Dr Thomas Short

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Dr. Short was a native of North Britain, and settled early in fife as a physician at Sheffield, with considerable reputation and practice, both in the town, and amongst persons of rank and fortune in the neighbourhood.

The first Marchioness of Rockingham, in a miscellaneous conversation at table, happening to say,

" that she would trust her life in the hands of Dr. Short, in preference to any one of the faculty”

Mr. Staniland, a clergyman from Worsbro, bluntly replied,

" I do not like him at all."

" Why so ?" said her Ladyship.

"Because," answered Staniland, "had it not been for the Doctor, I should have been rid of my wife several years ago."

In 1732 he married Mary the daughter of Mr. Parkins, of Mortimley near Sheffield, by whom he had two sons and two daughters; Mary, who died Dec. 3, 1753 ; Thomas, who was educated wilh a view to his father's profession, but died young; William, who died abroad, unmarried; and Elizanet, who married Mr. Anderson of Pea-street, Sheffield, cutler, but died without issue, May 16', 1788.

His wife died Dec. 19, 1762, and was buried in the parish church of Sheffield. A Sermon at her funeral was, at the Doctor's request, preached by the Rev. George Bayliff, assistant minister of Sheffield, from Luke viii. 52.

" Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth"

a text selected by the Doctor for the occasion. Some time after her decease he retired to Rotherham, where he died, at an advanced age, Nov. 28, 1772 ; and was buried at Sheffield, Dec. 3, 1772.

The Doctor had acquired some property in houses in Pea-street, where he resided, and in other parts of Sheffield. Some time before his decease he requested that his corpse might not be disturbed in the bed in which he departed, till it was removed into his coffin. He was tall, thin, and hard-featured, affected the Scotch accent in his speech, and a bluntness and freedom in conversation that were not always agreeable.

He had an utter aversion for swine's flesh, was irritable in his temper, and impatient of contradiction. But he had undoubted abilities in his profession, was indefatigable in his pursuit after knowledge, and irreproachable in his moral conduct.

The following inscription is upon a brass plate in the middle aile of the parish church of Sheffield:

"In memory of Thomas Short, of this town, M. D. who departed this life Nov. 28, 1772. Mary, his wife, who died Dec. 19, 1762. Mary their daughter Dec. 3, 1753. Elizanet Anderton, widow, their daughter, who died May 16, 1788."

Dr. Short published, "The Natural, Experimental, and Medicinal History of the Mineral Waters of Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire, particularly those of Scarborough -, wherein they are carefully examined and compared .their Contents discovered and divided, their Uses shewn and explained, and an Account given of their Discovery and Alteration, together with the Natural History of the Earths, Minerals, and Fossils, through which the chief of them pass; the groundless Theories and false Opinions of former Writers are exposed, and their Reasonings demonstrated to be injudicious and inconclusive.