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"Survey return from James Barclay"
Mid-Yell, Shetland.
1850.
RCP/COL/4/8/195
James Barclay was a church minister in Yell.
Mid Yell was a united parish with South Yell in Shetland and also comprised the islands of Hascussay and Samphrey. Most of the land was in pasture and the majority of the inhabitants worked as farmers and fishermen.
[[Addressee]]
The Revd
James Barclay
Mid-Yell
Lerwick
[[Survey]]
QUERIES
1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Mid. and South Yell?
none
2. The Names and Addresses of these.
[no text]
3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?
[no text]
4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?
[no text]
5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?
There is
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?
no
7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?
I am almost the only person to whom the people of this Parish and of a neigbouring Parish, resort for medical aid – Tho, not regularly trnd I obtain much information in medicine from my father who for 40 years practised as a surgeon, and I have had so much experience as to be able generally to meet most cases that occur - gratuitously
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 cannot suggest any measure wc wd be suitable for this parish, the poorest in Scotland – unless a supply of med: could be sent as from my large family I am quite unable to have these things that are often required on acct of the expence -
9. What Heritors1 are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?
Mr Robert Bruce permanently resident
Mr Robt M Spence occasionally resident2 and a good many small “udallers”3 living on their own crofts –
[[Additional Text]]
James Barclay Minr of Yell
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.
2. The respondent has inserted a ditto mark (“) here for the word “resident”.
3. An udallar is someone who held land by allodial rights, i.e. absolutely, without any feudal obligations or any mortgage or tax obligations.
Remote & Rural Remedies
