Royal Physician William Q with Pepys

["Clay Quarterman" <clay@paco.net>]

> Dear Q List,
> 
> Regarding Dr. William Quatermain, I was able to read up some in the FULL
> version of Pepys which they had available in the Westminster Archives
> Center. This edition was pub. By G. Bell & Sons, Ltd., 1970 (London),
> Latham and Matthews, editors. It was interesting that in this edition, the
> references to Dr. Quatermain were spelled "Quarterman." I had simply noted
> before that Dr. Quarterman dined with Pepys, without realizing the
> momentous occasion which is only understood by the context in Pepys. What
> becomes clear is that this is THE RESTORATION of Charles II, and they
> actually dine (twice) on board the same ship in which Charles II is being
> conveyed back from the mainland to England for the first time. The
> conveyance is accompanied with great fanfare and a flotilla of ships. They
> are sent on their way by a cannonade, and greeted in Dover by the mayor
> and a cast of thousands. The really ironic thing to me was that also on
> board is the future King William, the Prince of Orange. Thus, the Catholic
> and Protestant sail together as the monarchy returns to England. Pepys
> tells of the King telling stories on the forecastle of his sufferings and
> deprivations during the interregnum.
> 
> The historian Samuel Pepys (I was informed that it is pronounced "Peeps"),
> 1633-1703, who later was appointed secretary of the Admiralty, records
> that he had lunch on board the ship "Charles" with Dr. Quarterman on May
> 23rd, 1660, while still in port on the mainland. He also records Dr.
> Quarterman dining with him at lunch and supper on the 24th, while at sea.
> They sighted England that day, but only landed on the 25th at Dover. Also
> on board were the King, the Dukes of York and Gloster (Gloucester), and
> the King's sister, the Duchess of Orange "and her son, William, the Prince
> of Orange." 
> 
> This was in volume I of Pepys, page 154. The following page of this
> edition includes a copy of a painting: "The Departure of Charles II from
> Scheveningen" (Holland). And there is a reference to Quarterman on page
> 157.
> 
> I understood that Quarterman was not the only physician on board, as "the
> King's physicians" were referred to.
> 
> There must also be some further records somewhere of Dr. Quarterman's
> service to the King, or of his education at Brasenose College, Oxford
> (matriculation 10 Oct. 1634), etc. Some historians may wish to follow that
> up.
> 
> Once again, we still know of no official connections between the American
> and British Quartermans, but this also falls close to the period when the
> Quartermans begin to appear in South Carolina. I agree that it is not very
> hopeful, however, to note Dr. Quarterman's close association with the
> anti-protestant Charles II!
> 
> Sincerely,
> Clay Quarterman
> Odessa
>