Dr. J.T.B. Foard, Escambia, Alabama

http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/escambia/bios/drfoard.txt
================================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE:
All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the 
contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws 
and Regulations.

In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these 
documents may be used by anyone for their personal research.  They may be used 
by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is 
included.

These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit.

Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from 
the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites.

The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file 
permanently for free access.

This file was contributed and copyrighted by:

Lygia Cutts
<G.Cutts@mchsi.com>
==================================================================== 
September 1998


Dr.  J.T.B. Foard - Pollard, Escambia Co., AL

     
     Dr. Foard was born in Ireland in 1837 and came to Philadelphia with 
his parents when he was a small boy. He married Caroline R. Snowden Sowell, 
born 30 MAR 1842,  widow of Jim Sowell. Jim Sowell was killed in the Civil 
War. Caroline was the daughter of James Snowden, Jr. and Elizabeth Kennedy. 
Caroline and Jim Sowell had one son, Jim Sowell, Jr. and Dr. Foard and 
Caroline had one daughter named Stella. Stella married a son of Neil 
McMillan.

     Dr. Foard stood 5' 91/2" and weighed 175 pounds. He was of florid 
complexion and had dark blue eyes and a slight scar on his nose. It has 
been stated that he was neat appearing, polished, stood erect and was 
stately looking, and in manner. 

     In 1883,  during the epidemic, Dr. Foard treated one or two cases of 
yellow fever, but he never acknowledged them.  According to other records 
he did treat others who fell victim to this terrible epidemic, but for 
some reason, these were not reported.

     On March 31, 1888, Dr. Foard was convicted for the crime of 
Embezzlement and sentenced to 5 years. During his trial , Dr. Foard said, 
"I beg to be allowed to serve out my sentence among the people I have 
wronged." His appeal was denied. 

     On March 21, 1888 -  Neil McMillan wrote a letter in defence of Dr. 
Foard - "There lies at this moment in a prison cell a gentleman whose 
character, blackened as it is in the estimation of an unforgiving world, 
has, nevertheless, in time but shortly passed, com-pelled the admiration 
of a nation for its possessor. That Dr. Foard has erred, neither I nor his 
most intimate friends seek to deny; but that he has been willfully guilty 
of a violation of his country's laws may well be doubtful-----When that 
dread scourge, yellow fever, went through the land in 1883, dealing death 
to the right and to the left; when the time was characterized by horrors so 
great that the stouted hearts stood appalled in contemplation of the ghastly 
work ----- Dr. Foard stood manfully to his post, true to himself and to his noble 
profession, and battled with the invisible though terrible monster whose visit to 
Brewton left so many ______ desolate-------- I leave justice and equity out of the 
question and appeal for human forgiveness."

     Dr. Foard's sentence was to expire March 31, 1893, however, he was 
pardoned by the then Governor on December 23, 1891.

   Caroline Foard died 27 MAY 1910 and Dr. Foard died 31 MAY 1906. Both are 
buried in Pollard Cemetery, Escambia Co., AL. 

 Source: The above short biography on Dr. J.T.B. Foard is based on notes 
that I found written by Mrs. Annie C. Waters, found in the Pollard folder, 
Vertical File, AL Room, JDCC Library, Brewton, Esc. Co., AL.