SAMUEL JOHNSON TENNENT

Samuel Johnson Tennent was born in London January 5, 1818, son of Archibald and Maria (Johnson) Tennent, and named for his mother's great uncle, Dr. Samuel Johnson, famous lexicographer and wit. His father was the author of several books and contributor to "The London Times". For a short time he substituted as Poet Laureate during the illness of his friend, Lord Tennyson.

After graduation from medical school, Dr. Tennent served as ship's surgeon on sailing vessels, including whalers, which came into Hawaiian waters. As ship's physician, he shared in the profits from the whale oil.

In the Spring of 1841, Dr. Tennent came to the Islands on a round-the-world cruise of the "Ranger", which went into winter quarters at Lahaina, Maui. King Kamehameha III, who was suffering from typhoid fever, requested the services of the ship's doctor. Dr. Tennent changed His Majesty's drinking water and in a few days great improvement was noted. As a result of his professional success, King Kamehameha appointed him Court physician and collector of the port at Lahaina at a fixed honorarium.

His Majesty and the young doctor became great friends. The King presented Dr. Tennent with a fine horse, sterling silver bordered saddle, gaily colored trappings and six donkeys Three natives were provided as servants.

When in 1848 the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the Islands, Dr. Tennent resigned his posts. King Kamehameha offered to raise the doctor's salary to half the port fees if he would agree to stay, but nothing would induce him to remain.

Stopping at the El Rancho Pinole in the late fall of 1848, while on his way to the gold fields above Sacramento, the doctor met Rafaela Martinez. It was a case of love at first sight, and when Jose Martinez, brother of Rafaela, begged him to remain and treat several of the native Indians on the rancho, the doctor sent to Sacramento for his books and medicines and remained on the rancho. With all dreams of gold apparently gone, Dr. Tennent married Rafaela on September 18, 1849 in the Mission San Jose, the doctor having changed his religion from the High Episcopal Church to Roman Catholic. The couple became the parents of ten sons and daughters.

Dr. Tennent practiced medicine, bought and sold cattle and, together with a partner by the name of Chandler, engaged in the wholesale meat business in San Francisco.

Dr. Tennent died on July 16, 1886, in Martinez, California, at the age of 68.

It is interesting to know that in 1891, when King Kalakaua was in his last illness in the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, he sent for Dr. John B. Tennent, son of Dr. Samuel Johnson Tennent. Although near death, the King voiced his gratitude for Dr. Samuel's services to him as a youth and to his great uncle, Kamehameha III.

(From "The King's Physician" by Hal Johnson, "The Star-Bulletin", January 8, 1955)

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