Patrick Thomas Tighe
Hunter Valley Medical Practitioner
Patrick Tighe arrived as surgeon on the James Laing in November 1840. [1]
Newcastle
He was listed as a qualified medical practitioner for Newcastle District in 1847 and 1848. [2]Blackheath Stockade
He was employed as medical officer at Blackheath Stockade in 1845.Campbelltown
By 1849 he was employed as coroner at Campbelltown. He married Catherine Lloyds in 1851 - On the 12th instant, by special license at St. James Church by the Rev. Robert Allood, B.A., Patrick Thomas Tighe, Esq., Doctor of Medicine, formerly of Castlerea, County Roscommon, Ireland, now of Campbelltown, to Catherine, eldest daughter of A.K. Lloyds, Esq., Isleworth, Middlesex, England. [3]In giving evidence at an inquest into the death of a man at Campbelltown in 1858, he first stated his qualifications which evidence reveals that although his wife believed him to be a fully qualified M.D., it was not the case - I am qualified to practise by the New South Wales Board, being a licentiate of the Apothecaries' Company, Dublin, but I am not a physician or surgeon. [4]
Death
Patrick Tighe died at Campbelltown in 1858. The Sydney Herald reported on the inquest - An inquest was held at Campbelltown on 22nd October 1858 at the house of George Fieldhouse, the sign of the Jolly Miller, on the body of Patrick Thomas Tighe, apothecary and generally known as Dr. Tighe. It appeared in evidence that deceased had been drinking for the last three weeks, and was occasionally subject to fits of intemperance, during which he took no care of himself, and was frequently an inmate of the lock up for protection as well as punishment. Dr. Scouler certified that death was the result of apoplexy produced by habits of intemperance, and the jury found a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. [5]Catherine Tighe responded in correspondence soon afterwards - To the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald -
Sir, Having seen an uncalled for report on an inquest on the body of the late Dr. Tighe from your Campbelltown correspondent which ran thus: Patrick Thomas Tighe apothecary' I beg to say that he was a legally qualified M.D. for many years in Europe and also legally qualified in this country for eighteen years, which I have his diplomas to prove...Catherine Tighe. [6]
References
[1] Sydney Herald 2 November 1840[2] Maitland Mercury 13 January 1847
[3] Sydney Morning Herald 14 July 1851.
[4] Sydney Morning Herald 19 February 1858
[5] Sydney Morning Herald 29 October 1858
[6] Sydney Morning Herald 4 November 1858
↑