonge lived still stands. His service for the Navy ended in 1701.

How James Yonge Earned Money

James Yonge's journal tells us about his medical fees. For example, a 20-mile visit cost 12 shillings. A two-day visit outside of town cost £1 10s. He charged 10 shillings to bleed a lady in bed, but only 2 shillings and sixpence for a man. A post-mortem examination cost 3 shillings and fourpence.

In the late 1600s, Yonge traveled all over Devon and Cornwall for his work. He recorded his earnings for one year. He received £40 for treating a man who had been stabbed for 12 days. He also got £40 a year for regularly visiting a lady at Butshead. He earned £26.25 for a procedure called tapping Mr. Pake. He cured nine fistulas, earning between £30 and £70 for each. He also treated an ulcer in the bladder for four years, which brought him £200.

One of the last jobs he mentioned in his journal was preparing the body of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell for his funeral. Sir Cloudesley had drowned in a terrible naval accident off the Scilly Isles. James Yonge was paid £50 for this important task.

As his reputation grew, James Yonge became like a consultant or a doctor for important families. He became very rich through hard work and smart business decisions. A document from 1718 shows that his money and property were worth £21,000. This was a huge amount for a medical practice. To compare, an average farm worker in 1718 earned about £18 a year, and a lawyer earned £120. Yonge's wealth helped his family for many generations.

His Death

James Yonge died on July 25, 1721. He was buried in the Church of St Andrew in Plymouth. A memorial was put up for him, but it was destroyed during World War II when the church was badly damaged.

James Yonge's Family Life

James Yonge married Jane Crampporne in March 1671. She was the daughter of Thomas Crampporne from Buckland Monachorum in Devon. They had two sons and six daughters. Sadly, only one daughter, Johanna, lived to become an adult and have her own family.

His oldest son, James Yonge (1679–1718), married Mary Upton. She was the daughter and heir of John Upton of Puslinch, Newton Ferrers, Devon. James Yonge helped make this marriage possible by paying off John Upton's debts. He also built a new Puslinch House for about £10,000. This house is still owned by the Yonge family today.