Thomas Dale was born in Hoxton, England, the son of Francis Dale, a pharmacist. He studied medicine and pharmacy with his father and then received a medical degree from the University of Leiden in 1723. He practiced medicine for a time in London, but his practice was not successful, and he supported himself by translating medical texts from Latin to English. Following his marriage in 1732 to an older woman Marie, who had a "lurid" reputation, he decided to leave London for South Carolina.[1]
Arriving in Charles Town in March 1732 in the middle of a yellow fever epidemic, he was able to establish a successful medical practice. He also was a writer and a participant in the city's cultural activities. He was so popular that in 1734 the governor appointed him as a judge, even though he had no legal training. Dale also represented St. Peter Parish in the Commons House of Assembly in 1749-1750.[1][2]
Dale's first wife Marie died of yellow fever in August 1732.[1] On 28 March 1733 he married Mary Brewton, daughter of Colonel Miles Brewton. They had two children, Thomas and Mary, who died young. Mary Brewton Dale was buried with her child Mary on 25 May 1737 at St. Philip's Church[3][4].
On 28 November 1738 he married Anne Smith, daughter of William Smith and Elizabeth Schenckingh. They had no children before her death in January 1743.[3] [5]
His last wife was Hannah Simmons, daughter of Thomas Simmons, whom he married on 30 June 1743.[3] They had children Thomas Simmons, Jane, and Francis.[2]
Thomas Dale died 16 September 1750 at age 50 in Charles Town.[6]His Will, written 27 July 1743, mentions his wife Hannah and brother [in-law] Thomas Simmonds, Jr. He leaves instructions for the disposal of his library and plant collections.[7]
His widow Hannah wrote her Will on 9 April 1751, and it was proved 26 April 1751. She names her three children Thomas Simons Dale, Jane Dale, and the child lately born to be named Francis. She asks that her children be sent to England to their grandfather Francis Dale, apothecary, of Hoxton.[8]
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