Remote & Rural Remedies

Click on a page for the full-size image:
- Page1
- Page2
Click on a page for the full-size image:
- Page1
- Page2
"Survey return from John Charteris"

Dunrossness, by Lerwick.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/189

John Charteris was a church minister in Dunrossness.

Dunrossness was a parish in the southern Shetland Islands. It comprised Dunrossness, Sandwick, Coningsburgh and Fair Isle. Most of the inhabitants worked in fisheries. There was also some agriculture and production of oats and potatoes. In 1831, the population was 4405.

[[Addressee]]
The Revd
John Charteris
Dunrossness
By Lerwick

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Dunrossness

None

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

[no text]

3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?

The number has diminished

4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?

There were two practitioners in the parish since I became connected with it, but have both been removed by death. There has been no practitioner for upwards of one twelve month.

5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?

I believe there are many

6. Do you know of any cases of protracted suffering, or of injury by Accident, such as might have been alleviated had proper advice been at hand?

I cannot say in the meantime that I do.

7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?

None as far as I know.
The Ministry of Dunrossness consists of a population of above 4000 – there is no medical aid nearer Dunrossness than Lerwick, which is at least 24 miles distant.

8. Does your experience enable you to suggest any measure – of general applicability – such as would be likely to relieve to some extent the evils (if they exist) of deficiency in the supply of Medical aid?

I can suggest none except that medical aid was placed within the reach of the poor. The expense of bring medical aid from Lerwick to Dunrossness is much more than they can afford.

9. What Heritors¹ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

There are two resident Heritors in the Ministry of Dunrossness viz John Bruce of Sumburgh and James Grierson of Quendale William Bruce of Limbister is occasionally in the Parish

[[Additional Text]]

John Charteris

Explanatory notes:

1. A heritor was a landowner, under Scots Law, whose holdings were sizeable enough for them to be liable for the payment of public burdens such as Poor Law rates, road and bridge assessments and the church minister’s stipend.

"Survey return from John Charteris"

Dunrossness, by Lerwick.

1850.

John Charteris was a church minister in Dunrossness.

Dunrossness was a parish in the southern Shetland Islands. It comprised Dunrossness, Sandwick, Coningsburgh and Fair Isle. Most of the inhabitants worked in fisheries. There was also some agriculture and production of oats and potatoes. In 1831, the population was 4405.

1. A heritor was a landowner, under Scots Law, whose holdings were sizeable enough for them to be liable for the payment of public burdens such as Poor Law rates, road and bridge assessments and the church minister’s stipend.