Peter Brennan AKA "Brennan Bonesetter"

The Curious Case of 79 Tobacco-Stained Teeth

During the excavation for water and sewer upgrades on Water Street in 2018-2019, there were some mysterious discoveries and one stood out in particular. Archeologists advised that 79 tobacco-stained teeth were uncovered in one concentrated area underneath the ground near 284 Water Street, St. John’s.

The find was kept a secret since then so crews could clew up the excavation and installation of infrastructure without interference from people curious to see where the teeth were found.

He said the teeth were found in a wooden drain and sewer system likely dated around the mid-1800s, but until he has an opportunity to study the artifacts found within, that date is an educated guess.

“A lot of them had really bad cavities,” said Temple.

“Whoever owned the teeth, they were in a lot of pain.”

Penney said many teeth also had “a terrific amount of tobacco staining.”

A possible connection could be to Peter Brennan, a merchant, ship owner and politician who had a business in Beck’s Cove:

“He was called ‘Brennan the bonesetter’ because he would use block and tackle to set broken bones and stuff, and it seems very likely that he also drew teeth,” said Cuff.

https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/news/79-human-teeth-found-under-water-street-in-st-johns-322702/

Peter Brennan was born in Ireland around 1786 and died in St. John’s on August 13, 1887. He worked for a time as a “bonesetter” before becoming a political figure in which he represented St. John's West in the Newfoundland Assembly from 1866 to 1873. He was first elected to the assembly in an 1866 by-election. He was born in Kilkenny and came to St. John's in 1819 at the age of 8. and later resided on St. Clare Avenue, St. John’s.

He was known to be an anti-confederate and defeated well known politician, John Casey, and won again in 1869. There was a local song written in the 1870s noting his success titled “The Bennett Government”.

During the nineteenth century, Brennan was a prominent and wealthy citizen of St. John’s. Many called him a saint because of his miraculous work. He would give his assistance to those in need, free of charge. He would travel during the harsh winter months on the narrow roads during blizzards to help others, risking his own life in the process.

In an article of The Newfoundlander of February 13, 1985 it noted the following:

“As I have been called upon from time to time during the last 24 years by those who have unfortunately met with dislocated and fractured limbs, some of which have been of long standing when placed under my care, and which were before in the hand of gentlemen who pretend to understand the art of Bone Setting, and who left them in worse condition then at first, and as my chief reward has been travelling far and near, through frost and snow and unbroken paths, I beg of those who may unfortunately received such injury to let me know is time.

There are six now laboring under different cases these three or four months, and who are in more dangerous state put his limb beyond danger in twenty minutes. At the same time I will wager Two hundred pounds in money to be staked with Ambrose Shea, Esq., with any man that he will not make a cure of either of the six cases.