Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1856-1857

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 11/13/2025, 10:54:08 PM

Added description

Description

Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1856‑1857

Overview

A collection of scanned images (JPEG and TIFF) of faculty meeting minutes from the University Medical College of Pennsylvania, held in Chester, Pennsylvania. The documents cover meetings from 28 May 1856 through October 1857, including the minutes of 12 separate sessions. The material is in English, dated 1856–1857, and was transcribed by Dr. Ellwood Harvey in 1886. The files are stored in the PINAX repository (id 01K9ZNTCCJGW6233WD23K17Q8B) and are available under an unspecified rights statement.

Background

The minutes record the deliberations of the college’s faculty, who were responsible for academic appointments, curriculum decisions, financial matters, and the organization of public lectures. The institution was governed by a board of corporators, and faculty meetings were the primary venue for proposing and approving changes to the college’s structure and operations. The documents were produced in Chester, PA, and reflect the administrative practices of mid‑19th‑century American medical education.

Contents

The collection contains 12 images, each corresponding to a distinct meeting. Key subjects include:
  • Faculty appointments: election of Dr. Russell as Dean, appointment of Dr. H. J. Brown to the chair of surgery, Dr. Gillingham as treasurer, and the induction of new professors (Harvey, Furness, Birdsell, Cleveland).
  • Curricular decisions: assignment of introductory and valedictory lectures, reduction of lecture hours, and the abolition of the matriculation fee.
  • Financial and administrative actions: resignation of the janitor’s duty from the treasurer to the dean, suspension of lectures during the Christmas–New Year period, and the audit of the dean’s account.
  • Committee formations: creation of committees for the museum, hall procurement, and beneficiaries.
  • Student matters: admission of Miss Susan Parry and examination of Mr. L. A. Cohen.
  • Special events: recommendation of Dr. Eliza Gatchell as adjunct professor of chemistry and the suspension of lectures following Dr. Guthrie’s death.

The OCR text provides verbatim transcriptions of the minutes, while the images preserve the original handwritten records.

Scope

The material covers a continuous span of faculty meetings from May 28 1856 to October 1857, encompassing 12 sessions. It focuses on internal governance of the medical college, including appointments, curriculum, finances, and student affairs. The documents do not include external correspondence or broader institutional records beyond the faculty meetings. The collection is valuable for scholars of medical education history, institutional governance, and the social history of Chester, Pennsylvania.

Entities

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Entity Relationships

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Raw Cheimarros Data

@file_pinax:document {title: "Faculty Meeting Minutes, 1856-1857", creator: ["Ellwood Harvey","Mark G. Kerr","T. Furrell","Edwin Finsell","E. F. Russell","Edwin Furness"], created: @date_1856_1857, language: "en", subjects: ["Faculty meetings","Medical education","University governance","Academic appointments","Medical school administration"], description: "Minutes of faculty meetings from 1856 to 1857, including discussions on academic appointments, curriculum, and administrative decisions.", place: @chester_pa}

@chester_pa:place {state: @pennsylvania, country: @united_states}

@ellwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Ellwood Harvey"}
@mark_g_kerr:person {full_name: "Mark G. Kerr"}
@t_furrell:person {full_name: "T. Furrell"}
@edwin_finsell:person {full_name: "Edwin Finsell"}
@e_f_russell:person {full_name: "E. F. Russell"}
@edwin_furness:person {full_name: "Edwin Furness"}
@dr_preston:person {full_name: "Dr. Preston"}
@dr_russell:person {full_name: "Dr. Russell"}
@dr_gillingham:person {full_name: "Dr. Gillingham"}
@dr_birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Birdsell"}
@dr_h_j_brown:person {full_name: "Dr. H. J. Brown"}
@caroline_horton_cleveland:person {full_name: "Caroline Horton Cleveland", title: "M.D."}
@dr_kerr:person {full_name: "Dr. Kerr"}
@dr_harvey:person {full_name: "Dr. Harvey"}
@dr_brown:person {full_name: "Dr. Brown"}
@mr_sanders:person {full_name: "Mr. Sanders"}
@mr_l_a_cohen:person {full_name: "L. A. Cohen"}
@elizabeth_d_h_cohen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth D. H. Cohen"}
@elizabeth_d_baugh:person {full_name: "Elizabeth D. Baugh"}
@miss_r_moon:person {full_name: "R. Moon"}
@miss_dinanna_taghnett:person {full_name: "Dinanna Taghnett"}
@miss_phebe_willan:person {full_name: "Phebe Willan"}
@miss_hannia_preston:person {full_name: "Hannia Preston"}
@mrs_lucy_m_peterschill:person {full_name: "Lucy M. Peterschill"}
@miss_mary_j_scarlett:person {full_name: "Mary J. Scarlett"}
@prof_pickett:person {full_name: "Prof. Pickett"}
@prof_brown:person {full_name: "Prof. Brown"}
@prof_bindell:person {full_name: "Prof. Bindell"}
@prof_kerr:person {full_name: "Prof. Kerr"}
@prof_preston:person {full_name: "Prof. Preston"}
@prof_russell:person {full_name: "Prof. Russell"}
@dr_elwood_harvey:person {full_name: "Dr. Elwood Harvey"}
@dr_sylvester_birdsell:person {full_name: "Dr. Sylvester Birdsell"}
@dr_emeline_hata_cleveland:person {full_name: "Dr. Emeline Hata Cleveland"}
@dr_edwin_furness:person {full_name: "Dr. Edwin Furness"}
@dr_fennell:person {full_name: "Dr. Fennell"}
@mr_temple:person {full_name: "Mr. Temple"}
@dr_guthrie:person {full_name: "Dr. Guthrie"}
@eliza_gatchell:person {full_name: "Eliza Gatchell", title: "M.D."}
@susan_parry:person {full_name: "Susan Parry"}
@doak:person {full_name: "Doak"}
@birdsell:person {full_name: "Doak & Birdsell"}   # collective reference for joint appointment
@rev_hunt:person {full_name: "Rev. Hunt"}

@chair_of_surgery:position {title: "Chair of Surgery"}
@demonstrator_of_anatomy:position {title: "Demonstrator of Anatomy"}
@dean_of_faculty:position {title: "Dean"}
@treasurer:position {title: "Treasurer"}
@auditor:position {title: "Auditor"}
@valedictory_address:position {title: "Valedictory Address"}
@general_introductory_lecture:position {title: "General Introductory Lecture"}
@adjunct_prof_chemistry:position {title: "Adjunct Professor of Chemistry"}
@prof_chemistry_toxicology:position {title: "Professor of Chemistry & Toxicology"}
@prof_obstetrics:position {title: "Professor of Obstetrics & Diseases of Women & Children"}
@prof_theory_practice_medicine:position {title: "Professor of Theory & Practice of Medicine"}
@prof_anatomy_histology:position {title: "Professor of Anatomy & Histology"}

@committee_hall:organization {purpose: "procure Hall for commencement"}
@committee_museum:organization {purpose: "Museum committee"}
@committee_hunt:organization {purpose: "obtain services of Rev. Hunt"}
@committee_beneficiaries:organization {purpose: "Beneficiaries"}
@board_of_corporators:organization {title: "Board of Corporators"}

@meeting_may_28_1856:event {when: @date_1856_05_28, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_feb_6_1857:event {when: @date_1857_02_06, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_feb_19_1857:event {when: @date_1857_02_19, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_feb_23_1857:event {when: @date_1857_02_23, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_apr_24_1857:event {when: @date_1857_04_24, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_sep_22_1857:event {when: @date_1857_09_22, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_sep_25_1857:event {when: @date_1857_09_25, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_oct_27_1856:event {when: @date_1856_10_27, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_dec_11_1856:event {when: @date_1856_12_11, where: @chester_pa}
@meeting_oct_1857:event {when: @date_1857_10, where: @chester_pa}

@file_a092_001_102_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_may_28_1856:event {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_103_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_27_1856:event {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_105_jpg -> documents -> [@meeting_oct_27_1856:event, @meeting_dec_11_1856:event] {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_106_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_feb_6_1857:event {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_109_jpg -> documents -> [@meeting_feb_19_1857:event, @meeting_feb_23_1857:event] {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_110_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_apr_24_1857:event {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_111_jpg -> documents -> [@meeting_sep_22_1857:event, @meeting_sep_25_1857:event] {source: "OCR"}
@file_a092_001_112_jpg -> documents -> @meeting_oct_1857:event {source: "OCR"}

# --- Meeting May 28 1856 ---
@meeting_may_28_1856:event -> present -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston, @dr_russell, @dr_gillingham, @dr_kerr]
@dr_h_j_brown:person -> recommended for -> @chair_of_surgery {by: @dr_russell, proxy_for: @dr_birdsell}
@caroline_horton_cleveland:person -> appointed as -> @demonstrator_of_anatomy {term: "one year", by: @dr_russell}
@dr_russell:person -> elected -> @dean_of_faculty {by: @dr_kerr, replacing: @ellwood_harvey}
@dr_gillingham:person -> appointed as -> @treasurer
@committee_museum:organization -> members -> [@t_furrell, @ellwood_harvey]

# --- Meeting Oct 27 1856 ---
@meeting_oct_27_1856:event -> present -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston, @dr_birdsell, @edwin_finsell]
@doak:person -> appointed to deliver -> @general_introductory_lecture {by: @meeting_oct_27_1856:event}
@birdsell:person -> appointed to deliver -> @general_introductory_lecture {by: @meeting_oct_27_1856:event}
@t_furrell:person -> appointed to deliver -> @valedictory_address {by: @meeting_oct_27_1856:event}
@committee_hunt:organization -> purpose -> "obtain services of Rev. Hunt"
@committee_hunt:organization -> suggested_by -> @meeting_oct_27_1856:event
@committee_museum:organization -> members -> [@t_furrell, @ellwood_harvey]

# --- Meeting Oct 27 1856 (Resolution on fees) ---
@meeting_oct_27_1856:event -> resolution -> "Matriculation fee abolished; Graduation fee set at $25.00"
@mr_sanders:person -> permitted_attendance -> {cost: "half session", tickets: "none"}

# --- Meeting Dec 11 1856 ---
@meeting_dec_11_1856:event -> present -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_birdsell, @dr_brown, @edwin_finsell]
@meeting_dec_11_1856:event -> resolution -> "Lectures suspended from Christmas to New Year's Day inclusive"

# --- Meeting Feb 6 1857 ---
@meeting_feb_6_1857:event -> present -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston, @dr_bindell, @dr_kerr, @dr_russell]
@elizabeth_d_h_cohen:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @prof_pickett
@elizabeth_d_baugh:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @prof_brown
@miss_r_moon:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_harvey
@miss_dinanna_taghnett:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_harvey
@miss_phebe_willan:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_bindell
@miss_hannia_preston:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_kerr
@mrs_lucy_m_peterschill:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_preston
@miss_mary_j_scarlett:person -> essay_assigned_to -> @dr_russell
@committee_hall:organization -> members -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_russell]

# --- Meeting Feb 19 1857 ---
@meeting_feb_19_1857:event -> present -> [@dr_harvey, @dr_preston, @dr_birdsell, @dr_brown]
@mr_l_a_cohen:person -> examined_by -> @meeting_feb_19_1857:event
@meeting_feb_19_1857:event -> vote -> {outcome: "rejection", unanimity: true}

# --- Meeting Feb 23 1857 ---
@meeting_feb_23_1857:event -> present -> [@dr_harvey, @dr_birdsell, @dr_thorn, @caroline_horton_cleveland]
@ellwood_harvey:person -> appointed as -> @prof_chemistry_toxicology {by: @board_of_corporators}
@edwin_furness:person -> appointed as -> @prof_obstetrics {by: @board_of_corporators}
@dr_sylvester_birdsell:person -> appointed as -> @prof_theory_practice_medicine {by: @board_of_corporators}
@dr_emeline_hata_cleveland:person -> appointed as -> @prof_anatomy_histology {by: @board_of_corporators}
@committee_beneficiaries:organization -> members -> [@ellwood_harvey, @edwin_furness]

# --- Meeting Apr 24 1857 ---
@meeting_apr_24_1857:event -> present -> [@ellwood_harvey, @dr_preston, @dr_birdsell, @dr_brown, @dr_fennell]
@prof_preston:person -> appointed to deliver -> @valedictory_address {by: @ellwood_harvey}
@prof_birdsell:person -> appointed to deliver -> @general_introductory_lecture {by: @ellwood_harvey}
@dr_brown:person -> appointed as -> @auditor {by: @meeting_apr_24_1857:event}
@dr_brown:person -> tasked_with -> "settlement of late Treasurer's account" {with: @dr_fennell}

# --- Meeting Sept 22 1857 ---
@meeting_sep_22_1857:event -> present -> [@dr_beresell, @dr_preston, @edwin_finsell]
@meeting_sep_22_1857:event -> resolution -> "Limit lectures to three per week for Physiology, Obstetrics, Materia Medica & Surgery"

# --- Meeting Sept 25 1857 ---
@meeting_sep_25_1857:event -> present -> [@caroline_horton_cleveland, @dr_birasell, @edwin_finsell]
@eliza_gatchell:person -> recommended as -> @adjunct_prof_chemistry {by: @meeting_sep_25_1857:event}
@susan_parry:person -> admission_reaffirmed -> @meeting_sep_25_1857:event

# --- Meeting Oct 1857 ---
@meeting_oct_1857:event -> present -> [@dr_preston, @caroline_horton_cleveland, @dr_birasell, @dr_brown]
@meeting_oct_1857:event -> resolution -> "Lectures suspended for remainder of week due to bereavement (Dr. Guthrie)"
@mr_temple:person -> recommended to give -> "Chemistry lecture" {by: @meeting_oct_1857:event}
@dr_birdell:person -> share_chair -> @chair_of_surgery {with: @edwin_furness, during: @meeting_oct_1857:event}

# --- Additional Relationships ---
@board_of_corporators:organization -> received_proposal_from -> @committee_hall
@board_of_corporators:organization -> received_proposal_from -> @committee_museum
@board_of_corporators:organization -> received_proposal_from -> @committee_hunt

# End of extracted knowledge graph.

Metadata

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 11/13/2025, 10:54:08 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 11/13/2025, 10:43:27 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 11/13/2025, 10:36:46 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 11/13/2025, 10:31:50 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Faculty_Meetings_1857"

Additional Components (16)

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01K9ZNDK7P1FMGX9MSMK8DSEK1

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