Dr.Ingalls Kittredge, Sr. was born one of twelve children. Ingalls had four brothers who practiced the healing art, the eldest of whom, Dr. Zephaniah, who lived in Mount Vernon, was a man of famous skill, and with him, no doubt, Ingalls studied.

He married Sarah Conant, daughter of Jonathan and Mary/Mercy (Lovett) Conant, who was in direct descent (of the sixth generation), from Roger Conant, the first settler and founder of Salem, which at that period (1626) was called Naumkeag. Their two children were Ingalls Jr., born on May 30, 1798, and Sarah, born October 1, 1800, both at Townsend, Middlesex Co.

In April, 1803 they bought land in Beverly and he had a large practice which extended widely to the surrounding towns. The death of his esteemed wife, which occurred October 7, 1833, and his marriage to Lydia Smith in April, 1836, induced him to change his residence from the upper part of the town to a more central location. In politics he was an outspoken adherent of the "Anti-Slavery" party. The since famous Fred. Douglas was aided by him, and by him introduced to a public audience in Beverly.

[source: "History of Essex County, Massachusetts", by D. H. Hurd, Ed., Published in 1888, pages 764-765]

From Municipal History of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume 2

edited by Benjamin F. Arrington

Physicians of Beverly - Among the most noted medical men in early days in Beverly was Dr Ingalls Kittredge a native of Amherst born 1769 and died at Beverly 1856 sixth in genealogical line from John Kittredge of Billerica who received grants of land in 1660 His father was Solomon Kittredge The son followed the profession of his father was a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1820 and studied medicine with Dr John C Warren The name first appears in the tax list in 1803 but he did not become a resident of Beverly until 1804 His early visits were made on horseback but later his large practice caused him to adopt the so called sulky which vehicle was only capable of carrying one person This doctor would today have been known as of the Eclectic school of medicine for he would prescribe anything he thought would cure whether it was named in his school of medicine books or not He achieved great success as a doctor and surgeon He was among the first ardent temperance advocates was a strong anti slavery man a friend of Whit tier Phillips Sumner Garrison and such men of mark He aided Fred Douglas and George Latimer to escape to the north star country Canada where they became free men He managed the line of underground railroad through this county and could always be counted upon as true in his work for the runaway slave But few such men have ever blessed a community With the passing decades scores of physicians have practiced in Beverly but it is a question whether any have surpassed Dr Kittredge in fidelity and earnestness .