DR. CHARLES DUCOMBE
1791-1867

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.

Archeaological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario