Dr. John Bard and Dr. Samuel Bard of Hyde Park

DR. JOHN BARD AND DR. SAMUEL BARD OF HYDE PARK

Joseph W. Emsley

Hyde Park's Vanderbilt estate has become so well known in Dutchess County, together with the Franklin D. Roosevelt historic home site, that we are indined to forget another famous Hyde Park resident, Dr. Samuel Bard. His father, Dr. John Bard, was famous, too, although his son became more prominent in New York City's early medical and initial hosipal life. Both Dr. Samuel and his father will be remembered in Dutchess for their country residence activities at Hyde Park. To be sure, they were related to the original patentee of Hyde Park, Peter Fauconier, and Dr. John established the Bard residence on the site of the present Vanderbilt mansion. The Bard family was outstanding, too, in the building of historic St. James Church at Hyde Park, and Bard College of Annandale-on-Hudson was named in honor of the famous medical pioneers.

Dr. Samuel Bard

Dr. Samuel Bard was the inspirational force behind the founding of New York Hospital in New York City. The present decade celebration of bicentennial events related to the establishment of the federal government in this country points to developments in New York City, the seat of the first capital. A charter was granted to New York Hospital on June 13, 1771. Dr. Bard was the first attending physician at the New York City hospital. He gave it his daily supervision for 23 years.

97

Dr. Samuel Bard was the leader, in 1768, in the founding of the first medical school in New York City. The school was affiliated with King's College which became Columbia College. He became Professor of Theory and Practice of Physics. He later resigned to accept the professorship of Philosophy and Astronomy, and subsequently was appointed Dean of the college. Popular and successful as a physician, Dr. Bard specialized in obstetrics, and wrote a manuel on midwifery in 1807.

Dr. John Bard was a leader in New York City in combating communicable diseases. He established on Bedloe Island its first quarantine station and became the first health officer of the city. He wrote on such subjects as yellow fever and malignant pleurisy. He became the first president of the New York Medical Society.

Practicing medicine day and night, Dr. Samuel Bard became a familiar figure riding his phaeton, with servant, in New York's streets. He was saddened during his career, however, by the unexpected loss of his children from scarlet fever. This misfortune was lightened some time later, however, when his wife, Polly gave birth to a daughter.

Dr. Samuel Bard was long remembered as the physician who saved the life of George Washington. His father, the family photographers pointed out, credited Dr. John Bard with encouraging the new federal government to make New York City the first capital of the United States. This decision was influenced to some extent by Dr. Bard's exposition of the healthful qualities of the location.

On April 6, 1789, Washington was inaugurated as President of the American Republic at a ceremony at Federal Hall. State Chancellor Robert R. Livingston of Clermont, Columbia County, and member of the famous branch of the Livingston family, administered the oath of office.

But Washington was in ill health. He became sick with a fever on June 13, 1787. Dr. Samuel Bard was called and found his noted patient in a run-down condition. Washington became seriously ill from a carbuncle on his right thigh. An operation was decided upon because a gangrenous condition might otherwise set in. Washington was 73 years old.

Dr. Samuel asked his father to assist with the operation. A deep incision was required. While the operation was successful, President Washington himself reporting 16 days later that his health was restored, the famous patient was feeble. He was treated sometime later by the Bard father and son team for colds and pneumonia. He lived for another 10 years.

On March 24, 1791, the State Legislature authorized the Regents of Columbia University to establish a College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Dr. Samuel Bard accepted the presidency of the college.

Dr. David Hosack, a younger associate of Dr. Samuel Bard, became Professor of Botany at Columbia, and famous as the principal developer of the Elgin Botanical Gardens, predecessor of Rockefeller Center in

98

Photos from John Brett Langstaff's "Doctor Bard of Hyde Park"

"Hyde Park" Mansion. Residence built by Samuel Bard on site where Vanderbilt Mansion now stands.

New York City. He was reported to have invested $100,000 of his own funds on the gardens, and much of his pioneering in horticulture was reflected in the development of the Bard estate at Hyde Park.

Dr. Samuel Bard and Dr. Hosack became leading backers of horticulture in Dutchess County. Dr. Bard was active in the formation of a horticultural society in the County. Another objective of Dr. Bard was the care and breeding of sheep. Chancellor Robert Livingston was associated with him in the introduction of Marino sheep into the United States.

Dr. Hosack acquired the major part of the Bard estate, or the present Vanderbilt property, from the Bard family estate. Hosack died in 1835.

St. James Church was consecrated October 10, 1811. Congratulated as the church founder, Dr. Samuel Bard was elected senior warden of the church. Morgan Lewis, Staatsburg, a governor of New York, was chosen junior warden.

Dr. Bard died May 24, 1821, and his wife died one day before him. He was 79 and she 75 at their deaths.

99