Biographical Sketches
PAULINE EMERSON CANFIELD, M. D.
The history of the Emerson family in England can be traced back to the early part of the 13th century, and the Doctor has in her possession the authentic lineage from 1300 down to Thomas Emerson, who came to America in 1638. He was proprietor of the manors of Bradbury and Hilton, in England, and after coming to the New World figured prominently in the history of the American branch of the family, being its found in this country.
More than 250 years ago, when the citizens of this country had penetrated into the interior only a few miles, the greater number located along the Atlantic coast. Weighing anchor in an English port the westward-bound sailing vessel, Elizabeth Ann, among the passengers on board that little ship was Thomas Emerson, a representative of the Emerson family of the Wear valley, in the county of Durham. At length the long voyage of 3,000 miles was ended, and since that year, 1638, the Emerson family and its representatives have been prominent in American annals. No people have been more honored than those who have worn this name. The family has been distinguished by its devotion to those works, enterprises and business interests which are designed for the aid and uplifting of humanity. Among the members of the family are Ralph Waldo Emerson, the noted essayist; Wendell Phillips, the apostle of freedom and the friend of the oppressed; Bishop Phillips Brooks, of the Episcopal church, and Bishop W. F. Mallalieu, of the Methodist Episcopal church, both prominent in ministerial work; Professor C. Wesley Emerson, the founder and president of the Boston School of Oratory; Professor H. P. Emerson, of Buffalo, New York; Professor B. K. Emerson, of Amherst College; Dr. H. P. Emerson, of London, England, an author of works on natural history, and many others who are eminent in church and educational circles.
Thomas Emerson, who was born in the county of Durham, England, took up his residence in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on emigrating to America. He received a large grant of land from King James I., October 19, 1619, which was to be in the possession of the family for a thousand years. A coat-of-arms was also granted to the family by King Henry VIII, and this has been used by Ralph Waldo Emerson and other representatives of the family in this country for book plates. Thomas Emerson inherited the manors of Bradbury and Hilton, and thus another coat-of-arms was brought into the family. They had 5 children, including Rev. John Emerson, from whom were descended Wendell Phillips and Phillips Brooks. Thomas Emerson died May 1, 1666, and we have the following record concerning the disposition of his property:
�His will was dated May 31, 1663. He died May 1, 1666, and the inventory of his estate is recorded November 3, 1666, in which record he is styled �Goodman Emerson, Senior' He left a wife, Elizabeth, and sons - Joseph, John, James and Nathaniel - and a daughter, Elizabeth, wife of John Fuller. �He bequeathes to his wife the yearly rent of his farm with six head of cattle, also the home, etc. during the time she doth remain my widow. To his sonne Joseph the sum of 80 pounds of current pay of New England. To his sonne James the sum of 40 pounds to be paid unto him if he shall come over into this or send by a certain certificate of his being living within 2 years after the decease of me and my wife. In case my soone dye before then, my will is that my sonne Joseph, his son Joseph, shall have 10 pounds and my daughter Fuller and her 4 sonnes 20 pounds, and my sonne Nathaniel 10 pounds. To Nathaniel, my house wherein I now dwell, with all my upland and meadow and the marsh yt bought of my sonne Joseph wh some time Mr. Woodman's. To his daughter, Elizabeth Fuller, best coverlet and the bedstead to enjoy for use until her daughter Susan atayned the age of 20 or the day of her marriage, if it should happen sooner; then she to enjoy them also; the great carved chest with what is in it, the carved box and the little trunk and small covered chest with all (that) is in it.'
�In a codicil dated January 4, 1660, he mentioned having given unto his son John his 'portion fill in ye considerations of yt agreement between us about my farm,' etc. He bequeathed legacies to his daughter Fuller's 2 daughters, Suana and Elizabeth, to be paid to them at the age of 20 or at ye day of marriage (see John Fuller). He appoints his 'living wife Elizabeth Emerson sole Executrix and doe desire my much honored and faithful friends Mr. Samuel Symonds and Maj. Gen'l Denison to be overseers to see yt this will be fulfilled.' The will was proved May, 1666.�
Rev. Joseph Emerson, son of Thomas, the American ancestor, was born in England in 1620, and was installed the first minister in Mendon, Massachusetts, December 1, 1669. His death occurred November 3, 1679. He married Elizabeth Woodmansey, and after her death Elizabeth Buckley. They had 7 children, one of whom was the ancestor of Ralph Waldo Emerson, America's famed realist.
James Emerson was the next in the line of direct descent. He was a landholder, was born about 1655, had 4 children, and died in 1718.
His son, John Emerson, also a landholder, was born June 9, 1694, married Mary Rice, and had 9 children, and died in 1780. His will, which was allowed, June 5, 1780, read as follows: �In the name of God, Amen. The 12th day of July in the year of our Lord 1786, I, John Emerson, of Uxbridge, in the county of Worcester and province of the Massachusetts, in New England, yeoman, being under some bodily indisposition but of perfect mind and memory (thanks be to God therefore!) calling to mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for man once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament; that is to say, principally, and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God, who gave it, hoping, thro' the merits, death and passion of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to have a full and free pardon and remission of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life; and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors (thereafter named), nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again, by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, that is to say:
�First. I will and order that all those debts and duties that I do owe in right or conscience to any person or person whatsoever, shall well and truly be contended or paid or ordained to be paid, in convenient time after my decease, by my executors hereafter named.
�Item. I give to my eldest son John 10 shillings lawful money, to be paid by my executors in 7 years after my decease; � part of my wearing apparel, as also � part of my shop tools, and no more. He have (having) already had such part of my estate which with this I look upon to be his full proportion of my estate.
�Item. I give to my son Thomas 10 shillings lawful money, to be paid by my executors in ye term of 7 years after my decease, � part of my wearing apparel, as also � part of my shop tools and no more, thinking this, with what I have already given him, to be his full portion of my estate.
�Item. I give unto my son James 10 shillings lawful money to be paid in 7 years after my decease by my executors, � part of my wearing apparel, as also � part of my shop tools, the which, with what he has already had, I look upon to be his full portion of my estate.
�Item. It give and bequeath to my son Luke (he paying the several legacies to my sons above-named; and to my son Ezekiel and daughters, Mary, Sarah and Hannah, as after mentioned; and excepting the improvement of a part of my house to my daughter, Mary, with a necessary part of the garden and yard room, as aftermentioned) the whole of my homested, that I am now in possession of; lands, buildings and tenement of every sort; as also the whole of my stock of cattle, sheep, horses, hoggs, and of every sort; the whole of my utensils for husbandry; � part of my shop tools, as also � part of my wearing apparel.
�Item. I give to my son Ezekiel 10 shillings lawful money, to be paid him by my executors in 7 years after my decease, the which, with his education at college, I account to be his full portion of my estate.
�Item. I give to my eldest daughter, Mary, 26 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence lawful money, to be paid her by my executors on her marriage or in 4 years after my decease, as also comfortable and convenient rooms in the North end of my house, a necessary part of my cellar and well, such a part of the garden, at the south end of the house as may be necessary for her own use; convenient yard room, with the privilege of going and coming so long as she shall live unmarried; and also 1/3 part of my household goods.
�Item. I give to my daughter Sarah, 11 pounds, 10 shillings, to be paid her by my executors in 6 years after my decease, with 1/3 part of my household goods and 3 pence, which with what she has already received is her full proportion of my estate.
�Item. I give to my daughter Hannah 8 pounds, 9 shillings and 5 pence lawful money, to be paid her by my executors in 7 years after my decese, with 1/3 part of my household good, which with what she has already received is her full proportion of my estate. The above named legacies to be paid to the above named legatees by my son Luke or by my executors out of his part of my estate.
�Item. I give my pew in the publick meeting house to my sons and daughters to be improved by them as they shall have occasion, or to be equally divided among them. I do hereby constitute, make and ordain my well beloved sons, John Emerson and Luke Emerson, my executors of this my last will and testament; and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and Exectss by me in any ways before this time named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this, and no other, to be my last will and testament.
�In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year above written.
�John Emerson (Seal)
�Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declnred by the said John Emerson as his last will and testament in presence of us, the subscribers.
�Joseph Tyler,
�Mattan Webb,
�Elizabeth Webb
�N. B. The words interlined page 2d, between the 6th and 7th and between the 7th and 8th lines from the bottom, was before the signing, sealing and delivery of these presents.
Codicil to Ye Within Will.
�Be it known to all men by these presents, that whereas, I, John Emerson, of Uxbridge, have made and declared my last will and testament in writing bearing date the 12th day of July, 1788, I, the said John Emerson, by this present codicil, do ratify and confirm my said last will and testament; but it has pleased God in his most holy providence to take away my within named son Luke Emerson by death, the fourth day of November, 1774; therefore I give and bequeath to the said Luke Emerson's 2 sons, my grandsons (viz), John Emerson and Thomas Emerson, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all and singular my lands, buildings, and tenements of every sort as is named in the within will, which I bequeathed to their father, sd Luke Emerson, deceased; and further I think it is not necessary to give the 5 daughters of ye sd Luke (my granddaughters) anything (viz.) Ruth Emerson, Susannah Emerson and Louis Emerson, Rhoda Emerson and Sally Emerson; and my will and meaning is that this codicil or schedule be, and be adjudged to be, part and parcel of my said last will and testament, and that all things herein mentioned and contained be faithfully and truly performed, and as fully and amply in every respect as if the same were so declared and set down within my last will and testament. Witness my hand this 3rd day of December, 1774.
�John Emerson. (Seal)
�N. B. My meaning is that ye above named John and Thomas have all my house forever.
�David Read, Junr.
�Johnathan Emeson.
�Paul Wheelock.
Luke Emerson, who was so frequently mentioned in the above quoted will, and who was the next in the line of direct descent to Dr. Canfield, of this review, was born October 14, 1733, and died November 4, 1744. He was the possessor of considerable property. He was married April 30, 1755, to Ruth Emerson, who was born March 12, 1737. They had 10 children. His will, which was allowed December 2, 1774, was as follows:
�In the name of God, Amen! The 20th day of October, 1774.
�I, Luke Emerson, of Uxbridge, in the county of Worcester, in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, yeoman, being in a very low state of bodily health but of perfect mind and memory, -- thanks to be given unto God! therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament - that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it; and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting that at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God.
�And as touching such wordly estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bell me in this life, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:
�Imprimise, I give and bequeath to Ruth, my dearly beloved wife, all and singular my land and tenements, with all my live stock, together with all my movable estate whatsoever for her my said wife to sell and dispose of when and as she pleaseth, with the priviso that she pays all my just debts and the several legacies to my heirs hereafter named.
�Item. I give and bequeath to my 2 beloved sons, viz. John Emerson and Thomas Emerson, the sum of 110 pounds, lawful money, to be raised and levied out of my estate and equally divided between them, the said John and Thomas, and to be paid when they arrive to the years of 21, and to their heirs forever. Zuther, my will is in case either of my sons should die before the age of the above described leaving no heirs, then his or their legacy shall be divided amongst the rest of the surviving heirs.
�Item. I give to my 5 daughters, viz., Ruth Emerson, Susannah Emerson, Louis Emerson, Rhoda Emerson and Sally Emerson, the sum of 40 pounds, to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.
�Item. I constitute, make and ordain Ruth Emerson, my above named and beloved wife, sole executrix of this my last will and testament.
�And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies and bequests and executors by me in any ways before named, willed and bequeathed, and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
�In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year above mentioned.
�Luke Emerson. (Seal)
�Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Luke Emerson, as his last will and testament, in the presence of us the subscribers.
�Witnesses:
John Hawkins
Ezra Taft
Paul Wheelock
Thomas Emerson, the grandfather of Dr. Canfield, and son of Luke Emerson, was a prominent trader. He was born August 20, 1773, and died November 7, 1825. He married Margery Morse, who was born April 22, 1773, and died January 21, 1826. They had 9 children. A copy of his will is also herewith given:
�In the name of God, Amen!
I, Thomas Emerson, on this 7th day of November, 1825, in the township of Green Creek, county of Sandusky and state of Ohio, make the following my last will and testament, namely: My wife Margary shall inherit 1/3 of my personal and real estate after my debts being paid while she shall remain my widow. Louis, my eldest daughter, shall have a nice bureau, a fall-leaf table and a stand to be made of cherry and paid for out of my estate. Marcus, my son, shall have 5 dollars. My son, Jesse, shall pay to my son, Thomas, the sum of 50 dollars, good and lawful money; then my son, Thomas, and my son, Jesse, shall inherit the South half of my 80 acre lot, including the mill and mill privileges. My son, Stephen, shall inherit the North half of my 80 acre lot. My son, Ezekiel, shall have the sum of 30 dollars. My daughter, Pauline, shall have the sum of 50 dollars of my estate when she shall come of age or be married, to be laid out in household furniture.
�In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name and affix my seal on the day and in the year above written.
�Thomas Emerson. (Seal)
�Attest:
Louis Sherwood.
Daniel Brainard.�
Jesse Emerson, father of our subject, was born December 24, 1801, and on the 17th of February, 1829, was married to Jemima S. Gavitt, who was born February 20, 1806. He was a farmer and landholder. His death occurred July 19, 1873, and his wife passed away April 9, 1884.
Dr. Pauline Emrson Canfield is a native of Ballville, Ohio. Her education was completed by her graduation at the high school of Toledo, Ohio, and later she determined to engage in the practice of medicine, whereupon she entered Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, where she was later graduated. She was afterward a student in the Woman's Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and first engaged in practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Some time afterward she came to Kansas City, which has now been her home for 12 years. Here she has succeeded in building up an excellent practice, and her skill and ability are recognized by the members of the profession here. She was one of the founders and a charter member of the Woman's Refuge and Maternity Hospital, was physician of the same 3 years, was one of the founders and charter members of the Old Ladies' Protestant Home, of which she served as physician 2 years, was the first physician of the Door of Hope and is serving as physician to that worthy institution at the present time. She is widely known for her charity and benevolence, and many a poor family has reason to bless her for her timely assistance and substantial aid.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.