Through The Mayor's Eyes
The Only Complete History of the Mayor's of Buffalo, New York
Compiled by Michael Rizzo

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Dr. Josiah Trowbridge

1837

HISTORY

                Josiah Trowbridge  was born in Framingham, Massachusetts on September 29, 1785, the third of four children. His father, Captain John Trowbridge, was a local office holder and veteran of the American Revolution.

                Josiah worked on his father¹s farm until he was 14. He then went to work at his older brother's store before deciding upon a career in medicine. He prepared for the medical profession by studying with Drs. Willard and Kitteridge.

                In 1808 or 1809 he was licensed to practice and began work in Weathersfield, Vermont. In 1811 Buffalo  welcomed her fourth physician and surgeon. Dr. Trowbridge rode into town on horseback with his boyhood companion and lawyer, Jesse Walker. He found there was no house available and was advised to "try Fort Erie." His friend left town and he made his home across the border in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada.

                Dr. Trowbridge was a firm believer in America and visited frequently. When it became apparent that there would be a war with Great Britain, he moved to Buffalo Although "not a friend to the war," he said, he joined the Buffalo  Light Artillery Company and tended to the wounded during the first assault on Black Rock

                The Doctor was fond of hunting and found several others able to join him one day during the war. Lieutenant Dudley of the U.S. Navy, Trowbridge, and several others went to Strawberry Island to shoot some duck. Unbeknownst to them, they were spotted by the British, and a group of 14 British soldiers landed on the island. Shortly thereafter, Trowbridge and the others were taken prisoner and sent to Fort George. After two days Trowbridge and F.B. Merrill were set free, the soldiers remaining prisoners.

                During the burning  of the village on December 31, 1813, Trowbridge was one of the last to leave, helping to secure the safety of the women and children.

                Research shows that only about 1,000 British soldiers were across the river and could have easily been defeated, but apparently many of the citizens of Buffalo  were quite cowardly.

                 Around October 20, 1813 the Doctor was to serve as vice-chairman of the committee "charged with entertaining General Harrison and Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry." At about two o'clock, the crew of about 80  was treated to a public dinner at Pomery's Eagle Tavern

                On June 15, 1813  a petition for a warrant to create a lodge of Freemasons was sent to the Grand Lodge. Josiah was one of the many men who signed this petition.

                After the war, Trowbridge made his home in Buffalo The only political experience Trowbridge ever had was his election as the first Village of Buffalo  Treasurer in 1816. He held the position again in 1817. Twice he applied for positions in office, once for collectorship of customs, and the other for the post office. 

                On February 10, 1817 he was "secretary of the meeting held at the house of Elias Ransom to organize the Episcopal Society of St. Paul's Church." "He was one of its first vestrymen, for 11 years, and was warden for six years." 

                In 1819 he was librarian of the Niagara County Medical Society In addition, he was a charter member of the Medical Society  of Erie County in 1821.

                Trowbridge was elected Supervisor of Buffalo  in 1823, 1825, and 1827. He served as a side judge for a short time. He was also a commissioner for the finishing of the "Old Court House" which stood on the site of the 1919 public library

                At one time he was appointed to a committee to see if it was feasible to build a military school in Buffalo Later on he was president of the Buffalo  Military  Scientific and Literary Academy.

                In the early 1830's housing  was in great demand as the population grew. Trowbridge erected the United States Hotel on Terrace Street. The suites consisted of two to six rooms. They were occupied by many of the newcomers, as they waited for housing to be built by Benjamin Rathbun Dr. Trowbridge himself boarded there for many years.

                Trowbridge was Elected President of the Buffalo  Lyceum in 1832.

                In 1833 he was given the honorary degree of "Doctor of Medicine" by the Regents of the University.

                When 1836 came around and the economy collapsed, Trowbridge was among the many of Buffalo 's early pioneers who suffered. He had left his medical practice to tend to his private interests, including the property he owned, and loaning his name and money among his "supposed friends."

LIFE AS A MAYOR

                The fallout from the speculation craze of 1836 was still being felt throughout the city in early 1837. After more than 130 ballots, the Common Council  were unanimous in their choice of Dr. Josiah Trowbridge  for mayor. He accepted the office of Mayor on March 14, 1837.

                "Allow me to tender my sincere thanks for the honor which you have conferred upon me, by electing me to the mayoralty of this city.

                "I regret that your choice should not have fallen upon some person better qualified than myself to discharge the arduous and responsible duties of the office. If, however, honesty of purpose and zeal to promote the best interests of this city can in any degree supply the want of other qualities, rest assured they will thus far be supplied.

                "I accept the appointment, relying with confidence upon your aid and assistance in the discharge of my duties and also upon your forbearance towards any errors which I may inadvertently commit."

                His political affiliation at this time was Whig Earlier in life he was a Federalist and later in life a Republican.

                Amendments to the city charter were passed in 1837 providing several new positions in the city, including superintendent of schools and the office of police  justice. They were filled by Common Council  appointment. In addition, "regulating the grade of the railroad within city limits, establishing a workhouse," and other changes were made to perfect the city government. A company was formed to build a road from Buffalo  to Williamsville, which was completed within several years.

                Early in his term he "succeeded in raising city taxes  to support the newly established city schools." On June 3, 1837 Mayor Trowbridge  asked "to have an ordinance passed for more effectual prevention of gambling now existing in the city and for punishment of which the present laws were then inadequate."

                 In the winter of 1837 Canadian discontent with the English government brought about what has been called the Patriot War Locally, many Buffalonians felt sympathetic towards the Canadian plight. They thought Canada was destined to be the "Northern Texas" and their liberty from "Colonial misrule must be won by valor."  The Canadians were trying to stir up Americans from "Vermont to Michigan" into helping them.

                Mayor Trowbridge , whose "advice was always eagerly solicited," and whose suggestions were "accepted as equivalent to law," made his voice heard throughout this ordeal. He saw "law and order being put at defiance by dreamers. In no part of the country was the excitement more intense or opposition to the authorities more violent."

                On June 17, 1837 he took a considerable leave of absence. The council appointed Alderman Pierre A. Barker from the 5th ward mayor pro tem.

                By December 2, 1837, "the ball of revolution in Canada was in motion." Many Buffalonians felt the Canadians were oppressed and held a meeting whereby a committee of 13 was formed to "draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the assemblage." There were many prominent citizens who felt strong in their belief, including George Wm. Clinton, and Dr. Cyrenius Chapin On December 13th, a letter was published in the Daily Star explaining the Canadian situation and asking for assistance from the North American Colonies.

                On December 16 martial law was declared in Canada and on the 19th, New York Governor W. L. Marcy issued a proclamation that all people should abstain from interfering with the "domestic concerns of the province of Upper Canada." Locally, patrols were formed to guard the shores from any Canadians seeking revenge. Many felt that it was too late, though. By this time there was so much unrest in the city that it was becoming difficult to keep order.

                Therefore, with "law and order being put at defiance," and "he being unable to maintain the supremacy of the former," Mayor Trowbridge  resigned.

                "Gentlemen - Please to accept my resignation of the office of Mayor of this city. Buffalo , December 21, 1837.    J. Trowbridge." The Council took a recess, came back, accepted his resignation, and adjourned until January 5, 1838

PERSONAL LIFE

                In 1812 Trowbridge became engaged to Margaret Wintermute of Fort Erie. Upon the outbreak of war, he was forced to leave her to serve his country. In a letter to his brother, Dr. Trowbridge tells how on September 19, 1813  he rowed across the "mighty and fearsome (Niagara) river" to the "trysting point." Here, "with the assistance of Cupid" he succeeded "in capturing one of His Majesty's subjects without bloodshed."  Upon reaching the Black Rock  shore, Miss Wintermute was "quickly hustled into a waiting coach, and taken to the home of a friend." On September 22, 1813 the couple was married. Together they had eleven children.

                After his term ended, Trowbridge resumed his medical practice, "determined to again climb the ladder of success." He was actively engaged in his profession for 50 years. For a while his son John S. was a student in his office. In 1839 he was appointed a commissioner to represent the State of Massachusetts in some Indian affairs. When the company found out that that Trowbridge felt the Indians would get the best end of the deal, he was removed from the committee.

                At one time, the International Bank of Buffalo  issued bank notes with Josiah Trowbridge 's portrait on them.

                Early in Trowbridge's career he made business arrangements with other local physicians, including Drs. Chapin, John E. Marshall, Alden B. Sprague, Charles Winne, and Bela H. Colgrove. On October 27, 1813 the dissolution of the partnership of Chapin and Trowbridge occurred.

                In 1839 he was president, and from 1843 to 1853, librarian, of the Erie County Medical Society In 1843 he introduced a resolution, that was adopted, for obtaining unclaimed dead bodies for dissection. 

                He was, like many of Buffalo 's early pioneers, a founder of many organizations. He was the first president of the Buffalo  Medical Association , in 1845. The Buffalo  General Hospital  was established as a public hospital in 1847 and Josiah Trowbridge  was elected the first President of the association; the following year he was a counseling physician and surgeon. In 1848 the Buffalo  Hospital of the Sisters of Charity was founded. On this medical board he was a consulting physician.

                Until 1856 he "did a large private and consulting practice, after which increasing infirmities compelled him to relinquish his work entirely."

                The Trowbridge family spent many years as some of Buffalo 's well known physicians. His son John practiced until 1870. His son Grosvenor spent several years after graduation working for Rochester Hospital in Rochester, New York. He returned to Buffalo  in 1895 to take up general practice as had his father and grandfather. He died childless in 1903 ending the line of Trowbridge physicians.

                Trowbridge became an Episcopalian early in life. He was Joseph Ellicott 's medical advisor and used this influence to secure the deed for the site of St. Paul's Cathedral.

                Dr. Trowbridge died Thursday morning, September 13, 1862, at 79 years of age. He was buried from St. Paul's Cathedral on September 21. Eleven of the Erie County Medical Society 's well-known physicians acted as pall bearers. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery .