early 19th century:
Pedro Pompey/Pompee
(c1815-1864)
I came across references to Pedro Pompey/Pompee by chance while researching something else. The account given by a very elderly gentleman, in the 1930s, of a visit to the dentist's office in the 1850s gave a brief glimpse of dentistry in Jamaica at that period.
part of a letter from Eugene Finzi, who
was then about 84 years old
tooth keys
An item in the Roman Catholic registers records that a Kingston resident, Pedro Pompee, aged 49, a dentist and native of Charleston, America, died on July 31, 1864 and was buried on August 1.
Daily Gleaner, March 9, 1897
MR. CORINALDI objected entirely to the bill. . . . He knew two or three of the most eminent dentists who did not have certificates. For 35 years one of the most eminent Dentists Senor Pompey lived in [t]his town and practised and he had no certificate.
Daily Gleaner, March 10, 1897
Mr. Corinaldi on the discussion on the Dentist Law said he knew two or three of the most eminent dentists who did not have certificates and who had practiced for 35 years. One of the most eminent dentists, having been apprenticed of Senor Pompey lived in this town and practised and had no certificate.
These slightly conflicting items relate to a debate in the Legislative Council on a proposal to require dentists to be registered. The main issue was the fact that for many less affluent Jamaicans, especially in country areas, the only person who could do tooth extractions was the local dispenser, or some one with some training from a practising dentist; such people would not be able to operate if the proposal became law.
A law was passed in 1905 to register dentists.
I hope I will find out more about Pedro Pompey and especially about the dentists he trained.
Please contact me at jamaica.history(at)outlook(dot)com if you can tell us more about this significant individual.
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