Nathan Ward

Nathan Ward (November 21, 1804 – November 24, 1860) was a physician born in Plymouth, New Hampshire who worked as a religious and medical missionary in Jaffna, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from 1833 to 1846. Ward is most remembered for his work as the head physician of the Batticotta Seminary, where he served as a prominent educator and was influential in handling the cholera outbreak of 1846.

Early life and education Nathan Ward was born on November 21, 1804, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. His mother was Sarah Ward and his father was Samuel Ward. He received his primary and secondary schooling in his birth town. Later, he attended Bowdoin College Medical School, the "Medical School of Maine" and graduated in 1832. After schooling, he moved to live in Vermont, where he met his wife and later settled to have kids.

Personal life Ward married Hannah Ward on January 8, 1833. They met in Vermont, where Hannah was born. They lived in North Troy, Vermont for a couple of years before eventually settling in Burlington, Vermont. Nathan and Hannah Ward traveled to Ceylon together, where the eventually conceived and raised all of their children. In 1834, the Wards had their first child, William H. Ward. Later, they had their second son, Edward C. Ward and in 1842 they had Samuel R. Ward. At some point in between the births of William and Samuel, the Wards also had a baby girl who died before turning one.

Service Ward was only the second capable and qualified physician to be sent to the Batticotta Seminary and was, therefore, much needed and appreciated. The physician that was at the seminary before Ward was Dr. Scudder. After Ward arrived, he was able to open new stations in the peninsula and was eventually relocated to Madras in 1836. Scudder left Ward in charge of the seminary. He lived with other missionaries, Daniel Poor, Henry Woodward, James Read Eckard and their wives. At that point, Ward was the only American A.B.C.F.M physician in all of Jaffna. Ward helped educate the population while also providing medication. Many of the natives were opposed to taking medication, but Ward was able to treat around 900 patients and save around 600 people to give him a 60% success rate.

Death After about a decade in Vermont, Ward was again overcome by the calling of overseas missionary work. His health had improved since he left and so on October 30, 1860, Nathan and Hannah Ward departed on their second journey from Boston to Ceylon. Unfortunately, Ward was never able to make it back to Ceylon. On November 24, 1860, Ward died of a heart attack at sea. In a letter written by Hannah Ward she states that he died peacefully in his sleep. Hannah Ward continued on to Jaffna despite her husband's passing and worked there for five years before returning home. She later died in 1884.