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   -c.1886),
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   Quarterman
   (1911-1979)
Quarterman Family History Project

William Quarterman (1618-1667), Physician to Charles II

From: "Clay Quarterman" <clay@paco.net>
Date: Sun, 1 Sep 2002 14:31:03 -0500

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


From: "Clay Quarterman" <clay@paco.net>
Date: Sun, 1 Sep 2002 14:31:04 -0500

Dear Q Relatives and Friends,

I just returned from 2 weeks' vacation in London (aren't you jealous), during which we enjoyed fabulous weather. We were able to follow up on a lead regarding Dr. William Quarterman, whose wife is buried in Westminster Abbey. He was Physician Royal to Charles II, and is referred to in Pepys' history for 1660. Since I had heard that he was also given a rather important burial, I decided to follow up. Sadly, I didn't plan ahead and take any references along (Hey, I was on vacation with the family!).

I asked at St. Marten in the Fields church (right on Trafalgar Square, which is something of a mess right now with all the public works going on). They said serious changes had been made long ago to the church and the memorials and the crypt, but that all the older official records were kept at the Westminster Archives, and they gave me a brochure. I also checked in the crypt under the church, where they have the brass rubbing center, and they even looked in their brass rubbing catalog and found no Quartermans at all. (Strange!) I'll send some pictures to the Q list soon.

The Archives are located very near Westminster Abbey, and I didn't even have to show any ID to use them, unlike the British Library, where you have to fill out forms and show ID to get an ID and prove why you want to go in. Great resources at this Archives for any researchers! It's even a fun place just to browse, with lots of good books on all periods and all areas of interest over centuries in Westminster, right there in the heart of London--history of Parliament buildings, the Abbey, St. Marten's, etc. They have microfilm readers and scores of drawers with microfilms of original church records from the many churches there--including the whole history of St. Marten's. The staff were very helpful. I am attaching a picture of the brochure with their address and contact information, and a very poor map (though I did find it at last, very close to the Abbey). Address: 10 St. Ann's Street. Telephone (020) 76415180. Website: WWW.WESTMINSTER.GOV.UK Closed on Mondays and Sundays.

The research librarian was kind enough to provide me with a helpful biographical list of "Monumental Inscriptions in Westminster." I was able to check relevant references under "Printed Works for South Westminster" nos. 5, 6, 7, and parts of 11 (no index). I ran out of time, but also thought #14 might be relevant. I also thought there might be relevant info under archives #6, the "Register of removal of bodies..." and "Alphabetical list of names on coffins removed...", but those were located in the Archives and were by request, and there wasn't time. The very helpful list may provide other sources as well.

Happy hunting!

Sincerely yours, Clay Quarterman Odessa, Ukraine

From: John S. Quarterman
Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2002 15:37:42 -0500

Clay,

Glad to see you posting.

A little more about Pepys dining with Dr. Quarterman. This is from a tattered 1892 copy edited by Henry B. Wheatley and published by MacMillan.

Footnote about Dr. Clarke:

``2 Timothy Clarke, M.D., one of the original Fellows of the Royal Society. He was appointed one of the physicians in ordinary to Charles II, on the death of Dr. Quartermaine in 1667.''
—Pepys, p. 125, entry for 11 May 1660.

``I dined with Dr. Clerke, Dr. Quarterman, and Mr. Darcy in my cabin.''
Footnote:
2 William Quartermaine, M.D., matriculated as member of Brasenose College, Oxford, and afterwards removed to Pembroke College. He was appointed one of the physicians in ordinary to Charles II, and died in June, 1667.''
—Pepys, p. 144, entry for 23 May 1660.

``There dined with me in my cabin (that is, the carpenter's) Dr. Earle and Mr. Hollis, the King's Chaplins, Dr. Scarborough, Dr. Quarterman, and Dr. Clerke, Physicians, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Fox (both very fine gentlemen), the King's servants, where we had brave discourse.''
—Pepys, p. 147, entry for 24 May 1660.

According to my grandmother's summary of Carter, Dr. Quartermaine was from Chalgrove, born in 1619, son of Walter, grandson of John. He matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, 16 October 1634, at age 16. He received his B.A. degree in June 1635 at Magdalene Hall, his M.A. in 1638, and his M.D. from Pembroke College in 1657. He was a physician in the Royal Navy, where he attended Charles II on the voyage Pepys records. Then he was a member of Parliament from the Borough of New Shoreham. And he was appointed physician to the king again. —Quarterman Family of Liberty County..., pp. 7-8.

Regarding the spelling in Pepys Diary, Pepys wrote in a cipher of his own devising, which was apparently a sort of shorthand. He probably wrote ciphers that sounded Quartermaine phonetically, which the editors then unciphered as Quarterman, since that is apparently how most of the various British spellings were pronounced.


> 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.

That's right; it was a rare example of a mostly bloodless revolution. Before he was restored, at least; after there were many killings of opponents of the monarchy, especially in Scotland.


> 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.

I'm curious why you refer to Charles II as Catholic. He was Anglican; at least until his deathbed conversion to Catholicism. It was his brother James, the future James II, who was the relatively open Catholic, which was why James was later ejected in the Glorious Revolution in favor of William of Orange and Mary Stuart, daughter of James II.

> Also on board were the King, the Dukes of York and Gloster (Gloucester),

The Duke of York was the future James II, brother of Charles II. The Duke of Gloucester was their brother Henry.

> and the King's sister, the Duchess of Orange "and her son, William, the Prince of Orange."

William III of Orange, son of William II of Orange (d. 1650) and Mary Stuart, sister of Charles II.

It's somewhat surprising that they would put the entire royal family on one ship.


> 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!

I'm not sure he was anti-Protestant, but he was certainly anti-Puritan.

Maybe somebody will eventually find the connection between this William Quartermaine's family or some other one and the Midway Quartermans.


> Sincerely,
> Clay Quarterman
> Odessa

John S. Quarterman


Last changed: $Date: 2002/12/14 19:18:51 $ [Quarterman Family History Project]