Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1860-1863

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/13/2025, 10:56:32 PM

Added description

Description

Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1860‑1863

Overview

These are the official minutes of faculty meetings held by the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania between 1860 and 1863. The collection consists of scanned text and image files (JPEG and TIFF) produced by Drexel Production and stored in the PINAX system. The documents are in English and are in the public domain. They record administrative decisions, faculty appointments, student examinations, financial reports, and other matters concerning the college’s operations in Philadelphia.

Background

The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania was a pioneering women’s medical institution active from 1850 to 1863. The minutes were prepared by faculty members such as Ann Preston (Secretary), Edward H. Cleveland (Treasurer/Secretary‑Pro‑Tem), and John Fussell (Dean). The college’s governance structure included committees on the museum, beneficiaries, and announcements, and the faculty met regularly to discuss curriculum, finances, and student admissions.

Contents

The collection contains:
  • Minutes of individual faculty meetings (e.g., Oct 17 1860, Jan 7 1861, Mar 5 1861, etc.) with attendance lists, motions, and resolutions.
  • Reports from the Dean (1861‑1862) and Treasurer (1861‑1863) detailing financial transactions and balances.
  • Records of student admissions and examinations, including candidates for graduation and their subjects (e.g., “Apoplexy,” “Physiology,” “Duties & Responsibilities of the Physician”).
  • Documentation of the Ninth Annual Commencement (March 13 1861) held at the Medical Fund Hall, including degree conferrals and the valedictory address.
  • Committee appointments and actions, such as the formation of the Museum Committee and the Beneficiaries Committee.
  • Resignations and appointments of faculty members (e.g., resignation of Dr. Birdsell, appointment of Dr. Temple as Treasurer).

Scope

The minutes cover the period from 1860 to 1863, focusing on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They address topics such as medical education, faculty governance, student admissions, financial management, and institutional ceremonies. The collection excludes personal correspondence, student records, and external institutional reports, concentrating solely on internal faculty deliberations and administrative documentation.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

**College**

@female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania:organization {location: @philadelphia, type: "Women's medical college", active_years: "1850-1863"}

**People (first definition only)**  

@ann_preston:person {full_name: "Ann Preston", role: "Secretary", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@edward_h_cleveland:person {full_name: "Edward H. Cleveland", role: "Treasurer (later Secretary‑Pro‑Tem)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@john_fussell:person {full_name: "John Fussell", role: "Dean (1860‑1863)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Birdsell", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@coates:person {full_name: "Dr. Coates", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@kerr:person {full_name: "Dr. Kerr", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@temple:person {full_name: "Dr. Temple", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@russell:person {full_name: "Dr. Russell", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@tinsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Tinsell", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@binstoll:person {full_name: "Dr. Binstoll", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@locatis:person {full_name: "Dr. Locatis", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@kern:person {full_name: "Dr. Kern", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@leach:person {full_name: "E. Leach", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@edwin_fassell:person {full_name: "Edwin Fassell", role: "President (1862‑1863)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@frank_fristill:person {full_name: "Dr. Fristill", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@simple:person {full_name: "Dr. Simple", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@booth:person {full_name: "Dr. Booth", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@herr:person {full_name: "Dr. Herr", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@j_h_anthony:person {full_name: "J. H. Anthony", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@cato:person {full_name: "Dr. Cato", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@sample:person {full_name: "M. Sample", role: "Treasurer (1861‑1862)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@scarlett:person {full_name: "Mr. J. Scarlett", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@mary_t_fassell:person {full_name: "Mary T. Fassell", role: "Candidate for Chair of Anatomy & Physiology", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  

**Students (selected)**  

@frances_v_davis:person {full_name: "Miss Frances V. Davis", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@sarah_kleckner:person {full_name: "Sarah Kleckner", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@sallie_paul:person {full_name: "Sallie Paul", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@jane_payne:person {full_name: "Jane Payne", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@rachel_t_speakman:person {full_name: "Rachel T. Speakman", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@mary_j_reynolds:person {full_name: "Mrs. Mary J. Reynolds", status: "Candidate (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@miss_paine:person {full_name: "Miss Jane Payne", status: "Applicant (1860‑1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@mrs_taylor:person {full_name: "Mrs. Taylor", status: "Applicant (1861)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@mrs_redmond:person {full_name: "Mrs. Redmond", status: "Applicant (1862)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  
@mrs_parter:person {full_name: "Mrs. Parter", status: "Applicant (1862)", affiliation: @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania}  

**Events (faculty meetings & key ceremonies)**  

@meeting_oct_17_1860:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1860_10_17, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_137_jpg}  
@meeting_dec_18_1860:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1860_12_18, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_137_jpg}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861:event {type: "Annual meeting", when: @date_1861_01_07, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_138_jpg}  
@meeting_jan_12_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_01_12, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_139_jpg}  
@meeting_jan_21_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_01_21, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_140_jpg}  
@meeting_feb_20_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_02_20, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_140_jpg}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_02_??, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_141_jpg}  
@meeting_mar_5_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting (voting)", when: @date_1861_03_05, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_142_jpg}  
@commencement_9th_1861:event {type: "Ninth Annual Commencement", when: @date_1861_03_13, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_143_jpg}  
@meeting_oct_10_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_10_10, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_144_jpg}  
@meeting_oct_17_1861:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1861_10_17, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_145_jpg}  
@meeting_feb_6_1862:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1862_02_06, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_146_jpg}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1862_02_13, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_147_jpg}  
@meeting_sep_13_1862:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1862_09_13, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_147_jpg}  
@meeting_oct_12_1862:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1862_10_12, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_151_jpg}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863:event {type: "Annual meeting", when: @date_1863_02_07, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_152_jpg}  
@meeting_mar_4_1863:event {type: "Faculty meeting", when: @date_1863_03_04, where: @philadelphia, documented_by: @file_a092_001_156_jpg}  

**Documents (reports & minutes)**  

@deans_report_1861_1862:document {type: "Dean's financial report", author: @john_fussell, period: "1861‑1862", documented_by: @file_a092_001_153_jpg}  
@treasurers_report_1861_1863:document {type: "Treasurer's financial report", author: @sample, period: "1861‑1863", documented_by: @file_a092_001_154_jpg}  

**Key Relationships (selected)**  

*Meeting attendance*  

@meeting_oct_17_1860 -> present -> [@birdsell, @coates, @kerr, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_dec_18_1860 -> present -> [@birdsell, @coates, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> present -> [@temple, @birdsell, @coates, @fussell, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_jan_12_1861 -> present -> [@birdsell, @fussell, @coates, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_jan_21_1861 -> present -> [@russell, @sample, @birdsell, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_feb_20_1861 -> present -> [@birdsell, @kerr, @russell, @ann_preston]  
@meeting_mar_5_1861 -> present -> [@brooksell, @coates, @russell, @kerr, @ann_preston, @temple]  

*Appointments & elections*  

@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> elected -> @john_fussell:person {position: "Dean"}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> appointed -> @temple:person {position: "Treasurer"}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> appointed -> @ann_preston:person {position: "Secretary"}  
@meeting_jan_12_1861 -> appointed -> @ann_preston:person {role: "Auditor of accounts"}  
@meeting_jan_21_1861 -> appointed -> @russell:person {role: "Auditor of Treasurer's account"}  
@meeting_feb_6_1862 -> appointed -> @ann_preston:person {role: "Investigate Dr. Thomas for Anatomy lectures"}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862 -> appointed -> @ann_preston:person {role: "Committee to prepare announcement"}  
@meeting_sep_13_1862 -> appointed -> @temple, @kerr, @cleveland:person {role: "Museum inventory committee"}  
@meeting_mar_4_1863 -> appointed -> @fussell, @ann_preston, @cleveland:person {role: "Committee to prepare essay for announcement"}  

*Resolutions & motions*  

@meeting_oct_17_1860 -> resolved -> {motion: "Limit each professor to three lectures per week", proposer: @birdsell}  
@meeting_dec_18_1860 -> resolved -> {motion: "Suspend lectures from Christmas to New Year inclusive", proposer: @birdsell}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Advance $75 to Dr. Fussell for anatomy chair pay", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "One dollar for Secretary correspondence expenses", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_jan_12_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Convey thanks to Thomas H. Powers for medicine donation", proposer: @coates}  
@meeting_jan_21_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Pay Dean $9.42 balance due", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_feb_20_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Refer Miss Paine's application to Dean", proposer: @russell}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Reject Mrs. Taylor from examination (non‑compliance)", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_mar_5_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Suspend rule requiring Dean to inform each candidate of vote", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_mar_5_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Recommend candidates to Corporators for graduation", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_oct_10_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Resignations of Dr. Birdsell accepted", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_oct_17_1861 -> resolved -> {motion: "Omit 1861‑1862 session due to circumstances", proposer: @kerr}  
@meeting_feb_6_1862 -> resolved -> {motion: "Place faculty apparatus & medicines under Hospital management", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862 -> resolved -> {motion: "Approve $250 for museum article purchase", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_sep_13_1862 -> resolved -> {motion: "Recommend Mary T. Fassell for Chair of Anatomy & Physiology", proposer: @temple, seconded_by: @booth}  
@meeting_oct_12_1862 -> resolved -> {motion: "Purchase museum articles for $50", proposer: @edwin_fassell}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> resolved -> {motion: "Modify by‑laws to shift correspondence to Secretary", proposer: @ann_preston}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> elected -> @john_fussell:person {position: "Dean (re‑elected)"}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> appointed -> @ann_preston:person {position: "Treasurer"}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> appointed -> @edward_h_cleveland:person {position: "Secretary"}  

*Committee formations*  

@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> formed -> @committee_museum:organization {members: [@fussell, @scarlett, @cleveland]}  
@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> formed -> @committee_beneficiaries:organization {members: [@fussell, @temple, @ann_preston]}  
@meeting_feb_6_1862 -> formed -> @committee_museum_inventory:organization {members: [@temple, @kerr, @cleveland]}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862 -> formed -> @committee_announcement:organization {members: [@fussell, @ann_preston, @cleveland]}  

*Reports*  

@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> produced -> @deans_report_1861_1862  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> produced -> @treasurers_report_1861_1863  

*Commencement details*  

@commencement_9th_1861 -> held_at -> @medical_fund_hall:place {city: @philadelphia}  
@commencement_9th_1861 -> conferred_degrees_on -> [@mary_t_fassell, @frances_v_davis, @sarah_kleckner, @sallie_paul, @jane_payne, @rachel_t_speakman]  
@commencement_9th_1861 -> valedictory_delivered_by -> @john_fussell  

*Financial transactions*  

@meeting_jan_7_1861 -> advanced_funds -> {amount: 75, to: @john_fussell, purpose: "Anatomy chair salary"}  
@meeting_jan_21_1861 -> paid -> {amount: 9.42, to: @john_fussell, reason: "Dean's balance due"}  
@meeting_feb_20_1861 -> noted_application -> {applicant: @miss_paine, issue: "peculiarities in admission"}  

*Resignations*  

@meeting_oct_10_1861 -> resignation -> @birdsell:person {reason: "Duties elsewhere"}  
@meeting_oct_17_1861 -> resignation -> @birdsell:person {reason: "Public appointment distance"}  

*Student examinations & admissions*  

@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @miss_paine:person {topic: "Woman as Physician", examiner: @temple}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @miss_rickettner:person {topic: "Apoplexy", examiner: @birdsell}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @mrs_reynolds:person {topic: "Duties & Responsibilities of the Physician", examiner: @kerr}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @miss_paul:person {topic: "Treatment of Infants", examiner: @russell}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @miss_davis:person {topic: "Pneumonia", examiner: @birdsell}  
@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> examined -> @miss_speakman:person {topic: "Physiology", examiner: @ann_preston}  

*Admission decisions*  

@meeting_feb_??_1861 -> denied_admission -> @mrs_taylor:person {reason: "Non‑compliance with college rules"}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862 -> permitted_withdrawal -> @mrs_redmond:person {action: "Withdraw application for graduation"}  
@meeting_feb_13_1862 -> admitted_as_second_course -> @mrs_parter:person  

*Other notable actions*  

@meeting_oct_12_1862 -> received_letter -> @mary_a_s_jones:person {origin: "Baltimore"}  
@meeting_feb_7_1863 -> re‑elected -> @john_fussell:person {position: "Dean"}  

---  

**File references**  

@file_pinax -> metadata -> @female_medical_college_of_pennsylvania {title: "Female Medical College of Pennsylvania Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1860‑1863"}  

@file_a092_001_137_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_17_1860  
@file_a092_001_138_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_jan_7_1861  
@file_a092_001_139_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_jan_12_1861  
@file_a092_001_140_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_jan_21_1861  
@file_a092_001_141_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_??_1861  
@file_a092_001_142_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_mar_5_1861  
@file_a092_001_143_jpg -> documents -> @commencement_9th_1861  
@file_a092_001_144_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_10_1861  
@file_a092_001_145_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_17_1861  
@file_a092_001_146_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_6_1862  
@file_a092_001_147_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_13_1862  
@file_a092_001_148_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_sep_13_1862  
@file_a092_001_149_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_12_1862  
@file_a092_001_150_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_13_1862 (museum purchase)  
@file_a092_001_151_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_12_1862  
@file_a092_001_152_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_7_1863  
@file_a092_001_153_jpg -> documents -> @deans_report_1861_1862  
@file_a092_001_154_jpg -> documents -> @treasurers_report_1861_1863  
@file_a092_001_155_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_7_1863 (by‑law modifications)  
@file_a092_001_156_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_mar_4_1863  

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/13/2025, 10:56:32 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/13/2025, 10:49:10 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/13/2025, 10:38:19 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/13/2025, 10:29:47 PM · View this version
    "Alphabetical chunk 2/3 (40 files)"

Additional Components (40)

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