William Watt
6 Lower Street
Castle Street, Walmer
Sholden Street, Sholden
Occupation: Surgeon
William Watt was one of Deals surgeons. He was Scots by birth but it is uncertain where in Scotland he actually came from as he shared his name with many others who were also born in the same year.
He attended Kings College at Aberdeen University and graduated with an A.M. or Artium Magister which is now commonly known as an M.A. in 1810. Then in 1813, he gained Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons or M.R.C.S.
Soon after he moved to Kent as we find him on 20th October 1818, in Wingham marrying Anna Maria Sanky at St. Marys Church. It is not known if he had already set up in practice in Deal by the time they married but in 1819 they were living in Middle Street which is where sadly, Henry, their first child died at just 2 days old.
The site of 6 Lower Street today with Watts Alley to the left
By 1821 they are living at 6 Lower Street as William appears on the cess there. This describes number 6 as a Dwelling House and says that William also had a stable. A horse would have been as much a necessity then for a Doctor as a car is for our Doctors today.
In early 1850 William went into partnership with Alfred Baker Cutfield, a former Naval Surgeon, in 1858 the partnership was dissolved, probably as William retired, and Alfred continued on his own.
Barlett and White is the site of 6 Lower Street today. Interestingly the alley that runs alongside here is called Watts alley. Is there a link or just a coincidence?
Their fourth child, Catherine also died in 1827 at 3 days old. William and Thomas followed their father footsteps and both became doctors or surgeons. Thomas emigrated to Canada and William after a time in Plymouth returned to Deal where he died in 1899. Julia didn’t marry and remained in the Deal area until her death in 1916.
As for William and Anna Maria, they both died in Sholden and are buried together there in St. Nichola’s Churchyard.
