Dr. Walter Hunnewell, Watertown physician, 1769 - 1855.

Photograph of painted portrait hanging in the Watertown Library. Dr. Hunnewell was born in Cambridge, August 4, 1769. He graduated at Harvard College in 1787, in the same class with John Quincy Adams, William Cranch, Thaddeus Mason Harris, James Lloyd, and Samuel Putnam. He studied medicine with Dr. Spring, of Watertown, Mass., and afterwards settled in Watertown, where he passed the whole of his professional life. He was a whig in politics, but was so devoted to his profession, that he did not allow himself to take any active part in the public affairs of either town or state. He married, May 12, 1800, Susannah Cooke, a daughter of Captain Phineas and Abigail (Durant) Cooke, and sister of Mrs. John Fowle. For many years he was the only physician in the town, and also had a large practice in Newton and West Cambridge. His health continued so good, even in his later years, that he was not obliged to relinquish his professional duties until nearly eighty years of age. "With such a long residence in Watertown, he was well known in all that vicinity as a prominent and respected citizen, as well as a distinguished and skilful physician." He died there, October 19, 1855.