Jonathan Eights
by
Stefan Bielinski


Jonathan Eights was born in January 1773. He would be the only surviving son of the eleven children born to the marriage of Albany sailmaker Abraham Eights and Catherine Brooks.

Although raised along the Albany waterfront, Jonathan instead became a physician. He first received a classical education in the school of George Merchant. Then, he was trained in the medical offices of Albany doctors Wilhelmus Mancius and Hunlock Woodruff. In 1795, he was examined and then licensed to practice medicine. His first few years were devoted to practice in the areas around Albany and then in Canajoharie. In 1797, he went to Philadelphia for a year of advanced surgical training. Returning to Montgomery County, he built a substantial medical practice there.

In May 1810, he returned to Albany and established a home and office at 92 North Pearl Street that became an Albany landmark for half a century.

Dr. Eights had a private practice but was best known as the Alms House physician. He reputedly taught a number of medical men, was a director and trustee of several benevolent organizations, and an active Masonic member as well.

By the mid-1790s, he had married Manhatttan-born Alida Wynkoop, a long-time acquaintance who came to Albany with her family as a girl. Their marriage produced a small family of a son and two daughters.

Jonathan Eights died in 1848 at age seventy-five.

PAGE IN PROGRESS


notes

the people of colonial Albany The life of Jonathan Eights is CAP biography number 7933. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. He is the subject of a biographical sketch appearing in Joel Munsell's Annals of Albany, 9:99-100.



Home | Site Index | Navigation | Email | New York State Museum



first posted: 7/3/01; updated 12/1/11