Dr. Charles Duncombe 1791-1867
Text from the plaque
This house was built in 1848 by Dr. Elijah Duncombe, brother of Dr. Charles Duncombe. The latter, born in Connecticut, came to Upper Canada in 1819 and settled on this property shortly thereafter. In 1824, with Dr. John Rolph, he opened at St. Thomas the province's first medical school, named "The Talbot Dispensatory" in honour of Col. Thomas Talbot. Charles Duncombe later moved to Burford township and in 1830 was elected to the legislature as a Reform member for Oxford. An ardent supporter of William Lyon Mackenzie, he raised an insurgent force during the Rebellion of 1837 which was dispersed by loyal militia. Duncombe then fled to the United States where he remained until his death.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Elgin
The City of St. Thomas
On the east side of a museum on the southwest corner of
Talbot Road and Pleasant Street
Also recorded for this place: Canadian Heritage Gallery
N 42 46.721 W 81 12.568
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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Visitors' notes
May 14, 2009
Cool Site! This is really going to help me on my history project! I think it is cool that his Great-Grandad helped Duncombe escape!
August 16, 2008
Dr Charles Duncombe is buried in the Old City Cemetery, Sacramento, California. My family history is connected to this man as my Great Great Great Grandfather Charles Goodrich Tilden helped him escape Canada. C.G. Tilden's son Charles N.D. Tilden inherited the 200 acre land belonging to the doctor in Komoka, Ontario, it operated as a wooden pump factory for many years. There are a few articles that support this in print. My distant Grandfather C.G.Tilden was later imprisoned in London, Ontario for his involvement in the doctors escape. He was later released because he took ill with jail fever, and his wife pleaded the jailer for his release. Mr. Tilden lived for many years into his late 80.s, June 1896 Wendy Tilden Quick