Dr. Robert Wellford.. the American progenitor, and himself the son of an apothecary, was the head of a long line of Virginia doctors that extends to the present time. He came to this country with the First Royal Grenadiers. His coming to Fredericksburg is an interesting story. It seems that after the battles of Brandywine and Germantown the wounded American prisoners were so badly treated by a British army surgeon that General Washington complained to General Howe, who after investigation put Dr. Wellford in charge of their treatment. A great improvement followed and Dr. Wellford gained the friendship of Colonel John Spotswood, one of the prisoners, and of General Washington. At the same time he gained the enmity of the British surgeons which was so great that the situation become intolerable and led to Dr. Wellford's resignation from the British Army. When the way opened up for Colonel Spotswood's return to Virginia, General Washington suggested that Dr. Wellford accompany him and gave the doctor a number of letters of introduction to his friends in Fredericksburg. Dr. Robert Wellford greatly prospered in Fredericksburg and became a leading citizen. When the Whiskey Rebellion broke out (1794) Washington made him Surgeon General of the army that was raised to suppress the uprising. He married Catharine Yates a descendant of Edward Randolph of Turkey Island. Two of their sons, Horace (1790-1828) and Beverley Randolph (1797-1870) and five of their grandsons became physicians. From Virginia Medical Monthly Editorial, January, 1953.
Dr. Robert Wellford.. the American progenitor, and himself the son of an apothecary, was the head of a long line of Virginia doctors that extends to the present time. He came to this country with the First Royal Grenadiers. His coming to Fredericksburg is an interesting story. It seems that after the battles of Brandywine and Germantown the wounded American prisoners were so badly treated by a British army surgeon that General Washington complained to General Howe, who after investigation put Dr. Wellford in charge of their treatment. A great improvement followed and Dr. Wellford gained the friendship of Colonel John Spotswood, one of the prisoners, and of General Washington. At the same time he gained the enmity of the British surgeons which was so great that the situation become intolerable and led to Dr. Wellford's resignation from the British Army. When the way opened up for Colonel Spotswood's return to Virginia, General Washington suggested that Dr. Wellford accompany him and gave the doctor a number of letters of introduction to his friends in Fredericksburg. Dr. Robert Wellford greatly prospered in Fredericksburg and became a leading citizen. When the Whiskey Rebellion broke out (1794) Washington made him Surgeon General of the army that was raised to suppress the uprising. He married Catharine Yates a descendant of Edward Randolph of Turkey Island. Two of their sons, Horace (1790-1828) and Beverley Randolph (1797-1870) and five of their grandsons became physicians. From Virginia Medical Monthly Editorial, January, 1953.
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