Historicaleigh: Dr John Cook Of Leigh

March 15, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

Dr John Cook Of Leigh

There had been a Dr Cook in Leigh since 1700 and it was at the age of 22, John Cook, apothecary and chirurgeon, set up his practice in the Old Town, in a place soon to be known by his name.

His eldest son, another John, returned from schooling in Scotland to work in St Thomas' Hospital in 1725 after finishing his medical training. He set up as a doctor in Burnham, then Leigh, where he was also a coal merchant, a strange combination, and also became an acclaimed medical author.

In 1732 he married Elizabeth Bradley the daughter oif Lemuel Bradley who owned Burnt Oak Farm in Leigh and was steward to the Archibishop of Canterbury.

John and Elizabeth had 15 children, many of whom died in childhood but their sons, George and Lemuel both became doctors.

His house in Leigh was destroyed in the early 20th Century - sad as this is where he is said to have entertained John Wesley on his several visits to Leigh.

On his death in 1777, John's son, Lemuel took over as doctor in Leigh.