William Jacob (Canterbury MP) facts for kids
William Jacob (born around 1623, died early 1692) was an interesting person from England. He was a doctor, also known as a physician, and he also worked in politics. He was a member of the House of Commons for a short time in 1679.
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Who Was William Jacob?
William Jacob lived in the city of Canterbury in England. He was a respected doctor there. He was born in the 1620s and passed away in the early part of 1692.
A Doctor in Canterbury
As a physician, William Jacob helped many people in Canterbury. Doctors in his time used different methods than today. They often relied on observations and traditional remedies.
The Mysterious Ghost Story
One of the most famous stories about William Jacob involves a ghost! In September 1652, he was treating a patient named Henry Jacob. Sadly, Henry died from a serious infection called gangrene. He was buried in All Saints Church in Canterbury.
Soon after Henry's death, William Jacob had a strange experience. He woke up in his bed one night and saw what looked like Henry's ghost! The ghost "laid a cold hand on his face" and William recognized him by his unique beard. Later, a maid also saw the same ghost on another night. This story became quite well-known in Canterbury.
William Jacob's Public Service
Besides being a doctor, William Jacob also helped his community in other ways. He was involved in public projects and even became a politician.
Rebuilding Wincheap Gate
In 1670, William Jacob took on an important project for Canterbury. He helped rebuild the Wincheap Gate. This was one of the old city gates that protected Canterbury. For his hard work, the city's leaders, known as the Corporation, rewarded him with a special dinner.
Serving in Parliament
In February 1679, William Jacob was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Canterbury. An MP is someone who represents their town or area in the country's government, the House of Commons. He held this important position until August of the same year. This meant he helped make decisions for the country.
