Silhouette of Dr Thomas Tomkin

This framed piece shows the silhouette of Dr Thomas Tomkin, still in it's original frame, on one side, and the inscription from the back of the silhouette which reads:

Dr Tomkin

Witham

Born 1779

At Yalding

Kent

July 2nd 69

Born 1779, Dr Thomas Tomkin established a private lunatic asylum in The Retreat, Maldon Road, Witham. 'White’s Directory of Essex' (1848) noted that 18 residents of Witham were cared for in “the private Lunatic Asylum, which was established here in 1819, by Mr. Tompkin, surgeon, and has room for 30 patients.”

The Retreat is now a collection of bungalows.