I am looking to confirm if George Hughes Somerville, born circa 1833, is the child of William Somerville and Anne Jane Hughes. I found a reference to him in the Apothecary Registry dated November 8, 1850. He is listed as residing in Castlecomer and was at the age of 17.
I understand that apothecaries/surgeons took apprentices for a specified amount of money. These apprentices were typically sons of men with enough money to educate their children in a profession. As William Somerville was the Land Steward to the Butler family, my sense is that he would have had enough money to finance the apprenticeship appointment.
If anyone could add any additional information re Georges Hughes and the Apothecary Apprenticeship program in Kilkenny, it would be welcomed.
Thank you!
MattHemm
Wednesday 20th Sep 2023, 12:20AMMessage Board Replies
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Apothecary records are kept by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Their “Keeper of Collections” is Harriet Wheelock who can be contacted on:
You could ask her about the training arrangements. If it is of any help, here’s information she gave me in 2020 about 2 apothecaries who trained in the 1840s:
“I’m now able to get back on site and have been able to carry out a search in the records of Apothecaries Hall for you. Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find a record of either of the two people you are looking for. This doesn’t mean they were not practicing as apothecaries in Ireland. Although in theory Apothecaries were supposed to register with the Hall many, especially those based outside of Dublin, didn’t bother as the Hall had no way to enforce registration. Training as an apothecary at this time was very much still apprenticeship based, and did not require a formal educational component”.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 20th Sep 2023, 04:36AM