John Williamson
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John Williamson, also known by his contemporaries as Johnny (Johnie or Johnnie) Notions, 'a tailor, a joiner, a clock and watch-mender, a blacksmith, and a physician' and unsung "Shetland hero", was born around 1730 probably in Shetland, and died around 1796 and buried at Cross Kirk cemetery, Eshaness.
His family background is as unclear as are his early years. We don't even know who his mother was. His father seems to have been a certain Andrew Williamson; if he was, then it might have been John's very first 'notion' to adopt his fathers family name as his own one – in a way quite unsual for a Shetlander of those days: Instead of becoming John Andrewson he kept the surname Williamson becoming John(ie) Williamson about 1755.
Since the 1740s (if not earlier) the Williamsons lived in Hamnavoe, Eshaness, and this might be the place, where John was born in 1730 or a bit later. There his father had a big farm compared with Shetland standards, a farm of 10 merks or at least 10 acres arable. He was a tenant of the Thomas Gifford of Busta, a prosperous merchant-laird and one of the leading figures in Shetland in those days.
John was about 10 years old when he faced the 1740's outbreak of smallpox in Shetland. We do not know whether or not John suffered from the disease himself but it is most likely that this outbreak had a strong impact on John's future life dedicating himself to endless empirical studies about the disease and how to cure affected folks.
When John took over the farm in 1752 the rent and tax for the farm of £27 6s. Scots included the right of 'half of a big boat', that's to say he was responsible for 50% of the keeping, equipment and the crew of a sixareen, getting in return 50% of the profit made by the boat. As Hamnavoe was conveniently situated for the deep-sea fishing grounds to the west of the islands this is another indication of the 'prosperity' of the Williamson family.
Note on John Williamson in the Old Statistical Account
In his account of the Parish of Mid and South Yell the Rev. J. Dishington describes the positive population development in his parish. He gives two reasons: Firstly the landlords' intention to keep as many tenants on their estates as possible, and then he continues
- … 2. The amazing success, with which inoculation has been attended. Formerly the small-pox occasioned the most dreadfull ravages, in these islands; frequently carrying off the fifth part of the inhabitants. Now, hardly any suffer from this disorder. Inoculation is successfully practised, even by the comon people; but in particular by a person, whose name is John Williamson, who, from his various attainments, and superior talents, is called Johnny Notions, among his neighbours. Unassisted by education, and unfettered by the rules of art, he stands unrivalled in this business. Several thousands have been inoculated by him, and he has not lost a single patient.
- His success being so remarkable, it may not be improper to take some notice of the method he pursues, in case it can furnish any useful hints to persons of the medical profession. He is carefull in providing the best matter, and keeps it a long time before he puts to use it, - sometimes 7 or 8 years. And, in order to lessen its virulence, he first dries it in peat smoke, and then puts it under ground, covered with camphor. Though many physicians recomment fresh matter, This selftought practitioner finds from experience, that it always proves milder to the patient, when it has lost a considerable degree of its strength. He uses no lancet in performing the operation, but, by a small knife, made by his own hands, he gently raises a very little of the outer skin of the arm, so that no blood follows: then puts in a vers small quantity of the matter, which he immediately covers with the skin, that had been thus raised. The only plaister he uses, for healing the wound, is a bit of cabbage leaf. It is particularly remarkable, that there is not a single instance in his practice, where the infection has not taken place, and made its appearance at the usual time. He administers ne medicine during the progress of the desease; nor does he use any previous preparation. – He is a singular instance of an uncommon variety of talents, being a tailor, a joiner, a clock and watch-mender, a blacksmith, and a physician.
See also
Brian Smith's article presented to the Orkney Science Festival in September 1996.
A Great Man of Shetland: the story of "Johnny Notions" (1967) & Edward Jenner, M.D., of Berkeley, England and John Williamson of Shetland, Shetland Times (1970), both by James C. Mowat
