Shelter Island Reporter

The Island’s medical history has been recorded primarily by Thomas Young Sr., whose stories include the birth of his granddaughter on board the North Ferry in 1954. It made the front page of both the News-Review and the Suffolk Times.

Medical care on Shelter Island has come a long way since its early days.


As the Island welcomes its newest physician, the Reporter asked the Shelter Island Historical Society about the Island's medical history. Archivist Phyllis Wallace traced Island physicians back to 1889; the list follows:


Dr. Dimon 1889-1892


Dr. Benjamin 1892-1917


Dr. J. Mott Heath 1917-1922


Dr. Russell 1922-1929


Dr. Theodore Lamson 1925 and 1927


No doctor for two years. Some medical services were provided by a nurse named Miss Isham.


Dr. Donald Currie 1931-1964


Dr. Frosina 1957-1967


Dr. Frank Gross 1963-1975


Dr. Stroll 1957-1982


Dr. Grunwaldt 1975-2003


Dr. Peter Kelt 1983 to date


Dr. Christopher Marshall 2002-2010


Dr. Kathleen Marshall 2003-2010


Islander Thomas Young Sr. was delivered by the first physician on that list, Dr. Dimon, in 1892. Mr. Young's recollections, from the Historical Society's vault, include mentions of several Island physicians.


Dr. Benjamin was noted for his use of Iodoform [a disinfectant used to treat wounds].


Dr. Benjamin had a horse and carriage. His coachman was Lewis Sherman, who lived upstairs in Dr. B's barn. The barn burned and after it was rebuilt, the doctor had an automobile. … His favorite expression was “By Jove.”


Dr. J. Mott Heath was here a short time and then moved to Greenport.


Dr. Russell was noted for his use of Lysol.


Dr. Currie was a wonderful doctor and he actually gave his life to and for the people of Shelter Island. He also faithfully attended the Eastern Long Island Hospital. [When he retired] Shelter Island held a Dr. Currie Day.


Mr. Young also recalled Dr. Samuel B. Nicoll, who was a physician in New York City and Greenport until 1863 and was described as a “man of ample means” in Ralph Duvall's “The History of Shelter Island.” He moved to the family manor on what is now Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island in 1865. He served as town supervisor but the history books do not mention him practicing medicine on Shelter Island. Tom Young did:


Dr. S. B. Nicoll lived in his mansion on Sachem's Neck and he had a horse and carriage. It was said that if he felt like it, he would come to see a patient and if he didn't, he just wouldn't come at all. There was a story which was told about Dr. Nicoll in his day. He wore red flannel underwear and someone was supposed to have asked him when he took it off. His reply was “The Fourth of July.” Then he was supposed to have been asked when he again put them on. His reply was “The Fourth of July.” So therefore he wore them year round.


Of his own birth, Mr. Young wrote:


Dr. Dimon brought me into the world and he was supposed to have been under the influence when he called to the house to deliver me. I didn't catch my breath right away and he was supposed to have dunked me in a pail of cold water. I had bronchitis when I was only two days old.


Another family story has Dr. Currie delivering Mr. Young's granddaughter, Joan Elizabeth Young, aboard the North Ferry's Islander, under the command of Captain George Dickerson, on its first run at 5:35 a.m. on Sunday, August 20, 1954. “Stork power dives on Greenport Ferry” was the headline on page 1 of the August 26, 1954 New Review; the story was also on the front page of the Suffolk Times.


Mr. Young had the motor of his car running and ready for a quick [dis]embarkation as the ferry approached Rail Road Dock, but Dr. Currie, realizing there wasn't time to reach shore, rolled up his sleeves and went to work, delivering the baby girl in the front seat of her parents' car.


Father, skipper, deck hands and the early bird passengers -- all were pretty excited, with the exception of mother, doctor and, of course, the nautical newcomer.


A review of Island medical history will continue next week with a look at the critical period from 1974 to 1975 when the current Medical Center was established.