R - Dr. Robert Rose - Army Surgeon

I've recently started exploring the new family branch of the family tree - from my mothers side. During my search, I came across Dr. Robert Rose, a surgeon who was born in 1737 in South Hampton, Virginia.

He served in the Revolutionary War with the 1st Continental Light Dragoons, also known as Bland's Horse. The regiment was formed between June and September of 1776 in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was comprised of soldiers from eastern and northern Virginia who served with the Continental Army. The regiment's command structure consisted of a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, and a major, supported by a staff that included a chaplain, a quartermaster, a surgeon and mate, a paymaster, a riding master, a saddler, a trumpet major, an adjutant, and four supernumeraries, which were cadets undergoing training that were used as the colonel's messengers.

The most feared killer in North America at this time was smallpox, which played a critical role in defeating the American invasion of Canada. As a result, Washington implemented a requirement in the winter of 1776–1777 for all new army recruits to undergo inoculation for smallpox before reporting to the army. This requirement was one of the first instances worldwide of that now-common practice. Other diseases including diphtheria, dysentery, malaria, measles, and even scurvy swept through eighteenth-century army camps. Surgery during that time was also primitive, and because microbes and sterilization were not yet understood, those who survived the shock and bleeding risked lethal infections.

During battles, the regimental personnel provided immediate medical care to the wounded soldiers. Once the fighting stopped, the regimental quartermaster would search for the injured using the regiment's fifers and drummers as stretcher-bearers. The hospitals would then conduct long-term treatment with a team of trained medical personnel including physicians, surgeons, and apothecaries. Civilians were also employed as nurses, orderlies, cooks, and other support functions.

Being a battlefield surgeon was a gruesome job.

Here I always thought my dad's side was more interesting. There is so much documentation on this man who would be my 5th great-grandfather - there is still more to find out about him.

Somewhere along the line he bought land and moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina. 

At this time, not much is known about the years following the war until his death in 1820. He no doubt was still a practicing physician. 

I did find his Last Will and Testament. (copied exactly) 

In the Name of God Amen—I Robert Rose of the County of Edgecomb & State of North Carolina Being of perfect mind & memory—But Calling unto mind the Mortality of my Body & knowing that is appointed for all men once to die, ___ make & ordain this my Last will & Testament----------------

first of all my Just debts to be paid

[left margin of will is cut off on original image]

Item, I give & bequeath unto my Son Reuben Rose Five Shillings

Item, I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Trevathan Wife of Henry Trevathan, Twelve pounds Ten Shillings

Item, I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Canady Twenty one pounds Ten Shillings & oneFeather bed &   furniture

Item, and the residue of my Estate to be equally Divided between my sons William Rose Aaron Rose Matthew Rose My Daughters Sarah Canady And Elizabeth Trevathan Equally to be divided Between the five-------------

and I do hereby appoint My Friend Jacob Ing and son William Rose the whole & sole Executors of this my last will & Testament & I do hereby deny all my former wills—ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my Last will & Testament

In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand& seal this 29th day May 1816

Robert Rose (his x-mark)

Test

Israel (?) house                                  

Moses Johnson (His x mark)

 

The back of the will:

November Court 1820 Edgecombe County

The within last Will and Testament of Robert Rose decd was exhibited in open Court for Probate and was Duly proven by the oaths of Israel House and Moses Johnston The two subscribing witnesses thereto. And William Rose one of the Executors therein named was at the same time qualified thereto. Ordered that the same be certified and the Will recorded.

Mich Han___

 

"North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19447-26906-10?cc=1867501&wc=MDR2-RWL:169764201,170981601 : accessed 14 March 2015), Edgecombe > Wills, 1758-1830, Vol. 08 > image 185 of 291; county courthouses, North Carolina.

 

Lastly, I found that he might be buried in Arlington Cemetery according to a document that needs further investigation. I have checked the actual cemetery website and Find-a-grave and other death records and have yet to prove he is buried there -