Memories of my Grandfather by Ann Polson
Extract from an unknown book. recalling, ' Memories of my Grandfather', written by Ann Polson in 1952 and amended in 1971. The memories extract reads: "John Alexander Polson JP was my grandfather. His father (William Polson) was a miller in the Bonar Bridge district at Brackwell in Migdale and he married Ann Fraser, a daughter of a factor down Nairn way. He was at one time the only chemist (not qualified - there were no chemistry degrees then) in Sutherland and bled patients with leeches which were attached to the patient and allowed to suck as much blood as they could hold. They were then thrown into a large leeches jar containing salt and they vomited up the blood - and were again ready for use. The leeches jar is still in Mrs Polson (Grandma's) house and is like a large china pepper pot with a perforated lid with 'LEECHES' printed on the front. It was about 12 inches high. Grandpa was also a general merchant and had about 6 horses and vans which travelled all over Sutherland with goods. When Bonar Bridge was being repaired by divers a few years ago (1946) they brought up a clay pipe with J A Polson Bonar Bridge printed on it. This pipe must have been sold before 1900." (see picture #15795)
Dimensions: digital document